The undisputed rulers

of Mythic Europe are the nobility —

those high-born who are bound together
by sacred vows of loyalty, are supported by
the land, and provide support to the Church.
Lesser nobles compete for the favor of those superior
to them, while great nobles seek the loyalty of those
beneath them. When not distracted by the politics of
landholding and of war, they hunt the mundane and magical
beasts of the forests and host extravagant feasts. For the nobles
of Mythic Europe are first and foremost knights in shining armor.

This books contains complete rules and background for the nobility
of Mythic Europe, ranging from the details of their lands to their
entertainments, political struggles, and dealings with the Order
of Hermes. And, of course, it presents special rules for combat,
whether at a tournament or during a desperate siege. It
also describes the hard lives of the peasants, who make
the rich existence of the nobility possible by
providing the food at their feasts, the labor

AG0293 • ISBN 1-58978-114-7

for their buildings, and the soldiers
in their armies.

AG0293 • ISBN 1-58978-114-7 • $29.95

52995

9 781589 781146
WWW.ATLAS-GAMES.COM ©2010 Trident, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Lords of Men

Credits
Authors: Timothy Ferguson, Andrew Gronosky, Chris Jensen- Author Bios
Romer, Mark Lawford
Supplement Author: Andrew Gronosky Timothy Ferguson works as a librarian on the Gold Coast. His
family are theoretically descended from Fergus Mac Erc, first King
Development, Editing, & Project Management: David Chart of Scots, and one of the Kings Olaf of Sweden and some Chinese
Layout, Art Direction, & Proofreading: Michelle Nephew and guys who may have been priests or worked in a temple or something.
Jeff Tidball He lives with his wife and some cats, who have not disclosed their
Publisher: John Nephew genealogy.

Cover Illustration: Grey Thornberry Andrew Gronosky’s family claims descent from Polish nobility,
Interior Art: Jason Cole, Keith DeCesare, Kelley Hensing, Bradley though it has somehow become separated from its ancestral lands and
K. McDevitt, Jeff Menges, Robert Scott, Grey Thornberry titles. As a younger son, Andrew would probably have been destined
Ars Magica Fifth Edition Trade Dress: J. Scott Reeves for the cloister in medieval times, so he and his wife are just as glad
some traditions have died out. Andrew earns a livelihood through the
Publisher’s Special Thanks: Jerry Corrick & the gang at the Source. mystic art of computer programming. He holds a very modest castle
in Cambridge (Massachussets), where he lives and plays Ars Magica
First Round Playtesters: Jason Fryer, Matt Dyson, Emily Dyson; with his wife and two magical cats.
Donna Giltrap, Malcolm Harbrow, Aaron Hicks, Richard Love;
Eric Menge, Ann Sasahara, Lynn Reed-Kendall, Christopher Chris Jensen-Romer is a peasant who lives in a hovel in rainy
Day, Scott Benfield, Jim Ghiloni, Dennis Toomey, Erica Gold- England surrounded by lovely mud. His is a true riches to rags story;
smith; Matt Ryan, Alexis Kristan Heinz, Daniel Ilut, Robert W.B. child of a high-born father and a humble daughter of the soil, CJ has
Llwyd, Tobias Wheeler; Mark Shirley, Camo Coffey, Andrew gone from a country estate to a council estate to his current status
Walton, Barrie James; Erik Tyrrell, Robert Jankovich as one of the undeserving poor. He would like to dedicate his part
Second Round Playtesters: Donna Giltrap, Malcolm Harbrow, of book to the memories of his faithful hound Wogan and the noble
Aaron Hicks, Richard Love; Angus MacDonald, Wendell BSP beasties Crowley & Marmalade.
Joyner, Brian Watson, Mark Pasqual, Sally Hutchinson, Sarah
MacDonald; Nicholas Peterson, Jennafyr Peterson, Kristi Pisar- Mark Lawford lives in Eastbourne on England’s south coast. He
sky, Dan Byrne; Mark Shirley, Camo Coffey, Andrew Walton splits his free time, in somewhat equal measure, between writing for
Ars Magica and wondering why he isn’t down the gym more often.
Despite the best efforts of a volatile financial market he remains an IT
manager for well-known bank.

Ars Magica players participate in a thriving fan community by subscribing to email discussion lists (like the Berke-
ley list), compiling archives of game material (such as Project Redcap), maintaining fan-created web sites, and running
demos through Atlas Games’ Special Ops program. To learn more, visit www.atlas-games.com/ArM5. You can also
participate in discussions of Ars Magica at the official Atlas Games forums located at forum.atlas-games.com.
Copyright 2011 Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this work by any means
without written permission from the publisher, except short excerpts for the purpose of reviews, is expressly prohib-
ited.
Ars Magica, Mythic Europe, and Charting New Realms of Imagination are trademarks of Trident, Inc. Order of
Hermes, Tremere, and Doissetep are trademarks of White Wolf, Inc. and are used with permission.

DIGITAL VERSION 1.0

2
 Lords of Men

Contents
I. Introduction 6 Affinity. ........................................ 20 Herzog (Dux, Duke).....................34
Secular Allies..................................20 König (Rex, King).........................34
Noble Characters for Many Church Allies.................................20 Römischer Kaiser (Romanorum
Styles of Saga..................................6 Affinity Leadership.......................21 Imperator, Roman Emperor).........34
Control Through Emotional Iberian Systems............................... 35
II. Politics 7 Bonds............................................22 Infanzone......................................35
Agents............................................22 Caballero......................................35
The Gratitude System. .................... 7 Design of Agents.............................22 Caballero Villano...........................36
The Projection of Power. ............... 7 Acquiring Agents............................23 Caballero Hidalgo (or Fidalgo)......36
Retinue............................................ 9 Using Agents..................................24 Ricohombre..................................36
Family.............................................9 Maintaining Agents........................25 The Italian Model......................... 36
Designing a Family..........................9 Reputation. ................................... 25 Byzantine Models.......................... 36
Inheritance......................................10 Noble Reputation.........................25
Marriage and Dowries....................10 Prudhomme....................................25
Military.........................................11 Improving Noble Reputation...........25 IV. Interference 37
Clerical and Menial......................12 The Advantages of Reputation........26 Methods of Interference............... 37
Criminals.......................................13 Reputation is Utterly Vital.............26 Alternatives to Conspiracy...........37
Offices...........................................13 Public Power for Women. ............. 27 Making Riches..............................37
Admiral..........................................15 Dressing as a Man.........................27 Magic Items..................................38
Butler.............................................15 Holding Land................................27 Involvement. ................................. 39
Chancellor......................................15 Absence..........................................27 Self-Defense..................................39
Chamberlain...................................15 Inheritance......................................28 Defense of Sodales........................39
Constable.......................................15 Political Success.............................28 Defense of the Art........................40
Counselor.......................................15 Conquest........................................28 How Much Do Nobles Know?....... 40
Justiciar.........................................16 Widow’s Portion and Stewardship...28 Why Don’t Magi Break Mythic
Marshal.........................................16 Nuns..............................................29 European Feudalism?...................... 42
Sheriff / Bailie / Sénéchal................16 Ignore It........................................42
Steward..........................................16 The Code Works as Intended.......42
Treasurer........................................16 III. A Comparison of Titles 30 Lucky Coincidence.......................42
Offices Found Only Near England.....16 The French (and English) System... 30 A Conspiracy of Realms................42
Coroner..........................................17 Squire(Armiger, Écuyer)...............30 God Has A Plan............................42
Forest Warden................................17 Knight (Miles, Chevalier).............30 Mythic Europe is Made for Sin.......42
Vassals.......................................... 17 Bacheler Knight..............................30 Faeries Inadvertently Defend
Why Bother With Vassals?...........17 Knight Banneret.............................30 the Status Quo...............................43
Vassalage Allows Nobles to Baron (Baro, Baron).......................32 Magi Helped Design Feudalism.......43
Express a Common Interest..............17 Earl or Count (Comes, Comte)....32
Vassalage Allows for Huge Viscount (Vice-comes, Viscomte).....32
Transactions...................................18 Count Palatine and Marcher Lord...32 V. Leisure 44
Vassalage is a Form of Truce...........18 Duke (Dux, Duc)..........................33 Pets................................................44
Vassalage Limits Genocidal King (Rex, Roi).............................33 Outdoor Pursuits...........................44
Warfare........................................18 The German System....................... 33 Board Games.................................45
Money...........................................18 Herr (Generosus, Lord)................34 Gambling......................................45
Warriors........................................18 Freiherr..........................................34 Good Drink, Song, and Dance.....46
Scutage..........................................19 Ritter (Miles, Knight)...................34 The Feast.......................................46
Advice...........................................19 Ministeriales (Ministers).................34 Preparing the Feast.........................46
Wardship of Heirs........................19 Graf (Comes, Count/Earl)............34 The Noble Diet...............................47
Wardship of Widows....................20 Markgraf (Marchio, Margrave).....34

3
 Lords of Men
Seating the Guests, and VI. Manorial Fiefs 71 Fief-like Holdings.......................... 85
Good Manners...............................47 Allods............................................85
Time to Eat.....................................48 Subinfuedation.............................. 71 Alms and Charities........................85
The Host........................................48 The Manor: The Model Fief.......... 71 Alms Land......................................85
The Hunt...................................... 48 Alternatives to the Manor Charities.........................................85
Varieties of Hunting Hounds........49 With Demesne..............................71 Towns With Royal Charters.........86
Hounds and Aging.........................51 Greater Fiefs...................................73
Hunting with Hounds..................51 Capital Messuage..........................73 Discuss Poverty in Your Saga. ...... 87
The Quest......................................51 Hall...............................................73
The Assembly.................................52 Animal Sheds.................................74
The Relay......................................52 Barns.............................................74 VII. The Peasantry 88
The Finding....................................52 Curtilage........................................74 Classes of Peasant......................... 88
The Chase......................................52 Fishponds.......................................75 The Unemployed and
The Kill.........................................52 Granary........................................75 Day Workers.................................88
The Unmaking and Curee...............53 Kitchen..........................................75 Famuli and Other Retained
Bow and Stable Hunting...............53 Stackyard......................................75 Servants.........................................88
Hunting Stories.............................53 Farmland.......................................75 Serf or Villein................................88
The Prey.......................................54 Arable............................................75 Offices for Villeins..........................89
Horses. ......................................... 55 Meadow.........................................76 Half-free........................................90
The Types of Horses.....................55 Pasture...........................................76 Free Peasants.................................90
The Care of Horses......................57 The Lord’s Portion: Officers.........................................91
Horses and Aging...........................57 The Demesne................................76 Standard of Living........................ 91
Hawking........................................ 57 Market Fair....................................77 Housing........................................91
Birds and Aging.............................58 Mills..............................................77 Food and Drink.............................92
Running an Establishment.............. 58 Baking...........................................77 Improvement in Living Standards. .. 93
The Kennels..................................60 Commons......................................77 Paying Tithes Inadequately...........93
The Mews.....................................60 Waste............................................78 Paying the Lord Less Than
The Stables...................................60 Fisheries and Marshes...................78 You Owe.......................................93
Living Conditions and Woods...........................................78 Paying the Lord Only What
Specialists......................................60 Parks and Lodges............................79 You Owe.......................................94
Romance........................................ 61 Warrens.........................................79 Not Resting on Holy Days...........94
The Pursuit of Love......................61 Mineral Rights...............................79 Perjury on Behalf of Lords............94
The Rules of Love.........................62 Legal Rights and the Manor Stealing from Neighbors...............94
Patronage..................................... 63 Court.............................................79 Changing Priests Without
The Tournament........................... 64 Entering the Manor.........................79 Permission, or Deducting
Staging a Tournament...................65 Heriot, Mortuary, and Tithe for his Flaws.........................94
Patronage.......................................65 Laity Objects.................................79 Sexual Abstinence.........................95
Costs..............................................65 Tallage...........................................79 Working in Old Age.....................95
Team Sponsors................................66 The Manor Court......................... 80 Moving Manor..............................96
The Tournament Site.......................66 Procedure of the Court.................80 Not Working Hard.......................96
Lodgings.........................................66 Juries.............................................80 Being Hard on Pilgrims
Tournament as Fair.........................66 Disputes........................................80 and the Poor.................................97
Rules of Melee..............................66 Disputes Based on Weights The Gaining of Freedom................ 97
Ransom..........................................67 and Measures.................................81 Manumission by Lay Lords............97
Companies of Men..........................67 Fines..............................................81 Manumission by the Church........97
Tournament Combat.....................67 Seizure...........................................81 Manumission by Membership
The Commencailles......................67 Sex Taxes: Merchet, Leywrite, of a Town’s Guild..........................97
Jousting.........................................67 Childwrite, and Fines for Celibacy.......81 Manumission by Force of
Fencing..........................................68 Fines for Being Fined.......................82 Crusading Sentiment....................97
The Grand Charge........................68 Church......................................... 82 The Agricultural Year.................. 98
High Ambition...............................68 Churchyard...................................83 Two- or Three-Field Rotation.......98
Gaining and Losing Reputation....68 Glebe............................................83 August and September..................98
Company Reputations....................68 Church and Priest’s House............83 October........................................99
Patronage.......................................69 Improvement.................................. 84 November.....................................99
Tournaments as Income................69 Assarting.......................................84 December......................................99
Awards...........................................69 Conquest.......................................84 January..........................................99
Land Management........................85 February........................................99
Money in Ars Magica: A Recap....... 70 Marriage........................................85 March..........................................100
Purchase........................................85 April............................................100
May.............................................100

4
 Lords of Men
June.............................................101 IX. Optional Combat Rules 117 Wounding Horses.........................128
July..............................................101 Controlling a Panicked Horse........128
The Combat Round..................... 117 Option: Defensive Bonus for .
When to Use Combat Rounds...117 Moving Horses.............................128
VIII. Massed Combat 102 Initiative......................................117 Mounting and Dismounting.......128
Medieval Armies........................... 102 When to Roll Initiative.................117 Leaping from the Saddle................128
Raising an Army..........................102 Actions in Combat......................117 Option: Vaulting Into .
Vassals.........................................102 Not Everything is an Action.........117 the Saddle.....................................129
Allies............................................102 Examples of Actions......................117 Falling from Horseback..............129
Affinity........................................102 Reactions.....................................117 Being Pinned Under a Horse.........129
Mercenary Budget........................103 Extended Actions..........................118 Battlefield Situations.................. 129
Heroic Endeavors........................ 104 Option: Fast Actions....................118 General Situational Modifiers.....129
Territorial Advantage..................104 Delaying Actions........................118 Specific Situations.......................130
Using Magic to Seize Advantage..105 Option: Interrupting Actions.........119 Cover...........................................130
Weight of Numbers....................105 Option: Fast Casting as . Concealment, Darkness, and .
Battlefield Events.........................105 Interruption..................................120 Invisibility...................................130
Maneuver.....................................106 Tactical Movement..................... 120 Higher Ground.............................130
Size..............................................106 Moving in Combat.....................120 Fighting Indoors and in .
Enemy..........................................106 Movement and Groups...............120 Narrow Spaces.............................131
Wounds and Attrition...................106 Obstacles, Barriers, and . Option: Non-Lethal Combat....... 131
Example Battlefield Events.............106 Movement...................................120 Non-Lethal Damage: Bruises......131
Skirmish.......................... 106 Engaging and Disengaging. ......... 121 Recovering from Bruises................131
Hold the Line.................. 106 Engaging in Combat...................121 Weapons and Bruises..................132
Rescue............................. 106 Effects of Being Engaged................121 Special Effects.............................132
Loose.............................. 107 Engagement and Defenders............122 Advanced Group Combat............. 133
On All Sides.................... 107 Option: No Engagement for . Accelerated Group Training.......133
Ransom........................... 107 Missile Combat.............................122 The Leader’s Actions...................133
Feint............................... 107 Option: No Missiles While . Morale and Discipline................134
Seize the Colors.............. 107 Engaged in Melee..........................122 Discipline.....................................134
A “Heroic” Maneuver....... 107 Option: Defenders as Interceptors..122 Example Discipline .
Alone Against the Many... 108 Disengaging................................122 Ease Factors.........................134
The Aftermath of Battle..............108 Attempting to Disengage...............122 Morale.........................................134
Siegecraft. .................................. 109 Automatic Disengagement.............123 Example Morale .
Castles.........................................109 Option: Reckless Disengagement...123 Ease Factors.........................134
Every Castle Sends a Message.......110 Attacking and Defending. ........... 123 Disordered Groups........................134
Free Choices..................................110 Attacking....................................123 Routed Groups.............................135
Minor Castles...............................110 Charging on Foot.........................123 Rallying a Group.........................135
Shell Keep....................... 110 Option: Interrupting a Charge......123 Groups With No Leader...............135
Tower Keep..................... 110 Option: Ready Missiles................124
Curtain Walls and Mural Towers......110 Option: Constriction Attacks........124
Keep Alternatives for Castles . Defending...................................124 Supplement: Arms & Armor 136
with Curtain Walls......................111 Defense when Unarmed.................124
Barbican and Moat........... 111 Helpless Characters.......................124
Describing Castles......................111 Option: Diceless Defense...............124
Garrison.......................................111 Option: No Defense for .
Defenses........................................111 Missile Weapons..........................125
Supplies........................................112 Option: Evasion...........................125
Life Under Siege.........................112 Option: Lasting Consequences .
Stockade.......................................112 of Serious Damage........................125
Siege Engines..............................112 Option: Mitigating Deadly .
Laying Siege...............................112 Wounds.......................................125
Troop Deployment........................113 Mounted Combat........................ 126
Undermining................................113 Untrained Mounts......................126
Artillery.......................................114 Mounted Movement...................126
Escalade.......................................114 Charging on Horseback.............126
Counterattack...............................115 Option: Shock of the Charge.........127
Scale the Ladders............. 115 Shooting Missiles from .
Open the Gates............... 115 Horseback....................................127
Take the Marshal............. 115 Actions Taken by Horses...............127
Aftermath....................................116 Attacking Horses........................128
 Chapter One

Rule by the Sword

Mythic Europe is governed by a warrior portunity? The 13th century is a difficult actions of the player characters.
caste. To be noble is to expect the call to time to be a nobleman, as challenges, as well Political sagas are also catered to. A skilled
arms; to gain the esteem of other nobles, a as chances for glory, abound. diplomat can lead his alliance to war, or pre-
lord must draw forces together and massacre vent bloodshed through a fearsome Reputation
his enemies. Nobles are wealthy, so they may and the armed support of powerful friends. The
live sumptuously and patronize the Church Noble Characters for use of Reputation allows diplomatic nobles to
and the arts, but the thirteenth century is a Many Styles of Saga judge the goals of their enemies, and threaten
time of strife. Those who kill, rule. them with regional factions of supporters.
Realms still need their armies, for virtu- This book provides resources for sagas Earning noble titles is described, with each
ally all have recently been burned by war, of varying styles, whether realistic, high fan- title’s military and economic resources quanti-
but many nobles feel their state is in decline. tasy, political, or otherwise in orientation. fied to allow for the rapid design of political
Kings and the Church chip away at the sta- It includes material for a realistic mun- and military antagonists.
tus of the warrior caste. Its great mission — dane world, to allow sharper contrast with Sagas in which a nobleman acts as a ser-
the liberation of the Holy Land — seems in the four Realms. Troupes playing this style vant and spokesman for a covenant are also
disarray. The merchants of the cities are in- of saga should consider the new options for supported. Nobles who reside primarily at
creasingly demanding, as well, and have the massed combat. Characters may now lead covenants may be fleshed out using material
money to field armies of mercenaries. The armies into battle, or lay siege to the castles on how members of the military class think
nobility cannot conceive of a world in which of their enemies. and act. Land ownership and vassal mainte-
it does not rule, but rule is harder to maintain It also supports sagas with a high fantasy nance are also detailed. A chapter describes
than in earlier days. tone, aiding the design of stories that contain the crude and unpleasant life of serfs, and
And at the edges of society, the nobles the elements of medieval ballads. For sagas contains many story seeds that can hook
know, a mysterious Order of magicians lurks. with characters suited to Arthurian fantasy, player characters from peasant backgrounds
The wizards are forbidden to meddle, it’s the sections on leisure, love, and single com- into sagas. The relationship between the Or-
said, but rumor states that little stops them. bat are particularly appropriate. Mass com- der and nobles is also described, with a com-
Are the wizards potential allies, or already- bat is supported with a narrative resolution prehensive explanation of what most nobles
active enemies? Is magic a threat, or an op- variant, which puts a stronger focus on the know about the Order.

6
 Chapter Two

Politics
Advancement in a political career de- in which the lord sees how useful the char- ative gossips will come up with several
pends on the whims of a powerful patron. acter could be if raised to a higher station. A alternative stories that suit the prevail-
Many lords wish to hire competent people, squire who fights bravely on when wounded ing mood of the court. Characters who
but it is difficult for a skilled character lack- might make a fine knight. A nobleman who serve secretly can be repaid with money,
ing social connections to demonstrate merit negotiates a lucrative marriage may make a with minor titles, with heiresses, and by
to potential patrons. A career normally be- fine chancellor. setting up stories that justify the repay-
gins with a fortunate birth, either as a noble Player characters do not usually select ment, or the lord and his liege can just
or in the personal retinue of a great lord. how their lords will express Gratitude. Char- brazen out any social opprobrium and
A character who performs well in a lord’s acters with close relationships to friendly accept damaged Reputations.
retinue may, if the lord is interested in merit, lords may do so, and this relationship may 1 Gratitude: In cases where the story has
be granted money, offices, or land. Addition- be purchased at character creation with the an outcome that favors the lord, but
al land may be gained by marriage, through Patron Virtue. Many of the resources lords this was not the character’s main focus.
war, or by purchase. In time, sufficient land use to reward followers, like escheated land Characters accompanying magi can of-
is gathered for the nobles of an area to ac- and heiresses, are only intermittently avail- ten pick up a point of Gratitude as part
cept the character, or his descendants, as a able. Players may prefer to store Gratitude of their reward for a story that affects the
regional power. This makes a character a for larger rewards, but noblemen often prefer covenant.
great noble. smaller, more regular, rewards. 2 Gratitude: If the story has an outcome
In most sagas, each stage of career ad- Note that some lords do not give the that strongly favors the lord, and was the
vancement occurs because of a story event. rewards they should: poverty, covetousness, character’s main focus. Characters ac-
A character performs beyond the usual ex- or political pressure may force them to give companying magi can occasionally earn
pectations of his station, then the lord pro- a desired reward to a character’s rival. The 2 points of Gratitude by cleverly tying
motes the character. This is a reward, but character’s Reputation is not affected by mi- what the magi are doing into the needs
also retains the character to provide similar nor acts of rebellion against such an ignoble of their lord.
services in the future. The character’s exam- lord. 5 Gratitude: If the story requires the charac-
ple encourages other retainers to strive in the Many political stories do not provide ter to complete a feat that will be widely
lord’s service. Gratitude points, and so do not directly lead renowned for its difficulty, primarily to
to the character’s advancement. They do, serve the needs of the lord. Turning away
however, provide improved resources by in- a great army with a minor host, scaring
creasing the character’s wealth, enlarging the off a dragon with a clever ruse, or rescu-

The Gratitude
character’s retinue, solidifying the character’s ing the lord from the depths of his rival’s
position in the political hierarchy of his re- dungeon would each earn 5 points.
gion, or improving the character’s Reputa-

System tion.
A character who is given a higher office

The Projection
gains the Virtues suited to that office, such as
For players preferring structured ad- Landed Noble, Greater Noble, or Temporal
vancement, this chapter suggests the follow- Influence for officers.
ing system. Characters earn Gratitude points
when they perform a service to their lord
that is beyond that required by their station.
A story provides:

0 Gratitude: If the lord attempts to appear

of Power
These points are then redeemed with higher just and the nature of the character’s ser- Great Nobles have a sphere of influence
office, land, or payment in goods. vice is secret. The nobles of each area that can be divided into levels of proximity.
Gratitude may be earned by exceptional keep careful track of who is in favor, The closest bond, which affects the fewest
actions that go beyond the usual require- and to what degree, and they notice people, is between the lord and his retinue.
ments of the role, like saving the lord from if a reward is not commensurate with These are the people he directly employs as
capture in battle or paying the lord’s entire known service. If the nobility does not part of his household for an extended period
ransom. It may also be earned by story events know why public favor was shown, cre- of time. This includes his officers, who are


 Lords of Men

Advancement Requirements Table

See Chapter Three: A Comparison of Titles for more on those positions mentioned here.
Change Requires Cost to Granter
serf to freeman 5 Gratitude Cost of serf
warrior to knight 5 Gratitude Cost of gear (5 pounds mini-
mum)
knight to bacheler Must have the basic Abilities of a Knight, and the Abilities and Person- Ongoing support
ality traits suited to this particular mesnie. Gratitude 5.
bacheler to carissimus Must be a bacheler, Gratitude 5, story event. No cost
bacheler to lord of the Gratitude 10, marriage to suitable heiress, or claiming land during war, The revenues of the manor
manor or being offered land that has returned to the lord.
Added manors Gratitude 10, Reputation for loyalty to the lord, land must be available The revenues of the additional
due to the extinction of a line, or war, or assart, or appanage. manor or manors
lord of the manor to Sufficient money to hire knights – usually from 5 manors. Nothing
banneret
banneret to baron of a Gaining by any means at least 15 more manors. Reputation of loyalty Nothing, except if the manors
minor lord toward the lord, 10 Gratitude are the lord’s.
minor baron to a lord Must be noticed by the king or his advisors, must be in the service of a Nothing.
to baron of the king lord the king doesn’t mind offending, like a rebel or an heir that owes
the king. Gratitude 20 and, usually, successful treason against the lord.
admiral Access to ships, Leadership 2
butler Profession: Steward 2
chancellor Must be highly literate in the local languages of business and diplo-
macy, usually has Church Lore.
marshal Leadership 5, Reputation for skill at warfare.
steward Profession: Steward 2
treasurer Profession: Steward 2
appointment as baron Gratitude 10, a suitable marriage, any officer role
appointment as Story event, substantial baronial role, or church equivalent, plus Loyalty
justiciar to the dead person and a Reputation of 5 or more.

Appointment as an officer to Greater Baron or higher requires Gratitude 10, Landed Noble (at minimum), Reputation for loyalty to
the lord, vacancy in the office, and office-specific traits. Abilities below 2 assume the noble has an oversight role and is aided by a skilled
deputy in the practical functions of the office. A noble wishing to skillfully administer the daily business of the office should develop
an appropriate Ability score of 5. Making a vassal an officer costs the granter nothing. It does, however, cost the previous holder of the
office his status and income, which may lead to a story.

In brief, to move from serf to freeman, or warrior to knight, or knight to bacheler, requires a single story in which the character
provides heroic service to his lord, or the gradual accumulation of merit equivalent to this. To move through the middle ranks of knight-
hood requires two heroic services, five exceptional services, or ten stories with the magi that can be tied to the interest of the lord.
These payments, again, require that the lord wishes to reward merit, that he has the desired reward available, and that there is no better
claimant in his affinity.


 Lords of Men
servants trusted with a portion of the lord’s
power in exchange for their loyal service.
The next most significant bond is between
A Random Method of Death
the magnate and his tenants. These are the To simulate the randomness of age the lethality of the conflict. Storyguides
lords and knights who hold land from the at death in Mythic Europe, which allows should note that these rules are harsher
magnate. They are more autonomous than paths of inheritance to take unexpected than the standard aging rules.
his household, but cannot risk his displea- turns, Storyguides may wish to secretly
sure save in times of crisis, when he lacks the calculate the death age of non-player char-
power to punish their insolence. acters. Assume that any child has a 25% A Random Method of Life
The magnate also has influence over chance of dying of natural causes before
people who are not dependent on him for adulthood is reached. For characters who If a character is waiting to inherit,
their livelihood. Powerful magnates usually are already adults, or children who sur- check for the birth of new heirs. For each
create coalitions of allies around their de- vive, assume a death age of 6 simple dice person between the character and inheri-
mesne lands. This area of influence is called + 20 years. In times of widespread war, flip tance, assess if they are likely to have a le-
his country, and the people who participate a coin so that half of all adult men die by gitimate child in this year. Then roll a die
in the alliance are called the magnate’s affin- violence 10 years before the six dice in- for each, assuming that on average half of
ity. Significant political figures are carefully dicate they should. For less-intense wars, them do have a child. Check each child
watched by other members of the noble instead use a die and grade the odds to suit for random age of death.
class, who do their best to avoid the anger
of a magnate. A magnate’s reputation can in-
fluence the actions of his neighbors without
any effort on his part. Story Seed: Finding an Heir
An elderly lord keeps falling ill. His forewarning. Even if the heir is bought
sickness is not lethal, but it takes him lon- home, he still needs the protection of the

Retinue ger to recover from each bout. He fears

that he will die in the next few years as he
weakens, so he dispatches the player char-
player characters. After all, his brothers-
in-law can also claim his land if he dies in
accident, or in war. And some may claim
acters to find his heir. The boy took the that he is not the son at all, but rather an
The retinue of most magnates can be split cross, but has not been heard from since impostor.
into four parts: family, military, clerical, and he left. The player characters also have a sec-
menial. These sections of the household are The lord has four daughters, and the ond lead to the identity of the heir’s ene-
usually on good terms as a whole, although it lands will be divided among them if the my. The illnesses suffered by his father are
is common for individuals in the clerical and heir is not produced. The husband of one not natural: they are poisonings, given in
military sections of the household to despise of these daughters sends assassins and a slow series so as not to arouse suspicion.
each other. The households of lords vary in saboteurs to shadow the player charac- If the characters can catch the servant who
size based on their wealth, desire for osten- ters. They strike at the group if they sense administers the poison, they may be able
tation, and number of children. Speaking weakness, but prefer to let them find the to trap her handler, who can provide the
loosely, the household of a lord of the manor heir, so that they can kill him without name of the lord responsible.
averages 10, that of a landed knight 16, that
of a banneret 24, that of a baron 40, and that
of an earl 140. This includes the knightly fol- no incentive to overthrow their legitimate dice of different colors and halve each re-
lowers of the lord mentioned in the Military brother, and are dependent on his goodwill sult. One die represents the number of male
section later, but not their peasant levies. for advancement. Bastard sons, if trained as children surviving to adulthood, the other
knights, are sometimes not fostered away, the number of female. Zeros represent no
which allows them to grow more familiar surviving children of that gender. For birth
Family with the estate than legitimate children. Bas-
tard daughters are useful for making strong
order, assign each child a number and roll
randomly until all have a place. Distribute
alliances with minor vassals or merchants, as the births of all characters so that they lie
Nobles are expected to favor their ex- marriage to a lesser noble or commoner does within a 12-year span. Male characters older
tended families when seeking vassals and not dishonor them. than 21 and female characters older than 18
household retainers. This is supposed to are almost certainly married or committed to
make a body of retainers more loyal than the religious life.
one composed of strangers. Male relatives Designing a Family For a random number of bastards, roll
are useful for a range of offices, and female a die, halve it, and then add or subtract ap-
relatives may be used to cement alliances Players wishing to generate a family for propriate Personality traits of the father and
through marriage. their characters may freely select any reason- mother. Roll birth order for each, comparing
Bastards are particularly useful to medi- able number of living siblings that they wish, to the above siblings, and roll odd or even
eval magnates, because they do not automat- and may select which are bastards. For a ran- to determine gender. Bastards created by a
ically inherit land in most areas. They have dom number of legitimate siblings, roll two straying husband and a woman of lower sta-

9
 Lords of Men
Four measures are taken to limit fratri-
Story Seed: Not A Bastard cide. First, younger brothers and nephews
are given choice offices in the retinue of the
A monk at a nearby abbey has made a lineages, or by taking the winning side if family’s head. Second, the lands that a father
final confession at unction that has alarm- the parties seek justice in the courts or on inherited from his father are kept together
ing consequences. Before he entered the the field of battle. Characters who hush as demesne, but land gained by conquest or
monastery, the monk was a village priest, up the confession cannot earn Gratitude marriage may be split away to endow young-
and he performed a secret marriage for a points, but may be given other favors. er sons. Third, if the lord gains wardship of
young, smitten nobleman and his com- This story seed may have several dif- an heiress, she will be married to a landless
mon lover. The young nobleman was later ferent twists, as well. The current lord son to provide for him. And fourth, sections
offered a rich marriage, and bigamously may be murderously dedicated to keep- of the estate called appanages may be given
married the daughter of a neighboring ing the land in his branch of the fam- to younger sons for the length of their life-
landholder, acknowledging his children ily for his sons, and try to eliminate the time only.
by his first marriage only as bastards. They characters who have hushed the matter These non-heritable appanage lands are
have been the loyal servants of the “legiti- up, so that the secret remains buried. He frowned upon by many. They assert that ap-
mate” line of the family for a generation, might, alternatively, be almost too good, panages are not usually resumed by the pri-
and fill many lesser positions in the court and be glad to give up his land to his mary line of a family without warfare, and so
of the lord. wronged brother. The brother, however they are a way of dividing the estate in slow
Legally, the effect of this confession, has a hatred for a neighboring commu- stages. This does occur in some families,
which the dying man asked his confessor nity, and his ascension would pitch the but in the majority, war and infant mortal-
to make public after a little encourage- land into war. His player-character vas- ity prevent this from occurring. The French
ment, is that the head of the “bastard” line sals must choose between loyalty to their royal family has divided its lands somewhat
should become the lord, dispossessing his somewhat naive lord and loyalty to their through appanage. In contrast, the English
younger half brother. Characters may earn community, which would be ravaged if crown has not, since the Conquest, been able
gratitude by negotiating the continuing the war was lost. Finally, the confession to create a cadet branch that has held its land
loyalty of the “bastard” line, by negotiat- itself may be a lie, fostered by a demon separate for more than two generations.
ing a smooth transition between the two or faeries to cause strife. If there is no male heir, the lands of fami-
lies in many areas are divided between the
daughters of the last lord. This prevents his
tus are usually known; those from a noble dence. Sons who are not implacably disloyal sons-in-law from going to war, and provides
woman who finds a lover are usually hidden may become loyal over time as their older lands to the Church through daughters who
among her legitimate children, which may brothers die, tying their interests closer to have taken the veil. This is one factor that
be a source of the Dark Secret Flaw. the head of the family’s. On the other hand, prevents nobles having contiguous territo-
To see how loyal to the head of the fam- many nobles feel that heirs are more likely ries. The average noble family fails to pro-
ily each sibling is, the player rolls a stress die to be disloyal than younger sons, since they vide a male heir every fourth generation, so
and then, if the child is a legitimate son, sub- have so much to gain by the deaths of their this churning of lands is common.
tracts the number of older sons of military fathers; if this is the case in your campaign,
inclination. The result is used to generate a troupes should shuffle these scores between
number as per the Arts table on ArM5, page sons to create interesting supporting charac- Marriage and Dowries
31. The maximum score is 3 and negative ters for their stories. A family may be as de-
scores are permitted. This score is the son’s tailed as the player and troupe prefer. Many A player may select the degree of affec-
Loyal Personality Trait. A roll of zero indi- troupes liketo keep extended families vague, tion in the character’s marriage in consulta-
cates that the child is implacably disloyal to so that new characters can be added as sto- tion with the troupe. Arranged matrimony
the head of the family. ries require. is common for nobles, but many of these
The subtraction of the birth number of become loving marriages. Adultery is con-
the legitimate sons models the way that fam- sidered immoral, but is relatively common
ilies in cultures that practice primogeniture Inheritance among noblemen of high status. The Church
ration economic support to favor the elder has recently ruled that a marriage requires, at
sons. It does not apply in those families that In many areas of Mythic Europe, the minimum, only a spoken intent to marry and
are so wealthy that they support all of their lands of a father are divided between his a dowry, although it prefers the addition of a
sons. Sons of “military inclination” do not sons at death. In those that are influenced by priest and two witnesses.
include those who are dead, bastards, have Norman culture, this is seen only as a way In many areas, the father of the bride
joined the Church, have become magi, or are of dividing the family’s estate into a patch must consent to her marriage. This allows
seriously disabled, as these sons do not in- of squabbling petty knights, and so all land him to threaten his daughter, by saying he
herit land. In powerful, wealthy families, the goes to the nominated heir. If no heir is will approve no man other than his choice.
support required to prevent loss of loyalty nominated, this is the eldest, or the strongest A father does not, however, formally choose
may include land. as selected by the dead father’s liege. This the husband of his daughters in any Chris-
Disloyal sons may remain in the ser- method keeps the family estate together, tian part of Europe. The sacrament of mar-
vice of their fathers for a long time, waiting but gives younger sons motive to oppose the riage requires voluntary participation.
for an opportunity to assert their indepen- head of their family in war. Marriage may occur at very young ages

10
 Lords of Men
for the heirs of greater nobles. The average
groom of the lower noble class is, however,
in his late twenties. This is lower if he has
Size of Dowries
an opportunity to marry well and establish The size of a dowry varies by culture. Catalonia, southern France, and much
himself financially. Women marry slightly In some areas it is equivalent to an equal of Italy — to leave bequests to daugh-
younger than men. portion of the land that the girl’s parents ters, so dowries in those regions are
Dowries are an important part of the own, when split between their children. In larger.
marriage contract. A dowry is a sum of mon- the French sphere, the oldest son and his • Has more siblings than average, since
ey or goods paid by the bride’s family to the patrimony are removed from this division, her share of her parents’ wealth is
bride upon marriage. Dowries are the usual as they receive the inalienable section of smaller.
way for parents to pass wealth intergenera- land passed down through the family’s • Has mostly female siblings, since this
tionally to daughters. primary line. This is adjusted downward if means her parents need to find more
In most of Italy and much of France, a the daughter: dowries.
husband has the right to invest and manage • Is unlikely to have difficulty obtaining
his wife’s dowry, but not spend it. He may be • Is marrying a groom from a less- money from the male heir after her
sued for mismanagement, and must be able wealthy family. This is not unusual, father dies.
to give it back to the wife’s family if the cou- because women outnumber men in • Will receive the dowry in land or
ple separates. In Italy, if the wife dies before Mythic Europe. money, rather than other rights.
the husband, her dowry must be given to her • Is one of few acceptable brides in her
children or be returned to her parents. In economic range. Conversely, dowries are more gener-
parts of France, the husband may keep much • Is a virgin. ous if any of these statements are untrue.
of the dowry. In England, the husband owns • Is more than ten years younger than If the bride is exceptional, for example she
all of the goods of the wife, including her the groom. is an heiress, her husband’s family may pay
body. In all three places, a free woman has • Will receive other goods after mar- her father or guardian a dower.
the right to use a portion of her husband’s riage. It is illegal in some areas — like
property for support, if he predeceases her.
For game purposes, assume this is one third
of his estate, and that she likely loses this
property if she remarries. A Tale Stolen From the Birth of Robert the Bruce
There are two powerful territories in has caused a great scandal. The bishop, who
Military part of the lord’s lands. He is on poor terms
with the ruler of one, who feels he has
is a stern man of God and not given to lax-
ity with regard to matters of fornication, is
some right to the lordship himself, due to demanding that the two marry regardless of
The military accompaniment of a noble- a claim that one of current lord’s ancestors the objections of their overlord. A character
man varies with his wealth. Simple knights couldn’t inherit legally. The other territory who manages to prevent the lord’s rival from
are accompanied only by one or two ser- currently has no lord, being administered consolidating this territory gains 5 Grati-
vants. Wealthy lords have tails of between by the widow of the previous holder. The tude, and character who at least gets a fine
eight and ten knights during peacetime, greater lord has the right to select a hus- out of the widow for not choosing who her
sometimes accompanied by other mounted band for this woman, and is reserving her lord wished earns 2. A character who pushes
warriors and infantrymen. These household as a reward for service. the marriage forward may gain Gratitude
knights are called the lord’s mesnie. News reaches the court that the son from the rival and the couple, however, and
Membership in a lord’s mesnie has many of the rival ruler was traveling through the they have become a significant force in their
advantages. The knights of a nobleman’s country and was seduced by the widow. It territory.
household are fed, clothed, billeted, and
their gear is replaced if it wears out or is lost
occasionally in tournaments. As the personal of independent inheritance, is preferred by of Canterbury, was provoking the king, his
guards of a lord, the mesnie knights profit some lords, while others prefer to befriend mesnie knights deserted him and this was
from their lord’s wars. If the lord is power- young heirs. not considered a shameful thing for them to
ful, or becomes powerful, his mesnie is often Mesnie knights are expected to be loyal do, given that their lord was ensuring their
rewarded with offices or lands. Many are re- to their lord above all else, but in practice annihilation.
warded with the lord’s largesse. noblemen understand that knights have A member of the mesnie of a lord is
It is usual for lords to stuff their mesnie common sense. During the recent civil wars sometimes called a bacheler, or “bachelor.”
with young men from their extended family, in England, the mesnie of the chief marshal This title is used to demonstrate that the
or those of their neighbors. Younger sons showed extreme loyalty by being willing knight has a patron. This means that if the
raised as squires in a lord’s court, for exam- to lose all of their lands and be reduced to knight is abused, the dishonor can be an-
ple, may lack the resources required to main- penury to follow their lord. This behavior swered with more than the force of his arm.
tain their status. Placement in a mesnie is an is considered ideal. In practice, a mesnie is A knight becomes a bacheler by being of-
excellent station for them. A mesnie filled expected to desert a lord whose cause is fail- fered a place in a mesnie.
with younger sons, who lack the prospect ing. When Thomas Becket, the archbishop The mesnie knights of a lord tend to have

11
 Lords of Men
common enough for a character to be able
to seek one that suits his strengths. Mesnies
filled with poets or knights interested in the-
ology are common, particularly in the house-
holds of landholding women and priests.
A character may make an Intelligence +
Intrigue roll against an Ease Factor of 6 to
recall if the mesnie members of a lord with
whom he is interacting have a common fea-
ture. A character may make an Intelligence
+ Intrigue roll against an Ease Factor of 12
to recall or discover the name of a lord who
favors a particular skill. Characters with high
Intrigue scores will, for a small fee or owed
favor, arrange introductions between player
characters and either lords whose tastes they
suit, or knights who suit their taste.
A carissimus is the captain of a mesnie.
A character becomes a carissimus by being
the best friend of the lord, or by being so
skilled that he is made leader of the mesnie
regardless of personality. The carissimus of
a powerful lord has great social cachet, and
is treated as superior to the other members
of the mesnie. Its common for the carissimus
of a powerful nobleman to be landed, but to
either still live within the household of his
lord, or to live close by so that his advice can
be easily sought.

Story Seed: Choosing the Lord or Heir Clerical and Menial

The heirs to many major holdings are son degenerates to war, is to send the head The ability to read and write is common
permitted to select their own mesnies, but of the family to support the lord, and a in the upper class of Mythic Europe. The
are required to accept the priests foisted on younger son to support the heir. The hope work of writing letters is, however, dull and
them by their lord or the bishop. In some is that if the heir wins and the lands of the time consuming, so clerks are employed to
cases, this makes for a fiercely divided and lord are forfeit, they will be awarded to fulfill this menial task. Most of these clerks
partisan court. Each participant is required the younger son for his service. If the lord are, as their name suggests, priests, but in
to either favor the current lord, or the heir wins, then the family can just disclaim the some parts of Mythic Europe a profession-
to the lord. Generally, older characters fa- younger son, and he can live in exile until al class of estate managers has developed.
vor the current lord, who can punish and the lord dies. These men are not clerks in the traditional
reward them immediately. Younger court- Covenants with tame nobles may need sense, but they have an education and skill
iers tend to favor the heir, since they know to employ similar stratagems. Covenants in improving the profit of land. In large es-
that all they need to do is wait for their may also be asked to shelter younger sons tates this section of the household is called
lord to die before reprisals against his sup- who were sacrificed to lost causes. These the chancery.
porters can begin. characters may have a Dark Secret Flaw, The clerical and militant sections of a
Characters serving a covenant need to because they are wanted by the current household have different values, but usually
play a difficult game of supporting both authorities, but they also have a variant of co-operate with some degree of tension. In
sides sufficiently that they do not suffer the Heir Virtue, because if they wait suf- smaller households, the priests are often the
reprisal now or later. One popular strat- ficiently long they will have a powerful younger brothers of the knights. In larger
egy, if the ill will between the lord and his Patron. households, the priests generally have a de-
gree of financial and legal autonomy from
the lord. This can create tension with his
the personality traits that the lord admires. gang. It is made up of violent and wealthy militant servants who see this as compromis-
In the estates of powerful nobles, there is a young men whose behavior is not effectively ing the loyalty of the priests.
select group of friends of the lord, called the restricted by the law, and whose main busi- Common menial workers will be discussed
mesnie privée, who strongly reflect his tastes. ness is the defense of their territory. in greater length in Chapter Six: Manorial Fiefs
The average mesnie is much like a street Other flavors of mesnie are unusual, but and Chapter Seven: The Peasantry.

12
 Lords of Men
Criminals year’s wages, but may cost more. A series of
regular favors involves the corrupted official
times as much as they earn by their legitimate
profession. If asked to sabotage operations with
getting a percentage of whatever advantages which they are legitimately involved, spies of-
Many lords have contact with criminals, the briber accrues. ten charge far more: some as much as ten years’
and use their services to harm the political Kidnapping: Kidnappings cost twice as worth of income per attack. This is because
interests of their rivals. Richer nobles often much as assassinations. their risk of discovery is very high, and the be-
have criminals in their exclusive employ. Sabotage: Agents can be instructed to trayed parties may not confine themselves to
Poorer nobles merely hire criminals for indi- perform many varieties of sabotage. They legal methods of redress.
vidual tasks. Criminals are particularly useful charge a pound, in advance, for each at- Treachery: A powerful weapon for the
to female characters, who have little author- tempt, regardless of success. Sabotage re- dueling noble is treachery. Convincing a vas-
ity in Mythic Europe, but often have money. quires a Dexterity + Stealth + stress roll that sal to change sides usually costs a great deal
Players may design criminals using the rules exceeds the Perception + Awareness + stress of money, so treachery is usual only when
for agents given in the Affinity section later. roll of the most skilled sentry guarding the two sides are already poorly matched. Some
The rules in this section abstract the crimi- facility that the agent seeks to harm. Each traitors act from principle or from passion,
nal, allowing the story to focus on the effect added sentry adds 1 to the defender’s roll. and these are the hardest to dissuade.
of their actions. A discovered saboteur flees using the com-
Characters use their Intrigue Ability to bat rules to disengage from the sentries, and
hire skilled professionals. If these incidents
are played in stories, the criminals use their
then hides.
The type of sabotage attempted also
Offices
own Ability scores. If the crimes are resolved adds to the sentry’s roll: this reflects the time
without a story, the hiring character rolls and difficulty required to inflict damage on Hereditary vassals are often unreliable,
Communication + Intrigue and uses the re- the facility. and so sensible magnates invest their powers
sult in place of the proxy’s roll, to determine into officers. An officer is a loyal person to
the degree of success. Characters with high Type of Sentry’s Examples whom the lord lends a portion of his power.
Intrigue hire the very best people, and get Sabotage Awareness That portion of power is usually greater than
excellent results. Nobles without Intrigue Bonus what is required to fulfill the function of the
skills hire a servant who has them. Char- Defacement +0 Throwing a office, and so offices are sought as prizes.
acters whose proxies are defending against bladder of ink at Some noblemen circulate offices through
crime — sentries or bodyguards, for example a monument. their retainers to limit corruption, and to
— use their own skills during stories. For prevent offices from becoming hereditary.
non-played events, they may use either their Rendezvous +3 Meeting a Other nobles, in times of crisis, have allowed
own skills or the Communication + Intrigue spy inside the their offices to be purchased from them with
of whoever hired them. enemy’s area money or service, and so have lost control of
Assassination: Most assassinations use of control for a their office bearers.
the combat rules. The corpse usually appears brief time. This A character who is ordered to fulfill a mun-
to be the victim of a violent mugging. As- is also the modi- dane task related to his or her employment as
sassination disguised as mugging is usually fier for seducing an officer will do so. This privilege grants no
unsuccessful against nobles, because of their an enemy’s rela- particular loyalty in the character’s underlings,
mesnies, but works well against their lesser tives in his own although their loyalty may be selected using
officers. The assassin generally charges two house. Virtues and Flaws at character creation. This
pounds for this service, for a common per- Arson +6 Lighting a large means that underlings will not, conventionally,
son. Nobles can have poor people murdered fire within a do things that are not in their own self-interest.
for free, though regular use of this privilege fortress or pri- They will not break the law beyond trivialities,
gives the noble a Reputation for ruthlessness. vate residence. and will not participate in combat, unless that
A few assassins favor methods that are more Prompt atten- is one of their conventional duties.
exotic, such as poisoning. They charge five tion by sentries Women may be officers. It is traditional
pounds per attempt, in advance, provided can mitigate for women to be the treasurers or stewards
the target will be in a city. damage caused of the husband’s holdings in some areas. Se-
Beatings: Thugs can simply beat a char- by fires. nior nobles have female officers more rarely,
acter severely, or humiliate him, to teach him but there is no bar on women fulfilling those
Burglary +9 Removing
a lesson. This halves the cost of an assassina- offices that lack military command. In those
documents,
tion, if the victim is rich. rare cases where women hold land in their
which the agent
Bribes: Bribes vary in size by the wealth own right, it is even possible for them to lead
must search a
of the corrupted official and the magnitude armies themselves. This is unusual behav-
room for.
of the favor requested. An easily granted fa- ior, though, because even kings often leave
vor costs a week’s wages. A favor that would Spying: All nobles have spies, and many of the command of their forces to marshals
cause serious trouble if discovered costs a them are effectively free. Players are encour- schooled in war.
month’s wages, provided discovery is un- aged to design a few colorful informants. Spies The following offices are described as
likely. A favor that would cause the character within a rival nobleman’s household require if they were part of the court of a king, but
to lose his job, if discovered, costs at least a very large payments for their assistance, some- many great nobles have courts that, in a sim-

13
 Lords of Men

Intrigue and the Art of Indirect Action

For Intrigue rolls to uncover informa- • The lesser vices of a relative or friend • What is required to push one of the
tion or allies, they must first exist. A char- of the target (Reputation 1 or more). target’s rivals from private friction into
acter who has led a blameless life is ar- The intriguer does not choose which public enmity.
mored against Intrigue. The following Ease relative or friend is vulnerable. • A Story Flaw, if known by only a few
Factors, for an Intelligence + Intrigue roll, • The intriguer spreads a rumor to create people but not all of them loyal to the
demonstrate what a character might learn a negative Reputation of 1. The target, target.
about potential allies, or the harm they or the target’s friends, may determine • Information that will cause one of
may cause by spreading gossip. The noble the identity of the perpetrator with the target’s friends or relatives to feel
to be harmed is referred to as the target. an Intelligence + Intrigue roll higher wronged by him.
A character using the Intrigue ability in than the intriguer’s, and may combat • The intriguer forges evidence of a
this way must entertain other gossips, hire the Reputation with appropriate public crime, which will cause the character
spies, bribe servants, and threaten people. actions. severe trouble. The target, or the tar-
For Ease factors higher than 6, this takes get’s friends, may determine the iden-
(3 x Ease) days and costs at least (Ease / 3) tity of the perpetrator with an Intelli-
pounds. Elaborate plans may cost far more, Ease Factor 12 gence + Intrigue roll higher than the
at the Troupe’s discretion. intriguer’s. If they can find evidence,
• The reason behind minor disagree- the intriguer will face legal reprisal.
ments between the target and other The target may demonstrate innocence
Ease Factor 3 nobles. through a story event.
• What is required to push the private
• The stated reason for publicly declared hostility of one of the target’s enemies
enmity between the target and other into public enmity. Ease Factor 18
nobles. • A Story Flaw, if known by several other
• The target’s well-known vices (Reputa- people. • Information about the crimes of the
tion 3 or more). • Small, private vices of one of the tar- target’s ancestors, which rile a descen-
get’s friends. The intriguer does not dant of their victim against the target.
choose which relative or friend is vul- • What is required to push a defeated en-
Ease Factor 6 nerable. emy of the target back into action.
• The intriguer forges evidence of a taw- • One of the target’s Story Flaws, if
• The reason behind public friction be- dry nature that creates a negative Rep- known only to a small number of peo-
tween the target and other nobles. utation of 2. The target, or the target’s ple who are loyal to the target.
• The target’s lesser vices (Reputation 1 friends, may determine the identity of • Information that will cause one of the
or more). the perpetrator with an Intelligence + target’s friends to conspire toward his
• The intriguer spreads a rumor, to re- Intrigue roll higher than the intriguer’s. downfall.
duce one of the target’s Reputations by The character may shed the Reputa- • The intriguer forges convincing evi-
1, but the target knows the intriguer is tion with appropriate public actions dence that makes the target appear to
responsible and can gain the Reputa- and, if the target can find evidence, the have a Dark Secret, like the Flaw. The
tion back with appropriate public ac- intriguer may gain a poor Reputation target, or his friends, may determine
tions. instead. the identity of the person who reveals
the Flaw with an Intelligence + Intrigue
roll of equal to the intriguer’s and prove
Ease Factor 9 Ease Factor 15 the secret false, but it is almost impos-
sible to tie the intriguer to the revealer
• The reason behind private hostility be- • The details of an old grudge, or an of the flaw, or the forgery (Intelligence
tween the target and other nobles. old enmity, that has lain forgotten for + Intrigue roll of 21 or more).
• Small, private vices known to the tar- many years.
get’s servants.

14
 Lords of Men
plified way, have vassals fulfilling parallel
roles. The exact title for a role varies widely.
Characters designed as officers need the
Temporal Influence Virtue.

Admiral
In many courts, a permanent force of
dedicated warships is a novel idea. Tradition-
ally, kings have simply hired or requisitioned
the ships required for warfare. When a king
does have a personal fleet, it is maintained
by an officer. This officer serves as an aide
to whichever nobleman is given charge of a
particular campaign in which the fleet is en-
gaged. The term “admiral” is an Arabic one,
and is not yet widely used.
Lesser noblemen usually have boats, but
rarely use them for naval warfare. The main
role of ships in war is to transport supplies
that are required to keep armies in the field
or, in more limited circumstances, to trans-
port the armies themselves. The medieval
ship is equipped with certain weapons for
defense against boarders, and in exceptional
cases — like the Greek fire of the galleys of
Byzantium — to destroy other ships. Ships
are not weapons platforms capable of bom-
bardment against coastal positions.
A character who holds the office of admiral
can find, provision, crew, and command vessels visor on foreign relations and the state of the discriminately for anyone who holds a royal
of war. Their number is commensurate with Church. It is a lucrative and powerful role, office, so that the castellan of a royal castle
the power of the character’s liege. An admiral because it controls the vacant Church lands may be called its constable. In France, it has
is also able to command men who make their within the gift of the king. This role is almost a similar wide variety of meanings, but often
livelihood from warships and trading, through always held by a priest, and in lesser courts it refers to the leader of the French army, whom
a mixture of charm and force. is sometimes combined with the role of per- English people would call its marshal. The
sonal confessor to the nobleman. It is an un- Constable of France is permitted to counter-
usual chancellor who does not have private mand the orders of the king in battle.
Butler agents and criminals at his disposal.

Nominally the king’s wine steward, the Counselor

butler is responsible for the feeding of the Chamberlain
court. This requires a tremendous amount It is the duty of all vassals to attend their
of money, and the butler is also the officer The chamberlain is responsible for the lord when summoned, and give him advice.
charged with overseeing those parts of the king’s chamber, which in a fuller sense means This duty is described more fully in a later
royal demesne set aside to produce food that he is responsible for wherever the king section. It is recognized, however, that cer-
for the court. A direct parallel of this role is is staying, much of the king’s retinue, and the tain persons give more-useful advice than
found in lesser courts. A butler, then, com- king’s personal possessions. Chamberlains others, and so it is convenient to have them
mands vast wealth on behalf of the lord, and lack the raw power of some of the other offi- on hand for the lord’s select councils. These
has the right to nominate prices for things cers, but are highly influential, having access people assist the lord in governing his terri-
that the court requires, effectively control- to the king far exceeding that of any of the tory. If a person is a member of this group,
ling a taxing power used against towns. other officers. In many small noble holdings, he is called a counselor. This office is often
the lord’s wife acts as his chamberlain. gained with one of the other offices of the
royal household, but there are some counsel-
Chancellor ors who are not part of the royal household.
Constable Women of political inclination are often
The chancellor is, technically, the mas- members of the councils of their relatives.
ter of the king’s correspondence. Effectively, This term has split in different realms to
this makes the chancellor the king’s chief ad- mean different things. In Britain, it is used in-

15
 Lords of Men
Justiciar
Amercements: Money From The Law
The king’s primary officer for the en-
forcement of the law is his justiciar. The en- Bribes, fines, and taxes provide much one who killed one of his deer was to have
forcement of the law is a lucrative business of the revenue gathered by the law officers his eyes and testicles extracted. Poachers
for most kings, and in many kingdoms this of the kingdom, but a fourth, and lucra- were not, generally, blinded and castrated,
office has proven too mighty for the king to tive, form of judicial remuneration exists. since they far preferred to pay amerce-
easily control its holders. This has led to the For many infractions, rather than a fine, ments.
king resuming the title, and creating lesser the law provides a gruesome and disfigur- The most extreme case of amercement
posts that serve as his aides in selected parts ing punishment. The hands of thieves, as occurs when a felon — that is, someone
of the realm. The title of justiciar is usually a simple example, are cut off. Amercement who has performed a capital crime — has
given to the person acting as regent for a king occurs when, having found a person guilty, found sanctuary in a church and has asked
who is a minor or insane. This is sometimes his judge allows that person to throw him- to abjure the realm. In this case, the coro-
the mother of a child-king, if she is known self on the court’s mercy. In exchange for ner takes a detailed confession from the
for her political acumen and she either has a fine that is negotiated with the judge, felon, makes him take serious oaths on the
the support of most of the nobility or she is the person is permitted to avoid physical Bible to not return, and then nominates a
considered a useful compromise between ri- punishment. port he must walk to, to take ship from the
val groups. Some of the punishments are deliber- realm. All of the felon’s personal goods are
ately horrific to encourage amercements. forfeit to the crown, and his land falls un-
King Richard’s forest law stated that any- der royal protection for a year.
Marshal
The marshal is the leader of the king’s rial level to designate officers of the mano- Treasurer
bodyguard, and by extension, in time of rial lord. In Northern France, a bailie is much
war the leader of the royal army in the field. like a pre-corruption sheriff. They act as the
Marshals also have the responsibility to raise keepers of the king’s law in the domain royal. The treasurer of a king is the guardian
and provision the army. There are marshals In southern France, the same role is fulfilled of the lord’s wealth. The exact role the trea-
in lesser courts, although their role as leader by sénéchaux. In some German speaking ar- surer plays varies by location. He may have
of the army is weaker. The position of mar- eas this role is filled by a vogt, although the a strong legal role, overseeing the collection
shal rose to prominence in England during parallel is inexact. of rights, or may have a far more limited
the reigns of King John, who was averse to By whatever name, these roles are attrac- role, as the master of the castle where the
personal supervision of his army in the field, tive to covenants. A proxy nobleman acting king keeps much of his minted money. The
and his infant heir. as sheriff provides an income for the cove- treasury of a kingdom tends to be highly de-
nant with effective legal impunity in tempo- fensible, because loss of the treasury makes it
ral affairs. The Quaesitores consider it likely difficult for a king to raise mercenary armies,
Sheriff / Bailie / Sénéchal a breach of the Code to outbid other nobles or keep his feudal retainers in the field longer
for this role. However, through skilled diplo- than their obligated days. Many kings have
These offices have similar roles. macy, overt bribery, and occasional threats, several treasuries; they may assign separate
In Saxon England, the sheriffs were the it has been possible for covenants to have a treasurers to each, or have them supervised
king’s loyal representatives in each shire, great deal of influence over the selection and by a single officer.
charged with keeping the peace. After the activities of sheriffs.
Norman invasion their role was expanded, to
become the king’s representative in an area.
When the Norman kings needed money the Steward Offices Found Only
role was corrupted. In 1220, a sheriff is a
nobleman who has paid the king a sum of The king’s steward is responsible for all
Near England
money in exchange for the right to collect of the parts of the court that are not explic-
all those moneys due the king in a particu- itly the responsibility of others. Such a nebu- The following offices are found only in
lar shire. If the sheriff is tyrannical then the lous and useful role is found in every lesser England, Scotland, and the parts of Ireland
taxes due will far surpass the payment made, court, although it tends to combine with and Wales dominated by the English. Britain
and the sheriff is entitled to the difference. the roles of butler, chancellor, and chamber- is such a focus of play for Ars Magica groups,
The sheriff has many sources of money. lain. The steward, as controller of the king’s and the play potential of these offices so ob-
He acts as magistrate for local matters, and household, is the leader of the king’s house- vious, that they have been described here.
keeps the king’s fines, although he is required hold army, but his subordinate the marshal Troupes with sagas in alternative countries
to pay a third of them to the earl of the shire. actually leads it in battle. Stewardship is of- can still use the ideas suggested below, be-
It is common for earls to purchase this role. ten vested in women, such as the mothers of cause the kings of their own countries re-
The sheriff also commands the king’s local infant lords, or the wives of lords. serve the right to appoint vassals to perform
forces, for example the garrisons of castles. any task.
In England, the term “bailiff” refers to all
of the king’s officers, and is used on a mano-

16
 Lords of Men
Much as the office of coroner was created
Story Seed: Avoiding the Murdrum in response to the corruption of the sheriffs,
so a series of offices has been created to deal
In towns where a body has been found, haunt his killer, though, and the charac- with the corruption of the wardens. The ver-
it is often considered best to circumvent ters if they were complicit in hiding the derers are unpaid landowners appointed to
the law of murdrum. If player characters crime. keep track of the fines taken by the wardens.
find a body, he has the following choices: Smuggle the body to another com- Every third year, a separate group of four
Investigate the murder, and see if the munity, and make sure the coroner finds knights called regarders is appointed in each
person is a Norman. This is difficult, be- it before the people in the rival village county containing forest to make a census of
cause many Norman families are effective- can smuggle it back over the border. everything that might harm forest animals.
ly English in the 13th century. This strange sport is undignified, how- Four more knights of each county, the agis-
Smuggle the body to a desolate place ever, and is unlikely to end in a church tors, guard the king’s rights with regard to
and bury it in secret. This is a crime, and burial. The ghosts of bodies that have animals permitted to pasture in the forest.
characters must plan carefully to not be been carted backward and forward over
seen, or at least to only be seen by charac- the countryside tend to range widely
ters who also believe it best for the com- and be deeply distressed, particularly if
munity to avoid the tax. A murder victim
in an unhallowed grave may return to
pieces of the corpse have been lost in
various places. Vassals
Coroner or Irish, for coroners in the invaded parts A lord’s vassals are theoretically his chief
of those countries), as opposed to Norman. lieutenants. Flaws in the feudal system, howev-
Much as the sheriffs are a curb on the The fine is high, up to 30 pounds per body, er, force many lords to operate through officers,
power of the earls, so the coroners are a curb so many towns buy exemption from the law some of whom are traditional vassals, but many
on the power of the sheriffs. The coroner of murdrum through royal charter. They of whom are drawn from their mesnies. Lieges
acts as an inspector who binds people for have too many merchants, pilgrims, and sail- are in a state of constant negotiation with their
trial and deals with petty cases summarily, ors visiting them and dying anonymously to senior vassals, able to utilize their resources
depriving the sheriff of some of his revenue. leave this to chance. fully only through a combination of friendship,
Each shire elects four knights for a period charisma, and menace. The fundamental func-
to serve as its coroners. Towns also have tion of vassals is to provide resources to their
coroners, sufficient in number to deal with Forest Warden liege during crises.
the royal business of the town. In areas like
the Marches, where the judicial rights of the The forests of England are all of the
crown have been delegated, coroners are of-
ten appointed by the nobleman directly.
areas that have been declared sole hunting
preserves of the king. “Forest,” in this sense,
Why Bother
Each coroner must be a knight with an
income sufficient to support himself. The
is a specialized legal term. There are forests
that are not wooded, and most woods are not
With Vassals?
role of coroner is unpaid, and coroners who forest. The forest is administered by the for-
take gifts in exchange for their services are est warden, who has a deputy for each major Some kings try to minimize the role of
punished harshly. Those who offer bribes to forest, also called a warden. These roles are their vassals in the politics of the kingdom.
the coroners are similarly punished. noble, but their servants — the rangers and A land governed by royal officers, without
The coroner also acts as the king’s rep- surveyors — are not. a hereditary caste of landowners, would be
resentative, collecting rights that would oth- All of the great royal forests contain more stable and provide greater revenue to
erwise go to the sheriff. These rights include hunting lodges. Some lodges are small cas- its ruler, they assert. These attempts usu-
the personal goods of people who have com- tles, and these are held by a castellan who ally end badly. Regardless of its efficiency,
mitted suicide, the proceeds of shipwrecks, also acts as the deputy forest warden for the the noble class exists, and when the king is
the flesh or money to the value of any whale vicinity. A corrupt warden therefore has ac- weak, it has the financial and military power
or sturgeon caught by fishers, certain articles commodation, land associated with his of- to crush the commoners raised as opponents
from buildings that burn down, objects that fice, the fines he collects for breaches of the by earlier, stronger kings.
have killed people (deodands), and valu- forest law, as much meat as he can poach,
able objects that have been buried (treasure and as much wood as he can sell.
troves). The coroner is also the person to ar- The lands of the office are supposed to Vassalage Allows Nobles to
range the process by which a felon in sanctu- provide wages for the warden’s retainers, but Express a Common Interest
ary quits the realm, in the process confiscat- in many cases those persons pay him for their
ing all his land and goods for the king. positions. Rangers extort money from peas- Initially, in most kingdoms vassalage
The coroners are also the collectors of ants who make use of the wood, or accept was voluntary. The great landholders of the
murdrum. This is the fine levied on a com- bribes to look the other way when poaching kingdom came together and elected their
munity where a person has been secretly and illegal wood collection occur. They also kings. They did this so that a central fig-
killed, if the members of the community can- poach game and have all the wood they can ure of authority could lead them in war and
not prove the body to be English (or Welsh use or surreptitiously sell. settle their disputes. This method of select-

17
 Lords of Men
ing kings is failing, though. The current king
of England was still a baby when loyalists
Money their fief contained at the time it was origi-
nally granted. In some families, which have
defeated the army of the barons, who had retained properties for generations, this rep-
offered the throne of England to the crown Vassals owe a series of taxes to their resents only a fraction of the wealth that the
prince of France, forcing them to accept lieges. Minor taxes taken as traditional gifts family has available. A character who is rich
primogeniture on the English throne. Philip of produce have been commuted to cash in and well-disposed to his lord may provide
Augustus, the current king of France, has not most areas. The largest tax is on inherited additional forces. This is, in turn, rewarded
forced the nobles of his kingdom to appoint land, and is called relief. It varies by king- with a greater share of the booty that be-
his son co-king, as Phillip’s father did just dom, and in some is not levied. In England, comes available if the war is successful.
before dying. Again, primogeniture has been a lord owes approximately one year’s income Assume that a powerful landowner must
accepted as the proper way for the crown to to his liege on the assumption of his title. provide, at minimum, 20 knights when
pass to the next generation. Four graces make relief affordable. First, called to war. This may include the land-
the tax is, in many cases, only levied on man- owner himself, but need not unless he is per-
ors that existed when the land was originally sonally instructed to attend. Even if the lord
Vassalage Allows for granted. Estates that have been improved is instructed to come, it is possible for him
Huge Transactions over the generations are, therefore, com- to avoid this obligation through a series of
paratively affordable. Second, the king and ruses. Many of the nobles in Europe are sub-
Vassalage allows a noble to pay a sup- tenants in chief no longer wish to engage in infeudated to multiple lieges. When these
porter with land, while not losing some of court cases to determine exactly what one lieges go to war with each other, it is useful
the rights associated with that land. When year’s income is for each property, and so it to be able to avoid attending battle, while
the Normans invaded England and William is capped at five pounds per manor, or 100 still fulfilling feudal obligations.
divided its lands between his retainers, he pounds for greater barons, regardless of actu- Knights are the commonest warriors
was paying them the fee expected for their al income. Third, the liege usually grants five detailed in feudal obligations, but many vas-
service. Mustering an army and conquering years to pay the debt, and commutes parts sals are also able to muster large numbers of
territory is best rewarded with land. This en- of it in exchange for military service, loyalty peasant warriors, called a levy. In England,
courages the supporters of a noble to excel during rebellion, diplomatic service, or other they are required to have light armor and
themselves in future conflicts. tasks as suits his whim. Fourth, if a nobleman carry a spear. The levy is most often called
dies and his lord raises his heir, that heir is when a battle is expected within the same
not required to pay relief. shire, since removing men from farming for
Vassalage is a Form of Truce A lord is due a series of other taxes, an extended period by marching them across
called aids, which are to be used sparingly. the country damages their lord’s finances.
A feudal bond places two powerful men Each aid can be any amount because, theo- These men lack the mobility, equipment,
in a relationship to each other. It is consid- retically, aids are given voluntarily as gifts. and lust for battle of knights, but they have
ered heinous for either to threaten the other, A liege who uses aids too often or sets them several uses.
at least in theory. Either could still cause the too high loses the support of his nobles and Infantry provide an advantage in terms of
other harm, but it would do such damage to is unable to collect their money. sheer numbers that is useful in pitched battle.
the Reputation of the aggressor as to make fu- Popular aids include payments when the Their formations provide a solid block that
ture political activity difficult. The lord and his lord is knighting his eldest son, or marrying archers can shelter behind and cavalry can
vassal, although they have conflicting interests, his eldest daughter the first time, or ransom- use when reforming after attacks. At the
agree not to directly assail each other. ing his life. Ecclesiastical lords may make a Battle of Grissors, the spears of the English
similar demand when first ascending to of- even turned aside the cavalry charges of the
fice. A lord who knights his son before the French. Infantry serve as guards for stores
Vassalage Limits boy is 15 years old or marries his daughter and baggage on campaign. They are able to
Genocidal Warfare off before the age of seven is likely to an- defend territory against those attempting to
ger his vassals. A payment of one pound per smuggle food to besieged castles. Infantry
If a noble invades a neighboring lord, it manor is likely, but may be as high as the are able to hold captured castles, a role in
is rarely possible to carry the war to the ex- lord feels he can get away with. Ransom aid which the mobility of the knight, and the ex-
tinction of the neighbor’s family. The nobil- may be demanded by a lord who has lost in pense of his maintenance, are wasted.
ity of Europe are too tightly connected by tourney and owes money from it, but a lord A vassal is required to provide warriors
marriage. If an invader kills a sufficient num- who seeks to collect such money is certain to for a number of days per year that varies by
ber of heirs to most pieces of land, eventually anger his vassals. Aid is also common when kingdom. In England this is 40 days, in Sicily
one or more senior nobles will claim to be an heir owes relief to a lord. 60. This is rarely long enough to complete a
the closest relation still alive. This noble will siege, so kings often need to pay their army
then challenge for the land, particularly if additional money to extend this service. As
this series of wars has weakened the aggres-
sor. A way around this is to kill the neighbor
Warriors an added incentive, once a castle falls after a
lengthy siege, the besieging army is allowed
and then select a claimant from his extended to sack it with legal impunity. The same of-
family from whom to accept vassalage. Most When called to muster for war, vassals ten holds true for towns.
significant families have some disaffected are required to provide their lord with the
cousins suitable for this purpose. service of one knight for per manor that

18
 Lords of Men
Scutage
Story Seed: Scutage Raid
Some nobles send money when war is
declared, instead of knights. This fine for The lord that a character is allied to enemy is still a blow. For this to work, the
non-attendance, called scutage, serves the lacks sufficient money to pay his scutage, lord needs some men he can trust, like his
interest of the landholder if he lacks military but he has a plan to make good the short- mesnie, and somewhere for them to work.
inclination, and serves the interest of the age. He hates another, more-powerful The player characters may become
liege, who can then hire mercenaries or pay lord. His plan is to place a group of ban- aware of this plot at any stage. They
his army to remain in the field after its annual dits on the road that his enemy’s troops may hear rumors of it leaking out of
service is complete. Many greater nobles are will follow when they are carrying their the mesnie. They may find a group of
instructed to muster a portion of their forces scutage to the king. His men will then bandits camped near a road who seem
and give scutage for the rest if a war is likely take a little silver for themselves, give the to have no intention of attacking pass-
to be protracted by sieges. They may also be rest to him, and he will use his enemy’s ing merchants and wonder what is at the
offered a bulk discount on their scutage. money to pay the scutage. This will leave root of their strange behavior. They may
The scutage in England is usually two the enemy embarrassed before the king, intervene in the fight, or find the group
pounds per knight in 1220. Under King and will grant the king an excuse to chip switching clothes and carts on covenant
John it was levied every year, regardless of a piece off the rival’s land. The land won’t land. Or they may be asked by the lord
whether there was a war for it to be spent on. come to the lord planning all of this, but whose money was stolen to seek the
Under the current king, the scutage is only he doesn’t mind. A light blow against his thieves.
levied with the permission of the nobles,
and may be lower if only a small force is re-
quired. Similarly, if a lesser lord goes to war, Advice also allows a liege to weigh the straight into the treasury of the liege until
he may demand a scutage from his vassals, interests of his lords against each other, and the child turns 21 if male, or marries if fe-
but it might be a portion of the fee nominally balance them according to the usefulness of male.
due him. the individual vassal. As an example, a lord If the ward’s father dies, the liege has the
who has an empty benefice may ask which right to determine who the child will marry.
churchman it should be awarded to. The This allows the liege to enmesh the vassal’s
Advice bishop will certainly have an opinion, but so
will many noble houses whose younger sons
interests with those of other vassals he knows
to be loyal, or to ensure that a problematic
have interests in the Church. Asking advice estate gets no larger through marriage. The
The right to ask advice is more signifi- allows the liege to measure these interests, betrothal of a young, landed man is a valu-
cant than it initially appears. It allows a lord and reward each noble in turn. It also allows able commodity, for which nobles are will-
to control the movements of his vassals. It the lord to play favorites. ing to offer useful concessions in other areas
also allows the lord to force vassals to make of dispute.
public statements regarding their views on The landed sons of lesser vassals are
contentious matters.
A vassal asked to attend his liege’s court
Wardship of Heirs prized husbands for the daughters of rich
merchants, and the boy’s marriage may be
has a duty to attend. Failure to attend — sold through a less-than-genteel process that
failure to render advice — is a breach of An idealized version of the raising of resembles an auction. This is technically il-
the character’s feudal obligations and can a noble child has him separated from his legal in many areas: it’s called disparagement.
be punished by a fine or even seizure of the mother at five, when he joins the service Disparagement also includes marriage to de-
recalcitrant’s lands. A vassal who attends his of the ladies of the family’s lord’s court as a formed people, or women past childbearing
lord is not permitted to leave without the page. This teaches him manners and morals. age. The lord’s actions are, however, only
lord’s agreement. Nobles considered poten- When he reaches puberty, he is taken as the limited by the array of forces who oppose
tially rebellious can be forced to show their servant of a particular knight, to act as his him, and in this case the heir’s immediate
hand, by refusing summons or by flight from squire. The knight mentors him in the arts of family are dead.
court. war. In some areas, this knight makes him a Heiresses are even more valuable than
The receipt of advice is a useful tool knight in turn, but in most lands the right to heirs. Marriage to an heiress is the fastest
for building and demonstrating consensus make knights has been withdrawn to the bar- way to progress to a higher social status.
among vassals. As an example, if the liege ons, or even the king himself. It is believed Heiresses are given to supporters as rewards
wishes to annex a neighboring territory, it that boys who are not fostered are coddled, for their service. They are also the usual way
is useful for him to gather together his vas- so they are less-able knights. for a lord to grant land to his younger sons,
sals and ask their advice. This allows him to An heir is a hostage for the good con- without splitting his patrimony or taking
gauge the strength of their favor and see who duct of his father. It is considered entirely new territory through war. The right to se-
opposes the plan. It also allows potentially just, by many, to kill such a child if his father lect husbands or brides for the children of
tardy or rebellious vassals to see the level rebels. However, it is considered even bet- enemies is one of the concessions usually de-
of support that the liege has, and measure ter to defeat the rebel, put him to death, and manded after victory in war.
the likelihood that they will suffer success- then claim wardship of his lands on behalf Even a grown heir, returned to his par-
ful reprisal at the hands of more-enthusiastic of his child. The revenues of wardship are ents, is still valuable to his father’s lord. His
vassals. not, generally, reserved for the child, going friends and romantic interests are established

19
 Lords of Men
Outside the perfect model, it is common
Story Seed: Story Seed: for two rival affinities to vie for dominance in
an area. This is dangerous, because it is these
A Matter of Did You Keep points, where affinities scrape against each
Hermetic Honor The Receipt? other, that form the fault lines of the realm
in times of national crisis. Areas whose affini-
ties are firmly for one or the other side may
A lord has betrothed an heiress to A lord is attempting to claim back
be raided, but deep raiding, pitched battles,
the son of a Tytalus magus in exchange the lands of an heiress, because her
and sieges occur in those lands where affini-
for undisclosed services. The Quaesi- husband has not paid the fee that was
ties mingle.
tores are considering that matter, but agreed upon for her hand. The local
Players may model the power their
seem satisfied that his support did not bishop really hates this kind of behav-
character has through affinity in two ways.
breach the Code. The matter of grav- ior, although the lord has a case in the
First, the affinity may be treated as a bonus
er concern is that the heiress’ family royal court and may well succeed. The
to the character’s Leadership score. This is
has made an appeal to the royal court, characters may earn Gratitude from the
described in the Affinity Leadership section,
claiming that the marriage cannot pro- bishop and couple if they can get the
later, and in the Raising an Army section
ceed because this would be a disparage- lord to drop his suit, or from the lord by
of Chapter Eight: Massed Combat. Alter-
ment. having the couple pay the money they
natively, key members of the affinity may
House Tytalus wishes to run a case owe. The story can be twisted in several
be designed as agents, using the section on
in a mortal court. If successful, this ways: the lord might be lying about the
Control Through Emotional Bonds, also
would mean that all children taken as fee, or the couple might have already
later. Characters within an affinity are usu-
apprentices, in the court’s area, were au- paid by doing some shameful service to
ally either great nobles or ecclesiastical land-
tomatically free, although a fine would which they cannot admit. For example,
holders. Some lords manage to have towns
be due their lords. It would also mean the wife may not be the original widow,
within their affinities, but this is unusual as
that no magus or apprentice could ever but instead a maidservant substituted
most towns value their independence from
be treated as a villein, and that Hermetic before the wedding. The husband is un-
local interference.
courts would have complete legitimacy willing to admit this, because he would
as an alternative to mundane or eccle- then lose the widow’s lands, but is un-
siastical courts. Magi are divided on willing to pay for a false widow.
whether this constitutes interference, or
Secular Allies
if it’s a simple acknowledgement of the
actual way that magi live. An ally often has similar resources to the
But this tradition is abused regularly. magnate. Alliances remain lucrative because
The Church takes a dim view of this the resources of allies cost little, and making
chaffering about marriage: from its perspec- neighbors allies allows characters focus their
in the court of the lord, to whom he may look tive, marriage is a divine mystery freely en- attention, money, and time elsewhere.
with greater loyalty than to his own parents. tered into by consenting individuals. The Public alliances prevent unnecessary
If a vassal rebels, an adult heir loyal to the Church prefers people be married by priests, wars by making it clear that, should a par-
liege is a formidable weapon, as he is able to for the protection of women from exploita- ticular nobleman be attacked, wider conflict
divide the loyalty of the vassal’s supporters. tion, but it acknowledges that some people is inevitable. In many lands it is illegal for
are married by custom, which the Church senior nobles to enter into treaties with for-
later sanctifies. eign powers. It is seen as threatening trea-
Wardship of Widows son. Informal public alliances are, however,
common. In many places, alliances between
senior noblemen in a realm and the kings of

Affinity
Women, in most cases, are not permitted neighboring realms are inevitable, given the
to rule by themselves in Mythic Europe. A entanglement of marriages that bind the up-
woman not under the protection of her fa- per class of Europe together.
ther is under the protection of her husband. Alliances may be secret. This is common
A woman who loses the protection of her Powerful magnates prefer to have a bloc in those cases where a nobleman is being
husband, through his death, often becomes of territory that is friendly to their cause. The bribed by his liege’s neighbor to rebel, or to
the ward of his lord. center of an affinity — the core lands of a no- simply not send his full support in wartime.
The lord manages the finances of the bleman — is called his caput in England and Detailed charters are still written in these
widow. A widow is entitled to a portion of France. The lands of an affinity are called his cases and carried between the conspirators
her husband’s estate, fixed at the time of mar- country. A noble does not own all of the land by messengers.
riage, to maintain herself until her death. in his country, but, in a perfect model of affin-
This portion, usually a third of his land plus ity, is allied to and is considered the de facto
whatever was her dowry, provides useful in- leader of all of the landholders in this area. In Church Allies
come for the liege who acts as its administra- court, an affinity serves as a political faction.
tor. By tradition, it is wrong for a lord to sell New landholders are often expected to join the A powerful churchman has all of the
the right of wardship over a child or woman. affinity that surrounds their lands. resources of a secular ally, coupled with his

20
 Lords of Men
powers as a lord of the Church’s land and a
representative of the power of the vicar of
Christ. Church allies are sought in a variety
Story Seeds: Faulty Vassals
of ways. The land the Church uses may be The feudal system works on the as- ered dishonorable, but if it is effective, the
held from a lord, or may have been granted sumption that if a vassal breaks his oath, survivors of the war will not dare question
by the lord’s family. The churchman who he will be punished by God, his lord, or their new lord’s honor.
uses that land is expected, socially, to dem- the lord’s other vassals. This assumption Most senior nobles have at least one
onstrate gratitude for it. Noblemen also seek rarely holds in times of crisis: precisely vassal who could be convinced to rebel if
positions in the Church for their younger those times when a liege needs fidelity the circumstances seemed favorable for vic-
sons, and maneuver to have them appointed most. The feudal system, of itself, contains tory. These include younger brothers, the
to vacant offices within their country. no mechanism to prevent a vassal from de- leaders of cadet branches of the lord’s fam-
The Church is a major landholder fecting to an enemy of his liege. ily, vassals forced to bend the knee in war,
throughout Mythic Europe. Its lands are usu- In many cases, vassalage is part of a ne- and opportunists who need no particular
ally carved from the wild and improved over gotiated settlement between two rivals. It justification. These men cannot always be
time, so they do not owe onerous duties to allows the new vassal to take time to pro- coaxed into taking the field against their
higher lords. The wealth of the Church is of cure fresh forces before striking at his new lord, but can be used as spies and agents
great aid to a lord involved in war, and it is liege again. During the build-up of forces, of influence.
not unusual in major wars for both sides to the vassal can pretend to adhere to the will A servant of the player characters no-
field knights supported by Church manors, of his lord, particularly if he is summoning tices the build up of forces by a vassal. The
or mercenaries paid with Church aid. Some mercenaries from outside the area. But the vassal’s lord can then muster his personal
senior officers of the Church try to force vassal can, with little difficulty, choose not forces and look for suitable provocation to
their subordinates to only provide military to strike if it seems his lord has realized make attacking the man honorable, or he
aid to the side that is “right,” but their prohi- what may occur. Betraying an overlord af- can arrange for saboteurs to obstruct the
bitions are often ineffective. ter negotiated vassalage is a tactic that can vassal’s plans so that he can seek aid from
The most powerful weapon in the hands only effectively be used once. It’s consid- other vassals.
of the Church is excommunication. Chris-
tians are forbidden any dealing with an ex-
communicant. He may not receive the ser- nicant, because it allowed him to retain the The bonus above is halved (round down)
vices of the Church, which effectively damns funds of seven bishoprics and countless ab- if the area is divided between two warring
him to Hell. In countries where the faith is beys whose holders died and could not be affinities.
strong and the nobleman weak, excommuni- replaced. Similarly, the Church’s idea that A character who neglects to support his
cation can serve as a useful excuse allowing work, including warfare as the work of the affinity has his bonus reduced. A character
vassals to refuse to pay their rents, and even knightly class, should stop for about a third supports an affinity by providing its mem-
to rebel. In lands where the king is either of the year to celebrate the feasts of obscure bers with offices and largesse. He must also
strong or willing to buy subservience, ex- saints is considered a sign of the laziness of exercise his power within that affinity, so
communication has little effect on the daily the holders of clerical office by some. that he is seen doing the things a regional
operation of governance.
Interdiction forbids the services of the
Church in all of a nobleman’s lands. In some
cases this is relaxed in monasteries and nunner-
Affinity Leadership Using Intrigue
ies, where services continue, although they are
no longer heralded with bells. Interdiction is A character may use his Affinity score to Aggregate
less effective than it initially appears, because
saints ignore it and many of the services of
as a bonus to social Ability rolls that are di-
rectly related to his role as a powerful and
Class Opinion
the Church, like baptism and marriage, can be respected person within a specific region. A character may roll a stress die +
performed without a priest. It does prevent the These rolls affect only nobles, land-holding Intelligence + Intrigue to feel the po-
forgiveness of sins and the proper burial of the ecclesiastics, and the senior councilors of litical mood of an organization, or the
dead. Churchmen who use interdiction trivi- towns that do not hold charters from the nobles of a region. This roll can only be
ally are held accountable by the representatives king. made in a place where the character is
of the pope. A character has an Affinity bonus of: familiar with the ruling class. It repre-
A powerful churchman can lend his Rep- sents the character taking time to learn
utation to a character’s cause, so that disinter- +1 For being a landholding noble of at least the superficial details of the concerns
ested or uninformed parties follow his guid- banneret stature. of the members of the surveyed group,
ance. Note that the support of the Church +2 For being the officer or baron of a minor sufficiently well to predict their attitude
does not automatically sway even pious be- lord. to an event. For example, a character
lievers if the churchman in question is unex- +3 For being an officer or minor baron of who has a vacant benefice and wishes
ceptional. Many nobles are cynical about the the king. to give it to a certain priest can judge
Church’s operation, if not its teaching. King +4 For being a greater baron. how other nobles will feel about it using
John of England, for example, expressed the +5 For being the senior noble beneath the this roll.
opinion that he was better off an excommu- king in the region (count, earl, duke).

21
 Lords of Men
leader must do, like resolving disputes and
putting down brigands.
A typical lord spends about 20% of his
income on minor offices that favor the mem-
bers of his affinity. This expense is already
calculated into the surplus figures found in
Chapter Three: A Comparison of Titles.
A character who diverts most of his usual
spending to another cause, like a crusade or
a covenant, may lose standing in his affinity.
Affinity leadership may be used, for ex-
ample, in rolls that:

• Muster an army from the local minor

nobility.
• Resolve disputes between local nobles
over boundaries, customs, marriages, in-
heritance, and slights of honor.
• Force the local minor nobility to follow
a particular line when the lord calls his
vassals together for advice.
• Encourage lesser lords to take a particu-
lar attitude to the Church, such as pay-
ing their tithes in full, or in part, or to
demand the removal of a corrupt priest.
• Referee a local tournament.

Control Through
Emotional Bonds by characters). A person may only control a odds of victory. An agent may not, de-
limited number of subordinates through per- pending on a player’s dice rolls. People
Ars Magica provides a structure of rules sonal charisma. A character who attempts to granted fiefs are hirelings, but they are
in which characters can develop networks control more subordinates than this gradu- often designed as agents because they
of personal influence. These rules have been ally loses control of his network. are most needed at the time when a hire-
used in other supplements to model mer- A character may have a number of agents ling would choose self-preservation at
chant houses and the private agents of magi. equal to: the principal’s expense.
Here they are adapted to model the bonds of • The characters of other players, regard-
loyalty between noble allies. In the rules giv- 2 x (Presence + Intrigue or less of their social status.
en earlier, characters are assumed to do what Leadership – social penalty for the
is in their interest given the relative power of Gift) or 1, whichever is larger. A character with poor Presence or
the two characters and the situation in which Leadership may control his entire network
they are interacting. The rules in this section This total excludes many other charac- through a single agent who excels in these
are used to model the unexpected interac- ters over whom the principal has influence. attributes. Hermetic magi call these primary
tions between people whose tight emotional It does not include: agents factors.
bonds make them do things which, superfi-
cially, are not in their own interests. • Hermetic magi.
Not all troupes find these rules conve- • Characters with no political role — these Design of Agents
nient for the stories they wish to tell. Each are free, providing color to the stories
troupe should discuss this element of the but rarely providing resources. Each agent must have the following
rules and determine the degree to which • Indirect subordinates. The people who handful of statistics defined:
they will be guided by the suggestions given serve an agent are not, themselves,
here. agents. • A name.
• Characters who act not out of any per- • A Social Status Virtue or Flaw. A char-
sonal ties to a character, but because of acter may have an agent who feels the
Agents the economic demands of their lives and principal is his social inferior, but this is
offices. A mercenary captain who is a possible only through coercion. For the
Directly controlled subordinates are re- hireling, for example, will change sides, purpose of dealing with this agent, the
ferred to as agents in these rules (though not flee, or surrender when faced with poor character gains the Difficult Underlings

22
 Lords of Men
Flaw. The agent has a Story Flaw, like
Blackmail or Dark Secret, that represents
his attempts to shed the control of the
Agent Recruitment Table
principal. A potential agent always has a minimum resistance score of 1.
• A Bond, which is a Personality Trait
that expresses the reason for the agent’s Social Status Resistance Examples
attachment to the principal, and its
Major Social Virtue 3 Landed Noble*, Magister in Artibus,
strength.
Redcap
• A list of the resources available to the
principal through the agent. These may Minor Social Virtue 1 Clerk, Custos, Failed Apprentice, Gentle-
include Abilities, wealth, social influ- man/woman, Knight, Mendicant Friar,
ence, armed forces, or any other thing Mercenary Captain*, Priest, Wise One
that makes the agent worth having. Free Social Virtue (except 0 Covenfolk, Craftsman, Merchant, Peasant,
Hermetic Magus) Wanderer
Example: Duke Simon has many vassals. One
of them is a young knight called Matthew. Matthew Minor Social Flaw –1 Branded Criminal, Outcast, Outlaw
has a manor, so he’s a landed knight and has some Leader*
wealth. He is able to muster for war, and bring a small Major Social Flaw –3 Outlaw, Outsider
band of free men armed with spears as his retinue.
* Must take underlings, see below.
Matthew is not very loyal to Simon (Loyalty +1),
but is married to Simon’s cousin and is infatuated with
her. (Loves wife +3). Simon and his cousin are on Modifiers
good terms, so it’s actually Simon’s familial link that Circumstance Modifier Examples
provides his control over Matthew. Major Flaws likely to –3 Enemies, Feud, Lycanthrope, Plagued
Duke Simon owns the benefice for the inconvenience principal By Supernatural Entity
cathedral in his main town. That means he
can exclude the bishop from its use. The Minor Flaws likely to –1 Black Sheep, Dark Secret, Dependant,
bishop, Benedict, feels grateful to Simon that inconvenience principal Diabolic Past, Favors, Infamous
his ascension went smoothly (Thankful +1) Minor Flaw used by player –6 Hostage (Dependent or True Love), is
and is willing to aid Simon using his political character to dominate agent Blackmailing using Dark Secret, Diabol-
influence, but he is a faithful man and will ic Past, or other leverage (Blackmail)*
not do things he finds abhorrent.
* Agent hates principal, which inflicts the Difficult Underlings Flaw for this agent only.

Acquiring Agents Resources

Resource Modifier Examples
Some characters have agents at character Extraordinary Skill: +1 n/a
creation due to Virtues they have selected. Main Ability 6 or more
These include Social Contacts, Mercenary
Captain, Close Family Ties, or Landed No- Exceptional Ability: +3 n/a
ble. Each of these virtues grants 12 points Main Ability 8 or more
to spend on the accompanying Agent Re- Minor General or +1 Gossip, Magic Sensitivity, Protection, Sk-
cruitment Table for thematically appropriate Supernatural Virtue inchanger, Social Contacts, Temporal Influence
agents. Each agent must cost at least 1 point,
Major General or +3 Entrancement, True Faith, Wealthy
and have a Bond of +1 or more.
Supernatural Virtue
Most agents are gained as a result of in-
teraction during stories. Some agents are of- Serves Rival +9 Covenant, nobleman of equal social standing
fered freely by the Storyguide as a reward for Underlings +1 Up to half a dozen people, including agents
players who complete a story. Others must and hirelings
be recruited. Recruitment is a process of
wearing down the resistance of the potential Many underlings +3 Up to two dozen people, including agents and
agent. The scores on the Agent Recruitment hirelings
Table represent how difficult it is to draw Useful Minor Flaw +1 Busybody, Faerie Friend, Magical Animal Com-
people under the principal’s influence. panion, Mentor
The principal must first impress the
Has more than three +6
potential agent, so that the potential agent
selections from this list
knows that the offers and threats that the
principal makes should be considered seri- Has more than six +9
ously. The principal does this by making a selections from this list
forceful and obvious intrusion into the po-

23
 Lords of Men
agents, and to maintain the Bonds of active
Tasks For Agents Table agents.
The initial resistance of an agent is de-
termined using the Agent Recruitment Table.
Task Persuasion Roll Example When assessing the cost of an agent, select
Ease Factor only those resources that the agent will use
Provide common informa- 3 Relay the theories of gossips in play in the service of the principal. The
tion that is easily obtained. concerning the unusual events in Virtues and Flaws of agents do not need to
the town square. balance each other. A character’s resistance
Provide sensitive informa- 6 Discover the address of the is reduced by 1 in exchange for a number
tion that is difficult to bishop’s mistress. of Agency experience points equal to their
obtain. current resistance. The agent comes into the
service of the principal when his or her re-
Provide secret information 9 Uncover which nobles are mem- sistance reaches 0. A new agent has a Bond
known to a select few. bers of the Duke’s diabolic cabal. score of 0.
Perform an Easy task (Ease 3 Persuade a merchant to give pas-
Factor 6 or less). sage to a magus with the Blatant
Gift. Using Agents
Perform a Hard task (Ease 6 Steal a ring from a lady’s finger, Characters use their agents by setting
Factor 12 or less). unnoticed. tasks. An agent must have the resources and
Perform an Impressive Task 9 Arrange a fatal accident for the Abilities to complete the task, and a Bond
(Ease Factor 18 or less). prince. score of at least +1. The player then makes
the following roll, to see if the agent at-
tempts to perform the task:
Persuasion Roll Modifiers
stress die + Communication + (Charm,
Timeframe Modifier Intrigue, or Leadership as situationally
appropriate) + Bond Strength – social
Within a few weeks 0 penalty of the Gift vs. an Ease factor
Within a few days +1 on the Tasks for Agents table
Within one day +3
If the agent attempts the task, the player
makes a roll using the Characteristics and
Personal Risk Modifier Example Abilities of the agent against the Ease Fac-
None at all (simple die). +0 Deliver a package to a merchant. tor of the task. Storyguides may prefer to run
a brief scene in which the agent fulfills the
Risk of embarrassment or reputation +1 Deliver a prostitute to a
task.
(stress die, 1 botch die). merchant.
The most common use for agents is as
Risk of injury or imprisonment +3 Deliver a threat to a rich sources of information. Passive information
(stress die, 3 botch dice). merchant. gathering, which allows the principal to
Risk of death (stress die, 5 botch +6 Deliver a threat to a count in his know, after a delay for communication, any
dice). own palace. specific fact, piece of gossip, or news that
the agent knows or can casually ask people
about, is not considered a task in these rules.
It occurs at the discretion of the principal’s
tential agent’s life. This can be done by as- Failure indicates this character cannot player and requires no roll. Actively gather-
sisting the potential agent, for example by be impressed until encountered in a differ- ing private information counts as a form of
aiding him in a story. It can also be com- ent story, when a new roll may be made. A assistance, as described later, and if required
pleted through less-pleasant methods, for character using a recruiting agent may send more than once per season may cause the
example a criminal may be beaten and left in him to impress the potential agent, and use agent to lose Bond strength. Troupes may
an alley or hung by the ankles from a tower the recruiter’s scores for the dice roll. decide that certain agents, such as the pro-
for an hour. An impressed agent-to-be must then be fessional spies employed by the Church and
A character seeking to impress a poten- drawn into the principal’s sphere of influence some merchant houses, don’t consider find-
tial agent must roll: through story events that create a Bond. This ing information in this way so onerous as to
is abstracted using experience points. Every strain their Bond strength.
a stress die + Presence + Leadership time a character gains Adventure Experience, Agents may also be asked for assistance:
– social penalty for the Gift he gains an equal number of Agency Experi- that is, they may be asked to expend their
against an Ease Factor of 6. ence points. Agency Experience points are time and resources on behalf of the principal.
spent to weaken the resistance of potential Again, the agent must have Abilities suited

24
 Lords of Men
to the task and have sufficient free time. A ous resources of members of their class using
character with a Minor Flaw that consumes Reputation rolls. These rolls are easier if the Story Seed:
his time, or requires him to drop out of pub- noble is particularly powerful, famous, or has
lic sight, is unable to assist his principal in his demesne nearby. Genetic Memory
one quarter of those cases where his services A Reputation for depravity and ruthless-
are desirable. A character with a Major Flaw ness can be very useful to a nobleman who For the true knight, battle is more
is unavailable half the time. wishes to dissuade his neighbors from at- than a vocation: the need to fight is
tacking him. Henry II of England, for exam- built into the knight before he is born.
ple, claimed to be the blood descendant of In folklore, this love of battle is said to
Maintaining Agents Satan himself, and encouraged his enemies pass in the blood. The sons of knights,
to believe there was little he would not do raised away from court, are instinctively
Valuable agents are often the source of to have his will. Alternatively, a reputation drawn to weapons or to make their own.
stories. Characters may seek to aid agents as a prudhomme, described later, makes a In Mythic Europe, supernatural forces
who are in legal or financial trouble. If an character more likely to be offered offices by answer human desires. Demons and
agent dies, the principal may seek to recover his lord, brides by families seeking talented faeries place the tools of violence into
any resources loaned to the agent, and may sons-in-law, and alliances by neighbors. the infant hands of knights kept from
wish to ensure that the agent has left no writ- A Reputation is also of benefit in the their birthright. Such children need no
ten record of their dealings. The strength of early stages of a knight’s career. It allows him instruction in arms: it passes to them in
the bond that agents have to the principal to stand out from other potential members the blood.
may wane due to life events, and need rein- of a patron’s mesnie. A knight who seeks Many covenants receive unwanted
forcement. this style of work but lacks the Reputation children, and raise them as custodes.
A principal can grant favors to an agent to secure it may seek fame by entering the One of the children in the covenant
to reinforce their bond. This requires the tourneying circuit, working as a mercenary, seems to have a mental illness. He is
principal to participate in a story that sub- or crusading. driven to kill small animals, and feels
stantially aids the agent. When the principal no shock at dreadful injuries suffered
earns Adventure experience, he simultane- by other people. Instead, he is fasci-
nated by the mechanics of their dam-
ously earns an equal number of Agency ex-
perience points, which are spent to increase
Noble Reputation aged bodies. Characters who interview
the agent’s Bond score using the same pro- the boy note that he seems utterly un-
gression as Abilities (see the Advancement This section extends the Reputation Ta- able to feel sympathy for anyone else.
Table, ArM5, page 31). ble on page 19 of ArM5, providing a fourth His only strong desire is to kill people
Money may be used to support an agent, style of Reputation to accompany Local, and animals. When he is alone and out
although this is not a very effective mecha- Hermetic, and Ecclesiastic. Noble Reputa- of the covenant he keeps finding weap-
nism. A character may buy 5 Agency experi- tion allows members of the landed class to ons. These are faerie-wrought and left
ence points per pound, and spend them as know about each other. For the purpose of for him by a dark faerie that knows his
above to increase the bond of characters. these Reputations, the landed class con- secret. The boy is a knight, and the lost
This method only works with agents who tains every man or woman who holds land, heir of a noble house.
are not already prosperous, and also fails for who holds a significant office from a major
those agents who feel that accepting money nobleman, who acts as a major landholder
for service is a crime or sin. on behalf of the Church, or who may inherit prudhomme to other knights, a man must be
Some agents are maintained through se- any of these states. There are some obvious willing to do what is necessary to win war. A
lections made during the covenant creation overlaps between these types of Reputation, prudhomme makes war using means that the
process. These agents are outside the scope and troupes using these rules should allow Church abhors as foul, and he does it well,
of these rules, although they may still be characters’ players to alter their scores to suit and with delight.
used to model the principal’s relationship to their history in play.
the agents.
Improving Noble Reputation
Prudhomme
A character first develops a reputation

Reputation
The prize reputation for a male noble by entering feudal life. The character does
in Mythic Europe is that of prudhomme. this by being born into a noble family, or
A prudhomme is a man considered to have by becoming the vassal of a landed person.
been tested and found sound by other mem- This gives the character a Noble Reputation
The ruling class of a kingdom generally bers of his class. A man is a prudhomme if he of 1, with boring content like “son of Lord
contains no more than two dozen families is noble of blood, handsome, demonstrates Corvinius” or “vassal of the Count of Cham-
and their dependents. Sharing news of the prowess, and is of suitable character. The pagne.” A character may gain a higher Repu-
activities of other members of this small, prowess required and the character desired tation for doing anything so interesting that
powerful group is a basic civility. The players are those considered correct for the work of it is discussed widely by his or her peers. Be-
of nobles can estimate the overt personality mounted medieval warriors. In some courts ing a Crusader touched by a miracle before
traits, publicly declared interests, and obvi- Christian ethics may appeal, but to be a an army of witnesses, or being caught lead-

25
 Lords of Men
ing a Black Mass, both add to the character’s
Reputation. The flavor of the events alter the
content of the Reputation.
Reputation Roll Adjustments
Every time a noble spends a season per-
forming great deeds notable to other mem- Ease Factor Distance
bers of his class, he adds 1 Experience to his 3 Same shire, county, or equivalent
reputation. These points are spent using the 6 Adjoining counties
Abilities table on page 31 of ArM5. Exam-
ples include: 9 Same kingdom
12 Rival kingdom
• Hosting a tournament.
• Masterminding a coronation.
• Leading a pilgrim group.
• Making war.
Status modifiers – select only one
• Going on adventures that lead to per-
Modifier Circumstance
sonal renown.
+6 A commoner in the service of a noble.
Significant events may lead to greater +3 A landholder of status lower than the character making the roll.
Reputation:
0 A landholder of status equivalent to the character making the
• Crusading, or otherwise traveling to a roll.
distant country to make war grants 1 ex- –3 A landholder of status superior to the character making the roll.
perience point per season in addition to
–6 A vassal of the character making the roll.
the point for being at war.
• Knighting a successful squire trained
personally grants 1 experience point.
• Gaining a noble liege grants 3 experi- Miscellaneous modifiers – select all appropriate
ence points.
• Gaining a royal liege grants 6 experience Modifier Circumstance
points. +3 A widow who does not hold in her own right, or an heir of a
• Study with a supernatural creature grants noble.
experience equal to (the creature’s Might
+6 An acknowledged lover or bastard.
score / 5).

There is very little a knight can do to

decrease his Reputation. A knight who runs Reputation is Utterly Vital combatants change sides as the fortunes of
like a child during battle, or who is unable each cause wax or wane. A rival’s Reputation
to rescue his paramour from danger, is still It can be difficult for modern players, allows a character’s player to gain some sense
interesting enough to be gossiped about; it who are used to board games and computer of when that rival is willing to retreat, to ne-
is merely the content of the Reputation that games, to understand how significant Repu- gotiate an armistice, or even to change to the
changes. Characters may use the techniques tation is to Mythic European nobles. The player character’s side.
described on page 167 of the ArM5 core Reputation of a rival tells a character what a Comparing the Reputations of the major
rulebook to modify noble Reputations. noble wants, what resources he has, and, cru- nobles on each side of a conflict doesn’t just
cially, what he is willing to do if provoked. tell a character what each group wants. It al-
Most significant decisions during the out- lows the character to compare the resources
The Advantages of Reputation break of war are not made based on detailed of the two sides, and their determination to
consultation with powerful individuals; com- achieve particular objectives. Knowledge
A character’s Reputation allows the other munication is too poor. They are based on an of these objectives often allows the charac-
members of the noble class to judge his in- estimate of what others will do in response ter to have some idea of where battles are
terests and intentions. This lets them accom- to a situation, and to a character’s actions. likely to be fought. This understanding that
modate him in their plans. A character of Mythic Europeans, unlike the characters war is limited, and continues only until one
strong Reputation need do nothing, but still in most board games and computer games, side can claim some approximation of what it
affects the calculations of personal interest of do not usually engage in total war to the an- wants, allows a character to guess when each
his neighbors. A fierce Reputation is a potent nihilation of the foe. It’s considered honor- side will want to discuss peace.
envoy. Changes in the Reputation of signifi- able, skillful even, to avoid pitched battle. It’s Single actions can seriously affect Repu-
cant characters can sway the fate of thrones, acceptable to retreat from battle and to wait, tations, and this can dramatically alter the
by making key nobles appear unwilling to perhaps for years, before continuing a mili- way that characters are perceived. A king
fight, ill-prepared for war, or arrogant about tary campaign. It is wise, and well-respected, who flees a battle before defeat is certain to
their skill as a commander of troops. to drive a hard bargain in peace negotiations. lose much more than a single army, because
It is a frequent feature of medieval war that other armies will not follow him into battle.

26
 Lords of Men
This does not reduce his Reputation score, them, listed here are suggested as material
but does alter its effect. A less decisive, but for storytelling, not as proscriptions. Troupes Paid Rights: A
more instructive, example is found in the life should consider carefully how the fun of a
of William Marshal. historically accurate setting intersects with Free Virtue
William Marshal’s father, John, was hold- the fun of playing a character who uses her
ing a castle for the Queen Matilda against the wits to challenge social conventions. Through much of this book, pro-
forces of her rival, King Stephen. John asked Players, who are likely most familiar with hibitions against women are discussed.
for a brief truce in Stephen’s siege, to consult the English system, should be aware that These provisions need to be enforced
with Matilda about conditions of surrender. women have fewer rights in England than for them to be effective, and a woman
Stephen agreed, provided that John gave him a in most other parts of Mythic Europe. This with sufficient wealth can often buy an
suitable hostage. John offered his son William, is, in part, an effect of the Conquest. The exclusion from enforcement, or even
who was three or four at the time. military character of the Norman nobility permission to do something that this
John promptly went back on his word. He has not entirely given way to hereditary ar- book states elsewhere is forbidden.
used the truce to re-enforce the castle. Stephen istocracy. In areas where landholding is seen All a woman need do, if she wishes to
had William loaded into a catapult and threat- as a method of supporting warriors, women be a baroness in her own right, is pay
ened to have him pitched over the wall unless have fewer rights, while in those areas where the king enough money that he allows
John surrendered. John replied that he still had landholding is seen as method of generat- it. All a woman need do if she wishes
the hammer and anvils with which to make ing money to sustain an army, women have to hold a smaller fief in her own right,
more and better sons. Stephen chose not to kill greater rights. and not marry as directed, and not be in
William, and instead played knights with him wardship, is pay a large enough fine to
for the rest of the afternoon. her guardian.
This is of particular interest to play-
As a story event, this alters the Reputation
of both parties, and alters their coalitions of
Dressing as a Man er characters, because their Virtues and
supporters. A character obedient to the king Flaws are balanced at the time they start
because of a hostage now knows that Stephen This is the simplest way to ignore social play. This means that if a female char-
will not kill him or her, so the character is free conventions concerning women. There are acter has paid a huge fine for a right be-
to act as he wishes. A character considering many folkloric examples of women dressing fore play begins, she does not necessar-
changing sides to join Stephen now knows as men and doing almost anything men do. ily have any Flaw representing that fine.
that offering hostages is an insignificant ges- War or pilgrimage, for example, are easier She may choose a free Virtue, called
ture rather than a binding pledge. An enemy when pretending to be male. This may be- Paid Rights, to note that she has paid
facing Stephen in war might be more willing come a Dark Secret. for the right to do a certain thing that
to surrender, seeing that his chances of survival Dressing as a man is not usually a success- is generally forbidden for women. She
are good. An enemy facing John, however, ful strategy for the extended term, though: may also take a Story Flaw that repre-
might choose to carry the fight longer, because marriage and fathering children are difficult, sents her family’s displeasure at this use
John is not concerned by conventional moral- if surmountable, obstacles. A woman who of her funds, the frustrations of suitors
ity. Killing him, or delivering him to Stephen, dresses as a man and engages in warfare is, who would take her land by marriage,
would earn a great deal of Gratitude. If John however, likely to die young as most men do, or other forms of social opprobrium, al-
was a character’s prisoner then the usual ties of so this may not be a concern. though this is not required.
honor, like promises not to attempt escape or There are, however, a few prohibi-
the offer of sureties, would not hold him, and tions that a woman cannot pay a fine
to ignore. She cannot pay a fine to do
only a fool would accept his promise of ran-
som. In neither John nor Stephen’s case does
Holding Land anything that only men are permitted to
the Reputation score fall. The information pro- do in the administrative structure of the
vided by a successful roll against the Reputa- Women can gain control of land in six Church. It is also difficult for a woman
tion changes, and this alters how characters, ways: during absence, through inheritance, to gain the rank of knight. There are
including non-player characters, act. via political success, through conquest, in a some examples of female knights in
widow’s portion, or as a steward. folklore, so it is not impossible. But a
female knight needs an unusual back
story and her player should consider
Absence Story Flaws.

Public Power Landholding is intimately tied, in most

for Women of Mythic Europe, to providing military ser-

vice. The male head of most families must
be available to fight in campaigns, some of
the objections concerning the education of
women.
Women raised for this task always have
Relatively few women hold public power which last for months, or in civil wars, which Leadership and Profession: Steward scores.
in Mythic Europe. The elaboration of their can sputter along for years. Many nobles They also rapidly develop Ability scores that
roles here should not discourage players from leave their wives as their deputies. The value their husbands have due to the peculiarities
selecting exceptional women as their char- of an educated wife to the military prepared- of their holdings, allowing them to oversee
acters. The constraints, and ways to avoid ness of her husband has overcome many of work, or at least select competent overseers.

27
 Lords of Men
lands from her husband’s make them an obvi-
ous domain for one of her younger sons.
Land that a girl’s father has added to his
ancestral territories may be made available as
dowry. Dowries are used, in much of Europe,
as a sort of inheritance before the death of
the father. Rules for the design of dowries are
given in the Family section, earlier.

Political Success
It is rare for anyone, male or female, to be
granted land for purely political favors, but
it occasionally occurs as a result of stories.
A common way for a woman to be granted
land is to become the mistress of a powerful
nobleman and bear his child. If the woman
has suitable abilities, she may be made the
child’s guardian until he is of age to join his
father’s household.

Conquest
Some women claim land through inva-
sion, allowing their retinue of knights to set-
tle conquered areas as vassals. This requires
loyal retainers and either a friendly monarch
or a formidable reputation, as a mercenary
captain or disloyal male vassal might try
In this role of deputy, the woman has the ters are given preference over more-distant to swear fealty for the land himself. Such
right to spend the income of the husband’s male relations, like uncles and cousins. Some women rarely enter combat themselves, but
territory, and may command his vassals in areas grant all of the land to the eldest son, since they are the leaders of their armies, it
many matters, including war. and the daughter receives it intact if there are would be insubordinate to gainsay them if
The role that women play in the com- no sons. In others, when a paternal line extin- they wished it.
mand of troops varies between the societ- guishes in this way, the land is divided between
ies of Europe. It is further influenced by the all of the remaining sisters, or their husbands.
personalities, Reputations, and resources In a few areas women are permitted to inherit Widow’s Portion
of the lady and her vassals. Women rarely directly, either because the land of a family is and Stewardship
lead troops into battle, but there are many divided between all of the siblings who are not
references to noble women holding castles already members of the Church, or because the In most areas a widow is permitted to
against sieges. During a siege the lady may lord is permitted to nominate his heirs and so retain the use of a portion of her husband’s
command troops directly, or may direct their may choose his daughters. lands for her own use after his death. As a
command through a skilled lieutenant. A woman who rules a fief by inheritance rule of thumb, assume a widow can keep
Many noblewomen maintain networks of usually retains legal authority in it during her
agents completely separate from the house- marriage. With the exception of England,
holds of their husbands. A wife may take over
her husband’s network if he dies or is on cam-
where the wife’s rights become the hus-
band’s, there are many examples of women A Note on Life
paign. This role, as correspondent and dip-
lomat, is expected of the wives of nobility. A
who married another noble, yet continued
to hold her own court, issue charters, and
Expectancy
woman who does not socialize is considered a command vassals. In Castile there is at least A key to female landholding is the
poor supporter of her husband’s efforts. one example of an odd midpoint, where the comparative longevity of women in
bride continued to rule in her own land, wartime. Players in sagas designed for
with the exception of her dowry, which was female nobles to play a significant role
Inheritance transferred to her husband. At the death of need to consciously cull male non-play-
an heiress, her lands may be kept by her el- er characters. The rules for doing this
Lands inherited by women are a recog- dest son if the area practices primogeniture. are in the Random Method of Death
nized feature of feudal life. In most kingdoms In areas where the lands of the parents are insert, in the Family section earlier.
land goes to sons before daughters, but daugh- divided, the separate character of the wife’s

28
 Lords of Men

Women as Warriors
In most areas there are folktales about for England with the English army, depart- Petronilla of Leicester:
particular women who, at some past time, ing from Acre. Her other travels, to Rome Absence
acted in the role of knight. How charac- and Santiago, were almost as adventurous
ters react to contemporary women who as this first trip. Historically, after her jour- Petronilla is recorded as having armed
attempt the same course varies by culture neys she sought out her younger brother, herself as a knight and fought in battles
and by the status of the particular woman. who had become a monk, and he led her during the reign of Henry II, perhaps due
In the Order of Hermes, the philosophy to the contemplative life. She joined a nun- to the absence of her husband. A namesake
of Plato coupled with the scarcity of The nery at Laon, in France, and may live there was active during the wars of John against
Gift has led to a position of equity. Plato still in 1220. his barons, and purchased the right to se-
advocated the training of women for all the lect her own husband. This Petronilla used
duties of the state including administration John’s desperation for money to haggle the
and warfare. Very few women seek mili- Eleanor of Aquitaine: relatively good price of 4000 marks. The
tary success, but sufficient do for the role Inheritance latter Petronilla has only been dead eight
to be accepted, to some degree, in most years.
areas. The following examples may guide Eleanor attended the Second Crusade
the generation of background for female with her husband, and was attended by a
nobles who seek military roles. guard of female knights dressed as Ama- Matilda of Tuscany:
zons and mounted on white horses. Elea- Political Success
nor’s right to lead her troops, as overlord of
Dressing as a Man: Aquitaine, was incontestable. The queens Matilda’s parents were allies of the
Margaret of Beverley of several of the other leaders followed pope, and open rebels against his rival the
her example. Her behavior was considered emperor. Matilda was trained in warfare
Margaret of Beverly was born in the Holy scandalous, and led to the Papal Bull for- from an early age. Her tutor was later the
Land: her parents were English pilgrims who bidding women from taking the cross in commander of her forces and stated he had
commenced their journey while her mother the Third Crusade. trained her in lance, pike, axe, and sword.
was pregnant. After reaching adulthood Matilda is widely believed to have ridden
and seeing to the education of her younger into battle from her teenage years.
brother, Margaret decided to revisit Jerusa- Sikelgaita of Sicily: She was the primary proponent of the
lem. Through terrible luck, she was present Conquest pope’s cause during the Investiture Contro-
when Jerusalem fell to Saladin in 1187. versy, and through a series of marriages,
She pretended to be a man, and took A princess of the Lombards, then the alliances, and wars, she all but destroyed
part in the defense of the wall, wearing im- wife of the Duke of Apulia and Sicily, Sikel- Imperial authority in Northern Italy. Mat-
provised armor. Margaret was struck by a gaita is recorded as having participated in ilda led her armies through a series of wars,
fragment thrown up by a stone fired from a her husband’s battles dressed as a knight, crushing Imperial forces so that only a few
siege engine, and carried scars for the rest and as charging enemies with a spear. In cities remained under the emperor’s banner.
of her life. She was captured, ransomed, her husband’s wars against the Byzantine She spent her old age dispatching armies to
and then after a difficult period involving Empire, she rallied some troops that had besiege and capture many of these.
slavery, theft, and rescue, by the grace of fled a battle, sending them back into the
the Virgin she was able to arrive in Antioch, fray at the Battle of Dyrrachium. The Nor-
in time to participate in the siege there. man conquests in Byzantium were lost after
After peace was concluded she sailed the war turned against her family.

the profit, not income, of a third of her hus- select the stewards for the heirs of vassals, of Christ. They cannot usually be forced to
band’s land until she remarries. If the woman and he may even arrange the marriage of the marry, and are not answerable to their fathers
was already landed at marriage, and has no widow. or other local lords. Nuns hold a great deal
adult sons, then she is likely to have com- of land in Mythic Europe, and their estates
plete ownership of her lands returned to her. are not divided by inheritance.
Widows are extremely common in Mythic
Europe.
Nuns Young women may take temporary vows
that allow them to retreat into the life of a
In some areas, like France, Castile, and nun while events unfold in the secular world.
parts of the Holy Roman Empire, a widow A third avenue for power, and one much It is possible for a sufficiently influential no-
may act as her son’s guardian. This allows her enjoyed by the younger daughters of some bleman to force a woman to leave the nun-
to administer land on his behalf until he is lords, is the Church. The role of nunneries nery and marry, but this is rare. It is common
an adult. Stewardship of lands may need to is discussed in greater detail in the supple- for the female relatives of a man who has lost
be purchased from the dead husband’s over- ment Realms of Power: The Divine. Nuns are a war to retreat into the nunneries, so that
lord. In many areas the lord has the right to considered wards of the bishop, and brides they are not at the mercy of the victors.

29
 Chapter Three

A Comparison of Titles
The level at which a character is con-
sidered noble varies by kingdom. A knight
Squire Bacheler knights are vassals of their lord, but
they are usually held in greater trust than
is part of the nobility in much of France,
but in England a lord needs to have a great
(Armiger, Écuyer) other vassals. They are led by a senior knight
called a carissimus. These knights are often
deal more influence than a knight to be con- supported with coin and kind rather than
sidered noble. In parts of Iberia, nobility is A squire is, strictly, a young person who land. In other lands there are house knights
more functional and its lower reaches can be attends upon a knight as part of his training, with identical roles, although the terminol-
grasped by anyone playing the role of knight but it has evolved to have a second mean- ogy differs.
for this moment, in the employ of the king, ing. In many areas of Mythic Europe there A bacheler knight has the Virtues Knight
regardless of his birth. Churchmen claim to are people who could be landed knights, and and Protection, and the Oath of Fealty Flaw
be noble by virtue of their station, a claim who do service like landed knights, but have or Free Choice. Poor bachelers are rare. Fail-
taken more or less seriously depending on chosen not to formally accept the higher sta- ure to provide for a household knight voids
the power of the Church in the affairs of a tus. The reason for this varies a little between his Oath of Fealty, allowing him to seek
kingdom. Although there are a multitude of kingdoms. In England it is because knights other employment. An average bacheler has
titles for landed nobility, few have practical must pay a tax in exchange for their ascen- comfortable housing in his lord’s hall, and is
meaning to players. sion. In Mythic Europe it is rare for these fed at his expense. The knight’s equipment is
people to be called squires: each local ver- provided and maintained by the lord. He is
sion of this class has its own name, but for generally given coin as largesse. A Wealthy
players this is the most convenient term. bacheler lives in opulence unexpected by

The French
A squire may take the Gentleman, those of his station, and is ransomed by his
Knight, or Landed Noble Virtues. Players lord occasionally.
should modify these virtues slightly to suit Some extremely wealthy knights use

(and English) the style of character they wish to play. this title. They are bachelers because they
are of the household of their lord, so they
fulfill the role of his companions and body-
System Knight guards. Their lord, however, is so wealthy
he provides manors for his bachelers, which

This system is a remnant of the insti-

(Miles, Chevalier) they rent out or leave to the administration
of stewards. These rich bachelers are Landed
tutions that supported the Carolingian Nobles.
Empire, and is found in most areas once A knight is a professional mounted war-
controlled by the Franks. It is also found in rior. This role can theoretically be conveyed
surrounding areas that have been invaded, by any knight to anyone, but in many ar- Knight Banneret
like England, or are now ruled by people eas use of this right has become a crime, so
educated in a court that uses this system, that a knight exercising it must pay a fine Most knights who lead sergeants and
like Scotland. to his overlord. This is because many over- infantry into battle use a small flag to indi-
In the lists below, a term in English is lords charge a fee in exchange for creating cate their location. Knights who lead other
given first, as it assumed that most players knights, and a knight who, for example, dubs knights into battle often use a larger flag,
will speak English in their games. This is fol- his squire or son, must make good the rev- with a more-pointed shape. If the leader of
lowed by a Latin term, which magi might enue the lord has lost. such a force has no greater title, he is re-
use for color. This is then followed by the ferred to as a banneret. A knight may claim
French term, which is often similar to the this rank simply by arriving at a battle with a
English because the ruling class of England is Bacheler Knight force of ten knights all clad in his livery and
comprised, in large part, of French-speaking willing to kill as instructed.
Normans. Most lords have a personal guard of In some areas, it is felt that the right to
knights, called a mesnie in French, whose lead men in battle under your own banner is
members are called bachelers (“bachelors”). a reward that must be bestowed by a liege.

30
 Lords of Men

A Consideration of Virtues and Flaws

Oath of Fealty and chasing monsters. This flaw replaces as infantry, which is doubled if the war is
(Major Story Flaw) Oath of Fealty entirely. defensive. Each knight is also served by a
squire who acts as a sergeant, a mounted
In many areas, a lord holds his land combatant. This Virtue leaves the lord
from a superior, in exchange for a mix of Knight (Minor Virtue) two seasons of free time per year, and ten
services and payments. This is represented pounds to spend on largesse, war, or other
by the Oath of Fealty Flaw (ArM5, page Some few women serve as knights in discretionary matters.
56). This is a Major Story Flaw. For most Mythic Europe. These women are dis- A typical Wealthy Landed Noble
non-player characters and many PCs this cussed in greater depth at the end of Chap- holds, on average, five manors and lives
suffices, but troupes may wish to modify ter Two: Politics. at the richest, or the one to which he has
this slightly for several reasons. the greatest sentimental attachment. These
Some nobles hold land simply through lands provide the lord with the service of
descent from people who have held it since Landed Noble (Major Virtue) four knights, other than himself, 5 serjants,
time immemorial. These lands are called and 50 villeins. If fighting in the same
allods. A holder of allodial land need not A lord of the manor is the least senior county, the lord may double the number
have an Oath of Fealty. These characters style of landed noble. In England about of villeins who are required to assist him.
also tend to use titles that are grander than half of the male manorial lords are knights. The lord may spend money to swell the
others of similar power and influence, al- The rest are termed “gentry” or “squires” ranks of his personal army, and usually pays
though that is ignored for the purpose of and could be knighted if they wished, but scutage for himself or sends a knight in his
Virtue selection. prefer to avoid it since there is a tax at- stead. He has three seasons of free time per
Troupes are encouraged to permit tached to the office. A lord of the manor year, and 20 pounds per year to spend as
knights who have taken oaths to a lord, has the Virtue Landed Noble. Knight and he wishes. His additional income comes
but whose oaths lack consequences in play. Protection are common Virtues, but are not from fertile land, active assarting in previ-
These insignificant oaths are not treated as required. ous generations, or perhaps the lack of a
Flaws, so they cannot be balanced against In the Norman-influenced parts of knight-service on one of his manors.
Virtues. Troupes may choose to allow in- Mythic Europe, Wealthy Landed Nobles
significant oaths because otherwise knights are far more numerically common than
cannot begin with many of the Story Flaws either standard or Poor Landed Nobles. Great Noble (Two Major
that suit the chivalric genre, like Black The average holding in England has five Virtues)
Sheep, Dark Secret, Enemies, Higher Pur- manors. In areas where the land of a father
pose, Heir, True Love, or Vow. Player char- is divided equally between his sons, Poor This Virtue is used to represent the re-
acter knights are more interesting if they Landed Nobles are far more common. The sources of a character of the rank of greater
can have a range of Story Flaws. children of Wealthy Landed Nobles, or baron or higher. It should be treated as:
more-senior landowners, often have the Two Major Virtues for characters played in
Privileged Upbringing Virtue. lieu of magi, as major protagonists in
Knightly Demands (Major A Poor Landed Noble usually has no the plot.
Story Flaw) surplus income. He has little free time, as A Major Virtue for characters who, regard-
he must continually administer his lands. less of their rank, remain essentially
As an alternative to all of this tinkering This may be because he has debts, because supporting characters to the magi.
with detail, troupes may simply state that his land has not recovered from a disaster, Players should discuss their characters
all knights have a Major Story Flaw, called or because his manors were never fertile. with their troupes before designing greater
Knightly Demands, that allows the Sto- He has one season of free time per year. nobles. It requires extra effort and careful
ryguide to drag them into any plot related A lord of the manor without Virtue or character design to integrate a player char-
to the kind of things knights do in medi- Flaw has a second manor, for which he owes acter that is a Great Noble into a saga. The
eval ballads. This flaw works best for high knight service. This service is performed by interests of the Great Noble tend to draw
fantasy, highly mobile sagas, because it a mercenary or waived for scutage (a fine the character away from stories focused on
includes quests, military service, romances, discussed in Chapter Two: Politics). The the covenant, unless he is the covenant’s
feuds, rescuing damosels, aiding kinfolk, lord may summon up to ten villeins to fight servant.

After a battle in which a knight acts as a ban- to allow them to have precedence over other tween a banneret and a Wealthy Landed
neret, his lord may award him the office by knights. To do this, they need to give their Noble, although their status and spending
presenting him a banner. This allows a little vassal sufficient land to maintain additional patterns differ. Bannerets are always Knights
largesse. knights. This is usually requires five or more and are generally Landed Nobles. Most have
Lords are sometimes tempted to raise manors, or rights of equivalent value. There an Oath of Fealty to a liege and are under his
people with smaller followings to this style, is, therefore, little economic difference be- Protection.

31
 Lords of Men
Baron (Baro, Baron) Barons. vary. in. wealth.. A. poor. baron.
has. no. surplus. money. at. all:. he. is. likely. in.
viscount
(vice-coMes, viscoMte)
deep. debt.. An. average. baron. has. a. surplus.
This. term. initially. referred. to. anyone. of.40.pounds.per.year.that.may.be.spent.as. A. viscount. was,. initially,. a. deputy. to. a.
holding.land.directly.from.the.king,.but.by. he.wishes..A.Wealthy.baron.has.100.surplus. count.. In. 1220,. the. term. viscomte. is. used.
1220. has. degenerated. so. that. many. lesser. pounds.a.year. in.France.for.lesser.counts..Its.Latin.form.is.
lords.refer.to.their.own.vassals.as.their.bar- used.in.England.for.sheriffs,.who.are.officers.
ons.. Although. landed. people. are. aware. of. of.the.king.
their. status. as. barons,. they. do. not. use. this.
term.as.a.title..Minor.landholders.have.a.va-
Earl or Count
riety.of.titles.that.are.traditionally.translated.
as.“lord”.in.English..A.character.might.be.lord.
(Comes, Comte) Count palatine and
MarcHer Lord
of.the.barony.of.Blackhill,.but.would.not.be.
called.Baron.of.Blackhill..Technically,.baron. In.England,.earl.the.basic.title.for.a.ma- A.count.palatine.is.a.count.who.has.been.
is.not.a.title,.so.it.is.not.inherited:.the.land.of. jor. landholder.. The. term. “earl”. comes. from. given.extra.powers.to.deal.with.a.difficult.bor-
the.barony.is.inherited.and.possession.of.the. a.Saxon.word.and.is.used.instead.of.the.title. der..In.England.there.are.several.counties.pala-
land. makes. its. holders. barons,. even. if. they. of.count.in.England.and.Scotland..The.term. tine:.Durham,.which.is.near.the.Scots.border,.
divide.the.territory.up. “earl”. is. also. used. in. English. for. the. lesser. and.Chester,.on.the.Welsh.border,.are.both.still.
The. barons. of. England. informally. dif- kings. of. the. Gaelic-speaking. areas. of. Scot- points. of. strength.. Ely. and. Kent. were. points.
ferentiate.themselves.into.greater.and.lesser. land,.and.for.noblemen.in.Ireland.and.Wales,. of. resistance. after. the. Conquest,. where. local.
barons.. The. greater. barons. are. those. who,. although.they.have.legal.powers.far.different. churchmen. were. given. additional. powers. to.
in. the. opinion. of. other. great. landholders,. from.those.of.the.earls.of.England. subdue.the.population..This.role.is.intertwined.
matter. in. affairs. of. state.. Lesser. barons. are. A.count.or.earl.has.the.Great.Noble.Vir- with.the.role.of.marcher.lord.
designed. as. Landed. Nobles,. and. are. gener- tue,. while. a. countess. (which. is. the. correct. The.original.marcher.lords.were.placed.
ally.Wealthy. term.for.the.wife.of.an.earl,.or.a.female.earl). as.a.buffer.between.England.and.Wales.after.
A. man. is. considered. greater. baron. if. he. has. Gentlewoman. if. she. does. not. hold. the. the. Conquest.. They. had. greater. authority:.
has. at. least. some. land. held. directly. from. the. land.in.her.own.right..A.count.has.a.yearly. the. right. to. do. anything. a. king. might. do,.
king.and.expenses.of.at.least.400.pounds.per. expenditure.of.at.least.1000.pounds..The.av- such. as. build. castles,. levy. taxes,. make. war,.
year..This.is.roughly.equivalent.to.holding.20. erage. count. might. be. required. to. bring. 50. and. found. towns.. Powerful. marcher. lord-
manors..He.owes.service.for.at.least.20.knights,. knights.to.battle,.along.with.their.sergeants. ships.were.eventually.elevated.into.earldoms,.
20.serjants,.and.200.infantry,.but.this.is.a.bare. and. 500. infantry.. Large. vassal. armies. are,. and.some.of.their.rights.curbed,.but.the.le-
minimum.often.exceeded..All.barons.have.the. however,.worthless.for.sieges,.because.sieges. gal.inheritors.of.Marcher.lordships.still.have.
Great.Noble.Virtue..Baronesses.who.hold.land. usually.last.longer.than.the.period.of.service. unusual.rights.compared.with.other.counts..
in.their.own.right.take.the.Great.Noble.Virtue,. required.of.vassals.each.year..Their.muster.is. This.title.appears.in.France.only.in.the.title.
while.those.who.hold.the.title.by.marriage.take. often. commuted. to. cash. payment,. to. allow. of. the. Count. of. Marche,. whose. ancestor.
Gentlewoman..Most.barons.have.the.Protec- the. king. or. count. to. hire. mercenaries.. An. had.a.similar.role.before.the.pacification.of.
tion. Virtue. and. the. Oath. of. Fealty. Flaw,. but. average. count. has. 100. pounds. to. spend. on. southern.France.
this. is. dependent. on. the. political. climate. of. trivialities. per. year,. and. a. wealthy. one. 250. Some. marcher. lords. are. effectively.
their.realm. pounds. Wealthy. counts.. Their. role. is. usually. de-

32
 Lords of Men
fensive so they have fewer knights in their
retinue than other counts, but proportionally
more infantry. This allows them to garrison
How Powerful is a King?
impressive royal or private castles. Strong kings are often the most signifi- tains another 60 or so, plus their retainers.
cant secular landowners in their kingdoms. These additional knights serve the king’s
The King of England, for example, holds interest in areas remote from the court, by
Duke (Dux, Duc) between 15 and 20% of the arable land in
his realm as royal demesne. The king’s offi-
holding significant castles, commanding
armies, and arranging the logistics of cam-
cers do not, generally, hold their positions paigns. The king’s household army also
This title initially meant war leader. It is through hereditary right. The king’s lands contains sergeants, squires, crossbowmen,
used in France for the highest class of vassal, are, therefore, often better administered and infantry. This personal force is highly
particularly in those areas that are culturally than those of his vassals. The king’s aver- responsive to the king’s whim, mustering
distinct. It is not used in Britain. Dukes con- age income from all sources, for the last when and where he commands, and not
trol vast estates and, in some cases, are more five years, was 60,000 pounds a year, but dispersing after 40 days of campaigning as
powerful than the kings to whom they are the baronial rebellion caused a collapse of his vassals do.
nominally subservient. royal revenues for a brief period that af- The king has 45 vassals who are greater
All dukes have the Greater Noble Virtue, fects this average. A king is technically a barons. Each owes him at least 20 knights
while duchesses are Greater Nobles if they Great Noble and need not be a Knight, in service each year, most many more. For
have a right to rule their lands, or Gentle- although virtually all are. generations the kings of England have pre-
women if they have their rank by marriage. The household army of the King of ferred to take a large portion of this ser-
As a rough estimate, a duke has, at minimum, England contains over 60 knights in a vice as scutage and hire mercenaries with
personal forces that include 75 knights, their practical sense, and in a legal sense con- it instead.
sergeants, and 750 infantry. The duke is
also likely to have vassals able to extend his
forces. The most powerful earl in England
(which has no dukes) spends 6,000 pounds
a year and can muster armies of hundreds of
How Small is the Ruling Class of a Kingdom?
mercenary and vassal knights. At the time of the signing of the Magna The chivalric class is somewhat larg-
Carta, five years ago, there were only 197 er. There are between 5,000 and 6,000
lay baronies and 32 ecclesiastical baronies knight’s fees in England, although only
King (Rex, Roi) in England. Many barons hold more than
one barony. Only 45 people were con-
about 1,500 of these are actually held by
warrior knights, and another 1,500 are
sidered “greater barons,” landholders sig- held by men who could become landed
A king is defined in his role by the fact nificant enough that the king sent them knights but have chosen not to for tax pur-
that he pays allegiance to no living man, personal invitations to attend court. This poses. These squires have the Gentleman
except perhaps the pope or emperor. Kings includes the earls, of whom there were no Social Status and Wealthy Virtues. Many
were initially the war leaders elected to lead more than a dozen. These 45 men are all other knights are found in the retinues of
powerful tribal groups in wars against their closely related to each other by blood and the king and nobles, but these are outside
neighbors. This process of electing the king marriage. the landed class.
led, in earlier times, to civil wars, as the group
of possible claimants to the throne thinned
each other out before the decision could be
made. In the current generation, elective holder in his kingdom. All kings have minor magic resistance as noted
kingship will die out in most of Western Eu- It is possible for a lesser noble to claim in Chapter Four: Interference.
rope. The principle of hereditary kingship the title of king, but he effectively only be-
was forced on the English nobility in 1215, comes so when recognized as a king by some
when William Marshal defeated the forces of other significant power. This is usually the

The German
Prince Louis of France, who had been offered pope or, in the East, the emperor. The usual
the crown by the barons of England. way of demonstrating the acceptance of this
In France it has been traditional, for new status is the sending of royal regalia. In
several generations, to force the electors to
vote and acclaim the heir while the incum-
bent still lives. The electors, in theory, freely
the West, kings are also anointed with the oil
used to create bishops, although priests per-
forming this ritual are careful to not anoint
System
choose that the eldest son of the king will the head of a king as they would a bishop’s. The German system presented below is
be the next king. The current king, Phillip The anointing of kings at coronation gives an abstraction. The empire is such an amal-
Augustus, is the first in the current dynasty them several advantages. It clearly indicates gam of local titles, historical peculiarities,
not to bother with this. He is able to do this they are senior to other nobles. In most dynas- and special cases that there is insufficient
in part because he has crushed so many of ties, it also grants minor supernatural powers. space to detail its complexity. At its core the
his vassals and taken their land into demesne Some kings can cure scrofula or leprosy by German system, like the French system, is a
that his heir will be the most significant land- touching a person and spending a fatigue level. descendant of the Frankish Empire. Its roles

33
 Lords of Men
are similar in many cases, although the titles
for various positions have been naturalized
Ministeriales (Ministers) Herzog (Dux, Duke)
or replaced. Some German knights are not free men.
In the lists below, ranks are given their These knights are called ministeriales, and A herzog plays an almost identical role
title in German, then Latin, then English. initially served militarily in exchange for to a French duke. That is, at the time of foun-
Note that the English form is just what a per- their upkeep. Over time the role of minis- dation of his territory, the herzog’s predeces-
son of that status would be called in English. teriales has broadened, so that some provide sor was the warlord responsible for an area
These titles are not found natively in Eng- other services to a lord. The reichsministeri- that had some sort of separate ethnic identity
lish-speaking areas. ales, for example, assist many of the legal and from the people who conquered it. Outside
In the German system, there are three administrative functions within the empire. the empire, many duchies have been broken
parallel sources of titles. Some titles come Over time, families of the ministeriales are into counties, or have risen to become small
directly from the emperor, and these are being absorbed into the hereditary class of kingdoms. The title has persisted in parts of
marked with the prefix reichs-. Some titles knights. the Holy Roman Empire because herzogs
come from the mists of history, for allodial have not been permitted to take the title of
land, and these are marked with the prefix king.
frei-. Some come from local kings, and these
have no particular prefix. Assume that an
Graf
imperial knight has higher status than a free
knight, who has higher status than a com-
(Comes, Count/Earl) König (Rex, King)
mon knight.
Many of the senior German nobles are The role of a graf is similar to the role of Within the Holy Roman Empire the
sometimes referred to with the title fürst. a count. The term is modified to create many kingdoms are usually monopolized by the
This means prince, in the sense of being related titles in the German system. These emperor. The current emperor-elect has re-
the first member of a particular family. The include examples like buggraf (burgrave), worked this system a little to suit his politi-
senior English nobility are similarly some- which means the keeper of a castle or forti- cal needs, so that at the end of 1220 his son
times referred to as the Princes of the Realm. fied town, or landgraf, which is a graf with is technically king of the Romans and the
Prince, in the sense of a person who is the a larger area of administrative responsibility Germans, with himself as regent. He has also
child of a king, is the separate title prinz. than usual. A burgrave ranks as a viscount, permitted the duke of Bohemia to take the
slightly below the graf. A landgraf ranks title of king.
slightly above a count. The current emperor is also king of Sic-
Herr (Generosus, Lord) ily, but this is not part of the empire, merely
his personal possession. When he took the
Markgraf (Marchio, Margrave) crown he promised the pope to separate the
This title is used for any member of the two roles by making his son king of Sicily
nobility lacking a superior title. As such, it This relatively rare title is a remnant of and appointing a regent. Eventually he de-
is used in much the same way lord is for the imperial expansion. A margrave was, initial- cided against this, preferring to keep his base
English gentry. ly, a count who has been granted fuller legal of power in his own hands.
powers, in order to deal with a difficult bor-
der. This title is found in places like Branden-
Freiherr berg, Moravia, and Verona, which are held
by the descendants of such margraves. Some
Römischer Kaiser
A freiherr is a nobleman with an allodial
holding. It is sometimes translated as baron
of the other marches have become powerful,
and so have shed this title. Styria and Aus-
(Romanorum Imperator,
in English, and most freiherren are approxi- tria, for example, were originally marches Roman Emperor)
mately equivalent in power to a minor count. but are now duchies. Others have been dis-
An allod in the Holy Roman Empire can, solved into smaller units once they are set- There are no emperors in the classical
however, vary in scale from the equivalent tled, like the Breton March in France. The Roman sense in Mythic Europe. Various
of a single manor up to territory similar in most-powerful margraves have the wealth kings call themselves “emperor of the Scots”
scope to a county. The title freiherr is, there- and power of dukes, and in time swap one or “emperor of Castile” but these fancies
fore, not really indicative of the power of the title for the other. never last. In the West the title of Roman
holder. This title is not found in England, al- emperor is granted by the electors of the
though the role is very similar to that of the Holy Roman Empire. This work, and other
counts palatine and marcher lords. It is simi- Ars Magica books, uses the term “Holy Ro-
Ritter (Miles, Knight) larly absent in France, although the County
of Marche was once a march. Iberian nobles
man Empire” for this area, although that pre-
cise name does not occur in historical Europe
often believe they are descended from the until 1254.
This is a general term for cavalry soldiers. nobility of the Spanish March founded by The electors of the empire gather, and
The German ritter plays the same role as the Constantine the Great. The family that rules appoint a king of the Germans. The pope,
French chevalier or the English knight. both Barcelona and Provence claims that in a highly technical sense, appoints this
they are heirs of this ancient margraviate. man the emperor, and might theoretically

34
 Lords of Men
like providing castle garrisons and muster-
ing against nearby invasion immediately.
Some towns are not required to muster for
offensive operations unless the king himself
is present. Some may not muster more than
once a year for offensive operations, and all
contain maximum mustering times, varying
from a single day to three months.
As a simplified version of this model,
all people who own a house are expected
to serve, unless they have an exemption
due to a clause in the fuero. Exemptions
occur for all kinds of reasons, like age, be-
ing a widow without sons, being newly
wed, or supplying the gear for a knight.
Those who fight on foot are referred to as
peons, and those who fight on horse are
called caballeros.

Infanzone
The meaning of this term varies mark-
edly over time and place, but should be con-
sidered to be the lowest rank of the gentry.
In some areas it is similar to the free peasants
of France, while in others it is most similar to
the gentry of England. They are considered
petty nobles in the second case. The sons of
caballeros, described below, sometimes re-
veto their choice. The pope anoints the king As territory was taken, it was settled with main infanzones until they capture booty on
of the Germans as emperor of the Romans. highly defensible towns. This created an campaign, marry well, or their parents die, so
When this happens, the emperor automati- unusual economic and demographic situ- that they can afford their gear.
cally becomes king of Burgundy and king of ation. The continual need for soldiery
Italy. has lowered the barriers to entry into the
The current Holy Roman Emperor-
elect is Frederick II. He has held the role
knightly class, and the revenue of the no-
bility is centered not on the farming of
Caballero
in practice since 1215, but is anointed on agricultural estates, but on the taxing of
22 November 1220. His center of power is towns that act as centers for the sale of A caballero is a mounted warrior. He
in Sicily, although he controls a great deal livestock. Similarly, the royal army, when keeps his rank by maintaining his gear, and
of territory and has many allies in German- raiding outside of the kingdom, is a mix- by taking the field when required. The fueros
speaking areas. His court is open to Muslim ture of the king’s own household and mili- of towns list what gear is required to uphold
and Christian scholars alike, and is consid- tias provided by his settlements. caballero status. This varies a little but es-
ered a marvel of the age. He is a cultured The rights of each of these settlements sentially a horse, breastplate, jerkin, javelins,
man, with some interest in magic, but spends are guaranteed by a fuero, a charter from the and melee weapons are required. Swords are
much of his time feuding with fractious war- nobleman who founded it. Fueros vary mark- found rarely in fueros, perhaps because of
lords or the pope. edly over time, imposing new obligations on their expense compared to axes and other
towns as the needs of the founding noble- popular choices. A caballero has social sta-
men change. The obligations of towns are tus and useful exemptions from some royal
to provide infantry, cavalry, money in lieu taxes, so the rank is a prized one.

Iberian
of either, and equipment. They also provide The role of caballero is based on military
other sources of revenue to the king, like a function, so it is defended and encouraged
fifth of all spoils from war or the right to con- by law. Suits of gear, for example, must be

Systems trol the exchange of prisoners.

The fueros also limit the power of the
nobleman, in many cases. Towns are usually
passed along intact. Dead horses and de-
stroyed gear must be replaced within a cer-
tain time (varying between one month and
During the Reconquista, the remnants given an exemption from offensive muster- three years). Men with a certain amount of
of Christian Iberia extended their king- ing for a period of years after their settle- property are required to buy and maintain
doms across the lands held by Muslims. ment, but are required to perform services horse, so that they can either become a ca-

35
 Lords of Men

Catalonia
Residency, in many areas, requires the ca-
ballero to not leave the town during the
autumn or winter, so that he will be ready
The Italian
The noble classes of all Christian
Iberian states have some relationship
to campaign in the spring. It also requires
that the caballero’s wife and children live
Model
to the Frankish rulers of the Span- in the town, so that he will not flee when
ish Marches. Despite the differences the frontier is breached by invaders. This In Italy the system of nobility is very
between their system and that of the style of Wealthy Knight is tied to the town simple. Those people who have a great deal
Frankish or modern French, they see by his Dependents rather than his honor, of land are effectively contes (counts). Italian
their knights as sharing the Carolingian although troupes may permit players to se- counts are, however, far less powerful than
heritage. This is most directly seen in lect Knightly Duties instead. counts in other places for two reasons. First,
the County of Barcelona. The rulers all of the significant mainland towns, outside
of Barcelona have such close historical of the Papal States, are governed by a com-
links to southern France, particularly Caballero Hidalgo mune. This prevents nobles from drawing
Provence, that Catalonian chivalry is (or Fidalgo) revenue from them. Second, all of the coun-
better modeled by the French system. ties in Sicily are small and poor by foreign
In Catalonia the condes are served An hidalgo is an ancestral caballero, of- standards. The counts are served by barones,
by viscondes, who are served by val- ten defined as one whose grandfathers were but this class includes landed knights, house-
vasores. A valvasore is a noble with hidalgos. That is, he is a caballero whose hold knights, and unlanded gentry.
a retinue of five knights, similar to a family will support him in matters of honor. An unusual feature of the Italian nobil-
banneret. These three classes are con- Lack of money is a matter of honor in Ibe- ity is that in many northern areas an addi-
sidered noble and called barones, col- ria, because a poor caballero can lose his tional rank, above squire but below knight,
lectively. The vassals of these, with sub- status. Hidalgos are a little like the lords of has been added. A patrizio, or patrician, is
infeudated holdings, are the vasallos or the manor in the English system, in that they a member of the ruling elite of a town. The
cavallers. Cavallers are rulers of single are considered qualitatively superior to the precise definition of the rank varies from
castles. Their vassals are called sotcast- average knight, but they are not necessarily place to place, so that in Venice, for example,
làs, who hold fiefs sufficient to support required to have grants of land. In some fu- it may designate that a person is descended
a one knight. eros it is assumed that the hidalgos will pro- from the founders of the city, as listed in the
Despite this panoply of titles, the vide heavy cavalry and the villanos light cav- Golden Book, and therefore is able to sit on
core of the Catalan army is the mili- alry, but this is not universal. Hidalgos have the Council.
tias, which are similar to the levy in the the Knight Virtue and either Gentleman or
English system. They differ in that they Landed Noble.
are usually based on the trade guilds of

Byzantine
towns.
Ricohombre
ballero or send a surrogate on campaign. The
tax exemptions and the title of caballero are
sometimes given for exceptional non-cavalry
The ricohombres, or great men, are the
aristocratic upper class. They often claim
Models
service. In Portugal, for example a number of descent from the Frankish Mark, or from The eastern Empire, before its division,
archers have this status. the Visigothic kings. These great lords had transformed from a centralized realm
Players designing caballeros can either initially received offices from kings, called into a feudal state. Continual raids on the
take the Knight Minor Social Status Virtue, honores. These honors were rents from eastern frontiers of the empire led to the
or just use gear that belongs to the covenant. towns, or tracts of land in the agricultural partition of the territory into themes, which
Caballeros are required to fight as dictated hinterland of towns, that permit the rico- were under the control of a strategos¸ or gen-
by local customs or the fuero of their town hombre to maintain a noble lifestyle, in- eral, giving a system similar to the counties
(which may be used as a Major Story Flaw, cluding a personal army. Over time these of the west.
or ignored with troupe approval). honors have become hereditary in many Following the fall of Constantinople, the
places. leaders of the various successor states took
Ricohombres have varying powers, but over the role of general in their controlled
Caballero Villano most are required to provide two months provinces. Such leaders are called despots by
of military service each year. They may not those who prefer a different candidate as em-
Within the general body of mounted raise castles without the permission of the peror. The despot grants revenues from lands
warriors are further distinctions. A cabal- king. They are not permitted to perform to particular supporters in exchange for mili-
lero villano is a knight who is closely tied certain lucrative activities that are royal mo- tary support. These rights are called pronia,
to a particular town. To maintain this sta- nopolies, like salt-making. Ricohombres are but are modeled on western fiefs. The armies
tus and its useful tax exemptions, a cabal- sometimes called barones. Some go by the of the Byzantine successor states are highly
lero must live in a town and be ready to title of conde or barone, and they should be dependent on mercenaries for their field ef-
muster to its defense, or fulfill the cam- designed like English counts or barons. They fectiveness. In the Latin Empire the structure
paign requirements of the local militia. have the Great Noble Virtue. used is essentially the French one.

36
 Chapter Four

Interference
The Code of Hermes strictly forbids in- is wrong: bringing harm to your sodales be- ing to transport created trade goods to dis-
terference with mundanes, lest it bring ruin cause of your actions. tant places, and sell them in small amounts,
on the Order. This portion of the Code is in exchange for a substantial cut.
the most flagrantly abused, with the possible A side effect of magical wealth creation
exception of the prohibition against molest-
ing faeries. Hundreds of years ago, when
Alternatives to is that magi with agricultural holdings can re-
duce the taxes their peasants pay to nothing:
the Code was first sworn, covenants could
dwell in allods far outside the concern of any
Conspiracy indeed they can go further, and pay wages.
Although Chapter Six: Manorial Fiefs points
nobleman, but that golden age of Hermetic out that lowering taxes makes peasants more
seclusion is over now. Younger covenants, In every Tribunal, magi are forbidden to restive, once a covenant offers the peasants
founded on less perfect sites, must interact ally with mundane lords, in the sense that more than the king does, they then use that
with a burgeoning mundane population they are not permitted to take sides in dis- restiveness to defend their unique position.
ruled by a warrior caste that demands the putes. Importantly for magi, however, mor- That is, magi can’t make peasants personally
subservience of all other people. tal society is fragile and relatively easy to loyal, but they can make it so that the inter-
Hermetic justice is democratic, and over disrupt. Mundane lords fight each other all ests of the peasants align with those of the
time the Code has been stretched to expand the time, and so to destroy a rival, it’s not covenant.
how “interference” is defined and demon- actually necessary to ally openly with his en-
strated. Magi in younger covenants are little emies. That is, assisting the enemy of one’s
troubled by the question of whether they enemy isn’t conspiracy if the assistance is
should interfere, given that interference at given without the “ally’s” knowledge.
some level is an inevitable consequence of A magus, for example, is feuding with a Interference Varies
most Hermetic activity. Most magi are more
concerned that their actions be justifiable to
local noble, Lord Cuthbert. Cuthbert has an
enemy, Sir Dudley, whom he is preparing to
by Tribunal
a Tribunal. In the most pragmatic cases, magi battle. It’s not conspiracy to aid Sir Dudley The democratic nature of the Or-
seek ways to never get caught, or to perform so long as Sir Dudley doesn’t know that it is der’s Tribunal system has led to inter-
crimes so advantageous that the punishments happening. Conspiracy requires conspirators ference being more strictly defined in
are worth the expense. working consciously at common cause. If a some Tribunals than others. The Alps
magus were to poison the oxen pulling Cuth- has the strongest regulations. It’s a sim-
bert’s supply train so he was pinned to a par- plification, but there is some truth to the
ticular location, that would be fine. If Cuth- perception that if you can’t find an iso-

Methods of
bert’s army had a lot of archers, and Dudley lated mountain valley and hide the en-
had mostly spearmen, causing it to rain so trance before founding your covenant,
the bowstrings of Cuthbert’s army were less then you are not trying hard enough.
Interference effective would not be conspiracy. At the other end of the scale, covenants
in Normandy are expected to retain a
veneer of mundanity that shields other
Interference, like many crimes, is lucra-
tive for characters able to avoid detection
Making Riches members of the Order from blame for
any trouble they cause. In Normandy
and punishment. Mortal society is fragile, an action is interference if it demonstra-
but simultaneously complex, so the actions Magi can simply produce money magi- bly harms the interests of other magi,
that magi take may have unintended conse- cally, but this has created trouble with the so actions which might be considered
quences. These make for interesting future mundanes in previous centuries, so making interference elsewhere — like magical
stories. The story seeds that follow the forms valuable goods is forbidden in some Tribu- mind control, bribery, and assassination
of interference in this section give examples nals. In others it is permitted as long as the — are perversely employed in Nor-
of the kinds of stories that mundane inter- created items are used only in the covenant, mandy as ways to prevent demonstrable
ference can generate. These usually relate to or provided that they are not traceable to the interference.
the idea that everyone in the Order agrees Order. Members of House Mercere are will-

37
 Lords of Men
Magic Items the trade of magic items for land, money, or
political support. Technically, no magus has Story Seeds: Items
been permitted to sell magic items to a no-
Many members of the Order wish to bleman since 1061, but an obvious loophole A nobleman purchases a magic
trade magical items to nobles. The typical was designed that allows magi to sell magic item that allows a single man to harvest
case involves the tame noble of a covenant items to mundane servants, who then may a field in a day. This is such a popular
being granted a longevity potion in ex- sell the items to outsiders. This means that idea that the next year, several more
change for his service, and this is easily ac- the sale of magic items is easy, and that regu- are purchased, and the noblemen be-
commodated by the Order. More difficult is lation occurs on the Tribunal level, rather gins hiring his magical harvesters to
other nobles. This causes widespread
poverty and prompts the formation
Story Seeds: Conspiracy’s Consequences of an angry peasant militia seeking to
smash the items. Do the characters
The characters, or rival magi, have He takes this as a sign of divine favor and waylay the militia, or egg them on,
used magic to artificially boost the har- agitates for greater control of the sur- knowing that if the devices are de-
vest of a nobleman who hates one of their rounding lands. Driven on, perhaps by stroyed, the nobles will need to buy
enemies, and this nobleman they helped a demon of pride, he begins to convince new ones? If it seems the militia are
used this extra wealth to successfully de- others of his destiny. How can the players about to stray onto Hermetic lands,
feat the hated foe. In this time, the popu- prevent needless warfare? how do the magi divert them?
lation of the “friendly” nobleman’s holding The characters, or rival magi, use il- Some mundane nobles have used
has tripled. If the magi withdraw their sup- lusions to replace a nobleman with a dou- potent magic items against others of
port it might lead to famine, and there will ble shortly before a peace conference or their class during war. This has led to
certainly be economic refugees. How can other diplomatic event. Do they switch interest in the Order’s military poten-
the magi reduce the population without the characters back afterward? If they do, tial, either because they are enduring a
causing widespread suffering and feeding how do they hold the true nobleman to civil war, or because they are at peace
Infernal auras? the promises made by his replacement? If allowing their rulers to contemplate
The characters, or rival magi, have they do not swap the characters back, how crusading using magical weapons.
used weather magic or some other effect do they extract their minion? Do they im- Magi are threatened, and the charac-
to help a nobleman win a series of battles. prison the noble, or kill him? ters are given the task of finding who is
to blame. The items, when examined,
are centuries old, so there is no magus
to punish for their inappropriate use.
Story Seeds: Making Riches The characters come to suspect that
while the items are ancient, they were
Rich peasants naturally become po- it brings ruin on other magi, but are the purchased recently. How can they
litically active. In areas where they have rest of the Tribunal’s magi willing to allow find evidence to prove this?
traditional rights, they exercise them to this tactic to succeed, and for this idea to A character seeks out the magi
defend their new privileges. Historically, germinate in the minds of the nobility? and purchases a single-use item that
this has often meant controls on immigra- A nobleman has a pressing need for will strike a bloodline sterile. He does
tion, regulation of off-manor marriage, money for some worthy cause, like a cru- this in the hope of inheriting a por-
or the creation of castes of “old families” sade, and he prefers to take that money tion of the family’s land. He delivers
(who get most of the benefits) and “new from people who are not good, like sor- the cursed item to a family banquet
families” (who do not). How does the pet- cerers. The covenant is fantastically rich, and it is activated. The player char-
ty aristocracy form around the covenant? and so can afford to buy the noble off acters would prefer that the lands of
Is it divided by profession, or location in handsomely, but how far away does his the family do not become the battle-
the village? How does it enforce its role in crusade have to go to not bring ruin on the ground of rival claimants, as they
town affairs? If it decides, wisely, to do this characters’ sodales? Initially, the nobleman have interests nearby. Knowing that
by being useful to the magi, how does this intends to crusade in Egypt. There are no they have decades before the heir is
express itself? members of the Order known to reside in required and that the family is unlike-
Noblemen can’t ignore magi who that area, so that’s probably fine. When ly to understand the threat, how can
“steal” their serfs by offering them better magi learn he has changed his mind and the player characters position a tame
living conditions. The Order allows magi will instead campaign in Iberia, can they nobleman now, to inherit it all? What
to defend their properties if they are at- use magical travel to steal back their re- do they do when the wife of one of
tacked, but a wise noble, perhaps goaded sources? Can they find spells that will their victims becomes pregnant after
on by the covenant’s enemies, declares destroy the materials given to him from a an affair? How do they deal with the
that unless the characters accede to his distance? Can they get a message to Iberia original purchaser? If another cov-
demands, he will attack an entirely differ- and give resources of equal value to the enant finds out, do they cut them in,
ent covenant. This would make what the other side, so that they aren’t favoring a or feud through proxies?
characters are doing a high crime, because noble?

38
 Lords of Men
than on an Order-wide basis. nant, it is probably fair to steal something of
In most Tribunals there is some sort equal value in retaliation, or soundly thrash Story Seeds:
of limitation on how many magic items a his tax collectors, or burn the words “You
magus may sell to mortal rulers. The com- owe me a keg of beer” through his door. It Self-Defense?
monest is that a magus may sell at most is not, according to a Tribunal ruling from
one magic item to a mortal per year, pro- Iberia, appropriate to burn down his castle An elderly magus has refused to
vided the system of mundane intermediar- and spell the same message with its smoking attend a county court to give evi-
ies is maintained. In some Tribunals the ashes. dence in a boundary dispute between
regulations are far looser. two noblemen. He claims that it
This lack of regulation causes frequent would be a waste of potential labora-
tory time, and that the noble he gave
problems for individual magi, and some-
times for the Order, and in the near future,
Self-Defense evidence against would consider him
such problems are likely to become worse. to be choosing sides in a dispute. His
The current primus of Verditius has declared Members of the Order are permitted covenant has been fined by mundane
his intention to push for even freer access to defend themselves from harm. Harm is authorities, but they refuse to pay,
to mortal markets for magic items. Other defined very broadly, but the finer level of on the grounds of self-defense. Can
Houses have declared that the current sys- detail varies by Tribunal. In the Rhine most other magi see a way forward in this
tem of sale makes a mockery of the concept covenants claim to be allodial and refuse to dispute?
of non-interference, and have threatened to pay taxes. Trying to take them by force is A Tribunal has been asked to rule
seek a Grand Tribunal ruling to restrict what considered harm to the magus’s ability to on whether baiting of noblemen is al-
they see as a hazardous practice. fund his study, and can be met with force. lowed. A group of magi set up a profit-
Similarly, nobles who accidentally try able business in a town and made sure
to clear land which contains a vis source that a rival noble knew of it, but not
may be met with lethal magical force if re- of their ownership. When war began,
the noble’s troops raided the town. As
Involvement
quired. In England, by comparison, there
are no allods, and covenants pay a tra- the noble broke into the business to
ditional fee, as if they were rented royal steal its wares he was killed by a Wait-
demenses, to officers of the king. Sheriffs ing Spell triggered by his specific pres-
“Involvement” is the term magi use for trying to increase this fee may be met with ence. Is this reasonable self-defense?
contact with mundanes that does not breach force along the same general line of rea- Some magi believe that a magus has
the Code. The varying definitions of inter- soning as in the Rhine. the right to leave a pile of gold in
ference make what is considered involve- the middle of the road and incinerate
ment variable across Tribunals, but all Tribu- anyone who tries to take some, while
others believe that frank disclosure of
nals recognize the activities described in the
sections that follow as permissible acts.
Defense of Sodales ownership is required before magical
Note that to be acceptable, a magus’s ac- self-defense becomes appropriate.
tions must usually be proportionate to the Members of the Order are permitted
threat he faces. If a nobleman steals a keg of to do such things for a sodalis such that
beer from a wagon belonging to the cove- as any sensible sodalis would request that

39
 Lords of Men
they do, in that sodalis’s defense. If a magus opinion of the Order that when someone deliberate lies, demonic deception, faerie
is held prisoner, for example, it’s not a Her- declares all magi his enemy, he may be taken games, and the exaggerations of trouba-
metic crime to break him out. If a Redcap at his word. dours. Educated nobles may have low Order
is harmed, it is a duty to teach humility to of Hermes Lore scores, and those who have
his enemies. It is not a Hermetic crime to family members — either current or ances-
take children with The Gift, even though tral — associated with House Jerbiton may

How Much
they are technically not sodales and are of- know far more. Many nobles who know little
ten the serfs of lords. about the Order know someone they can ask
for greater detail, either a scholarly relative,

Defense of the Art Do Nobles an advisor from the church, or a hedge wiz-
ard.
The factual information nobles have var-

Members of the Order are permitted Know? ies, but almost all of them know that magi…

to treat as an enemy anyone who publicly • usually live in the wilderness

declares his intent to purge wizards from Most nobles know of magi, although the • are part of a larger group that forbids
an area. These declarations were relatively information they have is usually a mixture them from ruling lands distant from
common during the Schism War. It is the of folktale, fabrication, and fact. This is due where they live
to a jumble of Hermetic reputation-making, • are divided into families by the type of
magic they do

Story Seeds: • cannot teach their own children, or each

other’s children, but instead take misfits
Defense of Sodales Story Seed: as apprentices from the rest of society
Defense of the Art • are forbidden to take sides in wars, but
The characters, or NPC allies, steal
a child with The Gift from a monas- A group of hedge witches have an-
tery. The child’s father placed him there
certain that the pope would release the
gered a baron and he has declared they
are to be purged from the area. Hermet-
The Nature
child from his vows if his older broth- ic interests are likely to be disrupted in of the Plea
ers died on crusade, allowing him to the short term, although once the wise
become an heir to the father’s lands women have been cleared away the magi Most Tribunals have some way for
once more. The child has been taken may be able to collect vis from sites the noblemen to make known that they
as an apprentice, but has only a smat- witches once claimed. Do the magi sim- have a legal issue with the Order. The
tering of Magic Theory. Should he be ply wait out the purge, or do they want precise method varies from Tribunal to
returned when his older brothers do, to nip the idea of crushing magicians Tribunal, from a magic item that whisks
in fact, die, or is a Gifted child taken as quickly as possible? Is this sufficient glass bottles to a covenant’s safehouse,
from a life of mere nobility being given for the magi to convince a Tribunal that to an inn where retired redcaps live,
a matchless opportunity, regardless of they acted to defend the Art? to a formalized schedule of audiences
the wishes of his parents? In some Tri- A group of invaders believes the with local nobles. These facilities were
bunals, a magus’s children may inherit best way to pacify the land is to pay off almost always initially designed by
land, skipping over the magus as if he or kill all of its magicians. Does this sort some covenant but over time fell to the
had entered the Church after fathering of offer — which may be paraphrased as administration of the redcaps, House
the child, or been struck down by a dis- “Take our gold and shut up, or die!” — Guernicus, or House Jerbiton. The de-
abling malady. Could a rule such as this allow player character magi to defend gree of investigation that actually oc-
allow a compromise? the Art? How do the magi deal with curs into the matters noblemen bring
A Redcap has an affair with a mar- more distant covenants who feel that to the Order’s attention varies among
ried, female serf, who runs away with this is a very reasonable way of behav- Tribunals.
him and becomes his apprentice. When ing? Do the magi change their minds Note that pleas entered to the Or-
her lord comes to collect her, the Redcap when the invading nobleman complains der by noblemen are not considered
stabs him, although not fatally, claiming to the Tribunal that the magi are gath- “real” by most nobles or churchmen,
that his apprentice has as much right to ering an annual payment from him, but because the Order is not seen as a le-
protection as any Gifted member of the not his enemy? (The basis of his com- gitimate font of justice. The plea is, in-
Order. If the noble attacks the Redcap, plaint is that the current situation allows stead, treated rather like a complaint to
what should the player characters do? If his enemy to hire more mercenaries, a guildhall that a member has been us-
the woman demonstrates some magical and so the magi have effectively given ing false weights. Sometimes it works,
talent, like Direction Sense or Dows- preferential treatment to his enemy.) and it is worth a try, but there’s no one
ing, does this change the attitude of the Do the magi give the invader his money to complain to if it doesn’t work and
characters? What if she has a personal back, or opt instead to destroy some of there is no way to check whether the
vis source? the rival’s resources? investigation was carried out properly.

40
 Lords of Men

Magic Resistance
For Church Officers
and Sovereigns
The religious and secular leaders
listed below receive a Magic Resistance
score as listed here, and a Soak bonus
equal to Resistance / 5. Excommunica-
tion cancels these benefits (but only
if the excommunication is God’s will).
Those listed here also have a Penetra-
tion 0 Aura of Rightful Authority extending
to Voice Range.

Pope 25
Cardinal 20
Archbishop 10
King (once crowned) 10

• Wives gain Magic Resistance equal

to their husbands.
• Magic Resistance from relics is add-
ed to the above, but does not affect
Soak.

Demonstrating Harm
and act on just pleas strange and vivid.
An important part of the process
• live longer than normal people • Kings and senior churchmen have
of a plea is the demonstration of harm.
• sell magical items, including weapons some mystical protection from magical
Many Jerbiton magi, and some cov-
and methods of extending one’s lifespan influence.
enants from House Mercere, deliber-
• had a terrible war that destroyed much • Carrying relics provides some resistance
ately intertwine their financial affairs
of the countryside centuries ago, when to magical influence.
with those of a major city. Damage to
some of their number turned to Satan
its economy, caused by other magi, is
Many common misconceptions about
therefore a Hermetic crime. This role
Senior nobles of scholarly inclination members of the Order are spread by House
is not legally recognized by the Or-
know more: Jerbiton. These include:
der, but is informally recognized by its
members, particularly those interested
• Powerful Christian magi belong to the • All magi make people feel
in the enforcement of the Code.
Order of Hermes. uncomfortable.
• There are twelve Houses, each with a • All magi scare animals.
different style of magic. The Thirteenth • A mage loses most of his power if you
may fight in self-defense House was destroyed for paganism or take his staff away.
• are served by a caste of messengers who Satanism. • Silent magic is impossible.
wear red caps. • The names of prominent Houses in the • Magi wear robes with stars or mystical
• teach cruel lessons to those who harm local area are known to many nobles. symbols upon them, often blue.
their messengers (For example, a lot of Iberian nobles • Magi wear conical hats with brims, often
• humiliate and kill those who try to know that one of the Houses uses fire blue.
frame their enemies for harming their magic and is called Flambeau.) • Magi were given their role by a
messengers • The name and approximate boundary prominent historical figure like King
• have animal companions with human of the local Tribunal in which the noble Arthur, Charlemagne, or Constantine.
intelligence lives.
• grow strange trees they harvest for • The Order is democratic. Nobles who interact with magi, particu-
power • The Order has laws that are enforced by larly those from Houses other than Jerbiton,
• hunt magical animals and faeries its members. are more likely to realize that these are mis-
• leave places in response to complaints, • Magi usually live in places that feel conceptions.

41
 Lords of Men

Why Don’t fectly tailored instrument for the preserva-

tion of that underlying order.
Each of the following sections details one
of the forces that could have shaped Mythic
Europe for these reasons, and troupes may
Magi Break Lucky Coincidence
mix these influences as suits the stories they
wish to tell.

Mythic In some sagas, the similarity of Mythic God Has A Plan

European Europe to historical Europe is simply coinci-
dence. These sagas assume that the course of The will of God is difficult to success-

Feudalism?
history has been roughly as described by real fully describe for Mythic Europeans. Some
historians up until 1220. During the saga, the saints, supported by miracles, believe that
player characters may accidentally or delib- the poor should be succored at the expense
erately instigate a clash between the Order of the rich and that peace is desirable in all
Mythic Europe’s political and economic and one of the other estates. Alternatively, circumstances. These gentle souls may be
systems are fragile when they interact with they may need to react when other charac- contrasted with the many churchmen who
magicians. Despite obvious ways for magi ters engineer a confrontation. suggest that good kings are instruments of
to revolutionize Europe, the Order is largely the Divine will, and even wicked kings de-
peripheral to Mythic European society, to serve their due by customary law, because
the extent that Mythic Europe appears vir-
tually identical to historical Europe. One of
A Conspiracy of Realms they are the scourges of God.
Many Hermetic magi have personal
your tasks, as a player or storyguide in an beliefs concerning the will of God that op-
Ars Magica saga, is to explain or ignore this In a campaign with hidden forces, the pose meddling in mundane affairs. It is clear
feature of the setting. Troupes should discuss similarities between historical and Mythic to them, from simple observation, that God
their approach to the impact of magi on so- Europe are superficial. Mythic Europe’s does not favor the casting of magic in large
ciety when designing their sagas, selecting economy and kingdoms have their structure cities, or at the sites of certain holy events,
an approach that suits the stories they wish because an underlying force, or series of because the Dominion suppresses magic in
to tell. Different options are discussed and contesting forces, have shaped them. These these places. Similarly, the relics of saints
explored in the sections that follow. forces defend the status quo, either by coax- provide Magic Resistance. But at the same
ing events gently toward a perpetuation of time, God does not regularly strike down
current structures, or by making examples of magi with angelic visitations, overt miracles,
Ignore It those who transgress. or crowds of the Divinely inspired. These
manifestation of Divine will are more fre-
quently deployed against diabolists and the
Ignoring the elements of the setting that worshipers of the pagan gods.
don’t seamlessly cohere between Mythic and Story Seed: Such magi note that the Divine seems to
historical Europe is the simplest solution,
and the one suggested for most troupes. Sus-
Judgment prefer the Order to do much as it does. But
even so, the parameters of the Divine’s plan
pension of disbelief is required for the en- for the Order are unclear. Thus, many magi
Over the centuries, a few cov-
joyment of virtually every other roleplaying are cautious when their affairs cross those of
enants have been destroyed by overt
game or piece of genre fiction. In most sagas, agents of the highest Realm, because they
acts of God. The Quaesitores examine
there are knights and castles and magi all are unsure what God will allow.
these sites, hoping to determine what
thrown together because the players enjoy
provoked the Divine. Generally they
mixing them, and even if it doesn’t make a
conclude that the destroyed magi were
lot of sense as a simulation of a functioning
diabolists. Many magi scoff at this con-
Mythic Europe is Made for Sin
world, that’s not what matters.
clusion, because God did not directly
intervene during the Corruption of The current social structure of Mythic
House Tytalus. They suggest that there Europe tempts the powerful. Europe’s mili-
The Code Works must be some other connecting thread, tary caste engages in indecisive wars, causing
great suffering. Noblemen believe, falsely,
some other forbidden secret that these
as Intended magi dared to explore. If a covenant in that they can reduce this suffering by hav-
ing larger armies so they can conduct shorter
the characters’ Tribunal is destroyed in a
way that is clearly a Divine judgement, and more successful wars. This tempts them
Players may not be clear why, exactly, do they investigate? How does this af- further, to levy unjust taxes and commit
but in some sagas the magi who wrote the fect the political factions of the Tribu- atrocities, to speed the conduct of the war.
Code simply understood Mythic Europe nal? Can a vast, destructive miracle be Powerful demons would oppose any charac-
better than they do. The Code works. If this faked? Who would do such a thing? ter who tried to reform the social system of
seems implausible, it’s because players don’t How many covenants have fallen, over Europe, if in doing so these reformers allevi-
understand the underlying structure of the the centuries, to such malefactors? ated the suffering of the poor, or removed
Mythic European world. The Code is a per- the militant ruling caste.

42
 Lords of Men
the course of European civilization, faeries
Story Seed: Rival nevertheless slow social change in Mythic Story Seed: The
Europe in thousands of little interactions ev-
Demon Factions ery day, reinforcing social boundaries. Counterfeit Lordling
Some magi conjecture that in the depths
Many magi think that an easy way of Arcadia, beyond even the deep realms that A powerful faerie is the ancestor
to create wealth is to manipulate the great magical voyagers have struggled to reach, spirit to the family of noblemen with
harvests of the towns under their con- there are powerful faeries that no longer need rights over a nearby village. When the
trol. This strategy is simple and can be to manifest themselves. These ancient beings, family dies out, it kidnaps a child and,
pursued inconspicuously if spells with and their narratives, are soothed and fed by the dressing it in the clothes of an infant of
long Ranges or broad Targets are used. daily cycles of everyday life. Some magi cau- the family killed by bandits, deposits in
In this story seed, a covenant that cre- tion that if the way people in Mythic Europe on the doorstep of the town’s church.
ates bountiful crops angers famine de- live is radically transformed, these creatures The characters may be able to prove
mons, who flock from across the coun- will be required to come to Earth, to redefine the child is false. This would please
try to assault the covenant’s servants and replenish themselves. the group of merchants hoping that
and supplies. The characters are aided the end of the line will allow the land
by a mysterious figure, which they later to revert to the king, who can be paid
discover to be a demon of avarice. He Magi Helped Design Feudalism for charter rights. This would make the
is hoping that the small town, made village a proper town, with indepen-
wealthy, will develop a strong merchant Feudalism may exist in part because magi dence from local nobles, and the right
class where he can more easily claim find it a convenient way to hobble the power to elect a council for a government. The
souls that suit his personal preference. of the nobility. Feudalism distributes power, young lord’s interests will, however, be
diluting it into antagonistic blocs. This makes defended by the faerie lord and his ser-
it easy for magi to inconspicuously favor one vants, who take the shapes of ancestral
Faeries Inadvertently side in mundane affairs. For example, a series ghosts.
Defend the Status Quo of bountiful harvests that allow a particular
warlord to hire mercenaries and attack his ri-
Fairies force humans to play out stories, val may allow magi to assassinate one of their
but lack the creativity to design new tales. enemies without any crime, sin, or evidence.
This means that faeries are effectively res- Perpetually impoverished and dedicated to
ervoirs for conservative social roles. So, al- petty feuds of honor, the nobility of Mythic
though it is unlikely that great faeries would Europe are easy prey and willing dupes for
rise up to combat magi who interfere with clever magi.

43
 Chapter Five

Leisure
The lives of the nobility are busy and
their obligations many, yet like everybody
else they pursue leisure activities. Having the
wealth and opportunity to pursue expensive
hobbies and interests, they do so, becoming
dedicated to lavish entertainments and sports
suitable to their standing. While many noble
leisure activities are shared with all orders of
society, hunting, hawking, and tournaments
are all primarily noble sports and are there-
fore given more a detailed description in this
chapter, as are the feasts that provide enter-
tainment in noble households.
Children play as children always
play, exploring their locality, fighting and
brawling, and playing with wooden toys or
a ball. Noble boys are, of course, expected
to show leadership, to play with wooden
swords and the ever-popular hobby horse,
and to emulate their elders’ martial prow-
ess. Some children die and are injured in
such games, and while infant mortality is
high parents are still distraught and horri-
fied by such tragedies, and fret over their
infants’ safety. Noble children play with the
other household children indiscriminately.
Popular children’s games often involve imi-
tating adult pursuits, playing at celebrating
Mass, or holding mock scholarly debates.
Some games, like hoodman’s bluff (blind
man’s bluff), skipping, whipping tops, see-
saws, chase, and walking on stilts, are al- to speak parrot-fashion. Noble ladies favor any stone wall, with players taking turns
most entirely children’s activities. tiny lap dogs, which clearly are not work- to strike the ball so it ricochets back, and
ing animals, hence demonstrating their bittle-battle involves a stick with a head
ability to spend on frivolities and thus being used to strike a ball, sometimes to
Pets their high status. As with all noble life,
conspicuous consumption rather than fru-
try to knock it in to a hole. There is also
stoolball, in which ladies sitting on milk-
gality is to be admired. ing stools try to avoid being struck by a
From childhood onwards the keeping ball bowled or kicked by men. Shuttle-
of animals as pets is common. People love cocks are used in racket games, which are
animals, and while most beasts kept are for
food or as working animals, all classes of
Outdoor Pursuits very popular.
Throwing stones for distance or accuracy
society, even monks and nuns, keep pets. forms the basis of many games, and weight-
These range from the ubiquitous dogs to Many adults pass leisure time in a vari- lifting and contests of strength are common.
animals such as caged songbirds, monkeys, ety of sports. Ball games featuring a leath- Mob football or camp-ball is played between
squirrels, and magpies. The latter can er ball are popular, and some use bats or entire villages. In the wintertime ice skating
mimic human voices and are often trained heavy gloves. Handball is played against on bone skates is very popular in northern

44
 Lords of Men
climes, though tragedies often occur when
the ice breaks. Skaters propel themselves
with two wooden poles, and ”jousting” with
Some Unusual Pets
these skate poles on a frozen river is a popu- Some medieval pets seem unusual to Size: –3
lar pursuit. Every so often — as with ice skat- a modern reader, but were widely kept Qualities: Crafty, Defensive Fighter,
ing — the ice breaks and some poor unfor- even by monks and nuns. Game statistics Skilled Climber, Timid
tunate drowns, but this seems to do little to are given for some of these animals here. +3 to all climb rolls.
deter the practice. Just as common are ball These animals may be trained by their Personality Traits: Mischievous +2
games played on the ice, and the ever popu- owners. The animals’ Qualities are de- Combat:
lar snowball fight. scribed here in terms of the rules given in Bite: Init +3, Attack +9, Defense +8, Dam-
Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults, page 40 but age –5
necessary skill modifiers are summarized Dodge: Init +3, Attack n/a, Defense +8,
Board Games here for ease of reference. These statistics
are for mundane versions of these animals,
Damage n/a
Soak: 0
but may be used as templates for Magical Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Uncon-
More cerebral games are also played. Animal Companions. scious
Chess is a common game, prized for its sup- Wound Penalties: –1 (1–2), –3 (3–4), –5
posed ability to teach military tactics and (5–6), Incapacitated (7–8), Dead (9+)
strategy. There are many variants of the rules Magpie Abilities: Athletics 3 (climbing), Aware-
of chess, and a large number of players em- ness 4 (food), Brawl 4 (dodge), Stealth
ploy dice either to decide what pieces can be Characteristics: Cun 0, Per +2, Pre –2, Com 4 (hiding), Survival 3 (foraging)
moved, or to decide how far certain pieces +1, Str –8, Sta 0, Dex +3, Qik +5
are moved. Merels, or nine man’s morris, is Size: –4
widely played, as is fox and geese, a board Qualities: Crafty, Mimicry, Timid, Vocal Squirrel
game that also has links to one of the most Personality Traits: Mischievous +2
popular board games of all, tafl. Tafl exists Combat: Characteristics: Cun +1, Per 0, Pre –3, Com
in many variants, and involves two unequally Bite: Init +4, Attack +9, Defense +9, Dam- –5, Str –12, Sta +1, Dex +3, Qik +5
matched sets of pieces, with one as defender age –7 Size: –7
and one as attacker, played on a cross-shaped Dodge: Init +4, Attack n/a, Defense +9, Qualities: Crafty, Defensive Fighter,
board of squares. The defender attempts, as Damage n/a Skilled Climber, Timid
in chess, to protect his king, and the attacker Soak: 0 +3 to all climb rolls.
to take it. Only in the last hundred years has Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Uncon- Virtues & Flaws: Lightning Reflexes
chess begun to supplant tafl as the favored scious Personality Traits: Timid +3, Acquisitive
noble strategy game, but both are still played Wound Penalties: –1 (1), –3 (2), –5 (3), +2, Inquisitive +1
extensively. Related is the Celtic fidchell or Incapacitated (4), Dead (5+) Combat:
wood-sense, another game of protect-the- Abilities: Athletics 3 (flying), Awareness 4 Dodge: Init +5, Attack n/a, Defense +10,
king, in this case played on a seven-by-seven (predators), Brawl 4 (dodge), Music 3 Damage n/a
grid of squares. Vying with these games for (mimicry), Stealth 4 (hiding), Survival Soak: +1
popularity are the many variants of tables, 3 (foraging) Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Uncon-
which resemble backgammon. The academi- scious
cally inclined play rithmomachia, the philos- Wound Penalties: –1 (1), –3 (2), –5 (3),
opher’s game, another popular board game Monkey Incapacitated (4), Dead (5+)
of the period. Abilities: Athletics 3 (climbing), Aware-
Board games are played by all classes, Characteristics: Cun +2, Per 0, Pre –3, Com ness 4 (food), Brawl 4 (dodge), Stealth
but skill at them is most important to a noble –3, Str –6, Sta 0, Dex +2, Qik +3 4 (hiding), Survival 3 (foraging)
who thereby demonstrates his understand-
ing of the arts of war, and may gain respect
for his ability. Playing well is a social grace, hazard can be found in Tales of Mythic Europe, tests or the Virtue Luck to change one die to
and while the Carouse Ability may allow a The Ship of Desire. Raffle is even simpler, as the desired result! Even without dice at hand,
win, Etiquette is needed as well to impress three dice are thrown and the highest total, Mythic Europeans played “heads or tails” (or,
one’s opponent in what is, after all, a pursuit or the highest matching numbers on two or rather, “cross or piles,” for the designs on the
of polite company. three dice, wins. In “pair with an ace,” three coins).
dice are thrown in turn by each player, and People gamble on almost anything to
the first to roll a matching pair and a one relieve boredom, from races between people
Gambling wins. These are the simplest dice games,
with dozens more known, many with much
or animals, to the weather, to the outcome of
contests of skill. Games of chance are based
more complex rules. It is simple — if six-sid- upon the Ability Carouse, games of skill
Gambling is common in Mythic Europe. ed dice are available — for Ars Magica play- upon the Ability Concentration.
Though playing cards are as yet unknown, ers to play several authentic medieval games,
many dice games are popular. The rules for and allow those with successful Legerdemain

45
 Lords of Men

Story Seed: A Game of Chance? Story Seed: The

Chess Partners Dice are commonly made from New Dance
bones or wood, or even fired clay, and
A great noble has two great pas- are by their manufacture not perfectly A visiting noble lady introduces
sions: chess, and war, in that order. even. As a result, any given die may be a new dance to the court, and causes
As a dynastic struggle threatens the subtly weighted so that even an honest a sensation. The dance involves leap-
kingdom, the noble’s decision whether player can observe the pattern and use ing, pirouetting, and performing spi-
to rebel against the king or to remain Perception + Carouse Ability to gain rals in a chain of dancers, and is very
loyal may well determine the future of an advantage over an unskilled player. hard to get right, but when it is finally
the realm. This noble is well-known to The Virtue Luck also directly provides achieved everyone present is con-
spend much time playing chess against a bonus to die rolls, and the skill Leger- sumed with mirth and great excite-
a scholar, one Octavian of Tremere. Is demain allows for the manipulation of ment. But later that night, a number
Octavian breaking the Code of Hermes the dice, and cheating. Many a brawl of the dancers slip off to adulterous li-
by simply playing board games and has broken out when someone, espe- aisons, while others act lewdly and in-
teaching chess to the noble? Can any- cially a stranger, seems to be winning appropriately in polite company. The
one find an answer to the Coeris Gam- rather more than his share, and allega- chaplain is horrified, and entertains
bit, the move he prides himself on, and tions of cheating follow. Problems with the whispered claims of the guilty
break his influence over the noble be- dice manufacture are well understood, that the dance bewitched them. What
fore it is too late? and crooked dice are warned against is the secret of the dance, and is the
in many of the books on gaming of the lady involved in some intrigue against
period. the household?
Good Drink, Song,
and Dance with hopping and stamping, to a genre of common, and a host who does not put on
music of the same name performed by jon- a feast for a guest will soon gain a Reputa-
Where there is gambling there is drink- gleurs in France. Another innovative dance tion for being inhospitable. It is also custom-
ing, and vice versa. A gallon of ale is pur- originates from Naples: the salterello, a new ary in many manors for the lord to provide
chased by a group of men in the village from dance that involves great leaping steps and a public feast on certain holidays or special
one of the many ale-wives, and the men jumps, and which is very much — like es- occasions.
drink themselves inebriated while gambling, tampie — a courtly fashion. The estampie is
telling stories, and sharing their news. The the first-known purely instrumental dance,
noble has rather better alcohol in the form whereas with carols it is normal for the danc- Preparing the Feast
of wine and mead, but is excluded by his sta- ers and musicians to all sing along. Prowess
tus from the rough company of the ale-wife’s in dancing is a source of considerable pride The noble feast is prepared as any other
house. Instead, he expects to be entertained and favorable Reputations. While knowl- meal is, in the kitchen and bakehouse, which
by his household staff playing music, sing- edge of the steps of any given court dance is are usually detached structures built outside
ing, or telling stories. Alternately, a traveling based upon Etiquette (local folk dances fall the hall to lessen the ever-present risk of fire.
jongleur might be hired to play. Many castle under Area Lore), a successful performance The kitchen often possesses cellars for the
halls have a gallery where minstrels and play- depends upon the Ability Athletics. purpose of storing hanging meat. Cooking
ers stand to perform for the assembled guests is performed on spits over an open fire, the
and host. Performance is covered in detail in spit turned by a small boy shielded from the
Art & Academe, Chapter Eight.
With music and singing comes dancing.
The Feast heat by a screen of wet rushes. A metal drip-
ping tray is placed below the meat to catch
The most popular form of dance is the carol, the fats and juices, and it is not uncommon
a joyful form of energetic dance performed Good food is always appreciated, and for several large fires to be kept each with its
in a circle with linked hands, as a line dance, with many who can lay claim to a lord’s own spit laden with cooking game and poul-
or in a processional of couples with linked hospitality, the feast was a frequent feature try. Stone ovens are heated by fires lit within
hands. The leader, usually the musician, of noble life. Although peasants often hold within them, and then, when the flames
stands in the center and calls out actions that communal feasts like picnics in the village to have burned down to embers, the ovens are
the dancers perform. Carols were occasion- mark holidays and important occasions like swept clean and are used for baking, with
ally condemned by the Church for inap- marriages, with much drinking, dancing, and bread, pies, and pastries placed inside and
propriate bodily contact, but are extremely lewd behavior, the noble feast stands apart as allowed to cook as the oven cools. Adjust-
popular, and dance remains a common oc- a particularly special event. able cranes (a curved pole or metal rod) sup-
currence at religious festivities and even in While all meals in noble households are port cauldrons dangling over fires, in which
church services. Some carols had names, the taken communally in the hall, feasts are spe- sauces, stews, and boiled foods are prepared,
ductia and rondeau being particular forms cial occasions when a celebration is put on to the temperature being adjusted by raising or
of carol common in France. Another joyous entertain guests or mark a holiday. But while lowering the cauldron. The kitchen staff car-
and noisy dance is the estampie, performed they are special events, feasts are also very ries wood-handled metal ripping forks called

46
 Lords of Men

Story Seed: Rats Story Seed: Story Seed: The

in the Kitchens Damsel’s Tresses Silent Damsel
One fine morning, on the Feast A particularly rare and exotic spice On a dark winter’s night a myste-
of St. John, the whole household is in is damsel’s tresses, a golden plant of un- rious lady arrives at the court with a
great excitement. The noble’s liege has known origin. With an important feast very small escort and claims hospital-
accepted an invitation to stay, and a due soon a knight has stumbled upon ity. Young, noble in demeanor, and
huge feast of exquisite finery has been the source of the plant, growing like beautiful, she refuses to speak. Her
promised to impress the lord, as a very mistletoe on an ancient oak on the man- escort explains she is vowed to silence
delicate situation has arisen and his full or. Delighted, the noble has ordered it by a solemn oath until what troubles
support is required. But soon after break- be harvested and brought back to adorn her is resolved, but will not say, or do
fast a shout goes up — every member the main dish, honey-glazed pig, to not know, what troubles her. None will
of the kitchen staff has vanished, and a render a delicious dish truly succulent. speak of her rank or dignity, and with
plague of rats has mysteriously appeared Who are the strange scholars who seem several important guests present, the
in the manor. Can the vermin be dealt so upset by the harvesting, and why do household is troubled by the question
with, and untrained characters manage they seem to believe eating the spice of where she should be seated given
to somehow cook such a huge meal in may have unfortunate effects? that her birth is unknown. And why
time? Plenty of womenfolk from the does the elderly nurse, a woman with
manor know how to cook, but none has a deep knowledge of the family history
the skills to produce a noble feast. Why and large quantities of bread, eggs, and dairy that reaches back generations, seem so
has disaster fallen today, and where are produce. worried by the visitor?
the kitchen folk? While cooks frequently mix sweet and
savory flavors in the same dish, the general
pattern of food service places sweet dishes Dancing and other entertainments take place
flesh hooks for tasting the stew and check- last, as dessert. A simple meal as served in in the central area, while at the top end of
ing if the meat is properly cooked. Work in the hall might open with pork brawn, served the hall a table is placed for the lord, his
a kitchen is extremely hot. Smoke and fumes with bread and butter, before proceeding family, and important guests. The top table
exit through a louver of latticed boards set to salt bacon served with peas pottage, and is headed by a chair where the lord himself
into the roof. Once ready, the food is placed then stewed mutton, boiled chickens, and sits, with guests sitting closer to or further
in bowls of red or gray earthenware that roast pork, all served with seasonal produce. from him in order of precedence. Most are
is finished with a greenish lead glaze and The next course would consist of mortrewes, seated on benches, but important guests are
sometimes decorated with simple patterns which is a thick-ground meat or fish soup, sometimes seated on wooden stools. Placing
and carried to the hall to be served. With served alongside a meat pie of birds or rab- someone in too low a position can be seen as
some castles having a staff of up to three bit, and perhaps some roast pork. Finally, an insult, so Etiquette is used to decide the
hundred servants, officials, and others with sweet dessert dishes would be served, with correct seating. The ladies eat with the men,
the customary right to take certain meals in baked apples and pears in pies, and cheese and everyone on a table shares similar dishes,
the lord’s hall, the kitchens are continuously and spiced cakes washed down with mead. with the top table having the very best food.
busy and the cooks are extremely important Plainer food was served to the staff and The top table is laid with a white tablecloth,
members of the household. less-important guests, but was still offered in with guests bringing their own eating knives
large quantities. Other foods one might ex- and napkins. The food is served from bowls
pect to grace a noble’s table include game, be onto trenchers of flat, stale bread, which serve
The Noble Diet it boar or venison; doves from the cote; figs, as plates, often with two guests to one tren-
olives, and oranges where available; small cher. Spoons may be used, and forks, though
Meat and fish served at feasts has usu- songbirds and larger fowl such as goose, the latter are used mainly for serving rather
ally been preserved by smoking, pickling, or duck, and peacock; and dishes of pickles or than eating. A servant moves around with
salting, though par-boiling removes much of preserves served with bread. The finest, near- bowls of warm water and cloths for washing
the salt before cooking in the case of roasts. white wheat bread was served at the lord’s and drying hands throughout the meal, with
Spices can be extremely expensive, especial- table, with those lower down the social or- fresh warm water brought for each course.
ly if imported over long distances, but are der eating inferior bread made from barley Each table has its own dish of salt, with the
used for their flavoring. However, because of or rye. finest salt on the top table, and coarser salt
the great price, they are used in small quan- lower down. Salt degrades as guests dip their
tities and so much of the food tastes quite food in it, even though proper etiquette sug-
bland. No root vegetables are eaten, and it is Seating the Guests, gests they should avoid this practice and in-
considered unhealthy to eat fruit raw. (Fruit and Good Manners stead sprinkle salt onto their plates to season
is, however, often served stewed or in pre- their food.
serves.) Even so, the noble household can Within the hall itself, benches against ei- Etiquette is gaining in popularity, with
draw upon a varied range of foodstuffs, all ther wall have trestles set up in front of them, good table manners being a mark of noble
prepared with seasonal berries, vegetables, so the staff sit with their backs to the walls. birth. Polite conversation, gracious remarks

47
 Lords of Men

Story Seed:
traditionally invited by right to dine in their
lord’s hall. Such largesse was not, however,
without its price, for many holdings require
The Hunt
Village Politics a fee — a chicken, several eggs, or greater Hunting is an activity common to nobles
amounts in line with the peasants’ wealth — across Mythic Europe. Whereas the Church
Each Christmas time it is traditional to be given for the lord’s festivities, whether is often opposed to tournaments, hunting is
for six leading tenants and six of the or not a reciprocal invitation to dine is ex- seen as a vigorous and manly exercise befit-
poorest tenants, plus the freemen of tended. Likewise, lords are often required ting a knight, and it is an expected leisure
the manor, to gather in the lord’s hall to pay annual fees in the form of food and pursuit of all males of noble birth, also par-
for a lavish feast, with as much good ale animals to their lieges to support their own ticipated in by many ladies. It serves three
as they can drink. This year, however, feasts, and certain feasts, such as those that purposes. First, it is considered a thrilling
resentment and village politics threaten mark a noble wedding, are also occasions for and enjoyable pursuit in its own right, oc-
to boil over. Several squabbles break special taxation. cupying energies that might otherwise be
out, becoming more and more heated spent on more sinful pursuits. Second, it is
as calls are made for justice and a brawl a martial pursuit, and those well trained in
seems about to break out. Normally The Host the tactics and skills needed for hunting can
the lord would quickly deal with such employ those skills in time of war, so it is a
foolishness, but earlier in the day, news A feast can be a rowdy and exciting oc- form of training for the knight’s primary role.
arrived that a gang of outlaws had ran- casion, or a simple and dignified one, de- Finally, there is a purely pragmatic benefit,
sacked the church and made off with pending on the desires of the host. While in that the prey is taken home for the larder,
the altar plate, and most of the fighting guests may bring gifts, the host dictates the and hunting therefore serves an important
men have set off with the lord in pur- customs, and in some instances chooses a role in the noble diet and in providing for
suit. Can the ladies of the court manage theme, for the feast; very popular at the the household.
to achieve peace, when so many of the moment in England are Arthurian-themed The lower orders also engage in hunting,
servants are related to the disputants, or feasts. albeit outside of the chases, warrens, and for-
will the feast end in a fight? The standard of hospitality offered is ex- ests where hunting rights are reserved. Game
tremely important. To offer poor hospitality elsewhere may be freely taken by anyone
to a visiting liege or peer is to offer a grave with the ability to do so. (A chase or warren
about the host, and restraint in eating are al- insult, though most understand difficult cir- is a Minor Surroundings Boon; see Covenants,
ways appreciated, and gluttons and the crass cumstances. Feasting is known to be a con- page 23.) In any area where hunting rights
are noted for their base behavior. At the siderable expense, and lieges are warned not are not protected (as they will be increas-
lower tables, less emphasis is placed on man- to demand hospitality too often from their ingly in a century if your saga follows mun-
ners, and good cheer and companionship as vassals, lest they bankrupt them with the dane history) peasants hunt and trap game
reflected in the Ability Carouse are more im- costs of entertainment. On the other hand, with impunity. In some areas, like the Pyre-
portant than gracious manners governed by the kings of England employ this require- nees or the forests of Germany, villages have
the Ability Etiquette. ment of hospitality as a method of restricting specialist huntsmen who use bows, nets, and
their vassals’ power. By arriving and request- snares to catch prey and sell the game on
ing hospitality, they can both impoverish a the open market. However, within the An-
Time to Eat potentially rebellious baron (thereby dimin- gevin domains and France it is customary for
ishing his power), and also keep an eye on feudal grants of exclusive hunting rights to
Feasts are an exception to the usual meal things in their subordinate’s manor firsthand. be made, and large parts of the countryside
pattern. In most noble households breakfast But even though the costs can be large, feasts are designated as warrens or chases, places
is taken soon after dawn, with dinner served are joyful occasions, and a good host who where hunting is forbidden to all but the
at some point between the hours of nine and puts on a lavish feast will soon gain a Repu- noble (or clergyman) who holds the right.
eleven in the morning, although in warm tation for hospitality and generosity, and for Given the economic importance of hunting,
climes it comes later, towards noon. Supper feasts that are exceptional in food, entertain- this is a minor source of income, and given
is usually served at six in the evening. A feast ment, and gifts, even a Gratitude point. the extremely high status attached to noble
generally takes place in the very late hours To keep a well-stocked larder and en- hunting, especially hunting with hounds,
of the night, with noble households often sure a well-provisioned pantry requires a grant of lands as a warren or chase is ex-
sitting down long after the sun has set, and considerable expenditure, as well as pur- tremely prestigious, and fiercely protected
eating and drinking until the early hours. chases from distant markets. The feast is with vicious gamekeepers and, against noble
With multiple courses and entertainers per- an example of the conspicuous consump- trespassers, lawsuits. Most protected of all
forming throughout, the feast takes many tion that marks a noble and characterizes were the forests, areas where hunting rights
hours to conclude, and it is not uncommon his lifestyle, and gifts from liege lords and were held by the king. The designation of
for guests to fall asleep or succumb to drink grants of food are needed to allow such forests in England (where a third of the na-
and be placed on the hall floor. A few feasts lavish entertaining. Fortunately, the pro- tion was designated as forest during the reign
break this pattern, mainly those held on re- duce of one of the great noble sports is di- of King John) have become a major political
ligious holidays like Christmas and Easter. rectly consumed on the noble’s table; that issue. It is worth noting that a “forest” is not
These feasts are held in the daytime, often is, hunting does much to ensure a well- necessarily a wooded area, but rather a term
with a number of tenants and even villeins stocked larder for entertaining. designating a hunting reserve. The Royal

48
 Lords of Men

Forest of Dartmoor in England, for example, the sport. Similarly, only the healthiest and employed in hawking.
is comprised of moorland. finest specimens of prey are sought after, as Before considering how a hunt pro-
Wherever there are forests there are there is no status or sport in hunting a beast ceeds, one must be familiar with the role
also usually poachers. Just as noble hunting unable to provide anything less than a seri- and characteristics of the hounds them-
is a high-status occupation, the poacher — ous challenge. Old, sick, or lame animals selves. All hunting dogs are highly trained,
who apes and deprives his betters of their might be hunted by clergymen or ladies, but requiring many seasons of work to teach
rights — is a high-status criminal, and armed for anyone else to pursue them results in a them their specialist duties. This is the
gangs of even clerical and noble poachers poor Reputation and a loss of respect from work of a commoner called a master of
participate in this lucrative and illegal pas- one’s peers. kennels, a skilled professional who holds
time, a significant insult to the landholder’s Noble hunting falls into two main types, a high-status position within the noble
prerogatives, and therefore fiercely punished which are similar across Mythic Europe: household, but there is no shame — and
whenever practical. Holding hunting rights hunting with hounds, and bow and stable indeed there is some respect and status
is therefore not only a privilege and sign of hunting. (represented by Reputation)—for the no-
status, it can also require expenditure and ef- ble who participates directly in training his
fort to protect the right and to maintain it. own pack of hounds.
The association of snares, nets, and traps
with poaching and with commoners’ hunting
Varieties of Hunting Lymers, heavy-jowled beasts related
to the modern bloodhound, are dogs bred
makes all nobles decry such practices as con-
temptible, and such pragmatic approaches
Hounds for their sense of scent and ability to move
quietly while tracking prey. From an early
to taking game are considered to be a sign age they are taught to remain silent, and to
of low birth, and crass in the extreme. For Hunting is a prestige sport that requires suppress yaps or barks while following an
the nobility hunting is a sport, and is played the upkeep of specialist kennels, trained dog almost imperceptible trail. Running dogs
by rules and strict procedures governed by handlers, and considerable expenditure. The are the animals that actually pursue the
a well-established hunting etiquette, even if breeding, care, and acquisition of hounds are prey, and work in pairs, trained to move to-
the taking of game is ultimately for practi- a noble preoccupation and source of con- gether and fight as a team with other pairs
cal reasons, that is, for the kitchen. Noble versation, even if much of the work is con- when the prey is finally cornered, exhaust-
hunters do accept supernatural aid as be- ducted by paid professionals attached to the ed. Like lymers they require a good sense
ing within the “rules of the game,” and fre- household of the noble. of smell to follow the trail of the prey, but
quently seek out charms, amulets, or prayers The types of dogs found in noble house- they lack the lymers’ stealth and restraint.
to bring success. Nobles are highly likely to holds show considerable variation in breed Many running dogs resemble modern fox-
seek such aid from any magician they are and characteristics, but can be classified into hounds and come in many colors. By far
aware of in the vicinity. Spells that cause the main groups differentiated by the role for the best breed is the St. Hubert, from the
prey to simply fall over dead, or otherwise which they are bred. The main classes are Swiss monastery of that name where the
fail to provide a challenging pursuit, are, lymers, running dogs, greyhounds, alaunts, abbot breeds these superb hounds, which,
however, regarded as a breach of etiquette as mastiffs, harriers, and bird dogs. The first while slow, have unrivaled noses for prey.
serious as the employment of nets or traps, four are used when hunting with hounds, Greyhounds, the best examples of which
and bring about nothing but embarrassment whereas harriers have a role in bow and hail from Scotland, are used to catch and
and hostility when employed, for they ruin stable hunting, and bird dogs are primarily bring down the prey, but are expensive and

49
 Lords of Men

Hunting Dogs
The hunting dog statistics presented Grapple: Init +0, Attack +5, Defense +5, The Pack leader has Com –3, Leadership
here are based upon the rules in Houses of Damage special (see ArM5, page 174) 5.
Hermes: Mystery Cults, page 38, but can be Soak: +1 Personality Traits: Cooperative +3, Loyal
used fully without that book. Fatigue Levels: OK, 0,–1, –1, –3, –5, Un- +3
conscious Combat:
Wound Penalties: –1 (1–4), –3 (5–8), –5 Bite: Init +4, Attack +7, Defense +9, Dam-
Lymer (9–12), Incapacitated (13–16), Dead age –3
(17+) Dodge: Init +4, Attack n/a, Defense +7,
Characteristics: Cun 0, Per +3, Pre –3, Com Abilities: Athletics 3 (running), Awareness Damage n/a
0, Str -4, Sta +1, Dex +2, Qik +2 3 (deer), Brawl 5 (bite), Hunt 4 (boar) Soak: +1
Size: –2 Fatigue Levels: OK, 0,–1, –1, –1, –3, –3,
Qualities: Domesticated, Keen Sense of –5, Unconscious
Smell, Pursuit Predator, Timid, Vocal Greyhound Wound Penalties: –1 (1–3), –3 (4–6), –5
(silent) (7–9), Incapacitated (10–12), Dead
+2 to all Hunt rolls. Characteristics: Cun 0, Per +1, Pre –2, Com (13+)
Personality Traits: Obedient +3, Placid –4, Str –4, Sta 0, Dex +1, Qik +5 Abilities: Athletics 3 (running), Awareness
+1 Size: –2 3 (deer), Brawl 3 (bite), Hunt 4 (deer)
Combat: Qualities: Domesticated, Fast Runner,
Bite: Init +2, Attack +9, Defense +7, Dam- Grappler, Keen Eyesight, Pursuit Pred-
age –3 ator Mastiff
Dodge: Init +2, Attack n/a, Defense +5, +3 to all running rolls, +3 to all sight rolls.
Damage n/a Personality Traits: Persistent +3 Characteristics: Cun +1, Per +1, Pre –4,
Soak: +1 Combat: Com –4, Str +1, Sta +2, Dex +1, Qik
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0,–1, –1, –3, –5, Un- Bite: Init +5, Attack +8, Defense +10, Dam- +1
conscious age –3 Size: –1
Wound Penalties: –1 (1–3), –3 (4–6), –5 Dodge: Init +5, Attack n/a, Defense +8, Confidence: 1 (3)
(7–9), Incapacitated (10–12), Dead Damage n/a Virtues & Flaws: Ferocity (defending own-
(13+) Grapple: Init +5, Attack +4, Defense +8, er)
Abilities: Athletics 3 (running), Awareness Damage special (see ArM5, page 174) Qualities: Aggressive, Domesticated,
4 (deer), Brawl 3 (bite), Hunt 4 (deer), Soak: 0 Keen Sense of Smell, Large Teeth
Stealth 4 (stalking) Fatigue Levels: OK, 0,–1, –1, –3, –5, Un- +3 to all rolls using scent, +2 to all Hunt
conscious rolls.
Wound Penalties: –1 (1–3), –3 (4–6), –5 Personality Traits: Loyal +3, Vicious +1
Alaunt (7–9), Incapacitated (10–12), Dead Combat:
(13+) Bite: Init +1, Attack +11, Defense +8, Dam-
Characteristics: Cun +1, Per +1, Pre –2, Abilities: Athletics 3 (running), Awareness age +4
Com –4, Str +2, Sta +1, Dex 0, Qik 0 3 (deer), Brawl 3 (bite), Hunt 4 (deer) Dodge: Init +1, Attack n/a, Defense +6,
Size: –1 Damage n/a
Confidence: 1 (3) Soak: +1
Virtues & Flaws: Ferocity (Boar) Running Dog Fatigue Levels: OK, 0,–1, –3, –5, Uncon-
Qualities: Aggressive, Domesticated, scious
Grapple, Keen Sense of Smell, Pursuit Characteristics: Cun 0, Per +3, Pre –2, Wound Penalties: –1 (1–4), –3 (5–8), –5
Predator Com –4, Str –4, Sta +1, Dex 0, Qik (9–12), Incapacitated (13–16), Dead
+2 to all Hunt rolls. +4 (17+)
Personality Traits: Aggressive +3 Size: –2 Abilities: Athletics 3 (running), Awareness
Combat: Qualities: Domesticated, Fast Runner, 3 (intruders), Brawl 5 (bite)
Bite: Init +0, Attack +9, Defense +7, Dam- Keen Sense of Smell, Pack Animal,
age +3 Pursuit Predator, Tireless
Dodge: Init +0, Attack n/a, Defense 0, Dam- +3 to all running rolls, +2 to all Hunt
age n/a rolls.

50
 Lords of Men
limited to Northern Europe. The Irish pro-
vide the shaggy-coated wolfhound, which
performs a similar role. The greyhound
Taming Creatures
has unparalleled speed, but a poor sense of Taming creatures is a seasonal activity. If he wishes, any character with the
scent, and must be unleashed within sight A character undertaking it accumulates Animal Handling Ability may spend ad-
of the prey or it will soon lose its quarry. a number of points each season towards ditional seasons with an already-tamed
Alaunts (Great Danes) are powerful animals taming a given animal equal to Intelligence creature to improve or transfer the loy-
that are generally brought forward for the + Animal Handling (no die). The taming alty of that creature. Each additional
final kill, held on leashes till the last stages is complete when the accumulated total of season of training increases the Loyal
of the chase. They are fighting animals, points exceeds a total equal to 1 + (2 x the Personality Trait by +1, to a maximum
fresh and ready for the dangerous task of creature’s Confidence Score). Points only of +3. A character can only improve
holding the quarry until the huntsmen can accumulate between consecutive seasons, the loyalty of an animal that is loyal to
administer the killing blow. The best are so if the character does something else him. Instead of increasing a creature’s
white with black patches, and because of for a season, accumulated point are lost. Loyal Personality Trait with a season
their vicious temperaments they are fre- Points for taming animals cannot be trans- of extra training, the trainer can choose
quently kept muzzled. Where greyhounds ferred between trainers. The tamer must to instead transfer the animal’s loyalty
or wolfhounds are not available, the low- be able to interact daily with the creature to another character, who must also be
er-status alaunt performs the same role. throughout the season. present for the season. The trainer may
Mastiffs are shaggy, powerful dogs, slower If the tamer can generate enough even transfer the loyalty of the animal to
than a greyhound but bred for viciousness points to tame a creature in a single sea- himself if he was not the character who
and strength, used when facing dangerous son he may split his point total among the originally tamed the animal.
prey such as boar or bear. Mastiffs can be taming of several creatures of the same Any character with the Animal Han-
formidable opponents even to a man. They species, but he cannot tame a number of dling Ability may train and therefore im-
are kept as guard dogs or to protect flocks, additional creatures in excess of his Ani- prove a tamed animal’s Abilities using the
are common throughout society, and are mal Handling Ability Score. standard training rules (see ArM5, page
sometimes employed in the hunt instead Once an animal is tamed characters 164). As normal, the master must have a
of more expensive greyhounds. Harriers with an Intelligence characteristic may greater score in the Ability than the ani-
are small dogs used to chase hares, and command it. The animal can be com- mal does.
employed in bow and stable hunting. Fi- manded by any such character with the Usually, an animal may only be trained
nally, bird dogs are trained for hawking. Animal Handling Ability, or by a character in Abilities that it already has a score in, as
The best come from Iberia, and they are to whom the animal is loyal (as described other Abilities are beyond its capacity, but
sometimes called espagnols or spaniels. in the next paragraph). the troupe may relax this restriction on a
Exceptional kennels may also use pairs Once a creature is tamed it acquires case-by-case basis, for example, to allow a
of leashed leopards, but this is very rare the Personality Trait (Loyal +0), directed horse to be taught to swim. At the end of
even in Mythic Europe and only the very towards the character who tamed it. If the any season spent training an Ability that
wealthiest can afford this extravagance. creature already had a Loyal Personality the animal does not already have a score
There are, of course, many other breeds Trait before it was tamed, it does not gain in, make a Loyalty test for the animal
of medieval dogs, from the lady’s lap dog a new Trait, but rather, the old Trait be- against an Ease Factor of 6. If this Loyalty
to exotic animals from Scandinavia or the comes focused towards the trainer and its test fails, then the animal does not gain
East, and a considerable trade exists, with level does not change. Sometimes, com- any training experience and the season is
animals being bred and imported from afar manding an animal calls for a Loyalty test, wasted. Loyalty tests are not required to
by ship. Any noble could be interested in and as this is a “social interaction,” penal- improve existing Abilities.
acquiring a high-status or unusual hound ties for The Gift apply.
for his kennels, and many regional variet-
ies exist of each of these hounds.
year as with a human. Every four years the from Iberia to Novgorod part of noble cul-
aging modifier increases by one. Kennels ture. While minor regional variations exist,
Hounds and Aging provide a positive Living Conditions modifi- the general format is known and accepted by
er, representing appropriate care, veterinary anyone with a score in the Ability Etiquette.
There is generally no need to keep track medicine, and good food and exercise. This,
of the births and deaths of individual hounds. however, requires a score in the Ability Pro-
However, in the case of favorite dogs, trained fession Master of Kennels. The Quest
animals, and other hounds important to the
saga it may be desirable to keep track of their A formal hunt begins an hour or so be-
individual age and health. Medieval hounds
can expect to live up to fourteen years, but
Hunting with Hounds fore dawn when the first glimmer of light
shows. The huntsmen set out in different
some exceptional animals may live longer. directions on foot with leashed lymers to
A dog begins to age at ten years, and Hunting with hounds is by far the most seek out suitable prey, in a process known
must make an Aging roll every season there- prestigious version of the sport, and is widely as the quest. The huntsmen will have gath-
after except in the spring, rather than every engaged in all across Mythic Europe, being ered the night before for a feast to discuss

51
 Lords of Men
The Relay The length of the chase varies, and it may
Story Seed: Poachers well last hours, but eventually tired hunters
After the assembly, the lymers are taken and exhausted horses and hounds run the
Recently, game has been diminish- back out — their role is now to ensure that prey to the ground, and the animal — deeply
ing in a noble’s forest. Last night two the quarry has not left the immediate vicin- fatigued and terrified — turns to face them.
gamekeepers were found dead, one ap- ity, and to act as spotters for the hunt. Now If fresh dogs, or the greyhounds and alaunts,
parently slain by a sword, the other’s the huntsmen (a role admirably performed are available they drag the beast down, but
skull crushed by a club or mace. Clearly, by grogs) take the running dogs, alaunts, the kill is performed not by the dogs but by
this is not the work of peasant poach- greyhounds, and mastiffs out to positions the hunters.
ers, and a person of some wealth was arranged in consultation between the noble Each round of the chase represents one
involved. Frightened villagers claim to hunters and the huntsmen. They are posi- hour of pursuit, and requires a Dexterity +
have heard the sound of hooves and tioned in pairs (called couples) or two-couples Ride stress roll against Ease Factor 6 to keep
armor, as if several men rode through (four dogs) on leashes in carefully selected in sight of the hounds. Many hunters fall be-
the woods at night, and whispers have positions based upon the predicted flight of hind, sometimes intentionally. The hounds
began to circulate of devils in the for- the prey. Area Lore is essential to understand lose one level of fatigue per round unless
est. Who is responsible, and can they be the lay of the land, and the Ability Hunting they can succeed in a simple roll of Stamina
brought to justice? to predict the pursued animal’s erratic path + Athletics against Ease Factor 12, as does
correctly. If positioned poorly, the main the prey. For every three rounds of hunting
pack of running dogs may corner the prey hunters must succeed in a simple Stamina +
and determine the nature of the hunt’s some miles from the specialist hounds used Ride roll against Ease Factor 9, or lose one
prey, and then stayed overnight as guests in the last stages of the kill, which may lead long term fatigue level.
of the host. The huntsmens’ job is to locate to the exhausted dogs being injured or killed As well as accumulating long term fa-
a suitable example of the chosen beast, in when the pursued animal is finally cornered. tigue, the hunters test to see whether they
perfect condition, that will give good sport. If the dogs are positioned well, fresh pairs are can catch the prey. Use the hounds’ Percep-
Huntsmen each make Perception + (the ly- available all along the route the animal takes, tion + Hunt Ability + stress die (using the
mer’s or huntsman’s Hunt Ability, which- to supplement the pack as tired dogs drop best total of any individual dog, if they dif-
ever is lower) rolls against Ease Factor 9, back, and the greyhounds and alaunts are fer) to generate their Pursuit Total. Match
to track an appropriate beast to its lair. positioned. The process of positioning these this against the prey’s Dexterity +Athletics
After locating potentially suitable prey the dogs is called the relay. + Terrain Bonus + stress die, representing its
huntsman does not approach, but instead Evasion Total. Remember to include all fa-
tests Presence + Animal Handling against tigue modifiers. Storyguides should also add
Ease Factor 9 to keep the lymer quiet. He The Finding events, encounters, and other challenges to
then circles the prey collecting droppings each round to represent the terrain that the
and examining marks. The huntsman makes Now the main pack of hounds and the chase is occurring through.
an Intelligence + Hunt roll against Ease noble hunters move off, riding to the quarry’s
Factor 9 to establish the quarry’s age and position as identified by the lymers. This is Pursuit Total: Hound’s Perception +
condition, and whether the beast is suit- a good chance for the nobles to gossip and hound’s Hunt + stress die – lowest Fatigue
able, and then returns swiftly to be back in swap stories of former hunts, display their penalty among the hounds
time for the hunt breakfast. manners and fine hunting knowledge. vs.
Evasion Total: Prey’s Dexterity +
Athletics + Terrain Bonus (starts at
The Assembly The Chase 6) + stress die – Fatigue penalty

When the huntsmen return the guests As the animal hears the hunters ap- If the Evasion Total is higher, the prey
have risen, and as dawn breaks and break- proach it flees, the hounds give cry, and the has won that round; if the Pursuit Total is
fast is served at a meal called the assembly, chase begins. The chase is a severe test of the higher, the hounds have won. On a tie, nei-
the huntsmen make their respective cases hunters’ Ride Ability, with good horseman- ther side wins. If the prey wins four rounds
for the suitability for the day’s hunt of ship vital. Some are thrown by obstacles, (which need not be successive), it has es-
the prey they have found. The huntsmen some simply fail to keep up and become lost, caped. Similarly, if darkness falls before the
pass around the table animal feces they while others choose to fall back and accom- prey is cornered (very unlikely), the prey es-
have collected for the guests to inspect as pany the ladies. The hounds are subject to capes. If the hounds win four rounds (which,
they eat. These are examined with a test of the hunters’ commands, and tests of the Ani- again, need not be successive), they have
Perception +Hunt against Ease Factor 12, mal Handling Ability are required to keep cornered the prey, ready for the kill.
with success telling a great deal about the them on the trail, rather than pursuing other
age, health, and size of the animals. Based prey or becoming distracted. (An animal that
upon this the prey for the day’s sport is se- leads the hunt astray from its desired prey is The Kill
lected. The successful huntsman is praised called a “rascal.”) Unexpected hazards may
and rewarded, and the guests hurry outside befall the hunters, and the chase may lead The hunters dismount now, and close in
to mount. them into adventure as they charge across on foot to kill the prey. The host normally
the countryside in single-minded pursuit. makes the kill with a sword, though he may

52
 Lords of Men
grant this honor to one of his guests if he
wishes, and with dangerous creatures like
bear or boar the hunters may all approach,
The Terrain Bonus
or even call upon the huntsmen to assist with Assuming the hunted animal is native join the pack in the next round, reducing
spears if the situation is severe enough. This to the environment through which it is the hounds’ Fatigue penalty to zero.
is best resolved as a melee combat, but as the being pursued, it stands a good chance of On a successful roll, the same charac-
prey is typically fatigued it is normally over escape. This is reflected in a Terrain Bonus ter may make a stress roll of Intelligence +
swiftly. of +6 added to the prey’s Evasion Total. Area Lore against an Ease Factor equal to
This can be reduced in two ways: through the Evasion Total. If this also succeeds, the
the relay, and through the actions of the prey’s Terrain Bonus is reduced by 1 for
The Unmaking and Curee hunters. These actions can turn the Ter- the rest of the hunt. The planning of the
rain Bonus into a penalty in a sufficiently relay can only reduce the Terrain Bonus by
Once the animal is slain it is butchered, long hunt. 1 point per round.
which is known as the unmaking, and the
dogs rewarded with offal and blood – the
curee. There is a formal set of customs to The Relay The Hunters
this, represented by the Hunt Ability, and
the hunters perform the task of skinning and Every round, any character who par- Every round, any hunter who is still
cutting up the beast, while the huntsmen ticipated in establishing the relay must with the pack may make a Perception +
then carry it back to the larder. The hunt- make a stress roll of Intelligence + Hunt Area Lore stress roll against an Ease Fac-
ers return home for the hunt feast, hopefully + 6 against an Ease Factor equal to the tor equal to the prey’s Evasion Total in the
satisfied with a good day’s sport, but if the Evasion Total. If at least one roll succeeds, current round. If any of these rolls suc-
animal was run to ground too quickly then that character chose to station fresh dogs ceed, the Terrain Bonus is reduced by 1 for
the whole process may be continued with in an appropriate place, and new hounds the rest of the hunt.
another quarry selected from the report at
that morning’s assembly.
Of course not all hunts are this formal.
Knights and lesser nobles often participate in Story Seed: Errant Arrow
quite informal hunts. Nonetheless, whenever
possible, formal hunting in preferred. While out hunting in the forest, an nocence before God. The only witnesses
arrow glances off a stag and kills a promi- are the wounded stag and the silent trees.
nent noble. The knight who fired the ar- Magi can question either easily enough,
Bow and Stable row is a vassal of another noble with a
long-time enmity for the dead man. Was it
but who will believe their testimony?
This story idea is taken directly from
Hunting an accident, or a deliberate assassination? a historical incident, the death of William
The knight has been captured attempting Rufus, King of England, in August 1100 af-
to flee the country, but protests his in- ter William Tyrell accidentally shot him.
Bow and stable hunting is very differ-
ent from hunting with hounds. In bow and
stable hunting the noble hunters divide in to
two groups, the archers, who dress in green
archers take careful aim and shoot. If they
fire too quickly, their arrows have the poten-
Hunting Stories
hunting clothing for camouflage purposes, tial to strike oncoming hunters, so they nor-
and the mounted huntsmen. An area of mally wait until the beasts are almost upon While the process of playing out a hunt
woodland is selected, preferably with either them, but if they wait too long and shoot as might not seem attractive, it has great dra-
a natural boundary such as a river or cliff on the animal passes through their line, they matic potential, as the many medieval hunt-
either side, or with local villagers guarding may well shoot their fellow archers (as, in ing tales show. A hunt ranges over large areas
the flanks with sticks and stones, to drive any fact, happens quite frequently). of wilderness filled with animals magical and
animal that tries to flee past them back in to Large amounts of game can be taken mundane, and many hazards not found in
the woods. The archers on foot take up posi- in this manner, but bow and stable hunting the manor, village, or road. It involves char-
tions in a line across the bottom of the area, lacks the status of hunting with hounds, and acters from all levels of society who wander
spaced several yards apart, and the hunters is regarded as rather archaic and boorish in in small groups, often guided only by the dis-
on horses — with a small group of beaters many areas. In parts of the Loch Leglean, tant cries of the hounds.
whose job is to run alongside them, making Hibernian, Stonehenge, Iberian, Rhine, and Any hunting story should involve many
noise — do likewise at the top of the area, a Novgorod Tribunals it is, however, a per- encounters and mysteries stumbled upon in
mile or so away, completing the rectangle. fectly socially acceptable form of hunting the depths of the woods. The wilderness of
The hunters now ride slowly forward, for nobles, as acceptable as hunting with Mythic Europe is a strange and dangerous
flushing out the game. Every animal in the hounds. place, and no hunt should ever feel safe or
area runs for cover, and, finding no escape mundane, just as in medieval stories no hunt
left or right, runs forward towards where the was ever prosaic. It is quite possible for the
archers wait. As the game comes in sight the hunters to become the hunted if they stum-

53
 Lords of Men

ble upon predators or enemies, and in one of the subsequent pursuit rarely results in a kill. other creatures.
the most common medieval folklore motifs Those who do manage to hunt a unicorn cer- Far safer, especially for those who do not
this happens quite literally, when a magi- tainly benefit in terms of Reputation. wish to stray far, is the hare. A fine runner,
cian or fairy transforms one of the hunters The hart is hunted in the spring and it gives the dogs a good chase, but is better
into a beast of prey by some enchantment. summer, and the stag’s magnificent antlers suited for pursuit by sighthounds like grey-
Hermetic magi who make their homes in make fine trophies. When the animal turns hounds than by running dogs who hunt by
the wilderness may be troubled by hunts at bay it can be a dangerous adversary, and scent. The hare is frequently found in the
that come to the covenant, especially if the it is widely recognized as a fine animal to peasants’ fields in spring and summer, and
quarry takes refuge therein, and given that hunt — indeed it is the object of most hunts. crops are sometimes trampled, making this
Beasts of Virtue and magical animals are the (Statistics can be found in The Book of Mundane chase unpopular with the farmers.
highest aspirations of any hunter as quarry, Beasts, Realms of Power: Magic, pages 140–144). Wolves are difficult prey, as they must
there are many possibilities for stories arising The fallow deer is rare, and the roe too small somehow be separated from the pack. Killing
from hunting. to be considered worthy of much attention. them holds little honor (though they give a
Some hunters have traveled to Scandinavia good chase), but is instead a necessity, for
to pursue the fabled reindeer, which is said wolves are ferocious predators, and a threat
The Prey to give good sport.
For those who seek danger the malicious
to man and beast in Mythic Europe. Wolves
are feared and hated, and many a huntsman
and hard-to-slay boar makes excellent prey. has become the hunted when, separated
Certain rules apply when it comes to The season runs from midsummer through from his fellows, he stumbles upon a wolf
choosing the prey for a hunt. Many ani- the autumn, when the hart is not available, pack that pursues and devours him and his
mals are only hunted in the season when and while many dogs and even the hunter’s tired horse.
they are at their healthiest, and hunting is own life can be lost hunting this dangerous The fox is known for its cunning. While
avoided when they are weaker or engaged game, success makes for good eating. A boar less a threat than the wolf, the fox gives
in mating, to ensure future stocks. One al- spear is a special spear with a bar across the good sport, often outwitting the dogs by its
ways seeks healthy animals, for to kill sick haft, for even impaled and dying the fero- guile and deceitful tricks. Hunting foxes is
or poor specimens is contemptible. The very cious boar often makes a final attempt to perfectly acceptable, but lacks the prestige
best animals are therefore Beasts of Virtue, gore the hunter with its tusks. of hunting the hart or boar. Otters are re-
exemplars of their kind that possess mythic Perhaps even more dangerous than the garded with similar disdain — they are seen
powers and abilities. The order of preference boar is the bear. Bears may be hunted in sum- as the riverine equivalent of foxes, predators
for prey begins with powerful, unusual, and mer or autumn, or, if they can be found and that need to be killed. The best time to hunt
exotic magical animals (especially those that flushed out of hibernation, even in winter, them is summer or autumn when the water
offer a great challenge and threaten the es- with only spring as a closed season, while levels are low.
tate); continues to Beasts of Virtue; and ends cubs are licked into shape. Bears have great
with the very best specimens of mundane stamina, and bear hunts may last for days and
animals. cover a dozen or more miles of terrain be-
While one might not hunt a dragon with fore the final terrible battle when the hunt-
hounds, many magical animals do make for ers. This final stage often takes place without
good prey. The unicorn is almost impossible the exhausted hounds, with all the hunters
to catch, and while luring one into the open assaulting the bear together, rather than the
with a virgin ploy is a well-known device, host making the kill alone, as is usual for

54
 Lords of Men

Horses of a horse is often a capital crime, and horse

markets have developed a shady reputation
across most of Mythic Europe. Horse deal-
mares, as are those employed for travel and
to pull carts and wagons, while many war-
horses are stallions prized for their aggres-
A huntsman requires excellent hounds, ers (or “horse coursers” as they are called in sion and temperament. The exception is in
but fine horses are essential to all aspects of England) seem to attract a uniformly bad Muslim lands, particularly Iberia and the Le-
noble life. The use of horses goes far beyond reputation as unscrupulous and dishonest at vant, where mares are employed commonly
hunting and leisure; travel, war, and even best, and outright criminals at worst, from as warhorses for their ability to be trained.
some farm work is also often best served by a Novgorod to France; only in Iberia and the Either gender of horse can be, if properly
fine horse. Medieval horses are not differen- Levant is the profession widely respected trained, adapted to any given role, but train-
tiated from one another by breed, but rather and reputable, no matter how desirable the ing a horse is a specialist and highly valued
by their suitability for certain roles. (A war animals they sell and how skilled they are in skill.
horse is not suited for lengthy journeys, for assessing horseflesh.
example, and a farm horse is unsuitable for While some commoners can afford to
war or travel.) Horses are distinguished by
pedigree (usually given orally but sometimes
employ the more-efficient horse to replace
the traditional yoked oxen, the ox remains
The Types of Horses
recorded in writing), by coloration, and by the primary agricultural working animal in
country of origin, but at the most basic level most parts of Mythic Europe. The horse col- Horses are, as noted, distinguished by
a horse is described by a name designating lar allows a horse to outperform an ox, and their role rather than their breed. Horse
its role. teams of working horses known as draught templates typical of each type are provided
Horses, even farm horses, are expensive horses are an increasingly common sight that the storyguide can modify to individual-
to possess, and give the owner status. Theft on the land. Working horses are invariably ize horses available at market or presented

Horses
The following templates describe the fine animals may stand fifteen hands (sixty Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, –1/–1, –3, –5,
types of horse most commonly found in inches) high, and are superb warhorses. Unconscious
Mythic Europe. Extremely rare, they can command prices Wound Penalties: –1 (1–7), –3 (8–14), –5
from 50 to 140 pounds, and for an excep- (15–21), Incapacitated (22–28), Dead
tional horse far more. A disproportionate (29+)
Noble Warhorse (Destrier) number are aligned with the Magic, Faerie, Abilities: Athletics 5 (in battle), Awareness
Divine, or Infernal realm in some way, and 2 (bad footing), Brawl 3 (hooves)
Characteristics: Cun –2, Per +1, Pre +1, these often possess Might and powers ap- Combat:
Com –4, Str +6, Sta +3, Dex +1, Qik propriate to that realm. The best tourna- Hooves: Init +2, Attack +7, Defense +7,
0 ment horses are destriers. Only major no- Damage +5
Size: +3 bility and the extremely wealthy are ever
Confidence Score: 1 (3) likely to possess such a fine animal, unless Coursers are the most common com-
Virtues & Flaws: Ferocity (when ridden in found through a story, granted as a gift, or bat-trained warhorses of the era. Like
battle), Improved Characteristics x 2, won as a prize in a tournament. Owning most horses in Mythic Europe, they are
Long-Winded, Proud (minor) such a beast is worth at least a single expe- between fourteen and fifteen hands in
Qualities: Domesticated, Fast Runner, rience point in Reputation: Prudhomme. height. A courser usually costs around 10
Herd Animal, Imposing Appearance, to 20 pounds, varying based on the horse’s
Tireless quality, with 16 pounds being the average
Personality Traits: Proud +3, Loyal +2, Warhorse price for most sagas (see Covenants, page
Brave +1 (Courser or Rouncey) 71). Coursers are completed unsuited as
Soak: +3 pack animals and workhorses, and are tem-
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, –1/–1, –3, –5, Characteristics: Cun –2, Per 0, Pre 0, Com peramentally unsuited as general riding
Unconscious –4, Str +4, Sta +3, Dex +1, Qik 0 horses for travel. A rouncey, often favored
Wound Penalties: –1 (1–8), –3 (9–16), –5 Size: +2 by squires, can be used as a general utility
(17–24), Incapacitated (25–32), Dead Confidence Score 1 (3) horse, but retains the combat training of
(33+) Virtues & Flaws: Ferocity (when ridden the courser; such horses lack Ferocity and
Abilities: Athletics 5 (in battle), Awareness in battle), Improved Characteristics, Confidence, and gain the Flaw Proud. A
2 (bad footing), Brawl 3 (hooves) Long-Winded, Proud (minor) rouncey costs between five and ten pounds,
Combat: Qualities: Domesticated, Fast Runner, though some fine specimens cost many
Hooves: Init +2, Attack +7, Defense +7, Herd Animal, Imposing Appearance, times that sum. A commoner or squire who
Damage +7 Tireless rides a particularly fine rouncey may attract
Personality Traits: Proud +3, Loyal +2, a Reputation as having ideas above his sta-
Destriers are the highest-status horses Brave +1 tion, and the scorn of his betters.
in Mythic Europe. Often from Spain, these Soak: +3 (continued on the next page)

55
 Lords of Men

Horses (continued)
Riding Horse side-saddle is not a feature of etiquette in riding such a beast. A hackney with a horse
(Palfrey or Jennet) this period, simply something forced upon collar can easily pull a heavily laden cart,
ladies in some circumstances. Riding astride which might otherwise require two oxen.
Characteristics: Cun –2, Per –1, Pre 0, a horse is entirely normal and provokes no
Com –4, Str +4, Sta +3, Dex +1, Qik unfavorable comment.) A palfrey or jennet
+1 stands a little over fourteen hands, and can Working Pony
Size: +2 be purchased for around two pounds. (Fell or Icelandic)
Virtues & Flaws: Improved Characteristics,
Long-Winded Characteristics: Cun –2, Per +1, Pre 0,
Qualities: Domesticated, Fast Runner, Draught Horse (Hackney) Com –4, Str +2, Sta +3, Dex +2, Qik
Herd Animal, Imposing Appearance, 0
Tireless Characteristics: Cun –3, Per –1, Pre 0, Size: +1
Personality Traits: Skittish +3, Brave –2 Com –4, Str +6, Sta +4, Dex +1, Qik Virtues & Flaws: Improved Characteristics,
(Jennet: Docile +1, Brave –3) –2 Long-Winded, Perfect Balance, Non-
Soak: +3 Size: +3 combatant
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, –1/–1, –3, –5, Virtues & Flaws: Long-Winded, Noncom- Qualities: Domesticated, Herd Animal,
Unconscious batant Imposing Appearance, Tireless
Wound Penalties: –1 (1–7), –3 (8–14), –5 Qualities: Domesticated, Herd Animal, Personality Traits: Brave+2, Resilient +1
(15–21), Incapacitated (22–28), Dead Imposing Appearance, Tireless Soak: +3
(29+) Personality Traits: Placid +2, Stubborn Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, –1/–1, –3, –5,
Abilities: Athletics 5 (distance riding), +1, Brave –2 Unconscious
Awareness 2 (escape routes), Brawl 1 Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, –1/–1, –3, –5, Wound Penalties: –1 (1–6), –3 (7–12), –5
(hooves) Unconscious (13–18), Incapacitated (19–24), Dead
Combat: Wound Penalties: –1 (1–8), –3 (9–16), –5 (25+)
Hooves: Init +3, Attack +5, Defense +6, (17–24), Incapacitated (25–32), Dead Abilities: Awareness 2 (footing)
Damage +5 (33+)
Abilities: Athletics 3 (stamina), Awareness This sturdy pony is suited for use on
Palfreys are the standard riding horse 2 (commands), Brawl 1 (hooves) the roughest terrain. These statistics may
favored for general usage, capable of being be used to represent animals from the
ridden in a hunt, being controlled in com- The hackney is a large horse of up to north of England and Scotland, or Ice-
bat by anyone with a Ride Ability of 3 or sixteen hands used for general riding, and land, and such beasts are greatly prized for
more, and suitable for long-distance travel, as a workhorse. With the new horse collar, their ability to cross mountain trails and
being able to make thirty miles a day or and teamed either one in front of the other treacherous moors. A working pony costs
more on good roads if ridden hard. Most or in parallel pairs, they are half again as about one pound in Northern Europe, but
palfreys are mares rather than stallions. efficient as a similar number of oxen. Hack- far more in southern regions. Superb pack
They lack the aggression of coursers. The neys are slow and ponderous beasts not animals, sure footed and sturdy, they are
palfrey, if ridden by a lady, is often referred suited for combat or hunting, but they can used to carry supplies over long distances
to as a jennet, which is always a mare. It be ridden for long journeys, or by those not where no cart can go, and across country.
is extremely uncommon for ladies to ride bothered about appearances or speed. Pri- The Perfect Balance Virtue represents their
side-saddle in Mythic Europe, though a few marily they are used for farm work. A pair abilities on treacherous mountain paths.
might if their gowns are particularly unsuit- of hackneys can be bought for as little as
ed to riding and the need is urgent. (Riding a pound, but no noble would ever be seen

as gifts. Individualizing a horse can be as being frightened of rabbits. coursers and destriers, as do Spanish horses,
simple as adding a new Personality trait, Even more than with other horses, there with perhaps the majority of destriers being
adding a new Quality (see Houses of Hermes: is no such thing as a standard destrier. The stallions from Iberia, and in particular An-
Mystery Cults, page 40), altering the char- term denotes not so much a type of horse as dalusia. Northern Britain produces particu-
acteristics to reflect unusual speed or intel- a horse of exceptional quality far beyond the larly fine fell ponies, with Iceland being the
ligence, or — for faerie or magical horses norm. Many destriers are Horses of Virtue, source of the very best beasts of this type.
(though Divine horses and Infernal horses and others have powers aligned with one of Hungary is known for the quality of its rid-
are also known) — adding Might and Magi- the realms and possess appropriate Might, ing horses, such as palfreys and jennets, with
cal Qualities using the process described in but no two destriers are the same. fine rounceys being available in England,
Realms of Power: Magic or Realms of Power: Faerie. As well as being differentiated by type, Ireland, France, and Scandinavia. The Low
No two horses should ever be identical, and horses are differentiated by country of ori- Countries and the Novgorod Tribunal pro-
each should have a distinct personality and gin. Barbs from North Africa, the Muslim duce good draught horses, with English and
quirks, whether a proclivity to eat hedges or regions of Iberia, or the Levant, make fine German breeds also being notable.

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 Lords of Men
The Care of Horses loses one horse every three years to bad con-
ditions, requiring replacement.. However,
is an extremely specialized skill subsumed
under the Ability Animal Handling, and
in the case of destriers, favorite warhorses, wealthy nobles who pursue hawking employ
Horses are extremely important and trained animals, and other horses important at least one falconer to train their birds, and
valuable, so their care can be come an im- to the saga it may be desirable to keep track maintain a building for the falconer and the
portant consideration in the saga. of individual animals’ ages and health. Medi- birds. The upkeep of hawks requires perches,
eval horses can expect to live up to twenty a good water supply, and a specialist diet, all
years, but some exceptional animals may live of which increase the expense. A dove cote
Horses and Aging into their fifties. A horse begins to age at 14 is often also maintained to feed the hawks as
years, and must make an aging roll every well as supplement the household diet. It is
If the stables rules are being used (see season thereafter, rather than every year as worth noting, however, that dove cotes are
Running an Establishment, later) there is no humans do. Every five years a horse’s aging often a cause of contention between a lord
need to keep track of the births and deaths modifier increases by one. and his tenants, as the tenants usually be-
of individual horses, though a shoddy stable Stables provide a positive Living Condi- lieve that the lord’s birds eat their grain and
tions modifier, representing appropriate care, seed from the fields. Even after all this ex-
veterinary medicine, and good food and ex- pense, even the best-trained hawks and fal-
ercise. This, however, requires a score in the cons sometimes stray, and the loss of a rare
A Note on Size Ability Profession Marshal, as described in bird causes much sorrow — not to mention
and Capacity Running an Establishment. expense — to its owner. Anyone finding a
hawk or falcon can expect a substantial re-
ward for returning it, and many areas have
Horses are measured in hands, ab-
laws making any such stray bird the property
breviated “hh.” A hand is four inches,

Hawking
of the lord upon whose land it is found.
or approximately ten centimeters, and
Hawking birds often live within a cham-
the horse is measured from the ground
ber in the falconer’s house, where they are
to the top of the withers, which is the
secured to their perches by leather or silk
highest point on a horse’s back. In mod-
While hunting is a prestigious activ- cords called jesses. The far end is placed on a
ern terms a horse up to 14.2 hands is
ity, there is one other form of sport that is ring called a terret, which is slipped over the
classified as a pony, but medieval horses
perhaps even more prestigious. Hawking, or perch, or can be worn over the finger on the
are smaller. A modern thoroughbred
falconry, is a truly noble pursuit, with almost creep, the great leather gloves worn by the
averages about sixteen hands in com-
endless opportunities to spend money on hawker to protect his hands from the birds’
parison, so is eight inches higher than
training and equipping birds of prey that are talons when they are taken out to hunt. A
the horses of Mythic Europe. A horse
used to hunt either small game like rabbits, new fashion originating at the court of Sic-
can carry unencumbered about 30% of
or other birds. ily but becoming increasingly widespread
its weight in pounds, so a 14 hh horse
The birds employed are divided into involves the hawk being kept calm with a
weighing perhaps 1,200 pounds can
two classes, hawks and falcons, though the hood, often elaborately embroidered or be-
carry 400 pounds of goods or riders
terms “hawking” and “falconry” are used as jeweled.
without being encumbered.
synonyms irrespective of the actual bird em- Hunting birds are first trained by profes-
ployed. Training a bird of prey to take orders sional falconers, and then afterward trained

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 Lords of Men
to be loyal to their owners (see the rules for
animal training earlier for information about
how this transfer of loyalty is effected).
Some Typical Prey Animals
When hunting, the hawker rides out with
Type Size Str Sta Dex Qik Init Atk Def Dam Soak
a party, and beaters or sometimes bird dogs
are used to flush the game out. Prey varies Partridge –5 –10 0 +3 +6 +6 +5 +9 –9 0
from rabbit and hare on the ground to birds Hare –6 –6 +1 +3 +4 +4 n/a +4 n/a +1
in flight, with experienced hawkers able
to get two birds to work together to bring Duck –3 -6 0 +3 +4 +4 +5 +7 –5 0
down such large birds as ducks and cranes, Goose –2 -4 +1 +3 +3 +3 +5 +6 –3 +1
though pigeons are more normal prey.
Pheasant –2 –4 0 +3 +4 +4 n/a +7 n/a 0
The mechanics of hunting require a
Presence + Animal Handling roll from the Heron –2 –4 –1 +4 +4 +2 +3 +7 –5 –1
hawker, as he releases the hawk and issues Crane –1 –2 0 +3 +3 +2 +5 +5 –1 0
commands. The result is determined on the
table below. Penalties for The Gift apply as
normal.
necessary to keep track of the births and
Roll
0 or less
Result
Make a Loyalty check for
deaths of individual hawks, though a shoddy
mews will kill all of its birds quickly, losing Story Seed: The
the animal. On a failure, the twenty percent of them every season. How-
ever, in the case of trained birds and other
Vanishing Hawk
animal leaves, never to be seen
again. hawks important to the saga it may be de- A contest of falconry has been de-
sirable to keep track of particular birds’ ages clared, with a great prize to be awarded
1–3 The hawk flies off to a nearby and health. Medieval hawks and falcons can by the king. One lady who wishes to
tree and looks at the hawker expect to live up to 15 years, but some ex- enter has recently lost her prize hawk,
quizzically. ceptional animals may live in to their twen- which simply vanished in mid-air over
4–6 The hawk disregards its ties. A hawk or falcon begins to age at ten a sunny meadow while in plain sight of
intended target and merely years, and must make an Aging roll every the hawking party. She is distraught, and
circles before returning. season thereafter, rather than every year as offers a great prize to any who can solve
with a human, with an additional Aging roll the mystery and return the magnificent
7–9 The hawk conducts a single in the winter during the molt when the bird’s bird to her in time for the contest.
attack against its prey, which plumage changes. Sparrowhawks must make
may result in a kill. an Aging roll every winter from their very
10–12 The hawk attacks with a +1 first year owing to these birds’ extreme fragil- describe their capacity, bonus to the housed
bonus to its attack roll. ity. Every four years after age ten the aging animals’ Living Conditions modifier, and the
13–15 The hawk attacks with a +2 modifier increases by 1. prestige they confer upon their owner. All
bonus to its attack roll. Mews provide a positive Living Condi- nobles are assumed to own standard stables
tions modifier, representing appropriate care, at no cost, as part of their estate. Mews and
16–20 The hawk attacks with a +3 veterinary medicine, and good food and ex- kennels must be built if desired. Note that
bonus to its attack roll. ercise. This, however, requires a score in the a noble’s (and his visitors’) horses, hackneys,
21+ The hawk attacks with a +5 Ability Profession Falconer, as described in ponies, mules, and farm horses generally do
bonus to both its attack and Running an Establishment. not require more than minimal stabling — a
initiative rolls, and continues paddock and a stable for wintering — so do
launching additional attacks not apply these rules, which are intended for
after the first. more valuable and delicate war and riding

Running an
horses, to such common beasts.
While certain birds are ascribed by tradi- Establishments are defined by a quality,
tion and etiquette to certain social classes, in such as “shoddy” or “superior.” Each quality
practice birds are employed as available and
as required for specific roles, irrespective of
social rank. Hawking is largely the preserve
Establishment corresponds to a rank of noble to which its
ownership is typically appropriate.
A given establishment’s quality corre-
of the noble classes (irrespective of gender), Nobles often wish to ensure they have sponds to a capacity of active animals it may
though some clergymen do engage in it. available the finest hounds, horses, and support. The actual number of animals pres-
hawks for their pleasure. The following rules ent may include up to one-third again the
provide a simple system for maintaining capacity in immature beasts and breeding
Birds and Aging kennels, stables, and mews, which are inter- stock.
changeably referred to as “establishments” Each establishment has a maintenance
If the mews rules (see Running an Es- here. cost for a year listed, but a stable of appro-
tablishment, later) are being used it is not The quality of kennels, stables, or mews priate level to its owner’s rank can be main-

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 Lords of Men

Hawks and Falcons

Rather than provide characteristics for +2. The statistics for its beak are Init 0, do not attack prey larger than Size –2 un-
each type of hawk and falcon, the gyrfalcon Attack +3, Defense +1, Damage +1. less specifically trained to hunt that par-
template can be modified to represent better ticular type of prey. An untrained goshawk
quality birds and different breeds as appropri- Gyrfalcon: These statistics are for a can be purchased for a pound.
ate and as described below. The Size char- gyrfalcon, the largest and most prized of Merlin: A small but very fast falcon.
acteristic reflects a female bird, the gender falcons. Its wingspan can exceed four feet. Modify the gyrfalcon statistics to Size –5,
primarily used in hawking. Many male birds It has a short, hooked beak and dark eyes. Str –10, Qik +8, and Beak Init +11*, At-
are a Size smaller, usually weighing one-half Its plumage may be white, grey, or dark tack +6, Defense +11, Damage –9. Merlins
to two-thirds the body weight of a female. brown and has a banded pattern. The gyr- are useful for hunting small prey up to par-
falcon is among the swiftest of birds and tridge size (–6). Four untrained birds can
hunts on the wing, overtaking its prey in be purchased for a pound.
Gyrfalcon (Falco) flight. Nobles use falcons to hunt game Lanner: Found mainly in North Africa
birds such as partridge. In the wild, the and Mediterranean climes, the lanner is of-
Characteristics: Cun –1, Per +3, Pre –1, Com gyrfalcon can kill prey as large as a goose, ten used to teach falconry. A Size –4 falcon,
0, Str –6, Sta –2, Dex +1, Qik +6 and usually hunts birds and small rodents. It it lacks the Ferocity virtue and Confidence
Size: –3 lives in cold northern lands including Scan- Score and is therefore easy to train. Lan-
Qualities: Accomplished Flier, Fast Flier, dinavia, Iceland, and Russia. An untrained ners are, uniquely, usually taught to hunt
Keen Eyesight, Pursuit Predator, Extra bird costs about three to four pounds, and in pairs. The lanner has Str –8, Qik+7, and
Natural Weapons they are greatly prized. Talons with Init +7, Attack +6, Defense
Confidence Score: 1 (3) Peregrine Falcon: Smaller than the +14, Damage –6, but a pair can be taught
Virtues and Flaws: Ferocity (swooping at- gyrfalcon, with Size –4, the peregrine to fight as a trained group, and a lanner has
tack), Keen Vision, Fragile Constitution attacks from flight, hovering overhead Leadership 1. A trained pair therefore at-
Personality Traits: Fierce +3 and then falling like a stone to grab its tacks with Str –8, Qik +7, and Talons with
Combat: prey in outstretched talons in a swoop- Init +7, Attack +12, Defense +14, Damage
Talons: Init +8*, Attack +6, Defense +12, ing attack. The peregrine is an Ambush –6. A pair of untrained birds can be pur-
Damage –4 Predator, not a Pursuit Predator, and has chased for a pound.
Beak: Init +9*, Attack +6, Defense +9, Str –8, Qik +7, and Talons with Init +7, Sparrowhawk: The most commonly
Damage –5 Attack +6, Defense +14, Damage –6. found hawk in Mythic Europe, and hence
* Includes +3 bonus for Fast Flyer Quality. It has Stealth 3 (ambush prey) but only the most widely flown, sparrowhawks are
Soak: –2 Athletics 3 (climbing flight). If it makes often captured in the wild. If purchased,
Fatigue levels: OK, 0/0, –1, –3, –5, Unc. a stealthy attack on unsuspecting prey it six untrained bird can be bought for a
Wound Penalties: –1 (1–2), –3 (3–4), –5 automatically gains +3 to its attack total pound. Remove the Quality Fast Flyer,
(5–6), Incapacitated (7–8), Dead (9+) and wins initiative. A peregrine falcon reduce Size to –4, and add Beak Init +8,
Abilities: Athletics 5 (swift flight), Aware- costs around one pound untrained. Attack +6, Defense +13, Damage –7.
ness 4 (spotting prey), Brawl 2 (talons), Goshawk: The female goshawk is the Sparrowhawks are notoriously difficult
Hunt 4 (game birds), Survival 3 (cold same size as a gyrfalcon, but the goshawk is to raise, with an Aging rolls modifier of
climates) flown from the fist, with a distinctive grace- –3 and a Stamina of –3, giving them Soak
Natural Weapons: The unmodified weap- ful flight style. Remove the Quality Fast –3 to reflect their extreme fragility. They
on statistics for a falcon’s talons are Init Flyer and add Aggressive for a +3 bonus to are naturally perverse, sometimes dying
–1, Attack +2, Defense +3, Damage Attack. Despite this aggression, goshawks just to spite their owners.

tained at no cost. (Thus, a knight running a The Living Conditions modifier applies by 15% (round up) for each season these
standard stable does not incur a maintenance to the animals, not the staff, but if it is higher requirements are not met. The cost of ini-
cost, nor an earl who keeps an excellent than the prevailing Living Condition of the tially purchasing the animals is not included
stable. However, if a covenant of Hermetic residences, then the staff also benefit from in the maintenance cost. Failure to meet the
magi wished to own anything better than a it. The Living Conditions modifier assumes annual maintenance cost results in the estab-
standard stable, or a knight wished to main- that a suitable specialist is available (see Liv- lishment dropping to the next lower level of
tain a superior stable, the cost would be in- ing Conditions and Specialists, later.) quality immediately.
curred as given.) Kennels and mews always Paying the annual maintenance cost While the maintenance cost covers re-
require the maintenance cost to be paid. keeps the number of animals constant, placing normal losses, players may wish to
Staff are any folk who are dedicated to through breeding and training. Exceptional keep track of the aging of superior and par-
the care and maintenance of the stables as circumstances, such as an outbreak of dis- ticular animals separately, as described in the
their primary occupation, spending at least ease, may reduce the number of animals, various sections describing horses, hounds,
three seasons a year in this role and typically as may failure to meet maintenance costs, and hawks earlier in this chapter.
possessing the Abilities Animal Handling, or an interruption of supplies, such as dur- A superior stables or better requires at
Ride, and Hunt. ing a siege. Reduce the number of animals least one specialist (a marshal, head falconer,

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 Lords of Men
or master of kennels) with the appropriate
Profession Ability. Royal quality establish-
ments require additional specialists.
Kennels, Mews, and Stables Tables
Kennels
The Kennels Quality Capacity
(hounds)
Maintenance
(pounds/year)
Staff Living Conditions
Modifier
Shoddy (Inn/Farm) 8 0 0 –1
The size of a noble’s kennels is a reliable
indicator of his prestige and status. While Standard (Knight) 16 1 2 0
even a lowly knight may own a greyhound Superior (Noble) 48 5 6 +1
as a companion, a mastiff for guarding his
Excellent (Great 80 20 12 +2
home, and a pair or two of running dogs,
Noble)
landed nobles and the higher aristocracy are
often expected to maintain large kennels at Royal 150+ 100 36 +3
sometimes ruinous expense. A major noble
might possess fifty to sixty hounds, but any
huntsman requires a dozen good running Mews
dogs and a lymer as a minimum for the hunt.
Other nobles participating in a hunt typi- Quality Capacity Maintenance Staff Living Conditions
cally bring some of their own hounds with (birds) (pounds/year) Modifier
them, with the most valuable dogs often Shoddy (Loft) 3 0 0 –1
transported in special wagons. Kings and
Standard (Knight) 6 0 1 0
liege lords may require, as a feudal duty, the
maintenance of a kennel by their vassals, for Superior (Noble) 15 5 3 +1
when they are hunting in the vicinity. Woe Excellent (Great 30 10 5 +2
betide the noble who fails to provide hounds Noble)
of suitable excellence for his lord’s pleasure.
A kennel usually houses a certain ra- Royal 100 100 10 +3
tio of types of hounds, so that for every 12
running dogs there is one lymer and three
greyhounds or alaunts, though the numbers Stables
are approximate. A standard kennel has this Quality Capacity Maintenance Staff Living Conditions
basic quantity of dogs, which constitute the (horses) (pounds/year) Modifier
very minimum for hunting. A superior ken-
nel has two to four times these basic quan- Shoddy (Inn/Farm) 3 0 0 –1
tities, and an excellent or royal kennel five Standard (Knight) 6 1 per horse* 2 0
or more times the basic quantities. Mastiffs
kept as working dogs are usually available if Superior (Noble) 18 2 per horse 6 +1
required, and bird dogs and harriers are kept Excellent (Great 3 per 12 +2
if hawking and bow and stable hunting are Noble) 40 horse
favored pursuits of the kennel’s owner.
Royal 250 5 per horse 36 +3
*Knights do not need to pay this maintenance, however, as it is already calculated in
their expenditure.
The Mews
Falcons and hawks are kept in a mews, a Living Conditions score in Animal Handling at least three times
house set aside for this purpose, where the the positive Living Conditions modifier.
falconer and his assistant live with the birds. and Specialists A stress roll of Intelligence + Animal
They may have their own caged courtyard Handling against Ease Factor 9, or Intel-
and fountain as well, and a low, stable-like An individual with a score in the relevant ligence + Profession Marshal, Profession
building if the mews is large enough. Profession Ability equal to at least twice the Falconer, or Profession Master of Kennels
Living Conditions modifier is required for an as appropriate against Ease Factor 9, should
establishment to make use of a positive Liv- made annually in the winter. A success in-
The Stables ing Conditions modifier. Alternatively, an in-
dividual without the appropriate Ability may
dicates the establishment is well run. A fail-
ure causes a decline of establishment quality
dedicate a season each year to running the by one class, which does not improve until
Horses are kept in stables. See the Sta- establishment and thereby preserve the Liv- the test is made successfully in a later year,
bles table for more information. ing Conditions modifier, so long as he has a when it reverts one class upwards toward its

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 Lords of Men
original quality. Maintenance costs remains
New Virtues at the original level regardless of a temporar-
ily lower quality due to poor maintenance. A
botch indicates a catastrophe, of which the
Master of Kennels cons. The Ability Animal Handling is used
for the training of the hawks. A specialist most common are fires, outbreaks of disease
Social Status, Minor in non-falcons, such as the hawks, is called in the animals, theft, or a situation requiring
The character manages the kennels an austringer. a story to resolve.
for a noble patron, and is responsible for A falconer receives 50 extra experi-
the training, breeding, and health of the ence points at character generation to
animals. He has an appropriate staff under spend on the Abilities Animal Handling,
him, depending on the size of the ken-
nels, and often possesses the privilege of
riding with the hunt. He may be consid-
Area Lore, Etiquette, Hunt, Latin, Profes-
sion Falconer, and Ride. Many falconers
are also Educated.
Romance
ered an intimate and important member of
the noble household, despite his common There is one form of noble sport, perhaps
birth, and be treated with commensurate Marshal akin to hunting, that raises more controversy
respect. He is also expected to organize than any other does. This is the practice of
the huntsmen — that is, the dog handlers Social Status, Minor fin’ amors, or, as it sometimes called, courtly
— and train servants or locals to perform As well as their non-specialist staff, love. Originating in Provence and Burgundy,
that role. He should possess the Abil- superior stables and above require a spe- the practice was popularized by Eleanor of
ity Profession Master of Kennels, which cialist to coordinate the care, feeding, Aquitaine, through her reached England and
governs the care of the dogs, treatment of and welfare of the animals. This person is France, and is also now widely known in the
their diseases, and acquisition and breed- called a marshal, and the title holds con- regions comprising the Iberian, Rhine, and
ing of hounds. The Ability Animal Han- siderable honor. The Marshal of England Roman Tribunals. Celebrated by the trou-
dling is used for the training of the ani- is the king’s official in charge of his cav- badours, the practice has elaborate rules,
mals. A master of kennels receives 50 extra alry, but even the marshal of a baron is an causes considerable scandal, and is widely
experience points at character generation important personage, given the vital roles condemned by the Church.
to spend on the abilities Animal Handling, played by horses in warfare and hunting, In 1174 Andreas Capellanus wrote the
Etiquette, Hunt, Latin, Profession Master as well as routine travel. definitive work on fin’ amors, entitled Incipit
of Kennels, and Ride, and may take Mar- A marshal should take the Ability Pro- liber amoris et curtesie, more often referred to
tial Abilities freely. fession Marshal, which deals with under- by the shorter title De Amore. This book sets
standing, purchasing, and caring for hors- the rules of romance, and it is clear why con-
es. It functions as the Ability Medicine for troversy has dogged the work. Capellanus
Falconer the purpose of treating veterinary diseases, declares that true love between a man and
and for surgery involving these animals. wife is impossible, in contradiction to the
Social Status, Minor A marshal receives 50 extra experience teachings of the Church, and the apparent-
The character trains hawks and fal- points at character generation to spend on ly happy marriages of many. It follows, for
cons for a noble patron, and is responsible the abilities Animal Handling, Etiquette, Capellanus, that one must seek love outside
for the training, breeding, and health of Hunt, Latin, Profession Marshal and Ride, of the marital home, practiced ideally in a
the animals. He often has a personal ser- and may take Martial Abilities freely. love affair between a noble suitor and a mar-
vant to assist, and is an important member A marshal may overseen other special- ried lady. Indeed, if the lady is not married,
of the noble household, treated with great ists, including farriers who make horse- and hence unobtainable, true love may not
respect. He should possess the Ability Pro- shoes; leatherworkers who produce tack, blossom.
fession Falconer, which governs the care of harness, and saddles; and the trained staff
the birds, treatment of their diseases, and who administer day-to-day grooming and
acquisition and breeding of hawks and fal- mucking out of the stables.
The Pursuit of Love
The affair begins with the noble behold-
ing a lady of great worth and beauty, and be-
ing entranced by her physical charms. The
beholder immediately loses his composure,
and from this point on is subject to noth-
ing but thoughts of the lady, and the urgent
need to win her favors. Sleep escapes him,
and other pursuits hold no excitement; he
devotes himself completely to the romantic
quest to obtain her love.
The pursuit must be achieved by certain
methods alone. A handsome appearance,

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 Lords of Men
extent this actually occurs is little known,
since couples who do and don’t all have
strong reasons to keep the facts secret, but
both parties run the risk of death if an af-
fair is discovered. In France and England the
platonic nature of the love is stressed, and
adultery denied and decried, as in the popu-
lar romance of Tristan and Iseult, where their
adultery brings disaster upon the lovers. In
these regions, romance is seen as a chaste
game, and may even be smilingly approved
by trusting husbands. Most husbands, how-
ever, with an eye to ensuring their heirs are
truly their own, regard the fin’ amors as a dan-
gerous and corrupting pastime, not to be
practiced on their wives.

Love is an inborn suffering, which

results from the sight of, and uncon-
trolled thinking about, the beauty of
the other sex. This feeling makes a man
desire before all else the embraces of
the other sex, and to achieve the utter
fulfillment of the commands of love in
the other’s embrace by their common
desire
— Andreas Capellanus

honesty of character, and fluent and eloquent she must act coldly, and treat the lover as if
The Rules of Love
speech are the primary methods. However, he was a source of disgust to her. He must
acts of great valor or heroism inspired by the then prove his devotion, and pursue her. Andreas Capellanus lists 12 Laws of Love.
lady, or dedicated to her, are also part of the The pursuit of the lady is primarily a mat-
pursuit. Love knows no social boundaries, ter of Charm, but appropriate gifts and per- 1. You shall avoid avarice like a deadly pes-
and a male — even a commoner if learned formances in her honor are to be expected. tilence and embrace its opposite.
in the arts of love — may seek romance from Gifts may be given and received, but money 2. You shall keep yourself chaste for the
the noblest lady, even a queen. Here is an- should not be the means of gaining her heart. sake of her whom you love.
other threat to the divinely ordered nature At all times both parties must be discreet, 3. You shall not knowingly strive to break
of things, and any commoner presumptuous and under no circumstances must the lady’s up a correct love affair that someone else
enough to pursue the love of a noble lady husband discover the affair. Trusted servants is engaged in.
runs a terrible risk. Only the clergy should and friends act as go betweens, and Intrigue 4. You shall not choose for your lover any-
seek to avoid romance. Equally deadly, ac- is used to arrange meetings in suitably ro- one whom a natural sense of shame for-
cording to Capellanus, is to seek the heart of mantic situations. bids you to marry.
a nun, and so vile an infamy that it destroys At all times the lover should be jealous 5. You shall completely avoid lying.
one’s reputation forever. Equally unaccept- and passionate, and watch out for rivals, sus- 6. You shall not have many who know of
able is to love a whore, for that cheapens the pecting all. He must also eschew all other your love affair.
noble romance to a coarse and commercial ladies, for to pursue another or seek com- 7. Being obedient in all things to the com-
prospect. fort elsewhere would be to betray love. He mands of ladies, you shall ever strive to
At first the lover should adore his lady must obey every whim and command of his ally yourself to the service of love.
secretly, and take every opportunity to seek lady, and prove his moral worth, bravery, and 8. In giving and receiving love be modest
out her company and gaze lovingly upon her most of all utter devotion. To him salvation is at all times.
person. Eventually there comes a time when his lady, and she is his religion, she his lord, 9. You shall speak no slander.
he must profess his love to her, and she then he her obedient vassal in all matters of the 10. You shall not be a revealer of love af-
chastely refuse his advances, with scorn and heart. fairs.
coldness. Even if the lady ardently desires Finally the lady deigns to grant the lover 11. You shall be in all things polite and cour-
the lover, and deliberately sought his atten- her favor, and the affair is consummated. In teous.
tions (for many ladies initiate the romance the southern tradition this may imply a full 12. You shall not exceed the desires of your
by their actions and subtle encouragements), sexual relationship, and adultery. To what lover.

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 Lords of Men

Is Love True? Patronage lest his wrath descend upon a transgressor).

Just as a lord is a recipient of patronage,
so he should be a generous giver to cement
Historians remain deeply divided Medieval society runs off a series of inter- useful alliances. The Intrigue Ability allows
over to what extent courtly love was connected obligations and favors. The feudal an understanding of the complicated politics
an ideal, and to what extent a reality, system has a set of vassal-liege relationships of any given situation, and the leverage that a
in medieval society. Troupes should that run from the lowest level of society to carefully given gift might bring to bear. Even
decide for their saga whether courtly the very highest, but the process is not one- the lowliest cottar should receive (indirectly)
love represents an ideal played at by way despite the hierarchical basis of society. the benefits of his lord’s largesse, in acts of
knights and ladies, or a real practice. Is Even landed knights and nobles struggle to alms or public feasts, because this ensures the
courtly love an idealized platonic ro- meet from their manorial incomes the many loyalty of the estate’s people.
mance mainly playacted, and accepted expenses they face, and just as they offer When characters direct their patronage
by many as harmless and diverting, or support and justice to the villeins, cottars, at specific individuals who belong to a cer-
a tempestuous and real passion leading and freemen who reside upon their estates, tain social group, this is reflected in a new
many to adultery and ruin? In some sa- and receive service on the demesne and fees Reputation applicable to that social group,
gas romance will not feature at all, be- and dues in return, so they expect to receive and improves a Loyal Personality Trait in the
ing merely something troubadours sing assistance from their social betters. With- recipient that is directed toward the patron.
about. In others, it will be a real and po- out significant assistance many lesser nobles (For more on Reputations and Noble Reputa-
tent force — this is Mythic Europe after would be unable to enjoy the lifestyles they tion in particular see Chapter Two: Politics,
all! It is hard from the extant sources for do. Gifting money, food, expensive equip- Reputation.) For example, if Jonathan Car-
us to be sure of the truth, so the troupe ment, or even land grants is common and penter builds a new nave for the dilapidated
must decide if it wishes to employ the expected of one’s liege. Traditionally, gifting parish church, he may gain the Reputation
motif in its stories. Three main consid- takes place at the major religious festivals, Patron (Clergy) and the benefits of a Loyal
erations apply. Christmas, Pentecost, and Easter. The nature +1 (or more) Personality Trait in the priest,
First, no character with the True of gifts may be proscribed or left to the dis- as well as a single Gratitude point on behalf
Love or Lost Love Virtue or Flaw may cretion of those who give them. of the Church from the grateful priest and
ever be caught up in romance, except Patronage — the distribution of land, parishioners, which may well prove useful in
with the object of their affections. money, favors, and titles to one’s loyal vas- future stories. (Remember that the Church
Second, no character should be in- sals — is a vital part of the politics game. A is a major landholder, and the ecclesiastical
volved in a romance subplot unless the generous gift can secure support as much or authorities can grant manors or bring influ-
character actively seeks it out. Keep in more than a politically advantageous mar- ence to bear to help you achieve an office,
mind that a romance can be initiated riage, and greater nobles and kings use this like any other lord.) All nobles of both gen-
by a lady as much as her suitor; indeed, power wisely. If too much is granted, such as ders should indulge in generous patronage of
scheming to ensnare a noble’s love is a hereditary fief, the noble can grow to be- causes dear to their hearts, and many a noble
perfectly acceptable. While Andreas come a potentially dangerous rival, yet if too lady has been a patron to a struggling artist,
Capellanus writes mainly from the male little is given he may brood in resentment paid for fine renovations to a church, or sup-
perspective, the lady is a full partner in and begin to plot treachery. Recognition and ported a scholar and received a book dedi-
whom power is ultimately vested in the status are as important as monetary gifts. A cated to her in return.
relationship. She has the ability to end feast given in a noble’s honor, a title bestowed The main groups who can be influenced
it at any time, or choose to scorn any (even if accompanied by little actual wealth), by a Reputation arising from patronage are
potential lover. a gift of clothing, or even a fine horse pub- the types listed in Ars Magica Fifth Edi-
Finally, romances should always licly given, may all increase a noble’s reputa- tion, with two additions. Reputations can
require stories, rather than being some- tion as a prudhomme — “an upstanding man” pertain to Local (meaning all in the vicin-
thing that “just happens.” As the ancient — and result, in game terms, in an increase ity), Clergy, Order of Hermes, Nobles, or
cliché has it, “the path of true love never in a positive noble Reputation. Favors may Academics. Artists may also be patronized,
runs smooth,” and complications, op- be as intangible as words of friendship, but but the Reputation thus gained applies to
portunities for heroic adventure, and those who understand Intrigue realize that one of the other groups, designated as the
moonlit intrigues are the very stuff of the having ear of a king makes jealous en- intended audience. Someone who is known
the romance. Stories, not mechanics, emies as well as powerful friends. by reputation as a generous patron in one of
should drive a developing relationship It is important to reflect the customs of these groups can expect positive modifiers in
between lovers, and the ever-present gift- and grant-giving in play. Lieges should future social interactions with others of the
threat of discovery should add a certain provide their vassals with wealth, and player same class. Appropriate forms of patronage
spice. characters should benefit from this largesse, are discussed for each of these groups in turn
lest their feudal relationships appear entirely in the sections that follow.
one-sided. Vassals who find themselves un- Local Reputations generally apply when
der attack or threat from others may appeal a noble grants patronage to his own estates
to the king for justice, and in some cases even or local area. The granting of royal charters is
receive military assistance (although usually, a form of patronage performed by the crown
news that a high-ranking noble backs one’s that raises its Reputation, but most nobles,
cause is sufficient to end any unpleasantness, lacking the authority to grant royal charters,

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 Lords of Men
are only able to offer feasts, alms, or pos- to the patronage of their peers, and enthusi- in extremis, place unmarriageable daughters, or
sibly the relaxation of feudal dues, though astically seek further patronage of known pa- seek medical aid. Many prosperous peasants
the latter creates a dangerous precedent and trons), but rather among a group the patron give money to monasteries as a kind of re-
diminishes the noble’s power. Acts of kind wishes to target. Paying an artist to produce tirement pension, paying sums that guaran-
charity and impartial justice can go a long ecclesiastical murals or statuary, for example, tee them the right to retire there when they
way towards gaining a positive Reputation, increases one’s reputation with the clergy, are too frail to work their lands, and do not
and a small amount of silver can help in times whereas having a fine miniature painted of wish to be a burden on or dependent to their
of hardship. The granting of offices is one one’s liege improves one’s standing in noble heirs. Nobles have less need to plan for this
very popular way of expressing patronage circles. A story ostensibly about Arthurian eventuality, though there remains for nobles
(see Chapter Two: Politics, Offices). Unfor- legend but that celebrates one’s ancestor’s the further consideration of the state of their
tunately, this form of patronage is unlikely to prowess as, say, a dragon slayer, or memorial- immortal soul.
earn Gratitude points. izes her legendary beauty, may well improve Whatever patronage is granted, giving
Acting as a patron to the Order of one’s standing in the local community, and generously is a noble virtue that has impor-
Hermes is fraught with difficulties, discussed even academics can be won over by suitably tant real-world benefits. Noble characters
in Chapter Four: Interference. fine works of art. Artistic patronage is there- do well to consider the options available
Patronage to other nobles usually fore extremely versatile, but it does require to them, and to plan carefully how to best
means granting gifts to one’s vassals, such a lengthy relationship and considerable con- employ their wealth to cement their position
as knights, or to one’s liege in hope of fa- tinued expenditure compared with granting and to further their long-term goals. To be
vor. Meeting one’s feudal obligations is not a benefice to a clergyman or helping out a a miser is a terrible thing; medieval society
patronage, however. Patronage means an knight who faces a famine on his manor after does not value frugality, but quite the reverse.
exceptional gift, whether of a manor, a fine terrible crop blight. Full rules for artistic pa- To be a noble is to be given stewardship, by
horse or hound, or a gift of money or food to tronage from the recipients’ perspective are God, of wealth. Failure to shower coin upon
assist in times of hardship. Outfitting one’s given in Art & Academe, page 130. the pursuit of a noble life is to deny one’s so-
knights with fine chargers and excellent Academic patronage can serve the pur- cial standing, attract the contempt of ones
quality arms and armor might be a normal pose of promoting an idealized view of its peers, and possibly earn a bad Reputation.
gift, unworthy of any Reputation increase, patron. Supporting a scholar, however, also
whereas granting a sum of thirty pounds to a has definite benefits in terms of access to
knight experiencing difficulties would be an learning, and further helps with the educa-

The
exceptional gift worthy of praise. Gifts may, tion of a patron’s children. Nobles are not
however, be offered to one’s liege to help ce- unaware of the importance of academics in
ment the relationship. A finely trained Hawk extending political influence, and so many
of Virtue, the hide of a magical beast hunted
and slain by one’s own hand, or a magical
device or ancient treasure might qualify as a
academic works are dedicated to a patron
who sponsored their writing. This form of
immortality, like artistic patronage, can be
Tournament
gift worthy of one’s liege, and earn a point of undertaken for purely altruistic reasons, Tournaments of the 13th century mean
Gratitude (see Chapter Two: Politics, Grati- but generally the patron enjoys basking in three things to those who take part: experi-
tude), as well as experience in one’s Noble the reflected glory of his protégé’s success. ence, reputation, and wealth. Young knights
Reputation. Nonetheless, one must be careful, for many crave the rush of battle while noble sponsors
Artists are frequent recipients of patron- a noble has supported an academic only to seek recognition and status. Worldly partici-
age, and indeed many of them depend upon find their beneficiary guilty of heresy or pants enter the tournament looking to ex-
patronage for their survival and continued worse, and this can lead to disaster. tract ransom from prisoners, and the humble
work. Artistic patronage may seem strangely It is far safer to provide patronage to the peasant classes take what earnings they can
altruistic, for artists generally seem to have Church, normally in the form of a monas- from the gathered nobility. But above all, the
little to offer in return other than their aes- tery or parish church. The most basic form tournament is the practice ground for war.
thetic productions. Yet in fact art is a power- of patronage is the right to appoint a priest. Tournaments generally last only a day
ful political force. Troubadours, for example, If a noble builds a church upon his land, the or two. The first day sees the knights gather,
may sing of a noble’s distinguished geneal- right to appoint the incumbent who receives find lodgings, feast, and socialize. As the
ogy, cementing his claim to nobility and its income resides with the noble, not with evening wears on and the office of vespers
importance, granting him legendary ances- the Church. Many parishes all over Europe is sung, the knights may gather for commen-
tors of distinction, and perhaps legitimiz- were created this way, and these rights of cailles, individual trials of sword and lance
ing future legal or inheritance claims based appointment are inherited by the noble’s that continue while the light lasts.
upon these very legends. A noble’s arms heirs. The right of a noble to appoint clergy The melee, a mock battle between
and device seen in fine artworks may spread who reflect his own concerns as well the hundreds or even thousands of combatants
knowledge to the burgers of nearby towns Church’s interests is a very useful one, and divided into two teams, takes place on the
his learning, culture, and benign justice. The it also provides a handy way of dealing with final day of the tournament. On the morn-
art a patron funds usually celebrates him and younger sons who will not stand to inherit. ing of the melee, the heralds run through the
his dynasty as much as it does the artwork’s Similarly, patronage of a monastery, which streets and encampments calling the knights
supposed theme. The Reputation of a patron always seem keen to conduct expensive to mass. After they have massed, there is of-
of artists does not increase among artists building works, gains one not only a poten- ten time for the younger knights to resume
(though other artists definitely pay attention tially powerful ally but also a place to retire their commencailles. This allows them to be

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 Lords of Men
seen by potential employers, and provides
further opportunity for ransom to be claimed
from defeated opponents.
Bohorts, Tirocinia, and Jousts
The main event starts with the regars, or A bohort is an informal and impromptu seasoned elders looking for easy ransom.
review, where both sides parade in all their tournament, essentially a rough-and-tumble The rules of tirocinia are the same as for
colors and call out their war cries in a show between friends and comrades, usually con- open events, but participants over the age
of high pomp and ceremony. The teams are ducted with blunted or even wooden weap- of 25 are rare.
usually drawn up along national or political ons (the latter of which are very often simply The joust sees two knights ride at each
lines. Members of each team know who has sticks taken up from the roadside). Armor is other with couched lances. Jousting usu-
arrived, who will participate in the melee, not generally within the spirit of the bohort. ally takes place before the melee. At some
and which factions they would naturally Use the non-lethal combat rules on ArM5, tournaments, a whole day may be set aside
fight alongside. Team allegiance is shown page 174 or the additional rules in Chap- for jousting, providing additional practice
through pennons tied to lances or bridles. ter Nine: Optional Combat Rules, Option: and entertainment. The ransoms won and
The heralds make every effort to ensure the Non-Lethal Combat. lost are the same as for the melee. The
teams are roughly equal in strength, and Tirocinia are tournaments open to joust is gaining in popularity as an event
knights generally accept reassignment with younger and less-experienced knights that in itself, as a means of avoiding bans on
good grace. remove the threat of being targeted by grand tournaments.
With the opposing lines formed, the
estor, or signal to charge, is sounded. The
knights, accompanied by a cacophony of months the circuit is active and a tournament In 1220, tournaments in England are
cries, drums, and trumpets, charge forward. can usually be found every two weeks. This more rare than on the continent. For much
As the lines draw close the knights lower schedule allows participants time to recover of the previous century, hard on the heels
their lances and pick their targets. After the from their wounds and travel between tour- of a civil war, tournaments had been banned
clash of the initial charge the sides turn and nament sites. In each country, a large tour- by King Henry II. It was not until 1194 that
descend into melee. nament — in excess of a thousand knights King Richard allowed the events to take
Before long the field is littered with — can be found on average once per season, place, though he controlled them by grant-
smaller fights, lone knights in individual while an event in excess of three thousand ing royal charters. Even in the reign of Hen-
combat, and groups wheeling around each will likely take place only once per year. ry III tournaments are sometimes viewed as
other. Here and there the desperate cry of France is the tournament heartland, challenges to royal authority. The draw of
“fiance” is heard as a knight submits under home to the largest events, and knights from the tournament is such that patrons are often
force of arms. all across Mythic Europe journey there to willing to hold unlicensed events.
The grand charge always pits two teams compete. But tournaments can also be found
against each other but each larger teams usu- anywhere that European knights and nobles
ally consists of several smaller companies. are found, including the Holy Land. Tour- Costs
The priorities of any knight in the melee are naments in England and the Levant, which
his own fortune and safety, followed by that are often relatively small, are most often Holding a tournament is a costly busi-
of his company, and finally that of his team. sited near towns, while the continent favors ness. Messengers are employed to attract
Being on a team does not preclude making locations on the borders between neighbor- participants; while criers draw knights to
deals with the opposition. Despite never ing nobles, where it is common for both to the tourney, envoys take written invitations
fighting side-by-side, William Marshal and sponsor the event. to select dignitaries. And in the meantime,
the Flemish knight Roger de Jouy had an ar- the tournament site needs preparation, with
rangement to share the profit from all ran- carpenters and laborers building stands
soms they took in a single tournament year. Patronage to allow wealthy observers a comfortable
The night of the melee turns to feasting, view of events. Patrons also engage artists,
and the most prestigious feast is that hosted Tournaments need wealthy patrons who chroniclers, or poets to record their events
by the tournament’s patron. It is there that give over their land, time, and fortune to stage for posterity, commissioning artworks to
the prizes are announced and awarded. these events, often against pressure from both portray their tournaments in the best and
Church and state. Even in France, the tourna- most exciting light. And since tournaments
ment can be seen as a challenge to royal au- attract powerful individuals, grand recep-
Staging a Tournament thority. Participants in the tournament risk
excommunication, and those who die at such
tions, feasts, and fitting entertainments must
be provided. A degree of opulence is both
events are often denied Christian burial. expected and provided.
Tournaments range from the grand But such considerations are not enough Patrons award prizes to those knights
events of France with thousands of knights to stop patrons from holding tournaments. who show great courage, and to the knight
riding in the retinues of wealthy nobles to The opportunity to strengthen friendships judged to have been the best. Jewels and ar-
more modest affairs with around one hun- and monitor enemies is rarely passed up. And tifacts of silver and gold are often awarded.
dred knights, nobles, patrons, and sponsors in any case, nobles are brought up to enjoy Their value most often comes from being un-
in attendance. Large and small, tournaments certain things and the tournament provides usual, unique, or masterworks. Patrons take
are held throughout the year with the excep- them all: fighting, feasting, politicking, and delight in awarding prizes not seen at other
tions of Lent and harvest time. Even in winter other entertainments. tournaments. Crafted items awarded as priz-

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 Lords of Men

Story Seed: The Story Seed: The Story Seed: A

Silent Tourney Falcon of Virtue Hermetic Sponsor
The king has banned all tournaments A nobleman sends to the covenant A nearby magus is secretly sponsor-
but there is talk of a private circuit run for help in trapping a rare bird that he ing a team of knights active in the local
by a mysterious sponsor. The events are intends to award as a tournament prize. tourney circuit. Other knights in the
by invitation only and nobody seems to He has heard of a falcon whose feathers area ask the covenant for aid against the
know where they will take place next. burn with the sunlight, whose talons are seemingly unbeatable team. But what
After a lapse in piety, a knight known to sharp as flint, whose flight is as silent as does the Code say about this? Has the
the covenant receives an invitation. the air, and whose temper is as calm as a Hermetic sponsor exposed a weakness
The sponsor is a corrupting demon summer lake. The nobleman is wealthy the covenant can use against him?
and the teams who fight at his tourna- and prepared to lay down a handsome
ments are filled with those who have price for the bird. Upon capturing the
died at tournament, live in a state of sin, bird the covenant discovers it carries a Tournament as Fair
and have been denied God’s grace. shocking secret. Can they now turn the
After discovering the truth behind falcon over to the lord? The tournament is very much like a fair,
the silent tournament, can the magi or with crowds that must be fed, watered, and
their companions help the dead gain entertained. Local armorers, horse merchants,
release? Can these unfortunate souls be or villages. Most of this land is given over and other traders ensure they have wares for
absolved, or are the undead knights too to the melee, allowing the fighting to sprawl knights who lose mounts and equipment.
entrenched in sin to be saved? And why out. Carpenters and laborers gain work building
is the herald a point of calm in the Infer- The lists, usually wooden hoardings, and taking down the lists and stands. In most
nal maelstrom? stakes, or earth embankments, mark out the cases these journeymen supply their labor in
starting points for both sides and are found return for being allowed to retain the materi-
next to the melee ground. It is here that als bought by the patron. Chirurgeons turn a
es are never less than superior quality works many of the commencailles and much of the in- brisk trade as they patch up wounded knights
(see City & Guild, page 69). It is common for dividual jousting takes place. after each round of contests.
noble animals to be awarded as prizes, often Stands are often built close to the lists Heralds are central to the tournament.
with costly harnesses. Falcons, hounds, and to afford the best view of the knights. Those They range from lowly, unwashed criers to
horses are popular. Sometimes animals are of lower birth must content themselves with those who travel the circuit memorizing the
chosen for their comedy value. watching from the hillsides that usually over- names, ensigns, and achievements of men of
As a rule of thumb, a patron should look the fields. worth. Whatever their status, they also pro-
spend ten Mythic Pounds per point of his Recets are safe havens, clearly marked vide commentary, crying out at events within
Prudhomme Reputation to hold a tourna- out within the melee fields. No fighting is the melee. Senior heralds also act as adjudi-
ment. Anything less is seen as not befitting allowed within these recets, and knights that cators during the commencailles and melee.
his station. have succumbed to their enemies make their
way back to either the recets or the lists.

Team Sponsors Rules of Melee

Lodgings
Some sponsors pay substantial retainers A tournament’s melee is subject to cer-
to companies of knights to fight under their Knights arriving at tournament are tain rules and customs. The recets, and any
banner. The sponsor is responsible for re- divided into two teams, according to na- villages and churches in the melee field, are
placing lost horses, arming his men, and en- tional or local allegiances, and two sets of safe territory and no fighting is allowed with-
suring that all their needs are paid for. Henry lodgings are provided. Where the tourna- in them. In addition, those not taking part
the Young King, son of Henry II of England, ment is held outside a town lodgings are are not to be molested. Beyond these rules,
took five hundred knights to the tourney at provided both “within” and “without” the there are also points of honor to observe. A
Lagny-sur-Marne in November 1179 at a town walls, a naming convention that also noble who enters his company into the me-
cost of over two hundred pounds per day. applies to open encampments. The lodg- lee is expected to ride with them, and gains
Most nobles can expect to pay four Mythic ings are considered recets, out of bounds for little credit if he does not place himself in
Pounds per season per knight retained for the melee. harm’s way.
tourney. Prices of goods and lodging within While the rules of tourney are clear,
towns hosting tournaments are often very they are not always obeyed. Knights may
high. There is little deference shown for be fined for breaking rules and in particular
The Tournament Site social standing and rooms are quickly taken may be forced to pay for damages to the
by those who arrive early. The wealthy of- host’s property or churches. Tactical ad-
A tournament site stretches over acres of ten send agents ahead to ensure lodgings are vantage may outweigh this threat and the
land marked out by landmarks such as roads secured. knights often do as they please. One noted

66
 Lords of Men
underhand tactic is to ride to the lists prior
to estor but not join the melee until later,
when the fighting has taken its toll on the
Profession Herald
other participants. The heralds acting as It is the job of the herald to know and heraldic devices, and to recall their
adjudicators are not above purchase, and the tournament circuit, the knights who various victories, defeats, and even inju-
may be paid to look the other way, allow- attend, and their devices, colors, and ries. This Ability represents the herald’s
ing such knights free rein. deeds. The conscientious herald ensures knowledge of the procedures of a tour-
that he knows of upcoming tourna- ney, and helps him adjudicate matters of
ments, and so may find work as a crier process and tournament law. It also al-
Ransom sent out to publicize them. The Abil- lows him to locate any tournaments in
ity Profession: Herald allows a charac- any area for which he has an Area Lore
The aim of the melee is to force surren- ter to recognize knights by their colors score of at least 1.
der, or fiance, and thereby secure a ransom,
usually the knight’s horse, his armor, or even
his weapons. Great sums of money can also
be extracted, and the wealthy should expect
to be held to account if they lose at tourna-
Magic at the Tournament
ment. Magi of House Verditius often send be found at tournaments. The devout in-
Payment of ransom is a matter of honor. agents to tournaments in anticipation of voke patron saints and ask for protection
Those who do not make good their promises business. Over the years many minor en- on the field and success against their en-
gain 1 experience point towards an appro- chantments have been created and sold emies. The unwary or unscrupulous may
priate negative Reputation. It is considered specifically for the tournament, including enter into bargains with diabolic forces to
poor etiquette to extract too high a price reins that cannot be cut, saddles that grasp assure victory, wealth, and acclaim.
from a poor, young, or inexperienced knight. their rider firmly, and arms and armor of
There have been many cases of knights be- unnatural quality. Most such enchant-
ing forced by their peers to return ransoms ments are designed to last only a lifetime. Story Seed: The Craftsman
to those who could not afford the price. The The legality of this remains questionable
wealthy expect to pay ransoms according to and the view taken may differ between A local Verditius complains to a
their status, and may take umbrage if a ran- Tribunals. Quaesitor that a magus from a neigh-
som beneath their station is demanded. There are other minor workers of boring Tribunal is flouting the Code by
It is reasonable to take both horse and magic who also offer charms and potions, crossing the border and selling enchanted
armor from a wealthy knight, either horse or blessings and sometimes curses, to knights devices to knights at local tournaments.
armor from a knight of average means, and eager for advantage. Faeries, too, may seek What is the legal situation? Does the for-
perhaps weapons from a poor knight. Ser- out those whose stories attract and feed eign magus know where his devices are
vice cannot be demanded as a ransom, nor them, offering them arms, armor, or even being sold? And is the Quaesitor simply
can oaths of loyalty. horses with unusual powers. becoming a pawn in a vendetta between
Both the Divine and Infernal can also the two magi?

Companies of Men
An independent knight makes an easy
Tournament Combat The Commencailles
target, so most knights entering the tourna-
ment do so within the protection of a com- Knights in the melee should use the The vespers, or commencailles, are an im-
pany. Companies can be of any size, and ride temporary damage rules in Chapter Nine: portant showcase for individual talent and
out wearing common colors and under a sin- Optional Combat Rules, Options: Non- another source of ransoms for the victors.
gle banner so as to be identified. They also Lethal Combat, but in the heat of battle, These contests can take several forms but are
cry out chants and war cries both at the estor the fighting may become more earnest. most often single combat, either jousting or
and through the melee. Companies engage Characters may choose on a round-by- fencing.
as trained groups of usually no more than ten round basis whether they intend to use
individuals (or six if using the core combat non-lethal combat. Botches in non-lethal
rules), with larger companies breaking into combat almost always inflict real damage Jousting
smaller groups. to one party or another.
Knights attacking as groups often at- The full range of special maneuvers de- At the call to charge, two opposing
tempt to separate their target from a defend- scribed in Chapter Nine: Optional Combat knights, both mounted and armed with
ing group. They then grapple or cut the Rules can be employed in both the commen- lances, attempt to unhorse the other. Each
knight’s reins and lead his horse, along with cailles and the melee. Combatants may at- charge comprises a single combat round, and
its powerless rider, away so as to extract ran- tempt to pull their opponents from their sad- each knight has enough time between charg-
som. See the grappling rules in ArM5, page dles, or cut their reins and lead their horses es to take up a new lance or shield. Botches
174. A grappled rider loses control of his away. may result in the breaking of equipment or
horse to his attackers. injury to either horse or rider. Use the shock

67
 Lords of Men
joust continues until one knights submits. knights.
Melee Events Table This almost always means that the contest The massed combat rules can be applied
goes beyond lances and horseback, and ends with the following modifications:
Rolls on this table have a modi- with the two knights engaged on foot.
fier equal to the character’s Prudhomme • Recets and other out-of-bounds areas are
Reputation. The character may also treated as baggage areas.
spend Confidence Points on the roll, Fencing • All combat is non-lethal.
which can be used to modify the roll • The only troops involved are knights,
in either direction. Botch dice on the Contests between two knights on foot serjeants, and men-at-arms.
roll are equal to 1 + (1 per melee event are usually fought in a roped-off ring. As with • There is no territorial advantage or
rolled so far). Botches generally cause the joust, the rules often vary from meet to weight of numbers bonus.
accidents, such as falling from a mount, meet. Some restrict the choice of weapons,
breaking equipment, or seriously injur- others allow new weapons to be taken up in If the player characters survive the
ing an opponent. mid-fight. The aim always remains clear: to events without surrendering, their side wins
force one’s opponent to offer fiance. the tourney and they gain prizes and recog-
Roll Result It is common for men of lower birth to nition in line with their efforts.
0–2 An inexperienced knight show their prowess in bare-knuckle fighting.
presents as a target. Covenants looking for tough men in need of

3–4 A lone Poor knight pres-

employment seek out the less seemly parts of
tournaments.
Gaining and Losing
ents as a target.
Reputation
5–6 A lone average knight
presents as a target. The Grand Charge As described in Chapter Two: Politics, a
7–8 A Poor knight protected
noble character seeks to improve his stand-
by a company presents as
There are two ways to adjudicate the ing and reputation with his fellow nobles,
a target.
grand charge in play. The first is as a set of represented by his Prudhomme Reputation.
9–10 An average knight random encounters on the tourney field. If a character achieves any of the follow-
protected by a company These present opportunities for the char- ing in a season of tourneying, he gains the
presents as a target. acters to collect ransoms. The second is as highest indicated experience point reward
11–12 A Wealthy knight a battle between the two armies, with the towards his Prudhomme Reputation.
protected by a company player characters in the pivotal positions.
presents as a target. As a set of random encounters, charac- • Riding at the head of a company earns 1
ters in the melee make a stress roll on the experience point.
13–14 The character’s company Melee Events Table. If the character takes • Extracting ransom from a well-matched
is targeted by a group of the opportunity and does not lose (he may opponent earns 1 experience points.
equal size. also refuse the opportunity or attempt to • Performing a feat of daring (as adjudi-
15–16 The character’s company disengage), he has the option of making an- cated by the troupe) earns 1 experience
is targeted by a large other roll on the table. Characters riding as point.
company of two combat a company make a single, collective rolls on • Performing a feat of unquestionable
groups. the table. honor earns 1 experience point.
Opponents encountered on the field are • Extracting ransom from a stronger oppo-
17+ The character’s company
likely to pick up minor injuries the longer the nent earns 2 experience points.
is targeted by a large
melee goes on. At each event past the first as- • Being awarded a prize at tournament
company of three combat
sume that the opponent(s) have picked up a earns 2 experience points.
groups.
new short-term light wound. So if the char-
acters attempt a third event, their opponents
normally have two short-term light wounds. Company Reputations
of the charge rules (see Chapter Nine: Op-
tional Combat Rules, Option: Shock of the Deeds done while under the banner of a
Charge) to determine the outcome of each High Ambition company also feed that company’s Reputa-
charge. tion. Companies have a Reputation named
The rules of the joust may change be- For characters wanting to influence the after its leader or chant, which applies only
tween venues. The simplest sees the winner overall outcome of the melee, the troupe within the tournament circuit.
declared if he knocks his opponent from his should devise one or more story events To gain the benefit of a company Repu-
horse. In some cases, if both riders remain based on how the player characters want to tation, a knight must travel under the colors
in their saddles after a set number of passes, influence the battle. Examples might include of that company or be otherwise identified
judges may declare a winner, perhaps by a hunting down the most senior knight in the as a member (by using the company motto,
count of broken lances or by which knight opposing army, defending a set position, or for instance).
took the lightest hit. In others venues the sweeping through the field targeting stray

68
 Lords of Men

Story Seed: The Labor Points from Stories

Mantle is Passed Characters can gain additional La- ter’s (Dexterity + Single/Great Weapon)
bor Points from stories involving tour- x Wealth Multiplier. As a guideline, sto-
An elderly knight is looking for a
naments. For a craftsman, this might ries bestow half a season’s Labor Points
way to see his colors ride onto the field
mean a knight in need of armor before if they are a subplot of a wider story,
of tourney once more and one of the
dawn, a bullying merchant, or a faerie bestow a season’s worth of Labor Points
grogs is surprisingly willing to help.
apprentice with a rare gift seeking out a if the character faces severe danger or
Armed in the old knight’s armor, riding
master craftsman for their own ends. For hardship in resolving the subplot, and
his horse, and carrying his sword, lance,
knights, awards have a value in seasons, bestow even more as the character’s risk
and shield, the grog finds himself invin-
with a season being equal to the charac- and involvement in the story increase.
cible in the melee. He has claimed ran-
som after ransom and not lost a single
contest. But the assembled knights are
suspicious and claim witchcraft is afoot.
Can the magi extract their increasingly
William Marshal
determined grog from the tournament
In 1220 the memory of William Mar- ing under his own banner. The promise of
and free him from the old knight’s
shal is still alive, and he is held up as an even greater wealth lured him to the side
curse?
example of a great knight. Much of Wil- of Count Philip of Flanders.
liam’s reputation was earned on the tour- But while William’s loyalty on the
Patronage nament fields, but while he died a wealthy tournament circuit was for sale, his loyalty
and influential man, his birth gave him few to successive kings of England never wa-
advantages. vered. (He served Henry II, his son Henry
Those hosting tournaments gain experi- Inheriting nothing from his father, the Young King, Richard, and John before
ence points towards their Prudhomme Reputa- William spent most of his childhood in becoming regent for Henry III.). He was
tion. If multiple patrons work together to host the household of his father’s cousin, Wil- rewarded with earldoms, a fruitful dynas-
tournaments in any given season, all experience liam de Tancarville, an influential Nor- tic marriage, and huge wealth and political
points are divided equally between them. man noble. Tancarville introduced him influence.
to the tournament where he developed So powerful was William Marshal,
• Hosting one or more tournaments in a not only his fighting prowess but also Earl of Pembrokeshire, that he was elected
season earns 1 experience point, or 2 if his tenacity, resolve, and social connec- regent to Henry III on the death of John
the event is particularly lavish. tions. Despite early setbacks resulting in in 1216. And at the age of 70 in 1217, he
• Commissioning an artist to record the poverty, he won ransom after ransom on personally led the fighting in the relief
event awards 1 additional experience the field and was soon charged by Henry of Lincoln, which led to the expulsion of
point (see Art & Academe, page 123) if the II of England to tutor his son Henry the Louis of France from English shores. Wil-
work’s aesthetic quality is at least equal to Young King. liam died two years later in 1219.
the sponsor’s Prudhomme Reputation. Though rewarded generously by the William Marshal’s story is one to
Young King, William’s ambition got the which every knight entering the tourna-
better of him and he was soon tourney- ment aspires.
Tournaments as Income
an average character for two, and a Wealthy his Prudhomme Reputation he comes to the
Labor Points (see City & Guild, page 38) character for one. notice of the patron. Martial achievements
describe how tradesmen, laborers, and mer- For simplicity it is assumed that any are certainly rewarded, but so too are great
chants develop their business. The same seasons spent at tourney have a balance of noblesse and generosity.
rules can be applied to knights, as many wins, losses, and prizes to ensure the char- Storyguides might also want to present
make their living from the tournament cir- acter gains the Labor Points he requires to specific challenges of talent and resolve that,
cuit rather than drawing income from a fief. maintain his living. Characters may spend if passed, show a character’s worth. These
It costs 36 Labor Points per year for an any surplus Labor Points towards increasing should be tailored to the player characters in-
errant knight to sustain himself. The knight their financial and social status as described volved in the tournament. The actual award-
gains Dexterity + Single/Great Weapon La- in City & Guild, page 38. ing of prizes is determined by storyguide fiat,
bor Points per season on the tourney circuit. with the patron’s character taken into ac-
The figure is multiplied by two if the charac- count and the efforts of the troupe in draw-
ter is Poor, by three if the character is aver-
age, and by six if the character is Wealthy.
Awards ing attention to their characters also noted.
The value of a prize should be in keep-
This means that an errant knight must tour- ing with the Reputation of its beneficiary.
ney for a number of seasons a year deter- Winning awards at tournament is a mat- Storyguides should consider one Mythic
mined by his wealth. Knights with the Poor ter of drawing attention to one’s feats and ac- Pound per point of Prudhomme Reputation
flaw must tourney for three seasons a year, complishments. When a character increases as a baseline.

69
 Money in Ars Magica: A Recap
Ars Magica has two compatible systems Many people in Mythic Europe believe year. This leaves two pounds per year surplus
for measuring wealth: a simple system for that the bounty of all land is arises — or fails that is considered to cover exceptional ex-
troupes who do not like to spend too much to — through the grace God. This, to them, penses like scutage, new horses, and repairing
time considering money, and a system based explains why the croplands of tyrants pro- buildings that burn down. The lord has other
on tracking the approximate values of goods duce only lean harvests, and why during pe- staff, but they are paid in rights to land rather
and services in Mythic Pounds. riods of anarchy, starvation is so widespread. than from his income. These include the priest,
Conversely, the reign of wise and just kings miller, baker and, in many places, the shepherd,
is rewarded with bountiful crops. This idea swineherd, and reeve.
The Simple System, From the is not generally used Ars Magica but it pro- For a character to become wealthy from
Core Rulebook vides a rationale for troupes who wish to land he needs more than one manor, pref-
reward characters for completing great tasks erably without a corresponding debt of ad-
In the simple system a character’s level by improving the value of their land. ditional knight service. Players who do not
of wealth is an effect of social status, modi- wish to consider the numbers too deeply
fied by Virtues and Flaws like Wealthy or should assume that a knight makes ten
Poor. In Mythic Europe, a knight who holds The Mythic Pound System, pounds each year for each manor that does
at least a single manor has the Social Status From Covenants not owe knight service. If knight service is
Virtue Landed Noble, for example. A char- owed, it might be paid out in scutage (a fine
acter with an area of land so large that it re- In this system, published initially in Cov- paid in lieu of service), which costs up to
quires infeudation to be run effectively has enants, players keep records using Mythic three pounds per year, met by hiring a mer-
the Social Status Virtue Great Noble. In this Pounds. These are units of account based cenary knight, which costs two pounds, or
system a character is wealthy or poor com- on the value of a pound of silver (rather met by sending a knight of the lord’s mesnie.
pared only to other people of the same social than coins that the characters spend). The Mesnie knights cost about five pounds per
class; a wealthy peasant is less rich than a prices of goods and services are estimated so year to maintain at a basic standard of chi-
poor king. troupes have approximate figures from which valric living, but many lords pay much more
Most manorial lords cannot meet their to work. Each Mythic Pound can be divided as largesse.
basic expenses in difficult times without into 20 shillings or 240 pence. Actual coins The average fief in England in 1220
patronage from their lords, or by finding that characters can spend are almost always contains five manors. Most of these manors
supplemental income through raiding or silver pennies. In brief, a manor’s traditional are held by relatives or vassals of the lord.
banditry. That lords are perpetually short of sources of income equal 20 pounds, and a Knights are expected to live slightly beyond
money does not grant them the Poor Flaw. knight’s expenses are a similar amount. If their income, regardless of how much that
Their precarious financial situation is, rather, a covenant has a manor and does not owe actually is, so even those with additional
the average for their social class. A manorial knight-service on it, then it is a lesser income manors are usually chronically cash-poor,
lord is only poor if disaster has already struck source. live on credit, and are dependent on the lar-
and his social status is at risk. Wealthy mano- The expenses of a knight may be calcu- gesse of their lords. Many lords like things
rial lords have sources of income beyond a lated using the system given in Covenants, and this way. This is discussed further in Chapter
basic manor. These may include additional the rules there may be used to tweak the fief’s Two: Politics.
land, or the right to collect sources of in- budget. (Those rules measure inhabitants in As the 13th century unfolds, unless the
come usually reserved for greater nobles, like points, with each point requiring one pound player characters do something to radically
river tolls or port duties. of expenditure.) The manor’s inhabitants are change society, many knightly families will slip
In the simple system, fiefs increase in val- considered to be the knight himself (3 points), into the wealthier part of the freeman class.
ue only as a reward for stories. This reward his family (aggregated as 3 points), his reeve Single manors will become increasingly rare
may be directly related to the story, or might or steward (2 points), his squire (2t points), a as land consolidates in the hands of noblemen
have no obvious link within the game setting, couple of veteran men at arms (4 points), and and the Church, both of which generally pre-
but be agreed as a reward by the troupe. his horses (2 points). He tithes two pounds per fer to give their knights cash fiefs.

70
 Chapter Six

Manorial Fiefs
Feudal society is made up of a series of promises the liege aid in war, good counsel, manor’s size varies depending on the fertility
personal relationships. A powerful man of- and whatever else is usual in the area. The of the land, the population working the land,
fers to loan land, or some other valuable oath of fealty is usually kept brief, so the finer and the value of the crops produced.
right, to a less powerful man in exchange for points of what exactly is owed, and on what
his military support, his counsel, and other schedule, are not described. In some areas,
benefits. These other benefits often include there is no break between the act of hom-

The Manor:
a share of the harvest from the land and may age and the oath of fealty, so it is completed
also include services like acting as a judge, with the vassal still on his knees. The lord
garrisoning a castle, or collecting tolls. After may reply with an oath of his own, promis-
this transaction, the more-powerful man is
the less powerful man’s liege, the less power-
ful man is the liege’s vassal, and the valuable
ing land and military support to great vassals,
or financial support to lesser vassals. The Model Fief
right or land is called a fief. The basic fief is a single the manor. A
This arrangement is solemnized by a manor, for the purposes of the game, com-

Subinfuedation
ritual called the commendation ceremony. prises the amount of land traditionally re-
During the commendation ceremony, the quired to maintain a knight, his family, and
lord and vassal are tied by oaths before his household retainers. Powerful noblemen
mortal witnesses and God. The form of this have other minor sources of income, but
ceremony differs between places and times, In England, which has the simplest feudal most such noblemen also have many man-
but a popular version begins with an act of system, all land has been owned by the king ors for which they do not owe the service
homage. In this, the vassal-to-be kneels be- since the Norman invasion in 1066. Soon af- of a knight. This provides them the surplus
fore the lord and places his hands together in ter the Conquest, the king parceled out land income required to support their opulent
the position of prayer. The lord then places to his most powerful supporters, in exchange lifestyle.
his hands over the hands of his supplicant, for military service. Although the makeup of The simplest manor is made up of a large
enclosing them. The supplicant then asks to this group of families has changed since that hall where the lord’s representative lives, sur-
become a vassal and is accepted. time, the tenants-in-chief of the king still rounded by farmlands and a village. Large
Following this, the new vassal swears an form England’s upper nobility. It was initially villages may, however, be divided between
oath of fealty to the lord on a Bible or holy intended that the tenants-in-chief would two or more manors. Most manors have all
relic. “Fealty” means “faithfulness.” The vassal only hold their land for a lifetime, but in of the elements described in the following
times of trouble successive kings have made sections, although many manors may lack
great volumes of land the hereditary posses- one or more of them. The Domesday Book
sions of powerful families. even records one manor that had no inhabit-
Knighthood Each of these powerful nobles requires ants. It was farmed by men from neighboring
a personal army to fulfill his obligations to manors for a fee.
The ceremony that creates a knight the king. Some few maintain a standing army
and the ceremony that creates a vas- paid with coin, but this is expensive and thus
sal are often tied together. This is be-
cause a knight is usually created with
rare. Most have divided up their estates into
smaller parcels, each with sufficient land and
Alternatives to the
the understanding that he will join the
household of the liege, and fight in his
workers to support a warrior. In turn, some of
these parcels of land, once developed, have
Manor With Demesne
service. He is, therefore, a sort of minor been further divided.
vassal. Most such knights are supported At the bottom of this pyramid of power is This section describes in detail a manor
by a salary from their lord. Knights who the individual knight, with a personal holding with demesne and resident bailiff. (A de-
achieve particular favor may be offered theoretically sufficient to maintain his equip- mesne — pronounced “domain” — is land
the smallest possible land fief, a manor. ment and lifestyle. Most knights have fiefs farmed on behalf of a lord by his villeins as
that are agricultural, and for the purposes of part of their rent.) This might give the im-
this book, such a holding is called a manor. A pression that this is the dominant mode of

71
 Lords of Men

How Big is a…?

This insert provides average measures to maintain a family of affluent, free peas- family. They live either by hiring out their
of land size to help players get a sense of ants. Even neighboring villages have hides services as laborers or by pursuing a trade.
the scale of medieval landholdings. The of dramatically different sizes. For the sake Blacksmiths, for example, are often cottars,
terms used are regional English. This book of visualization, a hide is 120 to 144 acres, farming only small personal gardens or tiny
lacks space to describe the thousands of adjusted for the fertility of the land and pieces of the common land, living in the
forms of land division in Mythic Europe. local farming practices. A hide produces main by their craft.
An acre is the amount of land a single four pounds of income for a lord, usually As a rough guide, only a handful of
person with an ox can plow in one day. The in money or goods. Free peasants make up peasant families in any given manor have
definition of an acre is a historical one pre- less than ten percent of the population of more than a virgate. Twenty percent have
dating the use of ox teams; no actual per- most manors. They have inordinate influ- a full virgate, thirty percent have a bovate,
son plows an acre a day with his personal ence in manorial affairs, and are often se- and fifty percent are cottars. This does not
ox in Mythic Europe. In Mythic Europe the lected as jurors in manorial courts. include servants who are landless or have
size of acres varies, even within kingdoms, A virgate (or yardland, or rood) is the cottar strips.
depending on local custom. For the sake of amount of land a two-ox team could plow A village may technically be of any
simplicity an acre is considered to be 4,840 in one day. It is either one-quarter or one- size: a village becomes a town not because
square yards. An acre has no particular sixth of a hide, between 24 and 32 acres. of its population, but because of legal rights
shape, and plowmen prefer fields that are Many peasants, called virgaters, rent an granted it by a nobleman in a charter. The
long, thin strips so that they do not need area of land this size. This amount of land residents of a town are free in the sense that
to turn their plows very often. An acre that is sufficient to support a family of unfree they do not owe the services of villeinage.
was square would be just short of seventy peasants, who pay their taxes partially A village is literally a place where villeins
yards on a side. For Terram magic affecting through service on the lord’s demesnes. live. The process by which villages become
dirt to a depth of two feet, this makes it an A virgate provides a little surplus in good towns is discussed in City & Guild.
Individual Target with three size modifiers. years, so a virgater with a run of luck can The average village has around sixty
A manor is sufficient land to maintain a buy off a succession of villein obligations. families, each with five members, and grows
knight. It is around six hundred acres in area, This frees additional money and allows him very slowly. An average village adds only
although land fertility, manors which collect to take on extra land. It’s unlikely that he, five new people to its permanent popula-
rights instead of farming, and other consider- personally, will become free, but he may tion every two years. Villages larger than
ations can increase or decrease the size of a reasonably hope that the children of his five hundred people are all but unknown.
manor by a third without it being considered eldest son might, some day. A virgater fam- Towns are like villages that have been
exceptional. The prototypical manor is a sin- ily, between services, fines, fees, and other granted rights by an overlord. The first
gle unit of land whose residents make some forms of usefulness, is worth about a pound of these rights, freedom of the residents,
use of the woods, marshes, and waters that a year to a lord. is what distinguishes the town from a vil-
surround it, but in most areas manors actually Some peasants rent an area half the lage. There are, therefore, new towns, with
abut each other, and their lands may inter- size of a virgate. This is called a bovate only a handful of families in them. Some
mingle in confusing ways. in a limited area of Britain, but it has been planned towns fail, and during this pro-
A landed knight’s income from a typi- favored in this book over the usual term cess it is possible that a town’s population
cal manor is twenty pounds per year, real- “half-virgate.” Bovaters supplement their may dwindle to a few families who then
ized as a mixture of labor, goods, and mon- main income, which usually comes from agree to rejoin the manor of the lord who
ey. This is sufficient to sustain the knight’s performing some other service, by farm- granted the charter. An “average” town has
household and maintain his equipment. ing this small area around their homes. perhaps three hundred people, the same as
The income from a manor is not sufficient Bovaters, for example, are often millers, an average village, although many towns
to pay for personal crises, such as the need reeves, shepherds, or the personal servants are smaller, and a handful are many times
to replace a lost war horse, commission an at the manor. A bovate, in a good year, can larger. In England, 40% of towns hold their
entire suit of armor, or ransom gear lost at support a family of unfree peasants, but is land from the king, 35% from a neighbor-
tournament. The manorial system is failing usually intended to supplement the income ing lord, and 25% from the Church. In the
in Mythic Europe. Some knights supple- of a family whose primary income comes rest of Europe the proportion that holds
ment this income by working as mercenar- from other work. from the king is far higher.
ies, officers of a lord, outlaws, or pirates. Cottars have smaller areas of land, A city is a settlement where a cathe-
A hide is the amount of land required ten acres or less, far too small to support a dral is.

land use in Mythic Europe, but it is not, be- and so troupes can design them using the in- land, although it is rare in the east, north-
cause it is dependent on a particular soil type formation provided here as a basis. west, and wooded and mountainous parts of
and a particular balance between the cost of Large-field farming, as described here, the country. It is found in France and Ger-
labor and the price of grain. The manor with uses up roughly half of the agricultural land many, as a rough guide, near large cities. In
demesne is considered in such detail in this in Mythic Europe. It is only suited to heavy areas unsuited to this style of farming, farm-
chapter because its alternatives are simpler, soil types. It is found in most of central Eng- ers instead care for individual plots, or herd

72
 Lords of Men
sheep or cattle. Each troupe can, therefore, manors and make them increasingly valu- tic step of pulling down their villages on the
choose any type of agriculture for their cov- able. Renters usually do not extend manors chance it will be sustained.
enant, and simply state that the soil, veg- because they see no point in suffering the ex-
etation, or topography make it the suitable pense involved. The large population means
choice for their locale. that wages are very low, while, simultane- Greater Fiefs
Demesnes are found on just over half of ously, the prices for foodstuffs are high. It is
the manors using the large field system. Be- more profitable for a lord to crop his own The lands of greater nobles, the surplus
fore 1220, it was more common for the lord’s lands than rent them out. they produce, and the number of soldiers
portion of the cropland, or even the manor The most profitable way of using crop- they are expected to provide are detailed in
as a whole, to be rented out. Players doing land in much of Europe is to stop cropping Chapter Three: A Comparison of Titles.
their own research should be aware that the it and turn to over to sheep. Turning farmed
period term for renting out land, in England, land over to sheep improves the land’s in-
is “farming,” which can be confusing.
Land is rented out for many reasons. A
come after expenses markedly. It does this
not by boosting the lord’s income, but by
Capital Messuage
manor that is some distance from the rest of cutting his expenses. Manors that have been
a lord’s estate may, for example, be rented to turned over to sheep require virtually no A messuage is a small, enclosed piece of
one of its neighbors. This provides the owner staff beyond the lord’s immediate household. land around a house. The capital messuage
with easy coin, and the renter with economies Depending on the transport available, some of an estate is the messuage belonging to the
of scale. Churches and towns sometimes rent nobles who turn their lands over to sheep lord. It contains his hall, the outbuildings
lands that abut their territory. Free tenants pull their villages down to sell the wood and described in the sections that follow, and
occasionally pool their money to rent their stones in the houses. Transforming a crop- curtilage. Many of the structures below are
manor from a distant lord, allowing them to ping manor into a sheep manor thust causes placed in the messuage to increase their se-
take control of the apparatus of local justice. immense social dislocation. curity. They contain valuable items, like food
Renting is a convenient institution for the Even given the potential for profit, few and equipment, and proximity to the resi-
Order of Hermes, because it is not against manors have been changed over from crop- dence implies that the lord and his personal
the Code to pay for land use. ping to sheep, because characters in Mythic servants can confront raiders or thieves. In
Renting out manors is falling from favor Europe do not know how long the current Mythic Europe many workers sleep in their
in 1220, because the population of Europe boom in the price of wool will continue. workplaces, providing extra security, but this
is booming. Settlers are available to extend Thus, few nobles are willing to take the dras- is less pronounced in manors, particularly
those that have bovaters.

Hall
The chief building in a manor is the hall.
This is the residence of the lord, if he lives at
the manor, or of his appointed deputy, called
a bailiff, if the lord does not. Many lords
with multiple manors travel between them in
a great circuit, exhausting the surplus food
collected from the rents of their tenants at
each in turn. The bailiff is expected to keep
the residence in good order, and to be able
to vacate the best lodging when the lord or
his steward arrives. Bailiffs and their staff are
dealt with in considerable detail in Chapter
Seven: The Peasantry. Halls vary consider-
ably in size, construction, and opulence, de-
pending on the value of the manor and the
degree to which the lord uses it.
This system of circulating the court
of the noble to where his rent is stored as
food is swiftly being eclipsed in those parts
of Mythic Europe where the economy is
strongly monetarized. This is a fortunate
circumstance for covenants with agricultural
holdings, because most magi prefer to stay
near a static laboratory. The unwillingness
of most magi to circuit their holdings has,
in the past, meant that they could not fully

73
 Lords of Men
for the table. Dairy cows may be milked here,
Story Seed: The Castles in Lieu to provide butter. Sheep are often herded
into a pen in the messuage before lambing
Foundation Charm of Halls and shearing.
A dovecote is a small building used to
Many halls have a charm in their On large estates, a castle may re- raise doves or pigeons. A dovecote may con-
walls or foundations to protect the place the hall. Castles have been de- tain several hundred birds, and they may not
building. Such a charm can be placed scribed in detail in the Covenants sup- be harmed by the lord’s tenants. In some ar-
by a hedge witch (see Hedge Magic) or plement. An overview of that material eas it is permissible to scare away doves as
using traditional sacrifices described is included in Chapter Eight: Massed long as they are not harmed, so one of the
by local folklore. These charms may Combat. main responsibilities of small children during
cause stories. For example, a sacrificed sowing is to shy rocks near the lord’s birds.
animal’s body may become the spiritual Peasants are forbidden from raising these
anchor of a faerie that takes the role towns so it can be spent on food and luxuries birds because they might feed on the lord’s
of the hall’s guardian spirit. Characters close to the nobles’ preferred residences. demesne.
may have to protect the corpse, or find Most halls are not fortified; they serve as In some areas dovecotes are kept in the
and destroy it, based on the friendliness simple centers of administration and accom- fields, but in many others they are kept within
of the faerie that has anchored to it. In modation. The vast majority of halls are con- the messuage to prevent theft of eggs or birds.
some pre-Christian areas, humans were structed of timber and delay attackers only In some areas they are built into the upper sto-
occasionally walled into new buildings. briefly. Those halls that serve as the chief ries of manor houses or watch towers.
Their spirits may seek burial, cause mis- accommodation of their lords are more im- A stable is a building where horses and
chief, or have come to terms with their posing. In areas where there is, or has been, other animals are cared for, and their equip-
fate and aid the current inhabitants of frequent raiding, manor houses are more ment is kept. Horses are valuable as draft
the hall. formidable. In England, for example, some animals, but lords who act as knights require
In some areas, the charm is a witch manor houses that have survived since the finer stables, for their war horses. Stables are
bottle. Witch bottles prevent minor Normans subdued the country are built from often subdivided into smaller pens, called
magic users from entering buildings by stone and have defensible ditches or moats. stalls, to prevent horses from harming each
hexing them if they attempt to do so. Similarly, on the Scottish border, many lesser other.
These hexes are weak, and easily resist- nobles live in defensible towers. Some messuages contain a pen for im-
ed by Hermetic magic. Magi aware of a The average manorial hall is rectangular, pounded animals called a pinfold. Animals
properly made witch bottle sometimes between 60 and 75 feet long, and 30 to 40 feet that stray are the property of the lord, but
leave it in place to see who it harms as a wide. Additional rooms may augment this in some manors it is possible for a tenant to
way to identify young Gifted people as space, and these are sometimes constructed have his animal returned in exchange for a
potential apprentices, for example. after the completion of the initial hall. The fine.
Witch bottles have a wide variety long axis of the hall often lies north-south.
of effects, which can be simulated us- Typically a hall has two doors, facing each
ing the rules in Hedge Magic. These ef- other, piercing the wider sides of the build- Barns
fects usually have two components: ing near its middle. Windows are absent or
they weaken the witch, but they also small in lands where raiding is likely. A barn is a work-building. It is often split
mark the witch. Attacks on the body The space within the hall is usually divid- into two levels, and the upper level used to
are common, so witch bottles may fill a ed into two sections. The great hall, which store hay, grain, flour, or other produce away
witch’s face with boils, strike her blind, gives the building its name and function, is from rodents. The barn might be used as the
fill her so full of urine that she bursts, the area where the personal servants of the threshing floor in a manor. When threshing
make blood pour from her nose, or snap lord eat and, often, sleep. It usually contains is complete, it is often used as a dry space
the bones of her feet. If you do not have a hearth that provides warmth and may be to perform wet-weather work, like mend-
Hedge Magic assume that the bottles can used for cooking, but it is also common for ing equipment. Many of the manor’s lesser
detect the magical power to curse (InVi manors to have kitchens separate from the servants sleep in the barn, which is warm
10, Penetration 5) as well as the Gift hall. Hearths are usually set on the long axis and has comfortable straw within it. Ignoble
(InVi 15, Penetration 0), and that they of the hall, about one-third of the distance characters offered impromptu hospitality are
have a PeCo effect up to level 40, with from one of the shorter walls. The great hall often lodged in a barn.
a Penetration of 5, that they use when takes up approximately three-quarters of the
triggered. space in a basic manorial long house. The re-
maining space is separated off as a chamber Curtilage
for the lord.
utilize the income of their rents. The need Curtilage is unroofed land enclosed
to sell their surplus, then use the money to within the messuage’s wall. Lords use this
buy food closer to home, has been a neces- Animal Sheds space for a variety of purposes: some have
sary expense. The greater nobility of Europe orchards in their curtilage, while others hold
similarly prefer that their surplus food be Many types of animals are kept within court in these yards. The curtilage of a man-
translated into money by the inhabitants of the messuage. Chickens and geese are raised or may be over an acre, even in small manors.

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 Lords of Men
Some manors’ curtilage is surrounded by a in the messuage to prevent theft. The way
moat used to pen animals and exclude preda- grain is stacked varies across Europe, but a Story Seeds:
tors. It is not usually designed as a defensive common idea is that one cartload makes one
feature. stack. The wider a stack, the less tall it needs Dovecotes
to be, but a conventional size is twelve feet
in diameter, sloping inward to twelve feet Pigeons are delectable; that’s why
Fishponds high. After stacking a net is placed over the nobles raise them. These delicacies at-
grain and, in some places, weighted with a tract both carnivorous familiars and
Fishponds are a feature of large mes- heavy stone. Over the next week the stack magical animals suitable to become fa-
suages that have a stream as one border of settles, and during this time wooden props miliars, so characters who prevent raids
their curtilage, but that are far from river or are used to encourage the stack to retain a on a dovecote by such animals may gain
sea fisheries. Fish serve an important role in stable shape. both a favor from the lord and a magical
the medieval diet, as the Church requires ab- Steedles are used to raise the stored creature as well.
stinence from meat on Fridays, during fasts, crops above the ground, to prevent rats and Some Mythic Europeans kill crows
and on certain feast days. A person keeping insects from nesting in the grain. Some stee- and hang them in prominent places, to
all of the required days is forbidden flesh, but dles are themselves a dozen feet wide, but scare the doves away. In Italy animal
permitted fish, on 175 days a year, although in less wealthy estates the steedles support skulls on poles are placed in the fields,
this degree of self-denial is found only in a framework of boards on which the stacks and in Germany carvings of witches are
monasteries and among the poor. A manor of grain rest. used for similar purpose. Each of these
cannot entirely fulfill its need for fish from Stackyards are fenced more robustly activities excites the interest of faerie
fishponds, so salted and smoked fish are eat- than other areas of the messuage. In many powers. Killing crows and nailing them
en on most fish days, with fresh fish drawn areas, where buildings and fences are made over a field may also draw the interest of
from the ponds on special occasions. In man- of wattle and daub, the fences around the the Infernal, whose servants take crow
ors where there are fishponds, unsupervised stackyard are triple the usual thickness. This shape.
fishing is sometimes forbidden. additional effort is required because oxen The British style of scarecrow, a
like to raid stackyards. Oxen are known to manikin of old clothes and straw, has
push their way through conventional wattled not been invented in Mythic Europe. In
Granary fences, and even through the wattled walls this story seed, they are invented due to
of buildings, to reach the grain drying in the a local outbreak of plague. The plague
This is a building where threshed grain is stackyard. The defensibility and limited lines kills the old and the young, so there are
stored, prior to milling into flour, and where of sight within stackyards make them inter- no boys to be hired as bird-scarers and
flour is kept. Some granaries are raised on esting places to stage combats. replacements must be made. The idea of
steedles, which are small pillars, to prevent the scarecrow spreads across the conti-
rodent infestation. Others have steedles nent, and faeries are strongly drawn to
them because they are human in shape,
within the building that hold up a false
floor.
Farmland act as guardians, and are replacements
Granaries are prime targets for raiders. for children who have been lost. The
The theft of grain allows an enemy army to Mythic Europe’s economy is essentially scarecrows are capable of taking on
remain in the field longer. Burning a granary agricultural. The economy is monetariz- many new faerie roles, including form-
causes famine, destroys the grain reserved for ing, and trade is making the cities blossom, ing armies to harm the lords of disgrun-
use as seed, and ruins the place where grain is which allows colorful people to rise to power tled peasants.
stored to keep it free of mold and rodents. and gather armies to do interesting things to
each other. Beneath that drama, however, the
trade system of Mythic Europe is a method hire a laborer to do the actual work. Finally,
Kitchen of getting grains and clothes from the areas the land may be unfarmed; that is, it may be
of production to the centers of population. wasteland.
The kitchen of the messuage, and its Each piece of land has one of six legal The main land types in the heavily
bakery if its bread is not supplied by the statuses. It may be an allod, which means farmed sections of Mythic Europe are arable,
communal bakery of a village, is often a sepa- that it is held by the occupant without a feu- meadow, pasture, and waste.
rate building from the hall. This reduces the dal relationship. The land may be part of the
risk of fire spreading from the kitchen to the demesne, which is land reserved for the lord’s
hall. The kitchen is one of the busiest parts own use to provide income and maintain his Arable
of a manor because its workers do not cease household. The land may be part of the gle-
to labor when the sun sets, or during winter. be, which is reserved for the maintenance of The most precious land is the arable,
the Church and its servants. The land may which is used to grow grain and legumes. Af-
be rented to free peasants. The land may ter the harvest, this land reverts to common
Stackyard be granted to villeins in return for rents and use, and is used as a supplement to dedicated
services. Free men taking up villein land grazing land. In 1220, an increasing amount
A stackyard is where harvested grain is owe service for it, despite their freedom, al- of land is being drawn from meadow into ar-
kept until it is threshed. It is located with- though they are generally wealthy enough to able land, but a few nobles have noticed that

75
 Lords of Men
ery year. In others, peasant families are per-
mitted to keep six sheep, and they pay one
lamb per year for this privilege. As a general
rule, the lord has two-thirds of the sheep of
any manor in his demesne flock. Sheep that
are grazed by peasants must often be driven
to the lord’s demesne for penning at night.
This allows the lord to move the sheeps pens
around the demesne and harvest their dung
for himself. Other animals are also grazed,
but are scarcer than sheep.
Pigs are, individually, more valuable than
sheep, but they are less valued as farming
animals. Their grazing damages land, their
manure is not as good for crops, and they
lack the herd instinct that enables a single
shepherd to drove and supervise hundreds
of sheep. It is common for pigs to be turned
loose in woods, particularly after acorns be-
gin to fall. This is a right, called pannage, for
which a villein pays his lord. Pannage varies
from one pig in six to one pig in ten. On most
manors, the lord’s swineherd is in charge of a
number of pigs equal to one-quarter the size
of the lord’s flock. This is inadequate work
for continuous employment, so the swine-
herd may also care for the pigs of free men
and villeins.
Goats are used as grazers on land that
will not support sheep. They do not thrive
on summer stubble, which limits their use-
the price of wool is so high that it is more Haymaking is, therefore, an obvious form of fulness. They tend to eat things that might
profitable to force land the other way. magical economic interference. otherwise be eaten by pigs, and it is there-
Yield on farms is poor. The average win- fore unusual to find a manor that has large
ter grain crop is sown at two bushels an acre, numbers of both. As woodland is cleared and
and repays that effort with eight bushels of Pasture made arable, the numbers of pigs and goats
grain. Spring crops are sown at four bushels on a manor fall and the numbers of sheep
an acre, and their yield varies, but averages Sheep are the primary grazing animals rise.
sixteen bushels. The lowest yielding grain, raised in Europe. A piece of land over which Nobles eat beef regularly, but peasants
oats, will grow in marginal land where other the right to graze sheep has been granted is eat it rarely. The average ox is considered to
grains are not profitable. called a foldcourse. As a rule of thumb, land take two years to train, and to work for four,
A bushel measures volume, not weight, that is heavily wooded can support fewer after which it is killed and salted or smoked
so the amount of food it represents varies be- grazing animals than land that is lightly for winter. Cows are rarely killed until past
tween grains, but for wheat a bushel weighs wooded, and marshy areas can support the bearing.
roughly sixty pounds, and is made into sev- highest numbers of sheep per acre. This is
enty pounds of bread. because sheep can pick through land too
stony or soggy for the plow, seeking food.
In England, the lords of some of the
The Lord’s Portion:
Meadow marshy manors in Anglia run sheep instead
of cultivating much of their demesne, and
The Demesne
Meadow is used for growing grass. This these lords have demesne flocks of over a
is harvested and stored as hay, to provide one thousand head apiece. The average lord The demesne of the lord is land that is
stock feed when the weather turns cold. No has a demesne flock of six hundred, and lords worked for his profit, by his peasants, as part
manor has as much hay as it would like. Hay in highly wooded areas often have only three of their rent. In some manors, the demesne
supply determines the maximum size of a hundred sheep. This is a small enough flock is separated from the land of the peasants,
herd after winter, so a community with more for a single shepherd to supervise. while in others it is intermingled. There are
hay could increase the size of its herds. Un- The number of sheep kept by any peas- advantages to each system: a lord with a sep-
less additional land is bought into meadow ant family varies considerably with the type arate demesne can watch his crops for theft,
through improvement or by not cropping of land they hold. In some areas, 12 sheep and can supervise his laborers more effec-
arable land, herds cannot increase in size. are paid as the rent for each hide of land ev- tively. A demesne that is scattered through

76
 Lords of Men
the striplands of the manor is worked as the
peasants work their own lands, which makes The Tragedy of the Commons
the task less onerous.
Villeins do about a quarter of the work Players may mistakenly believe that perspective, of making the peasants de-
required to plow, sow, and reap the demesne. commons are desolate places, destroyed pendent on day labor, so wages fell.
The rest is done by paid laborers or the lord’s by overuse. After the game period, the Greens actually don’t operate in this
liveried famuli, who are described in detail in Enclosure Movement in England popular- way, because peasants aren’t allowed to just
Chapter Seven: The Peasantry. The famuli are ized this idea. They suggested that each choose how many animals they will run on
those who live at the manor, or whom the lord peasant, acting in his own interest, ran the common. Commons are highly regu-
is required to feed, for a substantial proportion additional stock on the green, which de- lated by the manor court, and are defended
of the year. The famuli include those who have manded more from the green than it could by the vigilance of every other villager who
a little land, like the bovaters, or virtually no provide, destroying it. This metaphor uses the green. Greens are less productive
land, and are paid in kind for labor. is popular in the economic discussion of than if they were cropped with wheat in the
The lord’s demesne is the most fertile land many environmental problems. The En- sense that they produce less food, but they
in the manor. His right to demand that all of closure Movement’s solution was basically are more productive in the sense that they
the livestock of his tenants be grazed on the to give the green to neighboring landed provide a minor element of social security,
stubble of his crops also means it is the best fer- gentry, who could look after it properly. and provide a venue for events required by
tilized. It is not, however, the most productive: This also had the useful effect, from their the social life of the village.
that land belongs to the free tenants. Many
of the ways that free peasants increase their
yield are highly labor intensive. A lord does demesne. This is particularly true on those of all the bread baked. Bakers sometimes
not keep sufficient famuli, or hire enough day manors where the demesne has been carved rent the bakeries from the lords, paying a
laborers, to de-stone and weed his demesne in up or leased out in previous generations. fixed fee for the monopoly of the manor’s
the way that free tenants do, because for him, The simplest technology with which bread.
the additional cost of this labor is less than the grain can be milled into flour is the quern,
additional yield from grain. Free peasants lose or hand mill. Querns were widespread in
nothing but time to these processes, and so un-
dertake them more readily.
Roman times and virtually every peasant
knows how to make one. Querns are illegal
Commons
in some places, because lords demand that
their tenants use the lord’s mill. In some ar- The commons of a village are areas set
Market Fair eas free men are permitted to use querns. In aside for the use of the villeins, or, in some
some areas, the population is too dispersed, cases, all of the residents. The commons
A market fair is useful to both the lord or insufficiently interested in agriculture, to are typically pasture, with a pond to water
and his tenants. It provides them with the make mills worthwhile, and everyone uses a stock. It is from this pasture that these ar-
opportunity to exchange their agricultural quern. eas sometimes take the name “village green.”
surplus for manufactured goods. It does, Mills on smaller manors do not have suf- Common land can, however, include build-
however, provide slightly less money than ficient business to support the miller, and it ings or woodlands. Land becomes part of the
if the lord ships his grain to the city him- is common for the miller to have a second green through tradition of use, or by being
self. Cartage is one of the many duties owed occupation. Many have land, a virgate be- set aside when the village is first laid out. A
by villeins. This means that market fairs are ing typical. A miller might also have a trade green is useful in that it gives a mustering
more common where roads are poor, river and work at it from the mill. Some millers area for a large village court, a venue for vil-
transport is unavailable, or travelers are in- are members of the famuli, and so they re- lage fairs, and space for sports and dancing
secure due to banditry. Markets are almost ceive food and lodging, but owe the lord on holidays.
always held on the demesne of the lord, so agricultural labor in addition to their duties The use of the green is regulated by the
the manure of animals penned for sale falls as miller. manor court. Each villager is permitted to
on his ground. Millers sometimes rent mills. They pay have some stock graze the green, but the
Most towns with the right to hold a fair for them with their labor and either with a other users of the green, and the hayward,
do so twice a year. More frequent fairs are proportion of the grain milled (a fee called monitor overgrazing. The number of sheep
common in richer towns, but the frequency the multure), with the grain from land they or goats that may forage on the green varies
of the fair is in large part due to the agricul- farm in addition to their mill work, or with with its size and fertility, and this number of
tural cycle, so more frequent fairs serve little fish. Rents of fish for water mills are surpris- stock may be divided equally by all villag-
purpose in small communities. Fairs are de- ingly common and large. Some millers pro- ers, or by their obligation to villein service.
scribed in greater detail in City & Guild. vide thousands of eels a year, or a similar The right to run some stock on the green,
value of salmon, for the right to their mills. collect a little firewood there, and in some
cases plant small gardens or harvest wild nuts
Mills and berries, acts to mitigate poverty. Villages
Baking without greens have cheaper labor costs, be-
On certain manors, milling is one of the cause more workers have to accept day labor
lord’s greatest sources of income, exceed- Peasants are often required to use the or starve.
ing the value of the crops grown on the lord’s bakery. The bakers take a proportion

77
 Lords of Men
Waste
On a manor, the waste is land that is not
planted. It is vital to the manorial economy
because it includes woods and marshlands.
Marginal land on the edge of the waste is of-
ten used for grazing, is called pasture, and is
described earlier.
The wasteland is the domain of the fa-
eries. It is part of the known landscape of
the community, but does not fall within the
boundaries of the fields that are blessed at
various times of the year. Humans who clear
land are, for a time at least, going onto faerie
lands to spread the Dominion.

Fisheries and Marshes

Many communities draw their income
from the sea, or from marshland. Fish and
salt are both common exports from coastal
areas. The duties of villeins who live by the
sea vary with the strength and greed of their
lord. At minimum, the king or his represen-
tative has the right to the proceeds of ship-
wrecks, to certain species of fish and water-
fowl, and to commandeer any villein’s vessel
at any time. Greater nobles usually have the
right to demand the services of ships from
towns to which they have granted charters.
Marshes are the source of many use-
Story Seed: Joining The Navy
ful raw materials. The lord sells the right to Proportionately, far fewer nobles than tion of such a town may appear weak, but a
use these resources or demands that villeins covenants have private ships. Those nobles lord with a feudal levy is under extreme time
harvest them on his behalf. The right to who have trade vessels may prepare them pressure. Even a brief siege destroys his cam-
cut peat, called turbary, alleviates the lord’s as troop transports when needed in war, but paign season.
monopoly on firewood in some areas. Some even this is rare. It is far more common for A covenant hears that a powerful no-
marsh plants, particularly sedges, make supe- a nobleman simply to demand the carriage bleman has sent word to a town near the
rior roofing thatch and woven implements. of troops from a port city, and then turn up covenant that carriage will be expected
Draining marshland is one of the main ways on the appointed day with an army moti- on a certain day. The covenant may want
that additional arable land is bought into vated by the promise of pillage in some far to hide their own ships, or offer them for
production. This is covered in more detail distant place. Few towns want these men to hire, or find other ways to profit from the
later, in the section on assarting. be both disappointed and nearby, and either presence of an army. Might they trick the
accede to the nobleman’s demands or haggle army into crossing the lands of a trouble-
a price for carriage. The negotiating posi- some faerie, or rival covenant?
Woods
tool. After major storms, wise peasants head In England, much of the woodland belongs
The woodland on the edge of a com- for the wood to seek “windfalls,” trees that to the royal demesne, and most of it is forest,
munity is its main source of wood, which is have been knocked over by the storm. as described in Chapter Five: Leisure, Hunting.
used for fuel, and as the main resource for The lord can often be convinced to sell A forest warden is sent to inspect the king’s
the creation of all implements and tools. a particular tree to a peasant for a small sum; woodland on a regular basis. If, standing on a
This means that the demand for wood is in- trees of the right shape and size are required tree stump, he can see two other tree stumps,
satiable, and lords ration how much of it may for building the internal supports of most he has the right to lay a heavy fine on those
be gathered, and by what method. In many peasant homes. Villeins are often required to who have paid for the right to harvest from the
areas, a peasant may take whatever wood he pay the lord for use of his wood, although king’s wood, for overgathering.
can carry, provided that it is lying on the this service is often in the form of cutting The warden also charges nobles who
ground or can be pulled down with a hand and carting wood for the lord. have made illegal clearances in the king’s

78
 Lords of Men
forest. This is so unpopular that in the time he doesn’t own it. Useful mined resources in- to make good the share of the Church tithe
of King John, the common people of Devon clude slate, quarried stone, flint, potter’s clay, that the peasant — it is assumed — artfully
and Cornwall paid the king 2,200 marks and fuller’s earth, and clay dyes. withheld during his life. The peasant, hav-
20 palfreys, and 5,000 marks, respectively, to ing paid mortuary, is forgiven his debt to the
have their land “desforested.” That is, they Church and therefore has an easier passage
had all the land, in the whole of their coun-
ties, legally reclassified as woodland rather
Legal Rights and through Purgatory. Serfs on monastic man-
ors pay both heriot and mortuary to an agent
than royal forest, so that no fine would be
due for clearances.
the Manor Court of the monks.
Laity objects are items that are given as
gifts to the Church by dying people. Com-
A serf leading a typical life regularly pays mon laity objects include the bed in which
Parks and Lodges fines to his lord. Fines are not, in this case, the person dies, his best robe, or some other
the result of a criminal act, but are instead a object given as charity. Many priests assume
Lords often reserve a portion of the monetary compensation paid to the lord in that since these gifts are customary they are
wasteland around a manor for their own exchange for him waiving one of his rights. compulsory.
pleasure. This land is harvested for wood Lords have so many rights, and they are so Most lords believe that serfs cannot
and other useful resources, but is also used burdensome to administer, that it has become make wills. Serfs do not own anything; ev-
as a game reserve. The use of these areas is easier in most places for these breaches and erything they think they own has risen from
covered in greater detail in Chapter Five: resolutions to become monetary payments. their labor, which is owed to the lord, and
Leisure, Hunting. thus they have nothing to give away. The
Church wishes to collect the laity objects of-
Entering the Manor fered by rich serfs and sees no reason why
Warrens it should not, given that in practice serfs do
A peasant pays a fee to the lord for en- own personal property. Clashes between lo-
On a less-regal level, the right to trap tering the manor by taking possession of a cal lords and minor priests over this issue are
small game is also held by the lord, and piece of land. This fee may be varied if the common.
called the right of warren. Much as a lord land is poor, to be assarted, or the villein has Death duties strike poor widows particu-
can raise doves and leave them to feast on some skill sought by the lord. larly hard. In addition to the death of her hus-
the crops of his tenants, so similarly is he band, the widow generally loses her working
entitled to raise as many small game animals animals, or next-best assets, as well. This means
as he likes and let them feed on the lands Heriot, Mortuary, she is short both of human and animal labor.
of his tenants. Poaching is, therefore, one of and Laity Objects Given that her home is rented with labor, the
the most popular crimes in Mythic Europe. loss of a husband quickly becomes the loss of
In some areas lords have banned the owner- The heriot is a death duty owed when a home. Fortunate widows remarry, or fall into
ship of small dogs that can be used to chase the head of a household dies. The heriot is the lower subclasses of serfdom. Those less for-
hares down their burrows. There are records the peasant’s best beast in many places, but tunate become vagrants.
of arable land being abandoned because it far heavier penalties are found in others. In
has been destroyed by a lord’s rabbits. some locales even free men pay the heriot.
The laws protecting warren extend to On some manors the death of a wife also trig- Tallage
pests like foxes, which cannot be killed with- gers a heriot, and on others a man owes a he-
out the lord’s permission, regardless of the riot for every hide he had. On some manors Lords have a right called tallage, which
damage they are causing. Magical monsters, a heriot is just under half of the man’s goods, they exercise sparingly, but may legally em-
including potential familiars and vis sources, including many of his best beasts, anything ploy whenever they wish. By this right a lord
may also belong to the lord under the right he possessed made of metal, all of the wool may, at any time, and for any reason, tally
of warren. and sides of bacon he had, and the things his an amount of money from the manor and his
widow will no longer need, such as his tools villeins are required under law to supply it
and clothes. In exceptional cases the heriot is to him, with each villein responsible for an
Mineral Rights but a token, purely symbolic of the fact that amount proportional to his land holding in
everything the serf owned is the lord’s any- the manor. The tallage may be as high as the
Certain mineral rights are reserved by the way. On one manor, for example, the heriot lord wishes, up to and including the sale of
king, and major mining operations rapidly is the best copper pan from the house. everything his villeins own, the repossession
evolve into towns. Rights to minor resources Mortuary is technically a fine, not a of their land, and the sale of their service and
are significant on a manorial level. On the tax, but is collected with the heriot in many progeny to another lord. Tallage does not
principle that the lord owns everything, and places so the two seem connected. It is the apply to free men, because the things that
has the right to charge for the use of any- second-best beast that the peasant owned, they own are theirs, not the lord’s, so he may
thing, any valuable thing beneath the ground or its negotiated equivalent. If there is no not demand them.
might attract a fee for use. In Mythic Europe second-best beast, crops or tools are taken Few lords actually tally exorbitant
a character who finds a gold nugget, or even instead. amounts. To do so causes his serfs to flee
a gold mine, doesn’t own it; just because the The mortuary is based on the assump- the manor and seek work elsewhere, steal-
lord doesn’t know that it exists doesn’t mean tion that every peasant is a thief. It is taken ing much of the manor’s removable wealth

79
 Lords of Men
Juries
Story Seed: The Gite
In France there is a tax called the gite, and sleep in whatever houses they wish. The The court often begins with an empanel-
which is a feast for the lord and his reti- peasants also fear taht the merchant and his ing of jurors. Many free men resist the duty
nue to celebrate his arrival on his tour of retinue will rape indicriminately and burn of jury, although free men are prized as jurors
inspection of his manors. The gite has be- down a few buildings, and that the lord — because they are seen as having more free
come increasingly extravagant over time. rather than the peasants — will ultimately be time than villeins. The agreements that make
In politically unstable areas the gite is compensated. men free often includes a clause requiring
now unsustainably large, but this does not It would be difficult for the peasants them to continue performing jury service.
bother the nobles because they do not ex- to arrange it, but if the merchant could be A jury may serve three purposes, de-
pect to hold their lands in the long term, waylaid in the woods, then all might be scribed below.
and so see no point in preserving them. well. The gite falls only on a certain day, The simplest jury is a body of free men
Some nobles now take their gite in coin, and although the merchant could simply gathered together to swear that all of the
but this is difficult to transport, so they use his guards to force the peasants to sub- duties owed by the free men of the manor
give or sell the gite to a friend, political mit on a later day, that would be a crime have been completed, or, alternatively, to
contact, or anyone else who would like to for which the lord could, and would, take put forward those matters that require con-
feel like a lord of the manor for a day. him to court for tremendous damages. The sideration. The members of such a jury are
A village that has ties to the covenant lord would not care if the merchant misses responsible for the accuracy of their state-
has had its gite purchased by a merchant. his date of opportunity, for he keeps the ment. They may be penalized if they fail
Merchants who purchase a manor’s gite tend price he sold it for regardless. The diffi- to draw attention to matters that affect the
to be greedy and cruel on that day even if culty is the guards that each of the mer- rights of the lord.
they are not not on others, because they chant’s friends will have with them. The Juries are often used to decide matters
only have one day to live the vices of the characters do, however, know where the of court custom in cases between villeins, or
lordship. The village is preparing for the merchant will stop the night before the between villeins and free men, or between
merchant to descend with dozens of people gite, so there’s some chance they can way- serfs and the lord. On some manors, there
in his retinue, drink and eat as much as they lay him for the 12 hours necessary to ruin are separate juries for the matters of free men
wish, order any beasts killed that they wish, the feast. and the matters of villeins. Membership on
these juries is decided by election, or the
lord’s appointment, or a system which mixes
as they go. In times of national crisis, like This allows royal officers to try anything that these. On other manors, these decisions are
during civil wars, tallage is very high, its might be punished with death. Such crimes made by the steward or the acclaim of the
proceeds used to pay for mercenaries. Since include murder, rape, burglary, and arson. The entire court.
many lords embroiled in a civil war feel un- manorial courts deal with lesser matters. These Juries of inquisition are groups of men
certain that they will hold their lordships include assault, minor thefts, and commercial appointed by the court to investigate a mat-
though the course of the war and the ensuing disputes between villeins. ter and report their findings at the next ses-
negotiations for peace, they take as much as sion. For example, in a case of sheep theft the
they can, while they can. jury might be asked to review the animals,
On some manors, the peasants have con-
vinced the lord to commute his demands for
Procedure of the Court consider the upkeep of fences and hedges
between the lands, and use their knowledge
tallage to a set fee, paid every year. This has of the character of the claimants to come to
advantages to both sides in times of peace. A court meets as is customary for that a decision. The considerations of juries are
The lord gets his money with less ill will, and manor. In some places this is as rarely as not private. If some members of the jury ob-
the peasants are freed of the uncertainties of twice a year, or on set days at a traditional stinately refuse to see reason, as determined
tallage at whim. interval. In others the court meets as often by a different jury, then the victorious party
as the lord or steward deems necessary. An in the later suit may sue earlier jury members
announcement that court will be held may for failure to provide a unanimous verdict.
be made in church, or the beadle may knock

The Manor
on doors and inform his neighbors.
The court often gathers at the manor
hall, but this is far from universal. In many
Disputes
Court areas a particular tree or part of the common
is the traditional site for the court. Courts
are rarely held in churches, despite their spa-
Most of the court’s work involves dis-
putes between serfs, or between serfs and
Medieval justice is, as a simplification, di- ciousness. The steward convenes the court, the lord. Disputes between serfs provide the
vided into three spheres. The Church’s courts and sees to the rights of the lord. He is at- lord with fines, so it is cheaper for villeins
deal with those who are priests, and with tended by the bailiff, and perhaps the mes- to come to some agreement on their own
crimes against God or the Church. The royal sor, who keep order. He is also assisted by a before the bailiff becomes aware of the dis-
courts deal with the rights of the king. This in- clerk who keeps the manorial rolls, which are pute, if they can. A smaller fine is paid when
cludes the right to maintain the king’s peace. long records of previous cases and debts. a dispute is settled amicably outside the

80
 Lords of Men
court. Other villeins deliberately hold dis-
putes until the coming of the court and then
demand that their claims be checked against
Story Seeds
the court roll. There is a small fine for this, Tiny Eggs The abbot is praying for a miracle,
perhaps a couple of pence, which is doubled because Daniel was able to fix a weigh-in
if the court roll is found to not support the Faeries often play with natural mea- with the help of God. In case there is no
villein’s argument. Similarly, a man may pay sures as a way of causing tension in human miracle, the abbot would like the help of
a fine to demand that the court hear his case communities. As an example, a popular the magi. He has heard that magically cre-
when the case could instead be summarily natural measure is the egg. Many peasants ated food does not nourish. He’d like the
dealt with by one of the lesser officers. The have a number of eggs incorporated in magi to make sure that his rival eats noth-
court’s ruling becomes binding, is added to their dues. If a faerie makes every egg laid ing but magically created food for the rest
the manorial roll, and the villein pays about on a manor the size of a thimble, it causes of the month. That should save the abbot
a shilling for the court’s time and trouble, or tension in the community. Either the lord a tidy sum, which he’ll divide with the
two shillings if the case went against him. accepts a reduced income, or the lord’s magi. If the captain actually loses weight,
servants try to take more from the peas- the priest will pay them a bonus.
ants, who themselves already have less,
Disputes Based on as a way of maintaining his income. This
Weights and Measures sort of trickery often leads to accusations Warped Consors
of witchcraft, so magi may feel the need to
There are no standard measures in any resolve these kinds of situations. An Autumn covenant in a neighbor-
kingdom of Mythic Europe. This means that ing Tribunal has fallen and its covenfolk,
a character required to pay a pound of flour who are in some cases highly Warped,
to his lord may be giving slightly more or Weight in Gold have spread into neighboring towns. This
less flour than an equivalent peasant with an has led to strife with the local nobility and
equivalent debt in a neighboring lordship. A mercenary captain has saved a mon- church. For example, a village that has the
Medieval people work around this lack in astery from raiders, but the abbot foolishly right to take one handful of salt from every
two ways: they use natural measures, and agreed to pay the mercenary his weight in pan boiled has become far richer, at the
they haggle. gold in exchange. The local baron has de- local lord’s expense, by convincing a man
Natural measures are supposed to be manded that he be present for the weigh- Warped with a hand five times normal size
unarguable, but they generally favor the ing, as an arbiter, and that he be permitted to settle locally. Although none of the
lord because of his dominance of the manor to bring his entire court, as it will amuse Warped consors have magical powers, and
court. Natural measures include injunctions them. The baron has done this because although they are no longer strictly the
that salmon paid to the lord must be “as thick he hates the abbot, and the procession of business of the Order of Hermes, the sum
as a man’s wrist,” that wheat paid to the lord the lord’s court will delay the weighing for of their actions has disadvantaged a large
must heap up “as high as a man’s thighs,” or a month. The mercenary has retired to a proportion of the region’s magnates.
that nuts gathered for the lord must fill “a nearby town to stuff himself with sweet
pair of hose of medium size.” These measures luxuries before the official weighing.
favor the lord because in marginal cases, it is
for the manorial court to decide which man’s
wrist is too thick or too bony, which man is Seizure Merchets are higher if the woman is receiving
too short or too tall, and whose legs are too a large dowry, because the lord’s permission
fat or too thin to act as a natural measure. gives the bridegroom a greater benefit. The
In some courts, each man is his own The goods of a felon automatically be- merchet is also larger if the bride is moving into
measure. A man due three handfuls of oats come the possession of his lord. A felon who the manor of her husband’s lord.
for carrying a load of oats in his cart is in flees or is put to death leaves his land vacant. The bride’s lord collects a larger merchet
luck if his hands are big. As a restraining fea- A new landholder pays the lord a fee to enter to be compensated not only for her lost la-
ture, many men are allowed to have as much the land, and so death is particularly lucrative bor, but also for her lost brood. That is, she
as they can carry, provided none of it spills. for lords, but the death penalty is restricted is fined because her children, if any, will
For example, many haycutters are allowed to to the greater nobility in many areas. Some not become her master’s serfs. This fine is
take from their work as much hay as their buy the right to kill felons from their kings. sometimes lowered when the two lords have
scythe can carry, but if the scythe breaks adjoining estates, and come to an arrange-
they get nothing and are fined. ment concerning the division of the brood
Sex Taxes: Merchet, between their manors.
Leywrite, Childwrite, Merchet is widely loathed by peasants.
and Fines for Celibacy
Fines They see it as a tax on their children. In the-
ory, if not in practice, the law of the Church
forbade any people within seven degrees of
There are a wide variety of fines levied on It is legally forbidden for the serfs of differ- consanguinity from marrying each other until
peasants. Fines vary between manors, but some ent lords to marry. To secure the permission of 1215. This was found to be so unworkable that
of the commonest are described below. the lord, each serf pays a fine called merchet. a majority of marriages, in many places, were

81
 Lords of Men

Story Seed: Fines Story Seed: Trade

for the King Tithe of Vis Trade is heavily taxed, but only by
the upper nobility or representatives of
The king of England owns all of A representative of the bishop ar- the king. There are ways for characters
England. (This is unusual; generally rives with a writ to examine the cove- to make money from manufacture and
kings are owed the service of various nant, from top to bottom, to determine trade. These are considered in detail in
nobles to various degrees.) This means its compliance with his lord’s tithes. City & Guild.
that the king of England is in a unique Many of the things that magi collect are In this supplement, non-agricultural
position to cause the Order of Hermes suited to tithing. Vis arises from the nat- sources of wealth are treated either
discomfort. In this story seed, he does ural processes of the world, and there- as an unremarked component of ag-
this by claiming that he is owed fines fore is suitable for tithe. Magi create ricultural income or as a bonus to the
when magi in England are fined. things from their skills, such as books character’s agricultural income. As an
If a Hermetic magus is found guilty and magic items, so these things are also example, a manor by the sea that con-
of abusing a magus from a neighbor- tithable. Can the characters hide their siders fish and eels as part of its income
ing Tribunal, a fine is often paid. This vis sources from the bishop’s inspector? is nevertheless treated, in the economic
requires material of value to pass from How does he know about vis? Why rules, as an agricultural manor. The fact
England to another kingdom. This de- does he want to collect it anyway? To that the goods it produces for its lord’s
prives the king of what is his, because sell it back to the covenant, or to force use include some fish rather than wheat
everything that comes from England is them to perform a small favor? or honey or cheese is significant to the
his. This means he is due reparation of color of the stories told, but not to the
equal value to the thing lost. The king mechanics in these rules. If the same
sends a representative to Tribunal, who Peasants who sidestep the issue of mer- manor is permitted to run a salt kin as
is laden with relics to ensure he is not chet by simply not marrying face an even service to its lord, and use a portion of
mishandled by magic, to demand the stiffer fine, for leywrite. Leywrite, the right the salt to pay its taxes, this is treated as
king’s rights. for laying down, is theoretically an adultery a simple monetary bonus.
Characters may need to deal with tax. It is charged by the lord on a woman A player character nobleman who
this request from the king. It is likely a who has deprived him of merchet by making uses the agricultural surplus of his lands
ploy to establish an ongoing payment of herself unmarriageable by losing her virgin- to engage in local and international
money in exchange for the king’s recog- ity. This is difficult to prove. Leywrite often trade should be designed using the rules
nition of the authority of the Hermetic absorbs a related fee, childwrite, which is a given in City & Guild.
Tribunals as courts. Payment could be a tax on unmarried pregnancy. It is due each
problem, though, because it would be time an unmarried serf becomes pregnant.
made public and set a precedent that Leywrite is far more common than merchet: or the shire court, then the fine paid has been
other kings would seek to follow, re- it’s a particularly lucrative tax. stolen from the lord, and the peasant owes
gardless of the unique legal niceties of Fines cannot be avoided by celibacy. On the lord equivalent compensation.
the English situation. Characters might many manors, a fine is paid annually by ev- For example, sins may lead to fines in ec-
also seek the Hermetic magi who ar- ery serf, of marriageable age, who has been clesiastical courts. A man convicted of being
ranged the king’s intervention. Fingers unmarried for more than a year. Some serfs a fornicator, if a villein, must pay a fine, and
might be pointed at House Tytalus, bargain with their lords to receive a bulk rate then pay his lord a second fine for paying the
whose domus magna floats smugly off for a lifetime without marriage. On other first. As another example, in parts of France
the coast of Normandy and is the cause manors, men are regularly fined for choos- it is considered a breach of the peace for one
of much strife in its neighboring Tri- ing not to marry the widows appointed to person to call another person a serf as a term
bunals. Could it, however, have been them by their lords. When the daughter of of abuse, even if the person actually is a serf.
someone else, seeking to embarrass the free peasants sells herself into serfdom, it is Similarly, clever synonyms, like “villein,”
Tytalus? They have many enemies that often on the condition that she will not be “bondman,” or “rusticum,” are illegal words
have become as cunning as they are. forced to marry. Serfs and free men who die and a fine is due. That fine is paid from the
without children cannot, generally, will their transgressing serf’s money, which belongs to
property to their nephews. It automatically the lord, and so a second fine is due.
legally incestuous and therefore false. The belongs to their lord.
pope reduced the prohibited degrees to four,
so that only people who share a great-great-
Fines for Being Fined
Church
grandparent cannot marry. Since peasants live
in tiny villages and do not travel far in their
lives, their communities are either incestuous It is illegal for a peasant to waste the
or are continually paying for the fresh blood things his lord owns. The lord owns every-
that their community requires. On some man- thing that the peasant owns. Therefore, if Religion plays a significant role in the life
ors, lords ask merchet even if their own villeins the peasant is fined somewhere outside the of almost every person in Mythic Europe. In
marry. manorial court, like the ecclesiastical court feudal areas, that role is to provide the sacra-

82
 Lords of Men
ments that mark significant occasions in the
life of each person. Each community has a
local priest appointed by the bishop, with
the duty to care for souls in that community.
This priest is called a curate, and the parish
that supports him is his living. In many com-
munities that have multiple manors, there are
separate churches, and priests, for each man-
or. This is because the individual churches
are owned by their respective secular noble-
man and lent to the Church.
Curates are required to provide the sac-
raments required by the life of the commu-
nity. They oversee celebrations of holy days.
Each is required to preach four sermons a
year, although this rule is only weakly en-
forced. The curate has the duty to maintain
the Church’s land in the vicinity of his flock.
The income from this land, and the tithes
of the community, are used for the priest’s
own support, to maintain the fabric of the
Church, and to aid the poor.
Over time, the role of priest has become
enmeshed in the financial and political struc-
tures of medieval life. This means that a par-
ticular priest may be curate for lands distant
from each other, or for a contiguous area
larger than it is possible for him to actually
serve. Such curates pay assistants to perform
their religious functions. The Church calls
these servants “temporary curates”, contrast-
ing them to the “perpetual curates” they
serve. For simplicity, this book uses “curate” emn behavior in churchyards as sinful for workers. If the glebe is of sufficient size, the
for whoever is providing local services, and hundreds of years, but this has not prevented priest may have a permanent staff of villeins,
“rector,” which means “ruler,” for whoever it in most areas. Churchyards are hallowed much like the famuli of the manor’s lord.
has the right to collect tithes. places, protected by the Divine. The most contentious of a curate’s ser-
Curates of minor parishes are likely to vants is the “hearth mate.” A hearth mate is
have poor education by the standards of the technically a woman of all work recruited
Order of Hermes. Perhaps one-fifth of all the
local priests in Mythic Europe are able to do
Glebe to perform domestic labor. Effectively, the
hearth mate is often a wife. Provided the re-
little more than repeat the sacraments by rote, lationship is deniable, or the priest claims to
and cannot read Latin in any effective way. The glebe is farmland set aside for the be penitent when found guilty of fornication
The sacraments of these priests are, nonethe- use of the Church. It may, like the lord’s de- by ecclesiastical authorities, this does not
less, completely effective, and these priests mesnes, either be set aside from the fields much damage the prospects of a manorial
still serve their communities as resolvers of of the villeins or may be intermingled. On curate.
disputes, witnesses of oaths, and maintainers lands that have an ecclesiastical lord, like the
of the Church lands. Many provide religious manors belonging to monasteries, the glebe
education through their sermons, and some
provide basic schooling for children.
and demesne may combine, or the glebe may
be left separate, for the use of that particular
Church and
curate.
Glebes may be cropped in a variety of
Priest’s House
Churchyard ways. Glebes may be rented out, which al-
leviates the need for the Church to have Parish churches are not the grand struc-
involvement in their management. This is tures of arching stone found in the cities.
The churchyard plays an important role a popular option on lands that have a dis- Most are built in the same way as the houses
in the civic life of the manor. It is common, tant rector and a salaried curate. In this case of manorial lords, so in areas where manor
on Sundays, for many villagers to gather in a small amount of land around the curate’s houses are made from timber with thatched
their churchyards, to drink, dance, and gos- house is usually retained as a garden. Small roofs, the churches are made the same way.
sip. Informal markets are also held in church- glebes are tilled by the priest himself in many The interiors of churches tend to be highly
yards. Priests have been forbidding unsol- cases, but larger glebes are tilled by hired decorated. The church is one of the few

83
 Lords of Men

Story Seeds Improvement

Brotherhood of the Black Mask people. Many Brotherhood attacks are Non-magical characters may improve their
staged by great nobles, seeking revenge fiefs in a limited number of ways. Most nobles do
In England the problem of rectors is on priests they dislike. If there is a coor- not bother with land improvement if the realm
felt more intensely than in any other part dinating hand behind the best-planned is in dispute. If landholders cannot be certain
of Europe. While King John was excom- of the attacks, it is likely one of the king’s of keeping their lands, soldiers and castles are
municate, many livings fell vacant, and inner circle, who is deliberately spreading considered a wiser investment than improve-
when he swore fealty to the pope, many of disorder for political ends. ments to the land. Absolute peace is rare, but
these were filled with Vatican functionar- sometimes war is restricted to the zones where
ies who never visited England. Many oth- two realms abut, and those far behind the battle
ers were filled with priests who did come Swift Assarting lines see improvements as profitable.
to their livings, but did not understand
English customs and were considered se- It is possible to assart land far faster
vere in their interpretation of their rights. than normal by hiring a large workforce Assarting
Roughly parallel to the game period, and then dismissing them afterward. When
a minor nobleman whose church is given a lord does this, it leads to many problems. Hermetic scholars know that the weather
away without his permission forms a league Petty crime rates rise while the outsiders in Mythic Europe is notably drier in the 13th
of equally annoyed minor nobles, called are in the manor, particularly as their work century than it was in preceding years. This
the Brotherhood. The Brotherhood robs comes to an end. The workers know they has made farmable a great deal of land that
and beats Italian priests in their part of will move on soon and are unlikely to be was previously marginal. Coupled with the
northern England. As word of the attacks caught in petty theft. Some groups go fur- population boom being experienced in Eu-
spreads, other nobles, with no connection ther than this, and stage burglaries after rope, one of the simplest ways of expanding
to the original Brotherhood, join in. If a their work is done, or become brigands. a fief is assarting: carving new cropland or
comparable organization to the Brother- In this story seed for a Spring covenant, meadow from fertile wasteland. This has been
hood appears in the player characters’ Tri- a band of brigands has begun to raid areas occurring for much of the last century, so mar-
bunal, magi may be targeted. The magi, nearby. They have been telling the victims ginal land is becoming increasingly scarce.
after all, speak Latin, and in many cases act of their crimes that they were once workers A single strong laborer with proper tools
in strange and possibly foreign ways. from the group that assarted the covenant’s clears one acre of lightly wooded land per
Player characters who attempt to lands. The magi, however, know that they month, if he does no other work. This means
track down the leaders of the Brotherhood assarted their own land magically. They that villeins who assart land work much slow-
face several obstacles. The Brotherhood must find this band, determine who they are er than an acre a month because their other
is more a social movement than an orga- working for, and figure out what this myste- duties take precedence. Many lords use only
nization, so it has no ultimate leader. Its rious individual hopes to achieve by blam- local labor, or hire a small team of famuli who
members often keep what they steal, but ing the magi for a series of crimes. In the assist with the clearing and then are kept on
many of the brothers have emptied the interim, the magi must deal with aggrieved to work the lord’s increased demesne, so that
tithe barns of the local churches and given local lords, who claim compensation for the assarting is a gradual but continual process
the food stored there to the peasantry, so damage caused by the covenant’s reckless that takes years to have a marked effect.
they are very popular with the common practice of hiring massive assarting teams. There are many ways of assarting land
magically. Changing the topography or soil
type to allow large-field farming where it was
buildings where it is considered inappropri- tremely large, second only to the great hall in previously impossible, altering water flows for
ate for servants of the owner of the building size, because they provide accommodation for irrigation, and removing trees or reducing them
to sleep, so priests require residences other a personal staff of laborers who farm the glebe. to ash are all simple and popular strategies.
than the church building. Other wealthy priests simply rent the glebe to A covenant that secretly clears land for
The houses of curates in minor parishes peasants who do not share the rector’s home. itself using magic alarms nearby lords. The
are flimsy things. This is because the curates In some richer holdings, the lord has a sudden appearance of cropland in an area
of minor places are usually no wealthier than personal confessor and a private chapel. This that was previously waste indicates to neigh-
villeins, given that the tithes and perhaps priest is a member of the lord’s household boring nobles that the lord of that land has
even the crops from the Church lands are staff and is paid a wage or offered part of the hired an enormous workforce. This, it is as-
collected by the curate for the rector, rather demesnes to farm, rather than drawing on the sumed, will cause predictable problems when
than for his own use. The curate receives a glebe. When not providing the sacraments, a the workforce is dispersed.
small wage that is supplemented by farming personal confessor often acts as a secretary,
a small section of the glebe. teacher for children, or estate manager. It
The houses of curates on manors where the is possible for a lord’s personal confessor to Conquest
glebe is more significant, or where the rector is also be his manor’s curate, particularly if the
also the curate, are far more substantial. Local rector is distant from the manor and the lord Taking land by conquest is rare among the
priests of this type are as wealthy as prosperous allows the wage he offers his confessor to lower nobility in most of feudal Europe be-
free men. In some cases their houses are ex- partially offset the wage of the curate. cause it requires political skill and perfect tim-

84
 Lords of Men
ing. Conquered land must
be taken from someone, and
Allods
the lord of the dispossessed In England and Norman-
noble appears weak if he dy, it is illegal for farmland
does nothing in response to to exist outside the feudal
conquest. In some cases such system. Every piece of land
lords do as little as demand a must have a lord, and that
fine and fealty from the in- lord must hold by permission
vader, but this is seen as a pa- of the king. In other parts of
thetic response by the lord’s Mythic Europe it is possible
other vassals, who, sensing for a person to hold land
their lack of security, form without owning al-
coalitions of mutual support legiance to anyone.
that are often provoked into A piece of land that
open war with each other. its lord owns out-
All nobles know this, so un- right is called an
less a lord is beset by more allod. Allodial
important issues, conquest is l a n d is significant to the
rarely able to succeed in the Order of Hermes because this
extended term. entire system of villages and
Nobles often are, how- manors is less than three cen-
ever, beset by more im- turies old, so the oldest cov-
portant issues. Conquest enants in the Order predate it
can take place in times of and are therefore allods.
general anarchy, because
there is no lord able to
prevent it. It can also take Alms and Charities
place during civil war, pro-
vided a conqueror chooses the The Church is the greatest landholder in
winning side and limits his depredations to Mythic Europe, and individual priests may
followers of the rival cause. Purchase hold land as if they were noblemen, on behalf
of the Church. Some Church land is allodial,
Characters may purchase land from their because successive groups of monks following
Land Management neighbors. This costs between thirty and the Benedictine model have sought places in
fifty times its annual income, although this the wilderness to settle as monasteries, and
The rules in this chapter assume manors may be adjusted downward if the characters peasant land-holdings have grown up around
that are controlled by a competent bailiff. allow the seller to retain some of the rights of these sites. In England and Normandy this is
Monastic centers have, for centuries, been the land, or agree to take on some of its dues. considered legally impossible because all land
researching ways to improve the yield of Characters can get a better price by paying is held from the king. There are two main
land. Their conclusions have recently been in immediate coin, since large transactions types of non-allodial Church land, which are
popularized among secular landlords. It is for land are usually paid in installments over described in the following sections.
assumed in this section that characters can- many years. In some areas, the lord of a land-
not improve their lands simply by managing holder must acquire the right to sell the land alMs land
them better unless, during the setup of the from his lord, who typically demands a cut
covenant, or during story events, it has been of the price, which correspondingly raises Alms land is land given to the Church for
noted that the covenant is run badly. the price. its use, in perpetuity. It is still held from a ma-
Players using City & Guild may develop jor noble. The Church may farm the land or
businesses on the land, using the rules in that offer it to vassals. Other rights, like the right
book. Those businesses that are part of the to take tolls, to require knight service, or to

Fief-like
fief by custom, however, like the mills and take a portion of the fines from local courts,
bakery, are already included in the manor’s stay with the nobleman. This means that the
income source. Church is required to have a small standing

Marriage
Holdings army and fight on both sides of many wars,
simply to render service for its lands.

In Mythic Europe there are some land

Marriage to heiresses and widows is one holdings that are not fiefs, but can be treated
charities
of the most lucrative ways of extending a as such for the purposes of these rules. Charities are lands given to the Church
character’s fief. It is dealt with in greater de- in exchange for particular services. The most
tail in Chapter Two: Politics. popular service connected to a charity is the

85
 Lords of Men
provision of sacraments to the residents of
a parish. They may also include masses for
the soul for the land’s initial donor, prayers
Story Seed: Catching Up On Masses
for the success of a lord’s ventures, the pro-
If a charity is based on masses for the these situations attracts pilgrims, and
visioning of hospitals and hospices, clerical
soul of a dead donor, but the priest hasn’t seems to boost the Dominion.
duties, and teaching the lord’s children. Un-
been saying the masses as frequently as Such an intense series of masses is
der law, if these services are not provided,
he should, then a court can confiscate one of the possible effects of Hermetic
the lord can reclaim the land.
the land and grant it back to the donor’s magi encouraging sloth in priests. When
Over time, charities are increasingly be-
heir. If the local abbot or bishop has sig- a marathon of masses is being said in an
ing offered to nunneries. They are consid-
nificant power, this is a serious step with area, the creatures of the Faerie realm be-
ered more dependable in providing services
possible political consequences. A minor have in odd ways. Some are geographi-
than priests or monasteries. Men are too of-
lord may, instead, ask the court to declare cally dislocated by the process. Some
ten distracted, in the eyes of some donors,
that the land be resumed unless the unsaid pretend to be refugees, or to be vaca-
by secular concerns that women are barred
masses are made good. When this occurs, tioning away from town. Some seem to
from by their gender.
it is common for a group of priests to be go mad. Similarly, minor demons leave
sent to the charity. They perform many their usual haunts and seek new victims
masses every day until the backlog, which in the countryside. Powerful magical
Towns With may comprise many hundreds of masses, is creatures, who must stay in Magic auras
Royal Charters completed. They often perform additional
masses, so that there can be no question
to avoid being affected by the creeping
mundanity of the mortal world, may find
that the charity remains with the Church. their home’s aura suppressed, and seek
Towns are founded by the lords who The performance of the many masses in lodging at the covenant.
hold the land on which the town stands.
Lords create them for several reasons. The
higher population of a town means that and quickly converted into manufactured right by offering the king money in ex-
even if the lord cannot claim as much rent goods. Townsfolk often pay their rent in change for a charter during a period of civ-
per person as he can for peasants, he still money, which is convenient when a lord il strife. Their offer is likely to be accepted
makes additional money by packing more needs to settle his debts with his liege. if the town’s noble overlord is a rebel. A
people into the space of the town. The Towns that already exist are coveted priz- royal charter places a town beyond the ra-
townspeople also provide a ready market es, because the lord has all the benefits of a paciousness of the agricultural aristocracy.
for the agricultural products that make up town with none of the foundation costs. The council of such a town, as represented
a large portion of the taxes collected by Some towns, however, hold directly by its mayor, may even act as a feudal over-
the lord, allowing them to be sold easily from the king. Towns usually gain this lord itself.

86
 Discuss Poverty in Your Saga

Different troupes of Ars Magica play- You Don’t Want to be a The Church was Sometimes
ers select different degrees of realism for the Swineherd! You Want to See Oppressive
setting of their stories. The material in this the World!
book tends to the historic, rather than the In this chapter, the Church is portrayed
fantastic. (This orientation has been chosen The aspiration to escape poverty and be- as oppressive by modern standards. The
because accurate historical detail is difficult come prosperous is found throughout period Church in the 13th century is an institution
for storyguides to research, but not to re- folklore and also acts as a powerful driver for of its time. Its members, for the most part,
move.) The consequence of this book’s his- player characters. Characters from peasant believe that many activities that modern
torical rather than fantastic position is that backgrounds who serve in most covenants players consider oppressive are morally just.
the lot of the poor in Mythic Europe seems find that their working conditions are far su- These activities are presented so that stories
miserable by modern standards. Worse, it perior to those of peasant life. and character backgrounds may be framed
is in part made miserable by rich charac- according to these medieval beliefs.
ters, like the player characters, and by the In 1220 the Church’s officers also do
Church. Troupes should discuss this and Noble Villains Provide a many things that they know are morally
choose a degree of realism that suits the sto- Change of Pace questionable, but are less bad than any alter-
ries they wish to tell. native they perceive. This is particularly true
How far a lord pushes his rights, and in financial matters. Much of the work of the
how much harm he does his peasantry as papal court is performed by non-resident and
The Simplest Choice: a consequence, is often a matter left to the pluralist priests, for example. The Church
The Happy Peasant lord’s conscience. In many cases, medieval knows this is not ideal, but can see no better
society’s tolerance of the abuse of the peas- option given that the work of the Church is
Many troupes will find it convenient to antry encourages that same abuse. so important. The real-world Church worked
simply select the level of peasant happiness Nobles who behave villainously with through these complex issues over the centu-
for their covenant at creation, as they would respect to their peasants can provide ad- ries following the game period.
any other feature. The covenant design sys- versaries that are qualitatively different There is no need for troupes to play in a
tem allows sagas set in flying castles that are from monsters and demons, and therefore setting with a realistic Church. Some troupes
defended by undead knights riding mechani- require different strategies to overcome. may prefer that a Church guided constantly
cal manticores, so choosing happy peasants This allows players who want their char- toward righteousness by the Holy Spirit. For
represents a comparatively mundane option. acters to kill monsters and loot their bod- such troupes, the material here may instead
The rest of this chapter is for troupes who ies to share the limelight with players who provide examples of the sins of exceptional
want greater realism, a darker tone, and more wish to design magi from Houses like Me- priests, who can serve as foes during stories.
extensive material to work into the back- rinita, Jerbiton, and Criamon, which have
grounds of their companions and grogs. a weaker focus on combat.

87
 Chapter Seven

The Peasantry
Peasant life is unpleasant. Peasants, for These people pour into towns looking for a Many members of the famuli are allowed
the most part, live a marginal existence filled better life, but often find that they are barred little treats based on their job. Shepherds are
with toil. They have little scope to improve from seeking guild-controlled employment. given lambs occasionally and dairymaids are
their lives, and often lack the education to Lacking other skills they turn to crime, which allowed to take cheeses. These small gifts are
know how their lives could be improved in is why the term “villain” has such negative not, however, enough to make a famulus as
the first place. Most peasants never travel connotations. wealthy as a villein farming a virgate. Some
more than a few miles from their birthplace. Many day workers tramp the roads, seek- famuli members supplement their income as
Peasants are not, however, stupid, and ing employment. Peak agricultural periods bovaters, described in Chapter Six: Manorial
many grasp opportunities to escape the differ for various crops and grazing animals, Fiefs, which enables them to marry.
worst of their lot. Over the generations, so many laborers chase work. Others stay in It’s possible to be a retained servant, like
peasants have bargained and paid for little a single village, where they are known as be- a famulus, without being a servant of the
ameliorations of the worst of their condi- ing free to work odd days. These are gener- lord. The agricultural laborers who tend the
tions. In 1220, some peasants are even free ally the poorest people in any village. glebe on behalf of the priest are sometimes
of serfdom. That is, they are not required to In France, any stranger who dwells in like a famuli to him, for example, and live
labor for a lord, and can instead pay him for a manor for more than a year is automati- in his house and are fed from the produce
their use of land. cally the villein of the lord, unless he can of the glebe. Many free peasants are wealthy
prove that he is free, or that he is the vil- enough to have domestic servants of their
lein of someone else. A lord is, technically, own. Members of the lord’s famuli live under
not permitted to allow his villeins to starve, the care of the lord’s bailiff, so they are usu-

Classes of
so many lords force the poor to move on so ally considered to be of higher status than
that they do not gain a claim to the lord’s similar servants working for less influential
charity. A compromise between vagrants and people.

Peasant lords is often reached whereby the itinerant

poor keep to Church land, such as pilgrim-
age sites. This, legally speaking, is outside
Comparing the status of famuli to villeins
who farm their own land is complicated. In
areas where villeins are relatively rich, and
There is an ascending scale of wealth the manor. lords comparatively stingy, the villeins are
and status in peasant communities. Gener- considered better off, and so are of higher
ally, richer peasants have the highest status, social standing. In other areas the compara-
and those who have the most land are the
wealthiest. Some of the terms used in this
Famuli and Other tive freedom from famine of the famuli, and
their relatively high standard of living as re-
section to define land holdings are defined
in the Chapter Six: Manorial Fiefs. This sec-
Retained Servants cipients of their lord’s largesse, makes them
socially superior to the villeins. Generally,
tion uses English peasantry as its model, al- famuli cannot afford families and villeins
though similar social roles are found in most The famuli are the household staff of the with land can, and so villeins with land may
of Mythic Europe. lord. These serfs include agricultural laborers be considered richer than famuli for that rea-
as well as those who provide a second service son. Service in the famuli may, however, be
in addition to labor, like the lord’s shepherd, an excellent form of advancement for the son
The Unemployed and swineherd, and dairymaid. The famuli usu-
ally also includes cooking and cleaning staff.
of a landed villein, while he saves sufficient
money and becomes well enough known to
Day Workers The famuli are lodged and fed by the
lord, but theirs is not a luxurious life. Fam-
seek land in an assart, or to marry well.

uli tend to sleep where they work, or in the

The population of Mythic Europe is
swelling rapidly in 1220. In most agricultural
great hall. They eat simply and usually drink
only water except at special celebrations.
Serf or Villein
areas, for the length of any usual saga, the The food and lodging provided for famuli
unemployment rate is around twenty percent are usually for the servant alone — many A serf or villein is an agricultural worker
outside of the planting and reaping seasons. cannot afford to marry. whose labor is owned by his lord in exchange

88
 Lords of Men
for the use of land. Serfs are not free; they Technically no serf is able to own any- work, or is reported to the bailiff for failing
cannot choose who to work for or what work thing: he does not own his labor and there- to. The reeve is usually appointed annually
to do. This also means they cannot choose fore cannot own the profit of his labor. In on Michaelmas (29 September, just after har-
where to live. Serfdom is passed to the chil- practice, in most areas, serfs are able to keep vest) although some reeves are re-appointed
dren of serfs. Serfs are not, however, slaves, some of what they produce. Most of this each year for decades.
and so they cannot legally be whimsically they pay in rent or fines to their lords, but Reeves, in most areas, must be villeins.
murdered or maimed. It is legal, however — over time they can save sufficient money to Proof that a peasant has served as a reeve is
indeed, it is usual in some areas — to casually buy off some of the worst of the taxes and taken in many courts as proof he is a serf and
beat serfs. One particular Churchman is fa- charges they face. not free. It is usual for the reeve to be select-
mous for his saintly character in part because As noted in the Chapter Six: Manorial ed by the villeins in the manor court, from
he never raised his hand to his servants. Fiefs, the status of peasants increases as the among the villeins with the largest landhold-
Serfs owe their lord rent, week works, amount of land they rent with their labor ings in the manor. The lord or his steward
and boon works. Rent is traditionally a penny increases. Generally virgaters are wealthier may veto their choice. Villeins who absent
an acre a year, but may be far higher. A serf’s than bovaters, who are wealthier than cot- themselves from the manor court may find
week works are usually expressed as a certain tars. There is, however, a major exception to they are given this job in their absence.
number of days per week, but these “days” this: tradesmen. Many people dislike being reeve for
are generally measured from sunrise to noon. Many tradesmen are members of the fa- three main reasons. The reeve is financially
Many serfs work four or five of these “days” muli, or hold small crofts of land surround- responsible for any failure of the administra-
for their lords, although in some areas they ing their homes and owe little or no villein tion of the manor that it was his responsibili-
works as few as two, paying higher rents in- service. Millers, blacksmiths, and reeves are ty to prevent. He can be fined if people shirk
stead. This is common, for example, in lands examples of men who live more richly than work or steal, or if equipment breaks because
where money is made by running sheep and most villeins, but have little land and so owe it was poorly maintained, unless he can fine
so the lord has little use for additional agri- only minor villein service. The most unusual someone else for the fault. The reeve, as
cultural labor. such trademen are the ministeriales found the enforcer of the lord’s due, is the person
On some manors peasants pay an annual in some of the German duchies. These vil- who makes sure that the other members of
fee to be excused from week work for a year. leins are knights who pay for their keep with his community don’t take easy options when
This is called the censum. The desirability of military service. In areas within the Norman working. As a result, he’s hated for the extra
the censum depends on its price. On some sphere of influence it is considered wrong to hassle he causes and the little thefts of time
manors rich peasants embrace the censum, knight serfs without freeing them first. and material he prevents. Finally, being reeve
while on others it is used as a punishment takes time away from the work the villein
of the manor court for people whose labor is could do on his own behalf during harvest
poor or tardy. Offices for Villeins season.
Boon works are added days theoretically The role is so unpopular that on some
performed out of love for the lord. The lord, The least desirable, and yet most lucra- manors there is land specifically reserved to
by tradition, usually feeds his laborers during tive, of the official positions on a manor is pay the reeve. On other manors all of the
boon works. Most serfs owe more week work that of reeve. The reeve is responsible for major villeins pay a fee so that they need not
or boon work during the harvest period (Au- the direct oversight of the daily work of the have a reeve at all. This fee is as high as a
gust and September) than during other parts villeins of the manor. He is also responsible shilling a head a year in some places. In other
of the year. for making sure each villein does his days of places, a person elected as reeve may pay a

89
 Lords of Men

Story Seed: The Story Seeds: The Church

Wandering Poor Famuli Matters Supports Serfdom
The wandering poor are defined The stories of the famuli are similar The church in 1220 does not see
by the fact that they do not come from to the stories about servants in many keeping serfs as evil. Most Churchmen
the community — they are strangers. other genres. Theirs is the “below stairs” even considerer slavery morally accept-
Many are simply poor people. Some view of the world of the nobility or magi. able provided masters stay within cer-
have strange customs, but are nonethe- Servants know their masters intimately tain limits of behavior. Serfdom, which
less human beings with personal tales and even if they like their masters, they is better than slavery, is actively sup-
of woe that might turn to the better or recognize their weaknesses and human ported by the Church.
worse when they encounter the player foibles. Stories set among the servants
characters. Some wanderers, however, can allow a change of pace from the he-
are far more than they appear. Saints, roic stories which involve magi. dykes. On some manors, plowmen are ap-
even God himself in some folktales, pointed by the lord and live as his officers,
take the form of wandering beggars to although in most places a lord’s plowmen are
test the morals of people who profess Cleaning Up simply famuli. Ale-tasters, who ensure ale
Christianity, rewarding the good and brewed on the manor is of sufficient quality
shaming the hypocritical. Demons also The famuli are the hidden charac-
for sale, are often women.
walk the roads and bring temptations ters who clean up the stage between
with them. Faeries seem to walk the the episodes in the lives of the magi. If
roads, seeking to be nearby when inter- a horde of faeries attacks the covenant,
esting things occur. Some faeries steal it is the famuli who tidy up afterwards Half-free
children, or enter strange bargains with by rebuilding damaged walls, washing
lords, reeves, or individual peasants, of- the blood off the courtyard, carting
A half-free peasant is one who is a free
fering treasure or terror. away the bits the magi don’t want for
man or woman, as described below, but who
experiments, and finding ways to bury
has accepted the rental of villein land from
them. This style of story works best for
a lord, and therefore owes villein service.
covenants with magi who deal with im-
substantial fine to force the manor court to Half-free peasants are sometimes wealthy
mediate crises and then retire swiftly to
pick an alternative reeve. enough to pay a hired worker to carry out
their laboratories.
Reeves gain wealth from five sources. their villein service. A half-free peasant is
Most are forgiven all, or part, of their rent. free of non-agricultural taxes and services,
Reeves are usually paid a small wage: gener- like a free peasant.
ally double whatever is being paid to other There are many other positions to which
laborers, and for the entire year rather than villeins are elected by the manor court. The
simply the harvest periods. This wage is
sometimes given as grain from the demesne,
most significant of these is the office of mes-
sor (or beadle), which is usually coupled with
Free Peasants
and may be increased by the right to be fed the office of hayward. The beadle acts as the
by the lord either for the whole year, or dur- reeve’s enforcer. He implements the customs A free man or free woman is, in this case,
ing the planting and reaping seasons. Reeves of the manor, summons people to the court, an agricultural worker who does not owe
are excused many services to the lord, allow- collects fines, and warns people that they will service to the lord for land. Freedom from
ing them extra time with their own crops and be due for services and tallages. The hayward service is rarely absolute; the exact nature
crafts, other than at harvest and planting. is the overseer of the harvesting laborers and of freedom varies in accordance with manor
Reeves, as mentioned above, may be granted the guard of the harvested crop. He is also custom. This means that in some areas, for
the use of certain lands during their tenure. the person charged with the health of the example, free men are still required to serve
The final source of wealth for reeves is cor- pasture, so he is the confiscator of wander- as jurors, members of the military levy, or su-
ruption, and most villeins consider corrup- ing stock. The hayward is paid, much like pervisors of unfree laborers at harvest. These
tion among reeves to be rife. the reeve, by reduction of his rent, excusal requirements vary not only between neigh-
It is the corruption of reeves that makes from services, use of reserved meadow, and boring manors, but between free men of the
the searching annual audits, which prepare feeding at the lord’s expense at harvest time. same manor. Many free peasants owe the
the figures for the steward, necessary. Reeves He is also sometimes given free seed corn. Church a small fee, called church-scot, each
have a tremendous opportunity to take Haywards tend to hold less substantial lands year in November. A free tenant can theo-
bribes for unprovable returns, like the right than reeves, so their effective rewards for of- retically leave his farm at any time by ceasing
to finish work early or be assigned the easy fice are less. to pay the rent, but this usually leaves him
bit of the haymaking. They also have many Other lesser offices include woodward, in poverty.
opportunities to steal directly from the lord. who cares for the lord’s plantations, forester, Free parents have children who are also
Regardless, a reeve owes the lord any goods who cares for the lord’s hunting wood, and free. A free person who marries a servile one
or services not collected or remitted in his herdsman. In East Anglia there are peasants makes his spouse free for the length of the
term. who are charged with the maintenance of marriage, although she reverts to servile

90
 Lords of Men
status upon the partner’s death or if they
separate. The children of such a union are,
usually, free, although customs vary. A free
Story Seed: Standard
peasant must pay a fine for freeing a spouse
by marriage, and can generally arrange a
The Rolls
The records of the manorial court
of Living
higher fine to ensure that the partner does
not return to servile status after the marriage are kept on rolls of parchment, and spe- The standard of living of peasants is
ends. cial decisions are sewn onto the rolls. strongly affected by the proximity of towns.
Free peasants make up less than ten per- A peasant who could tamper with the In areas where flight from the manor is vi-
cent of the population of most manors, but rolls, by sewing on a ruling that indicat- able, standards are higher. As the living con-
on some manors, all of the peasants are free. ed that he was personally free and only ditions improve in towns, so too the living
This is particularly common on assarts and acted like a villein because he held vil- conditions in the hinterlands of the towns
in newly founded towns, where men are of- lein land, could gain substantial advan- improve. The sections that follow most ac-
fered freedom in exchange for their sweat tage. The main barrier to this is that the curately describe manors more than two
and shillings. Free peasants are most com- roll is guarded and the villein illiterate. days from a major town.
mon on royal manors, and are more common A villein brings a scheme to change
on secular manors than ecclesiastical ones. the roll to the attention of the magi. He
has a little money from a crime, which
This is because setting villeins free is a com-
mon form of charity among secular rulers, he can’t spend publicly, and offers it for Housing
particularly in their wills, but to free villeins the aid of someone who can write in
is forbidden to Churchmen by canon law. Latin. The magi, considering his plan, Many peasant houses have a single
might give him the letter free, provided room. Wealthier peasants might, however,
he also adds another document to the have a chamber, pantry, buttery (a room
rolls that is to their advantage. They
Officers might also give him greater assistance,
where alcohol, not butter, is kept), and sepa-
rate kitchen. Many peasant homes contain a
because it would be embarrassing for byre, a room for penning animals.
A manor’s officers hold positions of trust him to be caught before the two addi- Peasant houses are usually constructed by
from the lord and administer the manor’s af- tions had been made to the roll. building a frame, which holds up a ridge pole,
fairs. There is a great confusion of manorial then using wattle and daub to build walls. The
officers. The same titles are used on neigh- frame, called a bay, usually contains an area 15
boring manors for different jobs, and the The bailiff (or beadle, or sergeant) is feet square. The average house is two bays in
titles on the same manor may change over the controller of the daily operation of the size, although they vary between one and five
time without any observable change in work- manor, through the reeve. A bailiff may be bays, based on the wealth of the builder or the
load for the officer. As a general rule, though, responsible for a handful of manors, if they obligation of the tenant.
there are two free men who are highly sig- form a tight group and travel between them Wattle and daub is a technique for wall
nificant to the running of the manor. is easy. The bailiff answers twice a year to building. A weave of twigs is created to act
The steward, or seneschal, is the lord’s the steward, and must give a detailed ac- as the core of the wall. This is plastered with
representative on the manor. He is required count of the manor’s finances. Bailiffs are layers of mud, or mud mixed with straw. The
to act in the lord’s stead at the manorial almost always free men who live locally to wall is allowed to cure in the sun, and is of-
courts, and to account for the fief’s business the manor, and in most places they have ten whitewashed with lime to discourage
annually, down to the last egg. Some stew- the right to live in the manor house. Bai- vermin. Stone sections are rare in peasant
ards are chosen from the prominent free men liffs are, more than any other manorial houses. Wattle-and-daub houses are fragile:
of the fief, and where this is done the office official, most likely to be attacked by ag- housebreakers regularly rob them by literally
is circulated to limit corruption. Other stew- grieved peasants. smashing through their walls.
ards are members of the professional class of Bailiffs are rich, for peasants. A bailiff is Peasant houses are often roofed with
estate managers that is beginning to form. paid approximately ten shillings a year in the thatch or wooden shingles. Thatch is made
These are often free men with some educa- smallest fiefs, although this amount may rise from straw, which is a byproduct of the grain
tion. The role of steward is, for example, a as high as six pounds for bailiffs who handle harvest. Rye straw is considered superior to
job often taken by the younger or illegiti- large, difficult territories for their masters. wheat straw for this purpose. In some ar-
mate sons of minor noblemen who do not Bailiffs are known for their corruption, in- eas reeds are used instead of straw, because
desire to enter the priesthood. cluding for failing to enforce laws and for these make the most durable roofs. Thatched
The steward is the master of all of the distorting custom to gain extra service or roofs are often built with a higher pitch than
other manorial servants of the fief, and is money from the peasants. shingle roofs, because this allows more rapid
paid highly for his services. The payment The term “bailie” is used in northern runoff.
varies by the size of the estate from half a France to describe an official with a role Thatch roofs provide good insulation,
pound a year for a free man on a manor, to similar to that of an English sheriff, and this but are slightly permeable, so many peasants
twenty pounds a year for stewards who are title is usually anglicized as “bailiff.” These do not have chimneys. The smoke from their
maintained as knights, to vast grants of land are different roles, however. fires rises through the thatch and reduces in-
for those who act as stewards on behalf of festations by insects. Thatch roofs are dif-
kings. ficult to extinguish once they have caught

91
 Lords of Men

Peasant Loyalty
Peasants in Mythic Europe are not Community Loyalty war. The presence of large towns makes the
required to be loyal to their lord. Most decision to flee far easier for peasants, as
have never seen their lord, and only see Magi can prevent their rich peasants do stories of successful flight carried back
his steward twice a year. Some lords, from becoming restive by offering them a to their village by travelers with messages
who have heads filled with poetic tales, deal better than that provided by the near- from those who have left.
believe that their peasants sit in their est town’s royal charter. These peasants do Peasants rebel when they feel they
hovels blessing their lord for his chari- not become loyal to the magi, who likely have no other choice. Rebellions are rare,
ties, and do boon works because they remain strangers because of The Gift. They because they tend to end badly, with the
love their lord so much. In Mythic Eu- may, however, be loyal to the community rebel leaders put to death. This occurs de-
rope, unless your troupe decides other- that the magi create and govern, or to the spite laws that prevent lesser nobles from
wise, this is simply naive. Peasants may community’s figurehead if they know him usurping the mortal justice of the king.
be happy or unhappy because of the ac- personally. Many peasants support cove- Short of armed rebellion, some peasants
tions of their lords, but they are never nants simply from self-interest. When magi choose — as a group — to refuse to labor.
loyal to strangers. Peasants who interact attempt to develop communities with very Such villeins can be evicted and replaced,
with their lords may develop a personal high living standards, this creates resis- but this is expensive for their lord, and this
bond of loyalty, but this is rare. tance from nearby nobles and Churchmen, inconvenience sometimes leads to a change
Players used to computer games may which provides opportunities for stories. in his policies.
feel that lowering taxes should make peas-
ants more manageable, because this is a
common game mechanic. It doesn’t work Flight and Rebellion Nothing Grows for the
well in Mythic Europe, however, except in Wicked
the very short term. Peasants, when they The loyalty mechanic given in Cov-
become rich enough to have free time, use enants, beginning on page 36, is suited to Players may prefer a more folkloristic
it to organize politically. Rather than be- organizations of magi, perhaps with the approach to peasant loyalty. In many bal-
coming complacent with their gains, rich occasional nobleman as their peer or ser- lads, the reign of a good king is marked by
villeins become increasingly politically vant, who are somewhat distant from the God with fertile harvests, while the reign of
restive. This is particularly true if nearby rest of the world. The Covenants rules are a bad king is blighted with famine. Similar-
towns offer greater personal freedom and suitable for the large households of senior ly, if the player characters are virtuous and
a higher standard of living. nobles, but they don’t work as well when successful, then God raises the standard
Military household servants — the modeling the relationships of lesser nobles of living of the peasants in the covenant’s
mesnie — are an exception to the idea to their agricultural peasants. Noblemen area of influence. The peasants notice this
that loyalty is not expected of servants. As lack the means or ability to provide many and attribute it to the magi. This generates
knights, they are expected to be loyal to of the factors that make covenants loyal, community loyalty.
their lord, provided their lord maintains and further lack the capacity for magical Troupes using this system select good
their standard of living and dignity. The retribution. To their benefit, however, they harvests rather than making the annual roll
loyalty of the mesnie may be tracked us- also lack The Gift’s social penalties. called for by the Mythic Pound system (see
ing the system given in Covenants, page 38, A peasant flees the land when it seems Covenants). Alternatively, peasant characters
or simply assumed to be strong while times he has better prospects elsewhere. This from the covenant’s lands, when they ap-
are good and less good during difficulty. choice may be based on individual factors, pear in stories, may always be portrayed as
Characters may take Virtues and Flaws to like fear of being punished for a particu- happy and wealthy. This system is not used
change the loyalty of their underlings. lar crime, or wider factors, like rumors of through the rest of the chapter.

fire, though, and in some cities new thatched

roofs are forbidden. In London, thatched
Food and Drink The peasants’ second staple is pottage,
which is a soup or stew made by boiling
roofs now have a layer of plaster on their miscellaneous things together. In many
underside, which acts as a fire retardant. In The main food of the peasants is bread. places pottage is simply made of rolled oats,
other areas, the thatch lies on a layer of turf, It is sometimes made from wheat, but in but barley, peas, and lentils are common in
which improves its insulating properties. many areas wheat is grown primarily to pay pottages, as are garden vegetables, herbs,
Most peasant houses have no luxuries. the rent of the lord, or for sale. Rye and bar- and spare bits of meat. Meals of pottage are
The floor is usually beaten earth, strewn with ley bread are common. Even in areas where cheaper than those of bread because they
straw. There is a table, a few stools, and a wheat is consumed by peasants, their bread are exempt from milling and baking charges.
chest for clothes. Some peasants have bed is often made from maslin. Maslin is a mix- Pottage is also a more filling way of cooking
frames, while others sleep on sacks of straw ture of the lowest class of the manor’s main limited amounts of grain, because pottages
or wool off-cuts. Some prefer to sleep on grain (usually wheat or barley) with some gain bulk from the chaff that has not been
lofts that are reached with a ladder. Richer cheaper foodstuff. This is usually rye, but winnowed from them, and they contain far
peasants have more furniture. may be barely or even beans. more water than bread.

92
 Lords of Men
Meat is rare in the peasant diet. It is added
for special occasions, like religious festivals Story Seed: The Economics
and the customary feasts given by the lord to
mark the end of sowing or planting. The diet Excommunication of Tithing
may be supplemented with additional meat
by poaching small game, which is one of the Peasants who do not pay their tithes Tithing effectively swallows twenty
most popular crimes in Mythic Europe. Fish are cursed. That is, they are excommu- percent of the income of most peasants.
are also added to the diet in areas where they nicated by their priests. The widespread This is because the tithe is ten percent
are readily available. Fat is similarly scarce in use of excommunication calls demons of the peasant’s crop, rather than ten
peasant diets. to an area, as they sense an easy harvest percent of what he has left once his seed
There is a rough line across the center of of souls. corn for the next year, wages for labor-
Europe, north of which peasants drink ale, A bishop near the covenant has pro- ers, and taxes to his lord have been ac-
and south of which they drink wine. Nei- nounced an anathema on all those in his counted for. In areas where farm yields
ther, however, is particularly potent. In half see who have failed him in the matter of are higher, tithing is less onerous, but
the manors of England the famuli are given tithes. Since those who knowingly have in much of Mythic Europe, average land
no allowance of ale, and drink water. In most contact with an excommunicant are also returns less than four bushels of grain
places this is considered unsafe. In limited excommunicated, he has placed large for every bushel planted. Lay lords and
areas cider is more common than either ale numbers of souls outside the protec- monasteries, because they do not owe
or wine. tion of the Church. Various competing themselves rent, sometimes farm land
Ale is vital to the economies of many factions of demons flock to his see, and even more marginal than this.
manors. It provides a source of nourishment create mischief for the magi and each By tradition, tithes are divided in
that keeps well and, unlike bread, is free of other. The characters can stop this by the following way. One-quarter of all
the lord’s taxes. Most manors have ale tast- getting the bishop to lift his ban. tithes go to the rector of the manor.
ers, who are minor officers of the manorial One-quarter goes to the support of his
court who assure that ale is not too watery. curate and other priests. One-quarter
Most ale-making is done by women. Widows value, always. Every person, it is assumed, is used to maintain the fabric of the
sometimes turn their attention to the craft as lies about his tithes and defrauds the Church. church building. Finally, one-quarter is
a way of supplementing their income. The mortuary, a charge described in Chapter used to feed the poor. Many authori-
Six: Manorial Fiefs, is always levied on the ties, even within the Church, claim that
dying. Its function is to make things right be- this system is not followed in practice
tween the Church and the dying thief. in many places. They point to the run-
down churches found on some manors,
Improvement
Common peasant rationales for paying
lesser amounts include subtracting the ex- and the lack of a dole for the poor, as
penses of collecting the harvest before the signs that the priests are keeping too

in Living division, paying for only the primary crop of

the field, not tithing byproducts of the har-
vest like straw, tithing with the worst of the
much for themselves.
Some demons try to persuade priests
that monks, having no personal posses-

Standards fruit or grain instead of the best, paying late,

delivering tithes to a local church instead of
sions, are therefore poor. As such, it is
not necessary for the Church to give
the final quarter of the tithe to the ser-
the church appointed to the manor, or dock-
One handbook for senior clerics and es- ing the pay of a poor-quality priest. vile poor. They are less deserving, the
tate managers lists the sins described in the Senior officers of the Church may, out of demons argue, because their work is less
following sections as popular with peasants a sense of mercy, excuse the tithe in limited important than prayer.
who seek to increase their material wealth at circumstances. Beggars, for example, owe
the risk of their souls. Characters performing tithes on the alms they collect. They are ex-
any of these sins will be substantially wealth- cused payment for alms sufficient to prevent Paying the Lord Less
ier than their more pious neighbors, but ex-
pensive piety is rare in peasant families.
them starving. Note that exceptions may
never be self-assessed. Than You Owe
The Church puts a little leeway into
tithe-exemption calculations. People who The simplest way for a peasant to have
Paying Tithes think they are likely to starve if they pay
their tithe can only be compelled to pay by
more money is to give less to the lord than
is owed. This is difficult where there are cash
Inadequately sending armed men to arrest them and seize
their property. This is, itself, expensive, and
rents, but is relatively simple in areas where
rent is paid in the form of goods. Typical
so on some manors, it’s not considered worth techniques include giving the lord the small-
One tenth of everything that a person the effort. On other manors, strict enforce- est fish, fruit, or eggs, and the worst quality
gets must be given to the Church. Theo- ment is thought to be the obligation of the grain.
logical theories that would limit tithes to the lord for the spiritual betterment of the peas- One practice considered particularly
natural increase of plants and animals aside, antry, and so uneconomic tithes are levied pernicious is seen close to some of the capi-
every person owes tithes, for everything of anyway. tals of Mythic Europe. The peasants of a

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 Lords of Men

Story Seed: Claiming Story Seed: Sending Story Seed: Saving

the Covenant Lawyers and Money a Village, or Saving
In some parts of Mythic Europe, In the classic form of peasants with- For a Village
anyone who lives on a lord’s holding holding their tax (which causes the
for more than a year, and lacks written most alarm among the writers of estate The lord of a local village is mar-
proof that they are free, is automatically management handbooks), a group of rying for the second time. He demands
a villein. This can cause trouble for a peasants sends a delegation to the capi- the peasants pay an extra tax, to allow
covenant that hides its magical status, tal to hire a lawyer. They give the law- him the sort of feast required by his new
because it means that every servant of yer the money that they owe to their father-in-law, who is a baron. This ex-
the covenant, and even the magi them- lord, to argue against the lord in a court tra tax will impoverish the village. The
selves, are legally the property of the of law. If the peasants win, they have characters may prevent this, or encour-
local baron. Even if the baron does not lost nothing: their fees for the lawyer age it, to find ways to benefit from the
attempt to press his claim and force the are smaller than the continual stream of lord’s greed and the peasants’ suffering.
magi to take to the plow, he feels he has fees that the lord could otherwise de- The characters may seek to prevent
a right to a large payment in exchange mand. If the lord wins, he has still suf- the tax being tallied. They may do this
for their manumission. fered a great expense, great disruption by sabotaging the marriage. This is dif-
to his domestic staff if he had no cash ficult, but not impossible, because al-
in reserve, and is unlikely to be able to though the lord does not usually dwell
collect the full amount his peasants owe at the manor, he will be in residence for
lord simultaneously refuse to pay their taxes. a few weeks before the nuptials take
This holds his lifestyle to ransom. This tactic him regardless.
The characters become involved place.
generally only works if the lord is unable to The characters may instead encour-
bring force to bear, such as if he is deeply in because the carrier of the peasants’ mes-
sage is a redcap. When the redcap is age the nobleman to impoverish his
debt or needs the money to pay the king’s people. They may do this by offering
scutage. found dead, the characters must deter-
mine who is responsible, and where the rare and expensive delights and enter-
money has gone. tainments for the feast, through their
intermediaries. This leaves the villagers
Paying the Lord Only and lord open to the covenant’s finan-
cial influence. It allows the covenant to
What You Owe outside the church with others to conduct
business until the moment of the mass, then
lure away the manor’s tradesmen, and
may even make the village so marginal
rushing inside, then departing again when that the lord would accept a cash offer
If a lord is getting only what he is owed, by the mass is done). Meeting after church to for it, or the role of tame nobleman.
custom and law, and this leads him into a life drink and dance is also considered sinful, but
that is below what his peers enjoy, it is the mor- it is common.
al duty of his peasants to give him more. The firewood is even easier to hide: wood looks
lord, technically, owns everything they own like other wood and the evidence literally
anyway. See the concept of tallage in Chapter
Six: Manorial Fiefs for more detail.
Perjury on Behalf goes up in smoke. Communal fields allow
many other opportunities for theft. These
of Lords include moving border markers, plowing in
ignorance of the markers, and over-reaping
Not Resting on Many peasants, as a way of increasing
such that one’s scythe cuts down a little of a
neighbor’s crop.
Holy Days their financial well-being, are tempted to
lie in court disputes on behalf of their lord.

Refraining from work on the sabbath

This is particularly prevalent in boundary
disputes. Lying on behalf of one’s lord in the
Changing Priests
and on the holy days of the Church isn’t a
privilege, it’s a duty. The holy days on which
royal court is one of the fastest ways to make
easy money.
Without Permission,
a peasant is forbidden to work theoretically or Deducting Tithe
take up about a quarter of the year. This is
for his Flaws
so uneconomic that no lord of the manor
respects it, and all serfs work on lesser holy
Stealing from Neighbors
days. Peasants who do refrain from work on Some unscrupulous priests allow their
a holy day are expected to make up the day The two most common thefts in Mythic flocks to pay an incomplete tithe. This leads
owed to the lord from their free time. Simi- Europe are of firewood and stock. Stolen peasants into sin, encouraging them to shop
larly, it is considered wrong to take in only stock is relatively easy to hide, because all around for the priest who will give them the
the mass of the service (such as by waiting sheep look identical when skinned. Stolen best rate regarding their tithes and other du-

94
 Lords of Men

Story Seed: Lying Story Seed: The Story Seed: Gift

for the Lord Bishop’s Mistress to the Faeries
A peasant flees to the covenant There is a folk story about the Many mothers of illegitimate chil-
seeking protection. His lord asked him, hearth mate of a priest who heard that dren, or of children in families that are
along with a group of compurgators, to the bishop was on his way to reprimand too large, leave their babies exposed in
lie about the ownership of a piece of land her partner for living with a woman. the wilderness, comforted by the idea
that was in dispute. Some of the others It is said that she filled a basket with that they will be taken and raised by the
who acted as witnesses have gone miss- good things to eat and took a shortcut faeries. The lack of corpses in the tra-
ing, and the peasant thinks they have through the woods. Reaching the bish- ditional sites where children are aban-
been murdered. He is not sure if his op’s party before he arrived in town, she doned reinforces this hope.
lord had them killed to make sure that was asked who she was, and where she Each site has its own explanation. In
they cannot tell the truth to the royal traveled, all alone in the wood. She an- some the children are taken and raised
court, or if the slighted party carried out swered that she was taking food to the by faeries, or given to mothers who
the killings, taking revenge. In truth it is bishop’s mistress, whom she had heard want children but cannot have them. In
far worse that this: a demon is murder- was with child. The bishop, mortified others, faeries or other predators con-
ing parties on both sides of the dispute, by his shame, returned home. sume the children. In Transylvania and
hoping to trigger a regional war. A bishop on good, or at least neu- the Alps, these places are monitored by
tral, terms with the Order has contacted magi, who find that a surprising propor-
the covenant and asked for help. He is tion of these children are Gifted. Even
the bishop in the story. The strange part, those who are not become highly loyal
Story Seed: for him, is that he doesn’t actually have servants to the secret communities that
Deodand Donkey a mistress, and yet everyone he meets
seems to believe he does. His home has
rescued them from death.
In this story seed, a noble whose
a room for her, decorations selected by son has died on crusade is desperate
Stealing from neighbors is consid- her, and clothes that she seems to have for an heir. He knows he has a bastard
ered particularly heinous if the neigh- discarded for the maids to wash. One son, and seeks him out only to find that
bor is frail, but this stops few criminally of his rooms has become a nursery, and his mother abandoned him on the Waif
minded people because the elderly are between visits someone is filling it with Rock, a faerie site near her village. He
such easy victims. The covenant has furniture and toys. He does not know if asks the magi to find his child, and re-
unknowingly bought a donkey that this is some mundane trick engineered turn him home. Perhaps he has been
was stolen from an elderly man who to drive him mad, if the mistress of the taken by the faeries. Perhaps he is now
died when it bucked him. It was stolen priest made a deal with the faeries of the a servant of the covenant. Perhaps the
by a neighbor when it wandered out of wood, or if demons are bedeviling him. characters can just pick a suitable ser-
its byre afterward, seeking grass. This vant and claim he is the lost son re-
animal, because it has caused a death, turned. If they substitute a fake, even-
should be given to the Church. Theo- tually the prodigal returns, filled with
retically the price of its sale would be be assessed and removed by the bishop, not
judged by laymen. Some peasants ignore this faerie power and mischief.
used to provide for the dead man’s rela-
tives, but effectively this is just another and deduct a fine from their tithe for the things
tax. their priest does that they are sure are sins. This
The deodand donkey contains a is unacceptable to the Church. The Church age. Unsupported elderly peasants become a
little of the ghost of the dead man. The has, however, made some rulings that allow drain on the economy of the manor or the
fragment of his spirit that resides in the parishioners to ignore their priests. The most Church, so failing to have sufficient children
deodand is angry at his death. It can significant of these, to the daily life of peas- is considered antisocial.
transform its host animal into a spectral, ants, is that they are enjoined not to attend the
centaur-like creature with the hind- services of priests who live as if married. They
quarters of a donkey. It uses its powers
to cause trouble in the area where it is
are still required to tithe in such cases, although
most do so parsimoniously.
Working in Old Age
kept, until it is given to the Church or
destroyed. Elderly people who work are considered
Sexual Abstinence avaricious. Instead, society expects that they
should turn their lands over to their children.
ties. Medieval peasants are not permitted to On many manors it is usual, before the land
choose who their priests should be. They are Many peasants limit the size of their is handed over, for a written contract to be
required to accept the care of their souls by families by abstinence or contraception. This sown to the manorial roll. This lays out pre-
the person appointed to them by the bishop, is a sin because it is robs a lord of the peas- cisely how much the retired person may ex-
regardless of his competence or piety. ant’s brood, and reduces the size of the fam- pect each year, in grain, cheese, money, and
Even a local priest who is heretical should ily available to support the peasant in his old clothes. It almost always promises “a place

95
 Lords of Men

Story Seed: The

Inn of Good Rest
A character of interest to the cov-
enant dies of poisoning and the charac-
ters decide to investigate. They discover
there have been a series of poisonings,
all pilgrims who have worshiped at a lo-
cal shrine. The deaths are being caused
by the followers of the faerie lord to
whom the shire’s site was sacred before
the coming of Christianity. They run a
brothel, and occasionally kill pilgrims
who visit it. They do this because their
faerie patron guards the border between
the profane and sacred, and feel that
they further this by killing people who
are at spiritual risk.
Some pilgrims mistakenly assume
that since pilgrimage washes clean some
of their sins, they can perform some
of the more interesting sins the night
before the pilgrimage concludes and
not suffer any spiritual ills. The faerie
lord, is more influenced by commonly
believed stories than by theological
accuracy, and has, his followers use
slow-acting poison, because it is sure
not to kill any given victim before his
pilgrimage is complete. The faerie’s fol-
Story Seed: Even Story Seed: lowers believe that they can catch the
Demons Have Limits Misguided Faeries pilgrims just after they enter a state of
grace, killing them before they can sully
themselves again.
A local baron is taking to ridicu- Characters breaking the taboo of
lous extremes the idea that his servants working in old age attract faeries that
are required to labor for him cheer- represent their fear of decrepitude and
fully and with a whole heart, working powerlessness. Magi also attract these to offer more for farm labor than is tradition-
people almost to death. The characters creatures, despite the fact that a magus al, which prevents them from spending this
are contacted by an agent of a local de- in his sixties is only middle aged. These surplus on charity, crusading, and other good
mon of greed, who does his best to hide faeries, lacking experience with magi, works. Offering more for labor encourages
his involvement, retaining the guise of cannot see the magicians for what they people who ask for more than is customarily
a local taverner. The demon believes really are, or at least pretend they can- theirs — that is, it encourages thieves.
that the peasants of the area are too not. This makes their attacks humor-
exhausted to sin properly. The demon ously ineffective, if still annoying.
thinks that he has the lord’s soul safely
claimed by now, but regrets that his ex-
Not Working Hard
periment has cost him the souls of the
exhausted peasantry. The demon hopes
Moving Manor A peasant is required, by scripture, to
that the characters will be able to some- cheerfully work to his utmost to please his
how intervene with the lord to ease the Flight is theft, because a peasant’s labor is lord. A peasant choosing not to exhaust him-
peasants’ burden, that all will be able to not his own, to dispense as he wishes. It also self in his labors for his lord, who does not
freely sin again. encourages lords to attempt to buy popular- have a heart filled with a desire to serve, is in
ity, by meeting the rising living standards in a state of sin. A peasant who makes a contract
nearby towns. The Church has mixed views with his lord such that he is not required to
by the fire.” In some parts of Mythic Europe, on this, but in large sections of the Church work to exhaustion is seeking license to sin,
people over forty are considered to be aged, this is seen as wrong, because physical pover- and such licenses are false documents.
but they are not expected to turn over their ty leads to a desirable spiritual state, and be-
lands until a more advanced age. cause this forces the ecclesiastical landlords

96
 Lords of Men
Being Hard on Manumission by Lay Lords work of every descendant, though all gen-
erations until doomsday? No peasant has
Pilgrims and the Poor The process by which lay lords give that sort of money, and so he cannot pay his
manumissions varies between kingdoms. In worth to the Church.
Peasants are required to aid pilgrims and France, for example, a lord may only free a More practical Churchmen counter with
the poor. Providing for the poor is increas- serf if the lord’s feudal superiors, up to the the idea that sale of Church assets, at the
ingly difficult in Mythic Europe, due to the king himself, give him license to do so. In going rate, does not diminish the Church’s
booming population. Some peasants believe England, this is not the case; a lord person- holdings. They feel that it is right to free serfs
that the poor should be provided for from ally owns the service of his serfs and may do for money, provided that they don’t pocket
the tithes of the Church. They therefore sur- as he wishes with them. the money themselves. Refusal to release any
mise that it is not their duty to succor the Manumission costs whatever the lord serfs is seen as a way of keeping priests away
poor, given that they, themselves, live a mar- wants it to cost, so the price varies tremen- from this temptation. The Church, practical-
ginal existence. dously based on the financial needs of lords. ly speaking, does manumit serfs, but almost
Similarly, pilgrims tend to be wealthier It is higher in England, where demesne farm- exclusively in exchange for money, and only
than peasants. They at least have sufficient ing is popular, than in France, where renting when finances are unusually weak.
free time to travel. It’s not clear to some land to free men is preferred. It is lower in
peasants why they should offer food and lands at war, and higher in lands at peace.
lodging to people richer than they are, who
choose to pretend to be poor briefly while
It falls tremendously just before a major
campaign is mounted. It falls when labor is
Manumission by
engaging in a sort of spiritual tourism. In
some parts of Mythic Europe, pilgrims are
cheap. If a lord sets the price of manumission
too high, many of his peasants instead use
Membership of a
also considered troublemakers. It’s believed their wealth to rent additional land. As a rule Town’s Guild
that many pilgrims use the opportunity of of thumb, a player character can purchase
anonymity away from their home commu- freedom, for himself and his descendants, for In many areas it is possible to become
nities to engage in theft, inebriation, and between six and ten pounds. free by being a member of a town’s guild
— particularly — fornication. In many areas, because it is believed for a period of time. The idea that a person
that serfs technically do not own anything, becomes free by living in a town for a year
a legal ritual is used to manumit serfs. The and a day oversimplifies this legal point. To
serf gives his money to a free man, and then become free the person must not stray from

The Gaining
that free man and the lord come to a bargain the town, and must be accepted as a resident
whereby the lord is given the money, and by the authorities of the town. This gener-
in exchange manumits the serf. The lord is, ally requires guild membership, which, in

of Freedom therefore, not setting the precedent that his

serf had the right to keep the money that was
used to buy his freedom.
turn, generally requires the active support of
a wealthy patron who gives the villein em-
ployment. It is, therefore, far easier for vil-
For many serfs, freedom is an im- If a boy begins schooling to become a leins who have relatives living in a town to
portant goal. A serf who is free has the priest, then he is free. The father of the child escape villeinage in this way.
right to own property, marry as he or she then owes the lord a fine. This is far smaller
wishes, have children who are not born to than the usual fee for manumission. For play-
servitude, and work in a profession of his
choice. Free people are also, in the minds
er characters, assume this sum to be ten shil-
lings, and the duty to say masses for the soul
Manumission by Force
of Mythic Europeans, fundamentally better
people then serfs. There is a strong senti-
of the lord on a regular basis. In some areas if
such a person ceases to be a priest — for ex-
of Crusading Sentiment
ment in Mythic European law that serfs are ample, if he is cast out of the holy office due
legally incomplete, like children, the in- to scandal — then he becomes a serf again. It is felt by many people that there is
sane, or women. This is why, for example, something ignoble about forcing one who
all priests are free. has fought for the cross back into serfdom.
Manumission, the freeing of serfs by
lords, is favored by the teaching of the
Manumission by Legally, a crusader has no right to claim his
freedom. Effectively, in most kingdoms, a
Church, but is rarely practiced by senior
Churchmen. Far fewer serfs from Church
the Church man who has been able to attend crusade as
part of the retinue of a great lord is freed by
lands are made free than from the lands of his service to God.
lay rulers. This is because secular lords, at Manumission of serfs is explicitly forbid-
death or to give thanks for the birth of an den to senior Churchmen, banned as a form
heir, often bestow charity on the poor. One of alienation of property from the Church.
of the forms this charity takes is the manu- Senior Churchmen, in theory, hold no prop-
mission of serfs. Churchmen almost never erty of their own. They instead administer
give charity in this form. the property of the Church, which they can-
not sell. How much is the lifetime labor of a
peasant worth? How much, in addition, the

97
 Lords of Men

The Agricultural Two- or Three-

Field Rotation
Popular crops include oats, vetches, beans,
peas, and barley. The third field is left fallow.
In the following year, the wheat is moved to
Year All of the villeins labor together during
the fallow field, the secondary crop to the
wheat field, and the secondary crop field is
the sowing and reaping, but most manors left fallow. In the two-field system, one field
The agricultural year is divided into four have distinctly marked blocks belonging to is left fallow while the other is divided in half
uneven seasons by the work done at that individuals within the great fields. Plowing is and planted much like the second field in the
time, which is dependent on climate. Rough- done by individuals, or by teams of men who three-field system.
ly speaking, winter runs from September 29 lend each other oxen and plows in turn, so Parts of either field may be sown with
(which is the first day of the administrative that they form a complete ox team. Reaping crops other than the main one selected for
year) until Christmas. Twelve days of recre- is done by individual crop owners and their that season. The field is divided into sections,
ation follow Christmas, and then spring be- servants. called furlongs, which are long rectangles.
gins. Spring lasts until Easter. Easter again is In a three-field manor, wheat or rye is The manor court selects what is planted in
followed by a week of festivities, and heralds planted in autumn in the first field. An alter- each furlong, and all holders of land in that
Summer, which ends at the start of August. nate crop, which varies by climate and locale, furlong must plant the correct crop. This
Autumn lasts until the end of September. is planted in the spring in the second field. makes planting and harvesting easier. This
also allows the manorial court to ensure that
a village has the correct balance of crops.
Story Seed: A New Crusade
Crusades are extremely expensive. They termined to make their fortune in the Holy August and September
create problems for peasants unable to resist Land or be buried there.
the tallage of their lords (as described in A new crusade is also an opportunity August and September are the months
Chapter Six: Manorial Fiefs), but also pro- for covenants with spare money, or who for the harvest. Every serf is required to give
vide opportunities for those who have suf- are willing to engage in usury. The de- extra service to his lord, which can make
ficient power to stare down their lords. At mands of the lords for money in coin make bringing in his own crops difficult. Even free-
the beginning of the Third Crusade, peas- it difficult to come by. Usurers respond by men are usually required to work at this time,
ants throughout England found that their raising their interest rates. A covenant although their work is supervising the day la-
lords wanted a great deal of money very willing to loan money to the local peas- borers they have hired to do their physical
quickly. They sold manumissions and land ants at a cheap rate could become very labor. After the harvest, poor people wander
cheaply. They were willing to grant conces- popular, while one willing to loan money the fields looking for missed grain. They
sions on villein fees and services. Some were at the going rate would be unpopular, but are permitted to keep these gleanings as an
even willing to sell their demesne lands, de- comparatively wealthy. act of charity. After this, the cattle are set
loose in this field, to graze on the wheat
stubble. The peasant then takes his tithe to
Richard’s Deed the Church and his rent to the lord. By tradi-
tion the harvest is meant to be complete by
Michaelmas (29 September) because that is
King Richard — who was always more try, as described in Realms of Power: Faerie,
the day of reckoning for manorial taxes, not
at home in Normandy than England — which lessens the impact of the Domin-
only for the peasants, but also for the reeve,
said at the start of the Third Crusade that ion. It also provides great hunting oppor-
who must give account up until this day, and
he would sell London, if only he could find tunities for some dark faeries. Those that
who is replaced or reaffirmed in office on this
a buyer. In Mythic Europe, kings can’t say cannot cross thresholds without being in-
day.
silly things like that without someone, or vited in would be free to attack people in
On many manors pigs must have rings
something, answering their summons. their homes in London because Richard is
through their snouts after Michaelmas. This
Magi might have bought London. their landlord, and so can “invite in” what-
prevents the pig from uprooting plants with
There have always been rumors in the Or- ever he likes.
its nose. Each sow is expected to give birth
der that House Tytalus wanted to take him Richard may have sold similar rights
to around 14 young a year, so their popula-
up on the offer. Many other covenants, at to demons, thinking them magi or faeries.
tion grows rapidly. Pigs are only considered
this time, sought charters from the king The player characters may seek the
good eating in their second year, but they
guaranteeing their rights. There is also a title deed for London, if by seizing it they
are generally able to keep themselves alive
Mercer House in London that seems to prevent a demon from burning down the
by foraging over winter. This foraging can
thrive. town, or a malevolent faerie from spread-
damage the crops of other peasants, neces-
Faeries would gladly have bought the ing a sickness. The Deed of London is
sitating the ring.
right to access some or all of London, for kept in a regio, closely guarded by demons
Cattle are bred in September. This al-
their court. This gives them a Right of En- or faeries.
lows them to calf after winter ends.

98
 Lords of Men
October January February
The movement of the cattle onto the A feast is held to celebrate the resump- Once the ground has softened a little,
wheat field leaves the fallow field free for tion of work, although in colder climes there whatever soiled straw a peasant has collected
a third, slightly deeper, plowing. After this is little to be done in the fields at this time. during the winter is laid on the surface of his
is complete the peasants make preparations In many areas plow races are held. In Britain land, so that when the plow turns the soil,
for winter. The most important prepara- bands of young men travel the streets asking the straw and manure are dug in. On man-
tion is the gathering of wood. This is used for money for the plow, and destroying the ors that are relatively warm, and that have
as fuel, but is also the raw material for the yards of those who refuse. Animal husbandry many sheep, ewes are sometimes shorn in
craft work that the peasants expect to do begins in January, with the breeding of pigs this month to prepare them for lambing in
over winter. This usually includes house re- and the first lambing. Lambing in England March. Calving beings in February.
pairs. As the weather became progressively occurs in March, but in pleasanter climes The middle of February is commemorat-
worse, increasing amounts of work are done comes earlier. ed as the day of the Purification of the Vir-
indoors. Threshing, for example, needs to gin. This refers to a ceremony that mothers
be completed. October ends with All Saint’s perform after giving birth to make them spir-
Eve, Hallowe’en, when the dead are thought
to walk.
Sheep are bred in October. Breeding can
occur earlier, but October breeding allows Story Seeds: Faeries at Christmas
them to drop their lambs after the worst of
winter. In many areas a game is played where traditional plays. The mixture of tradition-
a bean, or silver trinket, is hidden in a treat al roles, artistically performed stories, and
and the person who finds this foreign ob- transgressions made possible by assumed
ject in his serving is the king of revels for identities draws in some of the strangest
November the feast. Some people believe that, in an- and most obscure faeries, who are only
cient times, these bean kings were killed ever discovered if they are forced to re-
Martinmas, the Feast of the Plowman, is by the pagans. Dark faeries, who do not move their masks.
celebrated with a feast on the 11th of No- care if a story is true or false as long as it In this story seed some faeries conspire
vember. The annual slaughter of beasts that ends in screaming and blood, have diffi- to make real the things that are only the pre-
the peasants do not wish to feed through culty finding admittance to communities tenses of the mummer’s play. The actor play-
the winter begins, in some areas, as early on Christmas, and so they rarely hunt ing the fool loses his wits for a year until he
as Michaelmas, but is usually the work of bean kings. A bean king who wanders, plays the same role again. The actor playing
this slower part of the year. Cows are rarely however, might find himself pursued, if a woman similarly has his gender changed,
slaughtered if they are still capable of bear- his term is up, or treated with the great- until she can repeat her performance the
ing calves, but oxen that are older than six est courtesy and showered with gifts, if his following year. The characters do not know
are often killed, as they are considered to be day has time remaining. that these curses are of limited duration and
at the end of their strength. Sheep are only One way for faeries to enter the hu- seek the assistance of the player characters.
killed for lack of fodder, if their health fails, man lands during the 12 days of Christmas They are aided in their quest to fix this trick
or on special occasions, because they are is to take on the role of mummers. Mum- by a prop from the play: the pills of the doc-
considered to have better value alive. mers are humans who form bands, put on tor, which bring the dead hero back to life,
masks, and then parade, beg for money, or can now cure all wounds instantly, and con-
fight. Many bands of mummers perform tain Corpus vis.

December
Christmas usually marks the end of
Story Seed: Holly and Baby
fieldwork, other than the spreading of ma-
A hedge witch has reason for ven- put up the holly again, so that a faerie,
nure or agricultural lime, until the follow-
geance on a noble lady. She put a small in the shape of the dead child, will at-
ing January. Many use this time to perform
holly branch over the window of the tack the mother. Characters may prevent
craft work, make repairs around their houses,
nursery of the lady’s child last Candlemas this by removing the holly, or they may
and beget children. The time of the year be-
night. Dark faeries, able to enter the house appease the faeries entirely by burning a
tween Christmas and Epiphany is set aside
because of the invitation of the holly, candle in every window of the noble lady’s
for festivals and prayer. It is a time for lords
killed the child in its cot, leaving it cold house. The witch will try to snuff one of
to grant largesse to their followers. Peasants
and lifeless with not a mark. the candles and hang more holly. How do
owe their lords their respects and regards, a
The revenge of the witch, however, the characters monitor all of the candles
sort of theoretically voluntary tax, usually of
is not yet finished. This year she plans to at once?
poultry.

99
 Lords of Men

Story Seed: Mob Football Story Seed: Faerie

On any festive day when the weather • Killing the players of the other side Kidnapper
is suitable, peasants may play football. The is forbidden, but striking them with a
Three of the girls of the village are
rules of football vary greatly from place to certain degree of force is inevitable.
pregnant. They are greatly distressed,
place.Whichever team gets the ball back • Striking members of your own team is
because two of them claim not to have
to a designated spot in their village (or to allowed. On some manors, it’s consid-
known men, and their prospects of mar-
their end of the village, in a game played ered impossible to commit an assault
riage have been seriously damaged. In-
by halves of a single village) is the win- during a football match, because the
vestigation demonstrates that all three
ner. crowd of drunken football players will
were kidnapped at Hocktide by a man
swear that whoever is charged be-
they thought was their beau, and each
• Each side may have an unlimited num- fore the manor court didn’t strike the
of them gave him a kiss as their ran-
ber of players. Players have a side by blow.
som. When their children are born, it
birth or residence. That is, those born • Players may trespass where they like.
is obvious that they have a faerie father.
in the poor part of a town, in many Trampling crops is permitted — but
The characters may wish to shield the
places, must play for that part of the low — play in many areas. As with as-
children from the abuse that is likely to
town. sault, there’s no way to assign blame.
follow. They may also seek the father,
because faerie satyromaniacs can’t be
itually clean enough to re-enter the church. is saved from the previous harvest, either as a left to make mischief so close to the
It involves a procession with candles, a feast, bundle or having been made into a corn doll, covenant.
and — in parts of France — eating crepes. it must be plowed in now.
Candlemas is considered an excellent The field is then harrowed. That is, a
day for divination by hedge witches. Even tool is drawn over it to cover the seeds so day. The celebration of Hocktide varies from
the untalented know simple folk observanc- they are not eaten by birds or rodents. On place to place, sometimes including bizarre
es. These include predictions of lean times some manors, the primary crop is all wheat; rituals of mutual flagellation by husbands
for those who don’t still have half their flour this is particularly true on wealthy manors and wives. In its more usual form, women use
and hay, and a present end to winter if Can- where the crop is being grown for sale at a ropes to capture male travelers and refuse to
dlemas is rainy. Candlemas is also a day to nearby town. On more independent manors, release them until they pay a penny, or a kiss
predict the death of relatives by listening for only a quarter of the primary crop is wheat. in some cases, on the Monday, and the men
soul bells. The remainder is a mixture of other grains return the favor on the Tuesday. The money
Peasants caution that greenery used to and legumes. collected is spent on a worthy cause.
make the house colorful for Christmas must At the beginning of Lent, in some areas, In this month the fallow field must be
be taken down before this day. To fail to do a great feast is held to use up forbidden foods given a shallow plowing to kill the weeds.
so angers the spirits of dead children, and which cannot be stored until after Easter. For Weaning begins, which prompts dairying.
this is one of the many origin stories of fa- peasants these are eggs, butter, and milk, Piglets are born, a process called farrowing.
eries. Faeries express their annoyance with which become pancakes and pastries. Races
tricks or, in the worst case, by killing some- of various types are held, and mob football is
one who lives in the house. They prefer to
kill children, who are like themselves.
played. In other areas, peasants just eat their
normal fare, which is so humble that it is
May
considered suitable for fast days.
During this month the peasants perform
March such labors as are required by the customs
April of the manor. This may include construction
work, maintenance, or warfare. The month
Lambing occurs slightly before sowing. begins with the celebration of May Day. It is
This is busy time on manors that graze sheep, Easter is a time for processions of various also the month for capturing swarms of wild
particularly those that graze in preference types, and for the veiling of the cross until bees to create hives.
to cropping. Lambing on estates with large Good Friday. A vigil is held between Good In some areas, strict sexual morality is
herds is done in pasture, which requires more Friday and Easter Sunday, and it is believed abandoned on May Day and people spend
work than barn lambing, because some ewes by many peasants that Infernal powers are the night in the forest. May Day celebra-
seek privacy while giving birth. Humans are strongest at this time. The week after Eas- tions often involve fires around which peo-
often able to rectify problems that might ter is a holiday for peasants according to the ple dance, or over which people leap. Some
otherwise kill a ewe or lamb, and sometimes Church, although most lords do not accept people think their rye will grow as tall as
are able to graft orphaned lambs onto ewes this and merely allow peasants to work their they leap over the fire, although Hermetic
whose lambs have died. time in some other week. As the weather is magi have never demonstrated this to be
The primary crop is sown in March, and warming, sports and games are popular. true. Peasants “bring in the May” by carry-
this takes as much labor as the manor can The week after Easter ends, in parts of ing flowers and green boughs back to their
provide. In areas where the last neck of grain England, with Hocktide Monday and Tues- homes in the morning.

100
 Lords of Men
Many peasants run their cattle or sheep (24 June) because thistles killed before this
Story Seed: between two May Day fires, to defend them time are thought to grow back threefold.
against the curses of hedge witches and this Midsummer Eve, the night before the
Rogation Blood is — in some areas — completely effective. Feast of John the Baptist, is a mystical eve-
This may be because local witches sometimes ning. In many parts of Europe it is believed
There is always some concern at make sure the effect works, to protect their that ferns drop fiery seeds on this night, and
Rogation that a parent will not hurt a village from interlopers. The Beltaine rituals that if you collect the seeds then the Devil
boy sufficiently for him to remember can hex those who practice magic, which in- is forced to appear and give you a bag of
the landmarks. In one village the blood cludes Hermetic magi who are lax in renew- money. In a separate tradition, children race
of so many virgin boys spilled on a par- ing their Parma Magica while outside their around the village with flaming sticks and set
ticular stone, year after year, is a sacri- covenant’s Aegis. alight piles of rubbish to scare away dragons
fice to an almost-forgotten pagan god. The Rogation Days begin forty days af- that would otherwise poison the wells.
When the Rogation becomes so lax that ter Easter. On these days, the people of a vil- Midsummer is the traditional start of
there is not enough blood, the deity lage walk its boundaries, and prayers are said haymaking. Each laborer can cut about an
stirs to seek repayment for the village’s in traditional places. Young men are taken on acre a day in good weather. It is vital to make
debt. the walk and abused so that they do not for- hay while the sun shines, because cut hay
get where the landmarks are. They may be is left to dry for hours. If stacked while it is
dunked in pools and rivers, have their faces still wet, hay begins to rot. This generates
Story Seed: mashed against rocks and trees, or be beaten
at particular points. This is done for the good
heat deep within the haystack and, if left un-
checked, may cause the haystack to ignite.
Wake Day of the boys, often by people who love them.
There is a feast afterwards.
Most stock will not eat hay that smells of
smoke, so if a single haystack catches flame
Wakes are celebrations where In May or June, Pentecost is celebrated. in a stackyard, it can ruin much of the crop.
people stay up the night before a feast This day, 49 days after Easter, represents the
day. Wake Day is a special wake that is giving of the Commandments to Moses, and
celebrated at different times on various
manors. The wake is celebrated on the
the entry of the Holy Spirit into the apostles
before they began the ministry detailed the
July
evening before the day of the patron Book of Acts. A feast, dancing, and horse
saint of the Church in the manor. Fes- racing are popular on this day. Pentecost is By tradition, the last day of July is the
tivities vary, to suit that saint. In many often followed by a week of holidays. last day of haymaking; in August the manor
areas the saint reflects the local indus- switches to reaping its harvest. Many manors
try. finish haymaking more quickly than this, pro-
Informally, many Jerbiton-influ-
enced covenants celebrate September
June vided the weather is fine. During July women
harvest, prepare, and spin flax and linen, to
26 as their Wake Day. This is the Feast make cloth or string. Men weed their fields.
of Saints Cyprian and Justina of Anti- Shearing occurs in this month. For this they use a pair of sticks, one forked,
och. Cyprian was a sorcerer, and per- Other duties also require attention from the other with a blade at its end. At the end
haps a diabolist, who tried to use his the peasants. A second, shallow plowing for of July, after the meadow has recovered from
powers to seduce a Christian virgin, but the fallow field occurs at this time. It is con- haymaking, it is reopened to stock.
then forsook evil when his spells failed. sidered unlucky to plow before Midsummer
He is the patron of the church at Val-
nastium, the domus magna of House
Jerbiton.
A character comes to the player
characters on Wake Day and claims to
be a penitent Infernalist. He offers to
name the nobleman who recruited him,
and the other members of his coven.
How can the player characters be sure
he is telling the truth? Do they give him
a chance to live a life of atonement, or
assume that he is an agent of the Infer-
nal attempting some scheme?

101
 Chapter Eight

Massed Combat
The focus of Ars Magica is on telling For every unit of baggage less than the quan- Note that the cavalry element of these
stories, and the field of battle is no excep- tity required (such as if, for example, bag- forces can be renewed during the course of
tion to this. This chapter provides rules for gage units are lost in battle), the characters a war. For example if a lord has six house-
raising armies and running battles with the leading the army suffer a –1 penalty to any hold knights and five of them die in a cavalry
player characters at the heart of the action, totals based on their Leadership Ability. charge gone wrong, then it’s possible for the
with their resolve and fighting spirit decid- The total number of combat groups (see lord to simply appoint replacements, which
ing the outcome of the day. later) in the army is important and should be doesn’t cost the lord any money. Peasant lev-
recorded for later use. ies can also be renewed in a similar way, if
the lord can recruit additional peasants from
outside his lands.
Raising an Army
Medieval
The command of vassal armies is hin-
dered by traditions, such as how long the
force is to remain in the field, or how far

Armies Armies are drawn from three main sourc-

es. The core of a noble’s army comes from his
household and vassals. This is supplemented
from home it can travel. Many lords allow
their vassals to pay a fee, called scutage, in-
stead of mustering. This allows the lord to
Across Mythic Europe, all armies con- with mercenaries. Lords who are the masters hire mercenaries who are more expensive but
tain troops that fall into the same broad cat- of a region may also gain additional forces allow greater strategic flexibility.
egories. Knights are the best-armored and from their allies.
often the best-trained troops on the battle-
field. Serjeants are lighter cavalry. They are Allies
professional soldiers retained by a noble or Vassals
wealthy master. A character who has an ally or agent
Infantry are the foundation on which The size and composition of the forces due to a Virtue or story event may claim the
formations are built, while archers give pause a lord can raise varies across Mythic Europe, forces of that ally or agent, with the approval
to even the quickest and heaviest of troops. but the table below shows the average num- of the troupe.
Levies are the lowest and most meager sol- ber of standard combat groups (each consist-
diers, usually quickly drafted and poorly ing of five fully equipped men) that can be
equipped. They also provide the labor force raised in strongly feudal areas. Affinity
for siege operations. The baggage train con-
tains cooks, clerks, wives, children, priests, A character who acts as the leader of a re-
Levies (when on

surgeons, and armorers — everything the gion may use his personal authority and charis-
home ground)

army needs to support it on campaign. ma to draw lesser nobles into his force. These
Infantry &

Characters suffer a –1 Living Condi- allies expect to be treated well after victory, and
Serjeants
Knights

Archers

tions modifier for each year during which their political demands may then become story
they spend at least one season in a cam- hooks. The character’s success in drawing other
Title
paigning army. After a whole year spent in nobles to his banner is represented by multi-
a campaigning army, characters must make a Poor/Average 0 1 2 2 plying his core vassal forces (before scutage or
Disease Avoidance Roll as per Art & Academe, Landed Noble mercenaries are considered) by some propor-
page 46. Wealthy 1 1 10 10 tion. The result generally provides additional
It is important for a captain to bring a Landed Noble troops to support his own.
mixture of units to the field. Among every A character wishing to call on his allies
ten units, a captain typically looks to field Greater Baron 4 4 40 40 for support makes a Presence + Leadership +
two units of of cavalry, three of archers, Earl or Count 10 10 100 100 Affinity score simple roll and looks up the re-
three of infantry, and two of levies. sult — which corresponds to the proportion
Duke 25 25 150 150
For every ten units in an army (rounded by which his core force is multiplied — on
up) the army also needs one unit of baggage. the Allied Troops Table.

102
 Lords of Men

The Articles of War Allied Troops Table

The Church has issued two procla- The proportion in the table below is applied as a modifier to the size of the noble’s
mations directly concerning the waging own vassal army. To be clear, a character must roll better than 12 to raise additional allied
of war. The Peace of God (Pax Dei) at- forces past his own core force.
tempts to protect certain classes of peo-
ple who are to be exempt from violence. Total Proportion
These are principally the poor, Church-
6 Half
men, and merchants. The Truce of God
(Treuga Dei) restricts the days on which 12 Equal
war can be waged. This means that Fri- 18 Double
days, Sundays, holy days, and Lent are
exempt from fighting. 24 Treble
Breaking either the Pax Dei or the
Treuga Dei is considered an unchris- The following table suggests modifiers to this roll.
tian act, as is the execution of prison-
ers. Captains fearful for their souls, and Situation Modifier
those who ask for the blessings of saints, Raising an army in winter –3
do well to obey these articles of war, but
easier paths are often more attractive. Raising an army around harvest –1
The same lord raised an army the previous season –3

Chevauchee The same lord raised an army earlier in the same year –1
(not cumulative with previous season, above)
The chevauchee is a tactic used to Raising an army during an active crusade –3
weaken the resolve of a population and
The lord has the Wealthy Virtue +1
to provoke an army into confrontation.
Enemy territory is ravaged, crops are The lord has the Poor Flaw –1
burned, and the people are driven from The lord has the Inspirational Virtue +3
their land to the relative safety of towns
and castles. The chevauchee not only The lord has the Difficult Underlings Flaw –2
secures territory and supplies for the The lands of the affinity are under threat +1
ravaging army but also denies them to
The lord is in revolt against his own liege –2
the enemy. Even defending armies may
leave destruction in their wake as they The lord has a Major social Virtue +3
spoil crops and poison wells in order The lord has a Minor social Virtue +1
to deny the enemy. This tactic is used
across Mythic Europe and the Levant. The lord has a Minor social Flaw –1
Land put to chevauchee is subject The lord has a Major social Flaw –3
to disease and famine, with farmland
The promise of wealth and/or title (the spoils from a +3
spoiled and livestock and population
city, for instance)
alike slaughtered. Those returning to
such an area suffer a –2 Living Condi-
tions modifier (in addition to any exist-

Wealthy
ing modifiers) to their next Aging roll. In
Average
er the living standard of the lord, although
extreme cases some areas may develop a
Poor

it may concern dependent characters in the

Malevolent Infernal aura (see Realms of lord’s household. In times of peace a lord Title
Power: The Infernal, pages 11 and 15). who spends all of his money on soldiers is Landed Noble 0 2 5
considered a brute. In times of war, a man
who spends too much of his money on any- Baron 0 40 100
Mercenary Budget thing but soldiers is seen as an adolescent. Earl (Count) 0 100 250
The table below shows the average
Living on the very edge of solvency is amount of money in Mythic Pounds that a Duke 0 250 500+
an expectation of the noble lifestyle. Fortu- noble may spend on mercenary troops based Characters lacking sufficient surplus money
nately, nobles see hiring mercenaries as an on his wealth. sometimes take out loans against their source
appropriate way to express wealth, and so of income. A character who is Poor may not
mercenaries can be hired from the money do this. A character who is average may be-
usually spent on the luxuries of life like fine come Poor and in exchange borrow five times
meals and entertainment. This does not low- the average mercenary budget of someone of

103
 Lords of Men
credit to pay those the character would like
Mercenary Units to pay, as well as (in either case) the power Winning the Battle
to collect the character’s lands if he defaults
The table below lists the costs of on his loan. Some kings and banks have from Afar
typical mercenary combat groups. this much power, as do the bankers for the
Church. Transactions of this magnitude may These rules assume that player char-
Type Mythic Value take many weeks to complete, and so are not acters take an active and pivotal role in
Pounds suited to lightning war. the fighting. Where this is not the case,
In most areas lords cannot easily sell the storyguide should simply decide the
Knights 15 Exp. outcome of the battle, basing his deci-
their land to raise extra funds. In those areas
Serjeants 5 Exp. where the sales of lands is possible, the king’s sion on two factors. First, the demands
Infantry 2 Std. share of any transaction is often so large as of the wider story in which the battle
to make the value of any such transaction figures, and second, the actions taken
Archers 2 Std. by player characters to influence the
questionable.
Levies 1 Inexp. battle.

Crusaders Heroic The Flow of Battle

The Church may also attempt to
raise an army to crusade. It draws its
funding from its own holy orders, the
Endeavors Battles are carried out by following
these steps:

Battles are played as a series of vignettes, 1. Commanders determine Territorial

vassals on its own lands, and the obedi-
each with a player character as the decisive Advantage.
ence of those living under the protec-
force. The success of that character reflects 2. The Weight of Numbers modifier is
tion of the Church. A character with
the success of the wider army. determined and assigned.
the Senior Clergy Virtue (see Realms
These rules use either the standard com- 3. The storyguide assigns and plays out
of Power: The Divine, page 93) is treated
bat rules from ArM5, Chapter 11, or the op- as a combat encounter a battlefield
as having an affinity equal to the most
tional combat rules in Chapter Nine of this event for each participating player
prominent noble within his diocese or
book. Unless otherwise stated, each partici- character in turn. After each battle-
see. He makes a Holy Influence roll (see
pating player character is the leader or van- field event, the losses are counted
Realms of Power: The Divine, page 38) and
guard of a combat group of similarly skilled on both sides and the Weight of
compares his total to the Army Size
combatants. An overall army commander Numbers modifier is optionally re-
Table.
must also be nominated, who can be either calculated.
a player or a storyguide character. 4. Victory is decided and the outcome
of the battle is described.
Covenants
Territorial Advantage
Chapter Five of Covenants provides
guidelines for the cost of maintaining an Knights Banneret and
armed force. The prices of units listed
here are only used when the covenant
Before the battle, both armies vie for ter-
ritorial advantage by generating a Deploy-
Mercenary Captains
recruits additional mercenary forces. In ment Total as they deploy their force.
Characters with certain status or
this case, the covenant is restricted only Virtues, such as a Knight Banneret or a
in the amount of money it can raise or Deployment Total: Intelligence
Mercenary Captain, always treat their
conjure. + Area Lore + Stress Die
company as a single combat group re-
gardless of any Weight of Numbers
If he wishes, an army commander may
modifiers.
his class in coin. This loan may be paid off assign a lieutenant to determine the best
with the spoils of war or through stories. ground. If the commander does this, the
A character who is Wealthy may become lieutenant generates the Deployment Total.
average and gain five times the difference If the commander is unhappy with his lieu- Deployment Totals, and does not change un-
between the Wealthy and average merce- tenant’s advice, he may then generate his til one side surrenders the field.
nary budgets for his class, or may become own Deployment Total. However, if he does
Poor and borrow five times the budget for a generate his own Deployment Total, the Territorial Advantage: Deployment
Wealthy person of his class. commander must use it, even if it is lower Total – Enemy Deployment Total
Note that these transactions depend than his lieutenant’s.
on the availability of a banker with enough Territorial advantage is calculated at the Storyguides should designate specific
money to loan the character, or enough beginning of the battle based on each side’s features on the battlefield (a chapel, a series

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 Lords of Men

of hills, a bridge, etc.). These provide the Ratio of Army Sizes Bonus/Penalty Description Battle Ease
settings for battlefield events. The supernat- (rounded down) Factor
ural auras present should also be considered. 1:1 none Engaged 9
Infernal auras, for instance, have damaging
3:2 ±1 Advantage or Setback 12
and insidious effects that cause wounds to
open more easily or promote maltreatment 2:1 ±2 Imminent Victory or 15
of prisoners (see Realms of Power: The Infernal, 3:1 ±3 Defeat
page 10).
4:1 ±4 The troupe selects a focal player charac-
ter for each stage of the battle, upon whose
Using Magic to This bonus is calculated at the beginning efforts the story is focused at that moment.
Seize Advantage of the battle but should be recalculated dur- That character attempts to win the event by
ing the battle to account for losses on either calculating an Event Total at least equal to
Magic aids in seizing territorial advan- side. the Battle Ease Factor as below.
tage, such as by misdirecting enemy troops The Event Total is based substantially on
in a fog, redirecting a stream to make a an Event Bonus, which the character gener-
forced march easier, or even altering the
rise and fall of the battlefield itself. Add
Battlefield Events ates by freely choosing and summing a Ma-
neuver, an Enemy, and a Size. These chosen
the highest magnitude of any spell used factors in turn define the specifics of the
to affect the terrain, or the deployment of Battlefield events represent the pivotal event that the character must overcome or
troops, to the friendly side’s Deployment action points during the battle. They are the endure in order to win the event.
Total. heroic moments that veterans and chroni- A character may choose a combination
clers will recount when the battle is over. of Maneuver, Enemy, and Size that are not
The storyguide decides how these battle- sufficient to exceed the Battle Ease Factor,
Weight of Numbers field events are spaced. Different events may
take place a few minutes apart or on consec-
if he wishes. The event is still played out,
but the players have no hope of winning the
utive days. Events do not even have to take event overall in this case.
The size of an army is measured in place on the same battlefield. You could play
standard combat groups of five individuals. one event describing how enemy reinforce- Event Total: Stamina + Leadership
If the troupe’s army outnumbers the enemy ments are delayed from reaching the battle, + Territorial Advantage + Weight of
army, then the troupe gains a bonus to the and others to describe the overrunning of the Numbers Bonus + Event Bonus
event totals generated during this battle. If smaller, and now unsupported, main force.
the enemy has the advantage, the troupe Wherever and whenever they are set, Event Bonus: Maneuver + Enemy + Size
suffers a penalty. The magnitude of these each stage of the battle has a target ease
bonuses and penalties are determined us- factor that increases as the battle wears on. For example, during the “Engaged” stage
ing the table beginning at the top of the While three events are typical, storyguides of a battle, a character with Stamina +2 and
next column. should feel free to vary this. Leadership 4 with a Territorial Advantage of
1 and no Weight of Numbers bonus needs an

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 Lords of Men
Event Bonus of at least 2 in order to reach the The Weight of Numbers modifier modi- on the battlefield. The type of the units lost
Battle Ease Factor of 9. fies the size of the combat groups involved should match the event’s Enemy characteris-
The troupe is assumed to have the initia- in the battlefield event. If the troupe has the tic. (These losses are in addition to any losses
tive (replacing the initiative roll) on starting advantage, each of their combat groups has sustained in the course of the event itself.)
a battlefield event, but may surrender the five combatants plus bonus individuals equal In addition, the commander of the losing
initiative for that event to gain a +1 bonus to the Weight of Numbers modifier. If the side must make a Morale roll (see Chapter
to the Event Total. Unless otherwise stat- troupe is outnumbered, the enemy combat Nine: Optional Combat Rules) against Ease
ed, each battlefield event lasts five combat groups consist of five + bonus individuals. Factor 6. On a failure, the commander can
rounds. Lesser (+0): The characters face a stan- attempt to rally his forces (Ease Factor 9) at
dard combat group about half the size of the beginning of the next event. If this fails,
their own. apply the behaviors of Disordered or Routed
Maneuver Even (+1): The characters face a single groups to the losing army.
combat group. Player characters may attempt to rally
The Maneuver describes the kind of ac- Outnumbered (+2): The characters face a failing army. An additional story event
tion the characters must undertake during two combat groups. (with no target Ease Factor) may be played
the battlefield event. Overwhelmed (+3): The characters face in which one or more characters take com-
Defend (+0): The characters receive an three combat groups. mand. Alternatively, a simple roll to assume
enemy assault or must defend a place, item, I Stand Alone (+4): A single character leadership in combat may be made.
or person under attack. Success is decided by steps forward to meet the enemy, or under- The Morale rules in Chapter Nine: Op-
defeating the attackers or by defending for a takes the challenge singlehandedly, against tional Combat Rules can also be applied
number of turns decided by the storyguide. overwhelming odds, typically a full-strength during battlefield events as the combatant
If the characters withdraw or are killed, the combat group. groups take damage. Rolls made during the
defended location, item, or character is taken event affect only the group or groups in-
by the enemy and the event is lost. Defend- volved.
ing characters typically have some defenses, Enemy
such as stakes, walls, or even complete build-
ings which provide combat bonuses. The Enemy of a battlefield event de- Example Battlefield Events
Attack (+1): The characters attack the scribes the kind of opponents the characters
enemy line or location. Success is decided by must face.
defeating or routing the opponents. Inexpensive (+0): The characters’ oppo- Skirmish
Run the Gauntlet (+2): This maneuver nents are inexpensive troops in the form of Event Bonus +0
is a catch-all for events that include activities levies. Maneuver: Defend, Size: Lesser, Enemy: Inexpensive
other than direct combat, such as climbing a Standard (+1): The characters face stan- The character must defend against an
tower while under attack to light a beacon, dard-cost troops such as infantry or archers. ambush of enemy scouts, attempt to dis-
swimming across a river, or reaching a hill to Expensive (+2): The characters face ex- engage, and get back to his troop. Enemy
safely load and launch a trebuchet. pensive individuals or groups such as knights reinforcements will arrive in five rounds at
Take (+3): The characters must attack or serjeants. which point the weight of their troops be-
the enemy line or location as a precursor Special (+3): The characters must face comes overwhelming. If the character(s) de-
to defeating or taking a given place, item, leading enemy characters (who will likely fend and disengage within five rounds, or the
or character, which must then be defended be defended), supernatural troops, or other overwhelming troops are defeated, the event
against counter-attack. The target of the at- dangerous phenomena such as fire, a collaps- is won. The event is lost if the lead character
tack may be also defended by an additional ing building, etc. dies.
group of opponents. Expect these events to Baggage (+4): Attacking the baggage (+0 Defend, +0 Lesser, +0 Inexpensive)
last longer than five rounds. may swing the battle either way. It can
Heroic Gesture (+4): This is a daring stave off defeat by drawing troops or can
feat of foolhardy bravery. If the leading char- seal victory by crushing morale. Characters Hold the Line
acter dies during a Heroic Gesture, the event choosing this Enemy option gain 1 experi- Event Bonus +2
is won and the player should describe how ence point towards a bad Reputation. The Maneuver: Defend, Size: Even, Enemy: Standard
that death secures victory. The event is lost if baggage is normally guarded by inexpensive The character must receive the enemy
any other player character is killed. The sto- troops. charge and hold the line. The enemy group
ryguide should set additional win conditions exerts itself on the attack. The event is lost if
to ensure the leading character has a chance the character is pushed backwards, forced to
to make it out alive. Wounds and Attrition disengage, or dies under the onslaught.
(+0 Defend, +1 Even, +1 Standard)
At the end of each battlefield event,
Size the defeated side loses a number of combat
groups equal to the event’s Size characteris- Rescue
The Size of a battlefield event describes tic multiplied by the winning side’s Weight Event Bonus +5
the number of combat groups the characters of Numbers bonus (if positive), represent- Maneuver: Run the Gauntlet, Size: Lesser, En-
must defeat before they can win the event. ing the efforts of the winning side elsewhere emy: Special

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 Lords of Men

One of the character’s knights is thrown Maneuver: Defend, Size: Overwhelmed, Enemy: If the lead character disengages and survives
from his horse and rolls into the river. The Expensive for five rounds, the enemy has been drawn
character must rescue the knight before he The character and his combat group away and the flank opened up. If the charac-
drowns. Storyguides may require Athletics become separated from their unit and the ter is unable to disengage or is killed in the
rolls to reach the river, Swim rolls to find the enemy bears down. The group must defend action, the event fails.
sinking knight, and further Athletics rolls to themselves from an overwhelming enemy (+2 Run the Gauntlet, +3 Overwhelmed,
drag him to the side. Once the knight has force for five combat rounds while help ar- +2 Expensive)
been brought to the bank, there are be en- rives. If the enemy groups are killed or driven
emy troops to fight off. All rolls during this off, or the character survives until the rein-
event are made with stress dice and have two forcements arrive, the event is won. The Seize the Colors
botch dice. The event is lost if the knight event is lost if the character dies. Event Bonus +8
drowns or the character is swept away in the (+0 Defend, +3 Overwhelmed, +2 Ex- Maneuver: Take, Size: Outnumbered, Enemy:
rescue attempt. Use the deprivation rules on pensive) Special
ArM5, page 180 to provide the maximum The enemy continually rally to their
duration for this event. standard. If that can be taken, morale will fal-
(+2 Run the Gauntlet, +0 Lesser, +3 Spe- Ransom ter. The character must engage the mounted
cial) Event Bonus +6 enemy standard bearer and his man-at-arms
Maneuver: Take, Size: Lesser, Enemy: Special defenders. The standard contains a supernat-
The enemy captain is separated from his ural artifact that seems to urge the defenders
Loose own formation. A single Expensive enemy on and redoubles their efforts despite their
Event Bonus +5 combat group stands between the character wounds. The event only succeeds if the stan-
Maneuver: Attack, Size: Outnumbered, Enemy: and the stray captain. The character must dard is captured.
Expensive rush through the defending group and en- (+3 Take, +2 Outnumbered, +3 Special)
The enemy cavalry round for a charge. gage the captain, forcing his surrender.
The character’s archer group must loose ar- (+3 Take, +0 Lesser, +3 Special)
rows into them to slow their advance. The A “Heroic” Maneuver
cavalry start thirty paces away. Each round Event Bonus +9
in which a light wound is inflicted on them Feint Maneuver: Run the Gauntlet, Size: Over-
prevents them advancing, otherwise they Event Bonus +7 whelmed, Enemy: Baggage
advance 15 paces each round. The event is Maneuver: Run the Gauntlet, Size: Over- The character must take his unit through
won if the cavalry are held at bay, unable to whelmed, Enemy: Expensive the woods covering his left flank, dispatch-
attack. If they reach the character’s line, their The character must take a small force ing enemy scouts before they can raise the
attack may form part of the next event. and offer the enemy flank a target. He must alarm. Once in position, he must break cover
(+1 Attack, +2 Outnumbered, +2 Ex- engage them however he can in the first and attack the enemy baggage.
pensive) round, then disengage and draw them away The lead character must first take the
from the main army. The disengaging rules three sentries in turn without alerting the
can be found in ArM5, page 173. Each en- others. He must then lead an attack on the
On All Sides emy combat group attempts to attack each enemy baggage area. There is no time limit
Event Bonus +5 round. Once disengaged, the enemy pursues. against this part of the event. Destroying

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 Lords of Men
or routing three combat groups forces the
remainder to rout, and forces the enemy to
make a Discipline roll (Ease Factor 9) to pre-
Standard Combat Groups
vent their flank from being pulled into disar- Groups of knights, serjeants, and infantry are treated as trained groups, while archer,
ray as they return to protect the baggage. levy, and baggage units are untrained, However, a group that serves together for a season
(+2 Run the Gauntlet, +3 Overwhelmed, is treated as trained thereafter. Each group is assumed to be five individuals.
+4 Baggage)
Unit Weapon Init Atk Def Dam Soak Group
Bonus
Alone Against the Many Knight Lance, Heater +1 +17 +16 +6 +10 +15
Event Bonus +11
Shield (M)
Maneuver: Heroic Gesture, Size: I Stand Alone,
Enemy: Special Long sword, +2 +16 +16 +7 +10 +15
The character, alone, must defend the Heater Shield
burning gatehouse for five rounds, prevent (M)
the enemy (standard troops) from surging Serjeant Spear, Round +2 +12 +9 +8 +7 +12
through, and cover his men as they retreat. Shield (M)
The character is considered to be defending
the way through the gatehouse so cannot be Long sword, +1 +10 +8 +7 +7 +12
passed by the attacking troops. If the char- Round Shield
acter dies before the five rounds are up, or (M)
manages to hold the enemy at bay, the gate- Infantry Poleaxe +1 +13 +7 +13 +5 +9
house collapses, sealing the way.
Mace, Round +1 +11 +9 +10 +5 +9
(+4 Heroic Gesture, +4 I Stand Alone,
Shield
+3 Special)
Archer Bow +0 +10 +6 +8 +1 +0
Bow, Long –1 +11 +6 +10 +1 +0
The Aftermath of Battle Crossbow +6 +12 +11 +8 +1 +0
Hatchet, Buckler +1 +9 +6 +6 +1 +0
Each battle is fought over an objective
Levy Spear, Round +3 +6 +6 +7 +2 +0
such as to defend the town, take the bridge,
Shield
or destroy the enemy siege engines. If the
enemy concedes or loses outright, the objec- Knife +1 +5 +6 +4 +2 +0
tive is achieved. A successful battle earns the Baggage Bludgeon –2 +5 +1 +5 +3 +0
victorious characters one Confidence Point
for each successful battlefield event whether
they took part in that event or not. The lead-
er of the army also gains 1 experience point Mercenary Troops
towards an appropriate Reputation.
The table above lists the statistics for standard units of each type, but throughout the
After a battle, the wounded are tended
Ars Magica period there are also specialist troops from Welsh longbowmen to Flemish
by the many chirurgeons amid the camp
pikemen to Genoese crossbowmen. Their combat statistics may vary from those above
followers. It is safe to assume that a chirur-
and these soldiers are highly sought after as mercenaries. And of course, as this is Mythic
geon with skill equal to a character’s primary
Europe, there is always the potential for strange and supernatural units to be deployed
weapon skill is on hand to tend him. Art &
by the ambitious or the unwary.
Academe, page 43 provides more information
Most armies rely on mercenary forces for a large proportion of their skilled contin-
on the treatment of injuries. After treatment,
gent. As can be expected of men paid to fight and kill, the conduct of many mercenary
those with total wound penalties of –6 or
troops leaves much to be desired. Nearly thirty years ago, Richard Lionheart sought to
greater cannot travel while those with –3 or
create a paid standing army by employing professional soldiers for what was to be his
greater can travel but cannot maintain pace
final clash with the forces of Philip II of France. His army included Welsh men-at-arms,
with the army.
Brabantine mercenaries, and even Saracen fighters. Richard’s knights received one shil-
Prisoners taken on the battlefield face
ling per day while his mounted serjeants received four pence per day, double the two
two very different fates depending on their
pence per day earned by the infantry.
class. Men of rank are usually ransomed, be-
ing stripped of arms and armor and released on
assurance of payment. Soldiers of no standing
are either executed (as Richard Lionheart did Characters with some social standing are not protected by class etiquette, their
to 3,000 men at Acre) or mutilated. The kings may claim the ransoms that they capture on power and influence is such that any magus
of eastern Europe particularly use the blinding the battlefield, though lesser characters must captured in battle is likely to be ransomed to
of captives as an example to others. usually forego such rights. Although magi his covenant rather than killed or maimed.

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 Lords of Men

Story Seed: A Magic on the Battlefield

Wizard’s Ransom The battlefield is a loud and confus- field, almost always instead presenting as a
ing place. The potential targets of a ma- united mass with other troops. However,
A young magus, stripped of his
gus’s spells clash and intermix with his if a unit of any kind can be separated from
talisman, arrives at the covenant. He
allies, constantly obscuring his view. A the army then a spell using the Group tar-
admits to having been caught up in a
magus engaged in a battle must make a get, with one magnitude spent to increase
conflict through his own naivety and
Concentration roll against an. Ease Factor the size of of the target (to 100 individu-
also confesses, to his shame, that he
of12 to cast spells. A magus who is not yet als), then a spell can be cast to affect all
was captured and has been ransomed.
engaged or is standing off observing the combat groups within that unit.
His captor has promised the return of
melee must make an a Concentration roll
his talisman on receipt of something the
against an Ease Factor of 9 in order to cast
magus simply cannot provide. He asks Target: Boundary
spells. A battle is always a stressful situa-
the covenant for help in securing both
tion.
his talisman and his good name. The standard Boundary target covers
an area roughly circular with a diameter
Target: Group of 100 paces. It must also be marked out
Battles are almost always fought during by a well-defined natural or man-made
daylight hours, and forces usually retreat The Hermetic Group target represents boundary. This is rarely enough to encom-
from the field as evening approaches. If the a continuous recognizable group of up to pass a complete battlefield and nor is the
day is neither won nor lost, a temporary ten individuals. This target is rarely useful battlefield likely to conveniently marked
truce holds and the dead and wounded are in a battle. Although these rules describe out. Boosting the spell level by one mag-
collected from the field. combat groups as being of a set size, they nitude increases the diameter to around
are never so simply arranged on the battle- 300 paces.

Siegecraft Example Battle

The forces of Milan are amassed the character’s commander has become
It is the attempt to capture castles that against the troupe’s larger Veronese army. surrounded and is thrown from his horse.
usually determines the paths of military cam- Neither side gained Territorial Advantage The Rescue event is used and provides the
paigns, because castles left in enemy hands in deploying their troops. The battle opens necessary +5 bonus. The character is suc-
may be used to stage counter-attacks, and as with an Ease Factor 9 battlefield event. The cessful at resolving the event and the army
rallying points for enemy troops. This sec- lead character for this event has a Stamina rallies to its commander.
tion describe how military might can take + Leadership (battle) of 5 and a +2 Weight Almost immediately, the enemy
or defend castles, walled towns, or other of Numbers modifier. He needs an Event knights round for a charge on the left
fortified places. It does not, however, cover Bonus of +2 to reach the Ease Factor. The flank. The last character to lead an event,
negotiations or diplomacy, which should be storyguide describes the enemy charge; an experienced knight, has a Stamina +
roleplayed. the character must Hold the Line (+0 De- Leadership (battle) of 7, with the same +2
It is for the troupe to determine when a fend, +1 Even, +1 Standard). As vanguard Weight of Numbers modifier. As the Ease
castle finally becomes indefensible. Player of his combat group the character engages Factor is now 15 he must have an Event Bo-
characters should always have the chance to in a combat encounter with a single enemy nus worth +6. The enemy charge has left
turn things around, through story events. A combat group that is smaller than his own the enemy commander exposed. Seizing
castle may fall only to be retaken by a relief (since his army outnumbers the enemy). the opportunity, the character attempts to
force or through player character subter- Luck is on his side and the enemy group is capture and Ransom (+3 Take, +0 Lesser,
fuge. quickly routed. The enemy is pushed back +3 Special) the enemy commander. While
and takes losses. the character’s combat group takes on the
Some time later, the fighting has in- commander’s bodyguards, the character
Castles tensified. The second character to lead an
event has a Stamina + Leadership (battle)
engages in single combat with the com-
mander. Despite taking wounds, the char-
of 5 as well, and the Weight of Numbers acter knocks his opponent from his horse
Castles are described in detail in Cov- modifier is still +2. But the Ease Factor is and forces surrender. With the fall of their
enants. A limited version of that material is now 12, so an Event Bonus of at least +5 commander the enemy troops either rout
repeated here. is required. The storyguide describes how or submit to ransom and the day is won.

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 Lords of Men
Every Castle Sends a Message to a fortified courtyard, into which stock are or thin stone, and lack defensive use, but are
driven in troubled times. Larger manors sur- far more spacious, airy, and comfortable to
Castles serve three functions. A castle round this tower with outbuildings, which live in than those of a conventional keep.
acts as a refuge from military forces, so it are wooden and lack defensive value. A stone The center of the ring of buildings is usually
defends territory. A castle acts as a staging wall, six feet high and without a walkway, a courtyard.
ground for armies, so it threatens its neigh- surrounds these buildings. The wooden palisade around the bailey
bors. A castle costs a fortune to create and Towers allow their inhabitants to see ap- is also replaced, by a thick stone wall about
maintain, and in many places requires the proaching forces from a greater distance, and ten feet high. This has a crenelated walk. En-
permission of the king to build, so it commu- increase the field of fire of magi and archers, try to the castle now lies through the lowest
nicates the status of its owner. A castle, then, but are far less comfortable to live in than story of a square tower, two stories high.
is a claim to political power, backed with the manor houses. The lord may have a hall in
threat of force. the courtyard and use the tower as a store-
A brigade of knights, supported by a house, retreating to it only in times of im- Tower Keep
castle, can travel about twenty miles in a day. mediate threat. Most tower keeps were built during the
This means they have the ability to raid tar- A small tower cannot act as a staging 12th century and are, generally, four stories
gets up to ten miles away and return to their area for large military groups, and alarms mi- high and square or rectangular. Entry is via
barracks before nightfall. All people who live nor landholders only. an external stairway to the second floor. The
within that radius, or have interests there, keep is usually topped with crenelated bat-
rapidly become aware of the existence of the tlements. Newer keeps may be polygonal or,
castle. The temporal and spiritual authorities Minor Castles most recently, round, in profile.
of an area cannot ignore any castle. As an example of size, the two largest
Minor castles may be selected by charac- keeps of each type in Britain are Pembroke
ters who are Landed or Great Nobles. Char- and Colchester. Pembroke is 80 feet high, 53
Free Choices acters who maintain these castles must pay feet in diameter, and has walls 16 feet thick
two pounds per year, out of the money that at the base. Colchester’s keep is 151 feet
A character with the Landed Noble or they are described as being able to spend long, 111 feet wide, and over three stories
Great Noble Virtue may select any of these frivolously in Chapter Two: Politics, to main- high. Castles that have works on this scale
options to describe his stronghold without tain their fortifications. They may also wish awe the local nobility.
spending extra money annually. to hire extra guards, at the rate of one pound The great tower of the castle is surround-
Island: The manor is surrounded on all per man per year for mediocre servants. ed by a courtyard, which contains wooden
sides by water so the lord has no defensive or stone buildings of no tactical value. The
buildings. The water is shallow enough to courtyard’s wall is made of thick stone, and is
be forded in places, but these are easily pro- Shell Keep about ten feet high. It is topped with a cren-
tected by missile troops. The shell keep is a modification of the ellated walk. A small tower, two stories high,
Manor House: This is detailed in the motte-and-bailey castle. A motte is an arti- defends the gate.
paragraphs concerning manorial halls in ficial mound of earth, between ten and one
Chapter Six: Manorial Fiefs. hundred feet tall, on which a wooden tower
Ringwork: This is the most primitive is built. This tower overlooks and defends a Curtain Walls and
sort of castle. It begins with the excavation courtyard that is surrounded by a ditch, em- Mural Towers
of a vast ditch, in some cases twenty feet bankment, and wooden palisade. This court-
deep and wide. The soil from this excavation yard is called the bailey. Some noblemen still Great castles are only held by Great
is piled and packed down to create a ram- build motte-and-bailey castles in 1220. Nobles or their officers. Players who select
part as much as 15 feet high. A thin, stone Most motte-and-bailey castles have been these castles must pay additional expenses
wall without a walkway is placed upon the strengthened with stonework since their cre- to maintain their fortifications. A castle costs
rampart. ation. A problem for a nobleman planning five pounds a year to maintain, and the char-
Wooden buildings, including a short improvements is that the motte dominates acter must also to hire additional infantry as
tower of little defensive value, lie within the the bailey, and so cannot be ignored, but is guards. Many castles have land attached to
ring. Some ringworks partition the defended not strong enough to hold a stone tower keep them to help defray this enormous cost.
space into two wards. The inner ward houses of the style found in more modern castles. A curtain wall is a crenelated wall around
the ruler of the ringwork and his attendants, Such noblemen usually build a shell keep. a bailey. The wall is around thirty feet high
the outer their servants and supporters. A shell keep is a stone wall, usually two and between eight and twenty feet thick. It
A ringwork cannot resist a determined stories high, that replaces the wooden pali- has an exterior of dressed stones and is filled
military assault for long, as it lacks the eleva- sade atop the motte. The wall is thin com- with a rubble core. Mural towers protect a
tion that aids the defenders of other sorts of pared to other fortifications, between eight curtain wall.
castles, but it can act as a staging area for a and fifteen feet, and has a crenelated walk- Most mural towers built before 1200 are
force of knights, so it cannot be bypassed by way. Some structures like this are so large square in cross-section. Round and semi-
invaders. that it is not clear if they are a shell keep or circular towers are the preferred types for
Small Tower: The manor house is a a small inner bailey: Restormel in Cornwall contemporary building. Most towers are
small tower, four stories high, with one or is 40 yards across. Within its ring, buildings enclosed buildings, but some — particularly
two rooms per story. The tower is attached are constructed. These are usually wooden, semicircular towers — have no masonry on

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 Lords of Men
the inside face, so that if they are captured, house by an invader. This includes barbican
they do not provide the enemy with cover. walls and yards, which channel an invader Units Interval Weight of Example
Others are closed until they reach the level into a narrow space overlooked by archers. Numbers
of the parapet, and are then open. It includes barriers like portcullises, draw- 10 or Day +1 motte-
A castle may have as many mural towers bridges, fall-away causeways, murder holes, less and-
as suits the troupe. Framlingham has 13 tow- pit traps, and whatever other fiendish devic- bailey
ers, including two for its gate, while others es the player characters can come up with to castle
built at the same time are rectangular baileys kill invaders.
with a fat tower at each corner and two at the A moat is a body of water at least twenty 11 to Week +2 small
gate. There are two disadvantages to having feet wide and six feet deep that surrounds the 20 castle
a dozen towers: they are expensive to build, castle. The key function of a moat is to pre- 21 to Month +3 large
maintain, and garrison, and they declare to vent enemies from mining under the castle’s 40 castle or
all nearby nobles that their owner intends to walls. The walls can rise either directly from walled
rule the county someday. Every extra tower the moat, or from a berm, which is a small town
makes a castle more difficult to ignore. circuit of land that separates the moat and
41 or Season +4 city
the castle. If the moat flows swiftly into a
more
natural body of water, like a stream or lake,
Keep Alternatives for Castles then its water is fresh. Otherwise, a moat is a The garrison units should be described
with Curtain Walls stagnant ditch that is probably an open sew- as for field warfare. The defending garrison
er. Many castles do not have moats, and in- may also include siege engines (see Siege
The defenses of curtain walls are so for- stead use ditches. A moat has no upkeep fee; Engines).
midable that the role of the keep changes in it’s a free choice for characters with castles
response to them. The keep is still able to that have curtain walls.
assist in the defense of the walls, and can act Moats are often used to augment gate Defenses
as a place of refuge if the walls are lost, but defenses. Some castles have a barbican on a
many castle builders diminish these roles, and small island that is separated from the gate- Defenses describes both castle walls and
find alternatives to the tower or shell keep house by the moat. Others have causeways other specific defensive engineering, earth-
for fortifications that have curtain walls. across the moat that approach the gatehouse works, or moats. Their quality is measured
A hall keep is a long, low building made indirectly, exposing attackers to crossbow using the grades presented in City & Guild,
of stone that is, structurally, an evolved form fire from the walls. page 67. In this case quality represents the
of the manorial hall. It is usually two sto- A barbican and moat are included in the age, upkeep, and extent of the defenses as
ries high and has a limited number of entry cost of a castle with curtain walls. A small well as their inherent construction quality.
points to minimize the number of defenders castle lacking these features, but which has Permanent defensive enchantments also
required to hold it. A hall keep, lacking a for- a barbican and moat, costs two pounds more add +1 to the overall Defense Bonus.
tuitous hillock, is not as tall as the curtain than a normal small castle to maintain.
walls, which limits its usefulness to archers. Defense Interval Defense Example
The hall keep’s great advantage is that it is Quality Bonus
the most spacious and comfortable form of
keep.
Describing Castles Shoddy Day +1 Make-
shift
A courtyard castle focuses on the de- defenses
fense of the bailey, forgoing a keep entirely. A castle is described by three main char-
Players designing courtyard castles may take acteristics: Garrison, Defenses, and Supplies. Standard Week +2 Any free
another large structure, like a gatehouse or Each characteristic has a measure of quality castle
moat, in lieu of a keep. Most masters of a and an interval. Intervals vary from “day” to choice
courtyard castle plan, in the worst case, fall “year,” and the lowest interval pertaining to a Superior Month +3 Any
back to their strongest tower, which is usu- given castle determines how often key siege minor
ally the gatehouse. events are played out when the castle is be- castle
A gatehouse keep is a large building, sieged. choice
usually three stories high, that serves as
Excel- Season +4 Any
gatehouse and keep for the castle. Its lowest
lent great
level is given over to storage and the entry to Garrison castle
the bailey. The middle level is used for liv-
choice
ing space, equipment for the drawbridge and The castle Garrison is measured in com-
portcullis, and murder holes. The lord and bat groups, usually a combination of infantry Regardless of the castle’s actual shape
his family dwell on the uppermost level. and levies, though larger castles also include and construction, each castle is considered
knights, serjeants, and archers. to have four sides or walls, corresponding to
the cardinal compass points.
Barbican and Moat The castle’s size, along with its Defense Bo-
A barbican, for game purposes, is a series nus, determines how many damage levels each
of works that limit the access to the gate- wall has, according to the following table.

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 Lords of Men
Size Example Damage gives the defenders time to pull supplies and
Level the garrison back inside the defenses. A cas- Making Supply Rolls
Modifier tle keeps only those resources that support
it during the siege; children, the sick, and If it’s not important to track a given
+5 to +8 A house, 3
the elderly are frequently sent from castles siege with great precision, instead of
watch tower,
awaiting siege. Cities, being harder to stock- making individual rolls, consider rolling
barbican, or
ade, have better supplies and rarely send in batches. For example, for roll involv-
shell keep
their populations away. But this often means ing castle with shoddy supplies, roll four
+9 and A fortified 4 that they are more sensitive to deprivation dice to quickly resolve the passing of a
larger castle, town, than a garrison of soldiers, and may look to month. Or, if the castle has standard
or city sue for terms with a besieging force. supplies, roll three dice each season.
Characters under siege suffer from a
The castle’s Defense Bonus is multiplied –2 Living Conditions modifier each year
by the damage level modifier from the above in which at least one season is spent under
table to determine the castle’s damage levels. siege. Story Seed: Refugees
The walls of a fortified city (taking the cur-
tain walls great castle choice) each have 4 x A nearby town is besieged and the
4 = 16 damage levels, while the walls of a Stockade some of the elderly, the young, and the
tower keep have 3 x 3 = 9 damage levels. infirm flee to the covenant for sanctu-
Well-defended castles can rarely be ary. After granting them access, the
taken without heavy losses. In those cases, covenfolk seem drawn to the town’s
Supplies it is preferable to starve the garrison into plight. How do the magi contend with
surrender. And with so many people and so calls from the covenfolk to resupply the
Supplies include the food, water, and little space, even if getting enough food isn’t besieged town?
raw materials stored inside the castle, and a problem then getting rid of the waste often
the ability of the castle to resupply itself. is.
Castles are almost never completely cut off
as a besieging army is rarely large enough
To stockade a castle, the besieging army
must assign units to at least three of its walls.
Siege Engines
to encircle what is often difficult and porous This is enough to restrict movement in and
terrain. out of the castle and limit effective resupply. Siege engines are used both to coney
Castles that cannot be surrounded in this forces inside a castle and to bring down its
Supply Interval Siege Example way cannot be subject to stockade. walls. A ballista is a large arbalest mounted
Quality Condi- A castle subject to stockade at the end on a frame. Providing power and accuracy, it
tions of a check interval, as determined by its sup- is often employed as a sniper weapon and to
Bonus plies characteristics, make a supplies roll. launch ropes over castle walls. A mangonel
Shoddy Week +1 Easily is a tension-powered catapult that shoots
surround- Supplies Roll: Siege Conditions stones on a low trajectory and at high veloc-
ed Bonus + stress die ity from a bowl-shaped bucket on the end of
a single arm. They are primarily used to bom-
Standard Month +3 Large Ease Factor: 3 + Garrison bard walls and gates but can also be turned
reserves Weight of Numbers Modifiers + against armies on the ground. A trebuchet
Superior Season +5 Situated Number of Years Under Siege uses a huge counterweight on one end of a
on a river long arm to lob stones from a sling on the
A failed roll reduces the castle’s supplies other end in a high, arcing trajectory.
Excel- Year +7 Situated
characteristic by one level, which in turn
lent on the
increases the frequency that checks against
sea
It is worth noting that a castle with ex-
supplies need to be made. On a botched sup-
plies roll some form of disease breaks out
Laying Siege
cellent supplies is able to hold out against within the castle. Botch dice are equal to 1
a siege for years. Stories providing the op- plus the number of full seasons spent under A siege is represented in play through a
portunity to improve or reduce the Supply siege. series of decisive events. The first is played
Quality may be run, such as organizing a Unless a story event intervenes, the when the siege is first invested, with subse-
blockade to prevent resupply from the sea. castle surrenders after failing a supplies roll quent events at intervals determined by the
while having shoddy supplies. Otherwise, all lowest of the castle’s characteristics.
player characters in the besieged castle make The besieging army is proactive and
Life Under Siege deprivation checks as per ArM5, page 180. chooses how it will attack the castle. There
are three options: undermining the walls,
launching an artillery assault, or scaling the
A siege begins with the arrival of the at- defenses. For its part, the castle garrison is
tacking army in the area of the castle. This rarely passive, and can respond to these tac-

112
 Lords of Men
tics by sallying out, counter-mining, or even
launching an artillery assault of their own.
Attempts to gain entry through subterfuge
and trickery are best left as roleplaying op-
portunities.
Unlike battles where victory can easily
be decided, sieges have a natural lifespan and
the castle garrison can not remain unsup-
ported indefinitely. The rules for stockade as
described above run alongside any military
efforts.

Troop Deployment
In a siege, each army may nominate any
number of its units as miners, artillery, or sol-
diers. Artillery units and soldiers are as stan-
dard but miners are generally drawn from the
levies. It is important to track these units as
certain attacks can only be made if the army
has units of the appropriate type.
Starting with the besieging army, fol-
lowed by the castle garrison, both sides as-
sign their units among the four castle walls.
For simplicity it is suggested that these de-
ployments remain unchanged throughout
the siege, but some troupes may wish to re-
deploy ahead of each event. Any wall that
is undefended by the garrison may, if the
besieging army deploys men to that wall,
provoke an undefended escalade (see Esca-
Siege Engines lade, below).

Init Atk Def Dam Crew Range Mythic Cost Undermining

Pounds
Ballista +5 +5 6* +15** 3 50 5 Exp. If the besieging army has at least one
Mangonel –3 +3 6* +20** 5 20–150 10 Exp. unit of miners, an attempt can be made to
undermine the castle walls. A single wall is
Trebuchet –4 +1 6* +25** 5 50–200 15 Exp. targeted in each undermining attempt.
* As these engines are essentially static, the Defense is not rolled but is instead an Starting at a safe distance from the walls,
Ease Factor. the mine, supported by wooden posts, is dug
** Treated as non-combat damage (see ArM5, page 181). towards the castle. Once beneath the walls
the tunnel is filled with dry wood and kin-
dling and then set alight. When the supports
burn through the tunnel collapses, bringing
Notes
a section of wall down with it.
Ballista: Reloading a ballista is a two-round Extended Action (as per the combat
actions in Chapter Eight, Optional Combat Rules) that takes the full crew. Mine Attack Total: Intelligence +
Mangonel and Trebuchet: When used against castle walls, a mangonel or trebu- Profession Sapper + Stress Die
chet use the rules described in the Artillery section. In standard combat, both of these
weapons target combat groups rather than individuals. Reloading these weapons takes Castle Defense: Intelligence + Profession
two minutes and requires the whole crew. Sapper + Defense Bonus + Stress Die

The cost of these weapons in Mythic Pounds represents either the cost of building If the castle has a moat treat the Defense
of them on-site or transporting them from a central armory. It also represents the cost Quality as one step higher for the purpose
of provisioning sufficient ammunition, which for the catapult devices, involves teams of of determine the Defense Bonus. If the Mine
quarrymen and an army of carts to transport stone to the engines. Attack Total exceeds the Castle Defense, the
mine attack is successful.

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 Lords of Men
A successful mine attack reduces the cas-
Story Seed: tle’s Defense Quality by one step. A botched Option: External
defense roll reduces the Defense Quality an
Construction additional step while a botched attack kills Defenses
the sapper’s unit (or requires a rescue story
A powerful noble begins taking event to save them). Some castles have key defenses
trees from a nearby magical forest to Storyguides may wish to develop these outside of their main structures that
construct siege engines. If challenged, events further. It is common for the castle to the attacking force must take before
he agrees to stop, but at a price; he counter-mine the enemy miners and collapse the castle itself can be assaulted. The
wants the magi to work their magic and the tunnels themselves, before their enemies Accursed Tower at the siege of Acre in
breach the castle. have chance to affect the castle walls. And 1191 is one such example. A separately
on occasion, miners from both sides end up purchased, additional minor castle can
fighting for control over tunnels. effectively be used to defend a larger
partner. In these cases, the besieging
New Abilities army must first take the lesser defend-
Artillery ing structure before moving onto the
main castle itself. Such features have
Profession Sapper Artillery can be employed against the their own Defense Bonus but rely on the
castle walls if the besieging army includes at larger castle’s supplies and garrison.
The planning and execution of tun-
neling operations to undermine castle least one mangonel or trebuchet. These at-
walls is governed by the Ability Pro- tacks are based on the damaged goods rules
found in City & Guild, page 77. Siege engines
fession Sapper. It includes the siting
of mines, the coordination of laborers, attack in groups of up to five engines and a Escalade Weapons
and the eventual firing of the tunnels. successful hit inflicts a number of damage
levels equal to the size of the group. Each
and Defenses
It also covers counter-mining activi-
ties, which are used to defend against group makes a single attack roll during each Siege towers are built on wheeled
the sapper’s art. This Ability may not be artillery event. Multiple walls may be target- bases that can be moved up against the
used untrained, though characters with ed in a given artillery event, provided the at- castle walls. These allow troops to gain
Profession Miner may conduct mining tacking force has enough engines to do so. a foothold on the walls while protected
operations with three botch dice. from archers. A more direct route is to
Specialities: specific types of wall. Artillery Attack: Intelligence + use ladders and ropes to scale the walls.
(General) Siege Weapon Ability + Engine This is much more dangerous but can
Attack Bonus + Stress Die be more quickly, and more troops ad-
vanced. A cat is a covered mobile shel-
Profession Siege Engineer Castle Defense: Intelligence + ter used to defend attacking troops
Profession Siege Engineer + from a castle garrison as they move into
The Ability Profession Siege Engi- Defense Bonus + Stress Die position at the base of the castle walls.
neer describes the ability to design and Battering rams are treated as bludgeons.
construct siege engines, as well as the An attack is successful if the Artillery At- Using a ram against a castle door forces
understanding of defensive engineering. tack exceeds the Castle Defense. a stress check (see City & Guild, page 77)
Most siege engineers oversee construc- When a wall has been reduced to zero against the vanguard’s Brawl attack to-
tion rather than construct the devices damage levels, the castle no longer benefits tal.
themselves. Siege engineers are in high from its Defense Bonus at that wall. Incendiaries are used primarily by
demand from wealthy clients needing the defenders to dissuade attackers from
defenses against siege, and from armies scaling the walls. Boiling water, oil, and
needing to breach those defenses. Escalade hot sand are all commonly used. Treat
Specialities: ballistae, mangonels, each of these as a bludgeon for the pur-
trebuchets, siege towers, castle walls. The most direct way of assaulting a castle poses of Initiative and Attack totals,
(Academic) is the escalade, in which the attacking army but use the heat and corrosion table
scales the castle walls using wooden towers, for damage (see ArM5, page 181). Of
ladders, and ropes. course, anything could conceivably be
Siege Weapon The besieging commander may either pitched over the walls in defense against
use an escalade to probe for weaknesses an escalade, and troupes should feel free
The Siege Weapon ability governs and thin the garrison, in which case a single to explore their creativity.
the operation of siege weapons, either battlefield event is played out in the current
individually for small engines, or as the check interval. Alternatively, the attacker
leader of a crew for larger engines. can attempt to take the castle in one battle, er simply tries to win the castle in a single
Specialities: ballistae, mangonels, in which case the standard battle rules apply battle, the defending garrison gains some
trebuchets. (Martial) using the castle walls as a backdrop. advantages. The garrison characteristic’s
In the case of an event where the attack- Weight of Numbers modifier is used in place

114
 Lords of Men

of.a.Weight.of.Numbers.modifier.based.on.
the. defending. side’s. quantity. of. units,. and.
the.castle’s.Defense.Bonus.is.used.in.place.of. Example Siege Events
Territorial.Advantage..In.some.cases,.it.is.ad-
visable.for.the.attacking.army.to.break.down. scale the ladders the.outside..The.character.must.tip.boiling.
the.defenses.with.undermining.and.artillery. Event.Bonus.+7 water. onto. them. before. the. men-at-arms.
before.attempting.such.an.assault. Man: Run the Gauntlet, Size: Overwhelmed, defending.them.scale.the.stairs.and.attack.
The. battlefield. events. rules. presented. Enemy: Standard the. character.. Tipping. the. water. takes. a.
earlier.in.this.chapter.should.be.used.to.de- The. character. must. scale. the. ladders. Strength. +. Athletics. stress. roll. against.
termine.the.outcome.of.an.escalade.assault,. while. the. defenders. assault. him. with. ar- Ease.Factor.9..There.are.three.botch.dice..
with.the.following.modifications: chery. and. boiling. oil.. The. character. is. On. a. botch. the. character. douses. himself.
third. on. the. ladder,. gaining. partial. cover. with.the.boiling.water..The.attacking.force.
• The.escalade.involves.only.those.troops. from. the. two. soldiers. ahead. of. him.. It. will.arrive.in.three.rounds..If.the.defenders.
assigned.to.the.nominated.wall. takes.three.rounds.to.reach.the.top.of.the. are.scattered.by.then,.the.attackers.will.be.
• Each.victory.by.the.attacking.side.reduc- ladder,.each.of.which.requires.a.Dexterity. able.to.breach.the.gate.
es. the. castle’s. garrison. characteristic. by. +.Climb.stress.roll.against.Ease.Factor.6.. (+2. Run. the. Gauntlet,. +4. I. Stand.
one.step.(beginning.with.the.next.siege. Once.at.the.top,.the.character.must.stand. Alone,.+2.Expensive)
event). his.ground.against.a.combat.group.of.stan-
• The.attacking.army.must.use.a.tower.or. dard.troops.for.two.more.rounds.while.the.
ladders.to.scale.any.standing.walls. rest.of.his.men.arrive. take t he Marshal
(+2. Run. the. Gauntlet,. +3. Over- Event.Bonus.+9
• Baggage. troops. cannot. be. targeted. by.
whelmed,.+2.Standard) Man: Take, Size: Overwhelmed, Enemy: Spe-
the.attacking.army.
cial
The. knight. marshal. controlling. the.
If.the.attacking.army.wins.a.battle.against.
a.shoddy.wall.they.breach.the.castle,.which. open the gates castle.rides.at.the.head.of.three.groups.of.
Event.Bonus.+8 knights. attempting. to. charge. down. the.
then. becomes. the. backdrop. for. a. standard.
Man: Run the Gauntlet, Size: I Stand Alone, character. and. his. group.. The. character.
battle.using.the.battle.rules.presented.earlier.
Enemy: Expensive must. bring. the. marshal. down. and. either.
in.this.chapter.
Inside.the.castle.(such.as.in.the.wake. kill.him.or.force.his.surrender..To.compli-
of. the. Scale. the. Ladders. event. described. cate. matters,. the. character’s. escape. route.
counterattack previously),.the.character.spots.a.group.of. is.blocked.
defenders.shoring.up.the.gates,.which.are. (+3. Take,. +3. Overwhelmed,. +3.
under.pressure.from.the.attacking.force.on. Special)
As. a. response. to. any. besieging. action,.
or.as.an.action.during.stockade,.the.garrison.
may. send. out. troops. to. attack. the. enemy.
directly.. These. actions. have. a. Battle. Ease. get,.and.return.to.the.safety.of.the.walls..The. units. from. the. enemy. army.. The. besieging.
Factor. of. 9.. Neither. Territorial. Advantage. intention. is. to. attack. and. eliminate. certain. baggage.units.are.normally.defended.and.so.
nor.Weight.of.Numbers.apply..The.sallying. troops.(visible.mining.operations,.siege.artil- may.not.be.targeted.
force. must. leave. the. castle,. reach. their. tar- lery,.etc.)..A.successful.event.removes.those. The.garrison.may.also.use.any.siege.en-

11
 Lords of Men
gines it has to target the attacker’s siege en-
gines. Engines are targeted individually. Each
hit forces a damage check against the attack
Siege Magic
total with damage levels lost according to the On finding themselves besieged by a force into thinking that all of the castle
size of the attacking group. If not using the determined Milanese force, the magi of walls were protected.
damage rules from City & Guild, assume that Castro Selvaggio worked together to cre- (Base 2, +2 Voice, +2 Sun, +2 Group,
a single hit from a mangonel or trebuchet is ate a number of spells and rituals to help +2 movement and complexity)
enough to destroy a siege engine. them outlast their attackers. The follow-
ing laboratory texts survived the sacking
of the castle. It is not known precisely how Raise the Siege
Aftermath the castle fell, but suspicion quickly fell
upon the covenant’s Milanese rivals. ReMe 30
R: Arc, D: Sun, T: Ind
With the castle taken and the siege over, Given an arcane connection to the
the castle’s new masters decide on its fate. Conjuration of Bread besieging commander, this spell suggests
The behavior of the victor is something to a pessimistic view of any siege assessment.
be roleplayed, but castles and cities gener- CrHe 35 The effect is not sudden, but rather, is rein-
ally suffer more the longer they hold out. R: Touch, D: Mom, T: Group, Ritual forced through the day as the commander
Those responsible for holding out against This ritual creates enough bread to reviews the siege. On an Intelligence +
the siege risk being taken and killed. Other support a moderately sized covenant for Leadership simple roll against Ease Factor
men of value are likely to be ransomed, ei- a season. The bread is a long-lived ciab- 12 the commander resists the suggestions
ther bring imprisoned locally or forced out atta which lasts if stored well. The ritual is made by the spell.
of the castle as a hostage of the attacker. Ci- enough to provide a +7 bonus to all Sup- (Base 5, +4 Arc, +1 Sun)
vilians are likely to be robbed, and worse, by ply rolls made by a besieged castle in that
the victorious army. Unless they escape, the season.
defending garrison is frequently hanged as (Base 3, +1 Touch, +2 Group, +5 Seal the Breach
an example to others. size)
Depending on its location, its impor- CrTe 20
tance, and the needs of the wider campaign, R: Touch, D: Mom, T: Ind, Ritual
it is is usual for the attacking force to appoint Raise the Veronese Flag This ritual conjures a section of wall
a governor and leave behind a force in the in a shape marked out during the casting
castle to secure it. CrIm 30 of the spell. It is designed to knit together
R: Voice, D: Sun, T: Group with adjoining sections of existing forti-
This spell creates the illusion of ten fications to repair already standing walls.
Veronese men-at-arms manning the cas- The spell is enough to repair a single sec-
tle walls. Each soldier moves and speaks tion of wall collapsed through mining or
(though they seem to have Veronese ac- artillery assault (restoring up to five dam-
cents, they form no intelligible words) but age levels).
never strays from its post. Using this spell, (Base 3, +1 Touch, +2 size, +1 finesse,
the Veronese magi fooled the Milanese ritual minimum level 20)

116
 Chapter Nine

Optional Combat Rules

This chapter expands on the Ars Magica dance could all be resolved by dividing the agrees a character can reasonably do in about
Fifth Edition combat rules to add many new action into rounds and having each character six seconds. Attacking is an action; so is cast-
possibilities, including tactical movement act once per round, in a specific order. ing a formulaic or spontaneous spell.
and mounted combat. Most of the new rules A character can only perform an action
introduced here are presented as options that on his turn in the combat sequence.
you can use in your saga if you want a more-
̶detailed combat system or disregard if you
Initiative
prefer to keep things simple. Not Everything is an Action
The basics of initiative are explained in
ArM5, pages 171–172. Since an action is something a character
The storyguide should call for Initiative does on his turn, not every die roll a player

The Combat
rolls whenever she wants to start using com- makes corresponds to an action. Generally,
bat rounds. Any action that doesn’t require a rolls required by the storyguide (as opposed
weapon, including spellcasting, has a weap- to initiated by the player) don’t count as ac-

Round on initiative modifier of 0. tions. There is no limit to how many die rolls
a player can make in one round, because die
rolls are not necessarily actions.
Ars Magica Fifth Edition defines a com- When to Roll Initiative
bat round on pages 171–172. Every charac-
ter gets to act once per round, in an order When combat begins (or when the sto- Examples of Actions
defined by the Initiative roll. Each round ryguide wants to start tracking events using
represents about six seconds of time in the combat rounds), roll for Initiative for each It would be impossible to list every pos-
game world. character present. Even characters who don’t sible action, but some common examples
This section introduces more formal rules want to get involved in the battle should roll include:
that categorize common character actions. Initiative and act only on their turn.
The terminology that describes these cat- If new characters approach a battle in • Trigger an enchanted item (see ArM5,
egories (such as “actions” and “fast actions”) progress, there’s no need to roll Initiative for page 98)
is used throughout the rest of this chapter. them until they’re close enough either to at- • Attack in melee
However, it is all right to ignore the distinc- tack with missiles or to reach the battle with • Attack with missiles
tions between different types of actions if one round’s movement (see Moving in Com- • Cast a spell (see ArM5, page 174)
the troupe wants to keep combat simple. bat, later). At that point, roll Initiative for • Move (see Tactical Movement, later in
the new arrivals at the start of the first round this chapter)
when they’re within range and insert their • Charge (see Attacking, later in this chap-
When to Use actions into the combat sequence as usual. ter)
• Stand up
Combat Rounds • Mount or dismount a horse
Actions in Combat • Pick up an item off the ground
• Open or close (and bar) a door or win-
Contrary to what their name suggests, dow
combat rounds can be useful for situations An action is something a character can
other than combat. A storyguide can use choose to do when it’s his turn in the combat
them any time she wants to keep close track sequence. The ArM5 rules say that a char- Reactions
of what two or more characters are doing, acter can act once per round (on his turn);
moment-by-moment. They’re best for scenes these rules elaborate on what it means to A common situation in combat arises
where the order of the characters’ actions “act.” Normally, a character can perform one when a character must immediately respond
could affect the outcome. A chase scene, action on his turn. to some external event, such as making a
a certamen, or even a complicated courtly Actions include anything the storyguide Defense roll to avoid an enemy’s attack or a

117
 Lords of Men
Concentration roll to maintain a spell. These mine when, precisely, the extended action is Examples of fast actions:
rolls are called reactions. Reactions are not ceased (see Delaying Actions, later in this
actions and don’t interfere with the charac- chapter). • Draw a weapon
ter’s ability to perform an action later in the A character can’t perform any other ac- • Drop an item
same round. tions, including fast actions, while he is car- • Pick up an item from a tabletop
rying out an extended action. • Shout a brief order or warning (ten
• A character can perform a reaction any While a character is performing an ex- words or less)
time the storyguide asks him to, even if tended action, any distraction (including • Leap from the saddle (see Mounting and
it’s not the character’s turn, and even if being attacked) requires the player to make Dismounting, later in this chapter)
the character hasn’t yet had his first turn a Concentration roll. Handle this similarly • Stand from a kneeling or crouching
since the battle began. to a magus being distracted while casting a position
• There is no limit to how many reactions spell (see ArM5, page 82) but the storyguide • Vault into the saddle
a character can attempt in a round (though may wish to reduce the Ease Factor if the • Transform to or from heartbeast form
there may be practical limitations to how extended action is fairly simple. If the roll (specifically, outer heartbeast form; see
many he can successfully complete). fails, the extended action fails immediately, ArM5, page 92 and Houses of Hermes: Mys-
• Reactions aren’t actions, so they don’t and is considered to be ceased (as described tery Cults, page 22).
count against the limit of one action per earlier). • Shoot a readied bow or crossbow, if the
round. Magi can cast spells while performing troupe is using the optional ready mis-
extended actions, which is an exception to siles rules (see Option: Ready Missiles,
Some examples of reactions include: the general rule prohibiting actions during later in this chapter).
extended actions, but doing so requires a
• Defense rolls against incoming attacks. Concentration rolls against an Ease Factor
• Fast Casting a spell (see ArM5, pages 83
and 174).
set by the storyguide, and may require them
to cast without use of their hands.
Delaying Actions
• Concentration rolls to maintain a spell Examples of extended actions include:
(see ArM5, page 82). A character or group can choose to delay
• Ride rolls to avoid falling off a horse. • Hide its action as it would delay its opportunity to
• Retrieve an item from a pouch or pack act according to the regular rules of initia-
• Span a crossbow tive (see ArM5, page 171). There are many
Extended Actions • String a bow reasons one might want to do this: a wary
• Cast a ritual spell (which may take hun- magus might be unsure of an opponent’s
Sometimes, characters want to do some- dreds of combat rounds!) motives and prefer not to make the first ag-
thing that takes an entire six-second combat gressive move, or a knight might choose to
round or longer. These are extended actions. defend a narrow bridge, attacking the first
The differences between an action and an Option: Fast Actions enemy who tries to cross.
extended action are: When a character chooses to delay his
Some things a character might want to action, he can act normally at any later time,
• Extended actions can’t be delayed (see do, such as drawing a dagger or shouting a whenever the player wishes. However, this
Delaying Actions, later in this chapter). warning, take considerably less than a six- does not permit the character to actually
• An extended action isn’t finished until second combat round to complete. Under interrupt another character’s action (as, for
some round after the character starts it. this optional rule, such activities are called example, a Fast-Cast spell would). A charac-
• If you are using the fast actions optional fast actions. (If you prefer not to use this ter who wants to act in response to an op-
rule, a character can only perform a fast option, then the storyguide should make ad ponent’s action must wait for his opponent to
action before beginning or after finish- hoc decisions about whether a character can complete his action, and may only then take
ing the extended action, not while it is do more than one thing in a round.) an action of his own.
in progress. As a rule of thumb, a character can per- A delayed action can carry over from one
form one fast action, in addition to his regu- round to the next. The opportunity to carry
Some extended actions take two or more lar action, on his turn. The fast action may out a delayed action expires on the charac-
rounds to complete. These are described as, come before or after the regular action. The ter’s next turn, but of course the character
for example, “a two-round extended action.” storyguide can allow more than one fast ac- can choose to delay again if he likes.
For the purposes of determining the tion if circumstances warrant. If more than one character has delayed
duration over which an extended action is Alternatively, a character can perform up his action, then the delaying character with
performed, a round begins on the character’s to four fast actions on his turn instead of any the highest Initiative Total has the first op-
turn in the combat sequence and ends im- regular actions. tion to respond to a given event, the one
mediately before his next turn. An extended A character can only perform a fast ac- with the next-highest Initiative Total has the
action is continuously in progress during this tion on the first round of an extended action, second option, and so on.
time. before actually starting the extended action. If you are using the fast actions option, a
A character may cease an extended ac- Once the extended action is begun, the char- character may choose to delay his action, his
tion at any time. If exact timing is important, acter can’t perform fast actions until after it’s fast action, or both.
use the interrupting actions option to deter- finished. The choice to delay an action does not

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 Lords of Men

change the character’s order in the combat Normally, when a character delays an Action Priority Total: Quickness +
sequence in future turns. action as described earlier, his delayed ac- Ability – Encumbrance + stress die
Example: A tavern confrontation between Paul tion is resolved after the action to which
the turb warrior and two ruffians, Alan and Bruce, he’s responding. This optional rule gives For the Action Priority Total, each char-
comes to blows. Paul’s player rolls well on Initiative, a character a chance to actually interrupt acter uses the Ability appropriate to the na-
getting a 10. Alan’s Initiative Total is 8 and Bruce’s his opponent’s action, causing his own ac- ture of the action he intends to carry out.
is 7. Paul gets to go first, but is not sure whether one tion to resolve before the event to which If he’s attacking, use the Martial Ability ap-
ruffian, or both, will attack him. He only wants to hit he’s responding. This is similar to the way propriate to his weapon. If he’s moving, use
the ones who swing at him, so he delays. Alan goes a successful Fast-Cast spell resolves before Athletics; if riding, use Ride; and so on. Magi
next, but isn’t sure about taking on someone as tough the attack against which the magus is de- casting spells use Finesse as the relevant
as Paul, so he also delays, waiting for Bruce to make fending. Ability.
the first move. Bruce is more hot-headed, and attacks. To interrupt an opponent’s action, the Casting a spell to interrupt someone is
Paul withstands the attack. Now all the characters character must first delay his own action. not the same as Fast Casting (ArM5, page
who delayed their actions have a chance to respond, When one or more characters who 83); Fast Casting doesn’t require the magus
in descending order of Initiative Totals. Paul has the have delayed their actions want to interrupt to have first delayed his action, but inter-
higher Initiative Total of the two characters who de- someone, each character who’s involved — rupting does. If the magus loses the action
layed, so he has the first choice to respond. He attacks including the character being interrupted priority contest when attempting to inter-
Bruce and lands a hefty blow. Then Alan, who also — makes an action priority roll (described rupt someone, he can still try to Fast Cast if
delayed his action, gets to respond. He attacks Paul later). Making this roll is what “uses up” the he wishes. (That is, a magus with a delayed
and misses. The first round of combat ends. On the delayed action (on the part of those who de- action can potentially have two attempts to
next round, Paul’s Initiative Total is still 10 and he layed) or the triggering action (on the part stop an attack: once by interrupting, and if
still goes first. Combat proceeds according to the nor- of the character being interrupted) regard- that fails, once by Fast Casting.)
mal sequence (from highest to lowest Initiative Totals) less of what happens after this point (more See Charging on Foot, later in this chap-
unless someone decides to delay again. information follows). ter, for rules on interrupting an opponent
Whoever has the highest Action Prior- who is trying to charge.
ity Total resolves his action first. If there is Note that it’s only possible to interrupt
Option: Interrupting Actions a tie, the character with the highest Quick- an extended action in the round it is started,
ness wins. Characters still tied determine but keep in mind that an opponent’s extend-
The combat sequence of Ars Magica randomly which one acts first. ed action can also be foiled by distracting
Fifth Edition can sometimes give the illusion Resolve all remaining actions in descend- him (see Extended Actions, earlier in this
that a character performs his action on his ing order of Action Priority Total. Each char- chapter).
turn, then freezes like a statue while all the acter can choose to respond or do nothing, Example: Marla the grog is patrolling a hall-
other characters take their own turns. The but a character who does nothing no longer way in the covenant when she spots a cloaked intruder.
turn-based combat sequence is an important has a delayed action to use later, because The storyguide calls for initiative rolls. Marla’s player
convenience that makes battles playable, but making the action priority roll “uses up” the rolls a 9 and the intruder’s Initiative is 7. Marla draws
it should not be taken too literally. From the action, as described earlier (for an exception, her sword as a fast action and delays her action, wait-
characters’ point of view, action on the bat- see Option: Defenders as Interceptors, later ing for the intruder to make the next move. The intruder
tlefield is fast, chaotic, and continuous. in this chapter). bolts for the exit; Marla attempts to interrupt him and

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 Lords of Men
move to cut off his retreat. The storyguide asks them Charging on Foot and Mounted Movement,
both to roll Action Priority Totals using Quickness both later in this chapter). Also, note that Terrain Examples
+ Athletics – Encumbrance. Marla’s player rolls well characters who are engaged in combat (ei-
and gets a 16; the intruder only gets 11. Marla dashes ther in melee or in missile combat) must dis- The following examples cover some
ahead of the intruder and makes it to the door before engage in order to move (see Engaging and common situations and can be used as a
him. The intruder’s action was spent running for the Disengaging, below). guide for other terrain types. Note that
door, even though he was beaten there, so the first round A character who chooses to move as some terrain, like ice, can be both dif-
of combat ends. It’s round two, and Marla’s turn. his action can choose any of the following ficult and hazardous.
rates:

Option: Fast Casting • A walk is rarely used in combat. More Difficult Terrain
as Interruption often, characters walk when they are not
suspecting danger. Movement speed halved (round
If you like, you can use a variant of the • A hurry is the usual pace on the battle- up), extra botch die.
interrupting actions rule, presented earlier, field, equivalent to jogging or marching • Dense undergrowth
to replace the normal Ease Factor for a Fast at double cadence. • Ice
Casting speed roll (see ArM5, page 83). Use • A run is very fast, but tiring. A character • Rubble
the normal Fast-Casting procedure (that is, may be required to make a Fatigue roll • Slope, upward, 45 degrees or steep-
the magus does not need to have delayed his when running; see ArM5, page 178. er
action) but use the interrupted opponent’s • Riding is described under Mounted • Snow (knee-deep or deeper)
Action Priority Total as the Ease Factor of Movement Rates, later in this chapter. • Water (knee-deep or deeper)
the Fast Casting speed roll.
The main advantage to this option is that Walk: 10 + Quickness −
it makes interrupting actions and Fast Cast- Encumbrance paces per round Hazards
ing work in more or less the same way, so
they’re more logical and easier to remember. Hurry: 2 x (10 + Quickness – Extra botch die (or dice), botch po-
It also changes the dynamics of Fast Casting Encumbrance) paces per round tentially more serious.
a little, making the outcome less predictable. • Ice
The likelihood of successfully Fast Casting Run: 4 x (10 + Quickness – • Mud, slippery
under this option depends on the opponent’s Encumbrance) paces per round • Precipice
Action Priority Total (which is re-rolled • Rock, loose or crumbly
every time a magus tries to interrupt him), • Slope, upward or downward, 45 de-
grees or steeper
not on his Initiative Total (which normally
doesn’t change over the course of a battle).
Movement and Groups • Ship or wagon, moving
• Battlefield littered with bodies, bro-
All of the movement rules in this chapter ken weapons, etc.
are written in terms of individual characters,

Tactical
but apply equally to groups. Groups of char-
acters move together as a single unit. Their Obstacles
speed is that of the slowest member. They use

Movement the vanguard’s Characteristics and Abilities Requires special action to move
to resolve any rolls related to movement. across.

Factor
Action

The rules in this section allow troupes

Stress
Roll
Type

Ease

to handle characters’ movement on the bat-

tlefield in as much or as little detail as they
Obstacles, Barriers, Action
wish. Exact movement rates often don’t mat-
ter, but in certain situations, such as when
and Movement Force open a
normal door
Ext. Str 9

valiant knights charge through a hail of ar- Force open Ext. Str 12
rows to smite down enemy archers, distance Do not worry about terrain unless doing a reinforced
and movement can make a great deal of dif- so adds to the excitement of battle, rather door
ference to the story. than distracting from it.
Difficult terrain significantly slows a Open a door Std. none n/a
character’s movement. For simplicity, all dif- or window needed

Moving in Combat ficult terrain slows movement to one-half

normal speed (unless the storyguide chooses
Pick a lock 5-rd.
Ext.
Dex +
Leger-
12*

otherwise). Examples of difficult terrain in- demain

Moving is an action. Characters can’t clude rubble, dense undergrowth, knee-deep
* See City & Guild, page 78, for more
move and attack in the same round, un- water, and upward slopes steeper than about
information.
less they are mounted and/or charging (see 45 degrees. Attack and Defense rolls, and

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 Lords of Men
rolls related to movement, suffer an extra
botch die when the character is on difficult
terrain. If you are using the advanced group
combat rules in this chapter, a group must
make a Discipline check when it crosses dif-
ficult terrain.
A hazard is a terrain feature that in-
creases the likelihood of accidents. Slippery,
crumbling, and moving surfaces (such as the
deck of a ship) are the most common sorts
of hazards. The edge of a cliff or a narrow
bridge would also count as a hazard. Hazards
do not slow movement, but they add one
botch die (or more, at the storyguide’s dis-
cretion) to any stress roll a character makes
while on them. Furthermore, the effects of
a botch are potentially more serious near a
hazard. (See ArM5, page 7, for a discussion
of botches and their effects.) Some terrain,
such as slippery mud, is both difficult terrain
and a hazard.
An obstacle is something that a charac-
ter can’t move across, at least, not at a nor-
mal movement rate. A fence or a closed door
are obstacles. Crossing an obstacle requires
some specific effort on the character’s part,
such as climbing the fence or opening the
door. This is usually an action and may or
may not require a die roll, depending on the
nature of the obstacle. Some examples are
given in the sidebar.
Cover is terrain that protects against
missile fire and offers opportunities to hide.
Engaging in Combat is fighting for his life and whenever he tries
to move away, his opponent tries to block
Cover gives a bonus to Defense against mis- him or head him off. These maneuvers and
sile weapons. See Battlefield Situations, later A character becomes engaged in combat counter-maneuvers are represented by the
in this chapter, for further details. whenever he is close enough to an enemy to disengagement roll.
attack or be attacked. The precise distance
this represents depends on how the charac-
ter and his enemy are armed. Effects of Being Engaged

Engaging and
A character becomes engaged in melee
whenever he makes an Attack or Defense A character (or group) engaged in melee
roll in melee combat. He can also become combat is busy fighting and can’t move away

Disengaging engaged by moving within reach of an oppo-

nent’s weapon, or when an opponent moves
within reach of his own. The distance that
from his (or their) opponent without disen-
gaging first.
A character (or group) engaged in mis-
The following two rules are the essence constitutes being “within reach” is generally sile combat can still move, but with limits.
of Engagement in Ars Magica Fifth Edition: about two paces, though it can be a bit lon- He (or they) must disengage in order to
A character generally is considered engaged ger for characters armed with spears and the move to a location where the enemy’s line
in combat whenever he’s within range of like. of fire is obstructed; that is, where there is a
an enemy who wants to attack him, and Similarly, a character becomes engaged better Defense bonus due to cover.
can plausibly do so. in missile combat whenever he makes an At- When a character who’s engaged tries
Once engaged, the character must disengage tack or Defense roll in missile combat, or to disengage and fails, then the character’s
in order to move away from his oppo- when he’s within an enemy missile’s range movement stops for the round and he remains
nent. and line of fire. engaged with his current opponent(s).
The details in this section clarify and Engagement is a game-mechanical arti- Note that disengaging does not neces-
elaborate on these definitions, and pres- fact, like the sequential nature of a combat sarily imply the character leaves combat.
ent some optional embellishments to them. round. Like the sequential combat round, en- One could disengage from one opponent in
Combat should work just as well if the sto- gagement should not be interpreted too lit- order to move and engage another.
ryguide just relies on those two rules and her erally. A character engaged in combat is not
own judgment. rooted to the spot as if by a spell. Rather, he

121
 Lords of Men
Engagement and Defenders ter (or a fixed location such as a doorway). aware of this item and declares he will act as defender
While this extended action is in effect, the for Victor. The second highwayman shoots an arrow
The defenders option (see ArM5, page defender monitors a two-pace radius around at Victor; Ignatio, as Victor’s defender, has an imme-
173) lets a character or group protect some- himself. He may attempt to interrupt, using diate chance to interrupt. Both Ignatio and the high-
one else in combat. This prevents anyone the interrupting actions rule, any enemy who wayman roll for action priority. Ignatio’s total is 11
from attacking the character being protect- moves into this zone or who makes a melee (+1 Quickness + 7 Single Weapon Ability (including
ed. attack against the character he’s defending. If specialty) – 2 Encumbrance + 5 stress roll) versus the
According to the rules in ArM5, defend- the defender successfully interrupts by win- archer’s 8 (0 Quickness + 5 Bows Ability + 3 stress
ers are always effective; an opponent cannot ning the action priority roll, that enemy be- roll). Ignatio interrupts the shot, so the archer’s only
attack the character being protected as long comes engaged in melee with the defender. If choice is to shoot Ignatio instead of Victor, or waste his
as any of his defenders can lift a sword. Even the defender successfully interrupted a melee action entirely. He shoots Ignatio and hits, but Ignatio
if they’re not engaged, attackers can’t outma- attack, the attacker must attack the defender suffers no wound thanks to his impressive Soak score.
neuver the defender to attack the character instead of the original target, or else forfeit Now the third highwayman attacks, and Ignatio gets
he’s protecting. his action entirely. to interrupt him. This time, the highwayman wins the
The defenders as interceptors option A defender can also attempt to inter- action priority roll, so he slips past Ignatio and at-
(see Option: Defenders and Interceptors, rupt missile attacks aimed at the character tacks Victor. However, his attack misses due to Victor’s
later in this chapter,) is an alternative to the he’s defending. If the interruption attempt magical ward.
standard defender rule. This option requires succeeds (again, by the defender generating The second round begins. The first highway-
the defender to win an opposed die roll to a higher Action Priority Total), the missile man, who attacked Victor last round, tries to do so
stop incoming attackers. attack resolves against the defender instead again. Ignatio is still acting as Victor’s defender be-
of the original target. This is a case where cause being a defender is an extended action, and an
the sequential nature of combat should not extended action lasts until just before the character’s
Option: No Engagement be taken too literally. Defending against next turn. Ignatio interrupts the attack, successfully
for Missile Combat missile attacks has more to do with position- this time. The first highwayman is now engaged with
ing oneself to spoil an opponent’s aim than Ignatio, and has to attack Ignatio or forfeit his action.
The basic rules for engagement and dis- with throwing one’s body into the path of an He swings and misses. Now it’s Victor’s turn. Victor
engagement apply to both melee and mis- arrow that’s already in flight. Also, the sto- feels he doesn’t need Ignatio’s protection any more, so
sile combat. In missile combat, a character ryguide should disallow the defender from he draws his sword and attacks the third highwayman
engages an opponent by “keeping him cov- intercepting missile attacks that he couldn’t (becoming engaged with him). Ignatio can no longer
ered.” logically block, such as attacks from behind. defend Victor against that opponent. On Ignatio’s
As an optional rule, you may use the en- Defending is an extended action, so a turn, Ignatio realizes that he and Victor are each en-
gagement rules for melee combat only. defender can’t attack in the same round. He gaged with one opponent, and decides his best option is
can, however, use exertion on defense. A de- to stop defending Victor and attack the first highway-
fender’s usual tactic is to keep defending un- man, with whom he’s already engaged.
Option: No Missiles While til all enemies are engaged in melee with the
Engaged in Melee defender, and then start attacking them.

As an optional rule, you may disallow

A character being defended can still at-
tack. If he does so, then he becomes engaged
Disengaging
characters engaged in melee from making with his target and the defender can no lon-
missile attacks. ger block attacks from that target. The de- Rules for disengaging from combat may
fender can still prevent additional opponents be found on page 173 of ArM5. In the con-
from attacking his charge, however. text of missile combat, it is useful to think of
Option: Defenders A defender can only protect one other disengaging as “taking cover.”
as Interceptors character, and only as long as that character
remains within two paces of him. There is no
The defender rules (see ArM5, page 173) limit to how many enemies a defender can Attempting to Disengage
are simple to use, but they can sometimes try to interrupt in a round, though sooner or
lead to strange results when few are defend- later his luck will run out and an enemy will Disengaging is a reaction, not an action.
ing against many. A single defender can hold slip past him. A character must disengage whenever he at-
off one attacker, or twenty, with equal effec- Example: Ignatio the shield grog and Victor tempts a move action while engaged.
tiveness. This optional (but more complex) the redcap are carrying an urgent message when they To disengage, a character must gener-
rule is for troupes who dislike that implica- are beset by three highwaymen, two armed with short ate a Defense Total, and all opponents who
tion of the standard rule. It uses the mechan- spears and one with a bow. All players roll Initiative attacked him since last round generate At-
ics of the interrupting actions option (see and the order in which the characters will act is: first tack Totals (as a reaction). If the character’s
Option: Interruption Actions, earlier in this highwayman, Victor, Ignatio, second highwayman Defense Total is greater than or equal to
chapter) but can be used even if the troupe (armed with the bow), third highwayman. the highest Attack Total, the character may
doesn’t want to allow interrupting actions in The first highwayman attacks Victor and hits, move normally. Otherwise, the character’s
other contexts. inflicting a Light Wound. On Victor’s turn, he acti- movement stops and he remains engaged.
A character or group may perform an vates an enchanted item he has (The Invisible Shield) The failed attempt to move still counts as his
extended action to defend another charac- that protects him from metal weapons. Ignatio is un- action for the round, so he can’t perform an-

122
 Lords of Men
other (except possibly a fast action). away. As a consequence of this reckless act,
If a character fails to disengage and the character’s opponent gets a free attack Option: Condensed
tries again the following round, he gains a and the character gets no Defense roll: his
+3 bonus to his Defense Total for his roll Defense Total is 0. Needless to say, this is Notation for
to disengage only. This bonus increases by
+3 each round until the character escapes
extremely dangerous in most circumstances,
but it may be a sensible thing to do if the
Combat Scores
or combat ends, so, for instance, a character character enjoys a magical immunity to his Players may find it convenient to
who tries to disengage for three consecutive opponents’ weapons. write combat scores in “condensed no-
rounds has a +6 bonus on the third round. tation.” For each weapon, write two
The bonus resets to zero if the character at- numbers for the Defense score, separat-
tacks or performs some other action besides ed from each other by a slash. The first

Attacking and
movement. number is for the weapon only, and the
If a character moves along a path that second is for the weapon-shield com-
brings him within melee or missile range of bination. Label these lines as “weapon/
an opponent who has a delayed action, that
opponent can attack him. (See Option: In-
terrupting Actions, earlier in this chapter.
Defending shield’ (substituting the names of the
specific weapon and shield in question,
of course).
If you are not using that option, opponents Attacking and defending are the fun- It is a good idea to include a sepa-
can attack the character automatically if they damental activities of combat. This section rate line on the character sheet that
have delayed their actions.) The moving clarifies the Ars Magica Fifth Edition rules gives the Defense score for the charac-
character becomes engaged at that time, but for engaging in combat, and presents several ter’s shield (without weapons), which is
may immediately attempt to disengage and new, optional variations on these basic ele- needed against missile attacks.
continue his movement. ments of combat. For example, the standard soldier
(see ArM5, page 22) has the following
condensed notation combat scores:
Automatic Disengagement
Attacking Axe/Heater Shield: Init +0, Attack
+12, Defense +9/+11, Damage +7
A character automatically ceases to be Fist: Init –1, Attack +7, Defense +7,
engaged in combat when any of the follow- Attacking, whether in melee or missile Damage +1
ing happens: combat, is an action. Heater Shield: Defense +11
This may not seem to save much
• All opponents engaged with him are space, but note that it covers all pos-
knocked prone, killed, incapacitated, or Charging on Foot sible weapon/shield combinations, and
otherwise completely disabled. there is no need to re-calculate combat
• No opponents have attacked him since Charging is an action that lets a char- scores if, for example, a combatant’s
his last turn. Note that this implies that acter move and make a melee attack in the shield breaks.
a character who goes first in initiative same round. The movement must come be-
order can disengage automatically at the fore the attack. It is also possible to charge
start of combat, if he wishes. and attack with a hand-hurled weapon such See Mounted Combat, later in this chap-
• In addition, a character ceases to be en- as a javelin or throwing axe, but not with a ter, for rules covering charging on horseback.
gaged in missile combat when: bow, sling, or crossbow.
• The opposing side runs out of ammuni- Charging on foot is like combining
tion. This may not be immediately obvi- movement with exertion on the attack (see Option: Interrupting a Charge
ous to the character, but his next attempt ArM5, page 173). If on foot, the character
to disengage will automatically succeed. must spend a Fatigue level and may move If you are using the interrupting actions
• The character (or group) moves beyond at up to his running speed. (See Movement option (see Option: Interruption Actions,
the extreme range of all opponents’ Rates, earlier in this chapter). If the character earlier in this chapter), a character who is
weapons. moves faster than a hurry, he may lose an ad- charging on foot uses his Combat Ability as
ditional Fatigue level due to running. the relevant Ability in his Action Priority To-
On foot, a charging character gains a bo- tal. The character who is interrupting should
Option: Reckless nus to his melee Attack roll equal to his Com- use Athletics if he’s trying to move out of the
Disengagement bat Ability. Charging carries no additional way of the charge, or a Combat Ability if he’s
benefits or penalties. In particular, there is no trying to attack the charging character. One
The requirement that a character disen- penalty to Defense due to charging. may interrupt a charge using either missile or
gage from combat assumes that a character’s It is less effective to charge across melee weapons.
self-preservation impulse always prevents difficult terrain. A character who charges If you are not using the interrupting ac-
him from turning his back on an opponent across difficult terrain can still move and tions rule, you can still use this option. If you
in the midst of mortal combat. As an op- attack in the same round, and must still do so, a character who wants to interrupt a
tion, the storyguide can allow characters to spend a Fatigue level, but does not gain the charge must delay his action, and can then
disregard self-preservation and simply move Attack bonus. attack in response to the charge.

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 Lords of Men
Once a creature has successfully grappled
an opponent (and begun constricting), on
subsequent rounds the creature can continue
constricting while also attacking with other
weapons, such as its claws or bite. These at-
tacks may be directed against the grappled
victim or another opponent.

Defending
Defending against an attack (that is,
generating a Defense Total) is a reaction, not
an action. A character who comes under at-
tack nearly always gets a Defense roll, even if
he doesn’t see the attack coming (though he
would suffer major penalties to his Defense
Total in that case). There is no limit to the
number of Defense rolls a player may make
for his character in one round.

Defense when Unarmed

Completely unarmed characters use the
Defense Total based on their Brawl Abil-
ity. Characters equipped with a shield, but
no weapon, use the Defense Total based on
their Single Weapon Ability.

Option: Ready Missiles siles is if an enemy had delayed an action,

then attacked in response to the crossbow- Helpless Characters
This optional rule works with the fast ac- man leaving cover. Needless to say, charac-
tions option (see Option: Fast Actions, ear- ters with experience fighting crossbowmen The only time a character doesn’t get
lier in this chapter). A character armed with do exactly that. a Defense roll is when he’s totally helpless
any type of bow or crossbow, but not with a — unconscious, securely bound to a chair,
sling or hand-thrown weapon, who has the magically paralyzed like a statue, and so on.
weapon drawn and an arrow or bolt on the Option: Constriction Attacks In these cases, if any opponent should be so
string, is considered to have a missile “ready.” ignoble as to attack the character, treat his
He can shoot as a fast action instead of an or- Medieval bestiaries speak of dragons Defense Total as –10 (note that this Defense
dinary action. He may then perform another strangling elephants with their tails or coils. Total is a fixed number; there is no die roll).
action in the same round, even, in the case of Other fantastic beasts, such as the kraken,
a bow, shooting a second arrow. are also capable of constriction attacks.
An archer can pull an arrow from his A creature can only constrict a victim Option: Diceless Defense
quiver, aim, and shoot, all in a single action. whose Size is less than its own. Constriction
However, if the archer prefers, he can nock is based on the grappling rules (see Non-Le- To make combat flow quicker and reduce
an arrow and draw the bow as an action, and thal Combat on ArM5, page 174 or Option: the amount of arithmetic involved, you can
delay a fast action to shoot. Non-Lethal Combat, later in this chapter). replace the stress die in characters’ Defense
A crossbowman loads his weapon as part The Attack Total is computed using the Totals with a constant value of 6. That is,
of the extended action of spanning it, so al- Brawl skill, and a constriction attack has the characters don’t roll Defense; Defense sim-
ways begins the next round with the weapon following weapon statistics: Initiative 0, At- ply becomes something akin to an Ease Fac-
ready. A common tactic for crossbowmen is tack +3, Defense 0, Damage n/a. tor for the Attack roll.
to span the weapon behind a pavise (a large, As long as a grappling creature maintains This option takes some of the variability
free-standing shield) or other cover, pop up, the grapple, its opponent is considered de- out of combat. It eliminates the possibility
shoot, and quickly duck back behind the prived of air (see ArM5, page 180). The vic- of a Defense botch, but it also eliminates the
cover to span the weapon again. (An archer tim must make a Stamina check every thirty possibility of a very high Defense roll ward-
could use the same tactic, at the cost of halv- seconds, that is, every five rounds, or suffer ing off an otherwise unavoidable attack. It
ing his rate of fire). The only way the cross- the normal effects of deprivation. Constric- tends to make characters with powerful com-
bowman would be exposed to enemy mis- tion is a slow way to slay an opponent. bat scores a bit more powerful with respect to

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 Lords of Men
weak combatants, because the weaker fight- who are quick, light skirmishers (such as Option: Lasting Consequences
ers normally rely on luck in order to win. Aragonese almogavars) as an alternative to of Serious Damage
The storyguide should feel free to apply heavily armored (and heavily encumbered)
this option selectively, for example, only to warriors. This optional rule was originally printed
non-player characters instead of player char- This optional rule overrules the state- in Art & Academe, page 43.
acters, or only to “cannon fodder” opponents ment on page 172 of ArM5 that “Combat An Incapacitating Wound is a significant
and not to the main villains of the saga. Ability… represents ability to dodge as punishment to the body, and might result in
well as to defend with weapons.” Dodging loss of the afflicted limb, or the acquisition
and avoidance are represented by an Eva- of other Flaws. Troupes who want to add a
Option: No Defense sion Total, which represents the ability to level of extra peril can simulate such crush-
for Missile Weapons dodge, and Combat Ability (under this op- ing wounds in the following manner.
tion) represents only the ability to block Whenever an Incapacitating Wound is
All weapons in the missile weapon table and parry. Evasion can be used in place of a dealt, the player should immediately make a
have a Defense modifier of 0, but a character Defense Total against any attack. Size and Stamina roll against an Ease Factor of 6. If
with a bow or sling in hand uses the Combat Encumbrance are important factors in the this roll fails, then there is a lasting compli-
Ability for that weapon when rolling a De- Evasion Total, as opposed to the Defense cation to the wound that the character has
fense Total. Total where Size and Encumbrance are ir- suffered in the form of a Minor Flaw. See
This raises the question of whether skill relevant. Surgical Intervention on Art & Academe, page
at archery (for example) necessarily makes a The Defense Total, representing de- 62 or Mitigating Deadly Wounds, later in
character better at dodging arrows or sword fense with weapons, becomes usable only this chapter, for examples.
thrusts. Some players may feel that it doesn’t against melee attacks under this option. Of course, a character who avoids the
make much sense to apply an Ability for mis- In fact, Defense might not even be usable loss of a limb from the injury itself may face
sile weapons to Defense rolls, particularly against all melee attacks; trying to parry losing it through surgical intervention if the
against melee attacks. the huge club of a thirty-foot-tall giant or wound worsens (see Art & Academe, page 62).
If that’s a problem in your saga, you can the horn of a charging rhinoceros with a
simply rule that missile weapons and their sword or shield doesn’t seem reasonable.
relevant Abilities cannot be used to gener- The storyguide may rule that powerful at- Option: Mitigating
ate a Defense Total. A character holding a tacks like these can’t be defended against Deadly Wounds
bow, crossbow, sling, knife, or stone uses the with weapons, and must be dodged using
Brawl Ability for defense. A character hold- Evasion. Bad things can happen to characters
ing a javelin or throwing axe, which are us- Evasion, on the other hand, can be used in combat — especially to grogs. Death is
able in melee, uses the Single Weapon Abil- against any attack. The main disadvantage often one unlucky die roll away. Defense
ity (and the appropriate weapon’s Defense to using Evasion is that it’s hard to get a botches are particularly deadly (see ArM5,
modifier) for defense. high Evasion Total while wearing heavy page 171). If there is a fair amount of combat
armor. Another disadvantage is that the in your saga, you may find the risk of losing
storyguide can rule that a character can’t a beloved character (or despised villain) is
Option: Evasion use Evasion when his mobility is restricted, greater than your troupe wants to accept.
for example, when held fast by Hands of the Once in a while, it’s all right for the sto-
The combat rules don’t draw a distinc- Grasping Earth. ryguide to alter the outcomes of a die roll,
tion between avoiding an attack by block- Shields may be combined with Evasion especially if doing so helps the story. The
ing it as opposed to nimbly dodging out of under certain circumstances. A shield helps most important rule in the game appears on
the way. Both forms of defense are covered with Evasion rolls to avoid incoming arrows, ArM5, page 6: “In the last analysis, Ars Mag-
by the Defense score. This optional rule but not against rolls to avoid being stepped ica is a game. If you have fun with it, you are
separates defense based on blocking and on by a dragon. doing it right.”
parrying from defense based on dodging; In that spirit, the storyguide can choose
the latter is covered by a new combat score Evasion Total on Foot: Quickness + to reduce a Major Wound suffered by a char-
called Evasion. Brawl − Size − Encumbrance + Shield acter, and instead give him a less serious
The idea behind this optional rule is to Defense Modifier + stress die wound and a new Flaw representing some
give players and storyguides new options permanent maiming or disability. For ex-
and more flexibility in roleplaying combat. Evasion Total While Mounted: ample, the storyguide might replace an Inca-
The storyguide might rule that Defense is Quickness + Ride − Size − Encumbrance + pacitating wound with a Heavy Wound and
completely ineffective against certain at- Shield Defense Modifier + stress die the Flaw Missing Hand.
tacks, such as the touch of an insubstantial Defense botches are a good time to
spirit or the tree-sized club of a giant. Logi- You can use Evasion with the diceless de- exercise this option. The storyguide might
cally, it should be easy to hit a huge dragon fense option (see Option: Diceless Defense, choose to use this option only for compan-
with an arrow (because it has a poor Evasion earlier in this chapter); just replace the stress ions or magi, or only for the main character(s)
Total), but very hard to get inside its guard die in the Evasion Total with a constant value in a given story, or no more once per char-
to hit it with a sword (because it has a good of 6. acter. It’s important to treat all the players’
Defense Total). The evasion rule also gives characters fairly, so if you use this option to
players a new option to create characters save one character but not another, be pre-

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 Lords of Men
pared to explain why. Better yet, discuss this Untrained Mounts
option with your troupe and agree ahead of Suggestions for
time how you’ll use it in your saga.
As a rule of thumb, an Incapacitating Combat Botches The benefits of being mounted described
Wound can be reduced to a Heavy Wound in the previous section assume the character’s
plus a Minor Flaw, while a Fatal Wound can The following are some suggested steed is trained for battle. Most horses in
be reduced to either an Incapacitating Wound effects for combat botches, listed in Mythic Europe are trained only for riding,
plus a Minor Flaw, or a Heavy Wound plus a roughly increasing order of severity. not combat.
Major Flaw. The storyguide should feel free The rider of an untrained mount does
to vary from that guideline as her judgment • Damage your weapon; make a stress not gain the situational bonus for mounted
and the needs of the story dictate. check (see The Clash of Weapons, combat because the horse doesn’t know how
Appropriate Flaws to apply with this op- later in this chapter, or City & Guild, to respond to important signals and com-
tion include: page 77). mands.
• Become disoriented; miss your next An untrained horse automatically pan-
Minor Flaws turn. ics whenever it is engaged in melee. See
• Afflicted Tongue • Stumble; −3 to Defense rolls until Controlling a Panicked Horse, later in this
• Disfigured your next turn. chapter.
• Fragile Constitution • Horse panics (if mounted).
• Hobbled (Houses of Hermes: Mystery Cults, • Shield breaks.
• Drop your weapon or break a bow-
page 136)
• Lame string. Mounted Movement
• Missing Ear • Collide with an ally; both suffer –3
• Missing Eye to Defense until next turn. A horse has four gaits, which are listed
• Missing Hand • Fall prone. on the Mounted Movement Rates table. The
• Palsied Hands • Weapon breaks. horse can use any gait on a given round;
• Fall from horse (if mounted). there is no need to “build up speed” between
Major Flaws • Twist an ankle; take a Light Wound being stationary one round and galloping the
• Blind and you cannot run or charge until next.
• Crippled it’s healed.
• Enfeebled • Horse falls (if mounted).
• Strike an ally.
• Mute
• No Hands
Charging on Horseback
er than keeping track of a separate turn A mounted charge is similar to a charge
for the horse). Typically, a rider uses on foot: the character can move and then at-

Mounted
his action to attack and the horse uses tack in the same round, and gains a bonus
its action to move. The rider decides to the Attack roll equal to the character’s
which action comes first. Note that a Combat Ability (in addition to the nor-

Combat mounted character must still disengage

from combat in order to move away
from an opponent.
mal situational bonus for mounted combat,
equal to the lesser of Ride Ability or +3). Of
course, since a horse is faster than a human, a
This section expands on the brief treat- • Only a mounted character can properly mounted charge can travel a greater distance
ment of mounted combat in Ars Magica wield a lance. For a dismounted fighter, a than an infantry charge. Furthermore, it is
Fifth Edition. lance functions as a long spear, which is the horse, not the rider, who expends a Fa-
Fighting from horseback is the dominant less effective. tigue level. If you are using the shock of the
model throughout Mythic Europe. A mount- • A mounted charge has special benefits charge optional rule, the charge’s target may
ed warrior enjoys the following benefits: over a charge on foot: the horse, not be knocked sprawling by the impact.
the rider, expends a Fatigue level, and A rider cannot use exertion in the same
• A mounted character gains a situational there are optional rules for unhors- round he charges; the whole point of a
bonus to both Defense and melee At- ing or knocking down the target. (See mounted charge is to take advantage of the
tacks equal to his Ride skill or +3,which- Charging on Horseback and Option: horse’s strength and mass, not the rider’s.
ever is less. The Attack bonus applies to Shock of the Charge, both later in this However, since a rider can always move and
melee attacks only. Note that this bonus chapter). attack in the same round (unless engaged),
applies regardless of whether the mount- • A rider can usually perform extended it’s possible to move on horseback and use
ed character’s opponent is mounted or actions while his horse is moving, exertion on either Attack or Defense. This
on foot. though doing so typically requires a can grant the same combat bonus as a charge
• A mounted character’s steed gets to Dexterity + Ride roll against an Ease (if the rider exerts on his Attack roll) but the
perform an action each round. For sim- Factor that depends on the horse’s gait horse doesn’t have to spend a Fatigue level
plicity, this happens on the rider’s turn (see Effects of Mounted Movement, and the shock of the charge option doesn’t
in the combat sequence (which is easi- later in this chapter). come into play.

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 Lords of Men
If the roll fails, the target falls from his
Mounted Movement Rates horse or is knocked down. He lands prone,
and may take additional damage from the
Horses have four gaits, each of which has a different movement rate. fall (see Falling from Horseback, later in this
chapter).
Gait –3 or –2 to 0 +1 to +3 to +5
less –1 +2 +4
Walk/Amble 7 8 10 12 15 18 Shooting Missiles
from Horseback
Trot 12 15 20 25 30 35
Canter 20 25 30 35 45 50 Knights and sergeants from England or
Gallop 30 40 50 60 70 80 France rarely attempt to shoot bows or throw
javelins from horseback, but elsewhere in
Mythic Europe, mounted archers — Moors,
Effects of Mounted Movement Byzantine kataphraktoi, Hungarian szekeley,
Levantine turcopoles, and Mongols — are
A horse’s gait affects a rider’s ability to shoot missiles from horseback, the amount commonplace. In Iberia in the early Middle
of damage taken for falling off the horse, the Ease Factor for the Dexterity + Ride roll Ages, both Moorish and Christian cavalry
needed to carry out extended actions, and, optionally, his Defense score against ranged armed themselves with javelins. Mounted
attacks. crossbowmen also appeared in historical Eu-
A horse must make a Fatigue test every round it moves at a gallop. rope, but weren’t common until the late 14th
century.
Missile cavalry can be effective, but even
Gait Penalty Falling Extended Defensive the most skilled horse archers are less accu-
toMissile Damage Action Ease Bonus rate than their infantry counterparts. Shoot-
Attacks Factor (Optional) ing missiles from a moving horse always in-
None (stationary) 0 Horse’s Size* + 0 0 curs an Attack penalty, which gets worse the
stress die faster the horse’s gait (see Mounted Move-
ment Rates, earlier in this chapter). How-
Walk/Amble or −1 (Horse’s Size + 6 +1 ever, because of a horseman’s ability to move
Trot 2)* + stress die and attack in the same round, a mounted ar-
Canter −3 (Horse’s Size + 9 +3 cher can gallop to close range before shoot-
4)* + stress die ing, then wheel and ride away the following
round. Mounted on a swift horse, a rider can
Gallop −6 –6 (Horse’s Size + 12 +6
usually get the same or better Attack Total
6)* + stress die
by galloping up close to his target than if he
* The bonus (but not the die result) is doubled if the character falls on a hard surface, had stood still and shot from long range.
and halved if he lands on a soft surface like plowed earth. Characters with missile weapons get
the normal situational Defense bonuses for
mounted combat (i.e., equal to their Ride
Like a foot charge, a mounted charge Magica against a magical lance), then no col- skill, or +3, whichever is less) due to their
can’t cross difficult terrain and still get the lision takes place and the target isn’t in jeop- mobility. The Attack bonus for mounted
Attack bonus. However, a rider can move ardy of being knocked down. combat does not apply to missile attacks.
normally (i.e., without charging) and exert When the mounted charge hits, the tar-
on Attack. get must roll a reaction to remain upright:
Actions Taken by Horses
Resist Charge While Mounted:
Option: Shock of the Charge Dexterity + Ride + saddle modifier + A trained warhorse can attack opponents
stress die vs. Damage Total (before in melee. The horse does not roll Initiative
The impact of a half-ton of horse and Soak) + Size of attacker’s horse on its own; it acts on the rider’s turn. (The
rider charging furiously at a speed over twen- rider decides whether he, or his horse, com-
ty miles an hour is nigh irresistible on the A rider with a cantled saddle, as used in pletes its action first.) If the rider dismounts
battlefield. With this optional rule, any time tournaments or warfare, gains a +3 bonus to or is forcibly removed from the saddle, the
a mounted charge hits a target smaller than this roll. A rider without stirrups suffers a –3 horse begins acting independently. The
the horse, that target may be knocked prone penalty. player or storyguide should roll Initiative for
by the terrific force of the blow, in addition it at that point.
to any wounds caused by the blow itself. Resist Charge While on Foot: Like a human character, a warhorse gets
If a mounted attack simply misses, or if Str + Size + Combat Ability + one action per turn. Therefore, it can either
the target resists the attack due to magical stress die vs. Damage Total (before move or attack, but not both. Carrying a rid-
protection (as by a warding spell, or Parma Soak) + Size of attacker’s horse er in a mounted charge counts as the horse’s

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 Lords of Men
action; the horse can’t also attack in the same the rider’s attacks. trol until something new causes it to panic
round. Once its rider has come to blows with • Medium Wound: The horse may panic; again.
the enemy, the horse can fight independently the rider must make a Presence + Ride A panicked horse usually attempts to
of its rider, using the full repertoire of com- roll vs. Ease Factor 9 to control it. disengage from combat and gallop to safety,
bat tactics (including, for example, exertion • Heavy Wound: The horse rears or stum- but there is one important exception. The
and non-lethal attacks). Horses who have a bles; the rider must make a Dexterity + natural instinct of a wounded or frightened
Confidence Score can use Confidence Points Ride roll vs. Ease Factor 9 or fall from horse is to surge forward as fast as possible.
in combat; the rider’s player decides when to the saddle. The horse stops moving im- If a horse is injured in mid-charge (such as
do so. mediately and cannot charge or move by an opponent’s delayed action under an
Normally, a rider chooses whether to faster than a trot. This aborts a charge, optional rule) and panics, its rider can com-
resolve his own action or the horse’s action if one was in progress. Furthermore, the plete the charge normally. The horse is still
first. But in Mythic Europe, a supernatural horse may panic; the rider must make a panicked, and behaves accordingly starting
horse can potentially have a higher Intelli- Presence + Ride roll vs. Ease Factor 9 to on the following round.
gence score than the rider! In that case, it’s control it. A horse that sustains a Heavy Except in the case of a mounted charge,
the horse who gets to decide whose action Wound is usually euthanized after the the rider of a panicked horse can’t attack or
comes first and when to use Confidence battle. take any action except to try to regain con-
Points. • Incapacitating or Fatal Wound: The trol, or leap out of the saddle. He may also
horse falls instantly; the rider is in peril voluntarily fall off the horse as a reaction,
of falling with it. See Being Pinned Un- but takes damage as usual from the fall.
Attacking Horses der a Horse, later in this chapter.

Option: Defensive Bonus

With his height advantage and (usually) Controlling a Panicked Horse for Moving Horses
heavy armor, a mounted warrior enjoys a
stronger defensive position than most. The Horses untrained for battle panic when- Because horses are so swift, the sto-
same cannot be said for his horse: the source ever they are engaged in melee. Any horse ryguide may wish to make them a bit harder
of a knight’s greatest strength is also, fre- panics when it suffers a Medium or Heavy to hit with missiles when they are moving.
quently, his greatest vulnerability. Wound, or when faced with terrors such as The Mounted Movement Rates table lists
Knights and nobles throughout Mythic magic on the battlefield or a fell being of su- an optional defensive bonus based on the
Europe consider it ignoble and disgraceful pernatural power (at the storyguide’s discre- horse’s gait. If you are using the evasion op-
to attack an opponent’s horse. Doing so in a tion). tional rule, this bonus applies to the Evasion
tournament certainly harms a noble’s Reputa- score of both horse and rider. Otherwise, it
tion; it also deprives him of a valuable prize. Maintain or Regain Control of Panicked applies to their Defense scores against mis-
In all-out warfare, on the other hand, Reputa- Horse: Presence + Ride vs. Ease Factor sile attacks.
tion and booty frequently take second place 6 – horse’s total Wound Penalties
to survival. The commoners who make up
the vast majority of infantry have no illusions
of chivalry, and do not hesitate to attack the
A rider may roll once as a reaction the
moment his horse panics. If that roll fails, the
Mounting and
horse first and the rider second. rider may make another attempt as an action,
and may keep trying until he succeeds. Once
Dismounting
controlled, the horse remains under con-
Wounding Horses Mounting or dismounting a horse in the
usual way is an action, but does not require
A horse has a relatively low Defense
score, at least compared to a knight or Story Seed: The a die roll.

trained serjeant. Warriors rarely outfit their

horses with heavy armor (the scale armor–
Wounded Steed Leaping from the Saddle
clad horses of Byzantine kataphraktoi are the A knight and his men arrive at the
exception that proves the rule), though ar- covenant looking for a learned man A character may attempt to leap from
mored horses became more common in the to heal his horse, wounded in battle the saddle as a reaction if his horse panics,
late middle ages of historical Europe. With weeks previously. On investigating the falls, or is slain.
only moderate Defense and Soak scores, a wound, which stubbornly refuses to
horse is often a much easier target than the heal, the magi find that it was magically Leap from the Saddle: Dexterity +
knight who rides it. inflicted and cannot heal until the next Athletics – Encumbrance +
When a horse suffers a wound, the ef- full moon. What’s more, the knights stress die vs. Ease Factor 9
fects on the rider vary depending on the se- carry the bag of a redcap known to the
verity of the wound: covenant. How did the horse pick up its If the roll fails the character remains in
injury and how have the knights come the saddle, possibly falling along with his
• Light Wound: No effect on the rider; to possess the redcap’s bag? horse. If it succeeds the character lands nim-
the horse’s Wound Penalties don’t hinder bly on his feet, ready to continue fighting.

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 Lords of Men
If you are using the fast actions optional
rule, you may allow characters to leap from
the saddle voluntarily as a fast action. Failure
in this case means the character lands badly;
this is the same as falling from the saddle (see
Falling from Horseback, later in this chap-
ter). A botch indicates some mishap such
as an especially bad fall (extra damage), or
falling with the rider’s foot still caught in the
stirrup.

Option: Vaulting
Into the Saddle
If you are using the fast actions optional
rule, you may allow characters vault into the
saddle as a fast action. If the rider did not
move before vaulting into the saddle, he may
then ride in the same round. If the attempt
fails, the character remains standing behind
his horse.

Vault Into the Saddle: Strength +

Athletics – Encumbrance +
stress die vs. Ease Factor 6

Falling from Horseback

When a character falls from horseback,
he takes falling damage (see ArM5, page
181). The amount of damage depends on the
Battlefield General Situational
Modifiers
horse’s gait; see Mounted Movement Rates,
earlier in this chapter.
Any time a rider falls from his horse, he
Situations Most battlefield situations boil down to
lands prone. Standing up is an action. Conditions on the battlefield are ever- a bonus to Attack or Defense rolls (or both).
changing. Characters in an Ars Magica story The bonus may apply only to a limited sub-
might take cover against arrows, defend a set of rolls: for example, a bonus to Defense
Being Pinned Under a Horse crenelated wall, or fight a desperate melee in against missile attacks, or a bonus to Attack
the darkness of an underground catacomb. rolls with one-handed melee weapons.
If a horse is Incapacitated, killed, or This section provides suggestions and guide- Storyguides can assign any numeric value
knocked prone or unconscious, the rider lines for how to make these dramatic situa- to a situational modifier, but it is often easiest
risks having the horse fall on top of him. tions affect the outcome of battle. to simply choose between +1, +3, and +6. A
To avoid this, the rider may attempt to These rules are meant to add a greater +1 modifier is a slight but significant edge, like
leap from the saddle as a reaction. If this tactical dimension to combat. Do not feel defending a hilltop in melee. A +3 modifier is
fails, the character takes falling damage and obliged to use them if your troupe is uninter- more substantial, like fighting from horseback.
must make a Quickness + Ride – Encum- ested in such things. They do make combat A +6 bonus is very significant, like attacking a
brance + stress die roll vs. Ease Factor 6. If more complex and potentially more time- prone character in melee. Only a few situations
that also fails, the horse lands on the rider, consuming to play. They are best applied call for a bonus higher than +6.
inflicting stress die + horse’s Size + 6 dam- with imagination and dramatic flair. Ideally, Situational modifiers are best expressed
age. The character is also pinned under the players should visualize the battlefield and as bonuses or penalties that apply to the
horse, requiring another character to make come up with creative ways for their charac- character in the unusual situation. It is clearer
a Strength roll vs. Ease Factor (6 + (horse’s ters to gain an advantage. to say “a character in a tree gets a +3 bonus
Size) to pull him out. to Defense” than to say “enemies attacking
a character in a tree get a –3 penalty to At-
tack,” even though the two statements are
mathematically equivalent.

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 Lords of Men
Specific Situations he gains a bonus to Defense (or Evasion).
If he can attack in melee without becoming
Houses of Hermes: Societates, pages 32–33,
gives detailed rules for using invisibility in
clearly visible, he also gains an Attack bo- combat, which are compatible with these
It would be impossible to enumerate nus — it’s hard to defend against an attack rules and go into more detail about how to
every possible combat situation that could one doesn’t see coming. The extent of the detect and attack invisible opponents.
arise from the imaginations of players and bonus depends on how well concealed the Also, characters who can’t clearly see
storyguides. Instead, players should handle character is. their allies or surroundings suffer extra
unforeseen situations by analogy with these botch dice to Attack and Defense. A single
examples. extra botch die would be appropriate on

Melee Attack Bonus

a foggy, but otherwise open, battlefield,
while as many as four or five botch dice

Defense Bonus
Cover could be called for in a chaotic nighttime
melee in a forest. Darkness tends to make
Strictly speaking, cover refers to shelter Con- difficult or hazardous terrain dispropor-
that is sturdy enough to actually stop incom- ceal- tionately worse; rocky ground that adds
ing attacks. (Material that merely hides the ment Examples one botch die in daylight might add three
character from view, such as foliage or a tap- in the dark. This is one of the reasons the
Light Fog, shadows, +1 +3
estry, is called concealment in these rules. mundanes of Mythic Europe avoid fighting
moonlight,
See Concealment, Darkness, and Invisibility, at night.
underbrush,
later in this chapter.)
half of body
The Defense bonus from cover applies
concealed
against both missile and melee attacks. Higher Ground
If a character has both cover and con- Medium Smoke, faint +3 +6
cealment, only the highest Defense bonus moonlight, When a character is fighting from an el-
applies. dense foliage, evated position, whether he is atop a castle
three-quarters rampart or a tavern staircase, he enjoys an
Amount of Defense Example of body con- advantage that often translates to a +1 bo-
Cover Bonus cealed nus to Attack and Defense in both melee and
One-quarter +3 Standing Heavy Typical dark +6 +9 missile combat against opponents lower than
behind a night himself.
slender tree Mounted characters do not normally
Total Lightless +9 +9 qualify for this bonus, because height ad-
One-half +6 Standing underground vantage is already accounted for in the usual
behind a corner cave bonus for mounted combat (see ArM5, page
or in an open 174). However, a horseman charging down
doorway These bonuses and penalties apply to a steep embankment would qualify for the
Three- +9 Standing both the attacker and the defender. higher-ground bonus.
quarters behind a chest-
high wall
Near total +12 Standing
behind a Light Sources and Range of Visibility
loophole or a
door that is ajar How well a character can see an opponent, and at what distance, can make a dif-
ference for missile combat. Poor visibility grants increasing levels of concealment to
characters at greater distances. At the storyguide’s discretion, a Perception roll of 9+ can
sometimes reduce (by one step) the level of concealment due to poor visibility.
Concealment, Darkness, The table below gives the longest range in paces at which a given level of conceal-
and Invisibility ment applies. For example, in moonlight a character would have medium concealment at
a range of twenty paces, and heavy concealment between 21 and 50 paces (though the
Armies in Mythic Europe usually avoid storyguide shouldn’t feel compelled to calculate distances to the exact pace!).
fighting in darkness or fog. Such conditions
make it nearly impossible to command an Conditions None Light Medium Heavy Total
army (at least, through non-magical means). Moonlight n/a 0 20 50 100
In an Ars Magica story, of course, characters
may find themselves battling diabolists in the Torchlight 3 5 10 15 25
gloom of an underground temple or ambush- Heavy Rain 10 20 30 50 100
ing intruders amid a magically created fog.
Fog n/a 0 20 40 80
Whenever a character is difficult to see,
whether that difficulty arises from darkness, Heavy Smoke or Fog n/a 0 2 4 10
a screen of foliage, or magical invisibility,

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 Lords of Men
Fighting Indoors and ing serious wounds with weapons. In ArM5, tack as usual, by subtracting the target’s Soak
in Narrow Spaces creatures can sustain an unlimited number score from the Damage Total. Consult the
of wounds and still fight (at least until the Damage Table on ArM5, page 171, but in-
Normally, up to six opponents can sur- end of the battle, after which a wounded stead of suffering a wound, the target suffers
round and attack a single defender (see the character’s activities become restricted as de- a Bruise of the same level of severity.
group combat rules on ArM5, page 172; the scribed on ArM5, page 178). Contrariwise, The Bruise Table shows the penalties for
maximum size for a group is six and a group all creatures have a fairly limited reserve of each category of Bruise, and its recovery sta-
may attack a single character). Walls and Fatigue levels and are helpless once those are tistics. The most severe categories of Bruises
similar obstacles can reduce this number. depleted. The loss of a single Fatigue level leave regular wounds behind after the char-
There are no specific bonuses for fight- is therefore potentially more serious than a acter recovers from the Bruise itself.
ing indoors, but indoor battlefields com- single Light Wound. Against magi, knights
monly have interesting features: who are already tired, or creatures who are
hard to seriously injure (due to large Size, Recovering from Bruises
• A character with his back to a wall can high Soak, or both), the standard ArM5
be attacked only by four opponents at scuffling rules make it much faster to wear A character can recover from Bruises in a
once. an opponent down by causing Fatigue loss relatively short time. The character must be
• A character defending a corridor or than by inflicting wounds. This chapter fixes at rest in order to recover.
doorway can be attacked by only two that problem and ensures that bare-knuckled After resting for the required Recovery
opponents from each direction (for a to- punches are always less effective than the Period, make a Recovery roll for each Bruise
tal of up to four opponents). blows of a mace. the character has. Use exactly the same Re-
• Doorways can provide cover and doors covery Total as for wounds (see ArM5, page
can become obstacles. 179):
• Characters can jump onto furniture for
a height advantage or duck behind it for
Non-Lethal Recovery Total: Stamina +
cover.
• Tapestries provide concealment.
Damage: Bruises Medic’s Medicine or Chirurgy
score + magical aid + stress die
• Low ceilings and confined spaces make
it difficult to wield spears and other large Instead of inflicting loss of Fatigue levels, If the Recovery Total equals or exceeds
weapons (−1 to −3 penalty to Attack and or wounds as regular weapons do, non-lethal the Improvement Ease Factor for the Bruise,
Defense, depending on space). attacks such as punches and kicks inflict the Bruise improves to the next category.
Bruises. Bruises are like wounds, but less seri- Heavy and worse Bruises leave residual
ous. They cause Bruise Penalties that work wounds behind. The wound takes effect only
just like Wound Penalties, but it is much fast- after the Bruise improves for the first time; ap-

Option: Non-
er and easier to recover from a Bruise than ply its Wound Penalty only then. Note that
from a wound. a single Bruise only leaves a single wound;
The word “Bruise” doesn’t mean the an Incapacitating Bruise does not leave a Me-

Lethal Combat character literally suffers a bruise to the

flesh, though that can be a result. The term
is meant to suggest trauma that, while cer-
dium Wound when it heals to being a Heavy
Bruise, and then a Light Wound when it heals
to being a Medium Bruise; rather, the charac-
“Non-lethal combat” is a bit of a misno- tainly painful and debilitating, is less life- ter is left with a single Medium Wound.
mer. The rules in this section cover attacks threatening than typical wounds. However, For purposes of Ritual magical healing, a
that are non-lethal only in the sense that a very severe Bruise can cause a character to Bruise is considered equivalent to the residu-
their primary intent is something other than be Incapacitated and even eventually die. al wound it would leave. Both the Bruise and
to wound or kill the opponent. As is always Calculate Damage from a non-lethal at- the residual wound are healed by the same
the case in Ars Magica combat, the risk of
a Defense botch or excessively high Attack
roll means death or serious injury can still re-
sult from a supposedly “non-lethal” attack.
Bruise Table
This section is an optional replacement
for the non-lethal combat rules on ArM5, Bruise Level Penalty Recovery Improvement Residual
pages 174-175. It makes two significant Interval Ease Factor Wound
changes to non-lethal combat: there are a Light ̶1 Quarter Hour 10 None
greater variety of non-lethal attacks and ma-
neuvers possible, and unarmed attacks (scuf- Medium ̶3 One Hour 12 None
fling) no longer cause Fatigue loss. Heavy ̶5 Two Hours 15 Light Wound
The reasons these rules replace Fatigue
Incapacitating Unconscious Two Hours 15 Medium
loss from scuffling combat with a new me-
Wound
chanic is that, in the standard ArM5 scuf-
fling rules, depleting an opponent’s Fatigue Fatal Unconscious Two Hours 15 Incapacitating
levels can be quicker and easier than inflict-

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 Lords of Men
so, due to the awkwardness of striking with
the flat of the blade or the butt of the spear.
As an option, your troupe may wish to
allow bludgeons, clubs, staves, improvised
weapons (such as bottles and chairs), and
cudgels (but not maces and hammers) to deal
Bruises without an Attack penalty.
Wooden practice swords, brittle tourna-
ment lances, and the like also inflict Bruises
instead of wounds, with no Attack penalty.

Special Effects
Sometimes the best way to defeat an
enemy is not to wound him, but to disarm
him or drag him off his horse. Resolve such
indirect forms of attack by making a regular
Attack roll, opposed by a reaction (usually
Defense) from the target. Each maneuver re-
quires a certain Attack Advantage in order to
succeed. If the attacker achieves or exceeds
the required Attack Advantage, the maneu-
ver succeeds. In special maneuvers, either
character can use exertion on either attack
or defense as usual.
In many cases, the defender has a choice
of what Characteristics and Abilities to use
to thwart the maneuver, representing, for ex-
ample, the choice between using brute force
or agility to escape an opponent’s grip. Some
Your Arms are Too Short to maneuvers are harder than others; the inher-
ent difficulty of the maneuver is represented
Box with that Giant by the Attack Advantage required. See the
table on the facing page.
Realms of Power: Magic proposes, on situations. For instance, it does not seem The general idea of opposed die rolls is a
page 85, a different way to represent the plausible that a 175-pound man should good way to resolve situations in your game
unlikelihood of defeating a fifty-foot drag- have an easy time grappling and pinning that the rules can’t anticipate.
on by means of fisticuffs. The rules in that a 1,750-pound giant! A trip or throw causes the defender to fall
book are less a wholesale change to un- The storyguide can simply rule that prone while the attacker remains standing. The
armed combat than the material presented attempting to punch, grapple, or disarm a defender takes no damage unless he botches
here, and they are compatible with the giant is completely ineffective. For a more his reaction (in which case a Light Wound is
scuffling rules in ArM5. complicated, but less arbitrary, approach, appropriate). Getting up is an action.
The Ars Magica Fifth Edition combat use the following rule of thumb: a giant A grapple inflicts no damage, but holds
rules are oriented toward characters of hu- gains a special bonus equal to double the the defender so he can’t escape and his ac-
man size. Some special considerations ap- difference between its Size and a smaller tions are hindered. The defender is caught in
ply to combat between humans and giants opponent’s Size, which is applied to De- a hold or lock that lasts until the start of the
(or other very large creatures). As noted fense rolls against scuffling and grappling, attacker’s next turn. After that, the attacker
on ArM5, page 192, a 3-point difference Defense rolls against being disarmed, and must succeed at a new grapple to maintain
in Size is approximately a tenfold differ- so on. This bonus does not apply against the hold. The grappled defender suffers a
ence in mass. This weight advantage gives regular attacks with melee or missile weap- –6 penalty on all attacks and most reactions,
giants an advantage in certain combat ons, however. including Defense and Evasion, and can’t
perform spellcasting gestures. He can escape
by succeeding at a grapple of his own, or by
Ritual. For example, Chirurgeon’s Healing Touch Weapons and Bruises inflicting any level of wound or Bruise on the
could instantly heal a Heavy Bruise, leaving character who’s holding him. It is possible to
neither Bruise nor wound behind. Characters may use weapons to inflict grapple while prone.
Bruises rather than wounds, but suffer a −3 A pin can hold the target to either the
penalty to their Attack Total when they do ground or to a wall or vertical surface (such

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 Lords of Men

Example Maneuvers Table Story Seed: Big

Example Maneuver Attack Total Defense Choices Advantage
Angus and the Prize
Required The task was simple: guard the mon-
Trip or Throw Brawl Attack Defense, Evasion, or stress 3 ey while the magi took the merchant
die + Dex + Brawl + Size aside to negotiate prices. But after some
confusion with a band of acrobats, one
Grapple Brawl Attack Defense, Evasion, or stress 1 thing led to another and now the money
die + Str + Brawl + Size has gone missing. But there’s hope. The
Pin Brawl Attack Brawl, Defense, Evasion, or 6 grogs can win the amount they lost by
stress die + Str + Brawl defeating Big Angus the prize fighter in
+ Size bare-knuckle fight. The townfolk say it
can’t be done, but that’s only because no
Tackle Brawl Attack Defense, Evasion, or stress 1
one has ever beaten Big Angus before. Is
die + Dex + Brawl + Size
there more to Big Angus than meets the
Disarm Any Attack Defense 9 eye? And what do the grogs do when
or Evasion they find out that the prize money has
Grab Worn Item Brawl Attack Defense, Evasion, or stress 6 gone missing? On whom do the grogs
die + Str + Brawl + Size vent their frustrations — the fight orga-
nizers, or the acrobats who started the
Unseat Rider Brawl or Defense, Evasion, or stress 6 whole misadventure?
Weapon Attack die + Dex + Ride
Wrest Weapon Brawl Attack Defense, Evasion, or 12
Melee Attack the group cannot become a trained group
until the end of the season. If it botches, then
the season’s training is wasted. Some Virtues,
as a large tree). To pin a target to the ground,
he must be prone first, and while the attacker
may be standing initially, he also becomes
Advanced such as Inspirational, may provide a bonus if
the storyguide sees fit; the Difficult Under-
lings Flaw most likely provides a penalty.
prone during the pin attempt (regardless of
whether it succeeds or fails). If the pin suc-
Group Combat Training Time Ease Factor
ceeds, the defender is helpless and cannot Two Months 6
perform any actions (except casting spells or The rules in this section expand the Six Weeks 9
activating enchanted items, provided they group combat rules in ArM5 to add a bit
do not require gestures). The pin lasts until more tactical depth. Feel free to use group One Month 12
the attacker’s next action, when he must suc- combat when it makes sense, or have charac- Fortnight 15
ceed at a new pin to keep the defender im- ters fight independently whenever drama or
One Week 18
mobilized. troupe preference dictates.
A tackle causes the attacker and his op- The characters being trained still gain
ponent to fall prone. No damage results. experience only at the end of the season
If the tackle fails, both characters remain
standing, but if the attacker botches, he falls.
Accelerated Group (i.e., there is no experience point bonus for
participating in accelerated training). When
Getting up is an action.
A successful disarm causes the opponent’s
Training the training period is complete, they can
function as a trained group (see ArM5, page
weapon to fall to the ground. To retrieve it, 173).
the disarmed defender must use an action and Any group can learn to fight together
successfully disengage. by spending a season practicing together. A
Anyone can try to unseat a rider by grab-
bing his leg and dragging him bodily from
good leader can shorten this training time,
either in an emergency (to prepare for an up-
The Leader’s Actions
the saddle; polearms and halberds can also coming adventure or battle) or in order to
be used to unseat a rider. If successful, the train more than one group in a single sea- Issuing orders to command a group in
rider lands prone and takes damage from the son. combat is usually a fast action. (If you are
fall (see Falling from Horseback, earlier in not using the fast actions option, then the
this chapter). Shorten Training Time: Communication + group leader can make one command-related
The wrest weapon action leaves the at- Leadership + stress die die roll per round for free.) The leader acts
tacker holding his opponent’s weapon. This at the same point in the combat sequence as
can also be used for grabbing other items, The Ease Factor depends on the amount the rest of the group. In cases where it mat-
like a wizard’s staff. of training time available. If the roll fails, then ters whether the group acts first or the leader

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 Lords of Men
are tested. group that fails a Morale check becomes dis-
Story Seed: The ordered. If the group is already disordered
and then fails a Morale check, it routs.
Greatest Weapon Discipline
Group Morale: leader’s Presence +
While practicing on the training A Discipline roll is required whenever a leader’s Leadership + stress die
field just outside the covenant enclo- group is tempted to break formation, either
sure, the turb becomes the target for because they are executing a tricky maneu- If everyone in the group has a positive
some faerie sport. Whisked from their ver or because the enemy seems vulnerable Brave Personality Trait, the group gains a
covenant by a court of faerie knights, (tempting the group’s members to pursue bonus to the Morale roll equal to the lowest
the grogs are confronted by martial them). Making a Discipline roll is a reaction, Brave score in the group.
challenges, one by one, and told by not an action. If a Discipline roll fails, the
their tormentors that they may use their group temporarily becomes disordered (see
best weapon in each fight. How long Disordered Groups, later in this chapter). Example Morale Ease Factors
until the grogs discover that teamwork
may be their greatest weapon? Group Discipline: leader’s Presence + Event Ease Factor
leader’s Leadership + stress die Taking wounds from mis- 6
sile fire when having no
ters whether the group acts first or the leader If everyone in the group has a positive missiles of its own
makes the Leadership roll first, the leader Loyal Personality Trait, the group gains an
gets to decide the order in which the dice additional bonus equal to the lowest Loyal Charged by an approxi- 6
are rolled. score among the members. mately equal force
If the leader (or any member of the Charged by an obviously 9
group, for that matter) wants to remain in superior force
the group but do something other than at- Example Discipline Ease Factors Ambushed or attacked 9
tack, that’s permissible. Simply don’t count from the rear
that individual as part of the group when Event Ease Factor
calculating the group’s combat bonus or re- Group moves across dif- 3 All members of the group 9
solving Damage. For example, if a group of ficult terrain reach Wound Penalty of
two grogs plus a leader is fighting, and the −3 or worse
leader chooses to spend his action doing Group runs (without 6
charging) The vanguard or leader 9
something other than attacking (say, cast- killed, Incapacitated, or
ing a spell), then the group’s combat bonus Enemy disengages 6 disabled by magic
is capped at +x (instead of +y), and when (without routing)
the group hits, it inflicts Damage two times, Enemy routs 9
rather than three times.
Group disengages 9 Disordered Groups
Group changes between 6
Morale and Discipline melee and missile
combat
A group that fails a Discipline or Mo-
rale check becomes disordered. This is a bad
state of affairs that leaves the group vulner-
These optional rules moderately weaken able in combat.
the effectiveness of groups while making the A trained group that is disordered func-
role of the leader more important. A leader
Morale tions as an untrained group. If it fails a sec-
becomes significant even in an untrained ond Discipline check, it functions like a dis-
group. All groups need to make Morale rolls ordered untrained group.
Effective group tactics require both dis- when bad things happen on the battlefield. An untrained group that is disordered
cipline and morale. In battle, both of these Morale rolls are reactions, not actions. A can’t attack effectively. Only half of its at-

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 Lords of Men
tacks (round up) can hit, and the others au- The Ease Factor to rally a group depends A group with no vanguard can’t attack,
tomatically miss. That is, instead of inflicting on whether the group is engaged in combat but uses the Defense score of its best mem-
damage once per member of the group, it and how many casualties it has taken. A ca- ber. The leader of a group can designate a
only inflicts damage half that many times. sualty is a member of the group who has a new vanguard in the middle of battle, as a
If a group that is disordered fails a Mo- Medium Wound or worse, or is unconscious fast action. If successful, this takes effect
rale check (but not a Discipline check), it or unable to fight due to magical effects. immediately, and the group’s future rolls
becomes routed. are based on the new vanguard’s statistics.
Situation Rally Ease The leader can automatically choose a new
Factor vanguard (no roll required) if the group
Routed Groups Not engaged in combat 3 spends a round without attacking or de-
fending.
A routed group has lost its will to fight Taking enemy missile fire 6
and attempts to disengage from all oppo- Engaged in melee 9 Replace a Vanguard in Combat: leader’s
nents and flee to safety. Once disengaged Presence + leader’s Leadership +
Routed and being hotly 12
from the enemy, it’s not uncommon for the stress die vs. Ease Factor 9
pursued
members of a routed group to scatter.
A group can become routed if it is already Group has sustained +1 to Ease A group with no leader automatically
disordered and then fails a Morale check. casualties Factor fails any Morale or Discipline check. A new
Group has sustained 50% +3 to Ease leader can assume command automatically if
casualties or more Factor the group spends a round without fighting
Rallying a Group (i.e., without making any Attack or Defense
rolls). Alternatively, a member of the group
If a group becomes disordered or routed, may assume command in combat as a fast ac-
the leader may attempt to rally it as an ac-
Groups With No Leader tion.
tion. Rallying improves a routed group to
being merely disordered, or restores a disor- Ordinarily, a group that loses its van- Assume Leadership in Combat: Presence +
dered group to normal status. guard or leader splits into individuals (see Leadership + stress die vs. Ease Factor 9
ArM5, page 173). Under these optional
Rally a Group: Presence + rules, a group that loses its vanguard or lead- If more than one character succeeds at
Leadership + stress die er can still fight, though it is likely to become this roll in the same round, the one with the
disordered. highest total becomes the leader.

135
 Supplement

Arms & Armor

This supplement includes updated rules
for crossbows, statistics for late medieval
arms and armor, expanded rules for armor,
• A few weapons have regional availabil-
ity. Historically, they were common
only in certain geographic areas; see
New Weapon
and a few new optional weapons rules. In
addition, it reprints some weapon-related
rules from other ArM5 supplements (City
Notes on Weapons for an explanation
of each case. Rules
& Guild and Ancient Magic) for ease of refer- We give statistics for late-medieval For clarity, weapons are categorized as
ence, and includes consolidated melee and equipment for players who are interested in crushing, piercing, or slashing, according to
missile weapon tables that list all the weap- them. If your saga starts in 1220, magi, with the type of injuries they cause (see Art & Aca-
ons from this previous ArM5 books all in their Longevity Rituals, can easily live into deme, pages 43-44). This has no effect on their
one place. the 14th century. Even if they do, there is Damage or other statistics, but can be useful
Arms and armor are the tools of the no reason why the history of Mythic Europe in deciding how the weapon interacts with
warrior’s trade. Even nobles who do not needs to parallel that of the real world. You magical effects or other rules. For example,
personally fight have an interest in the may prefer to keep your saga in the high the spell Edge of the Razor (ArM5, page 154)
equipping of their knights, sergeants, and Middle Ages forever. only works on “edged or pointed” weapons.
men-at-arms.

Primitive and
Equipment Quality of Blunted Weapons

Availability Arms and Stone weapons do less damage than met-

al ones. Subtract 2 from their Damage modi-

It may be useful to troupes to know ap- Armor fiers, to a minimum Damage modifier of +1.
Statistics for several stone weapons are given
proximately where and when, in historical on page 95 of Ancient Magic.
Europe, certain weapons and armor were City & Guild gives rules by which crafts- Slashing and piercing weapons may be
in use, especially if they want to set their men can make goods of shoddy, standard, blunted to reduce injury in tournaments.
saga earlier or later in Mythic Europe’s his- superior, or excellent quality (see City & Guild, Subtract 3 from the Damage modifier of a
tory. As just one more example of how this pages 67–69). For convenience, those rules blunted weapon. This can reduce the Dam-
information may be useful, the storyguide are summarized here: age modifier below zero.
may sometimes want to outfit a ghost, fa- Shoddy items break easily; they are
erie, or other character in equipment from destroyed after failing a single stress check
a bygone age. (see The Clash of Weapons, below, or City &
Guild, page 77).
Option: Try Using
• The ancient period, for this purpose, in-
cludes anything up until the collapse of the
Superior armor grants +1 to Protection.
(A superior helmet’s bonus applies only to
the Other End
Western Roman Empire around 480 a d . attacks against the head.) Superior weap-
• The early medieval period spans the ons have a +1 bonus to Attack, and superior Several weapons, such as swords, can
sixth through tenth centuries. shields grant +1 to Defense. deal two categories of damage. The wielder
• The high period begins in the 11th cen- Excellent quality items grant a bonus of may normally choose to deal either sort of
tury and lasts until the end of the 13th. +2, +3, or even higher (see City & Guild, page damage, as he chooses.
• The late medieval period starts at the be- 69). For weapons, the bonus applies to both As an optional rule, the order in which
ginning of the 14th century. Attack and Defense rolls. damage categories are listed on the Weapon
Table becomes significant. The first category
is the weapon’s normal mode of use. Apply a

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 Lords of Men

Melee Weapon Table

Item Ability Init Atk Dfn Dam Str Load Cost Avail Types Damage Notes
Levels
Unarmed Brawl 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a n/a All C n/a
Kick Brawl –1 0 –1 3 n/a n/a n/a All C n/a
Gauntlet Brawl 0 0 1 2 –3 0 Inexp. All C 2
Bludgeon Brawl 0 2 0 2 –2 1 Inexp. All C 1
Dagger Brawl 0 2 0 3 –3 0 Inexp. All P,S 2
Knife Brawl 0 1 0 2 –6 0 Inexp. All P,S 2
Axe Single 1 4 0 6 0 1 Std. All S 2
Club Single 1 2 1 3 –2 1 Inexp. All C 1
Dueling Stick, Short Single 2 4 1 2 –2 1 Inexp. Ancient C 2 Ancient Magic, page
95
Falchion Single 1 4 1 4 0 1 Std. Late S 2
Hatchet Single 0 3 0 4 –2 1 Inexp. All S 2
Lance Single 2 4 0 5 0 2 Std. High P 1
Mace Single 1 3 0 8 0 2 Std. All C 2
Mace and Chain Single 2 3 0 7 0 2 Std. Early C 2
Net* Single –1 2 2 0 –1 3 Std. Ancient S 2 Guardians of the Forest,
page 134
Spear Single 2 2 0 5 –1 1 Inexp. All P 1
Sword, Short Single 1 3 1 5 –1 1 Std. All P,S 2
Sword, Long** Single 2 4 1 6 0 1 Exp. All S,P 2
Shield, Buckler Single n/a n/a 1 n/a –2 1 Std. High n/a 2
Shield, Round Single n/a n/a 2 n/a –1 2 Inexp. All n/a 1
Shield, Heater Single n/a n/a 3 n/a 0 2 Std. High n/a 2
Shield, Infantry Single n/a n/a 4 n/a 0 3 Std. Ancient n/a 2 New
Trident Single 3 3 3 5 1 3 Exp. Ancient P 2 Guardians of the Forest,
page 134
Whip* Single 2 1 1 –3 –2 2 Inexp. All C, S 1 New
Cudgel Great 1 4 1 7 1 2 Inexp. All C 2
Farm Implement Great 1 3 1 5 0 2 Inexp. All P,S 1
Flail Great 1 3 1 8 0 2 Inexp. All C 2
Halberd*** Great 2 4 1 10 1 2 Std. Late S, P 2
Pole Arm*** Great 3 4 1 8 0 2 Std. High S,P 2
Pole Axe Great 1 5 0 11 1 2 Std. All S 2
Spear, Long Great 3 3 1 7 0 3 Inexp. All P 1 Includes boar spear,
Lion & Lily, page 120
Sword, Great Great 2 5 2 9 1 2 Exp. Late S,P 2
Staff Great 2 3 3 2 –1 2 Inexp. Early C 2
Warhammer Great 0 6 0 12 2 3 Inexp. All C 2
* A net or whip may be used to trip, grapple, or disarm using wielder’s Single Weapon + Weapon Attack Bonus in lieu of Brawl.
** There are several variations on the long sword, including the late Roman spatha (Houses of Hermes: True Lineages, page 127) and the Mongol saber
(Ancient Magic, page 17).
*** A halberd or pole arm may be used to unseat a rider.

137
 Lords of Men

Missile Weapon Table

Item Ability Init Atk Dfn Dam Range Str Load Cost Avail Types Damage Notes
Levels
Axe, Thrown 0 0 2 6 5 0 1 Std. All S 2
Throwing
Javelin Thrown 0 2 0 5 10 0 1 Std. All P 2
Knife Thrown 0 1 0 2 5 –2 0 Inexp. All P 2
Sling Thrown –3 1 0 4 20 –3 0 Inexp. All P 1
Rock, Thrown 0 0 1 3 5 –1 1 Inexp. Ancient C, S 1 Ancient
sharpened Magic,
page 17
Stone Thrown 0 1 0 2 5 –1 1 Inexp. All C n/a
Bow Bow –1 3 0 6 15 –1 1 Std. All P 2
Bow, Bow –2 4 0 7 30 2 2 Exp. All P 2 Ancient
Composite Magic,
page 17
Bow, Horse Bow –2 5 0 8 15 2 2 Exp. All P 2 Ancient
Magic,
page 17
Bow, Long Bow –2 4 0 8 30 2 2 Exp. Late P 2
Crossbow Crossbow 5 5 0 8* 25 1 2 Exp. High P 2 Replaces
Covenants
page 18
Arbalest Crossbow 5 5 0 10* 30 –1 3 Exp. High P 2 New
Arbalest, Crossbow 5 5 0 12* 35 1 2 Exp. Late P 2 New
heavy

–1 Attack penalty if it is used to deal its other

damage type, due to awkwardness.
shield. This roll for weapon breakage is simi-
lar to a stress check for equipment (see City &
Using Crossbows
Guild, page 77), but the Ease Factor is lower
because weapons are generally designed to Crossbows were introduced in Covenants
Option: The Clash withstand combat use. (see Covenants, page 18). These rules replace
the rules in that earlier supplement.
of Weapons Weapon Breakage: stress die +
Weapon Ability vs. Ease Factor 9
Crossbows are easy to use. The usual
three extra botch dice for untrained Ability
use do not apply to crossbows.
In battle, weapons sometimes break. In If the check fails, the item loses a dam- The user’s Strength does not add to
the standard ArM5 rules, this only happens age level. Most weapons and shields have Damage for crossbows. Use the Damage
on a botch. The following optional rules two damage levels. They break when the last value given in the Missile Weapons Table
adds more tension and chaos, but also com- damage level is lost (but function normally directly, without adding anything.
plexity. until then). Some weapons, notably spears Spanning a crossbow is an Extended
Check for weapon breakage whenever and lances, are particularly fragile, and have Action. The number of rounds required de-
the attacker’s melee Attack Total exactly only one damage level. pends on the type of spanning mechanism
equals the defender’s Defense Total. (Remem- For improvised weapons, such as hand (see Notes on Weapons, later in this chap-
ber that in ArM5, this counts as a miss.) tools or kitchen knives pressed into use as ter).
To determine whose weapon might break, weapons, the Ease Factor of the breakage If you are using the Ready Missiles op-
roll Strengh + Weapon Ability + a simple check is much higher: 15. tion, shooting a loaded crossbow is a fast ac-
die for each character. Whoever rolls lower City & Guild discusses equipment damage tion rather than an action. This enables the
must then roll to see if his weapon breaks. If in greater detail (see City & Guild, page 77). crossbowman to shoot and then take cover,
the defender must roll for breakage, he may or to shoot and immediately begin reloading
choose to roll for either his weapon or his his weapon.

138
 Lords of Men
Missile Weapon Shield, Infantry: A large shield that can
only be used on foot, usually oval or rectangu- Weapon Table Key
Descriptions lar in shape. The convex, rectangular scutum
of the Roman legionary is an infantry shield. The melee and missile weapons
Arbalest: An arbalest is crossbow that Sword, Bastard: A large, late-medieval tables list the following statistics:
requires a mechanical device to span. Some sword suitable for one-handed or two-hand-
arbalests can be spanned in a four-round ed use. If used two-handed, treat it as a great Ability refers to the Ability used to cal-
Extended Action using a windlass. A few sword. If used one handed, its Str and Load culate combat scores while using
are spanned with block-and-tackle, which remain at +1 and 1, respectively, but all its that weapon. Characters with no
is usually slower, requiring a (6–Str)-round other statistics are those of a long sword. score in a weapon Ability can use
Extended Action. If the spanning process is Whip: A whip is not a very good weap- the weapon untrained; treat their
interrupted, the character may later resume it on, but it may be used to make trip, grapple, relevant Ability as zero, and add
three extra botch dice unless the
at the point where he left off. or disarm attempts, or to unseat a rider.
weapon is a crossbow.
Arbalest, Heavy: A powerful, late-medi-
Init is the weapon’s Weapon Initiative
eval arbalest with a steel bow. A heavy arbal-
Modifier.
est is spanned with a built-in mechanical
device called a cranequin. This is a six-round
Extended Action. If the spanning process is
Expanded Atk is the weapon’s Weapon Attack
Modifier.
interrupted, the character may resume it at
the point where he left off.
Armor Rules Dfn is the weapon’s Weapon Defense
Modifier.
Dam is the weapon’s Damage Modifier.
Crossbow: To span a crossbow with Range is the range increment for the
a belt hook (the usual method) is a three- The Ars Magica Fifth Edition rulebook missile weapon, in paces.
round Extended Action. A character with Str provides the statistics for several generic Str is the minimum Strength required
+3 or greater can span it by hand as a one- types of armor (see ArM5, page 176). This to use the weapon effectively.
round Extended Action. In the late-medieval section expands on those rules to incorpo- Load is the Load of the weapon; see En-
period, a built-in lever called a goat’s foot al- rate a wider variety of historical armor types, cumbrance on ArM5, page 178.
lows a crossbowman to span his weapon as a and gives rules for constructing armor out of Cost states how expensive the weapon
two-round Extended Action. layers of different material. is. Most characters can afford Stan-
Bow: This is a new, concise name for a dard or Inexpensive equipment, but
short bow (see ArM5, page 177) this can be affected by their Virtues
and Flaws.
Bow, Composite: This weapon is used
by Saracens, Moors, and Asiatic nomads
Armor Materials Avail gives the time period (or geo-
(Turks and Mongols or, in the early Middle graphic region) in which the weap-
on first came into widespread use.
Ages, Huns and Magyars). See also Ancient The following categories expand and su-
See Equipment Availability, later.
Magic, page 17. persede those described on page 176 of ArM5.
Types lists the type(s) of damage the
Bow, Horse: A compact composite bow, Note that the statistics for these armor materi- weapon inflicts: Crushing, Piercing,
suitable for use from horseback. See Mounted als are fully compatible with those in ArM5. or Slashing.
Archery, later; see also Ancient Magic, page 17. These new categories simply cover a broader Damage Levels indicate how many
Bow, Long: Historically, longbows variety of historical armor materials. damage levels the weapon can sus-
were confined to Wales for most of the high tain before it breaks. This only per-
Middle Ages. They became the signature tains when using the optional Clash
English weapon after 1283. Inexpensive Materials of Weapons rule, earlier.

• Padded armor is usually made of woolen

Melee Weapon or linen fabric quilted into dense layers.
Other forms include heavy felt, suede, or •
and whalebone are sometimes used.
Rigid scale includes any sort of non-me-
Descriptions leather stuffed with horsehair, and thick
furs such as bearskin.
tallic scale or lamellar armor. Armor of
boiled-leather scales is worn throughout
• Boiled leather is very tough, but stiff. Mythic Europe; horn and whalebone are
Falchion: A heavy, one-handed, ma- Also use these statistics for similar, semi- sometimes used as well.
chete-like weapon used by common soldiers. resilient materials like rawhide, or even • Metal scale includes all kinds of metal
Halberd: Similar to a pole axe with a faerie armor made of tree bark. lamellar. Brigandine is essentially a late-
steel spike on top and, usually, a hook for period type of metal scale.
dragging a rider off his horse.
Net: A net may be used to make trip, Standard Materials
grapple, or disarm attempts, or unseat a rider. Expensive Materials
It is otherwise a rather ineffective weapon. • Reinforced armor is leather or padded
Rock, Sharpened: A very primitive material strengthened by many small, • Mail is the term characters in Mythic
weapon, sometimes used by faeries and the hard plates or rings. These reinforce- Europe would use for chain mail. Mail
like. See Ancient Magic, page 95. ments are usually metal, but horn, bone, shirts and hauberks are available in the

139
 Lords of Men

Expanded Armor Table

Add together the Protection and Load of the body armor, helmet, and any surcoat worn. Retain fractions until the end of the calcula-
tion and then round up to the next whole number.

Body Armors
Cuirass/Jerkin Haubergeon Hauberk Full*
Armor Prot Load Prot Load Prot Load Prot Load
Padded +1 1.5 +1 1.5 +1 1.5 +1 1.5
Boiled Leather +2 3 n/a n/a n/a n/a +3 4.5
Reinforced +2 2 +2.5 2.5 +3 3 +3.5 3.5
Rigid Scale +2 2 +2.5 2.5 +3.5 3.5 +4.5 4.5
Metal Scale +3 3 +4 4 +5 5 +6 6
Mail +3 1.5 +4 2 +5 2.5 +7 3.5
Plate +3 3 n/a n/a n/a n/a +12 6
Plate and Mail +4 2 +6 3 +8 4 +10 5
* Greaves are already included in the full armor listed; don’t add them again.

Surcoats and Greaves

Surcoat and Greaves Prot Load Cost
Gambeson +1 1.5 Inexpensive
Coat of Plates +2 2 Expensive
Boiled-leather greaves* +1 +1 Inexpensive
Plate jambes* +1 1 Expensive
Plate-and-mail jambes* +2 0.5 Expensive
* Greaves and jambes are already included in the full armor listed; don’t
add them again.

Helmets
Helmet Prot Load Perception Penalty Cost
Cap, Iron 0 0 0 Inexpensive
Coif/Camail +0.5 0 0 Expensive
Helmet, Open +1 1 –1 Standard
Helm +2 2 –3 Expensive
Bascinet +2 1 –1 Expensive (late medieval only)

140
 Lords of Men
ancient period; full mail is an invention are protected. See Complex Armor Design, the most basic sort of rigid body armor.
of the early Middle Ages. later, for further explanation. Cuirboulli: A form of boiled leather
• Plate armor is made of solid pieces of made by boiling in oil rather than water.
metal. The ancient Greeks and Romans Fauld: Lamellar hip protection, worn
had plate cuirasses and greaves, but by
the early Middle Ages, all-plate harness
Option: Penalty for with late-medieval plate armor.
Gambeson: A garment made of padded
fell out of use. The full plate listed on
the Expanded Armor Table is late-medi-
Fighting Without material. It could be a short tunic, a sleeve-
less surcoat, or a long-sleeved hauberk which
eval, Gothic style plate (c. 1400) and has a Helmet could be worn over, under, or instead of an-
a different Protection-to-Load ratio than other armor. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for
its ancient counterpart. The complex ar- As one can see from the Expanded Armor knights to wear a light gambeson (also called
mor design rules do not cover 15th-cen- Table, helmets don’t add much to the Protec- an aketon or arming jacket) under their mail,
tury full plate. tion of a warrior’s armor. In fact, iron caps and and a heavier one over it.
• Plate and mail is a combination of mail mail coifs don’t add appreciably to Protection Gauntlet: Armor for the hands.
strengthened with various metal plates. It at all! The reason for this is that a warrior’s ar- Gorget: A stiff collar of boiled leather
gives better overall protection than the an- mor is only as strong as its weakest point, and (or, in the late Middle Ages, iron) that pro-
cient, all-plate harness. Historically, a few if the head is well-protected by a stout iron tects the throat and neck.
medieval examples of breastplates (worn helmet, enemies concentrate their attacks on Greaves: Plate or boiled-leather armor
over mail) re-appeared by 1200, but they the less-protected body instead. for the lower legs.
were not common until about 1300. Plate The converse also holds true: if a char- Hauberk: A knee-length, long-sleeved
jambes were added around 1320, and full acter’s body is well-protected but his head is coat of flexible armor. It protects the body,
plate appeared around 1360. bare, a sensible foe concentrates his attacks arms, and upper legs.
there. To reflect this danger, add an extra Haubergeon: A short-sleeved armored
botch die to melee Defense (and Evasion) tunic, covering the torso and shoulders only.
Armor Outfittings rolls for any character so foolish as to fight
without head protection.
Helmet, Open: A helmet protects the
sides and rear of the head, but leaves the face
at least half exposed.
These rules separate armor into three Helm: A high-medieval piece of head-
components, each with separate statistics
that are added together with the others.
Glossary of gear that completely encases the head and
neck in plates of iron.
These components are the armor itself, any
protective surcoat or greaves worn with
Armor Terms Jack: A brigandine jerkin, common in
the late medieval period. Also leather jack.
them, and the helmet. Jambes: Plate armor covering the legs.
The Expanded Armor Table lists com- Ailettes: Flat plates of boiled leather Jerkin: A short, sleeveless jacket.
mon pieces of armor worn in Mythic Europe. worn to protect the collarbone and shoulder. Kettle Hat: A bowl-shaped iron cap with
It is compatible with the ArM5 Armor Table Aketon: The padded jacket worn under a wide metal brim. Popular with the common
(see ArM5, page 176) in the sense that par- a mail hauberk; see also gambeson. soldiers of the high and late Middle Ages.
tial and full armors can be constructed from Bascinet: A late medieval helmet that Lamellar: Overlapping plates fastened
the components listed here, and the statis- fits the contours of the head and neck. Usu- to each other rather than to a piece of back-
tics come out the same provided one makes ally equipped with a movable visor. ing material. The plates can be small, similar
certain assumptions about the helmet and Brigandine: Late medieval armor made to those in scale armor, or larger, as in a lo-
surcoat included with the various armors de- of small, overlapping metal plates riveted to rica segmentata.
scribed in ArM5. an outer layer of canvas or leather. It is rather Lorica Hamata: Roman name for a mail
The Expanded Armor Table shows the like an inside-out version of scale armor. haubergeon.
three most common sorts of armor outfit- Cap-a-pie: Literally “head to foot,” the Lorica Segmentata: A lamellar cuirass
tings used in Mythic Europe in 1220. See the term characters would use for full armor. used in Imperial Rome, with horizontal strips
Glossary of Armor Terms, later, for descrip- Cap, Iron: A helmet that protects main- of metal encircling the torso, overlapping
tions of the jerkin, cuirass, haubergeon, and ly the crown of the head, leaving the face like the plates of a lobster’s tail.
hauberk. Full armor protects all four limbs as exposed. Poleyns: Knee protectors made of iron
well as the torso and loins. Camail: A mail hood that covers the or boiled leather.
Some combinations of material and out- head, forehead, and lower face. Ring Armor: Early medieval armor of
fittings have entries of “n/a” in the Expanded Chapel de fer: French term for a kettle leather reinforced by non-overlapping metal
Armor Table because it’s not possible to hat. rings.
make a sleeved garment out of rigid materials Chausses: Leggings made of mail. Sabaton: Armor for the feet.
(boiled leather or plate). Also, some materi- Coat of Plates: A lamellar cuirass, his- Sallet: A late medieval, rounded helmet
als have the same statistics (Protection and torically worn over mail between about 1250 with a visor.
Load) for different types of garments. This and 1300 AD. Use the statistics for a metal Scale Armor: Small plates fastened to a
is because armor’s Protection value has more scale cuirass. layer of backing material. The plates overlap
to do with how well the vital areas are pro- Coif: An open-faced mail hood. vertically, like the scales of a fish.
tected than with how well the extremities Cuirass: A breastplate and backplate; Vambraces: Armor for the arms.

141
 Lords of Men
Option: Complex
Armor Design Complex Armor Design Table
Type Torso Hips and Shins Upper Fore- Load
These optional rules allow players to
Thighs Arms arms Factor
create their own armor from any combina-
tion of materials, and calculate its Protection Padded 1 0 0 0 0 1.5
and Load. The Expanded Armor Table is Boiled leather 2 0.5 0.5 0 0 1.5
sufficient to outfit most grogs, knights, and
other characters, but these rules might prove Reinforced 2 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1
useful for creating exotic armor for faeries Rigid scale 2 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 1
and the like, or for reproducing a specific,
Metal scale 3 1 0.5 1 0.5 1
historical armor.
First, make a list of all the materials that Mail 3 1 1 1 1 0.5
comprise the armor. Decide which parts of the Plate 3 1 1 0.5 0.5 1
body are covered by each material. Add up the
corresponding Protection values for all the ar- Plate and mail 4 2 1 2 1 0.5
eas covered by that material. Some materials
on some parts of the body correspond to a Pro-
tection of zero. Once you have the Protection round up to the next whole number. on the forearm doesn’t help the forearm, it’s
total for all pieces of that material, multiply it The reason some entries on the table are that wearing padding on the forearm doesn’t
by the Load Factor for that material and retain zero is that some parts of the body are more help very much in comparison to putting
any fraction to get the total Load of that mate- vulnerable than others. Covering the torso, padding on the torso. Non-vital areas need
rial. Continue this process for all the other ma- for example, makes a relatively big difference a lot of armor to get a point of Protection,
terials worn. Finally, add up all the Protection to overall Protection, compared to covering while the same armor over a vital spot would
and Load values for the different materials and the forearms. It’s not that wearing padding correspond to several points of Protection.

142
 The undisputed rulers
of Mythic Europe are the nobility —
those high-born who are bound together
by sacred vows of loyalty, are supported by
the land, and provide support to the Church.
Lesser nobles compete for the favor of those superior
to them, while great nobles seek the loyalty of those
beneath them. When not distracted by the politics of
landholding and of war, they hunt the mundane and magical
beasts of the forests and host extravagant feasts. For the nobles
of Mythic Europe are first and foremost knights in shining armor.

This books contains complete rules and background for the nobility
of Mythic Europe, ranging from the details of their lands to their
entertainments, political struggles, and dealings with the Order
of Hermes. And, of course, it presents special rules for combat,
whether at a tournament or during a desperate siege. It
also describes the hard lives of the peasants, who make
the rich existence of the nobility possible by
providing the food at their feasts, the labor

AG0293 • ISBN 1-58978-114-7

for their buildings, and the soldiers
in their armies.

AG0293 • ISBN 1-58978-114-7 • $29.95

52995

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