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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Trickstergod" data-source="post: 1251463" data-attributes="member: 10825">In response to this...Keep in mind that outside of those initial conquering heroes or villains or whatever, that the model of the wisest, most charismatic, most intelligent of rulers begins to break down. Outside of immortal rulers, eventually those individuals of might are going to die, and depending on just what sort of government's been set up, the next batch will by no means necessarily have all the virtues that the nations founders had. If the nation's rulership is hereditary in some way, it's almost guaranteed that after a few generations the merit of the rulers will slip, if this doesn't happen right away. Any number of nations in the past have had this happen, where one brilliant, charismatic ruler who brought the world to heel had his empire shattered upon his death, due to greedy, occasionally incompetent, heirs. Perhaps the right of rule isn't hereditary, however, or at the least, isn't entirely hereditary. Perhaps the leaders are chosen by their merits. Well, how do they go about defining those merits? A test of arms? Well, the best swordsman is rarely the best ruler. The nation likely won't last long when its rulers are chosen in a contest like that. Magic, perhaps? A bit more intelligent this time around, but I know any number of bright individuals who would fail abysmally at maintaining a nation. Tests specifically related to knowledge of how to rule and handle a nation? Ok, that's a bit better, but in this case, most of the rulers are going to be high level Experts. Let's say that rulership passes to the next highest ranking general in an army or the like then. In which case, the individual is likely to be some mix of Fighter and either Aristocrat or Expert, with likely more levels in Expert than anything else. Tactical knowledge, an eye for geography, a sense of historical failures and triumphs, all imply a good chunk of Knowledge skills. While some battlefield experience is likely in there, it's likely equalled, if not excelled, by time off the field, avoiding getting chopped up so you can better lead your troops, and keep leading them. Perhaps the nation's a democracy or republic of some sort, where some folk have a say over who rules. All right, fair enough. In which case, while magic can definitely help, even mundane individuals can compete, so long as they properly know how to grease the wheels of politics. Depending on how many people have a vote, it also might be near impossible for magic to have more than a negligable effect on swaying people in the long term. And again, the ones best suited towards manipulating a vote their way and having the proper knowledge to run things are likely Aristocrats or Experts, who have focused on Diplomacy and Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) instead of Concentration and Survival. Furthermore, while those heroes and villains have been off smiting monsters and saving the world, chances are there's been any number of other folk who have set their sights on rulership, and have had no distractions to turn them from that path. A land ruled by the most powerful is almost certainly in a state of anarchy every other generation, as the 20th level character types don't necessarily have an "in" into the political system, whatever it may be. Whether from blood or voting or whatever. Not to mention that there's likely a few other high level people kicking around who don't want to upset the balance, even when some incompetent becomes the ruler, and will seek out and try to stop those who attempt rebellion. Just think back on some of Rome's emperors and you'll see the validity in that statement. Once the Genghis Khan or Alexander the Great dies, the heroic, potent ruler is likely to have the empire collapse, or be replaced by a bureaucrat of some sort. In general, I think that high level characters tend to have a bit of autonomy from the government, or use it to their advantage, but rarely hold the reins. If high level characters are running the show, they likely are split around halfway between Aristocrat or Expert, or possibly have levels only in those classes. They've had to focus on skills and abilities and activities which preclude learning how to kick more ass.</blockquote>

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