nd Historical 2 Edition Reference

The Glory of Rome Campaign Sourcebook

Sample file Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 2 Auxiliaries 59 Chapter 2: A Short History of Rome 5 The Roman Navy 59 The Founding Myth 5 Enemies of Rome 59 The Monarchy 6 Beasts and Monsters 63 The Early Republic 7 Caladrius (MC Entry) 66 The Punic Wars 9 Chapter 7: The Games 67 The Fall of the Republic 11 The Circus 67 The Julio-Claudians 12 Gaming a Chariot Race 69 The Flavians 14 The Arena 71 The Five Good Emperors 14 The Gladiators 72 Decline of the Empire 15 Chapter 8: Roman Culture 74 The Long Fall of Rome 15 The Roman Character 75 Chapter 3: Characters 17 Roman Citizenship 75 Birthright 17 Social Rankings 75 Character Classes 21 Politics 79 Warrior Characters 21 Magistrates 80 Wizard Characters 27 Imperial Government 82 Rogue Characters 28 City Life 83 Priest Characters 29 Imperial Rome 86 Proficiencies 32 Roman Life 87 Roman Names 34 Chapter 9: Gazetteer of the Roman World 91 Chapter 4: Magic and Religion 36 Permitted Schools of Magic 37 Mythical Wizards 37 Credits: Wizard Spells 39 Design: David Pulver Magical Items 40 Editing: Mike Breault, Thomas M. Reid Religion 42 Illustrations and Icons: Roger Raupp The Roman Gods 43 Maps and Diagrams: John Knecht Judeo-Christian Religions 46 Color Map Design: Steve Winter Chapter 5: Equipment 47 Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra Money Sample47 file ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, AD&D and BATTLESYSTEM are regis- Equipment 47 tered trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. The TSR logo, DUNGEON MASTER, and DM are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. All TSR characters, character names, and the Goods and Services 47 distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. Miscellaneous Prices 48 ©W3 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Arms and Armor 49 Random House and its affiliate companies have worldwide distribution rights in the book trade for English language products of TSR, Inc. Distributed to the book Treasure 51 and hobby trade in the United Kingdom by TSR, Ltd. Distributed to the toy and Chapter 6: Armies and Enemies of Rome 52 hobby trade by regional distributors. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Legionaries 53 Anv reproduction or unauthorized use of the material contained herein is prohib- Arms and Armor 54 ited without the express written permission of TSR, Inc. Officers and Organization 55 Honor and Dishonor 6 ISBN 1-56076-673-5 9425

TSR, Inc. TSR Ltd. POB 756 120 Church End, Cherry Hinton Lake Geneva Cambridge CB1 3LB WI 53147 U.S.A. UnitedKingdom

1 • Table of Contents ck Introduction to the Second Edition CHAPTER

Introduction

Rome began as a small town on the Tiber river and are described below: grew into a powerful force for civilization, law, and Legionaries: The PCs are soldiers in the Roman order in the ancient world. The Roman Republic, and army. On an individual level, they may be members of its successor the Empire, was a federation of teeming an elite squad of legionaries serving in a dangerous cities linked by arrow-straight roads. Its peace and frontier, such as the border between Gaul and Germa- prosperity—the legendary Pax Romanum—were nia. They venture into the wilds on patrols, act as safeguarded by the invincible legions that held back couriers for important messages, hunt bandits or the barbarian hordes. pirates, hunt down rebels, guerrillas, and terrorists, But Rome also had a darker side: the cruelty of suppress cults that perform human sacrifice (such as mass slavery and the bloody arena, the greed and the druids), go on spy missions deep into barbarian opulence of the upper class, the unruly mobs paci- territory, stumble onto political plots to discredit or fied by bread and circuses, and the tyranny of mad assassinate their commander, and so on. On a larger emperors, such as Caligula and Nero. The Empire scale, characters may play Roman officers or generals, fell into darkness, but its ghost haunted the Middle and use the BATTLESYSTEM® rules to fight out bat- Ages and inspired the Renaissance. tles or military campaigns in any of Rome's wars. The This is the Roman experience, a real epic of good "Armies and Enemies of Rome" chapter provides use- and evil whose memory has inspired thousands of ful information for a legionary campaign. books, movies, and comics, and which provides an Politicians: The PCs are high-born Romans serving unmatched setting for role-playing adventure. in law or politics, or the aides, agents, or spies of politicians. The cut-and-thrust of Roman politics involved much more than flowery speeches on the Using This Book senate floor. Winning an election or staying in power Glory of Rome is a stepping stone into a world of involved dirty tricks, courtroom battles to convict historical fantasy adventure. Characters may assume opponents of scandals or corruption, even bloody the roles of steadfast legionaries, ambitious Roman statesmen, doomed gladiators, bold charioteers, rebel slaves, or even missionary Christian priests. DMs should make two decisions before starting a Roman campaign. First, decide whether magic and monsters exist. This book assumes they do.Sample Its focus file is on Rome as the Romans believed it to be, and their world-view was one in which magic and monsters were shadowy but very real. However, these magical elements are easily deleted by DMs who want a strictly historical campaign. Second, choose the time period in which the cam- paign takes place—whether this is the Rome of the old Republic or the Empire. DMs should not be afraid to change history in the interests of a good story (or to let the PCs change it by their actions), but including historical events and personages in a sce- nario adds atmosphere and can be used to furnish many opportunities for exciting adventure. The chapter entitled "A Short History of Rome" provides a brief overview of Rome's history and can be useful in selecting a period. After zeroing in on the period, it can be worthwhile to read a good historical novel or consult a reference book set in that era to furnish additional details. Next, consult with the players and decide what kind of campaign to run. A Roman campaign works best if there is an overall theme. Some possibilities

Introduction • 3 street fighting between rival gangs of stormtroopers. neighborhood against equestrian slumlords and PCs may be embroiled in plots and power struggles their armies of private gladiators or criminals seek- or be the target of family feuds. And Rome's states- ing protection money. Monsters could have escaped men were also its generals: an elected magistrate the arena, or cults or brothels might be kidnapping could find himself leading Rome's legions in desper- women and children. The characters could be asked ate campaigns on foreign shores. to help Christians hiding from persecution or track Gladiators: The PCs are gladiators, beast-fighters, down thieves, arsonists, robbers, or serial killers. or charioteers. Besides the death-or-glory of the They may discover plots forming against public offi- games, they may be involved in rivalries with other cials—or be recruited by the plotters themselves. performers, while gladiators may also serve as Rebels and Martyrs: Instead of being loyal Romans, swords-for-hire. "The Games" chapter provides rules PCs may take on the role of Rome's oppressed sub- and background for a campaign set in the arena or jects: PCs could be slaves, Christians, Jews, Britons, circus. or Gauls, or any other people desperate to rise up Travelers: The PCs travel the world and visit and throw off the Roman yoke by passive resistance, strange new lands. They might be diplomats and escape, or armed struggle. their body guards, bounty hunters seeking criminals or runaway slaves, agents of the emperor or another official trying to trap exotic beasts to please the The Roman Campaign Sourcebook Empire in the arena, merchants seeking new mar- and the AD&D 2nd Edition Rules kets, or philosopher-mages hunting for ancient lore. This sourcebook is meant to be used with the Streets of Rome: Rome was not a very safe city— AD&D 2nd Edition rules. However, the AD&D crime, corruption, intrigue, and strange cults were rules reflect a generic medieval fantasy reality, not a everywhere! PCs could be honest city guards, retired fantasy Rome. When using a Roman setting, any legionaries turned street enforcers, or gladiators altered rules in this book take precedence over those seeking some extra money. PCs might protect the in other AD&D books.

Sample file

4 • Chapter One CHAPTER

A Short History of Rome

"Other peoples may yet more skillfully teach bronze to the basket flooded and sank. The river, however, breathe, or bring forth the life lying hidden in marble; was flooded, and the men who had been given the some may plead causes better, or better use the tools of sci- task of placing the basket in the water only came ence to chart the stars' changing courses. to its edge, fearing the deep water and swift cur- But Roman, remember you well that your own arts are rent and hoping that it would sufficiently sweep these others: the basket away. To govern the nations in power; to dictate their rule in The basket did not sink, but instead was left peace; to raise up the peoples you've conquered; and to stranded on a shore several miles downstream tame the proud who resist." when the river level went down. Mars sent a she- —Virgil, The Aeneid, book VT wolf and woodpecker to nurse and feed his chil- dren. The twins were found by a herdsman and his wife. One of the traditional emblems of Rome The Founding Myth is a she-wolf, commonly believed to be adopted When the Romans first began to write about because of this story. A seperate version of the their history, Greece was the fountainhead of civi- myth claims that the twins were actually found by lization. Roman authors who tried to explain how a woman of questionable morals who was known their city had come into being naturally looked commonly as "the wolf." In either case, the twins back to the rich fields of Greek legend, particu- were named Romulus and Remus. larly the national epic of Greece, the Iliad, which As they grew up, the twins had many adven- told the story of the Trojan War. tures in which they displayed great strength and Patriotic Romans believed they were descended courage. By the time they were young men, Romu- from Aeneas, a Trojan hero and son of the goddess lus and Remus were recognized leaders. On one Aphrodite. When the city of Troy fell, Aeneas and adventure, they met Numitor and learned their his followers escaped and sailed in search of a true parentage. They killed Amulius, freed Rhea, new home. One account of this myth claims that and restored their grandfather to the throne. Aeneas visited Carthage and had an affair with To celebrate their victory, the twins decided to Dido. Dido was the sister of Pygmalion, the tyrant found their own city. They chose a site farther king of Tyre, and had fled there to found Carthage. down the Tiber, near where they had been discov- Aeneas did not linger long in Carthage, though, ered as babies, on the largest of seven hills. Remus but left with Dido cursing him and allSample of his an dfile Romulus quarreled over the name of their decendants. Aeneas went on to found the city of city. They chose to settle the dispute by each Lavinium, in Italy. watching for an omen; the first to spot one could A seperate version of the tale claims that Aeneas name the city. Remus spotted six vultures, while went straight to Italy, where he then allied himself Romulus spotted even more vultures than that, with Latinus, king of the Latins, and married his making his omen better. Remus, however, had daughter. Regardless of which tale is told, though, seen his omen first. The twins argued again, and Aeneas's son Ascanius founded the city of Alba to mock Romulus during their argument, Remus Longa in the Albin Hills not far south of Rome's committed an act of sacrilege by jumping over the present location. newly built city walls that Romulus had con- All was well for nearly 300 years, until Aeneas's structed, he was killed by Romulus and his men, descendant, King Numitor, was overthrown by and Romulus claimed that a similar fate awaited his wicked brother Amulius. Numitor's own life anyone else that attempted to cross those walls. was spared, but his sons were murdered and his Romulus became king, and the city was named daughter Rhea Silvia was forced to become a after him: Rome, founded, according to tradition, vestal virgin so she would not bear children to on April 21, 753 B.C. To increase the city's popula- challenge Amulius. But then Rhea was visited by tion, Romulus offered asylum to fugitives from the war-god Mars, they became lovers, and she other towns, and he found them wives by stealing bore him twin boys. women from the neighboring Sabine people during The angry Amulius ordered that Rhea's chil- a festival. After reigning for 40 years, Romulus van- dren be condemned to drowning. They were ished in a storm at the place called Goat's Marsh taken to the Tiber in a basket with the idea that (on the Campus Martius just outside the city) and they would be set afloat and would drown when was taken into heaven to become the god Quirinus.

A Short History of Rome 508 BC: 241 BC: 204 BC: Horatius holds the 264 BC: 1st Punic War ends Cult of Cybele bridge at Rome 1st Punic War beginsN in Roman victory introduced to Rome 509 BC: 238 BC: Tarquin Superbus expelled, 494 BC: 280 BC: Sardinia and Corsica republic begins \ Tribunes of the People est. Pyrrhus invades become Roman provinces \ 750 BC 350 BC 200 BC _L 340 BC: yS 218 BC: y^ 753 BC: Rome absorbs its 2nd Punic War begins, 201 BC: •] Founding of Rome 390 BC: Italian neighbors Hannibal invades Italy 2nd Punic War ends \ Gauls sack Rome in Roman victory j 500-600 BC: 209-205 BC:/ ' 204-202 BC: 290 BC: Scipio Africanus wins Scipio invades Africa Etruscan domination Rome defeats Samnites, of Rome controls central Italy victories in Spain

There is a substantial amount of archeological gle city. Rome's position astride important salt evidence that a settlement occupied the Palatine deposits and its geographical location near the center Hill in Rome around the middle of the 8tSampleh Cen- o f fileItaly made it the most important of the Latini tury B.C. Perhaps the myth of the founding of towns, eventually eclipsing other neighboring cities, Rome is not completely mythical after all. such as Alba Longa. Early in Rome's history, an adventurous Etruscan nobleman became king of Rome and founded a The Monarchy: dynasty of Etruscan overlords who ruled Rome for 753 B.C. to 510 B.C. perhaps 100 years. The last king of this line, Tarquin The best archaeological evidence suggests Rome was the Proud, was a hated tyrant, resented by the native founded sometime between 700 and 800 B.C., quite Latin population. In 510 B.C., Rome's council of close to the "legendary" founding date. At that time, elders, known as the Senate, led an uprising and Italy was divided between rival ethnic groups. The drove Tarquin from the city. Over the next two years, Latini were one such people, worshiping the god the Etruscans sent armies to regain control of the city. Jupiter, speaking the Latin language, and living in The citizens of Rome withstood them, although they towns and villages on the plains of Latium in south were sorely pressed. According to legend, a Roman central Italy. Bordering the Latini were the enigmatic named Horatius Codes saved the city by steadfastly Etruscan confederation, a loose coalition of politically guarding the one bridge over the River Tiber into independent cities in central and western Italy. Other Rome and single-handedly holding off an Etruscan neighbors were the fierce Gauls of northern Italy, some army until that bridge could be destroyed. Greek-influenced city states in the south, and the prim- itive Samnite hill tribes of the Appenine mountains. Rome began as a collection of Latini shepherds' The Early Republic: 510-265 B.C. villages on the hills near the mouth of the Tiber With the Etruscans expelled from Rome, the sen- River. Gradually these villages coalesced into a sin- ate abolished the monarchy, which was replaced by

6 • Chapter Two