Everyone knows Luther and Luther knows just about everyone. Being the bartender of the only tavern in Perdition's Point has some perks and affords him a level of respect. Ever since ol'Hester passed away, he has filled her role admirably even though many never thought he would. He may not look like it but Luther is a strong as an ox and about as tough. He puts his older half-brother Royce to shame most of the time. Most of the people in town thought he was all set to climb the ranks of the militia and then move on elsewhere to seek fame and fortune.
Well, it seems the quiet life is good enough for him and most would say his heart is in the right place. Just don't start a fight in his tavern or you will learn just how tough he is. Of course, a man does not rise in standing in a town without a few rumors spreading about him and Luther has a good share attached to his name. One is that he used to carry a torch for Alexis before she married Joan. Another is that the reason he is so tough is that his mother turned to witchcraft just before he was born.
This rumor is the one likely to get you your nose stove in by Luther if you repeat it in his presence. The story goes that when Augustus Callahan passed on and Misha was left alone with a growing boy to feed and care for, she turned to magic to help her fortunes. The exact nature of her purported magical prowess varies from telling to telling but most agree that Luther was a direct result of it. One story is that he is the result of some sort of deal she struck with a creature out in the forests somewhere. Another was that he was the son of some hapless traveller conceived as part of a ritual.
Regardless of the veracity of these rumors, the last time anyone dared to call him 'witchboy' or 'changeling' was back in his youth and the reaction taught most that Luther was not a boy to be taunted. Royce and Luther have worked hard to quash those rumors and restore the honor of their mother's name. Witch or no, she loved her boys dearly and raised them to be upstanding men.
And upstanding men they are, Royce is a pillar of the community with a wife and two kids already and Luther has the tavern to look after. Pastor Perelli has often made attempts to get Luther to follow in his brothers footsteps down the path of wedded bliss with the aid of some of the town's more comely bachelorettes but Luther has thus far resisted.
As for kids, Luther is well known among the town's youth. Uncle Lu is practically family to many. He can be relied upon to watch even the most troublesome child with an easy patience, as long as the parents do not mind him babysitting them in the tavern. The kids find him an unintimidating font of wisdom and often more forgiving and understanding than some of their parents.
A well groomed and well dressed man, he seems remarkably unassuming until he rolls up his sleeves. The state of his arms, and likely his legs and most other parts of his body, have been described as like watching pythons cuddle under his skin if he moves at all. His hands are, of course, calloused and rough but his knuckles are remarkably scarred. Many attribute this to his unique form of stress relief that involves him walking out behind the tavern and getting into a boxing match with an ancient darkwood tree. The bark of the tree has two fist shaped scars in it from this treatment but the tree has yet to admit defeat.
