A Life in Ancient Rome
Legio Aeterna is a text-based RPG set in the Roman Empire of 4 CE. You play as one of its millions: type what you want to do, select a suggested action, play Ludus, fight in the Arena, become a renowned philosopher, with a Game Master guiding you through the world every step of the way. For more information on everything possible, why not visit the guide page? It has more detailed content on what you can find in Legio Aeterna.
HOW IT WORKS
Legio Aeterna uses generative AI to create the stories you play. With each turn, all your previous actions, people you've met, places you've been, dogs you've adopted, your coins and items, and factions you have joined move with you. A lot of work has gone into making sure that, as you play 10, 20, or even 500 turns, the baker you met in Rome is still there. Unless you killed him, of course. Think of it like a book: as you read, you wouldn't be able to recite every page line by line, but broad strokes, the characters and events, you do remember.
The AI tells the story. The rules make it a game you can win or lose.
CHOOSE YOUR PATH
Legio Aeterna is all about exploring the Roman world through the eyes of one of its many inhabitants. Rome stretched from the shores of Hispania to the deserts of Syria. Whether you want to play as a druid travelling to Carthage or an Egyptian embalmer making his way to Rome, you can. There are plenty of backgrounds to choose from, each providing unique stats, quests, stories and interactions.
Your background shapes how the world sees you, and what doors open.
WHAT A SESSION LOOKS LIKE
After creating your character and giving them a proper name, you are dropped in the starting location. I recommend going through the tutorial. Yes, I hate tutorials as well, but if you want the best experience, do pay attention; there's info in there that will make your experience that much better. And then it's up to you. You get a few skill points, so spend them wisely. Based on your character, you'll have a bit of money to your name, but that's about it. By now you should have received a quest, so see if you can complete it and reap the rewards. But yeah, go bonkers, it's your game.
I do recommend, after a while, creating your own personal goals, such as upgrading your villa, or completing one of the longer character-specific arcs. Or see if you can get an audience with the emperor himself.
HISTORICAL DEPTH
The year is 4 CE. Augustus reigns and the Pax Romana holds. This is the world you play in. The narrative matches the time frame. What I would recommend, though, is to lean into it. Read the narrative and feel that you are in the Rome of Augustus. While the Teutoburg disaster is still five years away, why not try and see if you can win that battle in the hex strategy game? Maybe you are the saviour Rome never knew it needed?
This is the real Roman world. The druids are outlawed but not gone, mystery cults spread in the dark, and Parthia waits beyond the Euphrates. Watch your step.
WHO MADE IT
I did. I'm Frits, living in London. I'm a fan, if you can call it that, of Roman history. Definitely not as big as a few of you out there who can recite every event and know which general is to blame. But I do get sad when I read Wikipedia pages on the fall of the Roman Empire. But luckily, that's not what Legio Aeterna is about. Instead, it takes place during what is known as the Golden Age of the Roman Empire. If you want to learn more about why I built Legio and why it's different from any game you likely played before, head out to the vision page where I share a lot more and ramble on a bit more freely.
Frequently asked
Is it free to play?
Yes. You can start free today. You don't even have to create an account. Although you will if you want to keep playing.
Do I need to download anything?
Nope. It runs in your browser, on desktop or mobile.
Is my progress saved?
Yep, no need to save yourself, although if you're worried, you can.
Is the game finished?
I thought that a few months ago, but scope creep is a real thing. Is it finished? Rome wasn't built in a day...
Can I play with friends?
Not yet, and that is the big one on the to-do list.
Questions, feedback, or a bug to report? Get in touch, or join the Discord.
The Empire Awaits
Alea iacta est
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