I'm working on a homebrew world. I'm taking inspirations from a few sources, but the one I'm working on right now has similarities to the Daughters of Sora, rulers of Droaam in Eberron.
My question is this: What's better, an immortal ruler, or the persistent masquerade that a ruler is immortal by magically replacing them with a successor of identical appearance?
Being that the ruler is a hag, and will have a coven of support, the idea of replacing them is quite straightforward. I know there's usually rivalry among hags, but in this case they have too much to lose by ending the ruse. So, despite any differences, it is always maintained.
I'm also toying with the idea of three full covens holding office. There is a clear ruler, and there's historical reasons, but the ruling coven also calls upon the other two covens for administration, etc. The kicker here is that I also think the 9 hags have the ability to switch positions. Each coven would always remain intact if they're switching, and it's usually only so that vacations can be taken, or the primary coven can step down and rebuild as one hag is soon to die or something. They can then recruit a new '9th' hag and induct her into the particulars and the reality of what's going on. It also means if something happens, say an assassination, they're able to come out and state the 'rumours of my death, yada yada,' line, maintaining the ultimate appearance of power and immortality.
This is very initial world building stuff, but I wanted to put it out somewhere for opinions.
I definitely think the masquerade of immortality sounds much more interesting (and it seems you've put some good thought into it). If you plan for this ruler to be your BBEG, or at the very least a BEG, having the players believe the immortal nature of their opponent throughout their adventures and then finally come to an epic conclusion where they...kill the ruler???
Player 1: ??? Player 2: But I thought she was immortal? Player 3: Well, guess we're just epic Player 4: Time to celebrate our victory I suppose
A few days/weeks/months later, the hag returns and greets the party with a smile
Hag: You really thought that you could kill me? maniacal hag cackle
And thus begins the next chapter of the heroes' quest, trying to uncover the mystery of the immortal hag as they are now on the radar of the covens...
Depends on what you mean by "better," but I agree that the rotating hags sounds more compelling as an ally or enemy of an adventuring party.
Although it would also be interesting to explore how a truly immortal ruler might act differently. Our own political leaders often already seem so far removed from the daily life of the average citizen, and I feel like this would be greatly magnified in an immortal creature. What would they primarily care about? Would they get bored? How would they handle problems that might seem urgent to the populace but are just an easily weathered, momentary blip to the ruler? How secure are they in their rule and how do they maintain their power?
Although it would also be interesting to explore how a truly immortal ruler might act differently. Our own political leaders often already seem so far removed from the daily life of the average citizen, and I feel like this would be greatly magnified in an immortal creature. What would they primarily care about? Would they get bored? How would they handle problems that might seem urgent to the populace but are just an easily weathered, momentary blip to the ruler? How secure are they in their rule and how do they maintain their power?
I know the route I would take. I intend for this ruler, this hag/hags to be a little less stereotypical. Sure, there'd be an undercurrent of evil there I suppose, but they are a necessary evil, and keep many more things at bay. By the time the story happens they'd have ruled for many years, likely several hundred. However, they'd use the covens and magic to ensure they still spent time among the lesser folk and monsters, ensure they're still seeing to their needs. Of course you could go the other route, and have an underground monster revolution that perhaps PCs could latch onto.
My question is this: What's better, an immortal ruler, or the persistent masquerade that a ruler is immortal by magically replacing them with a successor of identical appearance?
Depends if the successor has a significantly different personality or capabilities. If not, it's only really relevant as a secret the PCs can expose; if there's a significant difference you can introduce it as a plot point that the ruler has suddenly changed behavior.
It also makes a bit of difference if someone (PCs or a third party) assassinate the current ruler, but it's hard to distinguish between "replaced by lookalike" and "replaced by Clone", so not a whole lot of difference.
Depends if the successor has a significantly different personality or capabilities. If not, it's only really relevant as a secret the PCs can expose; if there's a significant difference you can introduce it as a plot point that the ruler has suddenly changed behavior.
It also makes a bit of difference if someone (PCs or a third party) assassinate the current ruler, but it's hard to distinguish between "replaced by lookalike" and "replaced by Clone", so not a whole lot of difference.
I think what I find intriguing is what the characters would do, presented with the situation. If this is a secret, would the characters choose to reveal it to someone, hold it as some kind of power, or something else?
Basically I know that I'd need to provide a lot of information around the situation. Basically be loved within the city, be considered a staple in the society outside the city for diplomacy and things of that nature. Then the flip side of them doing something disagreeable as hags are wont to do. Actually make it some kind of moral decision, and then they need to make a choice.
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I'm working on a homebrew world. I'm taking inspirations from a few sources, but the one I'm working on right now has similarities to the Daughters of Sora, rulers of Droaam in Eberron.
My question is this: What's better, an immortal ruler, or the persistent masquerade that a ruler is immortal by magically replacing them with a successor of identical appearance?
Being that the ruler is a hag, and will have a coven of support, the idea of replacing them is quite straightforward. I know there's usually rivalry among hags, but in this case they have too much to lose by ending the ruse. So, despite any differences, it is always maintained.
I'm also toying with the idea of three full covens holding office. There is a clear ruler, and there's historical reasons, but the ruling coven also calls upon the other two covens for administration, etc. The kicker here is that I also think the 9 hags have the ability to switch positions. Each coven would always remain intact if they're switching, and it's usually only so that vacations can be taken, or the primary coven can step down and rebuild as one hag is soon to die or something. They can then recruit a new '9th' hag and induct her into the particulars and the reality of what's going on. It also means if something happens, say an assassination, they're able to come out and state the 'rumours of my death, yada yada,' line, maintaining the ultimate appearance of power and immortality.
This is very initial world building stuff, but I wanted to put it out somewhere for opinions.
I definitely think the masquerade of immortality sounds much more interesting (and it seems you've put some good thought into it). If you plan for this ruler to be your BBEG, or at the very least a BEG, having the players believe the immortal nature of their opponent throughout their adventures and then finally come to an epic conclusion where they...kill the ruler???
Player 1: ???
Player 2: But I thought she was immortal?
Player 3: Well, guess we're just epic
Player 4: Time to celebrate our victory I suppose
A few days/weeks/months later, the hag returns and greets the party with a smile
Hag: You really thought that you could kill me? maniacal hag cackle
And thus begins the next chapter of the heroes' quest, trying to uncover the mystery of the immortal hag as they are now on the radar of the covens...
Yeah, going beyond simple immortality is fun.
plus, the PCs might get in trouble with the law for "attempted murder." There are a lot of creative pathways to go down.
My only good homebrews: Races, Subclasses.
An aspiring DM and Homebrewer. Ask me if you need anything.
Depends on what you mean by "better," but I agree that the rotating hags sounds more compelling as an ally or enemy of an adventuring party.
Although it would also be interesting to explore how a truly immortal ruler might act differently. Our own political leaders often already seem so far removed from the daily life of the average citizen, and I feel like this would be greatly magnified in an immortal creature. What would they primarily care about? Would they get bored? How would they handle problems that might seem urgent to the populace but are just an easily weathered, momentary blip to the ruler? How secure are they in their rule and how do they maintain their power?
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Oh if I go the immortal .
I know the route I would take. I intend for this ruler, this hag/hags to be a little less stereotypical. Sure, there'd be an undercurrent of evil there I suppose, but they are a necessary evil, and keep many more things at bay. By the time the story happens they'd have ruled for many years, likely several hundred. However, they'd use the covens and magic to ensure they still spent time among the lesser folk and monsters, ensure they're still seeing to their needs. Of course you could go the other route, and have an underground monster revolution that perhaps PCs could latch onto.
Depends if the successor has a significantly different personality or capabilities. If not, it's only really relevant as a secret the PCs can expose; if there's a significant difference you can introduce it as a plot point that the ruler has suddenly changed behavior.
It also makes a bit of difference if someone (PCs or a third party) assassinate the current ruler, but it's hard to distinguish between "replaced by lookalike" and "replaced by Clone", so not a whole lot of difference.
I think what I find intriguing is what the characters would do, presented with the situation. If this is a secret, would the characters choose to reveal it to someone, hold it as some kind of power, or something else?
Basically I know that I'd need to provide a lot of information around the situation. Basically be loved within the city, be considered a staple in the society outside the city for diplomacy and things of that nature. Then the flip side of them doing something disagreeable as hags are wont to do. Actually make it some kind of moral decision, and then they need to make a choice.