Fitchner au Barca
MajorA Gold man with an unfortunate pinched hatchet face, narrow brow, and yellow hair that sits messy and slicked back. His cat-like eyes appear tired and ringed despite any cosmetics, while his veiny thin hands often rest on a growing stomach paunch that strains his frame despite skinny arms. He moves with surprising speed and grace in golden gravBoots, a razor hilt always at hand, and is most often seen in a black tunic or uniform striped with gold bearing a two-headed wolf badge and a strange hand mark on the cuff, habitually chewing gum with a lazy smirk.
Fitchner au Barca begins in Red Rising as the Proctor of House Mars, a seemingly slovenly Gold whose cat-like eyes and gum-chewing demeanor mask his secret allegiance to the rising lowColors and his hidden identity as father to Sevro. Across the series, he evolves into the revolutionary leader Ares in Golden Son, shedding his proctor facade to mentor Darrow directly within the Sons of Ares while shouldering the burdens of a sprawling rebellion. His arc deepens through tragic sacrifices and revelations that expose his vulnerabilities, cementing him as the flawed, jovial heart of the uprising whose actions irrevocably shape Darrow's path from Institute survivor to revolutionary force.
Physical Description
A Gold man with an unfortunate pinched hatchet face, narrow brow, and yellow hair that sits messy and slicked back. His cat-like eyes appear tired and ringed despite any cosmetics, while his veiny thin hands often rest on a growing stomach paunch that strains his frame despite skinny arms. He moves with surprising speed and grace in golden gravBoots, a razor hilt always at hand, and is most often seen in a black tunic or uniform striped with gold bearing a two-headed wolf badge and a strange hand mark on the cuff, habitually chewing gum with a lazy smirk. Fitchner au Barca cuts a gruff figure in his 40s, with slumped shoulders that speak of endured hardships. His rugged Gold features can seem repugnant to some, yet he moves with a jovial pace or trails thoughtfully behind. Often smiling sadly, his presence is watchful and grounded, clad in practical attire suited to a life in rebellion.
Gallery
Book 1: Red Rising
Evolution
Red Rising
A Gold man with an unfortunate pinched hatchet face, narrow brow, and yellow hair that sits messy and slicked back. His cat-like eyes appear tired and ringed despite any cosmetics, while his veiny thin hands often rest on a growing stomach paunch that strains his frame despite skinny arms. He moves with surprising speed and grace in golden gravBoots, a razor hilt always at hand, and is most often seen in a black tunic or uniform striped with gold bearing a two-headed wolf badge and a strange hand mark on the cuff, habitually chewing gum with a lazy smirk.
- Serves as Proctor of House Mars, overseeing Darrow's trials with a watchful eye
- Secretly aids Darrow's rise through subtle interventions and support
- Maintains a deceptive Gold persona marked by his pinched face, gravBoots, and wolf badge
- Hides his role as father to Sevro au Barca while operating in the shadows
Golden Son
Fitchner au Barca, known as Ares, the Bronzie Rage Knight, emerges as Darrow's mentor within the Sons of Ares, guiding him from raw recruit to revolutionary force with gruff wisdom and hidden vulnerabilities. His slumped, repugnant form belies a profound commitment to the lowColors' uprising, pacing jovially through shadows while harboring secrets that strain his bonds. In the end, his tragic sacrifices and revelations reshape Darrow's path, cementing Fitchner as the flawed heart of the rebellion.
- Revealed as Ares, the Bronzie Rage Knight and leader of the Sons of Ares
- Mentors Darrow from raw recruit to key revolutionary operative with gruff wisdom
- Collaborates with Dancer on rebellion strategies while pacing through hidden bases
- Endures strained family revelations with son Sevro amid growing uprising tensions
- Makes profound sacrifices that reshape Darrow's destiny and expose his vulnerabilities
Relationships
Begins as a secretive professional ally and Proctor who subtly aids Darrow at the Institute; evolves into a direct mentor and father-figure as Ares, guiding him through the Sons of Ares with shared revolutionary zeal until tragic events deepen their bond
Maintains a hidden father-son bond initially concealed during the Institute; evolves into a strained yet loyal relationship after Sevro discovers Fitchner's identity as Ares, marked by mutual respect amid rebellion duties
Serves as co-conspirator and fellow Sons of Ares leader, sharing operational burdens in the lowColor uprising with growing trust forged through joint planning and sacrifices
Key Events
Book Appearances
Red Rising
First appears Ch 13
Golden Son
First appears Ch 13