A political coup?

[CleverUsername123]

Just hypothetically, how would that work in the Forgotten Realms setting, a takeover of a government from inside? Hmmmm?

[Tantive]

That is quite dependant what kind of city/race/culture you are dealing with. Should narrow something down of that first

[Hoihe]

Also keep in mind that just killing the head honcho won't achieve anything. Especially the dukes, who are former adventurers. They can just be resurrected by their fellows Dukes, and for a owner of a city, the cost is pretty small.

[chad878262]

Ummmm.... Play Baldur's Gate (you know, the one from the late 90's)

spoiler for anyone that hasn't played BG (and you really should!)

Hidden: show

Sarevok attempts to do just that!

[Hawke]

If the DMs were willing to support the story arc.... This could happen, but even more devious to the coup... It might be motivated by an underlying source of evil unbeknownst to the folks engaging in the coup.

Omg #evilplot

[DM Hera]

In FR Lore Westgate in this very year of our server comes under a strange sorta political Coup.

[K'yon Oblodra]

In FR Lore Westgate in this very year of our server comes under a strange sorta political Coup.

Is Westgate on our server?

[CleverUsername123]

Okay, to clarify:
The city Baldur's Gate specifically.

[Laughingman]

OMG! I was thinking of rolling a new character with this goal! I was thinking about ways this could happen.

Religious turmoil - A cleric begins to preach siamorphe's teachings and play up recent events (such as the siege). Eventually try to create a riot or two and maybe get some of the noble houses to back the idea that they should be ruling. The idea basically assumes that I am fully expecting to have my character put to death for being a nuisance.

Mercenary revolt - simply work angles and try to get the flaming fist to crave power. Disrupt payment to them, lure the incorruptible ones away, make their job more dangerous then it is worth, make the leaders feel insulted by the rulers.

[Laughing Octopus]

If you want to orchestrate political turmoil, you should familiarize yourself with the potential weaknesses of rulers. In most cases, it's not public opinion.

[CleverUsername123]

(deleted)

[Laughingman]

If you want to orchestrate political turmoil, you should familiarize yourself with the potential weaknesses of rulers. In most cases, it's not public opinion.

CGP is very interesting but much of his recent work has been hit and miss. This series over simplified politik. Just look into 1st century bc Rome to see a dozen political upheavals and notice that neither the populares nor the optimates had a monopoly on it. The mob, the legions, the aristocracy, the merchants, even the slaves all had their push.

[Rasael]

A political coup requires finding other people who would be willing to hijack the system, taking the risk of discovery (and death), and then to hatch a plot to achieve your ambition.

The plots come in all forms and sizes. Palace revolutions are usually centered on the ruling persona and forcing them to abdicate in favor of someone else. Civil wars are what happens if neither side gets a quick clean victory, so they have to beat each other in open warfare.

There are plenty of ways to force rulers to abdicate or flee. Protests are one of them. There are few things as scary as a bloodthirsty mob chanting your name along with violent expletives.

Provocateurs usually try to initiate protests, or hijack ongoing protests, and then they attempt to escalate the protest into violence by egging people on. (ab)using the mob mentality. This was part of the communist manifesto, for instance. That's why communists were / are considered revolutionaries, they are willing to let the mob use violence.

[Blackman D]

the dukes are probably too deeply seeded to overthrow in a single yearly campagin

overthrowing them hasnt been a particular goal of mine (because i could care less who runs the city) but have attempted to do things that would have hopefully led to the general collapse of the city however my guys are very off/on in playing so when we do finally get something decent rolling everyone disappears and we cant follow through

but assuming you want everything in tact... that probably wont help you

either way you would be looking at a really really long term thing

[Steve]

Roll up a Master of Disguise.

Spend many RP hours observing a Duke, mastering their habits and appearance. As well, one of their servants.

Play the servant, poison the Duke. Take their place.

Start to slowly undermine their power against other Forces (Guilds/Cities/Factions/Individuals) by and through poor performance and bad decisions.

Watch the empire collapse around you...and cackle evil-y when in your private chambers, in front of the mirror.

But honestly, any coup against Baldur's Gate or any other city/township that is Canon Lore described for the next X years, is probably not gonna happen. No matter how much RP you do. And though I personally believe that in a true, living sandbox, anything should be possible through investment and attempt, there will always be others—or a group of others—making the final decision about what you are attempting to do with the RP...and if they are not supportive nor agreeing to its validity, that OOC completely shuts the door on your idea.

So really, it is not a "try and see what happens..." situation at all. It is more likely a "ask for a green light, and unless you get it, give up now" situation.

Maybe its me, but I cannot imagine anyone that would make a 2+ year investment in RP and have no idea if there is even a 50/50 chance of seeing the outcome go your RP's way. I mean: THAT'S 2 YEARS OF YOUR LIFE MAN!!! Don't waste it!