Short answers, pulled from the story.
Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix was born in Rome around 138 BC into a branch of the patrician gens Cornelia that had fallen to poverty. His father died when he was still a teenager, leaving him with little money and no political power.
Plutarch mentions two inheritances: one from his stepmother who loved him dearly and another from his mistress Nicopolis. Classicist Arthur Keaveney accepts these inheritances as historical events occurring around Sulla's thirtieth year.
Sulla served under Marius as quaestor starting in 108 BC and proved popular with men and officers alike while winning popularity from other commanders including Marius himself. He successfully concluded negotiations with Bocchus I of Mauretania to secure the capture of Jugurtha and the king's rendition to Marius's camp.
Troops willing to follow Sulla realized plans deserted except quaestor kinsman almost certainly Lucius Licinius Lucullus killed Marcus Gratidius one Marius legates when attempted effect transfer command. The Senate people appalled immediately sent embassy demanding explanation seeming march fatherland responded boldly saying freeing tyrants.
Puteoli not long into year died according ancient sources engaged public business town learnt one municipal magistrates embezzling funds town treasury brought man before shouted orders have strangled exertion shout caused suffer oral haemorrhage consistent symptoms acute liver failure died next day. Body then cremated ashes placed tomb Campus Martius epitaph composed himself inscribed tomb reading No friend ever served enemy wronged repaid full Plutarch claimed seen personal motto carved tomb Campus Martius no better friend worse enemy.