Interest Check - Pendragon

Over the course of my gaming life, Pendragon, by Greg Stafford, was a game that would periodically pop up or be mentioned by friends or acquaintances and I'd always say, 'Gosh Golly! That sure does sound swell!' or something to that effect. Then we'd go back to reality. A few years back, my table finally decided to try it for real, and now I periodically go into brief bouts of profound sadness when I think of all the lost years I could have been playing it! I love Pendragon that much. I love the Blackjack-like aspect of its rolls. I love the traits and passions mechanic that both represents and controls the character's behavior (He drives himself?!). I love the simple core rules that can blossom into an array of bespoke add-ons depending on how you want to alter the experience. I love Pendragon!

Only-slightly-exaggerated hook out of the way: Who's interested in playing Pendragon?

In May, the last of the three "main" rule books for 6e will drop. At that time I will finalize my opinions on the new edition and how I want to run the game moving forward. In the meantime, I'd like to see who might be interested in playing here and what your impressions of are of the game. From there, we can maybe move into recruitment and character talk. To be clear, you don't need to have any prior knowledge or experience with the game; this is more to talk about ideas and expectations.

Just wanted to say, excellent username! Do you have a go-to scotch or bourbon you recommend?

I don't have the new books but have the 1st edition somewhere. We started it once but never played it much though I've used it as a sourcebook. I'd be interested in trying it out; let me know what I need to be a player if you get this rolling and whether I can download it or can get a paper edition.

My impression was that the base rules were another runequest variation and not that interesting but the traits/reputation addition to them gave a lot of extra character and interest and were great. That and the world materials were a fascinating read and good source material.

I bought 5e a few years ago and never got the chance to play, so I'd certainly be interested in giving it a go.

I've read some previous editions of Pendragon, but I've never played it.

Full disclosure, I know next to nothing about Pendragon, but you definitely have my interest! When I hear people talk about the game, the impression I've gotten has consistently been very positive and from those convos Pendragon also sounds like a great example of a game where the mechanics directly express/are informed by (depending on which direction you're looking) the central themes of the game which is something I always love to see.

I also don't have Pendragon books currently but I can look into that later on when this has time to continue taking shape.

Here to echo that that's how I feel about Pendragon myself. Had a blast playing some of it way back in the first edition, faithfully kept up with the editions, but not with the playing. Glad 6e's rules updates do streamline some things, though the core is still all there. Traits and passions are brilliant.

I wanted to run the starter set scenario with the pre-gens when it came out, but it felt unfinished at that point so I put it on hold until the rest of the 6e stuff came out. (It was either that or port over some 5e).

Cheers! With two young kids in the house, I don't drink nearly as much as I'd like to currently, but with respect to personal preference and regional pricing differences(I'm in Japan), here're some very serviceable recommendations without getting into the really expensive stuff one could snob and quibble over.
Scotch: If I'm drinking scotch, it's for the peat, so it's gotta be an Islay that doesn't break the bank. Laphroaig.
Irish: Redbreast, but it has mostly priced itself out of reasonability, so whatever better-than-basic bottle of Tullamore, Bushmills, or Jameson that's on sale.
Japanese: Hakushu used to be my-go to, but it's also crazy how much it costs now, as well as the better Japanese whiskeys in general. Maybe try Toki if you like highballs? Don't bother with Ao. I drink more Japanese gin than whiskey these days because most of the good stuff from Suntory or Nikka is either too expensive for what it is or priced beyond casual drinking.
Bourbon: Sticking to good stuff I can get in Japan, whichever mid-shelf/better-than-basic-offering from Four Roses, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, or Woodford Reserve is on sale. There are lots of great bourbons and the distilleries are always putting out something good when their previous good thing becomes more popular and sees a price hike. This is also true to a lesser extent for ryes. I'm sure that's doubly-true when you have access to all the great small-batch and craft stuff overseas.
Summed up nicely! It's a d20 Basic Role-playing variant with some changes. The majority of complexity comes from sub-systems or additions. A lot of the supplement books might as well be an entry-level college course on various aspects of feudalism.

I've got the reprint of 1st edition, the gorgeous 5th edition with the different (Spanish?) art, and most of the 6th ed. books. I'm where you were a while ago, Scotchy. Pendragon has always felt like a game I would love, but I never had the gumption or opportunity to play or run it. More recently, I've played it a couple of times in one-shot format at cons, and while that's not an ideal way to experience the game, I can definitely tell how special it could be in long-form play.

Depending on timing and all the other real-life stuff, definitely color me interested.

May I ask more about this? I'm not familiar with the system at all, but this sounds very interesting. Is there any overview of specifically these mechanics to read ? :3

Oh, this is a complicated question. Ambivalent, here's why:

• It's a game line that is . . . maybe not legendary, but it has a reputation of offering a unique and remarkable experience.
• It is said to be streamlined for quick resolution of events, which if true would be a good thing for a PbP.
• I know almost nothing of the Arthurian legendarium or the time/place, and so would be completely lost if trying to write up a character or properly act within the setting with such a deep lore.
• IIRC it's a setting that, like Rokugan, places very strict boundaries on character behaviour depending on who the character is, which is both a bit intimidating and not quite the kind of gaming I'm looking towards lately.
• From what little I know, I think my interests in Arthuriana would lie somewhere in the direction of Morgan Le Fey, or at least what little I have learned through second-hand accounts about the type, but I'm not sure if that's even suitable for PCs.
• Also, by roundabout ways, rumours have reached me that the game has a contrast between local and Abrahamic spiritual worldviews, with the latter gradually taking over throughout the campaign, and that's a mixed bag: it's an interesting opposition, but if the outcome is predestined and inevitable then that's not so interesting.

This seems most coincidental or fortuitous (depending on how much you think Merlin was involved, I suppose) I received my volume of the the Pendragon 6e Core Rules no more than twelve hours before you posted this!

It's a beautiful book and game. I have only recently started playing it. I've already completed a one shot and am currently playing in a short campaign, both on this very platform. It's a great rules system, in general, and from what I can tell so far, lends itself well to the PbP mode of play.

I like unique mechanics and it seems as quite narration focused system so I'm interested, but saying that please consider that I don't have books and know nothing more than from Dave Thaumavore’s videos about the system.... :)

I have been interested in giving this game a try. Depending on what comes up, I may submit an application.

Interested and likely could bring another player with me.

Would it be possible to play a Lady or a (hidden) female knight?

Damn! I had the books in hand yesterday, but put them back. I guess I’ll have to pick them up again.

I am interested. I’ve read through the starter set, but haven’t had a chance to run or play.

Lagavulin 16 was my go to when it was $70 a bottle. Now it’s $150. I’ve switched to 8, but it’s not the same. 😢

I would love to play this! As a lifelong Chaosium fan I've heard Pendragon spoken of in hushed tones for a while, but have never gotten the chance to play it. Coincidentally I'm on a big Knight kick right now, and I haven't gotten my Mythic Bastionland game back off the ground so this sounds like the next best thing ;)

Just starting my own campaign (love how Joe thinks it’s going to be short :))

Good luck with yours!

Wow, you hit a gusher!

I’d like to be a knight too.