[Carlos de la Cruz]

I think this actually sums things up for me quite well. I'm not reviewing the Campaign - I'm reviewing the book - the campaign itself can be great, but I don't think the book helps you make it great.

To me, it would be difficult to review the GPC alone, because I see it as a basic block of the "Pendragon experience". One of the main differences between Pendragon and other fantasy RPG is the strong emphasis in the "one year, one adventure". Years must go quickly while your knight learns, grows, get married and creates heirs... and gets old and is replaced. The concept of "years quicly going away" is IMHO a central design focus of the game.

So, to me the GPC is not only a useful supplement. It's indeed a part of the main rulebook, the part that gives us the timeline of events where you insert the history of your characters.

I believe what you're missing in the GPC is a few "out-of-character" notes about how to construct a campaign with the information you're given.

For example, I believe the entire Uther Period is heavily railroaded because it's suppossed the players are learning the game; how the combat system works, how the battle system works, how the Saxon Berserkers are deadly, etc. I believe a comment like "This is a period for the knights, the players and the GM to learn the game mechanics. At the end of this period they should be experienced and will have more freedom to pursue their own objectives". I think that idea exists in the text, but perhaps is not stated clearly.

Also, the Forest Sauvage Chapter, for example, is a treasure of cool ideas... very badly edited. If you take the time to organize it, they are great, but you must do your homework.

So to me, a second edition of the book, better edited, will be very appreciated, but not strictly needed. The GPC to me shows the entire metaplot, and you must use it to create your epic.

Without the GPC, Pendragon is only a game about mounted warriors. With it, Pendragon becomes a game about chivalrous knights involved in the rise and fall of the great kingdom of Arthur.

Best regards,
Carlos