Villa Varri
DECIMUS SEMPRONIUS VARRO
Story
Coming from a family with a strong military tradition, Decimus desired above all things glory on the battlefield. At the age of 24 he would get his chance when the Second War with Carthage erupted in 545 UAC. Using the influence of his powerful uncle, Gaius Terentius Varro, who would later become consul, he was appointed to the staff of P. Cornelius Scipio. His first major taste of combat and defeat would come at the Battle of Ticinus that same year. It was at this battle that Decimus witnessed the bravery and daring of Scipio the Younger, then only 18 years, as he likely saved the lives of not only his father in a dramatic charge, but also that of Decimus himself. From that day hence, he has been a strong believer in the talents of the younger Scipio and is constantly promoting him for higher rank and responsibility within the military.
When his uncle became consul and began his campaign against Hannibal, Decimus eagerly transfered to serve on his staff. At the fateful battle of Cannae, Decimus bore witness to the horrific carnage that was wrought upon his fellow Romans. During the battle itself, he received a devastating wound that removed most of the flesh from his lower arm. Despite being seriously wounded, he was able to escape with his uncle to the town of Venusia.
Following the calamity at Cannae, Decimus spent the next two years recuperating from his wound. Though fully functional, the ghastly appearance of his old wound means that he usually keeps his right arm tucked into his toga....unless he can use it as a prop to make a political point.
Having reached the age of 30, he decided to get into the traditional trade of many men of noble birth: politics in the Senate.
Personality
Witnessing several major defeats of his beloved Roman army has given Decimus an often times conflicting view of things. On the one hand, these defeats wherein he saw so many thousands of good romans carved up like butchers meat have made him cautious about military actions and he often questions their necessity. On the contrary, these defeats have given him a raging distaste for the Carthaginians. He wishes to see their entire civilization either exterminated or enslaved.
Though of noble birth, his years in the military have exposed him the men of the lower classes and he is a believer in the rights of all Romans and that all should have a voice.
He is a deeply religious man and prays multiple times a day to Mars Gradivus whom he credits with his survival throughout the war.
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