Building a King?

[imaginary]

I'm looking for some help and ideas to build a kingly character. Someone strong in leadership, and not just a king in title alone.

I'm looking for a few things:

1) Help building a character with Chr as the primary stat, and that embodies a kingly figure.
There are several Chr based classes, but what classes (sub-classes) might make for a good king? And how do you build an effective character with Chr as the primary stat? For example, a Paladin with Oath of the Crown and the Inspiring Leader feat might make for a strong leader with good support and healing. Or perhaps a Hexblade that uses Chr for melee combat, stacked with Sacred Weapon from an Oath of Devotion Paladin. The Noble background could be a no-brainer.

2) Building a compelling backstory as to why a "king" would be adventuring with a party.
Perhaps the character was King of a small kingdom that has been destroyed, and he seeks retribution, redemption, or to reclaim his kingdom. But there could be so many other reasons?

Thank you. ~imaginary

[Lance Tankmen]

1) paladin works with high charisma to aid allies

2) I mean could go for the obvious reclaim throne or revenge but if your DM is cool with it, you could be the first king of your kingdom, somehow you ended up back in time and so your kingdom doesn't exist, you would be your own ancestor but still, always a fun one to build a kingdom.

[Sigreid]

Paladin is probably your best bet for class.

As far as the RP, a rightful king in hiding with a pretender on the throne is pretty standard.

[SkipSandwich]

Battlemaster Fighter with high Cha and Inspiring Leadership. Focus on manuvers like commander's strike, distracting strike, manuvering strike and rally to really embody that "Battlefield Command" feeling.

Or if you'd rather be a politician first and a warrior second, then Path of Tranquility Monk with a splash of rogue for expertise(Persuasion) makes you the ultimate diplomat.

As to why a king might be adventuring? Maybe he's too young to formally take the throne, and is roaming the kingdom with a band of trusted guards to gain worldly experience while an apointed reagent rules in his stead.

He could have just been out for a hunt or w/e and now he's trapped in the demiplane of Barovia, his guards have all been killed by vampires, and sticking with the other PCs is his best chance of defeating Strahd and making it home alive.

On a similar note, he could have been on a diplomatic mission to a foreign nation but was instead attacked and captured. In that time his kingdom was invaded and missing his leadership were conquered. He now seeks to orginize a resistance movement to free his peope from subjugation.

On a less dire note, perhaps he is in love with another nation's queen and seeks to curry her favor by helping take care of the Lich next door, oh and the ogres camping out in the foothills, and the haunted mine...

[CTurbo]

Paladin's are awesome, but I like the high Charisma Battle Master with Noble background for this. Maybe even take Protection fighting style, but definitely go for all the "warlord" like maneuvers.

Half-Elf would probably work best

[Crgaston]

Here's an idea...

He's technically a king, but has to wait until he turns 25 (or whatever appropriate demihuman age) to assume the throne after his father's death. The kingdom is currently being ruled by a Council of Regents (headed by his step-mother, or uncle, or whomever) until he reaches his majority. He's spending his time until then in preparation; travelling about the realm incognito (not necessarily in disguise, just not announcing himself publicly), learning about the people, the commerce, and the land.

Do you want him to do magic? If not, the charismatic Batlemaster would be great, as suggested above. Maybe with 3 levels of Mastermind Rogue at some point to grant allies advantage.

If magic is good, then maybe he had to study the ways of the politically connected priests of his homeland while he was learning everything else?

So, straight Paladin would make sense, or if you want to multiclass a little...

Ancients Paladin with 2 levels of Shepherd Druid thrown in, for the Aura that lets you grant allies Advantage as a reaction, to reflect your leadership. This also lets you talk to animals at will, to reflect that you intend to be a good king of ALL the living beings in your realm. Plus when you break into song, you'll have a chorus of critters joining in :)

Alternately, along those same lines but not so woodsy, 1 or 2 levels of (any) Cleric/Devotion Paladin.

It's a little MAD, but you really only need a 13 Wis, and wisdom is vital to being a good king.

Another less-MAD option is Paladin/Bard. I like Ancients/Glamour for the Mantle of Inspiration and Enthralling performance (it works for inspiring speeches), but several other combos would work. You could either do 3 levels of Bard/ Paladin x, or Paladin 2/ Bard x depending on if you wanted to be more physical or more social.

For backgrounds, Noble is an obvious choice, but Courtier is maybe more thematic for an undeclared king... You'll have an understanding of government and an ability to navigate it from your upbringing, but the general population won't automatically know who you are.

[mephnick]

A Hexblade Warlock who makes a pact with the devil to regain his lost throne with good intentions to rule with a just hand, but is warped by the deal and as he grows in strength he grows in avarice.

He regains his throne but becomes a tyrant.

And your DM has a BBEG for the next campaign, set decades later.

Edit: assuming he isn't eaten by wolves at level 2.

[OracularPoet]

Order Cleric 1/Glamour Bard X, refluff abilities as necessary, take buff/commanding presence type spells. If half-elf take elves weapon training so can use sword (weapon of kings).

[imaginary]

Thanks for the ideas all, keep them coming.

I initially imagined a small kingdom beset upon by demons or devils, a hopeless battle. The "king" made a deal to surrender his kingdom if they would allow all the people a chance to flee. And so his kingdom was lost. The question remains, why was a portal for the out planes opened in his kingdom? Was it the internal politics of nobles who wanted him gone, or perhaps war or chaos with is neighbors? Perhaps if he finds the answer, he can find a way to reclaim the lands of his ancestors.

The questions also remain, what did he have to sacrifice to give his people time to flee? Perhaps a bit of warlock makes sense.

[Malifice]

Crown Paladin 12/ Valor Bard 5/ BM Fighter 3 works best as a 'Leader/ Warlord' type.

Paladin auras and save buffs, channel divinity to buff allies, Bardic inspiration to buff allies further, BM manouvers like Commanders strike and similar.

11th level caster (6th level slots) for smites, plus improved divine smite, plus extra attack plus action surge.

Crown oath is fluffy for a King too.

For something more sticky and less fashy, you could take Cavalier levels instead of BM.

[OracularPoet]

Order Cleric 1/Glamour Bard X, refluff abilities as necessary, take buff/commanding presence type spells. If half-elf take elves weapon training so can use sword (weapon of kings).

Quoting myself, lol. Adding... literally have abilities called: Voice of Authority, Mantle of Majesty and Unbreakable Majesty.

[MrStabby]

Quoting myself, lol. Adding... literally have abilities called: Voice of Authority, Mantle of Majesty and Unbreakable Majesty.

Pretty much any class can do A king. Only Glamour Bard can be The King.

[Zhorn]

What makes a good king?
Game of Thrones S4E3, spoilers ahead:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doY0IjisBlk

[Anthiondel]

A character I'm playing is a silver dragonborn who's set to reclaim the throne long held by his family, now lost after an invasion of fiends. He's a LAWFULL good Oath of Conquest Pally with a dip in Hexblade. He will douse the flames of the fiends by cursing them and stabbing them with his high charisma, and then use their heads as an example to anyone who might try to invade again. Super fun to RP so far.

[Unoriginal]

Well, if you want to be royalty at birth, the Noble background is a good start.

[WeaselGuy]

Regarding an adventuring King, something something something, coconuts, a watery tart distributing cutlery, and a missing wine glass.

[Tanarii]

Is this character intended to have their character-arc dominate the campaign, be one of several equal side-quest plot-lines among a party of characters, or primarily be a personal backdrop? Because if it's the latter two, it needs to be somewhat carefully done, so as not to assume primary focus.

Or in less careful words, for the last one, not to be a special snowflake.


Edit: assuming he isn't eaten by wolves at level 2.:smallbiggrin::smallamused:

[Connington]

For example, a Paladin with Oath of the Crown and the Inspiring Leader feat might make for a strong leader with good support and healing.

This sounds ideal, and doesn't introduce role-playing complications like having sold your royal soul to anything. K.I.S.S.

[loki_ragnarock]

Simply, a Valor Bard.
1. You can wear fancy armor with medium armor proficiency, and half plate is probably good enough to convey a kingly image in a parade.
2. You can wield martial weapons, giving you clout amongst your knights as you can bear the traditional arms of sword, mace, shield, and lance.
3. You have the base of skills, and mastery of those skills, to fully navigate to intricacies of court; from courtly dance to the subtlety of speech. Being able to add double proficiency to Insight is vital for any king. Being able to add half your proficiency to untrained skills means that while you aren't an expert, you've got a firm enough foundation in various subjects to not easily have the wool pulled over your eyes. As king, you will delegate; this base of broad ability lets you know who to delegate to.
4. You command. When people do what you tell them, they are simply better at it.
5. You can cast spells. You don't cast disintegrate, that's unkingly. (Unseen Servant) You always have attendants. (Detect Thoughts) You know who's loyal and who's false. (Fear) You can disperse the rabble with a word. (Raise Dead) You can suitably reward your most loyal agents. (Suggestion) You make them kneel.
Also, if you really want to, you can cast disintegrate. It's good to be the king.

Valor Bard simply gives you everything you need. Why overcomplicate things?


As for why you're adventuring?

You've been deposed. This makes you a weak king. In order to gain the trust of the many, many nobles you'd like to rally to your banner, you have to prove yourself capable of the great deeds required of a noble protector. You have to prove that you can seize and keep the power that you seek to wield.
You want to convince Duke Ponce de Fancy to be your vassal again?
You'd better be prepared to slay the dragon of his choosing to show you can take on whatever deposed you. Why is he going to swear fealty and recognize you as suzerain if doing so will provoke the ire of whatever replaced you? Because you asked nicely? Is that what you'll do to your rival, ask nicely?
Duke de Fancy needs more than that. He needs to be confident before mustering men who *will* die on your word that it's worth those lives.

So go kill that dragon, king. Go clear out that potential stronghold of orcs. Go hunt down that serial killer. Go spread your legend, the legend that will draw people willingly to your banner, that you might reclaim your kingdom... or build a new one in it's stead. From here on out, you have to lead from the front.


But you're going to need some help with that. *cue other adventurers*

[Vogie]

In Nicholas Eames Kings of the Wyld (which describes bands of adventurers like we would describe musicians), one of the party members actually does become king during their adventures by marrying a princess and retires to rule... then flees that life in the beginning of the book, because

he's bored as hell
all of his children are non-heirs because the queen he married is ridiculously adulterous, and
his own queen keeps trying to kill him because of it
So when the protagonists want to "get the band back together" to rescue a captured daughter, he happily jumps at the opportunity to go back to thieving and general Roguishness