While ‘political roleplay’ didn’t rate high on my ‘top taboo’ list in my previous post, I’d argue that it has forever been a controversial matter in the roleplay world. This week, I’m examining Stormwind political roleplay, the history, where it’s been and why we might love or hate it.
So… why are certain roleplayers drawn to political roleplay?
The underhanded and shadowy intrigue of politics can be awesome for spurning great plots and stories. Political roleplay offers a huge podium for lawful villains, affluent snobs and benevolent councillors wishing to whats best for the people. With great shows like House of Cards and Game of Thrones (which provide a great insight into how political stories can be churned) has inspired people more than ever before. Politics is all about alliances and relationships – the latter which drives roleplay. I’d argue that by roleplaying a politician, you open yourself up for plot after plot, story after story.
“Varian and Joffrey got nothin’ on me.” – Frank Underwood, Never.
…However there are issues with political roleplay but before I go delving into that massive crux, I’d firstly like to offer a brief synopsis on how Stormwind’s political scene has worked in the past:
Stormwind’s political system is a monarchy with Varian Wrynn at the top – no brainer, right? Well it’s worth remembering that under him, we have the organisation of the House of Nobles:
The House of Nobles is comprised of some of Stormwind’s most powerful aristocratic bloodlines and positions in this governing body are typically inherited Presumably, they serve a legislative role as they are able to lobby for legislative issues and serve as the judiciary branch for the kingdom as they are able to overrule regional elected officials on matters of law.
Wowpedia – http://wowpedia.org/House_of_Nobles
Over the years, roleplayers have created player-run councils filled with nobles, officials, councillors, judges and diplomats. While the structures of these councils have only been slightly varied, they often follow a similar principle: members of the council get together and discuss any matter relevant to the political sphere of Stormwind or the Alliance. Within these organisations, we sometimes see different races (diplomats, envoys and race representatives), lords and ladies, heads of judical bodies and state organisations (guards or the military) and other state bodies such as Church of the Holy Light. On paper, political roleplay looks as if it can provide thousands of opportunities to all who get involved…
..But in practice? BIG, HUGE, ENORMOUS issues!
World of Warcraft roleplay is an unmoderated medium. Everyone, on an OOC level, is equal. No player is greater than the rest. Because of this unmoderated status, it’s very easy for me to declare that I am the Lord of Northshire…
And for Pete to claim the title.
And John.
And Roger.
…And even Pennywhistle the Dancing Gnome.
Artist’s rendition of ‘the ease of becoming a Lord.’
Because it is so easy to roleplay whatever the hell we want, there have been hundred of players claiming to be Stormwind nobles. According to the lore, these nobles are, in some way, part of the organisation of the House of Nobles. In the past, the player-run councils were led by usually one person and he (or she) had the power to control who could and couldn’t be a member. What if I, Lord of Northshire, was refused entry? Surely that would make no sense…
…But that’s just scratching at the surface. These self-elected nobles have effectively seized false ‘authority’ by the touch of a button (or the decision to make their character a noble.) What if Pete decided his character was a blacksmith? Realistically, he would be beneath me, Lord of Northshire, and my decisions as a politician might affect his roleplay greatly, especially if my policies or decisions started to impact on his enjoyment.
And yes, while roleplay is an act of give and take (or compromise), there is no effective way to moderate and control the political roleplayers when they just go too far. Political roleplayers must be careful. They should ensure that what they do affects only those in their circle. After all, the authority they hold is purely ceremonial (and not readily accepted by everybody else.) They have no real power to affect the community – and nor should they!
But does it ever work? Has ‘political roleplay’ ever been successful?
I’d argue that it has, but largely outside of Stormwind. The problem with the Alliance hub of Stormwind is that there are too many random people to form a coherent, working system that the complex political sphere requires.
There have been ‘citizen councils’ that any roleplayer can join. Members are often from all sorts of backgrounds: commoners, tradesmen, nobles, soldiers (just about anyone.) Each member, if they wanted it, had a chance to shine, bring issues to the table and affect the community. I’m all for organisations that bring people together to form and orchestrate events that bring players together. I’ve found that authoritative political roleplaying groups usually alienate, exclude or mire those who don’t conform to ‘their’ rules.
But even then, those decisions only affect those involved – and agree to it OOCly, which, leads me to my point on the matter: political roleplay does work within small communities, where each member accepts and moderates the ‘system.’ Player-run towns (and guilds) are a good example of this. Providing there are opportunities for any player to (realistically) climb the political ladder and get involved – and are provided with an audience (community) who readily accepts them, then I believe that this is something that can work.
Political roleplay, in Stormwind, encroaches on people’s freedom. It’s so simple to become a politician and the ‘false’ power that comes with it can never truly be moderated or respected by everyone. It is not uncommon to hear stories of how political roleplayers have abused OOC rights to further their seize of ‘false’ power… but perhaps that’s a whole other topic in itself.
Should we steer clear of political roleplay? For the most part, yes.
But don’t forget the success of citizen councils and township politics. Smaller groups (often townships within the kingdom) have worked.
That said, if a group of friends are all roleplaying nobles, engaging in debates and aren’t directly affecting anyone else, then there is surely no foul? However, forcing, or expecting, people to see you as their overlord is not something many will so readily accept and is often the greatest error committed by political roleplayers.
I’d like to delve more into other areas of political roleplay within the Horde and Alliance. Has Orc politics ever occurred and if so, what have been your experiences with it? What about Night Elves? I want to know, so share your experiences with me below!
The Hozen Throne 