With a broad blend of Romano-Briton, Cymric and Saxon cultures, Eburacum (current-day YORK) is intended to represent one of the most cosmopolitan and dynamic cities in Britain during Arthur's time. This section provides the player with enough background information on the history, game setting, and important locations, groups and npcs, to hopefully play the game effectively.

The city is a focal point for the adventures to follow. The infusion of the realm of fey into the land has altered the landscape around Eburacum. Roads no longer lead where they used to. Rivers no longer wind their familiar courses. Forests and mountains have appeared and disappeared in completely different places. The few folk that have managed to make it to the city during winter report that the landscape is no longer recognisable. A fog shrouds the countryside that, with the oncoming spring, will gradually be lifted and a entirely new land will be uncovered in place of the old.

The area around Eburacum now is unchartered and unknown. As players explore the county and uncover its secrets, a new map will be filled in, like pieces of a puzzle. At some stage, creative and dedicated players will be invited to breathe their own life into the game, and add a part to the overall mystery.

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The Historical Eburacum

Roman Eburacum (© English Heritage)

Eburacum began its existence as a fortress built by the Romans to house first the Ninth and then the Sixth Roman Legions from AD 71. This fortification was built to the north-west of the junction of the Foss and Ouse Rivers, thus being protected from attack on two sides by each body of water. A civilian population began to grow as support for the legions over subsequent years, and an area known as the Colonia formed on the south-west bank of the Ouse River, directly across the river from the fortress. At one stage Eburacum was designated the capital of the province of Lower Britain (Britannia Inferior).

The Romans left the island in the fifth century, and not much is historically known as to what exactly happened between that time and the arrival of the Vikings in the mid-8th century. In particular, the fifth and sixth centuries are poorly understood. Archaelogical evidence shows that a Anglo-Saxon settlement continued to develop during this time, and it appears the city became renowned throughout the country as a centre of learning by the 8th century (York Archaeological Trust). Anyone familiar with Arthurian literature would understand how little is really known about the period of history when Arthur was supposed to have ruled.

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Eburacum in 566AD

Eburacum is the largest city in Britain behind London and Camelot. It is a major waypoint along the Kings Road, between Logres to the south, and the wild, untamed lands of the North. The economy of Eburacum thrives with everything from agricultural commodities (wool, barley and livestock) to jewellery (jet is the local stone of choice, but other precious stones in rough form are imported as raw materials for the many jewellers present). The port district inhabits the northen banks of the Ouse River north of Eburacum Bridge. It eventually drains into the Suala River, and from there out to sea.

The picture below is actually a reconstruction of Roman Canterbury at around 300AD, but the architecture and layout is very similar to what the player may expect when wandering through Eburacum. The Roman influence has prevailed since the withdrawal of the Emperor's legions, both through a strong committment to tradition by the civilians that were left behind, and the influence of the reign of King Barant le Apres (and the indirect influence of the culture promoted and nurtured by King Arthur). Over the past decade the city has swelled to almost 9000 people, made up of mostly Romano-Britons and Cymric peoples. There are also minority groups of other cultures, the most prominant being the Saxons who populate much of the port area along the Ouse River north of the bridge. The ascension of Marant to the throne after his father's death did nothing to slow the pace of prosperity for the city. However, with the collapse of the Round Table and the loss of the High King, an uncertain future lies ahead.

Reconstruction drawn by John Bowen, © Canterbury Archaeological Trust.

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Recent Game History

Please note that most of this chronology is condensed from "The Boy King: Arthur Claims the Throne of Britain" (Chaosium Inc. 1991).

480AD - The period of King Uther's reign begins. His brother Aurelius Ambrosius is poisoned, and Uther leads his army against the Irish and Saxon invaders in Menevia. Uther is successful and is crowned King.

484AD - An army of Saxons besiege the city of Eburacum. Uther attacks them and is defeated: he has no choice but to withdraw. The city is taken over and remains controlled by the Saxons for many years to come. The legacy of Vortigern's rulership of Britain several decades ago is the consolidation of many parts of the country by various Saxon peoples. Ironically, raids by the Picts and Irish continues, the problem which initially caused Vortigern to enlist the aide of Saxon warriors. Much of Uther's effort over subsequent years is in fighting on a number of fronts: the waves of Saxon invaders, the Franks on the continent, and finally the armies of Cornwall as Duke Gorlois rebels against his violent rule. Arthur is conceived to Uther and Igraine, thanks to the assistance of Merlin.

495AD Uther dies at the Battle of Alban after turning back the Saxons once again. Anarchy sets in as a civil war festers with no rightful heir to claim the throne. While the Picts push inwards from the north, the Saxons continue to influence much of Logres and the surrounding areas. These invasions accelerate after the turn of the century, and Eburacum remains in enemy hands.

510AD - Arthur is crowned King. Eburacum is freed as part of Arthur's early campaign to reunite the kingdom once again. Custodianship of the city is later granted to Sir Barant, known at the time as the "King of a Hundred Knights". Despite having been part of King Lot's original rebellion against Arthur's ascension, Barant had then submitted to Arthurs rule instead of participating in the second phase of King Lot's uprising.

516AD - Having invaded Deira, an army of Saxons led by King Colgrin attack Eburacum and surprise the King of a Hundred Knights. The city surrenders and the King's family flees to Catterick. Sir Barant remains behind and joins up with the approaching forces of the High King. Arthur arrives and lays seige to the captured city: yet he cannot dislodge the Saxons from behind the strong city walls. With winter approaching, Arthur has no choice but to withdraw to London.

517AD - Arthur returns and assaults the city once more. This time the Saxons try to flee, but Arthur pursues and makes them account for their actions at Lincoln. The Saxons defeated for now, Sir Barant returns and reclaims Eburacum with the sanction of Arthur. Arthur returns land to other 'Princes of York'.

A golden age begins for the city: the destruction is repaired, the population starts to swell, and during subsequent years Eburacum begins to earn the right to be called one of the three greatest cities of Arthur's Britain (apart from London and Camelot).

551AD - King Barant dies assisting King Amorold of Ireland at the Battle of Lerline. His son Marant ascends to the throne. Nothing changes much for the city folk: Marant is a competant ruler, and does not sway greatly from the ideals of his father.

565AD - The fall of the High King. The armies of Arthur and Mordred fight a series of terrible battles, ending at Camlann where Mordred is killed and Arthur dealt a mortal wound. Almost nothing remains of the Round Table. A harsh winter sets in...

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Medieval Life

Eburacum is a medieval fantasy game, and as such uses a setting that is comparable with Britain during the period between 1000-1200AD. Because so little is really known about the period of history around the supposed time of Arthur's existence, certain compromises are made with regards to accuracy in order to keep things managable and in line with people's expectations of medieval life. For those familiar with the Pendragon rpg setting, they would already be familiar with working under the assumption that life under the rulership of Arthur underwent a transformation where advances in warfare, fashion, knightly behaviour and civilisation in general were remarkable. This game works under those same assumptions, and makes no claim for historical accuracy of life around the mid-5th century.

However, we will *try* and keep things as realistic as possible. Nit-picking is discouraged.

Armor and Weapons

Armor during this period is based on Norman equivalents from 1000-1300AD. The best armor for a knight to find himself wearing during the period of Eburacum is Reinforced Chain Mail (see the picture below). Poorer or less fortunate knights may have to be content with using Norman Chainmail, or they may even resort to wearing Cuirbouilli (leather boiled in oil and moulded to shape) or Leather armor. Plate Mail is in it's very infancy at this stage, and if any suits do exist they are primitive, designed for a specific wearer, and outrageously expensive. Some pieces of Partial Plate have been observed, consisting of the addition of metal plates to cover the arms and legs over the existing byrnie of Reinforced Chain, along with steel gauntlets for the hands.

Crossbows were developed around the 4th century and bows many centuries before then. Generally only Saxons wield axes (including great axes), and all knights fight with a sword and shield. Spears are a common weapon of the infantryman and can be used as a lance in a pinch by a knight on horseback.

Infantryman - "Chain mail hauberk with haqueton padded undergarment, and leather chausses (leggings). The helmet is a "Nasal Helm" made of iron. The "kite" shield is made of wood with a decorative leather face and metal reinforcement..."
Art by Kevin Long "The Compendium of Weapons, Armour & Castles" pg 110, Mathew Balent (Palladium Press).

Knight - Reinforced Chain Mail, with metal guards at the shoulders and knees. Mail hauberk and chausses under a surcoat split for riding on horseback.
Art by Kevin Long "The Compendium of Weapons, Armour & Castles" pg 114, Mathew Balent (Palladium Press).

Fashion

Fashion in the time of Arthur is like the fashion today - changing constantly as trends come and go. The images below illustrate examples of the 'current' fashion, but the player is by no means constrained to these examples. Materials vary depending on expense: from more common materials such as wool, linen and leather, to furs, velvet, silk, samite and satin. Natural colours are more easily obtained, whereas some colours such as royal purple or royal blue have to be imported.

"The man wears a shift, undertunic, and overtunic (called a cyclas or tabard). His cap (coif) is close-fitting, and over it is a hood whose long hanging point is called a liripipe.
"The woman wears a hidden chemise, under rob, kirtle, and a sideless gown over all. On her head is a fillet and veil which hides the pinning of the wimple that goes under her chin..."
© Carolyn Savoy - "Knights Adventurous" pg 110, Greg Stafford (Chaosium Press).

"The man wears a shift (unseen), and over it a parti-colored cotehardie (or coathoardy). His hood has a long liripipe (not shown in the drawing) and a shoulder cape. The hem of both the coathardie and the shoulder cape are cut into repeated shapes called dags.
"The woman wears a chemise (not seen). Over that, her under robe is visible only at her forearms, or if she lifts her skirts to walk. Over all is the feminine version of the coathardie. Around her waist is a gold chatelaine's girdle with her keys of authority hanging from it. She might also wear a needle case, or a small purse, from it. A simple veil covers her head..."
© Carolyn Savoy - "Knights Adventurous" pg 111, Greg Stafford (Chaosium Press).

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Magic

Despite the introduction of rules for magic in the 4th Edition version of the Pendragon rpg, characters will not have access to either the knowledge of the magical arts, or the ability to use it knowingly. To quote from the 3rd edition of Pendragon (Chaosium, page 30):

Everyone... knows that magic exists. Magic includes everything which is unknown, which is plenty. Fate and luck are important components of magic, not just spells and spellcasters. The fundamental laws of society, such as loyalty or hospitality, are enforced by the decrees of fate, and thus enter the realm of magic.

People accept the world of magic as a normal part of the great unknowable reality, even though they do not understand it. Men cannot explain how Merlin marched King Ban's army over 165 miles in a few days, even if they remember doing it. Men know that druid shapeshifters change their appearance, that magical ladies live beneath enchanted lakes, and that another invisible world exists with a populace of frightful beings. They have heard about, and perhaps seen, magical objects like the sword Excalibur and the Holy Grail. But men do not hope to understand it, and in fact mistrust it immensely."

With the fall of the High King, magic has become a common occurrence. Now is the time for men and women to know just as much terror as wonder in the face of future events. Dedicated players may be offered the option to use magic later in the game - but it will remain a limited mystery that will be just as likely to cause great misfortune as it would cause great benefit. In summary, magic is a tool of the GMs, and will largely remain that way.

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Map of the City

Point the cursor over a gold-coloured section of the map to get a tooltip of the name of that part. Click on these highlighted areas to get more background information about that part of the city.

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Map of the Region

The Region of Malehaut (map excerpt taken from the 4th edition Pendragon rulebook) can be accessed by clicking here.

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