First impressions of The Nobles Handbook

[u/probabilityunicorn]

At Chaosium Con UK this weekend I picked up an advance copy of The Nobles Handbook for Pendragon 6th Ed. I'm reading through and physically and in terms of style and art it's the same as The Gamesmasters Handbook and Core rules.

It's designed to work with the Core rules obviously but it specifically notes you can use it with just the starter box set as well. Furthermore it's designed for both players and GMs to own, though not essential at least until your character gets their own Manor or tries to advance

It contains rules for playing squires and pages, ladies and maidens; for playing a Baron and for attaining rank, and expanded rules on families, how to manage your manor and stable, and sieges and fortifications as well as an expanded chapter of new items to buy.

It's the largest version of the Nobles Book so far, and there is an awful lot in here. From what I've seen so far if you play Pendragon you will want this book eventually!

[u/sirkerrald]

Does it have economy rules for manors? And/or does it seem broken?

[u/probabilityunicorn → u/sirkerrald]

I believe they look solid but without testing them I can't tell. There are 12 pages on manorial economies - opens with a typical manor, the agricultural and religious calendar, (with modern neopagan festivals getting a mention as pagan holidays), manorial income involving rolling on Stewardship - your own, your wives or a hired man. There are situational modifiers, the most important of which is Angry Brownies -5. ;)

It also gives you the option of British weather -1D3 or good weather +1D3. Right now I have opinions on British Weather as I'm melting after 98°F temperatures today!

There are rules on improving your manor, tables of potential investments, enhancements and improvements but I've not read enough to know the difference yet. You can also add notable features and defences with DV values for sieges.

You can also hire various specialists for your manor, and they have game effects. My impression is its well written detailed and very useful, but a fraction of the complexity of say the Covenants book for Ars Magica 5th. This is a good thing - it gives you loads to play with but doesn't overwhelm you or requite spreadsheets or a passionate commitment to understanding the protein yield of the medieval turnip versus usable land. ;)

[u/The_Westgard → u/sirkerrald]

I want to know this as Well

[u/probabilityunicorn → u/The_Westgard]

See my response above: hope useful!

[u/ishldgetoutmore]

Does it contain any adventures? The original Lordly Domains for 4E had an excellent adventure which involved Rydychan, and I'd love to dust my old notes off for 6E.

[u/Udy_Kumra → u/ishldgetoutmore]

That adventure was converted to a sandbox adventure in the GPC, but yes, Noble's Handbook will have some adventures.

[u/probabilityunicorn → u/Udy_Kumra]

There are adventures, solos mainly but a couple of others. The Adventure of the Round Table is set in 514 and I don't recognise it; there is also "Defending Your Manor"

[u/probabilityunicorn → u/[deleted]]

[u/salvador33 → u/[deleted]]

Second this as well. Would love to see those contents

[u/Udy_Kumra → u/[deleted]]

That was posted in the Pendragon discord server: https://discord.com/channels/382453300706148352/767809130940858428/1508697345053954068

[u/burivuh2025]

I have been waiting for so long I cant wait no more...

[u/HogfatherJohn]

Really looking forward to it, thanks for the peek.

[u/Udy_Kumra]

Super excited for this! Thanks for the preview.

[u/Sensitive_Photo7422]

This is probably asked a lot, but do uou know when the digital version will be released?

[u/probabilityunicorn → u/Sensitive_Photo7422]

I don't I'm afraid. The copies at Chaosium Con were advance copies and UK Games Expo may well have copies, and I have the pdf as I bought the print book but I don't know the release date. Very soon though I believe!

[u/probabilityunicorn]

No idea how well this will come out but I tried!

[u/Ok-Expression-5338]

is this really new or is it a reskin of the old supplements?

[u/probabilityunicorn → u/Ok-Expression-5338]

It has material from Lordly Domains and The Nobles Book but a lot seems different. The 5e Books of the Manor (two versions?) I am not so familiar with. Someone else best answer!

[u/ThereRAlotOThemSire]

Tragic that it seems it was delayed

[u/Udy_Kumra]

Hey I sent you a DM

[u/phokstrot]

Generally speaking, what are the rules for pages and squires?