Varun Torino

Varun Torino (was) a character portrayed by LtVictory

***"I never took the Hippocratic oath, and I will do lots of harm." - Torino***

## Description

An incredibly talented doctor and surgeon, Said to have a poor bedside manner, always awkward, usually emotionally disconnected, yet also known for his extreme generosity, height, and "Do harm before being harmed" attitude.

***"I'm one of the best doctors in New Alexander. To say I am the best would mean I am not. The claim to be is to stop learning." - Torino***

## History

His mother died soon after his birth due to internal hemorrhaging. Forcing his father, Mikasi to take care of him by himself. Unknown to Varun, Mikasi was a veteran of the Mexican American civil war and experienced many terrible things that gave him many mental problems and alcoholism. He was a very firm father who saw Varun as a workhorse more than a son, primarily taking care of their farm animals. Despite Varun's mistreatment, he found affinity among the animals that were also treated poorly. The town farrier Branson slowly educated him on ways to medically take care of animals. He grew a close bond with Branson who was like an uncle to him. On Varun's 13th birthday Branson gifted him one of his newborn horses. A deep hatred between Mikasi and Branson grew, his father was jealous of their relationship. 3 Years later primarily due to his extreme alcoholism and mental problems from the war. One day after a bitter argument between Mikasi and Branson. Mikasi took a double-barrel shotgun and shot Branson in the back as he was leaving the house killing him instantly. Mikasi proceeded out to the horse shed where he shot and killed Varun's horse as "punishment" for his disrespect. Varun in anger took his nearby hammer and beat his father to death with it "accidentally". He covered it up but was still requested to do military service as punishment as well as seeing it as the only option for him to survive. Instead, long time and close friend of Mikasi who was his senior officer pulled strings and told Varun about his father's real past. He worked to get him away from military service and into medical services. Through Mikasi's friend, a donation was made, Varun was able to attend courses of education that earned him a medical degree. When he graduated he had trouble figuring out where he would put up a residency. This all figured itself as soon as talks of war began. He knew he wanted to help prevent other sons from becoming orphans such as himself. Once in the war he was incredibly overloaded with the unexpected unfathomable amounts of injured that were pouring into his camps every battle. Eventually, he was heavily criticized for attempting to work on patients on the opposing side. During one battle a very unexpected mortar shell landed near the triage area. Killing many already injured patients, including some doctors and nurses. Varun was also knocked to the ground and the patient he was working on was killed by the blast. After the incident Varun was never really the same, suffering from "Ear bells" and "Battle Stress". He requested that he be transferred farther from the lines, where he was sent back to DC for cowardice. Now back in civilian life, he wasn't able to fit in well with the odd jobs, being a veteran military surgeon of the American Civil War. With his military experience in trauma, he went on to educate himself further at the Harewood U.S. Army Hospital in DC under the tutelage of Dr.R.B. Bontecou. Despite his proven track record for patient care and the support of his teacher. The councilman board against radical thought policies disliked his attempts at theory crafting and testing of new treatments on patients. The board decided to put him to a vote in a closed court case. The "red cross" (Geneva Convention 1863) decided to vote him guilty in a landslide 0 to 5 verdict. He was caught trying to preserve "invisible" creatures he called "Germs" instead of spreading them as a vaccine he was attempting to use them against other "Germs" to see their reactions. To his great luck due to the powerful pull of his teacher and his pristine record they determined he could keep his medical degree and continue to work as a doctor but only in the states defined as "The New West Territories". He packed all he could carry and jumped on the first train head westward. He envisions bringing his modern knowledge of medicine and treatment to the greatly aching West.

## Appearance

Torino is an older-aged male with naturally black hair that has mostly turned gray. While most often noticed by his towering height. He has a large scar over his left eye. He is a man of habit and is often reprimanded about wearing the same outfits often. While in the city he wears a Black overcoat, white button-up long sleeve, black eye, black hat, and black pants. When traveling outside of town mainly for hunting he was a large dark brown duster, red and black vest, thick wool undershirt, blue jeans, and a brown hat. For surgical reasons when working with patients, he wears "Scrubs" an all green outfit with white gloves, a white towel around his waist, and white goggles.

## Currently

Is the founder and president of United West Medical a medical service providing a baseline of modern care, and training civilians on how to be Doctors and Nurses. He was fired from the medical board not only without trial but without investigation. He and many other doctors are disappointed with the display of the board. The day after he was fired he decided to go on his first "vacation" where he ventured parts of the state. Aliprin Parcross talked him into adventuring around St.Denis which he doesn't normally do. By chance, they came across a Yokel's body and decided to check if someone was hurt at the office. When they arrived he walked in on a Mary Catherine Lennox standing over the body of bleeding out unconscious Kate Bennet who had her kidney cut out and eaten by Tobias. He dropped everything and performed the most serious surgery he had to do in uncountable years. Even though she was saved, this impacted reset his focus and knocked away his "smaller" issue with the medical board. Instead now focusing on the "Bigger Picture". At the governor's mansion, he had a very long talk with Parcross, revealing the injuries on his back to her, and many of the internal thoughts that he never let's out. Including the death of his friends, horse, and the killing of his father.

After strong internal debate, Torino ran for Governor of New Alexandria. One of his main focuses was a massive medical reform. While he did fairly well he found a far greater chance at impact while he often saved people during the campaign. Near the end of it he started suffering constant migraines and stepped down with the hope that Lockhart would win.

He tries to respect every doctor and understands their lack of knowledge regarding treatment. He, however, is highly agitated when others go after his practices with ill intentions. He would much prefer to educate those in his reasons behind what he does over being accused of malpractice. This has sometimes partially prevented him from doing things he would do out east, as he does not want the backlash which will result in rumors and lies discrediting his practice. He has also been accused of this based on doctors that did things around him. It has become a running issue to place the blame on him for the actions of others.

Torino has been fairly elusive after many smaller events. He found out at the start of the election that Aliprin Parcross was pregnant with his child. They both have been quiet around the state to avoid unwanted attention.

Went on a rescue mission to save Angus from Uncle, with Bery Quigley

Soon after his partner Aliprin Parcross left the state. Just prior to the Valentine Outbreak his presence was requested in D.C. Where he stayed for some time. He was working for the National Health Advisory Board. He was made aware of the plague when Governor. Flanagan sent a letter to the president of the United States asking for relief efforts.

When he returned to the state not much had changed and he learned many of his friends had departed during the outbreak. Things when back to normal and he met Aurore Mae Tipsy Cow Emerald ranch. The daily reoccurrence of combatting with Snakefaces Gang leads him to stay around the ranch a lot. He learned Aliprin Parcross was killed and this chapter in his life ended. Election season came around again, which he was talked into running again. He made strong connections with people he once thought were foes. Losing the election he had time to focus on himself and decided to start a relationship with Aurore Mae.

Torino was managing the rebuilding of New Austin which went fairly well for some time. Much chaos ensued with warring tribes and hostile outlaws, it wore down on him. The twig that broke him was when he found out Aurore Mae was leaving him. His heart and will to go on was shattered. Taking only the essentials and his pump shotgun he left for California on his arabian. He has only stayed in contact with Cokostov Dobrey and Judge Lawrence Carnegie through letters. For now his story has ended.

## Saint Torino Arc

***"Today is the first day of the rest of your life" - Saint Torino***

After overdosing on morphine he went into a coma. During his time in a lucid coma. Torino believed himself to be a ghost that was being punished for the sins he made in his life. Widely putting the blame of patients who died in his care on himself. Before he was put into a coma he had heard that new migrators getting off the boat were being robbed of their landing savings. Pre-Coma he was furious about this and started helping those who made their way to blackwater by purchasing them starting goods. (Rifle, Lantern, Lasso, Knife, and sometimes a Horse). In coma he believed himself to be a Guardian Angel sent to protect and teach fresh landers "Wayward Souls". - He ended up giving out thousands of dollars worth of support to people. He does vividly remember meeting Lorna Forcer and Tribble but does not remember helping Tribble.

## White Haired Devil Arc

After being approached by Angus in front of the saloon he was asked to work on the man's friend. Prior to being asked he witnessed the white-haired woman pull a weapon out (which she was loading). He was mistrusting of Angus but felt obligated to help the woman regardless. As he entered the doctor's office and spoke to the women he realized it was Lorna Forcer not addressing her as such noticing a need for privacy. She later told him her name was Gabby short for Abigale. He knew she was lying but continued working on her. Torino was concerned that she took such a great length of time to see a doctor and asked why. Where under the influence of morphine sickness (he gave her a much larger dose than he said) she divulged information regarding everyone wanting to kill her and stealing a doctor's necktie. He informed her that he doesn't want to kill her and would like to train her in first aid for the future use of her, and her friends. - He became highly intrigued by her situation.

### Days Later

He noticed who he thought to be Lorna and Angus while out hunting. He followed them for a while to northeast Annesburg. He assumed they were hiding out but lost track of them. Coming to the thought they might be meeting friends or hunting for money, he waited at the train station. They returned to send a telegram to someone. He then knew for certain they were in the area. For personal reasons he headed back to Saint Dennis to deposit a large amount of money, he had on him in case of robbery. While returning he witnessed whom he assumed to be "The Krays" red bandana-wearing criminals. He watched them rob and kill the yokels out of a stagecoach and saw them start traveling towards him. He then lost their track by avoiding the larger roads and then counter tracked them. Figuring they were heading north he preemptively went to Van Horn. Seeing The Devils Gang in Van Horn he knew trouble was about to brew and worried for the safety of Lorna. He posted up on a hill with a rifle as the bandits confronted her while she was alone. Torino was stuck between stealing the wagon, shooting their leader in the head, or attempting to stealthily sneak up and knock some out. They would still have been outnumbered and so he waited to hope that her gang would show up which they did. After the confrontation, they broke off. Torino followed the Devil gang back without them knowing. He acquired the exact location of their hideout. Waiting once again for them to leave to the telegram station. Where he dropped down from the roof to inform Tribble and crew about the bandana gang and their target of opportunity, he also told them to be safer about being tracked. Immediately after they left their hideout he once again followed them this time to Saint-Denis. To avoid too many witnesses he stayed around the docks (does not know what happened at the bar) Gunshots soon rang out. He decided to stay away from the situation until the law handled it. Going into the doctor's office where two other doctors were working on 3 patients he slipped right in and started working on one of the devil's gang members. Knowing the situation was bleak and impossible to handle with so many sheriffs. He decided to hang around in case the patient's health decreased while in custody. Where he noticed Richard Hart casually walking down the street, he followed and watched him enter the police station to which he continued to spy on. Gather enough information and hoping that they would visit a telegram station in Annesburg he sent 2 anonymous messages 1 to tribble and 1 to forcer. Informing them that 2 friends were in custody, injured but okay and that there were too many sheriffs. For unknown reasons, he did not inform them about Hart.

The Next Day

Torino further placing his chips. While sitting on the porch of the Valentine Saloon noticed a lone Tribble approaching the bank. After a brief discussion, he left and returned. Telling Tribble to hand these items to Lorna. Knowing Lorna liked peaches 5 cans of peaches were given. Alongside that Torino's very special and personal gold and pearl revolver.  He acquired after a very strange turn of events (not revealed), he had the gun crafted. Whereas he had a center cylinder crafted with a very special order. The gun was to fire .47 - but only created 6 bullets were blessed by Pope Leo XIII and shipped by boat from the Vatican to Baltimore and from Baltimore to St.Dennis by train.

With very specific instructions to be given to Lorna. "The Firing Pin and Hand Spring (Coil) have been removed it can not be fired". He had several intentions regarding this. One that she realizes who it was from, and trusts him more. Angus noticed exactly whos gun it was because he had it pointed at him in the hospital multiple times. The other he hopes that if the sheriffs attempt to accuse her of firing her gun again as they did before which she did not. If held to a court of law he will reveal that the gun could not be fired as he has the pin and coil.

4 Days later

He having many interactions with colt and tribble. Torino was in an incredibly poor mood and headspace because he had just found out he was fired from the medical board, without trial, and without investigation. He ran into Colt again who greatly calmed him down. He received a telegram and worked his way north into big valley finding Lorna, Angus, and Bery. Due to his poor mood, the conversation did not go as planned. Their injuries weren't bad. He updated them on sheriff's locations. He told Lorna about the meaning of the gun. He offered her training as a field medic for free, which she was not in a position to take at the time but plans on doing it in the future.

Currently

Torino has cut almost all ties with Lorna's group while he focuses on the far greater picture after a conversation with Richard Hart, and overall realization at the deeper problems at hand for the state. He still worries about Lorna's mental state after a talk with Berry who stated she hasn't been sleeping at all. (He also wants his revolver back)

## Trivia

* He is among the most skilled doctors in New Alexandria. He however does not know much about the more local methods of herbalism and local plant-based methods of treatment, as he is educated to pharmaceutical medicine usage. He also harshly judges his decisions, heavily beating himself up about them. Sometimes in large groups, his anti-social PTSD kicks in and impacts his performance.
* Due to growing up on a farm, he is incredibly skilled with a long arm. Often teaching newcomers how to service and shoot their weapons.
* Incredibly violent towards criminals that wish to do him or his acquaintance's harm and has absolutely no remorse about killing them.
* Is incredibly generous to people who are willing to learn or in need of money.
* Due to his father's alcoholism and abuse, Varun refuses to drink liquor, instead, he has a coffee addiction. Stating he often drinks 10 cups a day, however, he tells because it's because he doesn't want the alcohol to affect his hands during surgery.

* While he has a very hard time letting people get close to him. It seems to be physically impossible for him to be in romantic relations. The very few women he has gotten close to he never shows physical romantic interactions (such as touching) and never flirts, instead does actions and gives thoughtful gifts. Due to this usually, other men end up sweeping away the women he cares for. He does this to protect his emotional state as he has been heartbroken in the past. He fears these emotional states because he can not physically fix them with surgical practices. Referring to them as phantom pain.
	+ Cared deeply about Hope Everleigh after he walked in the saloon to her playing the piano. (*Events related to this lead to his* **"Saint Torino Arc"** He can't handle seeing her in public now)
	+ Fell in "like you a lot" with Aliprin Parcross, after meeting her at the same exact piano in the same way he met Hope Eveleigh. He thinks the piano is cursed.

* Has crippling depression and PTSD which he hides from almost everyone. Instead, he opts to tell people he is going to go hunting north of Annesburg. Where he usually stays when he feels very anti-social.
* Unless unavoidable he does not reveal his unclothed back to people. In hot climate, he wears a vest instead. He does this to hide the shrapnel scars he received from a mortar shell during the war. Currently, he has only revealed his back and story to Aliprin Parcross. It is unknown how he received the large scar over his left eye.
* The 2 weapon parts for his pistol are hidden inside his body, in his back on the top half of his shoulder blade. He had them surgical implanted. It was removed in October by Coko Dobry.
* He often mistakenly addresses Sheriffs and Deputies, He comes from the city where they at the time were referred to as "Cops/Coppers" and the reason he also calls them "Officers" is because of his time in the service, where the commanders were always called "Officers". He does his best to address them properly.
* While in Guarma with Aliprin he stated it reminded him of Cuba. He spoke broken Spanish at the time.
* When speaking to Vicktor his field medic friend who told he him was in the Spanish VS American war in Cuba he revealed he was also a surgeon. They were involved in the same battles but never met each other.
* Saved Kate Bennet life in surgery after she had her kidney ripped out and eaten by Tobias Plimmft - However, this caused a serious impact on him.
* His Arabian horse replaced his original horse who was killed by a locals wagon. It is named *"Bo Tucker The Third"* Which is a homage to Bo Tucker who was also killed in the line of duty. He is currently on *"Bo Tucker The Ellevinth"*
* He has shards of space rock he found from a meteorite, he originally planned to turn it into a scalpel. However, it was given to Lawrence Carnegie who had a friend in new york turn it into a ring for Aliprin. It was revealed to him at Aliprins grave that Carnegie never melted the metal down and was given 2 parts of the space rock back. He buried one with her and kept the other.
* Is part of a sect of the Vatican, as a doctor that rules out medical reasons for the reactions of possible "Possed" individuals. When he determines it is not a medical reason they are then handed over to the "Cleansers". However, he is not associated with Jason Jasonson's It is unclear if they could work together. Furthermore, his holy weapon sits in the holster of Lorna Forcer who is often around Jason.
* Ran for Governor, but dropped out. Realizing his place was in the operating room. Even saving governor candidate Winifred Lockhart multiple times during the campaign. He was deeply threatened by opposing political assassins but never touched. He ran again in the Winter election and lost, but made strong connections.
* An unknown man attempted to run him over with a horse multiple times without saying a word to torino. He proceeded to tie the man up who broke free at gunpoint, even after being retied. Torino executed the man and dumped him in the blackwater bay.
* Was forced to fight 2 men who tracked him down related to a "mistaken identity". He was shot in the side and the hand. He killed both the men in the gunfight, dumping their bodies in the nearby woods they had the shootout in. both players assumed to have "permad"
* He was deeply involved in defeating the plots Dismas Kinder were making against a large group of his friends and the state.