birdcostumes | App for The Pines

PLAYER

NAME: Meg
CONTACT:

hawkdad
OTHER CHARACTERS IN THE PINES: Logan

CHARACTER

NAME: Sam Wilson
CANON: MCU
CANON-POINT: End of Captain America: Civil War

DOSSIER

HISTORY: Wiki

WHAT ARE YOUR CHARACTER'S STRENGTHS?: Sam is loyal, friendly, and just genuinely likes to help people. The requirements to be a pararescueman (which are summarized in the abilities section below) are pretty freaking extensive, and only 20% of the men who enter the training program actually make it through. On top of that, only Sam and his wingman Riley were selected specifically to pilot the Falcon packs; so they were probably tip-top of the class. To make it through that kind of training, Sam had to demonstrate intelligence, a strong determination to succeed, and a willingness to help others at the expense of his own safety. Such is the motto of USAF Pararescuemen: "These things we do, that others may live."

He doesn't shy away from expressing and discussing emotion. It's not healthy to bottle up your feelings and ignore your problems, because those things will eat you alive from the inside out. He doesn't pry into others' business, but he does make it known that he believes they'd be better off if they talked things out. After retiring from the Air Force, Sam took a position as a councilor at a VA hospital, so he helps other vets through their trauma by swapping stories and sharing his own past. He's probably one of the most emotionally well-adjusted members of the Avengers.

WHAT ARE YOUR CHARACTER'S WEAKNESSES?: If Sam needs to tell a truth, he won't sugar coat it. He's not rude, but he is incredibly blunt and is willing to call people out on their bullshit; or tell them when they're being too stubborn for their own good. That's not to say Sam can't be stubborn in his own right. He's not Steve Rogers Levels of Stubborn™, but if Sam sets his mind to do something, he's going to do it. Also, he's followed Steve into some pretty reckless situations, despite his better judgement. His loyalty and selflessness could be considered a weakness as well as a strength, since they could very easily be used against him, or land him in a situation where he ends up imprisoned or worse.

WHAT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES IN YOUR CHARACTER'S PAST HAVE IMPACTED THEM THE MOST?: We don't know anything about Sam's history prior to his military service. The first major event would be his service, in general. He's always cared about helping people out, but in the Air Force, he picked up combat and medical skills that would allow him to take that even further. Losing Riley caused him to decide to leave the military and start helping people in a different way, as a VA councilor. Steve showing up on his doorstep, when he had really just only met him, would be the event that propelled Sam into yet another phase of his life. He teamed up with Steve and Nat to take down HYDRA, and that eventually led to him becoming an Avenger. His friendship with and loyalty to Steve compelled him to stick by his side during the Avengers' split over the Accords in Civil War, and eventually landed him in superhero jail on the Raft. Steve busted him out though, so it's all cool.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOUR CHARACTER?: A desire to just help people, no matter what he's doing. Whether it's civilians, his fellow soldiers, his friends, or Avengers teammates. (I've cherry-picked a pre-canon background of comics stuff and fanon stuff that includes Sam being raised as a pastor's kid, so a lot of his love of people and community stem from that.)

WHAT IMPRESSION DO OTHERS TEND TO HAVE OF YOUR CHARACTER?: Sam likes people and he's not shy about starting up conversations with strangers, so if that's your jam, you might say "Hey, that guy's a friendly dude." If not, he might seem overly outgoing, I guess. Depending on the situation, he could possibly come off as cocky, especially if he's trying to impress somebody or flirt. (Listen, I rarely use the term "cinnamon roll" but if I've ever played one, it is Sam.)

IN WHAT WAYS DOES THAT IMPRESSION DIFFER FROM WHO YOUR CHARACTER REALLY IS?: Sam is comfortable with himself and has a strong sense of self-confidence, which could be mistaken for the cockiness. Otherwise, there's not going to be much of a false impression. He doesn't try to project an image to make himself seem cooler than he really is.

HOW DOES YOUR CHARACTER HANDLE CRISIS OR ADVERSITY?: Competently, and with a cool, level head. He wouldn't have made it as a pararescueman if he couldn't handle a crisis. It takes a hell of a lot to rattle him, because during his time in Afghanistan, his job was basically to go in and deal with the aftermath of battle. He's seen his share of shit. His priority will always be the safety of bystanders and civilians, as well as his comrades-in-arms.

WHICH 5 THINGS WILL YOUR CHARACTER REMEMBER UPON ARRIVAL, AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THEM?:
1) He was in the Air Force.
2) He helps people who've been through trauma as a councilor of some sort.
3) He's an Avenger.

Because Sam has a strong sense of self and these are all either basic components of or closely tied to his identity.

4) He can fly.

He won't remember how, just that he can. He'll know it's not in a plane, or as a pilot of a flying machine. Because it's fun, and it will be something of a mystery for him to puzzle through.

5) He was locked up in a floaty prison.

Because it sucks.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU FEEL WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER?:

SKILLS, ABILITIES, & PHYSICAL WEAKNESSES: No supernatural/magical abilities. His weakness is that he's just a mortal human being and thus vulnerable to everything that can kill a man; but he's in excellent physical condition otherwise.

It takes almost two years to complete the required courses to become a pararescueman. Some of the required courses include Combat Dive School, Army Airborne, Survival School, Military Free-fall Parachuting, and National Registry for Paramedics. Based on these courses, it can be assumed that Sam swims like a fish, can survive off the land if necessary, and can perform basic medical/field surgery procedures. In an rp environment, the parachuting stuff is probably not relevant, but he can certainly treat trauma patients and provide emergency medical treatment. Since he's registered as a paramedic, he could even hypothetically get a job at the hospital as a EMT driving an ambulance or something.

As far as fighting skills, he is an expert marksman and skilled hand-to-hand combatant. Training required very extensive physical fitness regimens, and Sam has definitely kept up with that, even if he can't outrun a Super Soldier.

It's never touched on in the films, whether he has any kind of background in psychology or mental health. But I kind of headcanon that he maybe has a degree in psychology or something, too. I'd assume they wouldn't just let somebody come in off the street and start treating war vets with PTSD.

Here is the USAF Pararescue Wiki, just because it's a fascinating read and it gives way more detail than what I've summarized.

INVENTORY: Not much; Steve literally just broke him out of the Raft. Like, a blue jumpsuit. The hospital gown is probably preferable.

Not on his person at canonpoint: (I totally understand and will not be upset if this stuff is denied lmao but he doesn't have anything else that's really worth the request.)
1) His wings.
2) Redwing.
3) His Avengers uniform.

SAMPLES

PROSE-HEAVY: 1 | 2
DIALOGUE-HEAVY: tfln