Sheriff Crowe

Tired, corrupt, but effective. Sheriff Crowe takes Consortium bribes openly and uses the money to arm his deputies against Vulture incursions. He’s been the sheriff long enough that the corruption isn’t ideological — it’s the price of keeping Rustwater functional.

He has no formal faction allegiance. The badge is the only loyalty that pays. He’d hang a Consortium man as readily as a Vulture if the killing was done within town limits — that’s the Neutrality Tax, and it’s the only law in Rustwater that everyone respects.

Tactics

Crowe is a competent Elite combatant but knows his deputies aren’t. He fights cautious, uses cover, takes the first clean shot, and calls for backup. If outnumbered or outgunned, he negotiates. If the negotiation is a stall for his deputies to flank, that’s part of the craft.

Plot Anchor

The “Empty Train” plot hook in Rustwater goes through Crowe’s office. He’s the one the Consortium contacts to offer the bounty for opening the sealed cargo hold.