How (or will) the game handle magic, and what sorts of creatures will appear in the bestiary?

QuoteHow (or will) the game handle magic, and what sorts of creatures will appear in the bestiary?

The difference between Pendragon and Paladin is, of course, related to the used sources. Arthurian romances have fantastic magic, whereas Carolingian epics have wondrous magic. Therefore, the magic of Paladins is not so much about ‘fantasy’ spells, but is centered around divine interventions, like dreams, miracles and divine aid in combat. Note that the Franks are the only people to benefit from the Christian God's help! Saracens, Saxons, Slavs, Avars, Huns and other pagans, and even the Christian Byzantines (heretics!) have to get along all by themselves, without supernatural support...

Magic use for player knights is restricted. Like in a standard Pendragon campaign, they have no access to spells. Frankish knight-thief-wizard characters such as Maugis and Basin are strictly NPC. Other magic NPCs are pagan sorcerors and faeries.

As mentioned, player characters may, however, benefit from God’s aid:
-- when God sends them messages (dreams, visions, letters from heaven, etc.),
-- when they pray,
-- when others pray for them,
-- when they want to convert an honorable pagan opponent,
-- when they want to seduce a pagan princesss,
-- when they uphold justice in a trial-by-combat.

The Bestiary will not be very original and will contain more or less the same creatures as Pendragon. I included the Hippogryph and the Dragon, for example, even if none are mentioned in the French epics. I've also added some things from the Ardennes' folklore (nutons, etc), as this is the player characters' homeland.

Quote from: Ruben;462001Magic use for player knights is restricted. Like in a standard Pendragon campaign, they have no access to spells. Frankish knight-thief-wizard characters such as Maugis and Basin are strictly NPC. Other magic NPCs are pagan sorcerors and faeries.

How does NPC magic work?

QuoteHow does NPC magic work?

It works fine!

Seriously, there will be only a few guidelines about NPC magic, apart from a list of spells encountered in the epics. Magic acts purely a plot device, so the GM will just have to wing it, as in Pendragon, or use the magic system from Pendragon 4th edition. So, if you as a GM want a Saracen sorceror who throws fire balls, go ahead and do it. If you want a faerie enchantress who makes player knights fall in love with her, that's fine too. The spell list and the summaries of the epics will give sufficient examples of what is "right" for the game, but there will be no system to quantify spell powers in terms of levels or possible damage.

And who knows, maybe by the time Paladins gets in the stores (end of 2012?), does Greg also publish a new Book of Magic? If so, it will undoubtedly be Paladins compattible...

Hello,

All summer, I've worked hard on the Charlemagne game. I've now finished a draft version of the Charlemagne RPG (with Pendragon mechanics). It's about 260 pages and contains the following chapters:

-- Frankish Society (30p)
-- Franklands (15p)
-- Foreign Cultures (30p)
-- Character Creation (15p)
-- The Frankish Past (15p)
-- Game Mechanics (65p)
-- Characters and Creatures (10p)
-- Wealth and Treasure (15p)
-- Adventures (35p)
-- The Future (30p)

I'm now busy editing, checking cross-references, etc. This should not take me more than a month, after which I will send the draft version to Greg Stafford.

More news before the end of this year...

(P.S.: BTW, to express my sympathy for the ideas and attitude of the creator of this site, The RPG Site is the only place where I give updates about my work in progress.)

That is EXCELLENT news! Thanks for keeping us updated, Ruben!

I really look forward to running this game. Merci!

Quote from: Ruben;478279Hello,

All summer, I've worked hard on the Charlemagne game. I've now finished a draft version of the Charlemagne RPG (with Pendragon mechanics). It's about 260 pages and contains the following chapters:

-- Frankish Society (30p)
-- Franklands (15p)
-- Foreign Cultures (30p)
-- Character Creation (15p)
-- The Frankish Past (15p)
-- Game Mechanics (65p)
-- Characters and Creatures (10p)
-- Wealth and Treasure (15p)
-- Adventures (35p)
-- The Future (30p)

I'm now busy editing, checking cross-references, etc. This should not take me more than a month, after which I will send the draft version to Greg Stafford.

More news before the end of this year...

(P.S.: BTW, to express my sympathy for the ideas and attitude of the creator of this site, The RPG Site is the only place where I give updates about my work in progress.)

That sounds awesome, and thank you for that note of support!

RPGPundit

I don't have anything to add but I've been following along with interest.  Definitely let us know once there is a publication date.

I have heard rumors of this for years,Meathe decades.  
VerY pleased with the updates.

NPC only magic suits me just fine.

Me as well... in my Pendragon campaign none of my players felt put upon by the prohibition on PC magic.

RPGPundit

Playing a wizard isn't the point of a Pendragon game.

Is slaughtering Saxons racist?

Sorry, couldn't help it.  

Quote from: CRKrueger;478926Is slaughtering Saxons racist?

Depends. Are they pig-faced? Do they look like Nixon?

I'm holding my breath. This looks so promising.