Legio Victrix

Leader and Praetorian Guard

The Legate

The Player Character, youngest child of a Patrician family (The player choses the family in question), thrust by circumstances into leading the Legion by their patron, the consul Lucius Licinius Lucullus.

A Child Shall Lead Them: Not explicitly a child, but noted to be very young for the duties they have. If playing a male character, the Legate's youth is the main sticking point for critics of his Legateship.
A Father to His Men: The Legate has multiple chances to show care and attention to people under their command.
- You can offer to both Julia Calida and Deianeira to stay at your villa in Rome (Once you reclaim it) for as long as they need to get their situation resolved. Deianeira will take the offer.
- You can help Caeso with his entire situation regarding a potential child he fathered from a slave in a brothel.
- You can offer to Sextus to have your family only buy supplies from him, to increase his clientele during peace times.
Became Their Own Antithesis: On the Empire path, the Legate accomplishes exactly what Lurco himself hoped to do: topple the Republic and rule as Emperor. Multiple characters, including Lurco himself, will point out the similarities.
Legate: I'm a soldier. It's my job, and I have the courage to do what needed to be done.
Calida: Caeso was right. You do sound a lot like Lurco.
Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: The Legate can betray people multiple times and spin the situation to their advantage:
- In Asia Minor, Zenobia requests the Legate's help in deposing Theophilus so that she can pull Mysia out of Mithridates's war with Rome. If the Legate forges papers to lure Theophilus into a trap, upon interrogating Theophilus, they can turn around and betray Zenobia instead, ensuring his cooperation to the same end.
- In Egypt, the Legate will eventually be forced to choose between killing Cleopatra or Lunja. If the Legate chooses to kill Cleopatra, they can use the resulting power vacuum to be declared Proconsul of Egypt, allowing them to enrich themselves and retain the services of Legio Afrorum.
Ensign Newbie: Some kid speculatore on his first campaign? Sure, he sounds like Legatus material! Exaggerated in Africa, where you can become a proconsul without ever having been elected to so much as a questorate.
The Good Chancellor: Should the Legate flee to Egypt but does not romance Cleopatra, they will become an important advisor in her court.
Ruling Couple: Should a male Legate romance Cleopatra and flee to Egypt in the ending, he would find a place in Cleopatra's court, marrying her and rule Egypt alongside her as her consort.
Sweet Polly Oliver: If Female, for most of act 1, most of the legion rank and file do not know their Legate is a woman.

Caeso

Caeso Quinctius Aquilinus

Formerly the Primus Pilus for Lucullus, Caeso was dispatched by the consul to protect and serve the Legate and smuggle them out of Rome. He remains at the Legate's side for the rest of the story as one of their Praetorians.

The Fettered: Caeso is honest and devoted to the Republic and its institutions, and won't even consider breaking with his principles unless forced.
The Hedonist: He admits that when he's not on active service, he's big on drinking and whoring. He possesses the Hedonist trait and thus gains approval whenever the Legate indulges in personal pleasures. Downplayed after he frees Lucia from Vipsanius. He gains the Ascetic trait, and where before he loudly declared that "Caeso Quinctius Aquilinus will never be domesticated!", at the end of the game, he settles down with Lucia to raise their child.
Mama's Baby, Papa's Maybe: It is never made absolutely clear if Caeso is the father of Lucia's child; as Caeso is known for getting merrily drunk and frequently fooling around with women, he himself claims to have no memory of her. Ultimately, he decides to rescue Lucia from Vipsanius on principle, and raises Lucia's child as though she were his own.
Old Soldier: Has combat experience as far back as the Sertorian War in Hispania.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here: If the Legate decides to march on Rome with Legio Victrix, Caeso will leave the party. He is next found in the Senate, defending Lurco and the Senators along with the Lictors there. The Legate can convince him to join back up for the sake of stopping Lurco, made easier if his personal quest was completed and Cato and Cicero were convinced to support them.
To Be Lawful or Good: Faces this should the Legate decide to cross the Rubicon. Caeso is torn between upholding the law of the Republic and stopping Lurco from destroying it. Depending on the player's choice, he will side with the Legate.

Syneros

Syneros of Halikarnassus

A Greek who was banished from his homeland, and later enslaved by Rome. Syneros has served the Legate's family for decades. He's a scholar, but impeccably loyal to his master.

Combat Medic: His own special move is a resource-free healing move, and he's a Triarii, which means he has further healing capacity at his disposal. He can also wear all but the heaviest of armors and kick ass with a staff or a lance.
Cool Uncle: He is technically a slave, but he shows a great deal of care and affection towards the Legate, more or less forming this relationship with them.
Dropped a Bridge on Him: In the Republican path, he unexpectedly dies upon taste-testing the poisoned food meant for the Legate. In spite of the Legate's attempts to save him, he dies ignominiously with no final words of farewell.
Happiness in Slavery: He's quite happy with his station in life. He's so trusted he basically has all the freedom he'd want. He lives very comfortably in opulence and is treated by the Legate's family as practically a member of said family. There can be an option to give him his freedom, to which he replies that he has been free the whole time he's been with you.
Heroic Sacrifice: In the Republican path, Syneros dies after taste-testing the poisoned food meant for the Legate, courtesy of Lurco and Corvinus. His death is treated as a sacrifice.
Hypocrite: He's sexist towards women, except towards the Legate, if she's a woman. He can be called on this bias a few times, like when Julia suspects an ambush, he calls women naturally deceitful (saying that this makes Julia sees duplicity everywhere), a female Legate can ask him if he actually believes her incapable of being honest - Caeso finds Syneros being suddenly cornered positively hilarious, while Syneros rapidly gives up on his argument and decides to agree with Julia, saying that maybe after all there's no harm in being cautious.
No Historical Figures Were Harmed: As an old Greek philosopher with a past as a wrestling champion and a certain skepticism against the polytheist pantheon, he bears some similarities to Plato.
Old Retainer: He's one to the Legate and their family, having served them for decades.
Odd Friendship: Bestia and Syneros form one. Bestia is a young, proud warrior guy (and freed slave) looking for glory and combat who has an affection for warrior women. Syneros is a scholar who'd rather be sipping wine, favors negotiation and is content with his slavery. He distrusts women who act outside of their station (except for the Player). The two bond over their opposites, and Bestia asks Syneros to teach him philosophy.
Politically Incorrect Hero: He staunchly believes that women should stick to traditional women roles - however, he'll turn a blind eye to his own mistress if the player character is female - but he's critical whenever women are allowed by the Legate to step outside their station.
The Smart Guy: As the resident scholar, Syneros is called upon for anything related to translations, decodings, or similar work.
Warrior Poet: Though he looks like (and, to some extent, is) a stereotypical Greek philosopher, and admits to being much more comfortable discussing philosophy while sipping excellent wine, Syneros in his youth was an Olympic wrestler back in Greece. And even today remains a capable warrior despite his old age.

Bestia

Bestia Tabat

A former gladiator in Rome from Numidia who won his freedom and citizenship in the Arena. Bestia joins the legion as he thrives in combat.

Amazon Chaser: Bestia absolutely turned on when he learns Julius Calidus is a woman particularly because she kicks so much ass. He can feel the same towards a female PC.
Comically Missing the Point: Bestia's interpretations of Syneros's teachings skew towards violence, subverting the spirit of the teachings. When the party arrives at Lucullus's villa in Africa and meets a rather suspicious guard, he suggests killing everyone there, claiming it to be the "cautious" and "wise" move. Played for drama when he wins his sister's freedom and she runs off into the desert. Being unable to bring her happiness or joy, he instead considers killing her to end her misery, basing his rationale on Syneros's teachings. The Legate can either warn him against it, or not.
Crazy Enough to Work: Whenever Bestia comes up with a plan, it is always some flavor of violent or silly. When infiltrating the library in Alexandria while the Legate handles negotiations, Bestia can start a fire in order to lure out Tranquilus...or herd a bunch of cats into an opening in the wall.
Bestia: Go forth, my feline fighters! Open that door for me!
Desperately Looking for a Purpose in Life: Bestia won his freedom, but his life has not changed significantly as a result - he still inflicts violence, just not before a cheering crowd, leaving him without outward vindication for his actions - and so he does not feel truly free. His conversations with Syneros suggest that his desire to find his sister comes not just from the emotional weight attached, but stems from a quest for understanding and self-actualization as a virtuous man. Near the end of the game, if the Legate helps him find his sister, Bestia thanks them and Syneros for helping him understand what it means to be free.
Immigrant Patriotism: Granted, Bestia isn't really an immigrant as he was sold as a slave and taken to Rome as a child, but he is still a proud Roman citizen who took to the Roman militaristic ethos like a fish to water.
Murder Is the Best Solution: Zigzagged, Bestia favors usually the most violent and confrontational decisions. But he abhors backstabbing, assassination, and anything that isn't engaging your target upfront and gloriously.
My Greatest Failure: When Bestia's father sold him and his sister into slavery, Bestia resented that his sister fetched a higher price, seeing it as a slight over his own worth. By now he's totally horrified that he ever entertained such a petty thought. And worse, the fact he may very well never see his sister again and that's what they parted on haunts him.
Odd Friendship: Bestia and Syneros form one. Bestia is a young, proud warrior guy (and freed slave) looking for glory and combat who has an affection for warrior women. Syneros is a scholar who'd rather be sipping wine, favors negociation and is content with his slavery. He distrusts women who act outside of their station (Except for the Player). The two bond over their opposites, and Bestia asks Syneros to teach him philosophy. When Syneros dies in the Republican path, Bestia will be out for Lurco and Corvinus's blood.
Smarter Than You Look: On the surface, Bestia lives only for battle and cares for little outside of that. However, Syneros finds him to be extremely curious and "infinitely malleable," limited by his frame of reference and looking for more ways to express himself.

Julia Calida

Also known as Julius Calidus, one of Lucullus' Speculatores. Julia dresses as man to serve in the legion (though her boss knows the truth) and seems very unwilling to return to Rome.

Accidental Murder: While she despised her betrothed for controlling her life, she didn't mean to kill him.
Arranged Marriage: When Calida's mother began pressing charges against her for the murder of her betrothed, she and the Legate can end up marrying. Since the Legate is from a well-respected patrician family, the marriage should be enough to appease Calida's mother.
Babies Ever After: Should the Legate romance Calida and survive, the two of them will have children, whom Calida will teach archery and horseback riding.
Black Widow: She killed the man who was to be her husband because he abused her. She then fled to the legion to avoid reprisal.
Clingy Jealous Girl: Under no circumstance is Cleopatra allowed to be left with her lover unsupervised.
Happily Married: To the Legate should he survive.
Tomboy and Girly Girl: Played with. The petite and elegant Julia favors men's clothes and armors. The taller, more muscular Deianeira who comes from a culture full of warrior women favors pink dresses.
Just Friends: She's aware Bestia is interested in her romantically, but her past history makes it hard for her to reciprocate, and she'd rather let him down gently.
My God, What Have I Done?: Already reluctant to aid the Legate in marching on Rome, if the Legate becomes Emperor, then Calida will leave Rome even if she has been exonerated in her trial, torn by her actions having resulted in the Republic's overthrow. Although she eventually moves back, she never again gets involved in politics.
Stealth Expert: She's a spy and special operative, and often appears and disappears out of nowhere. This is reflected in some of her items, but not so much her character class.
Sweet Polly Oliver: Spends most of the prologue dressed as a man.

Deianeira

A scythian Gladiator whom the player encounters while trying to deal with her master. She wins her freedom by the end of the quest, and decides to join the Legate so that she might also win Roman citizenship.

Culturally Religious: Makes reference to Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu a few times, but isn't an especially devout Zoroastrian.
Everyone's Baby Sister: When you first meet her, Deianeira mentions the other gladiators she is training with sees her as this.
Groin Attack: She has an unarmed skill exclusive to her called "nut-cracker", in which she kicks an enemy in the crotch. It will deal double damage to male enemies.
Names to Run Away from Really Fast: Deianeira is the name she was given as a gladiator. It means "Man-Destroyer". Her original name is Zairichi, though she prefers Deianeira now.
No Guy Wants an Amazon: Deianeira struggles with this, as a former Gladiator, Roman men tend to find her being a capable, strong woman to be off-putting. The player doesn't have to feel that way.
Reluctant Warrior: Despite being trained as a gladiator, Deianeira has no love of combat, let alone gladiatorial games.
Revenge: Deianeira's primary motivation is to avenge the death of her sister, Tusa, at the hands of a Roman citizen named Silvius, and her own enslavement at the hands of Habron.
Roaring Rampage of Revenge: After returning from Egypt, she will slaughter everyone at the collegium bacchus as revenge for the death of her sister and her own enslavement.
Survivor Guilt: Deianeira keeps it close to the chest, but she suffers from a guilt complex brought on by trusting Silvius in the first place, which resulted in Tusa being killed and her being sold into slavery. The Legate can talk her out of accepting execution, using the recent Gallic attack as an excuse to get her released.
Tomboy and Girly Girl: Played with. The petite and elegant Julia favors men's clothes and armors. The taller, more muscular Deianeira who comes from a culture full of warrior women favors pink dresses.
Vengeance Feels Empty: After Deianeira kills Silvius and the rest of his collegium bacchus, she turns herself in when she realized that avenging Tusa did nothing to ease her guilt over her death, hoping that the Senate will execute her.

Other Members of Legio Victrix

Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar

A young Tribune to the Legion. The Legate and Caesar can rapidly form a camaraderie.

For Want Of A Nail: His sudden death long before his eventual rise to power would have far-reaching consequences for the Roman Republic.
Historical Domain Character: You may be familiar with his name.
Warrior Poet: Like in real life, he's both a warrior, and a keen strategist and profound thinker.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Dies 3 missions into the game.

Sextus

Originally a smith for Legio Prima Italica, he transfers to Victrix when they finally get a blacksmith.

Cool Old Guy: He's a very good smith, and the Legate can repeatedly tease him about his age.
Grumpy Old Man: He very much acts the part and can be teased for being this. However, he is more a Jerk with a Heart of Gold as he is good at his work and cares for his daughter.
Parents as People: He has a daughter, and is spending all the money he makes as a smith to get her an education, so she can marry to a well to do family and doesn't have to live her life helping him run a forge.
Ultimate Blacksmith: Under his guidance, Praetorians can reforge nigh-legendary artifacts.
Video Game Caring Potential: You can make a point, when he's back to running a civilian shop, to make sure your family only goes to him for their smiting needs, so that he'll have decent business.

Turius Orestes

The primus pilus of Legio Victrix, serving as your second-in-command.

Deadpan Snarker: Wryly comments on whatever silly taboo the Legion has crossed this time that's keeping the Legion from pacifying a given area, and he doesn't always have kind words for his enemies in general.
"These people do not compete for the money but for the prestige. It's like war without killing. I know...Greeks, right?"
"The people of Chalkedon are known to be quite stupid - they have settled the wrong side of the strait. Thracia is indeed much more defensible."
Number Two: Leads Legio Victrix when the Legate isn't around to command directly, and keeps them apprised of situations that need their personal attention.
Old Soldier: He and Naso have been in the army for quite some time.
Undying Loyalty: Willing to follow the Legate even after they march into Rome with their legion. He even aids in the planning of their coup!

Egnatius Naso

The praefectus castrorum of Legio Victrix, serving as your chief administrative officer.

Old Soldier: He and Orestes have been in the army for quite some time.

Albinus

A shady soldier who's a troublemaker and engages in some criminal activities towards local civilians. The Legate may encounter him several times during the story, depending on their choices.

Blatant Lies: If he is told to report to Naso for disciplining, he does not show up, and later claims they were too busy with the war.
Deliberate Values Dissonance: Albinus claims his actions against local civilians are simply their rights as conquerors over barbarian peoples. It is up to the Legate whether to agree with him or not.
Faux Affably Evil: When the Legate first meets him, he acts polite, but quickly drops the act if the Legate tells him to stop his activities.
Jerkass

Legio Prima Italica

Lucullus

Lucius Licinius Lucullus

Consul of Rome, friend of the Legate's father, and the Legate's Patron.

Historical Domain Character: Lucullus really was Consul, and really did fight a war against Mithridates. The game does take a number of liberties with other details of his life, however.
Luke, I Am Your Father: According to one of the ending slides, he's the Legate's actual biological father. Which is why he was so interested in their career.
Mentor Archetype
Mentor Occupational Hazard: Gets assassinated in act 2
Officer and a Gentleman: He is a military officer who is also polite, thoughtful, and cultured, who has much knowledge of wine and is good at diplomacy and socializing with people.
Reasonable Authority Figure: He's remarkably clear thinking, and ahead of his time. He recognizes talent and has no issue with people from weird backgrounds serving him if he's convinced they can do the job. Also, he's willing to let a woman Legate act as paterfamilias of her family, and acting as her guardian, just rubber stamp her decisions.
Tempting Fate: At the end of Act I, after the Legate regains their villa, Lucullus tells the Legate's mother Claudiana that her family will be safe as long as he is live. Needless to say, he immediately dies in an assassination at the start of Act II.

Rome

The Legate's Family

Claudiana

The Legate's mother.

Good Parents
My Beloved Smother: Downplayed. Claudiana is a typical nagging mother, and Deianeira even comments on this, asking whether Roman mothers are like this. However, the Legate's mother does not interfere with the Legate's activities for the most part, and the Legate can decide how to react to their mother's antics.

Liviana

The Legate's sister.

The Vitellius Family

Lurco (UNMARKED SPOILERS)

Vibius Vitellius Lurco

The younger of the Vitellius brothers and the brains of the two.

Authority Equals Asskicking: Pompey mentions that Lurco's war experience is "minimal". Yet when he and the Legate's party are ambushed in Lugdunensis, he hands the attackers' asses back to them just as well as the Legate.
Bad Boss: Frequently verbally abuses Marcellus, Corvinus, or anyone who shows signs of disobedience, including the Legate in Act 3. The real crowner, though, is when he orders Bellius Paenula to strip-search the Legate and their party at the beginning of the Gallic campaign. If the Legate chooses to kill Bellius over that, Lurco doesn't care. If they don't, and bring that up with Lurco afterwards, he berates Bellius and threatens to have him killed for doing exactly as he ordered. Only the Legate's intervention can save Bellius's life, at which point he becomes a hireable Praetorian. The Legate can even encounter deserters from Legio Ferrata, Lurco's consular legion which is described as full of thugs, criminals, and lowlifes, who left because they hated Lurco that much.
Corrupt Politician: Actively works against the interests of Rome in order to increase his own power.
Even Evil Has Standards: He considers himself a virtuous Roman and says as such to Marcellus if the Legate is defeated by Ambiorix's ambush in Act 3 and he steps in to rescue them. In addition, as he rants at the Legate in the Senate on the Empire path, he expresses as much shock and outrage at the Legate's unprecedented crossing of the Rubicon with their legion as everyone else. Granted, he was planning to become Dictator Perpetuo just as the Legate can, but as Legio Ferrata had disbanded prior to his entry into Rome, doing so by military means seems not to have occurred to him.
Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: He's sincere in his hopes that he and the Legate will work together in abolishing the Republic. It never crossed Lurco's mind that even if the Legate does share his vision, there's no way in Tartarus that they would want to collude with the man responsible for the deaths of both their father and surrogate father (and mother depending on the player's choices).
False Flag Operation: Hired Gallic mercenaries to wreak havoc in the streets of Rome in order to create a crisis that would allow him to be elected as a dictator, not to mention the publicity he would get once he conquers Gaul.
Faux Affably Evil: Lurco consistently adopts a polite veneer when dealing with the Legate, even as he lies to, gaslights, and subtly threatens and insults them, all while plotting to have them and their allies humiliated or killed. He only drops this façade when the Legate truly corners him.
The Friend Nobody Likes: Though he can manipulate public opinion to his benefit, nobody in a position of power likes Lurco. The one thing that unites Cato, Cicero, Pompey, and Cotta are their dislike of Lurco. Not even Scaevola likes Lurco that much, preferring to keep his wife away from him. The rest of his allies act mostly out of self-interest. The only person who expresses anything resembling approval for Lurco is Felix Hadrianus, who leads VIXI, and even he is willing to desert him if the Legate can give him a convincing reason.
Graceful Loser: Should the Legate cross the Rubicon and overthrow the Senate, the dying Lurco will concede that the Legate is worthy to lead Rome into a new age.
He Knows Too Much: Lurco is adept at covering his tracks. If the Legate accumulates evidence against Scaevola in Act 1, Lurco kills him and plays to populist sentiments to pin the blame and avoid punishment for his kinslaying. In Act 2, as the Legate and their companions storm Alexandria to depose Ptolemy, with whom Lurco has been collaborating and who is responsible for the murder of Lucullus, Lurco sends his Praetorians to "save" the Legate from Ptolemy and his remaining guards and then discretely kill Ptolemy and his own accountant Tranquilus in the process. The Legate goes out of their way to take Felix Hadrianus, the head of Lurco's private army of spies and assassins, into their custody in Act 3 to ensure they have someone who can testify.
Hypocrite:
- When questioned by his minions as to why he chose to save the Legate from Ambiorix, Lurco says he, as a virtuous person, would not dare let a fellow Roman citizen die. This is despite the fact that he's responsible for the deaths of many Romans, from the Legate's father to the innocent citizens killed by the Gallic mercenaries he hired to kickstart his war in Gaul. Even Marcellus does not buy his spiel one bit.
- In the Empire path, he calls out the Legate for crossing the Rubicon, accusing him of acting like a crazed madman. If his crimes are exposed in the Republic path, he will act like a crazed madman himself, blatantly disregarding Roman law in a spiteful attempt to take the Legate down with him.
Informed Flaw: He is criticized for having little battlefield experience. However he's no slouch as a final boss. And can even be The Calvary in the Gaul campaign saving the Legate's party after they fall.
Mirror Character: Lurco's Praetorians are a dark contrast to the Legate's own:
- Like Caeso, Marcellus is a Princeps who is exceedingly loyal to his employer. But where Caeso draws the line at overthrowing the Republic's institutions, Marcellus has no higher ideals other than pursuit of coin, and is willing to go along with Lurco's plans to make himself dictator. He is also rude and blunt, where Caeso employs tact.
- Like Syneros, Hortensius is an old Triarius and skilled Medicus. But where Syneros is humble and diplomatic, Hortensius is arrogant and treacherous.
- Corvinus and Calida are infiltrators and assassins, whose actions make them frowned upon in Roman society. But where Calida's transgressions are "only" killing her husband by accident and fighting in the Legion as a woman, Corvinus aids the enemies of Rome while on Scaevola's payroll. While Calida is completely loyal to the Legate even in the Empire path, Corvinus's loyalties are flexible, with the Legate able to bribe or strong-arm him into betraying his employer (unless they kill his lover in Troas in Act 1).
Nothing Personal: Admits as he lays dying in the Empire path that he never had anything against the Legate's family, and had the Legate's father murdered because he and Lucullus were on the verge of discovering his plot. His actions were all to fuel his rise to Dictator Perpetuo, not out of any vendetta against the Legate. Felix Hadrianus says the same thing after his capture, but thinks that, after the Legate's constant interference in his plans (including Scaevola's death if they collected the evidence), it has become very personal by then.
Passive-Aggressive Kombat: Lurco's stock and trade when dealing with the Legate publicly.
Promoted to Playable: Lurco and his Praetorians become playable if the Legate is defeated by Ambiorix's ambush, stepping in to rescue them and shedding some light on his motives in the process.
Taking You with Me: Should his crimes be exposed in the Republic path, he will launch various assassination attempts on the Legate and his companions (and even his own brother) despite the fact that said disregard for the law will only dig himself deeper. Given that the case against him was already open-and-shut, Lurco has nothing else left to lose.
Villain Has a Point: Lurco is motivated by a need to overcome "the blatant tribalism, the spiteful self-sabotage, the bribery and greed" that is so prevalent in the Senate. Not only is he able to manipulate public opinion in order to secure ever higher positions for himself and conceal his illegal activities, but in the aftermath of the Gallic attack on the Legate's villa, the four major figures in the Senate - Cicero, Cato, Pompey, and Cotta - are so busy sniping at each other that they fail to provide unified opposition to Lurco's dictatorship. How much of a point he has is ultimately up to the player, however; in the Republic path, all four of them rally around the Legate to arrest Lurco, albeit at the cost of one or more of the Legate's companions.
Villain with Good Publicity: Lurco will frequently spin events to make himself look good in the eyes of the public. He passes the blame for all his crimes in Act 1 to his brother and murders him, claiming he's doing it to preserve Rome, and saying he's willing to put the Republic ahead of his own family. The public eats it up, and he's elected Senator thanks to this. He also takes credit for "saving" the Legate from certain death at the hands of Ptolemy in Act 2. In Act 3, Lurco hires Gallic mercenaries to attack the Legate's villa, and uses the resulting outrage to get himself promoted to dictator in order to conquer Gaul, and if the Legate and their companions are defeated by Ambiorix's ambush, Lurco and his Praetorians intervene to rescue them, spinning the encounter as him graciously saving his more impetuous counterpart.
Villainous Breakdown: Has two, depending on which path the player takes.
- On the Republic path, as Cicero and the Legate present a near airtight case against him in the Senate, Lurco grows more and more desperate, trying to assassinate the Legate via poisoned food, sending armed men to kill them in the Senate, attempting to burn down the Legate's villa, and finally extralegally arresting the Legate's companions and preparing to execute them. As the mob turns against him, he angrily claims the power of dictator until he is arrested or the Legate takes matters into their own hands.
- On the Empire path, Lurco's breakdown takes place in the Senate, after rallying civilians and Senators to rise up against Legio Victrix and witnessing the Legate and their companions cut them down. He accuses the Legate of being a reckless and vengeance-crazed madman.
  Lurco: Look at where we're standing! At what you're doing! It is fascinating that you remain so blind to your own hypocrisy!
Visionary Villain: If the Legate collected the evidence that resulted in Scaevola's death, Lurco explains his motives to the Legate at the beginning of Act 2; in his mind, the Republic is growing weak under the rule of corrupt and bickering Senators, and needs a strong, singular hand to guide it back to glory. This is even more clear-cut in the Empire path, where Lurco gracefully accepts his defeat with the knowledge that the Legate fulfilled what Lurco sought out to do).
Lurco: We have grown lazy and soft. Our republic and its myriad procedures slow us down. These days we're more interested in talking about things we should do, rather than actually doing those things.
Walking Spoiler: Appears only at the end of Act 1, and his plans and actions from thereon out become difficult to mention without spoiling the rest of the game.
Xanatos Gambit: Almost always uses bad situations to his own advantage. If the Legate gets evidence against his brother. He executes his brother and is propped up as a virtuous Roman. When he can't stop the Legate in Africa he sends his men to be The Cavalry and is propped up as a hero while killing the people who could incriminate him.
You Have Failed Me: When his brother's failures risk threatening him, Lurco hangs his brother in front of the Senate doors. He also pulls this on Ptolemy when his rash decision to have Lucullus killed sets the Legate and the rest of Rome on the warpath, having him killed by Marcellus (assuming the Legate doesn't do it themselves) after his Praetorians step in to "save" the Legate and their companions in Alexandria.

Scaevola

Tiberius Vitellus Scaevola

The eldest of the Vitellus brothers, a senator. It is he who marries the Legate's older sister.

Disc-One Final Boss: Vitellus Scaevola is set up to be the main antagonist, being the person who married the player character’s older sister in order to seize control of the family and the villa. This is further helped by his appearance assisting Mithridates against Rome, and the player can choose to gather evidence of his treason. This all comes to nothing; he is killed off at the end of Act One, offscreen, by his brother if the Legate acquires the evidence.
Heel–Face Turn: If he is still alive at the end of the game, then he will turn against Lurco after he tries to have Liviana killed. If he survives after that, he and the Legate's sister move out of Rome, remaining Happily Married.
Kick The Son Of A Bitch: Scaevola will eventually turn against Lurco after he tries to have Liviana killed, and despite initially asking the Legate to spare him, he will kill Lurco for his years of manipulating and exploiting him, assuming the Legate doesn't do so first.
Love Redeems: While he's never comfortable with his brother's schemes, it was his love for Liviana and their children that prompts him to turn against his brother even if it meant putting his life at risk.
Pet the Dog: If Liviana is still married to Scaevola at the end of Act I, then she notes that he treats her "like a queen." Liviana suspects this is a ploy to turn her against her family, but she claims that although Scaevola is the pater familias, he is the reluctant partner in Lurco's schemes, and this plus Lurco's attempt at harassing her and the Legate shortly after meeting suggests that Scaevola's compassion for her is genuine. He even takes up arms to defend her when Lurco sends men from Legio Ferrata to kill her.

Others

Cato

Marcus Porcius Cato

Roman Senator and lawyer, known for his morality, rhetorical skill, and flawless ethics.

The Beard: He has no problem with a lesbian PC continuing her romance with Deianeira and makes no demands of her regarding duties in their marriage.
Badass Bookworm: If the Legate doesn't have enough evidence to convict Scaevola at the end of Act 1, then Cato will use some legalese to get their villa back for them on behalf of Lucullus, intimidating Marcellus into standing down in the process. If the Legate sends Bestia to deal with him and Cicero, then he'll stand up to him, telling Cicero to get behind him.
Black-and-White Morality: Cato loathes utilitarianism, and is a firm believer that actions are either good or bad in themselves, and that circumstances do not excuse them.
Deadpan Snarker: As Rome's finest spokesman, it's no surprise that he has a profoundly smart mouth when he gets the chance.
Heroic BSoD: If he and Cicero are convinced to support the Legate's takeover of Rome in the Empire path, then Cato will lose faith in himself, having failed to live up to the morals he holds dear, and retire from politics.
Historical Domain Character: Based on the historical Cato.
Marriage of Convenience: Offers this to a female PC in order to give her more leverage in the male-dominated legal and political world of Rome.

Cicero

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Roman Senator, also a lawyer. Known for his rhetorical skill, which he can even pass on to the Legate.

Deadpan Snarker: As befitting Cicero in real life, who was famous for his snark.
Calida: I didn't even expect that kind of surprise.
Cicero: That's a common characteristic of surprises.
Face Death with Dignity: If the Legate sends Bestia, Calida, or Deianeira to deal with him and Cato, then they will be forced to kill them. Knowing they stand no chance, Cicero will even deliver the same last words that he did in real life:
"There is nothing proper about what you're doing, but do try to kill me properly."
Grey-and-Gray Morality: Context and intentions matter greatly to Cicero when judging one's actions, and he uses both to defend his clients.
- He is willing to defend guilty parties and believes if he wins they have discovered flaws in the legal system.
Historical Domain Character: Based on the historical Cicero.
Rank Up: Becomes Consul along with Lurco in Act 3. He asks for the Legate's help in getting him elected as the price for defending Calida in court.
The Social Expert: The defining speaker of Rome. He can even teach the Legate a second persuasion mode.
Vitriolic Best Buds: With Cato. They have starkly contrasting views of morality, but both of them are dedicated to defending the Republic.

Pompey

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus

Roman general famous for his victories in Hispania, and Consul at the time of the Legate's expedition into Africa.

Ambition Is Evil: Cicero describes him as an ambitious man and one of the populares, albeit one opposed to Lurco, and Cato accuses him of wanting to become dictator.
Cultural Posturing: Pompey arrives with Cato to inspect the Legate's camp after they declare war on Ptolemy, and expresses skepticism that the newly-raised Legio Afrorum, comprised primarily of Berbers from the newly-subjugated Nasamones, could be the equal of legions of true Romans.
General Failure: If the Legate chooses not to have him killed, he flees to Hispania after they take over Rome, gathering 10 legions there to oppose them and suffering ignominious defeat. He then flees to Egypt, where he is murdered by an unknown party.
Historical Domain Character: Based on the historical Pompey.
Miles Gloriosus: Pompey plays up his experience in war, but if the Legate chooses to march on Rome with their Legion, he stays neutral at a time when the Republic is legitimately threatened. Should he survive past the coup, it is only after you succeed in taking over that he flees to Hispania to gather the legions to oppose you.
Small Name, Big Ego: Downplayed; Pompey is famous for his actions in Hispania, but after the Gauls attack the Legate's villa, if the Legate suggests that a more experienced commander is needed for the campaign in Gaul, Pompey demands to be made dictator instead of Lurco (although, if you are male, he will recommend you first), citing his years of war experience in contrast to Lurco. Cato accuses him of being hungry for power.

Cotta

Marcus Aurelius Cotta

Consul along with Lucullus at the time of the Asia Minor campaign. Later Pontifex Maximus.

Badass in Distress: One of two commanders of the Roman legions in Asia Minor, and a capable soldier, but is captured by Mithridates early in the campaign.
Pet the Dog: On the Republic path, if your mother is wounded at the villa, he will take her into the Regia and ensure she gets prompt medical treatment.
The Resenter: Holds a grudge against the Legate for freeing him at Chalkedon, his pride wounded at having to be rescued by an upstart, for ten years. At the party at Lucullus's villa, he snipes at and insults the Legate, with only his relatives' word to go on that he is grateful at all. After the Africa campaign, if Cleopatra was killed, Cotta will draw a comparison between the Legate saving him at Chalkedon and Lurco saving them in Alexandria in order to deny them the Proconsulship of Egypt. That said, he does not like Lurco either. In the Republic path, if the Legate decides to attack Lurco to save his friends, Cotta will cheer them on, encouraging them to sacrifice their career for their friends.
Toxic Friend Influence: On the Republic path, Cotta will encourage the Legate to attack Lurco and save their friends, even though this is certain to get them arrested.

Asia Minor

Mithridates

Mithridates VI Megas

King of Pontus.

A Father to His Men: When the Legate infiltrates his camp, he is friendly with the disguised Legate and says he encourages his soldiers to speak their minds. He is also willing to trade an entire cohort of prisoners for Archelaus.
Acquired Poison Immunity: He is rumored to have made himself immune to poison. The Legate can discover the truth of these rumors if they decide to poison his wine while negotiating with him in Troas. A tactical item which cures poison, Mithridate, is named after him. If he is still alive in the epilogue, this bites him in the ass when he tries to start another war against Rome, only to face rebellion. He tries to kill himself via poison, but this fails, and he must rely on a bodyguard to do the killing.
Opportunistic Bastard: Other characters note that he has not hesitated to make war with Rome in the past, and he exploits divisions in the Senate in order to create openings.
Villain: Exit, Stage Left: If the Legate chooses to acquire evidence against Scaevola, Mithridates will have stocked up enough supplies at a hidden castle and acquired a means of escape. He flees the battle of Chalkedon once things take a turn for the worst for him.
Villain Respect: If the Legate infiltrated his camp without being caught before negotiating with him in Troas, then when he recognizes you, he is impressed with your skill in spycraft. He also considers Lucullus to be a Worthy Opponent.

Archelaus

Mithridates's favorite general, who commands his forces at Lesbos.

Anachronism Stew: By this time in real life, Archelaus had switched sides after Mithridates' repeated defeats and fought under Lucullus.
Prisoner Exchange: If the Legate captures Archelaus, then they can offer to release him in exchange for Cotta while negotiating with Mithridates in Troas. Mithridates declines, but counter-offers the release of some captured legionaries in exchange for Archelaus instead. If the Legate accepts, they will face Archelaus again in the battle for Chalkedon.
Starter Villain: The very first major antagonist that the Legate faces. During the attack on Mytilene, the Legate can kill him, or kill enough of his men to compel him to surrender.
Trash Talk: Fond of this, as he talks down Thermus shortly before stabbing him, and taunts the Legate shortly before facing them in combat. If forced to surrender, he claims it is a deliberate tactic to anger his foes and cause them to make mistakes.

Theophilus

Current ruler of Mysia, who deposed the Roman governor, Maro, and committed Mysia to the cause of Mithridates.

Zenobia

Widow of the Roman governor, Maro. She enlists the Legate and their companions in overthrowing Theophilus.

Crusading Widow: The reason why she seeks to overthrow Theophilus is because her husband was killed by him.
Everyone Has Standards: She originally asks the Legate to assassinate Theophilus. If the Legate tells her they intend to arrest Theophilus she says that makes her more comfortable.

Damianos

A wealthy lanista of Thrace who trains and sells highly capable gladiators.

Bald of Evil: Bald and certainly treacherous.
I Fight for the Strongest Side!: Damianos betrays Rome because he sees Mithridates's merit as a regional strongman who could guarantee his safety and that of other wealthy landowners in Thrace.
Karma Houdini: If the Legate has Damianos imprisoned after defeating him, then the Senate gives him a slap on the wrist and releases him, since he is instrumental in keeping order in Thrace. He easily contains the gladiator revolt as a result.
Laser-Guided Karma: The Legate can choose to enslave Damianos, whose gladiators are mostly slaves themselves.

Egypt

Cleopatra

Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator

Queen of Egypt, currently embroiled in a conflict with her husband and Brother Ptolemy.

Actually Pretty Funny: If the Legate tells Cleopatra that Lunja intends to kill her, and then tell the queen that they also want to kill her or at least are considering doing it (whether in jest or seriously is up to the player), she finds it amusing and bursts out laughing.
Anachronism Stew: An egregious example. The Legate's Egyptian campaign and subsequent encounter with Cleopatra takes place around 69 BC, the year the Egyptian queen was born in real life.
A God Am I: She plays up the whole "living deity" thing the Pharaohs of Egypt have, though she later confesses that she herself doesn't believe in it but embraced it for PR purposes. The Legate can play along or have none of it.
Back from the Brink: When the Legate initially arrives in Egypt, Ptolemy has sent her into exile. The Legate frees her from her captors and helps her press her claim.
The High Queen: Should she succeed in toppling her brother and ascend to the throne, the epilogue shows that she's a benevolent ruler who restored Ptolemaic Egypt back to its glory days, the chaos with the Berber tribes notwithstanding (which is more due to infighting among the chiefs than it was a result of Cleopatra's actions).
Historical Beauty Upgrade: As per tradition in popular culture depicting her, the game heavily emphasises her image as a seductress.
Historical Domain Character: Indisputably one of the most famous women of all time.
Ms. Fanservice: She has a prominent bust which her outfit emphasizes, and a lot of her dialogue is made of double Double Entendre.
Overly Long Name: She is introduced by Lunja as Cleopatra Philopator Thea Philopatora, Daughter of Ptolemy Auletes Neos Dionysos Philopator Philadelphos. The Legate can snidely comment about the length of the name.

Ptolemy

Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator

Pharaoh of Egypt, husband of Cleopatra with whom he is engaged in a civil war.

A God Am I: Like Cleopatra, Ptolemy plays up the "living deity" aspect of his rule, which he uses as a crutch in the absence of other virtues. The Legate and Cleopatra work to undermine his godly credentials, including sabotaging a festival in Memphis to make it look as though both the Greek and Egyptian gods have abandoned him.
Awful Wedded Life: So bad that their marriage has degenerated into civil war. Even when meeting with Cleopatra in Alexandria for peace negotiations, the two snipe at each other constantly.
The Caligula: Few people in Egypt have anything good to say about Ptolemy's rule. Ineni, a soldier who sneaks into the Legate's tent one night, was drafted against his will and would rather serve Cleopatra, even going so far as to offer to kill an enemy commander for the Legate at the cost of his life. Despite working for Lurco towards his and Ptolemy's mutual benefit, Lurco's accountant, Tranquilus, is being kept in Alexandria against his will and to Lurco's ire. Ptolemy's plan to hold a festival dedicated to the Greek god Serapis angers the followers of Ubaste and Sobek, the former of whom turn to the Legate for help. The Legate is even warned during the negotiations in Alexandria not to anger Ptolemy too much, or even associate too closely with Cleopatra, for fear that he might kill her even under a banner of peace.
Leeroy Jenkins: He has Lucullus killed the moment the Legate arrives in Egypt. Although Lucullus's letter to the Legate mentioned a plot by Lurco to stage a native uprising to depose him, which was why he needed Legio Victrix in Africa to begin with, comments from Calida and Syneros suggest that the assassination was a rush job.

Lunja

Cleopatra's main ally among the Nasamones. She aids the Legate in assembling Legio Afrorum and deposing Ptolemy.

Dragon with an Agenda: She may appear to be Cleopatra's subordinate, but she is working towards a Nasamones independent from Egypt. She has no issue with manipulating the Legate into killing some of Cleopatra's supporters among the tribes, and once Ptolemy is defeated, Lunja makes a power play. Who lives and who dies is up to the Legate.

Izil

An important elder of the Nasamones

Cool Old Guy: At the meeting between the various elders, he is level-headed and respectful to the Legate. It turns out to be an act, as he is just as hostile towards the Romans as the rageful young warrior Warmaksan once he reveals his true colors.
False Friend: At first, Izil appears to be a reasonable, wise old man who reins in the excesses of Warmaksan, and is open to working with the Legate, who he treats with a friendly manner. He quickly turns out to have the same views as Warmaksan, orchestrating an ambush against the Legate.
Faux Affably Evil: When the Legate first meets Izil at the Court of Heaven, Izil appears to be a reasonable elder, treating the Romans courteously. For example, he chastises Warmaksan for his rudeness. However, it turns out to be an act, as he is in fact staunchly against the Romans and attempts to kill you via an ambush. "Evil" however is from the POV of the Romans, as from his perspective, he is just protecting his homeland from foreign incursions.

Meddur

An elder of the Nasamones.

Reasonable Authority Figure: Compared to the other elders, Meddur is pragmatic and agrees to give a chance to the Romans to support them. Later on, you can assist him with resolving a standoff between his tribe and Romans previously sent by Lucullus to build an aqueduct, and he praises the player if they resolve the situation diplomatically.

Warmaksan

An elder of the Nasamones.

Starter Villain: He is the first major boss fight of Act 2. If you are unprepared for how the berserker and poison mechanics work, you're in for an annoying battle.
The Berserker

Udad

An elder of the Nasamones.

Know When to Fold 'Em: At first, Udad is not willing to support the Romans. However, though he has no love for them, he knows when he is lost, and stops supporting Izil, albeit very reluctantly.

Raia

A priestess of Ubaste you encounter while visiting Ptolemy in Alexandria.

Badass Preacher: A Egyptian polytheistic version of this trope. Despite being a cheerful and religiously devoted priestess, she can dish out violence in battles as well as any of your companions.
Cloudcuckoolander: There are even dialogue options where the Legate can point out how weird she is.
Crazy Cat Lady: Obsessed with cats.
Genki Girl: Very enthusiastic.
Guest-Star Party Member: She joins the Legate's team briefly at the end of the Act 2, but parts with them afterwards.
Orphan's Ordeal: As an orphaned child, the cats apparently led her to the temple of Ubaste in Memphis.
The Glomp: In one exchange, she asks the Legate enthusiastically if she can hug them.

Tener

The high ranking priestess of Ubaste in Memphis.

Cloudcuckoolander's Minder: To Raia.
High Priest: Head priestess of the temple of Ubaste in Memphis.

Gaul

Vercingetorix

Vercingetorix, King of Kings

King of the Arverni and of all the tribes of Gallia.

Anti-Villain: Vercingetorix and the Arverni are the primary antagonists in the Gallic campaign, but he is only defending his people from Roman attack, and is nothing but trustworthy in his dealings with the Legate.
Enemy Mine: Forms an under-the-table alliance with the Legate in order to uncover the party behind the Gallic attack on Rome. This alliance ends when he refuses to release Felix Hadrianus into the Legate's custody, leaving them no choice but to storm Alesia with their legion.

Divitiacus

High priest of the Aedui.

The Quisling: The Aedui are already allies of Rome, but Divitiacus is willing to set up an ambush to betray his brother and king when he gets word that he's going to betray Rome.
Strange-Syntax Speaker: Speaks tersely, rarely speaks in the imperative, and always refers to himself in the plural, as he represents Esus, Taranis, and Toutatis.

Dumnorix

King of the Aedui, and brother of Divitiacus.

Hidden Disdain Reveal: For a value of "hidden." Dumnorix is standoffish to the Legate, but as king of the Aedui, he still provides the bare minimum of supplies Rome needs to conduct its campaign in Gallia. If Orgetorix is captured, however, he will claim that Dumnorix hates the Romans, and Divitiacus warns the Legate that he is planning to kill them.
Real Men Love Jesus: Dumnorix wants to ambush the Legate, but he won't do so without consulting Esus, Taranis, and Toutatis on when and where he should strike.

Ambiorix

King of the Eburones along with his brother, a Germanic chieftain named Cativolcus.

False Friend: Lurco introduces him to you as a friendly Gallic chieftain, and he maintains an almost excessively friendly demeanor when dealing with the Legate, even warning them about Cativolcus's intentions and offering to help them with him. When they go to confront Cativolcus, however, he betrays you, revealing he was in league with Cativolcus all along.

Orgetorix

King of the Helvetii.

Starter Villain: After Divitiacus warns the Legate of Orgetorix's plans to attack, he becomes the first opponent in the Gallic campaign. Lurco commands the Legate to kill him, but they have the option of taking him alive.

Characters / Expeditions: Rome

Edit Locked

Legio Victrix

Leader and Praetorian Guard

Caeso Quinctius Aquilinus

Syneros of Halikarnassus

Bestia Tabat

Julia Calida

Deianeira

Other Members of Legio Victrix

Gaius Julius Caesar

Sextus

Turius Orestes

Egnatius Naso

Albinus

Legio Prima Italica

Lucius Licinius Lucullus

Rome

The Legate's Family

Claudiana

Liviana

The Vitellius Family

Vibius Vitellius Lurco

Tiberius Vitellus Scaevola

Others

Marcus Porcius Cato

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus

Marcus Aurelius Cotta

Asia Minor

Mithridates VI Megas

Archelaus

Theophilus

Zenobia

Damianos

Egypt

Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator

Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator

Lunja

Izil

Meddur

Warmaksan

Udad

Raia

Tener

Gaul

Vercingetorix, King of Kings

Divitiacus

Dumnorix

Ambiorix

Orgetorix

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