Roman Legion OOC Forums

Maccius Cicero Disius · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

What exactly is the role of NPC's, are they there as merely a place holder for important positions or are they controlled by someone?

also why are so many important positions held by NPC's for example Consul, Pontifex of Iuppiter and Mercury.

thank you

Wra7hofAchilles · Deity Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 140 Location: Chicago, IL

JOM · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 151

Currently, the "Emperor As Consul" account is a placeholder representing Pompeius Septimus Varro's election as Consul (he is obviously a PC). In most other cases, however, NPCs are in one of five categories:

1) Leaders of Senatorial groups
2) Clients of PCs
3) Clients of the aforementioned NPC Senate leaders
4) Unaffiliated office-holders (many NPC legates are in this category)
5) "All other" - unaffiliated private citizens, foreign leaders, etc.

All five groups play an important role in the game overall. The only ones who potentially diminish PC influence are the independent NPC politicians/officers and their NPC allies.

This is necessary for several reasons:

1) The presence of leading NPCs allows us to maintain a wider array of high offices without diluting the value of the offices. If we reserved the highest posts for PCs alone, we would, at times, have 24 year old Consuls, Promagistrates, etc. There simply aren't enough PCs with IC experience to hold all the posts. In the past, before the advent of independently powerful NPCs, we often had PCs advancing to very high positions rapidly. This is both unrealistic and takes some of the challenge out of the game. Also, in our pre-NPC era, we had considerably fewer offices in existence.

2) The presence of leading NPCs promotes political realism. Players tend to form strongly centralized and ideologically coherent parties along modern lines. In fact, if you check out the charter of one current party, it is demands very tight discipline and maintains a governing council with "absolute authority" over partisan affairs... the politburos of 20th-century communist parties would be jealous! Other previous parties in the RL appointed "party whips" (a term originating in the British Parliament) to enforce discipline. As players tend to cluster into these types of parties (which are not realistic from a historical perspective), they leave large gaps of unrepresented NPC elites. As such, NPCs move to fill key leadership positions. As competent PCs with IC credentials move to fill these gaps (I anticipate such a trend in the near future), certain NPC leaders will gradually step back.

3) NPCs enhance the IC power of the most formidable PCs. This reflects Phil's earlier statements. The Emperor and military leaders are the main beneficiaries. In my experience, the NPCs behave far more realistically in the face of the power of the military and the Emperors... and I think that Phil will back me up on this point. Compared to real history, our Roman Legion government structure provides greater opportunity for advancement to PCs who are neither militarily powerful nor members of the Emperor's "inner circle." This is good for the game OOC, but sometimes players avoid, to an excessive degree, realistic courses of action due to non-IC influences, such as OOC alliances between players and and familiarity with modern liberal democracy. As a perfect example from the RL's history, there was a strong attempt by PCs in the Senate to ignore the will of the late Emperor Pompeius Varro, who had nominated Valens Piso as his heir, and grant Imperial powers to Adrius Varro instead. Valens Piso and his ally Tiberius Vitellius, who led an army that was THREE times larger than Adrius' potential base of military support, refused to accept Adrius as Emperor. Consequently, a majority of NPCs stepped in and blocked Adrius' bid to become Emperor in the Senate. It wasn't by any means "democratic," and I realize that some players are still pissed at the GMs (and me in particular) for the NPC actions. But if you want to play a government game based on modern liberal democracy, I advise you to look elsewhere.

So... any questions?

Smile

_________________
Jupiter Optimus Maximus - John
Senior GM
Political, Economic & Legal Affairs

Maccius Cicero Disius · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

thanks i think i understand their purpose better now

L0k1 · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 5

I have a short question in regards to NPC Legates. . . How am I supposed to be report in? I mean the introductory rules tells us to gain honor (besides voting) that we should report in to our legate and await orders? Furthermore, I love writing scenarios and such but as an audiator (spelling?) how do I write a scenario? The legion I'm in is Navy patrolling the Carthage Bays from pirate attacks so can I as a peon write a scenario about ending up in a pirate fight? Or do I wait for something else to come about? I mean the best part of role-playing is telling an awesome story.

Wra7hofAchilles · Deity Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 140 Location: Chicago, IL

L0k1 · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 5

Classis Marsilliaca
Type: Naval
Soldiers: 3700
Auxiliaries: 10000
Heavy Cavalry: 0
Light Cavalry: 0
Large Boats: 50
Small Boats: 80
Training: Regular
Mentality: Steady
Orders: Patroling- Home Port- Carthage
Move To: None
Location: Central Med. Sea
Legate: NPC Legate
Proconsular Legate: None

This makes it very difficult. Furthermore, I have no authority to lead soldiers however can I write a story about being part of a band of soldiers on the boat in a pirate attack. Ill even post it in a forum here.. I just like writing. Sorry, nerd I b.

Wra7hofAchilles · Deity Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 140 Location: Chicago, IL

L0k1 · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 5

Okay sir thank you, very helpful.

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