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Hey there, everybody. I'm DM'ing a run of Kingmaker and we're currently about to begin the Varnhold Vanishing. Things are going well and all involved think it is one of the best campaigns our group has ever done. Never have we seen a campaign that provides such agency to the players. The campaign plot allows for them to go at their own pace and being rulers opens up so many gameplay and roleplay options, and I'm just happy to see them have fun with it. However, at times I feel that being rulers goes to their heads and that they need reigning in.
They started off with big ideas right out of the gate. The week after they killed the Stag Lord the players were presenting me with the floor plans of oversized fortresses, claiming overly-grandiose titles for themselves and now calling a 500-man levy a legion. I've had to explain to them several times that palaces don't spring up overnight and that calling themselves or their country an "imperial" anything is a joke when even the smallest neighboring River Kingdom could still wipe the floor with them.
While I as DM have been trying to put story before mechanics, all three players are of the sort that take more gratification out of optimized stats than a well-crafted roleplay persona.
I can't be too defensive about whatever the players choose to do with this campaign, as I didn't write it, but I've endeavored to bring things to life with a sense of authenticity and sometimes I feel that my players care little for the world beyond how it may serve to glorify their characters. Wish fulfillment and escapism is fine, but I'm concerned about when it bubbles over into ego-tripping. And I'm not trying to have them play out Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings, here, but I don't want them turning my campaign into a comic book either.
What can I do to inspire deliberate and thoughtful roleplay from these guys fitting the monarchs they are supposed to be? Thanks.
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Glad you are enjoying the game, and it sounds like your players are having a fantastic time.
Let them call things whatever they want, it just more fodder for the Grigori's of the world. Grandiose titles and assumptions of unearned glories are ripe for public mocking by foreigners, travelers, etc. Have them overhear jokes, mocking comments, embarrasing assigned derogatory titles, that are spreading around the River Kingdoms and Brevoy. (Overheard in a bar, said by a patron heading to the bathrooms "Im heading out to the Imperial throne, be right back") And if they try to squash free speech, don't forget the River Freedoms.
I suggest involving more politics into your game, as this sounds like it could be a weak spot with your players that you could exploit a bit to get them back to a more level perspective about their importance. They make an enticing target to neighboring rulers since the arrogant and proud make the best dupes and most gullible marks.
Yeah, I'm half-considering calling their bluff. I feel like they need to get smacked down hard at some point. I recently gave them their first encounter with Pitax; at a meeting with Restov officials at Fort Serenko, a Pitax diplomat came in and tossed them the head of the Iron Wraith's commander, warning Restov to come no further west. (This was a scene I picked up from these forums. You guys rock)
The diplomat had quite an escort with him, which is why he was able to force his way in so rudely, but the players were unfazed and are already talking trash about invading it.
I almost want them to give Pitax an excuse.
at a meeting with Restov officials at Fort Serenko, a Pitax diplomat came in and tossed them the head of the Iron Wraith's commander, warning Restov to come no further west. (This was a scene I picked up from these forums. You guys rock)
Can you link to this? I'd be very interested.
at a meeting with Restov officials at Fort Serenko, a Pitax diplomat came in and tossed them the head of the Iron Wraith's commander, warning Restov to come no further west. (This was a scene I picked up from these forums. You guys rock)Can you link to this? I'd be very interested.