Lucius Poplicola

Written by Maidhc O Casain

Background

Lucius' father, Domenico Poplicola, was a lesser son of a small Tengu Sczarni family that runs confidence games in the northwest regions of Varisia. His mother, Belinda Hargev, was an Ulfen girl from Kopparberget in the southeast of the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. She was traveling in Varisia with a wagon train from her town for supplies when Domenico tried to run a scam on her. Belinda was perceptive, however, and possessed of clear insight into the hearts and minds of others. She saw right through the game, but also saw in Domenico a kind heart. She turned his game back on him, took his purse, then gave it back… along with a gentle lecture about the right way to treat a lady. By the time the Ulfen were ready to depart, Domenico had fallen madly in love and Belinda had decided to stay in Varisia to train the wild Sczarni to be a proper man. They were married a month later, Belinda was pregnant in another two months, and a year after they wed, Lucius rode tragedy into the world. Domenico's Tengu blood bred true, and something in the delivery was too traumatic for Belinda. In spite of the heroic efforts of Domenico's mother Antonina, who presided over the birth, Belinda perished even as her son drew his first breath.

Something broke in Domenico that day; he hardened, unlearned the lessons that Belinda had taught him with such love and patience, and turned full on to the Sczarni life. Lucius was left to the care of his grandmother Antonina - Mama Poplicola. She brought him up well. Taught him loyalty to family and friends, care for right and wrong, and a ruthless resolve to do what needs doing.

Mama Poplicola was a priestess of Desna, as well as a practitioner of the spiritual arts. She taught Lucius much of both, and the young man learned well. On his 10th nameday Antonina and Lucius made the crossing to the Sevenfold Cynosure, where the Great Dreamer herself introduced him to Puca - the Dream of a great swordsman who would manifest for Lucius in the form of a blade of phantom energy. From that day, Lucius has trained with Puca, and the blade is now as much friend and family as any others in his life.

On his 14th birthday Lucius took work as a deckhand on the merchant ship Lucent Crest and left Varisia. For five years he traveled the world, working any job he could find, learning the cultures and languages of whatever country he landed in. He became a fine sailor, and showed an aptitude for just about anything he turned his hand to. He eventually landed in Absalom, and decided that this was a city where he could learn much. He found a little room for rent in an inn and pub named the Twinkling Petal, talked his way into a job as the bartender, and there he stayed. For the next two y ears the young man roamed the city, learning - as was his wont - the culture, the language, the nuances of the greatest city in the world.


Then wanderlust - or maybe dutiful faith to the Dreamflower - struck again, and Lucius decided it was time to move on. He sailed for almost another year, until his current berth made port at Stormfeld. Once again, he felt an attraction to a place that wouldn't be denied, and he settled in to learn about it. He's been doing odd jobs, putting his broad range of skills to use working as everything from a dockhand to a 'security consultant,' for nearly a year and really falling in love with the little barony, when he sees the notice that the Baroness Elect is looking for a few good men to work for her.

And so, he answers the call…

Description

Lucius is short and wiry, and his hollow skeleton makes him even lighter than he appears. He takes care to dress well, and though he's not averse to wearing jewelry he doesn't have the fascination with bright baubles that many of his fellow Tengu share. He keeps his clothing and equipment clean and in good repair.
Height: 4'9"
Weight: 92 lbs.
Hair: Black (Feathers)
Eyes: Glowing Blue ( Lucius' association with occult forces has imbued his eyes with a
          permanent blue glow)

Personality

Lucius is always ready with a jest - to all appearances he goes through life without a care. This is a facade, however; he takes his responsibilities to Stormfeld and to the Baroness Elect very seriously.
Likes: Anchovies, Whiskey, Coffee
Phobias: None really. Well, maybe cats. Maybe.
Dislikes: Messiness in all forms, Pomp & Circumstance, Cats 
Flaws: Overprotective of his allies.
Ideals: Stormfeld for the win! Friends & family before all.

Lucius Poplicola by Maidhc O Casain