The Man They Couldn't Hang

Basic Information

The Man They Couldn't Hang is a fairly rare Characterization Trope. It's mostly applied to Western Characters, and typically only once per setting.

This character has a scarred or deformed neck as a result of a failed hanging. This may just indicate that he is a real hard case and too tough to kill easily, or it may be used to show what a bad life he has led and to explain his hatred of the world.

This has happened to at least a few people in the real world. See Roy Bean and Margaret Dickson.

Sources

Bibliography

1. TV Tropes Wiki

Game and Story Use

• Great way to demonstrate that a villain is a real Bad Ass.
  • Or that his loyal Henchmen cut him down / rescued him.
• Flavorful back story for an anti-hero PC. Of course, there's all sorts of social stigma that goes with it.
• Transplanted to the fantasy genre or superhero genre, this might be a clue to a character's regeneration or other powers.
  • The Man They Couldn't Hang might turn out to be some sort of undead.

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Building This Character

• In general, this character should be built along the lines of The Gunslinger or Outlaw, or whatever other sort of Criminal they were prior to their arrest. A few changes, though:
  • Physical Traits, especially Stamina or Constitution, are really important. The lynch mob didn't break your neck, or choke you to death, and your stats should reflect that.
    • If the game has any Merit or Advantage, Feat or Edge that helps stave off / resist various environmental hazards or condition (state of being) including asphyxiation or stun, they'd be worth taking.
  • You've got a permanent wound on your neck, and being hung doesn't do much for the disposition. Social Traits are probably somewhat lacking.
  • The wound may be reflected by an Ugly Flaw or Hindrance.
    • You could even drop your Dexterity or Reaction Speed, and explain that as Neurological Damage from the hanging.