So, my saga is about to hit a major plot bit. [Jason, or any other player: get out.]
Diego I, of Merovingian blood, has slain the un-Anointed King of France with magic. Diego is also a freshly gauntleted wizard.
A cabal of wizards has been grooming him to do so for a good while. They also stole the Holy Oil of Anointing, unbeknownst to Diego, planning to have him Anointed and somehow create a new magical Golden Age, as they imagine things must have been like during the days of Merovech and Clovis, etc, where Sorcerer Kings could be recognized by God - a different compact between magical kings and the Divine. They may be overreaching themselves here.
With no Anointed king, France has grown wilder and more strange. The woods darker and more overgrown. The wild beasts more brazen. Magical Auras have also increased, and some magi are happy about this.
The player characters ,with a little help, have managed to recover the Oil and "King Diego" is un-Anointed.
The Magi are now running to the Vatican, figuring they can drop off the holy Oil and the Pope can figure it out.
Henry of England would love to take over France.
The Holy Roman Emperor would likely either conquer it, or re-establish the line of the previous monarchs by having Prince Louis crowned king. This likely depends on what he thinks will anger the Pope at the time.
Prince Louis is on the run, lest Diego's supporters find him.
Now, I've never had to run the Pope as an NPC before.
Looking through The Church is somewhat helpful, but I'd like some insight.
From History, it seems the Pope is a man, and he is embroiled in politics.
I'm trying to square that concept with the Mythic Pope. The Church is a bureaucracy, but at it's head is God's representative on Earth. He's the Holy of Holies... but in history he's struggling with Frederick II, and embroiled in all manner of mundane intrigue.
Ok, so there's one issue for this upcoming Sunday session.
The other question:
If you swear the Oath of Hermes, then discover you are of a proud and ancient lineage of Frankish Kings, and the current King is unanointed, and Kingship is in your very BLOOD... does the blood of kings give you some sort of out? Can you argue in such a way that a Tribunal would not kill you for slaying a monarch and attempting to seize the throne? As a King, does this obligation trump the Oath? Is there a way to annul it? Would the Order demand something of you? Your Gift? Swearing to no longer practice magic?
Or does a King stand above the purview of the Order of Hermes?
Thoughts? Advice?
I'm considering a certamen for the kingship of France....
Vrylakos