We finally have a (nearly) final version of character creation!

When starting a new game in Senatus, you’re not just choosing a name: you’re choosing a story. Through five key decisions, you will shape your character’s origin, personality, and ambition, gaining advantages… while accepting trade-offs.

Every choice directly impacts your strategy throughout the run: from your starting stats to the cards you’ll use to begin your rise in the Senate.

Every senator begins their career with a balanced foundation:

• Prestige: 50

• Oratory: 50

Starting cards:

• 3 Argument (Silver)

• 3 Applause (Bronze)

• 3 Rumor (Bronze)

• 3 Veto (Bronze)

Your place of origin defines your first strengths… and weaknesses.

• Rome, capital of the Republic

  • Prestige, −1 Applause card

• Alexandria, cultural center

  • Oratory, −1 Rumor card

• Gades, commercial hub

  • − Prestige, +3 Rumor cards

• Athens, cradle of civilization

  • Oratory, −1 Veto card

Your heritage carries weight… and shapes your starting resources.

• Merchants

  • − Prestige, +3 Veto cards

• Military

  • Prestige, −1 random card

• Jurists

  • Oratory, −1 Applause card

• Philosophers

  • Oratory, −1 Veto card

Early talents are never forgotten.

• Natural leadership

  • + Prestige, + Oratory

• Athletic excellence

  • + Prestige

• Passion for the arts

  • + Oratory

• Interest in politics and history

  • − Oratory, +1 Rumor card

A defining moment… that shaped your approach.

• The betrayal of a friend

  • +1 Rumor card (Gold)

• An unexpected military victory

  • +1 Applause card (Gold)

• The loss of a sibling

  • +3 Argument cards (Silver)

• A speech that changed your life

  • +1 Veto card (Gold)

Your ideals will become your legacy.

• “Respect is earned, not inherited” → + Prestige

• “The people never forget who scorns them” → + Oratory

• “Only those who know their history can shape their future” → + Prestige

• “Everything has a price” → + Oratory

Every run in Senatus is unique.
Every decision unlocks new strategies.
Every mistake… may cost you the Republic.

What kind of senator will you be?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4094470/Senatus/

Hello Senator,

In today’s dev diary, I’d like to talk about deck building in Senatus: how you obtain the cards you’ll bring to the Senate to debate your rivals.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4094470/Senatus/We are developing a system of events that appear randomly depending on the locations in the city of Rome that you visit: the Forum, the Temple of Jupiter, the Suburra district, and more. These events are based on decision-making and probability: the more you risk, the more interesting your reward can be. But be careful, if the goddess Fortuna turns against you and you fail the event, you may lose key character statistics.

Below is an example of one of these events so you can better understand what we mean:

Area: Suburra
Location: Street of the Taverns

Event Description:
The street of the taverns is suspiciously quiet today… Something strange is going on. The air smells of wine and refuse; whispers and hushed conversations drift from inside the taverns, yet the street itself is silent… Something must have happened only moments ago. At the entrance of the Taberna Cassii, a bloodstain on the wall and a trail of drops disappearing into the alleyways catches your attention. An old man who notices what you are observing meets your gaze.

“Wondering what happened here, are you, Senator?” the old man asks.

Options

• It is my duty and right as a Senator to know what happens in Rome
  \[92% chance to obtain a Bronze Yellow Rumor card]

• Speak, old man, and don’t waste my time \[68% chance to obtain a Silver Yellow Rumor card]

• I am in the middle of an investigation of vital importance to the Republic. Speak now, citizen \[44% chance to obtain a Gold Yellow Rumor card]

• Move aside, drunk
  \[You leave the event without consequences]

Resolution

Success “You see, Senator… The son of the distinguished Publius Annius has received quite a beating from a group of thugs… They say it’s because he owed too many denarii to the taverns on this street!” \[You received a card]

Failure
“I’m sorry I cannot be of service to the Republic, but all I saw were two drunkards beating another… Cowards, if you ask me. Two against one, right?”
\[You lost 5 Prestige for associating with drunkards and ruffians]

This example corresponds to the basic type of event, but it will not be the only kind you encounter:

• Chain Events – A first event triggers a series of decisions that can lead to unexpected consequences.

• Random Events – These do not depend on the location you visit; they may surprise you on your way to the Senate, in your private villa, or at any moment.

• Special Events – Unique events that appear at specific moments during a game and put your Senator under intense pressure.

Keep in mind that these events are not only used to obtain new cards for debate. They are also the main way to improve your character’s Prestige and Oratory statistics. In short, they are how you prepare your Senator to succeed in debate.

Are you ready for what Rome has in store for you?
Share in the comments what you think about the system and what kinds of events you would like to encounter.