Hadrian Marlowe
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- Birth Date ISD 16117.09.29
- Species Human
- Ethnicity Sollan Imperial
- Caste Palatine
- Blood Type AB+
- Aliases Hadrian Halfmortal
- Home Planet Delos
- Affiliation Sollan Empire
- Introduced In Empire of Silence
- Birth Date ISD 16117.09.29
- Species Human
- Ethnicity Sollan Imperial
- Caste Palatine
- Blood Type AB+
- Aliases Hadrian Halfmortal
- Titles Bearer of the Grass Crown
- Home Planet Delos
- Affiliation Sollan Empire
- Introduced In Empire of Silence
Well she remembered when she had first laid eyes on him, the day the Cielcin attacked Emesh. He’d had no military background, no real experience with the xenobites before that day, but he had volunteered to dive into the tunnels after the enemy. He had negotiated their surrender—the first surrender of Cielcin to man in three hundred years of war…
— reflection by Jinan Azhar[1]
Hadrian Anaxander Marlowe, also known as Hadrian Halfmortal, was born on Delos, decanted on ISD 16117.09.29. He is the eldest child of Archon Aleister (Alistair) Marlowe and Lady Liliana Kephalos-Marlowe, noble-born and destined for a life of privilege and control within the Palatine class of the Sollan Empire. However, Hadrian defied his family's expectations and embarked on a journey that would shape the course of human history and lead him to become the infamous figure known as The Sun Eater.
Appearance and Personality
Appearance
Hadrian cuts an imposing figure with a tall, lean frame, violet eyes, and long black hair. As a Palatine, he is genetically modified to be physically superior—immune to most diseases and resistant to aging. His typical attire consists of black and red suits which pay homage to his noble lineage, but his appearance evolves over time to reflect his many roles and journey's. Hadrian carries himself with a quiet confidence and an almost palpable magnetism.
Personality
Hadrian is charming, thoughtful, and deeply philosophical with a subtle wit and a calm demeanor. Despite his aristocratic upbringing, he is empathetic and questions the rigid hierarchy of his empire, naively thinking he can easily change it. His personality evolves throughout the series, shaped by his experiences in war, loss, betrayal, and his divine revelations. Hadrian often reflects the influence of key characters in his life and throughout the series. For example, Hadrian often finds himself using the same stern and cold demeanor of his father, the quiet patience of Kharn Sagara, or the strategic teachings of Tor Gibson.
Full series spoliers below, proceed with caution.
Official Art
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Shadows Upon Time Cover Art — Kieran Yanner
Attributes and Abilities
This section should list the character's skills, knowledge, and abilities, particularly any magical/superhuman abilities, that represent the character in the relevant book.
Relationships
Dramatis Personae
This section should begin with list of relationships identified by the author's Dramatis Personae, plus any other characters linked to this character.
- Valka Onderra (paramour)
- Tor Gibson (tutor)
- Pallino of Trieste (sworn armsman)
- Crispin Marlowe (brother)
- Aleister Marlowe (father)
- Liliana Kephalos-Marlowe (mother)
Following this list, provide a description of the character's interactions with other characters in the series. Describe their effect on the article subject's personality and story arc.
Valka Onderra
Tor Gibson
History
Preceding the Books
Early Life
Hadrian Marlowe is the firstborn son of Aleister Marlowe, Lord of Devil's Rest and head of House Marlowe, and Lady Liliana Kephalos Marlowe, daughter of Her Grace Elmira Gwendolyn Kephalos, the Duchess of Delos. Born into one of the Sollan Empire's most prestigious bloodlines, his life was marked by both privilege and hardship. Despite his privileged birth, Hadrian’s relationship with his parents who had no love for each other was strained; with a mother who preferred the company of women, rarely spending time with her children Lady Liliana was absent for a majority of Hadrian's upbringing. While Lord Aleister Marlowe did not want a son but an heir, someone stern, ruthless and someone that would do anything to farther perpetuate House Marlowe through the Sollan Empire's hierarchy. His early years were spent on Delos, where he was educated in history and philosophy from Tor Gibson, the only person who has been showing him kindness and someone Hadrian sees more as a father than his biological one. Hadrian also received combat training from Sir Felix Martyn, the castellan and commander of the house guard, preparing him for a future as a noble leader.
In Empire of Silence
Visit the Empire of Silence Summary page to read an in-depth recap. For further reading, see Chapter Summaries (Empire of Silence)
In The Lesser Devil (Novella)
In Howling Dark
Visit the Howling Dark Summary page to read an in-depth recap. For further reading, see Chapter Summaries (Howling Dark)
In Queen Amid Ashes (Novella)
In Demon in White
Visit the Demon in White Summary page to read an in-depth recap. For further reading, see Chapter Summaries (Demon in White)
In Kingdoms of Death
Visit the Kingdoms of Death Summary page to read an in-depth recap. For further reading, see Chapter Summaries (Kingdoms of Death)
In Ashes of Man
Visit the Ashes of Man Summary page to read an in-depth recap. For further reading, see Chapter Summaries (Ashes of Man)
In The Dregs of Empire (Novella)
In Disquiet Gods
Visit the Disquiet Gods Summary page to read an in-depth recap. For further reading, see Chapter Summaries (Disquiet Gods)
In Tales of the Sun Eater & Other Stories
This section should describe the known life of the character, divided by short stories into subheaders like below.
The Demons of Arae
Divide information by story; one header for every short story.
Trivia
- Out-of-universe facts, in a list.
- Remember to cite sources.
See Also
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- Only link pages that don't appear frequently in the text above.
Notes and References
- Hadrian Marlowe, Willing Conscript, Patreon Trading Card A001 - Lore Snippet
Index
This section contains a list of chapters wherein the character was mentioned or present, divided by novel.
The Dregs of Empire (Novella)
Mentioned: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18.
Present: N/A.
Tales of the Sun Eater & Other Stories
Mentioned: The Dragonslayers, Kill the King, The Four Devils, After the Feast, Guns of Pharos.
Present: The Demons of Arae, The Night Captain, The Pits of Emesh, Daughter of Swords, The Fangs of Oannos, The Royal Game.
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