One of my PCs has a contact who believes himself to be the rightful monarch. I could just make this guy a nutjob, but it would be fun to somehow tie things in with the plot. Sadly, the whole "Curse of the Crimson Throne" thing makes it actually pretty tough.
My options seem to be to make him a Porphyria who's in Korvosa on his own initiative, or a descendant from a bastard Cardraith fathered before ascending to the throne.
Any other ideas?
My options seem to be to make him a Porphyria who's in Korvosa on his own initiativeThat dude would have a serious death wish. ;D
What if he showed up after things started going south? Sure, Korvosa in peacetime might be hostile toward him, but the adventure path is rapidly dismantling the city. Maybe some people might be open to the idea that it's time for new leadership?
Okay, so if not him then who could have an even vaguely-plausible claim to the crown?
|
One of my PCs has a contact who believes himself to be the rightful monarch. I could just make this guy a nutjob, but it would be fun to somehow tie things in with the plot. Sadly, the whole "Curse of the Crimson Throne" thing makes it actually pretty tough.
My options seem to be to make him a Porphyria who's in Korvosa on his own initiative, or a descendant from a bastard Cardraith fathered before ascending to the throne.
Any other ideas?
There's the
Contributor
|
What if he showed up after things started going south? Sure, Korvosa in peacetime might be hostile toward him, but the adventure path is rapidly dismantling the city. Maybe some people might be open to the idea that it's time for new leadership?
Okay, so if not him then who could have an even vaguely-plausible claim to the crown?
The thing is, the Arabastis became the royal family of Korvosa more from luck, skill, and guile than from any kind of divine mandate. Korvosa's monarchy was an invention of Korvosans, and the monarchy rules only because the people generally think the Arabastis do a good job.
I think that after the end of this adventure path it's pretty clear that the Arabastis will no longer be in charge of Korvosa. Who takes up the mantle of leadership is up to you as the GM. In fact, Korvosa might be so disenfranchised with the whole tyranny thing that it might reject all future wannabe monarchs. On the other hand, Korvosa seems to really like monarchies, so there could be a number of claims to the throne, with some kind of crazy civil war following the death of the queen.
The most likely contenders for the throne would be the Great Houses, which don't get that title for nothing. Of course, the Arkonas get their asses handed to them by the PCs in PF9, and House Leroung is more interested in education than leadership, so a three-way battle for the throne seems most likely. And if the PCs don't kill Sabina, whichever House successfully gains her loyalty (even if her loyalty is bought) probably gains a huge advantage. And assuming Cressida survives the happenings, she would also be a great ally to gain.
So my recommendation is that the PC in question comes from House Jeggare, House Ornelos, or House Zenderholm.
So my recommendation is that the PC in question comes from House Jeggare, House Ornelos, or House Zenderholm.
The PC in question is from House Ornelos, but it's her boyfriend who thinks he's the heir. Another PC is from House Jeggare, so maybe I'll make the nutcase who believes himself to be the true heir to the throne a member of House Zenderholm.
Thanks!
|
One of my PCs has a contact who believes himself to be the rightful monarch. I could just make this guy a nutjob, but it would be fun to somehow tie things in with the plot. Sadly, the whole "Curse of the Crimson Throne" thing makes it actually pretty tough.
My options seem to be to make him a Porphyria who's in Korvosa on his own initiative, or a descendant from a bastard Cardraith fathered before ascending to the throne.
Any other ideas?
One of my players, Marcellus von Liktenborn, actually is a member of House Porphyria. When the whole mess started in Korvosa, his branch of the House fled to Abken, where they succeeded in hiding under a false name (they were no important House members, after all).
The funny thing is, that while his father thinks that they should be the rightful rulers of Korvosa, Marcellus has not the least interest in becoming a king. When he found out that his father had a relationship to a Varisian beauty and more importantly, that a half-sister arose from this relationship, he decided to look for her in the hope that she could take the place in his father's plans he so dislikes.
Accidentally he already found his sister without knowing it. She is a dancer and part of the newfounded party going for Gaedren Lamm. She is unaware of this situation as well (in truth, both players know it but the rest of the group has no idea)and I'm really curious how this will develop over the course of the AP.
Long live King Vancaskerkin!
Hmm, don't have my Guide to Korvosa handy, but it might be worth looking at when and what age Eodred II took the throne.
After all, the curse doesn't take effect until he takes the throne, and he is known for his "appreciation" of women.
Maybe the guy is his son from liason before he became king. He could still be part of House Zenderholm as his mother could have been a lady of that house seduced by the young prince (or the one who seduced him specifically for this reason; the Zenderholms strike me as longterm planners).
In fact, maybe he seems "crazy" because there is no proof of his parentage...
Could be yet another reason to escape. If Ileosa finds out about him or the papers showing potential proof of his identity, their destruction becomes goal #1.