Polemos ton Diadochon: Successors and Pretenders

[Dirty Chai]

Πόλεμος των Διαδόχων
Wars of the Successors

So.. this is more of a brainstorm thread at this point in time, but it may evolve into a proposal.
After much broken discussion between myself and some other members of the RPG forums, LM and I decided to brainstorm and actually get some ideas on paper (or forum thread, whatever). We just want to get the ball rolling.

For those of you who aren't aware, the basic idea for this potential RPG setting would be that our characters (the player characters) are the Generals, Secretaries, Bodyguards, Friends, Vassals, etc of Alexander the Great, rather than Ptolemy, Cassander, Antipater, Antigonos, Seleukos, etc.
The historical 'diadochi' (or 'Successors') don't exist, and our characters replace them.
And yes, characters like Ariobarzanes of Pontus and Arsaces of Parthia are allowed. Persians (and 'sub-Persians' as I'll call them) are allowed.

[Dirty Chai]

So... I think this what we thought of so far:

In the context of Military:
We came up with a basic idea here; military is fairly standard, and most people will have access to standard phalanx armies (manned by natives, mind you) and what not, no matter location.
Essentially, for example, Macedon and Greek homeland regions have, of course, better Phalangites, while Persian and other regions have varying degrees of Hellenization and troop pools.
Another idea we had was more complex:
1) Standard Phalangites were normal, and most people have access to them, even if they can be more expensive in certain areas
2) You can have 2 - 3 special troops, like Cataphracts, Indian Elephants, Veteran Macedonian (infantry or cavalry), etc.
However, those are limited by region, and, for example, Macedon can't have Cataphracts or Elephants normally.
Parthia, for a contrast, is rich in cataphracts and the related, and Bactria has pretty easy access to Indian Elephants.

In the context of Religion & Stability:
The regions of the former Achaemenid (Ak-i-men-Id) Persian Empire are at least 90% Zoroastrian in religion, excluding Egypt, the Levant, and parts of Anatolia.
The Greek Regions are, of course, Hellenic as usual in religion.
Through the course of the game, these can merge or expel one another.
Greek Regions can't change (why would they?), but the eastern regions, once hellenized, may create merged religions, like the idea of "Zeus-Ahura Mazda"
(Zoroastrians identifying with Zeus as their Ahura Mazda, and vice-versa).
Or one may try to enforce complete Hellenization, which is somewhat impossible on a regional scale, but possible in urban centers.
Hellenization, from a more obvious POV, impacts military.

More importantly, it affects the popularity of a ruler, which is paramount in this setting.
- Ex. Ptolemy and his successors, while they refused to learn Egyptian, did however portray themselves as living gods (Pharaohs) like the ancient rulers of the Nile.
To contrast, Seleukos (intentional or not, don't know) caused a 'hero cult' among the Greek and urban population of his eponymous empire, and strengthened the rule of his heirs.
- Things like marrying local princesses, befriending chieftains, adopting customs (administrative, traditions, whatever), also help.
If the people don't like you, your kingdom won't last.
More importantly, if you don't have soldiers who love you, you will gobbled up by other Diadochi who do have soldiers who love them.

[The Stig]

So... I think this what we thought of so far:

In the context of Military:
We came up with a basic idea here; military is fairly standard, and most people will have access to standard phalanx armies (manned by natives, mind you) and what not, no matter location.
Essentially, for example, Macedon and Greek homeland regions have, of course, better Phalangites, while Persian and other regions have varying degrees of Hellenization and troop pools.
Another idea we had was more complex:
1) Standard Phalangites were normal, and most people have access to them, even if they can be more expensive in certain areas
2) You can have 2 - 3 special troops, like Cataphracts, Indian Elephants, Veteran Macedonian (infantry or cavalry), etc.
However, those are limited by region, and, for example, Macedon can't have Cataphracts or Elephants normally.
Parthia, for a contrast, is rich in cataphracts and the related, and Bactria has pretty easy access to Indian Elephants.

In the context of Religion & Stability:
The regions of the former Achaemenid (Ak-i-men-Id) Persian Empire are at least 90% Zoroastrian in religion, excluding Egypt, the Levant, and parts of Anatolia.
The Greek Regions are, of course, Hellenic as usual in religion.
Through the course of the game, these can merge or expel one another.
Greek Regions can't change (why would they?), but the eastern regions, once hellenized, may create merged religions, like the idea of "Zeus-Ahura Mazda"
(Zoroastrians identifying with Zeus as their Ahura Mazda, and vice-versa).
Or one may try to enforce complete Hellenization, which is somewhat impossible on a regional scale, but possible in urban centers.
Hellenization, from a more obvious POV, impacts military.

More importantly, it affects the popularity of a ruler, which is paramount in this setting.
- Ex. Ptolemy and his successors, while they refused to learn Egyptian, did however portray themselves as living gods (Pharaohs) like the ancient rulers of the Nile.
To contrast, Seleukos (intentional or not, don't know) caused a 'hero cult' among the Greek and urban population of his eponymous empire, and strengthened the rule of his heirs.
- Things like marrying local princesses, befriending chieftains, adopting customs (administrative, traditions, whatever), also help.
If the people don't like you, your kingdom won't last.
More importantly, if you don't have soldiers who love you, you will gobbled up by other Diadochi who do have soldiers who love them.

Playing. Playing soooooo hard.

[Lucius Malfoy]

To make note, Sub-Persian category means those cultures and natives that were under the Persian Empire. Such as Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Parthians, and Pontics.

Pretty much, you have a wide range of cultures to choose from. However, the primary/dominate culture will be Greeks/Macedonians/Hellens. Some cultures were allowed positions such as Egyptians and Persians.
However, if you state that you are a purely Thracian, don't except much. If you say you are a Greek with Thracian heritage, that is accepted because you are a Hellen. So pretty much, anyone who gives a Hellenized background or is a culture that was part of the former Persian Empire is allowed.

The start date will be 323 BC at the time of the Partition of Babylon. We will roleplay the Partition and be granted territory. More information to come!

[Dirty Chai]

The dominant characters will likely be Hellenes, Philhellenes, Prominent Persian Satraps.

[Dirty Chai]

"Warning: Certain Players may be irrationally forbidden to play with certain units or cultures."

No elephants for Stig.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Yeah, knowing Stig, he would adopt the Hindu religion and want to be in the Indus territories taken by Alexander lol.

He would make a massive Elephant Empire lol

[The Stig]

Yeah, knowing Stig, he would adopt the Hindu religion and want to be in the Indus territories taken by Alexander lol.

He would make a massive Elephant Empire lol

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Armored elephants yes....muhahaha ....But that sounds awesome! Gonig to create my own Dynasty.... With all the eye painting mascara in Eygpt.

The more they're wearing the more there is to tear off!

[Zectorman]

I'm in. Can i be a Egyptian!!? Or a Persian Satrap that has Egyptian blood intermingled with his. (Camel Cataphracts....Elephant Cataphracts...)

[Lucius Malfoy]

I'm in. Can i be a Egyptian!!? Or a Persian Satrap that has Egyptian blood intermingled with his. (Camel Cataphracts....Elephant Cataphracts...)

Egyptians are one of those sub-Persian cultures that are acceptable.

There will be set special troops available to be chosen lol. We are still determining that and are looking for ideas.

And don't you mean Armored Elephants? And Camels would only be a light cavalry; they could never stand the role of heavy shock cavalry. They weren't fast enough lol

[Pinkerton]

It has sparkled my interest (?)

Will certainly play

[Zectorman]

Armored elephants yes....muhahaha ....But that sounds awesome! Gonig to create my own Dynasty.... With all the eye painting mascara in Eygpt.

[Trot]

I'm interested.
Hmm what to be though. What to be...

[Trot]

I'm in

[Dirty Chai]

Does anyone have any revolutionary or innovative ideas for game rules?

[The Stig]

Does anyone have any revolutionary or innovative ideas for game rules?

Elephant based economic system

[Adamat]

Elephant based economic system

I'll trade my daughter for three of them.

Also, I am interested

[Pinkerton]

What if we don't have written rules?

And we just trust in the Mod Team to be fair

[Dirty Chai]

That leaves the door open for so many problems though.
Namely, people subtly insinuating I'm some corrupt dictator.
That problem is alleviated completely if people just promise to mature though.

[Pinkerton]

That leaves the door open for so many problems though.
Namely, people subtly insinuating I'm some corrupt dictator.

WHAT!

Aren't you a corrupt dictator already?