Date: Sun, 8 Dec 1996 03:33:20 +1000 (EST) From: Timothy Ferguson To: Peter Corless This document copyright (c) Timothy Ferguson, 1996. It uses, as sources, Chaosium publications which are copyright to Chaosium, or the original authors. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dear Reader, This document is intended, eventually, to be spliced together with a copy of the "Sagremor le Desirous" notes given on Peter's webpage. My main concern is that the Justinians as presented are all handsome, which is ahistorical (indeed, Justinian I is quite plain in appearance). They are deliberately of the same power level as the Pendragon clan, in essence being the counterparts to Arthur in the east. Eventually, the clan should be fleshed out with sheets for Justinian and Theodora, although that might be excessive, since space is limited and they play no direct part in the stories. Given the rate at which the Geographical Supplements are proliferating though, I'm sure we'll see "Second Rome" published eventually. 8) Feedback is encouraged. Reply-To: Timothy Ferguson - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Editor's Note: The Justinian Clan as been marked as "Minor" only in the sense of the Arthurian panopoly. In the Arthurian legends, the Byzantine empire was a distant and mundane place, whose power was faint in comparison to Arthur's mystical and blessed kingdom. In a more historical or Roman-centric campaign, they definitely would be a major power indeed! In addition, they are marked as "Minor" in the sense that most Arthurian characters who came from the the Byzantine empire were minor characters: Sagramore le Desirous was a Prince of Hungary of royal Byzantine blood, Prince Alexander was the son of an ahistorical "Emperor Alexander" and "Empress Tantalis" who married Soredamor (mother of Cliges). Both of these Byzantines were rather obscure. Other characters ran rough-shod over the historical Byzantine family, most notably Percival in "Peredur", who was able to become Emperor through marriage to an unmarried and unnamed Empress, who he lived with for fourteen years. -Peter Corless. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Justinian Clan of the Byzantine Roman Empire Clan Theme: Ambition for the Realm as an Extension of the Self. The Justinian Clan began with Justin the First, a Balkan peasant who arrived, illiterate, in Constantinople and worked his way to the Emporership through the army. He groomed his nephew, Justinian to succeed him. Justinian became the last of the great Roman Emporers. His wife was hardly less remarkable, an actress who became one of the most formidable women in history. The Court of Byzantium is an odd mixture of Machiavellianism and virtue. Although the term "byzantine" is synonymous with "scheming" to us, most of the nobles of Constantinople work under at least a facade of honesty. Their system encourages the talented to take power, so that they will then use their skills for the betterment of the realm, serving the self while also aiding the community. In this state, one's personal fiefdom and one's own interests are so tightly tied that the ambitious are coerced into social responsibility. Byzantine Imperial Clan Characteristics [Key Events added by P. Corless, 12/7/96] Rulers of the Byzantine Empire: Years Leader: Key Events: --------- --------------- -------------------------------------------------- 408 - 450 Theodosius II Ascended to the throne at age seven; a Boy King! Married Athenais-Eudocia, daughter of Athenian professor of rhetoric; she converts to Christianity Built the Great Walls of Constantinople, 413 Founded University of Constantinople, 425 Published Theodosian Code of laws, 429-438 (414-447) Pulcheria Along with two sisters, served as Regents Remained virgins for whole life; sponsors of church Brought peace while Western Rome fell 450 - 457 Marcian Soldier, married Theodosius' sister Auguta Pucheria 457 - 474 Leo I First Emperor to receive crown from Patriarch of Constantinople Basiliscus loses war to Vandal King Gaiseric, 468 474 Leo II Son of Zeno, co-Emperor with his father Zeno. Dies suddenly. 474 - 475 Zeno Isaurian cheiftain, originally named Tarasicodissa Married Leo I's eldest daughter Ariadne. Considered a "barbarian", forced to abdicate, 475 475 - 476 Basiliscus Incompetent general; lost war with Vandals in 468 Proved as incompetent as Emperor. 476 - 491 Zeno (restored) Rise of Isaurian influence and repression of Goths Reign plagued by civil war and assassination plots Wrote "Henoticon," to placate Monophysites, which caused schism between Greek and Latin Christians 491 - 518 Anastasius I Elderly court official and finance minister. Elected emperor by xenophobic Byzantines. Western Roman empire fell to Theodoric, 493 Broke Isaurian influence over court, 498 Improved "Long Walls" of Constantinople 518 - 527 Justin I Commander of the Excubitores regiment Elected emperor. 527 - 565 Justinian I Nephew of Justin I Married to the resolute and beautiful Theodora Survived Nika revolt with help of general Belisarius and strategist Narses, 532 His armies under Belisarius, conquered Vandals, 533 Conquered and subdued Ostrogoths of Italy by 555 Attained a 50-year truce with Persians, 562 565 - 578 Justin II Nephew of Justinian I Lombards invade and conquer Italy, 568 Broke Persian truce, who began 20-year war for Armenia, Homeland: The Eastern Roman Empire (Constantinople) Culture: Byzantine (Greco-Roman) Religion: Christian (Greek Orthodox) Clan Modifiers: Direct: Statistics: +1 STR, +1 CON, +3 APP Skills: +5 Orate, +10 Intrigue, +5 Stewardship, and +5 Courtesy. Traits: +3 to each of Chaste, Energetic, Generous, Deceitful, Just, Suspiscious and Valorous Passions: Love (Byzantium) +6, Loyalty (Emporer) +6. Glory Bonus: +5000 Indirect: Statistics: +2 APP Skills: +10 Intrigue, +3 Orate, and +3 Courtesy Traits: +1 to each of Chaste, Energetic, Generous, Deceitful, Just, Suspiscious and Valorous Passions: Love (Byzantium) +3, Honor +3 Glory: +2500 Marriage: Immediate: Glory: same as per Pendragon (pg. 121, up to 1000 points max.), plus +2500 for marriage to clan member of direct lineage, or +1250 to indirect (extended) clan member Loyalty (Emporer): +1d6+3 (for direct marriage) or +1d3+3 (for indirect marriage) After one full year of marriage, recieve: Skills: +3 Intrigue Traits: +1 to each of Chaste, Energetic, Generous, Decietful, Just, Suspiscious and Valorous Byzantine Imperial Clan "Black Sheep" Sangremor le Desirous seems not to be interested in the intrigues of the Byzantine Court. He may, in later years, act as an unofficial Ambassador for the Eastern Emporer in Arthur, but in this he would be straightforward and un-Byzantine. As the bonus to Intrigue given above reflects not only the skill of blackmail, but the resources for bribery, he gains less than usual, being too far away from the family's base of power to casually bestow patronage. Justinian is odd for a member of this clan, in that his appearance, even with modifiers, is only around 10. He violates the "Pendragon" rule that all characters are handsome, some just more handsome than others. His appearance is plain, although not ugly.