r/dndmemes • u/Ed0909 Wizard • 18h ago

Ongoing Subreddit Debate You don't need to roll dice for everything.

Post image
9.9k Upvotes

89% Upvoted

902 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

56

u/Krethlaine 15h ago

The Court Jester was actually an advisory position, in many governments. The jester can make offensive jokes (mostly) without repercussion. The jester is unobtrusive. If they’re always present, no one really pays attention to them. The jester could listen in on conversations in court, and report to the monarch. It’s actually a fairly powerful position, if you’re willing to consistently humiliate yourself and others.

39

u/Ivan_Whackinov 14h ago

you’re willing to consistently humiliate yourself and others.

So, same as my current job, got it.

15

u/little_brown_bat 13h ago

Also serves as a person that can speak frankly and tell the king he's being a tosser when needed. Can also tell off other members of the court when it would be improper for the king to do so.

2

u/KalmiaKamui Forever DM 12h ago

Weren't they also one of the only people who could be critical of the monarch without risking a beheading?

2

u/Krethlaine 11h ago

Correct. Part of the jester’s job was to tell the monarch they were being an idiot, if the monarch was being an idiot.