High Medieval

7 points

Between the 12th and late 14th centuries, a different
style of combat emerged. Knights of the High Middle Ages
were still able foot combatants, but the emphasis shifted
to horsemanship. The “couched” lance became the
knight’s trademark attack. Those who fought this way
resembled the stereotypical knights of fiction: still clad in
mail, but soon adopting plate armors of increasing com-
plexity, greathelms, and bright heraldic colors.
High medieval knights led with the lance or sword
hand rather than with the shield – which was medium,
small, or totally absent. They avoided dismounted combat
in favor of a charge with the couched lance. In addition to
using the lance for shock action, they trained to use its
head for a Tip Slash (p. 113).
While they favored the lance, knights of this period
also learned to fight using the broadsword, axe, and mace.
The sword was their primary sidearm, used to both cut
and thrust. The thrust was somewhat more common –
and was often aimed at chinks in other knights’ heavy
armor. Knights sometimes wielded their swords two-
handed, and used Committed Attack (Strong) to defeat
their opponents’ armor. Grappling skills were still stan-
dard training.
Myths of knightly prowess from this period always
focus on the knights’ strength and fortitude. Cinematic
knights can deliver blows capable of shearing an armored
man in half. They can fight through incredible punish-
ment – even eventually fatal injury – and when they final-
ly drop, they always take enemies with them. Use
Fearlessness, Hard to Kill, High Pain Threshold, and
improved HP to help model this. Their great battle-oaths
may cause foes (especially heathens or pagans) to flee in
terror.
Horsemanship was all-important for this style, and the
necessary proficiency meant that training started at a
young age. Wealth was also critically important. The
weapons, armor, and mount that let the knight dominate
the battlefield weren’t cheap!
Skills: Axe/Mace; Broadsword; Lance; Riding (Horse);
Shield; Wrestling.
Techniques:
Cavalry
Training
(Axe/Mace
Broadsword); Combat Riding; Staying Seated; Targeted
Attack (Broadsword Thrust/Vitals); Targeted Attack
(Broadsword Thrust/Vitals Chinks).
Cinematic Skills: Kiai; Power Blow.
Cinematic Techniques: Timed Defense (Axe/Mace or
Broadsword).
Perks: Technique Adaptation (Cavalry Training).
Optional Traits
Secondary Characteristics: Improved HP and Will.
Advantages:
Combat Reflexes; Enhanced Parry
(Broadsword); Fearlessness; Hard to Kill; High Pain
Threshold; Status; Wealth.
Disadvantages: Code of Honor (Chivalry); Duty (To
liege); Sense of Duty (To liege).
Skills: Animal Handling; Bow; Brawling; Crossbow;
Polearm; Shield (Buckler); Spear; Two-Handed Sword.
For what man shall be able
long in fight to stand up, either
to revenge, or defend himself,
having the veins, muscles,
sinews of his hand, arm,
or leg clean cut asunder?
– George Silver,
Paradoxes of Defence