:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: : Earth's Dreamlands : Info on: RPG's, :(313)558-5024 : area code : :RPGNet World HQ & Archive: Drugs, Industrial :(313)558-5517 : changes to : : 1000's of text files : music, Fiction, :InterNet : (810) after : : No Elite / No porn : HomeBrew Beer. :rpgnet@aol.com: Dec 1,1993 : :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: Chaosium Digest Volume 1, Number 12 Date: Monday, March 22, 1993 Number: 3 of 3 Contents: The Siege of Castle Pennith [Part III] (Fergal Somers) PENDRAGON -------------------- From: fergal somers Subject: The Siege of Castle Pennith [Part III: Characters] CHARACTER: SIR ROBERT OF SILCHESTER Player Name SIZ 14 DEX 14 STR 13 CON 15 APP 10 Homeland Silchester Culture Cymric Religion Christ Damage 5d6 HP 29 Lord Duke Ulfius Move 3 Current Class Knight Age 33 Unconscious 7 Knockdown 14 Major Wound 15 Traits Passions Chaste 10 / 10 Lustful Loyalty(lord) 13 Energetic 4 / 16 Lazy Love(family) 12 Forgiving 9 / 11 Vengeful Hospitality 14 Generous 11 / 9 Selfish Honor 12 Honest 8 / 12 Deceitful Just 10 / 10 Arbitrary Merciful 9 / 11 Cruel Modest 11 / 9 Proud Pious 9 / 11 Worldy Prudent 12 / 8 Reckless Temperate 5 / 15 Indulgent Trusting 15 / 5 Suspicious Valorous 13 / 7 Cowardly Skills Awareness 5 Folk Lore 11 Read (.......) 0 Boating 2 Gaming 10 Recognise 6 Chirurgery 2 Hawking 8 Religion (Christ) 2 Compose 1 Heraldry 12 Romance 1 Courtesy 4 Hunting 14 Singing 1 Dancing 4 Industry 3 Stewardship 13 Faerie Lore 5 Intrigue 5 Swimming 2 First Aid 12 Orate 2 Tourney 0 Flirting 2 Play (.....) 0 Battle Skills Battle 13 Horsemanship 13 Sword 16 Lance 13 Dagger 5 Armor Type (10 pts) Cash 1# Horse charger Damage 6d6 Move 8 Shield (6pts), Sword, Lance, Dagger. Character Description: Sir Robert You are a venerable household knight, semi-retired after many long years of active duty. You've seen knights come and go and on the whole things were a lot simpler when Uther was King. At least you knew who your enemies were. Now, the whole of England seems to be up in arms against itself. And, these Saxon raiders are becoming ever more daring, threatening perhaps even the walls of Silchester before too long. Wouldn't have happened in your father's day. [ You remember your father's hands picking you up and setting you on the enormous creature. Fear of falling off and under the feet of this large animal made you pull the reigns tight. The animal's heads jerks back in response to the pull on the bit. It starts to move. "Easy, don't jerk her lad!" You slacken your grip and straighten up in the saddle. The animal quiets, you smile, your father smiles back and takes the reigns to lead the horse... ] Perhaps you should have had children of your own. Still, with age comes responsibility, and your time is no longer your own. There's the training of the squires for one thing. What, with all the excitement in recent years, skirmishes and battles and what not, they've been left to fend for themselves. Some of them can still barely hold a sword, more concerned with games and making sport than training. Can't expect them to, can you, when knights act no better than common bandits. No respect. That's the problem. Of course, you try your best to keep them in line. Teach them the proper order and dignity of knighthood, but for what return? Amig's the worst, can't keep his mind on what he's doing, head always lost in some cloud. Still he's a good lad all the same, be a good knight too if he keeps his head. [ The horse lept backwards, hooves skitterring on the shale. You tried to keep it under control, just like you'd been taught, but the smell of the beast and howls that came from somewhere out of that dank foggy air, invaded and cleared your reason, leaving only one thought: run! So, you untied your bags, loosed the horse into the darkenss and ran and kept running; running from the dreadful howls and the desperate whinnying that followed... ] Gwair now he's one to watch. Devious little toad, where does he get off, shouting orders to you. Still, he has the unnatural ability to be everywhere, always watching with that perpetually smug grin of his. Why Duke Ulfius puts up with his slimy, poisoned little murmurings is a mystery. If Uther was still here, Gwair would be relegated to court jester. Uther, now there was a man of action...... Current Duke Ulfius has asked you to head a mission to Castle Pennith to strengthen their forces. This castle must not fall to the Saxons for it would be costly to take back; and would act as a perfect base to invade Salisbury. Sir Amig and Sir Gwair are to go with you as well as some knights from Windsor (Sir Ieuan, Sir Domicus, Sir Peter). Sir Ieuan wears his hair in saxon braids, how strange! There's obviously some argument going on between Sir Ieuan and Sir Domicus, as neither has much to say to the other. Sir Peter, now there's a knight of excellent breeding, you instantly can tell you know, from the way he carries himself. CHARACTER: SIR AMIG Player Name SIZ 15 DEX 8 STR 11 CON 14 APP 14 Homeland Silchester Culture Cymric Religion Christ Damage 4d6 HP 29 Lord Duke Ulfius Move 2 Current Class Knight Age 21 Unconscious 7 Knockdown 15 Major Wound 14 Traits Passions Chaste 8 / 12 Lustful Loyalty(lord) 16 Energetic 13 / 7 Lazy Love(family) 13 Forgiving 16 / 4 Vengeful Hospitality 9 Generous 12 / 8 Selfish Honor 10 Honest 12 / 8 Deceitful Just 10 / 10 Arbitrary Merciful 17 / 3 Cruel Modest 16 / 4 Proud Pious 17 / 3 Worldy Prudent 7 / 13 Reckless Temperate 4 / 16 Indulgent Trusting 15 / 5 Suspicious Valorous 15 / 5 Cowardly Skills Awareness 6 Folk Lore 14 Read (.......) 0 Boating 1 Gaming 3 Recognise 0 Chirurgery 1 Hawking 3 Religion (Christ)8 Compose 0 Heraldry 0 Romance 0 Courtesy 3 Hunting 2 Singing 2 Dancing 2 Industry 0 Stewardship 2 Faerie Lore 7 Intrigue 5 Swimming 2 First Aid 10 Orate 3 Tourney 0 Flirting 4 Play (.......) 0 Battle Skills Battle 10 Horsemanship 14 Sword 11 Lance 11 Dagger 7 Armor Type (10 pts) Cash 100d Horse charger Damage 6d6 Move 8 Shield (6pts), Sword, Lance, Dagger Character Description: Amig You've just been knighted and now this, your first adventure. Surely, this is fate once again smiling on you. Oh, you can't wait to be outside riding through the countryside. You want to say to everyone "I am Sir Amig" Sir, Sir, Sir! You still can't believe it's finally happened and now a quest, with strange creatures to kill, villainous knights to be vanquished and most importantly beautiful damsels to be rescued! [ You'd waited for hours outside her window. You'd brought her flowers, fetched water from the well for her. She laughed at your jokes and how she laughed: first the corners of her mouth would crinkle, lips would part to reveal a perfect row of pearly teeth and then she would laugh and giggle and then when the laughter died she'd turn and look at you with those blue, blue eyes and smile. Oh, if one day she would smile for you and you alone! How long had you been waiting one hour, two? She'd said she had chores to do all evening, so you'd come back later; but now the house was quie. Surely it was still too early for folks to be in bed. Maybe you should throw a stone at her window or something - seemed to work in the tales. Lucky for you that you bent down to pick-up a good sized one, because at that instant, round the side of the house she came, arm and arm with Sir Bairth, that oaf, giggling conspiratorily as she lead him inside. You remained crouched down till all was finally quiet again and hurried home... ] Still must keep my mind on what I'm doing. Heads always in the clouds, that's what Sir Robert says and it's true. He's not so bad, although he does grate on your nerves from time to time with his cratchety old ways. Current Sir Robert has asked you to accompany him to Castle Pennith to strengthen their forces. This castle must not fall to the Saxons for it would be costly to take back; and would act as a perfect base to invade Salisbury. Sir Gwair and some knights from Windsor (Sir Ieuan, Sir Domicus, Sir Peter) are to accompany you. Sir Ieuan wears his hair in saxon braids, how strange! There's obviously some argument going on between Sir Ieuan and Sir Domicus, as neither has much to say to the other. Sir Peter, now there's a knight of excellent breeding, Sir Robert says you instantly can tell, from the way he carries himself. CHARACTER: SIR GWAIR Player Name SIZ 12 DEX 15 STR 10 CON 13 APP 11 Homeland Silchester Culture Cymric Religion Christ Damage 4d6 HP 25 Lord Duke Ulfius Move 3 Current Class Knight Age 30 Unconscious 5 Knockdown 12 Major Wound 13 Traits Passions Chaste 10 / 10 Lustful Loyalty(lord) 8 Energetic 6 / 14 Lazy Love(family) 10 Forgiving 8 / 12 Vengeful Hospitality 9 Generous 10 / 10 Selfish Honor 5 Honest 5 / 15 Deceitful Just 10 / 10 Arbitrary Merciful 8 / 12 Cruel Modest 12 / 8 Proud Pious 7 / 13 Worldy Prudent 14 / 6 Reckless Temperate 11 / 9 Indulgent Trusting 6 / 14 Suspicious Valorous 9 / 11 Cowardly Skills Awareness 11 Folk Lore 6 Read (.......) 0 Boating 1 Gaming 10 Recognise 5 Chirurgery 1 Hawking 3 Religion (Christ)1 Compose 0 Heraldry 13 Romance 9 Courtesy 2 Hunting 12 Singing 2 Dancing 3 Industry 0 Stewardship 2 Faerie Lore 2 Intrigue 12 Swimming 2 First Aid 6 Orate 0 Tourney 0 Flirting 2 Play (.......) 0 Battle Skills Battle 10 Horsemanship 11 Sword 14 Lance 10 Dagger 14 Armor Type (10 pts) Cash 1# Horse charger Damage 6d6 Move 8 Shield (6pts), Sword, Lance, Dagger Character Description: Gwair Being a knight has all the advantages and benefits you thought it would - easy life, good food, women and money. You've double dealt and schemed your way into a position of relative power in the court. Yes, it has all been worth it. [ The young knight's head slumped onto his chest as he slipped into a drunken sleep. What good fortune to meet such a naive fool in such an isolated area. Took three full casks of wine to do it; hey but why deny a dying man his last pleasure. He never stirs as you neatly slit his throat. Takes a few hours to hide the body and scrape the coat of arms off the shield, and Dwain the bandit emerges as Sir Gwair, knight errant, in search of a warm castle. ] Current However, of late things haven't been too good. What with all the raids and all, ever since Uther died (hah! poisoned more like) things have definitely gone downhill. Just when you were ready to start a quieter life, Ulfius wants you to accompany that dolt Robert and the boy Amig to help protect some castle miles from God knows where. Somehow, you're not sure how, but somehow Robert managed this. You've never trusted him, pompass ass full of obviously fabricated stories about his parts in great quests. Still handy with a sword in a tight spot though. Let's face it you don't live that long and with get that many battle scars without knowing how to use a sword. Still this is your duty and you intend seeing it out alive and with as little personal risk as possible. Three knights accompany you from Windsor. Sir Ieuan wears his hair in saxon braids, how strange! There's obviously some argument going on between Sir Ieuan and Sir Domicus, as neither has much to say to the other. Perhaps, you can use this to your advantage. Sir Peter, seems to be well cultured, and where there's culture there's money. CHARACTER: SIR DOMICUS Player Name SIZ 13 DEX 14 STR 12 CON 12 APP 8 Homeland Trinovantes Exile Culture Roman Religion Christ Damage 4d6 HP 25 Lord Sir Herringdale the Constable Move 3 Current Class Knight Age 24 Unconscious 6 Knockdown 13 Major Wound 12 Traits Passions Chaste 10 / 10 Lustful Loyalty(lord) 13 Energetic 11 / 9 Lazy Love(family) 14 Forgiving 5 / 15 Vengeful Hospitality 10 Generous 9 / 11 Selfish Honor 13 Honest 14 / 6 Deceitful Hate(Saxon) 16 Just 12 / 8 Arbitrary Merciful 7 / 13 Cruel Modest 10 / 10 Proud Pious 12 / 8 Worldy Prudent 8 / 12 Reckless Temperate 11 / 9 Indulgent Trusting 5 / 15 Suspicious Valorous 15 / 5 Cowardly Skills Awareness 12 Folk Lore 10 Read (latin) 10 Boating 4 Gaming 3 Recognise 11 Chirurgery 1 Hawking 3 Religion (Christ)10 Compose 0 Heraldry 7 Romance 9 Courtesy 5 Hunting 8 Singing 2 Dancing 2 Industry 0 Stewardship 2 Faerie Lore 2 Intrigue 5 Swimming 2 First Aid 11 Orate 3 Tourney 0 Flirting 4 Play (..........) 0 Battle Skills Battle 10 Horsemanship 10 Sword 16 Lance 10 Dagger 4 Armor Type (10 pts) Cash 1# Horse charger Damage 6d6 Move 8 Shield (6pts), Sword, Lance, Dagger Character Description: Sir Domicus The proud tribe of Trinovantes, last vestige of noble roman blood, were conquered and riven from their homelands in the year of our lord four hundred and eighty-five by the Saxon horde. Your people, once bound together by the land they farmed, scattered to the four winds, never to be whole again. Your heritage and your birthright were stolen, and in its place a begging bowl was placed. Your father finally brought you to Windsor castle and offered his sword to Sir Herringdale to use to rid this land of the Saxon blight; and so you once again found a home. [ Tinicus your brother stood up, swaying a little and put down his mug. He'd been drinking all day and was working himself up into one of his tempers. His mates were goading him on and soon you knew there'd be trouble. Three traders, known to deal with the Saxon villagers down the coast had entered the inn and were pointedly ignoring your brothers jibes. You pulled at your brothers jerkin and he turned around and pushed you back. "I think Dom here is anxious to get home! Why doesn't someone show him the door" With that rough hands pulled and grabbed, and soon you were deposited behind a closed door. You waited outside, crouched down in the dark as voices were quickly raised. Then came that sound you most feared, that long scathing sound of metal being drawn slowly against metal, a sword unsheathed. You started hammering on the door, a cry and the door flew open knocking you to the ground, as men ran from the inn. You ventured inside, shafts of sunlight illuminating the overturned tables and debris; but in the middle, lying completely still was the body of your brother Tinicus. ] They hung those saxon traitors not more than a week later, but all you were left with was Tinicus' armor, being the only heir you were to take Tinicus' place and be trained for knighthood to carry on the war which your father started. Current You've been asked by Sir Herringdale to answer Duke Ulfius' of Silchester's rally to battle; but who did they give you to ride with: Sir Peter! That milksop wouldn't know the right end of a sword if he sat on it. Still, perhaps a few nights sleeping outside will toughen that lillywhite skin the ladies dote over so much. While stationed in Silchester you've been asked to accompany four knights: Sir Robert, Sir Amig, Sir Ieuan and Sir Gwair to Castle Pennith, which is expected to be under attack from Saxon forces any day now. What a bunch! Sir Ieuan has the audacity to wear his hair in a saxon fashion, Sir Amig is a boy, Sir Robert an old man and Sir Gwair doesn't look the slightest bit interested in the mission. Pendragon Adventure CHARACTER: SIR IEUAN (OSRIC) Player Name SIZ 15 DEX 11 STR 16 CON 15 APP 12 Homeland Regenes Exile Culture Cymric/Saxon Religion Christ Damage 5d6 HP 30 Lord Earl Hertford (St. Albans) Move 3 Current Class Knight Age 25 Unconscious 8 Knockdown 15 Major Wound 15 Traits Passions Chaste 10 / 10 Lustful Loyalty(lord) 12 Energetic 12 / 8 Lazy Love(family) 8 Forgiving 5 / 15 Vengeful Hospitality 10 Generous 10 / 10 Selfish Honor 12 Honest 12 / 8 Deceitful Just 10 / 10 Arbitrary Merciful 8 / 12 Cruel Modest 11 / 9 Proud Pious 9 / 11 Worldy Prudent 16 / 4 Reckless Temperate 6 / 14 Indulgent Trusting 8 / 12 Suspicious Valorous 16 / 4 Cowardly Skills Awareness 13 Folk Lore 8 Read (Saxon) 9 Boating 4 Gaming 4 Recognise 12 Chirurgery 8 Hawking 1 Religion (Christ)11 Compose 2 Heraldry 3 Romance 2 Courtesy 2 Hunting 11 Singing 3 Dancing 7 Industry 2 Stewardship 2 Faerie Lore 5 Intrigue 7 Swimming 2 First Aid 10 Orate 4 Tourney 0 Flirting 2 Play (Pipes) 5 Religion(Wotan) 11 Battle Skills Battle 10 Horsemanship 13 Sword 17 Lance 13 Dagger 7 Axe 13 Armor Type (10 pts) Cash 240d Horse charger Damage 6d6 Move 8 Shield (6pts), Sword, Lance, Axe Character Description: Sir Ieuan [ First they came to trade, then they came to take. They burned and torched they're way throught the village, killing those who raised swords against them, leaving the women and children to run. It was not a slaughter, they later told him, just a necessary exercise, they needed the land for their people as well. This was a terrible age... ] Your people, the Regenes, were driven from their lands when you were still young and became the Regenes Exiles, a sorry clan scattered upon the hospitality of lords throughout England. You however were captured, and unlike the stories, Saxons didn't kill or eat children, they valued them as a measure of their tribes wealth. Your noble blood also meant possible ransom, although having no land it was doubtful your kin would raise such a sum. [ They gave you a new name: Osric, you'd forgotten your old one. Not that it mattered now, you had been accepted into the clan and given duties over the livestock to show their trust in you. They gave you a sword and taught you to fight, but most of all they gave you a family. The foster tied you to Beolth and Lelleth and years later they spoke for you at your coming of age - full acceptance to the tribe. A gray cloud flew over this to shatter this happy day as the Elders told of your entrance to the tribe. How you were of outsiders and how outsiders must eventually return to pay homage to your blood-parents. This gray cloud grew and grew inside your mind till the wisdom of the Elders forced your hand. They watched as you left.... ] Eventually you escaped the Saxons and went to find your parents. Your father had died and your mother, being a young woman, had remarried and raised three new sons. There was no room for a prodigal son returned. More importantly there was no room for you in your mother's life. [ You were the son she never knew. She was not your mother, you already had one. You spoke and acted in strange ways that pained her. She had lost a husband in the raid that had taken you. Ultimately, you were her only link with a past which caused her great pain. A past she never spoke of, a dead husband she never honoured, a dead son she never knew. So, eventually you removed this pain from her and left... ] So you'd left and have kept going to this day. Not pitying your blood- mother not hating your blood-father's murderers. No hate. No love. No pain. You wear your father's coat of arms to enter the world of Britons, but you also braid your hair in the saxon style, as a reminder of your saxon heritage. Current You've decided to throw your lot in with Duke Ulfius, seems like a good man; but the endless days waiting for a large battle are getting to you. Then you heard about a mission to protect Castle Pennith, well at last some honest fighting to stop you moping around. So you volunteered.. With you from Silchester are Sir Robert an old knight, Sir Amig a boy and Sir Gwair a shifty-eyed weasel. From Windsor come Sir Domicus an arrogant bore, and Sir Peter duc some-french-sounding-aristocrat-name. Should be a bundle of laughs. CHARACTER: SIR PETER (DUC RENAUD) Player Name SIZ 13 DEX 10 STR 15 CON 11 APP 16 Homeland Logres Culture Cymric Religion Christ Damage 5d6 HP 24 Lord Duke Ulfius (Silchester) Move 3 Current Class Knight Age 25 Unconscious 6 Knockdown 13 Major Wound 11 Traits Passions Chaste 4 / 16 Lustful Loyalty(lord) 12 Energetic 10 / 10 Lazy Love(family) 11 Forgiving 4 / 16 Vengeful Hospitality 13 Generous 9 / 11 Selfish Honor 10 Honest 9 / 11 Deceitful Hate(Saxon) 12 Just 12 / 8 Arbitrary Merciful 10 / 10 Cruel Modest 5 / 15 Proud Pious 13 / 7 Worldy Prudent 15 / 5 Reckless Temperate 8 / 12 Indulgent Trusting 12 / 8 Suspicious Valorous 15 / 5 Cowardly Skills Awareness 9 Folk Lore 4 Read (......) 0 Boating 5 Gaming 1 Recognise 10 Chirurgery 2 Hawking 2 Religion (Christ)4 Compose 0 Heraldry 5 Romance 5 Courtesy 10 Hunting 12 Singing 8 Dancing 0 Industry 0 Stewardship 1 Faerie Lore 2 Intrigue 3 Swimming 2 First Aid 10 Orate 3 Tourney 0 Flirting 8 Play (......) 0 Battle Skills Battle 13 Horsemanship 13 Sword 15 Lance 12 Dagger 10 Axe 13 Armor Type (10 pts) Cash 1# Horse charger Damage 6d6 Move 8 Shield (6pts), Sword, Lance, Dagger. Character Description: Sir Peter [ Knighthood, the embodiment of law and morality, power and prestige. What matter some smudge upon the birth, it is what we do, how we carry ourselves which sets us apart from commonfolk. Such scandalous matters you so far managed to keep from the court ladies you lavish so much attention on. This could become increasingly tricky, your father was not very discreet and earned more than just a little notoreity. ] You are the illegitimate son of Gilles duc Renaud, chivalric knight and secret lover to more than half of England's ladies or so they say. Illegitimacy was not necessarily a stain against your character in those dark ages: King Arthur was illegitimate. Still, in those times it was something less than a perfect state of grace. [ Knighthood is a sacred order, an order built to go beyond mere squabbles over land or pastures. It can be a tool by which man can reach a higher state of grace removed from the dirt and drudge of common life. The French have the right idea, knighthood as an ideal rather than a merely licence for mercenaries to kill and pillage. If only your compatriots understood what true christian devotion meant..... ] Current Sir Herringdale, a good lord, if somewhat rough around the edges has ordered you and the everso dour Sir Domicus to lend support to Duke Ulfius. No sooner are you there savouring the delights of pastures new, when the call to protect Castle Pennith comes. You seem to remember Lord Pennith, vaguely, didn't he have a daughter... and it may be a chance to teach God's righteous vengence on these heathen Saxons. Duke Ulfius also sends Sir Robert, one of those tough-as-old-boots knights; Sir Amig, a young knight, probably his first adventure; Sir Gwair - a noxious little toad; and Sir Ieuan a complete enigma - Saxon braids and roman arms, strange troupe! -------------------- The Chaosium Digest is a Discussion Forum for Chaosium Games which do not have another specific area for discussion. To submit an article, mail to: appel@erzo.berkeley.edu