Post #2637642

Concept: in this fantasy setting, an adventurer (or adventuring party) hears of a nearby kingdom with a mad king problem, and so resolves to help the people overthrow the mad king. When they arrive at the border, they say they've come to defeat the mad king, but the guard just gives a knowing laugh and lets them past without incident. When they stop for a rest at an inn, they again say they've come to defeat the mad king, but are surprised when this prompts the folks they're drinking with to call a toast to the mad king. Still, they offer no resistance to the apparent goal of taking the mad king down, and wish the adventurer(s) luck. When they arrive at the palace, they draw weapons and declare to the palace guards they have come to defeat the mad king. The guards have a good laugh, and let the party through without resistance. When asked why they're so unconcerned with this incursion, the guard captain just says "you'll see." Finally, they enter the king's chamber, to find him in the midst of discussing a subsidy plan to help with a grain shortage some parts of the kingdom are facing. The king asks them to wait a moment, and when discussions are finished, introduces himself as Mad King Ricker. The party is confused; why does this man refer to himself as mad king? When they heard of a mad king they had expected a violent tyrant who rules through blood, but he seems to be a quite well-adjusted and effective ruler, intent on doing right by his people. So, naturally, they ask: why are you called the Mad King?" "Why? Because you had to be mad to want to be king of this country! You wouldn't believe how many things were going wrong before my era, and of course, someone would always blame the king, and if he didn't fix things fast enough - and how could he, too many problems all making each other worse - that's when the assassins get moving. People were playing hot potato with the crown; a kingdom needs a king, but nobody wanted to be it. Except me; I was the only one who thought he was hot enough shit to actually ASK for the crown! And it turned out, I was right! Folks are calling this the kingdom's golden age. Ask anyone, they're all singing the praises of Mad King Ricker!"