Bloodlines workbook

[X-Haelyn's Aegis/RK (Andy)]

Hmm, had a happy thought.

One big (& fun) difference between RoE and other BR, is the number of 'active vassals' - usually the vassals lurk below the RP radar.

However under the rules it makes far more sense to split realms up - the vassals then grant RP presumably.

Only the highest bloodlines would then have any major issue - and they just need lots of vassals pumping in the RP to keep themselves up if, for some reason, the individual wants a high bloodline.

As for retirement, I doubt anyone gives up power casually - most regent's probably only 'retire' when they fail a shuffle check or go completely loopy (in a socially unacceptable fashion, normal noble-style loopyness is of course fine).

Under ideal circumstances a handover would be gradual - Dad gives the heir a modest domain which lets junior get experience, meanwhile dad is funneling RP to junior as are other vassals, as junior's bloodline expands Dad keeps passing him more and more responsibility until junior hits their bloodline sweet spot and takes over everything leaving dad to retire to a single manor or suchlike.

[DM B]

The key word here is 'ideally' - don't think it goes that well all of the time.

[X-Roesone/ARR (Robert)]

The problem with heirs throughout the middle ages was that they'd grow up too fast.. Ideally you'd want them in stasis until you died, otherwise a part of the aristocracy and your wife (Eleanor of Aquitaine hehe) would prod them to demand ever more power and authority from their father, still in his prime (40-50).

Double edged sword really.. If you think current vassals are unruly, what about an overambitious son with an inflated ego that attracts malcontents from all over the realm, let alone foreign meddlers

[X-Haelyn's Aegis/RK (Andy)]

Agree with both comments.  Frankly as long as dear old mum/dad pops their clogs when their heir hits middle age - say 21ish then the system works fine.

But most people assume that 'it won't happen to me' and 'my kids are better than theirs' are natural laws, not fond illusions, and as long as people plan for a smooth handover, the system makes a coherent world.

Of course the other big illusion is that the regent will 'know when it's time to step back' and 'everyone will trust me to know best when'...

[X-Points East]

OoC:

Edit:  Feel free to delete this post.

[Ruideside/OM (RP)]

OK, to what purpose?

[Yggdrasil (DM Andy)]

OK, to what purpose?

Simplification / consistency I suspect - it seems odd that the 2e versions allow a tainted bloodline to theoretically be far stronger than a great bloodline.

[Ruideside/OM (RP)]

Really? It is TSR - I pretty much expect that sort of silliness from them, but it isn't really relevant. The bloodline "strength" is meaningless in game mechanic terms.

[Talinie & NIT/TD (Linde)]

Really? It is TSR - I pretty much expect that sort of silliness from them, but it isn't really relevant. The bloodline "strength" is meaningless in game mechanic terms.

Yeah. But only for as long as we play without blood abilities.  It is a nice thought for the future and I agree with Brandon's proposal except I would like true to start at 100

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

A clear algorithm is more important than round numbers! This is fact.

[Talinie & NIT/TD (Linde)]

A clear algorithm is more important than round numbers! This is fact.

Clear skies are more important than clear algorithms! This is fact.

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

I said it first so my fact is more fact! In fact, it is the truest of facts in the factual land of factual facts.

[Ruideside/OM (RP)]

Sorry Linde, I don't see how his proposal in any way impacts the use of blood abilities, care to elaborate?

[Talinie & NIT/TD (Linde)]

Sorry Linde, I don't see how his proposal in any way impacts the use of blood abilities, care to elaborate?

Of course.
Some blood abilities are dependent on bloodline strength.

With a clear system for BS players will gain a meta game resource for planning future blood abilities.

[Ruideside/OM (RP)]

Those blood abilities worked just fine before, so why the need for a change? I don't see how more precisely defining BS makes any difference to how those blood abilities function.

I see absolutely no reason to use such a strict relationship between Bloodline score (primarily a game mechanic) and bloodline strength (primarily a role playing concern), in fact the great variability in bloodline points within each strength category is one of the strengths of the system. Your enemy has a great bloodline? he may yet have less than you with your minor one -- see what i mean, it is unpredictable, which is as it should be.

Once again, the trend is to make everything known and predictable, which detracts from the game and hampers the suspension of disbelief required to play the game fully.

I would remind everybody of that age old bit of wisdom - if it ain't broke, don't try fix it.