Civis Romanus
With this background option, characters whose race/national origin would normally make them provincials or peregrines can instead be legal Roman citizens. This status provides the character with some perks that would not be available to provincials or peregrines. This option can only be taken by those whose race would, by default, not be considered Roman citizens. Those who have citizenship by default should select a different background.
Skill Proficiencies Choose two from History, Religion, and Insight.
Tool Proficiencies One type of artisan's tools.
Languages Common, Latin
Equipment Set of artisan's tools in which you are proficient, set of commoner's clothes, toga for formal occasions, pair of ankle-high leather boots, bar of soap, and 10 aurei (gp).
Lifestyle Moderate
Features
Roman Citizen
You have all the rights under the law that the Empire provides. You may not be tortured. You may marry Roman citizens, you may vote in local elections and, if you are at least of Plebian rank, run for local office ("local office" does not include the Senate). You may own property within the Empire's borders. You have been granted a legal Roman last name (nomen): choose from Flavius, Aurelius, or Cornelius. You still retain your original given name, and may use your original family name as a cognomen (e.g. John Smith becomes John Aurelius Smith). A proper nomen instantly identifies you as a Roman citizen.
Suggested Characteristics
Roman citizens have very modern ideas of cleanliness and hygiene. They are used to having running water available at all times -- either in their homes (if wealthy), or throughout the town or city via the public water fountains that exist on nearly every street corner. All Roman towns have at least one bath house (larger cities have several), and Romans bathe regularly (although the poor do not bathe every day). Romans also have strong ideas of modesty, which is why men and women use the bath houses at different times of day, and never together. Romans are justifiably proud of their Empire, which has endured for over 2,000 years and, until recently, has never stopped expanding. Romans are used to victory for their nation, and so news of major defeats upsets them and may cause some panic, as such loss has not happened in living memory (and since long before that).
1d6 How you became a citizen of Rome
1: I performed an act of great service to a Patrician, who sponsored my citizenship.
2: One of my parents was a freedman/freedwoman (children of freed slaves are given citizenship)
3: One of my ancestors was granted citizenship as a result of service to the Empire (1d4: 1 = 1 parent, 2 = grandparent, 3 = great-grandparent, 4 = distant ancestor)
4: I bribed a censor (census taker) to fudge town records to say that I am a citizen*
5: One of my ancestors bribed a censor to fudge town records (1d4: 1 = 1 parent, 2 = grandparent, 3 = great-grandparent, 4 = distant ancestor)
6: I am not sure how it happened (= DM choice)
*Note that bribing a censor is an act of treason and the appropriate penalties will apply to both the Censor and you, if it is found out.
Traits
| 1d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|
| 1 | I have a Roman saying or proverb for any occasion. |
| 2 | When faced with the massive Imperial bureaucracy, I grow impatient and want to just get things done. |
| 3 | I dislike nature and "roughing it," preferring instead the comforts of the city. |
| 4 | I am bitter because of how often my citizenship status is questioned or doubted. |
| 5 | I greatly enjoy the excitement of the gladiatorial arena, and take any opportunity to attend a tournament. |
| 6 | I have fully adopted the Roman idea of cleanliness and need to bathe regularly. |
| 7 | I think of everything in terms of social status within Roman society. |
| 8 | I secretly worship the gods under my ancestors' original names for them, rather than using their Roman identities. |
Ideal
| 1d6 | Ideals |
|---|
| 1 | Gravitas: I am a serious person, always committed to seeing through the tasks I undertake. |
| 2 | Dignitas: I highly value my spotless personal reputation among my fellow Romans. |
| 3 | Pietas: I love the Empire, and revere its religion, government, and laws. |
| 4 | Virtus: I will stand against the greatest odds, and never run away in fear. |
| 5 | Frugalitas: I believe we should be satisfied with having only what we truly need, and not be wasteful or excessive. |
| 6 | Veritas: I always try to be truthful and to deal honestly with others. |
Bond
| 1d6 | Bond |
|---|
| 1 | Everything I do is for my fellow Romans. |
| 2 | I feel deeply indebted to the person who helped my family gain citizenship and desperately want to repay that person (or his or her descendants, if the person is not alive). |
| 3 | The Empire is my home and I will fight to defend it. |
| 4 | I wish to return to my family/clan's original homeland and reunite with them. |
| 5 | I believe the Roman government treats non-citizens unfairly and I will speak and act to protect these people, even if that places me at odds with Roman law. |
| 6 | Being a mere citizen of Rome is not enough -- I seek to gain enough wealth and fame to be made a Patrician so I can run for, and hold a seat on, the Senate. |
Flaw
| 1d6 | Flaw |
|---|
| 1 | I will go to any lengths, no matter how brutal or deadly, to protect the Empire. |
| 2 | I look down on those who are not Roman citizens as inferior to me, and openly treat them with disdain. |
| 3 | I am insecure about my citizenship status, and constantly feel the need to prove myself a true Roman. |
| 4 | I have trouble trusting anyone who is not a Roman citizen. |
| 5 | I am embarrassed about my non-Roman lineage, and distance myself from others of my own race/ethnicity, either by ignoring them or by being rude. |
| 6 | I am convinced of the absolute righteousness of the Empire, and become openly hostile if presented with evidence to the contrary (the better the evidence, the more hostile I become). |
