Random: Active, or Reactive? Safe, or Unsafe? Motives?

[RPGPundit]

How do you guys run Random (as King, after the first series of books)?

What I've found in my own playing of him is that Random is for the most part a "reactive" kind of guy, he doesn't tend to be pro-active, going and trying to do preventative stuff. He's the one the PCs go to report to, and he might send them to do things in reaction to events going on in shadow or amber, but he tends to be rather unambitious as King, which fits his unambitious nature before becoming king.

Of course, this, combined with his status as King and relative accessibility means that the PCs tend to view him as "safe"; he's one of the Elders they go to talk to, they inform about what's going on, and they turn to for advice.  Is he really "safe", though? I think that on the whole, he obviously means very well for Amber, but this may mean that he'd be willing to throw a PC to the dogs if that would be best for his kingdom, and when the balls are to the wall, he would be just as ruthless as any other Elder in protecting his interests.

On that topic, what motivates Random? What ambitions can an Elder have after becoming King? And more importantly, does Random have any of these ambitions, or is he happy just where he is, and as long as his current situation remains secure?

RPGPundit

[Dr_BadLogic]

To an extent, I think the fact that he's somewhat reactive is that he isn't the central character in either of the series.  (Yes, some of the other main characters besides Corwin - and Merlin to a lesser extent - are proactive, but they are exceptions somewhat)

That said, I think he's still canny.  He might be the King now, but in Sign of the Unicorn he was quite happy to suggest framing someone for Caine's 'murder.'

I've just started re-reading the Amber series to get myself into the spirit for running it.  This time I'm seeing Random and Flora's relationship differently - possibly because I'm looking for alternative readings.  This time around, to me, they seem awfully quick to badmouth each other.  They're also both pretty much ignored by the others in terms of their prospects etc.  I thought it might be interesting to have them as a secret alliance of the ignored in Amber.  Of course that alliance may need some revision since Random has become King.  It also plays in with my reading of Flora as being more intelligent than she is generally given credit for.

As to Random's current agenda, it has to be stability really.  In theory everyone has pledged loyalty to Random - but even if they all are genuine in this, I think it would be odd if Random immediately trusted this new state of affairs.

Then there's the succession.  Currently his only son is illegitimate.  If he has a legitimate child wih Vialle, than there may be an issue there.  If he doesn't produce a child, than the succession depends on Martin's interest in the throne.  If Martin insists that he would abdicate any throne, the question of who succeeds is thrown into question again.  Since the crown went to Random, regardless of his seniority (or lack thereof), it might be seen as being open to whoever can justify themselves.  A number of Amberites might prefer that reading, whereas the elders might prefer the old method of succession.  Either way, it's potentially more confused than when Oberon was around/ newly departed.

In my campaign I'm actually starting with Random having gone missing, and therefore the question of succession being rather more urgent.

I've drifted a little from the point, but I think Random could potentially be proactive.  But NPCs shouldn't overshadow the PCs, so I think the proactive approach could be overdone.

Finally, being king means that Random has all kinds of issues of state to attend to.  The succession being a traditional Amber problem, but there's also bound to be problems with keeping the peace with Chaos in the long term.

[boulet]

To an extent, I think the fact that he's somewhat reactive is that he isn't the central character in either of the series.  (Yes, some of the other main characters besides Corwin - and Merlin to a lesser extent - are proactive, but they are exceptions somewhat)

I agree, Zelazny shaped a quite passive character in the first cycle. And the Merlin cycle depicts a king who is very busy resolving everybody's messes. It's not very conducive to build a NPC players would want to be deeply involved with. Or it makes Random a bit dull as in "shutdown this damn ghostwheel of yours" kind of joy killer.

Then there's the succession.  Currently his only son is illegitimate.  If he has a legitimate child wih Vialle, than there may be an issue there.  If he doesn't produce a child, than the succession depends on Martin's interest in the throne.  If Martin insists that he would abdicate any throne, the question of who succeeds is thrown into question again.  Since the crown went to Random, regardless of his seniority (or lack thereof), it might be seen as being open to whoever can justify themselves.  A number of Amberites might prefer that reading, whereas the elders might prefer the old method of succession.  Either way, it's potentially more confused than when Oberon was around/ newly departed.

I like this question of Random's progeniture as source of tension for the game. One question I find interesting is why Random and Vialle don't have any child of their own. Is this a sterility issue ? Are they concerned about it ? If so, is it going to foster animosity between the king and the queen or are they going to try some magical treatment, adopt children, something else ?

Of course, this, combined with his status as King and relative accessibility means that the PCs tend to view him as "safe"; he's one of the Elders they go to talk to, they inform about what's going on, and they turn to for advice.  Is he really "safe", though? I think that on the whole, he obviously means very well for Amber, but this may mean that he'd be willing to throw a PC to the dogs if that would be best for his kingdom, and when the balls are to the wall, he would be just as ruthless as any other Elder in protecting his interests.

Machiavel Random is an interesting option, I mean in a non pejorative way : a king's got to do what's necessary for the perennity of the crown. If it means he's got to become more cold hearted that we generally picture him, I'm fine with it : it's one way to take the players off guard and make the game exciting.

On that topic, what motivates Random? What ambitions can an Elder have after becoming King? And more importantly, does Random have any of these ambitions, or is he happy just where he is, and as long as his current situation remains secure?

I think I want to try a different angle. Ambition doesn't strike me as the most interesting path to put Random into motion. I think passion is a more interesting engine for this character. For instance I'd like to use jealousy in my next game. What if Vialle wasn't this stoic goody two shoes that Corwin and Merlin depicted ? What if she didn't accept blindness as a definitive fact of life for instance ? What if someone form the court of Chaos was to approach her with a solution to her cecity ? What if Random came to the conclusion she's having a love affair and starts getting irrational about it ? I think all this would bring some randomness back into Random.

[RPGPundit]

I agree, Zelazny shaped a quite passive character in the first cycle. And the Merlin cycle depicts a king who is very busy resolving everybody's messes. It's not very conducive to build a NPC players would want to be deeply involved with.

I'm not sure I agree. It makes him the one they go to when there is a mess, for starters. In my current campaign he's easily one of the two Elders (the other being Flora) that the PCs have most interacted with.

Or it makes Random a bit dull as in "shutdown this damn ghostwheel of yours" kind of joy killer.

This is another reason FOR the PCs to interact with him; he's the one they go to tattle on about the other PCs, so that they convince him that what their cousin is doing is a "danger to amber" in the hopes of getting Random to order them to stop doing something.

RPGPundit

[Dr_BadLogic]

I like this question of Random's progeniture as source of tension for the game. One question I find interesting is why Random and Vialle don't have any child of their own. Is this a sterility issue ? Are they concerned about it ? If so, is it going to foster animosity between the king and the queen or are they going to try some magical treatment, adopt children, something else ?

I think canon has a partial answer for this.  Corwin notes that none of the Amberites are particularly fertile (which to be honest, is probably a device used to explain why several thousand years hasn't produced a cast of several hundreds at minimum).  That said, perhaps those in the 'real world' who aren't of Oberon's royal line aren't as challenged, in which case there could be tension (and suspicion if Vialle got pregnant a bit too quickly).

I would generally shape the circumstances to whatever kind of conflict I wanted going.  For a traditional Amber story, perhaps Random has had a couple of kids with Vialle.  Both they, and Martin, want to succeed.  Cue shenanigans.

For a slightly longer term problem, perhaps Random isn't getting a legitimate heir, and Martin is refusing to be heir (possibly under pressure).

And then there are the options that you suggest: jealousy, infidelity, etc.  All of which are fine options too (Hell, great additions even if one 'stuck with' the progeniture).  Again, I'd say it depends on what you want out of the story.