Triumvirate Holdings

Lore & Background

The lore surrounding Triumvirate Holdings in The Tower of Nero centers on its deceptive nature and its ultimate goal. The group operates with the stated intention of releasing the deadly Python, a creature whose power threatens to consume the world. While the entity appears to be led by Roman emperors Nero, Commodus, and Julius Caesar (referred to as Caligula), the truth is far more sinister: Nero himself admits he is merely a pawn being used by Python. The group's power structure relies on this deception; if Nero were killed, the entire Triumvirate's power would transfer to Python, making the serpent nearly impossible to destroy. This dynamic forces a choice upon Nero between fighting a hopeless battle and dying or living in prison, highlighting that the true architects of the conflict are the ancient monsters rather than the human emperors.

In Their Own Story

The story of Triumvirate Holdings unfolds during the climax at the Tower of Nero. After Apollo and his allies disable the Greek fire vats and a Sassanid gas trap, Nero makes a desperate move to release the poison anyway using the correct remote. At this critical moment, Will Solace, Rachel Dare, Lu, and the troglodyte leader arrive with the emperor's fasces. Confronted by their success in disabling the traps, Nero is forced to reveal the truth: he is not as powerful as he claims and is being used as a pawn by Python. He explains that his death would transfer all of the Triumvirate's power directly to Python. Faced with this revelation, Nero chooses to fight a hopeless battle against Apollo. During their struggle over the fasces, Lester (Apollo) uses his godly powers to revoke Nero's divinity and immortality before breaking the fasces, killing Nero and dismantling the human leadership of the group.

Reader's Guide

For readers navigating The Tower of Nero, understanding Triumvirate Holdings requires recognizing its true leaders and their motivations. The entity is led by Nero, Commodus, and Julius Caesar (Caligula), but functions primarily as a vessel for Python's power. Key moments to note include the revelation that Nero is a pawn, the condition that killing him transfers all power to Python, and the ultimate resolution where Apollo breaks the fasces to strip Nero of his divinity. The group's threat level is tied directly to the release of Python; their initial plan involves unleashing this ancient serpent to destroy the world. Readers should note that the entity does not function as a benevolent organization for demigods but as a malevolent force threatening global chaos, ultimately defeated through the revocation of Nero's immortality and the destruction of his fasces.

Did You Know?

• Triumvirate Holdings is led by Nero, Commodus, and Julius Caesar, whom Apollo refers to as Caligula.
• The group's ultimate plan involves releasing the ancient and deadly Python to cause chaos.
• Nero admits he is a pawn of Python; if Nero dies, all Triumvirate power transfers to the serpent.
• Apollo defeats Nero by revoking his divinity and immortality before breaking the emperor's fasces.
• The troglodytes successfully disable both the Greek fire vats and the Sassanid gas trap intended by the group.