Political Position – The Sovereign

All fired up from the ‘’Role Play Convention’’ in Cologne held this weekend, we are ready to go back to work for you, our dear fans!





This week, we will talk about the highest position within The Guild game; the Sovereign. In one of our earlier posts, we talked about politics and trials and we told you a little bit about the role of the Sovereign already. For example, you know that the offices of each city within a scenario map are based on a simple pyramid-like structure. You also know that there is only one Sovereign per scenario map (depending on your map), so only one political system. If you succeed and reach the top, you hold the Sovereign (position) and you become the ruler of the scenario map! And in contrast to the senior city officials, the Sovereign will have the whole map at his command.

When you become the Sovereign, you are still a vassal of a much higher (and fictive) character; the unseen King of the area. And unfortunately, you have to serve at his whim.

To reach this “nobility”, you have to attain a noble title and then choose to either unseat every other dynasties or become the Sovereign. With the Sovereign, when you succeeded in your quest of reaching the top of the world (fictional manner of speaking), you then hold the fiefdom until you die. In the event of your passing, like any other elected positions, your throne is non transferable upon death. Your heir, while retaining the nobility titles, would have to be chosen by the King to become the next Sovereign.

Another important thing to know: you have enemies everywhere! From dynasties within your land, as well as others Sovereigns in the fiefdoms around you (fictional too). It’s also possible to be deposed as a Sovereign: other nobles can plot against you to take your place, so you could be killed, or you could fall from grace with the King. It can happen if your actions start to displease, or if rumours (true or not) would start to have an effect on your relationships and your reputation.

In other words, the Sovereign is never an easy position to hold, but it comes with great benefits like a big salary and you living in a… castle, usually outside the cities! The castle is the biggest building in the game by a mile. There is only one castle per scenario map and the Sovereign uses the castle to secure his power base. And if you choose to follow that path (and that game scenario at the same time), when you become a Sovereign, you inevitably win the game! In most games, the end comes when a player reaches the level of Sovereign, but it’s possible to continue playing as the Sovereign, and continue to shape the world around you in The Guild 3.

Keep in mind that the Sovereign is a very complicated theme, but the role contains a lot of actions and privileges. For example: on a map, you are above all other nobles and elected officials. You cannot be arrested or tried for any crime. You live in the castle and you can raise taxes. You are also responsible for the general stability and prosperity of the area. All great reasons to try and be at the top.

Since the Middle Ages, and even long before that, sovereignty always meant the possession of absolute authority within a bounded territorial space. Essentially, there is an internal and external dimension of sovereignty. Internally, a Sovereign (government) is a fixed authority with a settled population that possesses a monopoly of the use of force. It is the supreme authority within its territory (and his city map in the case of The Guild 3). Externally, sovereignty is the entry ticket into the society and the Sovereign needs recognition to ensure territorial integrity and its entree into participating in the game of diplomacy. Complicated position? You bet. But also a never ending fascinating one.