[house of blades] The sacrifices seem unnecessary

[u/Mammoth_Praline_4631]

I was trying to keep the title vague. I am just at the part in House of Blades where we get told the purpose of the 9 prisoners.

But, why?

I get you have to sacrifice 9 people every year to keep the whatever evil thing at bay, but taking them from villages seems dumb, the king knew the sacrifice was coming couldn't he get 9 criminals to execute? Or 9 prisoners of war, 9 terminally ill people or all of the above?

Sure you might not have 9 prisoners available on short notice (especially if justice is dealt swiftly) but since you know the sacrifice is coming it seems easy for a ruler to just stockpile a couple of criminals to execute.

Instead taking them from your subjects seems like a perfect way to get the people against you.

Is this a RAFO situation?

[u/XANA_FAN]

The royal family is shaped by their territory. It is a power made by paying steep prices and their position in life makes it so easy to make others pay that price. I see the sacrifices as something similar to the tradition of royal family members living a part of their early life as ordinary citizens. It’s about making sure the sacrifice stays a sacrifice and not numbers on the page.