![By Henry of Huntingdon (Historia Anglorum) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://takeonrules.com/images/battleof_lincoln_hu1734811851bdc8d1b47da11099472def_143604_360x0_resize_q75_box.jpg)
I’m preparing for an upcoming Burning Wheel campaign. I am using the Anarchy of England as the backdrop.
The Angle-Saxon Chronicle, placed as the entry for the year 1137, but written in the 1150s. This section comes from The Peterborough Chronicle 1070-1154, ed. C Clark, 2nd edn. (Oxford, 1970); translations include The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, ed. D. Whitelock et al. (London, 1962)
Every great man built himself a castle and held it against the king; and they filled the whole land with these castles. They sorely burdened the unhappy people of the country with forced labour on the castles; and when the castles were built, they filled them with devils and wicked men.
If the characters crawl the English countryside, I want some more random generators. Five years ago, I was gearing up to run a campaign set during a war. I wrote up a random wartime village generator; I may reuse some of that.
Fortifications
In response to a weak crown, the barons are consolidating their personal power.
What is the State of the Fortifications?
2d6 | Roll |
---|---|
2 | Wooden palisade |
3-5 | Major enhancements beginning |
6-8 | Major enhancements wrapping up |
9-11 | Earthen motte and bailey |
12 | Stone castle |
Were these Fortifications Sanctioned by the King?
An unsanctioned castle may draw the ire of the king; Though he has numerous irons in the fire.
1d6 | Roll |
---|---|
1-5 | Unsanctioned |
6 | Sanctioned |
Loyalties
Taking a page from Zzarchov Kowolski’s Scenic Dunnsmouth (review), I’m establishing a campaign attribute “King’s Popularity”.
When a person’s loyalty to the king is unknown, the GM 📖 rolls 2d6 to get their “Loyal to the King” score. Then compare that score to the current “King’s Popularity”:
Loyal to the King is... | Resulting Allegiance |
---|---|
Less than King's Popularity | Loyal to the King Stephen |
Equal to King's Popularity | Hedging bets |
Greater than King's Popularity | Loyal to Empress Matilda |
Throughout the course of play as the “King’s Popularity” rises and falls, this will adjust a person’s allegiance.
Example: The current “King’s Popularity” score is 7. The players encounter Herald FitzJohn, an unknown. The GM secretly rolls 2d6 and gets a 6. Herald FitzJohn’s allegiance is to King Stephen. If the “King’s Popularity” drops to 5, the Herald FitzJohn’s allegiance will shift to Empress Matilda.
More Randomizations
- Village/city events - lift from Torchbearer
- Countryside events - drawing a blank right now