CASTLE OLDSKULL: The Order of the Scarlet Tabard is a role playing game supplement written and published by Kent David Kelly. The supplement is intended to be used with OSR D&D-based games and, as such, is covered by the Open Game License with some parts considered to be Open Game Content as a result.
This is a 35 page PDF that is available from DriveThruRPG for $1.99 but was purchased at the reduced price of $0.99 during a sale. One page is the front cover, one and a half pages are the front matter and three and a half pages are About the Author and the Open Game License.
The Description introduces the mercenary company known as the Order of the Scarlet Tabard, colloquially known as the “Redshirts”, a nickname that should give an idea as to what these mercenaries are intended to do. They are based out of the Free City of Grimrook, the heart of the author’s campaign setting. It’s stated that old school rules always assumed that characters would hire men-at-arms to soak up various deadliness so that PCs wouldn’t have to. This supplement contains 100 different and unique individuals who can do just that.
The Introduction briefly suggests how to use the supplement. The aim is to provide potential plot and role playing hooks along with the soldiers. When the PCs are ready to hire some cannon fodder, the GM is suggested to roll 1d8+4 random troops. These soldiers will tell the characters their name, epithet and rate of pay and characters will be able to see their arms and armour. Other information is kept secret. The PCs can hire additional soldiers, assuming they haven’t got a terrible reputation, when needed.
Understanding the Provided Details explains the information provided for each soldier. There is a Name for each entry, medieval ones appropriate to each individual’s homeland. They do not have family names, as families are renounced on joining the order, so characters do not have to pay a wergild on a soldier’s death. They can pay one to the order if desired, and the order will ensure that it gets to the family.
The Epithet is a nickname the soldier is known by, so each is “Name the Something.” These epithets may give clues as to other details about the soldier. Race gives the race; most are human but there are some demi-humans. There is also a note that the 0 level NPCs described may have ability scores below the racial minimums, or possibly above racial maximums. Sex is the NPCs sex; it’s a 50-50 split.
Alignment is each NPCs alignment, based on the nine-axis system, and there are suggestions as to how alignment may affect the NPC’s behaviour in certain situations. Personality is a single word intending to hint at their behaviour. Homeland is where each soldier hails from, in the World of Oldskull, which is based on Earth. The modern equivalent of the homeland is given but, given the order’s base in Grimrook in Tyrrhenia, many of the soldiers are Tyrrhenian or Empyrean. The homeland will give an idea as to the soldier’s appearance. Ability Scores are assumed to be 10 unless otherwise noted; there is a Low Ability Score, one between 3 and 8, and a High Ability Score, between 13 and 18, for each.
Morale Level is based on the roll 2d6 system with rolling higher than the soldier’s morale indicating morale failure. Hit Points have been determined using 1d6+1 plus CON bonus with any score of 1 or 2 raising to 3. Troop Type gives a general idea of a soldier’s tactical and strategic performance. Armor Type lists the base AC, not adjusted by high or low DEX. Weaponry is the weapons the soldier owns, and is proficient in. Anything not listed they will have a penalty to use. Pay Rate is the soldier’s pay rate, which is adjusted by their abilities, and is the usual rate of pay per month for normal work, not travelling into such as dungeons. So a tavern bouncer would earn a certain amount in a month and the same for a foray into a dungeon.
Blooded and Risen explains that a soldier who survives a dungeon foray in which monsters were slain and treasure looted has a 25% chance of becoming a level 1 fighter, with changes to hit points, skills and rate of pay. From this point they advance like normal fighters.
Finally, The Order’s Roster: A Gallery of Rogues is a d100 table of the various men-at-arms who can be hired.
CASTLE OLDSKULL: The Order of the Scarlet Tabard in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks or a table of contents. Even though much of it is taken up by the d100 table, better navigation would have been appreciated. The text maintains a two column format and no errors were noticed. There are various colour and black and white illustrations, both public domain and stock, that are generally appropriate to the subject matter; warriors and weapons largely. Presentation is okay.
What this supplement isn’t is a detailed list of NPCs with their personalities and descriptions covered thoroughly. What it actually contains is brief stat blocks for NPCs who are largely expected to die with a couple of suggestions to expand into their personality and description, something the GM is expected to do. The overall impression is actually of faceless redshirts who are expected to die so often that nobody has a chance to get to know them. The men-at-arms may be useful for those wanting basic descriptions of mercenary hirelings, whether for dungeons or otherwise, but anyone wanting more thoroughly detailed NPCs with actual created personalities will need to look elsewhere. CASTLE OLDSKULL: The Order of the Scarlet Tabard can be found by clicking here.
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