Faustus

Brothels. He'd not heard of them before; a strange place where women and men (presumably according to the scribbles on the wall) had sex. "Brothel." Caturix repeated, his face scrunching as he pronounced the word, deciding that he wasn't a fan of the word. Then again, the lure of sex had never been something which plagued him like so many other men in his tribe. Caturix was surprised when she had switched over languages, visibly taken a back that she spoke something he understood more fully. "Then we both have that in common....did they take you too?" He asked, curious why the Gaul had decided to stay. @Chevi

Caturix furrowed his brow. "So they tell lies." He was pretty certain that was what the woman was trying to say. He did not understand much of what she had mentioned, but certainly it sounded as if the writing on the wall was trying to lie to him. "Where do they want to lure?" Caturix checked that what he had said sounded right to the woman before continuing. That was when his mouth quirked up into a smirk. "Ah. Sex." That he understood. Though he still did not understand the notion of why they were not free when they were having sex, the Romans practiced strange rituals. Even with the gladiators and gladiatrixes, people threw themselves at them for sex. Caturix shrugged his shoulders, as he noted that she did not speak how his masters did - she did not speak the same as the other Roman ladies did with the same caution to words. "I am from Britannia. Are you not Roman?" @Chevi

Usually a good clap on the back and some firm affirmation of his action did the trick well. Gaius had found that it was a repellent combined with his height. He nodded, seemingly pleased with himself as the owner seemed to mumble off about something when they had decided that he had enough. He watched for a few moments as the owner went over to tend to a couple of other patrons, distracted by them. "Hope the poem does not end so soon, I've just bought a drink for you." He could not help but respond in jest. Gaius was familiar with poems, to an extent. One of his men had liked to think himself a poet more than a soldier; got out of the Legions once his time had finished. The memory had brought him to wonder how Julius had been since he had been carted off the battlefield with a head wound. Maybe it was time to seek out old friends. The chair had been nudged out, Gaius raised a brow as she revealed the skin of her thigh, offering her to spend some time with her at the table. And perhaps a little more. "It's Gaius Maxentius." Now that he was closer to the woman, he could see her better now. The face did look familiar, but placing her was still proving difficult. Damn the Gods, he wanted a chance to be alone away from the work which he did for the night. Only one night. "And yours?" @Sara

From one life to another, the gladiator ring disappeared in the distance as he was granted his first breath of what was supposed to be fresh air. Caturix pressed himself against the bars of the cage that he was being transported in with the others. Slaves, they called them. Much to the baring of his teeth when they attempted to force him into the cage the first time, which (rightfully or not) had earned him a slap across the mouth. So he had remained quiet, blue eyes watchful as they were unloaded off the cart and into the bullpen where they would be displayed for countless of Romans to come look at them - perhaps even buy them. Caturix would look up often, watching as they stopped, towering over him as he remained seated; one knee to his chest and the other slightly stuck out in front of him. He had not been wholly broken, not like some of the others who had come with him. Women and their children. Women alone. Other men. They did not discriminate on who they took as slaves. However, he did not flinch when they met his gaze; a curiousity and a quiet confidence gained from the hardships of the arena. Caturix did not know when he had next looked away, tending to the dirt beneath his feet and to the rats which scurried along the floor searching for food or a warm place to nest. But it was a commanding voice which had caught his attention. "This one." He slowly pulled his gaze off the ground, coming to meet the eyes of the man who was pointing at him; a blonde strand of hair falling in front of his face, partially concealing the lack of an ear. "What's his history?" The trader guffawed, hands on his hip as he looked back towards the enslaved Briton. "That one?" Another guffaw as he tried to bolster the sell. "Got him from the gladiator ring; they says before that, Roman Legions took him from Britannia. He's got good spirit that one, plenty of balls. Don't think he speaks much, tries bite your face off well enough though! I'll give him for a good price, sir if you take him off my own hands, yes." Caturix inclined his head, only partially catching some of the words that the trader had been saying. He was interested to find out what the man wanted, why he was looking at him so intensely. It was as if they had not seen another man in their entire lives before. @Sarah

A fellow Legionnaire. There was something to speak upon after they had patched the young child up, perhaps if the Medicus did not have to rush off to tend to the wounds of a gladiator, there was hope yet. "Nor I," Gaius shrugged, a rueful smile crossing his features as he rubbed his neck. "Perhaps it's still not too late for an old dog." He had thought about raising a family of his own - a thought that remained fleeting and never-lasting. It was a concept that frightened him so, knowing how his own family had been when he had grown up and rumors said that boys grew to be their father. "You mention the Legions, which one?" @Chevi

Engrossed, as he was, Caturix had almost forgotten about the bustling exterior of the Esquilliae. The words danced, with little rhyme or meaning to it as he finally realised that he was not alone in staring at the wall. His head whipped to one side, blue eyes narrowing as he took the woman in. "Why do they write here then?" It was as much as he could muster at the time, the words still after all these years strange on his tongue. Caturix mimicked what he had seen, the tablets that the Romans wrote on, the words escaping him as his brows furrowed in marginal frustration. "Walls." Clearly having given up on the notion of what he had wanted to say previously. This would have to do. He pointed at the written words. "None of these women seem to be free. Are men not free too?" @Chevi

Early March, 77 CE One of the many, many Roman Walls The sun was up, the birds chirped and the Roman city was bustling. Caturix had been sent out to find goods for the feast tonight, however, he had more than gotten sidetracked with the amount of people and noise that compared to his vague memories of the rolling hills of his tribe. He moved through, a confidence in his walk not pertaining to a slave, as the Roman citizens looked at him; both disgust and fear in their eyes as they hurried on past the Briton. It was the scribbles on the walls which had caught his attention, his brow furrowing as he swept a stray strand of blond hair dropped in front of his face. He stepped closer, his head tilting to the side as he brought a finger up to trace the words. There was a lot of it, whatever it said. He knew them to be words, for his Master had tried to teach him enough to get by in the local marketplace aside from what his already learned 'cock' and 'balls' that a small child had pointed out. @Chevi

GAIUS EGNATIUS MAXENTIUS .: SON. SOLDIER. GUARD :. Platonic :: When it comes to friends, Gaius is a man who will fiercely defend who he cares about. He's not one to mince around with his words or lie to a friend, even if the truth might hurt. He often gets along better with those who come from a military background and those who might be on the same class as him, rather than those who might forget about the plebians who fill the lower ranks of the legions. However, many will know that his time in the Legions have jaded him and such would have to prepare to deal with any moods that Gaius might find himself in. Romantic :: In this department, Gaius is not one to have settled. He is much happier to find the comfort in the arms of women he pays for the evening, for true romance does frighten him a little. Antagonistic :: A former legionary, occasionally mercenary and most of the time a guard for the Elysium, Gaius knows that he would have gotten a few enemies during his life. Many of his enemies are actually those in his family, to which he suffers a turbulent relationship with. Other :: Very happy to have all sorts of plots! CATURIX .: BRITON. EX-GLADIATOR. SLAVE :. Platonic :: Friends are a little thin in this department. A former gladiator who had been bought freedom into a life of slavery. He's a little bit cautious around a lot of people but largely comfortable moving around large groups of people as long as they aren't those who use class to lord over him. Romantic :: Romance confuses him, he is asexual; though certainly has it in his heart where he has yearned after the company of men and women. He's quite content to watch people fall head over heels for one another, a smile on his face as things never quite work out. Antagonistic :: There are most likely a few people who would look upon this ex-gladiator and man from Britannia and see a brute. Many of his own enemies are the Romans, who had been the first to draw first blood against his tribe and his family. A grudge that is not so easily forgotten. He does not appreciate people poking at him, or jeering at him as many had done in the past when he had been first captured by the Romans. Other :: Very happy to have all sorts of plots!

Gaius had finished off work for the evening, and was left to his own devices. There was a lot and yet, not a lot, for an old centurion of the legions to do around. However, there was always one past-time that never tired; drinking and eating. He had been offered a job at the Elysium, a job which paid coin and would allow him to live a good enough life surrounded by enough activity to last one a lifetime and had retired to finding a place to drink away from soon-to-be familiar faces. He had been sat by his own lonesome, drinking and making sure none would join him. It was the peace and quiet that he wished to have, though a commotion coming from a nearby table had attracted his attention. Eyes raised to the proprietor lingering next to a table, ordering for them to leave if they did not buy another drink. She looked vaguely familiar in the haze of his brain already succumbing to the grape as he thudded a closed fist against the table. "Aye." Loud enough for them to hear but not obnoxious enough to give reason for the man to throw him out as well. "I'll buy you a drink, m'lady." There would be a scraping of wood against the floor as he pulled himself to his full height and walked over to the table, facing the proprietor with a smirk, clapping him around the shoulder before his gaze went to the woman sat at the table. "Certainly would have bought you one before if I had spotted you earlier." He winked. @Sara

"Gaius. Gaius Egnatius Maxentinus, sir." He replied. It was strange to have his name known by a brothel owner, for his usage of such things related to him wanting a night of passion and love-making to a woman who did not care whether or not he saw her again. Gaius glanced down at the seat, pulling it out a little more and seating himself rather stiffly, as if expecting a berating more than an offer. His eyes went to the woman who had come in to pour them wine and had not lingered long after she had left. It was down to business, it seemed as Lucius had started to speak. Then it all seemed to become rather clear to him what the other was asking of him. He bit his tongue, his mind immediately touching upon the subject which was how much coin he would earn from this job. "I'm...." Clearly eloquence had never been a strength of the ex-Centurion. "I am, sir. Looking for a job, that is." Came the quick reply, believing that the other would not want to hear about how he was between jobs. "Are there any requirements?" @Atrice

Gaius had realised to some degree that his need to see the safety of the boy was irrational; that this was not the only child out on the streets of Rome in such dire conditions. However, he could not peel himself from the boy's side when the Medicus worked on him. He, too, noticed that the doctor was calm; which in turn had somewhat of a calming force over the larger man. He had never been good with needles himself as he watched the man turn to deal with the head wound. "Okay." Gaius moved slightly closer, to the top end of the boy's torso; guessing that it would be the flailing of the upper body that would ultimately hinder the doctor's work. "Have you any children?" He wanted answers to the reasons why he felt the need to linger. @Chevi

CATURIX. 27 | 1 April 50 AD | Slave | Bodyguard / mentor | Asexual | Original | Jasper Pääkkönen Personality. As a young boy, Caturix was a boy who was filled with energy; someone who thought himself unstoppable until his mother pulled him in for dinner with his siblings. Loud and boisterous, carefree, a fighter and a smiler, there is a little bit of his young self which has survived into his adulthood. Circumstances forced him to adapt, and whilst he has done the best he can with the life of a gladiator - there are certain things which had to be pushed to the back whilst others had been brought forward. To be aggressive was to survive - and survival was everything when in the arena. To wish for bloodshed and to retire to his cot alive formed the basis of his every day operations. However, there is still the boy inside him who wishes to explore - to see the world and to wonder what life is outside the ties to the wishes of someone else. Despite his portrayal as nothing but a Briton and a barbarian who lives for bloodshed, Caturix is an intellectual. Preferring to be underestimated rather than overestimated in his capabilities outside of being a fighter. He is often level-headed, calm and very occasionally jovial around people he has grown closer to and have gotten to know. However, there is a part of Caturix who holds a deep seated disgruntlement for the Romans who had invaded and inadvertently caused the passing of both his mother and father, leaving them to fend for themselves. Appearance Caturix is not an overly tall man, standing at the height of 5’7”. He is a lean man, but making no mistake for the musculature honed from years of hard labor and fighting for survival. He has blonde hair, shaved on one side and left long to cover a missing ear from his close shave with his opponents’ blade (something which he has been left self-conscious about); blue-gray eyes and a blonde, wiry beard. Most notably is the tattoos on his face; covering the side where no hair is grown trailing down onto his neck, and hands where he has a similar pattern tattooed onto the back of both hands. Each of his scars are a reminder of his years as a gladiator, a prisoner by the Romans, having been captured and used as nothing but a source of entertainment and such does not pay them much heed. Family Father: Lugotorix (the lesser, unknown) Mother: Catica (unknown whereabouts) Siblings: Rocatos (brother, 25), Rianorix (brother, 25), Barita (Sister, 20) Spouse: None Children: None (yet) Extended family: Bellicus - Uncle (paternal side) m. Manduorix (aunt) Tancorix - Tribe leader (maternal side, deceased) m. Illica (aunt) - Lucile (cousin) - Atto (cousin) - Catus (cousin) Other: Unknown History CHILDHOOD [ 50-60 AD ] Born on 1 April 50 AD as the eldest brother and child of the family. Caturix was the healthiest child born to Catica and Lugotorix - belonging to his mother’s brother’s tribe. He had been born seven years after the Roman’s conquest into Britannia. Tancorix was constantly on edge to protect his tribe from the Romans as they marched to the South, with young Caturix watching from the sides - one day knowing that he would come under the need to protect his family as the years passed and his brothers; Rocatos and Rianrix were born, twins followed shortly with their only sister, Barita. Education had never been his biggest strength, much rather learning by more practical means - hunting, gathering and fighting alongside boys who were often thrice his size. Eventually, he had watched as his tribe and the Romans clashed; with plenty of casualties, with his uncle being among the dead. However, this was the first of many attempts that the Romans did to quell the tribe who wanted nothing to do with the Romans and their legions - wanting to be left alone. YOUTH / TEENAGE YEARS [ 61-67 AD ] He had hardly become a man when the Romans had attacked again, though this time taking hostages and slaves as they went. Caturix had been captured and taken away by the Legions, returned to Rome when they returned from their march as one of their trophies - he was not sure if any of his other family had been taken as well. Being young and preconceptions of the public would force him into a life as an entertainer - a gladiator with the false promise of earning his life back should he serve a number of years. Here he finds himself under the tutelage of a veteran gladiatorix, another captor of the Romans and a Briton. She had taught him his tools which he would need for survival - informing him that he would need to change should he want to survive. Caturix was young when he had taken his first life, watching as the blood drained out onto the sand as the roars of the crowd erupted in the stadium. His eyes were fixated on the body as he returned to safety as the body was dragged away. YOUNG ADULT [ 68-75 AD ] It would not stop, a continuous cycle of fighting and surviving. Whilst there had been many Roman women who would send messages for him, Caturix did not bother much with them. For he wished only to go home - to see his mother, father and siblings whom he did not know remained alive or dead. When he had fought, and lost his ear, he thought it was it - that he would be dead and his servitude would cease to be. However, the medicus had only pushed him out back into the arena; earless but none the less deadly. Caturix had been noticed by a wealthy family, brought to their ludus and exchanged hands. His time as a gladiator had finished, but his life as a slave to their house had only begun. He knew very little of the Roman nature, of the way that he needed to be outside of the arena; for them and other slaves slowly brought him into the fold - to show him that a gentler touch was needed. ADULTHOOD [ 77AD-PRESENT ] Though, fighting was ingrained into him now. Too late. They had made him one of the bodyguards of their home, entrusted with their safety and their childrens. However, slowly, Caturix was returning to how he once had been - whilst cynical and crude about how the Romans treated many of them, he enjoyed learning something new - enjoyed the way that he had more freedom without the feeling that he might one day not be able to do anything he wished. Each night he would look up to the stars, wondering where his family were; whether they were scattered among Rome suffering the same fate or whether they had managed to escape to return to the tribe. Faustus | GMT | PM/Discord @Gothic

"Perhaps, that would be nice." Gaius would respond with a hint of content in his voice. He had not lied when he had said she was good company and that she was indeed nice; for she had allowed him to speak of his past - of the days when he was a centurion, largely to lament upon the days rather than the present happenings (at least for a little while before they made love to one another). He nodded as the man confirmed that he had paid - as he thought he had done. He kept up with his payments, ensuring that he did not fall behind or wind up the target of the brothel's security team. His brows creased ever so gently as the man said something which intrigued him. An offer? Curiousity propelled him forward, walking behind the man as they went down corridors and watched as one of the girls went to fetch a cup for him. Gaius would enter the office, standing much as he would have done in front of one of the commanders, his eyes uncertain but his posture confident as he stood ready wondering what the man could offer him at such a time after sex. "How can I help you, sir?" @Atrice

Gaius hovered, slightly closer to the boy protectively as the medicus began his examining. There would be slight movements, to allow the man access to the boy without him being an annoyance. Whilst he had no such experience of being a father, he assumed this was similar to what parents must have felt like. His lips were pressed into a thin line as slowly stepped away at Quintus' mention of a seat, however he did not seat himself. Not yet. Though, the wine was something he would take. Quell the nerves. His eyes never leaving the boy, every so often watching the hands of the medicus. Gaius did not have much medical knowledge, he never needed to know that as a legionary, so anything which came from the man's mouth was something to believe. And everything seemed to look good to him, though the explanation for all the blood lay with the head wound that the boy had sustained. His mouth opened, wanting to ask questions but another glance at the man seemed to tell him that it was best to allow him to work and then once the boy was saved - then they could talk. @Chevi

Brothels. They did not fill the gap in his heart where love should have been, but they satisfied his needs well enough each night after drink. Laying with different women each night, every so often the same, Gaius allowed himself to linger for a moment in the bed that he shared with a red-haired woman, his hand tracing down her bare shoulder before he rolled to one side to retrieve his clothing. "Will I see you again?" Gaius stopped, glancing over his shoulder as he put his tunic back on. "Perhaps, if you ask nicely." There was a sly half-smile which crept upon his features as he spared one last look at the woman and stepped out of the room and down the corridor where the sounds of lust and love filled the air. He would forget the woman's name, for so many had passed his lips in the heat of the moment as he ventured down the corridor, though no sooner had he done so he found himself being stopped by another man. For a moment, it took him a moment to recognise this as the brothel's owner - Lucius Armenius Valerius. Gaius cocked a crooked smile as he nodded. "Perhaps I've taken leave too prematurely. She was a nice woman. Good company--" Then the thought passed his mind. "Had I forgotten to give you coin?" Gaius began to reach for the small pouch in which jangled with the coins he had made from his various small jobs around the city. @Atrice

"Finally, someone who has no wool between their ears!" He near breathed a sigh of relief if it weren't for the pressing matter. Gaius walked through once the guards had allowed him to pass; side-eyeing each and every single one of them on the way as he followed the man through to his workroom. Gently, he would lay the child down on a table; his arms had long since cramped and the fatigue creeping in as the adrenaline faded. "No, the child is not mine. I found him in the marketplace, having chased away a group of older boys. Is he going to make it?" It was only now that he wondered who the child's parents were, and why they were not with him in the marketplace - however, knowing that he used to have a propensity for running off, it was likely that the boy had a mind for adventure and had wanted to explore the marketplace for himself. "Is he going to make it?" Came the question again, his usual bitter and jaded nature giving way to something more emotional and concerned. Gaius did not want to go and find the boy's parents if he died, it was a conversation he was best left out of. @Chevi

He had been struggling, his legs were tiring soon enough as he fought against the guards. The child in his arms had been the sole reason he had been standing in the Gladiatorium in the first place; perhaps it would be better if he were on his knees begging. But Gaius did not beg. It was undignified. Just as he were about to do something rash, something idiotic, a voice sounded out - calling the guards to cease. It took a moment but rough hands slowly peeled off him as he was left standing; sweating, child cradled as they parted. "I was told this was the closest place to find a medicus." He gestured with his head towards the child, thin as a twig; his complexion bruised and his head and nose bleeding, unconscious. "Please. Help him." @Chevi

GAIUS EGNATIUS MAXENTIUS .: SON. SOLDIER. GUARD :. FEBRUARY 77 CE For All is Not Done Gaius tries to save the life of a child, guided to the closest medicus he can find; there is a reunion with an old friend. (Ft. Quintus Flavius Theodorus | Chevi) Pay then Get Paid Having spent the evening at a local brothel, Gaius finds himself being potentially recruited as muscle for a local brothel owner (Ft. Lucius Armenius Valerius | Atrice) Fates and Grapes After work, Gaius goes to have some down time by himself...or so he well thought. (Ft. Ione | Sara) CATURIX .: SON. SLAVE. EX-GLADIATOR :. MARCH 77 CE When Britons stare at Walls Caturix is tasked to find food for his house, though gets sidetracked when he's by a Roman wall. (Ft. Aia | Chevi)

Mid-February, 77 CE By the Gods, he had not thought his afternoon would have turned out quite the way that it had. If he did, he would not have ventured out of his humble insulae. The commotion of the marketplace had drawn him out, the need to find something to replenish his food stock and something that he could eat. The people moved around as if they had little else more to do, their eyes browsing wares that they could or could not afford. Gaius moved through the crowd, awkwardly however, for his height was sometimes made point for him to be gawked at like a slave for the market. He was not a slave meant for the market, nor would he wish upon himself such a fate. He enjoyed the freedoms that he had, even whilst not a Roman citizen. However, it had not been long until presently, he was hurried being guided through the market with a child in his hands - bloodied and bruised from a fight that he had intervened in. "Stay with me." He barked, out of breath as he shoved past a couple of other plebians who had not seen a rather large man barrelling towards them as he made way towards the closest known medicus that he had been pointed towards. It had past his attention that he had, in fact, ran headlong into the Gladiatorium grounds; his eyes wide and searching. "I need a bloody medicus now!" He raised his voice, enough so that he could be heard over the roar of the audience, his eyes going back down as he checked that the child was still breathing. Just. Instead of waiting, Gaius proceeded forward - swatting hands away of the guards who attempted to stop him. He was not allowing this child to die with such dishonor. "Find me a medicus or so may the Gods help you." Gaius snarled, as he braced himself, trying to prevent his sandals from slipping as the guards attempted to take him back through the door. @Chevi (OOC: I hope this works, please do let me know if you need more to work with.)

Oh aye, that's a great idea @Sharpie - it would be probably good if they could have been acquainted in the past for the ease of not having to make the introductions, even if his stint at the Governor's palace had been short and they only interacted if to say hello or greeting. Perhaps they might have more chance now that he isn't under direct command or in command of a Legion ect.

Hello @Atrice, just throwing Gaius at you to form a potential few connections! The first one that stands out is Gaius & Lucius which could make for a fun pairing. Both are of a lower social status, and both of them are guards (enforcers and mercenaries, oh my) In particular caught my eye - which by all means Gaius should not be getting into brawls but I could see the two having met perhaps in a brawl when they were protecting their charges and sort of developing some sort of mutual respect for one another, the both of them getting into trouble and having to find their way out of it and forging a friendship out of that perhaps could also be another good way?

Hello @Kah! Bestia looks like an interesting character and certainly would be quite a polar opposite to the grumpy bear of a man who is Gaius. I'd honestly love to see her try and poke fun in his rather tough emotional walls; especially if she's dismissive of those who are more stoic. Certainly I can see Gaius being rather wary of Bestia, probably not knowing what to think but, I would think maybe they could cross paths through having bought food or animals off of her before.

Hi Hi @Sarah! I think that Gaius & Spurius could very well potentially know one another; though with so many legionnaires to keep a track of, I would assume that the chances of them actually having crossed paths would be slim. (Also Tobias Menzies!) The both of them are rather jaded, so there's probably some option where they meet and talk more about their pasts and regrets at some point in the future when maybe they become more familiar. Along the same lines, I think it would be very interesting to see Gaius & Tiberius interact too. Not entirely sure on which grounds but I think it would be cool to see them have maybe even a passing thread. Or eventually if Tiberius needs more guards - I'm more than willing to toss Gaius into the fray. Gaius & Varinia would also be a good connection potentially, maybe interacting in the marketplace or having been friends once upon a time perhaps, I don't think Gaius would bring her any physical hope but he could always try to be someone to lean against if she needs? Or, perhaps Gaius had been with her sons in the Legion and he's made a promise to go and find Varinia?

Hello @Sharpie! Hope you don't mind me throwing Gaius into the mix with your characters. Gaius & Aulus : Being a citizen of Raetia, Gaius might have a little more chance of running into the recent governor and the fact that both of them are military men. Whilst he does not hold the same status as Aulus, he does offer his services as a guard or an enforcer (depending on who your fancy is) should the man need extra hands when around Rome or Raetia. Perhaps even, they could have known one another when he was a legionnaire or even centurion before he had left the ranks to pursue other things. Gaius & Marcus : I would not think that his work would bring him much success with coin, but Gaius would maybe occasionally be brought along as security and maybe Marcus and he would have crossed paths. Maybe could even try and convince him to be part of the White faction? I'd have to think upon how Gaius could happen across your other characters, but definitely in time will get around to them!

GAIUS EGNATIUS MAXENTIUS. 45 | 20 January 32 CE | Plebian | Guard / Enforcer | Heterosexual | Original | Ray Stevenson Personality. Gaius is an old dog; or at least it is how he views himself. He has gone through many changes during his life as the son of a freedman; initially a cowering beanstalk of a boy who harboured natural curiosity for the world - wide-eyed and, one could argue, a dreamer. One could say that his service in the Legion had changed him, for Gaius had to scrape and scramble to prove his worth. A man who would fight tooth and nail to earn his rightful spot and work his way up the ranks; he is not a man who easily forgets his roots, and often pulls on it to give him grounding. War and battle had brought out an aggressive side to the normally even-tempered man, controlled as it might have been, he has become more prone to bouts of temper and during such times, a disregard to decorum. He is a man who values his companionships, someone who values the friendships, bonds and hardships that come with growing up as part of the plebian denizens. Gaius often will allow his biases to cloud his initial judgement of people, though he means well otherwise. Most days, Gaius is a man who keeps to a quiet reservation, allowing people to make their own assumptions about him as he wants nothing more than a simple life where he earns coin, provides for his family and uses the skills that he had once learned. Appearance It was said that Gaius was always cursed to look aged (though he suggests that he looks rather refined), his hair is dark brown though now speckled with gray hair and almost always cropped short to the head. Steely gray-blue eyes was his mother’s contribution to his features, for the rest was said to have been inherited from his father. He stands often a head above many, his height a particular picking for when he was a young boy, though it has become a comfort to him now. Tanned and scarred, Gaius reflects that of an old legionnaire; his back a mangled mess of scars from an infraction many, many moons ago - a reminder that his mistakes were never so far behind him. His eyes are jaded and weary from years of fighting, but his body is still primed for service; whilst not heavily muscled, Gaius keeps himself in shape in his older years. His clothes are nothing fancy or worth note; much rather sticking to the drab, plain tunica colours unless he wears his armour given to him during his military days, though all that remains of such dress is the sandals and leather vambraces. Family Father: Flavius Maxentius, 65, alive Mother: Rufina Maxentia, 63, deceased Siblings: Brother: Flavius Maxentius Minor, 40, deceased Brother: Octavian Maxentius, 32, alive Step-sister: Hadriana, 23, alive (Cassia's prior marriage) Step-brother: Crassus, 17, alive Step-brother: Titus, 15, alive Extended family: Step-mother: Cassia, 50, alive m. unknown father (Hadriana's father) Other: None (yet) History CHILDHOOD [32-49 CE] Gaius; the son of Flavius and his first wife, Rufina, was born into a family who had scraped their way into the world through blood, sweat and tears. For Flavius was a man who was born just outside Rome, in the province of Raetia. Initially a family of miners before being recruited into the auxiliary forces of Rome to bolster their ranks, meeting Rufina who had been one of the legion’s medics and their paths ever since had crossed. She had no sooner fallen in love than learned that she was pregnant bearing their first child. Five years later they would see their second born son brought into the family, much to great joy and celebration; much to his father’s joy whom he bestowed as his namesake. A point of contention for Gaius who watched as his brother was doted upon. Octavian was born when Gaius turned thirteen; a precarious birth, and a tragic one as their mother perished at childbirth. Turning seventeen years old, Gaius had volunteered to join the legion, believing that it would be his way of rebellion against his father having left the army to return to being a farmer once more, along with the addition of a new mother whom he had made no attempt at getting along with and a step-sister who sought to wreak havoc in their lives. YOUNG ADULT [49-57 CE] The revolts had meant that Gaius had been pushed out to Achaea with the Raetia Auxiliary Legion to reinforce Roman Legionnaires fighting. Their Legion takes many casualties during the skirmishes. A few years later would see Gaius no wiser than to find himself punished for minor acts of disobeying orders and breaking rank; suffering from the flogging and a reduction in rations for thirteen days but it had yet to put him off service to the Empire. The auxiliary force is sent out to many different skirmishes during the years that he was part of the legion; only once being sent to the tents for an injury to his leg, and finding out that his brothers had also joined one of the many legions dotted about - a message scrawled on parchment joking about how they had all left behind their father because of their step-mother. ADULT [57 CE-PRESENT DAY] Years had begun to chip away at Gaius, the once idealistic boy had withdrawn into the sullen nature of someone jaded and burned from battle; a man who had seen many of his friends and commanders fall or desert - promoted to centurion, before he had decided that he had enough. 70 CE would see the man return to his homeland - to his father who had thrived in their absence, with two new additional step-brothers who assisted in running their business in trade and commerce. Gaius’ return had sparked a numerous amount of arguments, for he knew the step-siblings had replaced the positions of Flavius’ real sons (for his father believed that he had died due to a clerical error). Angry and embittered, Gaius had turned to earning his coin by offering his services of the sword and protection to the highest bidder; wanting little to do with his father or his step-mother (who by all accounts had wanted to mend bridges). 75 CE had been a dark time for Gaius as he had found out his second eldest brother had been killed and had started the mending of bridges. He was uncomfortable with the arrangements his father had with his step-brothers, but the arguments did cease eventually as they came to a mutual understanding of one another. Faustus | GMT | PM / Discord @Gothic