In 497 the GPC has Duke Ulfius announcing that he is going to ally with King Aelle but without vassalage.

What exactly might the terms of that Alliance be? The Knights of Salisbury are sure to ask exactly what the terms of his deal were.

Does Ulfius still offer tribute?

Could he be called to fight alongside Aelle?

I imagine Ulfius will be cagey about what those terms are, and also being a duke, he has power to arrange terms with Aelle that other realms might not.

The exact terms will be up to the GM. In one campaign, Ulfius may be giving tribute and be willing to go to war against knights for Aelle; in another he may have arranged only to support Aelle against other saxons, and to allow his name to be used to bring other knights into the fold, but won't actually fight against Cymrics. He might or might not still pay tribute.

Personally, I think having Ulfius agreeing to harsh terms with Aelle can help underscore just how desperate the times are. But also, having at least one saxon, maybe Aelle, be a "good" saxon who respects knights presents some entertaining difficulties - especially if knights overcome their hate and ally with him for a time, only to have Arthur turn up later...

I'm using a modified version of the second option in my campaign; Ulfius will supply knights for AElle against other Saxons, but not against Cymric realms. Most of the time, the three counties of the duchy still pay tribute to Sussex, except in years when the duke provides significant military support (I've had that happen one year, so far, during the Internecine War).

My campaign model is that Silchester is the most viable political entity in the former kingdom, allowing Silchester County (the PKs' home county) a little more stability during the Anarchy. Things are starting to spill over now, though, causing life to get tougher for the knights.

In our campaign Ulfius was obligated to help aelle in battle against the nearby counties that refused topay tribute and our knights followed sir brastias and his " Ironmen of Britain" to battle against Ulfius and aelle. WE had pretended to let ulfius recruit us but then betrayed that side during the battle and captured ulfius' son, Uffo but Brastias made me give him back in return for Ulfius' pledge to pay the ransom...... he never did!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jerk!

I'm planning a Saxon campaign (lasting probably to Badon) and I'm going to have the PCs work allied to Aelle (well, unless they decide to take things in totally different direction, since I'll be running this as very much a sandbox) and I think the alliance with Ulfius provides a nice venue to insert the Saxon PCs into some Logres political situations.

As part of the deal, it's tribute or military assistance against other Saxons. In turn, Aelle gives Ulfius his Saxon bodyguard (as per that unit introduces in Book of Armies). Additionally, the PCs get to (are required) go help the Countess of Rydychan.

I didn't think a necro on this topic would be considered bad, btw. Hopefully people agree!

Sounds like lots of potential fun. Guessing you have probably come across it, but if you haven't, have you checked out the Saxons! supplement that was published for running Saxon based campaigns in Pendragon under 4th Ed. Might give some useful ideas.

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=1420&it=1