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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Orcus" data-source="post: 2062249" data-attributes="member: 1254">There are many more controls on actions other than mano-a-mano battles. Maybe the Wiz12 doesnt kill the Ari2 king (or even disrespect him) for all sorts of reason: custom, tradition, social standing, the fact the wiz might take out the king but the king's army wont be too happy about it.The main problem is that most people dont know what another person's "level" is, even in a fantasy setting. Look at regular life. You see low level people in power all the time. I venture to guess at your work place there are managers who are "lower level" than many of the people they work for. Plus, dont forget that just because someone is higher level they wont necessarily take someone else's higher position if that person is lower level. Adventurers are used to using force and violence to achieve objectives. But non-adventurers arent. Sure, the 12th level priest may be able to (in game terms) easily take out the 4th level priest who runs the temple. But is he willing to risk it. Does he really know the priest is only 4th level. Maybe he is playing like he is weak to tempt his rivals to attack him and thus kill them. Or maybe the higher level priest knows he can take the guy out but also knows there is a chance he himself could be grievously injured in some way. Maybe it just flat out isnt worth the risk. You cant just say "oh yeah he could take him out so the higher level guy should always be the leader." That just isnt real life. And to the extent you want versimilitude in your setting, it doesnt make sense that all rulers are high level. Now, many of course will be. That just makes sense. Particuarly in a fantasy setting when a high level wizard has access to magic and summoned creatures and things like that, not to mention powerful magic items. But often people who are Charismatic, Diplomatic, rich, influential, powerful, connected, have a family heritage or pedigree, are Intelligent, well equiped, or loaded with retainers or loyal followers will wind up being the leaders. Look, for example, at real life gangs. The head gangster is not always the guy who is the highest "level" from a pure level and skill standpoint. But he has the loyalty of many people. That makes him powerful. Being in law enforcement I can tell you it is often personal charisma, bravado and daring. Usually the leader has some guys who are just cold killers. Any of those guys could take out the leader in a second. But they dont. Because he has convinced them that it is better for them to work for him. That takes brains and common sense and street smarts. Sure, some rule by sheer force. But often it is other intagible things that make for a good leader. I am strongly in support of the design concept that all leaders do not have to be high level and in fact that many (maybe even most) are not high level. Clark</blockquote>

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