THE LUSTS OF ROME ~ MAIN CHARACTER LIST

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【CAIUS MARCELLUS】

The young lanista who makes his fortune doing the work other lanistae neglect. Brave, blunt, and soft-hearted enough to tell an owner when a fighter has reached his limit.

Age: 27 Height: 5′11′′

APPEARANCE: ➧ Build: Lean and athletic ➧ Hair: Thick, wavy light brown hair ➧ Distinctive features: Fair skin, strong brows, and a clean-shaven face ➧ Dress: A cream tunic with patterned trim, a deep red cloak, an ornate leather belt, and a gold ring

OCCUPATION/AFFILIATION: Lanista, trainer, and match organizer ➧ Formerly a guard outside the Senate; the work did not suit him ➧ Learned to run a gladiator school under Remus Varro ➧ Earns most of his money helping other lanistae train fighters, prepare for bouts, and arrange matches ➧ Charges for his work and receives an additional bonus when his fighters win ➧ Does not own a school of his own

PERSONALITY: Brave and naturally kind ➧ Has a soft heart beneath a blunt manner ➧ Can be forward and aggressive when he needs to stand his ground ➧ Refuses to push a fighter beyond what they can do ➧ Speaks plainly to lanistae about their fighters’ limits, even when they dislike his answer

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: ➧ Remus Varro: His former mentor. Remus thinks Caius is too gentle with fighters but respects the business he built for himself ➧ Other lanistae: Hire Caius to handle training and matches they cannot—or will not—manage themselves

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【REMUS VARRO】

One of Rome’s top lanistae and owner of a formidable gladiator school. His fighters respect him, though few would dare argue with him.

Age: 46 Height: 6′

APPEARANCE: ➧ Build: Sturdy and powerful ➧ Hair: Short dark hair threaded with gray; full beard ➧ Distinctive features: Weathered face and stern gaze ➧ Dress: Dark brown tunic, heavy cloak, and leather belt; often carries a writing board for school business

OCCUPATION/AFFILIATION: Lanista and owner of a ludus ➧ Runs one of Rome’s most respected gladiator schools ➧ Oversees several powerful fighters, including Cassian Drusus ➧ Supervises Valis on Prince Valerian’s behalf, though Valis remains the prince’s captive rather than one of Remus’s gladiators

PERSONALITY: Strict and demanding ➧ Warned Caius that he would not go easy on him ➧ Pushes his gladiators to the breaking point ➧ Expects his orders to be obeyed ➧ Is cruel to Valis, who has no reason to respect him ➧ Earns respect from the proud, ambitious gladiators who choose to train under his methods

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: ➧ Caius Marcellus: Taught him to run a school. Remus disapproves of Caius’s gentler approach but admires his business sense ➧ Cassian Drusus: His prized gladiator. Remus treats Cassian well in recognition of his success ➧ Valis: Oversees him for Valerian and treats him cruelly

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【CASSIAN DRUSUS】

One of Rome’s finest gladiators, celebrated as the Red Shield. His victories have earned him privileges—and the confidence to expect them.

Age: 32 Height: 6′2′′ Years as a gladiator: 6

APPEARANCE: ➧ Build: Tall and heavily muscled ➧ Hair: Short dark hair and stubble ➧ Distinctive features: Stern expression ➧ Arena dress: Battered bronze armor over one shoulder, leather straps, protective guards, sword, and a tall shield marked with a gold design

OCCUPATION/AFFILIATION: Gladiator at Remus Varro’s ludus ➧ Considered one of the best gladiators currently fighting ➧ Called the Red Shield because his opponents’ blood covers his shield after a fight ➧ Receives special treatment because of his success

PERSONALITY: Intense, arrogant, and disciplined ➧ Entered the arena because he needed work and liked having a sanctioned outlet for his anger ➧ Has grown calmer over the years, though he still has a temper ➧ Is used to getting what he wants and treats ordinary people as he pleases ➧ Understands the hierarchy above him and will humble himself before the emperor or Senate when required ➧ The original source of his anger remains undefined

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: ➧ Remus Varro: Respects him because Remus treats him well and recognizes what he brings to the school

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【EMPEROR JULIAN AURELIAN】

Rome’s aging emperor, committed to ruling fairly until his authority is openly defied. He loves his heir, unaware that his son is waiting to take the throne.

Age: 67 Height: 5′10′′

APPEARANCE: ➧ Hair: Silver-gray ➧ Distinctive features: Lined face and stern, composed expression ➧ Imperial dress: White tunic, richly embroidered purple cloak, and gold laurel crown

OCCUPATION/AFFILIATION: Emperor of Rome ➧ Holds supreme authority over the empire ➧ Intends for Prince Valerian to succeed him

PERSONALITY: Fair, but capable of cruelty ➧ Tries to judge matters carefully ➧ Expects his authority to be respected ➧ Responds harshly when openly defied ➧ Loves Valerian but wishes he spent less time betting on fights and more time preparing to rule

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: ➧ Prince Valerian: His son and heir. Julian does not know Valerian wants him dead or has already tried to remove him ➧ The arena: Its matches draw his son’s attention far more than Julian would like

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【PRINCE VALERIAN AURELIAN】

The apparently loyal heir to Rome’s throne. Behind the performance, he is impatient for his father to die and hungry to rule.

Age: 25 Height: 6′1′′

APPEARANCE: ➧ Build: Tall and lean ➧ Hair: Dark and wavy ➧ Distinctive features: Serious expression ➧ Dress: White tunic with gold trim and a deep red cloak

OCCUPATION/AFFILIATION: Prince and heir to the throne ➧ His mother died giving birth to him ➧ Frequently bets on arena fights ➧ Owns Valis and uses his fights to improve his betting wins

PERSONALITY: Power hungry and heavy-handed ➧ Acts like a loyal son in public ➧ Privately wants Julian dead so he can take the throne ➧ Has made a few failed attempts to remove Julian ➧ Knows that trying too often would draw suspicion

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: ➧ Emperor Julian: His father, whose throne Valerian wants before Julian is ready to surrender it ➧ Decimus Corvinus: A trusted ally who has helped him devise ways to remove Julian; Valerian does not know Decimus wants the throne for himself ➧ Valis: His captive fighter, whose bouts he uses for betting ➧ Remus Varro: Oversees Valis on Valerian’s behalf

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【DECIMUS CORVINUS】

A former war hero turned scholar, charming his way toward a Senate seat. The seat is only a step toward the power he truly wants: the throne.

Age: 34 Height: 6′3′′

APPEARANCE: ➧ Build: Tall and imposing ➧ Hair: Dark and wavy, with a neatly kept beard ➧ Distinctive features: Walks with a limp after a war injury ➧ Dress: Dark tunic with gold trim, deep red cloak, and a cane that conceals a sword

OCCUPATION/AFFILIATION: Scholar and Senate aspirant ➧ Former soldier and war hero ➧ His leg injury ended his military career ➧ Is working toward a Senate seat; he is not yet a senator

PERSONALITY: Charming in public, cold in private ➧ Wins admiration by presenting himself as a learned, decorated veteran ➧ Behind closed doors, demands respect and obedience ➧ Is willing to kill someone he considers beneath him for crossing him ➧ Despises foreigners and regards them as people to exploit in brothels or fighting pits ➧ Wants the throne for himself, though he conceals that ambition while working with Valerian

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: ➧ Prince Valerian: They trust each other and have discussed ways to remove Julian. Decimus remains cautious because Valerian’s rank gives him the power to turn on him ➧ Emperor Julian: The ruler Decimus intends to displace, though Julian does not know the full extent of his ambition

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【VALIS】

A Gaul taken captive when Romans attacked his village. He fights for a prince’s wagers, but he has never chosen the arena or the men who control his life.

Age: 42 Height: 6′6′′ Arena name: The Ash Wolf

APPEARANCE: ➧ Build: Exceptionally tall and heavily built ➧ Hair: Long, pale blond hair and a beard streaked with gray ➧ Distinctive features: Scars on his face and arms ➧ Dress: Dark sleeveless tunic, leather bracers, and boots

STATUS/AFFILIATION: Captive fighter owned by Prince Valerian ➧ Taken from his village in Gaul after it was attacked ➧ Made to fight so Valerian can profit from his bets ➧ Kept under Remus’s supervision at the ludus ➧ Is not one of Remus’s gladiators

PERSONALITY: Quiet and contemplative ➧ Hates Romans as a whole ➧ Tries to mind himself until his anger becomes too much to contain ➧ Has no trouble killing Romans in battle, or anyone else he is forced to face

COMBAT PROWESS: ➧ Weapon choice: An axe in each hand ➧ Experience: A formidable warrior, though the details of his life before captivity remain open

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: ➧ Prince Valerian: Owns him and uses his fights for betting ➧ Remus Varro: Oversees him for Valerian and treats him cruelly; Valis hates him ➧ Romans in general: Holds them responsible for his captivity and has no reason to trust them

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