[3.5 E6] Roman Empire - Heavy Role Playing - Historical - Players & DM Needed

[OzzyKP]

Are there any history buffs out there? Anyone want to try something a little different from the standard high fantasy? I'm interested in trying a game based in the real world (or perhaps a modified version of it), who's with me?

I like history, and I think D&D is well suited for going back in time. I think Gnorman's E6 rules are well suited for this campaign as well, heck he already has classes called Praetorian, Gladiator, Patrician, etc. I can see this working three ways:

1. Historical Rome - We play in a strictly historical setting. No magic, no magical creatures, no magical items. Instead of elves and dwarves and orcs we have Greeks and Celts and Egyptians. We can either use Gnorman's existing human bloodlines to represent each race/ethnicity or we can customize some new races based on human. There are no monsters, just animals and other people. We can use spell-like abilities, but no spells, no spell casters, no psionics. We play in the time and environment of the Roman Empire. Probably something during the Roman Civil War (32 BC or so ) or some time during the fall of the Western Empire (400's AD).

2. Hybrid Rome - A mix between historical and fantasy. While not as magical as a full D&D game, this is a world where the old pagan gods intervene directly in the world of humans (think the Odyssey or Clash of the Titans). There would be no organized non-human races (no large tribes of elves or orcs, etc), but there would be magical monsters. We'd still encounter minators and goblins and such out in the world. Magic would exist, but would be limited. We could go with druids, clerics, and other non-mage classes who can cast spells (poets, Rage Magus, etc) but no wizards or psions. Perhaps no 3rd level spells as well (but more uses of 0-2 level spells per day to compensate). Magical items would exist, but would be rare and special. The setting is still the same as for historical. We'd still be reacting to the histrorical events shaping the Roman Empire at the time we decide to play.

3. Fantasy Rome - We play in a fantasy version of the Roman Empire. We keep all the history of the Roman Empire, but the world is one of magic. The Romans are human, but the surrounding cultures are replaced with other D&D races. Perhaps the Ostrogoths are Orcs, the Britons are Halflings, Egyptians are elves, who knows. There are the normal monsters we'd expect in D&D and magic, and magical items. It would be a standard D&D game, but set into a reimagined Roman Empire. We'd still keep the standard Earth history, it'd just be fully magical. Cleopatra as a Sorceress perhaps?

Whichever option we decide on we'll still be in a Roman world. A massive civilized empire, hostile barbarians outside the borders, gladiators, Roman gods, widespread slavery (half or more of the Roman population were slaves!), emergence of Christianity (depending on time period), all historical Roman geography and cities and buildings, appropriate languages for the era, etc. The DM should definitely have some knowledge/interest in the period (or be prepared to read up).

Heres the 16:

Spoiler

1. What game system are you running (D&D, Call of Cthulu, Palladium, GURPS, etc.), and if applicable what edition (Original, Classic, Revised, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th, etc.)? E6 3.5

2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be (i.e. "Shadow Chasers" or "Agents of Psi" for d20 Modern)? What is the setting for the game (eg. historic period, published or homebrewed campaign setting, alternate reality, modern world, etc.)? Roman Empire! See above.

3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
5-6, with alternates.

4. What's the gaming medium (OOTS, chat, e-mail etc.)?
PbP

5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?
All start at level 1.

6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
Up to the DM.

7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
Historical Rome: Brawler (all), Gladiator (all except Rage Magus), Hunter (all except Warden), Sentinel (all), Zealot (all except Initiate), Engineer (all except machinist & tinker), Noble (all, Dilettante can't use magic, minions are humans or animals), Poet (no magic, no banshee), Sage (all except occulist), Scoundrel (all), Fighter (all) and Rogue (all except Artificer).
Hybrid Rome: Brawler (all), Gladiator (all), Hunter (all), Sentinel (all), Zealot (all), Engineer (all), Noble (all), Poet (all), Sage (all), Scoundrel (all), Green Mage (all except Elementalist), White Mage (all), Fighter (all), Rogue (all) and Mage (Druid & Cleric only).
Fantasy Rome: All classes

8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
See above.

9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?

Up to the DM.

10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
Up to the DM.

11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?
Up to the DM.

12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honor system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
Up to the DM.

13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
Beyond Gnorman's guide, and this post, it is up to the DM.

14. Is a character background required? If so, how big? Are you looking for anything in particular (i.e. the backgrounds all ending up with the characters in the same city)?
Yes! This game should be roleplay heavy, so try to write an interesting background for your character, how they arrived in the starting spot, and perhaps try to tie them to other player's characters.

15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
All of the above, plenty of role playing.

16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
Beyond Gnorman's guide, it is up to the DM.

[tigerusthegreat]

I'm interested as a player

[Kotarus]

I would be interested in this, possibly as a DM. However, my laptop charger is out of order, so I won't be able to say anything for sure until this weekend when the new one comes in.

[OzzyKP]

Awesome! Welcome guys!

Depending on what Kotarus (or other DM) rules on for ability rolls (and feats) I've got a half-created character here. I started creating the character for another game which gave me the idea for this game (and if this game doesn't get off the ground, I'll play in that one instead).

I used the Pathfinder 32 point buy for that character (it'd be cool if we used that for this game too, but if not, I'm flexible).

[Arnelos]

I'm potentially interested in this.

[Synvallius]

I'd be interested in playing, so long as it's the first of the realism options (the historical Rome RPG). I'd also like for it to take place during the reign of either Emperor Vespasian or Trajan, either one would work for me. I'd also be fine with playing slightly after, or before, the fall of Western Rome.

[Grimsage Matt]

I could also DM this. Would need to do some research on the historical aspects, but I could run a mix of Hybrid and Fantesty Rome. Also called; Rome does not like spellcasters. They get fed to the Lions.

Edit; So, what I mean is that Magic does exist, but few people practice it anymore. The Reason is simple. The Empires most 'magical' permitted class would be the Zealot, and only with the Templar Archtype.

Rome Veiws magic as a source of disorder, and a possible point of rebellion. Psionics are treated the same way. Rome expects people to keep to a role, and distrusts anyone who steps outside of it. Diffrent places would be diffrent ya.

Eroupe is home to the Jutons. From Vikings to Germans, to the spanish to the british, Jutons can fit each steryotype well.

Modify the Dessert Orcs apprencewise, and what do you have? Hearty dessert nomads.

Heck, reflavor the elves and you can get eygptians and Asians.

[OzzyKP]

Awesome, welcome Arnelos! And Synvallius & Matt!

Personally I'm more interested in historical or hybrid (leaning toward hybrid), but I'm honestly fine with whichever version people want.

"Rome does not like spellcasters. They get fed to the Lions." sounds like an awesome title for a game, haha.

[Grimsage Matt]

Just edited in what I ment by a combo. Basicly, reflavor some of the races (Diffrent types of human), and slightly reflavor some of the classes. And ya, there would be "Sanctioned" magic, but expect it to be a form of slavery. Think Dragon Age's treatment of mages taken a wee bit farther.

Edit; About the feeding spellcasters to the lions thing, was ment to convey some of the risks. Also, I'll be working on the Reflavoring soon.

[OzzyKP]

Ah, cool, I didn't read through the flavor of the Jutons before, but yea, they'd fit extremely well for Europe. Egyptian/Asian Elves would work too. The game that Arnelos and I are in has oriental elves. None of us actually chose to play one, so maybe that flavor is going to waste, but still seems to be a good idea.

[Marthinwurer]

I'd consider if the Initiator Archetypes were available.

[Grimsage Matt]

Reflavoured Races;

Duergar;Eygpts commoners. Smaller, less graceful then the nobles, the Fellhan are hard workers. Farmers and Artisans, it's they who carve the great monuments that Eygpt is famous for. Under Roman rule, they cart them off as slaves to build romes monuments.

High Elf; The upper classes of eygpt. Taller, slimer and more graceful then the commoners, they are the nobles, the scribes and priests. Learned and educated, they paint and provide the culture that is eygptian. Their preisthood, with it's elemental and necromatic rites, have come under attack due to roman occupation.

Desert Orc; The Desert Orc's are the firce nomadic tribes of the great african deserts. They know the great sea of dunes like the backs of their palms, and take great delight in raiding romans who venture into the sands.

Mountain Orc; Between Rome and asia is a wide serires of mountians. These are home to bandit clans that do not fear the hieghts. While the romans have managed to push them back or kill them off, these bandits always come back.

Flameheart Juton; The Guals. Hot headed and passionate.

Frostblood Juton; The Norsemen. They dwell in cold, rocky areas, and are feared raiders along coastlines.

Stonebound Juton; The Germanic peoples. Serious and dour, they HATE the romans.

Stormsoul Juton; The British. These folk live on the british isles, and keep to themselves. They often fight with their Norse kin, who have a tendancy to raid their homes.

Malbolgian Cambion; The Bootlickers of asia. They will kiss as much ass as they can to better their position, but are very tradtional.

Disian Cambion; The Nobles and Royals of Asia. Detatched and Aloof, they rule with a Iron fist, covered in silk.

Wood Elf; The commoners of asia. Nimble and strong, but are poorly fed.

Nephilim; The Jews. Heavenly Illumination allows them to take skill tricks as if their skills were [Level+Wis Mod]. Angelic Aura is replaced with Teachings of the Torah (Instead of AC, they gain the bonus to Knowledge checks). Awestruck is replaced by Jewish Lore (Knowledge Devotion as a bonus feat. If they already have it, the bonuses granted increase by Wis Mod).
Staff- The Rabbis. At 1st, 3rd and 6th levels, a Rabbi can get a bonus Skill Trick.
Sword- The Defenders. They are the few Jews who train to protect their fellows with violence, instead of devoting themselves to peace.
Trumpet- The Merchants. They gain Skill Focus (Profession) as a bonus feat, and gain a bonus to profit checks equal to half their level.
Favoured of God (Optional Epic destiny)
Prerequisites: 6th-level character, twenty "epic" feats
Benefits: At the DM's discretion, a nephilim character that has reached epic status may gain this ability. The nephilim's type changes to Outsider, he gains a +2 inherent bonus to two ability scores of his choice, and may add his full Wisdom modifier as sacred bonus to skill checks. They may also pick any two 1st or 2nd level spells, and use them as skill tricks (DC 17+ 1/2 level, DC 10+spell level+Wis mod to resist).

Humans; As is.

Gnomes & Halflings; The Romans exterminated them.

[OzzyKP]

Oh, yea. I never even looked at the initiator archetypes, but yea, they'd fit.

[Grimsage Matt]

What OzzyKP said. Also, how ya like the reflavouring? And are the Nephilim/Jews a bit much?

[Tylerb7]

I'd be interested in joining on the condition that all players be required to type in Latin when speaking in character.

[Grimsage Matt]

Instituo a bonus reddo ratio , mens si Utor ut? EGO can non narro pro sulum vero. Quoque , is mos tardus is down aliquantulus due ut reddo vicis.

http://www.tranexp.com:2000/Translate/result.shtml Should be able to handle most of it.

[OzzyKP]

Originally Posted by Grimsage Matt

What OzzyKP said. Also, how ya like the reflavouring? And are the Nephilim/Jews a bit much?

The reflavoring is excellent, I like the Jews too. Were you thinking that there would be actual Orcs and Elves or just humans with abilities/bonuses of these other races?

[Grimsage Matt]

They're all just diffrent types of humans. Just need little adjustments, and you can have radicaly diffrent types of people, and not just the same world wide.

[OzzyKP]

Excellent.

[Marthinwurer]

Great! Look forward to a High Elf Gladiator dedicated to Bastet. The Jews seem to be a bit overdone, but I like the other reflavoring. As for the Latin, the site spit back

"To establish a good to repeat system , mind if you wish To use when? I can not to make known for each in truth. Also , this will slow this down little due when to repeat time."

when I put in the translation in your post.

[Grimsage Matt]

Ya, I put in "I have a good translation system, mind if we use this? I can nbot speak for everyone however, and it would slow it down due to translation time."

Also ya, I know about the Jews. I just wanted something that gave them a little "beloved of the higher powers" without supernatural abillities. And what are the Jewish people typicly known for? Value on knowledge, and Business skill. So, they went from holy warriors and mages, to blessed merchants and scholars.

And you guys know a better translator? Cuse while it's good to do it in the language of the game, you need good translator, or way to much time.

[Marthinwurer]

Good point on the Jews. As for the translator, Google's did a bit better, but not that well.

[OzzyKP]

Most translaters produce something intelligible in one direction, but when you translate to a language and then back, it never turns out right. I'd love to learn Latin, and I'd love to do a game in it, but it's probably impractical.

[Synvallius]

My character will be a Greek-Roman Human Zealot, named Draganos Anastimenos. I would like to know about what time period this is taking place, as he's supposed to be a Christian, and obviously that won't be possible if Christ hasn't been born yet. So, once you know what's going on timeline wise, I'll get to work on creating the character in his entirety.
(In Addition) I wouldn't mind playing in the seond tier of realism, where there are monsters and some magic is present, but I don't think the whole full blown fantasy setting will go over very well; as then the game will not be much different than any other fantasy setting, as the core Roman appeal will quickly become overshadowed by the quirky reimagining of the historical civilizations under the control of fantasy beings. Not to say that a fantasy Rome setting might not be a good idea, it's just that I personally would prefer for this game to stay (or more so become, as it hasn't started yet so it can't really remain) a fairly realistic setting, and at least somewhat historical (e.g. no aliens invading, or anything too crazy like that). Anyways, that's just my long winded opinion.

[ForzaFiori]

I'm so into this game it's not even funny. Doesn't even matter which of the three types it is. I'll post up a character concept soon.

[Grimsage Matt]

k, Have a idea for the date. Jesus Christ was born round 6 BC, and was dead by 34 AD. Current year is 64 AD, 30 years later. Ya, one year before the romans start killing off the Christians.

And yes, planing on casting Nero as a real jack[ ]. However, Zealots only have the Templar Archtype open to 'em, if your imperial. So, you'd be a goverment approved mage killer, who happens to have the wrong set of relgious beliefs. Me like.

[Synvallius]

That's fine with me, I was already planning on choosing Templar as Cavalier doesn't seem to be very good, and Initiate is disbarred anyways.
I think the setting should do well with having Nero as the Emperor, plenty of terror and chaos with which to grow from.

[Marthinwurer]

Grimsage, will you put up an official 16 anytime soon?

[ForzaFiori]

Alright, 2 ideas. Either a Poet (Skald) from Germany/Scandinavia, or a Sage (Tutor) from Rome...

[Grimsage Matt]

Heres the 16, edited from the op a bit.

Spoiler

1. What game system are you running (D&D, Call of Cthulu, Palladium, GURPS, etc.), and if applicable what edition (Original, Classic, Revised, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th, etc.)? E6 3.5

2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be (i.e. "Shadow Chasers" or "Agents of Psi" for d20 Modern)? What is the setting for the game (eg. historic period, published or homebrewed campaign setting, alternate reality, modern world, etc.)? My version of the Roman empire. Beware! It's 64 Ad and Neros in charge. We all know what he was like.

3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
5-6, with alternates.

4. What's the gaming medium (OOTS, chat, e-mail etc.)?
PbP

5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?
All start at level 1.

6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
Lets go 250gp.

7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
All classes, but please notice something. The Romans tend to fed spellcasters to lions.

8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
See this

9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?
32 point buy starting at 10, or 3 sets of 5d6b3 and pick the best.


10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
Alginment means squat. Sure, you can say your evil, but that means squat. Lets use d20 moderns alligence system instead.

11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?
Only got 6 levels, and you really want to take 'em all. But feel free to multi-class if you want.

12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honor system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
You make yours, I make mine, I handle "Did the Orc sneak up on you and hit you".

13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
Beyond Gnorman's guide, and this post, run it by me first.

14. Is a character background required? If so, how big? Are you looking for anything in particular (i.e. the backgrounds all ending up with the characters in the same city)?
Yes! This game should be roleplay heavy, so try to write an interesting background for your character, how they arrived in the starting spot, and perhaps try to tie them to other player's characters.

15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
All of the above, plenty of role playing.

16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
Beyond Gnorman's guide, run it by me first.

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