Politics are Your Friend!

Eric's Rant #4! Collect them all!

Some people I know, when I talk about wanting to make a political game, gripe and complain. "Politics are so boring," they claim. I usually laugh and them, and try to explain why politics are gripping and dramatic.

Well, I don't know if this is good or not, but by now we have all seen a demonstration of the passions and drama that politics can create. If you still think that politics can be boring, I highly recommend that you cast your mind back only a scant few months and think about one thing: The Presidential Election of 2000!

That sure as hell wasn't boring, was it folks? It's been four months since that election, and people are still talking about the politicking that went one! People are still passionate about what happened there! People are still fighting about "who was right" and all that. Okay, true, not every single person is out there fighting and protesting an obviously corrupt and flawed electoral system, but.... Well, I don't want to get hung up on real-world politics. Let's talk about fantasy politics, specifically that of the Kindred in the World of Darkness.

So... Politics are boring, eh? You'd much rather be fighting and killing and blowing stuff up? Go ahead, do it! Then see how quickly the politicians of your city bring you down and kill you, claiming that you are a rabid dog who needs to be put down for the good of all. (And yes, folks, this applies to the Sabbat as well! Once they've taken a city, the last thing they need is for the mortals to get upset by all the violence and move out or fight back....)

Politicians are the ultimate in fighters and warriors. They're just a truckload more subtle than the Uzi-wielding Brujah Antitribu mowing people down right and left. Politicians don't fight with guns and bombs - they fight with words and laws.... Go read The Prince by Machiavelli, and you'll see what I mean. It's both easier and harder to be a politician than to be a fighter. All a fighter has to do is kill. A politician has to know when to stop killing, when to negotiate and when to abandon fighting totally. Ultimately, the fighter will lose to the good politician. Sure, the fighter might win in the short run, but the politician will win the war.

(Oh, and don't think about your local Congressman or Senator when I'm talking about Politicians here. I'm thinking more along the lines of Kings and Popes, the Princes of the Camarilla and the Archbishops of the Sabbat. I'm thinking about a creature that is a weird mix of Dictator, Advertising Agent, Broker, Office Manager and Mayor. It's an odd and tough mix, and I just realized that it's what I'm picturing when I think of a really good Prince or Archbishop. Think about it, and you'll see what I mean.)

Now, how can Politics be your buddy? Well, first of all, it provides a way to do what you want without getting your hands dirty or getting blamed if things go wrong....

If you are a good Politician, you can manipulate the masses, influence the information they receive and make them think that what you want to have happen is the best thing to happen.

You want the Tremere to be removed from the city? Convince all the other Kindred that they are a threat and a walking disaster waiting to happen! Think the Nosferatu are disgusting beasts that shouldn't exist? Find a way to make all the other Kindred want their death. (Now, I'm not saying these things are easy, but they can be done, if you work at it.)

Of course, you can also use Politics to gain more power.... Start a campaign to become a Primogen or a Bishop! Force others out of those positions, and take them for your own. Using Disciplines and blackmail along with the judicious use of mind games and maybe a little pain and torture, I can't see how someone could fail at gaining control over a city. (Of course, it helps to be a little arrogant, because that way you know it is your destiny to rule.)

What's that you say? Your character doesn't want temporal power or control over others? You just want to be left alone? Well then, you can use politics to distract others away from you and make sure they don't bother you! It's tricky but it can be done.... Again, a little use of Disciplines, mind-games and the like, and you'll have people looking in other places, trying to stop everyone but you, and you can go about your everyday life....

And, of course, I know, not everyone can be good at Politics, and not everyone can manipulate the mob. But guess what? That doesn't mean you can escape Politics....

If you can't control Politics, it will control you, one way or another.... You can't escape Politics, unless you become a hermit and never interact with others.... And if you do that, why are at the game!

No matter what, Politics will affect you. Might as well make it your buddy, as opposed to making it your enemy.

A least, that's my two cents. And, of course, if you want someone else's two cents, along with real-world examples, check out Jason Corely's Guide to "Princing."