Pendragon RPG blends the mysticism of The Green Knight with Crusader Kings

polygon.com:

The Green Knight wowed audiences last year with its moody lighting and mystical storyline — not to mention Dev Patel’s outstanding performance. What stunned many critics was its authentic presentation of a classic Arthurian legend for modern audiences. David Larkins, line editor for game publisher Chaosium, has embarked on a similar quest. His goal is to revitalize the classic tabletop role-playing game Pendragon, created by Greg Stafford and first published in 1985. Speaking with Polygon ahead of this year’s Gen Con tabletop gaming convention, Larkins said fans of the critically acclaimed movie should keep their eyes peeled for when the game finally arrives later this year.

Stafford completed the first draft of Pendragon’s sixth edition before his death in 2018. Larkins said the author, also known for creating the world of Glorantha, called it his “magnum opus.” In it, Stafford cleverly counterposed traditional Arthurian legend against the historical European timeline. Players start off as budding knights in the darkest depths of the early Middle Ages, serving as little more than armored thugs on behalf of the various royals vying for control of medieval Britain. But each time players sit down at the table for a three- or four-hour session, a full year of time passes in-game. As play proceeds into the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, Larkins says that the very idea of chivalry emerges, takes hold, and begins to evolve. Simultaneously, Stafford weaves in the political machinations of historical events like the Black Death and the 100 Years War, which continuously churn in the background. Even the technology of war changes from session to session as new weapons, armor, and fortifications get invented and enter the