Greed

**Greed** is one of the seven princes of Hell, and the ruler of House Greed.

## Biography

### Early Life

Like his brothers, Greed is one of the Wicked, or Malvagi. When Pride's wife and her sister were murdered, there were rumors that Greed and Envy helped in the matter, but Wrath never found any evidence to support this claim.

### *Kingdom of the Wicked*

Emilia meets Greed when she goes to his gambling den in Palermo in hopes of finding more information about her sister's murder. One of his guards brings her to his office, where he is sitting behind a massive desk, surrounded by extravagant and expensive items. He tries to convince Emilia to join House Greed, offering her a deal. In exchange for her *cornicello*, he will give her information and the Eye of Darkness, a necklace that grants the wearer protection against those who have ill intent. Greed wants to use Emilia as a tool for power. She turns him down, but he still offers her an answer to one question. She tells him to tell her about the Horn of Hades, and he does. Emilia then tricks him into answering a second question, telling her how to break a demon spell-cast on an object. Greed then tells her Vittoria gave him her *cornicello*, but it is being guarded by a Viperidae demon.

### *Kingdom of the Cursed*

Upon Emilia's arrival in the Seven Circles, Greed, Lust, and Envy have all shown interest in hosting her. House Wrath receives their House cards, and they've specifically requested her presence at their Feast of the Wolf celebrations.

As he usually does, Greed arrives fashionably late the first evening of the Feast of the Wolf. Emilia doesn't even see him until he arrives in the middle of the second day's feast.

### *Kingdom of the Feared*

It's revealed that Greed may a bargain with the Nucci family many years ago because he coveted an alliance with the wolves. Part of that alliance involved Domenico Nucci Senior gambling away his daughter Marcella Nucci. Greed gave her a new name, Vesta, and raised her up to become the commander of his army. Greed wanted Vesta's magic and power. His greed got in the way of seeing how unhappy she was and how much she longed to reunite with her family.

Wrath crowns Emilia in the Sin Corridor in front of his brothers, Vittoria, and Domenico. She is now Queen of the Seven Circles, princess of House Wrath, and the goddess of the underworld and the Shadow Realm.

## Appearance

Greed is, in a word, bronzed. He reminds Emilia of "copper coins melted and recast in a humanoid form." He has dark auburn hair, deep russet eyes, and a finely carved face with bronze skin. There's something off about his smile in that it doesn't seem quite natural. There's a hunger in his gaze, one that speaks of possession. Greed is classically handsome, but there's something off about him. His eyes are void of human emotion. There's a "sense of wrongness in his sharp gaze, as if he's not quite as accustomed to the pageantry as his brothers are." His House dagger is very well hidden on him. He wears a finely trimmed suit and boots.

## Personality

Greed is clearly untrustworthy. He enjoys playing games and tricks. Greed doesn't merely want to seduce, but to *own*. He appears to sense others' emotions and adjust his responses accordingly. Greed is sharp and calculating. He enjoys ruling his House. Part of his sin includes never being satisfied, always wanting more. He doesn't care who or what is destroyed in the pursuit of his goals. Greed won't jeopardize his House because he's built it into a formidable stronghold. Greed is always interested in wagers.

## Abilities

Greed possesses then ability to influence and control the emotions of those around him to strengthen their greed. His power comes in many forms. There's greed for power, wealth, attention, anything that can be wanted in excess. It also has an edge of violence lurking, as if a simple want or desire could turn deadly at a moment's notice. He is less powerful than Pride and Wrath, though it is unknown exactly where he sits in the hierarchy. The prophecy spoken by Nonna Maria suggests he is the fourth in the hierarchy, but this has not been confirmed. As one of the Wicked, Greed is immortal. Thus, he regenerates and heals quickly, and is unable to be killed by anything except for the Blade of Ruination, a hexed object created by the First Witch.

## Trivia

* Greed's symbol is a frog. He explains it's because they're "greedy creatures, content with neither land nor water instead desiring both."