2023-02-12 Family

We went cross-country skiing again, now I’m doing backups with the stupid new Mac. I want to use the exist Timemachine backup. The new Mac is connected to the same external volume as the old Mac, every now and then: “Data”. So of course it should be included. But now Timemachine says it can’t have two volumes with the same name and I have to rename it. So I did. And now it’s copying the entire external disc to the backup. 😠

I want Knives to have family building, and playing multiple generations of characters, like in King Arthur Pendragon. I don’t want rules for it, so I can write an essay, or an example of play, or both. But it’s hard to fit it all on one page. Perhaps I should rename this page from “Family” to “Flirting” and write a second page about playing multiple generations of characters.

Knives

Claudia says, “Krimlind, daughter of Krimhild, is there. She addresses you, ‘Adalric, you have returned and I am glad. These cold halls cannot wait to hear your laughter again, and neither can I.’” Behind her, you see her mother, watching you.”

Alex says, “Uh, you honour my, mylady…”

Claudia says, “She blushes and quickly says, ‘oh no, fair Adalric, please do not call me so. My mother Krimhild rules this court and I am but a maiden here.’ Her mother smiles and gets up, ‘Come now, child. Leave us. We want to talk to our messenger. Sit, Adalric, and tell us about Lord Obersaxo and what he has to said about the bandits.’”

Berta says, “Yeah, we’ll tell her all about that treacherous warmonger who is recruiting the bandits and letting their brethren plunder the upper valley for fear of losing them again.”

Claudia says, “Krimhild is not pleased, that’s for sure. You discuss the situation. She’s worried but it seems you can help her. Is there anything you want to get from this discussion?”

Alex says, “Actually, can I get some time with Krimlind? She seems interested in Adalric.”

Claudia says, “How about rolling Intelligence + Culture or Status + Behaviour to get that? If you do, you’re granted half an hour but there’s a lady-in-waiting in the garden with you. If you fail, you’re overstepping.”

Alex says, “My Status is 3, so I’m still an outsider, here. I’ll go for Intelligence + Culture, which I don’t have. My Intelligence is 9.”

Claudia says, “You need to know how to talk to nobility, so there’s a -2 penalty. Roll 7 or lower. Also, if you do roll a seven, Krimhild lets you in to her secret plans.”

Alex says, “All right, I rolled a 5!”

Claudia says, “Sure enough, after a while Krimhild says, ‘All right, enough for today. Adalric, why don’t you tell my daughter all about Lord Obersaxo in the garden while Brunhilde and I discuss the matter of Mayor Hellung, a suspected werewolf.”

Intimacy requires vulnerability. It’s OK if non-player characters make opening moves, be it parents, children or match-makers. Intimacy can be awkward at the table and everybody has their own approach. Claudia did bring up “Lines & Veils” at the beginning of the game – what are the lines people don’t want to cross and what are the things that are hinted at but not shown. Alex and Berta didn’t know what was coming so it wasn’t easy to answer. Alex knew he doesn’t like cruelty and torture. Berta didn’t want sexual violence and didn’t want to flirt at the table. So now is the time moment, where Alex and Claudia need to come to a quick understanding of how far they want to take the scene in the garden.

Alex says, “The lady-in-waiting is still there, right? We’re not going to do anything indecent, that’s for sure. Adalric does pluck a sword lily on the way…”

​#RPG ​#Knives