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.

I’d like to be a knight too.

I am interested as well. Pendragon is one of the few perfect roleplaying games out there, and I will take all chances I get to play it.

I hope you were aiming for a large party...

One trick I used for an Amber Diceless/Pendragon game, anyone with magic had to set up and run an initial quest for a knight or knights as that seems to be a mechanic in the Malory version of the tales. Then you can read it and give reputation bonuses, etc. when they come back to the court and tell their tale. :-)

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Was a bit rough of my end but I'm pleased to see a lot of interest in a game I love!
I believe there is a free 6e quick-start floating around, but I don't know how much depth it goes into or if things stayed consistent, since there was quite a bit of time between the starter set and the 'Core Rulebook'(Which should really have been called the Player's Book...) releasing.

Basically, in addition to skills and attributes, characters also have a series of paired traits on a scale of 0-20 which help to inform and even dictate play such as Chaste/Lustful, Energetic/Lazy, Forgiving/Vengeful, etc. Traits both serve as a guide to roleplaying the character and give the character a life of their own as players must refer to them and act accordingly depending on their trait scores and roles. As traits reach higher numbers and the knight becomes known for particular behaviors, it becomes increasingly hard, though not impossible, to go against them. For example, a character with an Honest/Deceitful score of 17/3 is going to have a very difficult time lying. Players can guide these traits up and down through play, but there's always the possibility of something unexpected happening.

I find the traits in Pendragon to generate especially interesting and satisfying play for two reasons:
1) It keeps characters consistent and players honest. There's no, 'Well, yeah, my guy is Lawful Good, but I'm just going to ignore that and do what I want in this particular situation.'
2) No one can fully predict what characters will do, which to me gives them a life of their own and makes them feel more real. The GM and players are playing together to find out what happens in the story. The game becomes 'What does my character do?' instead of 'What do I want my character to do?' Among other things, this means I'm no longer watching Steve play someone who is exactly like Steve only wearing a hat.

To be clear, some people hate this because it ruins their immersion or desire to be able to control their character however they like at any time. Pendragon is not a good game for those people.

Within play, directed traits can also be generated towards specific groups or individuals that alter a character's general attitude. For example, my knight may normally lean towards being forgiving(Forgiving/Vengeful 12/8), but he has a +6 to his Vengeful when dealing with his hated enemy Sir Roger after a series of events, making his Forgiving/Vengeful score 6/14 when dealing with him. As a result, he'll be much more likely to seek revenge against Sir Roger if given the opportunity.

Passions represent a characters strong convictions and emotions. They can be love, loyalty, hate, etc., and grant modifiers to skills and traits. You're much more likely to be valorous when riding to the aid of a beloved lord, and your sword will strike harder when used against the hated Saxons encroaching upon your lands.

Pendragon revolves around a pretty singular gaming experience. You can try to expand upon that(and they've tried), but I think you start to lose some of what makes the game work so well. Of course, you could take the basic rules and use them to do something else, but that's not the experience I'm after. After playing many other games, I can appreciate a curated experience where your options are limited in many respects but you have a good deal of freedom within those limitations.

Comparing it to Legend of the Five Rings, another game I have a lot of experience with, play in L5R can sometimes suffer from the kitchen-sink nature of Rokugan where in addition to samurai warriors, you have scheming courtiers, magic-using priests, monks, and ninja(to say nothing of the snake-men, rat-men, and other weirder bits). In Pendragon, you can play whatever kind of knight you like, but you will play a knight, and said knight will have certain responsibilities and expectations placed upon them. That's not for everyone.

I think I'm good material for a knight at this point of my life... :)

My most noble and honoured Lord,

With all due reverence and humility, I lay myself before you and entreat that you might deign to receive me into your noble company. For I am a knight sworn to the high calling of arms, yet I seek not glory for its own sake, but rather a worthy lord under whom my service may find its truest purpose.

I offer unto you my sword, forged in loyalty and tempered by faith, that it may be wielded in your name and in the service of Almighty God. Where you command, I shall go; where you stand, I shall not falter. In battle I shall be steadfast, in counsel discreet, and in all things guided by honour, that sacred bond which binds a knight to his lord and to the divine order.

I pledge to uphold the virtues of chivalry—courage in the face of darkness, mercy toward the fallen, and fidelity beyond reproach. Let my strength be your shield, my oath your assurance, and my life a testament to the noble cause you serve.

Should it please you, my Lord, to accept this humble knight into your retinue, I shall hold it as the greatest of honours, and strive each day to prove myself worthy of your trust.

By my hand and my solemn vow,
I remain your faithful servant in all things,

Sir Tatham

Ok, one accepted!

Woo, thanks for the detailed description! It does sound like a pretty interesting system, and the dual traits are not something I've seen often.
There is probably no way I can get the book to actually play, but I'd love to observe a game of it! Or at least hear of how it will go. :3

I'm always interested on trying what, to me, are new systems.

Is there a follow up to this? Did I miss something?

If there are still spaces open I'd like to play as well.

No, nothing yet. I'm slowly doing prep while I wait for the Noble's Book to drop in May since it will include some systems for the sixth edition that I find core to the game experience and I don't want to do things piecemeal or mix and match editions if I can help it(something a lot of folks have been doing for the last three years or so as we wait for them to dole out more). It's supposed to drop late May, so expect to hear more closer to that time if you're still interested.

Thank you for the update.

UPADATE: The Noble's Handbook that was supposed to release end of May has been delayed to late June. Dream deferred, but I'm not going anywhere.

I might be running a pendragon one shot soon if that keeps the appetite up

I would be up for it.

Count me in!

I got my copy at UKGE last Friday and the PDF as part of the deal. Would it be wrong to share that???

it might

Noted

By the way Scotchy, we put together a Custom sheet for Pendragon 6e that might be useful for your game

Oh, nice! Cheers!

Update! The release of the Noble's Handbook has been delayed again to mid-July. That means I'll probably be recruiting players in August unless there's another delay.

Update! Chaosium decided to release the PDFs at least, so I'm busy doing my homework.

Great!

How's your prep looking Scotchy? Just finished my one shot of the Crucible, so there are some freshly knighted squires ready for their next adventure!

Hey, hey! I'm wrestling with thoughts and feelings at the moment. I've been running a less intensive Discord pbp since April to learn 6e and practice, and I'm coming to the conclusion that I sort of hate the new edition... Little bit of hyperbole there, but it's definitely not my favorite version. It somehow manages to be both more convoluted in some areas while being less detailed and unsatisfying in others. The books are beautiful, but personally cause a fair bit of eye strain and I find them to be an organizational mess. Others love and vastly prefer 6e; it's hardly unplayable, and I expect my opinion will continue to harden in some places and soften in others as I continue with it. For every change I like, there's probably two I dislike which has been a bit of a bummer, so I will probably begin the arduous task of slowly going through both editions and deciding whether I want to mash stuff together between editions or just take a few things from 6e that I enjoy and leave it at that. My overall love for Pendragon isn't diminished (I still have two games going), but I have some decisions to make and then need time to move forward with whatever I choose to do. I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions if you want to hit me up on Discord.

I'm currently debating on running something else (probably One Ring 2e) here in the meantime to better acclimate myself to forum play and build some goodwill.