Marshal Larry Degen
Marshal Larry Deger
"Law and order ain't about being popular. It's about keeping folks alive long enough to complain about you."
"The Marshal" - Most folks just call him by his title rather than his name
Physical Appearance
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 195 lbs
Hair: Dark brown, graying at the temples, kept short and practical
Eyes: Steel gray
Larry Deger cuts an imposing but worn figure on the streets of Dodge City. He's a broad-shouldered man with a thick build that speaks to both strength and years of hard frontier living. His face is weathered and lined, with crow's feet around his eyes from squinting into the Kansas sun and a permanent furrow in his brow from constant vigilance. He sports a full mustache in the frontier style, though he keeps it neatly trimmed—one of the few concessions to vanity he allows himself.
His hands are scarred and calloused, bearing the marks of a man who's done plenty of manual labor alongside his law work. He typically dresses in practical dark wool trousers, a plain cotton shirt, and a sturdy vest. His marshal's badge—his most prized possession—is always prominently displayed and kept polished to a shine. He wears a serviceable broad-brimmed hat to keep the sun off and sturdy boots suitable for long days on his feet patrolling Dodge's dusty streets.
Unlike some of the flashier lawmen in the West, Deger doesn't go in for fancy gun rigs or decorated holsters. His gun belt is plain leather, functional and well-maintained. Everything about his appearance says "practical" and "professional"—he's a working lawman, not a showman.
Personality & Traits
General Overview
Larry Deger is a serious, no-nonsense lawman who takes his responsibilities with deadly earnestness. He's not the type to crack jokes or engage in friendly banter—when Deger speaks, it's because he has something that needs saying. This stoic demeanor, combined with his enforcement of unpopular laws like the gun ordinance, has made him more respected than liked in Dodge City.
He's methodical and by-the-book, believing that the law should be applied equally to everyone regardless of their station, politics, or popularity. This rigid adherence to principle has served him well in maintaining Dodge's neutrality during the ongoing conflict between North and South, but it's also made him seem inflexible and humorless to many citizens.
Deger is acutely aware that his deputy Wyatt Earp is more popular than he is, and while he'd never admit it publicly, this knowledge gnaws at him. He respects Earp's abilities—the man is an excellent lawman—but he resents the constant comparisons and the whispered suggestions that Earp should have his job.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Unwavering commitment to impartial law enforcement
- Excellent administrator and organizer
- Physical courage and willingness to face danger
- Strong sense of duty and responsibility
- Diplomatic skills in dealing with the Town Council
- Practical and pragmatic approach to problem-solving
Weaknesses:
- Lacks charisma and personal warmth
- Struggles with public relations and popularity
- Inflexible in his interpretation of rules
- Difficulty delegating and trusting others fully
- Growing resentment toward Wyatt Earp
- Takes criticism personally despite maintaining a stoic facade
- Poor at defusing tense situations without resorting to authority
Ambitions
Deger's primary ambition is to keep Dodge City from tearing itself apart during the ongoing Civil War. He genuinely believes in Mayor Wright'Kelley's vision of a neutral, nonpartisan town where North and South can coexist peacefully. Beyond that, he wants to prove—to the Town Council, to the citizens, and perhaps most of all to himself—that he's the right man for the job of Marshal.
He dreams of the day when Dodge City is known as the most peaceful, well-ordered town in Kansas, though he's realistic enough to know that's likely impossible. More practically, he hopes to serve out his term without being replaced by Earp and to retire with his reputation intact.
Hobbies & Interests
Deger doesn't have much time for hobbies—he's married to the job. What little free time he has is spent maintaining his equipment, studying law books and town ordinances, and occasionally playing chess (though finding opponents who'll play with him is difficult given his personality). He enjoys a good cigar on his office porch in the evening, watching the town settle down for the night. He's also fond of strong black coffee and has been known to brew a pot at the marshal's office that could strip paint.
Personal History
Lawrence "Larry" Deger was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to German immigrant parents who ran a modest dry goods store. He grew up learning the value of hard work, order, and following rules—lessons that would shape his entire career. When he was old enough, he joined the St. Louis police force, where he served with distinction for nearly a decade.
During his time in St. Louis, Deger developed a reputation as a fair but stern officer who played no favorites. He was passed over for promotion several times—always in favor of more politically connected or personally charming candidates. The experience left him bitter about politics but more convinced than ever that the law should be blind to such considerations.
When Mayor WrightKelley was recruiting lawmen for Dodge City's new experiment in neutrality, Deger saw an opportunity to prove himself. He applied for and won the position of Marshal, beating out several other candidates through his extensive experience and his convincing pitch about impartial law enforcement.
Since taking the job in 1876, Deger has worked tirelessly to keep Dodge City from exploding into violence. He's enforced the controversial gun law, managed the competing interests of railroad companies, dealt with Texas cowboys and buffalo hunters, and prevented the town from being drawn into the North-South conflict. It's been exhausting, thankless work—but it's been successful, even if nobody seems to appreciate it.
The hiring of Wyatt Earp as a deputy was Deger's idea—he recognized talent when he saw it. Now he wonders if that was a mistake, as Earp's popularity grows and the calls for Deger's replacement become louder.
In the spring of 1877, a Confederate guerrilla band rode into Dodge City looking for trouble. They were well-armed, drunk, and spoiling for a fight with anyone wearing blue or sympathetic to the Union cause. Deger, outnumbered and outgunned, walked directly into the middle of their group and informed them in his flat, matter-of-fact tone that they had exactly ten minutes to check their weapons at his office or leave town—their choice. When the leader laughed and reached for his gun, Deger buffaloed him with such speed and force that the man dropped like a sack of grain. The rest of the band, shocked into sobriety, complied. It was perhaps the least popular thing Deger had ever done—Southerners thought he was too harsh, Northerners thought he should have arrested them all—but it kept the peace. For Deger, that's all that matters.
Worst Nightmare
Deger's worst nightmare is the day he's replaced as Marshal, not because he's done anything wrong, but simply because he's not charming enough, not popular enough, not Wyatt Earp. In his nightmares, he sees himself standing on the street corner watching Earp take his badge, while the citizens cheer. Worse still, he imagines Dodge City descending into chaos and violence after he's gone—proving that his methods, however unpopular, were the only thing keeping the town from tearing itself apart. The thought of being forgotten, of his years of service meaning nothing, terrifies him more than any gunfight ever could.
Connections
Family
Spouse: None - Deger has been married to the job his entire adult life
Children: None
Mother: Greta Deger (deceased) - died of cholera in 1862
Father: Heinrich Deger (deceased) - died of heart failure in 1870
Siblings: One younger sister, Martha Hoffman, who lives in St. Louis with her family. They exchange letters occasionally but aren't particularly close.
Allies & Contacts
Mayor RobertJames Wright:H. “Dog” Kelley: Deger's main political supporter and the man who hired him. WrightKelley appreciates Deger's commitment to neutrality, even if he wishes the Marshal were more personable.
The Dodge City Town Council: A complex relationship—they support his work but are increasingly swayed by calls for his replacement.
Ed Masterson: Deputy marshal and one of the few men Deger genuinely trusts. Masterson is loyal and capable without threatening Deger's position.
George "Cimarron" Bolds: Young deputy who looks up to Deger and appreciates his by-the-book approach.
Various law enforcement contacts: Deger maintains professional relationships with sheriffs and marshals throughout Kansas and neighboring territories.
Enemies
Various guerrilla bands and outlaw groups: Deger has made enemies of numerous violent men through his strict enforcement of the law.
Corrupt merchants and saloon owners: Those who'd prefer a marshal who looks the other way in exchange for bribes have learned that Deger is incorruptible—and they hate him for it.
Political rivals: Various citizens and council members who want Wyatt Earp in the marshal's position view Deger as an obstacle to be removed.
Both Union and Confederate sympathizers: Deger's strict neutrality has earned him enemies on both sides of the conflict—Northerners think he's too soft on Rebels, Southerners think he favors Yankees.
Deadlands Character Statistics
Traits
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Wounds & Fate Chips
Edges
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Hindrances
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Hexes / Miracles / Powers
Type: None
Equipment & Possessions
Weapons
Personal Items
Marshal's Badge: His most prized possession, kept meticulously polished. Made from two silver dollars hammered and engraved with the Dodge City seal.
Key Ring: Contains keys to the jail cells, town armory, and various town buildings.
Pocket Watch: A reliable but plain timepiece inherited from his father.
Ledger Books: Deger keeps meticulous records of arrests, fines collected, gun claim slips issued, and daily reports. His handwriting is cramped but precise.
Box of Gun Claim Slips: Pre-printed slips for the gun law, numbered and organized. Deger personally checks each one when weapons are claimed.
Copies of Town Ordinances: He keeps a well-worn copy of all Dodge City laws in his office and another in his coat pocket for reference.
Coffee Pot: A battered but functional pot that lives on the stove in the marshal's office. The coffee it produces has been described as "capable of waking the dead."
Chess Set: A simple wooden set kept in his office. The pieces are hand-carved, a gift from his sister years ago.
The Gun Ledger: Deger maintains a massive leather-bound ledger where he personally records every firearm checked at his office under the gun law. Each entry includes the owner's name, description of the weapon, date checked, claim slip number, and date retrieved. The ledger has become a source of pride for him—proof of his orderly, systematic approach to law enforcement. Some citizens mock it as excessive bureaucracy; Deger sees it as proper documentation that protects both the town and the rights of gun owners. The ledger has already proven useful in several disputes over stolen weapons and fraudulent claim slips.
Additional Notes
Relationship with Wyatt Earp: Complex and increasingly strained. Deger recognizes Earp's talent and initially mentored him, but the younger man's popularity and the constant suggestions that he should replace Deger have created tension. Deger maintains a professional demeanor but privately resents Earp's easy charisma and the way problems seem to resolve themselves around him. He'd never admit it, but part of him wonders if the critics are right.
The Gun Law: Deger is the face of Dodge City's controversial gun ordinance, and he enforces it with rigid consistency. He processes every weapon personally, issues every claim slip, and has memorized the faces of frequent visitors. This has made him deeply unpopular with many cowboys and visitors, but Deger believes the law is necessary to keep the peace.
Political Pressure: The movement to replace Deger with Earp is growing stronger. Several town council members have expressed concerns about his "lack of public relations skills." Deger knows his job is in jeopardy, which has made him even more rigid and defensive.
Daily Routine: Deger is at his office before dawn and rarely leaves before midnight. He personally checks in with each deputy during their shift, walks the streets of Dodge multiple times per day, and handles most administrative duties himself because he doesn't trust others to do them correctly.
Reputation: Respected but not liked. Even his critics admit he's incorruptible, fair, and dedicated. But they also describe him as humorless, rigid, and lacking the personal touch that makes a lawman truly effective in a frontier town.
Last Updated: November 2025
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