Character Spotlight #31-Vae Victis (#4 Villain Series)
In this Character Spotlight, learn about Vae Victis and Darien Sills-Evans, the voice behind Vae Victis (also Austin Rake and Dr. Joseph Manning).
Meet Francois Sanon aka 'Vae Victis'
Fleet Admiral François Sanon was known as "Vae Victis": "woe to the vanquished" in Old Latin. He was one of the United Colonies most feared military leaders during the Colony War. When the UC settlement of Londinion suffered a Terrormorph outbreak, he infamously ordered that the city's spaceport be destroyed to prevent the outbreak from spreading off-world, a decision that doomed the remaining UC personnel and civilians on the surface. When the war ended in 2311 with the Armistice, the Freestar Collective required that the UC place all of its active commanders on trial for war crimes. Fleet Admiral Sanon was one of the three UC officers who were found guilty in these trials and sentenced to death.
The UC officially claimed to have executed Sanon, but this was only a cover story. He was secretly imprisoned for life, and continued to serve the UC as a military advisor as of 2330. Operating only through a secure terminal link inside Subsection Seven. Sanon provides intelligence to the player while his continued existence remains hidden from the public and most UC leadership.
Sanon has one "child", a female clone of himself named Hadrian Sanon, and may also be related to the deceased Trajan Sanon honored on the Colony War Memorial in New Atlantis.
Meet Darien Sills-Evans
Darien Sills-Evans is an American actor, writer, comedian, director, and producer known for his versatility across film, television, and video games. He first came to prominence through his recurring roles as Darien on the CBS sitcom Cosby and Dr. Fields on NBC’s Third Watch, showcasing both comedic timing and dramatic range.
In addition to acting, he has written and directed independent films such as X-Patriots, and has appeared in or produced other acclaimed projects including The Reception and Rivers Wash Over Me. His voice acting career includes notable performances in major video games, where he brings depth and intensity to his characters.
Among his gaming credits are roles in Starfield (the voices of Vae Victis, Austin Rake, and Dr. Joseph Manning), Days Gone (James Weaver), Ruined King: A League of Legends Story (Pyke), and Horizon Forbidden West (Lawan and Ragurt).
With a career spanning more than two decades, Sills-Evans continues to build a dynamic body of work across multiple creative fields.
About the author
I'm a gamer gal who loves Starfield. My main explorer is Michaela Roriston. Aside from taking lots of photos during exploration adventures, I also write Starfield fanfic.
Those works can be found here: Starfield Mori series on AO3
I also admin one of the best Facebook Starfield groups out there. We're a small and friendly group of gamers. The Starfield Pals group is small but one of the most active groups. We're always welcoming new friendly explorers. Come join us! Starfield Pals
Loved this guy's voice work for Vae Victis. It's the perfect blend of commanding and cunning with an obvious but subtle sinister undercurrent.
I am always on the fence about ratting him out. In fact, on my latest play through, I kept him alive in case he might be worked into the story line against the Terran Armada. That would be an amazing tie-in that the UC would consider if things ever got desperate.