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[peakydevil]

IN CHARACTER

Character Name: Thomas Shelby
Canon: Peaky Blinders
Canon Point: mid-season 2

In-Game Tattoo Placement: deer skull and antlers on upper right chest
Current Health/Status: alive, recovering from injuries
Age: 32
Species: human

Content Warnings: violence, brutality, murder, war, PTSD, firearms and weapons use, drug use, alcohol abuse. strong or triggering language including racial slurs frequently used during his time period (most frequently the common slur for those with Romani heritage like himself). mentions of sex work, sexism, classism.

History: wiki link

Personality:
Based out of Small Heath, Birmingham, the Shelby Family holds a certain reputation for strength and influence. Leading a criminal street gang called the Peaky Blinders, the Shebly Brothers have their hands in a variety of enterprises, both legal and illegal, ranging from horse races and bookmaking to alcohol smuggling and assassination. They have police on their payroll and collect protection fees from businesses in their community. The patriarch of the family, the second eldest brother known for his impeccable control and calculated ruthlessness, is Thomas Shelby.

"Thomas is the definition of a self-made man – a master manipulator, deal-maker and entrepreneur whose unbridled ambition and personality is matched by his instincts for survival. A man of lowly birth (he has Romany heritage on both sides of his family), he returns from the Great War a decorated Sergeant Major, but also a changed man, disillusioned by his experiences and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He is deeply cunning and coldly efficient, someone who understands the value of compromise, but only if it does not compromise his greater ambitions." (from "Man of Character")

His rise in influence and power despite rampant racism and classism of the time is primarily due to his cleverness and careful planning with the willingness to do violence to back it up. Tommy rarely makes a move without considering all possibilities and with contingency plans in place. He never goes anywhere for no reason, and every move he makes is for the good of his family. Nothing in the world is more important to Tommy than family (three brothers, a sister, a nephew, and his aunt… but the members of his gang and the community of Small Heath are also like family when it comes to his loyalty and protection), even though his closed-off nature and cutthroat behavior occasionally puts him out of their good graces.

Unlike his siblings, Thomas very calm and observant man. While he does enjoy socializing, drinking and dancing, he frequently makes appearances at gatherings only to settle in the fringes, watching the room with the vantage afforded only to the boss. He isn't antisocial, but even in the midst of celebration, he considers every situation very seriously and can get lost in the mazes of his own mind.

Two major events shape the darker places of Thomas' mind. The first places him in what will later be called the Lost Generation, men who went off to war (often at quite a young age, as in Tommy's case) and never really returned. Before his tour in France, Tommy laughed a lot. He wanted to work with horses. Before the war, he fell in love with a young woman and began dreaming of a future, but she fell ill and died before he was deployed. In France, Tommy was a tunneler (or sapper). He and his brothers survived, but he lost many friends and comrades. After his return to England, the sound of the shovels and picks still haunt his nightmares, and he's taken to smoking opium in order to drown out the sound and to get sleep. Tommy's war record showed flawless conduct, recognized for his command, and he was decorated for bravery. Upon returning home, he threw his medals in the river.

The second event was heartbreak. Thomas Shelby, ruthless leader of the Peaky Blinders, fell in love. He admired Grace for her ingenuity and intelligence as much as her beauty, and the pair grew to love each other. Shortly after they confessed to each other, she broke his heart by betraying him and left for America. When she made the offer for him to join her there, leaving behind his legal troubles and the Blinders, he flipped a coin to make the decision. He responded to her, claiming no malice, but ultimately he chose to stay in Birmingham with his family and his business. He lost Grace to distance and time, tried to take other lovers, but he remained in love with her. [[Later, they eventually reunite and are married. Thomas admits that she is the one true love of his life. But this is not that canon point.]]

When Thomas is prone to melancholic moods, these are the things upon which he dwells.

Despite everything else, Tommy does have the occasional compassionate streak, particularly when it comes to the suffering of innocents caught in the crossfire of the gangs' dealings. He has been known to pay the families of victims compensation, both for the reputation of the Shelby name and because he feels its the proper thing to do. He also has a soft spot for horses.

Thomas Shelby will never stop making a grab for more territory, more properties, more influence, more control. In the gang mentality by which he lives, those who stagnate are overrun and destroyed. It's not enough to be rich and powerful if the next up-and-comer is right on one's heels. Tommy created a legal side to his businesses called the Shelby Company Limited to legitimize the family, gain security, and to establish a foothold upon which to balance their illegal activities. Certain members of the family only work the legal or illegal side, not both, to ensure credibility. Thomas was the first member of his family (in a long line) to aim for legitimacy, and handed control of it over to his younger brother John.

Thomas Shelby is widely respected among his local community and is seen as a dangerous foe by his enemies. And that's only the beginning of his story.


Abilities/Powers/Weaknesses & Warping:
Thomas is a baseline human, but he does possess military training and a sharp, above average intelligence. He is bilingual (English and Romani) and possesses several weapons proficiencies, including: firearms, short blades, improvised weaponry, and fists.

Inventory:
-- .455 Webley revolver
-- Peaky Blinders "uniform" + hat
-- pocketwatch
-- cigarettes and matches
-- opium pipe
-- bottle of fine 1900s Irish whiskey

Writing Samples:
-- TDM TL w/ 3 threads
-- dust up in 3rd class

OUT OF CHARACTER

Player Name: Fox
Player Age: 37
Player Contact: fantomfox or Discord: fantomfox#2153

Other Characters In Game: Technical Boy (brandnewtech)
In-Game Tag If Accepted: Thomas Shelby: Fox
Permissions for Character: Here
Are you comfortable with prominent elements of fourth-walling?: Yes
What themes of horror/psychological thrillers do you enjoy the most?: Unseen enemies or an unseen threat, possessed artifacts, "Don't read the Latin", psychological horror, facing one's own weaknesses, power reversal or imbalance, "kill your double", Elder things and ancient evils
Is there anything in particular you absolutely need specific content warnings for?: rape, animal cruelty, and anything to do with eyes.
Additional Information:

Comments

[peakydevil]

link here

The Public House

Location of Business: Crimson Drive
General Income: $$-$$$
Owner(s) Of Business: Thomas Shelby
Employees: (manager), (bartender), (bouncer)

An intimate hole-in-the-wall style pub with a 1920s Birmingham flair. Dark hard wood and old glass is the primary aesthetic. The bar holds in the scent of strong whiskey and smoke. Large windows look out onto the street, but thick curtains can be drawn back for privacy or ambiance. While on occasion the pub does host extravagant parties, The Public House is primarily a destination for those looking for peace and quiet, a stiff drink, and low conversation. No music is preformed here per the owner's request.

The pub is able to be rented out for private functions. Additionally, there is a private room available for meetings which offers a window opening directly to the bar..