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Episode 2363: Endz Meanz Hintz

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Benevolent dictators are one of those "good in theory" things that don't work out in the real world. But that doesn't mean you can't use them in a game!

A benevolent dictator creates a moral dilemma for philosophically minded players. Do they support the status quo of having a single person in charge of a society, who seems to be doing a good job now, but what if they change their mind or go insane or whatever? Or do they overthrow the good emperor who rules over a peaceful society in order to pursue some abstract higher goal of democracy?

Or if your players aren't so philosophically minded, you can simply have the benevolent dictator die, or be kidnapped, and watch the resulting scramble in the power vacuum. Now there's a recipe for fun chaos!

Commentary by memnarch (who has not seen the movie)

Hmmm. Maybe Luke thought that Rey was actually going somewhat crazy with power? He's definitely spooked by something and, at the moment, it looks like it's directly related to the rock breaking and floating. Luke's got the same shocked/worried expression, and I can just picture him stumbling away half in shock from Rey. The bagel is probably related as well somehow, but that's not been in any panels with the characters yet, so it could be something that comes up later.

A benevolent dictator is an okay idea, in theory. The biggest problem is finding someone that's actually benevolent to fill the role and be able to stay there, and stay benevolent, to do any good. The second biggest problem is figuring out what happens once they're dead. There are numerous stories about kingdoms falling to ruin once the good ruler dies and the replacement takes over. Either they've got their own goals, or enemies see the change as a good time to strike, or they're just not charismatic enough, or something else unexpected happens. Building a system around a single person is just asking for trouble in the end.

So do we get more story in the chamber with the floor mural next? Or more of what the bagel is or was? Though with Luke looking back at Rey still on the rock and then continuing to walk away, we might actually change scenes and then timeskip to later. Which will probably result in us finding that Luke has locked himself in his hut again.

Transcript

Luke: It offered you something you needed. And you didn’t even try to stop yourself.
Rey: Why should I stop myself? Even if I wanted to do good, what’s wrong with using whatever source of power is available?
Luke: You think the end justifies the means?
Rey: If the end is me as benevolent dictator.
Luke: The Galaxy had a benevolent dictator. And look what happened to Palpatine. You don’t want to inherit his legacy.
Luke: Maybe it’s fortunate that the Dark Side rejected you.
Rey: Why would it do that?
Luke: Why, indeed. There’s a lesson to be learnt here. {turns to leave back through the chamber}
Rey: Any hints?


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Published: Tuesday, 19 September, 2023; 02:11:05 PDT.
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