Arlo Castaneda

Arlo Castaneda is a major supporting character in *Forgotten Villainy*. They are an advisor to Adelana Ayika. Being in the Circa rebellion, they wish to end Weirong San's reign of tyranny.

## Appearance

Arlo has tan skin with faint freckles on their face, round glasses over small brown eyes, a scar on their upper lip, and a pointed chin. Their curly hair is brown and gets lighter towards the tips, and it falls to about the length of their shoulders. Since they are less of a fighter than the other characters, they have a smaller, weaker build, and they typically dress more cleanly in an academic's clothing. Since they are part of the Circa Clan, their clothes are usually of a yellow hue, and they wear small, round, golden earrings to signify their heritage.

## Personality

One of the traits that sets Arlo apart from others is their high intelligence. They are very book smart, and they excel at coming up with plans, making observations, and drawing conclusions. Arlo is one of the more reserved characters, and they also tend to be quite cold and distrusting (especially towards Meilian). Despite this, they still aren't afraid to express their thoughts and opinions. Around people they know well, such as Isaiah, Adelana, and Daanis, they are more willing to be warm and open up.

## Abilities

* **Intelligence**: Arlo is extremely intelligent. They have a lot of knowledge about the world, and their mind is quick and sharp.
* **Strategy**: Arlo's intelligence allows them to make effective, strategic plans ahead of time.

## Relationships

### Isaiah Hatami

Isaiah is Arlo's boyfriend. They have known each other for the longest out of anyone else at the Circa rebellion, as they met at an orphanage when Isaiah was a very young child. They escaped from the abusive orphanage together when Arlo was 5, and they stuck together after that, surviving on the streets of Ojoewe. Arlo was the first person whom Isaiah told about him being transgender. Throughout the story, they are frequently seen together. It is revealed that they are a couple after Meilian rescues the group from Yuanwei Palace. Arlo sees Isaiah as being strong, noble, and funny, but a bit braindead at times. Isaiah thinks that Arlo is very smart and talented, but so serious that it's fun to tease them (as "it's cute when they get mad").

### Adelana Ayika

Adelana is one of Arlo's best friends. They met when they were still children, when Arlo and Isaiah attempted to steal Adelana's food, and she accidentally revealed herself as the blessed one to them. Isaiah and Arlo became loyal to Adelana after that, and the three of them have stuck together since then. Arlo thinks that Adelana is strong and competent, and they are one of the few people who knows about Adelana's secret insecurity. They do their best to reassure her and remind her that she really is a great leader, and everyone who knows her can agree on that. Adelana trusts Arlo deeply, so much that she put them on the Circa Council. She thinks they are very smart and a crucial member of the rebellion.

### Daanis Makwa

Arlo is one of Daanis's closest friends. Arlo, Adelana, and Isaiah saved Daanis from starving to death when she was 8 years old, and they all stuck together after that. Arlo admires Daanis's fighting ability and kindness, but they think she sometimes doesn't adhere to plans well enough. Arlo is also glad that Daanis is shorter than them, preventing them from being the shortest person in their friend group. Daanis thinks that Arlo is very smart and a crucial member of the Circa rebellion because of this, although they sometimes squabble over plans.

### Rohan Jhaveri

Arlo and Rohan dislike each other. They met after Arlo, along with Adelana, Isaiah, and Daanis, joined the Circa rebellion, but unlike the others in their group, Arlo quickly disliked Rohan and didn't befriend him. Rohan picked up on this, and the contempt became mutual. Arlo thinks that Rohan is too arrogant and likes to show off too much, and they find Rohan's obvious flirting with Adelana to be annoying and gross. Rohan finds Arlo to be a know-it-all and too bossy considering they don't fight, and he knows that Arlo doesn't approve of him making moves towards Adelana. During the story, the two of them are able to find a bit of common ground over the fact they both hate Meilian.

### Meilian San

Meilian is a friend of Arlo's. Initially, they treated her with scorn and distrust, causing Meilian to dislike them. However, she still respected how intelligent they seemed to be, and the fact that they usually based their opinions on facts and not their emotions. After Meilian rescues the Circa rebellion from Yuanwei Palace, Arlo is more trusting of her (but still cautious), and they even defend her. The two of them are also able to bond over a mutual dislike of Rohan. By the end of the story, Meilian has proved herself, and Arlo finds her to be a good partner for Adelana.

### Weirong San

Arlo hates Weirong San. Weirong San discriminates against Circa people like Arlo, and Arlo's parents were both slaves to Weirong who ended up dying due to this. Arlo is part of a rebellion against Weirong.

### Korinola Arcariun

Korinola is Arlo's friend. They met through Adelana, after Arlo, Adelana, and their friends joined the Circa rebellion. Arlo is one of the few people who knows Korinola's secret: that she is related to Adelana.

## Trivia

* They are Latino-inspired.
* Their first name, Arlo, means "between two hills" and is of Irish or English origin.
* Castaneda, their surname, is a Spanish last name meaning "chestnut forest."
* They are bisexual.
* They are a Virgo (with their birthday being on August 24).
* Arlo's MBTI personality type is ISTJ.
* They have an interest in chemistry and medicine.