Emery Castillo

Who She Is

Emery Castillo (often called simply Em) is a young woman of twenty-three who’s learned to survive by her own grit. Born in the backcountry of New Hanover, she lost her parents early and grew up navigating a world that had little mercy to offer. Life hardened her, but never broke her spirit.

She isn’t tied to any gang or cause. Emery chooses her own road, her only constant being her horse, Juniper, a paint mare who has carried her across state lines more times than she can count. Together, they live by instinct, self-reliance, and the rare kindness she offers to those who earn her trust.

Personality

Emery’s personality is a quiet mix of resilience and pragmatism. She rarely wastes words, but when she speaks it’s with weight. She has the kind of loyalty that’s unshakable once earned, though gaining it isn’t easy. She prefers campfires and open plains to saloons and crowded towns, and spends much of her time collecting herbs and tending to wounds — her own or others’.

She dislikes the cruel and the careless, and nothing chills her blood faster than the sight of O’Driscolls or the sharp suits of the Pinkertons. For all her strength, she carries quiet fears: being caged again, losing the freedom she fought for, and becoming a victim to the world’s harshness. Still, she leans on her mental toughness — her ability to stay calm, adapt quickly, and think her way out of trouble. Her weakness lies in the scars of her past, which sometimes resurface in moments of solitude.

Appearance

Emery stands at about 5’6”, her frame lean from long miles in the saddle and hard living. She wears her history on her skin: small scars across her hands, sharp but weary eyes that take in more than she lets on, and a silver medallion around her neck — the only relic of her family. Her clothing is practical and weather-beaten: trousers tucked into scuffed leather boots when she’s riding, a long duster coat against the rain, and a wide-brimmed felt hat tilted low over her brow. In town, she cleans up just enough to pass unnoticed, though there’s always a rugged edge she doesn’t bother to hide.

Backstory

In 1896, Emery’s life nearly ended before it had a chance to begin. Caught by the O’Driscolls while searching for shelter, she was held hostage, meant to be trafficked and sold. For weeks she fought against despair, until fate — or stubborn luck — saw her rescued during a raid when supplies were being gathered. The experience scarred her deeply, but it also lit a fire in her that refuses to die out.

Since then, Emery has wandered free, refusing to let herself be bound to anyone’s cause but her own. She has crossed paths with outlaws, farmers, bounty hunters, and the Van der Linde gang more than once, but she keeps her independence. Still, she offers her skills where she sees fit: a healer’s touch, a steady shot, or a watchful eye. She carries no illusions of being a hero — only a survivor.

Criminal Record

Emery isn’t known for chasing trouble, but it seems to find her just the same. In New Hanover, she carries a $45 bounty, mostly for aiding known outlaws and one alleged horse theft she’ll deny to her dying breath. She isn’t reckless enough to rack up infamy, but her name circulates in whispers when Pinkertons and sheriffs share notes.