When his brother, Ludwig II, died in 1886, Otto became king, despite the insanity which had plagued him since 1872 (and often resulted in his confinement to a locked room). After Otto was advised that, in order to remain healthy, he should shoot a peasant every day, a plentiful supply of actors (and blank ammunition) was kept on hand by his wily handlers. The source of this unusual advice? The "spirits" who lived in Otto's dresser drawers.