History Characters / Adastra2018

* BlackSheep: Of his family, as they look upon him very unfavorably. [[note]]However, during his final talk with Marco near the end of the story, he shares a special Khemian goodbye hug reserved for siblings and mentions he shared it with one of his sisters before leaving his home world, implying he might be on somewhat good terms with at least one of his family members. [[/note]]

* FantasticRacism: He really, really, ''really'' dislikes [[spoiler:humans and Khemians]], but to him, [[spoiler:Khemians]] have a special place in Hell just for them.

* ButtMonkey: The poor guy goes through a myriad of embarrassing and humiliating events, including being projectile vomited on, being forced to abdicate (becoming the laughingstock of the empire in the process) and being the plaything of a [[spoiler: god]].

* {{Hypocrite}}: For someone who calls Amicus a rather dishonorable slur for gays, he sure enjoys the company of Alexios, who is of the same sex.

* FreudianExcuse: Marco may have a notable abrasive side, but considering the circumstances and environment he faces throughout the story (getting abducted and forcefully taken to an alien world where he must keep his uncontacted species/intelligence secret or else he could (and almost does) face execution, along with being surrounded by [[FantasticRacism those who are openly hostile to him]], [[PoorCommunicationKills don't tell him important information at critical times]] or [[spoiler:are secretly using him for nefarious sabotage related goals]]), one can see where his aggressive moments mostly stem from.

* {{Irony}}: One of the reasons Alexios claims to be spying on/sabotaging the wolves is that he views them as dangerous to the safety of the Galaxias, mentioning their past war mongering ways as a prime reason. [[spoiler: However, thanks to his sabotage he ends up getting the two main heirs to the throne who don't plan to go to war with anyone in a disadvantaged position (getting Cassius poisoned and keeping Amicus locked up) while indirectly aiding Cato, who plans to launch another war with Khemia, to full power. [[note]]And while there's no confirmation, it's not completely out of the realm of possibility the new Adastran-Khemian war could have gotten other worlds involved in the fight, meaning Alexios' actions might've been what put the Galaxias in danger instead.[[/note]]]]

* JerkassHasAPoint: While it's kinda excessive to refer to her as a jerkass (especially compared to [[spoiler:Cato and Alexios]]), Virginia's harsher moments to Marco and Amicus seem justified as their lack of self-control and immaturity have caused conflict both personally and politically that could've been easily avoided (with Marcos tendency to say what he feels without regard to others reactions and Amicus' ManChild and PoorCommunicationKills behavior being strong examples), even informing Marco that this is the main reason she's distant towards him (though she does also mention she believes he and Amicus will grow up and improve in the future, which in turn will lead to better relations).

* BadassGrandpa: He's a retired wrestler, but is still as fit and muscled as in his prime.

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* Troll: They don't like Cassius very much, bluntly calling them false emperor and playing pranks on them after they attempt to make contact with the Parents.

* WomenAreWiser: Usually displays more maturity when compared to her brothers.

* JerkassHasAPoint: While it's over the top to refer to her as a jerkass (especially compared to [[spoiler:Cato and Alexios]]), Virginia's harsher moments to Marco and Amicus seem justified as their lack of self-control and immaturity have caused conflict both personally and politically that could've been easily avoided (with Marcos tendency to say what he feels without regard to others reactions and Amicus' ManChild and PoorCommunicationKills behavior being strong examples), even informing Marco that this is the main reason she's distant towards him (though she does also mention she believes he and Amicus will grow up and improve in the future, which in turn would lead to better relations).

* {{Adorkable}}: He's really a cute dork who fumbles easily over most things.

* ItsAllAboutMe: On occasion, he indulges in the trope, like invoking his authority to visit ''a restaurant''. That was closed. [[WhatAnIdiot Because he was five hours late]]. He grows out of it- well, mostly.

* {{Jerkass Woobie}}: Grew up neglected and with a disease that left him frail and weak. He developed a bitter attitude and big ambitions to compensate but he's increasingly wrapped in complicated matters that are too much for him to handle as he's increasingly rendered powerless. He lets it slip how much his inner sadness was dictating his decisions.

* BrilliantButLazy: While it's noted that he has the potential to be a fine emperor (he is very well read, better at debating than his brother Cassius and a fierce warrior) and was in fact favored by his father and [[spoiler: (for a time)]] Cato, Amicus is seen to be anything but. He would rather just relax and have fun, while at the same time sure that he's a shoo-in for the title of emperor. Part of his character development revolves around accepting that he has a role to fulfill, but with the caveat that being emperor shouldn't mean suppressing your identity.
* CannotSpitItOut: [[RunningGag He ''really'' has issues communicating.]]
* CharacterDevelopment: Amicus starts out as a carefree fellow who ''really'' doesn't think his decisions through and who wants nothing more than to have his way, consequences be damned. By the end of the story, he has become far more understanding of the fact that [[ItsAllAboutMe the world doesn't revolve around him]].

* InnocentBigot: He tends to be condescending to others (ESPECIALLY poor Marco), but he doesn't mean to be. He honestly doesn't know any better.
* ItsAllAboutMe: On occasion. He grows out of it.
* LaserGuidedKarma: He makes fun of Magis early on in ''Interea'', confident that he can be beaten. Magis gives him ''such a well-deserved trouncing''.
* {{Manchild}}: He pouts and rants when he doesn't get his way in ways unbecoming of an emperor and would rather roughhouse and play than take his duties seriously. He gets over it eventually... [[SubvertedTrope Mostly.]]
* ManlyGay: A closeted homosexual, or [[UnusualEuphemism ''tail raiser'']], who has an obvious attraction to men, but is forbidden from engaging on it due to Adastra's highly homophobic culture. Accepting himself for who he really is and coming out of the closet is a big part of his character development. It's also implied that, as emperor, he will rewrite the law to allow gay marriage in Adastra, as well as extend more rights to women, like initiating divorce.
* NiceGuy: He's really a big sweetheart, underneath the tough exterior. But when he doesn't get his way...

* PoorCommunicationKills: He might as well be considered the Second Coming of this trope! He really doesn't communicate nor explain his decisions and actions, which causes considerably friction between him and Marco.
* UnresolvedSexualTension: With Marco for much of the story, [[spoiler:and with Neferu to a lesser degree]]. Both get resolved, but with consequences for the latter.

The player character. A human exchange student studying abroad in Rome. He gets kidnapped by Amicus to become his "pet". In ''Interea'', he has become [[spoiler:a diplomat, currently trying to assist humanity in establishing relations with Sibling races]].

* AudienceSurrogate: His reactions mirror those of most humans most of the time, ranging from incredulous disgust at how Adastran royalty works to obvious attraction to Amicus.
* BrutalHonesty: Marco will ''not'' hold back if it means calling someone out for their flaws and actions. This lands him in hot water more than once.
* ButNowIMustGo: Embarks on [[spoiler:an eight-year journey to prepare humanity for contact with the Sibling races]] at the end of ''Adastra''.
* IdiotBall: Marco ''really'' doesn't let go of the ball for most of the story. He openly blurts out secrets to people he has no business revealing them to, is rather clumsy and, due to his human trait of calling out things that are wrong, tends to piss off the wrong people.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Nice job, Marco. Way to go, asking Cassius to abdicate [[spoiler:IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SPY!]]
* SpannerInTheWorks: Marco's humanity (his beliefs, attitudes, blatant blabbing of secret matters and general ignorance of Adastran culture) ruin [[spoiler:Cassius's and Cato's plans]] in the long run, and to a lesser degree, [[spoiler:Alexios's]].
* StockholmSyndrome: Develops feelings for Amicus as the novel goes on, for no other reason than "this is a handsome, good boy."

* FantasticRacism: He really, really, ''really'' dislikes [[spoiler:humans and Khemians]]- but ESPECIALLY [[spoiler:Khemians]].

* AbdicateTheThrone: He's blackmailed into this by Virginia and Marco. Unfortunately, thanks to [[spoiler:Alexios]], this plan goes awry, Cassius is [[spoiler:poisoned by Cato and Cato takes the throne for himself]].

* DirtyCoward: Oh, boy.

A native of Khemia, and Virginia's pet due to a special arrangement. Known as the Flower of Khemia, and a shameless flirt and sex-positive jackal, this hedonist has more going for him than just his looks. The second son of the pharaoh.

* WiseBeyondTheirYears: The man may be fond of his hedonism, but he's very much aware of the workings of Adastran society and knows how to play that game.

* TookALevelInKindness: He becomes nicer once he is free of the position of emperor.

* WalkingSpoiler: Talking about him gives away one of the novel's bigger plot twists.

* YourCheatingHeart: Deconstructed. After declaring his love for Marco, Amicus is caught [[spoiler:having rather violent sex with Neferu]], causing considerable friction between the two. It's actually [[spoiler:part of a plot to give Marco Khemian citizenship should Amicus's plans crumble: the payment just involved a one-night stand]]. As expected of him, [[PoorCommunicationKills Amicus never discussed this with Marco before the fact]], which Marco calls him out on.

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