An alternative empire full of magic and mystery

What if the Roman Empire had never fallen – because it had learned to use magic? This question is answered by Lex Arcana, a fascinating historical fantasy role-playing game from Uhrwerk Verlag, which transports players to a vivid, mystical antiquity. Ancient history, mythological creatures and occult secrets come together here – and provide material for exciting adventures around the entire Imperium Romanum.

The setting of Lex Arcana – The empire that never fell

Lex Arcana takes you back to an alternative version of late antiquity, more precisely to the year 476 AD – a fateful year in our real history, because that is when the Western Roman Empire fell. But this does not happen in Lex Arcana.

A Roman Empire supported by magic
At the center of this world is a powerful Rome that relies not only on its legions and administration, but also on arcane sciences. The emperors realized early on that, in addition to discipline and diplomacy, magic can also be a weapon – and a necessity to protect the empire against external and internal threats.

A network of seers, ritual masters and scholars pervades the Imperium. These Arcani – and especially the Cohors Auxiliaria Arcana – work in secret to ensure that demonic infiltrations, curses of the gods and magical artifacts do not disturb the balance.

A world between history and myth
In Lex Arcana, factual history meets mythical interpretation. You travel through real provinces – from Gaul to Egypt and Thrace – but supernatural dangers lurk everywhere:

• In Germania, direwolves prowl through dark forests.
• Ancient deities awaken in the deserts of Egypt.
• Forbidden cults rest in the ruins of Carthage.
• The island of Britannia is haunted by fairy creatures and Celtic gods.
• Demons from forgotten religions of ancient times lurk in Mesopotamia.

Each region brings its own mystical coloring – the cultures and belief systems of this world not only exist in parallel, but actually exist and have power.

The Custodes – Guardians of the Invisible
As a player, you embody a Custos, a member of the Cohors Auxiliaria Arcana, a top-secret unit that acts in the name of the Emperor. Your mission is to track down supernatural threats, secure magical relics and neutralize occult dangers – before they shake the empire.

You are no ordinary soldier – you can be a:

• Haruspex, a soothsayer who reads from entrails,
• a theurgist who negotiates with ancient gods,
• a legionnaire who fights with divine wrath,
• a Sibylline scholar who deciphers ancient writings,
• or a ritual magician who channels dangerous powers.

This mixture of history, magic and agent work gives the game a special, almost “X-Files meets antiquity“character.

Religions and gods – powers beyond politics
In contrast to many fantasy worlds, the gods in Lex Arcana really do exist – in various forms and regions. Roman, Egyptian, Celtic, Babylonian, Thracian or Numidian deities are active, respond to rituals or even intervene directly in the world.

But these gods are not simply benevolent: they have their own interests, rules and alliances. The player characters often operate in a dangerous field of tension between divine mission, imperial loyalty and personal morality.

Tone & atmosphere – intrigue, mystery, splendor and decay
Lex Arcana thrives on its mystical and historical flair:

• Magnificent villas in Rome and Alexandria,
• sinister conspiracies in the Senate,
• barbarian raids in which shadow creatures join the fight,
• old, forbidden writings that can bring madness,
• Rituals in which the fate of an entire legion is changed.

The game oscillates between epic power fantasy (you are part of an elite with access to magic and imperial power) and deep mysteries that often raise more questions than answers.