by  bigdad
Before he met Phaeos Gladio was a typical Ratao . Basic athletic skills, a learned dancer and novice in the erotic arts as taught by his mother. Gladio had many visual examples to learn from.
He never knew his father, it was one of his mother's many many lovers, and he lacked a father figure in his life until phaeos came along.
He wasn't a bad guy, but his skills deffinately put him on par with a future bard or rouge and not a knight, certianly not a paladin. He was a dancer, a pickpocket, a singer, and a submissive for hire.

"hello Mr. adventurer, I need a few deer pelts for my next costume, if you bring me five I'll pay you 20 silver, and a new set of boots from the left over hide."