hepatoscopy represented in the game?

[Strager]

Anyone think they will include in some manner Roman hepatoscopy? It would be awesome to have your fortunes read in the entrails of a cow. Would make for a unique event chain at least

 

[hildoceras]

event 94525 "Seven crows fly on your left"
"Your wife decides to plot something, the auguries are very negative and you've a bad feeling... Stab -1"

 

[alvaro]

Anyone think they will include in some manner Roman hepatoscopy? It would be awesome to have your fortunes read in the entrails of a cow. Would make for a unique event chain at least

I proposed that somewhere for the preview of battles to show the balance of forces instead of a proper mesurable number or status bar. "the signs are favorable". At the end of the day romans(and ancient civilizations) are supposed to be very supersticious people.

 

[kierun]

You could have this random event for battles (affecting the moral of the troupes), for diplomacy (affecting the ability of the herald to transmit your message) and even for changing any of the government options (no effect, but just fun).

Yeah, I like it.... *grins evilly*

[Augury was taken before this message and the intestines of the chicken showed great things but not for the chicken...]

 

[Divi]

I proposed that somewhere for the preview of battles to show the balance of forces instead of a proper mesurable number or status bar. "the signs are favorable". At the end of the day romans(and ancient civilizations) are supposed to be very supersticious people.

They were much more pragmatic than you seem to think, and it was very political; in actuality, outside of myths, a quick thinker could very well turn a bad omen into a good one, etc.

 

[kierun]

They were much more pragmatic than you seem to think, and it was very political; in actuality, outside of myths, a quick thinker could very turn a bad omen into a good one, etc.

Scipio: "Do not worry men, Poseidon has told me that he will help us in our time of need. Once more onto the wall of New Carthage!"
(some time later)
Hestati: "WOW, look a the triarii walking on water towards the walls! Now, we will surely win!!! WOOHOO."
(meanwhile, closer to the general)
Scipio: "Good thing I ask the local fishermen when the tide was. YAY me."

...

On a more serious note, Caesar was a high priest but rarely (never?) speaks of his duties as one. In all his writing, there is no clear indication that he was a religious man beyond what was expected of him. Of course, he could not have mentioned it because, well, everybody goes to temple, don't they?

 

[unmerged(7537)]

They were much more pragmatic than you seem to think, and it was very political; in actuality, outside of myths, a quick thinker could very well turn a bad omen into a good one, etc.

Pargmatism and superstition are not mutually exclusive, though. Consulting an augur to read birds and animal entrails was the ancient equivalent of consulting the weather report: Sure, it might not always be on the mark, but it's still better to know what to expect when you're charging up that wall tomorrow.

 

[Calantyr]

If it is using the EU3 battle system, perhaps a 'stage' at the start of combat when this is done? And a slight moral boost/penalty determined by a random factor, maybe based on the stats of the general?

Would add an interesting twist.

 

[TheLand]

They were much more pragmatic than you seem to think, and it was very political; in actuality, outside of myths, a quick thinker could very well turn a bad omen into a good one, etc.

All the more need to have a deeper set of leader stats than previous Paradox games - "Cunning" must be in there, along with "Oratory" and "Skill at Arms".

Naturally, if your character occupies certain positions - like Priest of such-and-such - he should have a bonus to the chances of favourable augury.

I would be surprised if PDox go with this but hopefully it will be moddable.

Chris

 

[shadow737]

Yes, this is a great idea, hopefully the augurs will see its future cast well in the flight of the data chips or the entrails of a recently slaughtered Compaq computer! :rofl:

Seriously this needs to be a potential game event, serious chaos could ensue from a bad sign for many of the classical cultures.

 

[kierun]

Seriously this needs to be a potential game event, serious chaos could ensue from a bad sign for many of the classical cultures.

Pythia: "If you attack the Persian, a great Empire will fall"
Croesus: "YAY! Go me. Let's do it..."

Whoops.

 

[shadow737]

Pythia: "If you attack the Persian, a great Empire will fall"
Croesus: "YAY! Go me. Let's do it..."

Whoops.

True, the misinterpretation of a sign also could cause chaos and disaster. Make the events random with numerous effects and that would deal with the problem of signs and augurs.

 

[SirGrotius]

I used to think superstition was exaggerated for literary effect, but now my gut feeling is that it's underestimated being that we're children of the Enlightenment and following such portents is so foreign to our way of thinking.

Anyway, events would be cool, a "bonus" round in combat may be pushing it, but having some sort of superstitiousness quality in bodies of men might be pretty awesome.

 

[DesertSnow]

Pargmatism and superstition are not mutually exclusive, though. Consulting an augur to read birds and animal entrails was the ancient equivalent of consulting the weather report: Sure, it might not always be on the mark, but it's still better to know what to expect when you're charging up that wall tomorrow.

I believe you don't hold meteorologists to high esteem...

Anyway, using the superstitions of others to acquire positive results is practical... Being superstitious yourself isn't...

Pythia: "If you attack the Persian, a great Empire will fall"
Croesus: "YAY! Go me. Let's do it..."

Whoops.

If you think of it, the oracles were masters at what they did. EITHER WAY, they were ALWAYS correct.

If the Lydians had destroyed the Persians, people would say: "OOOOOHHH, once again the oracle proved its worth'

When the Persians destroyed the Lydians, people said: "The Seer was right. It was Croisus's fault that he misintepreted the prophecy"

Being useless doesn't necessarily put you out of business in a superstitious world...

 

[unmerged(514)]

I firmly believe a "Rome" game without this hepatitis thing will destroy Paradox fame for historical accuracy.




...





:rofl:

 

[Jolt]

Pythia: "If you attack the Persian, a great Empire will fall"
Croesus: "YAY! Go me. Let's do it..."

Whoops.

After 6 Months, the war ends with with an indemnization of 5 denari to Persia.

 

[Zuckergußgebäck]

I proposed that somewhere for the preview of battles to show the balance of forces instead of a proper mesurable number or status bar. "the signs are favorable". At the end of the day romans(and ancient civilizations) are supposed to be very supersticious people.

Looks like a clear case of replacing the dice icon with a gutted chicken.

 

[hildoceras]

Looks like a clear case of replacing the dice icon with a gutted chicken.

exactly !

on the other hand, dice is required when "alea jacta est"

 

[alvaro]

Looks like a clear case of replacing the dice icon with a gutted chicken.

i don't know of that icon. don't own an eu3 copy. o

 

[unmerged(78037)]

On a more serious note, Caesar was a high priest but rarely (never?) speaks of his duties as one. In all his writing, there is no clear indication that he was a religious man beyond what was expected of him. Of course, he could not have mentioned it because, well, everybody goes to temple, don't they?

in fact, he dumped a load of crap on his fellow consul's head after that dude tried to prevent Caesar's laws from passing by declaring bad omens.