Yo tg, I'm going to be running a Changeling game and am currently at the stage where I create kings and queens for the courts. How powerful would you say they should be?
Weak, because courts are just a city's local changeling government.
As powerful or as weak as they need to be. Think what kind of story you want to tell and what kind of rulers you'd need to help with that story.
If we go by the example of Grandfather Thunder (1ED Core Page 338), Changelings Kings and Queens tend to be immense badasses. Of course, nothing prevents you from having a frail but extremely cunning anf charismatic monarch.
As >>51124820 said, you need to consider what role they'll play in the plot. If you could give us more info about your Chronicle, we might be able to give better advice.
By the way, are you using 1ED, or going by the 2ED spoilers? Because the Courts have some new mechanics in the latter, and have a more diverse, do-it-yourself approach.
>>51125791
Well, I'm actually going to be running it so that the freehold is a spy agency and the courts are like different departments.
>>51125846
I'm thinking of just using 1e under Chronicles of Darkness ruleset.
>>51126156
If you are gonna do a spy game, do consider using the Huntsmen. They're perfect for that.
>>51126270
You mean the type of Fae who likes hunting down Changelings, right?
That's the plan, but what would they be capable of?