Supernatural feudality in a modern word?

Before you can really answer this you would need to know what kind of supernatural power / being she/they is/are. If they are not really 'ruling' a lot of territory because they are secret then why are different faction fighting? and why is anyone following at all?

Look at the difference between Harry Potter, Um, Percy Jackson & True Blood : etc... Supernatural / modern world / covered up / fighting between factions - but they are pretty darn different in just about every single way.
Different Rules, Cover Stories, politics, beliefs, abilities, and big #1 loyalties.

Sorry, I know that doesnt help. But maybe with more info

 

Ha, I used to play a text based online game (MUD, anyone?) called Lusternia. This sounds a bit like that.

Basically, each city-state had a "well of magical power" going on. Each class was tied to one of the cities, and their powers were fueled by the well in their city. The well was also called on to create NPC guards that would protect the land controlled by the city.

The players could particiapate in a number of events and quests that would affect the balance of power in these wells. They also had the ability to influence the different NPC villages to become loyal to different cities, which would result in extra power for the well and also commodities that the crafters use to create potions, weapons, armor, enchantements, etc.

Basically, the entire economy of the game was based on making your city stronger.

This might be useful to get some ideas for your own world.

 

So who exactly does know of the existence of these castles? I'm assuming that other such rulers do, but anyone aside from that?

 

Ok, so saying that there are only a select few who know the existence of these rulers, then that term can only be applied one of two ways: either the rulers acknowledge each other and attempt to gain control over territories for the sole purpose of power (whatever that may be, as you haven't described a clear magic system), or two, that these rulers can somehow manipulate their world to their gain. If nobody else knows of their existence, then the only reason to call them Kings is a superficial one. I think you should definitely devise a theme, a reason for applying these magical castles' existence in your story before developing. Why before how, so to say.

At first thought, I'd say an easy parallel to make would be corporate funding behind political leadership, very few know the true extent of who donates funds, but we all experience the side-effects of this. Perhaps your rulers could somehow sway the population they 'rule' over, maybe not something directly as mind-control but subterfuge and influence in the daily lives of their populous. That way there is a distinct reason to fight over control, because there is something to be gained by it.

 

Sounds like secret society time...'illuminati', (some) Freemasons, followers of the Rosy Cross, ect.

So...you have various secret societies - 'lodges', special classes at some universities (or even separate schools). Members of the societies use them to aid in business, make a mark in politics, that sort of thing. Each secret society has its own history, goals, and overall approach. They change with the times, to an extent.

The secret societies also actively look for potential recruits, ones they deem capable of fullfilling a given goal or agenda. Your MC would be such a person.

 

Where do the champion knights come into play? Is there some sort of strict code in which two warring factions send their champions out and decide victory through combat? Moreover, why have the knights in the first place if the queens are literally the abstract representations of a kingdom's 'emotional' status? Is it power, the need to have more land under each queen's control that spurs on these champions?

 

Hi,

I can't remember what it was called but there was a sci fi novel which had a similar situation to what you describe. A world where there were loads and loads of psychics, (sci fi wizards I suppose), where all of those psychics depended on one woman for their powers. And when she got sick, none of them could do anything.

I'm guessing that your scenario is somewhat similar. Lots of wizards, but their magic is maybe sort of filtered through an agent - a person that might be titled as a lord or a lady and live in a castle. A human catalyst for other people's powers.

As to how it would operate, my thought is that it could be similar to crime families, which are sort of feudal, with each family controlling a certain area and a certain set of products, extortion, gambling etc. Naturally champions would be similar to the Mafia's bulletmen, go out and kill rivals trying to poach on their territory etc. But also lots of twisted versions of honour and codes of behaviour.

And maybe civilians, magical of course, moving from one territory to another have to visit the local crimelord to make introductions and transfer catalysts for their powers.

Hope that helps,

Cheers, Greg.

 

If you are doing anything with the Fisher King, Look up "Last Call" by Tim Powers. Not only is it just an amazing book, it does some really cool stuff with the Fisher King Mythos.

Magic in Last Call is very limited, EVERYTHING is part of the system. It is based on Tarot Cards, Jungian archetypes, Probability, Poker Games, and body snatching. You can't go anywhere without seeing some sign, or symbol, or event that means something to the magic. It is everywhere, but at the same time it doesn't DO much.

Anyway, The Idea of ruling an Esoteric "Kingdom" that doesn't line up with a real boarder on the map is in there. And people fight and die to get that throne - Las Vegas.

 

Lusternia sounds interesting, I'm looking it up.

I think I saw several urban fantasy novels somewhat similar to the OP's premise, but can't recall any names or titles.. sorry.

I would not make the rulers Fisher King(s) per se, since it'd make for a boring world. The idea of magic kingdoms not matching the modern countries is nice. I like the idea of, say, a Brythonic kingdom in France and England. I'd make each ruler's abilities depending on the kingdom he rules. A kingdom in Americas would be very different from a Brythonic one or a Slavic one.