Red Rising Saga · Character

Pliny au Velocitor

Also known as Pliny, Pliny au Augeus

Supporting
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 36

Pliny au Velocitor is a shadowy Politico in Red Rising Saga (Book 1).

Gender: male
Age: adult
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 36
Books: 3

Pliny au Velocitor begins as a shadowy Politico and former tutor to Mustang, emerging in Golden Son as a strikingly elegant, feline Gold whose delicate appearance masks a ruthless political predator. In the second book he orchestrates a coup against Nero au Augustus, betrays the ArchGovernor, and attempts to marry Mustang while eliminating her brother, only to be thwarted by Darrow. By Iron Gold, Pliny’s legacy persists as the source of intelligence that lures the Rising into a trap at the Dockyards of Ganymede, demonstrating how his machinations continue to ripple through the solar system long after his apparent defeat.

Description

The only visual impression the text supplies is of a ghastly man. His build, coloring, hair, eyes, facial features, clothing, and age are not specified, so a more detailed portrait would be invention. Pliny au Augeus appears as a beautiful, slender Gold with smooth skin as flawless as a Pink's and a thin but pleasingly muscular build that suggests grace over brute strength. His coiled and scented hair is bound in a tight complicated braid behind him. Large glittering golden eyes peer out from beneath extravagant peacock-like eyelashes that dominate his face along with a pointed hawkish nose and thin lips coated in muted or serious black lipstick that often form a reptilian smile. He wears a too-tight embroidered silk tunic or severe dark coat accented by a dragonfly pin, presenting an elegant, almost feline noble whose delicate kittenish appearance belies the ruthless political predator within. Slender man with skin as smooth as a Pink's, glittering eyes, extravagant eyelashes, thin lips with muted lipstick, pointed nose and hawkish features. Hair in tight complicated braid. Long-fingered hands. Wears severe clothing with sparse accoutrements. No physical traits are described for Pliny au Velocitor in the supplied chapter information. His build, face, coloring, hair, eyes, clothing, and manner are unspecified.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Nero au Augustusadvisor
Serves as Nero’s chief political advisor, counseling peace with Octavia to preserve the family’s power. When Nero rejects this advice and chooses war, Pliny betrays him, shifting from trusted counselor to traitor.
Octavia au Lunepolitical ally
Forms a secret alliance with the Sovereign: Pliny agrees to help secure peace and restructure Mars in exchange for legitimacy and position. This pact collapses with Pliny’s defeat.
Adrius au Augustuspolitical enemy
Pliny undermines Adrius’s standing with Nero and elevates Leto as heir. Adrius recruits Darrow to help dismantle Pliny’s influence, cementing their mutual hostility.
Darrow of Lykosconflicting source relationships
Begins as a wary political rival in Nero’s council; escalates to open confrontation when Pliny betrays Augustus and attempts to seize power. Darrow ultimately dismantles Pliny’s coup and kills him, ending their rivalry.

Story so far

BOOK 1Red Rising
- Mentioned only as Mustang’s unsettling tutor turned Politico, establishing his early reputation for cunning.
- No direct appearance; his significance is implied through second-hand references.
BOOK 2Golden Son
- Appears at the gala as Nero’s chief political advisor, directing Darrow’s introductions.
- Betrays Nero by allying with Octavia au Lune, promising peace in exchange for power on Mars.
- Plots to marry Mustang and eliminate her brother Leto to secure his own influence.
- Confronted and defeated by Darrow, ending his attempted coup on Mars.
BOOK 4Iron Gold
- Referenced posthumously as the source of intelligence that sets a trap at the Dockyards of Ganymede.
- His earlier betrayals continue to shape military outcomes years after his death.