Journalist/Author
Journalists in the Old West often became crusaders against local corruption, or pawns of it. Edmond O’Brien’s newspaper editor in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is one example, Deadwood’s Jeffrey Jones is another, and John Ericson plays the crusader’s role in The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao. The spaghetti Western The Price of Power features another interesting newsman, a crippled crusading writer with a gun in one of his crutches. Samuel Clemens (AKA Mark Twain) made his start as a writer by taking a city editor’s job in Virginia City, Nevada. In addition to his writing, Ambrose Bierce briefly ventured into the Dakotas in the 1870s to oversee a mining operation. Photography was still in its infancy, though experts like Matthew Brady preserved the history of their era on film.
Occupation Skill points
EDU × 2 + INT × 2
Credit Rating
9–30 (10–60 for author)
Skills
Art and Craft, one interpersonal skill (Charm, Fast Talk, Intimidate, or Persuade), History, Library Use, Psychology, Spot Hidden, any two other skills as personal or era specialties
