The fascinating and detailed game-world setting makes <i>Roma Imperious</i> stand out as a role-playing game. The game has something for almost everyone and the book is reader-friendly, making <i>Roma Imperious</i> a great choice for role-players of various backgrounds and interests.
Post originally by AP at 2004-09-13 10:13:29
Converted from Phorums BB System
You said that the game is based upon the idea that Rome continued to flourish rather than its historical decline and fall. Reading your review I got the idea that you don't wish to give too much of the story away, but can you tell us how much longer Rome has flourished? Is it 1000AD, the present day, the distant future, etc, or what?
Post originally by Darrin at 2004-09-13 12:38:19
Converted from Phorums BB System
The review mentioned that unskilled checks are particularly onerous for those of us used to other systems... apparently 10-20% is really low compared to what?
<GEEZER mode engaged>
Well, heck, in Chaosium's BRP, 20% unskilled would have been a miracle! Why, we were lucky if our base percentiles were even 5%, and we had to do... unspeakable things, just to get 'em that high!
</GEEZER>
So you're saying in something like D20, we should expect a reasonable chance of success for using Escape Artist unskilled with, say, a DC of 25 or 30? What do you consider a "reasonable" chance of success for doing something you have absolutely no training or experience with?
Post originally by Scott at 2004-09-13 16:42:04
Converted from Phorums BB System
708 AD is where the date in the book leaves off, but you are encouraged to use any era you wish. This is, of course, only setting material, and GM's may use any of it they wish to.
I'm thinking of starting a more modern game by advancing the time to 2500 AD to produce a Sci-Fi game set in Roma!
Post originally by Bill at 2004-09-14 08:18:01
Converted from Phorums BB System
hmm, I will try to summarize. The short-short version, improved communication via magic, the ability to move troops faster, an increased civic policy of social inclusion and certain magical/technological advances relieving social pressures.
You could have a very long thread on why the Roman Empire fell in actual history. Basically, to give an example of some of the major factors, debasement of coinage and uncontrollable inflation are controlled with the advent of better mining technology augmented by magic and the ability to process those ores. Some basic distribution capabilities aid this (the ability to preserve food stuffs indefinitely, better utilize roads) and a development of better understanding of economy.
Communication, the ability to contact cities across the Empire via the Crystallus Visio, means that much of the need to move the capital from Rome to Constantinople is removed. I realize much of the driving force for the move was also economic (much of the wealth of the Empire was in the east) but the west finds new wealth in a new industry, paper. Stability through faster and magically fortified legions also help in the maintaining of the west.
The above are all augmented by a more inclusive strategy of social inclusion giving those outside Rome a greater say in their own governance. This again leads to greater stability. It is also why Roma Imperious has a much broader (i.e. it is not just a book about Rome) scope. In addition, the above conditions create Emperors who are more competent, more dedicated to the Empire. This last part is of course pure speculation but it is a fantasy RPG. ;-D
Again, I could go on for pages but this is the gist. Hopefully I have answered your questions. I can’t point to one event and say that is why. Magic plays a part but no more than some very important alternate social aspects.
Linear Mode
