I present to you
Decius Germanicus, the bodyguard, played by Big Dave in our "The Legacy
of Arrius Lurco" Cthulhu Invictus campaign. (Right click on the character sheet and select
"Open Link in New Window" for a larger, more readable view.)
Born
somewhere in Germania Magna, Decius Germanicus was sold into slavery at a very
young age and eventually brought to Rome. His large, strong frame and great
stamina marked him as a farm laborer. His luck did change when he was
purchased by the equestrian, Lucius Decius Caldus, who needed a replacement bearer
for his litter, a job much less taxing than laboring. Although a kind dominus,
Decius Caldus was a poor businessman and squandered his wealth often, leading
him on occasion to money troubles.
On one such
occasion a rival sent a thug to teach Decius Caldus a harsh lesson and tried to
have the equestrian knifed while travelling to the baths. It was Germanicus who
stood between the assailant and his master, getting viciously stabbed himself,
yet saving his dominus from injury. Decius Caldus rewarded the brave young
Germanicus by making him his personal bodyguard, a position that the German
took very seriously. Germanicus proved a great choice for a protector, but in
the end he could not save Decius Caldus from excess. The equestrian died of a
heart attack after a particularly long bout of bingeing. Decius Germanicus was
granted manumission, being decreed a freedman in the will of the late Lucius
Decius Caldus. Unfortunately he was granted a pittance and although free, was
much worse off. To survive, Germanicus fell in with the wrong crowd and came to
the attention of Sextus Plinius Catonius, a
moneylender of ill repute.
Plinius
Catonius needed tough men like Germanicus to assist him during his business
transactions. He took the German in, gave him food, a place to stay and introduced
him to like minded companions. Germanicus has since remained in the employ of Plinius
Catonius, working out of the Subura and watching for the many enemies that
plague the money lender. On occasion he is lent to anyone who requires some
cheap hired muscle or a protector.
Germanicus is tall, well muscled, and square of jaw,
with a tanned complexion. He has the look of a wrestler about him, accredited
to many hours in the gymnasium. He has adopted the Roman ways, wearing his hair
short and is mostly clean shaven. He resides in a tiny loft room, which he
shares with the rats and pigeons, in one of the countless shabby insulae of the
Subara.
