<div align="center">(http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m357/yuniebee/thedomina.jpg)<br/><br/>Name: Valeria Caerellia Renate<br/>Age: 32(ish)<br/>Gender: Female<br/>Height: 5'7”<br/><br/>Position in Ludus/Society: Domina – wedded 'with manus' </div><br/><strong>Appearance</strong>: Valeria prefers to style her hair absent the presence of fashionable and highly popular wigs, unless the rare mood happens to strike her for a bolder colour change. Yet she still wears her long, naturally waved and almost black hair in the same styles of such wigs. As the Domina of the household, she likes to make sure her status is very well known through her choice of colourfully dyed and often very expensive, imported materials. Her long neck, toned arms, delicate wrists and pierced ears, are rarely absent elaborate jewellery in gold and bronze; colours that enhance her bronzed skin and overall healthy complexion. She is not however, absent scars. Childbirth may have marked her widely bearing hips, but she is lucky enough to resume an overall, hourglass figure. The latest fashions suit her womanly figure well, hugging each shapely curve while leather braided belts proudly display the dip of her waist.<br/>Her facial features mix typical Roman with her mixed heritage from native Carthage and Hispaniae roots. The bone structure sharply moulded to add definition to jaw and cheeks, while the curved nose has a slight bump at the bridge. Darks brows are natural and thick, accentuating wide and narrow eyes whose lashes are thickly spread. The upper lip pouts further than the lower, but both serve as succulent cushions beneath which lies a small, lightly pointed chin. A healthy diet has enriched the quality of her skin, yet she is starting to show the subtle effects of age. Most noticeably, the short lines that appear at the corners of her mouth when she smiles.<br/><br/><strong>Personality</strong>: Valeria simply adores the arena; nothing can get her self-indulgent pulse racing more than watching the gladiators who bear the mark of her husband's Ludus, competing against the numerous rival establishments. More so should they bring victory and honour to the family 'business'. This is exactly how she views both Ludus and more specifically, the Gladiators; they are expendable objects and yet, they are also vital to the income of the household. Their victories pay for the fine clothes she wears, the food at the banquets she often likes to hold, and the milk baths she occasionally likes to indulge. As such, she likes to observe the gladiator's training from the surrounding Ludus balconies. Having married far below her station, she finds no harm in showing interest or letting advice slip from her tongue. It has become her own duty to ensure that all aspects of her household run smoothly, including the Ludus. Often she will raise conversation about the future of the warrior-slaves to her husband, should one be performing poorly or incredibly well. Insisting that one be sent to the mines would never phase her, neither would bestowing the title of Champion on another. Sometimes she may even tire of one Gladiator and request that another instead be given opportunity. The two-faced Valeria may favour a Champion for as long as the crowd does, but she also believes that all gladiator's should have the making for that title. If anything, she strongly dislikes a man who cannot prove himself worthy of any title, even the most simplest expectations of his gender. Physical and mental weakness are not favourable with her either.<br/><br/>As an aristocratic woman raised with certain needs, Valeria finds no shame whatsoever in admitting her pleasure. Or her fastidious love of cleanliness, hygiene, refinement and good order. Behind the outer beauty is a cunningly intellectual mind. A meticulous and analytical perfectionist, often pedantic, highly precise, but also overly critical in her approach to life. Sometimes she may give the first impression of being a conventional and even quite prudish wife; a dark horse impression which tends to cause a shocking discovery, upon furthered acquaintance.<br/><br/><strong>History</strong>: Aside from the background roots in Carthage on her mother's side, Valeria comes from a very Roman upbringing in the reformed Hispania. In fact, grew up in the Roman 'Hispania Tarraconensis' province. As with most young women of good-breeding, her father arranged her marriage to an aspiring senate as soon as she came of age. Hence she was whisked away to follow and support her husband's ambitions, in the Senatorial province of Baetica to the far, far South. A journey that should have dictated the remainder of her life in the provincial capital of Corduba, only her wild and youthful ways did not sit well with overtly serious husband. In essence, she was spoilt by the lifestyles of the rich, which only succeeded in exhilerating her need to seek pleasurable entertainment. The marriage struggled after the first year, slowly descending further and further into a weak facade of bliss. Once a very healthy total of three sufficient heirs were provided and schooled, the husband saw fit to end the marriage based on claims towards adultery. This was further supported by Valeria's attendence at banquets and bath houses without permission from husband. She therefore bargained for mutual divorce terms, based on the fact that her husband insinuated adultery, but had no solid proof on the matter. As there were offspring, he kept her dowry, pre-nuptial gift and 1/3 of her property to be preserved for the children. Valeria meanwhile, attempted to reclaim her life in Corduba, but rumours were ripe and her reputation was severely damaged. Therefore a shamed and financially unstable woman made the second life-changing decision to take the long journey home to Tarraco, leaving behind a family she was no longer at liberty to see again.<br/><br/>The challenge of finding a second husband was presented by many opportunities, though marriage was rarely on the agenda. Few men fancied an older wife for their beds when there were young, ripe daughters to have. Time upon time again she almost fell into the demeaning trap of frequent mistress. Though Valeria held her head raised high, she also did not wish to dip her toes into the world of politics again, fearing her reputation may have shadowed her to Tarraco, small as the world often could be. Opportunity presented itself as she lowered her sights to a match far beneath her station; a Lanista. A match that her father greatly favoured and partially arranged., Not only to rid her from his property once and for all though. Lanista Manius Sertorius Africanus carried exploits and traits which were considered valuable in a more permanent, calmer, and grounded match this time. As was the potential in the rising popularity of the Roman Gladiator business which Valeria's father gave patronage towards. Valeria would be well cared for in a decent social position, but not, as her father beleived, overtly spoilt. Then the match was also aided by the simpler fact that Valeria brought with her a wealth of previous experience and knowledge. Not only about Tarraco, but also when it came to the finer gentilities of socialising for personal gain. Not to mention a second dowry that implanted a surge of financial security into the early years of the Ludus.<br/><br/>