Roman influence expansion

[loganmann1]

From Modern Marvels:

Come to think of it, I haven't seen any expansions (official or fan-made) that requires you to place a follower when you draw it. Perhaps this mechanic could be incorporated into a future expansion?

Maybe we should incorperate this.

Is there a tile already in this expansion you would add this mechanic too or were you thinking of adding new tiles?  (rostras, tabulariums and aquaducts have all been thrown out there with no sure mechanics)

I am in no way opposed by adding to this expansion, since it isn't finalized.  Actually, we modelled this around a 15 tile sheet but that never took into account some sort of token of each color to be the Legionaire token.  So really we are already over the 15 tile sheet with those.  Perhaps we could make it two sheets of tiles/tokens and fill in just a bit more. 

I was actually thinking of another tile like unto the gymnasium only instead of gaining a legionaire tile that counts as +1 for majority it would be some sort of univeristy or academy and scholar/philosopher tokens would be awarded and each time that meeple scores points for any feature, they get a bonus +3 (or something) making that meeple specifically more valuable (and a target for others to try and trap/eat with the dragon/capture with the tower).  That would be one more tile plus another 6 tokens.

If it were two sheets we could also have a basilica AND another structure that is equivalent for cult places.  Aonther thought is including a second Roman Temple purely to provide two and match the cathedrals.

[CKorfmann]

Maybe we could incorporate it into the forum. 

[loganmann1]

Maybe we could incorporate it into the forum.  

So you would have to play a senator to the forum?  

It seems like being forced to play a follower on something a person has a likely chance of choosing to play on anyway (to get the points) isn't that great of an impact for a mechanic that would affect such a basic rule as placement.  Not that I have another idea, but i guess i just don't see it having great impact on the forum.  But if thats what people want i'm not opposed.

What about every player having to place a meeple on the basilica until its completed...we must all show our commitment to building that highest place of worship.  Of course if we end up with a cloister and a cult based basilica that could be 2 tiles per player committed, but maybe that could be part of the sacrifice to gain the benefits.

[loganmann1]

Sorry for the double post...I finally finished some possible graphics (if people are okay with them) and updated the rule set accordingly.  I did make a couple of additions to the expansion I'd like people to look at and consider if they are any good or worth keeping.  

First, in answer to a previous question discussed about the Basilica supporting cloisters or cult places, I made two tiles, one that supports each. I've tentatively called the cult supporting version of the Basilica the Sanctuary (I was thinking Pagan Sanctuary originally) until someone comes up with a better name.  

I also added a Roman School, which I just recently proposed that works like a gymnasium but instead of increasing the majority count for a meeple, rewards that meeple 3 bonus points any time they score a feature.  Maybe that needs to be changed/removed, let me know.  I liked it and it fit when I did the tile sheets.  

Thirdly I had a space so I put in a second temple (exactly the same as Roman Road and Temple) purely to match the cathedrals in number.  

The graphics are not original but come from the Ancient Rome 3D project.  The project is a digital recreation of ancient rome done by Virginia Tech and you can actually view and tour it through Google Earth.  Its pretty cool.  Some buildings I used are exactly what we said they are, some I just pulled that seemed to fit.  Maybe these are not what anyone else envisioned but they are my best shot.  If people are okay with the visuals but would like to see other tile arragnements or other game elements I can try and adjust them.  

Rules: http://www.mediafire.com/?2yb9767l8274nyb
Tiles Page 1: http://www.mediafire.com/?dsz8mpzjygsvynt
Tiles Page 2: http://www.mediafire.com/?r3q291qb1l6xjsk

[Novelty]

BlueDogs!  At least that's what I think was my keyword.  Apparently I've lost my FTP access to the site again, so I can't upload anything until Gantry sets that up again  (OK, I lied about the "anything" part - I can still upload small graphics files, but that's about it)

[CKorfmann]

These look fine and you made them well, but I think I prefer the art to match as much as possible.  I can't even begin to do it though. 

[loganmann1]

I prefer them to match too but don't have those skills.  Like I said, this is just my best shot, if someone can make it match more please do.

[CKorfmann]

My 2 cents...  remove Barracks, Outposts, and Villas for a seperate expansion.  Remove Gymnasium and School and include Roman Road and 2 temples.  This makes the tile count an even 12.

[loganmann1]

Did we want to include those original roman tiles...at one point the discussion in this thread went both ways on it and eventually seemed to settle on not including them...its easy to do though and I'm game to switch it over.  That was just my recollection of the previous discussion.  I'm happy to change it though when I get to my computer where that is saved.

Or better yet, lets get a whole new sheet with some more consistent graphics!

A Note:  By making these changes we are left with half the expansion being the forum, bath and theater.  While they aren't bad mechanics in and of themselves i don't know how impactful or meaningful they really are.  In certain situations they are certainly beneficial options, but I see that being the exception more then the rule.  I think coliseum, basilica and sanctuary have good solid mechanics.

Maybe the graphics from solazy's stone circles could be used for sanctuary?  More pagan then roman but it fits the original cult theme nicely.