A Guide for Creating a Velian Character

[Senatus-Populusque-Velianus 98]

So You Want to Be a VELIAN?

Character Creation Guide

 

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What is a Velian?

 

    Velian culture is an attempt to recreate the lives of Roman citizens during the era of the mid-to-late Roman Republic in LoTC. Our primary goals are to study and implement as much historical detail as possible while also adapting to the LoTC setting. As such, we have done ample research and writing to create a familiar, refreshing, and original setting for role-players to be apart of and come across.

 

    To put it briefly, Velians are a patriarchal society of heartlander humans adapted to living in warm and dry coastal areas. Their namesake is also their place of origin, the metropolis of Velia located on a mythical continent to the west of Axios. Unlike many of their tribal competitors, the majority of Velians have shifted from rural farming to become urban laborers and craftspeople, relying on a mixture of domestic and imported grain to sustain their society. It is a virtuous and superstitious society supporting a complex polytheistic religion with hundreds of lesser deities and rituals performed diligently. This is combined with a strong sense of tradition as seen for their interest in recording and establishing legal precedent. Although originally ruled by a monarch, the Velians have come to embrace republicanism with a zealous intensity, often looking down upon their less-civilized monarchist neighbors.

 

    The typical Velian is a shorter man, like the heartlanders of Axios. His hair is brown and his skin is tanned from spending time under the warm, year-round sun. Even the most decadent of citizens tend to be lean, as their dietary staples consist of

 

 

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Creating a Character

 

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Choosing a Name

    Creating a name is one of the hardest processes for people to do. Thankfully, the Romans made this pretty easy! The tria nomina, or Roman naming process, typically consisted of three parts: the praenomen, nomen, and cognomen. The roles of these names fluctuated throughout the centuries, so we will be using a more basic interpretation of this system. In the past, we have pushed people to the NovaRoma reenactment wiki for their superb naming guide, but due to some confusion I have made this watered-down version. Feel free to use both versions in tandem.

 

Praenomen

Praenomen are similar to the given/first names that we use today. Each Roman had one, but their use was much different. Families and collections of families (gens/clans) had a handful of names that were given to their children, leading to what could have been much confusion in later years. Provided is an alphabetically-sorted list of Praenomen to scour over.

 

A

Aulus|Aula (A.) • Agrippa|Agrippina (Agr.) • Appius|Appia (Ap.

 

C

Caeso/Kaeso (K.)

 

D-L

Decimus|Decima (D.)

Faustus|Fasuta (F.)

Gaius|Gaia (C.) • Gnaeus|Gnaea (Cn.)

Hostus|Hostia (H.)

Lucius|Lucia (L.)

 

M

Marcus|Marca (M.) Mamercus|Mamerca (M.) • Mettius|Mettia (Mt.) • Manius|Mania (ꟿ.)  

 

N-O

Numerius|Numeria (N.) • Nonus|Nonia (Nn.)

Octavius|Octavia (Oct.) • Opiter|Opita (Opet.)

 

P

Publius|Publia (P.) • Paullus|Paulla (Paul.) • Postumus|Postuma (Post.) • Proculus|Procula (Pro.)

 

Q

Quintus|Quinta (Q.)

 

S

Statius|Statia (S.) • Septimus|Septimia (Sept.) • Servius|Servia (Ser.) • Sextus|Sexta (Sex.) • Spurius|Spuria (Sp.)

 

T

Titus|Tita (T.) • Tiberius|Tiberia (Ti.) • Tullus|Tullia (Tul.)

 

V

Vibius|Vibia (V.) • Volesus|Volusa (Vol.) • Vopiscus|Vopisca (Vop.)

 

Nomen

    Nomen are best thought of as the names many related families, like a clan-name. It can also be thought of as a modern surname of sorts. There have been hundreds of different nomen throughout the ages— far too many to list here— but I’ve provided a link here that will go through many nomen that one can use. Nomen were passed down patrilineally, but were also passed down through adoption. Newly enfranchised citizens generally took on an existing nomen from a public official.

 

Cognomina

    The role of Cognomina fluctuated throughout centuries of use in the Republic and Empire. For our purposes, we will divide cognomina into Patrician and Plebeian Cognomina. Plebeian Cognomina are essentially nicknames given to a person based on appearance, personality, origin, or occupation. Patrician Cognomina (and perhaps cognomina for large Plebeian famileis) are hereditary names for clan branches. For example, the Julii (Julius) family had branches such as Julius Caesar, Julius Iulus, Julius Mentones, etc. This is similar to how medieval dynasties differentiated their branches (think cadet branches).

Cognomina can also be Latinized versions of non-Roman names in the cases of those who were just granted citizenship. A list of Cognomina can be found near the end of this page.

 

Useage

    Roman names were not used like we use names today. There was a social art to addressing people properly, and being too formal or too friendly was looked down upon. I will attempt to sum up proper name usage. There are also a variety of pronouns used by Romans to refer to each other (iuvenus/young man, amicus/friend, etc.) or public titles (i.e. Consul, Praetor, etc.

- Use one name when addressing someone informally or throughout a commenced conversation. Family members and extremely close friends will address eachother by praenomen (Gaius). Otherwise, normal people are addressed by their nomen (Julius). In the case of a Patrician or a notable figure, use the cognomen (Caesar).

- Use two names when addressing a stranger or when generally being formal. When addressing a normal person, use their praenomen and nomen (Gaius Julius). When addressing a patrician or notable figure, use their praenomen and cognomen (Gaius Caesar).

- Use three names when being extremely formal. Women are only referred to by their feminized nomen (Juli-a vs Juli-us). Some exception can be made within family conversations and perhaps between loving spouses.

 

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Choosing a Class

    The Velian society borrows heavily from the property-based class system of the Roman Republic. Those with more wealth are granted a higher status in society, while those with no property are at the very bottom. For the sake of role-play, this will be simplified into a handful of divisions, all with some caveats.

 

Patrician

Those of the Patrician class are generally in the oldest and wealthiest Velian families. This class is vital to the function of the government, as it is often times the wealth of an old Patrician in a senate office that funds the construction of public works. Patricians generally earn their money through ownership of a large, productive enterprise; or alternatively own large tracts of farmland.

During times of war, young adults of Patrician status form the cavalry wing of the legion, as they are able to afford keeping a horse and purchasing the best arms. Access to the Patrician class is very limited— not even wealth alone can gain access to this class. Censors, magistrates responsible for taking the census, only elevate the most prestigious and wealthiest of citizens to Patrician status.

 

Plebeian

    Plebeians are the commoners in Velia, ranging from impoverished citizens living in one-room apartments to rich merchants excluded from the Patrician class. Under Velian law, Plebeians are categorized into classes distinguished by wealth.

 

The First Class consists of the richest Plebeians who have not gained notable fame or prestige. Usually, this class is dominated by a strong merchant core who have worked their way from rags to riches over one’s own lifespan. When drafted into military service, those able-bodied men are known as Triarii, and act as a heavy infantry vanguard.

 

The Second Class consists of middle-class laborers who have earned enough savings to live a comfortable life above their peers. When drafted into military service, these older men are known as Princepes, and fight as a veteran core near the frontlines.

 

The Third Class consists of primarily poor laborers and young, eager men who have just started living on their own. The largest of the earning classes, the Third Class also makes up the largest section of the military body, known as Hastati, who wear light armor and fight at the frontlines.

 

The Fourth Class, also known as the Proletarii, is used to refer to the urban poor who live without property and live in public housing. These men perform the most undesired jobs for the lowest pay, and elevation out of this class is only done through constant, digilent work. When drafted, these men will pay for ranged equipment, such as bows and javelins, and become a skirmishing corps known as Velites. Otherwise, they are restricted to roles that do not require buying equipment— like naval oarsmen.

 

Other Classes

    There are many other categories used to segregate people in Velia. Slaves, or Servii, consist of house servants, farm laborers, assistant craftsmen, and Gladiators. Freedmen, or Peregrini, are those non-citizens who have garnered enough trust to live among the Velians.

 

 

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Choosing a Job

    Choosing an occupation for your character can be one of the hardest tasks some people encounter. Either the possibilities are endless or many of the favored roles have already been filled. In creating a Velian character, we’ve tried to create some tips and guidelines to being successful in a variety of roles.

 

Farmer

    Oddly enough, Farmers are one of the most needed and important roles in the Velian culture. Food is vital for the production of trade animals, such as horses and pigs. Wheat and carrot farmers, as well as various animal breeders, would find great success in the Velian sphere by stockpiling and selling such goods on the open market, personally or though proxy, as well as cooperating with their fellow farmers.

 

Blacksmith

    It is hard to find a good blacksmith on the server who will put time and effort into their occupation. Practically speaking, blacksmiths must have access to a wide variety of ores to provide a steady supply of tools and arms to the citizens. Having some sort of VIP status also helps, as making custom pieces— the most lucrative of blacksmith income—is significantly easier, and those with less ability to customize items are left producing in bulk rather than specially crafted pieces.

 

Mason/Carpenter

    With an ever-expanding colony comes the need for construction specialists who can design and hastily erect new buildings and improve on old ones. Those of wealthier occupations may rely on such men to also design detailed interiors to put their neighbors to shame.

 

Merchant

    Although usually a generic term, full-time merchants would find great success within the Velian culture. If not their ability to find and delegate work to subordinates, merchants can produce exotic trade goods, such as the beloved condiment Garum, to share with the outside world. Similarly, Winemakers may also fall into this category. Merchants who are not interested in networking should rely on VIP perks to create trade goods.

 

Apothocary

    The study of native herbs and creation of medicine and utility potions is an underrated occupation. Those with a strong knowledge of Lord of the Craft’s lore would have a welcoming time in this capacity. People in this capacity should have access to VIP perks to rename items and have experience in dealing with the Lord of the Craft Lore Team.

Scribe

    If you have a knack for writing narratives, or if you want to put your Latin knowledge from high school or college, then work as a scribe may be for you! In-character, work can range from recording the details of important events or the yearly public assembly. Out-of-character, scribes are the backbone that keeps an active presence on the Forums.

Tailor

    With any new culture comes the need for cool shoes to go with a character. Tailors looking to earn wealth and respect will find work among the skin-hungry denizens of Velia. From creating elaborate pieces of armour and toga to providing stylish tunics and sandals for the everyday man, there is plenty of work to be had.
 

Thespian

Actors, bards, and other agents of entertainment are a welcome sight. Ancient Rome was known for elaborate street performers and spur-of-the-moment plays. Perhaps Velia may even be a host of a Thespian Guild in the future!

 

Gladiator

Although in the entertainment category, Gladiators are slaves bred and trained for death in the arena. This occupation does not come with pay, and is not for the faint of heart, but can be rewarding to the skilled clicker who wishes to nothing else. In their time, Gladiators could be highly respected or ruthlessly hated. “May those who are about to die salute you!”

Edited November 15, 2018 by Senatus_Populusque_Velianum

[Zarsies 6025]

[_Sug 2555]

Wonderful guide! Let’s home a roman-themed city is on the rise soon.

[seannie 6850]

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

Won’t there be a bit of thematic dissonance seeing as the rest of the human playerbase is mostly based off of cultures from the mid to late medeival era?

 

I understand its a fantasy world but it would still be out of place if 18^th century baroque courtiers were hanging around with dudes in Togas and people in medeival clothes

[ScreamingDingo 16985]

3 minutes ago, WuHanXianShi14 said:

Won’t there be a bit of thematic dissonance seeing as the rest of the human playerbase is mostly based off of cultures from the mid to late medeival era?

 

I understand its a fantasy world but it would still be out of place if 18^th century baroque courtiers were hanging around with dudes in Togas and people in medeival clothes

 

this entire server is thematic dissonance, a roman culture isn’t something that is too far-fetched

 

[chaotikal 2236]

This looks good, but Velian, Velias, Velianus sounds so wrong, because you’re using the word veli, which looks more akin to modern language inflexions, more latin inflexions would be, phonetically, at least, Belli, like the word Bellum (War). So I’d suggest changing the name of the culture itself, since it seems not to belong to a latin (or flexio in roleplay) speaking culture, but some fantasy elven like thingie. I could help you come up with a name, add me on discord chaotikal#9282

[Temp 2006]

Naaaah, ****’s not meant to 100% cling to historical accuracy. There’s no intent to be historical re-enactment. 

[GDPR 014 23]

cute

[Senatus-Populusque-Velianus 98]

On 11/15/2018 at 8:10 PM, chaotikal said:

 

 

We used the name of a lesser known ancient city in Italy – Elea/Velia. Velia is the Roman name for the city. Thanks for the feedback though, but since we’ve already rolled this out we’ll probably keep the name, but we’re always open to any assistance. Feel free to create a character!

[HansJensen 5]

Ave!