Using Roma Surrectum for a college project

[Aristotle's Folly]

Hi, I'm "somewhat" new to this forum. I was around for a bit, last April. I think I said this then, but this is a very cool mod, although I don't get a chance to play it as much as I like. I'm hoping to change that this semester.

I'm a creative writing/philosophy major at Loyola University in Chicago. I'm finishing my history minor this semester and over the summer. As part of my minor, I've "created" a self-study course that will combine my creative writing major and my history minor. I've proposed to my professor that I use RS to "create" an alternative history of the Roman empire, and write about it. [My first thought was to write about Alexander the Great, but using RS allows me to add images to my project - and pictures are always cool.] In preparation for this project, I've read Gibbon over the break (ughhh - so long!) and Bury's history of the later Roman empire.

The project would be presented in an epistolary fashion (the story is made up of documents - Dracula, The Color Purple). Of course, being fiction, the documents would not reflect true history, as the history would be alternative.

The project has been accepted, but I just need some additional information. Most of the information I've been able to find just by using the search function - as I said once before this is a really good forum for information. There is some information I haven't been able to find (maybe I'm not looking right):

For the Romans, how accurate are the legion histories and unit designs - shields, armor, that kind of thing? What were they based on? I'm using version 1.5 or 1.6.

Has anyone finished the game, the long campaign? How long does it take? From what I've played of the game, the longer you play, the harder it gets - the more battles you have to fight - which can take time. Can I "finish" the game in twenty weeks? If not, what would be a more realistic goal?

This has probably been answered, but is there a way to change the name of a governor/general/diplomat once they are "in-game"? If I wanted to use a diplomat as a political figure, is that possible?

Has anyone else done anything like this? Any suggestions on how to improve the experience?

Thank you very much for your help. Danni

[General Brittanicus]

Firstly this sounds like a fantastic idea, i wish i could do something like this in the course i am doing at uni at the moment.I dont know if there is a way to change the characters names in-game, but i think their is a pool of names in descr_strat that the game chooses from that can be changed, but i could be wrong. The campaign could be finished in shorter than 20 weeks, it depends how long/ how aggresively you play.

Im not sure on this either, but i think the information on the legions was gathered from various sources and should be fairly accurate, but i will wait till somebody who actually worked on it can confirm that for you. I wish you the best of luck with this .

[apple]

The units in RS 1.6 isn't the most accurate you can find on this site tough they are a huge improvement from the old vanilla legions.

Btw. make sure to post your progress in the show your empire thread.

Edit: My 5555th post.

[Chicken]

Edit: My 5555th post.

[dvk901]

In answer to your question, Aristotle's Folly, the Roman units in RS1.6 are very accurate. Since RS1.6 starts before the 2nd Punic War, Hastati, Principe, and Triarii Legions is accurate. The next units appearing...the so-called 'Early Legions', represent the 2nd Punic War Legions and after, as the distinctions between Hastati, Principe, and Triarii gradually disappeared, and Rome used it's more well known 'legionary' armies.

The Legions themselves, as named and numbered in RS1.6 are as accurate as they can be. All of the information was compiled from various sources, and every Legion in RS1.6 was known to exist. As for their symbols (standards), they also are accurate where records exist about them. A few are 'guesses' because nothing is known. Legionary shields, however, are another matter. Little is known about them, so they are a 'creative expression' in RS1.6.

Just so you know, the Legions in RSII are exactly the same as those in RS1.6 (minus a few of them because they were levied beyond our time frame). And, each one is a bloody awesome work of art. Graphically speaking, they will be more accurate than those in RS1.6.

[Chicken]

In answer to your question, Aristotle's Folly, the Roman units in RS1.6 are very accurate. Since RS1.6 starts before the 2nd Punic War, Hastati, Principe, and Triarii Legions is accurate. The next units appearing...the so-called 'Early Legions', represent the 2nd Punic War Legions and after, as the distinctions between Hastati, Principe, and Triarii gradually disappeared, and Rome used it's more well known 'legionary' armies.

The Legions themselves, as named and numbered in RS1.6 are as accurate as they can be. All of the information was compiled from various sources, and every Legion in RS1.6 was known to exist. As for their symbols (standards), they also are accurate where records exist about them. A few are 'guesses' because nothing is known. Legionary shields, however, are another matter. Little is known about them, so they are a 'creative expression' in RS1.6.

Just so you know, the Legions in RSII are exactly the same as those in RS1.6 (minus a few of them because they were levied beyond our time frame). And, each one is a bloody awesome work of art. Graphically speaking, they will be more accurate than those in RS1.6.

so basically, what dvk is saying:

WAIT FOR RSII, its much better

[Aristotle's Folly]

so basically, what dvk is saying:

WAIT FOR RSII, its much better

Well, unfortunately, I can't do that. I already waited a year: I pitched this idea to my history advisor back in April of last year when I first discovered RS. He was impressed and even intrigued by the Roman military/political system that was unveiled some time ago. We discussed developing a "history" based upon what actually happens in the game. I showed him the game and he pointed out that in RSII (I think he spent some time on this page), the start locations/units/etc. were more historic. (Does the Roman start change in RSII? I probably should have looked that up - sorry.) He suggested waiting a semester until RSII came out. One semester became two, Christmas passed, and it's either start now (this would be a two semester project) or do it my senior year, which I can't do: I just have too many other things to do. So unless RSII comes out in a week, that's not going to be an option.

@DVK901: Thank you for that information. I did find the Wikipedia page and I'm doing research for histories of the Legions. I may have been confused - I wasn't necessarily referring to the shields so much, as the armor, weapons, and symbols (the bulls, Minerva) that the legions use. At some point my project would be reviewed by other history students and I'd want to keep the: "Oh, that's not right!" comments to a minimum (and if I use RS 1.6, then there will be some of those for the cultures that weren't updated. Greeks? Macedonians? You know what I mean?)

I'm less interested in fighting battles than I am with creating a history. Still working on the details. I need a way to have a third party make decisions. Where or not to build a legion, whether or not to invade Sicily or Greece, whatever. Something like an in-game dice role, so that I'm not making all the decisions. If anyone has suggestions, let me know.

And thanks again for the help.

[saxdude]

Lol, i once did a work with roma surrectum for my school, though it was more a documentary ala time commanders, came out pretty nicely and my fellow companions were quite impressed, i guess you should work on the possibilities and what if this didnt occur scenerios, think with the mentality of the senate and later empire and than change certain outcomes to see what descisioon they might have taken.

[Tesla]

So unless RSII comes out in a week, that's not going to be an option.

maybe beta test ? this way you'd have access to RSII

[Timefool]

maybe beta test ? this way you'd have access to RSII

That was my thought. I am sure the work for the Roman faction if quite far, so they may be able to give you access to the mod. You probably don't need it polished that much for far off factions, like the Seleucids or Parthians.

[Aristotle's Folly]

maybe beta test ? this way you'd have access to RSII

That's terribly nice of you but I don't meet the requirements for beta testing, per the team's list. For example, I've never written anything on RS on this forum, which I think is one of the requirements. And I would only be interested in using Rome - not playing another country or faction. And I'd just want to use the beta, rather than make a commitment to do a lot of work for the team. This project alone would be quite time consuming, and I have other classes.

Just to clarify: this project combines my interests in creative writing and history--but the emphasis is on writing (and images-I would be including them in my chapters). It wouldn't be like an AAR published on this forum; it would be fictional account of Roman history from the start of the game until I ran out of time - or lost the game. I need to get started by next Friday and the class would run until the first week of August.

I'd be required to file chapters reports with my professor. I'd be willing to share them with the team, but I don't know if they'd be interested or if that would justify allowing me to use the beta.

Still, it was a very nice thought.

[ray243]

Well, unfortunately, I can't do that. I already waited a year: I pitched this idea to my history advisor back in April of last year when I first discovered RS. He was impressed and even intrigued by the Roman military/political system that was unveiled some time ago. We discussed developing a "history" based upon what actually happens in the game. I showed him the game and he pointed out that in RSII (I think he spent some time on this page), the start locations/units/etc. were more historic. (Does the Roman start change in RSII? I probably should have looked that up - sorry.) He suggested waiting a semester until RSII came out. One semester became two, Christmas passed, and it's either start now (this would be a two semester project) or do it my senior year, which I can't do: I just have too many other things to do. So unless RSII comes out in a week, that's not going to be an option.

@DVK901: Thank you for that information. I did find the Wikipedia page and I'm doing research for histories of the Legions. I may have been confused - I wasn't necessarily referring to the shields so much, as the armor, weapons, and symbols (the bulls, Minerva) that the legions use. At some point my project would be reviewed by other history students and I'd want to keep the: "Oh, that's not right!" comments to a minimum (and if I use RS 1.6, then there will be some of those for the cultures that weren't updated. Greeks? Macedonians? You know what I mean?)

I'm less interested in fighting battles than I am with creating a history. Still working on the details. I need a way to have a third party make decisions. Where or not to build a legion, whether or not to invade Sicily or Greece, whatever. Something like an in-game dice role, so that I'm not making all the decisions. If anyone has suggestions, let me know.

And thanks again for the help.

Armour and weapon wise? They're are based on real armour findings, although I would say just be careful about what image you are using.

It would be weird if you depict Caesar's armies wearing Lorica Segementata when it was only introduced much later.

[apple]

Put forward an application and I see what the rest of the team says.

[Aristotle's Folly]

Put forward an application and I see what the rest of the team says.

Okay but just remember: women don't take rejection well.

[Chicken]

Okay but just remember: women don't take rejection well.

HAHA! you just made my day

[Herr Lindstrom]

She speaks the truth! Last time I rejected a Woman I had a near miss to my family package! The power of the woman is never to be underestimated!

[Kallides]

Man it is so cool that we have women fans of RS as well. Not only that but this lady is doing a uni project about it! Sweet! lol

[Aristotle's Folly]

Man it is so cool that we have women fans of RS as well. Not only that but this lady is doing a uni project about it! Sweet! lol

There's a bit more to RS than just killing your enemies with a sword. Still, women are very active on other game forums (the DAO forum for example - although I suspect some of those "women" are men acting as women) which involved killing your enemies with a sharp object. And I know there is at least one other woman on this forum.

For me, RS is an amazing teaching tool. I'm spending this afternoon with Oxford History of the Classical World and I've read The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. Then I go to RS and I'm impressed with how accurate the game is (within coded limitations).

Now if I could only change the names of my governors . . . I do want a Pontius Pilate in my game (the Catholic in me).

Besides everyone knows RS is a roleplaying game - just one without women characters . . .

[Kallides]

the DAO forum for example - although I suspect some of those "women" are men acting as women)

HA HA How sad.

Now if I could only change the names of my governors . . . I do want a Pontius Pilate in my game (the Catholic in me).

(Here) is a link to a thread stated by tone asking people to suggest the names for Roman generals you'd do well posting it there and resurrecting it who knows they might notice it. Or ask one of the team members directly.

[ray243]

There's a bit more to RS than just killing your enemies with a sword. Still, women are very active on other game forums (the DAO forum for example - although I suspect some of those "women" are men acting as women) which involved killing your enemies with a sharp object. And I know there is at least one other woman on this forum.

For me, RS is an amazing teaching tool. I'm spending this afternoon with Oxford History of the Classical World and I've read The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. Then I go to RS and I'm impressed with how accurate the game is (within coded limitations).

Now if I could only change the names of my governors . . . I do want a Pontius Pilate in my game (the Catholic in me).

Besides everyone knows RS is a roleplaying game - just one without women characters . . .

Have you read Peter Heather's The fall of the Roman Empire? His view is pretty much the current day view on why the Western Roman Empire fell.


Which reminds me of another thing. Why don't you use other mods in conjunction with RS?