First the background:
KPA5.0 does not have anywhere what a starting NPC wife has for her skills outside of what a starting female PC would have.
BK&L also does not have suggested starting NPC wife stats.
Neither does BoM nor GPC.

KAP5.0 has stats for Damosel, Lady, and Main-in-Waiting and gives Stewardship, First-Aid, and Chirurgury stats for them.

Now they all have something to say about Squires, and it is from that foundation that I am making this suggestion.

BoM (pg 10) gives starting skills for a squire as Horsemanship + First Aid + Sword + pick one other all at 10.

BoM says increase 3 squire skills +1 each year from 15-20. From 21 on roll 1d6 for each skill and if a 1 is rolled then receive +1 to the skill.

GPA allows an increase of 1d3 instead of just 1.


So, here are my thoughts for NPC Wife Stats:

IF NPC WIFE IS 15-20
Stewardship (or Distaff if Cymric) + First Aid + Chirurgery all 10.
Any 1 other skill at 10.
Religious Traits at 13, but any 1 is at 14.
1 Trait at 16.
Improving per GPA.

IF NPC WIFE IS 21+
Stewardship (or Distaff if Cymric) + First Aid + Chirurgery all 13.
Any 1 other skill at 12.
Religious Traits at 14, but any 2 is at 15.
1 Trait at 16.

Also, if NPC Wife is 21+, the PC can choose to have the starting Stewardship/Distaff skill be the same as a professional Steward (BoM pg 10-11) might be BUT must take lower of the numbers between what is listed here OR the dice. If this option is chosen then the skill starts at 5+2d6.

What do you think?

I think your suggested values are well reasoned. It is my understanding that starting skill values represent the characters development up to the age of fifteen. If a Squire increases his skills then it is likely that a maid improves her's as well.

The only alteration I would make would be to consider her family's social status. If her father is prominent then her skill development from age fifteen until marriage should reflect her presence at court.

I would substitute Industry for Chirurgery (is that the other Distaff skill? well I guess Cymric girls get two free picks then), but otherwise it looks like a good basic rule.

You could certainly build on it to reflect social standing, tie it in to the marriage tables and so on if that was your wish.

Regards
Luke

The biggest problem with this, and every other rpg that relects progression of stats, skills, levels, etc., is time. One can always reason that nothing ever stands still. If you continue to progress, every other thing also progresses. Having the stats of King Uther at the time of the campaign first starts is great, but no one has complained about how many of his skills increase by the end of his phase.

Your points are indeed well reasoned and if it makes your campaign fuller and richer, go for it. Others may just set a rule that says, 'assume skills have increase by 1 every year', or 'who cares? they're NPC's'.

In my campaign, I usually choose 5 or 6 npcs the characters regularly interact with, and keep track of them, treating them as a regular pc running solos. They get some increases, but they must roll for them. Keeps it small and simple.

But, as I said, until there is an official rule, it's in your hands.

Robert Schroeder

... or 'who cares? they're NPC's'.

This is my take in this "problem". Does it ever matter? Once in a blue moon. If it does become relevant, just wing it. What would this lady etc reasonably be skilled in, according to age, background, life history?

... or 'who cares? they're NPC's'.

This is my take in this "problem". Does it ever matter? Once in a blue moon. If it does become relevant, just wing it. What would this lady etc reasonably be skilled in, according to age, background, life history?
Actually, I would think that it often matters because many (if not most) PC Knights end up with an NPC wife who will then be handling the stewardship of the manor. Having a consistent system for creating said NPC wife thus becomes needful, just as having a consistent system for creating the NPC squires that each knight has is frequently needful.

My thanks to all who have replied, you have helped me with my thoughts on this.

Actually, I would think that it often matters because many (if not most) PC Knights end up with an NPC wife who will then be handling the stewardship of the manor. Having a consistent system for creating said NPC wife thus becomes needful.

I grant you that. PK wifes need Stewardship (and occasionally Chirurgy, but for that I always use the "Lady2 stats in the rule book). But, surely, this system already exists? In Book of Knight and Ladies have starting values in Stewardship. If you care, roll for Women's gift (KAP 5.1 p 40). The Book of the Manor clearly states that NPC Stewards (and Wifes, page 8) increase Stewardship by one point per year up to 15 and one point per year on a roll of 1 on a d6 thereafter.


... just as having a consistent system for creating the NPC squires that each knight has is frequently needful.

I have just finished a 93 session Pendragon Great Campaign. During this time, I rolled for a squires skill two or three times. First Aid in all cases. I guess we run things differently ...

(This would be my dismissive answer to this thread too: http://www.gspendragon.com/roundtable/index.php?topic=1344.0 ;))