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Post by Gandalf on May 4, 2022 6:30:04 GMT -5
Will edit with more info when I have time but for now just some rough sketches of what to expect. Might add a poll if no consensus.
Republic:
Sulla’s civil war as a soft reboot of the previous setting with the option to have timeskipped characters; I can draw a timeline or write a blurb as needed. Effectively Cinna’s Marians vs Partisans of Sulla/anti populists. Expect and plan for your characters to die.
Principate:
I am partial to the accession of Augustus or a setting following the death of Nero. Both allow for a ‘soft reboot’ with minimal clutter in the form of imperial dynasts.
Late Empire:
Crisis of the Third Century, maybe post Aurelian’s death with the army having to appoint a successor to rebuild the reunited empire. Again, expect characters to die frequently.
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Post by Gandalf on May 17, 2022 13:40:32 GMT -5
(A setting blurb I found in my docs that detailed an ahistorical setting that began in the aftermath of Teutoberg. It also comes with some rules.)
In the aftermath of the Varian disaster in 9AD, Augustus dies of a heart attack in shock at the loss of his legions and much of Germania to Arminius. With the unpopular heir presumptive Tiberius on campaign in Illyria with the young Germanicus, the opportunity presents itself for the partisans of the disgraced but popular ‘people’s princess’ Julia to claim her son Agrippa’s stolen birthright as the blood heir to Caesar Augustus. As the Roman world reels from the death of its protector, those who would step into the shoes of the Princeps or move to restore the republic must move fast to secure the empire before it crumbles around them. Players step into the shoes of the imperial family and the Roman aristocracy as they deal with the greatest crisis since the civil war.
Issues at the start of 9 AD
- Gaul: Remnants of the legions under Varus return to Gaul. The Rhineland is bare with the destruction of the German legions. The remainder of the legions must prepare for a possible Germanic invasion.
- Rome: Augustus collapses from the news of the defeat in Germania. His final cry is "Varus! Quintilius Varus! Give me back my legions!" before dying from a sudden heart attack. Although Tiberius is, by law, the legal successor, there are those who have sympathy from among the political and military elite that could challenge his rule. Namely from within his own family. Though exiles themselves, there may still be a challenge in the coming days, especially as a plot quickens to spring the ever popular Julia and her son from captivity.
- Illyria: a revolt against Augustus and the Roman nation is on the tail end of the conflict as Germanicus and Tiberius fight the native Illyrian tribes and clients into submission. Their absence from Rome may prove to be fatal, for though they hold command of 15 of the empire’s legions, Tiberius has never been popular with the people.
Notes
- In Illyria, Tiberius starts off with ten legions due to the Great Illyrian Revolt he commanded. Although he has these ten, and the war is mostly over, as the heir to Augustus’ throne, he will need legions to not only press his claim, but shore up the defenses in Gaul, police the recently subdued region of Illyria, and protect the border there.
- The Julia Faction will be given the opportunity to take Agrippa and flee either West to Hispania or East to Syria if they so choose to in order to gain support. In doing so, whichever direction they choose, they are guaranteed the loyalty of the legions from one of the two areas chosen.
- With the loss of three legions, Germania and Gaul are nearly naked in their defence. Tiberius must secure the Rhine frontier if he hopes to prevent any further disasters.
Important Characters
Julia the Elder - Rhegium
Julia the Younger
Agrippa Postumus - Exiled on Pianosa
Tiberius - Illyria (his family in Rome)
Germanicus - Illyria
Livia - Rome
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Post by Gandalf on May 19, 2022 16:22:19 GMT -5
Year of the Four Emperors: 69 AD
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, last surviving member of the house of the Caesars, is dead. Forced into suicide by subversive factions within the Roman Senate and Praetorian Guard, there is now for the first time no clear heir to step into the mantle of power, and multiple generals now cast their eyes towards claiming the purple for themselves. Players can either play the historical claimants to the title of Caesar or make their own, as well as assume the roles of prominent actors in the Roman state.
- Three or four generals on key frontiers have the legions to claim the purple (most likely Rhine, Danube, and far East?)
- Galba or Otho can serve as the NPC foe in control of Rome
- The Eastern provinces are still dealing with the Jewish revolt, so one of the claimants can begin campaigning in Judea with their lieutenants.
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Post by sforza on May 20, 2022 14:54:36 GMT -5
Year of the Five Emperors: 193 AD.
Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius, last of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty, has been assassinated by senatorial opposition after a troublesome reign. Commodus left no clear heir to follow in his shoes of his own but the Praetorian Guard quickly would proclaim Pertinax the new Augustus. Though honest and good-willed, Pertinax's reforms to address the corruption of the Praetorian guard did not help to endear him to the Praetorians. Meanwhile other powerful players are raising their heads and keep a close eye on the situation in Rome.
- Pertinax is emperor but finds himself in a difficult position. His attempts to reform the praetorian guard has invoked their wrath and they look at any attempt to get rid of him. (Essentially the praetorian perfect is kingmaker initially). Pertinax however has the support of the Roman people for attempting to undo the debauchery and immorality of Commodus' reign.
- The Praetorians are actively approaching several noble Romans to let them bribe them to play kingmaker. Didius Julianus is currently the richest man in the empire but however is deeply unpopular with the senate and Roman people.
- Pescennius Niger and Septimus Severus are keeping a close eye on the Eternal city and are amassing troops. Rumors swirl that Pescennius' legions is about to proclaim him emperor. And Septimus, altough loyal to Pertinax, knows that Pertinax's days are likely to be limited. His amassing legions are currently closest to Rome. Pescennius is closest to the empire's most wealthiest provinces however.
- Clodius Albinus, is actively attempting to forment an alliance from Brittania with Septimus Severus in a deal where he would be proclaimed Caesar if Septimus is to become Emperor.
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Post by pontifex on May 20, 2022 18:31:10 GMT -5
per 69ad setting: mmm fuck, sounds Trajany, which makes me wet with regards to the eastern provinces. Also happy to be Galba/Otho stooges for the lulz - or a western general but maybe the one spot you're missing is Brittania, ironically, you worst of all britons.  That said, early principate or "terminal republic" (with the end result being early principate after the starting scenario) is ideal for me.
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Post by Gandalf on May 21, 2022 7:35:32 GMT -5
Maybe a starting setting with a Post-Caesar triumvirate would be a good starting point, then?
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