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Dragons of Britain

The

THE JOURNAL OF GAMING IN ARTHUR’S BRITAIN

The King of the Red City


A Murdered King & the Rights of Succession

La Morte d’Arthur Book 10, Chapter 59


The Streets of Londinium: An Age of Arthur Treasure Hunt
An Arthurian Lexicon: Gods & Titans
Heralds & Arms
Whispers Around The Realm

3 Summer 2014 STYGIAN FOX


“The king with his company, appeared at the feast; and mixing with
the Saxons, who, whilst they spoke peace with their tongues,
cherished treachery in their hearts, each man was placed next his enemy.

After they had eaten and drunk, and were much intoxicated, Hengist
suddenly vociferated, “Nimed eure Saxes!” and instantly his adherents
drew their knives, and rushing upon the Britons, each slew him that sat
next to him, and there was slain three hundred of the nobles of Vortigern.

The king being a captive, purchased his redemption, by delivering up


the three provinces of East, South, and Middle Sex, besides other districts
at the option of his betrayers.”

- Nennius, The History of the Britons (Historia Brittonum), Chapter 46


Contents Writers
2 Night of the Long Knives Steff. J Worthington,
Dave Elrick, Christopher Payne,
3 Contents & Paul Mitchener.

4 Noble Edicts
Editorial by Steff Worthington
Artists
Steff. J Worthington,
Nathies Stock, Naraosga
5 The King of the Red City
A Pendragon Adventure Aubrey Beardsley
by Dave Elrick Dewfooter
Christopher Payne,
18 La Morte d’Arthur 10, Ch.59
Supplemental Information by Sir
Atistatplay, Wyldraven

Thomas Malory & David Elrick This issue is dedicated to all the
storytellers and knights yet
37 Lexicon: Gods & Titans
Article by Steff. Worthington
undubbed in the world

Cover art:
40 The Streets of Londinium
An Age of Arthur scenario by ‘Night 2’ by Nathies Stock
Paul Mitchener http://nathies-stock.deviantart.
com/
48 Submissions Competition!
Win a book on Courtly Love. Direction & Editing
Steff. J. Worthington
49 Whispers Around The Realm
Plot nuggets and ideas
Copyright
51 The Otherworld Dragons of Britain is a magazine dedicated to the
Music for Arthurian games by world of Arthurian gaming & RPGs ‘King Arthur:
Steff Worthington Pendragon’ is copyright 2013 Greg Stafford &
Nocturnal Media. ‘Age of Arthur’ is copyright 2013
52 Bibliophilia: More Essential Reads Wordplay Games. This free fan based magazine is
An article on essential Arthurian not for sale and is a work of fiction. No similarities
books by Christopher Payne to real world people (still living or sleeping
underneath a hill) or events are intended.
56 Heralds & Arms
A coat of arms generator Submissions & Contact
by Christopher Payne steffworthington@hotmail.com

62 Gratitudes & Complimentaries We are eager for submissions and this magazine
Links to our contributors can only continue with your help. Please e-mail
your submission idea to the address above.

3
Noble Edicts
Some contests are close. A favour- still heavily feature Pendragon and
able sword hit here, a dextrous Age of Arthur but I hope to put an ar-
dodge there, but in my world I rarely ticle or adventure for my own setting
get involved in life and death strug- at least once in every few issues.
gles other than my constant failed
attempts to dodge sugar and all its If you’re a writer who is very famil-
evils. iar with the BRP engine then I’d like
you to contact me with ‘BRP’ in the
A recent close shave though is the header. If you have a proven record
magazine you are reading right now. of writing then we should talk. Find
It is delayed, for which I apologise, my e-mail on the contents page.
due to a lack of submissions. I re-
fuse to believe there is a dearth of As a reader, if you want to see a
good Arthurian gaming content out particular Arthurian game cov-
there so I appeal to you. Submit your ered, or want to add one to the list,
work, see it on a page and enjoyed then please let me know. I want this
by those who will appreciate it as magazine to go in the direction it’s
much as I do. readers want.

It is heartening to see Pendragon Next issue will have a tri-parallel


and Age of Arthur (the best two Ar- timeline for the City of Legions (or
thurian games in my opinion) thriv- Chester as it is today, my home
ing not only in the English speaking town). The article will show the
world but further abroad in Europe varying changes to history for both
and further still. Arthur’s knights Pendragon and Age of Arthur.
and ladies seem to be sleeping un-
der many and varied hills across the A heartfelt thank you to all those
world. who have submitted and supported
Dragons of Britain. It wouldn’t exist
It is my aim, by 2016, to have my without you.
own Arthurian role-playing game
available to everyone reading this. I
hope to produce two versions, one in Steff. J. Worthington,
English and one in Welsh, the near- Editor
est equivalent to the language Arthur
himself spoke. This magazine will

4
The

King of the
Red City

A Pendragon™ adventure by David Elrick


during the Period of Consolidation
Magna draconis arturius rex The King of the Red the centre of the boat lies the body
of a knight. He has been killed by a
City wound to the back of the head. In
his hand he holds a letter.
A Pendragon adventure
by David Elrick The player characters can talk to
the ladies or the men at arms. This
A Pendragon Scenario based on knight was King Hermance, the
an original idea from Sir Thomas King of the Red City (the Red City
Malory lies on the coast of Lincolnshire).
He was slain by treachery and
The following adventure was origi- only a true knight who resolves to
nally written to be run at games avenge his death can take the let-
conventions and so was designed ter. The ladies are taking him to
to fit into a four-hour slot. Avalon.

The adventure is structured in As they cross a river, they hear the


parts (or parts) which detail the sounds of fighting up ahead. Rush-
important scenes, although the ing forward, they find two young
players can encounter the parts knights beset by eight knights. Be-
in any order (within the limits of fore they can join the fight, one of
geography, obviously), or wander the two knights is felled.
off as they wish. Events outside the
parts given should be determined If the player characters join the
by the GM. fight, they soon drive off the eight
knights. The two knights are broth-
I set this adventure in the late ers and were household knights
spring of the year 534 AD, although of the King of the Red City. They
it could be moved to another year were away from court on a mission
without much effort. It begins as when he was slain.
the player knights are travelling
north and takes place in the area One of the two knights is close to
of modern-day Lincolnshire. death and begs to be taken to a
nearby monastery where he can
Plot Summary confess his sins and receive ex-
treme unction.
The player characters are travelling
north to a tournament at Ebura- Once the fallen knight has died,
cum. They are travelling beside the the remaining brother will explain
river Trent, when they see a black that the King of the Red City had a
boat sailing south. The boat is son who was smuggled from the
driven by oars manned by men at court by the nursemaid and hidden
arms. At the stern are four women against treachery. The nursemaid
dressed in black and weeping. In is now a hag living in the hills.

6
Map of Sugales/Gloucester border

7
Magna draconis arturius rex When they find the hags cottage, of assigning fiefs to the other play-
they find that half a dozen knights ers.
have found it first and are about
to slay the hag. In the fight that A Guide to Places
follows, the hag will be wounded,
but can tell the player knights Eburacum is modern-day York.
where to look for the boy. Lincoln is, of course, modern day
Lincoln.
She asks the player knights to
burn her cottage with her body The Red City is on the coast south
in it, so that her body cannot be of modern day Grimsby. It would
defiled by the beasts of the forest. make sense for it to be directly oppo-
site Spurn point (called the Delecta-
The boy was hidden with monks ble Isle at this point) and thus have a
near the Humber. Initially, the controlling influence on the narrow-
monks are suspicious of the play- est part of the mouth of the Humber.
er knights, but can be won round.
The boy has grown into a man, The five manors of Covenham St
but has no knightly training and Bartholemew, Grainthorpe, Somer-
cannot fight to regain his father’s cotes, Tetney and Yarburgh lie in a
lands. He will renounce his birth- rough fan south west of the red city
right, allowing one of the player and the modern day villages which
knights to become the new King bear their names can easily be found
of the Red City. That should start on modern maps of the area
some arguments... (or using Google maps-
https://www.google.co.uk
He will give them some help to maps/@53.4448463,0.191594,12z
raise an army from the Earl of ).
Lincoln.
Sunk Island is south east of Hull,
The player knights travel East at just where the coast opens into a
the head of a small army. The bay before it reaches the Delectable
killer knights have heard of the Isle, opposite modern-day Grimsby.
advance and will ride out to meet During the period of this adventure
them. This will probably turn into it was an island a mile or more off
a battle, but there could be the the Yorkshire shore.
opportunity for some individual
combat first. There will certainly The exact location where the player
be a running fight afterwards. characters meet the black boat or
the monastery where they take the
The player knight who avenged wounded knights are not detailed.
the King of the Red City becomes Those should be somewhere in the
the new King and has the option region of modern day Newark.

8
Magna draconis arturius rex
Part 1 – The King of the Red City He has been killed by a wound to the
back of the head and, although ef-
Location: By the river Trent forts have been made to clear it up,
there is still some blood in his hair.
Date: Late Spring, 534AD His hands are crossed over his body
and in his right hand he holds a let-
The player characters are trav- ter.
elling north to a tournament at
Eburacum. It doesn’t really mat- The player characters can talk to
ter what the tournament is for, as the ladies or the men at arms. This
that lies outside the scope of this knight was King Hermance, the
adventure. King of the Red City. He was slain
by treachery and only a true knight
It is late Spring, soon after Pen- who resolves to avenge his death can
tecost (or Beltane for the pagans) take the letter. The ladies are taking
and the day is warm so they are him to Avalon.
not riding hard. They are riding
along beside the river Trent when Only one knight can take the letter.
they see a black boat sailing south This is the first dilemma - let the
towards them. The boat is driven players choose who by whichever
by oars manned by men at arms method they like (jousting, arguing,
and at the stern are four women etc), Possible checks include:
dressed in black and weeping.
As it draws closer, it moves in to- * Any who defer to a player knight
wards the bank where the player with higher Glory should get a Val-
characters are. orous check.

The boat will come to rest near the * Any who defer to a player knight of
player characters. A man at arms the same religion get a Pious check.
will jump ashore and hail the
knights in a friendly manner. He * Any who choose not to take the let-
will answer questions, although ter should get a Modest check.
he does not know the whole story.
* Any, of whichever religion, who of-
If the man at arms is attacked, he fer a prayer for the dead king should
will jump back aboard the boat get a Pious check.
which will pull off into the river.
The boat will then set off south, Don’t overdo it, but reward good
whatever the players do. roleplaying.

In the centre of the boat lies the The knight who takes the letter (and
body of a knight. He was clearly a therefore accepts the challenge),
rich and powerful man in his 40s. gains 10 Glory. The letter can be

9
Magna draconis arturius rex taken from the kings grasp easily. When they are ready, go to the next
It reads: part.

Part 2 – The Hard-Pressed Knights


RECOMMENDING unto King Arthur
and to all his knights errant, Travelling North, the player knights
hear the sounds of fighting up ahead.
beseeching them all that inso- Rushing forward, they find two young
much as I, King Hermance, King knights beset by eight knights. Before
they can join the fight, one of the two
of the Red City, thus am slain by knights is felled.
felony and treason, through
If the player characters join the fight,
two knights of mine own, and they can soon drive off the eight
of mine own bringing up and knights. Use Mercenary Knight sta-
tistics from the rulebook.
of mine own making, that some
worshipful knight will revenge These knights are not honourable
men. Once they realise that they no
my death, insomuch I have been longer have the advantage of num-
ever to my power well willing bers, they will attempt to overwhelm
their opponents in the first round
unto Arthur’s court. And who of combat. If this fails (as it should),
that will adventure his life they will attempt to break free and es-
cape. They will not get involved in a
long fight. Glory: 50 for each knight
with these two traitors for my defeated (killed or captured) or 5 for
each knight driven off.
sake in one battle, I, King Her-
mance, King of the Red City, If the player knights do not join the
fight, both embattled knights are
freely give him all my lands and felled and left for dead. The attack-
rents that ever I wielded in my ing knights will then attempt to bluff
or threaten the player knights but will
life. not come close enough for combat.
They will then ride off Eastwards.
The man at arms and the queens
can tell the characters little more.
The two knights are brothers and were
The letter was written by a monk as
household knights of the King of the
the king was dying.
Red City. They were away from court
on a mission when he was slain.
The man at arms wishes the play-
er knights luck and re-boards the
One of the two knights (both if the
barge which is pushed off and
players did not intervene) is close to
heads downstream in silence.

10
Magna draconis arturius rex
death and begs to be taken to a The mother died when the son was
nearby monastery where he can young and the son was taken from
confess his sins and receive extreme the court by the nursemaid and hid-
unction. den against treachery. No-one knows
where the son is now, or even if he still
The characters passed a monastery lives. The nursemaid is now a hag liv-
less than an hour’s ride away. They ing in the hills.
can take the knights there where the
monks will do what they can. The He will also explain that, about three
wounded knight will die soon after years ago, the king took in two young
and the monks will pray for him. wandering knights, called Aedan and
They will offer hospitality for the Rhodri, and made them wards of his
night. The sleeping quarters will be court. He spent more and more time
bare monastic cells, but the food with them and their lies steadily poi-
and ale will be good quality. Any soned him against members of his
knights who wish to do so are in- household. From what he has heard,
vited to join the monks at prayers. it was they who murdered the king
while out on a hunt.
Once the fallen knight has died, the
remaining brother will explain that He can fill in a bit about the Red City.
the King of the Red City had a son. It lies close to the coast at the mouth

11
Magna draconis arturius rex of the Humber estuary. It is a mod-
erately rich kingdom, but since it
* go to find the nursemaid
(see Part 3 – The Hag)
faces no direct enemies in practice
it pretty much runs itself and owes * go straight to the Red City
allegiance only to King Arthur. It (see Part 7 – The Battle)
has five smaller fiefs which owe al-
legiance to the King of the Red Cas- * go to Lincoln to get an army
tle. Currently none of these has a (see Part 5 – Lincoln)
lord, although the daughters of
the previous lords may still be pre- Part 3 – The Hag
sent (if they have not been defiled
by the killer knights). Location: The Roestoc forest,
Somewhere in modern-day
The fiefs are: Nottinghamshire

* Covenham St Bartholemew The hag’s cottage is in a clearing


in the Roestoc forest near Conis-
* Grainthorpe borough, well off the main roads,
but there is a path to it. Observant
* Somercotes player knights might realise that
they are not the first to ride this
* Tetney path, but don’t tell them unless
they think to look.
* Yarburgh
When they reach the hag’s cottage,
This is the second dilemma. The they find that half a dozen knights
news of the son may be a bit of a have found it first. Four remain on
blow to the knight who took the horseback in the clearing, while
letter, since it represents a rival two have dismounted and are just
for the throne. Honest or Deceit- about to enter the cottage with
ful checks may be appropriate at swords drawn.
some point in light of this news.
Depending on what happens next,
one of the knights enters the cot-
When the players are finished tage and stabs the hag fatally and
here, they can do one of the fol- scatters the fire in an attempt to
lowing: torch the cottage. He then exits the
cottage to join the fight. Use Mer-
* go on to Eburacum to the tourna- cenary Knight statistics from the
ment. In this case, the adventure is rulebook. Glory: 50 for each knight
over. You can either run a tourna- defeated (killed or captured) or 5
ment or find another adventure. for each knight driven off.

12
Magna draconis arturius rex
When the knights are killed or driv- She asks the player knights to
en off, the players can enter the cot- burn her cottage with her body in
tage (although hovel is a better de- it (once she’s died, obviously - she
scription). The cottage has wicker has no intention of frying), so that
and mud (well, mostly mud) walls, her body cannot be defiled by the
with peats stacked around the in- beasts of the forest. She regrets
side of the walls for extra warmth, not having a priest to confess to or
and a thatched roof that has seen receive extreme unction from - al-
better days and sags alarmingly. though one of the Christians could
There is a fire in the centre of the do this on a successful Pious roll.
cottage and the smoke is supposed
to escape through a smoke-hole in When the players are finished here,
the thatch, but actually gathers in they can do one of the following:
the roof space and makes the cot-
tage darker and smellier. Aware- * try to find Sunk Island
ness rolls will allow knights to (see Part 4 – The Monastery)
discern through the thick smoke a
bundle of rags near the back wall * go straight to the Red City
which is the hag’s bed, where she (see Part 7 – The Battle)
is lying mortally wounded.
* go to Lincoln to get an army
The hag clearly doesn’t have a lot (see Part 5 – Lincoln)
of time left, especially if the cot-
tage is on fire, but she will have Part 4 – The Monastery
to be convinced that the player
knights are not seeking the boy to Location: A monastery, Sunk Is-
kill him. Showing her the letter will land, North bank of the Humber
convince her instantly. Otherwise, near the sea
good Orate skills or whatever the
players come up with will have to None of the player knights know
do. where Sunk Island is, so they are
going to need to ask someone. Ob-
She will tell the knights that she left vious choices (from the map) are
the boy with monks on Sunk Island the Abbey of Beale or the towns
on the other side of the Humber. As of Winteringham or Pocklington.
far as she knows he is still there. There are ferries at the Abbey of
If asked, she will tell them that Beale or Winteringham.
she took the boy when his mother
died, when he was about six, and Asking at the Abbey is the best bet.
he will be around 18 or 19 now They don’t know exactly where
(she’ll probably mutter about fad- Sunk Island is, but they know
ing memory). She will not tell them that it is along the North bank of
where Sunk Island is. the Humber close the Delectable

13
Magna draconis arturius rex Isle. No, they don’t know why it is of the player knights, but can be
called the Delectable Isle and they won round. Showing them the let-
are openly dubious about how you ter will convince them. Otherwise,
can have a monastery on an island good Orate skills or whatever the
which, by its name, is sunk. But players come up with will have to
they wish the knights well. do.

Winteringham, although out- The boy’s name is Aeron. He has


side the territory of the Red City, grown into a man, but has no
contains agents of the usurping knightly training and cannot fight
knights. Asking there will alert the to regain his father’s lands. He
knights who control the Red City will calmly accept the news of his
who will then send their own sup- father’s death (he barely remem-
porters to find the boy and kill him bers his father). He has no loyalty
(and any boring monks who might to the Red City and no training
get lippy). They might also ambush as a knight. The monastery is his
the player knights if they have an home now and he will choose to re-
advantage (or if the game is flag- main a monk. He will renounce his
ging at this point). birthright (in writing if the player
knights insist on it) allowing one
Pocklington is possibly the best bet, of the player knights to carry out
because the lord of Pocklington cas- the wishes in the King’s letter and
tle knows where Sunk Island is. It become the new King of the Red
is also well away from the Red City City. That should start some argu-
and the chances of being found out ments...
are very slight.
He will give them a letter to help
The boy was hidden with monks them raise an army from the Earl
who live in a monastery on Sunk of Lincoln (their own troops being
Island, along the North bank of too far away). He knows nothing
the Humber near the sea. The mon- about the current defences of the
astery looks out over the Humber Red City and can remember little of
estuary where the Red City is just what it was like when he was last
visible to the South East on the there (he was only six at the time,
Southern shore. There is no regu- after all).
lar ferry service to the island, but
the monks may send a boat, or When the players are finished here,
the knights can get local villagers they can do one of the following:
along the shore to row them out to
the island. The channel between * go straight to the Red City
the island and shore is not fast (see Part 7 – The Battle)
flowing (it silts up often).
* go to Lincoln to get an army
Initially, the monks are suspicious (see Part 5 – Lincoln)

14
Magna draconis arturius rex
* go to Eboracum and raise an Alternatively, he will offer to send
army at the tourney messengers back to Bedegraine to
raise the player characters own
Part 5 – Lincoln troops, but this will take several
days and it is likely that the enemy
Location: Lincoln knights already know about the
players.
The player knights travel South to
Lincoln to gather information and, Part 6 – The Battle
if possible, help.
Location: The Red City
The Earl of Lincoln is Earl Hywel. At
first he will be polite but privately The player knights travel East at
suspicious of these strange knights the head of a small army. The killer
appearing at his court with tales knights, Aedan and Rhoddri, have
about the Red City. Showing him heard of the advance and will ride
either the King’s letter or the letter out to meet them. Aedan and Rho-
from Aeron (if they got it) will re- dri are not popular rulers and can-
solve his doubts. not muster much of an army - only
25 knights and 100 or so men. If
He knows of the Red City but he has they player characters have accept-
no real contact with it (even though ed aid from Lincoln, their army is
it is only 30 or so miles away). He only slightly larger, but has the ad-
knows nothing of the knights who vantage of higher morale.
killed King Hernance, but if the
players are suspicious types they Use the Skirmish rules (unless you
might think he has some contact enjoy the complexity of the battle
with them. rules). Use young knight statistics
for Aedan and Rhodri and Ser-
Most of Earl Hywel’s troops have geant stats for the other knights in
gone South to Lonazep to patrol their army.
the Saxon borders near Peterbor-
ough, but if the player knights have Make Battle rolls for each com-
persuaded him to help (by showing mander. The character with the
him the King’s letter or by success- letter should logically be the com-
ful Orate rolls) he can spare 30 mander for the player characters,
knights and 120 men at arms to but he may choose to defer to the a
help them. His only requirement character with a higher battle skill.
being that, if the players win and
one of them becomes the new King, Aedan (the enemy commander)
he will open trade with Lincoln and has a battle skill of 10 and he rolls
come to their aid if they ever ask it a failure, giving a -5 tactics modi-
(he doesn’t want war from an unex- fier.
pected quarter).

15
Magna draconis arturius rex Run the battle for at least 3 to 5
rounds (or for as long as you are en-
joying it). The first round will be a
have not won, Aedan and/or Rho-
dri will attempt to run back to
the Red City. They can be ridden
charge, with Lance skills being ap- down, or chased into the castle
propriate. The remaining rounds where a close-quarters fight can
will be straight combat, with Sword ensue. The upshot should be that
skills being used. at least one player knight survives
and wins.
The enemy army has lower morale
and the ordinary footsoldiers will Part 7 – Coronation
be unwilling to join combat. After a
few rounds, it will be obvious that Location: The Red City
the enemy army is decreasing fast-
er than casualties would account The player knight who avenged
for (the ones at the back have been the King of the Red City becomes
hanging back and running away as the new King and has the option
soon as they see their chance). of assigning fiefs to the other play-
ers.
Eventually the fight will end. Aedan
and/or Rhodri (try to keep at least Play this in as much detail as you
one of them alive for later) will beg like (and time allows), especially
for mercy. Allow the player knights if you are using this to kick-start
to deal with it as they see fit. a campaign. This is a full corona-
tion, with the pomp and circum-
When the player knights are victo- stance necessary.
rious, they will be able to enter the
Red City. Initially the inhabitants The fiefs are:
of the Red City will greet the player
characters in silence, suspecting * Covenham St Bartholemew
that they are exchanging one set of
unpopular rulers with another. Pub- * Grainthorpe
lishing the King’s letter (via town
criers) will change that and celebra- * Somercotes
tions will ensue. The remaining Lin-
coln knights and troops will stay * Tetney
long enough to join the celebration
before going home. * Yarburgh

Glory: 100 for surviving the bat- If you are using this a starter for
tle. 1000 for dying in a spectacular a campaign, each of these fiefs
fashion. Optionally, extra Glory can are currently held by the daugh-
be earned for in-battle events. ter of the previous lord (no lords
remained alive after the coup)
If the die rolls have gone very badly and they can be married off to the
against the player knights and they player knights, allowed to live at

16
Magna draconis arturius rex
court where they can be wooed, or The Red City faces no real enemies
evicted, as the new King decides. unless they can contrive to offend
Use the Lady stats from the rule- the Earl of Lincoln (even the Sax-
book or generate the ladies indi- ons crossing the North Sea will
vidually as required. Each lady is land further south). Alliances with
young (anywhere from 19 to 25) Lincoln and Lonazep make a lot of
and moderately attractive. sense and allow the Red Castle’s
modest army service along the
Glory: 1000 for the new king. 100 Saxon frontier. Alliances with the
for each knight given a fief, plus kingdoms across the Humber also
glory for marrying the heiress, if make sense, but are possibly not as
appropriate. urgent.

Expanding This Adventure A particularly Pious (or guilty) new


king might also consider inviting
The next step is for the new King to Aeron to found a new monastery
visit Camelot so that he can swear close to his old home.
fealty to King Arthur. Travel from
the wilds of Lincolnshire to Camel-
ot in Wiltshire is worth an adven-
ture.

17
draconum Britanniam

Le Morte
d'Arthur
Book 10 CHAPTER 59

A Companion & Reference Piece


from Malory for ‘The King of the Red City’.
Presented by David Elrick

18
Le Morte d'Arthur

Le morte d'Arthur
yet he may be overmatched.
Book 10 And so have I seen knights
done many times; and when
CHAPTER 59 they weened best to have won
worship they lost it, for man-
How they came to Humber hood is not worth but if it be
bank, and how they found a medled with wisdom. And as
ship there, wherein lay the for me, said Sir Tristram, it
body of King Hermance. may happen I shall keep mine
own head as well as another.
SIR, said Palomides, let us
leave of this matter, and let So thus they rode until that
us see how we shall do at they came to Humber bank,
this tournament. By mine ad- where they heard a cry and
vice, said Palomides, let us a doleful noise. Then were
four hold together against they ware in the wind where
all that will come. Not by my came a rich vessel hilled over
counsel, said Sir Tristram, for with red silk, and the vessel
I see by their pavilions there landed fast by them. There-
will be four hundred knights, with Sir Tristram alighted and
and doubt ye not, said Sir Tris- his knights. And so Sir Tris-
tram, but there will be many tram went afore and entered
good knights; and be a man into that vessel. And when he
never so valiant nor so big, came within he saw a fair bed

19
le morte d'arthur richly covered, and thereupon they, in that letter ye shall
lay a dead seemly knight, all hear and know how he was
armed save the head, was all slain, and for what cause, and
be-bled with deadly wounds what was his name. But sir,
upon him, the which seemed said the mariners, wit ye well
to be a passing good knight. that no man shall take that
How may this be, said Sir Tris- letter and read it but if he be a
tram, that this knight is thus good knight, and that he will
slain? Then Sir Tristram was faithfully promise to revenge
ware of a letter in the dead his death, else shall there be
knight's hand. Master mari- no knight see that letter open.
ners, said Sir Tristram, what Wit ye well, said Sir Tristram,
meaneth that letter? Sir, said that some of us may revenge
his death as well as other,
and if it be so as ye mari-
ners say his death shall be
revenged. And therewith Sir
Tristram took the letter out of
the knight's hand, and it said
thus: Hermance, king and lord
of the Red City, I send unto all
knights errant, recommend-
ing unto you noble knights
of Arthur's court. I beseech
them all among them to find
20
one knight that will fight for wot for my sake in especial

Le morte d'Arthur
my sake with two brethren my lord Arthur let make this
that I brought up of nought, jousts and tournament in this
and feloniously and traitorly country; and well I wot that
they have slain me; wherefore many worshipful people will
I beseech one good knight to be there at that tournament
revenge my death. And he that for to see me; therefore I fear
revengeth my death I will that me to take this enterprise
he have my Red City and all my upon me that I shall not come
castles. again by time to this jousts.
Sir, said Palomides, I pray you
Sir, said the mariners, wit give me this enterprise, and
ye well this king and knight ye shall see me achieve it wor-
that here lieth was a full wor- shipfully, other else I shall die
shipful man and of full great in this quarrel. Well, said Sir
prowess, and full well he Tristram, and this enterprise I
loved all manner knights er- give you, with this, that ye be
rants. So God me help, said with me at this tournament
Sir Tristram, here is a pite- that shall be as this day sev-
ous case, and full fain would en night. Sir, said Palomides,
I take this enterprise upon I promise you that I shall be
me; but I have made such a with you by that day if I be
promise that needs I must be unslain or unmaimed.
at this great tournament, or
else I am shamed. For well I
21
CHAPTER 60 Fair knights, said that
le morte d'arthur How Sir Tristram with his fel-
knight, I pray you insomuch
as ye be knights errant, that
lowship came and were with ye will come and see my cas-
an host which after fought tle, and take such as ye find
with Sir Tristram; and other there; I pray you heartily. And
matters. so they rode with him until
his castle, and there they were
THEN departed Sir Tristram, brought into the hall, that
Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, and was well apparelled; and so
left Sir Palomides in the ves- they were there unarmed, and
sel; and so Sir Tristram be- set at a board; and when this
held the mariners how they knight saw Sir Tristram, anon
sailed overlong Humber. And he knew him. And then this
when Sir Palomides was out knight waxed pale and wroth
of their sight they took their at Sir Tristram. When Sir Tris-
horses and beheld about tram saw his host make such
them. And then were they cheer he marvelled and said:
ware of a knight that came Sir, mine host, what cheer
riding against them unarmed, make you? Wit thou well, said
and nothing about him but a he, I fare the worse for thee,
sword. And when this knight for I know thee, Sir Tristram
came nigh them he saluted de Liones, thou slewest my
them, and they him again. brother; and therefore I give
thee summons I will slay thee

22
an ever I may get thee at large. cried and bade him abide and

Le morte d'Arthur
Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, I keep him. So they hurtled to-
am never advised that ever I gether, but Sir Tristram smote
slew any brother of yours; and the other knight so sore that
if ye say that I did I will make he bare him over his horse's
amends unto my power. I will croup. That knight arose
none amends, said the knight, lightly and took his horse
but keep thee from me. again, and so rode fiercely to
Sir Tristram, and smote him
So when he had dined Sir twice hard upon the helm.
Tristram asked his arms, and Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, I
departed. And so they rode pray you leave off and smite
on their ways, and within a me no more, for I would be
while Sir Dinadan saw where loath to deal with you an I
came a knight well armed might choose, for I have your
and well horsed, without meat and your drink within
shield. Sir Tristram, said Sir my body. For all that he would
Dinadan, take keep to your- not leave; and then Sir Tris-
self, for I dare undertake yon- tram gave him such a buffet
der cometh your host that upon the helm that he fell up-
will have ado with you. Let so-down from his horse, that
him come, said Sir Tristram, the blood brast out at the ven-
I shall abide him as well as I tails of his helm, and so he lay
may. Anon the knight, when still likely to be dead. Then Sir
he came nigh Sir Tristram, he Tristram said: Me repenteth
23
of this buffet that I smote so Queen of Northgalis had giv-
le morte d'arthur sore, for as I suppose he is
dead. And so they left him and
en to La Beale Isoud, and the
queen La Beale Isoud gave it to
rode on their ways. Sir Tristram. Sir knight, said
Berrant, where had ye that
So they had not ridden but helm? What would ye? said Sir
a while, but they saw riding Dinadan. For I will have ado
against them two full likely with thee, said the king, for
knights, well armed and well the love of her that owed that
horsed, and goodly servants helm, and therefore keep you.
about them. The one was Ber- So they departed and came to-
rant le Apres, and he was called gether with all their mights
the King with the Hundred of their horses, and there the
Knights; and the other was King with the Hundred Knights
Sir Segwarides, which were smote Sir Dinadan, horse and
renowned two noble knights. all, to the earth; and then he
So as they came either by oth- commanded his servant: Go
er the king looked upon Sir and take thou his helm off,
Dinadan, that at that time he and keep it. So the varlet went
had Sir Tristram's helm upon to unbuckle his helm. What
his shoulder, the which helm helm, what wilt thou do? said
the king had seen tofore with Sir Tristram, leave that helm.
the Queen of Northgalis, and To what intent, said the king,
that queen the king loved as will ye, sir knight, meddle
paramour; and that helm the with that helm? Wit you well,

24
said Sir Tristram, that helm Sir, said Dinadan, I pray you

Le morte d'Arthur
shall not depart from me take it as for me. That is no
or it be dearer bought. Then reason, said Tristram, for this
make you ready, said Sir Ber- jousts should be yours. At a
rant unto Sir Tristram. So they word, said Dinadan, I will not
hurtled together, and there thereof. Then Gareth dressed
Sir Tristram smote him down him to Sir Segwarides, and
over his horse's tail; and then there Sir Segwarides smote
the king arose lightly, and gat Gareth and his horse to the
his horse lightly again. And earth. Now, said Sir Tristram
then he struck fiercely at Sir to Dinadan, joust with yon-
Tristram many great strokes. der knight. I will not there-
And then Sir Tristram gave Sir of, said Dinadan. Then will I,
Berrant such a buffet upon the said Sir Tristram. And then Sir
helm that he fell down over Tristram ran to him, and gave
his horse sore stonied. Lo, him a fall; and so they left
said Dinadan, that helm is un- them on foot, and Sir Tristram
happy to us twain, for I had a rode unto Joyous Gard, and
fall for it, and now, sir king, there Sir Gareth would not of
have ye another fall. his courtesy have gone into
this castle, but Sir Tristram
Then Segwarides asked: Who would not suffer him to de-
shall joust with me? I pray part. And so they alighted and
thee, said Sir Gareth unto Di- unarmed them, and had great
nadan, let me have this jousts. cheer. But when Dinadan came
25
afore La Beale Isoud he cursed Then the mariners went unto
le morte d'arthur the time that ever he bare Sir
Tristram's helm, and there he
Sir Palomides that slept fast.
Sir knight, said the mariners,
told her how Sir Tristram had ye must arise, for here is a
mocked him. Then was there castle there ye must go into. I
laughing and japing at Sir assent me, said Sir Palomides;
Dinadan, that they wist not and therewithal he arrived.
what to do with him. And then he blew his horn that
the mariners had given him.
CHAPTER 61 And when they within the cas-
tle heard that horn they put
How Palomides went for to forth many knights; and there
fight with two brethren for they stood upon the walls,
the death of King Hermance. and said with one voice: Wel-
come be ye to this castle. And
NOW will we leave them then it waxed clear day, and
merry within Joyous Gard, Sir Palomides entered into the
and speak we of Sir Palo- castle. And within a while he
mides. Then Sir Palomides was served with many divers
sailed evenlong Humber to the meats. Then Sir Palomides
coasts of the sea, where was heard about him much weep-
a fair castle. And at that time ing and great dole. What may
it was early in the morning, this mean? said Sir Palomides;
afore day. I love not to hear such a sor-
row, and fain I would know

26
what it meaneth. Then there estates may beware by our

Le morte d'Arthur
came afore him one whose king. But alas, said Ebel, that
we shall give all other warn-
name was Sir Ebel, that said
ing by his death.
thus: Wit ye well, sir knight,
this dole and sorrow is here Tell me, said Palomides, and
made every day, and for this in what manner was your lord
cause: we had a king that slain, and by whom. Sir, said
Sir Ebel, our king brought
hight Hermance, and he was
up of children two men that
King of the Red City, and this now are perilous knights; and
king that was lord was a no- these two knights our king
ble knight, large and liberal of had so in charity, that he loved
his expense; and in the world no man nor trusted no man of
he loved nothing so much as his blood, nor none other that
he did errant knights of King was about him. And by these
Arthur's court, and all joust- two knights our king was
ing, hunting, and all manner governed, and so they ruled
of knightly games; for so kind him peaceably and his lands,
a king and knight had never and never would they suffer
the rule of poor people as he none of his blood to have no
was; and because of his good- rule with our king. And also
ness and gentle ness we be- he was so free and so gen-
moan him, and ever shall. And tle, and they so false and de-
all kings and estates may be- ceivable, that they ruled him
ware by our lord, for he was peaceably; and that espied
destroyed in his own default; the lords of our king's blood,
for had he cherished them of and departed from him unto
his blood he had yet lived with their own livelihood. Then
great riches and rest: but all when these two traitors un-
27
derstood that they had driven that hight Helius he suddenly
le morte d'arthur all the lords of his blood from
him, they were not pleased
smote our king through the
body with a spear, and so they
with that rule, but then they left him there. And when they
thought to have more, as ever were departed, then by fortune
it is an old saw: Give a churl I came to the well, and found
rule and thereby he will not my lord and king wounded to
be sufficed; for whatsomever the death. And when I heard
he be that is ruled by a vil- his complaint, I let bring him
lain born, and the lord of the to the water side, and in that
soil to be a gentleman born, same ship I put him alive;
the same villain shall destroy and when my lord King Her-
all the gentlemen about him: mance was in that vessel, he
therefore all estates and lords, required me for the true faith
beware whom ye take about I owed unto him for to write a
you. And if ye be a knight of letter in this manner.
King Arthur's court remem-
ber this tale, for this is the CHAPTER 62
end and conclusion. My lord
and king rode unto the forest The copy of the letter writ-
hereby by the advice of these
ten for to revenge the king's
traitors, and there he chased
at the red deer, armed at all death, and how Sir Palomides
pieces full like a good knight; fought for to have the battle.
and so for labour he waxed
dry, and then he alighted, and RECOMMENDING unto King
drank at a well. And when he Arthur and to all his knights
was alighted, by the assent of errant, beseeching them all
these two traitors, that one that insomuch as I, King Her-

28
mance, King of the Red City, came unto Logris, where all

Le morte d'Arthur
thus am slain by felony and the noble knights shall as-
treason, through two knights semble at this time. And there
of mine own, and of mine shall some good knight have
own bringing up and of mine pity on me to revenge my
own making, that some wor- death, for there was never
shipful knight will revenge king nor lord falslier nor trai-
my death, insomuch I have torlier slain than I am here to
been ever to my power well my death. Thus was the com-
willing unto Arthur's court. plaint of our King Hermance.
And who that will adventure Now, said Sir Ebel, ye know all
his life with these two trai- how our lord was betrayed,
tors for my sake in one battle, we require you for God's sake
I, King Hermance, King of the have pity upon his death,
Red City, freely give him all and worshipfully revenge his
my lands and rents that ever death, and then may ye wield
I wielded in my life. This let- all these lands. For we all wit
ter, said Ebel, I wrote by my well that an ye may slay these
lord’s commandment, and two traitors, the Red City and
then he received his Crea- all those that be therein will
tor; and when he was dead, take you for their lord.
he commanded me or ever he
were cold to put that letter Truly, said Sir Palomides, it
fast in his hand. And then he grieveth my heart for to hear
commanded me to put forth you tell this doleful tale; and
that same vessel down Hum- to say the truth I saw the
ber, and I should give these same letter that ye speak of,
mariners in commandment and one of the best knights
never to stint until that they on the earth read that letter

29
to me, and by his command- death, and that is Sir Tristram
le morte d'arthur ment I came hither to revenge
your king's death; and there-
de Liones, or else Sir Launcelot
du Lake.
fore have done, and let me wit
where I shall find those trai- Then Sir Palomides departed
tors, for I shall never be at ease from that castle. And as he
in my heart till I be in hands came nigh the city, there came
with them. Sir, said Sir Ebel, out of a ship a goodly knight
then take your ship again, and armed against him, with his
that ship must bring you unto shield on his shoulder, and
the Delectable Isle, fast by the his hand upon his sword.
Red City, and we in this castle And anon as he came nigh Sir
shall pray for you, and abide Palomides he said: Sir knight,
your again-coming. For this what seek ye here? leave this
same castle, an ye speed well, quest for it is mine, and mine
must needs be yours; for our it was or ever it was yours,
King Hermance let make this and therefore I will have it.
castle for the love of the two Sir knight, said Palomides, it
traitors, and so we kept it may well be that this quest
with strong hand, and there- was yours or it was mine, but
fore full sore are we threated. when the letter was taken out
Wot ye what ye shall do, said of the dead king's hand, at that
Sir Palomides; whatsomev- time by likelihood there was
er come of me, look ye keep no knight had undertaken to
well this castle. For an it mis- revenge the death of the king.
fortune me so to be slain in And so at that time I promised
this quest I am sure there will to revenge his death, and so I
come one of the best knights shall or else I am ashamed. Ye
of the world for to revenge my say well, said the knight, but

30
wit ye well then will I fight CHAPTER 63

Le morte d'Arthur
with you, and who be the bet-
ter knight of us both, let him Of the preparation of Sir Pal-
take the battle upon hand. I omides and the two brethren
assent me, said Sir Palomides.
And then they dressed their that should fight with him.
shields, and pulled out their
swords, and lashed together WELL be ye found, said the
many sad strokes as men of knight to Palomides, for of
might; and this fighting was all knights that be alive, ex-
more than an hour, but at the cept three, I had liefest have
last Sir Palomides waxed big you. The first is Sir Launcelot
and better winded, so that du Lake, and Sir Tristram de
then he smote that knight Liones, the third is my nigh
such a stroke that he made cousin, Sir Lamorak de Galis.
him to kneel upon his knees. And I am brother unto King
Then that knight spake on Hermance that is dead, and
high and said: Gentle knight, my name is Sir Hermind. Ye
hold thy hand. Sir Palomides say well, said Sir Palomides,
was goodly and withdrew his and ye shall see how I shall
hand. Then this knight said: speed; and if I be there slain
Wit ye well, knight, that thou go ye to my lord Sir Launcelot,
art better worthy to have this or else to my lord Sir Tristram,
battle than I, and require thee and pray them to revenge my
of knighthood tell me thy death, for as for Sir Lamorak
name. Sir, my name is Palo- him shall ye never see in this
mides, a knight of King Ar- world. Alas, said Sir Hermind,
thur’s, and of the Table Round, how may that be? He is slain,
that hither I came to revenge said Sir Palomides, by Sir
the death of this dead king. Gawaine and his brethren. So

31
God me help, said Hermind, up at the Red City, and there
le morte d'arthur there was not one for one that
slew him. That is truth, said
he told them how there was
come a knight of King Arthur's
Sir Palomides, for they were to avenge King Hermance's
four dangerous knights that death: And his name is Sir Pal-
slew him, as Sir Gawaine, Sir omides, the good knight, that
Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir for the most part he followeth
Mordred, but Sir Gareth, the the beast Glatisant. Then all
fifth brother was away, the the city made great joy, for
best knight of them all. And mickle had they heard of Sir
so Sir Palomides told Hermind Palomides, and of his noble
all the manner, and how they prowess. So let they ordain a
slew Sir Lamorak all only by messenger, and sent unto the
treason. two brethren, and bade them
to make them ready, for there
was a knight come that would
fight with them both. So the
messenger went unto them
where they were at a castle
there beside; and there he told
them how there was a knight
come of King Arthur's court to
fight with them both at once.
He is welcome, said they; but
tell us, we pray you, if it be Sir
So Sir Palomides took his Launcelot or any of his blood?
ship, and arrived up at the De- He is none of that blood, said
lectable Isle. And in the mean- the messenger. Then we care
while Sir Hermind that was the less, said the two breth-
the king's brother, he arrived ren, for with none of the
32
blood of Sir Launcelot we keep cation; for Merlin prophesied

Le morte d'Arthur
not to have ado withal. Wit ye much of that beast. And also
well, said the messenger, that Sir Palomides avowed never
his name is Sir Palomides, to take full christendom unto
that yet is unchristened, a no- the time that he had done sev-
ble knight. Well, said they, en battles within the lists.
an he be now unchristened
he shall never be christened. So within the third day there
So they appointed to be at came to the city these two
the city within two days. And brethren, the one hight He-
when Sir Palomides was come lius, the other hight Helake,
to the city they made pass- the which were men of great
ing great joy of him, and then prowess; howbeit that they
they beheld him, and saw that were false and full of trea-
he was well made, cleanly son, and but poor men born,
and bigly, and unmaimed of yet were they noble knights
his limbs, and neither too of their hands. And with them
young nor too old. And so all they brought forty knights, to
the people praised him; and that intent that they should
though he was not christened be big enough for the Red City.
yet he believed in the best Thus came the two breth-
manner, and was full faith- ren with great bobaunce and
ful and true of his promise, pride, for they had put the
and well conditioned; and be- Red City in fear and damage.
cause he made his avow that Then they were brought to
he would never be christened the lists, and Sir Palomides
unto the time that he had came into the place and said
achieved the beast Glatisant, thus: Be ye the two breth-
the which was a full wonder- ren, Helius and Helake, that
ful beast, and a great signifi-
33
slew your king and lord, Sir were slain.
le morte d'arthur Hermance, by felony and trea-
son, for whom that I am come THEN they departed, and the
hither to revenge his death? two brethren came against
Wit thou well, said Sir Helius Sir Palomides, and he against
and Sir Helake, that we are them, as fast as their hors-
the same knights that slew es might run. And by for-
King Hermance; and wit thou tune Sir Palomides smote
well, Sir Palomides Saracen, Helake through his shield and
that we shall handle thee so through the breast more than
or thou depart that thou shalt a fathom. All this while Sir He-
wish that thou wert chris- lius held up his spear, and for
tened. It may well be, said Sirpride and orgulite he would
Palomides, for yet I would not not smite Sir Palomides with
die or I were christened; and his spear; but when he saw
yet so am I not afeard of you his brother lie on the earth,
both, but I trust to God that and saw he might not help
I shall die a better christian himself, then he said unto Sir
man than any of you both; Palomides: Help thyself. And
and doubt ye not, said Sir Pal-therewith he came hurtling
omides, either ye or I shall beunto Sir Palomides with his
left dead in this place. spear, and smote him quite
from his saddle. Then Sir He-
CHAPTER 64 lius rode over Sir Palomides
twice or thrice. And therewith
Of the battle between Sir Pal- Sir Palomides was ashamed,
and gat the horse of Sir Helius
omides and the two brethren,
by the bridle, and therewithal
and how the two brethren the horse areared, and Sir Pal-

34
omides halp after, and so they be slain for our king's sake.

Le morte d'Arthur
fell both to the earth; but anon And as they were thus weep-
Sir Helius stert up lightly, and ing and crying, Sir Palomides
there he smote Sir Palomides that had suffered an hundred
a great stroke upon the helm, strokes, that it was wonder
that he kneeled upon his that he stood on his feet, at
own knee. Then they lashed the last Sir Palomides beheld
together many sad strokes, as he might the common peo-
and traced and traversed now ple, how they wept for him;
backward, now sideling, hur- and then he said to himself:
tling together like two boars, Ah, fie for shame, Sir Palo-
and that same time they fell mides, why hangest thou thy
both grovelling to the earth. head so low; and therewith he
bare up his shield, and looked
Thus they fought still with- Sir Helius in the visage, and
out any reposing two hours, he smote him a great stroke
and never breathed; and then upon the helm, and after that
Sir Palomides waxed faint and another and another. And
weary, and Sir Helius waxed then he smote Sir Helius with
passing strong, and doubled such a might that he fell to
his strokes, and drove Sir Pal- the earth grovelling; and then
omides overthwart and end- he raced off his helm from his
long all the field, that they head, and there he smote him
of the city when they saw Sir such a buffet that he departed
Palomides in this case they his head from the body. And
wept and cried, and made then were the people of the
great dole, and the other par- city the joyfullest people that
ty made as great joy. Alas, might be. So they brought him
said the men of the city, that to his lodging with great so-
this noble knight should thus lemnity, and there all the peo-
35
ple became his men. And then whereas Sir Tristram was and
le morte d'arthur Sir Palomides prayed them all
to take keep unto all the lord-
La Beale Isoud. Sir Tristram
had commanded that what
ship of King Hermance: For, knight errant came within
fair sirs, wit ye well I may not the Joyous Gard, as in the
as at this time abide with you, town, that they should warn
for I must in all haste be with Sir Tristram. So there came
my lord King Arthur at the a man of the town, and told
Castle of Lonazep, the which I Sir Tristram how there was a
have promised. Then was the knight in the town, a passing
people full heavy at his de- goodly man. What manner of
parting, for all that city prof- man is he, said Sir Tristram,
fered Sir Palomides the third and what sign beareth he? So
part of their goods so that he the man told Sir Tristram all
would abide with them; but the tokens of him. That is Pal-
in no wise as at that time he omides, said Dinadan. It may
would not abide. And so Sir well be, said Sir Tristram. Go
Palomides departed, and so he ye to him, said Sir Tristram
came unto the castle thereas unto Dinadan. So Dinadan
Sir Ebel was lieutenant. And went unto Sir Palomides, and
when they in the castle wist there either made other great
how Sir Palomides had sped, joy, and so they lay together
there was a joyful meiny; and that night. And on the morn
so Sir Palomides departed, early came Sir Tristram and
and came to the castle of Lon- Sir Gareth, and took them in
azep. And when he wist that their beds, and so they arose
Sir Tristram was not there he and brake their fast.
took his way over Humber,
and came unto Joyous Gard,

36
‘Now Gods stand up for bastards’
Unusual characters
The Welsh alphabet

William Shakespeare a b c ch
King Lear -Act 1, Scene 2 d dd e f
ff g ng h
A Cymric pronunciation guide for non-Welsh speakers i l ll m
n o p ph
r rh s t
th u w y
For the second part of our article (BRI-gg-id)
Arianrhod Nothing, I think, is more diffi-
we’ll be looking at gods & deities (A-ree-an-RH-od) cult to master than the ‘double
in the local pantheon. These will Rhiannon
LL’ sound you find in Llangollen
include deities not listed elsewhere (rhee-ANN-on)
Epona or ‘Lloegr’.
in Pendragon and also any unusu- (EPP-u-na)
al creatures that travelling knights A quick guide to pronouncing
Cerridwen Mwrgan unusual letters in Welsh.
may encounter. Many of these will (KE-rrid-wen) (Morgan)
only have one entry as pains were CH/ch - is the same as in J.S.
Blodeuwedd Creudylad
taken in the Pendragon rulebook (BLOD-oo-e'dd') (krew-DUL-ad) Bach
to accurately portray them and
Llew Pryderi DD/dd is a softened ‘D’ sound
because they haven’t been widely ('LL'-oo) (pri-DERRY)
worshipped since the Romano- Gwythur equivalent to a ‘Th’ sound but
(GWI-'dd'-ur) the ‘Th’ you find in the word
British culture they have escaped Mabon ‘Fathom’, not ‘Bath’.
cultural and linguistic subversion. (MAB-on)
F/f - As in the English letter ‘V’.
Gwynn Gronw Pebyr
Deities (GWINN) (GRON-oo PEBB-ear)
Ff/ff - is the same as in English,
Mannanan Manawyddin like ‘fort’. Not, as it may be as-
Canon Cymric (ma-NAN-an) (mana-WI'DD'-in) sumed, a longer version.
Pronunciation Alternatives
Deva Dyfrdwy
(DEE-va) (duv-RUD-oo-ee) Ng/ng - As in ‘Thing’.
Beli Lugh Belenos
(BELLy- Loo) (BELL-e-noss) Abandinus Ll/ll - No equivalent in Eng-
LLud (a-band-DEE-nuss) lish. It is made by placing the
(LL-id)
Nudd tip of your tongue on the gums
Sulis Coventina
(NI-'dd') (SOO-liss) (kov-enn-TEE-na) behind your top front teeth
Llyr Cyfanden and blowing gently. In Shake-
(LL-ear) (KUV-an-den) speare’s time this was mimicked
Minerva by using ‘Fl’ instead of ‘Ll’. In
Bran Pwyll (mi-NERV-a)
(BR-an) (P-oo-u-LL) Henry V Llewellyn is known as
Sulis
Urbgen (SOO-liss) ‘Flewellyn’ (flew-ELL-inn).
(URG-en)
Ph/ph - As in ‘phone’ or ‘graph’.
Math Esus Agrona Morrigan
(Math) (ESS-uss) (ag-ROW-na) MO-rigg-an) Rh/rh - An aspirated tapped ‘r’
Aeron
Don Modron (E-ron) sound as mentioned previously.
(Don) (MOD-rron) No equivalent in English.
Brigid

37
Canon Cymric
Th/th - As in ‘thin’. Pronunciation Alternatives

U/u - Substitutes as an ‘i’


sound as in ‘spit’ or ‘pristine’. Albina Alban Afagddu
(aL-BEE-na) (AL-ban) (a-VAG-'dd'ee)
W/w - is an ‘oo’ sound (as in Albina
‘book’ or ‘pool’ but also can be (ALA-pin-a) Taliesin
used as in ‘wet’. (TAL-ee-ESS-inn)
Amaethon Ymeddan
Y/y - In northern Welsh it is a (am-AY-th-on) (um-E'DD'-an) City of Legions Caer
flat ‘e’ sound as in ‘bet’ and is (c-EYE-r)
similar to an ‘i’ sound in south- Barinthus Barynddus Castra Legio
(ba-RIN-thuss) (ba-RIN-'dd'-uss)
ern Welsh. As well as an ‘u’ (CASS-tra LEE-gee-o)
sound in ‘up’ (like in Cymru, Rhydderch
or KUM-ree). (RHU-'dd'-erch*) Eburacum Eborakon
(ee-burr-AK-um) (ebb=ORA-kon)
A better resource than my Andraste Andrasta
(an-DRAST-er) (an-DRAST-a)
humble efforts exists here:
Arawn
http://www.madog.org/dysgw- (a-ROW-n)
yr/gramadeg/gramadeg1.html
Govanen Gyfannon
(go-VAN-on) (guv-ANN-on)
For actual Welsh words then
here is a good place to hear
them spoken.

http://www.heart-of-wales. Other Heroes, Orders, &


co.uk/welsh.htm#
Monsters

Avanc Afanc
(AV-anc) (AV-anc)
Addanc
(A'DD'-anc)

Druid/s Derwydd/on
(DROO-id/s) (derroo-I'DD'on)

Ysbaddadan
(US-ba-'DD'AD-an)

Twrch Trwyth
(TOO-rch TROO-with)

Bala Lake Llyn Tegid


(BA-la LAY-k) (LLINN TEG-id)

Awen
(AR-wen)

38
The Pendragon Eschille
are back at Continuum 2014
(25-28th July 2014)
and aiming to run at least one
Pendragon or Arthurian themed game
in most gaming sessions over
Saturday and Sunday so watch those
sign up boards. From adrenaline filled
tournaments, to magical quests and
tales of courtly love we hope we have
something to offer for all who have
dreamed of being knights in shining
armour, and maybe even a few
surprises along the way!

The Eschille are a group of Pendragon fans from The Round Table
Forum who have come together to run Pendragon games at
Continuum and other conventions with the support of Greg Stafford
(the game's author) and Nocturnal (its publisher) since 2010.

Nocturnal : http://nocturnal-media.com
Greg Stafford : http://www.gspendragon.com/

Continuum Gaming Convention : http://continuumconvention.co.uk

The Round Table Forum : http://www.nocturnal-media.com/forum/

'Eschille' - an Anglo-Norman word for a group or company of knights in battle,

which has evoled into the modern word 'echelon'.


arturus aetatem

The Streets
of Londinium
An Age of Arthur Scenario
by Paul Mitchener
The Beginning...
The camp is outside of Londinium
King Einion of Ebrauc’s only heir, rather than in the city, as the super-
Prince Eliffer, lies critically wound- stitious Saxons say that the city is still
ed from a poisoned- or magically cursed by the British gods.
cursed- arrow. Nothing is working to
heal the wound. Prince Offa

The heroes (through the seer and In his early 20s, Offa the Atheling is
mystic, Aelianus) know that the Caul- currently King Aelle of Sussex’s heir.
dron of Dirrnach lies in the old tem- He finds his followers’ superstition
ple of Mithras in Londinium, and is a unfortunate, but has decided not to
fabled artifact with the power to cure push them- yet.
any ill. A quest ensues to find the
cauldron and heal the prince! Offa does not view himself as a ty-
rant, though he can be as bloody as
The Saxon Camp any other Saxon warlord, and knows
how to take what he wants. He has
Just north of the city is a camp with one quirk when it comes to prisoners
hundreds of Saxons. They send out and captives- he lets them go if they
regular patrols, and keep British peo- can beat him at a game of latrunculi-
ple as thralls, marked as slaves by though if a prisoner loses a game of
their iron collars. The thralls carry latrunculi against the prince, he has
out manual labour in the camp. them executed.

40
Aspects: Skill 4

arturus aetatem
Londinium should be mine Stress 4

Contender for the throne Battleaxe +3, Seax +2, Spear +2

Player of games The player characters are likely to en-


counter a patrol, either approaching
Skills: into Londinium, or within the city if
they are heading towards the Temple
Level 5: Strategy and Tactics of Mithras. If they are captured, they
will be taken back to Offa. This is not
Level 4: Gaming, Willpower a death sentence, but Offa wants to
exact an oath from the player char-
Level 3: Awareness, Leadership, Me- acters to recover the cauldron- to
lee Combat him. Offa’s wizard, Osmund (see be-
low) has mentioned the Cauldron of
Level 2: Agility, Brawling, Strength, Dirrnach as the key to Londinium’s
Wealth power, so Offa sees it as the key to
conquest.
Level 1: Charm, Contacts, Languag-
es, Missile Combat, Survival Actually, Osmund wants the Caul-
dron for his own ends- it is a pow-
Languages: Saxon, Brythonic erful magical artifact. Everything
else from Osmund, even his service
Stunts: to Offa, is a way of getting the Caul-
dron.
Tough, Strong-willed, Leadership
Specialism (+1 for followers in the The Patrol
camp), Fighting Style (+1 Melee for
defence when fighting with a battle- Leader: Thrydwulf
axe, can block ranged attacks)
Aspects: For Glory!, Oath to Prince
Health 5 Offa

Composure 6 Skill 4

Weapons: Battleaxe +4, Seax +2, Stress 4


Spear +2
Battleaxe +3, Seax +2, Spear +2
Offa has five elite bodyguards:
Ordinary Saxon warriors (two per
Aspect: Loyal to Offa to the Death player character)

41
Aspect: In search of heineity much of the Roman architecture lies
ruined. Features of the city include:
Skill 2
* An empty market forum, fill of
Stress 2 haunting sounds caused by winds
blowing through missing bricks.
Battleaxe +3, Seax +2, Spear +2
* A crumbling amphitheatre.
Avoiding the patrol is a matter of a
skill contest involving Stealth, Aware- * A timber bridges across the River
ness, Athletics and similar skills. A Tamesis (the modern Thames), un-
straight fight is also an option for the stable and in need of repair.
heroes.
The Cauldron of Dirrnach, as noted
In the Big Bad City above, is believed to be in the Tem-
ple of Mithras, the Soldier God. This
Londinium is all-but abandoned, and temple contains scenes of Mithras’

Ruined Saxon Camp


Amphitheatre
Forum

Temple of
Mithras

Governor's
Palace

Novellus Villa

Londinium
life painted on the wall- his birth Roman villas, it is a building with se-
from a rock, his slaying of the cos- cure outer walls, and an inner atri-

arturus aetatem
mic bull, and the sun god bowing his um. The gardens within the villa are
head to Mithras. The temple holds a still well-maintained.
sacrificial altar, where animals were
killed and given to Mithras. Beneath For all that, the Novellus villa is sur-
the altar is a pit, where initiates into rounded by wreckage and ruins. The
the cult were showered in the blood nearby Vespilo family villa, which a
of a slaughtered bull. few years ago belonged to the most
powerful family in Londinium, is
The torches above the altar in the now destroyed.
temple are still lit. Yes, this is magic-
a trace of the ancient magic of the Twenty militia are present to defend
god. The fires can be extinguished, the Villa, along with the Novellus
but the one who extinguishes them is family and several dependant fami-
cursed with a new Aspect: Displeas- lies. The villa is almost a small castle
ure of Mithras. This new Aspect can in scope.
be used once at no Fate Point cost by
the character’s enemies. Militia

Using the torches in divination mag- Aspect: Last defence against the bar-
ic grants a +2 bonus. This might be barians
necessary- the Cauldron isn’t in the
temple. A Divination check at dif- Skill 2
ficulty 8 reveals the Cauldron to be
in the Governor’s Palace (see below). Stress 2
If the sample player characters are
used, Aelianus can try this. Leather Armour 1

A more likely method than magical Gladius +2, ignore one armour,
divination is mundane information Spear +2
gathering. The only remaining in-
habitants of Londinium dwell in vil- Recently, the head of the family, Lu-
las to the south. Of the sample player cius Novellus perished when leading
charactres, Andoc has connections men to help defend the Vespilo villa
with the Novellus family, and could against Saxon raiders. The new head
be compelled to visit them. of the family is Lucius’ daughter,
Drusilla Genesia Novellus.
Roman Villas
Drusilla Genesia Novellus
The largest of the surviving villas to
the south of the city is damaged by Drusilla is proud of her Roman herit-
fire, but still standing. It belongs to age, trained in the arts of war, and
the Novellus family, and like other stubborn. She will defend the villa

43
as long as she can- it is her home, nor’s Palace.
arturus aetatem and she has a duty to others who live
there. She still worships the pagan According to the reports of others
Roman gods, distrusting both Chris- in the city, the Governor’s Palace is
tianity and the British gods. strange- it appears now not in ruins,
but in its full Roman glory.
Aspects:
What Drusilla wants is for the play-
Proud of Roman heritage er characters to share her oath to
avenge Lucius’ death. If they agree to
Protect the family villa this, she will lend them men for the
job, and suggest that if it’s magic they
Oath: Avenge father’s death are looking for, the magic at the Gov-
ernor’s Palace (for what else could it
Skills: be?) is surely a sign. If the heroes are
less keen to share Drusilla’s venge-
Level 4: Willpower ance quest, a social contest of some
kind may be needed to get her help.
Level 3: Charm, Leadership
Outside the Governor's Palace
Level 2: Lore (Roman Culture and
History), Melee Combat, Strategy A fair-sized force of Saxons is present
and Tactics at the Governor’s Palace. They guard
it, but far more from what is within
Level 1: Empathy, Languages, Rid- than what is without. The wizard Os-
ing, Wealth mund is in the process of setting up
a series of stones carved with runes
Languages: Latin, Latin literacy, around the palace. When fully set-
Brythonic up, these runes will suppress the use
of the Fae Glamours within.
Stunts: Strong Will
It should be clear by this stage that
Health 3 the player characters need to get past
the Saxons and into the palace. This
Composure 7 needs a better plan than taking all of
them on head on without any back-
Equipment: Gladius (+2 damage, up.
ignore 1 armour), Old Roman Jewel-
lery, Small Mirror 30 Elite Saxon Warriors

Drusilla wants to avange her father’s Aspects: Born for war, Loot and pil-
death. She knows who did it- a group lage
of Saxons led by a red haired green-
eyed warrior in ring mail. She even Skill 3
knows where he might be -the Gover-

44
Stress 3 Weapon of Vengeance

arturus aetatem
Battleaxe +3, Seax +2, Spear +2 Health 6

Horsa Composure 5

Horsa is the “red-haired green-eyed Ringmail and Shield (Absorption 3)


Saxon.” His father was a Saxon
prince, and his mother a British Spatha +3, Longbow +2
thrall. Horsa is determined to prove
himself worthy of a more royal herit- Osmund
age, and has fallen in with the wiz-
ard Osmund, hoping an alliance will Osmund is one of King Aelle’s advis-
help him on his way to power. ers. He has rare knowledge and mag-
ical power of great use to his country-
Aspects: men. However, he is neither liked nor
trusted, so often spends time away
Outsider from the king and his other advisers
n either the king’s business or that
Way to Power of his own. His current business is
the Cauldron of Dirrnach- he wants
Calculating but Brutal it for his own, and has manipulated
matters so that he is in a position to
Skills:Level 5: Melee Combat claim it.

Level 4: Awareness, Strategy and Osmund has cultivated an arrogant,


Tactics sarcastic and often frightening man-
ner. He despises his fellow man, feel-
Level 3: Missile Combat, Strength, ing his powers and intellect make
Willpower him superior. He despairs and revels
in equal measure at how easily peo-
Level 2: Brawling, Gaming, Leader- ple can be manipulated. When work-
ship, Wealth ing as a magician, if in human form,
he daubs his face with blood and ash
Level 1: Agility, Languages, Riding, and wears a necklace made from the
Stealth, Survival skulls of animals, all the better to
cause fear and awe.
Languages: Brythonic, Latin, Saxon Aspects:

Stunts: Connections with King Aelle’s court

Extra Refresh Despises his fellow man

Magic Resistance The Arts of Terror and Deception


Toughness

45
The Road to Magical Power In the Palace
arturus aetatem
Skills: Level 5: Intimidation The Governor’s Palace appears to be
in its prime, with fine gardens, stat-
Level 4: Deception, Rune Magic ues of the twelve Olympian gods,
pools and fountains, mosaics and so
Level 3: Awareness, Brawling, Will- on.
power
There are 24 slaves in the villa, who
Level 2: Contact, Healing, Languag- appear human and go by Greek
es, Shapechanging names. These slaves are not what
they seem, like so much else here, be-
Level 1: Agility, Stealth, Strength, ing Fae.
Survival, Wealth
Aspect: Single-minded dedication to
Stunts: Empowered Enchantment duties
Blessing of Wotan
Skill 2
Rune Wizardry
Stress 2
Skin Changer
Also present are six Barghests- wolves
Health 4 who can assume human form, albeit
with lupine features.
Composure 5
Aspect: Intelligent Fae Wolf
Languages: Brythonic, Latin, Saxon,
Futhark Runes Skill 3

Shapechanging Forms: Bear, Eagle Stress 3

Equipment: Necklace of animal Damage 2


skulls (empowered by Rune Magic
with the Aspect Otherworldly Terror, Stunt: Scent Tracking
use once per scene at no Fate Point Finally, in charge is the lady
cost), Enchanted Bear and Eagle Domitia Antonia- apparently a Ro-
skins, Survival Equipment, Healing man noblewoman from centuries
Kit. earlier. She calls herself Queen of
Londinium.
Eagle Form: Free Aspect, Form of the
Eagle, Stunts Flight and Swift. Aspects: Fae Noblewoman, Gener-
ous, Long-term glamours in domain,
Bear Form: Free Aspect, Form of the Roman manners, Sensitive to insults
Bear, Absorption 1, Damage 3. and breaches of etiquette

46
Skills: Level 6: Glamour it hard to get into the palace against

arturus aetatem
her will, though an Investigation
Level 5: Willpower, Deception or Awareness check made against
Domitia’s Glamours skill could do
Level 4: Awareness, Leadership, it. Before the player characters are
Lore [Roman culture] allowed to even speak with Queen
Domitia, they must succeed at three
Level 3: Agility, Charm, Intimida- challenges. These should be appro-
tion, Lore [history] priate to the heroes. Possibilities
include:
Level 2: Empathy, Gaming, In-
timidation, Melee Combat, Riding, * An arm-wrestling contest with
Strategy and Tactics one of the Barghests.
* A game of latrunculi with one of
Level 1: Languages [Latin literacy], the servants.
Lore [Fae, the old gods], Perfor- * A musical contest with one of the
mance [flute, singing], Strength servants.
* A chariot race with one of the
Stunts: Elegant Barghests.
* A staring contest with the queen
Enduring Glamours herself, who is disguised as a
Barghest for the purpose.
Magic Resistance
A different hero must perform
Strong Will each challenge. The staring con-
test should be the last challenge,
Vision of Terror giving Domitia an appropriately
dramatic entrance. Being one of
Equipment: Fine Roman Clothes, the Fae, Domitia will also take the
Spatha (Damage 3), Lorica Segmen- opportunity to mess with the player
tata (Absorption 3: Appears when characters. One thing she can do is
needed), Luxury food and drink, a remove any Oaths- which she will
ruined Roman villa made a vision gleefully offer to do.
of opulence through Glamour.
Domitia has the Cauldron in the
Health 4, heart of the palace, in the shrine to
the Olympians, kept invisible with
Willpower 8 glamours. She will give up the Caul-
dron if the player characters give a
Admittance to the Fae Queen’s suitable gift in return, or agree to a
domain requires the completion favour for her- the death of the wiz-
of three challenges- and as a “Ro- ard Osmund, and removal of the
man”, Domitia dislikes the Saxons, rune-engraved stones outside the
refusing them admittance outright. palace.
Her command of Glamours makes

47
draconum Britanniam Competition!
It is our great fortune to be able to that seeks to encourage it’s players
offer a prize for the best submission to have their characters behave in
to the next issue of Dragons of Brit- a chivalric manner. This prize was
ain courtesy of Christopher Payne kindly donated by Christopher
of the Pendragon Eschille. Payne (a contributor to this very
magazine).
To enter, all you need is send in a
submission! It can be an article, Send all entries to:
scenario, a piece of art, short fic- steffworthington@hotmail.com
tion, or anything else that fits into with ‘DoB Submission’ as the
the sphere of Arthurian gaming. subject header.

You will retain the rights to your


work, all you will be doing is al-
lowing us to produce it here in the
magazine.

The Prize? A wonderful volume by


renowned poet & author Pamela
Porter.

‘Courtly Love in Medieval Manu-


scripts’ is illustrated with some
fantastic medieval art and explains
the concept, and some misconcep-
tions, of courtly love. It’s a won-
derful mirror to medieval society
and explains the paradox behind
knights who were bred for war and
the high chivalric ideals expected
of them by womankind. For exam- Thy small print:
ple, allowing women to spectate at This competition is open to eve-
Tournements turned a free-for-all ryone but submissions must be
mad melee into something much in English, mustn’t be too lengthy
more civilised and sports-like. They (4000 words max) and those in the
became less about bashing a rival Eschille are restricted from entry
about the head and more of a way (your worth is already known!)
to show off to the lady of your af-
fections. Deadline for entries is the
First day of October.
This is a MUST for every player of a
game like Pendragon, or any game

48
draconum Britanniam
Whispers Around the
Realm
A look at some of the gossip, tales, and rumours around Arthur’s realm

AD 533 In Camelot Elsewhere In Logres

A company read- In the City of the Legion a strange


ies to leave for Paris apparition has frightened the pop-
in an escort for Lady ulace. The Roman lord of the city
Elyzabel who is to be seeks brave men and women to
wed to Philip, cousin find out why a Legionary haunts
to the Frankish King. All is not well the Roman walls. Is he making up
hoever, as a strange figure has been for some mis-deed? Some derelic-
asking locals when the company tion of duty? He appears as a blue/
leaves. He has a Frankish accent white spirit keeping vigil over the
and has put the court ill at ease. walls and gates of the city and has
He may be just gaining valuable in- made them all but ungovernable
formation on the knights that may as the city watch refuse to patrol
take part in the tourney in Paris, the city walls with this unquiet
or it may be regarding something spirit stalking them. Is there a way
more sinister. to appease this spectre?

Sir Lancelot should’ve returned to


camelot by now. Murmerings at Earl Robert seeks the assistance of
court display an unusual concern Geraint the Builder, a near hermit-
regarding the knights wherabouts. like recluse who is a master builder
Perhaps a small company of wor- living in Gwynedd. Geraint’s father
thy knights should ascertain his was Dairn, the architect who failed
wherabouts? to build Vortigern’s castle when he
needed one and Earl Robert thinks
Gaelic warriors and knights are now is an ideal opportunity for his
arriving ahead of their High King son to clear the family name and
who is due to arrive in the next few to creat some good works at Salis-
weeks. They are likeable but also bury. Finding him in the moun-
rowdy troublemakers on occasion. tains of Gwynedd will be difficult
Should this behaviour be allowed especially as he may have laid
to continue? Is King Anguish to be traps to discourage those who seek
told? Will they bring shame on his him.
name?

49
draconum Britanniam Outside Logres

Rumours of rebellion or malcon-


bounty and the land has grown fat
and the people are well fed. Some
say it’s witchcraft or pagan wor-
tentment in Kernow are nothing ship that brings the fairy folk to
new but never before have the en- his farm. Many more think it’s his
tire population been disgruntled kind nature and generosity. Either
in such a manner as is happening way, the people for miles and miles
now. King Mark is sending his best around will feats well and worry
knight, the loyal and Valiant Tris- less over Winter.
tram, to Camelot in order to seek
the hand of the daughter of King
Anguish, princess Iseult. Strange ‘Mer-men’ have been
seen in Lyonesse. Some have been
Despite her radiant beauty, the Cor- glimpsed at night stealing their
nish are appalled at a possible alli- way into houses in the fairland and
ance between Cornwall & the Irish killing the male inhabitants and
as they have been raided by the very abducting the women and girls.
same Gaels for decades. “Are we to
marry our enemies now?” shouted All manner of fears run through
one man in the street. Maybe King the local knights at what may have
Mark has a hidden motive for wed- befallen their womenfolk but de-
ding an Irish princess but many spite rushing to the scene of the
cannot fathom it. King Arthur him- abduction, they are often too late.
self is concerned over a possible Survivors recall seeing these Mer-
Cornish/Irish alliance. men, known locally as the ‘Deep
Ones’, throwing the women over
Arthur has asked Sir Kay to ensure their back and returning to the sea.
the safety of Anguish and Iseult These devils sound like the Afanc
while they travel to Camelot lest or Formorii of old.
an attempt is made to end the mar-
riage before it is begun. Arthur A Recorder in Carduel has record-
would rather not see the marriage ed an increase in the amount of
go ahead but the death of King An- miraculous events in later years.
guish or his daughter in Logres by Despite the desolate area, magic
forces unknown could bring disas- has brought hope to the local peo-
ter to Camelot. Arthur knows he ple. No one knows yet whether the
has enemies still in the world and magic of the land returns is evil in
not even he could fight the Saxons nature or returns for the good of
AND the Irish. the people.

Have you heard rumours and tid-


In Garloth a farm has grown mi- ings from around Arthur’s realm?
raculously abundant. It is said the remember where your allegiance
Farmer is visited by wee folk and is lies and send them via the submis-
assisted with his crops for a small sions details on the contents page.
payment. The locals amaze at this

50
draconum Britanniam
Following are examples of effects you can Props
use to immerse and instill atmosphere dur-
ing your Arthurian games. Getting the bal- If you’re lucky enough to have a collection
ance right is crucial. Try not to drown your of swords as I do then these can be quite
players in an environment that will distract the prop to have at a gaming table (pro-
from your game. I once ran a game of Call viding your players aren’t the kind to start
of Cthulhu outside a mountain graveyard swinging it about- safety first!). Other
in North Wales in the dark. The atmosphere than large expensive objects you can cre-
was amazing but everyone was too distracted ate maps with sepia ink and paper. Add
by gravestones and the weather to really pay wax and a stamp to that (usually quite
enough attention to the game at hand. cheap on Ebay and other places) and you
have royal letters. You’ll be surprised at
It is possible to overuse an effect so think 'less how a small mundane object like a scrap
is more'. of cloth can be emotive. Is that a piece of
faux-silk that cost you £1 from the local
Candlelight market or is it the scrap torn from the hem
of a dress that belongs to a lady who has
Nothing says medieval or fantasy roleplaying been abducted?
like candlelight. Make sure it’s illuminated
enough so you can read the charater sheets
but nor enough that it starts to rival light Food
bulbs. Also, any device which shields the can-
dles from players absent minded attempts to Often overlooked, this gaming prop can
play with the wax is good. transport your players to an earlier time.
Are your PCs at an Easter feast? Place
The shadows that play across the walls of the a wooden bowl full of roast chicken in
room you’re playing in can be very effective at the centre of the table. Sprinkle some
creating atmosphere. redcurrant sauce on it and there you go.
Add fruit, wine (or blackcurrant juice for
those driving) and watch everyone dig in.
Music and sound effects When your players start eating chicken
with their hands then it’s a success. One
Music has already been dealt with in DoB of my ex-partners also felt a little left out
(see previous issues) but effects can be really of my game nights but didn’t really fancy
helpful in setting up singular environments. gaming. Including her in the preparation
A bird screech, bats flying, a wolf howl can all of the food was a good way to include
make your players jump if used sparingly but someone in the social aspect of games
one of the most enjoyable sounds I’ve found night without pushing them to play when
is a thunderstorm. three hours of thunder can they don’t want to. I’m not yet brave
really make a place or event seem memorable enough to try actual medieval dishes yet.
to your players. Youtube is full of lengthy vid-
eos containing weather effects. By Steff. Worthington,
a terrible chef & gamer.

51
Bibliophilia
Essential Reading
by
Christopher Payne

Medieval life
I cover a couple of books from own
Do you know how medieval toilets bookshelf and I would say that
worked? Why castle stairs general- people should find one that suits
ly wind round to the right as you go you and your audience. For me that
up them? What civilian clothes did generally means pictures and rela-
men and women wear? How me- tively light treatment of the subject
dieval food was served (and that compared with an academic work.
forks were unknown)? What child-
hood toys people had (always good
for a kidnap and rescue scenario)?
That wealth is often sumptuous
goods (or agricultural produce)
rather than coin of the realm.

None of this is essential to run a


good game of Pendragon but I feel
it helps. Also sometimes there are
players who are fine with the whole
Knight in armour chopping things
down with a sword, but anything
wider is a mystery. If you are lucky
then players will have watched a
movie or three set in the Middle
Ages. Occasionally things will oc-
cur in games that I’m playing that
cause me to wince such as “we send
the knight a letter” or “we go down
to the shops and buy a hundred
yards of red cloth” but so be it and Eyewitness Castle by Christo-
let it pass if players are having fun: pher Gravett published by Dorling
at he other end of the spectrum are Kindersley (ISBN 0 7513 4740 X).
some people who like their games With Mostly photographs of real
mired in mud, disease and far too items or re-enactors then this I feel
much grim historical reality. is very accessible to people, and as

52
draconum Britanniam
a reasonably slim volume is what
I most often pack when gaming
away from home and working out
of one bag.

Life in Medieval England pub-


lished by Pitkin (ISBN 0 85372 840
The Usborne Time Traveller 2). A brief introduction aimed at
Knights and Castles published adults and before I got hold of vari-
by Usborne (ISBN 0 7460 3075 4). ous books published by the British
Much more of a children’s book Library then a source of colour pic-
and with drawings rather than tures of medieval illustrations.
photographs but it has a useful
thematic approach, like “Dawn at
the Castle”, “Going Hunting” and
“Giving a Feast”

53
draconum Britanniam A book on Heraldry

Heraldry is a skill (and one that a


Books called Discovering Herald-
ry (ISBN 9780747806608) by Jac-
queline Fearn. All of the interior
character can get as a family bo- illustrations are in black and white
nus for at +10 start skill) so I feel a but it covers the whole subject from
GM should have understanding of simple basics to the complex as-
the subject and how it might come pects of inheritance and marriage
into play. If my character ends up in a small, slim volume.
with enhanced Heraldry skill but
it never features in a scenario be-
cause the GM has a very narrow
game, whereas m fellow gamer has
the hunting bonus and gets lots of
advantage from it because the GM
can relate to it easier, then I’m go-
ing to feel somewhat cheated.

Whilst a player is unlikely to want


to end up as full time Herald, Her-
alds were used historically to con-
duct such things as prisoner ne-
gotiations and ransoms because
if they combined the recognition
(heraldry) with the social skills
(courtesy) then hopefully a smooth
transaction would result with all
sides getting what they wanted out
of it.

Books on Heraldry come in all


sorts of shapes, sizes and levels.
The ones I feature are what I tend
to use the most, although for differ- Design your Own Coat of Arms
ent purposes. If looking to buy one by Rosemary A Chorzempa from
then think of what you want to do Dover Publications (ISBN 0 486
with it and look through it. A schol- 24993 X). I bought this book be-
arly work is too much for a simple cause it is a slim volume that would
aid to help novice players, whilst a fit into my bag when gaming away
basic guide is no use if you want to from home, covered the basics and
understand subjects like cadency, provided designs (like those in the
inheritance and what happens on rulebook) that the players could
marriage. trace or draw inspiration from. (I
also pack some crayons so that de-
One of my most used books has signs can be coloured in).
gone missing as I’m writing this.
It’s a little paperback from Shire

54
draconum Britanniam
Simple Heraldry by a couple of piece of shareware called Blazons!
real life Heralds who have names which was written by a teacher and
and titles that are far too long to re- was relatively powerful in terms of
peat (ISBN 1 115 885648). This has what it could achieve once one un-
a different approach of starting off derstood how it built shields (e.g.
from a practical viewpoint of un- quartered shields after marriage)
moving forwards from the basic
drag and drop interface. A move to
the Apple Mac has altered things
slightly and with a gaming group
on hiatus (mainly moving away for
jobs, although marriage and chil-
dren have also taken their toll) then
I currently have limited demand.
Type in “Heraldry Generator” to a
search engine and then have some
fun with the results.

A quick Internet search today has


revealed ... http://www.puncher.
co.uk/gen_herald.php which looks
interesting although doesn’t have
animals on it..

This one looks good if with a learn-


ing curve and not sure how to get
derstanding what you see around rid of the mantling yet.. http://rpg.
you and why, rather than from uplink.fi/heraldry/
the building blocks of divisions,
ordinaries, sub-ordinaries and This one appears powerful, al-
charges. However, it has some very though would seem to require the
nice colour diagrams illustrating full paid for version to get the abil-
various principles of things like in- ity to do things offline and other
heritance and marriage in a light advantages: http://inkwellideas.
hearted manner. This is definitely com/coat_of_arms/free-version/
a book for the GM rather than nov-
ice player.

Finally, a topic which deserves its


own fully researched article are the
online Heraldry generators, which
can be used to design and print
shields for your players. I started off
(in the days of Windows 3.1) with a

55
Heralds & Arms
draconum Britanniam
A Heraldry Generator by Christopher Payne

I see Heraldry as an integral part avoid the “Red Dragon on a white


of running Pendragon. There’s a base” not that that isn’t realistic.
specific skill for Heraldry in ap- However, making that comment
plication and one of the options is after a bit of “uh, umm” delay can
a glory bonus when determining be a bit of a giveaway that here we
whom someone actually is, based have yet another “wandering mon-
upon their shield design. ster” unimportant NPC knight to
buy the GM some time in an even-
Any roleplaying session should be ing’s gaming. I used to have a few
fun for players and GM but I do random shield designs to hand but
start to wince when I see shields these days I can generally come up
drawn as if they were a Goth Com- with something “different” on the
ic strip frame. Historically by the spot, although a few random rolls
end of the 15th Century (which in can always generate something in-
Pendragon terms is the Twilight teresting. Present something a little
period) then shields, particularly unseals and different and players
pavises were starting to see po- may start to pay more attention,
litical cartoons or text on them. and I also feel that this helps create
Equally in the Uther and Anarchy the concept that there is a world of
period then heraldry was still in its which the players are but a part.
infancy and designs out to be more
akin to what is seen on the Bayeaux Heraldry can have a sideways as-
Tapestry. I personally like my her- pect as well. I personally tend to
aldry in the period between those envisage Guinevere as somewhat
two points when it was covering flighty but someone who wants to
the all important need of telling have fun at things like the Pente-
friend from foe, when everyone is cost Tournament. It’s her party (in
encased in steel from head to toe. party – I appreciate that Arthur is
footing the bill) and in later periods
In the same way that I like to have she has things like the Courts of
names that spark some interest Love and when playing with some
like Chevalier of the Thousand of the optional concepts there are
Isles (see my name generator last things like the Fashion Parade. In
issue) then I like my shields to be one scenario where a player was
varied, and I will often use them at the top table with Guinevere
as a visual aid. I therefore present at Pentecost feast then Guinevere
a random Heraldic Generator to had the idea that some of the top

56
Barons of the land should mimic mind has a gold (i.e. yellow) cross
the sounds of the charges on their on a silver (i.e. white) base.
shields (or she could choose where
inappropriate). I believe I said Remember that from a gaming
something like Orate (at full value) viewpoint then particular charges
or half value for Sing or Courtesy, may be associated with particular
whichever gave the highest result. family groups. The Orkney clan
Fine until the player with the Cock- has the Eagle displayed. The De
erel fumbles and we have a sound Ganis Exiles (Lancelot, Bleoberis
like a strangled chicken. As forfeit, and Blamore) have the red/white
we have the Baron (and remem- barry (diagonal stripes) of six with
ber that juniors often like nothing various distinguishing marks.
more than their stuffy superiors
being ridiculed) leading a round To fully understand the tables then
of dance based upon the birdie a basic knowledge of heraldry is
song, although Guinevere joins in. needed – the alternative was to
Surprise then, when the wife of the take up valuable space with illus-
Baron criticals her dance skill, and trations.
Guinevere has a new “best friend”
for a while. To me it is such tales Heraldry Generator Tables
and memories like that which give
Pendragon and it characters fla- STEPS
vour and fun.
To return to the generator though. 1 – Roll on Table 1 for a field (ie.
In much the same way as the nam- Base colour)
ing generator then this may require
a degree of tweaking to achieve 2 – Roll on table 2 for any Division
a good result: the emphasis has of the shield
been on producing something that
works reasonably quickly. I person- 3 – Roll as appropriate on Table 3,
ally have more detailed generators 4 or 5.
but they consequence is they have
more tables and take longer. 5 – Roll for charges, placement and
colour
The basic rule in heraldry on col-
ours is that metal never goes upon Table 1 – Base colour
metal (so no white upon yellow for
example) or colour upon colour in 1 – Yellow (Metal)
terms of charges and base shield
(or ordinary/sub ordinary colour). 2 – White (metal)
The one notable exception to this is
the King (and Kingdom) of Jerusa- 3 – Red
lem which as befits such an impor-
tant city to the medieval Christian 4 – Blue

57
12 Sub Ordinary (table 4)
5 – Green
Table 3 – Ordinaries
6 – Black
1 – Per Fess
Table 1a – Alternative base colour
2 – Per Pale
These are alternative but much
scarcer options historically.. 3 – Per Bend

1 – Purple 4 – Per Bend Sinister

2 – Fur – Ermine 5 – Per Saltire

3 – Fur – Ermines 6 – Per Chevron

4 – Fur – Pean Roll on Table 1 for colour of parti-


tion
5 – Fur – Vair
Then go to Table 5.
6 – Tawny (Orange- Brown).
Table 4 – Sub Ordinaries
Table 2 – Division (2d6)
1 Fess
2 Sub Ordinary (table 4)
2 Cross
3 Ordinary (table 3)
3 Bend
4 No Division (table 5)
4 Chief or Bend Sinister
5 Sub Ordinary (table 4)
5 Saltire
6 Ordinary (table 3)
6 Cross
7 No Division (table 5)
Roll on Table 1 for colour of parti-
8 Ordinary (table 3) tion

9 Sub Ordinary (table 4) Then go to Table 5.

10 No Division (table 5) Table 4A – Alternate sub ordinar-


ies
11 Ordinary (table 3)
1 Barry

58
2 Pile 2 Around sub ordinary if present

3 Bendy 3 Top to bottom

4 Paly 4 Top to bottom

5 Quarterly 5 Left to right

6 Gyronny or Fretty 6 Left to right

Roll on Table 1 for colour of parti- Table 5c – Individual charges (roll


tion 1d6 followed by second d6)

Then go to Table 5. 11 Dragon

Table 5 – Charges 12 Lion

Roll on table 1 for colour remem- 13 Eagle


bering the rules about no metal
upon metal or colour upon colours 14 Bear
rules. Remember that items can
sometimes be “natural” in terms of 15 Wolf
colours.
16 Bull
Table 5a – number of identical
charges 21 Hound

1 one 22 Stag

2 One 23 Horse

3 One 24 Bird (e.g. Raven, Swan, Cockerel


or Pelican)
4 Two
25 Exotic (e.g. Unicorn, wyvern,
5 Two Serpent, Cat)

6 Three (or more as appropriate) or 26 Head of 11 to 25


none.
31 Sword
Table 5b – Location
32 Helmet or Crown
1 On sub ordinary if present

59
33 Axe or Mace or Hammer
63 Object (e.g. book, bell, loaf of
34 Caltrop or Warhorse or Stirrup bread, horse shoe)

35 Lance/Spear or Arrow or Arrow 64 Heart or Diamond or circle or


Head (Pheon) quinquefoil

36 Gauntlet or Castle/Tower or 65 Border around shield or special


Portcullis effect e.g. counterpoised

41 Dolphin or Fish 66 Religious icon (cross, crosier,


mitre, sickle, Thor’s hammer etc).
42 Boat or Anchor

43 Shell or Trident or Net or Crab

44 Seahorse or Mermaid or Octo-


pus

45 Unusual object (e.g. Moors


head, goblin head, boot, pillow,
maunch, purse)

46 Office bade (e.g. money sack,


hawk lure, bow, pen, barrel, key)

51 Fleur de Lys or Star or Roundel

52 Harp or horn

53 Sun or Crescent Moon

54 rose

55 Plant (e.g. Oak Tree, lily or


wheat sheaf)

56 Second but different charge –


roll again

61 Small metal object (e.g. ring,


key, buckle or shears)

62 Bee or Snake or Spider etc

60
Dragons of Britain
The

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61
draconum Britanniam Gratitudes & Complimentaries
THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTORS WHO HAVE MADE THIS ISSUE OF THE
DRAGONS OF BRITAIN POSSIBLE. THEY'VE STEPPED UP. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.

Steff. J. Worthington
Contact info is steffworthington@hotmail.com
Available for cartography projects, trade dress, and
graphic design for RPGs and other books.

David Elrick
Writer

Paul Mitchener
Contact info is drmitchener@gmail.com
Website: http://rpgimaginarium.wordpress.com/

Christopher Payne
Contact info is chrisjohnpayne@blueyonder.co.uk
Castle Explorer

62
draconum Britanniam
Wyld Raven - http://wyldraven.deviantart.com/
Naraosga - http://naraosga.deviantart.com/
Aubrey Beardsley - Master Illustrator

Dewfooter - http://dewfooter.deviantart.com/
Atitstatplay - http://atistatplay.deviantart.com/

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