conversations.from: system
conversations.value: DISCLAIMER: I am not a professional Roman historian. I have a large amount of knowledge about Roman times and people from amateur study, but I do not pretend to be an expert- therefore details are likely to not be 100% accurate to history.
  
  The year is 149 B.C. Since it's defeat of Carthage and the general Hannibal nearly a century before, the power of Rome has begun to spread around the Mediterranean. In the Senate, Cato the Elder ends every speech with "Carthage must be destroyed!" It seems war is again on the horizon, even though Carthage hasn't been a military threat since the last war- grudges die hard in Rome, and it seems the Republic will not be satisfied until its rival is dust and ash.
  
  On the eve of the Third Punic War, the climate in the Eternal City is one of pride and optimism mixed with uncertainty about the future. The population of the city has been rising, and it is becoming harder to feed the milling masses. While the Senate talks of war with the Carthaginians, the common people do their best to scrape by.
  
  Who are you, in this time of conflict and hardship? A time when a global power is on the rise, and the road to eventual Empire is opening before your home.
  
  Are you a merchant, making your living in the Forum of the great city? Are you a Senator, debating  the future of the world among the greatest men of the age? A soldier, preparing to set off with the Legions for the next war? A woman, wife or daughter, trying to leave your mark on the world? Or even a slave, trying to earn your freedom and a place among free men?
  
  A small group of Roman citizens are about to be swept up in a tale intrinsically tied in with history. They may come from all walks of life, but they are all Roman, and when a conspiracy threatens to overturn the order of their great Republic, it is up to them to find a way to stop it. But time is the enemy of all..
  
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  General info: This story is historical fiction. As noted above, I am not an expert on the Roman Republic, but I am a fairly knowledgeable amateur. The actual events of this story are fictional, but it is set against the backdrop of a real time in history. If you apply for a character in this story, please at least have general knowledge of the time and make your character realistic given the setting. A few minutes on wikipedia ought to give you enough knowledge to do so. Thanks!
  
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  Character creation guidelines:
  
  -I am looking for 3-4 characters for this story and will close invitations after that. If I get more applications before I finish approving, you may end up being rejected- no hard feelings if so! I will also likely be somewhat picky with characters, so don't be surprised if I request some revisions, though I am more than happy to discuss changes prior to approval.
  
  -Feel free to create your own cards as long as they make sense with the time period and character idea, but be prepared for me to possibly ask you to alter or revise them slightly based upon where I want the story to go.
  
  -Your character can be anyone you like, though as noted they must be realistic within the setting. The only other requirement is that they be living in the city of Rome, and preferably natives (although I am open to negotiation on that if the concept is good enough).  
  
  -These characters will be thrown together through circumstance and given the chance to solve a mystery. There will be opportunity for all sorts of skillsets to come in handy, from martial to mental, oratory to menial labor. Don't be afraid to make an ordinary citizen, though if you wish to make a Patrician Senator, you can do so as well!
  
  ==========================================
  
  General RP guidelines: 
  
  -Respect other players and their characters! Make sure you write for yourself, but don't say what other player-characters or major NPCs say or do. The exception to this rule is when completing a challenge- in that case you may write for NPCs (but not PCs) as long as you follow the Narrator cues!
  
  -If you want to take an action that will seriously effect another player character or NPC, please ask in the commentary section first. It's fine to do this, just be sure to ask first! Communication is key to a good collaborative effort.
  
  -Not every move has to use a card, nor apply to a challenge- don't be afraid to post just for the sake of dialogue or actions unrelated to the current challenge, as long as they make sense within the scene.
  
  -I am well aware that the role of women in this time was substantially more confined than it is today, but I will make the story accommodate women characters just as well as males should anyone choose to play them. In addition, please refrain from any overly harsh disrespect towards women characters, regardless of how historically appropriate such comments might be- in this case, the comfort of the players takes precedence. The same goes for anyone who chooses to play a slave- behave logically considering your character's social class but please refrain from anything too crude or extreme. We're here to have fun and I don't want anyone making another player uncomfortable, regardless of how historically accurate any such behavior might be. 
  
  -This story is intended to have an R rating. Some harsh language and violence or mild sexuality is allowed, but please go no farther than that. Thanks!
  
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conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A scroll written in the language of Carthage, speaking of some kind of mysterious 'plan' involving Rome going to war soon.
conversations.prefix: Punic Scroll:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are a Senator of Rome, a proud member of a Patrician family which can trace its lineage back to the founding of the city. You belong to that august body which rules the Free Republic, deciding its course without need for a king.
conversations.prefix: Senator:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are a skilled craftsman, a blacksmith or leatherworker, a shipbuilder or goldsmith. Whatever you do, you work with your hands, and you are good at it. Artists would fall under this category.
conversations.prefix: Craft Skill:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You prefer not to work if you don't absolutely have to. You lead a life of indolence as much as you can.
conversations.prefix: Lazy:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You enjoy violence more than is appropriate. You are a constant attendee of gladiatorial bouts and you often start fights just for the fun of it.
conversations.prefix: Bloodthirsty:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Ostia is Rome's main port, on the western coast of Italia. It is where most major shipments for the capital land, to then be taken up the river.
conversations.prefix: The Port of Ostia:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Go inside the Broken Wheel and see if you can see anything suspicious. There is still one more day until the meeting mentioned in the scroll, but maybe there is still something to be found if you look and listen..
conversations.prefix: Investigate the Broken Wheel:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Republic is the symbol of all that is good in the world. It's enemies must be rooted out and destroyed if the safety of the Roman way of life is to be ensured.
conversations.prefix: Protect the Republic:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You've been mistreated in the past, and you want satisfaction. Whether ripped off in business or the victim of a crime, finding the one responsible plays a large part in your daily motivation.
conversations.prefix: Right a Wrong:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Roman short-sword. It is the most famous Roman weapon, intended for stabbing thrusts at close range.
conversations.prefix: Gladius:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Rome is a place of social mobility, within set boundaries. Slaves can become free, poor men can become rich, new blood can become Senators. Whatever your current station, you long to improve it.
conversations.prefix: Increase Social Standing:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Roman javelin. All soldiers carry two, which are hurled at the enemy prior to closing to hand-to-hand range. They are quite deadly at a significant range in the hands of a skilled thrower.
conversations.prefix: Pilum:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The center of Rome, the Forum is the place where all public business is transacted. Part market, part assembly ground, part venue for speeches and spectacles, it is the heart of the city.
conversations.prefix: The Forum:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're not a fighter. In fact, you try to avoid physical confrontation whenever possible.
conversations.prefix: Physical Weakness:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are a moral person of the best character. Everyone says so: you never compromise your ideals, and those ideals are the ideals of the Republic. 
conversations.prefix: Character:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are generally an anxious person, and you tend to have trouble dealing with high-stress or pressure situations.
conversations.prefix: Nerves:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are an average Citizen of Rome, neither very rich or very poor. You most likely work in a trade: a craftsman of some sort, or a skilled laborer.
conversations.prefix: Citizen:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You tend to take people at face value. You have trouble looking past rank or social status, and often under- or over-estimate people as a result.
conversations.prefix: Shallow:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are a soldier, a member of one of the invincible Legions of the Republic. You are a landowner, as only those who have a stake in defending the city are allowed to become soldiers, but you are not rich. You have served at least one tour but are currently back in Rome awaiting deployment, likely to Carthage.
conversations.prefix: Legionnary:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are a slave. Either you are a Roman who was forced to sell himself to cover debts, or you are a war captive. All is not hopeless though- in Rome, Slaves may buy their freedom by saving their meager wages and eventually become quite successful.
conversations.prefix: Slave:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are a wealthy Roman, but not a Senator. You live a life of luxury, attending parties and debating philosophy, but you also help run your family's affairs which likely consist of overseeing many businesses, whether in trade or agriculture (though you never do the work yourself).
conversations.prefix: Patrician:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You have a sharp mind, the envy of your peers. No one can debate philosophy like you can, and you are familiar with the works of all the Greek masters. You have a knack for puzzles and logic problems of all description.
conversations.prefix: Brilliance:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are a great speaker. You can sway people with your speeches, whether on the floor of the Senate or simply in the Forum. You know just the right ways to combine words to make your point and make it well.
conversations.prefix: Oratory:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You enjoy the finer things in life, often to the detriment of your reputation. Wine, women (or men) and fancy clothes catch your interest far more than responsibility.
conversations.prefix: Hedonist:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're a shrewd businessman. You know how to make money, how the markets work, and where to get the best prices when. You have extensive knowledge of the trading partners of the Republic, and you can always squeeze a few extra coins when you make a deal.
conversations.prefix: Business Savvy:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're a fighter, and you've had training. Either from the army, in the Legions, or from a private teacher, you know how to handle a gladius and a pilum, not to mention a dagger.
conversations.prefix: Martial Skill:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Rome had a celebrity culture, much as we do today. The names of famous Senators, Orators, and Gladiators are on the lips of all the people. You want to hear your name there as well.
conversations.prefix: Become Famous:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Rome is the greatest city in the world, the only one ruled by Free People and not a king. It is your duty to spread that light that is Rome across the world, and you take that duty seriously.
conversations.prefix: Bring Glory to Rome:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: This is the home of Fabius Cornelius Felix, a wealthy Senator from one of the leading families in Rome. It is opulent and well-kept: what one would expect from a wealthy Patrician.
conversations.prefix: The Domus of the Cornelii:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Two bodies in an alleyway. Two bloody daggers. There is more here to find if you look!
conversations.prefix: Investigate the Murders:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You need to find out what's on that scroll, but it will take someone with a knowledge of Punic. Perhaps someone who has dedicated his life to learning..
conversations.prefix: Translate the Scroll:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A man of learning, books and scrolls, your profession is to provide young men of Rome with *Rhetor*, the final stage of their education.
conversations.prefix: Tutor:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are accustomed to acquiring and retaining reams of knowledge, both common and obscure. History, geography, arts, politics... your command of facts would impress anyone.
conversations.prefix: Learned:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Almost everyone in Rome who knows your name knows about what you did (or what they think you did) and are disgusted. You are frequently shunned from society and have troubling finding steady work.
conversations.prefix: Disgraced:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A deeply religious man, you wish to maintain the harmony and of civil society through *do ut des*, and will go out your way to provide pleasing sacrifices to the Gods.
conversations.prefix: Honour the Gods:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You were more than just a grunt. You did work for The Legion that was of a more secretive nature. 
conversations.prefix: Special military training: