[KnightofPhoenix]

bbk4114 said:

For Radovid: why, the exact same things you see as "bold" and "putting his signature" on Philippa by his form of torture, I see as a spoiled, entitled brat who couldn't stand it that people respected her opinion/needed her approval when he gave an order, and that she wouldn't kiss his ass. The words were calmly delivered but you could tell the feelings of inadequacy next to her has been festering for some time. I also hate the whole "divine right of blood" business re: royalty, so I'm sure that colors my opinions.

On a side note: were you one of the staunch Loghain supporters on the BSN? Seems like I remember the name from there. ›››

I think that's a very simplistic interpretation.

As Thomas Hobbes argues, a functional state needs a Leviathan. A sole monopolizer of power, whether be it individual, state or political organ, in order to establish order and stability in said polity. In these times, the establishment of a strong dynasty with strong monarchs was the most possible recourse.

Indeed, Redania fell apart after Visimir's death, most likely engineered by Eilhart, and the country nearly collapsed in civil war. It is that lesson that Radovid took to heart. For the stability of his country, he needed to become the Leviathan. And for him to do that, no one can ever be his equal.

There is definitely anger in Radovid towards Philippa. Afterall, she was most likely responsible for his father's death and she tried to manipulate him and use him as a tool. Inadequacy however is hard to have when Radovid outplayed her so utterly. He forced her to flee Redania, desperately try to go out of her way and create a state to control, and then defeated her at Loc Muinne and handed the Lodge a pretty big loss. Radovid has no reason to feel inadequate in front of Philippa when he outplayed her utterly. He even throws a backhanded compliment at her, telling her that part of his success was thanks to her teachings.

But there is another element to Radovid's policy. It's to establish himself as the sole bearer of power, to impose order in Redania that almost lost it without a leviathan. A sovereign monarch cannot be so if his order will not be executed without Eilhart's consent. That would make her the real ruler and not him. Him wanting to impose himself as ruler, when he is clearly capable, doesn't mean he is spoiled. It means he is ambitious and doesn't accept submission for himself, something that Philippa of all people would admire.

One only needs to look at Saskia. Saskia openly welcomed Philippa, put her in her Council and had her as her closest advisor. And then what happened? Obviously, Philippa tried to control her.

Radovid is not a fool. Philippa can NEVER be an advisor, she is way too powerful and intelligent to relegate herself to just being an advisor. Radovid knows this and she knows this. He dealt with her exactly like Philippa would have dealt with him.

Trying to make this into a black and white issue is completely missing the point and over-simplifying it to insulting levels. The reality is simple., You can't fit two swords in one scabbard. Radovid and Philippa are both too strong, too intelligent and too ambitious to coexist. One of them had to go. Radovid smartly struck the first move.
If you feel that Philippa fell at the hands of a spoiled brat, then you are thinking less of her.


And yes, that's me.

[Henry Bohun]

I think the only problem with the way Radovid is going (if given Anais) is that unless one is dead by the time that Nilfgaard are (hopefully) beaten off Henselt and Radovid are eventually going to come to a head. And if each one continues building their power as they currently are then its going to be one that might just rip apart the Northern Kingdoms and leave it in a worse condition than it was before Loc Muinne

[KnightofPhoenix]

That can hardly be blamed on Radovid. That' how the North subsystem works. With the weakening of Temeria and Aedirn, Kaedwen and Redania are bound to clash to fill the void. It's a systemic thing more than Radovid or Henselt's fault.

But a confrontation seems more likely precisely if Temeria is divided between the two and not if Temeria is wholly absorbed by Redania.

[Bloth]

But helpless pieces in the game He plays,
Upon this chequer-board of Nights and Days,
He hither and thither moves, and checks ... and slays,
Then one by one, back in the Closet lays.

This should be Radovid's motto.

[Norlak]

bbk4114 said:

Yes, she does thanks to Geralt & Iorveth both. She will have Radovid's guts for garters! I know you have a man-crush on him, but to me he's just a childish, jealous, & shortsighted fool wishing everyone thought more of him than they do.

Isn't this game great! ›››

I'm inclined to agree with KOP here. If you take Iorveth's path and do that whole artifact sequence, you can see just how clever the bastard is.

Hes probably the strongest northern Monarch at the moment. Henselt is powerful, yes, but is so full of bravado and 'let's kill the non-humans' that he'll probably not see Radovid coming until they're face to face.

His conversation with Eilhart may make the 'spooning' a vengeful act, but he probably had more reasons than just vengance. How could he rule Redania when he had someone like Phillipa at his side?

The man isn't stupid. That's for sure.

[Henry Bohun]

Norlak, I agree with you about Radovid but I'm not sure about your assessment of Henselt.
He knows Radovid's a threat and from what we see at Loc Muinne Henselt realises that he is a big one and that Henselt's smart enough to know when he's been outmanoeuvred and to let it go rather than pointlessly pursue it like many other men of his type might.

[Norlak]

Henry Bohun said:

Norlak, I agree with you about Radovid but I'm not sure about your assessment of Henselt.
He knows Radovid's a threat and from what we see at Loc Muinne Henselt realises that he is a big one and that Henselt's smart enough to know when he's been outmanoeuvred and to let it go rather than pointlessly pursue it like many other men of his type might. ›››

Well, you do have a point. But I don't think it's because Henselt is the kind of mastermind that Radovid is. It's just Radovid is such a huge threat that it's hard to ignore him.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Part 3 is Up!

[Kindo]

KnightofPhoenix said:

Part 3 is Up! ›››

Seeing that Part 3 has finally been posted, made me want to re-read the previous posts. I just finished this one, and I'm just as gleefully taking in the words, now, as I was the first time. I mean, I know all these things from playing the game so many times, but having it all gathered-up neatly like this... The satisfaction is great, and I can't possibly think of any other game - ever - that has such an intricately-written and potent political story.

As you've already pointed out, yourself, certain things in the new EE-content sheds some light on a few questions. I was so thoroughly entertained when I arrived at Loc Muinne on Roche's path, and was introduced to the new political figures there, and the brilliant (bloody brilliant!) new quests related to them. On a personal level, I will always feel more comfortable on Iorveth's path than on Roche's, but diving into the politics of Temeria remains a great pleasure of mine.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Kindo said:

I can't possibly think of any other game - ever - that has such an intricately-written and potent political story. ›››

Me neither, it beats everything in the market. The satisfaction is unmeasurable when a game respects your intelligence and doesn't insult it.

And I am glad my articles are of some use! To be honest when I first wanted to write them, it was more of a personal thing, my own way to showing appreciation, rather than me wanting them to be useful to others. But I am glad that turned out to be the case!

I might have an article devoted solely to Temerian politics, I am not sure yet.

[Kindo]

KnightofPhoenix said:

Me neither, it beats everything in the market. The satisfaction is unmeasurable when a game respects your intelligence and doesn't insult it. ›››

Agreed, and it's still kept more or less optional if you actually want to care about it or not; you could just as easily just focus on the hunt for the Kingslayers and Geralt's personal story. So it's not necessarily shoved down your throat, either, which might act as a deterrent to some players. Gods... in all honesty, shouldn't there be some sort of prestigious awards handed out for this sort of thing? I mean, there's we, the fans, who truly appreciate it and compliment CDPR on such outstanding writing, whenever we get the chance; but I also want it to be globally proclaimed and recognised, or something like that.

KnightofPhoenix said:

And I am glad my articles are of some use! To be honest when I first wanted to write them, it was more of a personal thing, my own way to showing appreciation, rather than me wanting them to be useful to others. But I am glad that turned out to be the case! ›››

I know exactly what you mean - many things I have written have been entirely as a means of personal processing of some form. It's only made more satisfying if others happen to appreciate it, as well.

KnightofPhoenix said:

I might have an article devoted solely to Temerian politics, I am not sure yet. ›››

Yes, there might be enough new, intriguing information offered with the new Act 3 quests, to accommodate just that. Beginning with the relationship with Redania starting in TW1, already, if Adda is alive, through the rebellion of the La Valettes, and then how several political players attempt to either salvage and preserve Temeria (Constable Natalis and Roche); betray it to Nilfgaard (Count Maravel), take it for themselves (Baron Kimbolt); or greedily try to consume it (Henselt and Radovid)... Argh! there are so many brilliantly fascinating possibilities and delicious intrigues going on with this faction alone! Whatever any future parts of this series are about, you can count on me reading them with great interest, either way.

[Purpleknight]

Ok, I'm starting to like the story more.

I mean, I've already thought all about the first post after four playthroughs (despite some little things concerning Kaedwen, Redania and Nilfgaard) but one thing is to know about it and other thing is to have it gathered in one post and see how well done is the plot.

The thing is, you made me see that there is still some things left to discover ingame for me XD . Lets see part 2 and 3

[KnightofPhoenix]

I am probably going against forum rules, but I worked so hard on these articles so I am going to bump them, and hopefully it will help the new players!

[Bloth]

Are you thinking of updating the overview of Temeria with the addition of Maravel and Kimbolt Knight? Or would that figure better into an analysis of the interregnum and its players, Natalis, Radovid, Aryan, Anais, Roche and Adda etcetera.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Oh I actually did update it in the wishroom, but I didn't here, thanks for reminding me!

[▫ Dona ▫]

Oops, I spilled glue all over these threads. Wat do?

No, seriously, thank you so much for these articles. They are amazing and deserve to be read by everyone

[KnightofPhoenix]

Thank you
Hope they'll be of help to everyone.

[FoggyFishburne]

I've read all your Politics post and I just read your Antagonists comparison article. Badass shit man. Well written, thoughtful and insightful, as always.

I actually got chills when I read it. It's really ridiculous how amazingly deep and well developed those characters are. Damn. I need to take a break. It's just too much awesomeness to take in at one point.

[BarisM]

It's good to appreciate the politics of this world once again with a nicely rounded up article like this. Thank you KoP. Even though I did hope for a better balance between politics and personal story in TW3, there's little chance I can enjoy a game where politics don't play a big part after TW2's brilliance.

If only I had a diagram like that for that damned elder blood, now that's confusing ^^ Well, on to the next one! (I've seen the title of the 4th article and have to restrain myself from skipping to it immediately!)

[KnightofPhoenix]

Thanks! Let me know what you think of the others