[APPROVED] A Constantinople RPG

[Prodigal]

Nea Rhomania

Background

The year is 1118. The great Alexios Komnenos has passed, leaving a revitalized and re-strengethed Byzantium to his son, John. Internal stability, as well as an abundance of military and financial resources have been handed to the new emperor. The Normans have been temporarily pacified, the Pechenegs left crushed, the heathen Turks pushed back, and the crusaders tied on a leash, and it seems the future of the empire can only be of greater heights.

Meanwhile, the Bogomil and Paulician heretics have been persecuted into oblivion, and the Church has also entered a new period of stability, at least from the outside. On the inside, it is obvious that controversy is brewing. Some bishops and politicians are suspected of harboring wishes for a reunion with Rome, and the conservatives of the Church, including the majority of the laypeople, have no wish for even friendship with the heretics of the west. The old Patriarch, John IX "Ieromnemon", has retired, and a new, conservative, leader has arisen by the name of Methodios.

With the militaristic and diplomatic success also comes trade success. The crusades brought in many new foreigners to the City of Emperors, and the merchant quarters are a'bustle with people of all ethnicities. Ranging from Britons to Maldivians, and bringing their trade goods with them, the merchants are a strong political force. Riches are what moves the empire, and those who control the riches control influence.

Notables

The Basileios


The Emperor of Byzantium, and the ruler of the Queen of Cities, he wields autocratic power despite the republican facades, but any slight move can make him gain or lose influence with the people. The office is notorious for having a high replacement rate, but a wise ruler, especially the one with the past of the Komnenoi, can hold on to power and gain glory and popularity, as well as the honor of being recorded in the diptychs for all history.

The Ecumenical Patriarch


The leader of Orthodox Christianity in the Empire, the faith is primarily guided by him. He plays a strong role in politics and the swaying of public opinion. He can convene councils to decide doctrine, as well as anathemize people and beliefs contrary to true Orthodox dogma. A good ruler undoubtedly needs the support of the Patriarch, and the deposition of a popular spiritual leader can lead to open revolt.

Strategoi


The generals of the empire, serving under the emperor as leaders of the armed forces. In charge of military finances, purchases of mercenaries, and strategy on a microscale. Macroscale military planning is the job of the emperor, though the job can be handed to any strategos/strategoi.

Paths

Of the soldier: Whether you were raised admiring the standing soldiers of the Byzantine Empire, a wayward adventurer with talent for fighting, or a foreign mercenary looking to enlist in the Byzantine army, this path can take one from the humble ranks of footsoldiers to the mighty strategoi of the empire.

Of the merchant: A clever Greek, seeking to enrich himself and his empire; or a foreign profiteer, looking to bring in and take out trade goods for personal gain, this profession has a wide range of background.

Of the politician: The Greeks, Armenians, Bulgarians, and other inhabitants of the Balkans and empire as a whole are well known for their sly political dealings and manueverings. Many a success story has been told, of the meagre peasant rising to become a senator or even mighty emperor.

Of the clergy: Religion plays a heavy role in the Empire, from politics to diplomacy. The hand of God and the warming embrace of His mother are both very much present to the people of the region. Religion can mean the rising or the falling of a ruler. The clergy have strong support in the masses of Byzantium.

Basic Rules

Most rules will be based off of the successful GSTK RPG, it's worked for them, so it should work for us. Note that all rules are subject to change at the discretion of the moderators. Appeals and suggestions are welcome.

Events
Events will happen according to history, but can change according to past decisions on the players part, and may end differently according to player participation. Events that are not historical may be thrown in as decided by the moderators, and propositions for events can be PM'd to either local mod. The acceptance of a proposed event will not be known publically or privately except among the moderators, and the event will happen when and how the moderators wish.

Battles
As this is a mostly RP-based RPG, battles will be fought RP-style, without excessive technicalities. General enemy positions will be given, the strategos will present his plan, and then the battle will be RP'd without a calculation system.

Economy
Funds and things to be bought will be run very similarly to GSTK, with some cultural and environmental changes to suit the time and location.

Speed
The game will run at a week per year, although the speed is subject to change by the moderators depending on game activity and events.

Map
Starting land will be determined from historical records of the Empire after the death of Alexios. The job of map editor may be given to a player, although the local moderators can also change it as they wish.

Local Moderators
Kaitsar
KippyK

Players
Kaitsar
Dan the Man
KippyK
The Bean
Arkocento Prinos
Barry Goldwater
Muttonchops
Aggamemnon
Master Magic Mage

Forum Layout

Constantinople The city, where one may meet others, trade, or grab a drink at the tavern. >Inner City Here one can find the Church of Holy Wisdom, Blachernae, the Senate, and other major buildings. >Outer City The residences of the city's inhabitants, be they notable or otherwise, are located here. The Empire The lands under the Basileios that lie outside of the capital. Battles and RP outside of Constantinople take place here. The Treasury Where one can find records of characters, income, and stored funds. The Monasteries A place of contemplation, exile, history, and archives. >Archives Past, dead threads are recorded here. Administration Where one can register, ask questions, and other general OOC chatter.

[Dan the Man]

You have my sword.

[Kip]

...and my bow.

[Roxas]

Errmmm (Tries to fit in with the rest) Have my Arrows?

Anyway, sounds fun although you will be hard stretched to get more forums here since they are cracking down on bandwidth although you could try the AAR forums though I guess.

If you want help discussing ideas and such just give me a pm

[Armatus]

You mentioned Iconoclast would this be an 8th century setting?

And do you need Medieval 2 installed or is this just forum based?

If forum based what type of RP system will be used?

[Watercress]

I would join, but i had a plan myself for something like this a while ago.

[Armatus]

It takes a lot of work to run an rpg. No sense doing it all yourself. The more people that work together the better chance they are fun to play. I ran one from 2008 to 2009 called Barbarikon which finally went to the cemetery. You really have to be dedicated as a game master.

I would be willing to dedicate my custom d100 rules depending on what format this proposal was to follow and if it needed any help.

[Prodigal]

You mentioned Iconoclast would this be an 8th century setting?

It was mostly just an example, I'm still deciding on the time period. I definitely want it to be post-Justinian. This wouldn't require Medieval II, no.

I would join, but i had a plan myself for something like this a while ago.

Then why don't you contribute and help out?

[Hector Barbossa]

Sorry but there will not be any new RPG`s allowed for the foreseeable future, we have explained this on a number of occasions now.

[M D]

Righto...

Basically, due to TWC's high bandwith consumption and the fact RPGs take up at least 2 subforums within a main forum, they have decided that new RPGs are not going to be created. You can host it off site or wait for a current RPG to die.

[Armatus]

Why not just make a topic for it and if you need a place to work on it, just open a social group.

[Prodigal]

I think I'll do it off-site then, but I'd still like to get players from here.

Any people interested?

[Dan the Man]

*raises hand*
Pick me! Pick me!

[Prodigal]

You're already on the list, lol.

[Dan the Man]

Oh...

[Armatus]

Hmm... I would, but I know so little about the mechanics of how it will work.

And doing it on a private site is in my opinion a bad idea unless you have a solid campaign built with a tight group of dedicated players.

I really don't want to add another forum login to my daily routine, but I'll offer any help I can.

[ArkocentoArisen]

After abput 30 seconds of screaming at reading this i have one question
is this the same universe as GSTK? if it is then there are some really important Diffrences from the real world
and i would still like to join anyways

[Prodigal]

Nope, completely independent game, not the same universe.

Was the screaming a good thing?

[ArkocentoArisen]

Does my Name and Avatar give you an answer?

[Prodigal]

Then you're added to the player's list.
Anyone else?