The Path to Power 3
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: The Path to Power III
Author: -Isk-
Contents:
-Using Virtue
-The Name
-Carefulness and rumours
-Cruelty and kindness
-Respect
-Conclusion
Using virtue:
Leaders can not be expected to be always honest and just. It is hard to practice love and truth when one governs land. Those who practice love when faced with conflict are always smashed beneath ambition. A prayer can never parry a sword. Instead of relying on the foundations of virtue as set down by pacifist one should use what best suits the regime when dealing with virtue. For example in Stormhaven before one becomes a knight he must travel to the shrines. One must have an understanding of the basis of virtue but only follow valour and to some degree honour. Devotion to certain virtues can also lead to fanaticism with the Moonglow inquisition as a good example of such an event. Within the span of four months enemies were burned for heresy, an event that inspired both fear of Moonglow and respect for the growing army. Those who don't use some degree of virtue in their teachings are always considered to be vile, their plots and offerings are always seen as dark and it becomes hard for them to move into psychological warfare as all they say is taken for lies anyway.
All in all one should always show respect for the virtues and support the proliferation of such ideas as they make others weak.
The name:
Once one has his foot entrenched and is secure in his dominion one should choose a suitable name for himself. All successful leaders have a nickname that gives insight to their personality. Such a name is to create a dual purpose, both to inspire fear and to gather respect. For example, Talon the former king of Stormhaven is know for being 'The Dragon' to his enemies. Such a name suits the propaganda aspect of your rule. By selecting a noble animal or beast as your personal icon those who hear your name associated with said beast will instantly take the aspects of the animal and apply them to you.
Carefulness and rumours:
One should never make more enemies than one can take on. Enemies have a habit of banding together which can get annoying. It should be common practice to bring two soldiers along to all diplomatic missions in order to avoid looking weak. A good custom is to have an agent at the populated centres to keeoh i ears open for rumours concerning one's lands and person.
It is important to search all populated rooms for communication crystals and potential rumour mongers. Rumour mongers are the enemies of all leaders but the most skilled power seekers use rumours to devastating effect. For example the spread of certain well placed rumours that the Dwarves of Findar had indulged in slave trade had nullified the alliance the dwarves were planning with Stormhaven and cancelled out the creation of a large military alliance.
Cruelty and kindness: Although your success in holding power is linked mainly to military assaults and cloak and dagger politics it is important to know when to back off with an assault. If the enemy is broken morally by your manoeuver against them and make it known to the world that they are in a submissive position it is practical to issue peace in the form of a lasting contract.
Generally such contracts should last up to six months at which point the war may resume if hostilities rise. A document of submission is often more useful in propaganda than the land of the enemy. Also one should not kill a dead horse. If the enemy is beyond capability to retaliate and wishes for peace accept it with suitable conditions. A reputation of cruelty is good but one should also show kindness.
Respect:
He who gives respect receives it. One should never belittle your own troops or allies unless one wants to loose them. With power will come a sense of megalomania and it is important to not enter a mind set where one thinks one is invincible. If you notice one of your men disrespect another you must settle the differences between them, internal fighting will snowball if not solved right away. Those that have more power than you should always be respected and admired, watch such people so that you can understand their success.
Just because an individual is in an order that is out of favour does not mean you should show him disrespect. The wheel of fortune spins and those at the bottom can later come out on top with fond memories of your acceptance on their minds.
Conclusion:
The road to power can only be walked by the few and only those who truly desire lordship know that often one must take the path at night.