What defines the archetypal 'good king' in a fantasy world?

Really depends on the fantasy world. If we're talking about D&D fantasy then a real answer is "ability to survive high level PCs". Because people with character levels are dumb dangerous.

>>52492139
just generally being a decent, logical, and humble guy who doesn't immediately default to every single "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" trope ever written (aka not making your knights fear you soo mutch they will kill a priest after one sarcastic joke about him being a pain in the ass)
Plus denying retard imbread nobles there constant power plays/backstabbing bullshit. Along with treating peasants like human beings.

Not being Valdemar IV.

I mean holy shit, kid.

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All heroic kings follow the Hogan Doctrine:
1. Be an example for your countrymen
2. Fight for the rights of every man
3. Fight for your rights
4. Fight for your life

>>52492139
He handles finances properly and is able to keep everyone reined in.

>>52492139

One for whom court may be held in a grand palace or under the boughs of an oak tree in a village. One who is as comfortable in the the saddle on the day of battle as before the altar on a holy day. One who's joy is the health and prosperity of his country and who's misery is the misery of any of his subjects.

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>>52492820
Still my favorite political leader to have ever lived. Some were more brilliant, others were more succesful, but I can't think of a single one who was more moral.

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>>52492139
I have some tyrant traits in there, hol up
They are from the one >objective morality game, but still

>>52493563
no nice guy traits?

>>52492672
>All heroic kings follow the Hogan Doctrine:
>1. Be an example for your countrymen
>2. Fight for the rights of every man
>3. Fight for your rights
>4. Fight for your life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCGoA-dZBzo

>>52492529
Yeah, but then you run into trouble with the nobility when you try to limit their power. Remember, the king is little more than another noble, they can raise soldiers and taxes, and usually have claims on the throne too.