I’m playing Pendragon!

[Morrus]

I’ve wanted to play this for years. Finally, today’s the day!

 

[AnotherGuy]

I have not played it although I have acquired the edition before this new shiny one. It really looks like quite a bit of fun. I'd need to watch a few videos to get the hang of how to run it effectively before giving it a go. I still feel I'd likely botch it.

 

[Theory of Games]

Cool character sheet! I never really understood Pendragon though.

 

[The Soloist]

A lustful, energetic, generous and valorous knight. Interesting mix. Always liked the Traits system. Have fun!

 

[Morrus]

A lustful, energetic, generous and valorous knight. Interesting mix. Always liked the Traits system. Have fun!

I randomly grabbed a pre-gen and that's the one I got!

 

[Cruentus]

I've had the worst time trying to grok how those Traits are actually used in-game. Are they only used for major decisions/actions on the part of the character? When the character wants to use them? When the DM asks? All three?

If you don't mind, could you walk through a situation or two you encounter in game where the Traits system is used, and how it played out? And how often you find them being used in your game session (frequency)? Thanks!

I have the 5th ed rules (all the older supplements/books), and the new Starter Box, and while I saw how they worked with the solo adventure, I'm not sure how, as a GM/Referee, I'm supposed to use them.

 

[Morrus]

I've had the worst time trying to grok how those Traits are actually used in-game. Are they only used for major decisions/actions on the part of the character? When the character wants to use them? When the DM asks? All three?

If you don't mind, could you walk through a situation or two you encounter in game where the Traits system is used, and how it played out? And how often you find them being used in your game session (frequency)? Thanks!

I mean, this is the first time I've ever played it, and for all I know we're doing it wrong. But in the game we played today, the GM generally asked for whatever checks were needed. That was partly because the GM was the only one who knew how the game worked though, so may have been shouldering some of the load.

 

[Cruentus]

I've tried to watch actual play on YT, but can't get through it to the actual mechanics. I'm figuring it'll just be something to jump into, try it, and see what 'feels right'. Thanks for the response!

 

[MGibster]

I’ve wanted to play this for years. Finally, today’s the day!

Way to rub it in our faces! I've been wanting to play or run this game for years but haven't had the opportunity. I probably need to go on a quest or something.

 

[Old Fezziwig]

I've had the worst time trying to grok how those Traits are actually used in-game. Are they only used for major decisions/actions on the part of the character? When the character wants to use them? When the DM asks? All three?

I'm most familiar with KAP 1e, though I think the rules have stayed relatively stable over the years (more refinements than full revisions), and Traits are used as follows (I'm paraphrasing the examples given in the 1e Player's Book, pp 52-55):

(1) When players don't know what their character would do, they might roll to determine their behavior. Not sure if your little dude (Sir Little Dude?) will tell the truth when asked a question, roll Honest.
(2) As a threshold for moral tests, e.g., only honest knights can go through the doorway of the Palace of the Lake. Knights with Honest 16+ can go right on in.
(3) To resolve conflicting emotions, e.g., Ambrut's foe is defeated; will he show mercy or indulge the peasantry's cries for justice? An opposed roll, Merciful vs Just.
(4) To resolve personality disputes in crises, e.g., Douglas the Red calls Ambrut slothful, and Ambrut challenges him to wear his arms and armor night and day until one of them falls asleep. Opposed rolls, Douglas's Energetic vs Ambrut's Energetic.

The first one is player's choice, but the others are called for by the GM. They should be telegraphed in some ways -- the example KAP 1e gives is that a knight that recognizes Morgan le Fay should be able to avoid a seduction conflict once he's aware, though not after the challenge has started.

I played 6e at a convention, and our GM basically followed these guidelines (he said his experience was primarily with 3e, if I recall correctly). He called for a couple tests throughout the session; Temperate/Indulgent came up a few times. I think he backed off the consequences of the failed rolls a little bit, which was kind of a bummer, as I think part of the joy of Pendragon is when your little dude's Traits take the reins from you. But that might have just been a function of not wanting to derail a four-hour slot dealing with Sir Drinks-too-Much's detour into his cups after Arthur pulled the sword from the stone.