Res Publica: A Quest of Ancient Rome
- Thread starter Telamon
- Start date
- Original Historic
- Location
- Central Europe
@Telamon, I saw The Scipians as a Charisma/Diplo roll to reach out to our new Co-Tribune, thus boosting the success chance of Connect. Am I wrong in that and it is a Intrigue roll to find out any weaknesses?
In that case I might switch it out for The City of the Kings of Asia. Adding a further Synergy to Si Vis Pacem.
In that case I might switch it out for The City of the Kings of Asia. Adding a further Synergy to Si Vis Pacem.
The wording of the option seems rather clear:
We're attempting to learn more about Cassianus, not reaching out or anything.
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
[X] Thyreus
Completely futile and not going to get anywhere winning, but at least I am not alone this time around.
Completely futile and not going to get anywhere winning, but at least I am not alone this time around.
- Location
- Central Europe
English is not my first language so I might misinterpret "integrate yourself", but to me this doesn't have to mean a hostile/intrigue action. I feel it could very well be seen as a genuine interest in our new co-tribune, especially coupled with taking Connect.
I am not sure about "hostile", but to me it seems undoubtedly a Subterfuge/Charisma action where we go in incognito and try to talk Scipians into revealing various details about Cassianus, so we can learn more about him.
- Location
- Texas
And for that, Atellus gains 500 XP to diplomacy and one reroll on his next failed interaction with a Sullan.
- Location
- Europe
Guys, I'm not afraid of Sulla anymore. We should turn coat asap.
Thank you, glad to see you enjoyed it.
That was in the middle of previous campaign. I'd expect all cohorts to become at least average by the end of it through actual experience if not explicit training.
It was actually the end of the previous campaign, though I'm surprised we still had Half-Green cohorts by then.
- Location
- Europe
Bank: 3,880 XP
Pending: 1000 XP on learning skill Seafaring ; one reroll on a failed interaction with a Sullan.
Stats:
Military: Accomplished (13) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (6793/10000) to Rank 14
Charisma: Accomplished (11) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (3300/10000) to Rank 12
Stewardship: Poor (4) -- (Levels 4) (-2 Modifier) -- (1200/4000) to Rank 5 (No Modifier)
Intelligence: Renowned (15) -- (Levels 15-17) (+4 Modifier) -- (2059/15000) to Rank 16
Education: Accomplished (10) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (1500/10000) to Rank 11
Subterfuge: Average (7) -- (Levels 5-7) (No Modifier) -- (800/7000) to Rank 8 (+1 Modifier)
Skills:
Combat: Accomplished (10) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (4230/10000) to Rank 11
Oratory: Accomplished (11) --(Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (2326/10000) to Rank 12
Command: Proficient (8) -- (Levels 8-9) (+1 Modifier) -- (1796/8000) to Rank 9
Engineering: Abysmal (1) -- (Levels 0-1) (-6 Modifier) -- (0/1000) to Rank 2 (-4 Modifier)
Logistics: Very Poor (2) -- (Levels 2-3) (-4 Modifier) -- (140/2000) to Rank 3
Law: Proficient (9) -- (Levels 8-9) (+1 Modifier) -- (4535/9000) to Rank 10 (+2 Modifier)
Philosophy: Average (5) -- (Levels 5-7) (No Modifier) -- (374/5000) to Rank 6
Administration: Average (5) -- (Levels 5-7) (No Modifier) -- (4250/5000) to Rank 6
Diplomacy: Accomplished (10) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (620/10000) to Rank 11
Pending: 1000 XP on learning skill Seafaring ; one reroll on a failed interaction with a Sullan.
Stats:
Military: Accomplished (13) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (6793/10000) to Rank 14
Charisma: Accomplished (11) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (3300/10000) to Rank 12
Stewardship: Poor (4) -- (Levels 4) (-2 Modifier) -- (1200/4000) to Rank 5 (No Modifier)
Intelligence: Renowned (15) -- (Levels 15-17) (+4 Modifier) -- (2059/15000) to Rank 16
Education: Accomplished (10) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (1500/10000) to Rank 11
Subterfuge: Average (7) -- (Levels 5-7) (No Modifier) -- (800/7000) to Rank 8 (+1 Modifier)
Skills:
Combat: Accomplished (10) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (4230/10000) to Rank 11
Oratory: Accomplished (11) --(Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (2326/10000) to Rank 12
Command: Proficient (8) -- (Levels 8-9) (+1 Modifier) -- (1796/8000) to Rank 9
Engineering: Abysmal (1) -- (Levels 0-1) (-6 Modifier) -- (0/1000) to Rank 2 (-4 Modifier)
Logistics: Very Poor (2) -- (Levels 2-3) (-4 Modifier) -- (140/2000) to Rank 3
Law: Proficient (9) -- (Levels 8-9) (+1 Modifier) -- (4535/9000) to Rank 10 (+2 Modifier)
Philosophy: Average (5) -- (Levels 5-7) (No Modifier) -- (374/5000) to Rank 6
Administration: Average (5) -- (Levels 5-7) (No Modifier) -- (4250/5000) to Rank 6
Diplomacy: Accomplished (10) -- (Levels 10-14) (+2 Modifier) -- (620/10000) to Rank 11
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- Location
- Texas
You would delegate it. Atellus isn't stupid — you can safely assume in all situations where his subordinates or followers might be better at something, he'll delegate, unless it is a situation where he clearly cannot or it would cause harm to his reputation.
DamnedAeons 187
An Ally of Convenience is an Enemy of Opportunity
- Location
- Texas
[X] Plan Love of the Legion and various Studies
DkArthas
CAPITAL IS TO BLAME
- Location
- Earth
- Pronouns
- They
[x] Plan Destiny
-[x] Connect:
-[x] Promote Centurions:
-[x] See to the Repair
-[x] Brothers in Arms:
-[x] Correspondence
--[x] Cicero
-[x] The Marians:
-[x] Si Vis Pacem:
-[x] Para Bellum:
-[x] Study:
-[x] The Crone of Bithynia:
-[x] The Prince
We have already done the Law thing and it seems there are no outstanding issues other than the Sullan and Marian divide currently, so I am not sure how useful it will be at this point. Only a few legionaries will be coming to us for settling dispute and shit right now, it likely will have less impact than some other options.
Seeing to the repairs seems like the superior option, since it clearly shows them a that we care about them and are taking steps to ensure they won't freeze to death.
-[x] Connect:
-[x] Promote Centurions:
-[x] See to the Repair
-[x] Brothers in Arms:
-[x] Correspondence
--[x] Cicero
-[x] The Marians:
-[x] Si Vis Pacem:
-[x] Para Bellum:
-[x] Study:
-[x] The Crone of Bithynia:
-[x] The Prince
We have already done the Law thing and it seems there are no outstanding issues other than the Sullan and Marian divide currently, so I am not sure how useful it will be at this point. Only a few legionaries will be coming to us for settling dispute and shit right now, it likely will have less impact than some other options.
Seeing to the repairs seems like the superior option, since it clearly shows them a that we care about them and are taking steps to ensure they won't freeze to death.
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- Location
- Europe
We have enough XP in the bank to make a difference! Invest 1000 XP in engineering, that should help.
- Location
- Central Europe
Why go from -6 to -4, if we are going to delegate regardless?
[X] Plan Publicola
We brought Theo along to Asia Minor to make friends. So let's try and make friends. This plan doubles-down on our interactions with the Greek cities (touring Nicomedia, studying the history of other cities in the region) and with Greek culture (visiting the Crone, studying Greek tactics), and tries to reach out to Cassianus and his faction.
The Consul's Heir (pick one)
[] Connect: You make an attempt to connect with him. Cassianus' father was a farmer and his mother a tavern maid -- you come from different worlds, yet if you can form a friendship, or at least an understanding of sorts, it will make both your lives easier in the long run.
Master of the Cohorts (pick three)
[] Promote Centurions: A few centurions and lower-ranking officers left the legion in Rome, their service having ended. Several soldiers who served with distinction during the Samnite campaign may well stand to replace them. Men you raise up may be loyal to you in the future.
[] A Law Beyond The Sword: The men often have simple issues, complaints, or grievances which they wish to address. As broad-striped tribune, it is your duty to see to these. One afternoon, you set up a table in the middle of the worn palace and invite men to come air their grievances before you, and perhaps even raise a case against a fellow soldier.
[] Brothers in Arms: You strive to mend the frayed relations between the patrician cavalry and the plebian legionnaires, which have grown worse over time.
Correspondence: (response will arrive in 2-3 turns)
--[] Cicero
Personal: (pick six)
[] The Scipians: Unlike Sertorius, who traveled with a single slave, Scipio has brought along a veritable entourage of slaves, clients, friends, and cronies. These Scipians are largely plebian men of all stripes, and you attempt to integrate yourselves with them in order to learn something more of their new master, Cassianus, who seems to have become a focal point for them -- a novus homo who has risen from their ranks to lead a legion.
[] Si Vis Pacem: The Greek city-states in Asia and the Greek mainland have long maintained their independence and autonomy, even as nominal vassals of Rome. You read up on their histories, rivalries, and old friendships, that you might make use of these in your campaign.
[] Para Bellum: You begin studying the campaigns against the Macedonians and the Greeks over a century ago, hoping to learn more about Greek tactics, that you might counter them better.
[] The Crone of Bithynia: On the hills outside the city lives a wrinkled old seer, a woman of incredible age whose eyes are blind with years. She is kissed by the sun god, they say, and speaks with tongues of prophecy. Mithridates himself visited her during his time in the city.
[] The City of the Kings of Asia: Bithynia, for a time, was the mightiest kingdom in Asia, and Nicomedia was it's crown jewel. By attempting to integrate yourself with the people here and getting to know figures of import, you might lay the ground for better things in the future.
[] Study: You study the campaigns of Marius in Africa, hoping to learn something about defeating a hostile kingdom while protecting Roman clients. That Marius himself is here does not hurt matters either.
We brought Theo along to Asia Minor to make friends. So let's try and make friends. This plan doubles-down on our interactions with the Greek cities (touring Nicomedia, studying the history of other cities in the region) and with Greek culture (visiting the Crone, studying Greek tactics), and tries to reach out to Cassianus and his faction.
The Consul's Heir (pick one)
[] Connect: You make an attempt to connect with him. Cassianus' father was a farmer and his mother a tavern maid -- you come from different worlds, yet if you can form a friendship, or at least an understanding of sorts, it will make both your lives easier in the long run.
Highest upside (get the guy with incredible charisma on our side), and we should have a pretty good shot at succeeding thanks to the presence of Theo. Still chancy as heck, though, and it totally makes sense why people might prefer an 'armed neutrality' sort of deal with 'Make Terms'. I still think we should roll the dice on seeing if we can't sway Cassianus to work with us. This also frees up one of our 'Personal' actions, since we don't have to use the 'Cult of Mars' to back us up.
Master of the Cohorts (pick three)
[] Promote Centurions: A few centurions and lower-ranking officers left the legion in Rome, their service having ended. Several soldiers who served with distinction during the Samnite campaign may well stand to replace them. Men you raise up may be loyal to you in the future.
[] A Law Beyond The Sword: The men often have simple issues, complaints, or grievances which they wish to address. As broad-striped tribune, it is your duty to see to these. One afternoon, you set up a table in the middle of the worn palace and invite men to come air their grievances before you, and perhaps even raise a case against a fellow soldier.
[] Brothers in Arms: You strive to mend the frayed relations between the patrician cavalry and the plebian legionnaires, which have grown worse over time.
These three are the most important, for securing the loyalty of the legion and ensuring it operates smoothly and efficiently. Specifically: 'Promote Centurions' is absolutely necessary to guarantee the loyalty of our legion, 'Brother in Arms' gives us a chance to flex our political/charisma muscles and try to bridge the divide between elites and commoners, and 'Law Beyond The Sword' is our specific sworn duty as broad-striped tribune, to dispense justice and utilize our 'Law' skill to keep peace within the ranks. (If we don't do 'Law Beyond The Sword', then everyone in the legion will see Cassianus taking over for our specific job. Not okay.)
Correspondence: (response will arrive in 2-3 turns)
--[] Cicero
Cicero is our long-term priority, to boost our Intelligence score as well as hear from (again) the best letter-writer in history about events going on elsewhere in the Republic. Cicero basically is a spynet, all unto himself, solely based on how much he includes in each letter. If we want to learn news of Sertorius, or battles in Gaul, or get insight into events going on in Rome -- Cicero is our man. I'll admit Scaevola is tempting, due to his history and connections in the region of Asia Minor, but I believe Cicero is worth more to us.
Personal: (pick six)
[] The Scipians: Unlike Sertorius, who traveled with a single slave, Scipio has brought along a veritable entourage of slaves, clients, friends, and cronies. These Scipians are largely plebian men of all stripes, and you attempt to integrate yourselves with them in order to learn something more of their new master, Cassianus, who seems to have become a focal point for them -- a novus homo who has risen from their ranks to lead a legion.
[] Si Vis Pacem: The Greek city-states in Asia and the Greek mainland have long maintained their independence and autonomy, even as nominal vassals of Rome. You read up on their histories, rivalries, and old friendships, that you might make use of these in your campaign.
[] Para Bellum: You begin studying the campaigns against the Macedonians and the Greeks over a century ago, hoping to learn more about Greek tactics, that you might counter them better.
[] The Crone of Bithynia: On the hills outside the city lives a wrinkled old seer, a woman of incredible age whose eyes are blind with years. She is kissed by the sun god, they say, and speaks with tongues of prophecy. Mithridates himself visited her during his time in the city.
[] The City of the Kings of Asia: Bithynia, for a time, was the mightiest kingdom in Asia, and Nicomedia was it's crown jewel. By attempting to integrate yourself with the people here and getting to know figures of import, you might lay the ground for better things in the future.
[] Study: You study the campaigns of Marius in Africa, hoping to learn something about defeating a hostile kingdom while protecting Roman clients. That Marius himself is here does not hurt matters either.
Gah this was tough. 'Study' is basically locked -- we need to understand Marius to be a good subordinate, and if we want to have any hope of making a good impression on him later, this is a necessary prerequisite.
'Crone of Bithynia' is another pick I feel strongly about -- it hasn't been confirmed whether the gods are real in this quest, but when we previously consulted the Oracle and the Sibyl, we gained a lot of insight into Atellus' situation and upcoming events. I really like this tradition of consulting major oracles in each region we visit, and the information has always proved useful both in- and out-of-character.
Given the collapse of Asiaticus and the rise of Cassanius, we should definitely pick the 'Scipians' to figure out what's going on with them, both to learn about Cassanius (which should help our odds for the 'Connect'/make friends option), to determine if Cassanius has any weaknesses, and figure out if we can pry anyone out of that faction and into our supporters.
For the one-time-only actions, we definitely want to avoid Nicomedes, but it's a toss-up between the other two. Given our prepare-for-war actions, I am inclined to pick 'City of the Kings of Asia', to get a deeper understanding of Bithynia and its capital, and more broadly to interact with and come to a deeper understanding of the Greek population in the region. Egypt is tempting, but much more distant; what matters right now is surviving and thriving on our campaign right now.
To prepare for the war ahead, we should absolutely pick 'Si Vis Pacem' -- our immediate priority will almost certainly be gathering allies among the cities of Asia Minor, and we did bring Theo with us to help with diplomacy. We're unlikely to immediately engage in battle upon leaving the city, and we'll probably spend a few turns moving around as we did in Samnium.
For the final pick, I chose 'Para Bellum'. I am strongly tempted to seek an audience with the Pharaoh, and just as strongly tempted to learn about Roman tactics in order to prepare for our fight against the treacherous legion. However, we're more likely to see combat in the immediate future against one of the many Greek armies in the area, and this actionn would go very well with our interactions with the city of Nicomedia and the other Greek cities in the countryside. Still a ludicrously tough decision, though, especially since we had so many actions to spend here.
'Crone of Bithynia' is another pick I feel strongly about -- it hasn't been confirmed whether the gods are real in this quest, but when we previously consulted the Oracle and the Sibyl, we gained a lot of insight into Atellus' situation and upcoming events. I really like this tradition of consulting major oracles in each region we visit, and the information has always proved useful both in- and out-of-character.
Given the collapse of Asiaticus and the rise of Cassanius, we should definitely pick the 'Scipians' to figure out what's going on with them, both to learn about Cassanius (which should help our odds for the 'Connect'/make friends option), to determine if Cassanius has any weaknesses, and figure out if we can pry anyone out of that faction and into our supporters.
For the one-time-only actions, we definitely want to avoid Nicomedes, but it's a toss-up between the other two. Given our prepare-for-war actions, I am inclined to pick 'City of the Kings of Asia', to get a deeper understanding of Bithynia and its capital, and more broadly to interact with and come to a deeper understanding of the Greek population in the region. Egypt is tempting, but much more distant; what matters right now is surviving and thriving on our campaign right now.
To prepare for the war ahead, we should absolutely pick 'Si Vis Pacem' -- our immediate priority will almost certainly be gathering allies among the cities of Asia Minor, and we did bring Theo with us to help with diplomacy. We're unlikely to immediately engage in battle upon leaving the city, and we'll probably spend a few turns moving around as we did in Samnium.
For the final pick, I chose 'Para Bellum'. I am strongly tempted to seek an audience with the Pharaoh, and just as strongly tempted to learn about Roman tactics in order to prepare for our fight against the treacherous legion. However, we're more likely to see combat in the immediate future against one of the many Greek armies in the area, and this actionn would go very well with our interactions with the city of Nicomedia and the other Greek cities in the countryside. Still a ludicrously tough decision, though, especially since we had so many actions to spend here.
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- Location
- My room
But who is the thread hoping to side with? Marius or Sulla? Becuase let's be honest if we don't know that we can't really make a good vote. As I would rather have Sulla win than Marius but I don't know how many people would like that and would put votes in as a way to make siding with him easier after getting the Legion with us over Cassianus.
I would point out that, whatever other actions we take for the legion, this one should be locked in. Yes, we've taken this action before, but that's because it is our sworn duty. If we fail to act as broad-striped tribune, then Cassianus will, and everyone in the legion will see him doing our duty while we're elsewhere. That is not a good look, and we'd be handing Cassianus a huge opportunity to usurp us with our own consent.
- Location
- Europe
When it comes down to it, Sulla.