Political Intrigue

Political intrigue is a genre and genre element that deals with power, status, and influence in the political arena. Whether it's a subgenre of a larger setting or the central focus, political intrigue involves struggles for dominance, shifting alliances, treachery, manipulation, secret backroom deals, and political maneuvering of all kinds. It might be subtle and conniving, all about characters maintaining appearances while stabbing each other in the back; or brutal and uncompromising, about the unscrupulousness and desperation of war. As a genre, political intrigue is an exploration of ambition, loyalty, and the nature of power. Unsurprisingly, power politics and intrigue make excellent fodder for tabletop roleplaying games. Political intrigue RPGs might cast players as part of the same faction or mutual coalition working together to achieve a goal, or it might not assume cooperation between players at all, actively setting them at odds with each other and allowing alliances to shift like sand. Intrigue games challenge players' political, tactical, and strategic acumen, and a keen mind and good information can be just as valuable (if not more) than military force. Roleplaying games of political intrigue frequently play with various different types of power: the hard power of strength and violence, the soft power of influence, knowledge, and public opinion, and of course, wealth. These games also explore faction play, where groups of characters, their collective goals, and their combined power are as important as individuals.

Popular Political Intrigue RPGs

Dune: Adventures in the Imperium

The Dune: Adventures in the Imperium roleplaying game takes you into a far future beyond anything you have imagined, where fear is the mind killer so be sure to keep your wits about you. The Imperium is a place of deadly duels, feudal politics, and mysterious abilities, noble Houses politic constantly for power, influence, and vengeance in a universe where a blade can change the fortunes of millions. Build your House, carve your place in the universe or rebuild an ancient lineage and fight for the Imperial throne. Take your characters on a journey through the storied worlds of Frank Herbert's sci-fi masterpiece, inhabit elite agents working for noble Houses where Mentats, Swordmasters, Spies, Bene Gesserit Sisters, Devious Advisors, or even desert Fremen join together to follow your banner. Whoever you choose to be, remember that those that control the spice control the universe.

Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition

Vampire: The Masquerade presents a more dramatic, contemplative world than most tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs). While the average TTRPG experience is a Dungeons & Dragons inspired one (fighting monsters and getting treasure), Vampire is about simply surviving and keeping a piece of yourself intact. Players in Vampire become the titular mythological figure in a version of our modern world. And while near-immortality and superpowers seems cool, they come at the cost of existing in a secret society where hunters and other clans are out to get you. And there’s also the whole hungering for blood thing. In a typical Vampire game, holding onto humanity is just as tough as fending off foes.

Coriolis – The Third Horizon

Coriolis – The Third Horizon is a science fiction role playing game set in a remote cluster of star systems called The Third Horizon. It is a place ravaged by conflicts and war, but also home to proud civilizations, both new and old. Here, the so called First Come colonists of old worship the Icons, while the newly arrived Zenithians pursue an aggressive imperialistic agenda through trade and military power.

Frequently asked questions about Political Intrigue

Political Intrigue Reviews and Actual Plays

Dimension 20 Presents: A Crown of Candy

Don't let this actual play's candy coating fool you: this adventure is a dark fantasy political thriller.

Inherit the Sand: Dune RPG

The Glass Cannon Network explores the universe of Frank Herbert's Dune in this action-adventure political thriller.

Similar genres to Political Intrigue

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