ACoalition of Ordered Governments (COG)Long before the Pendulum Wars, the Coalition of Ordered Governments existed only as an obscure world government philosophy, created by socialist politician Alexiy Desipich and based on eight guiding principle values: Order, Diligence, Purity, Labor, Honor, Loyalty, Faith, and Humanity. During the 79-year long Pendulum Wars, the COG grew into a legitimate, though minor, political party. The Pendulum Wars began soon after the discovery of Imulsion, a substance exploited for its energy applications. Nations with little Imulsion available waged war with those that had a surplus of it. The wars abruptly ended with "Emergence Day," when the Locust Horde began their attack. COG leaders were the only ones who took the steps needed to help humanity to survive, instituting martial law and taking charge of the effort against the Locust. Fourteen years later, the COG is the only form of government left on Sera, the world where Gears of War takes place.*Delta Squad*Marcus Fenix - The main protagonist of the series. He is first introduced as an inmate, serving a prison sentence for abandoning his military post in order to make a vain attempt to save his father, Adam Fenix. Fenix is noted for having a famed military career, during which he played a notable part in the Pendulum Wars. Despite this, Fenix is left for dead in a dilapidated penitentiary, until Dominic "Dom" Santiago, his friend and former comrade, saves him in the first act of Gears of War.Dominic Santiago - Introduced as a second playable character. Dom has a close friendship with Marcus, his longtime comrade. Like Marcus, he is a seasoned veteran with a strong sense for family, and often thinks of his wife Maria.Augustus Cole - Goes by the name of "Cole Train" is a COG soldier that serves under Marcus Fenix. He is often recognized by characters in the game for his previous career as a "thrashball" defensive lineman. Cole possesses a vibrant and often outspoken character, and is extremely enthusiastic in combat. Cole, along with Baird, is member of Alpha squad, but joins Delta squad during the events of Gears of War.Damon Baird - A cynical and reluctant soldier, whose main strengths lie in his intelligence. During the events of Gears of War, he appears as a sarcastic soldier, that takes and makes jokes. He is initially a member of Alpha squad, but is folded into Delta squad. He is highly knowledgeable about the Locust Horde and, for this reason, he is a great asset to his squad. Among other things, he also excels in mechanics, hacking and other repair-related tasks, such as repairing a damaged APC and hacking into geobots. Early in Gears of War, Baird expresses disdain for Fenix, and indicates that he thinks he should have been promoted to lead Delta squad. However, Fenix quickly earns his respect through his battlefield leadership.*Other COGS*Minh Young Kim - A strictly by-the-book soldier, who closely follows the COG's rules and code of conduct. Early in Gears of War, Hoffman entrusts Kim to lead Fenix and the rest of Delta squad to locate Alpha squad. He is killed by General RAAM while attempting to hold off the Locust ambush from the rest of Delta squad.Anthony Carmine - Along with Lieutenant Kim, is one of the original members of Delta squad, and he possesses a bright and gung-ho attitude. He serves with Delta squad through earlier segments of Gears of War, but is shot in the head and killed by a Locust sniper while complaining about a weapon malfunction.Victor Hoffman - Commands Fenix and Delta squad. He frequently communicated with Delta squad throughout Gears of War. Early in Gears of War, Hoffman is reluctant to reinstate Fenix into the military. However, given the COG's dwindling number of armed forces, he allows Fenix to fight.Anya Stroud - Is the dispatch girl of Delta Squad. She is usually detailing location information through radio for Marcus, Dom, or Kim particularly where to go next.The StrandedThe Stranded are the human survivors of E-Day living outside of Jacinto. They live in poor conditions, ravaged by war and suffering from malnutrition. Their former way of life was destroyed when the COG enacted a scorched earth strategy to stop the Locust assaults. This course of action led the Stranded to refer to COGs as fascist pigs. The Gears and the Stranded do not get along well, but will occasionally fight together against their common enemy, the Locust Horde.Franklin - A Stranded that has come into possession of a Junker APC critical to the Gears. Dom acquires the Junker from Franklin by "calling in a favor." He spends most of the Nightfall act in Gears of War guiding Dom and Fenix through the ruined city and two checkpoints to Chaps' Aspho Gas Station. He is also the one helping Dom find a mysterious "lady" (Santiago's missing wife, Maria Santiago).Hanley - A drunken Stranded who is situated at Checkpoint Two, on the way to Chaps' Gas Station. Marcus and Dom make their way to Checkpoint Two where they give Jack to Hanley, in order to help them traverse the darkness. Hanley guides Marcus and Dom through various buildings and streets whilst they make their way to the gas station.Chaps - An elderly, foul-mouthed Stranded who runs the gas station where Franklin's Junker is parked. He supplies ammo and cover at the arrival of Fenix and Dom. When the Locust Horde ambush the gas station, he fights alongside Fenix and Dom. He also accompanies Fenix and Dom on the highway as they drive the Junker back to the Stranded base camp, giving notices as to which directions Kryll attack from during their run.Locust HordeThe Locust Horde is a collection of various species. Most of them are humanoid, while others are distinctly bestial, varying in size and shape. The Horde inhabited the subterranean regions of Sera, until Emergence Day, when they emerged across the surface in a massive, overwhelming attack against the human population. The Locust Horde inhabits extensive underground tunnel networks that honeycomb the crust of the planet Sera, known collectively as "the Hollow". They are the antagonist's of the game.Locust Queen - Character was never seen during the course of the game. At various times throughout the game, narration is provided by an unknown female character, somehow affiliated with the Locust Horde. Her voice is heard during the opening cinematic, the death of Lt. Kim, and the end-game sequence, as well as during split-screen or online multiplayer when playing as the Locust.General Raam - The primary antagonist and final boss of Gears of War. He is a savage, cunning, and mostly silent Locust general with a dark cinematic presence. RAAM is the tallest character in the game, standing well above the height of COG and Locust soldiers. He is also extremely strong, being able to carry and operate a Troika machine gun by himself. He is killed by Fenix and Dom before they plant the data to activate the Lightmass Bomb.
