Lucianus

**Lucianus** is an ex-General of Lust, now defector of the Sheolfolk cause. He was introduced in the second iteration of Asphodel. (Played by *Captain Whitehawk*.)

## Biography

### *Pre-Asphodel*

In the dark, deep in the halls of Sheol, there are certain nebulous blobs of matter with ravenous appetites. [REDACTED] had seen them before and fed small creatures to them as a child--just experimenting, really. But upon turning fourteen and faced with assault, rape, and torture at the hands of her fellow Sheolfolk, [REDACTED] would need so much more than hardiness to survive two hellish years.

[REDACTED] learned all the lies that would draw a victim down halls and into the maw of a waiting *neurovore*, a ploy that lasted several months before a sister revealed [REDACTED]’s location to a roving band of Despair followers. She fled Sheol and her family for Morgul, a land whose lawlessness could act as easy cover for a vulnerable child. There in the rusting animal cages, [REDACTED] discovered a *neurovore* of unusual size and cleverness that functioned much better as a trash receptacle than previous pets. This *neurovore* even understood the concept of cessation and would halt if promised future feedings.

On her sixteenth birthday, the Elysian waiting for [REDACTED] in the ring was staggered by a knife she slipped between their ribs.  What question of victor the crowd held was dashed by the sight of a *neurovore*bubbling up from the sewer grates; certainly, both would die today.

[REDACTED] shouted a command; the Elysian was eaten alive by the monster. The *neurovore* slid forward to sit beside the girl’s heels, close enough to consume but strangely, obediently, the creature was still. It was quite unlike any monstrosity the Sheolfolk had seen before, discolored and contorted as if it were in the process of sprouting features and appendages. It even had the beginnings of an exoskeleton. Before all eyes watching, [REDACTED] stripped and lifted the bulbous mass to her chest. Its jaws reached out and ate her breasts in horrible, slobbering smacks as the Sheolfolk watched. Blood dribbling down her hips, she declared herself Lucianus.

This was not to be the end of Lucianus' theatrics. She joined a troop of performers, then a General's harem, later a wanton band of Gluttonous raiders.
Where two or more had gathered in Ahriman's name, Lucianus was sure to be, gobbling attention. They called her party girl, whore girl; she knew herself as desperately confused, desperately courageous, desperately wrong "girl." As a young Sheolfolkian adult, there was no better place to be than in the shadows of her betters, and in the darkness she traded boundaries and safety for influence.

It came time for Lucianus to request Ahriman's services. The throne room was exactly what one would expect from a god of darkness and evil: the room sweltered with rivers of lava; sleek obsidian swallowed the floor; it was hard to tell where Ahriman began and the throne ended, as both were made of bones. High-pitched voices with dubious intonation clanged quietly from somewhere in the mists. The god was so massive on his throne, so ugly, so ghastly that it took all her courage to stare back at him.

He asked Lucianus what she wanted. She told him her body was wrong. She wanted to be a he. A man, for Lucianus had not consented to the consumption of his flesh for mere show, nor had he spent any time being pushed around as a presumed-woman with any joy. He knew what he felt, but feelings did no good in a world where pants could be loosened to expose treacherous genitals, where his face was too soft and smooth, where a bounty of curves clasped all the wrong places. He was not what he wanted to be. He was weak, vulnerable, unwillingly available to any hands seeking flesh to grope. But Ahriman had power, Ahriman could transform him into anything.

Hearing Lucianus' struggle, Ahriman grinned and agreed to help. Lucianus could hardly believe it was that simple, but stood still as instructed and waited. The pain that followed dropped him to his knees, bones rotting in their sockets, vision swimming in darkness. A skull hovered near his face, empty sockets peering. Ahriman asked slowly in concern if Lucianus was alright, if Lucianus wanted to continue, there was no need to continue if Lucianus was hurt--but no, no, this was what Lucianus wanted, he'd come all this way to be fixed. Lucianus asked in halting gasps for Ahriman to continue.

The process scraped on for hours. Every moment Lucianus spent unconscious was another moment the new body, *his* new body was delayed, as Ahriman was loathe to continue without Lucianus awake to assure him of his consent and desire. Broken on the ground, he counted every rib as it warped and settled back into place, gritted his teeth through the stretching of his spine, and bared them against the contortion of his flesh. There was no stopping, not if he was to become who he was, so he was left instead to wail in the darkness against suffering he needed.

When the body was done, the cacophony did not resign. Ahriman said, "You're welcome," and Lucianus was left to stagger out of the throne room. He retired in the back of a friend's flat, stealing silence and darkness to soothe his pounding head. When he was found several hours later, it took some pleading to convince the friend that yes, this was Lucianus before them. They asked what happened. "A gift," Lucianus said, and swallowed mention of the agony remaining.

Years later, Lucianus returned to Ahriman's throne room as General, having spent every day since his transition dedicated to Lust. He knelt before the throne, bodily male and mostly sane. I want nothing but to see your face, he told the god, and after taking a few minutes to gaze upon Ahriman, departed.

The next day, he called again. I want nothing but your company, he told the god, and was allowed to merely dwell in Ahriman's presence.

The next day, he returned. I want nothing but to sit by your side, he told the god, and was not turned away.

The day after, he arrived with a solicitation. I know as well as any that you are a person of need, Lucianus said, and that on occasion, you may find yourself in the mood for a lover. I have spent my years in the arms of one person or another, but never in yours. It seems only fair that as the god who gave me this body, you'd also partake of it.

Ahriman was quiet, and appeared to think a moment. The silence stretched. The offer was not born of honest salacity, nor was the proposed sexual congress without danger: most toys of the god had reportedly died in the act, or been slaughtered afterwards. But it would've been a great honor to walk away from a fling with Ahriman; there was power to be had in being able to say that you'd fucked god and lived. As his competition grew in power and allure, Lucianus was running out of ways to establish his dominance. He knew the risk he took was high. He'd spent many nights calculating it while occupied with lower consorts.

Then Ahriman spoke.

 — Ahriman

And he offered no explanation, no matter how many times Lucianus poked and prodded him. It was not a rejection Lucianus could forget.

In the years to follow, as his hold on the Sheolfolk peoples waxed and waned, he would grow tired. Though he'd taken special care to avoid the war, its suffering was inescapable. Too often friends and beaus disappeared without goodbye beneath a Homini axe, or underneath the glare of Elysian magics. The lists of the deceased grew long till the dead of even a month ago could readily be replaced by a longer list, the dead of yesterday. Towns crumbled. Cities darkened and grew sparse in number. Lucianus had considered consulting Ahriman for explanation, but remembered the rejection of years ago and left thought of his god behind. There were no answers in Ahriman. Only suffering.

When the world fell and the gods disappeared, Lucianus saw the possibilities of a brave new world, one without religion and slaughter. Though his bones ache and his body weakens, there is promise, he thinks, in this emptied world.

He keeps company with Evangel now, a tired Elysian of similar mind. It feels good not to run at the sight of shimmering wings, and find company and peace in a man that bears them. They're roommates in a cabin Lucianus built west-ish of Iskeria.

## Physical Appearance

Medium-brown skin, hooked nose, thick brows and thicker, darker hair, which is long and bound in curls and coils. A lot of jewelry, all of which has been stolen: a nose ring, rings, bracelets, earrings, and other bangles, all gold. Big, bright scarves, loose jackets and tunics, flowing pants, sandals or short boots. Wide palms, long fingers. 5'9", 160 lbs, and amber eyes with slitted pupils. Lucianus' teeth are not otherwise notable except for the extended, razor-sharp canines. On each side of his head, two stubby horns grow and poke through his hair. His nails are dull and he has no tail. Lucianus' chest is patchy and malformed with scar tissue. The right side of his ribs are likewise twisted, due to past breakage and poor healing. This affect is mostly aesthetic, though on bad pain days it flares up.

## Personality

Pushy, flamboyant, and stubborn, Lucianus prefers to maintain his safety by maintaining territory.  He’s not a very good banner-carrier and doesn’t take up big causes on principle; you can always win him over by telling him about *your* woes, but a war?  No, thank you.  It's so much easier and safer to mind one's own business.  A magical practice, really. Domestic, likes peace, quiet, and a nice flat to come home to.  Enjoys doting on his lover, naturally affectionate, prone to extravagant gestures. Dominating and roving, not very good at sitting still or keeping quiet.  Knee-deep in trouble before it can think to go looking for him.  Morally dubious but earnest, think a blender instead of a moral compass.  Isn't so much clever as thorough and exasperating. The kind of person you accidentally start dumping your secrets to while drunk expecting nothing to come of the encounter, but the next morning you discover he's sacked your traitorous spouse and dropped the kids off at daycare while you were sleeping off your drunken stupor.  Won't sign up to fight the bourgeois, but he will fistfight your obnoxious neighbors for you. Not right in the head.  Missing some knives in the card deck.  Somebody screwed in a tree branch instead of a lightbulb.  He's paddling with one oar.  This elevator doesn't go all the way to the top floor.  This driveway doesn't quite *reach* the road, if you know what I mean.

**PERSONALITY TYPE:** ESFJ // 3w4 7w6 1w2 // SX/so // Chaotic Neutral // Greed

### *Strengths*

When he isn’t pushing his next move, Lu holds a great reservoir of affection and attentiveness carefully distributed to lovers and friends; he doesn't struggle to keep a social circle.  His meticulous people-watching keeps him anxiously aware of other people, and this acts as an assist in establishing rapport, even in enemies.  His bravado and pleasantries combine to make of him an unlikely foe.  There is very little he won’t do to get what he wants; his willingness to objectify himself rides foolishly close to suicidal.

### *Weaknesses*

Lucianus’ appeal as an entertainer and escort has been uprooted with the desolation of Sheolfolk society following the Sundering.  While Sheol was a dark and dangerous domain, it had been one perfect for amassing a sizable hoard of followers.  Though his self-defense skills are adequate, he’s largely relied on presentation and social skills to maintain affluence.  His traitorous love for a certain ex-Archangel would also be ready cause for assassination, nevermind every other damning thing he’s done.  He's a deserter.  He's gone AWOL and he wouldn't support the Sheolfolk unless threatened.

## Relationships

* **His family** – He takes care to avoid what remains of them.
* **Behemoth** – An old friend to whom he attributes his survival.  Behemoth, in turn, imprinted on him when he was a child and has retained that fondness for him.  She's naturally submissive to him in a way that she is with nobody else.
* **Belial** – An ex-boyfriend, it was a short-lived relationship.  Lucianus slept with him first for control and a shot at increasing influence, and while being arm-candy worked for a while, eventually Lucianus came to realize that Belial adored himself too much to have space for worshipping Lucianus.  He fears Belial a little still for that reason, though admittedly the quality is kinda hot.
* **Mammon** – A General that won’t get in bed with him.  A reluctance that Lucianus finds strange.
* **Asmodeus** – The current General of Lust, and an ex-boyfriend.  Lucianus had a standard practice of assessing his fellow Generals back when they were many, and the tale of a near-child becoming a General was intriguing indeed.  It was a complicated romance, tense and volatile.  They broke up a few years back.  Lucianus may or may not still be a little upset about it.
* **Ahriman** – His god once rejected the privilege of Lucianus’ flesh and Lucianus has never forgiven him for that.  Ahriman has the power to give Lucianus everything he wants but won’t, and for that reason Lucianus hates him.
* **Beelzebub** – They’re fuckbuddies.  They get along well, no complaints there.
* **Evangel** – Friend. Evan is so different from what Lucianus expected of Elysians that he's not entirely convinced Evan's real.  They’d known each other for generations before the Sundering and seemed to be kindred spirits, but it’s only been post-Sundering that they’ve managed a civil conversation.  Their roommate status has left Lucianus in an awkward position, as he has feelings for Evan that Evan doesn't appear to return. Surprisingly, Lucianus isn't interested in pushing anything, but he also doesn't like being kept on a fence. Lucianus is determined to give Evan a good life even if it kills him.

## Trivia

* Has sired children.  No, he doesn't know where or who they are.
* This boy's got fibromyalgia.
* What if Freddie Mercury followed Lust?
* We're remixing, lads. Ludis + Loki + Glyn + a few other pals.
* Lucianus' Spotify playlist.
* Uzlolzu's Sanjit is Lucianus' FC. (His non-demon form, of course.) (x) (x) (x) (x)