If the player sides with Rome, the game mode would have to change. The end game goal would be to save Rome, instead of defeat it . This would put the player's end game challenge as defeating all other players who are against Rome. The other players would have to get a buff since Rome ended up losing after all.

Additionally, the courts in these kingdoms were made up partially of Romans who had influence over the kings. (leaders). I could see having a set of skills for ennobled clans acting essentially as nobles, instead of common laborers. they would have a separate set of trade skills that would enhance fame, gold production, trade conditions, diplomacy and the training of knights. (since only nobles could be knights). Nobles could not do common work like blacksmith.

Since the player is essentially a vassal of Rome, they would be required to meet conditions set upon them, such as attacking other players, paying tribute, and providing grain and other goods. Failure to meet these requirements would lead to an attack.

The player would have access to a "Roman" marketplace that not only sells Roman only weapons and armor, but also sells unique items that are only available under this agreement.

production oriented tools (+ production)

anvil + blacksmith
scythe + harvesting
chisel + building productivity
drill +mining

Additionally, the diplomacy screen could allow for Nobles to travel to Rome and enhance their skills for the price of time. These could be things like + favor, raising skill levels above 10, and recruitment of other nobles into the court.

Going with things that seems workable within the game as is:

As longs as the Romans are happy with you, you should get gifts but also happiness bonuses to your clans because the elites will have access to Roman luxuries. Losing favour with the Romans would mean lack of gifts, then loss of happiness, and eventually attacking Legions.

The Romans should demand tribute, not so much of resources but of people. Sometimes, they'll demand a random clan from your settlement as "hostages" for your good behaviour. After a random amount of time these may come back with high skill levels and an advanced profession, having been trained in Civilisation). If you refuse, they get angry.

They could also demand that you clear out specific bandit camps or declare war on specific other nations. This is the Romans' way of keeping the barbarians on the border busy with each other. If you refuse, they get angry.

And of course, there should be Roman forts scattered about hogging important resources and tempting the player to attack and settle there. For example, the opportunity to capture stone structures rather than just wooden ones. If they do, the Romans will obviously be very vexed indeed (but if it's too isolated they may not be able to do much about it).

I like all of these ideas

I have started a topic on this a while ago at the game forums ... but now they don't work. I would have copied my thoughts over here otherwise :)

How about the ability to hire mercenaries, If you have a lot of gold and nothing you need to buy, but are maybe at war and need troop help? Opps sorry wrong thread ><

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Some ideas have been included in v1.2 and others will be adapted later in v1.4. In the meantime I'll be focusing on the AI with v1.3.

- Jon