Dominic Santiago

**Dominic Santiago**, also known as **Dom**, is one of the main characters from the *Gears of War* games.

Dom is Marcus' best friend. He was trained as a commando in Hoffman's unit before transferring to the infantry. He lost his brother Carlos during the Pendulum Wars, his parents and two children on Emergence Day, and his wife Maria disappeared several years later after falling into severe depression from losing her family. When Marcus got sent to jail for abandoning his post to save his father, Dom was one of the few peopled who defended him. As the war with the Locust Horde continues, Dom still remains somewhat cheerful and caring throughout the conflict, eventually breaking Marcus out of jail to assist in a major push against the Locust. At the same time, he continues to search for Maria whenever possible. When he found her lobotomized beyond recognition in the Locust Hollow, Dom was forced to euthanise her.

In the AWA fics, Dominic is set to appear in a future AWA storyline.

## **Appearance**

Dom is a tall and muscular man with a thick but short black and all-around facial hair, and has brown eyes.

## **Personality**

Dominic Santiago was known for his outright loyalty to his friend and some fear in the COG high command that this loyalty conflicts with loyalty to the COG. During the raid at Aspho Point, Dom was horrified at himself when integrating an Ostri civilian making himself wonder how a loving father and husband can threaten an unarmed women. After the battle of Aspho Fields and the death of his brother, he made a promise to himself that he would make sure that he never loses his loved ones.

After the death of his wife, Dom began having physical and mental troubles, being unable to accept closure which many around him noticed, and generally withdrew himself from the company of others, taking on gardening as a hobby.

## **Abilities**

Dom is a very skilled soldier and is a very strong person. He uses a Bolo Grenade, a Boltok Pistol, a Chain Gun, a Commando Knife, a Gnasher Shotgun, a Mark 1 Lancer Assault Rifle, a Mark 2 Lancer Assault Rifle, a Mortar, a Sawed-Off Shotgun and a Vulcan Gatling Gun in battle.

## **Trivia**

* Dom is voiced by Carlos Ferro.
* In Gears of War Epic Games planned on allowing players choose the gender of Dominic between a male Dom and a female Dominique. This idea was scrapped and fans would not be able to play as female characters until Gears of War 3.
* Dom was originally named "Dom Glynn".
	+ However his last name was changed to **Santiago** after producer Rod Fergusson noticed a cigar box with the name "Santiago" written on it on Cliff Bleszinski's desk.
* Dom was created to be just as "bad ass" as Marcus but without overpowering him. That's why his armor is slimmer.
* Dom's gameplay model carries a combat knife attached to his chest armor, though he only uses it in the Gears of War novels and comics. This is the same knife he showed Maria after passing his commando training. Near the end of the war Dom gives his knife to Marcus to pick a lock. Marcus keeps it after his death and uses it to kill Myrrah.
* In Gears of War and Gears of War 2, Dom does not keep his pistol at his side like all other characters. Instead, he keeps it in a holster on his chest. This does not affect the gameplay of his character model at all.
* Along with Marcus, Dom is a playable character in Lost Planet 2.
* Dom is one of the character included in the Gears of War 3 HeroClix Toys.
* In Gears of War: Hollow, Dom is seen in civilian clothes based off Tyler Durden from Fight Club.
* Originally in Gears of War 3, Dom was going to be encountered by players in his overalls on the decks of the CNV Sovereign, but his garden was partially transplanted into the ship so that he could be encountered more quickly.