Kingmakers
Premise
This is a game about dynastic power, politics, and bloodlines. The players would be retainers of a young noble of distantly royal blood, charged with protecting him and maneuvering him through the treacherous political waters of the land. It's about the real power behind the throne. Intrigue, assassination, scheming, broken promises, rulership. Think Richelieu or Colbert.
The noble character, while central to the game, would likely be an NPC open to most or all the advice of the group. In extending his influence the group would extend their own.
The scheming would mostly be group vs world; I'd prefer it be a cooperative game than a competitive one.
Goals
The main goal is to play a fantasy game where the acknowledged focus is manipulation, intrigue, and the use of political power.
I also want to run a game where session-to-session creative costs are not too high for the GM. With Supers, I pretty much had to set up every session. I see Kingmakers as taking a lot of upfront work, but being able to go without a ton of work between sessions.
System
Let's start with WFRP, not use hit locations except for gory ends. I'd rather not roll for career this time around. Also, let's stick with humans for the time being.
Setting
The game takes place in the land of Melun (for which I've drawn a map!), which is situated in the northern half of the landmass known as Rachis. The heart of the country (and of the continent) is the Isthmus, a narrow neck of land that connects the two halves of the continent. Control of the Isthmus, and the city that lies in its center, Lassan.
Countries of Melun
All the countries listed, except for Sumtor, are nominally client states of the Lazari king.
Lazarre - The most powerful kingdom in the land for generations, they control the Isthmus, meaning they control the land route to Troyes and to Tor and all beyond it. They often clash with the Sumtor peoples, though that means that their army is one of the most veteran. Their capital is Lassan. By virtue of their power, they laid claim to the northern half of Melun for at least a hundred years.
Sissa - comprising a finger of land jutted out over the Sansant Sea, the people of Sissa have always been loyal to the Lazari ruling family. They've had a need to be - the land is not well populated and they require a stronger ally to protect them.
Tor - Home to the Sumtor people, Tor is a hilly, chilly land to the south of Lazarre. The Sumtor are considered warlike, impetuous, and uncultured by Lazari, and by extension, most of the northern peoples.
Trian - Encompassing all of an extremely fertile delta valley to the north of the Rafaelli plains, Trian's influence has been growing in recent generations. Adept seafarers, their ships range around the north horn to Catania, and to Sumtor and beyond, though not (as yet) through the King's Canal to Troyes.
Sevres - To the west of Lazarre, up against the mountains, lies Sevres. The noble house in charge here is Leman, though generations ago they split and have warred for control of the land.
Brund - Brund is a large plains-country occupied by petty nobles who constantly squabble amongst themselves. It is to the north-west of Lazarre.
The Raffaeli Plains - To the north of Lazarre - arid, inhospitable, occupied by roving plainsmen. Its chief settlement, Fendi, is mobile, and tears down to avoid dust storms according to ancient rhythms the tribe elders have learned by heart. Their soldiers make excellent mercenaries.
Verdenes - Occupying the northern spire of land in the continent, Verdenes is also known as the land of Sour Lakes. The Sour Lakes' water cannot be drunk, though it yields good crops.
Troyes - A mysterious, xenophobic country that only welcomes visitors at the city Helena. It has never sworn allegiance to the Lazari, and most Lazari kings have never tried to subjugate it.
People of Melun
Kantor Lazari: King. Patriarch of House Lazari. Wealthy, powerful, not inclined to roll over for a usurper. The Lazari have been kings for generations, and Kantor styles himself a god-king: demanding of complete allegiance. This no-doubt chafes powerful nobles such as Sandis.
Ermine Sandis: Lord of the Delta. The region of Trian has become more and more wealthy as of late; its extensive fleet and naval power has garnered new trade connections with Sumtor and lands beyond. As a check to his rising power, Kantor Lazari recently denied permission for Delta ships to use the King's Canal to establish a trade route to Troyes.
Nicola Leman: Current lord of Courelles. The Leman house has been fighting over Sevres for generations: the apocryphal story is that long ago, Leon Leman murdered his father, and Charles, the patriach of the "Lac" Leman line, wouldn't stand for it. Of course, the "Lee" Leman line tells the opposite story.
Bertrand Leman: Lord of Monceau, and current head of House Leman-Coulee. Over the generations, Monceau has retreated from its land holdings in Sevres, building a minor naval empire out of trade routes to Catania and Troyes.
Alfonso Haffon: Lord of the Sour Lakes and of Verdenes, and apparently loyal to Ermine Sandis.
The Raffaeli are nomadic plains-people; their lands are arid and inhospitable. They fight as light mounted cavalry. Their primary settlement, Fendi, is mobile - a collection of tents and temporary structures - but it is a market for all kinds of goods. Raffaeli culture extends all the way down to Thassis, and Agusport is a thriving, multicultural trader's town. The Raffaeli troops are almost all mercenary.
Tuor Sumtor: Tuor Sumtor is a poorly understood figure, though he has managed to unite the warring clans of his countryfolk.
