Campaign in Ancient Greece

[ColonelHardisson]

One is dealing with radically different worldviews comparing these civilizations; the rich polytheism of Homeric Greece is radically different that the worldview of the Athenian age. If one focuses on the Minoan world, one could go off on a very interesting Chalice and the Blade tangent. While in terms of technology and geography these ages might be similar, the differences in culture, religion and worldview are radically different.

All very interesting, but of no help to the person who started the thread. Why not simply pick what seems interesting in regards to a roleplaying game campaign and then make suggestions along those lines?

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Rogue would be a class that would be very intune with the Greek world. I can't think of any changes other than the weapon list and the addition of wilderness lore as a class skill.

Bard would also be a good class going to professions as either rhapsodes or rhetoricians.

If you have access to the Swashbuckling adventures book I recommend using their spelless bard for the rhapsode and any of AEG's versions of the Courtier for the rhetorician or travelling philosopher. I would also use their spellless version of the ranger. Though a ranger with spells might work for particularly odd rural folk like shepherds.

I would also be tempted to rework the barbarian as a class for Spartans. Part of their training did include living like a wild man after all. And the rage gives them those nice extra hit points to simulate their hideous toughness. And they were quick marchers.

Magic classes would be a difficult decision. If you want to include some in line with myth type stuff. Then clerics and druids would be common but high level ones would have nasty hugely complicated worship requirements at the local temples. Sorcerors would exist on the fringes of the Greek world, Medea and Circe. Wizardry would be something that comes in from Egypt or Babylon. You might find some merchants with a few levels but that would be it.

Magical items would tend toward the small and disposable and the large and immovable. Other things would have to come from the gods or defeating something really nasty and unique.

I saw a great write up of the Greek spear as an exotic weapon proficiency. The proficiency worked like the one for bastard sword. Gave the spear more use.

Phalanx Spear: Has reach in the hands of proficient user. Move equivalent action to adjust grip for use against an adjacent opponent.

That and a feat to simulate advantages of fighting in phalanx, there are several versions around, should be standard for any Hoplite.

 

[fusangite]

All very interesting, but of no help to the person who started the thread. Why not simply pick what seems interesting in regards to a roleplaying game campaign and then make suggestions along those lines?

You're quite correct. I misread the original post.

 

[tarchon]

If the book is called "the Ten Thousand," chances are it's the time of Xenophon and the Anabasis, early/middle part of the Greek Classical period. There must be ten thousand books on it too.

 

[CCamfield]

Hey, you know, the Anabasis, or a situation like it, could make for a very good military adventure. Stranded in the middle of enemey territory, can you get out alive?

Hmm... *evil grin*