Managing kingdom companions/advisors

[galandar42]

I have a couple of questions about managing kingdom advisors:

1) Throughout the game you make dialog choices. Sometimes it is obvious that one or more companions agree with your choices while others do not. Is there any way of telling a companion's frustration/satisfaction level?

2) Once you have your barony you appoint advisors from your companions. I'm assuming that the number on the character card indicates how good an advisor is. The game suggests picking advisors that are close to your own alignment; however, sometimes a companion with a higher rating is not a good match for your alignment. Can less skilled companions have their advisor skill level raised in any way besides on-the-job training?

[azaris]

1) There is no general companion "approval" meter. No matter how much they disagree with your decisions, they will only leave you in scripted events if you make a particular decision they strongly disagree with (Ekun vs. the trolls for example). Advisors can quit their positions if you override them too many times (three times in a row should do it). This uses an advisor "disapproval" meter, but it is not shown anywhere.

2) Companion advisors' skills are determined by the relevant stat (STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS or CHA) for the position. Give them items to wear that boost that stat. For non-companion advisors, there are decisions you can do that cost time and money that increase their skills slowly. Look for "Improve Jhod's skills as a High Priest" etc. In the end, most of the bonus for solving events comes from raising kingdom stats. A warden with 25 CON is still gonna struggle if your Stability is only level III.

[Orion Pax]

What azaris said.

As for the game recommending advisors that match your alignment, I’d say that’s much less of an issue than most rest of alignment decisions in the regular game. Usually the differences in kingdom choices have to do with what effect a choice has (+ or - to kingdom stats, etc.).

I tend to play Lawful Good and have had no issues with Regongar (Lawful Evil) as my General. His preference is simply for more magic in the military. I usually end up refusing others more but not more than like twice usually.

Also in case it’s not obvious, you can change advisors (as long as they’re not in middle of a task). So as you get new advisor slots, you can move people from me role to a new one and replace them. Just pay attention to the stat each one is based on, and maybe switch gear.

[Radiac]

I recommend using the most capable people for the job and disagree with them only where you need to. For example, when the "what to do about taxes" question comes up, neither Kanerah nor Jubilost will tell you to lower taxes, but that's what you should do. In many other cases the decision you make is not terribly important. Personally I have Harrim as my High Priest, because i'm leveling him and keeping him on the traveling party, so he has a Wisdom headband which makes him the best stat guy for the job. But I still won't abide any cults of lesser gods. In many cases I just tell them "do whatever you want" I'm lawful good and am using Regongar as my general. No real problems so far.

[galandar42]

Thanks all. That's good stuff! Azaris, you mentioned "relevant stat" for a position. Is there somewhere that states which relevant stat is associated with each advisor position?

[Radiac]

There are guides online. But here's your answer...

Regent: Charisma
Councilor: Wisdom
Treasurer: Intelligence
General: Strength
High Priest: Wisdom
Magister: Intelligence
Curator: Charisma
Minister: Dexterity
Warden: Constitution
Grand Diplomat: Charisma

The other problem is that the NPCs will only take certain jobs. For example, almost nobody is willing to serve as Councilor except Tristian.

[philos3]

Originally posted by Radiac:

The other problem is that the NPCs will only take certain jobs. For example, almost nobody is willing to serve as Councilor except Tristian.

Isn't Octavia available for Councilor? Granted Tristian has way better ability for it.

[Orion Pax]

Octavia is available for Regent & Magister. Her higher INT makes her a bit better for Magister. Tristian is the main person available for Councilor. If you take Shandra Mervey as your envoy at the beginning of your barony in Act 2, she is available. And there is another NPC who can be available in Act 3: Tsanna, if you don't kill or banish her.

Personally the latter two kind of annoy me. I much prefer Tristian as Councilor (stats & orientation). My only disagreement with him is early on: springing for an extra Printing House, when we already have one, and are short on BP.

[philos3]

Oh, that's right. I was mixing up Councilor and Regent. Thanks.

[Orion Pax]

I've often done that as well.

[galandar42]

Thanks again all. Exactly what I needed!

[mrstrider1]

Any time you need to double check what stat a position is using. Once you have a person in it. Just mouse over the spot that says +whatever on the screen where you are choosing the advisor for that roll.