Campaign idea: magical families. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Campaign idea: magical families. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
srkingdavy
06-28-05, 05:13 AM I was thinking the overall country power structure would be somewhat of a mageocracy, with magic-casting families being the upper-class. Arcane secrets are rarely leaked outside of a handful of families, with the exception of potions and minor magical trinkets for sale to anyone.

The PCs are members of a relatively new family (keyword "relatively": maybe 5-6 generations old in a world where some families have gone for dozens). Their name is known, for sure, and definitely respected. Just not as much of a player as some other families.

The PCs are pretty much the front-runners of the family. their parents have made a decent reputation for themselves and their family, and both them and the nation at large are watching to see if they uphold it or, hopefully, expand it.

the PCs haven't really proven themselves to the family yet. They have no reason to believe you're bad, and the PCs have shown promise in their studies, but none of them have really done any "Serious" work.

The grandfather of the family acts as a "don" of sorts, acting to give out adventure hooks in early-to-mid level, and I expect the players will take on the reigns of the family at high levels.

I've talked this idea over with my players, they're all going to play arcanist variants (warlock, hexblade... even a rage-mage :dancin:

I'm not quite sure how the power structure works just yet. I want to say some sort of feudalism, but not quite sure yet.

anyone have any comments, ideas... particularly on the power-structure of a family-based magocracy. perhaps democratic/parliamentary?
Cymraegmorgan
06-28-05, 05:36 AM Take a look at the history of the many German States during the sixteenth century. Many different sorts of practical applications, from Free-Cities to the Holy Roman Emperor, all fighting for power. Family politics was rampant, especially as the early Hapsburgs viewed marriage as the best way to grab power in smaller realms. The magic aspect will replace tech advances/nationalism as a means of consolidating power.
Replace the following historical references with your own family names:
The Elector of Hanover might be the head of a traditional Wizard family, but the King of Prussia might be the best of all of the Sorcerer clans. the Holy Roman Emperor, tenuously holding onto his title, while trying to fend off both infidel and competition from the other families, might be part of the Bardic tradition. The Prince of Brandenburg might be the latest of a long line of Hexblades. And so on....

Good concept you have, good luck with it. :)
TmDurn7
06-28-05, 08:57 AM Any sort of centralized power might rest in the hands of the greatest magic user if it's a mageocracy. Keeping for the advisement, a council or parliament made up of the heads and/or representatives from the other families. Bonds are make and broken as each family tries to get closer to whomever is the current "executive" (who is chosen every so often by a merit based contest of family power?)

Not as historical, but just a thought. Sort of similiar to a game in which my friend ran, but had guilds vying for the executive seat instead of families. It made it very interesting when the system was upset by a fighter taking the reigns when traditionally mages won out more often in the meritocracy; even more so that he was a taoist ruler who believed the smaller gov't was, the better.
MoogleEmpMog
06-28-05, 10:36 AM I see a hereditary mageocracy following a pattern much like the government in Frank Herbert's original Dune: one most powerful ruling house, many lesser but largely independent houses, a parliament of those lesser houses to check the ruling house's absolute power, and manipulative non-governmental organizations who attempt to influence all three.

In the case of a mageocracy, I expect the most powerful of the last group to be the college (or colleges) of magic. The presence of these colleges allows ready exchange of information for wizards and keeps them from hoarding the best new spells in their fields for just one family. Of course, not every spellcasting noble complies...

Clerics, being probably second-class citizens in a mageocracy, probably also find themselves reduced to behind-the-scenes politicking. In the Greyhawk pantheon, Boccob would presumably be the national god, and worshippers of Wee-Jas and Vecna would thrive as underground cults. Warrior and nature gods presumably have little role here... but that might be all the more reason for their clerics to scheme against the current rulers.

One interesting twist would be to have the heir to the ruling house born with no magical ability at all, a fact his parents obviously take great pains to cover up. But he's almost of age to attend a magical university, and they can't hide his lack of power forever. Why has this happened - how could it happen, and to the strongest magical bloodline in the land, no less? Sounds like something worthy of PC investigation, at least when they get to mid-to-high level :)
Illion the Red
06-28-05, 10:50 AM Interesting concept. If there are families of "mages" ruling the various lands, with each of the families being themselves ruled by an individual, it just seems logical to me that each of those family rulers be a lich. They don't necessarily have to be evil, in fact, there could be some on each side of the good/evil/neutral axis. It just seems logical to me in a society based on magical might making right that the leaders of the families would trend towards the more powerful arcane types.
krichaiushii
06-28-05, 11:11 AM Perhaps each family has a certain set of spells or techniques (metamagic and/or item creation feats, PrCs, and/or templates) that they specialize in - to the point where those NOT of the family who use these specialized magics are sought for "questioning".

You also might look at the bloodlines alternate rules in ... Unearthed Arcana, I believe. Bloodlines could help both "align" and differentiate the families.

The royal families of Europe suffered from all sorts of problems, courtesy of inbreeding. Perhaps the same happens in the magocracy, unless members regularly bring in members from unnamed families. You might look at the flaws alternate rules from UA, with additional wizard flaws in this month's Dragon.

What are the rights of those without magical power? And what happens to those born with power that are not members of named families? Are they adopted, persecuted, or ignored?

Just some thoughts/questions.
srkingdavy
06-28-05, 01:37 PM thank you all for the awesome ideas... keep 'em coming! Having the "head" of a family be a lich is a great idea that I'll probably implement!

What are the rights of those without magical power? And what happens to those born with power that are not members of named families? Are they adopted, persecuted, or ignored?

those without magical power have the rights of a middle- or lower-class citizen. (one of the ruling families is all gnomes... and no gnomes are found in the middle or lower classes)

If someone of mundane parentage is born with magical aptitude, they would be sought after by a few of the families (this is how inbreeding is prevented, to answer someone else's question). If I was a parent who just had a child with sorcerous abilities, it would be cause for celebration, as it probably means an upgrade in social status is in order.
Illion the Red
06-28-05, 01:48 PM If someone of mundane parentage is born with magical aptitude, they would be sought after by a few of the families (this is how inbreeding is prevented, to answer someone else's question). If I was a parent who just had a child with sorcerous abilities, it would be cause for celebration, as it probably means an upgrade in social status is in order.

Instant plot hook there..."My dearest grandchildren, gather close so you hear all that i have to say. In my scrying of the blighted, mundane town of Kessrith, I have found a young woman with potential for the gift. You must bring her to me so that she can join the family. Let no other house steal her from me. Now go! AND DO NOT FAIL ME!"

All kinds of possibilities there: Do the PCs blindly carry out orders? Who opposes them? What if she doesn't want to go with them? What if she isn't there when the PCs get there?

Another idea for the houses is for each member of the house to wear a house-signet ring that will have certain enchantments on it based upon their rank. In order to increase rank in the family, the PCs would have to find and acquire certain rare magical agents. It's up to the PCs to decide if they want to pursue increasing their rank or not. They could also receive bounties from their family for acquiring rings from opposing houses.
srkingdavy
06-29-05, 01:47 PM It's up to the PCs to decide if they want to pursue increasing their rank or not. They could also receive bounties from their family for acquiring rings from opposing houses.
Hmm, don't think I want open warfare across the various families... but then again I might want some families to be rivals behind-the-scenes... hmm how would that show up in council... :cool:
Illion the Red
06-29-05, 02:07 PM Hmm, don't think I want open warfare across the various families... but then again I might want some families to be rivals behind-the-scenes... hmm how would that show up in council... :cool:

It could be a race to see who recruits the new "blood." The PCs would have to either be the first offer and make it sweet enough that the person doesn't stick around to hear other offers, or could have to entice the person away from another family's offer.

In another note/thought: How intimidating would it be for the PCs to have to report something to the grand council? Seeing as the council would be composed of the family leaders...and the family leaders are all liches. *shudder*
srkingdavy
06-29-05, 02:32 PM I was thinking the family leaders would probably have some sort of permanent illusion on themselves... gotta keep up appearances you know. I was thinking the PCs don't know about the whole lich thing at first... but after a certain point they learn more about their family history, and why great-great grandpa steve still looks so good...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
srkingdavy 06-28-05, 05:13 AM	I was thinking the overall country power structure would be somewhat of a mageocracy, with magic-casting families being the upper-class. Arcane secrets are rarely leaked outside of a handful of families, with the exception of potions and minor magical trinkets for sale to anyone. The PCs are members of a relatively new family (keyword "relatively": maybe 5-6 generations old in a world where some families have gone for dozens). Their name is known, for sure, and definitely respected. Just not as much of a player as some other families. The PCs are pretty much the front-runners of the family. their parents have made a decent reputation for themselves and their family, and both them and the nation at large are watching to see if they uphold it or, hopefully, expand it. the PCs haven't really proven themselves to the family yet. They have no reason to believe you're bad, and the PCs have shown promise in their studies, but none of them have really done any "Serious" work. The grandfather of the family acts as a "don" of sorts, acting to give out adventure hooks in early-to-mid level, and I expect the players will take on the reigns of the family at high levels. I've talked this idea over with my players, they're all going to play arcanist variants (warlock, hexblade... even a rage-mage :dancin: I'm not quite sure how the power structure works just yet. I want to say some sort of feudalism, but not quite sure yet. anyone have any comments, ideas... particularly on the power-structure of a family-based magocracy. perhaps democratic/parliamentary?
Cymraegmorgan 06-28-05, 05:36 AM	Take a look at the history of the many German States during the sixteenth century. Many different sorts of practical applications, from Free-Cities to the Holy Roman Emperor, all fighting for power. Family politics was rampant, especially as the early Hapsburgs viewed marriage as the best way to grab power in smaller realms. The magic aspect will replace tech advances/nationalism as a means of consolidating power. Replace the following historical references with your own family names: The Elector of Hanover might be the head of a traditional Wizard family, but the King of Prussia might be the best of all of the Sorcerer clans. the Holy Roman Emperor, tenuously holding onto his title, while trying to fend off both infidel and competition from the other families, might be part of the Bardic tradition. The Prince of Brandenburg might be the latest of a long line of Hexblades. And so on.... Good concept you have, good luck with it. :)
TmDurn7 06-28-05, 08:57 AM	Any sort of centralized power might rest in the hands of the greatest magic user if it's a mageocracy. Keeping for the advisement, a council or parliament made up of the heads and/or representatives from the other families. Bonds are make and broken as each family tries to get closer to whomever is the current "executive" (who is chosen every so often by a merit based contest of family power?) Not as historical, but just a thought. Sort of similiar to a game in which my friend ran, but had guilds vying for the executive seat instead of families. It made it very interesting when the system was upset by a fighter taking the reigns when traditionally mages won out more often in the meritocracy; even more so that he was a taoist ruler who believed the smaller gov't was, the better.
MoogleEmpMog 06-28-05, 10:36 AM	I see a hereditary mageocracy following a pattern much like the government in Frank Herbert's original Dune: one most powerful ruling house, many lesser but largely independent houses, a parliament of those lesser houses to check the ruling house's absolute power, and manipulative non-governmental organizations who attempt to influence all three. In the case of a mageocracy, I expect the most powerful of the last group to be the college (or colleges) of magic. The presence of these colleges allows ready exchange of information for wizards and keeps them from hoarding the best new spells in their fields for just one family. Of course, not every spellcasting noble complies... Clerics, being probably second-class citizens in a mageocracy, probably also find themselves reduced to behind-the-scenes politicking. In the Greyhawk pantheon, Boccob would presumably be the national god, and worshippers of Wee-Jas and Vecna would thrive as underground cults. Warrior and nature gods presumably have little role here... but that might be all the more reason for their clerics to scheme against the current rulers. One interesting twist would be to have the heir to the ruling house born with no magical ability at all, a fact his parents obviously take great pains to cover up. But he's almost of age to attend a magical university, and they can't hide his lack of power forever. Why has this happened - how could it happen, and to the strongest magical bloodline in the land, no less? Sounds like something worthy of PC investigation, at least when they get to mid-to-high level :)
Illion the Red 06-28-05, 10:50 AM	Interesting concept. If there are families of "mages" ruling the various lands, with each of the families being themselves ruled by an individual, it just seems logical to me that each of those family rulers be a lich. They don't necessarily have to be evil, in fact, there could be some on each side of the good/evil/neutral axis. It just seems logical to me in a society based on magical might making right that the leaders of the families would trend towards the more powerful arcane types.
krichaiushii 06-28-05, 11:11 AM	Perhaps each family has a certain set of spells or techniques (metamagic and/or item creation feats, PrCs, and/or templates) that they specialize in - to the point where those NOT of the family who use these specialized magics are sought for "questioning". You also might look at the bloodlines alternate rules in ... Unearthed Arcana, I believe. Bloodlines could help both "align" and differentiate the families. The royal families of Europe suffered from all sorts of problems, courtesy of inbreeding. Perhaps the same happens in the magocracy, unless members regularly bring in members from unnamed families. You might look at the flaws alternate rules from UA, with additional wizard flaws in this month's Dragon. What are the rights of those without magical power? And what happens to those born with power that are not members of named families? Are they adopted, persecuted, or ignored? Just some thoughts/questions.
srkingdavy 06-28-05, 01:37 PM	thank you all for the awesome ideas... keep 'em coming! Having the "head" of a family be a lich is a great idea that I'll probably implement! What are the rights of those without magical power? And what happens to those born with power that are not members of named families? Are they adopted, persecuted, or ignored? those without magical power have the rights of a middle- or lower-class citizen. (one of the ruling families is all gnomes... and no gnomes are found in the middle or lower classes) If someone of mundane parentage is born with magical aptitude, they would be sought after by a few of the families (this is how inbreeding is prevented, to answer someone else's question). If I was a parent who just had a child with sorcerous abilities, it would be cause for celebration, as it probably means an upgrade in social status is in order.
Illion the Red 06-28-05, 01:48 PM	If someone of mundane parentage is born with magical aptitude, they would be sought after by a few of the families (this is how inbreeding is prevented, to answer someone else's question). If I was a parent who just had a child with sorcerous abilities, it would be cause for celebration, as it probably means an upgrade in social status is in order. Instant plot hook there..."My dearest grandchildren, gather close so you hear all that i have to say. In my scrying of the blighted, mundane town of Kessrith, I have found a young woman with potential for the gift. You must bring her to me so that she can join the family. Let no other house steal her from me. Now go! AND DO NOT FAIL ME!" All kinds of possibilities there: Do the PCs blindly carry out orders? Who opposes them? What if she doesn't want to go with them? What if she isn't there when the PCs get there? Another idea for the houses is for each member of the house to wear a house-signet ring that will have certain enchantments on it based upon their rank. In order to increase rank in the family, the PCs would have to find and acquire certain rare magical agents. It's up to the PCs to decide if they want to pursue increasing their rank or not. They could also receive bounties from their family for acquiring rings from opposing houses.
srkingdavy 06-29-05, 01:47 PM	It's up to the PCs to decide if they want to pursue increasing their rank or not. They could also receive bounties from their family for acquiring rings from opposing houses. Hmm, don't think I want open warfare across the various families... but then again I might want some families to be rivals behind-the-scenes... hmm how would that show up in council... :cool:
Illion the Red 06-29-05, 02:07 PM	Hmm, don't think I want open warfare across the various families... but then again I might want some families to be rivals behind-the-scenes... hmm how would that show up in council... :cool: It could be a race to see who recruits the new "blood." The PCs would have to either be the first offer and make it sweet enough that the person doesn't stick around to hear other offers, or could have to entice the person away from another family's offer. In another note/thought: How intimidating would it be for the PCs to have to report something to the grand council? Seeing as the council would be composed of the family leaders...and the family leaders are all liches. shudder
srkingdavy 06-29-05, 02:32 PM	I was thinking the family leaders would probably have some sort of permanent illusion on themselves... gotta keep up appearances you know. I was thinking the PCs don't know about the whole lich thing at first... but after a certain point they learn more about their family history, and why great-great grandpa steve still looks so good...