So my players are doing everything in their power to shake my nerve and derail the plot to the Gathering Storm, including gleefully and dramatically failing any roll that might help them understand what is supposed to be going on. We are having a blast but they don't seem to get that I don't care about "sticking to the plot." It's kind of funny as they delight in what they think is thwarting me.

Anyway, the just got back from fighting Lazarus Mourn by accident and have been spreading rumors that Burgermeister Addler is a vampire. After all, have you seen him out in the daylight? That Hanko guy is all over it, trying to get them to 'stand up to the burgermeister.' But after the thwarted undead attack Addler asked to see them (they went to the Garden of Morr before Addler could tell them about his dream and send them off on a mission). He rewarded them for saving the town... or possibly bought their silence about his affair with Madgra. But knowing my players the chances of them staying bought are very low.

The point of this is... there's a good chance they might try to get Addler removed as Burgermeister. Well, there's an equal chance they might just kill him... their party sheet may say Servants of Justice, but I'm close to forcing it to be switched to Gang of Thugs. Still, I digress. Who appoints the burgermeister? How would a replacement be chosen? Would Hanko's patron (I forget his name and don't have the book handy) have a shot at it? Could Kessler stage a coup and take power for himself? (Not that I'm convinced that either as written or as I've played him he'd want that.)

How about letting them coup him, but have the Sigmar priest (forgot name) go in action and gather his "children" around him, and restore order, slowly making Stormdorf into a theocracy?

Spivo said:

Hmmm, possibly.... we've been playing up the Lector is insane, angle (due largely to poor decisions on my part). But then he did just aquire the Paranoia insanity so that might be a count in the idea's favor.

The Graff in Ubersreik would appoint a new Burgomeister. He's the one that appointed the current one. His decision was unpopular since the Burgomeister is not a local. If the Burgomeister was suddenly killed, most likely the watch captain would have to temporarily take over. From the way he's written it is likely something he would not want to do, and he too would be unpopular with the opposition. He would probably have the Graff contacted and a replacement done as soon as possible. Under his rule there might be a revolt of some sort, but he is the captain of the watch and trains the militia, so is probably more than capable of putting it down.

If Stromdorf is in a state of revolt the Graff would likely have the army march on the town subdue the people and appoint someone Burgomeister..it's really up to you who he appoints...it would likely either be a local (such as the one against the current Graff), or another person whom he trusts more. If he was aware or found out exactly what happened that would influence his decision greatly and he would certainly punish those responsible.

What's a Graff?

I need to add more because the question was too short to be a post, apparently.

Stromdorf is not a "free city", so the ruler can only be appointed by the overseeing noble family, the von Jungfreuds.

Any attempt to throw down adler (lol, this remind me of the south mediterranean sea situation) should be followed by von jungfreud army retailation! maybe an "ad interim" gouvernement is likely to see Kessler in charge, but only until the nobles choose/send a replacement.

Maybe Herr Gerber could be the next burghmeister, but only througt a convenience marriage whit a von jungfreud relative....

RARodger said:

"Count" in effect.

From wikipedia...

A Graf (Count) ruled over a territory known as a Grafschaft, literally 'countship' (also rendered as 'county').

So the local Noble, who rules the town and where Stromdorf's taxes eventually end up..

Ubersreik is actually a free town though, it was taken away from the hands of the Von Jungfreuds some time ago as described in Edge of Night, and other sources, and so although that family have lodgings there, that family doesn't rule Ubersreik itself, IIRC.

Awesome. Thanks, guys, this is very helpful. Of course, I have no idea what the players are actually going to do, but having a better sense of the background helps a lot.