Key Concepts of the Game Patrimonium Imperii

Key Concepts of the Game Patrimonium Imperii

Below is an excerpt from the introduction of the game rules. This section explains some of the basic concepts to new players.

Influence

Patrimonium Imperii is a game where you can’t earn any money, but you compete with your opponents by achieving as high a reputation and influence as possible. This is a measurement of how important you’re regarded and will be the determining factor when the Imperial Council settles for a new ruler of the empire. During game play you will gather influence – but you will also have to use your influence to make things happen – and to be able to gather even more influence.

Influence is measured in IP:s – influence points.

Claimants

The late emperor Constantine’s plan for succession hasn’t worked out as planned and now several relatives, in charge of different regions, will have to fight for their survival. These members of the imperial family – some rather distant relatives – are all possible candidates to become sole ruler of the empire. These candidates are called the claimants.

Characters

Persons that are available to become part of your court, assist you in your government or help manage your dioceses. They have different specialization and should be appointed to the fitting offices. You may not always get the characters in your administration, that you’d wished for – in those cases you will have to do with what you got – and look for opportunities to recruit more competent characters as game play develops.

Court

The court consists of your closest followers, appointed to offices at your own “imperial” court.

Diocese

Emperor Diocletian reformed the division of the roman empire into smaller provinces which in turn where administered in dioceses. A diocese is governed from a city - which may be walled or unfortified at the start of the game. By controlling and administering dioceses you gain influence. The number of provinces of the diocese have no effect on your income from the diocese – your degree of control (DoC) of the diocese does, however.

The Dioceses were in turn grouped into four prefectures called…

Praefectura Praetorio

The Prefectures were larger regions of the empire. In Patrimonium Imperii you get a bonus from controlling all dioceses of a prefecture.