Rome, Italy

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Rome, Italy

Basics

Statistics & Foundation

Primary Map

  • Location: Rome, Italy
  • Status: OPEN. More Information
  • Languages Spoken
    • Dominant: Italian
    • Common: Latin, English, Spanish, French, Arabic
    • Uncommon: German, Dutch, Russian

Travel Information:

  • Average travel time to 'Souls (guide to travel) - 43-103 days
    • 9-12 days to Lisbon via ship (1380 mi direct, 1675 mi coast) or 30-40 days on foot to Lisbon (1521 mi)
    • 20–35 days (27 days average) to Barbados
    • 10–20 days (14 days average) to Portland
    • 4-8 days to Nova Scotia
(~200 Lumen Romani)

Roleplay Information

This location is outside of the playable 'Souls area. You are not permitted to thread within this area unless it is in LASKY. You may, however, freely reference this location.

On this page... (hide)

  1.   1.  Description
  2.   2.  Culture
    1.   2.1  Lumen Romani
    2.   2.2  Religion
    3.   2.3  Trade
    4.   2.4  Slavery
    5.   2.5  Military
    6.   2.6  Prominent Families
  3.   3.  Demographics
  4.   4.  'Souls Significance
    1.   4.1  Referencing Rome
    2.   4.2  Notable Characters
  5.   5.  References

1.  Description

Rome is one of the oldest and historically, one of the most powerful cities in the world. Though it is not quite so powerful in the Luperci days, it retains much of its beauty and fascinating architecture, much of it having stood the test of time for centuries prior to the human demise. A few of the longest-standing structures and buildings left behind by the Romans have been maintained by the luperci who now inhabit the city, historical structures like the Coliseum are kept in decent repair. Though the city's center is almost thirty miles from the coast, the population sprawl of the city's general area extends that far, and there are several large docks providing ocean transport to Montpellier and Athens, though its central location in the Mediterranean makes for easy sailing to any destination they please on its shores.

Rome's pivotal location in the Mediterranean has made it a powerful city, although the lack of land routes between this city and others to the north have kept it in check, keeping it from blossoming into a truly vast civilization. There is a decent flow of various canines throughout the area nonetheless, and it is a common sea-trading spot. It is the hub of the Mediterranean and many sea-faring canines travel there on a regular basis to trade and sell goods in the markets and to take in the splendor of the city.

Only a third of the population is part of the Lumen Romani in some way, while the rest tend to be loner bands, travelers, independent families, and etc. The Lumen Romani, however, have a good reach in the city and interactions with them are extremely commonplace and highly probable.

2.  Culture

2.1  Lumen Romani

After the demise of humanity, ancient Roman life was seemingly resurrected in the city of Rome. The Lumen Romani formed in the heart of Rome, as a group of Italian and Common Grey wolves. At the center was Maximilian of Brundisium (formerly of Brindisi). His model of rule began in the Italian town of Brindisi, the location of the once very popular city of Brundisium. He brought his imperial rule to Rome after conquering the heart of the city. Self appointed Emperor of Rome, he quickly reined in a large portion of the city. After a few skirmished, most small gangs and small packs fell under his control. The original thirty or so wolves earned positions in his new Patrician class, earning well maintain homes and free slaves from his conquests. Packs that did not submit and join the Plebeian were conquered and enslaved. Many groups remained on the outskirts of the city and many of the newly joined members of the Lumen Romani empire learned a mottled mix of Italian and Latin.

They are relatively open with travelers and a great many people live outside of the Lumen Romani's control. They do, however, maintain a police force of sorts to govern the streets and ensure that the city is relatively safe. It is decidedly safer in the parts of town they control directly, such as the port and the Vatican, but it is not a completely lawless place.

2.2  Religion

The Roman Pantheon is commonly worshiped by the Lumen Romani. Most of the major gods and goddesses have retained their elements, as well as taking some of the lesser gods' aspects. For example, Hera is goddess of the hearth, women, marriage, children, as well as the house, home, food, and other smaller things. Aspects of major gods is on a worshiper to worshiper basis. Small shrines tend to appear in families, often to familial patrons such as Zeus or Hera or Mars. Brothels in the dirtier districts tend to have shrines to Venus.

Christianity is practiced as well. The dominant form is Catholicism, simple do to the fact the Vatican is in Rome and most of Italy remained Catholic. Many monasteries and nunneries remain in the city and outside of it, though few Patricians go to them, simply because it is discouraged for the Roman elite. Poorer or threatened Plebs may join the Church as an escape, though life may not be much better to do the strictness of some of these groups.

There are often a bevy of festivals and celebrations that are thrown for various things like births, weddings, deaths, harvests, and other notable events. Boisterous rituals to Venus or Mars may happen in common areas while processionals before large hunts to Diana may happen regularly. There are shrines to sea gods like Neptune near the docks, while fragments of other religions may be found for the cult of Isis and naturalistic pagan faiths.

2.3  Trade

Rome trades all across the Mediterranean. They have a prominent fishing fleet of private little boats as well as a few "commercial" ships for trade. Trade is encouraged, with various human and nonhuman items being sent to and from Rome. Trade over land is not as easy and less common. Travel times are longer, considering the terrain. However, modern Italian roads improve the travel, as well as the old Roman roads still in use. Rome exports whatever human items found, as well as wine and olive oil.

Small barges may travel up the Tiber River to deliver goods or passengers. Donkey and horse carts are commonplace along the route, as well, to provide transportation to and from the docks and city proper.

Brothels are commonplace in Rome, mostly along where tourists and travelers might pass through more frequently. They are usually along the main roads or near the docks. Those near the docks are often seedier and of more questionable quality while those along the main roads or near them tend to be higher quality and more discreet.

There are several taverns and inns in key locations near the port, Vatican, and major roads out of the city. They are often small establishments with only a handful of operators that will provide food and shelter for trade in goods or services.

A major marketplace is set up in the Plaza del San Pietro in the Vatican due to it's large, open size. Most trade is conducted here when not done in the privacy of homes or taverns.

2.4  Slavery

The ports are the most tolerant sections of Rome, where slave-taking is illegal, though slave sales and trades are conducted in an open market by the slave docks. Slavery is allowed in Lumen Romani, and it is expected of Patricians to have at least one. In even more recent years, the Colosseum was reopened and maintained for games. Some Equestrian families run Gladiator schools where slaves too rough for households are trained to fight, sometimes to the death if the emperor was in a bad mood.

2.5  Military

The Emperor runs the military, though most of the higher ups come from prominent families. Usually small, they guard the borders of Rome and public caravans. They are also charged with guarding the Imperial family. During times of war with other packs, the military's numbers may swell to aid in the defense of Rome. However, after any conflict, the numbers fall. If soldiers find themselves without employment, most either leave or hire themselves out as private security for wealthy Patricians and Equestrians.

2.6  Prominent Families

For more information, see Lumen Romani.

Patrician families

Imperial Family

This family is known to be publicly fair to all. However, in private they are fairly cruel to their slaves and do not tolerate insubordination. Maximilian rules with an iron fist in his household, though Livia is his equal in the home. The Emperor is getting on in years and there have been m ore slips

Flavian Family

The Flavians, based after the Roman Emperors of the same family name, are strong military leaders in the Lumen Romani. They provide the leaders during war and help provide the defense. They are seen as strict and maintain their home well. They are not cruel but they are not kind - they expect obedience but give small freedoms to loyal slaves and servants.

Julian Family

Known for their leadership capabilities, this family often serves in a public role. They tend to be active in the public sphere, doing donations and hosting festivals. They tend to be the caretakers of the Colosseum. Very fair to their slaves; their slaves are well taken care of and truly care for their masters in return. A very loving family despite a very active social life and busy schedules.

Scipio Family

The Scipio family is prominent in the trade of the city. A son operates a series of brothels in the seedy parts of town - needless to say, he has many bastard children despite his marriage with a Julian daughter. A grandson runs a male brothel and has no wife, nor children. The Scipios also run some trade routes and provide caravans to large hubs in Italy for trade. They are known for their promiscuity and looser morals. Many of their slaves are technically relatives.

Equestrian

There are several of these families, however are only three very prominent families. They are somewhere between Patricians and Plebians (commoners). They have enough sway to control some wealth or say in politics, though often they are considered upstart or jumped up commoners unless their family is reputable or old enough.

Marconi Family

The Marconi deal with horseflesh. They provide the horse trade in Rome, training and purchasing horses that they later trade to those who can afford them. They have few household slaves and several for running their stables and fields.

Pollio Family

The Pollio family is notoreous for their treatment of their slaves. Most are often sex partners to the family, usually against their will. Several bastard children are born to slave fathers and mothers. All bastard children are enslaved. They run the largest Gladiator School in Rome, providing over half the gladiators for the fights. Their profits are rather large from deaths and victories.

Valentinois Family

The Valentinois are a prominent family that run the neighbourhood of Ostia in Rome. They are known for generating trade for a large range of items (anywhere from food to sex trade) and openining new trade routes in Europe and beyond. This family is open on a request basis and requires permission from Mars to join. Escaped slaves are open for creation.

3.  Demographics

Rome is home to a vast majority of Italian wolves, though many Iberian wolves, with their propensity for sailing and the Mediterranean fisherman and trader lifestyle, are a common sight near the coastline of Rome and elsewhere along the coast. While lesser in quantity, there are also noticeable groups of European Jackals, though they are rarely represented in the Lumen Romani. Most of the canines here retain something of a nuclear family pack style, preferring their smaller groups, though they are not generally unfriendly. There are some Golden jackals found in the area, though they are few and far between, vastly outnumbered by the wolf numbers in this area. Dogs of many breeds are still found here, though purebreds have long since disappeared. There are quite a few wolf-dog hybrids present and the stigma between species is decreasing.

There are, however, quite a few different species that pass through the city and its port nearby. Canines from across the world may pass through as a stopping point to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. There is a bustling trade in the Mediterranean, so there is quite a lot of cultural exchange in the form of goods, knowledge, and language.

4.  'Souls Significance

4.1  Referencing Rome

Players may freely reference Rome and traveling there. Permission is needed for significant events revolving the Lumen Romani, but otherwise is completely open.

Some ideas for potential interactions in the city:

  • Slave traders near the docks hocking their slaves or potentially being traded through them
  • Visiting bars, brothels, or the market of Rome
  • Being mugged in the market and being assisted by a guard of the Lumen Romani
  • Trading with Lumen Romani or other traders
  • Meeting foreigners of any kind in Rome or the docks

Former resident characters may be freely created outside of the Lumen Romani. For characters from the Lumen Romani, please see their page for more information.

4.2  Notable Characters

  • Sicarus de Ericeto raped some lady and became a very wanted man in this general area. Oh noes!
  • Gale Lionheart was born into slavery in Rome. His mother, Lilia, was a slave in the Scipio household under one of the family's sons.
  • Lucia Marino traveled to her father's homeland of Italy for a fresh start, and ended up spending a year in Rome.
  • Ibycus lived in nearby Bolzano, Italy, and traveled to Rome to book a sea voyage out of the country.
  • Cain Aika, Abel Thirteen, and Gethsemane Aika were born in Rome but raised primarily at sea.
  • Cesare dei Cattanei is a bastard of the Valentinois family and was ordered by his father Rodrigo Valentino to go to North America and open trade routes. He is accompanied by his distant cousin Agapito Geraldini and childhood friend Piero Adriatico.
  • Adrianna Julia and Nicolas de Orsa? are from the Julian family (though Nicolas was a slave), that ran away when their romantic tryst was discovered.

5.  References

Category: Open Territories