Hello all.

On friday the 20th, my players return for the rest of my version of the Imber-adventure. When they return to Sarum (instead of Vagon) and participate at court/meet the eligible ladies, I have conjured up 10 ladies-in-waiting that they can interact with.

I've outlined the background necessities, chosen pics for each and everyone (based on their APPs). The question now, is where in the castle can they be met, are they surrounding the four eligible-ladies (that squires can't woo, I know)?

How can the ladies-in-waiting be properly introduced, what will be expected of them, and vice versa of the squires? Can the squires blunder in among the suitors of the four eligible ladies, or are the squires held out of bounds...?

Any other important advice to think of in these situations is most welcome! Thanks in advance.

Articles:

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/lady-in-waiting.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady-in-waiting

Hope this helps.


T.

Articles:

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/lady-in-waiting.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady-in-waiting

Hope this helps.


T.


Thanks for the links. I'll read them and see what I can find. But the question of how squires should behave in front of ladies such as these, still stands.

Are these genuine ladies-in-waiting, attendants upon a noblewoman, or are they handmaidens who attend the wives of knights? If the former, squires should be seen but not heard. If the latter, there would likely be the same sort of polite flirtation typical of adolescents interacting under adult supervision (i.e., "on their best behavior"). Ages will be roughly comparable, with the women tending to be slightly younger but much, much more mature.

This is how we played it. It was sort of a party in the main hall, as a series of tests for sing dance compose gaming and whatever courtly skills the ladies prefer - which your player characters will mostly fail, but thats not the point. :)

The circumstances for the ladies should be public knowledge, but to know if they are interested or just playing have them roll courtesy for small talk and intrigue to hear what the rumour has (say, if there are other suitors).

Then if your PK have their minds set which one they would admire most, let them roll for Romance with glory and reactive bonuses as you see fit (maybe +1 for each successful courtly skill, +1 for above average appearance). If successful theres a choise rolling for Amor too.

Then if you want to make things extra interesting, have your players do this separately to see if some of them happen to be attracted to same lady OR have suitable young bachelor knight with lands appear, instantly grabbing attention from ladies, making your poor squires jealous. If there are too many bachelor knights around theres no competition, but great opportunity for roleplaying later on if your PKs make it their mission.

Are these genuine ladies-in-waiting, attendants upon a noblewoman, or are they handmaidens who attend the wives of knights? If the former, squires should be seen but not heard. If the latter, there would likely be the same sort of polite flirtation typical of adolescents interacting under adult supervision (i.e., "on their best behavior"). Ages will be roughly comparable, with the women tending to be slightly younger but much, much more mature.


Yes! That's a truly valid first question. The ladies-in-waiting are handmaidens of various knight wives (wives of Amig, Elad, Hywel, Baran, Leonus, Lycus etc), and one is even the 3rd handmaiden to Countess Ellen. Good for me then that I decided for them to be that, otherwise the squires would be generally ignored. Thanks for your excellent tips!

I have put the 10 ladies in two "teams" roughly comparable to the PC/NPC squires, with them being led by the two most beautiful women each. One "superbeauty" (APP 21) is cold and an opportunist, playing love games w/o much heartfelt sorrow. The other is a much warmer woman. The other women is a various mix of pious, flirtatious, industrious, underling-acting, love-crusading, romanticising ladies of the little medieval pond that the Sarum Castle is.
Maybe this is too obvious, but I was planning on not revealing the coldness of some of them this until later.

This is how we played it. It was sort of a party in the main hall, as a series of tests for sing dance compose gaming and whatever courtly skills the ladies prefer - which your player characters will mostly fail, but thats not the point. :)

The circumstances for the ladies should be public knowledge, but to know if they are interested or just playing have them roll courtesy for small talk and intrigue to hear what the rumour has (say, if there are other suitors).

Then if your PK have their minds set which one they would admire most, let them roll for Romance with glory and reactive bonuses as you see fit (maybe +1 for each successful courtly skill, +1 for above average appearance). If successful theres a choise rolling for Amor too.

Then if you want to make things extra interesting, have your players do this separately to see if some of them happen to be attracted to same lady OR have suitable young bachelor knight with lands appear, instantly grabbing attention from ladies, making your poor squires jealous. If there are too many bachelor knights around theres no competition, but great opportunity for roleplaying later on if your PKs make it their mission.


Now this is exactly what I was hoping to hear about - actual gameplay! Many many thanks! If it is ok with you, I'll probably axe this the Saxon way right out of your advice text! Yes, yes, the closer picture of Sarum Castle should be very useful now.

I'll put the two "camps" in opposite ends of the rooms at the start, with game tables, music instrument corners and poetry pads scattered around the place. And have the ladies already placed when the young men enter. I'll definately use your idea of separating the players and asking them in private who they pursue or think is most interesting. Maybe use some sort of note system where every woman has a symbol or just use her heraldry.
And then, when they've been about it for a while, connected with some of them, I'll let a bachelor knight (or more) enter the rooms. And hear all the hiccups...

Since your squires are noblemen born they should know each of the ladies. Maybe as a child they even played with one or two of them. Remember that even as a small child they would have been to court (or if the Lord's Progress comes by).

Also keep in mind another factor: Each of these ladies has a father (or benefactor) you must please as a boy. It is not only courting ladies that may be a problem. It could also be 'protective' fathers or brothers that must be convinced of your noble intentions. Maybe one of these men has set his eyes on another squire or knight as a prospective husband to his child/sister.

Since your squires are noblemen born they should know each of the ladies. Maybe as a child they even played with one or two of them. Remember that even as a small child they would have been to court (or if the Lord's Progress comes by).

Also keep in mind another factor: Each of these ladies has a father (or benefactor) you must please as a boy. It is not only courting ladies that may be a problem. It could also be 'protective' fathers or brothers that must be convinced of your noble intentions. Maybe one of these men has set his eyes on another squire or knight as a prospective husband to his child/sister.


Absolutely, Cornelius, valid points all. I didn't use these tactics yesterday, but the funny thing, one particular lady got two of the PCs interested and one of the NPCs. Another three ladies got two courters each, PCs/NPCs mixed. This was really interesting.

I think I'll use these brother/father/etc factors on the next session, as an after-effect. But good thinking!

Thats a great setup to build on. Just dont let it play out too quickly. Theres enough drama for several court seasons even after they become knights. Young men trying hard to impress, some undermine others chances, and ladies competing on how outrageous tasks they can have performed for them. ;)

I assume the leading ladies with great appearance had most interest?

Cornelius had some good suggestions above, I think there is another angle into this.

I feel for those few ladies that didnt get attention. Maybe Ms. Uglybranch had crush on player character that went unnoticed (did anyone fail his intrigue roll?), and now tries to make player character lose his contest to make him available again, sending rumours or something. 8)

Thats a great setup to build on. Just dont let it play out too quickly. Theres enough drama for several court seasons even after they become knights. Young men trying hard to impress, some undermine others chances, and ladies competing on how outrageous tasks they can have performed for them. ;)

I assume the leading ladies with great appearance had most interest?

Cornelius had some good suggestions above, I think there is another angle into this.

I feel for those few ladies that didnt get attention. Maybe Ms. Uglybranch had crush on player character that went unnoticed (did anyone fail his intrigue roll?), and now tries to make player character lose his contest to make him available again, sending rumours or something. 8)


How I laughed from your mention of the name "Ms. Uglybranch"! But no, I didn't have enough grip on all the NPCs for that to happen, it's was enough of just keeping track of the courted ones. The PCs and NPCs tried both to impress the ladies by reciting the "Tooth-ache-giant" adventure they went through on the first session. And the NPCs altered their diminished part in it and tried to impress by lying. Read about the adventure if you want to: http://nocturnal-media.com/forum/index.php?topic=1704.0

It was good. And I'm pleased, but it's a lot of work! Though the players really contributed, which is good.