The Roman Empire

Italia, the strip between Italia and Greece on this map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_province#/media/File:Augusto_30aC_-_6dC_55%25CS_jpg.JPG and Greece – with the Greek borders raised to Sofia in Bulgaria. All territory North of Sofia which hasn’t been assigned to other factions is largely occupied by the Hunnic Empire (their borders are unclear). Egypt is also Roman territory but Sardinia and Corse are owned by Carthage. Anatolia is owned by the Scaleson Caliphate (including Istanbul), east of them is the Persian Empire. The Path of Illyricum.

Egyptians believe that the hotter you get the more disconnected you get from the material plane, if you get too hot your spirit is snatched by a genie/Djinn.

Greece pissed that Constantinople is still out of Greek hands, resents the Roman Empire because of that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemaic_Kingdom For Aegyptus

Rome is facing troubles from the Huns https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attila#Campaigns_against_the_Eastern_Roman_Empire

Occupied Germania is threatened itself by the new Roman Empire, centred in Italy and Aegyptus. Ruled by an Emperor rumoured not to age, Roman territories from Sardinia to Graecia are famed for their good wine, excellent climate and gladiatorial entertainments. Rome’s hospitality is said to rival all except for the wealthy Carthage, a rival situated in Africa which occupies lands Rome and Aegyptus claim for themselves. Aegyptus, ruled by the Emperor’s bride who styles herself Pharaoh, is an adventurer’s dream of diverse, interesting cities and countless mysterious ruins – with ancient powers and treasures lurking within. Just as Aegyptus wars with the Lizardmen of Carthage to claim Cyrenaica, the new Roman Empire seeks to reclaim Prague, the great former seat of power of the HRE and which contains the Emperor’s throne, without this the Roman Emperor’s claim to the true successor of the Kaisers cannot be complete.

However this is easier said than done, though Rome has expanded her borders to cover the fractured Hellenic City States and some of the lands above her, it has found the Orcs of Germania are a tougher foe, as are the monstrous races who dwell with the Orcs in Germania. It is not known to what degree the Orcs have a system of rulers and borders, any attempt to expand borders into Germania has always failed and more adventurers perish in Germania than anywhere else – however a small minority of Orcs and Half-Orcs have travelled south and integrated into Roman society. And the young Empire faces another enemy to the East, another army marched from Asia soon after the Mongol Horde. The Hunnic Empire has arisen, led by the greatly feared and brutal warlord Attilla. The Huns have pointed ears and pink skin, and are never far from their mounts, they clashed frequently with Germania at first but now mainly seem to target Roman territories – a small minority of Huns have also integrated into Roman society.

Roaring arenas in Rome. Gardens. Ancient ruins in Egypt and Libya.

Roman-Egyptian: Roman with some Egyptian shields, officers look Egyptian but regulars look Roman. Cities are a blend of Egyptian and Roman architecture. They have bulls, elephants and griffins (horses, camels, Sphinxes and centaurs?). Pantheon is mix of the two. Maybe a Pope and Papal Palace? The Emperor is called Rome, the capital is Romulus, Rome’s chief general is Remus and Rome’s wife and Pharaoh is Cleopatra. The Emperor has to pick a wife he thinks can rule a huge chunk of territory!! The Gods will not grant power over such vast lands to one person alone. Athens is also a city (where the Medusa lives). Hercules/Heracles is the Greek pretender. They may have subjugated Israel(??) or at least have a lot of Israeli Slaves. Flag: an Eagle soaring over a Sphinx. Cleopatra: She would look like a normal woman but her eyes are cold and analytical, they are watching you from the moment you enter the room. Ruler of Greece is Minos.

The Roman Empire hates Riteguarders, Revelationaries, Awaiters and Scalesons due to their religious beliefs. Those that remain are forced to observe practices of the local Gods and worship of the Draconic faiths is restricted. Many are forced into the arenas and persecution is rife.

Political System
Rome has a Parliament too because why not? It’s cool, and there’s representatives in Aegyptus, Graecia and Illyricum too. Ink likes the idea of this as well, he’s a big fan of the Republic. Basically the way the council/Chamber votes will heavily influence what Romulus does, though not 100% of the time.

Rulers and Pretenders
Rulers: Emperor is Romulus, Pharoah is Cleopatra. Ruler of Graecia is Minos. Hercules/Heracles is one Graeca pretender and Alexander the Great is another, Remus is the Romanus Pretender and a Mummy is probably the Aegyptusia Pretender. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator is another Aegyptusia Pretender.

Minos - Rome has given his people relative equality and peace. They are satisfied with this, it allows them to carry out their traditions and culture (including sport and bullfighting-like events) in relative peace. Minos is a shrewd diplomat, forging a non-aggression pact with former enemies and numerous alliances – he is respected or at least acknowledged (though not necessarily liked) by the vast majority of Greek and Roman citizens. He is not beyond agreeance with war, if his tribal values see it must be done (though those are specific situations). From a diplomatic point of view he has to be pro-conquest of Constintinople and Anatolia (perhaps part of that was their ally tribes’ lands? If so he is very pro-conquest). He dislikes wars among the Greek city states and has negotiated good autonomy conditions with Rome for many in Southern Graecia and borderline acceptable conditions everywhere – though Rome has a stronger grip on the North and parts of the East. The Greeks suffered greatly at the hands of the continent-wide war so they’re in favour of the relative stability and status quo brought about by Rome, and Minos has slowly introduced more autonomy to the Greek states, so the greater majority of Greek citizens in all states are at peace or in favour of Rome’s oversight. They’re now confident enough to have the odd war between states (sanctioned by Minos, who steps in if need be with the Greek-Roman legion. When Rome tried to shut down a war once this caused anti-Rome sentiment to flourish, they’ve since learned their lesson and let Minos decide when to step in. As long as the wars don’t cause too much trouble they’re happy).

Heracles and Ptolemy are in contact, both are of similar instincts. He sees Rome as inferior, possibly sees Alexander the Great as rightful ruler and himself as the backup (look into this). He remembers the conquest of Eastern Italy by Rome, and longs for the return of Greek dominance (which would bring blades and arrows to the fore). All tribes would benefit from increased lands, so this would be accepted among some of the Greeks (and, of course, wildly popular if the war actually worked), but only if Heracles and/or Alexander the Great were in charge. If an alliance between Heracles, Ptolemy and Alexander was struck it would probably work

Main settlements
Cities: Italia has Rome, Venice, Naples and Milan. Graecia has Athens, Thessaloniki and Argos (next to Corinth so take aspects of that) (it also wants Constantinople and Troy back). Aegyptus has Cairo and Alexandria. Salona is the capital of the Path of Illyricum.

Entry to Rome is restricted right now! Assassins, cut throats, spies. Romulus has got paranoid.

Southern Italy is very Greek with many from animal races, the Greek separatists want it back: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Graecia

Demographics and Borders
Borders: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanus_province#/media/File:Augusto_30aC_-_6dC_55%25CS_jpg.JPG STEAL THE STRIP BETWEEN ITALIA AND GRAECIA! – known as the Path of Illyricum.

Races: Graecia has Minotaurs, centaurs, Amazons (and Gargareans), cyclops and other Graeca races, The Spartans are Minotaurs. Rome has Humans and a few orcs, wood elves, and half-orcs/half-elves (reflects the barbarians who became Romanus) as well as plenty of immigrants from Graecia (especially in the South). Aegyptus has Falcon people WISDOM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra dog-headed people STRENGTH https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anubis Ram-headed people CONSTITUTION https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khnum Cat-headed people DEXTERITY (Tabaxi, Volo) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastet Yuan-Ti (Volo) CHARISMA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renenutet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadjet Ibis head INTELLIGENCE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoth Also has a significant lizard person (Volo) presence due to Achaemenid Empire. And some humans. Lizard Villain dude is really rich and runs a villainous organisation, he goes ‘Drat! Hissss. Foiled again, you haven’t seen the last of me heroes!’ MAYBES: Green-skinned people (or snake-headed?) CHARISMA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khonsu Lion headed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maahes Scarab-headed people https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khepri vulture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nekhbet Frog-head https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heh_(god) Crocodile head STRENGTH https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sobek

The Beastfolk of Greece: Minotaurs, centaurs and Cyclopes are known throughout Europa and all are playable from level one and are recognised as civilised peoples across much (but not all) of Europa.

The Blessed ones of Egypt: Mostly new races, basically Falcon headed, Dog-headed, Ram-headed and Ibis-headed individuals will be common in Egypt. You can play any of these but must have a good justification. Ram-headed people will have dwarf stats, Dog-headed have Orc stats, Ibis-heads are basically tall Gnomes and Falcon-headed are a homebrew but will be similar to Elves. If you are interested in playing one of these feel free to ask for more detail. There will also be significant Tabaxi, Yuan-Ti and Lizardperson populations in Europa. However, I will note that if you play any of these and visit somewhere outside of Roman territory be prepared for a lot of ‘what the hell is that?’ from people – though not necessarily hostility.

Roman: Humans and a few half-orcs (reflects the barbarians who became Roman)

Egyptian: (???)

Greek: Beastfolk/Minotaurs.

I'm not sure about all the Aegyptus stuff...

MAYBES: Green-skinned people (or snake-headed?) CHARISMA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khonsu Lion headed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maahes Scarab-headed people https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khepri vulture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nekhbet Frog-head https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heh_(god) Crocodile head STRENGTH https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sobek

Plothooks for Rome
False Atlantis (Archaeological guild, tomb raiders). Barbarian invasions (Orcs mostly). Jewish slaves (historically accurate) and slaves from other places. Coliseum (collect monsters, fight in it). Tension between Greece and Rome. Suspected double agents. Tracking down Gods to add to the Pantheon (big goal). Dante’s Inferno (part of a quest to bring back a character, possibly Charlemagne because that was part of the Inferno).

Plothooks for Egypt
Tomb Raiding! Enough said? Also pirates a bit, raiders in the South, Saracens from the Middle-East, tribes coming from the south. Things here get extra-planar, Egypt seems perfect for that sort of thing. Also finding the source of the Nile, whoever does can direct its flow (it is currently flowing into Egypt from the Mediterranean Sea). The Library. Mummies/Liches.

Plothooks for Greece
Greek Mythology (Labyrinths, Hades, etc). Conflict between Greece and Italy/Turkey. Missions into Turkish territory. Roaming attackers from the Turks. Demigods roaming around, extremely interfering (but less powerful) Gods. The Medusa questline. Centaurs, Sartyrs, Nymphs, Dryads, Naiads, Nereids, etc. Ambrosia is believed to be what grant immortality, but only works on those with Divine Blood. Troy – Greece is separated into a loose alliance of city states/kingdoms that are allowed to war with each other? That’d mean that the events of Troy could spark a war with Turkey, which could be interesting.

Greece might be pissed that Constantinople is still out of Greek hands, and resent the Roman Empire because of that. Heracles could give an ultimatum, restore Anatolia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatolia) to Greek rule or suffer a Greek revolt.

The Omicron Legion
A league of villains in Greece - named after each letter of the Greek alphabet

There’s Alpha, Beta (jokes about Alpha being an alpha male bro - beta is nervous of him). Delta. Omicron!! Omicron could be their leader?

They’re being funded from abroad maybe… perhaps Britain?