The Rome Total War YouTuber MELKOR has started a role-play campaign on the 4th of September, 2020. It was one of the most innovative ideas in the Total War community at the time. The series started of mostly as a basic Total War campaign, but the role-play elements of the campaign evolved gradually on starting with the second half of the first season. During season 2, the Senators of Rome were much more influential than they had previously been in the past, and the role-play element of the campaign shaped the outcome of the story more than the actual battle campaign. The series officially ended on the 23rd of March, 2021, after the series had spanned for over 1000 in-game years, over the course of 41 episodes encapsulated within 3 seasons. The complete series is available here
The first season of the series focused on Rome's rise to an empire, whilst the second shifted the focus to the causes for Rome's ultimate downfall in the campaign. The last season takes place more than a millennia after the second season, with crusaders from the Roman successor kingdoms trying to not only regain the Holy Land from the Turks, but also to bring back the Glory of the Roman Empire.
The first season is split in two distinct acts, and each acts contain two distinct and intertwined plots. The first act focuses on Rome's expansion outside of Italy and the conflict with its main rival in the Western Mediterranean, the Republic of Carthage. The second act focuses on the political fracture of the Roman Republic between three political parties, the Julii, the Brutii and the Scipii, and their ultimate struggles for control. In both acts two plots happen at the same time. The YouTube plot, which constitute of MELKOR playing the campaign and taking decisions according to the votes in the Senate. The Discord plot takes place in MELKOR's Discord server where the role-players (who act as Senators) vote for what shall happen next in the series, but not only. They also develop the setting, as it is quite a challenge to do so on video due to limitations in game mechanics. Although only the votes are presented in the videos, the role-playing itself can sway many of the role-players to change their vote or allegiance.
MELKOR's Rome Role-Play contains examples of:
- Absolute Xenophobe: Several characters:
- Asinius Ostorius is the first to demonstrate such tendencies. His election speech included an advocacy for the extermination of all cities that were to be captured by Rome.
- Galerius Frontinus goes berserk after Marcus Maxentius is slain by the Punics and his goal for the rest of his life is to kill as many Carthaginians as possible.
- Despite being one of the most honorable characters in the series, Iulius Constant Cornelio can be described as extremely xenophobic. Not only does he dislike the Greeks because of the Epirot Invasion of Italy by Pyrrhus but also develops a huge hatred for the Carthaginians who assassinated his closest political ally and the Gallic tribes due to the slaughter of the most influential Scipii Senator.
- Amadeus Antonia hated Gaul, largely because they helped Bomilkar to cross the Alps into Italy. He vowed to get vengeance in the name of the Republic, but was assassinated by Carthaginians before he could join the Gallic Wars.
- Action Girl:
- Golnar, who starts of as a Scythian war leader who tries to befriend the Romans. Later on, she marries into the Armenian Royal Family, becoming the Queen of Armenia. For most of her life she fought against the Seleucids, Parthians and Egyptians. Presumed to have died in battle against the Egyptian invaders, together with her husband.
- Argentia and Aeliana Antonia. The former kills Secundus Cornelio in order to save her husband's life, whilst the latter openly defies Tertius Cornelio when he comes to kill her for figuring out the truth behind Secundus' death.
- Camila Antonia-Cornelio is the leader of the mafia throughout the Western half of the Roman Republic and fights several street wars with her brother who controls the thugs in the East. Coupled with her being the Big Bad of season 2 makes her badass.
- Aerith and Bob: Quite a few, and this is only in season 1.
- Amadeus of Antonia. Downplayed. Whilst Amadeus and Antonia are Latin names in origin, the name Amadeus doesn't appear to be that common in the Roman world. The most famous example of an Amadeus is the famous composer.
- Cincinatus of Camulodunum. Whilst his name is Briton, all of his children will have Latin names with his surname. Downplayed, as his name was changed to Crispus Crispus in season 2 and he died before having any kids.
- Drum'li. His name comes from the English 'Drumstick,' yet his character was an Ancient Thracian.
- Gogglius. Comes from the name 'Goggles.'
- The Machiavelli family. In this role-play, it comes into existence a few centuries early. Unrelated to the real-life Machiavelli family.
- Tom Maxentius. Tom is an Hebrew name, whilst Maxentius is Latin. This character has German origins, btw.
- Alpha Bitch: Camilla. A rich heiress, she tramples and spits on her cousin Julianus at every turn. She desires power and influence throughout the Roman Republic, and she doesn't care who she has to manipulate, cheat or betray in order to achieve it.
- Alternate History: As the role-play series is based on a Rome Total War campaign, it is quite clear to see how the in-game events may differ from real life. Downplayed, as most factions within the mod are historically represented, unlike in the vanilla version of the game. Played straight with the Marian Reforms, as in this timeline they made the legionnaires more loyal to the Senate than to the generals.
- Ambiguously Gay:
- Publius Maxentius. While he married (in his 40s with a woman half his age), he did adopt four men who were about the same age as him (and were, presumably, his lovers).
- Cassius Antonia. Never made public officially within the role-play, but from a meta point of view the role-player had explicitly stated that was the case.
- Anachronism Stew: Although the events take place in Ancient Rome, there are some women that appear to hold more power than they did in the real life. Coupled with the fact that inventions such as crossbows were discovered 2 centuries too early. Downplayed with the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, as it is accurately portrayed in the mod as a Hellenistic faction, rather than a Bronze Age Kingdom (as was the case in the vanilla version of the game). Played straight with the Roman Republic, as there is only one family eligible to run for Consul - the Maxentines. All the other offices are more or less decorative.
- Ancient Rome: The role-play starts at the beginning of the Punic Wars, with the Roman Republic seeking to expand outside the Italian Peninsula, whilst different Roman families want to expand their own power and influence, sometimes at the expense of the ruling Maxentine dynasty.
- Anti-Villain: The following characters have usually been antagonistic to most people they met. However, they are not antagonistic enough to be regarded as villainous.
- Asinius Ostorius. Whilst a political rival of Marcus Maxentius and huge xenophobe, he wasn't actually evil. Like most Scipii commanders, he seemed to be apolitical and he was quite anti-social for most of the series. He becomes a drunkard in the last years of his life.
- Galerius Frontinus. A bit of an odd one. Whilst a loyal servant to Marcus and the Republic, he appeared antagonistic to the Senate in the last moments of his life, to the extent where he proposed its abolishment.
- Secundus Cornelio. A brute, and a drunk, he was the polar opposite of his father. Once he escaped to Macedon, many in Rome assumed he was conspiring with the Greeks for a new invasion of Southern Italy. Thus, a party of explorers was sent to return him to Rome. It was proved that he was actually a good guy, and the only reason he went to Macedon was in order to hide his son from Tertius' assassins.
- Servius Maxentius. Whilst a violent drunk with serious anger issues, he is loyal to the Roman Republic and fights against Bomilkar and Gaul in order to save Rome's Northern Frontier. During the season finale, it was revealed that Servius was actually the Big Bad of the first half of the story, killing his father in an attempt to get a monarchy established.
- Ascended Extra:
- Drum'li the historian. Treated by most Romans as a foreign Macedonian citizen, whom Iulius employed as his own personal historian. Iulius became more suspicious of him however, as he seemed able to see in the future. Drum'li revealed that he was actually a Sun god from a Northern Thracian tribe who came to Rome to help the Senators transform Rome into an Empire.
- Gaius Maxentius. Became the Roman commander in Gaul following the death of Gnaeus Macrianus.
- Galerius Frontinus. Was an hastati during the siege of Syracuse, and adopted by Marcus Maxentius for his bravery. Became one of the most prominent generals after Marcus' death.
- Iulius Constant Cornelio. He was born into a minor family belonging to the Scipii clan. Served as an hastati, and then principe against the Epirot Invasion. He became so popular that he quickly rose through the Senate ranks becoming a Praetor. He was short of becoming a Consul, but then Decius Maxentius used his power to reform the Republic and decreed that only the members of the Maxentine dynasty were allowed to be elected for consulships. Iulius was allowed to keep his Praetor position for life, however. Became a great friend of Marcus Maxentius and one of the most popular politician and general of the first act of season 1. His life was so legendary, that he was deified after his death.
- Lentulus Maxentius. Took up Publius' role as governor of Rome after the deaths of Gnaeus Macrianus and Marcus Maxentius. Turned to be the Big Bad of the second act of season one.
- Publius Maxentius. Took up Gnaeus Macrianus' role as The Protagonist of the second act of the first season, following the death of Marcus Maxentius.
- Tertius Cornelio. Seen by many as a capable politician and dedicated Senator, unlike his brother, Secundus. Turns out he was the Big Bad for the first act of season 1.
- Ax-Crazy:
- Drumstick. Believes himself to be a demi-god.
- Secundus Cornelio. He has always been unstable due to parental neglect. At his father's funeral, he jumped into the arena where the funeral games were displayed and slaughtered the gladiators in single combat.
- Servius Maxentius. Throughout his life he has been known to be deranged and bad tempered, which led him to commit acts of cruelty against his own slaves. It doesn't help his case that he, presumably, killed his own father in order to establish a monarchy in Rome.
- Badass Family: The Maxentines, the Julii, the Scipii and the Brutii are the main clans. Although, there are several others, such as the Cornelios, the Antonias, the Plebeiuses, etc.
- Beauty Is Bad:
- Lucius Maxentius is depicted as handsome man. Unfortunately, he is also a ruthless and mediocre battle commander, and takes arms against his own brother when the Civil War erupts, despite Publius being the 'good guy,' whilst Lentulus was the 'bad one.'
- Marcus Maxentius is described as handsome. Whilst he is a beloved politician and general, he is also a ruthless dictator who purges all opposition and EXTERMINATES the city of Carthage.
- Big, Screwed-Up Family: Most of the influential families of Rome, although a few stand out:
- The Cornelios. Although Iulius is obsessed with propriety and honor, he fails quite miserably at being a father. He is honorable to a fault, which leads to his assassination by his closest friend. The legacy he leaves behind are Secundus, who is a blood-thirsty brute, and Tertius, who is a sycophant without scruples. And his three grandchildren are even worse. Julianus becomes a drunken priest, whilst Camila and Cassius become two mafia-lords.
- The Dorios. A family of judges who is obsessed with law, justice, propriety and morals. On the other hand, they descend into madness, alcoholism and gambling.
- The Maxentines. The most obvious example. Decius brought his family to power through a coup, usurping the Consular powers from the Senate and awarding them to his dynasty. Marcus is even more ruthless than his father, whilst Servius is mad and cruel, and Asinius Ostroius turns into a drunk after the death of Gnaeus Macrianus. And the grandsons of Decius would prove instrumental to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the outbreak of the Civil War.
- Being Good Sucks: Being honourable, playing by the rules and trusting in others is often a huge mistake in Rome. If you want to come on top, you have to be pragmatically ruthless, ambitious, cautious and have a HUGE thirst for power. If you make the mistake of trusting even your 'closest allies,' then you may be in some serious trouble.
- Bittersweet Ending: For the Scipii Party. They technically won the season in second place, after the Julii. Although they remain allied with the Julii against the Brutii, it is apparent that they will not have a very important say in the alliance. Additionally, they are forced to embrace their sworn enemy's GOD just because Publius invented a new MONOTHEISTIC religion.
- Blessed with Suck: Servius Maxentius. He has awful traits from the very start of the game, and they get even worse as the game progresses. He is so bad, that it is actually cartoonish. Fortunately, his awful traits are not genetic.
- Blood Lust: Secundus Cornelio. He is very ferocious in battle, and utterly without mercy. It is rumored that he bathed in the blood of his fallen enemies.
- Bothering by the Book: The Scipii in general. Almost all of them are apolitical, and avoid politicking and scheming as much as possible. They prefer to settle everything on the field of battle instead of playing the Brutii and the Julii against each other, which puts the Scipii at a huge disadvantage when the first season ends.
- Bread and Circuses: It is Ancient Rome, after all. Generals such as Marcus and Publius often send money obtained on campaign to be spent on the needs of the common people of Rome.
- Bring My Brown Pants: Servius Marinus. Whilst not a coward per se, he displays a disinterest in battles, which is extremely un-Roman, considering that the most prominent Senators are known for their battle prowess.
- Cain and Abel:
- Secundus was assassinated by his sister-in-law, and Secundus' wife was assassinated by her brother-in-law.
- The first born, Servius allegedly killed Decius and was in turn murdered by his son, Lentulus.
- The Caligula: Two good examples.
- Lentulus Maxentius is presumed to have murdered his own father, exiled his cousin, split the Republic in three and started a brutal Civil War, just so he could become Emperor.
- Marcus Maxentius is very ruthless and paranoid. He does not like being overshadowed BY ANYBODY. All the glory is his, and may the gods protect those who become more popular than him!
- Came Back Strong:
- Julianus. Left Rome as a child to train in both Sparta and Athens to become a Badass Bookworm.
- Rielius Holotai. Was exiled for years in Sicily and became one of the riches in Rome by the end of the series.
- Servius Marinus. Was as well exiled to Sicily, but returned to his rightful place as head of the Senate.
- Cavalry Refusal:
- Galerius Frontinus doesn't receive any help whatsoever from the Senate.
- Publius Maxentius is denied help for his Crusade in Egypt by Lentulus.
- Challenging the Chief:
- Pro-Consul Lentulus challenges the main Consul, Publius.
- Marcus is challenged several times by the Senators during his reign of terror, the most prominent being Iulius. The most prominent general to challenge Marcus was Asinius Ostorius.
- Civil War: Starts at the end of the series, between the Julii-Scipii alliance which fights against the tyrannical Brutii.
- A Commander Is You: Generalist. The Republican Army in the early had an adequate roster, with heavy and well-disciplined infantry being the backbone, and the flanks were secured by light cavalry. Brute and Elitist in late game, as the Roman Army started to deploy slow, but effective legionary cohorts.
- Cornered Rattlesnake:
- Gaius Maxentius: Ambushed in southern Gaul, but successfully repelled the enemy.
- Galerius Frontinus: Surrounded by two Carthaginian armies at the Battle of Tingi, he still managed to pull a Gaugamela and crush the enemy.
- The Romans during the Etruscan Siege of Rome.
- Crapsack World:
- Cruelty Is the Only Option:
- Since public order and cultural differences are huge issues in Rome, the generals will often exterminate or enslave conquered settlements, in order to provide new lands and money for the veterans and the commoners.
- In the Senate it is nigh impossible to survive as an honest and honourable politician. You have to always cheat, betray, and even murder in order to ensure that your family and political party come up on top at the end of the series.
- Cutting the Knot:
- When Publius is about to initiate a Civil War in episode 13, the Senators have until episode 14 (4 irl days) to pass laws meant to prevent an outbreak of the Civil War.
- When Lentulus proposes a ban of the Julii party, the Julii Senators are given 2 irl hours to prevent to the ban, which proved to be an impossible mission for them (although, ironically, they could have easily prevented the vote if they simply left the Julii Discord role, joined the Brutii one, and rigged the vote).
