John Gaius is along with Lia the main protagonist of Empire's Edge. Born as the son of an aristocrat and a noble woman who died shortly, he was adopted by the Emperor of the Roman Empire and groomed to be a candidate for the throne. He however left the Empire and was caught in a crossfire between rebels and the Roman army. He forms an alliance with the young woman Lia who has her own reasons for rebelling against the Empire. Because both of them are highly intelligent and have similar world views they are able to accomplish great things together and make a highly effective team.