“Heavy is the head that carries the crown”
Introduction:
- Brief hook about cardboard kings vs. believable rulers
- Why realistic rulers create better story opportunities
1. The Weight of the Crown
- How legacy concerns influence daily decisions
- The psychological burden of ruling
- Example: Why a king might prioritize a cathedral over feeding the poor (legacy vs. immediate needs)
2. The Royal Perspective on Resources
- Why kings think beyond gold and treasure
- How loyalty, alliances, and information function as currencies of power
- Example: Why a seemingly generous land grant to a noble might be strategic rather than kind
3. Friends, Foes, and the Space Between
- The constant threat assessment rulers perform
- Why trust is limited and paranoia is rational
- Example: How court positions and access to the ruler are carefully managed
4. The Information Game
- How rulers establish networks to know what’s happening in their realm
- The value of spies, messengers, and loyal informants
- Example: A king’s reaction to news might be delayed by weeks – how this affects governance
Conclusion:
- How understanding royal psychology creates more dynamic conflicts in your story
- Invitation to apply these insights to your own fictional rulers