Green Ronin's Eternal Rome

[PosterBoy]

I can't compare it to OGL Ancients, but it definitely does not provide all new classes and a magic system. It is 'D&D in Rome' more or less.

It's not something that is coming soon, but we will be doing a Legends of Rome at some point that will follow the similar format of our other legends books: all new core classes (and some prc classes) and alternate magic system.

This one looks pretty well done. No doubt I will look to reuse some OGC. GR products rarely disappoints.

 

[johnsemlak]

(Doesn't, I assume. )

Ugh, this English teacher is too tired to eidit prperly.

Hmm, sounds like they took the same tack as they did with Hamanuptra -- a product that I found to be pretty disappointing.

Can't compare it with that. I had the impression though that Hamanuptra was less historically grounded; it has a ficticious name even.

Oh well, at least it sounds like there are no elves, dwarves, etc. in Rome eh?

Hmm, almost forgot to look for that. The default setting is humans only. However, notes on using demi-human races are found hidden in the Bestiary chapter in a 'Non-human races' section. Suggestions on where the races could originate are provided (the books suggests that Halflings correspond to the Picts!). Note also that the books provide advice on using the Dwarven Defender and Arcane Archer PrCs. In addition, Nymphs and Satyres are playable PC races.

 

[EricNoah]

Can't compare it with that. I had the impression though that Hamanuptra was less historically grounded; it has a ficticious name even.

I certainly don't mind "fantasy Egypt" -- but I felt let down that I was basically seeing D&D elves, dwarves, etc. dressed up in Egyptian clothes. It wasn't different enough from regular D&D, in my opinion.

 

[Pramas]

This one looks pretty well done. No doubt I will look to reuse some OGC.

You may change your mind when you see the Section 15. It's, um, hefty.

I had the impression though that Hamanuptra was less historically grounded; it has a ficticious name even.

That's right. Egyptian Adventures: Hamunaptra was a full on fantasy setting inspired by Egyptian history and mythology. Eternal Rome is more historical. Those interested in a treatment of ancient Egypt itself should check out Testament, as it's one of several cultures that is extensively detailed therein.

 

[johnsemlak]

You may change your mind when you see the Section 15. It's, um, hefty.

Checks...

Whoa Nelly! the Section 15 is a whole page long.

 

[Bobitron]

Thanks for taking the time to write al that out, johnsemlak. Much appreciated.

 

[johnsemlak]

A little more reading...

The book offers a lot of rules for Chariot racing, combat, etc. A new skill, Drive (Chariot) is introduced. There are sevaral related feats (like a drive-by attack feat), and descriptions of chariots themselves.

 

[johnsemlak]

Still haven't read it thoroughly, but I can make some general remarks.

This book is in general a mechanics-lite book. A lot of space is taken up with flavor text of Roman history, culture, gods and cosmology, customs, and peoples of the Empire. The book will be useful for applying Roman flavor to a campaign. It has some standard practical aids like a long list of Latin names. However, as I stated earlier, some people will be disappointed that so much space is being used for flavor text that is general history and accessable from an Encyclopedia.

One of the most useful flavor bits in the book from an RPG prespective is in the geography section. Each region has an 'Adventures in [place]' section, offering suggestions of what PCs could do in the area.

Thtat's not to say there isn't crunch. Details are given on Roman weapons, equipment, gods, and the cosmology. There are three new domains I believe, and a number of new spells. There are 5 PrCs.

Teh book does have a lot of suggestions on how to apply core D&D classes and races into a Roman campaign. If you want to play a Paladin, the book suggests where they might come from. The core PrCs have suggestions. Even Demi-human races are mentioned. Also, the'es a list of Core monsters which can be used in a Roman campaing.

Overall, this book doesn't do anything very drastic. It's standard D&D in ancient Rome. Other than some brief suggestions, there's no major changes to the D&D rules to fit them in a ROman setting. DMs who want to preserve an authentic Roman feel to their campaign will have to do some of their own work if they use this book.

 

[Ranger REG]

Monks don't exist.

Didn't the Roman Empire extend as far as Tibet where buddhism flourish?

 

[morbiczer]

Tibet?

Not even near. The most eastern conquest of Rome was Mesopotamia and Armenia under Traian at the beginnig of the 2nd century, but even most of those territories were held only for a few years..