[hider=Vergilius][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/plQKBkJ.jpg[/img]
[h3][b]Vergilius Pontem[/b][/h3][/center]

[b]Age:[/b] XXIX

[b]Sex:[/b] Masculum

[b]Occupation:[/b] Vergilius is the son of the most prolific bridge-builder in the Roman Empire, and has thusly never toiled a day in his life. If one were to describe Vergilius with an occupational title, it would be that of a [i]philosopher.[/i] Though most traditional Roman philosophy focuses on law, either through legal rights or punishment, Vergilius has adopted an egalitarian philosophy that he frequently preaches in public squares, concert halls, and the muck-lined streets of Rome. He is a popular figure among Rome's slaves and commoners, who know him as "[i]Vergilius the Gentle[/i]".

[b]Appearance:[/b] Vergilius is a comely man who appears younger than he is. He wears his sandy blonde hair in the typically short-cropped style of his people, wearing decorated robes, leather sandals, and an array of finery around his neck and fingers. He is shorter than most men, which he counteracts with a notably deep, soft-spoken voice. He has pale green eyes, a soft chin, and wears no beard or mustache.

[b]Personality:[/b] Vergilius is, in a word, clever. He spends his days in his father's manse idly lazing and philosophizing until he has something worthwhile to say, and then -- [i]typically once a fortnight[/i] -- he journeys down the hill his home sits atop and preaches a lifestyle of love and equality to the people of Rome. There are occasionally senators seen in crowds of followers, more interested in the audience a merchant's son commands than what he has to say.

[b]Equipment:[/b] Vergilius, aside from his robes and jewelry, carries nothing on his person. It is plain to see that a sword has no place in his hand, and Vergilius is simply not the type to conceal a dagger for self-protection. Instead, Vergilius is typically hounded by two bodyguards, Titus and Spurius.

[b]Skills:[/b] Vergilius is an intelligent, learned man. Rather than sharing a senator's knowledge of historied laws or a scholar's knowledge of erudite trivia, Vergilius' intelligence comes from a knowledge of [i]people[/i]; He knows when to employ the abbreviations and slang of slaves and fish-mongers, and he knows when to eloquently wax about the Gods in front of noblemen. Aside from his ability to read an audience, Vergilius' charisma extends to interpersonal relationships and casual conversation, making his name at least known in Rome's upper echelons. He is uproariously comical when he needs to be, and gravely serious when it is to his advantage. Vergilius somehow never stutters, misspeaks, or makes remarks that can be given immediate rebuttals, and seems as comfortable in any legal debate or philosophical discourse as a gladiator would be in his arena.

[b]Flaws:[/b] Vergilius's main defense is his sharp tongue, though this is also a great weakness -- No tongue is so sharp that it can duel with an unreasonable man's sword, and no words are more convincing than the gold in an assassin's pocket. Despite having spent his 32 years becoming as clever as he could, cleverness is historically a poor substitute for martial skill in a [i]number[/i] of scenarios, as any Roman historian could tell you.

[b]Backstory:[/b] Vergilius is the only child of Lucius Pontem, Rome's finest bridge builder. Due to the extent of Lucius' wealth, Vergilius has always enjoyed a life of luxury, at the cost of his father's work keeping him away from home for long periods of time. In his absence, Vergilius would spend time with his father's many servants, slaves, and retainers. This would not only give Vergilius a soft spot in his heart for the common man, but make conversation his greatest hobby, even at a young age. Books sent by his father on bridge-building assignments would further his philosophical knowledge, and before long, Vergilius was known for his sharp wit and gentle manners within the immediate lands.[/hider]