Panjandrum

The power of the monarchy in each of Thule’s cities rests on a powerful class of officials, magistrates, bu- reaucrats, and advisors armed with a bewildering array of titles and responsibilities. These are the panjan- drums, the administrators of the realm and enforcers of its laws, and you are one of these influential officials.

Panjandrums are not selfless civil servants, and certainly don’t live under any vow of poverty. Many postings or positions—for example, the collection of taxes, oversight of building or purchasing, or responsi- bility for customs and duties—offer vast potential for enriching yourself. Many of your fellow panjandrums maneuver constantly for these prized titles, or jockey for positions in which they can sell their influence or access to the highest levels of government. Whether you choose to live like a high prince or crusade against the excesses of your fellows is up to you.

The panjandrum class is an artifact of civilization, so panjandrums are found only among the more civilized peoples. Cities that were ruled by or tributary to Atlantis developed large and influential bureaucracies over the centuries, so most panjandrums are humans of Atlantean or Kalay descent. Atlantis had no particular influence over Lomar, but a powerful military bureaucracy with similar authority governs in that martial city. Finally, elven society gave rise to a different sort of panjandrum: Human or half-elf slaves or janissaries who took on more and more of the work of administering the realm as the elven nobility lost interest in overseeing their civic affairs.

Key Identity: Human (Atlantean, Kalay, Lomari), half-elf, cleric, bard, fighter, monk.

Panjandrum Benefits

Panjandrums are well-educated and versed in the arts of administration, diplomacy, and lawmaking. You wield broad powers to command your city’s soldiers, to prefer charges and order arrests, or to pass judg- ment on issues within your sphere of authority. These powers are diminished when you are away from your home, but even in foreign cities you are regarded as an important diplomat, and the local panjandrums try to accommodate any reasonable request you make of them. As your career progresses, you naturally rise in rank and gain even more influence and respect for your position. In time you become a royal advisor or governor charged with responsibility for a whole district, town, fleet, or army, answerable only to the monarch of your city.

Panjandrums in the World

As an important official or authority in your home city, you naturally command the respect of your fellow citi- zens. People seeking to curry favor with the city’s rulers are prepared to do favors for you, share information and resources, or even offer you hefty bribes to gain your assistance. People who regard your city as an ally are likewise well-disposed toward you, and assist you as they can. On the other hand, power breeds rivals and enemies. People who resent your influence and authority—for example, thieves’ guilds, high nobles, or agents of enemy cities—frequently work against you.

Personalising the Panjandrum

The exact nature of the panjandrum class varies from city to city.

Court Eunuch

Quodeth, Ikath, and other Kalay cities are home to bureaucracies headed by eunuchs who are considered slaves to the throne. In theory the removal of the eunuch’s ability to continue his line means that all of his loyalty is transferred to the monarch, breaking any preexisting ties of family and social class. However, many eunuchs remain par- tisans who work inside the bureaucracy to advance the interests of their old families. Court eunuchs can amass wealth and influence to rival the most powerful princes and high nobles, and sometimes rule their cities in all but name.

Katagian Scribe

The panjandrums of Katagia are dedicated to the study of many different sciences and the preservation of knowledge of all kinds. Each scribe specializes in a field such as arcana, diplomacy, engineering, law, mathematics, or natural science, and oversees civic projects related to his or her field of study. To advance in the ranks, a Katagian scribe must pass rigorous examinations demonstrating his or her mastery of many different fields.

Lomari Centurion

In Lomar, all civic officials hold military rank and are expected to be able to lead warriors in the field as well as perform their administrative functions. Most centurions are assigned to strict duties and have little ability to adventure at their own discretion, but some are unattached, and trusted to act in the city’s inter- ests as they see fit.

Role Benefits

You are an important civic official in your home city, a member of a privileged class with sweeping powers to act in the monarch’s name. You may be an agent free to act at your discretion, an officer of the law, a diplomat, or even a royal advisor. Whatever your title, you have great authority to command your city’s resources and act on any opportunities or dangers that attract your attention.

D&D 5th Edition

Skill Bonuses (1st level): You are trained in Investigation and Persuasion. Panjandrums are highly educated and are frequently called upon to solve difficult problems, or negotiate with important people from many different stations.

Panjandrum’s Command (1st level): On your turn, you can use a bonus action to allow one creature within 30 feet of you to move up to his or her speed as a combat reaction. e creature you command also gains temporary hit points equal to your level, which last for 1 hour. You can use this ability once, and then you must rest before you can use it again.

Magistrate (6th level): You are empowered to arrest, charge, try, and sentence criminals. You can’t use these powers against nobles, priests, or your fellow panjandrums without first obtaining a special writ from the highest authorities. In other cities you can use these powers against criminals from your home city, but you need the approval of the local authorities to do so. This ability allows you to command city guards to take people into custody. You command sufficient followers to summon a raid when needed in your home city (see Followers, under narrative benefits). Overzealous use of these powers can lead to a lot of trouble, and more senior panjandrums may release your prisoners or commute your sentences.

High Minister (10th level): You are appointed to your home city’s ruling council or top-ranking circle of royal advisors. You are awarded a palace, a sta of loyal servants, and a moderate income in the form of a royal stipend, investments, or duties that you are entitled to collect. You also gain an elite company of legionaries (see page 79) to protect your palace and serve you. At 15th level, your followers improve to veterans.

Pathfinder

Skill Bonuses (1st level): You gain a +2 bonus to Diplomacy checks and a +2 bonus to checks with two Knowledge skills of your choice. Panjandrums are highly educated and are frequently called upon to negotiate with important people from many different stations.

Panjandrum’s Example (1st level): When you spend a hero point to grant another character a bonus before that character makes a d20 roll, you and the recipient both gain temporary hit points equal to 5 + your char- acter level in addition to the normal benefit of the hero point. These temporary hit points last for 10 minutes.

Hero points you spend to use panjandrum’s example are not permanently expended, and are regained at the end of the day.

Magistrate (6th level): You are empowered to arrest, charge, try, and sentence criminals. You can’t use these powers against nobles, priests, or your fellow panjandrums without first obtaining a special writ from the highest authorities. In other cities you can use these powers against criminals from your home city, but you need the approval of the local authorities to do so. This ability allows you to command city guards to take people into custody. You command sufficient followers to summon a raid when needed in your home city (see Followers, under narrative benefits). Overzealous use of these powers can lead to a lot of trouble, and more senior panjandrums may release your prisoners or commute your sentences.

High Minister (10th level): You are appointed to your home city’s ruling council or top-ranking circle of royal advisors. You are awarded a palace, a staff of loyal servants, and a moderate income in the form of a royal stipend, investments, or duties that you are entitled to collect. You also gain a permanent force of guards to protect your palace and serve you. (See Income and Followers under narrative benefits.)