13th July 2006

Dear all,
This is an idea for banners, musicians and pennants. Please let me have your comments and play
test feedbacks.
Mick

Banners and Musicians in Age of the Trebuchet

For the third edition of Age of the Trebuchet (AotT), new rules for banners, musicians and
pennants are proposed. These take into account that musicians and banners usually
accompanied nobles and officers to relay orders. To make game play easy, a generic
standard bearer has also been created.
Banner bonuses can be used together. The points values are set quite high to discourage
sillyness.

Flags, Pennants, Banners

Personal Pennant In the early medieval period, heraldry was displayed on the shield.
Later, as shields were abandoned, small flags were mounted on the lance of a knight so
that he could be identified.
Function - These are considered as part of the uniform of the warrior and have no
influence on game play.
Cost - Free
Availability Applies to Normans, Crusaders and most medieval armies.
Maximum - one per elite soldier.
Personal Banner Officers and nobles were often accompanied by their personal standard
bearer. This was a much larger flag than a pennant and could be seen from a distance. It
can be carried by the hero but is usually carried by a separate standard bearer.
Function The hero is more visible, so his influence has a greater range.
Range - Heroic actions influence warriors within 6
Cost 30 points including Standard Bearer
Availability - Applies to most armies, one per hero.
Unit Banner Soldiers in a unit were often recruited from a town or a craft guild and
fought under a common banner.
Function If the banner moves forward or stands fast, warriors from the unit gain a +1
Courage bonus. However if the standard retreats, the bonus is lost. If the standard is
captured, all soldiers in the unit have a -1 point courage penalty for the rest of the game.
Range All members of the unit within 6
Cost 30 points including Standard Bearer
Availability - Applies to armies that are known to have used them Swiss, Low Countries. A
unit banner is also used where part of the army is made up of troops with allies from
another nation. This banner is not related to the number of heroes in the army.

Age of the Trebuchet

Copyright - Michael Farnworth -- mfarnwoth@mammut.ch
August 2005, July 2006

Army Banner The main banner for the army has a significant influence on the courage of
the troops.
Function If the banner moves forward or stands fast, warriors from the unit gain a +1
Courage bonus. However if the standard retreats, the bonus is lost. If the standard is
captured, all soldiers in the unit have a -1 point courage penalty for the rest of the game.
Range All members of the unit within 24
Cost 60 points including Standard Bearer if the army contains 50 models or less. If the
army is larger than 50 warriors, the banner costs 1 point per warrior plus 10 points for the
standard bearer.
Availability One per army, but may be replaced by a Religious Banner. A second Army
Banner, if used, counts as a Unit Banner.
Religious Banner Some banners had a very significant influence on the courage and
fighting ability of troops. These were religious banners which convinced the warriors that
god was on their side. Example include - The True Cross, Oriflame, Joan of Arcs Banner
Function If the banner moves forward or stands fast, warriors that can see the banner
gain a +1 Courage bonus and a +1 fight bonus. However if the standard retreats, the bonus
is lost. If the standard is captured, all soldiers in the unit have a -1 point courage penalty
for the rest of the game.
Range All members of the army with line of sight vision and within 24.
Cost Cost 110 points including Standard Bearer if the army contains 50 models or less.
If the army is larger than 50 warriors, the banner costs 1 point per warrior plus 10 points
for the standard bearer.
Availability One per army, instead of an army banner.
Standard Bearer - Standard bearers were veteran soldiers with proven courage and
dedication. However, carrying a standard made fighting extremely difficult, so the fight
value is reduced.
The following stats apply for a generic standard bearer. A standard bearer cannot
initiate an attack but can defend with a hand weapon if attacked. A standard bearer
cannot use a missile weapon. The defence value D6 is based partly on armour and partly
on skill so does not get additional bonuses from heavy armour or shields.
F4, S3, D6, A1, W1, C6

Points 10 foot, 15 mounted

Musicians Musicians were used to relay orders. To make game play easy, the benefits
from musicians are combined with the banner. In this sense, musicians become table
decoration.
Cost - Free
Maximum - one per Banner

Priests - A religious banner may be accompanied by a group of non combatant monks or

priests. These are for decoration and have no fighting ability and cost no points.

Age of the Trebuchet

Copyright - Michael Farnworth -- mfarnwoth@mammut.ch
August 2005, July 2006