A History Of Septimus.

For a little while now, I've been working on a board game called Septimus. Most of it is done - the rules, the ideas, how it all works together. What takes time is all of the cards - I've got two sets of decks I need to make, one for Items, the other for Encounters. There are 70 Item cards, in two decks (of 42 and 28), and then 140 Encounter Cards, in four decks (of 14, 28, 42, and 56). I'm wanting each to be unique. I have a fair few ideas about what they'll look like, have them categorised, I've got a few examples of each....it just takes time.

But one thing I only wrote relatively recently, but had had in my head since near the start, was the history; the story of the game, the context. So I thought I'd share that here. History buffs will quickly realise I'm using a touch of Latin. The names, if you're interested, are mostly real. I think I only invented one. I'm not sure if I'd say the people actually spoke Latin; perhaps it is in tribute to their ancestors who did. More to figure out! But for now, read on, and discover the world....of Septimus....

In the land of Patriam, at the height of the Middle Ages, there arose seven charismatic and influential leaders. First, Seneca, a philosopher, a very wise and elderly man. Second, Ennius, who worked wonders with mechanisation. Third, Petronia, a fierce warrior. Fourth, Terentius, an expert navigator and sea captain. Fifth, Ignatia, who delved into the new field of explosives. Sixth, Maximilianus, an in-depth and disciplined researcher. And seventh, Untalia, who hid in the shadows, and worked in secret places. 

Each of these developed a faction around them, of people like themselves, who had their ideals and skills. And each went to war against the other factions. 

The fighting was long, and bloody. Each faction wanted leadership over Patriam for themselves; none was willing to concede. Even those that seemed to get along well, and had originally supported one another, turned against each other. The war went on for generations, with no sign of ending. 

Finally, Seneca stepped forward, calling for a council, with a member from all seven factions present. They believed that they had an idea for peace. Slowly, each other faction agreed, and the first Council of Seven was held. 

Seneca proposed that, rather than one faction ruling over the land, all seven could live together. Each year, a leader would be chosen from each faction, and they would compete to see who would rule for that time. After some discussion, the others agreed. They were tired of bloodshed. 

Ennius then proposed that this competition could take place in a maze with various encounters, which they would build. Petronia supplied their best warriors to test the maze. Terentius scouted out the best location to build it. Ignatia brought their pyrotechnic expertise to many of the traps. Maximilianus researched and tested to deduce the best encounters to trial the skill of each faction, and to make it fair for each one. Untalia advised Ennius on many of the unexpected surprises to be found in the Maze. 

At the second Council, they formed a joint government and law between the seven factions. Each was given, and was responsible for, a seventh of the land; as such, each faction was referred to, then on, as a septimus. Together, they were called the Septem Septimus. 

The Maze became part of the culture for each septimus, each preparing in their own way. Each septimus knew bits of what to expect, but none knew all. The Maze changed every time, and you didn’t know what you would face until you entered. But each year, each septimus selected their Hero to enter the Maze, to potentially lead the land for the year to come. 

You have been chosen as a Hero. You represent your Septimus. You face the Maze. Will you emerge victorious?