Professor Percival Pendleton

Nickname: Pip
Hometown: Cambridge, England
Occupation: Professor of Geology
Age: 37
Relationship Status: Unwed

Appearance/Face Claim: He stands at around 5'10" with a lean, wiry physique. He has a sharp jawline, piercing brown eyes, and a distinctive nose. His dark brown hair is often mussed, and he sports a well-groomed beard and mustache. Face claim: David Tennant.

Percival "Pip" Pendleton is driven by his curiosity and his drive to uncover the earth's secrets. His analytical mind is always at work, piecing together the mysteries of the natural world around him. Pip is often so focused on his work and can become so absorbed in his research that he forgets about those around him, which means he can sometimes come across as aloof or distant. Despite this, when you can get his attention, he is enthusiastically friendly and has a dry sense of humor, often making jokes at his own expense.

He's got an adventurous spirit and willingness to take risks, particularly if there's the potential for discovery.

Pip desires to uncover the hidden secrets of the Earth's geological formations and make groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

After a field accident in Tennessee left him with chronic pain, Pip developed a reliance on laudanum, which he now uses to dull both physical discomfort and the "noise" of his racing mind. He’s managed to hide his addiction so far and has brought a several month supply with him to Fort Stanton, though is uncertain where he can acquire more. He's begun experimenting with natural alternatives.

The destruction of natural wonders due to industrialization and the loss of scientific knowledge.

The U.S. government firing him instantly if they discovered his drug dependency.

Born in Cambridge, England, June 2, 1836, to a family of modest means. He's the middle child, with one older brother and a younger sister. His parents, both academics themselves, encouraged his love of learning from a young age. Pip was especially drawn to the natural sciences, and spent much of his childhood exploring the countryside and collecting specimens. He attended Cambridge University, where he studied geology and developed a passion for speleology.

After completing his studies, Percival spent several years working as a lecturer at Cambridge, but he soon became restless, feeling confined by the academic environment. He longed to explore the wider world and apply his knowledge in a more practical way. In 1867, he joined a geological expedition to the American West, where he spent several years studying the caves and rock formations of Kentucky and Tennessee.

In late 1873, he was contacted by the US Government, interested in further mapping the cave near Fort Stanton, New Mexico. Intrigued by the prospect of exploring this uncharted territory, he agreed and plans were laid for 1874. Due to "officially" begin the exploration in May 1874, he packed his bags and set off for the west, anxious to do some preliminary scouting and sourcing local resources. He arrived in Fort Stanton in early 1874, and has been exploring the caves and surrounding terrain in preparation.