True Kings Campaign - Hit Points as a PC's link to the land.

[Paka]

All of the players are the rulers of their country, from 1st level on. Preludes at the table are their coronations, in order to set the tone of their country and the trials of their rulership. Receiving crowns are the beginnings of the characters.

Hit Points are a representation of a PC's link to the land. If a PC is wounded gravely but healed up, it will show in the peasant's faith in that God, or other metaphors for the wounds received.

Kings go forth and adventure because it is their kingly or queenly duty to do so. They have to look over their lands and choose a quest. Smart kings forge alliances with other nations, so they might accompany each other on their Royal Quests, lend aid where necessary. Which problem they wish to quest to solve is entirely up to the PC's.

Creation of the nation they rule and its mode of government is a collaborative effort between the DM and the player.

Questions? Ideas? Comments?

 

[Piratecat]

Very intriguing. Does the land take ill when a PC is injured in battle?

Moved to House Rules.

 

[Paka]

Absolutely the land takes ill.

Some more thoughts:

Questing would be a very ritualized thing and much of the divine right of kings and rulers would be based on it. Also part of the King's duties might be assigning quests to his vassals if troupe play was of interest.

I'd begin the game at a summit, giving the players an idea of the continent and allow them to forge alliances with one another (or not).

 

[ciaran00]

Seen this?

Forever King prestige class:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=147021

 

[Paka]

Seen this?

Forever King prestige class:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=147021

Thanks for the thought.

 

[Dirigible]

Check out Birthright, perhaps. It features monarchical PCs with a divine, blood-borne link to the very land they rule.

www.birthright.net

 

[Paka]

Check out Birthright, perhaps. It features monarchical PCs with a divine, blood-borne link to the very land they rule.

www.birthright.net

I know of Birthright and have heard great things from a good and trusted gaming friend who was in a campaign that he regards highly. I think an important part of the process for me, though, would be the creation of each player's nation or city-state.

Still, right on, Birthright would be a good place to look for inspiration and pieces to steal.