I know this is normally not allowed, but is it allowed in the case of lost SIZ points due to taking major wounds?

We have played it so that you cannot, since there is no comment about it in either Major Wounds section or the Winter Phase. There is no note: 'Except if you have lost a point of Size due to a Major Wound.'

This said, I see no reason why you couldn't play it so that you can 'recover' from a Major Wound (we generally used Glory Points for that), if you really want to. Bit more book keeping to record the original Size, but other than that, I don't see it unbalancing the game.

On the other hand, what exactly happens to a character when he loses a point of SIZ due to a wound? ???

On the other hand, what exactly happens to a character when he loses a point of SIZ due to a wound? ???


KAP 5.0, pg 108 states:
When characters lose statistics from Tables 5–2 and 5–3, whether as a result of aging or from some other source, various natural forces such as disease or inimical magic are often blamed. Thus, for example, characters who suffer a loss of SIZ or STR may be said to have been “withered by the Evil Eye” or afflicted with “elf stroke”; loss of APP is commonly ascribed to the “pox.” A loss of DEX is commonly referred to as “the palsy,” while a loss of CON is likely attributed to “consumption.”

Make up something genre. :)

My players liked to joke that it is just slicing the topmost inch of the knight's head. Nothing important was damaged! :P

I generally claim that it is part of the general wasting away type of thing, but I don't usually go into much detail when it comes to Major Wounds. My rule of thumb is as follows:
1) SIZ: wasting away due to convalescence (yes, using this reasoning you should be able to regain it by training)
2) DEX: hit to the legs, limp
3) STR: either an arm hit or lost muscles during convalescence, or a back injury?
4) CON: a wound doesn't fully heal
5) APP: face, gain a new scar

From a gm point, I had a near riot from my players, especially the pharmacist, when they discovered this. They pointed out this meant no one ever gained weight and then pointed to practically everyone in the room and then people in general that went from hunk to overweight in show biz, sports, and so on.

So, the compromise I came up with was SIZ could not be gained upwards, but could be gained sideways. And this gain was not always good. I use SIZ for armor, encumbrance, a few other instances. It has become a non-issue for the most part as the rule doesn't fly in the face of reality for them.

I don't know if the game needs to accommodate this or not as I am not sure how widespread/important this is for everyone/every game.

Bob

You may find this helpful (from the KAP5 errata here (http://www.gspendragon.com/pendragon_errata.html))

[i]The Pot Belly in Pendragon
Also, in response to several comments from players that certainly they have gotten bigger since age 21! Furthermore, having seen many sets of armor that were shaped to their owners I can attest that pot bellies were pretty popular with the armored crowd. So maybe we want to say that each point of SIZ is simply a SIZ of fat, and subtracts a point from APP.

I just ignore the rule about not increasing SIZ after 21. It hasn't caused any problems. I'm not sure if anyone has even spent a point on it yet... Maybe one to counteract a wound.

I just ignore the rule about not increasing SIZ after 21. It hasn't caused any problems. I'm not sure if anyone has even spent a point on it yet... Maybe one to counteract a wound.


I'm amazed to hear that. SIZ is hands down the best stat to increase. It boosts HPs, decreases your chance of knockdown, and counts towards your damage bonus. If it wasn't for the APP minus my players would be boosting it almost exclusively.

I just ignore the rule about not increasing SIZ after 21. It hasn't caused any problems. I'm not sure if anyone has even spent a point on it yet... Maybe one to counteract a wound.


I'm amazed to hear that. SIZ is hands down the best stat to increase. It boosts HPs, decreases your chance of knockdown, and counts towards your damage bonus. If it wasn't for the APP minus my players would be boosting it almost exclusively.


Same here. Some of my players are disappointed they can't increase SIZ anymore.

Yeah,

While I am fond of Pendragon, I am not happy with the fact that SIZ is a superstat, APP is a throwaway stat, and DEX nearly so. I7d really like to see the other stats boosted a little to balace out SIZ a bit more.

APP need not be throwaway. I use it a lot in courtly sessions and it has become very important to my players. I think a good measure of just *how* important is the fact that not one of of PKs has chosen to increase SIZ because of the associated loss to APP.

If that loss wasn't applied, I'd be looking at a party of hulks.

*shrug*. My players have spent most of their training points raising courtly skills so they can be more successful with the rich ladies at court, or improving their concern my commoners passion so they get better harvests, or raising their low attributes so they don't die from the next forced aging roll. Raising size by one point would be advantageous but not overpowering. Doing it every year is another story, but I don't think any of them expect to survive that long.

I'd really like to see the other stats boosted a little to bala(n)ce out SIZ a bit more.


The balance isn't so important to me. SIZ really is that important in melee combat (along with skill.) It sorta fits the brutality of the genre.

*shrug*. My players have spent most of their training points raising courtly skills so they can be more successful with the rich ladies at court, or improving their concern my commoners passion so they get better harvests, or raising their low attributes so they don't die from the next forced aging roll. Raising size by one point would be advantageous but not overpowering. Doing it every year is another story, but I don't think any of them expect to survive that long.


Don't forget the occasional Loyalty: Lord--just to get it closer to the double digits and maybe get his approval for marrying his soon-to-be-eligible daughter.