Nero character generation
Character generation in Nero is very similar to the default Smallville, but it uses these lifepath stages. There are also some new Distinctions further down.
Names
You can find lists of Roman names at Nova Roma and Behind the Name.
Character Generation
As you progress from one stage to the next, you can only go to the option immediately below, or one place to the left or right, of the option you're at. (This wraps around the edges.) The exception is you get a free choice into and out of the Life-Changing Event.
As this is a purely mundane game, there are no Abilities, Heritages, or Gear.
Origin
- Lead to all Leads
- Lead to New Extra
| Provincial | Imperial | Patrician | Plebian | Slave |
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Apprenticeship
- Lead to New Location
- Your Extra or Your Location to Extra or Location
| Pampered | Politics | Military | Trade | Crime |
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Goal
- Extra or Location to Extra or Location or Lead
- Lead to New Extra or New Location
| Status | Power | Service | Getting by (Life) | Money |
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Road
- Back to a Lead
| Straight-and-narrow | Back channels (Underground) | Ethical | Risky | Striving (Lofty) |
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Life-changing event: Coming to Nero's Attention
- Your Lead to New Extra or New Location
- Back to a Lead
- Optional: Swap a Relationship or Resource for a New Relationship or Resource at same die rating
- Optional: Remove a d4 Relationship or 2d4 Resource and step up another Relationship or Resource
| Crony / Favourite | Republican opponent | Senate Loyalist | Pathian War Veteran (General) | Opportunist |
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(Opportunist includes things like Gladiator, Enlisted War Hero, Artist.)
Priority
- Lead to New or Existing Extra or New or Existing Location
- Any Extra or Location to any Extra, Location, or Lead
| Friends and Family | Work | Moving Forward | Looking Back | Mastery (Performance) |
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Modus Operandi
- Existing Extra or Existing Location to Existing Extra, Location, or Lead
- Lead to Existing Extra or Location
| Reliability / Loyalty | Playing the System | Shady Business | Outside Normal Channels | Against the Grain |
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Motivation
- Back to a Lead
| Others | Self | The Cause | The Job | The World |
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Identity
- Extra or Location to Existing Extra or Location
- Optional: Swap a Relationship or Resource for a New Relationship or Resource at same die rating
- Optional: Remove a d4 Relationship or 2d4 Resource and step up another Relationship or Resource
| The Sidekick | The Foil | The Rebel | The Specialist | The Hero |
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New Distinctions
Nero needs a few more Distinctions. All the existing Smallville Distinctions are still available, subject to suitability and tweaking.
Consort
You have a sordid past where you exchanged sexual favours in order to get by; it might have been for money, for power or simply to hold onto what you had. Everybody knows what you did and that you wouldn't hesitate to use those tactics again if you had to. Roll this Distinction's die when using your reputation to discomfort others or engage in discourse about sexual matters, e.g. speculation about who is sleeping with whom.
- d4: Add a d6 to Trouble to Gain a 2d8 Extra for the rest of this scene (someone you've slept with in the past).
- d8: Give a d6 to anyone who is trying to seduce you and Recover your Exhausted or Insecure Stress.
- d12: Reroll a die in a Consort roll if you Choose to provide your opposition with the immediate sexual gratification of their choice; this can be as simple as exposing your body to them.
Cultist
A new philosophy brought to you in the words of a prophet from the East has touched your heart; all men are brothers and there is only One God, who loves us all. Roll this Distinction’s die when acting charitably or defending your cult.
- d4: Earn a Plot point when you Choose to turn the other cheek and forgive another for their sin against you.
- d8: Spend a Plot point to Decrease your opponent’s Afraid or Angry Stress pool.
- d12: Add a d6 to Trouble to Reroll a die when preaching your beliefs while practicing them.
Legion
You command a legion, or several! This Distinction represents the size and quality of your troops, as well as your ability to lead and inspire them. Use this Distinction when fighting battles with an army, using your legion to impose control over an area, or judging someone else's military strength.
- d4: Add a d6 to Trouble to Gain a soldier (or a squad) as a 2d8 Extra for this session.
- d8: Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die in a Legion roll.
- d12: Increase your Exhausted or Injured pool when you Choose to give a suicidal order to a Lead or Feature.
Pater Familias
Your household, which extends to your wife, children, the wives of your sons, your nephews, slaves and freedmen, is your domain; you rule over every aspect of it and your word is law within its walls. Roll this Distinction when defending or promoting the welfare of your household or giving orders to someone who is part of it.
- d4: Add d6 to Trouble to Decrease your opposition's Afraid or Insecure Stress pool against you when they are your guest.
- d8: Earn a Plot point if you Choose to let your authority in or over the household slip unchallenged.
- d12: Add a d10 to Trouble to Reveal that you are aware of a secret taking place under your roof.
Priest
You have a position of religious leadership and responsibility, acting as a vessel of the gods. Of course, the gods don't provide you with any real power, but everyone believes they do.
- d4: Earn a Plot Point and Give your opponent a d6 when you are hampered by a religious restriction.
- d8: Spend a Plot Point to allow someone else to Reroll a die when they act in accordance with one of your predictions.
- d12: Give your opponent a d6 and Increase your Afraid or Insecure pool against them when they question or disobey your religious commands.
Lascivious
You know all about how to get someone into bed, what to do when they're there, and how to get an advantage afterwards. Use this Distinction whenever your behaviour towards another Lead or Feature is overtly sexual.
- d4: Earn a Plot Point and Give your opponent a d6 when you make a direct sexual advance.
- d8: Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die whenever you're having a sexual encounter with someone.
- d12: Earn a Plot Point when you Choose to pursue a sexual conquest instead of something more sensible.
Suspicious
You don't get to be where you are today without making enemies; you don't get to keep that position without knowing what they plan to do to you. You've learned to keep your eyes open, looking for the first sign of any move against you, and also that no-one can be trusted absolutely. Roll this Distinction's die when investigating any move made directly against you or when looking for the danger lurking behind the mundane and innocent.
- d4: Earn a Plot Point when you Choose to disbelieve a true confession.
- d8: Earn a Plot Point when you Increase your opposition's Afraid or Insecure Stress pool - they're just confirming your worst fears.
- d12: Spend a Plot Point to Shutdown your opposition's Relationships for this scene - you've cut off their support and they're totally on their own.
Touched by the Gods
It’s said that whom the Gods destroy, they first drive mad, so you probably shouldn’t expect to have a long life. You’re gripped by a delusion that colours your view of the world, such as believing that the rats are plotting to take over Rome, or simply having delusions of grandeur, e.g. vast wealth and universal popularity. Roll this Distinction’s die whenever pursuing a goal relating to your delusion.
- d4: Reroll a die in a Touched by the Gods roll when you Choose to let your madness dominate you for the rest of the conflict.
- d8: Add a d6 to Trouble to Increase your Afraid or Insecure Stress pool.
- d12: Give your opposition a d6 when you Reveal a terrible insight that your madness has given you.