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Catching Up, Skill Checks for Garrison Duty
I always assume that knights not in play are on garrison duty—doing all the everyday duties of a knight like standing guard at a castle, riding the rounds of the county or manor, escorting important people around and so on.
I only get to play my characters occasionally (although more often than most GMs, as a requirement for playing in my game is to be a part-time GM.) I realized that the “Annual Catch Up” in the Winter Phase gives some advancement, but a character falls behind in experience when compared to others.
Now, I firmly feel that player knights are special. They advance much faster than the stay-at-home knights. But I didn’t feel comfortable with so few skill checks for player knight. I am fine with “short changing” ordinary NPCs, but it didn’t seem fair to the players who were unable to attend regularly.
I put this together to help compensate for the shortage.
Lordless Knight
Household Knight
Vassal Knight
Lord Knight
Officer
Maiden or Lady in Waiting
Lady
Noble Lady
Garrison Duty
If your knight missed one or more game session, then use this system so he does not fall too far behind the other characters. This is based on the regular duties of a knight that would be useful and comforting to those sporadic players.
The System
Step 1. Choose list
Use ONE LIST. Decide which category applies. Ask your GM if you aren’t sure.
Knights have five categories, dependent entirely upon the social system which determines their annual tasks.
Step 2. Make a Skill check on each designated skill.
Basically, make an Unopposed roll for everything. If successful, check it.
Step 3. Attempt Experience
The checked skills are ones that are used, and for which you can attempt rise in ability in the Winter Phase.
Note
This gets the player experience opportunities, but no Glory. The only Glory that is obtained is the standard ganunual Glory, such as bor being chivalrous, lands, etc.
Knights
Lordless Knight
Awareness, First Aid, Hunting, any two other non-combat skills
Horsemanship, Lance, one other Combat Skill
Energetic/Lazy, Prudent/Reckless, Temperate/ Indulgent, One underlined religious Trait, any other Personality Trait, all Traits over 15.
All Passions over 15, one other Passion.
Income
Standard of Living = Poor.
Lordless knights receive no discretionary funds.
Household Knight
Awareness, Courtesy, Falconry, First Aid, Hunting, Intrigue, any two other non-combat skills
Horsemanship, Lance, one other Combat Skill
Energetic/Lazy, Prudent/Reckless, Temperate/ Indulgent, One underlined religious Trait, one other Personality Trait, all Traits over 15.
Loyalty (Lord), one other Passion, all Passions over 15.
Income
Standard of Living = Average.
Household knights receive no discretionary funds.
Vassal Knight
Courtesy, Falconry, First Aid, Folk Lore, Hunting, Intrigue, any two other non-combat skills
Horsemanship, one other Combat Skill
Just/Arbitrary, Temperate/Indulgent, One underlined Religious Trait, any other Personality Trait, all Traits over 15.
Loyalty (Lord), Care (my commoners), one other Passion, all Passions over 15.
Income
Standard of Living = Average.
Ask the Gamemaster if you had any discretionary funds this year.
Lord Knight, Noble
Awareness, Courtesy, Diplomacy, Falconry, Hunting, Intrigue, Tourney, any two other non-combat skills
Horsemanship, one other Combat Skill
Just/Arbitrary, Temperate/Indulgent, Trusting/Suspicious, One underlined religious Trait, any other Personality Trait, all Traits over 15.
Loyalty (Lord), Care (my commoners), one other Passion.
Income
Standard of Living = Rich.
Discretionary income = £10
Officer
Awareness, Courtesy, Falconry, First Aid, Hunting, Heraldry, Intrigue, Recognize, Religion, any two other non-combat skills
Horsemanship, one other Combat Skill
Trusting/Suspicious, Temperate/Indulgent, One underlined religious Trait, any other Personality Trait, all Traits over 15.
Loyalty (Lord), Love (Family), one other Passion, all Passions over 15.
Specific Offices
Officers use their specialty skill as well. These are:
Admiral: Seamanship
Butler: Stewardship
Castellan: Siege
Chamberlain: Read (Latin)
Chancellor: Courtesy
Constable: Battle
Forester: Hunting
Justiciar: Just/Arbitrary
Marshall: Battle
Seneschal: Stewardship
Sheriff: Folklore
Income
Standard of Living = Rich.
Ask the Gamemaster if you had any discretionary funds this year.
Ladies
Maiden or Lady in waiting
Chirurgery, Courtesy, Falconry, Fashion, First Aid, Flirting, Hunting, Intrigue, Recognize, one other Courtly Skill, any two other non-combat skills
Chaste/Lustful, Energetic/Lazy, Honest/Deceitful, Temperate/Indulgent, One underlined religious Trait, any other Personality Trait, all Traits over 15.
Love (Family), Hospitality, one other Passion, all Passions over 15.
Income
Standard of Living = Average.
You receive no discretionary funds.
Lady
Chirurgery, Courtesy, First Aid, Folk Lore, Heraldry, Industry, Intrigue, Recognize, Religion, Stewardship, any two other non-combat or Combat skills
Horsemanship
Energetic/Lazy, Temperate/Indulgent, One underlined religious Trait, any two other Personality Traits, all Traits over 15.
Love (Family), Hospitality, one other Passion, all Passions over 15.
Income
Standard of Living = Average.
Ask the Gamemaster if you had any discretionary funds this year.
Noble Lady
Courtesy, First Aid, Folk Lore, Herladry, Industry, Intrigue, Recognize, Religion, Stewardship, any two other non-combat skills
Horsemanship, Siege
Energetic/Lazy, Temperate/Indulgent, One underlined religious Trait, any two other Personality Traits
Love (Family), Hospitality, one other Passion, all Passions over 15.
Income
Standard of Living = Rich.
Discretionary income = £10+1d10
