Dynasties and Demagogues (Penumbra D20) [Hardcover]

Chris Aylott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2003

Rulers make history -- Dynasties and Demagogues helps you make some history of your own with an in-depth look at the hidden rules of political intrigue and power brokering. Players are challenged to unravel the schemes of duplicitous enemies and allies alike as part of their characters' own rise to power. And for GMs, Dynasties and Demagogues affords a close look at the nitty-gritty of political campaigns fraught with plots and counter-plots, assassinations, duels, and changing allegiances, all tied together in an intricate web of power relations.

Dynasties and Demagogues is a 160-page toolkit for running and playing in political adventures in any D20 System campaign setting. Designed for both players and GMs, it provides:

New spells like scryjack, which lets you take control of a scrying spell and show its caster only what you wish him to see, and absorb information, which transfers written information directly from a book to your mind.

Magic items like the tiny surveillance device called the fly on the wall, and the seeking arrow that carries a message up to 6000 miles through the air to land at a named recipient’s feet.

Feats like Commanding Voice, Inspire Frenzy, and Information Network.

Prestige classes that allow characters to become professional bodyguards, conspiracy leaders, information mages, religious leaders, and even rise to a position of power like that of the true demagogue.

Details on maneuvering within eight distinct political settings, from anarchy to empire, with examples of how fantasy elements like magic and demihuman races impact them.

Easy-to-use rules for conducting debates and elections.

Blueprints for political adventure and campaign construction, plus six sample adventures and two campaigns for GMs to customize.

After all, ruling the realm can be even more rewarding than saving it!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Atlas Games (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589780337
• ISBN-13: 978-1589780330
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,138,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Put some politics into your d20 campaign., May 6, 2003

By 

Trent Redfield - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dynasties and Demagogues (Penumbra D20) (Hardcover)

I use political intrigue as a major part of all of the D&D campaigns that I run. I've been doing so for years. All of that time I was making it up as a I go along. It worked, but it was a lot of work. Dynasties and Demagogues changes that. Here much of what I have been doing in campaigns for years is put in an easy-to-use formula. Here are election rules, great prestige classes (I love the information mage!), and wonder ideas on how to create and run campaigns under all kinds of governments. (I cannot wait to create a mageocracy in my world -- rule by wizards.) As a DM resource, this book is amazing. As a player resource, the feats, new uses for skills, and the prestige classes are wonderful. If you want to add some life to your campaign, try adding politics. If you already used politics, this will still add to your campaign. I thought I was a old hand at political intrigue in D&D, but I learned all kinds of new tricks from this book.