Characters/James Roth Solomon

## La Vraise Pipe

Born and raised in Boston, James Solomon grew up with his cousin, Joseph Elliott Solomon, and the two remained close through adulthood. (James) Solomon dropped out of public school for ideological reasons, choosing instead to learn the trade of a local tobacconist named Lenny Margarine - who also taught him the French language. During his spare time, he studied investigative techniques for fun. When his mentor passed away, Solomon inherited his tobacco shop, "La Vraise Pipe." Out of respect, he kept the shop's name and general layout.

During one of Solomon's lunch breaks, a pompous man named Lawrence Oldfield entered the shop with two guards. He explained that he wanted the finest cigars that money could buy. The name sounded familiar. Solomon showed a few, valued at several thousand dollars apiece, and Oldfield purchased them. Oldfield proceeded to tear the cigars apart with his bare hands. He announced his name and openly laughed before walking out. Confused, Solomon consulted Margarine's old diary and learned that he had refused to sell to Oldfield for several years.

## La Bourgeoisie

James Solomon would not have called himself prideful. However, he considered Oldfield's actions to be an affront to his late mentor. He sought out a group called "La Bourgeoisie," supposed activists based in Canada who take issue with big money. They heard his case, and agreed to select Oldfield as their next target of investigation - if Solomon agreed to work for them. The process of La Bourgeoisie typically included a thorough investigation of an individual, followed by the release of any illicit aspects to their accumulation of wealth. After this, La Bourgeoisie would cease operations for a varying period of time, depending on the level of police involvement.

Months passed. During this time, Solomon heard nothing from his contacts in la Bourgeoisie. He began investigating independently, and he found that Midas, Oldfield's private group, had sold research to the Russian Federation. Following more digging, Solomon learned of a current truck shipment. He sent this information to the authorities, as well as to a few news outlets. Finally, La Bourgeoisie started seriously looking into the activities of Mister Oldfield. Solomon continued earning a living at La Vraise Pipe during this time. A few years later, la Bourgeoisie stopped their seemingly fruitless investigation, offering no explanation. Solomon re-opened his independent investigation under the name ████████, this time seeking account numbers and related information. Shortly after, La Bourgeoisie contacted him with an assignment.

## The Roaches

Solomon accepted his assignment with curiosity. He was to travel to Panau and investigate a group of organized criminals called the "Roaches." He booked a flight using Oldfield's money and departed. Upon reaching the island, he found his cover blown. Rather than attempting to investigate such a group, he decided to join them for security. Solomon spent many years with the Roaches, learning how to administer Basic Training from Gabriel Nicros, how to patrol Roach territories from Bobby Boucher, and how to fly planes from future Director Murc Hemlit. Solomon joined the Roach Scouts at the recommendation of Director Meehan, learning from future Director Pate Postimies and finding a new mentor in Charlie Pace. As a scout, he spied on the Enforcers under Supreme General Marusich and the Panauan Government under President Mike Kohler - while spying, he also investigated the Serpentino Brotherhood at the request of Director Richard (later Boss). Roth also trained Benjamin "Benji" Nelson, a new scout, prior to receiving permission. In 20██, Solomon left Panau to visit the Medician estate of ex-Director Sheckle Roth, where he discovered a familial connection to the man. James Roth Solomon returned to Panau upon receiving word of his cousin's arrest in Russia.

Roth attempted to use the Roaches' connections to gather more information about Elliott's situation. He learned that a man had aided Elliott's escape, so Roth sent word recommending that he flee to Panau. Weeks later, a teal helicopter carrying Joseph Elliott landed at Roach HQ. An old Roach Hunter named Fate Ragingstar agreed to show him the ropes. Later, Roth received word of Charlie Pace's passing. He solemnly took over as Head Scout and re-opened recruitment. Two new members joined, named James Suarez and Josh Crowe. They began meeting in the bar at HQ, which Crowe named "Whiskey Business, because scouting is...whiskey business." A bank opened in Melambak City, and (Roth) Solomon showed up in formal wear, claiming to be "Larry Oldfield" and the manager of the institution. Local authorities believed him. A few weeks after this, a Roach named Joseph McLaughlin started having hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms. Enforcers arrested him for suspected crimes. Solomon and a team of Roaches broke McLaughlin out of Enforcer HQ, much to the dismay of his lawyer, Ventus Anemos. Back at HQ, Solomon and Roach Sniper Dante Knox joined up to co-head the new Reconaissance role. Months later, Boss Fahrenheit died of a coke overdose. The Roach Council elected Solomon to the position of Boss.

Within weeks, the Council also elected Henry Squid - and within months, Josh Crowe. Meanwhile, Boss Richard stepped down. The three new bosses, or "Tri-Boss" had a tumultuous relationship with the rest of the Council. One day, Solomon had a pool installed at Roach HQ without consulting anyone, frustrating Overseer Pate Postimies. The next, a huge storm hit Panau, wiping out everything that lacked a solid foundation. Entire buildings, such as the Air Traffic Control towers at the headquarters of several major factions, disappeared. The pool, too, vanished, and many referred to it as "the pool that broke the world." Weeks after, the pool reappeared, as well as some of the missing buildings.

The conflict with Postimies served as a symptom of a greater issue: confusion regarding the division of power between the Tri-Boss and the other elites. The trio perceived a slow pace with the democratic process, with many elites failing to vote even on major issues. They gathered the rest of the Council in the briefing room and announced the █████ ██████, a process by which ████ ██████ █████ ███████ ████████. Later, Boss Crowe left the Roaches.

## Law

Months to years before the █████ ██████, Solomon got involved in other ways.The circumstances surrounding Joseph McLaughlin's arrest, in particular, seemed off to him. He hypothesized that the gunpowder that McLaughlin used contained a chemical that caused temporary insanity. He assigned an investigation to Lucas Gremory and future Boss Smithie Smith, both members of the Roaches' Science Division. They ran tests for days before determining that McLaughlin's poison did not come from gunpowder, but from coke found on his firearm. The duo then traced it to an shipment of weapons, which the Roaches intercepted. Solomon requested the creation of masks that could filter the poison. The pair created the masks, but left the project, as well as the Roaches.

When a Roach named Spencer Smite wanted to perform scientific research for the Roaches, Solomon informed him of the "Neurotoxin," as he had come to refer to it. Smite climbed the ranks quickly with his work, performing experiments on various prisoners of the Roaches. Solomon and Smite met regularly at a laboratory constructed at Emas Hitam. Smite created gas grenades containing an aerosol with the Neurotoxin, which Solomon carried on his person. Smite also synthesized an imperfect antidote.

Back at Whiskey Business, Solomon formally started the Roaches' █████████ Program. He sent operative Allie Anarchy undercover as Julietta Rogers in order to infiltrate the PBI. She began in the Peacekeepers, but worked over to the PBI. Meanwhile, Anarchy/Rogers kept Solomon informed regarding groups such as Deathwatch, Spectre, and Internal Affairs. They also had a mutual acquaintance known as Oliver McQueen. Solomon was largely kept safe during much of this time thanks to his bodyguards, including a Killian Dark.

[REDACTED]

Following this, Director Rolf Myrtoft purged Solomon's criminal record and brought him on as an Agent.

## The PBI

[REDACTED]

Having heard about the dissolution of the PBI, Solomon elected to use all of his vacation days and visit the States for a bit.

However, world events left him unable to return to Panau for several years.

## Present Day

Solomon currently serves as a Diplomat for the Enforcers.