Eldritch Rome: A Historical Mystery Horror Game by Vlad

From GodOfDarkness

as I narrate the events of ancient times I find myself possessed by the ancient spirit... -Livy, History of Rome

Welcome to Eldritch Rome, a Mystery / Horror themed game by Vlad using the World of Darkness Rules.

General Information

Eldritch Rome is a historical campaign with strong supernatural elements, set in Ancient Rome, during the rule of Emperor Trajan. The action starts in the year AD 106 and is expected to continue through AD 117, with appropriate time jumps.

History and the Supernatural

The campaign world is in many ways similar to historical Ancient Rome. There was a Republic, it was replaced by an Empire (which, at the start of the campaign, is nearing its apex of military power). The Empire eventually declines and falls. Major historical figures like Caesar, Augustus, Trajan all exist and are reasonably similar to how we know them from history.

However, the world of Eldritch Rome is strongly tinged with elements of the supernatural. Roman citizens pray to Roman (and other) gods for prowess in battle - and the gods guide their hand. Secret societies and dark sacrifices lie behind the veil of political rivalry. The old gods have not yet been forgotten. Their whispers slither through the dreams of scholars and warriors alike, driving them to explore ancient tombs and places best left undisturbed...

Themes: Secrets, Intrigue and Power

Ancient Rome was a strange place. A carnival of plenty and a seat of power. A showcase of modern technology and ancient religion. Most of all, it was a gathering place for all the Berbers, Parthians, Jews, Christians, Greeks, barbarians and stranger people to trade and talk, to share goods and whisper secrets in one another's ear. And at the top of it all, above the masses pacified with Bread and Circuses, were the noble families - ambitious to a fault, endlessly scheming against each other. Ruled by an emperor who would be deified in death.

Mood: Mystery and Horror

The city is a shining beacon in a cold, dark continent. The Roman legions stand strong on the borders of the Empire, but beyond them, barbarians dwell, and with the barbarians, chaos and madness. The city looks big and beautiful on the surface, but it goes deep down, to the cemeteries and the ancient buildings that have been standing since the Republic and before, to temples that worship gods no longer remembered. And every day, a new traveler arrives from some land never before heard, who speaks no language known but has plenty of gold. He sets up his idols on his stand, and covers them with pearl and precious stones, and prays to them - but no one knows what he is, really, saying. The night falls, and screams rise from the noble houses and the plebes' dwellings alike, but the city is too big to attend to them. Many things are lost in Rome, and many more, that should be lost, emerge to be picked up by an unsuspecting hand...