Lucius Modestus

Lucius Modestus was born sometime between 100 and 105 AD in Imperial Rome. Though his upbringing was fairly standard for a middle-class Roman the fact that both Lucius's father Cassius and his Grandfather Sabinus were lifelong Thermae (Bathhouse) Architects meant that he was able to grow-up seeing the passion with which they both carried their craft firsthand. Though losing his father to an accident building those very Thermae would be a tremendous blow to him, particularly at such a young age, the subsequent deepening in his relationship with his Grandfather would help him realize what kind of a man he wanted to become, as well as gaining a true understanding and appreciation for what the Thermae that his family had built gave to the people of Rome. It was during a trip to his local Thermae with his Grandfather that he would cement his decision to become a Thermae Architect, but this same trip would also see the first time that he would be pulled into the future. While submerging himself in the Thermae he would be briefly transported to a bath in modern-day Japan. Alarming as this was to young Lucius the experience was very brief and he would be whisked back to Rome in a matter of seconds, causing the entire thing to be dismissed as a dream. Short-lived though it may have been this journey through time would mark the beginning of Lucius' odd relationship with world-hopping. As he grew older and his career as an Architect would grow many such trips were destined to take place but, for the moment, it would simply fade from memory.

After his unknowing brush with time travel Lucius would dedicate himself to creating works that help people heal the wounds in their bodies and souls. In that vein he would journey to study architecture and engineering in Athens, spending years learning from the finest masters and growing both as an Architect and a man. Though his stay in Greece would be enriching the time he spent abroad was long enough that his Grandfather would pass away in his absence, meaning that it was up to Lucius to provide for his Mother and Grandmother upon his return. Taking up a position as an architect for a construction agency provided him with good and steady work for the moment, but the Pax Romana that Hadrian's reign had brought about was bringing a demand for ever-newer and ever-more-exotic styles of Thermae and that spelled doom for the classical styles of construction favored by Lucius. Despite the countdown to disaster that this spelled for his work the four years between his return home and his departure from the Architectura were successful in terms of both work and social life, as it was during this period that Lucius would meet and eventually marry his wife Livia. The two would have a happy married life initially, despite Lucius' propensity towards being a workaholic, but the more the pressure on his work increased the more a wedge would began to form between the two. With his livelihood on the line Lucius began to do things like pulling all-nighters and working extended hours in an attempt to keep up with the demands on the industry and this ended-up causing him to neglect his wife more and more with every passing day.

Things would go from bad to worse when, despite all of his long hours of work, the designs he made were deemed unsatisfactory by his agency and he was subsequently let go. By what can only be described as the grace of the Gods the ink would barely be dry on his termination notice when he would once again be pulled into the future. With more than a decade having passed from the last brief time that he'd visited the Lucius who arrived in modern Japan was quite different than the little boy who'd been there previously. Armed with knowledge of engineering and architecture he was able to gain inspiration from the myriad of modern appliances before taking them back to Rome and recreating them. Lucius' incredible ability to disassemble and understand devices mentally served him well in this undertaking and he was able to build, essentially, a modern Japanese bathhouse right in the middle of Rome. The constant hunger for newer and newer styles of Thermae was well-satisfied by Lucius' creation, and in no time at all he was flush with new orders and demands for his time. While this newfound success would provide much peace-of-mind for the Modestus family through the stability it had brought it sadly did little to alleviate Lucius' predisposition towards overworking himself. With the sheer amount of orders that were now on his table it was all-too-easy for him to fall into hyperfixation, leading him to continue to be distant socially. Despite his problems balancing work and home life Lucius did try to engage with others socially, and was a good friend and husband in the time that he was able to pull himself away from his work. His efforts to mend the divide forming between him and his loved ones would be effectively sabotaged by his own success however, as his exploits had brought him to the attention of some of Rome's most prominent officials.

Initially coming to the attention of a Consul, the future of Lucius' career would see him receiving ever-more elaborate commissions from powerful politicians. Despite his best efforts to restore balance to his home life the requests from people of this ilk were not the kinds that could simply be declined. As with all things, though, Lucius attended to the projects given to him with the utmost professionalism regardless of their unrefusable nature. By good fortune he would be periodically pulled into the future throughout these projects and, largely due to the inspiration he would receive from these journeys, the resulting Thermae would continue to follow his pattern of excellence and innovation. This success would only attract yet more attention from Rome's ruling elite, however, and by 132 AD his work had gained such acclaim that it managed to attract the attention of Emperor Hadrian himself, who would summon him to his villa of Canopus for a special commission. Being one of a very select few people allowed into the Emperor's private sanctum, Lucius was given the task of building a special bath within the limiting confines of the the villa. The task had previously been presented to the famed Apollodorus of Damascus but the demands of the task had proved too challenging for even an Architect of his renown and, so, it now fell to Lucius. Through the experience he'd gained reverse-engineering devices and technologies of the modern age Lucius was able to complete the project to a degree that both met and exceeded Emperor Hadrian's expectations, prompting him to implore Lucius to accompany him to Judea for his own reconstruction efforts. Though an invitation of this sort might seem avoidable, when it comes from the Emperor of Rome it's not quite so easily sidestepped as it ordinarily might be. The journey would end up being far more than Lucius bargained for however, as it was during this trip that the long and bloody Bar Khoba Revolt would break-out.

The outbreak of the Revolt would see what was meant to be a simple and peaceful building expedition turn, instead, into a long and drawn-out military conflict. This was, evidently, not what Lucius had in mind for his journey to Judea but he still dedicated himself to helping the Roman effort in what ways he could. Despite the obvious strain that the setting and distance placed on his ability to be with Livia it seemed she was more understanding of his situation given its direct service to the Emperor and, so, Lucius was able to busy himself with erecting fortifications and constructing Thermae without fear for the strain it might put upon his marriage. Three years in a warzone saw Lucius pick up many skill that he would not have otherwise acquired however, and by the time of the conflict's end he had learned many of the martial skills of the Legions themselves. When the dust had settled and the Revolt was finally suppressed Lucius was honored for his work in supporting Rome's war efforts but, in typical fashion, all he asked for in reward was the opportunity to return home. Impressed with his modesty Hadrian not only granted his request, but honored him with a position as the personal Thermae Architect to the Emperor. With Hadrian's blessing Lucius returned to Rome for the first time in over a quarter-decade, ready to enjoy some much-needed time with his long-suffering wife.

Finally able to settle-in to his normal routine again Lucius would take on a few more construction projects, most notably one for the Sacerdotes Augustales, but none would interfere with his social life as they used to before he took on his position in service to the Emperor. The next year would be a time of great healing for Lucius and Livia, with the opportunity for the two of them to be a proper husband and wife for the first time in many years. Just as the couple turned their attention to starting a family though, duty would call again in the form of an Senatorial Summons. Called upon in the middle of what was supposed to a special (and intimate) vacation for the two of them Lucius saw little choice but to answer the call and depart for Tiburi at once, but this was the final straw for Livia. Any time she extended the olive branch to her husband it was swatted-away in favor of pursuing projects or gallivanting off to exotic lands, and her patience had officially run out. Departing on-the-spot for her parent's house, Lucius was left to contemplate the fate of his relationship as he made the journey to the Villa Hadriana. There he would meet the Emperor's recently-adopted son, Lucius Aelius, and be commissioned to construct a Thermae in his name to help introduce the Emperor's new heir to the Roman people as well as gain their favor. Such a task required a kind of bathhouse that would grab the attention of the common people as well as provide a place of both recreation and relaxation, and that was something that laid outside the sphere of any existing Thermae.

Yet again a trip to the future would provide the perfect inspiration for solving his problem except, this time, it would be a water park he was taken to rather than a bathhouse. The sheer amount of amenities on-display within the park were utterly dizzying but, even still, Lucius meticulously adapted their innovations into his own creations and built a Thermae that awed the entirety of Rome. His success would end up painting a target on him though, as many within the Roman Senate opposed Hadrian's adoption of Aelius. Lucius' triumph in endearing the Roman people to the prospective ruler put him firmly in the crosshairs of those who wished to ensure that Aelius ascended to the throne of Rome. To this end they would send him a false decree commanding him to survey and build Emperor Hadrian a wellness retreat at the base of Mount Vesuvius, knowing full-well that those lands were rife with bandits and that Lucius would almost-certainly be killed in the undertaking. Lucius was still reeling from Livia's departure when the Imperial Messenger found him, cutting short discussions with his lifelong friend Marcus about possible ways to mend the situation and instead dispatching him to carry out the ersatz errand. Once there Lucius would indeed be set upon by bandits as the Senate intended but, rather than being robbed and killed, he successfully managed to win them over to his cause. With a highly fortuitous trip to the future giving him the flash of insight needed to build around the volcanic hot springs Lucius was able erect a resort town right there in the shadow of the volcano. The plan to have him killed backfired entirely and the resort town not only became the talk of Rome, but also gave good jobs and reliable livelihoods to the bandits who'd previously lurked there.

This did not go unnoticed by Emperor Hadrian who, unbeknownst to Lucius, had actually been in the process of reaching-out to Livia during his false summons. Not knowing why his favored Thermae Architect had suddenly begun sending orders for supplies and laborers to be sent to the middle of nowhere the Emperor nonetheless approved the curious requests. If Lucius was up to what he thought he was then the situation might serve as a perfect example for Livia of the kind of impact that her husband's work has on the people of the Empire and, so, Hadrian was all-too-pleased to bring her with him to reunite the two. Through both his explanation and apology Livia was able to see that it was Hadrian's constant exploitation of Lucius' abilities that had stood in the way of their attempts to start a family. Furthermore, travelling with the Emperor let her gain a better understanding of just how far-reaching the benefits of the Thermae Lucius had constructed were, as well as all the work that went into their creation and construction. Upon their surprise arrival Lucius was caught completely flat-footed, stunned both by the sudden appearance of the Imperial retinue as well as the revelation that it wasn't actually Hadrian who told him to build the wellness center. The greatest surprise and greatest joy of all was the chance to be reunited with his wife Livia however, and Lucius wasted no time in apologizing for his neglectful and oblivious behavior towards her. Livia was also apologetic though, and expressed regret for being so hard on him for his work as well as how she'd come to see the importance of his work thanks to Hadrian's apologies. As the two committed themselves towards building a better future together the entire assembly was able to relax and take-in the splendor of the resort town together... and then Lucius woke up in the world of Pokémon.

Lucius is a man who carries the yoke of duty and legacy with him at all times. For him, the benefits that his work brings for both the Roman people and the world in general are beyond words, and he is a true believer in the healing powers that baths can bring to both the body and soul. Both his father and grandfather had spent their entire lives as Thermae (bathhouse) Builders, with his father even losing his life to a building accident in doing so, and Lucius carries on their passion for the craft in his career as a Thermae Architect.

A true worker bee, the more he succeeded in his work the more he lost his balance in the realm of work/life. For much of his career he unintentionally neglected his responsibilities on the homefront as well as his relationship with his wife Livia, causing a wedge to form between them. Thankfully, though, this rift was able to be mended by Emperor Hadrian's intervention. Apologizing for his near-constant monopolizing of her husband's talents, he explained all the good that the Thermae had helped to sew across the empire and promised to Lucius that he would be given the time he needed to repair his home life. Since then, though the Emperor's health has been in decline, Lucius and Livia have been able to grow closer together once more and work towards building a family.

Though he possesses a level of rigidity and prickliness over anything he considers to go against Roman values he is generally affable and helpful, willing to go above and beyond to help his fellow man and ready to see the good in even the most irredeemable of people. Brushing shoulders with everything from bandits to monarchs means that Lucius has grown quite capable in getting a read on those he meets (as well as being able to give voice to his opinions on those people should the situation need it) but even his most hot-blooded moments are still tempered by his good nature and willingness to give his time to others.

Despite his relatively unassuming occupation Lucius' travels have seen him develop a formidable arsenal of skills. Having spent years working in conflict areas, he was trained in many of the disciplines used by the Roman Legion. He has shown himself to quite capable with both unarmed combat and the use of sword and shield, as well as demonstrating remarkable talent with a bow. He's a capable artist and has a near-uncanny ability to disassemble and replicate things he sees in his mind, recreating even advanced machinery with little more than a moment to study it. This formidable mixture of skills is largely restrained by Lucius' humility however.

Much of the way Lucius perceives the world is the result of the beliefs he holds. As an adherent to the Cultus Deorum Romanum, the state religion of Ancient Rome, he believes in the presence of Di Immortales - The Gods of the Roman world. To help with understanding this interesting and ancient worldview a summation of the Roman belief system lays below, researched and presented in as understandable and grounded a manner as possible.

The ancient Romans believed that chthonic entities exerted influence upon nearly every element of the world, from things like water and fire to intangible elements such as tranquility and good fortune. Unlike the Gods of the Hellenistic pantheon the Roman Gods largely held a stance of disinterest towards the domain of men, only exerting their influence outright in situations where they'd been shown favor or disrespect, and it’s only through longtime nurture that a relationship was able to be forged between them and the people of Rome. The Gods of Rome were not static deities however, and grew and changed with the development of the spheres they governed. Between the many priesthoods and the myriad of individual household shrines each Roman was able to build a relationship with the Gods largely according to their own convictions.

While every individual venerated different Gods based on the lives they led there were a handful that played key parts in the religious practices of every Roman household. Through the Lararium, or home shrine, found in each house tribute was paid to specific Gods in addition to the Offeror's individual patrons, and this helped to show respect to everything from the land itself to familial ancestors. Janus, God of beginnings and gatekeeper of the Gods, was always given libation in rituals as his role was a key part of each and every rite undertaken. Vesta, goddess of the hearth and the home, was always given libation for the role she played in maintaining the hearth fire of the Lararium as well as being the entity through which burnt offerings were given. It was even believed that through the warmth and peace of her hearthfire the longevity of the household was maintained. The divine spark of each and every Roman was its own entity as well, and served as protector and nurturer to every individual life. Called either a Genius or Juno, these spirits were given libation in every rite undertaken on the Lararium to show appreciation for their touch upon the persons' life and to ask for their continued support. In addition to the spirit of the individual, every household was believed to host a pair of spirits who's responsibility it was to look after the home itself. These twins, called Lares (or Lar when referred to singularly), looked out for the home and everything in it and, so, were also vital parts of each and every offering given. This trio of personal spirits were collectively referred to as Penates and were respected as the Gods of Household Provision. Though lesser in stature and influence to deities like Janus or Vesta their importance to an individual's life was just as great, and so theirs was a relationship that was upheld universally but formed uniquely to each and every Roman.

Though their religion held the aspect of home worship to be vital, they still did possess Temples and Priesthoods in a similar vein to their Kemetistic and Hellenistic neighbors. While the practices of each God's individual priesthood would be as different as night-and-day the responsibilities held by each would be the same throughout the institution. Holidays, or Feriae, important to each respective God would be observed and officiated by their corresponding priesthoods, offerings would be given in ways believed to best please the patron, and omens and portents pertaining to the sphere of the given God would be divined. Through the combined efforts of these assorted priesthoods and through the daily rites of the many home temples a patron/client relationship was believed to have been formed between the people of Rome and the Gods they venerated. So long as this relationship was maintained a Pax Deorum, or Divine Peace, would be enjoyed by the people of the Empire. Whatever wars may rage good harvests, mild winters, and an overall element of safety and abundance would be assured for as long as this relationship endured.

While the influence of their Greek neighbors would inevitably bring a wilder and more fantastical lore to be associated with them the core of the Roman Gods was still far more chthonic than what their eastern cousins believed. Though the elaborate rites performed in their temples could certainly draw comparison between the two, the way an individual Roman interacted with their deities more closely resembled the practices of modern Shintoism than the beliefs held by any of their neighbors. While able to roused into anger through deliberate acts of disrespect the Gods of the Roman Pantheon were, as stated earlier, naturally neutral forces. Left to their own devices they would simply exist and, so, it's only through the relationship that they formed with the Roman people that they were able to receive veneration and libation.

As opposed to the carrot-and-stick theologies of many religions of both the ancient and modern world the Religio Romana was instead based upon simply understanding and living alongside the many Gods and spirits present in their world. As opposed to faiths where an ominous and ever-present purgatory awaited those who didn't adhere to the whims of the Gods there were no fixed or enforced beliefs about life after death in Ancient Rome. Rather, they believed that those who passed-on were simply able to be communicated with in the same manner as other spirits. In this way those spirits, called Di Manes, were able to continue to be communed with through the medium of libation and, so, were able to watch over their families and loved ones even after death. Admittedly the syncretism with many of the Hellenistic practices led some people to combine the afterlife of the Greek faith with that of the Roman, (contributing directly to works such as the Aeneid which draw liberally from both) but the core belief of the Cultus Deorum remained unchanged. Rather than facing eternal damnation those who actively displeased the Gods would instead have ill-fortune cast upon them through the sphere of whichever deities they'd angered. Those who disrespected Neptune could expect to encounter misfortune should they find themselves on the water just as those who displeased Mars could expect to come to disaster when it came to war. It was, functionally, a divine case of action-and-reaction but where the individual held full control over whether or not they transgressed.

Mild as the Gods may have been by comparison to many of their past and present counterparts, the importance of burial rites was a far harsher business. For those who were able to receive proper funerals it was a simple matter of crossing over to the other side but, for those who either died unjustly or who were denied these rites, the risk of being bound to the mortal plane as a trapped spirit was ever-present. These unfortunate souls, called Lemures, were doomed to roam the mortal plane until the situation of their death was rectified and often took to seeking pleasure by causing misfortune for the living. Lemures were formless and liminal, associated with darkness and its dread, and they were viewed with such seriousness that there was even an entire Feriae set aside for their appeasement.

With all the information of the temples and their protection of the Sacre Publica (Public Faith) and home worship's focus on venerating those Gods important to the lives of the individuals through the Sacre Privata (Private Faith) it's important to understand that the relationship between the people and the Gods was one built upon practicality. Though it may sound strange, one of of the best ways to understand how they interacted with the Gods would be to look at it through the lens of something akin to a formal dinner. The Lararium was prepared as a dedicated place for them (much like the seat and setting of the dinner), libations would be set aside in specific dishes with incense burnt to ensure good scents (just as the setting and dishes would be prepared within the home), and care would be taken not to directly handle the food and drink that was offered to them. Just as it would be remiss in the duties of a host to put their hands into their guests food, so too was that a concern present when making offerings to the Gods. The rites were delivered in as consummate and professional a manner as could be mustered, just like a host offering a toast to their guests, and the entire affair would parallel the sort of hospitality and care one would expect to see offered to an honored guest. The setting of the Shrine in a particular way and the offering of specific items as libation weren't given because they were inherently sacred either but, rather, because it was a taste that the Gods had enjoyed for thousands of years and was viewed as a pleasing thing to offer them.

Through their interaction with humanity the formless Gods were able to receive recognition and affirmation where there would normally be none, while the people of Rome were able to be secure in aspects of life over which their control would otherwise be nonexistent. Though dressed-up in millennia of ceremony the relationship between Rome and her Gods would always remain one of practicality and sense, where both parties stood to gain from the other. This symbiosis was a cornerstone of Roman belief and an ever-present part of what makes Lucius Modestus the man he is.