You know the thing about a shark, he's got... lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll's eye. When he comes at ya, doesn't seem to be livin'. Until he bites ya and those black eyes roll over white. And then, ah then you hear that terrible high pitch screamin' and the ocean turns red and spite of all the poundin' and the hollerin' they all come in and rip you to pieces.
The obssessed shark hunter. The veteran with a personal grudge against sharks. The only one who recognizes the danger for what it is in Amity ahead of anyone else. A few years ago (about six) I wrote up the Great White from
Jaws and intended to include Quint at some point in a Halloween write-up.
Why Quint?
There are severals reasons I'm including Quint. Simply put, I think Robert Shaw's portrayal took what could have been a stock character and elevated it to legend. I think that horror really sometimes lacks in its ability to give the main terror a nemesis worthy of it (with good exceptions like Dr. Loomis and Ash). Quint is simply awesome in that respect. I like Quint, and I realized as I was recovering my hard drives and computer that while I thought I had written him up, I hadn't. I figured also I wanted to start Halloween's write-ups this year with something simple and personal, and Quint's a good choice. Quint's obsession becomes his downfall, but before that happens, he's the man with the experience - the one who recognizes the shark as something more than just a small series of attacks.
So Quint.
Quint
Quint
F: Gd (10)
A: Typ (06)
S: Typ (06)
E: Gd (10)
R: Typ (06)
I: Gd (10)
P: Ex (20)
Health: 32
Karma: 36
Resources: Typ (06)
Popularity: (around Amity) -2 (General public)0
Talents:
Sailor
Military
-Firearms
Knowledge: Fishing*
Knowledge: Amity Area
Pilot: watercraft
Bare-knuckle boxing
Arm-wrestling
Powers:
None - Quint is considered to be a normal man with no real powers, but possesses an extraordinary skill:
Extraordinary Skill: Sharking: Quint's abiltiy to hunt sharks is uncanny, and his knowledge of sharks, habitats, and other things makes him very formidable. Quint's knowledge and experience allows him to make rolls with Ex (20) ability when fishing for sharks, and allows him to predict their behavior under normal circumstances. Unusual circumstances, such as the Great White during
Jaws reduce his ability to Gd (10).
Contacts:
While he was alive, Quint had few real contacts, save those who worked
The Orca and the few denizens of Amity Island he had dealings with.
Limitations:
Quint had a few limitations due to his experience and his over-all personality:
- Obsession: Quint's obsession in revenge against sharks is evident, and will force Psyche checks when engaged in a particular case. Failure will make Quint irrational, drawing him further into obsession.
- Fatalistic: By his own words, Quint will never wear a life-preserver nor will he seek help when things are against him.
- Distrust of Authority: Quint has no love for authority, especially those he perceives as the upper class or the leadership of Amity Island. Quint suffers a -1cs reaction bonus in such dealings.
- Traumatized: Quint is more than likely suffering a form of PTSD from the events of the Indianapolis. Quint's recollections of the events seem to suggest he suffers still from the events.
- Reputation: Quint's reputation is well-known in Amity (hence the -2 popularity), and is viewed with distrust or generally looked down upon, although none doubt his abilities or skills.
Notes:
I felt that Quint's psyche was high as it was to show his resolve. I think that Quint has a very strong will, and is often the victim of that will as it works against him (with his obsession). I tried to utilize what Quint said about his past and his skills throughout the movie (as the novel version is much different), and I felt that his ability to go 'sharkin' was beyond just a normal set of skills and thought it should be included a pseudo-power. I know there is some debate there, but I felt it needed to be its own thing.
I didn't include Quint's self-professed physical limitations nor did I include really contacts made during the movie. I felt that Quint was generally too abrasive for real contacts. I also went with the negative popularity in Amity for several reasons: It's clear no one in the community is comfortable with him (specifically as seen in the deleted scenes and in the famous city meeting scene).
Note x2:
So unlike the last six years, I'm not counting down write-ups. I'm instead going to do as many as I can this year (the list was larger than i thought), and I felt that way I'm more able to get the write-ups in I want to get in without rushing.
Farewell and adieu to you, fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu, you ladies of Spain. For we've received orders for to sail back to Boston. And so nevermore shall we see you again...
