New Series Idea (some Nemesis spoilers)

[erhershman]

This is the idea for a forum-based game I'm planning to run (see my thread about this in the Gaming Hub section). Once again, I'd like to warn everyone that yes, there are Nemesis spoilers in here. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. This idea was sparked by the sidebar "Political Series" in Book 2, Romulan Characters, of the Way of D'era boxed set from LUG.

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Following the total destruction of the Romulan senate by the Reman leader Shinzon, the Romulan government has begun to reestablish the Senate. New senators are being brought in as quickly as possible- which unfortunately means many of them are not as qualified/experienced as the Senate would normally like. The greatest issue is the question of who will succeed Hiren as Praetor. Many powerful political figures outside the senate are vying for the Praetorship, and some even predict that the struggle will come to all-out civil war.

The PCs are members of the staff of one or more of these senators, trying to win favor, and hopefully rulership of the Empire, for the senator that they serve. If players serve different senators, then those senators are probably allied under one of the coalitions (see the Way of D'era boxed set, in the Chapter "Conscience of the Empire.") The players can portray diplomats, senatorial aides, and other "staff positions," and also military officers can be present, as they can act as escorts for the senator or serve under her/him in their private fleet (many Senators command their own armies and fleets.) Also there are opportunities for other positions: Merchants and Scientists can be recruited by the Senator, and Tal Shiar agents can be an indepent party, keeping a close watch on the chaotic Romuan political arena.

I am planning a rather long story arc that follows this entire conflict.

Sound interesting, anyone? Comments, suggestions, ideas?

Thanks,
Evan

[selek]

Very interesting premise, but it'll be difficult (IMHO) to keep from turning into a bloodbath (both for the characters, and for YOU).

I'd watch for the surviving military (particularly retirees and very senior officers) and those "out-of-favor" with the last regime to come to the forefront.

In this situation, it wouldn't be difficult for a Caesar (particularly the beloved, retired Romulan Admiral types that seem to be a mainstay for the novels) to rally support based on their past glories.

As the coalitions start to form up, assassinations, political intrigue, the dagger-in-the-back and the ever popular "remorseful suicide note" will be more popular than ever.

Also, one or more of your players may decide to try and become the power-behind-the-throne, getting his man elected, and then offing everyone else in the group!

Given the number of competing factors, the inherent chaos, AND the fact that it will be forum-based, I don't envy you the battle ahead.

All that said, however, one of my major NPCs (a beloved, retired Star Fleet Admiral, formerly a player character of Romulan descent), will be watching events carefully (once I've actually seen the movie ) and might have to make a side trip to help shake things out.

[Lt.Khrys Antos]

Make sure you make the players understand that their supposed to be the good guys. Otherwise I believe it may end up like an All-Drow campaign I tried to run; every single PC tried to get rid of competing party members.

I'd include the Vulcan/Romulan unification movement, after all it may be just the time to make a comeback.

Its a promising idea, alot of opportunity for some political oriented adventures like the Cardassian setting after the Dominion War.

[erhershman]

Yes, I am worried about the "balance-of-power" issue if a player decided to suddenly ascend to rulership... I originally had an idea of having one player be the new Praetor with the rest of the characters as his support staff... needless to say it took me only about half a second to realize what a stupid mistake that would be.