During yesterday's session we had our first knight go mad.

It was kind of amusing. Sir Cynrain, attempting to impress Lady Gwiona at the Christmas feast, sought inspiration from his Hospitality passion. We decided his fumble took the form of a grave social faux pas - in this case spilling wine all over King Uther's brand new polar bear fur coat. So Sir Cynrain fled the hall in shame. This is something of a new experience for Lady Gwiona, as her last 4 suitors all died.

The player pulled out Sir Cynrain's younger brother as a backup character, and as we set about resolving the winter phase, the question came up - what happens with Sir Cynrain's lands? He had previously hired a steward who continues to manage the day to day affairs. He is unmarried with no offspring, so the brother would be the heir, but Sir Cynrain isn't dead. How long will the family (or the earl) assume that Sir Cynrain is alive and will return before they take action to pass the land on to someone else?

If you follow the solo scenario in the GPC, you needn't worry about this question. Healing has come pretty quickly in all three cases of Knights Gone Mad in our campaign. The knight who has gone mad twice and deserted the battle field is turning into quite the story generator.

Perhaps, but I'm still curious how those left behind react to a mad knight's disappearance.

Perhaps, but I'm still curious how those left behind react to a mad knight's disappearance.


It depends on the context greatly. We've recently had the following madnesses:

In the Battle of Bayeaux a player knight went crazy when he learned that his opponent in battle was a family member. He fled the field. He was then ostracized for cowardice; but, he didn't lose any actual position other than some difficult social interactions.

In the Battle of Lindsey the same player knight went crazy again. This time there were extenuating circumstances since his flight from the field was not witnessed by any Cymric knights. There was also a religious event going on with this player knight at this time, visions and whatnot. The knight is still mad but will return next session. He was gone for 18 months. In the meantime a family member (backup player knight) has been looking after the estates. The social response to him when he returns will be quite dramatic, though again he's keeping his estates.

In the Siege of Terrabil a different player knight went mad with anger. He charged Terrabil early in the battle and was the very first knight to reach the castle. His madness made his charge ineffectual and, after a bump on the head and waking up alone in the night, he fled. He will also return next session (gone for 6 months) and I've not yet determined the social impact of him going missing. Since he didn't so much flee the field of battle the social stigma won't be so great.

Lancelot and trystram go mad and i dont think they are NEVER stripped of their lands. It is akin to a knight errant being gone for years, or when the grail knights are gone and not home for 10 years their wives and stewards go on as usual. So my answer would be that nothing unusual happens to their lands. If the period gets ridiculous , like 10+ years with no word , then maybe? There probably wouldnt be a standard way to handle it. case by case basis i would guess?

I believe madness is looked at as an affliction, even a curse, and not something that the knight is blamed for.

So a knight who goes mad for a couple of years is no more stripped of his lands than a knight who is laid up from a major wound.

Perhaps, but I'm still curious how those left behind react to a mad knight's disappearance.


I will take the assumption that there is an evil kinsman who wants the land.
The usual requirement is 7 years for someone missing to be declared legally dead.
If there is evidence for death, it can be brought forth as proof to claim the land sooner.

Perhaps, but I'm still curious how those left behind react to a mad knight's disappearance.


I will take the assumption that there is an evil kinsman who wants the land.
The usual requirement is 7 years for someone missing to be declared legally dead.
If there is evidence for death, it can be brought forth as proof to claim the land sooner.


Nice. I like putting a bit of pressure on the players when they wander.

Perhaps, but I'm still curious how those left behind react to a mad knight's disappearance.


I will take the assumption that there is an evil kinsman who wants the land.
The usual requirement is 7 years for someone missing to be declared legally dead.
If there is evidence for death, it can be brought forth as proof to claim the land sooner.



very cool. i did not know there was an actual time given!

very cool. i did not know there was an actual time given!


Not absolute, just my best research to date.