Minimum King/Queen entourage

[Kelek72]

So what do you think a D&D ruler would keep around as a basic protective group.

I would think the Abjurer is a must as well as a couple mid-level paladins (or anti-paladins for the evil types). A trusted cleric would also be a must. I'm thinking in 3.x terms but I'm sure 4th edition would be similar (except I hear the wizards are less useful.)

For an expanded group, a diviner and bard would make good contacts to keep handy.

I think the reasons for the different classes are obvious but what would you change and why?

 

[munkeywrench]

If your thinking of a Royal Guard, then the Praetorian Guard of Rome gives a good starting place:
Praetorian Guard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If your thinking more of a smaller, super-elite force that is with the monarch at all times, then i would suggest:
1 court magician (wizard)
1 court priest (cleric)
12 holy knights (paladins)
6 elite bodyguards (fighters)
6 to 12 royal scouts (rangers) depending on where your traveling

The magician and priest should be lower to mid paragon tier. The rest should be upper heroic to lower paragon.

 

[Quartz]

It's a matter of prestige: a monarch has as big a guard as he can afford. In 3E terms, each person would be as high a level as the monarch could afford. And, while the King's personal magical advisor might not be an archmage, the King could be expected to be able to call upon the Chancellor of the local University of Magic, who almost certainly is one or knows one. Equally, the King's personal cleric might not be a hierophant, he could expect to call upon the heads of the local temples.

See the Aphonion Tales story hour for ideas.

 

[C_M2008]

Depends on the Magic level of the setting.

In a lower magic setting than some elite guardsmen with the best arms & equipment would do the job.

In a higher magic setting (especially 3.x) One or two casters might be enough, in 4e this Would certainly still be supplemented with some "mundane" troops.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Also, keep in mind that clerics are great for what they can do - but a King might rightly worry about their priorities. A cleric by definition serves a higher power than a king, so a king might be hesitant to place too much trust in them. Think of Cardinal Richelieu and King Louis in the Three Musketeers - the Cardinal is constantly plotting to keep the king in his place, and the King, while needing the Cardinal's support, can never fully trust him.

 

[Kelek72]

Good point on the clerics - I've always considered wizards to have other motives as well. I guess kings need to be wise in whomever they surround themselves with.

Maybe all rulers should just start studying magic on their own - You know-just to CYA...

 

[Umbran]

Depends on the size and wealth of the kingdom.

For example, take post-Roman/pre-Arthurian Britain. "Kings" were akin to local warlords, ruling areas the size of one or a few counties. Such a king would have a much smaller retinue than, say, Henry V.