[OOC] ---

Alea iacta est (The die is cast) - Gaius Julius Caesar

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The year is 192 AD, Emperor Commodus reigns atop the Roman Empire, the strongest empire on the planet. For the past several decades the great Roman Empire has been in a golden age. The Imperial Roman Army is the most powerful and feared military force in the world, having lead the charge in Roman expansion for centuries. At the moment the army finds itself mopping up the remnants of barbarian forces along the Roman province of Daria. The brave soldiers within the ranks of Roman forces look forward to the coming weeks when they will return home. Though they along with all the other loyal citizens of Rome shall find in the coming months that things are about to change like they never have before.

Commodus is not long for this world. A man of paranoia and megalomania even he cannot decipher what will happen to him, and the great city he rules over. With no heirs either natural or adopted, the Empire will be thrown into a chaos. It is also a time of opportunity for Romans, as a dictator falls there comes intrigue. A fierce soldier, arriving home from war may find themselves choosing a side. While a senator may push to support a claim, perhaps their own. Caught in between are the people of Rome, from the lowly slaves, to the fierce gladiators, roaming merchants, the free plebs and the affluential patricians. Rome will not fall, but it will shaken to its very foundations.

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OOC Information

In this roleplay players will be playing characters confined (mostly) to Ancient Rome, during the waning weeks of Emperor Commodus' reign. While not intended to be an exact historical replication of the real events which transpired thousands of years ago, this roleplay is intended to depict the chaos which occurred in the real Rome when Commodus was assassinated and the Empire was thrust into civil war. Players are encouraged to choose practically any type of character in this time period, and are able to create multiple character if you wish. You may seek to try to gain power in the troubling times, possibly seeing yourself wearing the emperor's crown and reigning in supreme power, or take a lesser role. The possibilities are endless. While a driving plot will come into play soon after the IC is launched, you are encouraged to move your characters around with a bit of freedom, try to collaborate with fellow players and GMs to create individual plotlines.

To emphasis collaboration and interaction the most, all military player characters will be members of the 13th Legion.

Rules

1. The usual: No godmodding, metagaming, powergaming, Mary Sues//Gary Stus, etc, etc.
2. Your characters are not invulnerable. While I'd like to avoid killing off player characters when they don't want them to, stupid acts may result in death. These were violent times.
3. Expect mature themes such as violence, gore, cursing and more. Romance is expected and allowed, but do keep it PG-13.
4. Realism is a thing here. The year is 192 AD, there's no guns or any the like. Your character is a human being, everyone's is.
5. Please roleplay in 3rd person. It's a pet peeve of mine.
6. Original characters only. I don't want to see Maximus Decimus Meridius running around.
7. Please post at bare minimum a single solid paragraph per IC post. I'd rather quality > quantity, but more writing is *always* encouraged.
8. Be mindful of your fellow players, please don't be an asshole.
9. Join the Discord chat. Its free and makes communication that much easier.
10. By joining this RP you acknowledge that GM's (and any co-GM's) word is law. I am open to input on anything you feel may make the RP more enjoyable.

Resources

While this roleplay is intended to be easy to get into even with little knowledge of Ancient Rome, I felt it was necessary to include some useful information and videos. These are all optional to read/watch, but are all very useful and quite intriguing. Ancient Rome is a very interesting subject, and something researchers have figured out a lot about.

Roman daily life

• A general article on the daily life in Roman cities
• Roman Entertainment
• Slaves in Roman society
• Roman clothing
• Roman Social classes and public display
• A 6 and a half minute video on life of a Roman teenager

The Roman military

• A general guide to the Roman army
• Legionary weapons and equipment
• Chart displaying Legion hierarchy
• A great 3 minute video on the Roman army structure
• 5 minute video on the daily life of a Roman soldier
• An almost 12 minute video on Roman battle tactics

Roman gladiators

• Gladiators: Heroes of the Roman Amphitheatre
• 10 Things You May Not Know About Roman Gladiators
• A humorous 4 and a half minute video on gladiators and common misconceptions
• 5 minute video on gladiator training

Other links

• An article on Emperor Commodus
• The Senate
• Wikipedia page on Roman architecture, containing many of the pieces of architecture that would be found in Rome
• Shopping in ancient Rome
• A map of Ancient Rome during this time

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Character Sheets

Please post your initial sheet(s) on the OOC for review. If they are accepted then they may be posted in the character's tab. Here's a Roman name generator.

CS

[center][img]Picture url goes here, no anime pics[/img]
[h3][b]Character name here[/b][/h3][/center]

[b]Age:[/b]

[b]Sex:[/b]

[b]Occupation:[/b]

[b]Appearance:[/b] (Physical description of your character)

[b]Personality:[/b]

[b]Equipment:[/b] (What they typically carry on them day to day)

[b]Skills:[/b]

[b]Flaws:[/b]

[b]Backstory:[/b] (A few paragraphs explaining their life to this point. Don't have to go super in depth.)

Military CS

[center][img]Picture url goes here, no anime pics[/img]
[h3][b]Character name here[/b][/h3][/center]

[b]Age:[/b] (At least 18, no older than 50)

[b]Sex:[/b] Masculum

[b]Military Rank:[/b]

[b]Appearance:[/b] (Physical description of your character)

[b]Personality:[/b]

[b]Skills:[/b]

[b]Flaws:[/b]

[b]Backstory:[/b] (A few paragraphs explaining their life to this point. Don't have to go super in depth.)

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Announcements

TBA

[Heat]

Ad victoriam!

[POOHEAD189]

word

[CaptainSully]

Ferox Brittannicus | Gladiator // (WIP)

XXXII

Masculum

Gladiator | Dimachaerus

While in a sagging tunic his body may not be much to look at, when exposed it is shown to be toned and in peak physical condition. His lean but muscular frame allows him to very quick and agile with a flexibility not many possess. His body is fairly scar ridden as you would expect from a Gladiator with the majority being from non-serious injuries. The largest scar he has reaches across the left side of his chest and is as a result of the injury he sustained when he was captured back in Brittannia. When he walks he commands the attention of those around him as he gives off an air of authority. Shackled or not, he grabs peoples attention and respect.

Brittannia | Venta Silurum

Ludus Magnus | Gladiator School

⊕ Confident | Ferox has confidence in abundance but not so much that it verges on arrogance. He knows his abilities and his limitations and that keeps him grounded.
⊕ Calm | Years of battles followed by time in the arena has meant that Ferox has seen almost everything. This exposure to the savagery of humanity has given him an overwhelming calmness that he shows in and out of battle.
⊕ Dislikes the Theatre | What Ferox refers to as the theatre is actually Roman politics. In battle everything is black and white, fighting with your brothers against an enemy. Out of battle everything is gray, people willing to sell their own mother to get more power. The dishonesty of modern Roman life doesn't sit well with him because he knows for the right price, anyone can be bought.
⊕ Accepting of Death | After being captured by the Roman's Ferox fully expected to find himself nailed to a pole as an example for others. He prepared himself for death and when it didn't come, he chose to be thankful for each day he lives. He is fully prepared for when he time comes, whether it is a month away or when he is gray and old.
⊕ Longs for Freedom | As with any man trapped in captivity, Ferox wants his freedom. He wants to move on from the cesspit of Rome and build a life with his lover, Vassenia Campana. If Rome needs to burn for that to happen then so be it.

In the Arena:

⊕ Two Falchion Blades
⊕ Barbarian Attire

Outside the Arena:

⊕ Red Tunic

⊕ Swordsmanship | Ferox had a sword in hand at a very early age, trained by his father to be the next generation of Celtic warrior. Whether wielding one weapon or two, he is deadly in singles combat.
⊕ Hand to Hand Fighting | While he had as much knowledge of fighting bare handed as other men prior to arriving in Rome, when he reached the Ludus Magnus school he was trained in pugilism and wrestling. He is capable of both to a very high standard.
⊕ Hunting and Survival | In addition to his training in swordsmanship, Ferox was shown how to hunt and survive in the wild. This included using bows and spears, setting traps and minor medicine. His talents in all are basic but still usable skills.
⊕ Reflexes and Agility | While not as durable as other gladiators due to his lean physique, he has sharp reflexes and an ability to twist his body in ways that others cant. It helps to make his fighting style that much more dangerous.

⊕ Resistant to Romanisation | He refuses to accept the Roman way of life and fights in the arena for the sole purpose of earning his freedom. He has made several enemies of powerful people from refusing offers such becoming household guards if he earns his freedom.
⊕ Distrusting of Romans | Having seen the backstabbing and skullduggery first hand during his time in Rome, he finds it very difficult to believe any Romans are not out just for themselves.
⊕ Vassenia Campana | While they share a true and blossoming love, Vassenia is a big weakness of Ferox that can be used to easily manipulate him.

-Born in Brittannia
-Joined a Rebellion
-Captured and sent to Rome to be a Gladiator
-Has been a Gladiator for 4 years
-The person in charge of arranging his fights uses a gimmick to promote his fights, dressing him in celtic and barbarian styled attire over the usual Gladiatoral garb.
-Is one of the biggest names in the arena
-Is expecting to be granted his freedom as he approaches the end of his fifth year as a gladiator
-Has a rival who is a 'free' Gladiator, choosing to fight for the money

[Hero]

[DELETED32084]

Servius Faenius Vetranio

Servius Faenius Vetranio

Age:
41

Sex:
Male

Military Rank:
Primus Pilus of the 13th Legion

Appearance:
Servius is arguably one of the most terrifying men serving in the 13th Legion. He is a military veteran of numerous campaigns across the Empire. The man is a born killer; one of those who you would say was born with the "warrior spirit". Standing nearly six feet and weighing in at a staggering 230 pounds, he is a huge man by all accounts. Broad in the shoulders and light on his feet, he has earned the many scars that crisscross his body, and the retirement that a return home promises him.

Personality:
Like many men of the Legion he tends to distance himself from those who have never shared the dangers he has. He is efficient in his work, quick to criticize someones poor work, and then provide them the tools and knowledge to fix their shortcomings. He is often very serious but once you can crack the iron shell you will find a man who loves animals, wants to go home and joined the Legion to serve the Empire.

Equipment:
Sword, shield, pilum, entrenching tool, etc.

Skills:
Combat veteran, calm under pressure, skilled leader, excellent swordsman, ruthless, speaks Latin well, a smattering of other languages partially.

Flaws:
Treats most problems as something to be hit with a hammer, doesn't do politics at all, believes everyone has Romes best interest at heart.

Backstory:
Servius is the son of a whore and has no idea who she is, or was. He grew up on the streets of Corduba, in the Roman Province of Hispania. The first ten years of his life were spent begging, fighting, and surviving on the streets of the provincial capital until the gods saw fit to see him into the Legion. He eventually made his way into the 13th Legion at the age of fifteen.

For the next 25 years he fought his way across the Empire, serving in every major campaign, rising in rank as his skills increased. During the Quadi Rebellion he distinguished himself in taking on command of his unit after the Optio was killed. He salvaged what would have otherwise been a debacle and secured the potential weakness in the line. In true Roman fashion he was rewarded for his hard work with more work, and a promotion.

He showed a natural affinity for leading soldiers and as the Empire continued to expand he earned promotions and accolades from his superiors until, at twenty years of service, he became the Legions Primus Pilus, or ranking foot solider.

Most recently he was riding between garrison posts when he and his escort were attacked by a superior number of Germanic raiders. Never one to shy from a fight, Servius led his outnumbered men in a charge against the Germans and engaged their leader in single combat. Despite being older by near on twenty years, who slew the barbarian with savage ease that so shocked the rest of the raiders they were butchered with ease.

Now the Legion is bound for home and Servius is looking to retire to find a place to call his own.

[pandapolio]

Marcus Aemilius Scaurus

Marcus Aemilius Scaurus

Age: XXIII

Sex: Masculum

Military Rank: Tribunus Laticlavius XIII

Appearance: Marcus is taller than the most of his people allowing him to look down on most he meets. He has broad shoulders formed from years of wearing the heavy armor of the legions. His hair is a bit longer than legion regulation, but not from disregard of policy but merely no time. He has hazel eyes and dark brown hair that is fairly curly.

Personality: Marcus is a tough but fair commander. While he expects his orders to be carried out with the utmost competence, he is understanding when given a valid reason for failure. For those Marcus doesn't care about he sees them as assets and problems rather than full people. This is how Marcus thinks on the battlefield, constantly calculating what certain assets are worth and the price he should pay at the current moment.

Skills: Marcus is a skilled swordsman and brawler due to his size and good instincts. His true skill is his exceptional tactical ability. That is what makes him appear a promising future commander to the senate. He can quickly make decisions that will affect many lives without much hesitation.

Flaws: He has trouble not just going by instinct and plays things by the cuff of his sleeve. Often thinking his first idea will be his best idea he rarely second guesses himself or thinks things over for too long. He also has no interest in politics, which if he dabbled in he might do well due to his family connections. While able to give rousing speeches he is no Caesar with the ability to inspire 2 farmers to fight an entire legion with nothing but manure.

Backstory: A long time ago Marcus’s ancestors were a fairly wealthy line of senators. During Sulla’s reign of terror his family had managed to lar low and not lose their heads. Their fortune turned for the better when they sided with Caesar’s faction in the civil war, and later on aided Octavion in his fight against the murderers. Having chosen the right faction they became one of the most powerful families overnight. The sons of the family became great statesmen and powerful generals, while the daughters spread their influence and gained vast sums of gold.

Now quite a time later their influence has waned. While not weak in any way, ever since the bloodline of Octavian lost the throne they have not held as much sway. Marcus is the promising second son of the head family. His older brother became a senator like his father, and his younger siblings seem to be intent on partying their wealth away. It is Marcus alone who has chosen the path of the sword and shield. Serving for a short time as a sub tribune in the 9th legion he was transferred out after four years.

His father then used his political clout to get the Senate to make him Tribune Laticlavius of the thirteenth legion. It also helped that the Legate of that legion happened to be a “family friend”. Marcus joined the 13th at the beginning of the darian campaign and has learned much from it.

Best image I can find. Just imagine more purple based colors to represent the Senate and imperial power.

[Little Bill]

Vergilius

Vergilius Pontem

Age: XXIX

Sex: Masculum

Occupation: Vergilius is the son of the most prolific bridge-builder in the Roman Empire, and has thusly never toiled a day in his life. If one were to describe Vergilius with an occupational title, it would be that of a philosopher. Though most traditional Roman philosophy focuses on law, either through legal rights or punishment, Vergilius has adopted an egalitarian philosophy that he frequently preaches in public squares, concert halls, and the muck-lined streets of Rome. He is a popular figure among Rome's slaves and commoners, who know him as "Vergilius the Gentle".

Appearance: Vergilius is a comely man who appears younger than he is. He wears his sandy blonde hair in the typically short-cropped style of his people, wearing decorated robes, leather sandals, and an array of finery around his neck and fingers. He is shorter than most men, which he counteracts with a notably deep, soft-spoken voice. He has pale green eyes, a soft chin, and wears no beard or mustache.

Personality: Vergilius is, in a word, clever. He spends his days in his father's manse idly lazing and philosophizing until he has something worthwhile to say, and then -- typically once a fortnight -- he journeys down the hill his home sits atop and preaches a lifestyle of love and equality to the people of Rome. There are occasionally senators seen in crowds of followers, more interested in the audience a merchant's son commands than what he has to say.

Equipment: Vergilius, aside from his robes and jewelry, carries nothing on his person. It is plain to see that a sword has no place in his hand, and Vergilius is simply not the type to conceal a dagger for self-protection. Instead, Vergilius is typically hounded by two bodyguards, Titus and Spurius.

Skills: Vergilius is an intelligent, learned man. Rather than sharing a senator's knowledge of historied laws or a scholar's knowledge of erudite trivia, Vergilius' intelligence comes from a knowledge of people; He knows when to employ the abbreviations and slang of slaves and fish-mongers, and he knows when to eloquently wax about the Gods in front of noblemen. Aside from his ability to read an audience, Vergilius' charisma extends to interpersonal relationships and casual conversation, making his name at least known in Rome's upper echelons. He is uproariously comical when he needs to be, and gravely serious when it is to his advantage. Vergilius somehow never stutters, misspeaks, or makes remarks that can be given immediate rebuttals, and seems as comfortable in any legal debate or philosophical discourse as a gladiator would be in his arena.

Flaws: Vergilius's main defense is his sharp tongue, though this is also a great weakness -- No tongue is so sharp that it can duel with an unreasonable man's sword, and no words are more convincing than the gold in an assassin's pocket. Despite having spent his 32 years becoming as clever as he could, cleverness is historically a poor substitute for martial skill in a number of scenarios, as any Roman historian could tell you.

Backstory: Vergilius is the only child of Lucius Pontem, Rome's finest bridge builder. Due to the extent of Lucius' wealth, Vergilius has always enjoyed a life of luxury, at the cost of his father's work keeping him away from home for long periods of time. In his absence, Vergilius would spend time with his father's many servants, slaves, and retainers. This would not only give Vergilius a soft spot in his heart for the common man, but make conversation his greatest hobby, even at a young age. Books sent by his father on bridge-building assignments would further his philosophical knowledge, and before long, Vergilius was known for his sharp wit and gentle manners within the immediate lands.

[Heat]

I'll do a full review of each sheet once I get home from work later. :

[Nieszka]

Aina

Aina

Age: XXIII

Sex: Feminae

Occupation: Gladiator/Slave

Appearance:

Aina is of an average height, though more lean and muscular than the common Roman standards of beauty might permit. She has long, dark hair, high cheekbones, and full lips. Her body is bronze from many days spent in the sun and painted with the geometric tattoos common among the Amazons.

Personality:

Quick-Tempered: Before her capture, Aina was known among her friends to be quick to anger, but since it is hard to say she is “Quick Tempered” because she is nearly always angry, resentful of her captors. Her every movement has something of the caged tiger: one can’t be quite certain when she will lash out.

Intrepid: Aina is bold to recklessness, dauntless in the face of any danger to her person.

Clever: Aina is very poorly educated by Roman standards, but is quick-thinking in battle and when faced with problems or puzzles. She is good at finding the weaknesses in her enemies.

Capricious: The Amazon hardly ever makes much of a plan, but rather launches into action and asks questions later.

Equipment:

As a slave, Aina now owns nothing, but her leather armor which she was allowed to keep in hopes of the exoticism drawing in more spectators. In the arena, she fights with a polearm.

Skills:

“Swiftness”: Aina’s name roughly translates to “swiftness” and she lives up to the moniker. The Amazon is fleet of foot, flexible, and remarkably agile; her skill in battle is largely due to her speed, reflexes, and acrobatic feats.

Horsemanship: Like all Amazons, Aina was riding almost before she was walking and has great skill in managing horses. There has been some talk of placing her against the other Eques, or equestrian gladiators. Others think it’d be a shame to waste the spectacle of her fighting on foot.

Melee: Though she was trained in the use of bows as well, Aina’s primary weapon is the polearm. She fights like a dervish, using the weapon’s long reach and her own agility to carve her opponents.

Flaws:

Uneducated: The Amazons teach their children the art of warfare, how to fight, how to hunt, and how to ride. Aina can read very little and has no knowledge of politics, philosophy, or art.

Reckless: Aina has no concern for her own safety or for danger of any other sort, not to mention the sort of attitude that is bound to get her in trouble.

Underweight: Compared to the other gladiators, and any other man Aina might find herself up against, she is small. The Amazon has little in the way of brute strength and must rely on other aspects to succeed in a fight.

Backstory:

Spring had come some time ago to the plains of Scythia, but so early in the morning a bite of chill still lingered in the air and Aina shivered as she stepped dripping onto the northern bank of the Black Sea. Salt water ran in rivulets off her bare, goose-pimpled body, taking with it weeks of dirt and grime from her travels. The young warrior had made good time on her trek outwards from the heart of Scynthia and by that very afternoon, she believed she would arrive at her destination.

The chieftess of Aina's tribe had little love for the Romans and their relentless hunger for new territory, and they had been suspiciously absent from Scythia for some time. It was possible that the legions had turned their sights on the easier, more fruitful pickings to the south, but Aina had been ordered out to check the borders anyway. With winter’s grasp lifted from the land, it may once again look favorable to the damnable Romans.

As the warrior woman slipped her clothing back over her damp skin, she looked out across the expanse of mirror-calm water and at the tall black mare nosing near the shore. It was as still and peaceful as any scene Aina had laid her eyes on, with fog rolling off the lake in the grey light of a sun just beginning her day’s journey. It was high time Aina and Aba, the horse, began their journey as well. With a prayer of thanks for the morning’s beauty, Aina collected her few belongings. Aba pranced impatiently as her simple bridle was fitted, and with a wave of apprehension, the warrior woman noticed that no trace of paint remained on her mount’s sleek black body. Gone were the geometric swirls that matched the tattoos on her own skin, and Aina prayed that the blessings that had accompanied the markings had not faded as well.

The peace of that morning lingered within the warrior woman as she entered the pine forests near the Scythian-Roman border, singing a simple chant to the moon goddess and swaying with Aba’s gentle canter. With the overconfidence of a fighter who had never lost a battle, Aina did not fear the approach of Romans—she doubted she would find any on so quiet a border, and if she did she had no doubt in her ability to best them. What were Roman soldiers to the wild beauty of a tribeswoman in battle frenzy?

Then, the first arrow struck. It was a clever shot, not aimed at the warrior woman, but at the unprotected chest of her trusted steed. The big black horse seemed to cave in on herself, crumbling to the ground beneath Aina as the barbed tip found a beating heart.

“Aba!” the warrior woman let out one startled cry of grief as her animal fell. She had raised the sturdy beast from a filly, but there was no time for sorrow just then.

An East Roman Border Guard was welling out of the surrounding trees like so much blood, each soldier bent on attacking the one savage they had seen on the border after being stationed in so remote a place all the long winter. Aina whirled into action, slaying 4, 7, 10 of the soldiers with the cruel blade of her polearm, but the sheer number of soldiers soon proved too much. There was a sharp stab of pain in her left temple, and the warrior woman knew no more.

---

Aina is an Amazon warrior from the steppes to the East of the Black Sea, recently captured and taken to Rome to be sold as a gladiator. She has yet to be pitted in the arena but has already been installed in the Ludus Magnus Gladiator School.

[Nieszka]

OOps

[AtomicNut]

I don't know what I am even doing

Hider

Gerlinde "Marcia"

Age:XXII

Sex:Feminae

Occupation: Spy/Cuthroat

Appearance: Gerlinde, or as the Romans know her as, Marcia is a slightly taller than average woman, which displays exotic fair skin features befitting her Germanic Ancestry. A woman with fair skin, freckles, distracting green eyes and fiery red that keeps usually braided all the way down to her waist. She usually keeps her sensitive features under a hood to shelter them from the inclement sun. Marcia is rather fit and slim, and by Roman standards (small breast and wide hips) comely.

Personality: Marcia is a survivor first and foremost. She cares nothing about virtue and honor, and she appears to revel in infamy sometimes. Her speech is often jaded and cynical, as someone who has seen too much filth in too little time. Roman or barbarian, to her is all the same, a thinly veiled cesspool of based desires and craven intentions with little if any nobility at all. She however, cannot let her go of her past, and she has a bit of a soft spot for orphaned and destitute children. Surprisingly enough, she is far more cultured than she appears to be, and likes to read and learn new dialects and languages, even if she claims it's to improve her art.

Equipment:Marcia's equipment is as ever changing as her disguises, but she nevers parts without her dagger. She also carries some Aconitum poison in order to take care of loose ends.

Skills:

• Housekeeping: Marcia is competent in household chores and some people (who dare risk eating her dishes) even praise her food. While this once would've made her a good housewife, nowadays it is useful for her disguise and cover work.
• Hunting and foraging: Being born in a harsh location with limited supplies, Marcia is no stranger to hunting with spear and bows, as well as knowing some herbal remedies...and concoct some poisons as well.
• Spear Fighting: Marcia knows how to defend herself in a fight, and her spear skills are nothing to be scoffed at.
• Disguise and acting: Over the course of years, Marcia has learnt how to disguise herself by using dyes and clothes, and she can even pass off for a man at times. She has become a master to show fake emotions aswell.
• Polygloth: She speaks at least four tongues. In addition to her native germanic, she can speak Roman and Greek without accent, and even knows Celtic (but her accent is atrocious). She can read and write in Latin, Greek and Runic scriptures.

Flaws:

• Children: Orphans and young kids are a soft spot for her, and her most blatant weakness. She can't help but feel sympathy for them.
• Cannot comprehend honor: Marcia is sometimes unable to anticipate honorable behaviour, as she usually assumes the worst when it comes to people.
• Sarcastic: Marcia can't help but open her mouth to make witty remarks, sometimes to her own detriment.

Backstory: Marcia was born as Gerlinde, the first daughter of a humble Marcomanni chieftain, just outside the borders of Empire, near the shores of the Danube river. Groomed to be a prized wife of one of his father's best warriors, Gerlinde's life took an abrupt turn to the worst when a rival tribe just flat out annihilated her homestead due to a feud, missing her narrowly. With nowhere to go, and chased by a score of brutal and blood-roused germanic raiders, the 12-year old girl decided that the only place she could go to the deter these beasts that wore the shapes of men was behind the lines of their ancient enemy: Rome. Despair fuelled her, and before she had realized, she had swam the entire width of the river without drowning.

But she was far from safe, either. The Romans found her, and surely enough, they didn't kill her on the spot, but taken to the camp and, with the aid of a germanic cook, questioned about what happened. Her fate left unresolved, she was on the receiving end of a culture shock, when a couple of drunk soldiers didn't take in account that barbarian women weren't into that kind of activities at such early age. She somehow managed to react in time, and using her spear skills, keep the drunk soldiers at bay, but that fouled her first encounter with the Roman Empire.

Nevertheless, she managed to keep her head on her shoulders when the local Frumentarius had heard that a wet river rat of a girl had managed to swim through the river and kept a couple of soldiers at bay, which caught his interest. He saw potential in the girl and decided to recruit her services in managing the frontier as his eyes and ears beyond what the Legions could reach. The former Marcomanni thus turned on her former tribes and became a spy of Rome, an infamious job which nevertheless kept her belly filled and earned her a warm bed and food. Both Frumentarius and spy upped the game when he was called back to Rome, and decided that even though the Emperor had kicked the Germanic peregrini some time ago, bring her to the capital. Renaming herself as Marcia, she took the corruption of Rome like a fish takes to the waters, and her skill and rewards grew.

Unfortunately, her former employer did not share her luck. He instead managed to die in a very Roman but undignified manner, by choking on his own vomit after a party. Now, without a solid employer, Marcia wonders where could she go after so many years.

[Heat]

@AtomicNut it looks good so far! Shoot me any questions if you're stuck or confused.

@Nieszka The sheet looks all good. A female gladiator (gladiatrix) is going to be very interesting. Accepted.

@DeadbeatWalking I wouldn't mind a bit more added to the backstory, other than that the sheet looks great.

@pandapolio It's good! Accepted. Welcome aboard, second in command of the 13th Legion!

@The Wyrm also good, accepted! The Legion has some solid leadership.

[AtomicNut]

Alright, i don't know what else to add so there you go.@Heat

[Heat]

Alright, i don't know what else to add so there you go.@Heat

@AtomicNut

Accepted! A spy should be a fun character especially if he conspires with the political characters we've got.

[LordZell]

Vel Venius Vulso

Age: XXXIV

Sex: Male

Occupation: Leading Member of Consilium Principis

Appearance: A man of average height, sometimes slouching to appear even smaller so as not to draw attention. His face is defined mostly by his cleanly shaven face which sports a defined jawline and his eyes are of soothing sky blue color. He always dresses up in the best of fashion and expensive jewelry to show his wealth.

Personality: An ambitious man, however it doesn’t show. Often appearing in the background and never one to openly show his power and influence yet it is felt everywhere. From his spies, hired guards and even his relations with the emperor. While he’s a social man, he’s never one to flaunt in front of others unless it’s to prove a point or logical. Often in social affairs he’s seen as very fun and friendly with all those in attendance making him a life of the party. WIP

Equipment: TBD

Skills:

• A large spy network that has been built over the years that spreads throughout much of Rome so he knows mostly of what’s going on.
• Vast amounts of wealth, from various farms and building that he’s been gifted through the glory of the emperor for his loyal service.
• Well connected, being a leading member of the Emperor’s own Consilium Principis many individuals from senators, legates, leading business officials he is offered many gifts and trusted with many important secrets and goals to pass on to the Emperor.
• Emperor’s Favor, having done so much continued service to the emperor. From being a Yes Man and pointing out enemies of the emperor he’s earned the emperor’s trust and perhaps one of his few friends.
• Self Made Man, starting from a small local farm he used his cunning and ambitions to make it in rome and amass wealth he often returns it back to the populace so that he never forgets where he came from or where he may one day return, but more importantly so the people never forget him.
• Cunning, what he lacks in brute strength he makes up for in intelligence both from his network of spies and raw learning capacity always knowing from a young age he knew more than the person next to him.
  More TBD

Flaws:

• Emperor’s Connection, Being a close advisor to the erratic Emperor he’s disliked by a variety of people because his power has become closely attached to him
• Weak, having never been properly taught how to fight nor even work on the farm his family owned he’s grown accustomed to having bigger,stronger and often dumber men do the dirty work and heavy lifting.
• Rivals, TBD with others
• Love of Annia
• Ambition, with ambition one will often attempt to attain everything he can which puts him always thinking ahead yet could lead to overconfidence.
• Troublemaker, often cause issues for those he dislikes or finds to be a rival that he can remove. Sometimes fixated on them to make sure they fail.
• Inferiority Complex, Because of his own status and what he was being a lower middle class he believes he must always be the smartest, and most powerful in the room and hates being outdone.
  More TBD

Backstory:
[/hider]

[Flynn]

This looks very interesting, and I would love to join.

Though I know you said that all military characters will be part of the 13th legion, would it be okay to play a member of the Praetorian Guard. They are more like bodyguards then part of the real army.
If that's not okay, I'm also fine with playing something else :)

[Heat]

This looks very interesting, and I would love to join.

Though I know you said that all military characters will be part of the 13th legion, would it be okay to play a member of the Praetorian Guard. They are more like bodyguards then part of the real army.
If that's not okay, I'm also fine with playing something else :)

@Flynn

Yes it would be! One other player is in the process of making one as well. It'd be a very fun role to play with how "eccentric" an emperor Commodus is.

[Imperial Dux]

I've always found Roman history and politics to be interesting. In other words, I can't resist wanting to join. I'd join as either a Centurion of the 13th or a Praetorian Guard, so I'll have to think things over first.

[Heat]

I've always found Roman history and politics to be interesting. In other words, I can't resist wanting to join. I'd join as either a Centurion of the 13th or a Praetorian Guard, so I'll have to think things over first.

@Imperial Dux

We'd be delighted to have you join as either (or both)!

[Flynn]

<Snipped quote by Flynn>

Yes it would be! One other player is in the process of making one as well. It'd be a very fun role to play with how "eccentric" an emperor Commodus is.

@Heat

Splendid! Then I'll start working on my CS :)