Addendum

Similarly, while you could adjust the level or XP by the age of the candidate, why shouldn't age be an advantage? Unless there are age-based stat penalties, which there probably are. That means we have to consider stats etc. as well, making this an impossible calculation. Considering all this, it's no wonder everything in politics comes down to a fight in the end.

Power Scaling Question

Suppose you have a system in which different classes need different amounts of XP to level. In such a case, should the king's heir be determined by level or total XP? It's all well and good to say magic-users are stronger than fighters of the same level, but if they aren't the same level . . .

Addendum

Deciduous tree monsters look like warriors in summer and wizards in winter, but they're actually rogues. They're just limited in their opportunities.

The Banality of Power

"Did you hear the prime minister of Ruritania died?" Daryl failed to make the question sound casual. He and everyone else looked at Kent expectantly.
"Oh. 4:18."
"Got it again!" That really livened up lunch, which made up for waking up in the middle of the night, Kent supposed. Not really. He would have preferred not to have woken up at 4:18.
"C'mon, man." Simon jostled him. "Feeling a jolt when a world leader dies seems pointless now, but I bet you'll save the world someday. It's not like you're one of those telepaths. They say another one went crazy and burned out a bunch of people the other day."
Kent jabbed his peas with a fork. "Man, I wish mutant powers had never happened."
Finis

Addendum

You've got your working class sand mages who make glass all day, corporate sand mages who develop new glass-making techniques and run off with their secretaries, and starving sand mages who are confident their lack of productivity is truer to the spirit of sand.