GURPS Gladius Arcana: Difference between revisions
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Player characters are slaves of the young and generous Quintus Didias Severus, they enjoy the best lives possible to slaves in the 3rd century Roman Empire. They are treated humanely, educated in the rudiments of reading and writing, and allowed to purchase their freedom if they are able. The most intelligent slaves are given more formal education and sometimes, once free men, go into business with young Severus. Strong slaves are trained in the combat arts and given the honor of performing in the gladiatorial arena. While many are wounded or even killed, all hope to win not only their freedom but fortune and glory. | |||
Player characters are slaves | |||
== Campaign Background == | == Campaign Background == | ||
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'''Starting year:''' 1011 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ab_urbe_condita AUC] (258 CE) | '''Starting year:''' 1011 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ab_urbe_condita AUC] (258 CE) | ||
'''Genre:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword-and-sandal Sword & | '''Genre:''' <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword-and-sandal Sword & sandal]</span> [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_fantasy historical fantasy] | ||
'''Realistic or cinematic?''' Cinematic | '''Realistic or cinematic?''' Cinematic | ||
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'''Campaign World:''' Roma Arcana (see ''GURPS Fantasy'', pp. 195-232) | '''Campaign World:''' Roma Arcana (see ''GURPS Fantasy'', pp. 195-232) | ||
'''Campaign’s base city, nation, empire, or planet:''' | '''Campaign’s base city, nation, empire, or planet:''' Severus Circus travel far and wide. | ||
'''Society/government type:''' Imperial Republic | '''Society/government type:''' Imperial Republic | ||
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== Information for PCs == | == Information for PCs == | ||
Player characters are | Player characters are trained gladiators who perform for Severus Circus and Games. Players are advised to adhere as closely as possible to the Gladiator template found in ''GURPS Martial Arts: Gladiators'' (p. 28) or ''GURPS Fantasy'' (p. 215). | ||
'''Starting point value allowed for PCs:''' 150 | '''Starting point value allowed for PCs:''' 150 | ||
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'''PC races allowed:''' Human | '''PC races allowed:''' Human | ||
'''Especially appropriate professions:''' Characters are property of Severus | '''Especially appropriate professions:''' Characters are property of Quintus Didias Severus, owner and proprietor of Severus Circus & Games. | ||
'''Starting Wealth:''' | '''Starting Wealth:''' | ||
'''Starting Wealth levels allowed:''' Wealth (Struggling) is required for beginning characters. | '''Starting Wealth levels allowed:''' Wealth (Struggling) is required for beginning characters. | ||
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'''Languages available:''' Latin is the ''lingua franca'' of the Empire, with Greek being spoken and read by most educated citizens. Slaves should choose their native language (free) as well as ensuring at least Broken proficiency (1 point) in spoken Latin. Most slaves do not read at all, but your master is known to provide tutors for his best slaves, so any slave also wishing to read Latin may do so. Only those slaves who are chosen to be scribes or business aides may be taught Greek. | '''Languages available:''' Latin is the ''lingua franca'' of the Empire, with Greek being spoken and read by most educated citizens. Slaves should choose their native language (free) as well as ensuring at least Broken proficiency (1 point) in spoken Latin. Most slaves do not read at all, but your master is known to provide tutors for his best slaves, so any slave also wishing to read Latin may do so. Only those slaves who are chosen to be scribes or business aides may be taught Greek. | ||
'''Cultural Familiarities available:''' | '''Cultural Familiarities available:''' Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Assyrian | ||
=== Advantages, Disadvantages, and Skills === | === Advantages, Disadvantages, and Skills === | ||
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'''Especially appropriate Styles:''' ''Greek martial arts:'' Ancient Greek Boxing (MA 153); Hoplomachia (MA 161); Pankration (MA 188-89); Submission Wrestling (MA 205). ''Roman martial arts:'' Armatura (MA 150) | '''Especially appropriate Styles:''' ''Greek martial arts:'' Ancient Greek Boxing (MA 153); Hoplomachia (MA 161); Pankration (MA 188-89); Submission Wrestling (MA 205). ''Roman martial arts:'' Armatura (MA 150) | ||
'''Disallowed advantages, disadvantages, and skills:''' | '''Disallowed advantages, disadvantages, and skills:''' Disallowed for beginning PCs. | ||
'''Appropriate Patrons, Allies or Contacts:''' Disallowed for beginning PCs. | '''Appropriate Patrons, Allies or Contacts:''' Disallowed for beginning PCs. | ||
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''GURPS 3rd edition Imperial Rome'' for background on the historic Roman Empire as well as greater details on society and daily life. | ''GURPS 3rd edition Imperial Rome'' for background on the historic Roman Empire as well as greater details on society and daily life. | ||
[[Category: Resources]] | [[Category: Resources]] | ||
Revision as of 23:29, 10 July 2014
Player characters are slaves of the young and generous Quintus Didias Severus, they enjoy the best lives possible to slaves in the 3rd century Roman Empire. They are treated humanely, educated in the rudiments of reading and writing, and allowed to purchase their freedom if they are able. The most intelligent slaves are given more formal education and sometimes, once free men, go into business with young Severus. Strong slaves are trained in the combat arts and given the honor of performing in the gladiatorial arena. While many are wounded or even killed, all hope to win not only their freedom but fortune and glory.
Campaign Background
Campaign name: GURPS Gladius Arcana
Starting year: 1011 AUC (258 CE)
Genre: Sword & sandal historical fantasy
Realistic or cinematic? Cinematic
General theme of campaign: Gladiatorial combat, adventure, and daily life in the Roman Empire
Are there multiple planes of existence? Yes
Campaign World: Roma Arcana (see GURPS Fantasy, pp. 195-232)
Campaign’s base city, nation, empire, or planet: Severus Circus travel far and wide.
Society/government type: Imperial Republic
Control Rating: CR4
Tech level: 2
General mana level: Normal
- Do areas of higher/lower mana exist? Yes
Brief description of important neighboring powers, political/economic situation, etc.:
Information for PCs
Player characters are trained gladiators who perform for Severus Circus and Games. Players are advised to adhere as closely as possible to the Gladiator template found in GURPS Martial Arts: Gladiators (p. 28) or GURPS Fantasy (p. 215).
Starting point value allowed for PCs: 150
Disadvantage limit (including Quirks): -75
PC races allowed: Human
Especially appropriate professions: Characters are property of Quintus Didias Severus, owner and proprietor of Severus Circus & Games.
Starting Wealth:
Starting Wealth levels allowed: Wealth (Struggling) is required for beginning characters.
Starting Status levels allowed: -2
Starting TLs allowed: TL 2
Languages available: Latin is the lingua franca of the Empire, with Greek being spoken and read by most educated citizens. Slaves should choose their native language (free) as well as ensuring at least Broken proficiency (1 point) in spoken Latin. Most slaves do not read at all, but your master is known to provide tutors for his best slaves, so any slave also wishing to read Latin may do so. Only those slaves who are chosen to be scribes or business aides may be taught Greek.
Cultural Familiarities available: Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Assyrian
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Skills
Required Advantages:
Required Disadvantages: Duty (Extremely hazardous; 12 or less) [-15]; Status -2 [-10]; Social Stigma (Valuable property) [-10]; Wealth (Struggling) [-10]
Especially appropriate Advantages: Language (Latin) (Native)
Especially appropriate Disadvantages: Bully; Callous; Compulsive Carousing; Discipline of Faith (Ritualism or Mysticism); Greed; Lecherousness; Overconfidence; Reputation; Stubbornness. Code of Honor (Gladiator). See GURPS Martial Arts Gladiators', p. 19.
Especially appropriate Skills: Current Affairs (Sports), Esoteric Medicine, Games (Roman Gladiator), Performance, Savoir-Faire (Ludus), Sex Appeal, Surgery.
Especially appropriate Styles: Greek martial arts: Ancient Greek Boxing (MA 153); Hoplomachia (MA 161); Pankration (MA 188-89); Submission Wrestling (MA 205). Roman martial arts: Armatura (MA 150)
Disallowed advantages, disadvantages, and skills: Disallowed for beginning PCs.
Appropriate Patrons, Allies or Contacts: Disallowed for beginning PCs.
Special Abilities Allowed for PCs
Exotic/supernatural traits: Disallowed for beginning PCs.
Cinematic skills: Disallowed for beginning PCs.
Are PC mages allowed? Disallowed for beginning PCs.
Are PC psis allowed? Disallowed for beginning PCs.
Are PC gadgeteers allowed? Disallowed for beginning PCs.
Rulebooks and Resources
GURPS Basic Set 4th edition
GURPS 4th edition Low-Tech
GURPS 4th edition Martial Arts
GURPS 4th edition Martial Arts: Gladiators
See also
GURPS 4th edition Fantasy for information on the Roma Arcana setting.
GURPS 3rd edition Imperial Rome for background on the historic Roman Empire as well as greater details on society and daily life.