Introducing a New Way to Play: the Equite

[Pontifex Maximus]

This OP will be used to flesh out the ideas to introduce a new class to the game entirely: the equite. Equites represent a class of wealthy Romans subordinate to the Senatorial class. If Senators represented the top 1% in ROman society Equites represent the top 5%. During the early Republic Equites were the only citizens wealthy enough to afford the best armor, weapons, and horses with which to fight. As a result they became the mounted core of many Republican legions of the citizen militia. As the Empire expanded and new sources of cavalry became available, most of the Roman equites were excluded from compulsive service. Although more politically prominent during the era of the principate, during the twilight years of the Republic equites rose in prominence, not being restricted by laws constraining Senatorial income. TRS will reflect this class by doing away with a lot of the economic restrictions faced by senators, but at the expense of political influence. Equites will be able to take one of two paths, to become a money making titan or to rise through the ranks of the military, eventually being able to wield significant influence over the legions. This class will be completely barred from government, except being able to hold the position of tribune of the plebeians, but unable to sit in on senate meetings. Equites will be unable to vote on Senatorial laws.

A separate military 'rank' system will be established for those interested in the martial path.

This will take some time to flesh out, but when its done I think it will be pretty awesome.

[Pontifex Maximus]

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[Ozy]

So we'd be able to make a secondary, equestrian character, or would it replace our main plebeian/patrician senator? I really like the idea, it allows us to have a more adventure style character as opposed to just a politically driven one.

[Pontifex Maximus]

It would replace your main character. Having a secondary equestrian character in addition to a senator would simply be too OP, but this idea is really just in early planning. I think its too early to say for sure. My initial thought is that having two primary characters, a senator and an equite would simply be too much of a powerful combination. I anticipate that equites will need to attach themselves to a senator at one point to advance their interests, but that's fine. Of course there will also be the problem of having too many equites and not enough senators...

[The Stig]

I like it.

[Rhapture]

I could see equites becoming powerful economic forces. they could own insulas ( apartments) , gladiatorial schools, etc . that are not available to senators. they would then need to find a senator to sponsor them to back their interests. i am not sure if they could actually lend money to senators, but they could sway the plebians, and possibly the patricians who are in financial difficulty. but they would need to be back room players, visiting the houses of different senators to accomplish their goals

[Pontifex Maximus]

The real challenge is making rules for them and balancing them.

[Magicman2051]

I've actually been toying around with a few rules for Equites, as well as a way of overhauling the current point system (so that its more useful for everyone involved).

[Pontifex Maximus]

I'll definitely want to see those, I've been worrying about the points system for a while.

I haven't put too much thought into the equites yet. I'll wait for a lull period...probably next term if we finally kill all the ing Spanish.

[Magicman2051]

^^

Probably for the best.

[Rhapture]

a few more players i think would make big difference, especially some plebeians who are active trib. of the plebs. ..as for spain.. we should start calling it Iberia heh. and it wasn't really completely conquered until alot later.

[Pontifex Maximus]

I still maintain the "If you build it, they will come" approach. We gained membership steadily last time. The longer we're all around, the faster it will grow. Once we get to 12-15 dedicated, active players, thing will pick up considerably. We've fixed all the major problems we had in the fall and we're in a much better position in week three of this game than we were in week three of last game.

[Magicman2051]

I'm reminded of the whole income fiasco.

[Pontifex Maximus]

And farms

[Vaðarholmr]

I realy like this idea, if the game grow to a sice similar to gstk we would need something like this.

[Dark Storm]

Suggestions.

At the start players who wish to be equites have a choice to make. Choice one.

Old money or new money. An old money Equite will have a family who have been rich for a while. These men are generally landholders with a fair few pieces around the republic. Each of these men shall start with a treasury of 10,000 denarii, two small farms, one large farm, two permanent mines and a hundred slaves, these men will carry Patrician points at the beginning also, which will help them out with certain options available to only Equites. A new money equite will be a but different, these men are quite new to Romes elite class, making mone from trade around the world, to start with they receive 10,000 denarii, twenty Liburna, 10 Quinquireme and shall have an amount of plebeian points that can be used to buy unique upgrades.

Neither Old money or new money Equite shall receive a base income like the Senators unless they are under employment in the army.

Equite's are subject to all laws passed in the Senate by Senator players, meaning that they can be limited by the Senate sould they grow too strong.

After Equites have chosen their starting path it is up to them where they can go from there, here is an example of some things they can buy.

Permanent mine- Only available to Equites for a certain cost. These mines bring in a D6 x 100 income a year, if they are successful

Liburna- As with the Senate rules however they are unrestricted as to the amount they can buy

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More to come maybe

[General Brewster]

could we maybe make a separate military career ?
so you can choose which career you take and when you get in the high military ranks that a senator needs to patronize you?

[Pontifex Maximus]

That's the plan

[General Brewster]

I'll make it if you want ?

[Pontifex Maximus]

No thanks, I'll do it.