Ideas for a corrupt but liked ruler

[Dandu]

I like this a LOT, because of the earlier threads about "my PC is awesome, he should be able to boss around the king and be treated as a king; the highest level person should rule!". I've always taken the view that political power and level aren't directly related.

in 1e, I believe, Fighting-Men gained followers as they leveled up due to their martial exploits, so I can see where they're coming from, if I squint a bit.

At any rate, it's politically inadvisable to anger someone who can wipe your country off of the map with a few hand gestures.

 

[fba827]

Thanks guys and gals, you've given me some great points to think about as I figure out details!

 

[billd91]

At any rate, it's politically inadvisable to anger someone who can wipe your country off of the map with a few hand gestures.

Maybe not, but if the wizard does do that, he's setting himself up as the next usurping wizard for a group of plucky adventurers to band together to defeat in their own epic legend.

 

[TheYeti1775]

I think one of my current characters might qualify for your ruler.
28th level Lawful Evil Cleric of Ishtar (1st Ed), he became king via force of power. While he is willing to do great evils he rules like a Lawful Neutral. The island country is flourishing but things he does on the side that the general public doesn't know could be the factor in the PC's wanting to depose of him.

Things like consorting with a demoness.
Tortured both good and evil interlopers to his country.
Goes outside the country 'kidnaps' various individuals with magical aptitude. Many are eliminated in this way.
In the past he has made sacrifices that would make you cringe. Bad enough we just hand waved/fade to black them.

Any of those could be reasons for the characters to want to take him out.

But in turn, the people have only saw the ruler side of him.
The one who ended slavery (indentured servants are allowed).
Merchants are highly protected, the navy has no problem escorting merchant ships. Many do so just as part of their wargames.
Pirates are nearly eliminated against flagged vessels. (He pays them off with safe harbor on another isle and encourages the black market there.)
Magical aptitude is highly encouraged and potential students are given apprenticeships.

 

[Imaculata]

I had a ruler in one of my campaigns, who was disliked by everyone. But the city was a such a rotten dark place, that any ruler basically had to be a ruthless paranoid bastard, to rule the place. The city had a long history of having a new ruler almost every year. Rulers all had a rather short lifespan. People simply stopped caring who was in charge.