So, what kind of a Dad do you usually make Benedict?
In my campaigns, Benedict is almost always overprotective of his kids, particularly if they're girls, but boys as well.
Because of his massive age, he'll never see them as anything other than infants until they're at least a couple of centuries old. That means he'll get them out of trouble, for sure, and that can be a big boon for any PC. But the downside is that he's also likely to restrain them for "their own protection"; to the point that in my campaign Benedict has locked in his own children under guard to keep them from doing something that he feels will endanger them.
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In one campaign, Benedict was very protective of his son, and meddled in his affairs ( he would do more than spy, for example). He would also expect his children to be irreproachable and that could turn out to be a pain in the ass for the player once in a while ( when convenient, of course :) )
In a different campaign, Benedict was a lot more ruthless and uncaring and his parenting reflected this. He was still a great mentor, but expected his children total obedience and honesty while he would reveal nothing.
I could honestly see him either way. And if his progeny disappointed him in some way I could imagine him completely using them and abusing their personal lives for his own benefit.
There's the quiet and dark side of Benedict that remains fairly untapped until parenting is involved. But then again, that's probably true of many of the elders :)
I haven't run Amber, but what about a battle-scarred war veteran? Unable to connect with anyone in his family, except those who have gone through real personal hell.
(Yes, I'm totally thinking about Vietnam here)
I generally run Benedict as one of the best of parents. He tends to let his children make their own way in the world, although he will provide help is they ask, leveraging his own awsome reputation within the family to get them whatever tuition from his siblings they might require.
In intimate family situations, Benedict is no less taciturn than ever, but his affection for his family should be clear.
A darker take on Benedict would be the silent, emotionally distant father who seems constantly disappointed in his children without ever telling them exactly why, leaving them to feel helplessly inadequate.
Quote from: TrevelyanA darker take on Benedict would be the silent, emotionally distant father who seems constantly disappointed in his children without ever telling them exactly why, leaving them to feel helplessly inadequate.
The one time I had a player be Benedict's son, this was how I played their relationship outwardly, since the player went the Psyche and Advanced Pattern route. In truth, though, it was more like the other relationship you suggested -- the PC was the eldest among the "fourth generation" Amberites, and so had gained Benedict's respect -- they used the distance everyone perceived between them as a tactical advantage.
I'd think regardless of how good or caring a parent Benedict would be, as we all know, it develops rebellious children who want to break free of their safe-walls.
I think Benedicts connection to the flow of life is an advantage to being able to understand his offspring better, but all parents have the possibility of troublesome children they just can't handle.
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