Centurion-Legionaries of Rome: RPG Review

Centurion-Legionaries of Rome: Cover

Centurion is a prime example of a genre specific storyteller RPG, featuring three potential (era specific) settings within Roman history.

This RPG has a couple of features which make it unique. Most prevalent, is the overarching emphasis (throughout) of crafting and sharing the narrative of the story. So defined, a liberal amount of creative control between the players and the Game Master (GM) is expected. System wise, Centurion has a distinct dice system, and even for a storyteller or narrative style RPG character creation is on the lighter side. Nearly all features of this RPG are designed to encourage story.

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Character creation for Centurion is framed in four simple steps. First, each player will create a character Concept. The concept is a word or phrase, which the player decides what they think best defines the (persona of) character. If this phrase can be referenced into (or used mechanically to build the narrative of) the story, the Concept will award (d6) a boon for the character, dependent on the situation; in regards to dice rolls. Second, the player decides how to distribute a set amount of Rank(s) for Traits: 1, 2, or 3 between Physical, Mental and Social. Each of these Trait points represents a d6. Third, players will create or distribute seven Ranks for Elements, which specifically define abilities or skills of the character.

Example: Players could choose to create four elements for their characters and use the remaining 3 points to increase the capability of those Elements or decide to create seven unique Elements. As with Traits, each Element’s rank (number), directly corresponds to a d6. Fourth, is an option for players to create 1 to 3 Pivots for their characters. Pivots are character goals or quirks. Each Pivot is shaped by one of three base Aspects, these are Duty, Honor and Valor, but additional Aspects are available depending on the scope of the game. If role played appropriately, Pivots shaped by an Aspect provide the GM an opportunity to award player characters an optional boon (d6) to spend in a variety of ways for a future a Test (or check in other systems) in a Challenge presented by the GM.

System wise, as you may have guessed, the use of Ranks implies that Centurion utilizes a dice pool, but that’s not all there is too it. In discussing the dice mechanics let’s start by letting the game speak for itself:

"Dice are used in Centurion to resolve actions. The process… is called the Test, and the results of Tests are decided by rolling… against the dice rolled by other players…"

"Centurion Characters are designed using Qualities… Each Quality is rated in D6s. A Quality that is rated at 2 has 2d6…"

"During a test… Qualities are assembled and can be used to buy other dice…" (PG 7)

Based on how many Qualities or d6s a character has, players compose a hand of dice. From this players can choose to use those dice to buy higher ranked (d8, d10, d12, d20) dice for each specific test or roll the raw amount of d6s available. Thankfully, and because the concept is a bit foreign, there is a table which clearly outlines the specific costs of buying higher ranked dice. Depending on the sort of Challenge presented by the GM, he or she composes their dice hand first for each specific Test. This allows players to consider making strategic adjustments to their own dice hand, if they choose.

A few caveats of the system for Centurion are that a higher ranked die (d8 vs d6) conquers a less sided dice in the instance of a tie, and for the most part number totals are compared by higher sided dice first, then highest to lowest, until the number of comparable dice run out. When the number of comparable dice runs out the Test is concluded. If one player rolls 6d6 and the GM has rated the Test of the Challenge at 4d6 and both roll the dice raw, the four highest results of the player rolling 6d6 will be compared in order. Each success or conquering dice allows the player narrative control of the story. There is also a Difficulty Table and info on how the GM might include Quality Elements to the Challenge. There is a bit more depth to the system for Centurion than this, and even an opportunity for players to earn luck (a future boon) when a Test roll results in 1; but for the most part these are the mechanics.

Review featured in KoDT #249

As mentioned in the introduction, Centurion is a genre specific RPG and based on the bibliography alone the author has certainly put in the work. Rome wasn’t built in a day and it’s apparent that neither was this RPG. All kidding aside, the setting info is thoroughly presented and takes up about two thirds of the book material. Centurion covers three Eras of Roman history.

The Late Republic details Roman activity, society and politics between 500 to 100 BCE (Before Common Era). The Civil Wars or the historical period known as the Denouncement of the Republic, as well as the Principate and provides a brief overview of Rome’s involvement in the wider world; territories conquered and how the army and social structure of Rome changed. The Crisis of the Third Century provides a brief overview of the beginnings of Rome’s fall from grace. These latter two go between 100 BCE all the way to 240-ish CE (Common Era). All of these periods are well written and include semi-relevant info as to the whys and whatnot's about Rome per specific period, including information as to running a game, but it also brings up a point of criticism. In short, some of topics should have been more broadly detailed. While the content on politics and intrigue, and massive scope of Rome itself is interesting on its own, the sections on how to incorporate this info for the purpose of an RPG, (though it is certainly present), is a bit light.

Disclosure: This product was provided by Swords Edge Publishing at no cost, for the purpose of this review, which was written for Knights of the Dinner Table, and reprinted here with permission. Centurion is available in print at Indie Press Revolution as well as other places, and in portable document format (PDF) at drivethrurpg.com. Centurion was brought to life via Kickstarter just short of $6K internet bucks. 

Centurion encourages players to create characters which are specialist type soldiers, scouts and spies. Though there isn’t a template or what most would consider a character class. Characters will likely be part of the Legion, but at the same time somewhat independent, and likely spend a fair amount of their military service away from Rome. If the player characters might be envoys, working for a Legion or Rome itself, a brief about some locations of the empire or outside it; a few sections about Carthage, or details about nations such as the Germany, Spain, Egypt etc., could have change my thoughts on this product from good, to great. As is, Centurion is a good RPG.

Overall, I enjoyed my read through and I defiantly recommend Centurion-Legionaries of Rome, especially if your fascinated with Roman history. Centurion has some unique storyteller style mechanics for sharing and creating stories with your player group. I found the premise interesting and writing does a more than adequate job of bringing Rome to your gaming table. I suspect the dice mechanics and the methods of “buying dice types,” might put those who prefer dice pools (or just standard D&D type checks) a bit off, but I think Centurion should especially appeal to role-players who enjoy dice lite or dice-less systems.