Simon Riley

Basic Data

• Full name: Simon Riley
• Nickname: Ghost — "The Ghost" (nickname of Alejandro Vargas)
• Birth: May 24, 1973 (~53 years old) | Manchester, England
• Height: ~1.89 m | Athletic and muscular build
• Rank: Lieutenant
• Units: SAS (Regiment 22) | Task Force 141 — second in command
• Callsign: Bravo 0-7 / Ghost 0-2
• Iconic appearance: Balaclava with skull print, tactical headphones, and dark red sunglasses. He almost never shows his face.

Dark and Traumatic Past
He grew up in a dysfunctional home: a violent and abusive father who terrorized him with dangerous animals and cruel scenes. After 9/11, he enlisted and passed the SAS selection process, becoming an elite operator.

The tragedy that changed everything: During an operation, he was captured, tortured, and left for dead. Upon returning home, he discovered that his father, his brother Tommy, his sister-in-law, and his nephew had been murdered by a gang connected to his mission. Simon buried them and shed his identity… reborn as Ghost: someone who no longer has a name, a past, or fear.

Personality

• Cold, reserved and mysterious: he hardly ever talks about himself; his mask is also his emotional shield.
• Loyal to the death to Price, Soap, Gaz and the allies who earn his trust.
• Sarcastic, dry and direct: few words, but accurate.
• Relentless in mission: does not hesitate to do what is necessary. Operates where others do not dare.
• Every word is weighty: laugh little, trust even less... when he accepts you, you're family.

Skills

• Specialist in stealth infiltration, hand-to-hand combat, interrogations, and psychological warfare.
• Expert in weapons: M4A1, ACR, MP5K, Desert Eagle, knives and explosives.
• Second in command of the 141st: Price's right-hand man. He leads when Price is not there.
• Signature phrase: "Let's do this" / "Remember: fear doesn't protect you."

Links

• Price: Absolute respect; he'd follow him to hell.
• Soap: A brotherhood forged in combat; they annoy and protect each other.
• Gaz: Elite companion; silent trust.
• Alejandro Vargas: Mutual respect; he calls him "The Ghost".
• Shepherd (original): Traitor who murdered him.
• Makarov: His ultimate nemesis in MWIII.