Politics V: Black Panther & The Origins of Executive Power | Running The Game

[@mcolville]

If you get a sense of deja vu watching this, it’s because we originally covered this in a livestream, but I thought it deserved a real video with a script and everything.

[@adammclauchlin7605]

Cool

[@floydwurst9948]

I am sooo happy that The Chain will return. It's my favorite D&D stream. Any Idea when you guys will start with the solo adventures? Will you upload them on YT?

[@dustinbesser4780]

well I thank you for that, I don't always have time to watch the livestream, but I try to hit all your published videos.

[@Lady_highrock]

so does this mean the rest of the Politics series is on a livestream?

[@ALLHEART_]

FOR HE IS A RIVER TO HIS PEOPLE!

[@chum15rychum32]

The drought has ended, the river is back!

[@jasonlee1337]

Neither plague or prose shall keep the river from flowing to its people!

[@Aloemancer]

Let the waters flow!

[@talscorner3696]

My head read it with the voice of Darkest Dungeon's narrator... and it was amazing

[@camerondeford7465]

Drink deep

[@IanBoyte]

Well, he is a river to his people.

[@joeosterstock]

So you’re telling me that this sword I got from a strange woman lying in a pond is no basis for me to be king?

[@IamWalkingDead1]

Well I didn't vote for you.

[@HMJ66]

@@IamWalkingDead1 You don't vote for kings!

[@NateDeckerTV]

Watery tarts dispensing scimitars seems legit to me

[@WhatsUpGazpacho]

We each take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week

[@vagrant2863]

It's legit if people with power say it is.

[@TooLateForIeago]

"A lawful society follows laws. Chaotic societies follow people." That might be the most important statement in this video.

[@TooLateForIeago]

@Gromph Baenre I put forward that Jefferson was not advocating for an absence of law. Jefferson was well informed when he spoke and thoroughly understood the importance of laws: He had a well-established career as a lawyer and politician. Heck, he even participated in writing (and as 3rd president enforcing,) the laws that replaced the unjust ones he was referring to. [Chess term for when you get out of check. I don't know what it is.]

[@agilemind6241]

Jefferson was pretty staunchly libertarian even back then. His dream was an America where every family lived on their own farm, producing everything they need themselves. He didn't want big cities with their necessary complex legal and political systems, just people living in small families on their land.

[@kevinwinter3130]

Order versus chaos duality of the universe

[@AlteredNova04]

Does that mean Wakanda is neutral then? Because they kind of follow both.

[@kabobawsome]

@@agilemind6241 That's agrarianism, not libertarianism. Libertarianism is an old leftist belief that a state must either be small-scale (both literally and "bloat"-wise) or non-existent. It has also been co-opted by two right-wing groups: people who want to pretend that they aren't just straight-up monarchist and people who largely agree with the right, but want weed.

[@frontline989]

Never give Matt executive power. He knows to much.

[@jchunick]

He knows two too much.

[@MrCorderoGomez]

He nose 2 to too two much.

[@dford4014]

He already has executive power, he knows that much!

[@duckles426]

hee noes two mutche

[@NishithThakkar]

Matt microdoses on supreme executive power by being a DM.

[@emilyhelms-tippit4053]

"Killmonger is an externalization of Wakandan foreign policy!" That's fascinating, from a DM perspective. That you can just ponder on a set of policies and personify them in that context, must be a really powerful NPC / villain creation tool.

[@Bluecho4]

Indeed, that's a powerful trick in any writer's kit: taking a broad concept, trend, or idea and personifying it. Such big and/or abstract things are difficult to convey in a narrative. A _character_ is far more easily worked with on the level that stories typically work at.

[@Sheriffdann]

There was a tradition, once, far back in the past, called the King of the Bean. A special dish was served to all the men of the clan on a certain day of the year. It contained one small hard-baked bean, and whoever got the bean was, possibly after some dental attention, hailed as King. It was quite an inexpensive system and it worked well, probably because the clever little bald men who actually ran things and paid some attention to possible candidates were experts at palming a bean into the right bowl. -Terry Pratchett

[@metallsnubben]

I STILL haven't read any terry pratchett, despite getting more out of his quotes on the internet than some whole books. Gotta get on it

[@rmsgrey]

@@metallsnubben Hopefully you've found an opportunity by now. The political landscape of Ankh-Morpork (the most significant city to the series) is fascinating in the light of this video. Historically, the city used to be a monarchy until the civil war about three hundred years ago, where the then-king was executed and the city has since been ruled by a succession of "patricians" - absolute rulers with all the powers of a monarch, but who don't claim to be divinely appointed. The current Patrician, Havelock Vetinari, upon gaining power by unspecified means, first issued an edict that legitimised organised crime and made the Thieves Guild, Assassins Guild, etc, legitimate bodies, then, once things had had time to settle, made the guilds responsible for all crime of their type - with reasonable quotas, etc - so unlicensed thieves, rather than being the business of the City Watch, get quietly and efficiently dealt with by the Thieves Guild. As a result, a significant amount of the city's power is in the hands of people who derive their legitimacy from Vetinari's authority, and have every reason to defend his legitimacy as ruler. The main thing keeping Vetinari in power is that, while none of the keepers of authority actually like him, they all consider him to be better than any likely alternative. That and his talent for yielding to necessity - he's been imprisoned a couple of times, and under threat of deposition many more, but has always co-operated right up to the point where he's restored to full authority. The other interesting element is that there is actually a rightful king of Ankh Morpork - crown shaped birthmark, ancient sword, uncanny air of authority, talent for leadership - everything a destined monarch needs, except the actual desire to claim the throne. In later books, there are several occasions where it's clear that Vetinari has consulted with the King, or the King has politely suggested something to Vetinari, and they're quietly exercising Royal Perogative without ever making it official.

[@nunjasozusagen]

"Eventually Killmonger is done collecting all the plot coupons and he arrives in the Wakandan throne room to redeem them." Thanks. No, no, really - I like my keyboard better with coffee all over it.

[@CobaltContrast]

Literally the best line followed by a funnier line. Well done commenter.

[@grokness]

8:05

[@treymclemore3418]

Rewatching now, and when Shuri tell’s T’challa that “just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved” I wonder if that’s foreshadowing what happens to Wakanda? Yes we’ve survived for so long by being secluded, but maybe we can improve on that?

[@derekskelton4187]

I took it as forshadowing Tchalla abdicating to Shuri. In the comics he regards her as the better leader while he's like the guardian.

[@ezyo1000]

@@derekskelton4187 I think it's actually the former, it's foreshadowing the opening of Wakanda. Unlike her comic counterpart, MCU Shuri actually enjoys tinkering in a lab and being able to invent stuff without responsibilities. In the comics her creation and entire desire was to get out from T'Challas shadow and be queen. These are two different characters in terms of personality and goals

[@AnEnemySpy456]

It's basically stating the main theme of the story right at the beginning, which is a common practice.

[@jba8472]

We all know supreme executive power comes from a mandate from the masses, not some farcical aquatic ceremony

[@InShortSight]

But what about subreme executive power?

[@ShengFink]

Pretty sure supreme executive power comes from being ceo of a former skateboarding brand and now street wear fashion company

[@cogspace]

Indeed! Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!

[@HMJ66]

If I went round sayin' I was an emperor, just cos some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me they'd lock me away!

[@connorhennessey1316]

@@cogspace Bloody peasants!

[@nikkibrowning4546]

Coville: "This is the last video..." me: "NO!" Coville: "...in the politics series." me: "Oh, okay. that's fine."

[@jordanwalsh1691]

Killmonger: "I've got a fresh idea, surely a violent autocratic ethnostate will correct the wrongs of the past!" Marty McFly: "Hey, I've seen this one!" Killmonger: "What do you mean? It's brand new."

[@thehaywiregamer]

“Anyone who must say I am the King is no true king” -Tywin Lannister

[@Aleph-Noll]

yeah exactly since its not the king who decides, but ultimately other people

[@lynnskelton7971]

“No really, I am the king. I promise! I got this shiny crown, the neat magical sword I pulled out of a stone, I beat up that weaker dude. Even bought myself a cool throne made out of swords. That makes me king! I promise! So, just do what I say and all will be peaches and cream!” Then my wife slaps me into reality!🤣

[@Armaggedon185]

When the king commands, do the generals obey? When the generals command, do the armies obey? In what do the people believe? Look there, and see power.

[@Three-Headed-Monkey]

"But personal is not the same as important." YES LOVE THE DISCWORLD REFERENCE. Such a good line. Gotta love Captain Carrot. Genius that Terry Pratchett so effortlessly distilled Carrot's character with one sentence.

[@serenat.5774]

"We love M'baku because...the everything of him" YES lollll he was one of my fav characters from the movie

[@serenat.5774]

@Gromph Baenre My favorite part was his "we're vegetarians" joke!

[@StarFyreXXX]

@@serenat.5774 it was interesting. they worship Hanuman who is a hindu god.

[@t000bz]

Watching this in light of recent events, and tweets, in the US, puts it in a very interesting light...

[@codyjablonski137]

Right?

[@NOICKNOICK]

this reminds me a lot of the "The Rules for Rulers" video by CGP grey

[@JimCullen]

The keys necessary to gain power are not the same as the keys needed to keep it.

[@jlorihen]

CGP and Matt are the two youtubers that make me quit everything I`m doing and go watch immediatly.

[@ainyele]

Yep I was thinking the same thing. I was already using some of those concepts in my world building and it was nice to see Matt agreeing with me :). kzbin.info/www/bejne/qITXfWqknrdqndU

[@TheSarcasticModerate]

Came here to say this if someone else hadn’t yet! Great video for DM’s and just understanding the world in general.

[@jeffeppenbach]

@@reremagor I was just coming to recommend "The Dictators Handbook", the book in question.

[@stixywixy]

I definitely let out a softly audible “Oooh” at the “sun will never set” line. Awesome moment. Killmonger’s Wakanda will forever after be the githyanki empire in my Planescape game.

[@Glimmcomp]

Ohhh that's a good one, and that game sounds awesome

[@dontmisunderstand6041]

"He thinks he has consolidated power. If I can get enough people to say the votes don't count, then it doesn't matter how the press calls the election, it doesn't matter what the electors say. None of that matters if I have successfully subverted the right people."

[@millerunc]

hits a little different now, huh

[@orvilpym]

@@millerunc Yup. That sure aged... spicy.

[@arnovanboxem2519]

@@orvilpym wait is that before the stop the count? I was like yeah that happened

[@willsave5416]

Yup this video posted in July before the election. But lest we think Matt has god-like prescience, seeds were being planted even back in the summer of 2020 casting doubt over election security and viability. 2016 was the same (doubt over voting security) but the results were what that faction wanted so…why say the election was rigged then?

[@FrankinKal96]

Boy, that line was prescient, huh?

[@johnnybigbones4955]

The quality of Running the Game has been at a really consistent high level for like 25 videos in a row. Good work!

[@b-ruins]

90 videos*

[@Telar-The-III]

The amount of gears this set in motion of my world building is great. So thank you Matt. Peace, out

[@MercifulNeptune]

"Power resides where men believe it resides." Awesome as always, Matt.

[@tjl4688]

Except it doesn't.

[@ryangoepfert9112]

@@tjl4688 citation needed

[@tyrthelawful3855]

@@ryangoepfert9112 The citation is the video you just watched. Matt's whole point is that power doesn't lie with kings and queens, but rather with the people.

[@alalalala57]

@@tyrthelawful3855 I think he's saying that to the person who is saying otherwise.

[@NateDeckerTV]

“Personal is not the same as important” ...thank you Captain Carrot

[@Loredad13]

Thank you! It was driving me nuts trying to remember where I knew that from.

[@bazzfromthebackground3696]

"Captain Carrot! He's a super bunny! I LOVE THAT GUY!"

[@emilyhelms-tippit4053]

I was remembering Weatherwax in Lords & Ladies

[@no_nameyouknow]

@@Loredad13 Yo, me too. I was thinking it was some stoic character, my mind was leaning towards Data, funny that I see those characters as similar.

[@sauron7839]

Black Panther: How to Engineer a Coup, for Dummies

[@wasteoftime5848]

Funny coming from a maiar who failed in his conquests for thousands of years.

[@dariusgreene5486]

I wasn't sure if we were still talking about Wakanda about half way through. Bravo

[@ramirezthale]

This hits a lot harder now than it did when it first came out

[@wohbot]

I am a teaching student in College right now and for the longest time I was lost and had no aspirations. watching this channel and learning to DM has enriched me and guided me over the years to the point where I know how I want to live my life. I want to be a river to my people. thank you Matt Colville. you inspire us all.

[@wessel844]

HE"S BACK BABYYYY

[@gabeharwin7481]

yaaaaaaaaa

[@SurfintheHighway]

Matt is back

[@SDTCG]

"Ghostdog told us the stakes!" God I missed you Matt. You almost killed me with that one.

[@ryanrodgers3099]

This is surreal to be watching in January of 2021, especially the stuff post the 22 minute mark

[@TheMisterSurreal]

You never make it explicit, but I had no trouble seeing the parallels to US politics today, either. This is a terrific analysis and I have a richer appreciation for the movie and Coogler as a writer than before, and I was already a fan of both. Glad to see you back, Matt!

[@popinjayishuman]

This is scarily relevant in November 2020

[@PlussGoodFun]

"hes not wrong hes just evil." what a great statemen

[@PatrickOMulligan]

Yeeeeah he was pretty wrong.

[@ahtech1990]

I appreciate Matt both for his wisdom, and for his gentlemanly mullet. In these trying times we need to know there’s a party in the back.

[@wasteoftime5848]

It is epic and a little distracting

[@Sirmooshalot]

This video hits different in a post-2020 Election, pre-2021 inauguration world.

[@Leocmatias]

When a D&D video explains why Brazil does not have a Minister of Health since May, in the middle of a global pandemic.

[@khayyin359]

It struck me several times how pertinent this is to the situation in the U.S., but I suppose that's the obvious example. Either way...damn good video, giving me lots to think about.

[@aramislima902]

De fato/indeed.

[@anthonynorman7545]

Too relatable from the US

[@jlorihen]

When he talked about the popular exiled leader my mind went to Perón automatically.

[@isphus]

Brazil had two ministers of health who gave up, so a general was appointed until the end of the crisis. And he's been doing a pretty good job from what i hear.

[@fubimelon]

Seems an especially timely investigation into the nature of executive power. Solid rhetorical move from our main man Matt here.

[@austinmount9445]

Good God I love how Matt can make a DND video about a marvel movie that is also 100% about our current issues. He's a damned genius.

[@matthewallen3375]

Great breakdown of how black panther identifies as an example for kingdom politics in d&d. Perfect timing for my campaign where I need to give depth to an empire! Thank you!

[@archer111000]

I watched this in the old live version, when it came out in this version, when Chadwick died, and again today post election. The content literally gets better with each viewing. Thank you Matt

[@ninthlevelcantrip799]

This wraps up the diplomacy series soooooo well. I've watched the diplo series a couple times and it was super helpful. It painted a picture with landscape and depth and structures but this video finishes the picture off with a brilliant sunrise.

[@NuthrMattWright]

24:21 "But, alas, Killmonger had'nt watched this video..." The BBEG of BP2 has ample opportunity to study from the Colville

[@michaelbryant3640]

Is it weird that I kind of want Doctor Doom to make his first MCU appearance in Black Panther II rather than another Fantastic Four movie..?

[@kjj26k]

I would love to hear Colville's thoughts on Wakanda Forever.

[@Bowinja]

Wow, didn't realize analyzing an theme of Black Panther to flesh out your DnD campaign more realistically would be so topical and relevant to our times. Pretty amazing analysis and humbling to realize there is an entire layer of arts an media I continue to be oblivious to on my own.

[@TimSheckler]

Watching this video after 2020-21 American political drama makes Matt appear... prescient.

[@DM-MilkMan]

Return of the friendly bugbear, with the fancy quarantine hair. Welcome back Matt, thank you for the videos. Have watched everything twice since lockdown.

[@mattmoening8495]

This reminds me greatly of the "Keys to power" from CPG Grey's video on the Rules for Rules. In this case the rulers of the tribes are the keys to power.

[@striderdavid]

Oh my God, I didn't realize how much I've missed that outro. Thanks for the excellent video Matt! I know you're super busy at MCDM so thanks for taking the time to make something for us KZbin nerds :)

[@Beaver1224]

Excellent video! I love the analysis and the insight you give, and its (unstated) applicability to our current state of affairs only heightened my enjoyment.

[@emhooaryou698]

I wish I could like this video twice. Seriously. The value it's brought to my view of politics in storytelling is incredible.

[@emhooaryou698]

Still coming back to this video. I watch it probably once every other month or so.

[@emhooaryou698]

Came to check the comments, laughed at proving my own point.

[@louisroy4911]

“Ghostdog told us the stakes” 😂😂😂

[@starshiplazyboy475]

Tina Turner thinks SHE should take the herb. So good.

[@johnpettus5874]

@@starshiplazyboy475 I laughed out loud at both.

[@brickingle3984]

The CPG grey video "rules for rulers" is also a really excellent example of how there are stakeholders. Rulers only rule when those that run the government say they do.

[@kahlesstakethewheel]

"But personal is not the same as important." - Proof that Matt reads great books.

[@richardpointer]

"God would be happier with a new king." One truly hopes.

[@DarkadeTV]

This has been one of, if not the best video you've made. But I so want the second Dune video 😂 I've read the book since the first Dune video

[@DarkadeTV]

@Axel F Loved it. It is "really high" but it's weirdly readable. I haven't been able to finish "simpler" books because they are hard to read, and I feel like I have to go back and re-read all the time. But Dune, while it was very long, it was easy to just pick up and keep reading

[@Daeio1]

"If I can get enough of the right people to say 'the votes don't count...' ". I think somone is getting a sense of deja vu right right now. November 2020.

[@jenicakramer6927]

This video hits different after the last two months of American politics.

[@tombell2753]

This has completely reshaped my view on the movie. I always took issue with Killmonger's plan, because it seemed to me that his plan was to reclaim his place in Wakanda so when he announced that he wanted to take over the world it seemed sudden, jarring, and unfitting to what he had done up to that point and written just to give stakes to the ending. Now seeing the steps he took and the context of him using his skills in destabilization not just to get the throne but to establish his power I can see why the story fits him much better.

[@mattyule5312]

This comment is for the youtube algorithm. I hope more people see this, it is a wonderful video

[@FictionRaider007]

Not only did this give me a lot to think about for my own campaigns it also gave me a whole new appreciation for Black Panther. I already loved the movie but this convinced me to go back and rewatch it with a different headspace. Thank you! RIP Chadwick Boseman.

[@ukulin8525]

I loved that movie 😍 And I love Matt Colville for making BOTH the movie and DnD better!

[@LeonoraTindall]

So glad to see you uploading again!!

[@mickeysmagic89]

“Power resides where men believe it resides. It’s a trick, a shadow on the wall.”

[@Vogelkinder]

IS it just me, or re-watching this right now and comparing it with the current politics in America, seems rather spot on.

[@benjaminmoroni]

Love this video! Love the Running the Game series. Love the Politics series. Your absence online is understandable, but I can’t wait for more videos and more of The Chain!

[@zreyon]

Great finale for a great video series. This is the kind of thing that should be taught at schools before analyzing history and societies. My homebrew world's political complexity owes you now.

[@happychap8457]

COLVILLES ALIVE!

[@happychap8457]

also, mullet

[@macguyverbond7480]

Thank you for that, I heard it in Brian Blessed’s voice.

[@andrewdunn9054]

Matt you've been doing this for what 5 years now? I seriously believe everything you've done up to now with MCDM has lead to this moment. I'm blown away. This is an incredible video. Thank you so much for it.

[@nGuy1901]

CGP Grey has an interesting video along these lines called "Rules for Rulers."

[@TheJackOfFools]

The book he based it on is even more interesting, if a tad dry at times.

[@DrVesuvius70]

@@TheJackOfFools "The Dictator's Handbook" by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith. Highly recommend it, and the CGP video for a quick summary. It's also worth noting that the same principles can be applied to any power structure at any level, from multimillion dollar corporations to your local homeowner's association.

[@TheJackOfFools]

@@DrVesuvius70 Yes, they mention that in the book. It's very thorough.

[@CritCrab]

I am LOVING Matt's hair

[@jameswatkins7359]

Absolutely incredible how relevant this is. I know my comment is one of dozens (or more), but I hope this video is seen by those even outside of the DND community.

[@rylanmarriott8116]

I was worried something had happen last night because no videos for a while so this is a nice surprise to wake up too hopefully I’m not still dreaming

[@cardboardtubeknight]

Dude, this part at 23:35 is pretty prophetic given what happened in the election

[@ricstubbs6802]

"Can we get back to politics?" "Please?"

[@Dudeman23rd]

Yo

[@a.spirit8408]

"So, we love M'Baku because of the ... everything of him." Yes. My soul is nodding in assent.

[@bigbambino6286]

my players are currently attempting to stop a civil war inside an HRE analogue of mine, and it was all their idea! you made that possible Matt. thanks homie

[@Leviathon672015]

This reminds me of a video CPGGrey did, where in they abstract those who provide legitimacy to those in political power by replacing them with keys of power; collect enough keys, and you gain control, then replace them with those who can maintain your control, much as you described here when Killmonger failed to replace the heads of the military and king's guard. Another aspect of this that CPGGrey goes into is how, with the decentralization of political power through Democracy, the keys of power have become dispersed; it isn't just that you need the support of the military, police, church, industry leaders, etc., it's that you need the direct support of the people, here collectivized through special interest groups and demographics. All of these groups are not only bound by their personal world views and morals, but also by the material benefits of providing support such that leaders must provide them things they want to continue gaining their support. That's why dictatorships have underdeveloped infrastructure, because they only need as much as is required to facilitate the activities of the military, church, etc., while infrastructure is more robust in Democracies because the people like being able to do things that improve their material conditions. Another aspect of this that I was clued in on by one of my college professors was the idea that the decentralization of political power through more keys has altered the ways in which political violence is conducted; before, simple assassinations of individuals were enough to sway power in one's favor through the ascension of less competent or more sympathetic key holders. Now, however, large-scale terrorist attacks have largely replaced these methods in the public eye as a larger number of people need to manipulated into enacting your goals. Not only do you need to weaken the enemy by loosening their control over the keys of power, you must psychologically manipulate the key holders into doing what you want, on a mass scale.

[@drewsmith4108]

One wonderful example of the powers of the executive branch in media is the Star-kid musical “Twisted”. It’s free on KZbin, I recommend checking it out

[@Irishcream216]

Welcome back Matt. The peasants grew rather restless while the King was away.

[@jankachowski]

I wrote a plan for a book while i was watching this. Thank you Matt, you always give me the best inspiration i ever had. And every new one, is always the new best. Thank you.

[@GeneralMufinMan]

"Personal is the not same as important." Nice Terry Pratchett reference :)

[@braddalrymple8615]

Nov 7th was the perfect day time watch this

[@raoulduke8003]

I watched this the other day and just loved it. Super smart take. RIP Chadwick.

[@TheEmmaHouli]

Aaahhhh I love what you say about bards. My bard is a displaced nobel who is not looking to get back their family throne but instead is traveling and adventuring to codify stories and songs into a national identity! (Can you tell I'm from a newly independent country!)

[@RobinBaggett]

Excellent video! My next campaign starts with the death of the monarch with no heir to succeed the throne, so these politic videos are super helpful in worldbuilding!

[@nw42]

Yesterday I watched Black Panther _and_ the latest January 6th Committee hearing… so watching _this_ today was a wild, wild ride.

[@williampfeiffer5536]

That line at 23:31 hits different in January 2021

[@b100draven]

I've binged all of your Running The Game videos in Lockdown and this while had little about DnD has given me the most ideas on how to set up my own political structure in my campaign totally amazing.

[@michaelshelton5488]

"Power is a shadow on the wall. It resides where men believe it does."- Varys

[@aaronvanloon1330]

Matt, your knowledge, enthusiasm, and clear communication will forever keep me coming back to this channel.

[@chipprugh1584]

"If nobody in the country knows you're the president, you're not" ok that's funny

[@cohesian1]

I like the idea of a hidden ruler. An actual king that the normal populace doesn’t know about, but roads are maintained, military directed, if you step out of line you are punished but you never see the enforcers. Even your local leaders don’t know what runs things. That’s some next level creepy stuff.

[@mylor1066]

This was a phenomenal video and I have shared it with many friends inside and out of rpg. So much knowledge and thought with deep understanding in here. I'm watching again now and saved to watch a third time. Awesome. Thank you.

[@zionsmith3682]

23:20 and the following three statements hit different after the election this year....

[@craigsisco1894]

Rewatching this now rings even deeper…thanks Uncle Matt for your wisdom.

[@NeflewitzInc]

>Ghost Dog reference. The king is a river to his people.

[@eflarsen]

I like to have my kingdoms in dnd, when they have a king, have that king elected in some way. i either run it roman-style, where the king will choose their own successor, or saxon/viking style, wherein the nobility elects the king, because that makes it more interesting and makes the players think about the political system. when the players leave a land for a decent while and then return to it, i will sometimes have the kings change and the political landscape of the land no longer operate the way it did when they were last there. it keeps the game world feeling alive, as things move without the players' direct actions.

[@claremcquillan9080]

This really turned my whole day around. My metric for DND advice is: do I feel inspired? Do I have to stop the video and write down ideas it sparks? Colville does that AND makes me feel better about the world. THE CHAIN!!!

[@KountKristyl]

Looking back at this vid in 2021, some elements of it seem worryingly prophetic

[@mikemihina8507]

A review of a great movie, lessons about politics in your D&D game AND relevant to our current situations. A master stroke sir!

[@GreekPackDragon]

Is that Matt Colville's Beautiful Beard and Hair I see on my KZbins once again?!?

[@aaronlaxdal9392]

Let the hair flow!!!