Gideon Vipponah's Questionnaire

The nearest town to Gideon's log cabin is Leadville, which also has the highest elevation of any incorporated town in North America. He lives there because that way he is very in touch with nature and the forests and mountains of North America. It is also a very centralized location for cryptid spotting in the United States. Plus, it allows for scenic vistas for his television specials and social media posts. He absolutely loves it there, it's quiet and secluded. When he's not working on his television work, social media posts, or wildlife conservationism, he loves that he can enjoy the relaxing, almost meditative environment. There is no other place for him.

He's a well-known, big name in wildlife conservationist circles. A literal celebrity, if he wanted to he could live comfortably solely off of donations, but he also does TV shows, celebrity appearances, social media blitzes, and more. He'd be quite wealthy if he didn't donate over half of his income towards conservationists, Native American reservations, and environmental efforts. After that, he does have a family and of course business expenses. Between all of this there is barely any time for him to spend money on his own, which just means he has a personal shopper. But he does also give all his crew staff bonuses out of pocket each year.

Gideon Vipponah is at heart an advocate and activist, for cryptids, animals, wildlife, and indigenous people. He wants to see a strong return to conservationism, environmentalism, and the protection of the rights of downtrodden people, stripped of their land and invaded throughout time. That said, Gideon is a peaceful person and only wants to see these done without bloodshed, but there may come a day when his peaceful demeanor reaches its limits. For all of his peace, Gideoan is not a true pacifist. Like anyone else he fears death, but that does not mean he will not risk it if a great stride towards one of his goals is at stake. In a sense, he has few limits but he is truly unwilling to kill for his beliefs.

Gideon Vipponah has numerous half and even full-blooded Cheyenne relatives, he is roughly one-third Cheyenne himself. So when he went to the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana as a teenager both inspired and harrowed him. Gideon had long passed as a white man as a kid without trying or knowing that's what he was doing. He lived a charmed, privileged life, yet his people, his family, and his blood lived secluded, and comparative subsistence lifestyles. That was the beginning of both his embracing and advocating for the Native Americans, which led directly to doing the same for all of nature.

Gideon Vipponah's wife, Sarah, shares his passion for environmental conservation, often joining him on expeditions to teach their children firsthand about the importance of protecting wildlife and natural habitats. With a background in education, Sarah is adept at translating complex ecological concepts into engaging lessons for their children, fostering their curiosity and love for the natural world.

Their son, Jacob, is a budding nature enthusiast with a knack for observing wildlife and capturing moments with his camera. At his age, he's already shown an interest in learning about different species and habitats, eagerly absorbing information from his parents' experiences and educational materials. His passion for photography serves as a creative outlet and a means of expressing his deep connection to nature.

Gideon and Sarah's daughter, Maya, is a spirited young girl with a natural affinity for storytelling and artistic expression. Inspired by her Cheyenne heritage, she delights in crafting imaginative tales that incorporate elements of nature and indigenous culture. Through her artwork and storytelling, Maya shares her family's values of environmental stewardship and respect for indigenous wisdom, inspiring others to appreciate and protect the natural world. 

Gideon Vipponah's childhood was quite the charmed life really, living in a white suburban home, where his Native American relatives were mentioned occasionally and visited rarely. He hardly knew the quiet strife of his Native family's people. His parents were both at least half-white and lived mostly unknown in their suburban neighborhood. He attended white suburban schools in well-to-do school districts, he fit in quite well. But when he was a teenager the change in his views, his attitude, everything, shifted. That's when he went down the path to become who he is today. He started to question the treatment of the Native People, both throughout history and in the modern day. He got upset, not belligerent, but focused, and even angry. He rebelled to the point even his parents begged him to stop, to let the way of the world just lie, but that time had long past in his eyes. From then on it was time to enact change.

The woman who would become his wife; Sarah. They met in a college scholarship interviewing process. They were both trying to get a Cheyenne Native American college scholarship. Maybe it was luck that they both were passed up on the scholarship, because had there been jealousy and animosity between them they might not have kept in touch and found out they share a passion for environmental conservation, and started joining each other on expeditions. They may never have found out firsthand that they both believe in the importance of protecting wildlife and natural habitats. Sarah went on to study in another university, but she developed a background in education, Sarah is adept at translating complex ecological concepts into engaging lessons and fostering their curiosity and love for the natural world. Now they are united in teaching their children directly (she homeschools them) and the world (through his television specials and shows) their values and spreading them for all to share.

Sting rays! I'm kidding...

Gideon Vipponah fears that all his success, the TV shows, the rights advocacy, and charity functions, all his work will amount to nothing. That there will never even be progress towards better treatment of his people or sapient cryptids. The fame, the money, it's all just a vehicle to achieve some mark on the world, and if it amounts to nothing what is the point?

After that, Gideon still has the fears of a family man and a wildlife preservationist. He wants to keep his wife, kids, and innocent animals safe, secure and well-treated. Gideon isn't so haunted of a man that he sees detailed nightmares about such things, he can hardly imagine that anyone would do such a thing on a substantial level. He's not so naive as to publicize his contact information or do anything obvious to allow such things to happen. He still knows that fame comes with a need to prevent stalking and the like, but it's not something that keeps him up at night.

On the other hand, things that happen in the contracts are a different matter. The individual occurrences of the contracts may change him fundamentally. He saw that first on his second outing, what more could await?

Gideon's most prized possessions are symbols of aspects of his life. Specifically, there's his wedding ring which is gold with an antler inlay, a symbol of the composite of the European and Cheyenne cultures that come together in him. The next is an actual Cheyenne hunting dagger from the pre-colonial era found on an archeological dig in his ancestral home. This is kept mounted on his wall at home and is a symbol of his ancient heritage. Also along the wall in his office are several awards, both for television and charitable achievements, none are the most prestigious that he could attain, but they all have meaning and serve as touchstones along his future path. Finally, in his home, there are also family photos, pieces of kid's art, and other familial paraphernalia every parent has. No dedicated family person is without them, and Gideon is no exception. That is all.

The biggest problem in his life is the mental downward spiral caused by the contracts he has been going on. Gideon is unsure if the rewards that he has received are even worth the price of human life that they are causing on an increasing scale. Both in and out of character I'm still trying to decide if Gideon will go on, and I'm glad his options in the playgroup he was in have all shut and a new possibility has opened. I think Earth Unveiled will be a better world for Gideon, but only time will tell to be honest. One thing I do know is that if things have not improved by the first novice contract for this character he will retire from contracting. Hard stop. Gideon may just be too optomistic and idealistic to really work as a contractor. One problem is there's no OWL Board in this playgroup, which was actually what I made him for. I think he's just a Charon Coin dispenser now.

Whew, boy! I guess wakes up, makes a healthy breakfast with his wife for the family, feeds the dog, packs healthy lunches for his wife, himself, and the kids, then it depends on what work calls for. He can drive into town, probably to a helipad to catch a helicopter flight to wherever he is shooting or whatever public relations function he is going to. He probably also exercises in the morning, walks the dog, showers, shaves, and takes a nature walk. He's very used to waking up very early, before dawn to be precise. Once a week before work he goes to a therapy session, but recently those have not been as fruitful. Also in the mornings once a week he meets with his tribe's local shaman, which has become more important and fruitful since beginning his contracting work. This shift will probably eventually lead to Gideon going strictly to his shaman for guidance in the future.

If Gideon Vipponah were preparing for a special event, he would start his meticulous preparations well in advance. A day or two before, he would ensure he had a clean shave and a fresh haircut. On the morning of the event, Gideon would take extra time in the shower, making sure he was thoroughly clean and refreshed. He would choose a subtle but pleasant cologne, something that evokes the natural scents of the wilderness he cherishes so much.

His attire would be carefully selected to reflect both his heritage and his profession. Gideon would don a tailored dark suit, complemented by a tie with a subtle pattern or design hinting at his Cheyenne roots. A pocket square with a hint of turquoise would add a touch of color and a nod to his heritage. Polished black shoes would complete the outfit, along with a leather belt featuring a silver buckle, also subtly adorned with Native American motifs.

Gideon would also pay attention to his accessories – a watch that is both functional and stylish, a pair of cufflinks with personal significance, and a small, understated pin representing wildlife conservation. If the event allowed for it, he might wear a bolo tie instead of a traditional one, showcasing a piece of silver and turquoise craftsmanship.

In total, Gideon's preparation would take about two hours. This includes time for grooming, dressing meticulously, and a few moments to center himself mentally. For Gideon, looking his best is not just about appearance but also about feeling confident and prepared, embodying the values and passions that drive him.

For Gideon Vipponah's next birthday, he would start the day with a solo dawn hike in his favorite nature reserve, connecting with the natural world. Afterward, he would return home to enjoy a hearty breakfast with his family, sharing traditional Native American dishes. In the afternoon, Gideon would host a small gathering at a local wildlife conservation center, engaging in activities like planting trees or releasing rehabilitated animals. The evening would be spent quietly with his wife Elara and their children, Mika and Toma, enjoying a favorite meal outdoors and reflecting on the past year. For Gideon, a perfect birthday honors nature, family, and conservation.

Gideon's powers deal with communing with spirits, they have even begun imbuing him with the powers of the animal spirits he communes with. He has always had a deep connection with nature, and this spiritual bond has grown stronger over time. Through rituals and meditative practices, Gideon can communicate with the spirits of animals, gaining their wisdom and guidance. These spirits will also grant him unique abilities, such as the strength of a bear, the agility of a hawk, and the keen senses of a wolf. Each power comes with its own set of skills and enhancements, allowing Gideon to adapt to various challenges. Additionally, these spiritual connections provide him with heightened intuition and a profound understanding of the natural world. Gideon's gifts are a blend of ancestral heritage and mystical communion, making him a bridge between the human and animal realms. His abilities are not just tools for survival but also a means of protecting and preserving the natural balance.