Anno 117: Pax Romana – A Guide to Albion, Part 1

Welcome, Governors, to the wild frontier of Albion!

Appointed by the Emperor himself, you now oversee this newly conquered province in the far north of the Empire. Far from the sun-drenched lavender fields of Latium, Albion offers a stark and mysterious contrast, a land of misty marshes, rugged cliffs, and Celtic traditions. Here's your breakdown:

A Land of Fog, Forests, and Marshes

Inspired by real-world Britain and its Celtic heritage, Albion features:

• Elevated terrain and harsh cliffs
• Persistent fog and sudden rainstorms
• Marshlands with strategic gameplay value

These marshes are more than scenery;  they're central to your governance. Resources like eels and reed are harvested here but there's added complexity; not all types of buildings can be built in the marshes, and in contrast to dry land, roads must be connected to a very specific point of your buildings.

Meet the Locals: The Waders

Your journey begins with the Waders, native Celts adjusting to life under Roman rule. Like the Liberti of Latium, they have modest needs:

• Food (cockles or eels)
• Public services (market or bard's hearth)
• Fashion (shoes or tunica)

Like in Latium, the Optional Needs system allows flexibility in how you upgrade and expand - fulfill all, or just the essentials.

Choose Your Path: Smiths or Mercators

Once basic needs are met, you face a pivotal choice: upgrade your Waders to Smiths, or upgrade them to Mercators.

• Smiths: You'll allow them to preserve their Celtic traditions. They require cheese, beer, and drinking horns.
• Mercators: You'll require them to embrace Roman culture. They demand sausages, bread, and amphoras.

Your decisions shape both gameplay and visual aesthetics - Romanized buildings stand in stark contrast to Celtic architecture. However, even when you're Romanizing your Mercators, keep in mind that they are still Celts...Celts who have adopted Roman customs.

Aldermen vs. Nobles in Albion

Once your Smiths or Mercators have their essential Needs fulfilled, it's time to elevate them to the next tier:

• Smiths will upgrade to Aldermen
• Mercators will upgrade to Nobles

Aldermen: Guardians of Celtic Tradition

Aldermen are revered leaders within their communities, proudly sporting impressive mustaches and deeply rooted in Celtic culture. Their elevated status comes with elevated demands:

• Luxury goods like imported pelt hats, chariots, and Latium wine.
• Public buildings such as the Alder Council, a hub for local politics and tradition

Constructing these buildings signals your support for the Celtic heritage and earns the trust of the Aldermen.

Nobles: Champions of Romanization

Nobles have fully embraced Roman customs - they are clean-shaven, toga-clad, and ambitious. Their needs reflect their Roman identity:

• Togas imported from Latium
• Roman theatres for entertainment
• Aqueducts to bring water directly into the city

These structures create a striking visual contrast to the Celtic architecture, reinforcing the cultural divide, and your strategic choices.

Reaching this third upgrade unlocks the ability to build both Celtic and Romanized settlements on the same island. This opens up dynamic gameplay possibilities and reflects the nuanced cultural landscape of Albion.

Friend or Foe: Key Characters in Albion

Albion isn't just about buildings and resources,  it's about people. Your decisions as governor will shape relationships with several key characters:

Voada - The Celtic Raider

Inspired by Boudicca, warrior queen of the Iceni people, Voada is a fierce defender of Celtic traditions and a direct antagonist to Roman rule, and functions similarly to pirates in previous Anno games. Boudicca:  

• Opposes Romanization
• Raids trade routes and islands if you suppress Celtic culture
• May become an ally if you respect local traditions

Your stance on Romanization directly affects your relationship with Voada.

Manx - The Neutral Trader

Manx leads his own tribe and walks a delicate line between cooperation and cultural preservation. He:

• Trades resources and offers quests
• Supports peace, but fears cultural erosion
• His island features a massive horse figure, inspired by the Uffington White Horse in southern England

Manx's story unfolds through interactions and quests, offering insight into Albion's complex political landscape.

Athr Iorgwyn - The Rival Builder

A proud member of the Jorgensen family, Athr is your rival in Albion, and is only interested in whatever suits him best. He:

• Builds cities and castles
• Is focused on knights and expansion
• Is unconcerned with Romanization, using whatever suits his goals

Athr doesn't challenge your cultural choices, but he competes for territory, making him a strategic rival.

Anno 117: Pax Romana launches on November 13 simultaneously on Ubisoft+, PC through the Ubisoft Store, Epic Games Store, and Steam,  PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Amazon Luna. For all the latest insider news on Anno 117, visit the Anno Union.