Marlo

## **Introduction**

**'Marlo'** is arguably the Louniverse character to have existed the longest, though characters such as Jasper and Robin take concepts from characters which may have existed just as long, Marlo has always kept his *name* longer than any other character. Though, only just.

The original 'Marlo' was created in 2013, to server as an avatar for online role-playing. Though he would develop into a radically different character over the years, few elements of his original concept remain in different adaptations today. Marlo's ability to wield magic would come and go as his earliest version would be changed to fit the different scenarios he was placed in. Marlo would also retain a disdain for his father, which is present in every current version. The influence of Marlo is hard to miss in many characters created after he was.

### The Original Marlo and Sources of Inspiration

The very first (2013) version of Marlo was a young sorcerer, who had been taught *black-magic* by his mother. He was not well liked by most, because of how he would speak down to those without magical ability. Marlo was very prone to convincing himself he was the smartest person in the room, which made it hard for him to make friends. Rather than viewing magic as a passion or interest, it was just a part of his life. He had always lived with it, and he did not consider it to make him special. Anyone could learn, whether they could cast it or not. This is why he considered those without an affinity for magic to be lesser than himself. Scenes where Marlo was proven to be wrong or misguided were some of the best for expression of his character.

* In 2011, there was a character who looked very similar to Marlo. However they did not have the same name, and Marlo was far more of a character than his 2011 look-alike, who was little more than a self-insert for role-play scenes. (The version from 2011 is now referred to as 'Alexio'.)
* The character Hexer is loosely based on the earliest version of Marlo.
* The characters Dawn and Crow were originally friends of Marlo, who would act as his henchmen in some scenarios.

### Deviation of Initial Concept.

In order to fit alongside other characters belonging to potential role-play partners, Marlo's character was often altered. His ability to cast magic was commonly written-out so that he would not be out-of-place in a more grounded scenario. This is when his modern-day equivalent would begin to take form. Without magic, Marlo needed something else to set him apart from his companions. The answer was, of course, that he was a criminal. Often, Marlo would play more of an antagonistic role in stories he was included in. He would wear leather jackets, comb his hair to one side and carry a knife. Instead of wearing fancy magical gear, or carrying a scepter.

Modern Marlo (2015) was born into a poor family, terrorized by his abusive father. Marlo's mother was protective of him, but she would eventually fall victim to his father's abuse, one last time. This is where some variables came into play, depending on the setting for the scenario. In some cases it was written that young Marlo had beaten his father to death, but in other cases he was only imprisoned. Marlo would always have an intense hatred for his father, either way. Marlo would retain his typically unpleasant personality, though in different ways. Rather than thinking very highly of himself, Marlo was an incredibly jealous, insecure person. He was in denial about his sexuality, a factor of developing an intense distrust for men. This was born of the trauma he still carried from his abusive childhood. When Marlo would be placed in scenarios in which he had a romantic partner, he would be irrationally possessive. Often, he would lash out physically at any who became too close to his partner.

Eventually, Marlo's character would become more refined. He would keep his flaws of jealousy and much of his insecurity. Though he was confident, smug and arrogant. Marlo was quick, and charismatic. Though he was quite clearly a total snake. Marlo would take advantage of people, and often disregard the feelings of others to avoid the emotional effort. Though the scoundrel's flaws may have out-weighed his worth, he was a popular figure in his circles nonetheless.

* Marlo's surname was changed quite frequently. Throughout the first few years of his existence, he would use 'Silver', 'Snow' and 'Scarlett'.
* These versions ultimately formed Marlo (Modern), who still participates in the occasional scenario.
* Marlo's nationality would also be changed frequently. Though he was usually American, with an Irish, German or Italian side. In his most recent adaptations, he is written to have a 'Vaguely European' hint to his accent, which leaves the specifics to interpretation.

### Period of Dormancy.

Around 2016, Marlo would see little use. He'd found his way onto the shelf, and was having some difficulty in figuring a way down. By now, he was not the only character to be used extensively in Role-playing and whatnot. By 2017, Characters such as Aeris, Spike, and **Jasper** had long since dethroned Marlo. Though the importance of his character was never disregarded, Marlo would not make a strong come back for some years. These are some of the ways a return was attempted.

* At one point, Miserio was to be Marlo's future-self. After his magic had driven him mad with power. This concept did not last long, however.
* Marlo saw several redesigns, as he was to become a recurring villain for fantasy characters. This also fell through, however.

### Cosmic Echo

In 2019, a villain was to be created for the second chapter of the *Grand Crossover Saga*. After some few scrapped concepts, Marlo was brought up as a potential follow-up for the recently defeated Miserio. This requires *some explaining*.

* Many versions of Marlo had come and gone, by now. Though none were considered canon, he had more energy to form a 'soul' than any other character. These 'souls' were important in the context of the *Grand Crossover Saga*, and were formed through the amount of development and care a character had received by it's creator and those around them. Though all of Marlo's versions were inactive, they could be considered ghosts. Angry ghosts, too. When a version of Marlo's spirit existing within a setting outside of the Louniverse was banished to the *Space Between Spaces*, he found a way to enter the Louniverse. Because a currently 'canon' version of Marlo entered, all of the energy from the previous versions latched onto it. Though they lacked a physical form, he began influencing other characters and story progression in effort to make enough noise that he would be given one - so that someone could kill him, and the story could progress. Ultimately Marlo's bitter ghost came to terms with his demise, and he was laid to rest.

### The Return of the King

In early 2020, Marlo would finally make a return worthy of his strange legacy. As Marlo Snow, he would appear from time-to-time in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign set in Everloft. Marlo's personality would resemble his modern counter-part, but the campaign ended before he had enough time to express the deeper parts of his character. The reception of his antics were as mixed as they had always been, which is why it is considered a successful return.

### Design

Marlo's design has been changed extensively throughout the years of his existence, though a few elements have always been present. His hair is always white, and most often punk-styled. The space around his eyes is usually dark. Sometimes with make-up, other times it it natural. Most often, his eyes are sea-green. He prefers to wear black, red and purple. He was always tall and muscular, but not bulky. He has always been flamboyant, to an extent.

### Trivia

* Without the 'we' at the end of his name, Marlo's name is often misread as 'Mario'. He hates this.
* Marlo has seen hundreds of art pieces throughout his existence. Tragically, most of this art has been lost, with little hope of recovering it.