Agent's Field Guide¶
Operation LAPIS · ludi sine fine¶
This is the teacher's companion to Operation LAPIS, a two-year, 28-mission Latin curriculum built as an alternate reality game. You are the Agent of the Demiurge. Your job is to run the story.
The Field Guide does not set canon. It explains how to run each mission: the workflow, the CODEX resources, how to respond to student teams in character, and the cultural and grammatical content to bring in at each beat. Everything downstream of the published curriculum is the source of truth: the live LAPIS site, Mission Control, and the CODEX.
The Three Approaches¶
Each mission can be run in one of three approaches. They are alternatives: choose one and run it. Each approach has a color, and that color marks it everywhere in this guide, on the approach tabs of every mission page and in the cards below.
Latin RPG
Students play as the Recentii, in Latin, inside second-person immersion. The teacher responds in character as the Agent, advancing the story through each prompt exchange.
English RPG
The same role-playing structure in English. The CODEX carries Latin acquisition and cultural learning. A bridge approach for classes building confidence before full Latin immersion.
LAPIS Fabulae
Students read and influence a branching Latin narrative following Octāviāna and Bellātor. The teacher facilitates discussion; cultural corrections are built into the story's branches.
Not sure which approach fits your class? See Choosing Your Approach for a full comparison, decision guide, and notes on the ACTFL intercultural framework.
The Curriculum at a Glance¶
Operation LAPIS runs across two years and five geographic arcs. Each arc is a coherent narrative unit; the story carries across all 28 missions.
| Arc | Missions | Setting | Agent Guide Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pompeiī | 1–6 | Bay of Naples, 79 CE | Missions 1–2 complete; 3–6 in progress |
| Britannia I | 7–10 | Roman Britain | Guide pages coming |
| Aegyptus | 11–14 | Alexandria and the Nile | Guide pages coming |
| Britannia II | 15–22 | Return to Britain | Guide pages coming |
| Rōma | 23–28 | The city of Rome | Guide pages coming |
Where to Begin¶
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New to Operation LAPIS?
Start with Getting Started as an Agent. It covers what Operation LAPIS is, the pedagogical framework behind it, and how to set up before your first day.
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Ready to run a mission?
Go to Curricular Materials. Start with Introduction & Tutorials before Mission 1, then follow the mission pages in order.
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Need the classroom systems?
The Running the RPG section covers Latinity Points, the CODEX, character mechanics, and Mission Control.
Mission Control¶
The live web app for managing cohorts, tracking Latinity Points, and handling character data is at mc.practomime.com/agent. The Mission Control App section of this guide covers setup and day-to-day use.
Living document
This guide is built out alongside the curriculum. As missions go live on lapis.practomime.com, their guide pages follow. Check back as the year progresses.