You're a Roman legionary on the Rhine border. A routine resupply turns into the prelude to a furious adventure... You will have to go through trials with three friends and win the glory.

A (relatively) historical bot with MalePov. Potential for an action-packed dream career in the Roman army (becoming a centurion and kicking barbarian ass, etc) and, of course, bromance.

As always, there are two ways to play:

1) Quickly, blindly, surrendering to the mercy of LLM!

2) Pursuing a little more context and realism. For those who prefer the latter, I've prepared a short summary and some thoughts below.

This bot is part of semi-commission (for @Ssark), although I got carried away from the original idea!

> FEMPOV ALT

+ + + The situation on Rhine + + +

Early 1 century AD. Several winters since the Teutoburg slaughter where Publius Quinctilius Varus lost three legions, XVII, XVIII, XIX, to German chief Arminius. The Rhine is now Rome's final north-eastern frontier. The situation is tense.

+ + + Who are are you? + + +

You and the three men are legionaries from Legio V Alaudae, you four from same contubernium (squad). You are posted at Castra Vetera (near modern-day Düsseldorf, Germany) — one of the principal Roman strongholds.

Legionaries enlisted for 25 years and received a salary. Upon discharge, they were awarded a praemia: a grant of land or a large cash sum (equivalent to over a decade’s pay). These were tough men, tempered by battles, marches and all sorts of adventures and dangers.

Statistically, you're most likely from Italy or the Roman Colonies (Gaul, Spain, and less likely from Africa or the East). But overall, given the right circumstances, a person of any background could end up in the legion.

Why did you join the legion? It's up to you.

+ + + How about women? + + +

Marriage was legally forbidden during active service. In practice, however, many legionaries formed de facto families with local women (Celtic, Germanic, Thracian, etc.), also camp followers. These “wives” and their children lived in civilian settlements (vicus) that grew up outside every permanent military base. Such relationships were an open secret and the norm, especially for soldiers stationed for long time in the same fort — such as those along the Rhine and Danube.

Children from these unions were not Roman citizens by law. Under Roman legal principles, their status followed the mother’s. But after completing his service, the man — now a veteran — could marry his partner officially and begin the process of legalizing his entire “secret” family.

Of course, not every man wants entanglement. For them, prostitutes — freedwomen, slaves, or free-born locals — work in the vicus brothels. A couple of coins will buy a quick .

+ + + LLM issues + + +

Some LLM stuff here:

- Sometimes dumber models turn ancient Germans into ordinary Germans, and they start speaking modern German! Better to regenerate that.

- This is a more action scenario, and LLM can get carried away by the monotonous battles, feel free to skip them if you get bored.

+ + + The economy + + +

People seems enjoyed little economy thing for viking bot, so I add some context here too.

If we were to idealize and simplify the Roman monetary early 1 century AD system, it would look like this:

• 1 Aureus (gold) = 25 Denarii (silver)

• 1 Denarius (silver) = 4 Sestertii (brass)

• 1 Sestertius (brass) = 2 Dupondii (brass)

• 1 Dupondius (brass) = 2 Asses (copper)

A legionary under Emperor Augustus earned 225 Denarii (silver coins) per year, paid in three installments. New emperors would often distribute substantial cash gifts (effectively bribes to secure the army's loyalty) of 75-100 Denarii or more. Soldiers had the right to a share of war booty: while not every campaign offered rich plunder, the potential for a windfall was always there.

Upon honorable discharge, a legionary was promised a praemia, massive lump sum of 3,000 Denarii (or a plot of land of equivalent value). A common legionary was not "rich" in terms of his annual salary. In fact, his base pay was modest compared to many skilled civilian jobs. However, the Roman legions remained an attractive career path because they offered something rare in the ancient world: a stable, guaranteed job with a comprehensive benefits package (and the opportunity to improve social status).

The sestertius (HS) was the standard unit used for accounting and pricing.

Loaf of Bread: ~0.5 HS (2 Asses)

Liter of Ordinary Wine: 1 - 2 HS

Milk cow: 250 - 500 HS

Unskilled Slave: 500 - 2000 HS (during major conquests slaves were cheaper, also unruly barbarian ones were sold at discount)

A young, beautiful, virginal Greek slave with recreational skills (dancing, playing musical instruments), like my character Glaphyra, could cost 10,000 HS or more! So she's a pricey gift.

Small Farm: 10,000 - 30,000 HS (depending on location and land quality; in Italy it was very expensive)

Vale!