Jackal

Lore & Background

Adrius au Augustus serves as the leader of House Pluto during the events at the Institute on Mars. His reputation is built on a foundation of sheer cruelty; he employs violent tactics of conquest that starkly contrast with the more strategic approaches of his peers. The Society, a rigid hierarchy where Golds rule over 13 other Colors, fosters this aggression in its youth. Adrius's father, Nero Augustus, holds the position of ArchGovernor on Mars and is known for orchestrating Eo's public execution, an act that sets the protagonist Darrow on his path of revenge. The Institute itself functions as a training ground where students are paired off to fight to the death in 'The Passage' before engaging in massive medieval-style warfare across recreated regions of Valles Marineris. In this environment, Adrius rises as a formidable opponent, utilizing his house's strength and his own ruthlessness to outmaneuver rivals like House Mars, which is led by Darrow under the alias 'Darrow au Andromedus.'

In Their Own Story

The conflict between House Mars and House Pluto intensifies when rumors surface that The Jackal leads Pluto. In a massive recreated medieval region within Valles Marineris, Darrow manipulates House Minerva to defeat Titus's faction before turning his attention to the threat posed by Adrius. The Jackal sends a video directly to Cassius au Bellona, revealing that Darrow killed Cassius's brother, Julian, during The Passage. This revelation enrages Cassius, leading him to duel and stab Darrow, leaving him for dead while usurping control of House Mars. Later in the Institute's final stages, Darrow traps The Jackal. In a desperate bid to escape captivity, Adrius amputates his own hand to free himself from restraints or bonds. Although Darrow's army conquers other houses like Ceres and Apollo, the Proctors intervene to help The Jackal counterattack and escape. This betrayal by the Proctors, who had been bribed by Nero Augustus to ensure Adrius's victory, leads Darrow to storm their base, 'Olympus,' using anti-gravity boots to free Mustang and capture the Proctors themselves.

Reader's Guide

Adrius au Augustus operates as a high-value target and a strategic rival within the Institute. His leadership of House Pluto is characterized by an aggressive style that prioritizes domination over diplomacy. For readers tracking his narrative arc, key moments include the transmission of evidence regarding Julian's death to Cassius, which fractures Darrow's alliances, and the self-mutilation event where he amputates his hand to escape capture. His survival through Proctor intervention highlights the corruption within the Institute's administration, as Nero Augustus bribes officials to guarantee his son's success. Unlike other leaders who rely on standard military tactics or political maneuvering alone, The Jackal combines physical brutality with psychological warfare, using information (the video to Cassius) and extreme measures (self-amputation) to maintain his position. His relationship with his twin sister, Virginia 'Mustang' au Augustus, is complicated; while she eventually dutifully delivers him to Darrow after House Mars conquers all others, their dynamic shifts from rivalry to a form of familial duty under the pressure of the Institute's conclusion.

Did You Know?

• Adrius is the twin brother of Virginia 'Mustang' au Augustus, leader of House Minerva.
• He earned the nickname 'The Jackal' due to his cruel and violent tactics of conquest at the Institute.
• In a desperate escape attempt after being trapped by Darrow, The Jackal amputated his own hand.
• His father, Nero Augustus, bribed the Proctors specifically to ensure that Adrius would win the Institute.
• Adrius sent a video revealing Darrow killed Julian to Cassius, which caused Cassius to duel and nearly kill Darrow.