Romero Carlo

* Young Adult
* Adult
* Elder

Romero Carlo is the patriarch of the Carlo family. Born in Italy and naturalized as a US citizen at the age of 24, Romero Carlo is renowned for his remarkable contributions as an author, playwright, poet, and philosopher, serving as an inspiration for numerous aspiring writers. His literary achievements propelled him to become one of the wealthiest individuals globally and granted him the status of a worldwide celebrity.

## Biography

### Early Years

#### Life in Italy

Little is known about Romero's life in Italy, as he seldom spoke about his pre-American years. What is ascertainable, however, is his upbringing in a modest Venetian family, marked by a challenging and arduous childhood and adolescence. These hardships propelled him to seek a fresh start in America.

#### Meeting with Vincent Burlone

While on the San Emilia, an immigrant ship destined for San Myshuno, Romero encountered Vincent Burlone, another Italian immigrant. The duo swiftly forged a deep and enduring friendship, fostering tremendous camaraderie. Reflecting on their bond, Romero later expressed, "We were both impoverished, vulnerable, adrift on a vast vessel heading for distant shores. Our only option was to stick together if we aimed to survive this voyage."

#### Arrival in San Myshuno

Romero’s story in america begins like many others, on the docks of San Myshuno, New York, USA. A boat from Naples, docks. As its imposing gates open, a horde of immigrants disembarks and rushes to the offices in front of them. Nonchalantly, a man disembarks from the rusty vessel. Dressed in poorly held-together clothes and with a simple piece of luggage as his possession, the man presents himself to the officer. His name: Romero Carlo. He is not alone, however; beside him stands a tall, imposing figure, Vincent Burlone, a fellow Italian Romero met during the voyage.

The duo, who quickly became friends during the voyage, decided long ago that uniting is their only chance of survival. From the dock, they start roaming the poor slum of the Spice District. They meet many faces, all of whom shut their doors in the duo’s faces. For a few nights, they sleep in the cold streets of San Myshuno until they meet Aunt Nona. The old Italian lady loans them a small, rundown apartment at 17 Culpepper Street. From there, Romero has to answer a new question: how will they pay the rent?

##### Time in the Mammeri Mafia

Shortly after moving into his new home, Romero was introduced to Rasoya, a middle-aged capo acting under the command of a mysterious Abdul Moumoud Mammeri. For a while, Romero worked for Rasoya, gathering intimidation money, and running small heists for the family. It was during this time that Vincent, Romero's roommate, started getting involved in weed dealing, an endeavor that would ultimately take his life.

Romero's time in the Mammeri Mafia was far from pleasant. He deeply hated the gig and felt as if he were a mere pawn in a bigger scheme. Ironically, Romero was very good at his job and quickly became a prominent member of Rasoya's band. Because of this, his pleas to leave the life of crime were dismissed multiple times. During his free time, Romero dedicated his days to writing short stories and poetry under the alias of Eugenio Juliano. Self-published, most of his work swept under the radar. He also frequented many small cafes, occasionally playing guitar and singing traditional Italian songs. It was during one of these escapades that Romero met Dani Davilla, a Montana girl who was visiting San Myshuno. The couple quickly fell in love, and after Dani came back for a week in early summer, she officially moved in with Romero and Vincent towards the end of the summer.

###### Death of Vincent Burlone

Romero's situation was still highly precarious, living in terrible conditions during these years. Vincent's dive into drug dealing took a turn for the worse as local gangs started to see his business as a threat. Ignoring Romero's multiple pleas to stop his business, Vincent grew more and more aggressive in his tactics, until he caught a bullet in the neck in fall. This sudden assassination was probably caused by the very competitive drug market of the Spice District.

Vincent's death devastated Romero, who saw this as the consequence of the life of crime he was forced to live. Taking all the courage he had, Romero went all the way to Abdul Moumoud Mammeri himself, asking him to let go of his contract, promising to never tell a soul of his activity in the mafia. Mammeri, who had learned of Vincent's death via Rasoya, accepted but told Romero to never show his face in San Myshuno ever again.

#### First years in Montana

Shortly after his discussion with Mammeri, Romero was disgraced from the Mammeri Family. He left San Myshuno for Chesnut Ridge, Montana. The choice of Chesnut Ridge wasn't arbitrary; Dani still had contacts in her hometown, and it seemed isolated enough to start anew. The couple settled in an old cabin just outside the town center. The situation remained precarious, but at least they no longer faced the looming threat of the Mammeri Mafia. Dani found a job in a local restaurant, while Romero secured a position as an assistant at the town’s newspaper.

Romero continued to write, eventually publishing his first book under his own name. "The Death of Zeus", a collection of short, dramatic, and melancholic poems dedicated to a hypothetical Greek mythology tale where Zeus meets his end—an analogy representing Vincent Burlone. The book was objectively great but fell short of Romero’s ultimate goal. Nevertheless, he submitted it to a literary digest that published it as a new hit. For once, Romero gained recognition for his work and started earning significant money from his writings. Following the success of "The Death of Zeus," Romero ventured into writing a musical based on his original poems, which turned out to be a tremendous success. Capitalizing on this triumph, Romero published several collections of short stories and novels. These works solidified Romero’s position as a popular and innovative author in the mystery and crime genres. Achieving nationwide fame, things finally started to look up for the Carlos.

Romero and Dani tied the knot shortly after the release of "Mister Jekels Und Flutz," Romero’s second bestseller. With their newfound financial stability, the couple purchased a tract of land just off Chestnut Ridge. Over the next year, they constructed the Luna Blu Ranch, their new home. This expansion was prompted by the sudden birth of Veronica Carlo, the couple's first daughter.

#### Later years in Montana

In the latter years of his early adulthood, Romero experienced a prolific period of literary creation, penning one bestseller after another. It commenced with "Murder on The Istanbul Express" and culminated with "The Mystery of Mount Karlo." This era of creative brilliance witnessed the birth of numerous novels, theatrical works, and poems, widely acknowledged as Romero’s finest pieces.

By his late forties, Romero had attained global renown, earning a place of honor with a plaque on the prestigious Del Sol Valley Road of Fame. The plaque bore the inscription: "Romero Carlo: Novelist, playwright, poet, and philosopher. Awarded for his remarkable contributions to literature and poetry.

### Later Years

After ascending to the status of a global celebrity, Romero eased the pace of his literary pursuits, embracing a life of enjoyment. With a more than comfortable financial standing (ranking among the wealthiest individuals on the planet), Romero diversified his interests.
On a personal note, Romero delved into playing the violin, guitar, and piano. A lifelong aficionado of classical music, he practiced multiple instruments without seeking publication. In his own words: "The world has seen enough of my work; I play for the pleasure, not the spotlight."
Expanding their Montana Ranch, the family introduced a winery and horse stable, producing their esteemed grape wine, Castello di Luna Blu. Accompanying the expansion was a luxurious servant's quarter for hired hands involved in daily operations, overseen by the family's major-domo, Domogior Lurch.

Simultaneously, Romero acquired an island in the Sulani Archipelago, Hawaii. A longtime admirer of Sulani, he constructed a magnificent villa named Key Point on the island. The Carlo family frequented this secondary residence for relaxation and to escape the harsh winters of Montana.

#### Career as an academist

After years of prolific literary work, Romero applied for a doctorate in Letters at the University of Britechester. Because of his celebrity status, the university staff was astounded but still accepted his candidacy. Romero actively attended classes, immersing himself in studies at U Brite, spending extensive time in study halls and engaging in debates. He earned his degree with honors from the Department of Letters, specializing in Literature.

Following his graduation, Romero took up a teaching position in the Department of Literature at the University of Britechester. He quickly garnered admiration from his peers, being recognized as an incredible scholar and teacher.

### Senior Years

Romero remained actively engaged in writing and teaching throughout his life, offering lessons and continuing to author books until his final days. However, he gradually slowed his pace, relishing a serene and comfortable retirement.

In his later years, Romero delved into mysticism, dedicating time to studying herbalism, vampirism, ghosts, tarot, magic, and various other esoteric subjects. Alongside his personal pursuits, he extended private lessons and conducted conferences on his life, career, and offered advice. He was widely regarded as a distinguished individual with a captivating and unique life experience.

Romero's life came to a close at 89 years old due to throat cancer, likely a consequence of his chain-smoking habit. In honor of his significant contributions, the United States government granted him a state funeral. He found his final resting place in the familial cemetery at Luna Blu Ranch, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary journey.

## Personal Life

### Private life

Romero is recognized as a reserved individual, seldom speaking outside his close circle of friends. He maintains a steadfast silence about his years in San Myshuno, honoring his promise to Mammeri, driven either by pride, fear, or loyalty. Despite his past in crime and his penchant for dark writing, Romero has cultivated a reputation for politeness, cheerfulness, and kindness.

Engaged to Dani (Davilla) Carlo shortly after his arrival in America, Romero is known for his unwavering fidelity, never engaging in extramarital affairs. Since the birth of Veronica Carlo, his commitment has been dedicated to his family, regularly taking family vacations with Dani and Veronica.

In his middle-aged years, Romero acquired a villa in the Archipelago of Sulani in Hawaii, a place of immense significance to him. He has frequented Sulani since the time of publishing "Mister Jekels Und Flutz." This location holds a special place in his heart, drawing him back several weeks a year.

Romero has been a heavy smoker, indulging in chain-smoking cigars. While he openly admitted to consuming weed during his early adulthood, the tragic death of Vincent Burlone extinguished any desire for further consumption. He also holds a reputation as a wine connoisseur and amateur, producing his own grand-cru from the Castello di Luna Blu, located on his ranch in Montana.

### Political opinion and activism

Throughout his life, Romero has maintained a quiet stance on political matters, rarely vocalizing his opinions. However, he has emerged as a prominent philanthropist, donating substantial amounts throughout his career. His philanthropy extended to advocating for human rights, particularly emphasizing the rights of immigrants.

## Legacy

Romero Carlo's legacy stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of creativity, resilience, and reinvention. A literary luminary who traversed the landscapes of crime fiction, poetry, and academia, his storytelling prowess captured the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. Beyond his literary contributions, Carlo's unwavering commitment to personal growth and his journey from a challenging past to an esteemed scholar and philanthropist resonates as an inspiring narrative of redemption. His dedication to teaching, exploration of mysticism, and lifelong pursuit of knowledge illustrate a multifaceted persona. Carlo's legacy endures not just in his literary masterpieces but also in the lessons of embracing change, empathy, and the unwavering pursuit of one's passions despite adversities.

## Decorations

* Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (Awarded during his visit to France)
* Presidential Citizens Medal (Awarded for his literary work)
* Honorary member of the Order of Merit (Awarded for his work at Britechester University, England)

## List of important work

1. "Murder on The Istanbul Express"
2. "The Mystery of Mount Karlo"
3. "The Death of Zeus"
4. "Mister Jekels Und Flutz"
5. "The Death of Zeus ; The Musical''
6. A plethora of Short Stories and Novels in the Mystery and Crime Genre