Ignore the rule about characters fumbling their passion roll going mad and running in to the woods. Instead just set a couple of their traits to 18 based on the thing that they were trying to be passionate about.

I suspect that I'll probably simplify the rules a bit here and there, but I haven't really decided yet.

I'm looking into some of the old Pendragon campaign suggestions now (1st ed and 4th). Lots of good info here, but the start of the campaign does seem a bit dull (getting to know your area and jousting a bit, perhaps hunt down some bandits that aren't really fleshed out). It may be a good way to start developing your skills etc., but in my experience, you need something a bit spicier early on so that the players don't lose interest and think of it as "that boring game" later. I'll give it some thought.

Has anyone here played the old Spectre King module?

Quote from: Trond on May 11, 2022, 02:30:44 PM
I suspect that I'll probably simplify the rules a bit here and there, but I haven't really decided yet.

I tried running Pendragon recently and then gave up. It's far too complex for me these days (although I used to love it). I did try simplifying it too. But in the end I decided my time was better spent playing something more fun. That being said, I hope you succeed where I failed!

Quote from: Simon W on May 28, 2022, 05:30:50 AM

Quote from: Trond on May 11, 2022, 02:30:44 PM
I suspect that I'll probably simplify the rules a bit here and there, but I haven't really decided yet.

I tried running Pendragon recently and then gave up. It's far too complex for me these days (although I used to love it). I did try simplifying it too. But in the end I decided my time was better spent playing something more fun. That being said, I hope you succeed where I failed!

I find that a lot of people ditch complex systems as they age. I guess we generally conclude that Roleplaying can be just as fun with a more minimalistic approach.

Quote from: Trond on May 28, 2022, 07:34:35 AM

Quote from: Simon W on May 28, 2022, 05:30:50 AM

Quote from: Trond on May 11, 2022, 02:30:44 PM
I suspect that I'll probably simplify the rules a bit here and there, but I haven't really decided yet.

I tried running Pendragon recently and then gave up. It's far too complex for me these days (although I used to love it). I did try simplifying it too. But in the end I decided my time was better spent playing something more fun. That being said, I hope you succeed where I failed!

I find that a lot of people ditch complex systems as they age. I guess we generally conclude that Roleplaying can be just as fun with a more minimalistic approach.

Greetings!

You know, Trond, I think you are right on with that.

I used to play *Rolemaster* years ago, and of course D&D 3E. (and 3.5). I have noticed that in older players, there has been increasingly less patience, less willingness to deal with complexity, going over lots of rules, lots of reading, lots of record-keeping.

I find myself often being pulled that way as well. It's a roleplaying game. Make it fun, relatively simple, and easy to manage. As those priorities increase in a person's mind, different game systems are going to be viewed increasingly through that lens--both favourably or unfavourably.

I recall that in younger years, I *loved* all kinds of dense, chewy rules. They weren't just fun to read and use, but it was also a challenge to comprehend them, master them, and then reach the point of mastery where you can tweak and mutate them with absolute confidence. As well as having fun using such systems gaming at the table, of course.

As you get older, I think, you also begin to see exactly what you mentioned. To have fun playing a roleplaying game--lots of fun!--the rules really don't need to be that complex, or comprehensive. Great fun can be had without every last rule and every last option and possibility spelled out or accounted for. And, in the bargain, the game just doesn't need that much bookkeeping.

That is a reality that I have come to accept, and for the most part, enjoy. It is what it is, my friend!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: SHARK on May 28, 2022, 08:33:53 AM

Quote from: Trond on May 28, 2022, 07:34:35 AM

Quote from: Simon W on May 28, 2022, 05:30:50 AM

Quote from: Trond on May 11, 2022, 02:30:44 PM
I suspect that I'll probably simplify the rules a bit here and there, but I haven't really decided yet.

I tried running Pendragon recently and then gave up. It's far too complex for me these days (although I used to love it). I did try simplifying it too. But in the end I decided my time was better spent playing something more fun. That being said, I hope you succeed where I failed!

I find that a lot of people ditch complex systems as they age. I guess we generally conclude that Roleplaying can be just as fun with a more minimalistic approach.

Greetings!

You know, Trond, I think you are right on with that.

I used to play *Rolemaster* years ago, and of course D&D 3E. (and 3.5). I have noticed that in older players, there has been increasingly less patience, less willingness to deal with complexity, going over lots of rules, lots of reading, lots of record-keeping.

I find myself often being pulled that way as well. It's a roleplaying game. Make it fun, relatively simple, and easy to manage. As those priorities increase in a person's mind, different game systems are going to be viewed increasingly through that lens--both favourably or unfavourably.

I recall that in younger years, I *loved* all kinds of dense, chewy rules. They weren't just fun to read and use, but it was also a challenge to comprehend them, master them, and then reach the point of mastery where you can tweak and mutate them with absolute confidence. As well as having fun using such systems gaming at the table, of course.

As you get older, I think, you also begin to see exactly what you mentioned. To have fun playing a roleplaying game--lots of fun!--the rules really don't need to be that complex, or comprehensive. Great fun can be had without every last rule and every last option and possibility spelled out or accounted for. And, in the bargain, the game just doesn't need that much bookkeeping.

That is a reality that I have come to accept, and for the most part, enjoy. It is what it is, my friend!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

That's definitely true. Speaking of Rolemaster, even after mostly abandoning complex rules, some of the players liked the idea of specific tables for each weapon, so I decided to use Rolemaster one more time. I houseruled/simplified the hell out of it (particularly all the encumbrance bullshit, it's too many penalties if I remember correctly. We also used AT1 only for games where the players are nearly "naked" barbarians, otherwise we started at AT2), while still keeping it recognizable as Rolemaster (we had photocopies of the most important tables in front of us, and others marked with post-it notes). So when we loosened it up a bit it was actually really fun again!

My best tip is to first several read Arthurian tales, the older the better.

The more you know the source material, the more you will be able to emulate it at the game table for the players to interact with.

Quote from: Spinachcat on May 29, 2022, 09:12:03 PM
My best tip is to first several read Arthurian tales, the older the better.

The more you know the source material, the more you will be able to emulate it at the game table for the players to interact with.

Concur. Nothing newer than T. H. White, and ignore Pyle entirely. And Connecticut Yankee is right out.

Pendragon is trying to move into a new era, a 6th edition, the last that was being worked on by Greg himself. He calls it, his "ultimate" edition. The basic premise is the same, but there have been tweaks in almost every category.  I am older than most, but do not find the rules to be too complex, but then, I have been playing Pendragon since 3rd edition.

One aspect that has been always around, but downplayed, is the role of women and whether they can be fighters or not.  The new edition clarifies this and somewhat actively promotes the idea of it. The key phrase of YPMV (Your Pendragon May Vary) is important. If the gm doesn't want equality, then play how you want. If he/she does, then no problem. The idea of generational play is highlighted as the new edition will cover over 130 years if one plays the entire planned campaign. So, you need to play different characters as time moves along. Complexity of which rules to go into depth on, and which you want to hand-wave around also can fall into the YPMV as the gm decides what parts to focus on. The Grand Pendragon Campaign which used to be 1 book comprising the time of Uther to the end of it all, will be broken into more books, each focusing on different aspects of the game. Don't want magic and quests and want a dirty, gritty type game will focus more on the early years. Want to see King Arthur rise? This is the starting time of the new edition. Want to go on quests, vie for women's attention, and so forth? Then the Romance and Tournament book is what you want.  And so on.

No matter what scenarios you may have, they will remain largely transferable, if not published in a new updated version. Malory is still the basis, but the new edition will bring in many more of the romances.

Sorry for the long post, but Pendragon is still one of my favorite systems. I think everyone should at least try it out.