“ In the Middle Ages, and even up to the early twentieth century, most of Europe's executioners were related: the Sansons and Deiblers in France, the Pierrepoints in England, etc. The reason for this was that, it generally not being socially acceptable to, well, kill people, executioners and their children could, generally, only marry other executioners or <i>their</i> children.
The parallels with massively inbred, Hapsburg-style dynasties are obvious- imagine a rather clever but politically inept satirist noting this, and being sentenced by the latter to a meeting with the former; even worse, imagine a dynasty of deranged and deformed executioners- think Texas Chaisaw Massacre with government funding.”
“ Your Pillow> This magic pillow is "+2" comfort and remains cool despite the temperature. It also shrinks to the size of a cigarette box for easy transportation. These are WILDLY popular wth those who have to travel(especially adventurers) . They command a huge price far outside it's true value , sometimes selling for thousands of gold pieces in a world where stating fighters are often equiped w +2 Swords. The method of creation is lost but sevral enterprising mages are trying to recreate this, with no success.”
“ What if a mage passes his powers on to his firstborn son, and a female mage to her first daughter, leaving the parent POWERLESS? A plain mortal, a sorcerer no longer, all wizardly might gone?
Or: what if a female wizard recieves the power of a mage who sires a child with her? Could lead to promiscuous witches and overly careful mages.”
