conversations.from: system
conversations.value: *The purpose of this game is to serve as a test for the battle mechanism being developed for the "Roman Storium" series of games.  It will consist of just a few scenes, centered (very loosely) around the "Jewish War" of the late First Century AD.*
  
  The Game will consist of three "Acts:"
  
  **Act I:  The Uprising.**  In June 66 A.D., the depredations of Gessius Florus, Imperial Rome’s Procurator in Jerusalem, had driven an already desperate Judean populace into open revolt.  Judean freedom-fighters, many of whom were secretly armed for quite some time, rallied to their respective factions leaders.
  
  **Act II:  The Assault of Gallus.**  During the early weeks of the rebellion, Legio XII “Fulminata” force-marches to their beleaguered comrades aid from off-map under leadership of Rome’s Syrian Provincial Governor, Cestius Gallus. (Note: this scene is a hypothetical scenario; it never happened in real history).
  
  
  **Act III:  Titus Flavius Vespasianus.**  The battle presented in Act III will be the full-on assault of three full-strength Roman legions, to include the much vaunted Tenth.  
  
  *Source Material:  "The Siege of Jerusalem: Scenarios" By Fred Schachter*
  -----------------------------------------
  
  **EXPERIMENTAL RULES.**  
  
   These will be Player vs. Player (PVP) battles.  In situations where the fight is Player vs. Narrator, the same general rules will apply, with the exception that the number of boxes in the Battle Challenge Card would be halved.  *(For this game, the Narrator will be controlling one of the belligerent Players, but that would not need be the case in future games.*
  
    The tactical problem to be addressed will be presented in the form of a **"Battle Challenge Card"** (BCC).  A BCC will consist of a basic description of the battle to be fought, with additional details being provided by the Narrator in the Scene Description.  The BCC will include the **Initial Combat Odds** (ICO).  The ICO describe the odds (based on a 100-sided die roll) of a battle having a specific outcome.  The ICO will be presented on the BCC from the perspective of the Roman Player (i.e., if ICO says "Roman Defeat," then the corresponding opposite conclusion ("Enemy Victory") is implied.  
  
  A typical BCO for a Battle Challenge Card might read something like:
  **Initial Combat Odds:
  Victory: 1-40
  Draw: 41-70
  Defeat: 71-95
  Utter Rout: 96-100**
  
    In determining the ICO, the Narrator will take into account (at a minimum) the following factors:
   - Size differentials (if any) of the opposing forces
   - Training and Equipment
   - Morale
   - Supply Status
   - Effects of Terrain
   - Effects of artillery, missile fire, and cavalry
   - Siege and/or Breaching Assault (Defender in a fort or walled city)
   
  There is *no* hard & fast rule for how these factors will affect the BCO (i.e., "cavalry advantage = 5 points").  Rather the Narrator (whom you just gotta trust!) will arbitrarily "take these factors into account" when deciding how the BCO numbers will be adjusted as the battle is being designed.  (Hint:  a battle with clean 50-50 odds may prove to be a rarity.) 
  
    Actions of both combatants will have an influence on the battle's outcome; these will be expressed in terms of **Combat Modifiers** (CMs) applied to the computer-generated die roll (DR).  From an algebraic standpoint, CMs favoring the Roman will be subtracted from the roll; those favoring the opponent/enemy will be added.  
  
   Here's an initial (though not all-inclusive) list of Combat Modifiers:
  **Strength Card:** -5 (Roman)/+5 (Opponent)
  **Weakness Card:** +5 (Roman)/-5 (Opponent)
  **Military Asset Card:**  +15/-15
  **Economic Asset Card:**  +10/-10
  **"Generic"(but somehow appropriate) Asset Card:**  +1/-1
  **"Generic" (and totally inappropriate) Asset Card:**  -1/+1
  **Subplot and Goal Cards:**  Use the same general rule as for Asset Cards 
  
  An example of a Military Asset Card would be "Praefectus Fabrum" (Military Engineer).  Playing this card would have prove quite effective in just about any combat situation. 
  
  Generals occasionally gave *Donatives* in the form of cash gifts to their troops on the eve of battle to boost morale and stiffen resolve.  A Player with a "Major Financial Expenditure" Card could use it as an example of an Economic Asset. 
  
  The Narrator will have some leeway in determining the appropriateness of non-military Asset, Subplot, and Goal cards.  A card titled "Make a Name for Yourself in the Legions" would be appropriate, and produce the desired effect.  Playing an Asset Card titled "Pet Peacock" or a Goal Card titled "Become a Good Dancer" would *not.*
  
    Fill in the Boxes!  You may be asking yourself, "Why would I *ever* play a Weakness Card on a battle challenge?  If I didn't have enough Strength Cards or good Goal/Subplot Cards available, wouldn't I just not play anything?"  Great question; we thought of that!  Here's why:  **When the Narrator resolves a battle, any BCC squares left "blank" will count as *20 points against* that Player's desired outcome!**  So if it's the eve of the big battle, and you're debating on whether or not to play that Weakness Card titled "Pees Himself When Frightened," just remember that it's a difference of losing 5 points, or losing 20 points!
  
    Combat Resolution.  A battle will require more than one post for a Player to complete.  The first post may be thought of as either being "Battle Preparations" or "Opening Maneuvers."  This is the post where the Player plays his cards against the BCC.  
  
  Once both participants have expended all their cards, the Narrator will "do the math" and determine what the modifiers will be to the combat resolution die roll.  After all the strengths, weaknesses, assets and subplots are played against each other, there will be some net differential, which will be added/subtracted to the computer-aided die roll, which the Narrator now makes.  The roll will be adjusted, and the final number will be compared against the set of outcomes listed on the BCC.  
  
  Once the Narrator knows the outcome of the battle, he will notify each participant.  It will then be up to the Players to describe how the battle plays out from their perspective.  The Narrator may provide them with little "bullets" of information (i.e.," Marcus' cavalry feint fails miserably, and the horsemen are cut to pieces") which the Players can then use in the formation of their posts.
  
  **One Final Note:**  Please keep this important philosophical point in mind:  The object of a game like this isn't "winning" or "losing;"  the point is to use the battle data to *write a really good story!*  It's all just an opportunity to do some creative writing!  Think of it this way:  If "The Alamo" was a Storium game, the Mexican player got the roll he needed to win the battle, but everyone remembers the story the Texican player told describing his glorious defeat!
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *Edit this card to tell us what strengths or interests you bring to the discussion.  Are you a history buff?  Have you had experience in RPGs with similar features?  Etc...*
conversations.prefix: Contributor:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Just a placeholder...
conversations.prefix: Generic Strength Card:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: just select it, already!
conversations.prefix: Blah blah blah:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: of course...
conversations.prefix: To create a Roman World:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *Dignitas* is the sum of your political standing, your influence, and your personal honor.
conversations.prefix: Dignitas:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Appian Way is one of the major thoroughfares leading out of (and into) Rome. 
   
  Also known as the *Via Sacra,* the Appian Way exited Rome through the *Porta Appia* (Appian Gate) and led southeast, connecting Rome to Capua and points south.
conversations.prefix: Via Appia:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The original senate house of Rome standing on the north side of the *Comitium.*  The construction was assigned to the Roman King Tullus Hostilius (in the days before the Republic) and it was regarded as very venerable, though it must have been rebuilt after the fire of the Gauls, if not more frequently. Throughout history it was, like the *Comitium*, an inaugurated temple.
  <http://dlib.etc.ucla.edu/projects/Forum/resources/Richardson/Curia_Hostilia>
conversations.prefix: Curia Hostilia:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Rostra was a large platform built in the city of Rome that stood during the republican and imperial periods. Speakers would stand on the rostra and face towards the Senate house and deliver orations to those assembled in between.  It takes its name from the six rostra (plural of rostrum, a warship's ram) which were captured during the victory at Antium in 338 BC.   
  <http://openbuildings.com/buildings/rostra-profile-10998>
conversations.prefix: Rostra:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Playing this card means that you have spent a moderate (i.e., not a trivial) amount of your wealth on a purchase...either of a tangible item, a business investment, a bribe, hiring a minor character, or purchasing "political influence" for a particular outcome or event.
conversations.prefix: Moderate Financial Expenditure:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: This represents a *substantial* portion of your total wealth.  If you spent this money to bribe an official, equip your troops, stage games, engage in a major public works project, or influence a political outcome...*you must have really wanted it!*
conversations.prefix: Major Financial Expenditure:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are moderately interested in seeing that a particular political outcome comes about.  Use this card to increase the likelihood that things "go your way."
conversations.prefix: Minor Political Expenditure:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are staking your reputation and your political career on this outcome!  Whatever the Latin is for "Sticking your neck *way* out," that's what you're doing.
  
  Playing this card all but guarantees success...unless an opponent makes a commitment of equal seriousness!
conversations.prefix: Major Political Expenditure:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *"Ego perveniet ad pugnam ante faciem tribulantis, et
  Induxero optimi milites." *  
  That's a Latin translation of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest's maxim to "Get there firstest with the mostest."
  
  Play this card to tip the tide of battle decisively towards your favor! (It reduces the chance of failure/defeat).
conversations.prefix: Superior Tactics:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your troops recognize you as a leader.  Using a combination of inspiring speeches backed up by tactical competence and "from the front" leadership, you inspire your men in combat.
  
  Use this card to keep troop morale high and to decrease the chances of a defeat on the battlefield.  
conversations.prefix: Battlefield Leadership:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Campus Martius covers the large plain outside the Servian Wall northwest of the city of Rome, outside the City's legal boundaries.   It was used for the assembly and training of soldiers before military campaigns.  Generals awarded a triumph were required to remain there outside the city along with their troops  until the day of their triumph.  <http://www.ancientsites.com/aw/Places/Place/324614>
conversations.prefix: Campus Martius:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: In a surprise attack, Judean forces have swarmed Roman forces garrisoned in the Antonia Barracks!  The attackers are surprisingly well-organized and armed; this is no mere mob of spontaneous rioters!  Although the 400 Syrian auxiliaries are likely to panic, the contingent of veteran Roman heavy infantry can be expected to stand its ground and sell its blood dear.    Gessius Florus, *what do you do?*
   
  BATTLE ODDS: See below.
   
  
conversations.prefix: BATTLE CHALLENGE:  ANTONIA FORTRESS:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have a knack for the give & take of down & dirty Roman politics.  
  
  **Increases chance of winning a political challenge (+2).**
conversations.prefix: Political Animal (PC or AC only):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A valued member of your unit; your skills with sword and shield are considerable.  
  
  **Increases chance of winning in combat (+2) (personal or unit level) **
conversations.prefix: Martial Skill (PC or AC only):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Your peers look to you for sound judgment and guidance. 
  
  ** Increases likelihood (+1) of a positive outcome for a political, judicial or military challenge.**
conversations.prefix: Natural Leader (any):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“I am no orator, as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain, blunt man, That love my friend.” *  Your knowledge of rhetoric and logic combined with a crystal clear speaking voice make you a force to be reckoned with.
  
  **Increases likelihood (+2) of a positive outcome for a political or judicial challenge.   **
  
conversations.prefix: Skilled Orator (PC or AC):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *“Fortune is merry,
  And in this mood will give us anything.” * Things just seem to go your way more often than not.
  
  **Increases likelihood (+1) of a positive outcome for a political or judicial challenge.  Increases likelihood of a positive financial outcome (trade, return on investment) **
  
conversations.prefix: Lucky (Any character):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: If you look like a god/goddess, people just naturally think you have other divine qualities as well!
  
  ** Increases likelihood (+1)of a positive outcome on any non-military (political, judicial, social) challenge  **
conversations.prefix: Good Looking! (Any):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: “We can sell our family holdings in Liguria for some quick cash.”
  
  **PC – Counts as a “Major Expenditure” Asset Card.  Use it only if you really need to!
  Writer – Money talks any way you want it to when you address a challenge.
  **
conversations.prefix: Personal Wealth:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“He is a noble Roman and well given.” *
  Your good nature opens doors, calms tempers, etc.
  
  
  **AC – Use as a +1 asset to affect any political or social challenge
  Writer – Use for a +1 positive outcome on any social challenge
   **
conversations.prefix: Affable (Writer or AC only):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *“He reads much; He is a great observer, and he looks
  quite through the deeds of men.” *
  
  **+1 on any challenge **
  
conversations.prefix: Scholarly and Perceptive (any character):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
  How hard it is for women to keep counsel!” *
  
  **+1 on any challenge**
  
conversations.prefix: A Strong Woman (Female PC or Writer only):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *“His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
  And say to all the world, 'This was a man!'” *
  
  **+1 on any challenge **
  
conversations.prefix: A Virtuous Man  (Male PC, AC or Writer):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Yep, you either said the wrong thing or picked your nose in public…again!
  
  ** Has a -1 effect on any challenge**
conversations.prefix: Socially Awkward (any character):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *“And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
  What hath proceeded worthy note today.” *
  Your dour disposition sometimes makes you unpleasant company.
  
  **Has a -1 effect on any challenge**
conversations.prefix: Sourpuss (any):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“Fr-fr-fr-friends, Ro-ro-romans, C-c-c-c-countrymen!  Lend me your ear!”  *  When you least expect it, your childhood speech impediment suddenly kicks in.
  **An embarrassing -1 to any challenge**
conversations.prefix: Stutter (any):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Rude children point and stare at you in the Forum.
  
  **-1 to any non-military challenge (your helmet covers them up).**
conversations.prefix: Really Big Ears (any):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“The angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s brow.” *
  You are prone to fits of anger which severely impair your judgment.
  
  **-1 to any challenge**
conversations.prefix: Anger  (any):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *“It was a grievous fault,
  And grievously hath Caesar answered it.” * You are ambitious, and everyone knows it.
  
  ** -1 to any challenge**
conversations.prefix: Dangerously Ambitious (PC or AC):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“Such men as he be never at heart’s ease whiles they behold a greater than themselves.”  *You are prone to envy, jealousy, and occasional back-stabbing.  
  
  **-1 to any challenge**
conversations.prefix: Envy (any):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: "It seems like a good idea...but is it really?"
  
  You are prone to bouts of indecisiveness and doubt.
  
  **-1 to any challenge.**
conversations.prefix: Doubt (Any):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.” *  People tend to distrust you because you’re always “working the angle.”
  
  **-1 to any challenge**
  
conversations.prefix: Schemer (any):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *“But I am constant as the northern star, Of whose true-fixed and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament.”  *
  Once your mind is made up, that’s it.
  
  **-1 to any challenge**
conversations.prefix: Stubborn (any):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“Those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads. But, for mine own part, it was Greek to me.”  *You’re not as well educated as you could’ve been, and sometimes you’re a little slow on the uptake.
  
  **-1 on any challenge**
conversations.prefix: Dense  (any):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *“Take but good note, and you shall see him…transform'd Into a strumpet's fool.” * 
  The word is out that this AC is wrapped around the little finger of a female PC; he lives only to do her bidding and earn her favor.
  **-1 in any challenge**
conversations.prefix: A Woman's Plaything (AC Only (for Female PC)):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“What's brave, what's noble, Let's do it after the high Roman fashion,
  And make death proud to take us.”  *
  First and always, you are a Roman, dedicated to the principles which make the Republic great.  
  
conversations.prefix: A Roman of the Romans:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *“Would you have me False to my nature? Rather say I play
  The man I am.” *
   Your goal is to conduct yourself nobly and with virtue in all things, and thus bring honor to your family name.
  
conversations.prefix: Stay True to Thyself:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: *“Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy: mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more bastard children than war's a destroyer of men.” *
  You believe that war brings out the best of Roman virtues.
conversations.prefix: Bellicose:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You seek to make Rome a place where your family (and indeed all Romans) can prosper, living their lives in civil tranquility.
conversations.prefix: Stability and Prosperity:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You seek to preserve the political order, to keep the balance of power between the classes properly aligned, and thus ensure civil tranquility.  Implicit in this is the desire to maintain your particular class’ prerogatives and privileges.  
conversations.prefix: Preserve the Status Quo:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: As a champion of the Plebs, you seek to ensure that their rights are not trampled by the Patricians, nor are their fortunes squandered by unscrupulous merchants.  In so doing, you seek power for yourself only as a secondary consequence.
conversations.prefix: For the People!:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You and/or your family name were wronged.  You seek to restore the *dignitas* of your family name!
conversations.prefix: Righting an Old Wrong:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Preserving the integrity, honor, strength, and perhaps even the happiness of your family is your foremost concern in life.
conversations.prefix: For the Family!:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are comfortable in your circumstances.  Your income is stable, you have a decent domus, and you enjoy your daily trips to the baths.  While you wouldn’t mind improving on them, you’d be quite pleased if things continued on as they are now.
conversations.prefix: Live out your life in tranquil prosperity:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are from one of the “famous families” who can trace their lineage all the way back to Rome’s founding, if not earlier.  Your name carries with it influence and political clout, but your family these days is virtually penniless!
conversations.prefix: Famous Family Aristocrat (Patrician):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your family name goes back to the early days of the Republic, and your ancestors struggled to secure the rights of the People against the kings and aristocrats.  There is at least one Consul among your ancestors.  
conversations.prefix: Famous Family Plebeian:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are the first of your family to truly make a name for yourself.  Your ancestors come from hearty rural stock, and your father owns a prosperous farm.  Hard work, sound investments, commendable military service and a solid moral character has given your family a respectable name.  It is now time for you to capitalize on all of that and make your move into the political life of the Republic!  
conversations.prefix: Novus Homo (New Man, Plebeian):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are the most powerful woman of an ancient and noble Roman family.  Truth be told, you are the most powerful and strong-willed of the entire family, regardless of gender!  The men in your life exist to do your bidding, whether they are aware of that fact or no.  Because you are a woman, you can’t participate directly in Rome’s political life, but through your AC (husband/son/lover, etc) you pull the strings of power, and do so with consummate skill!
conversations.prefix: Aristocratic Matron (Patrician Woman):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have struggled and sacrificed to ensure that your proud Plebeian family’s honor and reputation remain intact.  Thanks in no small part to you, your family is prosperous and well-respected.  Through your AC (husband/son/lover, etc), *you intend to keep it that way.*
conversations.prefix: Mater Familiae (Plebeian Woman):
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: At a young age, you were selected for the highest honor (and most important task) which Rome could bestow on a woman.  As a Vestal Virgin, you tend the Sacred Fire of the Hearth.  You and your sisters are considered Rome’s Luck.  As long as Vesta’s fire remains buring (and your purity remains intact), Rome will remain safe and prosperous.  But your ambitions extend far beyond the State Religion.  Through your AC, you have a hand in Rome’s political life as well! 
conversations.prefix: Vestal Virgin (either class; writers OK also):
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You control the vote of one NPC Juror.  During a trial challenge play this card against one of the verdict choices in order to "cast your ballot."
conversations.prefix: Juror Vote:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Play your "Jury Vote" card against this challenge in order to have your NPC Juror cast a vote for acquittal.
conversations.prefix: Verdict:  Absolvo:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Play your "Jury Vote" card against this challenge in order to have your NPC Juror cast a vote for a guilty verdict (non-capital punishment).
conversations.prefix: Verdict:  Condemno:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: **Capital Punishment.**  Play your "Jury Vote" card against this challenge in order to have your NPC Juror cast a vote for a guilty verdict, authorizing the Iudex to impose the death sentence.
conversations.prefix: Verdict: DAMNO:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Wary of enemy advantages in cavalry, firepower, field position, or perhaps just sheer numbers, you set your forces in a defensive stance.  This can include defensive bulwarks, compact, mutually supporting formations, etc.
  
  Effects:  Decreases the chances of a rout in the event of a defeat.  Reduces casualties.  Best used in situations where you're the defender.  If used in situations where the enemy decides to take a defensive stance as well, it increases the likelihood of a "draw."
conversations.prefix: Defensive Posture:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your *Praefectus Fabrum,* in addition to being an all-around good engineer, is particularly adept at siegecraft.
  
  Makes assaulting a fortress or walled city much easier, increasing the odds of a victory while reducing overall friendly losses.  
conversations.prefix: Siege Engineer:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have an advantage over the enemy in the number of artillery pieces at your disposal.  Use your scorpions and ballistae to good effect!
  
  Increases chances of victory, as well as the number of casualties suffered by the enemy.
conversations.prefix: Artillery Support:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You rouse your men, whipping them into a fighting rage.
  
  The effect on the enemy is terrifying, but there can be other, *unintended* effects as well...
conversations.prefix: Battle Lust:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: *You are green.*
  *You are inexperienced.*
  *At times, you are naïve.*
  
  But you are enthusiastic, and willing to work hard, *very hard,* to overcome these flaws.  You are determined to reach your full potential! 
conversations.prefix: Overcoming Inexperience.:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Antonia Fortress is the military barracks built around 19 BC by Herod the Great in Jerusalem on the site of earlier strongholds, named after Herod's patron Mark Antony. The fortress is situated at the eastern end of the great wall of the city (the second wall), on the northeastern side of the city, near the Temple Mount and the Pool of Bethesda.
conversations.prefix: The Antonia Fortress:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Located northwest of Jerusalem, Beth Horon lies along the route of the withdrawing Twelfth Legion.  The road from Jerusalem passes through a narrow valley, overlooked by hills on either side.
conversations.prefix: Beth Horon, Judea:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Gallus has led the Twelfth Legion straight into a trap!  Trapped in the mountain passes of Beth-Horon, the Romans are easy prey for the Jewish Rebels.   **See below for Initial Combat Odds.**
conversations.prefix: Battle Challenge:  Ambush at Beth Horon:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Sturdy but unwieldy and slow, these tower offer protection for troops mounting an assault against defended city walls.  They feature bot battering rams and boarding ramps.
conversations.prefix: Siege Towers:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Four legions have Jerusalem surrounded.  Artillery has been massed, and the Judean countryside has been denuded of trees to provide lumber for massive Roman siege engines, all of which are in place.
conversations.prefix: Battle Challenge:  Siege Assault:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Technically a procurator is an agent representing others in a court of law in countries retaining Roman civil law.  In this ungovernable hellhole of Judea, however, your duties are *far* more expansive.  You are the direct representative of the Roman Emperor, supporting the Jewish client King by ensuring this useful puppet remains in power...*by any means necessary.*
  
conversations.prefix: Procurator of Judea:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You have been appointed by the Emperor to maintain Roman order and Roman law...and of course Roman *Power* in the wealthy eastern province of Syria.  You *thought* your main concern would be to maintain a defensive posture against the Parthians...but unfortunately for you, Judea is under your jurisdiction.
conversations.prefix: Governor of Syria:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Jewish Zealots are out of control!  They have actually *dared* to assault a Roman garrison and seize control of Jerusalem!
  
  This shall *not stand*...
conversations.prefix: Restore order quickly:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Zealots were a group of political adversaries to Roman rule in Judaea, who were determined to protect their religion from the imposition of Roman rituals and to end Gentile rule over the Jewish people.
conversations.prefix: Zealot Leader:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: All Zealots possessed a certain amount of zeal, of course...but you have the ability to inspire others to face any hardship with conviction and determination.  Men are willing to follow you to the death...which is a good thing, because a good many of you will be dead before Judea is once again free.
conversations.prefix: Charismatic Leader:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: None of the Zealots leading the Jewish Revolt are professional military men.  You are all having to learn as you go, and considering the fact you're facing the mightiest and best organized war machine in human history, this might not end well...
conversations.prefix: Inexperienced:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: To be free of any foreign pagan domination...the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel...your goal is nothing less!
conversations.prefix: A Free Jerusalem!:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are the eldest son of Flavius Vespasianus, the new Emperor of Rome.  
  
  Vespasian left you in charge of putting down this Jewish revolt.  You need to recapture Jerusalem and crush all resistance.  If you fail, the Senate will grow nervous and another man will seek to take your father's place.  If you succeed, your position as heir to the Purple will be assured!
conversations.prefix: Son of the Emperor Vespasian:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You really aren't a soldier's soldier.  No *vir militaris,* you.
  
  Better listen to your centurions...shouldn't you?
conversations.prefix: Not Tactically Astute:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are hardly the most natural man in the saddle, and unless the horse is docile and calm then you will have a tough time trying to control it. 
  
  The appearance of you tottering around on horseback and trying to make the horse gallop in a straight line doesn't exactly inspire the best confidence in your men. The enemy however are only encouraged by the view of you trying to control the horse. 
  
  -1 to all military actions
conversations.prefix: Poor Horseman:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: When the arrows are flying and the swords are drawn you come into your own. Perhaps it's a foolish attempt to make a name for yourself, or perhaps it's because you know that it's what a leader has to do, but you'll be found in the thick of the action. 
  
  When the soldiers become fearful in the heat of battle, they find themselves inspired seeing you as their commander risk injury and death at the front line. All men want to follow your example and fight as you fight.
  
  +1 to all military outcomes
conversations.prefix: Inspiring Bravery:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Whether it's the grain prices in Roma, or the time it will take for a legion to walk 10km. Either way, you are known to have an uncanny ability to know the exact numbers needed for any situation. 
  
  People have confidence in your understanding of what's needed. How much more food the soldiers need?, or how many slaves it will require to finish a building project on time. You're the man people know will have the right answer. 
conversations.prefix: Maths Geek: