Elijah 'Eli' Colter

Name: Elijah "Eli" James Colter
Age: 33
Nickname: Eli / EJ / Colt
Occupation: Ranch Hand / Drifter / Former Gunslinger
Marital Status: Single

Eli is a man of few words, and when he does speak, it’s usually laced with dry wit, sarcasm, or quiet exasperation… particularly when dealing with someone as stubborn as Adelaide Montgomery.

He keeps people at arm’s length, not out of coldness, but because he knows the cost of getting too close. Yet, once he decides someone matters, there’s no shaking him.

Loyal to a fault, he’ll fight for those he cares about without hesitation, though he’ll never try to control them. Adelaide doesn’t need a savior… he sees that… but that doesn’t mean he’ll stand by and watch if danger comes knocking.

A man used to whiskey, horses, and the open road, Eli is terrible at sitting still, always restless, always wary. He might have settled into ranch life for now, but there’s always a part of him that keeps one foot in the stirrup, ready to ride if the past comes calling.

And at night, when the world is quiet, he sometimes wakes with ghosts in his head, memories he’ll never share with anyone.

At six foot two inches (6’2”), Eli Colter is built like a man accustomed to hard labor and harder living… broad-shouldered, muscular but lean, every inch of him shaped by the demands of the frontier. His sun-weathered skin tells of years spent under the unrelenting Western sun, and his dark brown hair, slightly unkempt with a natural wave, hints at a man who doesn’t waste time worrying about appearances. But it’s his blue-grey eyes, sharp and assessing, that set him apart… always watching, always weighing a situation before he speaks. When he does, it’s in a deep, base-baritone voice, the kind that makes men straighten their backs and women listen a little closer.

The scars he carries are souvenirs of a past he rarely talks about. A deep one along his ribs from a knife fight that nearly ended him, and another faint one on his left forearm, a reminder of a job gone wrong. He’s naturally right-handed, but life taught him the value of being able to draw with both… a skill that’s saved his skin more than once.

Though the weapon is undoubtedly a tool of utility, there is an understated elegance to the revolver's bison-horn grips and case-color finish; a perfect companion for Eli, reflecting both his hard practicality and the quiet skill with which he approaches life.

Eli’s pistol is a well-worn Uberti-Schofield 1875, Model 3 top-break, caliber .44, with a seven inch barrel, a classic piece that had seen its share of use. The holster, worn cross-draw across his belly, is crafted from sturdy leather, shaped perfectly to fit the revolver it carries.... a testament to Eli's practical nature... functional and straightforward... offering quick access to the weapon whenever, wherever it is needed. Its presence almost second nature, as he moves with purposeful confidence through his tasks.

The revolver itself is a thing of beauty in its own way. The case-colored frame contrasts against the charcoal-blued barrel and cylinder, giving it a rugged yet refined appearance. The catch for quickly ejecting shells is smooth, a feature Eli appreciates especially in the heat of the moment. The bison-horn grips fit his hand comfortably, providing the perfect amount of feel and control for a weapon that balances surprisingly well for its weight. Though the steel handgun weighs in at a solid 2.6 pounds (empty), it is nothing Eli cannot handle with ease.

Its single-action trigger is clean and responsive, breaking with a satisfying snap that Eli has grown accustomed to. The case-colored hammer clicked twice as it is pulled back, ready for action. The revolver is chambered for .44 Smith & Wesson, loaded with 250-grain bullets... powerful and dependable ammunition for whatever might cross his path. The 7-inch barrel adds to its precision, and the fixed sights, with a half-moon front and v-notched rear, are simple but effective.

• Whiskey :: He drinks it slow, savoring it. Never enough to lose control, just enough to take the edge off.

• Horses :: He’s got a way with them. He doesn’t talk to them like some do, but he understands them, trusts them more than most people.

• The Open Road :: There’s something about the wind in his face, the vastness of the plains, the silence of an untamed land that makes him feel at ease.

• Campfires :: Something about a quiet night with a fire burning low settles his restless nature.

• Challenges :: Whether it’s a tough situation, a sharp-tongued woman, or a fight he knows he shouldn’t take, Eli isn’t one to back down from a challenge.

• Loudmouths & Braggarts :: The kind of men who talk too much and back it up too little.

• Being Tied Down :: He’s never been one to stay in one place too long, and even now, the thought of being stuck makes him uneasy.

• Snakes :: Not afraid of them, exactly, but he sure as hell doesn’t like them.

• His Own Past :: It’s not shame, exactly... more like a weight he carries, one that never quite lets him breathe easy.

• People Who Don’t Know When to Quit :: He respects grit, but he’s seen men die over pride.

• Gunslinger :: A crack shot with a revolver, Eli’s skill with a firearm was once infamous. He’s deadly accurate, fast on the draw, and calm under pressure. He doesn’t use his gun lightly, but when he does, he doesn’t miss.

• Ambidextrous Shooter :: Trained himself to shoot with both hands after an injury left him unable to rely solely on his dominant hand.

• Hand-to-Hand Combat :: He’s not just a gunfighter; Eli knows how to handle himself in a brawl, whether with fists or a knife. He fights to win, not to show off.

• Horseman :: Few men handle a horse like Eli. He can ride hard, fast, and far, and he knows how to read an animal’s temperament.

• Tracking & Survival :: A life on the road has made him adept at tracking, reading signs in the land, and surviving off what the land provides. He’s no stranger to sleeping under the stars.

• Stealth & Shadow Work :: Once part of his trade, Eli knows how to move quietly, disappear into a crowd, and slip through town unnoticed when needed.

• Repair & Maintenance :: Years of self-reliance taught him how to maintain his own gear, fix broken saddles, patch up bullet wounds, and keep a rifle in working condition.

• Poker & Bluffing :: A man who’s lived by his wits knows the value of a good poker face. He doesn’t cheat, but he doesn’t need to—he plays the man, not just the cards.

• Loyalty :: Once Eli decides someone matters, he’ll stand by them no matter the cost.

• Calm Under Pressure :: In a fight, in a shootout, or when things go south, Eli doesn’t rattle easily.

• Tactical Thinker :: He’s not just a gunman—he’s smart, able to see angles, plan ahead, and anticipate trouble.

• Survivor’s Instinct :: Knows when to fight, when to run, and when to bide his time.

• Resilient :: He’s taken bullets, been left for dead, lost everything more than once… and yet, he’s still here.

• Closed-Off :: He doesn’t let people in easily, if at all. Even when he cares, he struggles to say it.

• Restless :: He’s spent so long running that staying still makes him uneasy. Even now, he keeps half an eye on the horizon.

• Haunted by the Past :: He may have left it behind, but the past never quite lets go. And sometimes, it catches up.

• Stubborn :: Once he sets his mind on something, it’s damn hard to change it.

• Guilt :: He carries it, whether he admits it or not. He doesn’t believe in redemption, not for himself.

• Father: John Colter (Deceased) :: A hard, violent man who left more scars on Eli than just the visible kind. A rancher turned outlaw, he made sure his son learned to fight young.

• Mother: Rachel Colter (nee Williams) (Deceased)[/b][/color] :: Died when Eli was a boy. The only softness he ever knew. He doesn’t talk about her.

• Younger Brother: Samuel Colter (Unknown Fate)[/b][/color] :: Last Eli heard, Sam had settled down somewhere out West, probably California, trying to make an honest life. Eli figures it’s best not to find him... better for Sam if he stays out of his shadow.

• Adelaide Montgomery :: He wouldn’t call her a friend... maybe not yet. But there’s something there. Maybe it’s respect, maybe it’s something more dangerous. Either way, she’s got his attention.

• (Potential Ranch Owner/Employer) :: Someone gave him work, and he’s grateful for it. Doesn’t mean he talks much, but he does his job well.

• Bartender in Town :: The kind who doesn’t ask too many questions. They’ve got a quiet understanding.

• Old Gunslinger Mentor (Possible NPC?) :: Someone older, wiser, and meaner who once took Eli under their wing. Maybe they still cross paths now and then.

• A Man from His Past :: Someone from the outlaw days who didn’t take kindly to Eli walking away. Maybe a former partner, maybe a leader who doesn’t like loose ends. Either way, if they find him, it won’t end well.

• Lawmen Who Remember His Name :: Not every sheriff has forgotten who Eli Colter was. Some still have wanted posters with his face on them, faded but not forgotten.

• Rival Ranchers :: If Adelaide’s in trouble, odds are she’s not the only one. Land disputes, greed, and old grudges make for dangerous enemies.

• A Bounty Hunter :: Could be personal, could be business. Either way, there’s a man (or woman) out there with a reason to want Eli dead.

Eli Colter is a man caught between the life he left behind and the one he’s trying to build. A skilled gunslinger, tracker, and horseman, he’s spent years drifting, keeping his past buried and his head down. But trouble has a way of finding him, especially when it comes in the form of Adelaide Montgomery. She’s strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and fighting for something worth protecting, and whether he admits it or not, that stirs something in him. He’s used to running...but maybe, for once, he’s found something worth standing his ground for.

The question is: