From page 143:


In this book the historical process of knighthood is still beginning. Knights are still an innovation, whereas cavalry are the common pool of mounted warriors from whom the knights will be drawn. The first few games are pretty brutal and players are recommended to have two or three starting characters. Whoever among them survives qualifies for knighthood.

Let's set aside the question of how a process that began with a character's great-grandfather is "still beginning..."

I'd like to run the 480-484 campaign at some point, but I'd rather not do so with a character funnel. How deadly have these years played out in your games?

Let's set aside the question of how a process that began with a character's great-grandfather is "still beginning..."


Yeah, that is a bit odd phrasing on Greg's part. I think he was making more of a point that the "knight = heavy cavalry" is still a new idea, introduced by Aurelius when he returns from the Continent in 466, and that the ranks of chivalry have not become calcified yet. Whereas in later periods of GPC, you will have to be of noble blood in order to become a knight.



I'd like to run the 480-484 campaign at some point, but I'd rather not do so with a character funnel. How deadly have these years played out in your games?

484 is potentially pretty bad. However, I would just do my usual and ensure that every PK starts with a couple of younger brothers, spaced some 4-6 years apart. That way, if their main character dies during 484, they have a spare ready to be knighted. I'd also likely keep the fathers alive until 484, and have them die during the battles there, before the PKs would inherit their manors. Gives especially the newer players some easier time without the additional hurdle of land management, to learn the game itself as household knights to Roderick. This also allows them to be sent more easily on Roderick's missions, like the Marriage of Count Roderick scenario, which is available for free.

I wrote a Forum post on starting in 480 rather than 485, which would highlight some changes and pitfalls you may experience, but I can't find it now for some reason.

EDIT: Ha, here it is: http://nocturnalmediaforum.com/iecarus/forum/showthread.php?2552-Starting-the-Campaign-in-480-rather-than-485-Things-to-consider&p=21899&viewfull=1#post21899

The group I'm playing with made a run through 480-484. There are definitely some major battles in there that could kill a knight, or even result in a TPK. We made it through all 4 years without anyone dying, but some parts were pretty close, 484 more than the rest. the two big battles there (especially the first) are pretty brutal. We managed to make it through with some lucky rolls and some clever game play tactics (fighting defenslively, beserking, ect.) All in all though, it was a great 4 years! I really playing through the first few years of Uther's rule. Highly recommended!