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Old 06-24-2020, 02:48 PM   #4846
Astromancer
 
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: West Virginia
Default Re: New Reality Seeds

Try this one...

For the elites and scholars, there is little doubt that the Pax Romana was magnificent. Others had problems and scholars in the modern-day have questions, but for those that wrote down records for us, the "Roman Peace" was seen as a wonder. In this Q4 world, it has lead to wonders. Basically, a Greek Scholar, from a small city that Rome totally obliterates in most worlds, makes major breakthroughs in magic. This means that Path/Book magic is introduced as a practical skill in an otherwise normal Roman world. In fact, the only difference Homeline knew of in this world from Homeline norms was the small Greek city in question rebelling against its local tyrant and welcoming the Romans instead of forcing the Romans to make an example of them.

Arcadius the Pious started gathering students in the reign of Nerva. By the reign of Hadrian magic was a respectable profession. Especially after Arcadius attended Hadrian during his illness in AUR 891 (AD 138) and the now seventy-five-year-old emperor openly praises these new magi.

Basically, it's 151 AD (AUR 904) Rome is mostly unchanged although cumulative changes are happening. Arcadius, who is nearly 100 years old and looks like a vigorously healthy fifty-year-old, has both synthesized his magic system out of the various minor local traditions around the Eastern Mediterranian Basin (most of which had demonstrable power but were so limited and involved as to be pragmatically useless most of the time). There should be a limited set of paths and books available, Arcadius introducing a new book and/or path should be a campaign event.

Because this world is only now beginning to see major changes because of magic, social, economic, military, and governmental, structures are as yet unchanged and the PCs can be part of that change.

Big changes are certain, Arcadius both holds that magic ought to be used to make life better for others and sees knowledge of the natural world as a way to amplify magic. Arcadius has not only acted as a physician, but he has also used his civil engineering skills amplified and aided by his magical skills to drain swamps in Italy. This both made malaria less common and increased the local farmland supply. Arcadius has introduced the Horse Collar, after making a study of the anatomy of horses. This has transformed the land transport system throughout the Empire. In both Gaul and Britannia, new plow designs are being used. The traditional Greco-Roman disdain for applying technological innovations to daily life is slowly dissolving.

PCs in this setting can be many types of adventurers. Wanderers looking for wisdom and opportunity were a type in later classical literature. Scholar Magicians sent out to explore distant lands for both trade opportunities and mystic knowledge would be fun too.

Homeline would be interested in this world both because of its shot at getting mystic lore without useless accretions and to witness the transformation of society with the introduction of functional magic.

The Cabal also wants the local lore and to keep Homeline from learning too much.

The Swagmen want quality contraband and slaves.

The Icops want to close down the swagmen and rescue any and all slaves the swagmen have trafficked to other worlds.
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