This could be the farewell performance for the Avalon Hill edition of the game with the Valley Games scheduled revised version due out soon.	Llew Bardecki and Dennis Mishler between blade thrusts. Public servants that warm the cockles of your heart. Congress should be so dedicated.

"They say fate is a fickle Mistress, that you never can tell when she will turn on you."

That can be said to be the perfect embodiment of some players feelings after their glorious rise to power suddenly stops precipitously. Where they go from being the First Man in Rome to just another hayseed with no Greek in the blink of an eye (or turn of a card).

This holds true especially for this year's Republic of Rome Final. This was a game where some factions were completely sure of their victory only to have it snatched away in the waning moments.

The following is a summarized recount of the Final providing an interesting view on the game through one players eyes.

The Players:

Crescent - Dennis
Gate- Sean - GM
Wreath - Chris
Hand - John
Coin - Kevin - Chronicler
Eagle - Lou

The game started with a coalition government to "better" Rome. Unfortunately, not all factions received invitations regarding the coalition and the Crescent faction did not cooperate. For that, the Coalition banished two of his Senators to the hinterland as Governors, for the betterment of Rome. Thanks to this banishment, Rome continued to function. Unfortunately, the mighty Field Consul of Coin, Aemilius (19) was provided with inferior weapons by the Senate and a stalemate developed at the Sertorian Revolt.

In the next turn, Gate suffered the arrival of the Reaper (Mortality), their faction decimated. This again shifted the balance of power and the coalition shifted... leaving Coin out in the cold, with it's Proconsul still at war. Hand, Eagle and Gate took the reigns of power and recalled the proconsul against his will. The Field Consul - Popillius (23) of Eagle was dispatched to end the revolt and succeeded. Land bills began to provide the masses with the land of Rome, and peace continued as Rome flourished.

The sands of time continue to fall, and the 3rd Gallic War raised it's ugly head. Gate attempted to expand it's influence to neutral Senators and failed miserably. The ruling coalition of Rome shifted again, and now Coin and Eagle took over. New legions and fleets were constructed, while investigations of whether there were some kickbacks to Rome Counsel Tullius (28) of Coin were blocked. The Pontifix of Hand quickly vetoed the division of more land for the plebeians to the great displeasure of the Rome populace. However, due to the concerns of Coin's Rome Consul Tullius (28), a larger Land Bill was quickly substituted to replace the Pontifix's misplaced land bill veto. A motion was made in the Senate that Crescent was for the enemies of Rome when he attempted to block the military buildup. The Field Consul Julius (4) of Eagle stalemated the 3rd Mithirdtic War, and the mighty Rome Consul of Coin Tullius (28) destroyed the Gallic War with no losses. Peace and prosperity reign in Rome.

Sadly, this was not meant to last. Eagle faction was found to be conspiring against Rome in what became known as the Cataline Conspiracy and the Pontifix died as a result. A broad party coalition formed in an attempt to rebuild the confidence of the people. Cresent's Quinctius (18) was elected the Rome Consul and Wreath began to flex it's power as the Field Consul. The Censor of Gate - Aurelius (9) fined the corrupt Governor of Crescent - Calpurnius (16) to show Rome he meant business. More swords were beaten into plow shares, more land given to the plebs...and the plebs were pleased.

The Reaper visited Crescent while Rome reorganized. Eagle, Hand and Crescent formed a new coalition and took over governing the republic. The Parthians arrived to cause a ruckus In a quiet Senate session, the war is deemed to be serious and needs attention. Unfortunately, Rome was not aware that Field Consul - Furius (8) of Hand was a possible traitor to Rome. After dispatching the war, he polls his troops as to their loyalty and if they wish to follow him to march on Rome. Common sense prevails, and the moment of concern passes.

Shockingly, peace continued to reign in Rome. Gate, Wreath and Coin took over the Senate in an iron coalition. The Social War arrives, as does more Mithartics. The Censor of Coin determined that an example must be made, and Tullius (28) of Eagle finds himself on the wrong end of a major prosecution. The Senate finds him Not Guilty by a technicality, and the Roman rumormongers have a field day. Concessions are given to the more deserving members of the Roman Coalition, while Crescent and Eagle forget to make their "payments" to Gate. On purpose? Only they know. However, outside the farcical trial, Pompeius of Coin (30) takes justice into his own hands and has Licinius (29) assassinated. Rome approves. The wars are dispatched quickly and Statesman Crassus (29A) and Lucullus (29B) arrive in the Coin faction. Coin is on the rise.

... and then falls back down. Coin is bounced from the coalition by Eagle, Hand and Crescent. Gate seizes Tullius (28) via blackmail and seditious lies. Crescent tries to persuade Crassus (29A) of Coin to break party ranks, but fails. Coin is under attack. The solution is for a counterattack. Pompeius (30) of Coin strikes back in an attempt to assassinate Cornelius (1) of Gate. However, this time, he is seen. The plebeian mob rises up and kills him. The Senate convenes a show trial against Coin's Faction Leader Aemilius (19), and finds him guilty and has him executed. The Era of Coin ends as fast as it started. Graft and corruption run rampant through Rome. More prosecutions occur and Licinius (29) of Gate is found guilty and executed. The Pontifix finds a knife flung at him by Eagle, but it misses, and no one notices. The Senate closes in a shambles.

Rome reconvenes for another day. However, suddenly and unexpectedly, Hannibal (The drop dead card.) arrives to end the era of the Senate and the Romans.

When the dust settles, Chris Greenfield of Wreath finds himself the ruler of Rome with Sean of Gate wondering how he just missed seizing power.

Overall - the interest in Republic of Rome has been somewhat renewed with its anticipated re-release by Valley Games. We look forward to more new players next year!

Leonard Omolecki and Steve Williams check their knives at the door.	The finalists do their dirty work for the people of Rome.