Roleplaying a fair and decent leader

[Mortagon]

So we're doing the prepping for the upcoming Kingmaker AP for the Pathfinder rpg were the players get to play the King and his closest advisers. None of the other players seemed interested in playing the King and each choose a specific adviser role fit for their characters. The DM wanted the throne to be occupied by a player however. Thus I was given the responsibility and honor of gowning the crown. While I look forward to the challenge of portraying such a character it does bring certain concerns into consideration.



How does one go about playing a ruler which is both fair yet determined and who demands respect not only from the npc's of the world but also from the other player characters. What defining virtues should one take into consideration when putting on the crown?


Since I'll be playing a cavalier I want to be able to demand respect not only on the battlefield as a devoted leader and tactician, but also amongst the people and most importantly without outshining or stepping on the toes of my fellow players.



How should I portray my character to ensure that I'm not stealing anyone's thunder away, but also Fulfill the image I have of a stern and just ruler? And how should one go about playing someone who's not only a tactical genius, but also a respected leader on the field of battle and in the throne-room?

Does anyone here have any experience in playing such a character or in a group where someone has played one? Any pitfalls I should try to avoid?

 

[Aran Thule]

Don't have any experience myself but when i read the question it reminded me of Birthright, if you can find anyone that played that they might be able to give pointers.

Had a quick look on the website and found this, don't know if its any help but here goes.

BRCS:Chapter one/Character/Noble - BRWiki

 

[LostSoul]

Do you want to have your character's rulership abilities challenged? That is, do you want NPCs and - more importantly - PCs listen to you because you are the Lord, or do you want them to challenge your leadership based on the merit of your ideas, actions, and/or your moral decisions?

Whatever you answer, that needs to be communicated to your group.

 

[FireLance]

Have you heard of the concept of servant leadership? If not, the wikipedia entry is a good starting point.

Here's a nice quote from the article:

The servant-leader is servant first... It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions... The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.

The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?​

Perhaps the following suggestions may help:

• Think of yourself last. Your priority should always be the welfare of the people you are leading (both PCs and NPCs).
• Especially for your fellow PCs, know their strengths and look for opportunities to let them shine. But make suggestions, don't give orders.
• Be humble. Don't demand respect. Do your job well and you will earn it naturally enough.

 

[S'mon]

Well, you don't 'demand respect' like some Mafia don or tin-pot dictator. You act honourably; with fairness, grace and justice. Those who honour you in turn do honour to themselves; those who disrepect you, dishonour themselves.

 

[S'mon]

[*]Think of yourself last. Your priority should always be the welfare of the people you are leading (both PCs and NPCs).
[*]Especially for your fellow PCs, know their strengths and look for opportunities to let them shine. But make suggestions, don't give orders.
[*]Be humble. Don't demand respect. Do your job well and you will earn it naturally enough.
[/LIST]

This is all very good advice. To lead, you must serve. You must always be willing to bear the greatest burden, to stand fast when you would rather flee, to sacrifice yourself, if necessary, for the good of others.

In making decisions, you should take advice from all, then decide. Most of the time your decision should be determined by the advice of those around you, even when you would yourself prefer a different course. There may be critical times when you need to go against your advisers, but those should be the rare exception. Ethelred, who was defeated by the Danes went down in history as the "Unredey" - because he was bullheaded and would not take the 'rede' - advice - of his advisors.

 

[Mortagon]

Thanks, a lot of good advice there. The character I'm playing will start off as a knight in service to an order that puts others before themselves first so lots of these ideas fits perfectly with the concept I already have in mind.

 

[Hereticus]

How should I portray my character to ensure that I'm not stealing anyone's thunder away, but also Fulfill the image I have of a stern and just ruler? And how should one go about playing someone who's not only a tactical genius, but also a respected leader on the field of battle and in the throne-room?

Think of a great leader from history with a well documented life and style, even if it is part legend, and emulate it to suit your character.

How about Alexander the Great for a start?

Or perhaps Hammurabi, and you can develop a legal code.

 

[Filcher]

I dig on the humble servant leadership, but be open to the moments when, for the good of the people you are dedicated to, you need to smash some face.

"No, orc chieftain, this isn't personal. I bear you no emnity. However, for the good of my people I will raze your fortress to the ground, slaughter your families and hang your children's skulls from our battlements as a warning to all that would threaten our people."

Which was much better said by someone smarter than me:

"We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us."

Now ... is your cavalier one of those who is sleeping, or one who is ready to visit violence?

Edit: Or more fun to ask: is your just and stern ruler willing to commit evil for the greater good of his people?

 

[Hereticus]

"No, orc chieftain, this isn't personal. I bear you no enmity. However, for the good of my people I will raze your fortress to the ground, slaughter your families and hang your children's skulls from our battlements as a warning to all that would threaten our people."

That, or your cavalier could promise them freedom and democracy.

Either way, same result.