Dude Ranch Cowboy

Basic Information

The Dude Ranch Cowboy is similar to the working cowboy, but whose job is to give "dudes" (tourists) a taste of The Theme Park Version of ranch life. Generally more careful of his appearance than the working cowboy, many in fiction being ruggedly handsome.

Sources

Bibliography

1. TV Tropes Wiki

Game and Story Use

• More likely to show up in setting that's post-Western.
• Including a short trip to a Dude Ranch may allow your campaign to introduce some Western themes in a casual way that won't stick with the campaign when the characters return to the big city (or whatever the default setting of the campaign is).
• May work as a characterization of one cowboy in a bunch - this one's the well-dressed, slightly flashy feller who's more concerned about his appearance and image than the rest of the band.
  • In the actual Old West, this cowboy is the one who babysits the Greenhorn who insists on tagging along or the Remittance Man who funds the operation and decides to get involved in activities on the ground.
• The Dude Ranch Cowboy could also be a grizzled veteran who used to punch cattle for real back in the day when things were a bit wilder and woolier. His current job wrangling tourists is sort of a semi-retirement for him, but he still has the old working cowboy skills and can handle himself in a fight if the circumstances demand it.

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Building This Character

Level:

• Nearly all Dude Ranch Cowboys are going to be low-level NPC extras. They've got the softest version of what is otherwise a very difficult and dangerous job.

Attributes:

• Physical Attributes are the most important category for nearly all cowboys.
• Social Attributes, in particular Charisma and Appearance, are next in line on the Dude Ranch.

Skills:

• Riding, and Animal Handling are the primary skills on the Dude Ranch.
• Socializing or related Social Skills will be helpful. These should lean towards making good first impressions, not manipulating people.
• Teaching and Notice are helpful, but not critical.
• Additional skills they may pick up include Athletics, Farming, Marksmanship, Rope Use, Survival and Unarmed Combat.
  • The cowboy who really has a lot of those skills is probably bordering on being a genuine Working Cowboy.