cignus_pfaccari said:
Also, you may want to invest in a secret police or two to keep an eye out for manipulation. They don't have to be leather trenchcoat-wearing thugs who disappear people in the night (though you'll want to keep an eye on them just so you can make sure they don't become that). Why? Two of your three opponents are good at infiltrating or suborning their opponents. Even one unit commander being influenced at a critical point could destroy your realm and doom your subjects to a life of misery, slavery, and being food.
Brad
I second that. Check with some of the local clergy of relevant faiths. Many would be happy to aid in setting up the system. Keep inquisitor PrCs around--those that tend to specialize in anti-
domination tactics are a help. Members of the order should have little that could cause them conflicts of interest--such as families or businesses. Orphans raised by the crown are often a good choice, especially those who went through a school system (see below).
Don't be afraid to toss out a random
Protection from Evil or
Magic Circle Against Evil every once in a while. See who pipes up saying they've been under mental control. Also, consider also including psionic classes in that mix. Mind reading can really speed things up (strict code of conduct of course). Be careful here though. I'm having Babylon 5 come to mind.
Start schools, subsidized by the government, for those who want to learn specific skills. Keep extremely high standards of behavior, push patriotic propaganda, and keep an Inquisitor on staff at each location. If someone is to be thrown out, which shouldn't be difficult, the Inquisitor handles it--making sure he's guilty and deserving of expulsion of course. In the long term, this should give you a group of very loyal and well trained individuals willing to defend you later and support you now. In the short term you'll have some increased debt and some very happy people. This shouldn't be limited to children, though they should be encouraged; everyone could conceivably find a role here.
For those not interested in training, consider some larger projects that might allow you to hire up your people for pay. Walls, forts, monuments, etc. Stuff that could get a lot of people working for you. If you pay them well they will be far more loyal.
All this has the increased benefit of separating the malcontents from those that are already loyal or have no issues with you. Then the newly formed Inquisition steps in, identifies the problem areas, and moves to solve them with the aid of local authorities.
If you do this in a happy, helpful, way you're people are likely to accept and embrace you. Ruling by fear will invite subversion, which you're enemies are all too good at.