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Hello all! I'm new to this forum, but I'll likely pop in now and again to ask some questions. I (rather ambitiously) am GMing the GPC for my siblings, but my experience is limited. 

Question 1: I wanted to clarify something about the rules for battles (5.2e): when it says each battle round (with limited exceptions) is just a single combat round, does that mean a single fight (to the death or the unconscious or whatever) or literally just a single blow (and if so, do the two combatants re-engage in the next battle round, or is it a new opponent entirely)? 

Question 2: Since the PK's are, at least in the beginning, relative unknowns from Salisbury, are they intended to participate in Royal Court/Christmas Court? If so, how (ie, does Sir Roderick go and they just follow him), and if not, should I figure out some other opportunity for them to get the information presented in the GPC (ie, Madoc happens to be passing through Salisbury and relates his news)?

Thanks!

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12 minutes ago, SirAndar said:

Question 1: I wanted to clarify something about the rules for battles (5.2e): when it says each battle round (with limited exceptions) is just a single combat round, does that mean a single fight (to the death or the unconscious or whatever) or literally just a single blow (and if so, do the two combatants re-engage in the next battle round, or is it a new opponent entirely)? 

One roll (with modifiers). You fight a different foe each round (to simulate the tides of Battle ^^)

13 minutes ago, SirAndar said:

Question 2: Since the PK's are, at least in the beginning, relative unknowns from Salisbury, are they intended to participate in Royal Court/Christmas Court? If so, how (ie, does Sir Roderick go and they just follow him), and if not, should I figure out some other opportunity for them to get the information presented in the GPC (ie, Madoc happens to be passing through Salisbury and relates his news)?

Yes. They are still vassals to the count. For the royal court, it's a different matter. They could be escorting the count if he is there, and you are inclined to.

If they are low-rankings knights, they will not be in the spotlight, but they can still hear rumors, interract with some people, etc.

As a GM, you don't have to play each court. If you feel there is not much to do, you can gloss over easily.

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There’s relatively little information in the court sections of the GPC that can’t just be gossip that PKs pick up, possibly dependent on an Intrigue roll at the end of the Winter Phase.  The suggested things that people like Madoc say are often more like characterization notes.

Early on, I think royal court should feel like an enormous deal to the PKs — wow, all these important and powerful people!  “Duke Ulfius actually looked at me, because I was standing on guard when he called on the earl.  The king’s best friend actually looked in my direction!  I mean, I think he saw me.  There was a cat near me.  He might have been looking at the cat.“   They probably shouldn’t go too often, to preserve that sense of it being a big thing for them.

That way, they can feel a real sense of becoming more important when they pass a high Glory threshold and you decide that Roderick feels that it sheds lustre to have them routinely form part of his entourage.   If you want that to happen early, though, Roderick might well think it a good idea to have them accompany him to every royal court after the Great Sword Feast.  But I do think it’s a good idea to find as many ways as possible to make those signposts (Notable, Renowned, Famous, etc.) translate into concrete differences in the player knights’ experiences.

Edited by Voord 99
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2 hours ago, Voord 99 said:

*** MUCH SNIPPAGE ***  But I do think it’s a good idea to find as many ways as possible to make those signposts (Notable, Renowned, Famous, etc.) translate into concrete differences in the player knights’ experiences.

THIS ^^ !! Reading this, I think that the next time I run the GPC (currently in Tourney Phase - so a bit late to introduce the idea) - I MUST use this as something that I do.

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For my part, I usually skip Christmas Court, as the description is usually a few brief phrases at best - and I run out of time by then.

I expand Easter Court with the material from "The Marriage of Count Roderick," giving each knight a chance to seek out information, engage in courtly activities, or try to ingratiate themselves with famous knights. It helps to bring everyone back into the game world and mechanics after a hiatus.

In Anarchy, I do the same thing - except now the knights are often prominent individuals at county court, so at least one knight should be the chief person entertaining each of the emissaries. Not only are skill and personality checks being made, this also leads to potentially triggering Hate (Saxons) or Hate (Vortigern) (both for Wessex), opposed by Hospitality or Loyalty (Lord) to avoid a minor diplomatic incident. The characters have to be more careful, and suddenly those high Hate rolls are liabilities they have to work around...

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Ok, thanks all, that was helpful.

Here's another one for you: I'm thinking of starting a play-by-post campaign on a forum I frequent. Does anybody have any tips on how they might run that (something in particular I'm trying to figure out is how battles might work)?

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Battles may take a few posts.  Initial set up, weapons, inspiration questions, the charge, results and regroup, choices for next round.  Exactly how you would run it if face to face, but understanding that not every possible condition can be covered in one post.

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18 hours ago, SirAndar said:

Ok, thanks all, that was helpful.

Here's another one for you: I'm thinking of starting a play-by-post campaign on a forum I frequent. Does anybody have any tips on how they might run that (something in particular I'm trying to figure out is how battles might work)?

I'd suggest embracing the narrative opportunities in battle. Focus on crafting like an interesting encounter or two rather than sweat the round-to-round rolling. Especially if you are using the basic battle system rather than book of battles 2, there is very little that the PKs can actually do in a normal battle round; even if their unit leader succeeds in battle, the choice of fighting or retreating is pretty much a non-choice since unless you are burdened with wounded or prisoners, of course you will fight to gain glory. So you can basically gloss over most of that until you reach some important or an interesting situation. Like a choice between helping an ally or a chance of attacking a higher ranked enemy or stuff like that. Whether to show mercy on a bloodied Saxon youth stumbling before you dazed and unarmed or trample him under your horse's ironshod hooves.

Edited by Morien
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