Samuel_Barnes@icpmech.na
06-23-1997, 11:32 AM
It seems that my comment about having 12 actions has caused a bit of a
stir. I would like to describe here how myself and another regent
came to posess such authority, and how that situation worked in game
terms.
First, let me add that the two of us who were the fore-runners of this
strategy have very different styles of game. I like to role-play to
the hilt, but not un-necessarily. I do it with an objective in mind,
and to enhance the flavour of the game. My friend, likes to role-play
in a similar fashion, but he uses even more so for the advancement of
his objectives - very pragmatic.
The way we obtained our vassals was similar, but we went about it in
very different fashion. We both placed, or role-played a burgeoning
friendship into existence with the NPC who we wanted to be the vassal.
The people that we chose were done so with the objective of finding
someone who could do something for us that we weren't particularly
skilled at, or someone who could do something for us to keep our
actions from being spread to thin. Hey, how do you think Michael
Roele ruled the whole empire? Not with 3 actions he didn't. He had
vassals. Or, more to the case-in-point - how does Aeric Boeruine or
the Gorgon do it? With vassals - And a couple of free actions now and
again.
Next, we sweetened the deal to ensure their joining the cause. The
'aura' that a regent posesses goes a long way towards winning friends
and influencing people even if the charisma score isn't all that high.
(although my character did have a 16 Char). But more than just the
aura, we offered position or rank in the movement to put a true regent
on the throne. A little money thrown in doesn't hurt, and a title
always makes a person of otherwise humble origin feel wanted and
loved. Sounds cheesy, but how did you get that girl/guy to go out
with you last week?
Finally, we treated them favourably. When I used these new found
actions, it was usually in one of two ways. First, as often as
possible, I used the additional moves to benefit the new acquisition's
holdings. What good is a guilder with a total of five holdings? Not
as much as a guilder who now has 14. With a little royal backing,
things went pretty smooth and pretty soon, Nearly all of Roesone was
under the family's control. Second, when I didn't use them directly
for the vassal, I explained to the vassal (the DM) in a short note,
what I needed her to do.
The GM told us that as long as we did these things and didn't screw
over our vassals we should be okay. Obviously there was a limit to
what we could do, but I don't think that either of us really pushed
the envelope in that sense. Also, it took a bit of weight off of the
already-burdened GM from having to run yet another 6 NPC's just for
the benefit of two (of 7) PCs.
The GM requirement that he rubber-stamp the proposed moves also helped
us occasionally. Since we tried to role-play when possible I found
that sometimes the GM/NPC would offer valuable suggestions and
alternatives at times in lieu of simply rubber-stamping our requests.
Any objections? samuel_barnes@icpmech.navy.mil
>> An interesting view of BR vassalage....
>> IMHO, I'd say that more than 4 actions is somewhat abusive, but similiar
>>effects can be achieved with some kick-bum diplomacy actions, too... :)
>>
>I didn't think it was abuse... but the actions from the vassals, IMC, would
>be required to be on a separate list... one list per vassal... and the DM
>has to consider whether those actions would damage the vassal's domain. If
>those actions did lead to a reduction of the vassal domain, then that vassal
>will have some serious words to her/his liege about what is going on!
>eg, if, to protect the whole realm and other vassals, the overlord removed
>troops from one vassal's domain that vassal would be thinking "Hang on -
>didn't I raise those troops to protect MY domain? WHERE ARE THEY GOING??
>WHO'S GOING TO SAVE ME FROM THE GOBLINS NEXT DOOR??? THOSE TROOPS STAY HERE,
>'CAUSE THEY'RE MINE!!"
>This sort of resistance makes sense, IMHO...
An interesting alternative; personally I like my vassals to be npcs in
the
hands of the gm, or another pc. I just find that it generates so much more
flavour...
The 12 actions per turn isn't that bad, but it has quite hte potential
to
destroy game balance [or what ever passes as balance in BR :) ]
stir. I would like to describe here how myself and another regent
came to posess such authority, and how that situation worked in game
terms.
First, let me add that the two of us who were the fore-runners of this
strategy have very different styles of game. I like to role-play to
the hilt, but not un-necessarily. I do it with an objective in mind,
and to enhance the flavour of the game. My friend, likes to role-play
in a similar fashion, but he uses even more so for the advancement of
his objectives - very pragmatic.
The way we obtained our vassals was similar, but we went about it in
very different fashion. We both placed, or role-played a burgeoning
friendship into existence with the NPC who we wanted to be the vassal.
The people that we chose were done so with the objective of finding
someone who could do something for us that we weren't particularly
skilled at, or someone who could do something for us to keep our
actions from being spread to thin. Hey, how do you think Michael
Roele ruled the whole empire? Not with 3 actions he didn't. He had
vassals. Or, more to the case-in-point - how does Aeric Boeruine or
the Gorgon do it? With vassals - And a couple of free actions now and
again.
Next, we sweetened the deal to ensure their joining the cause. The
'aura' that a regent posesses goes a long way towards winning friends
and influencing people even if the charisma score isn't all that high.
(although my character did have a 16 Char). But more than just the
aura, we offered position or rank in the movement to put a true regent
on the throne. A little money thrown in doesn't hurt, and a title
always makes a person of otherwise humble origin feel wanted and
loved. Sounds cheesy, but how did you get that girl/guy to go out
with you last week?
Finally, we treated them favourably. When I used these new found
actions, it was usually in one of two ways. First, as often as
possible, I used the additional moves to benefit the new acquisition's
holdings. What good is a guilder with a total of five holdings? Not
as much as a guilder who now has 14. With a little royal backing,
things went pretty smooth and pretty soon, Nearly all of Roesone was
under the family's control. Second, when I didn't use them directly
for the vassal, I explained to the vassal (the DM) in a short note,
what I needed her to do.
The GM told us that as long as we did these things and didn't screw
over our vassals we should be okay. Obviously there was a limit to
what we could do, but I don't think that either of us really pushed
the envelope in that sense. Also, it took a bit of weight off of the
already-burdened GM from having to run yet another 6 NPC's just for
the benefit of two (of 7) PCs.
The GM requirement that he rubber-stamp the proposed moves also helped
us occasionally. Since we tried to role-play when possible I found
that sometimes the GM/NPC would offer valuable suggestions and
alternatives at times in lieu of simply rubber-stamping our requests.
Any objections? samuel_barnes@icpmech.navy.mil
>> An interesting view of BR vassalage....
>> IMHO, I'd say that more than 4 actions is somewhat abusive, but similiar
>>effects can be achieved with some kick-bum diplomacy actions, too... :)
>>
>I didn't think it was abuse... but the actions from the vassals, IMC, would
>be required to be on a separate list... one list per vassal... and the DM
>has to consider whether those actions would damage the vassal's domain. If
>those actions did lead to a reduction of the vassal domain, then that vassal
>will have some serious words to her/his liege about what is going on!
>eg, if, to protect the whole realm and other vassals, the overlord removed
>troops from one vassal's domain that vassal would be thinking "Hang on -
>didn't I raise those troops to protect MY domain? WHERE ARE THEY GOING??
>WHO'S GOING TO SAVE ME FROM THE GOBLINS NEXT DOOR??? THOSE TROOPS STAY HERE,
>'CAUSE THEY'RE MINE!!"
>This sort of resistance makes sense, IMHO...
An interesting alternative; personally I like my vassals to be npcs in
the
hands of the gm, or another pc. I just find that it generates so much more
flavour...
The 12 actions per turn isn't that bad, but it has quite hte potential
to
destroy game balance [or what ever passes as balance in BR :) ]