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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Chaosmancer" data-source="post: 8780582" data-attributes="member: 6801228">But not all spellcasting does take this focus and training. Sorcerers for example don't need it. Also, many nobility were also knights (not all of them, but all knights were nobility) and it is no more difficult to train to be a Cavalier than it is to train to be an Eldritch Knight, so why wouldn't they chose to learn magic?Why did the people follow the Pharaoh? Because he was the Son of Horus, Divinely appointed by the Gods to rule. Why did people follow the King of England? Because he was ordained by God to rule the land. Why did people follow the Emperor of China? Because he held the Mandate of Heaven and had the approval of the Celestial Court to Rule. I think you are far over-stating the idea that people would not be happy with the idea that their King was a cleric who served a God. In fact, being a servant of God is kind of a pre-requisite to rulership in many, many places and times. Also, again, NOTHING about a warlock pact requires servitude. It requires a contract. What is the difference between the King making a contract with the Lord of the Forest for magical blessings upon his family and the land, in exhange for deliveries of sweet honey and a yearly festival, and the King making a contract with the King of the Dwarves for high-quality steel and dwarven weapons in exchange for gold and mutual aid in the case of an assault from the Goblin Empire? Kings make these sorts of contracts ALL THE TIME.But I think you are hitting the nail on the head for exactly why survival of the fittest would push a magical world to being ruled by magical people. Because entrenched power tends to preserve itself. A family dynasty built on being fine warriors who are good at fighting can get you land and soldiers. But that can also happen with a family dynasty built on the ability to use magic. Especially since magic can create wealth, and even if the first son doesn't study magic because he is too busy studying courtly intrigue, the third son can be making magical artifacts that increase the family wealth. And if he's making all the money, then there is every reason he could end up taking over the family, because he's the one who is the lynch pin.</blockquote>

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