Khanwulf

I don't think Book of Salisbury is published yet. We had Charlemagne, Map folio and Book of Feasts prior to Book of Sires. Very likely that Book of Salisbury is next, or maybe Book of Castles? I don't remember. There's a pipeline. Anyway, it's not likely that your work is wasted in the short term, Atgxtg. --Khanwulf

Interesting. You're actually probably right: the main cooking would take place over the fire that serves to centrally light and heat the manor. Otherwise you're wasting wood, which is arguably one of the most precious resources available (moreso than labor). I need to research some of these aspects. How basic things get done is an essential pointer to layout and structure. Another example of this: all those white castles in medieval literature? Whitewashed plaster over wood, apparently. Stone being more expensive than trees, and all that, they'd build them out of wood and cover in plaster to keep the fire risk down. Made them more imposing, too, since you could build larger and taller without dedicating as much space to load-bearing walls. --Khanwulf

Wouldn't the door open directly into the hall for dramatic entrances? And the kitchen, where is it?

I think the assumption to work with is that Uther's Bastards (a knightly order if ever there was one, right?) are all unacknowledged, probably cared-for through his largesse, and technically lowborn. His swiving is a matter of widespread rumor, but done quietly both I think because of fear of his temper but also because he's the King (capital K) and that's just what's done when you're an unmarried king. The Church would disagree, but probably not to Uther and especially not after he's broken Gorlois. So all those bastards? Not enough to stake a claim to protecting the throne of Logres. Now a high-born lady, even a queen like Ygraine, brings a measure of legitimacy through association and is a more reasonable target. If there were legitimate, acknowledged issue from Uther or Madoc, then they would be in a higher category of claimant, at least on par with some of the extended family/powerful lord members of the Anarchy. Fun times. Keep in mind as well that secret marriages are a thing. It entirely possible for the PK to claim--especially after Madoc's death--that their well-known affair was actually a private marriage and that was the reason Uther didn't mess with them. A few bribes to churchmen and maybe some winking at Uther and you're set. Personally, because I'm using some related ideas to this thread, I like the "secret marriage to Madoc just outside of Terrabil" plot. The next morning is a hangover, of course. But then I'm mean. --Khanwulf PS. Edit for Atgxtg: I don't think it's fair to make Uther chase anything in a skirt. He just doesn't find someone worthy of tying the knot with until Ygraine comes along, in the balance of beauty and station. But he does insist on having a bedwarmer. A pretty one. All the time. Deprived a few days and he'll find a replacement in short order; which is what happens when Ygraine rejects him. Frankly I think Ygraine lost her charm immediately. I mean the chasing is better than the having, and she was all weepy, then all pregnant, and then bitchy (in GPC) about losing Arthur before she even named him. She was not super-young either and I suspect Uther had some serious buyer's remorse at having chained himself to such a strong woman (Valorous 19!?!). Her departure to the nunnery sounds like the end of an argument or few that, were she male, would have resulted in the king doing some stabbing.

And per custom folks just ignored inconvenient noises. Privacy? Not so much. Also: the loo. Outside. When nature called after a night of feasting you'd creak up off the board and gingerly step around the body parts and dogs, hoping the rushes (and whatever else) on the floor would keep you from waking your mates (the servants aren't worth the thought); then shove the door open a crack and totter off to do your business. Or just use a chamber pot. Ladies did so a lot but then again skirts have an advantage, there. Storage? The walls would probably be hung with stuff, plus things tied to the rafters. Household knights might be given a chest with or without a lock, along one wall and probably covered with a throw cloth to serve as an extra stool when not accessed. (Practical speculation). Light would mainly be from the hearth, backed up by torches or, if you were quite wealthy, candles. For defensive purposes the hall would not have windows on the lower floor. This is why the solar was so important for the ladies trying to do needlework: it was arranged specifically for extra light over defense. --Khanwulf

Ok Morien, I see what you're doing there, however it was unclear in the context of the discussion that this notation applied beyond Traits. My understanding was that the notation solved a particular problem of Traits supposedly capping at 20, with the +3 (e.g.) offsetting penalties--only. My point simply being that if scores >20 in Traits are treated differently then you lose the mechanical benefits to crits on rolls. Whether a high skill or attribute is calculated as 23 or 20(+3) is another matter and clearly you would expect the system to ensure Sir Critsalot gets his due. --Khanwulf

Another point of difference between 20 (+3) and 23: the former crits on a 20, while the latter on a 17+. That's significant, whereas the Glory difference is trivial. --Khanwulf

There was a BoS errata pushed out today on DriveThruRPG. Is this a good thread to request a clarification of what is fixed/included with that?

As a related note: it's good that the old site is locked for posting, but it need a final spam cleaning pass before archiving.

Bolded my favorite part. Nothing like a good tragedy. Also gets you a) a lot of land (see big bribe, above), and b) Uther's personal attention. Uther's personal attention as a pretty lady may not be what she wants... almost certainly she'd be transferred into his circle of influence and married off if not... biddable. Igraine and daughters would HATE her--not the least because she'd be the best knight to keep tabs on them for Uther. --Khanwulf

My Paypal account grows warm in anticipation! Horray!

Hail to the King's Champion! Hip hip!

Bravo! I can only wish a happy a fruitful future upon the couple. I'm sure everything will go fine.... (My plans include a similar plot, with less disguising.) In the Uther and Anarchy period no one really cares about fine amor. It's all "might makes right" and the like. So if she wants to really impress Madoc she'll need to: A) demonstrate her martial capabilities where he can observe them (disguised), B) win his trust in order to enter his inner circle (which may be hard--he set limits to his trust as a squire and has traits that push others away), and C) demonstrate her womanly charms under conditions in which he might respond. Last one can be done in parallel, but Madoc is a hard target as the GPC presents him. He knows he's prince and the most eligible bachelor after Prince/King Uther, but doesn't seem to want to abuse that for philandering. At least, not to the extent that Uther does. Regardless, you can push Amor with an "A" back to Arthur's time and what gentling Guen brings to the court. --Khanwulf

Jeff I for one would buy such a product in a heartbeat. Both for the expanded treatment of lady-knights but also for the material to run better court intrigue, romance and other lady-centered events. I think there's a lot of respectful ground that could be covered regarding the role of female power in the setting and literature, and how it is exercised. And that's aside from female knights, where you have semi-fantasy versions in the literature for Charlemagne who are both exceptionally martial and take different approaches to interacting with their male counterparts. (Brandemante the romantic and Marfisa the "sword saint", in particular.) --Khanwulf