Make me a Roman Legionaire

[BLACKDIRGE]

Howdy,

I want to play a character based on a Roman Legionaire of about AD 120 (if that means anything to you), using all the tactics and equipment such a warrior would use. I have some ideas but would appreciate any imput from some of the other history buffs on the board. I figure 10 levels would be a good starting point, he could have advanced to the rank of Centurion by now.

Any Input would be appreciated.

Dirge

 

[maddman75]

Well, I'm not exactly a historian, but I'll give it a shot.

First, the armor, lorica segmentata as I recall, was a series of overlapping metal bands along with a leather skirt. It was heavy duty armor in those days. Game wise, I'd interpret this as banded mail. They would also use a large steel shield. The legionarres had a tactic of linking their sheild together to form a defensive shell - you'd need to develop a new feat to reflect this. Maybe something like

Linked Shields
Prerequsites - BAB +3, shield proficiency
Benefits - By taking the total defense action, in addition to the normal benefits of this feat the character gains the benefits of 1/2 cover if there is a character on either side of him employing the same tactic. If there are characters on either side, he gains 3/4 cover.

note - that was off the top of my head and is in NO WAY tested or balanced. Just an idea.

The sword was a gladius, a finely made shortsword. Masterwork or better shortsword and you got the sword down. They also had a special kind of javelin called a pilum. It could be treated as a standard javelin, except the long iron shaft tended to bend or break on impact, preventing the enemy from throwing it back at you.

For feats, the legionnares were trained to get up close to the enemy and make an upward stab into their stomach, so I think power attack would be appropriate. Weapon focus and specialization in gladius would be good as well, along with improved critical. Throw in some ranged combat feats for the pilum, and maybe top it off with Iron Will (to reflect the stern Roman discipline) and you got yourself a legionnaire.

Again, not a history expert, this is based off stuff I've read or seen on the history channel.

 

[SHARK]

Greetings!

Well, Black Dirge, I would submit the following:

Roman Centurion
Level 4 Expert/Level 6 Fighter: (Focus skills on Craft-Carpentry/Craft-Stonemasonry; Profession-Carpenter; Profession-Stonemason; Knowledge-Siege Engineering; Knowledge-War; Knowledge-Streetwise; Knowledge-History; Diplomacy; Gather Information; Intimidate; Knowledge-Nobility; as well as Spot, Listen, Sense Motive, and Wilderness Lore.

Such skills are essential for providing the needed skill ranks to reflect a Centurion's long experience, as well as diverse skills as an engineer, combat soldier, and officer. Centurions not only work daily with the legionnaires of their unit, but they also interact on a daily basis with the aristocratic Tribunes as well as the Legate (or commanding General)of the legion. The Centurion is often responsible for teaching younger legionnaires the skills that the Roman Legionnaires are famous for.

Equipment: Banded Mail seems to be the best D&D equivalent of the Lorica Segmenta, and provide him with a large Steel Shield, a Masterwork Shortsword, Masterwork Dagger, Helmet, cloak, and a wooden rod, which is a symbol of his authority. Hobnail sandals, harness, belt, small pouch, waterskin, and you're good to go!

Feats: Hmmm...Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Leadership; Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack; Expert Tactician; Iron Will.

These feats seem to me to accurately reflect the Centurion's ferocious fighting capability, as well as skill with tactics, leadership, and universal Iron Will. To become a Centurion, a person had to be incredible tough, driven, disciplined, and ruthless, as well as skilled beyond all other lesser legionnaires. Centurions, were, after all, the best men of the entire Legion. They were selcted from men who were the top ten percent!

Hope this helps!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

 

[Dragongirl]

Looks like I there are some good ideas in the posts above, so all I have to add is.......POOF, you are a roman legionaire!

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Looks like I there are some good ideas in the posts above, so all I have to add is.......POOF, you are a roman legionaire!

Dammit! Beat me to it. I used to get that all the time from my dad when i was a kid. "Dad, make me a milkshake..." I'd whine, and he'd go "POOF! You're a milkshake!" Not terribly helpful, I remember thinking at the time.

 

[Enforcer]

In Lords of Darkness there's a Phalanx Fighting feat, which is meant to simulate the overlapping shield bonus. I don't think i can post it here legally though. Maybe you should just check out your local game shop to see what it does?

 

[mmu1]

Shark's post looks pretty comprehensive...

I will point out, though, that Spring Attack doesn't work in heavy armor (such as Banded Mail).

 

[boothbey]

Going to have to go check out Lords of Darkness for that feat. Heh. I have an orc nation that uses Legionaires, didn't have any clue how to emulate a shield wall tactic. THANKS!

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Exotic Weapon

I would certainly get pilum as an exotic weapon profeceincy.

Do a bastard sword thing and say you can use them as regular javelins, but if you get the exotic weapon proficiency you can wield it with different stats and know how to use it to deprive an opponent of his shield or weapon.

Might also consider a special feat for 'crowding' your opponent with your shield in close combat. An important part of Roman close fighting was limiting their opponents use of larger weapons by pressing them with their shields and/or bashing them with the boss. Make it something like a limited grapple, where the legionarre would make an opposed check alongside an attack and whammo they would both be limited to small weapons.

 

[SHARK]

Greetings!

Ach! I forgot about the Heavy Armor restriction! But wait!--if you can rationalize the armor being forged from Mithril, it reduces it's Armor Weight Category Type to Medium, and also increases his available dexterity!

That's if you want Mithril, which the Roman Centurions did often wear armor that was especially inlaid with gleaming silver, so...

Also, though Centurions were certainly skilled with the Pilum, they didn't carry them into battle, like other legionnaires.

Thanks by the way, I'm glad everyone likes the stats! great stuff!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK