Thomas Homer Putnam

Thomas Putnam graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from Stanford University in the spring of 1917. Thirty days later, he had been conscripted into Uncle Sam's army. As a member of the 42nd Division's 117th Engineer Regiment, Putnam was part of four major operations in the last year of the war. He reached the rank of Captain before being gassed at Bois de Chien, near Neuviller, France. He recovered from being temporarily blinded, although his voice still remains raspy.
After the war, Putnam attended the AEF University at Beaune, studying Business Administration, but decided to remain in France and Belgium, working on rebuilding the shattered infrastructure.
He was there until Chirstmas of 1922, when he received an urgent message from his brother, telling him to come home to Inyo County, California. The family farm was in trouble as the water wars had begun, diverting precious water from the farms of the valley to feed the ever-growing thirst of Los Angeles.

Traits

It’s a Matter of Leverage
The Devil Is in the Details
You Say Thick- Headed. I Say Indefatigable
It’s the Old War Wound
The Devil Is in the Details
Nemesis: Arthur Christie

STRESS

Health123456
Composure123456

Ladder

Legendary +8 Epic +7 Fantastic +6 Superb +5 Great +4 Good +3 Fair +2 Average +1 Mediocre +0 Poor -1 Terrible -2 Catastrophic -3 Horrific -4

Abilities

Academics Average +1 Athletics Good +3 Engineering Great +4 Fight Average +1 Investigation Mediocre 0 Might Average +1 Mysteries Mediocre 0 Notice Average +1 Rapport Mediocre 0 Resolve Good +3 Science Fair +2 Shoot Fair +2 Sneak Mediocre 0 Vehicles Average +1 Wilderness Fair +2

Stunts

My Métier Is Explosives

After knocking down rubble all over France, you’ve got a knack for demolitions. If you have time to study a structure and properly set the charges, the damage is as if triple the explosives were used. Alternately, you can direct the charge with more precise control.

When I Say Jump, You Jump

With your experience leading men into combat (and getting French construction workers moving), you’ve developed a powerful command presence. When you deal with government or employees of a large business, you can use your leadership experience to gain a +2 bonus on a Rapport roll for getting cooperation.

Once you have used this stunt, you have established your relationship with that person until a significant shift in circumstances occurs. Unfortunately, that means that if you fail to gain their cooperation, they aren't going to be willing to give it to you at a later time.

Hang On, I’ve Got an Idea

Your knowledge of science and engineering gives you insight into the design of mechanical devices. Given a supply of material, you may spend a Fate point to construct (or lead the construction of) a Rube Goldberg device to accomplish a (physically possible) task.

The complexity of the task along with the nature and quantity of material available and the time that you have to spend will determine the difficulty of the Engineering ability roll needed for success.