Post/Author/DateTime	Post
meto30 10-15-07, 01:43 PM	After my post on the 1001 tactics thread in the DM forum, I continuously worked to form an image of the Roman Empire in DnD theme. I have used a very idealized version of the imperial society depicted in Siono Nanami's Populi Romani series, and added elements like priest-officers and Cult of Gond. As such, I am looking for suggestions on where I would be able to fit the 'new Rome' into Toril geography. I was thinking of wiping the Golden Lands clean off the map and putting Rome in there, but this might have history problems, so somewhere not in Faerun would be helpful. The following list summarizes my ideas for new Rome. - The Roman Pantheon moved along with their followers into Toril after Cult of Mithras and Christianity took hold in RW. - Because of this method of introduction, Romans are a new power in Toril. - Grand Pantheonic Basilica is the religious center of the Roman society, and is dedicated to the 12 gods. - Virtually the entire male populace worships Mars as their patron diety. - All 12 gods are lesser dieties except for Jupiter and Mars, whom found some worshippers outside the Roman populace. For their own survival they stayed out of divine power struggle going on in Faerun, except their small support for Horus-Re. - New Rome is a military power. All of its policy are centered around the legions. - Most gods are either LN or CN. Minerva is CG, and Pluto is NE, the only ones not neutral on the good-evil axis. - Roman legions are far better than most armies fielded in Toril in terms of training and discipline.
Keahi19 10-15-07, 03:02 PM	HMMM interesting premise.
meto30 10-15-07, 08:36 PM	I have equipment for my re-imagined Roman Legionnaire below. Breastplate, Iron, 200gp Tower Shield, Wood, 30gp Short Sword, Iron, 10gp Dagger, Iron, 2gp Three Pilae(long javelin, 16sp each) Backpack, 2gp Waterskin, 1gp Rope, 20ft, 4sp This would give him AC of 19, Maximum Dex Bonus of +2, and AC penalty 14. Shortsword does 1d6 damage. Dagger is for emergency and utility purposes. A Contubernium (10 men) would share a tent, which I guess would cost about 25gp, and four mirrors, 10gp each, for hygenic and signal purposes. One member of the Contubernum would be the Decurion, but his equipment would be standard. Two members would be non-combatants whom are responsibile for logistics management. Typically one would be a smith and the other would be a cook. A Centuria (10 contubernii) would have its own horn costing 5gp, a marching drum costing 5gp, a Centurial Banner costing 30gp, and two signal whistles totaling 16sp. A Centuria will be led by a Centurion, who is aided by a heraldsman, who carries the horn and the banner, and a battle-cleric who would provide the century with healing and abjurative spells. A Cohort (6 centuriae) would be led by a Centurion Major who is in turn supported by a Cohort heraldsman, a drill sergeant, a servant, two wizards and a cohort battle-cleric. The three spell casting officers (prefacts) would act as the Centurion Major's personal troops, providing the cohort with much needed magical protection and other goodies. The cohort spellcasting officers are higher level than those tied to centuriae. A Legion (10 cohorts) would be commanded by a legatus. First Cohort of the Legion would consist of the most veteran soldiers in the legion, and would consist of 8 centuriae instead of 6. First Cohort is also special in that it is supported by a larger number of wizards and clerics, totalling in around 17 spell casters assigned to it. First Cohort Heraldsmen would be trained in some sort of cypher that would allow them to send secure long-range messages. The Chief Prefact Arcane would be the most powerful wizard in the legion, and would act as second-in-command. Battle equipment of a legion would total in about 11,762,600 gp. It would consist of 5,400 soldiers, 600 support troops, 62 Centurions, 98 Prefacts(spellcasting officers), 68 Heraldsmen, A Legatus and his personal staff, and a team of 5 engineers. Number of men and equipment value are subject to change due to replacement or addition of Different types of Cohorts, such as an archer cohort, cavalry cohort, etc. Looking at this calculation, managing a legion in Toril would be very expensive! I was thinking of allowing New Rome to have two legions in active service with reserve large enough to field another in emergency, but maybe this is going to be too expensive... Misc. prices would not be cheap either. Just imagine having to supply 98 spellcasters with spellcasting materials and focuses...
meto30 10-15-07, 08:47 PM	Romans would be using their old language, much like Mulhorrand. I'm thinking of preserving alphabet as well. Imagine seeing Laguage Proficiency: Latin in a character sheet... Legionaires would be 1st level warriors with a little bit souped up ability scores (esp constitution). I'm also thinking of a regional feat for Romans that would allow them to march 10 hours a day instead of 8 in overland movement without going into forced march.
BadCatMan 10-15-07, 09:23 PM	Soorenar in Chessenta could be a good stand-in for Rome. Chessenta is Ancient Greece flavoured, but Ancient Rome is not too different. There's not a lot known about Soorenar, but the city is big on gladiators, it's ruled by families of nobles, and it regularly tries to conquer Chessenta.
meto30 10-15-07, 09:53 PM	Soorenar in Chessenta could be a good stand-in for Rome. Chessenta is Ancient Greece flavoured, but Ancient Rome is not too different. There's not a lot known about Soorenar, but the city is big on gladiators, it's ruled by families of nobles, and it regularly tries to conquer Chessenta. Thanks! I looked up Soorenar in FRCS and my Faerun Map, and I think I can fit Rome in with little historical consequence. But that would mean I need to give up on a separate Pantheon... How about Chondath? Wasn't some ancient empire based there as well?
BadCatMan 10-15-07, 10:48 PM	In addition to Tchazzar and Entropy, Chessenta also has a lot of un-named 'hero-deities'. It's my theory that the various stray Greek gods floating around in obscure lore came from there: Dionysus, Chronos, Kronus, Poseidon and others. The Roman gods could also exist in this mix without too much hassle. Chondath was formerly Jhaamdath, a psionic empire with a few Roman characteristics: an ambitious and expansive empire ruled by feuding nobles. It could work, but has enough different about it that it might be an awkward fit.
MarkusTay63 10-16-07, 01:31 PM	Chondath is a good place for a Romanesque campaign, with Chessenta being close to the Greek City-states in flavor. Then you can use Turmish as palce with many ancient Jhaamdathan ruins, like the coast of North Africa. Like ancient Rome, Jhaamdath explored and colonized all over the sea of Fallen Stars. When it fell, it's colonies were left to their own devices, much like Rome. Chondath rose in it's place, much as Italy eventually did from the ruins of Rome, but it was never a major player in world politics after the disaster that took Jhaamdath (Damn those meddling Elves!!!)
18DELTA 10-16-07, 01:39 PM	The Elves must be stopped!!!;) :P :D