Knights, Glory, Honor, and Nobility. But How?

[Emperor Valerian]

Here are some ideas. Which ones are sprung on which player depends on the player's personality and what kind of character they had developed.

1) Love
Set things up so that one of the players, after the first mission, attracts the attention of a lady of high bearing. Courtly love, and the like. Problem is, she's betrothed to someone else. Players can joust for her love, (and ones not involved get a chance to help their friend. Jousts involving multiple combatants on each side did happen).

Alternate version: Player attracts attention from lady of high bearing, and attention is unwanted. Jealous man of unwanted lady goes after the players. This one gives some opportunity for combat and noncombat solutions if you choose as well.

2) Plot on the King/Noble/Player's Lord

Nobility often didn't get along, and another noble has sent assassins to try and kill the player's liege, or possibly the players themselves. The players must find the assassins and bring them to justice before they can strike, and also find out who is behind the mess. PLayers go up a successive string of middlemen until they reach the other noble, the BBEG.

3) More Monsters
Instead of sending assassins, the rogue noble is using magic/evil device to control monsters, and launch them at his neighbors to weaken them

4) Affront to the 'Church'
Another noble/realm/nation is using magic in ways that the chief church of the player's realm considers 'unholy.' (Ex. Nation A tends to worship Pelor. Nation B's rulers are trying to develop an undead army) The players are sent to help stop this menace.

These are just a couple. Feel free to expand and add on to these

 

[S'mon]

You need lots of noble/courtier NPCs with conflicting goals. Always start with the NPCs & work from there, don't try to create plots in a vacuum.

 

[Black_Kaioshin]

Thank you all, for your advice and suggestions. I went out and picked up Dragon Magazine issue 299. It will help, I think. I'm curious, has anyone ran an adventure or two featuring knights, court intrigue, etc? I am interested in hearing about it, if you have. By the way, does anyone know of any good sites to read about this subject?

 

[Aaron2]

By the way, does anyone know of any good sites to read about this subject?

Here's a PDF that has information about knights and chivalry. Its for another game but worth a look. Much of the info is not system specific.

http://jtjaguar.home.texas.net/book-knights.pdf


One thing to keep in mind is that at the same time when a knight swears loyalty to his lord, his lord swears to protect and provide for the knight. So the feudal system works both ways. Similarly, a peasent(sp) also expected to be protected in exchange for his work. I'm just saying this to add another dimension to any knight campaign, the knight (assuming he has become a leige) will need to look after the needs of his own knights as well as satisfy the demands of his lord. Both are possible areas to create tension and adventures.


Aaron

 

[Dogbrain]

Thank you all, for your advice and suggestions. I went out and picked up Dragon Magazine issue 299. It will help, I think. I'm curious, has anyone ran an adventure or two featuring knights, court intrigue, etc? I am interested in hearing about it, if you have. By the way, does anyone know of any good sites to read about this subject?

Great day in the morning! Didn't I already post links to the "how to spend your life as a court intriguer" manual?

 

[Arnix]

Contact Josh at jraynack at aleapublishing dot com.

He has been running a campaign for some time now, almost 2 years, using large amounts of intrigue between the players and their lord and their lord's lord.

Large amounts of headache and second guessing motives. Backstabbing, false appearances, etc.

 

[Black_Kaioshin]

Heh heh, I have started looking over the links you gave me, Dogbrain. I was just interested in additional sources. Never can hurt to have more info.