I've recently introduced a plot thread into my Kingmaker Campaign involving Baron Varn expressing romantic interest in the Baroness of the newly founded Barony of the Elk. To me this makes sense to Varn, both because linking the two kingdoms would potentially double the size of his nascent kingdom, and because the Baroness in our campaign is a 19-year old sorceress with a Charisma of 21, self-described by her player (my teenage daughter) as "extremely attractive". Of course this romance is being carried out long-distance, through diplomatic channels, and it will never come to fruition. However, he has already sent gifts and is proposing visits. My thought is that this will give the players even more of a hook and increase the shock factor when we move on from RRR to VV.
I'm just curious if anyone else has done the same sort of thing and how it worked out.
Not going to do the exact same thing myself, but I think I *will* introduce my kingdom's Baron to Maegor Varn's lovely daughter, and see what happens. I'm also going to introduce him to two other suitable, er, suitorettes (a Mivoni swordlord and a river pirate) and see what happens.
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I think this is a great idea, as it gives the PCs a more personal motivation to find out what happened to the Baron. I'd suggest making sure that your daughter isn't going to be too disappointed if she has no chance to save him (or alternatively, change things to give her a chance).
On a related note, Jason Nelson posted about a PC romance with Baron Varn. Perhaps he'll be willing to tell us how it played out.
So long as you don't go into the squick land of re-enacting the Electra complex, this is fine. How you would do this without crossing that line, I have no idea.
I decided that Varn had a younger sister (very energetic, breeds falcons a lot) and was trying to (a) form a bond with the Barony of Noxia and (b) get her out of his hands and into someone else's.
So he invited the PCs on a wolf hunt to see what they were made of, and float the proposal of a wedding. Seems to be going well so far (though Baron Pavo's current mistress is likely to be a source of problems...)
Plus this serves as nice intensifying of certain episodes in the Varnhold Vanishing...
Neat idea. I was considering something similar since three of my player's are women. If all that's desired is a link to Varnhold however, there's no need to limit relationships only to Maegar; the Varnling Host seems comprised entirely of eligible bachelors. Besides Maegar there's also Brother Caspar Morgarion of Erastil, March Warden Willas Gundarson the ulfen ranger, Sergeant-at-arms Wowitt Gurney and the Master of Dispatch Cephal Lorentus the middle-aged wizard.
My intention is slightly different, but with the same goal of making Varnhold matter more to the PCs. My players are still in the exploration stages of Book 1, so I'm giving this plenty of time to develop naturally. I have mentioned earlier to the noble bard in the party that he happened to know Maegar Varn socially, and knew that Varn was a likable party animal. Shortly after they found their kingdom they will receive a messenger bearing a very nice gift and an invitation to visit Varnhold for the celebration of the birth of Varn's first son. Hopefully at least some of them will attend the enormous several-day blowout, complete with games and tournaments, and return laden with gifts from the happy Varn. Ideally this will precipitate a good deal of interchange between the two kingdoms, so that when, after a hard winter when the weather made travel impossible, the lack of contact with Varnhold will be of real and immediate concern to the PCs. This may even have the added benefit of making the invitation to Pitax later on seem not quite so out-of-the-blue.
I had the PCs meet Maegar Varn during our prelude sessions; he was with Jamandi during the PC paladin's initial meeting with the Swordlords prior to receiving the charter. He subsequently went to stay with the PCs for a month to offer them some martial training as they were preparing to undertake their mission. The PCs also had a brief chance to meet the rest of the Varnling Host during their trip together west out of Restov before finally parting ways in Nivakta's Crossing.
I also established that the Drelevs were a rival noble family of the PCs'. I'll have he and his delegation stopping in at Oleg's a few sessions further in as they en route towards the Hooktongue Slough. I'll be certain to have him mock the archaic style of the paladin's heirloom armor before departing. =P
I think this is a great idea, as it gives the PCs a more personal motivation to find out what happened to the Baron. I'd suggest making sure that your daughter isn't going to be too disappointed if she has no chance to save him (or alternatively, change things to give her a chance).
On a related note, Jason Nelson posted about a PC romance with Baron Varn. Perhaps he'll be willing to tell us how it played out.
She thinks he's too old for her anyway, but appreciates the diplomatic necessity of playing along with him. And she does like his gifts. The whole idea is that no romance will ever proceeed beyond the long-distance stage, even if she is interested, but it will give more of a personal connection to make the Varnhold Vanishing plotline more interesting.
So long as you don't go into the squick land of re-enacting the Electra complex, this is fine. How you would do this without crossing that line, I have no idea.
Fully agree and am aware of issue. This will never progress beyond diplomatic, dynastic negotiations and long-distance gifting and messaging.
2 way crystal balls...