A key personality in any RP setting, whether a town, region or state will be the person in charge. Investing time in building a proper profile for this individual prior to your session or campaign will pay dividends.
The character of a leader has a direct effect on the environment they control.
At a most basic level, the nature of their control needs to be considered. A democracy operates on a very different social footing to an autocracy or theocracy. A feudal system has distinct social strata as well as a patronage-based system for wealth and status. A military structure has a clear hierarchy, with career goals essential to progression.
The techniques your party employs will vary greatly in these different settings.
The motivation of a leader is also important. For the less socially conscious leaders, I tend to place their motivation within a triangle of: "Power", "Status" and "Wealth". Imagining a point within that triangle, gives you a prime motivator which will, in turn, dictate their leadership style and priorities. The most capable might want it all, but many less so might be happy with one or two!
The status of position, for example, might matter less than accruing wealth and exercising the real power. Alternatively, some might be happy to delegate the power of their position provided they enjoy the social position and associated wealth that goes with it.
Alongside the leader, you may have others whose position(s) fills the vacant point(s) of the triangle. You can now build a local or regional power structure for your game setting.
This is the last email of 3 in a short series on worldbuilding. Check out my Fantasy Worldbuilding Tips for RPGs.
