At its basic level, the game involves two mafia families (Caesarians and Pompeians) and the town (Senate). However, this is not a simple mafia vs. town game. The town itself is divided into two Factions, the Populares and the Optimates. This is representative of the historical political divisions in the Late Roman Republic. The game takes place in 49 BC, shortly after Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon, plunging the Republic into civil war. Historically, the Populares faction supported Caesar, and the Optimates faction supported his rival, Pompey the Great. Pompey opposed Caesar with the claim that he was supporting the Republic, but in reality it was a conflict between the two men for absolute power. Whether the victor was Caesar or Pompey, the result would have been a Dictator, and the Republic was almost certainly doomed.
In this game, the Senators can choose a third option that was little more than a pipe-dream in 49 BC: they can put aside their factional differences and individual ambitions and attempt to save the Roman Republic by eliminating both the Caesarians and the Pompeians. This is the usual form of a town vs. mafia game, with the added complication that the mafia families are also dueling. Survival until the end of the game is not necessary for this victory. If you are a Senator (townie) and you die, you can still win if both mafia families are eliminated before either is victorious. Saving the Republic is a noble cause, and you will be remembered for all time as a virtuous defender of liberty.
However, the Senators can also follow in the footsteps of their historical counterparts and take sides in the Civil War. All Senators have a SECOND, optional, victory condition. This victory condition is to eliminate all players from the opposing faction and survive. Survival is necessary if you go this route, as you are choosing to turn Rome over to a Dictator. If that occurs, his name will go down in history and yours will be forgotten. So, in order to gain anything, you need to be alive to reap the material rewards of backing the winning horse.
You may be wondering why any Senator would choose to try and help one of the mafia families, when death is a serious possibility. There are multiple reasons. First, dying while trying to eliminate the other faction does not mean you have lost the game. It only means you can no longer win by eliminating the other faction. If both mafia families are eliminated after you have been killed, you will still be victorious, even if you were happily killing the other faction while you were alive. Second, the mafia might very well win. If you think this is likely to happen, you may be able to win with them by joining in their efforts to eliminate the other half of the Senate. Third, for all you know, the other half of the Senate have all chosen to destroy you anyway. Just as with a straight mafia victory, if they get the upper hand and eliminate your faction, you're doomed, even if you're dead! A pre-emptive attack might be a good idea to ensure that this never happens. Finally, playing with the mafia is fun!
So, where do the two mafia families fit into all of this? Simple, both families want to eliminate each other AND all of their opposing family’s supporters (Populares or Optimates). They don't need to eliminate their own supporters in the Senate to win. After all, if all armed opposition has been crushed, the faction that leans their way will quickly be groveling at their feet or otherwise enjoying the fruits of backing the victor, no matter how much they may have secretly wished to uphold the Republic.
For the Senate, the choice of what to do will be difficult. No one will know which faction the other players belong to at the start. If you want to save the Republic, how can you trust the other Senators when some of them may be out to kill you? If you want to aid the Dictators, how do you contact them without giving yourself away to the enemy?
For the Caesarians and Pompeians, the choice of strategy will be equally difficult. Unlike the Senate, you will have a few allies whom you can trust completely. However, you will have to fight your counterparts who are just as strong as you, as well as half the town. You can greatly increase your power by convincing your faction of the Senate to turn against their opponents. Make those expendable Senators do your dirty work, while you sit safely on the sidelines! But, how do you do this without giving yourself away? Can you even trust your own supporters, when they always have the option of winning by eliminating both the Caesarians and the Pompeians? How do you know you aren't being infiltrated by any Senator you choose to trust?
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