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Life of Real Executioner (Extended) (Patreon)

Published:
2024-05-06 14:01:23
Imported:
2026-06
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Videos

Content

PDM reviews "The Faithful Executioner" by Joel F. Harrington, talks crime & punishment, and about how to add some verisimilitude to your fantasy world.

Files

Previews only

Faithful Executioner

Comments

Bagel-Man

Excited to watch Professor!

Drago Russo

I am just commenting to be the first for the first time ever. lol

Jay
>>137223215

One step ahead of MrGunn again. Nicely done! :)

Jay
>>137224863

Bagel-Man beat us to it...Again! I'm beginning to think he is a bot...or Bagle-Bot.

Drago Russo

So here are my thoughts. Verisimilitude is great but at the same time sometimes impossible. So varying degrees, or a dial as SF would say, can be used to scale the realism at your table. What is great about this video and so many others of yours, is that it gives us story ideas. I like the collecting tolls for entering a city and registering. Also, when thinking of names for the NPCs now I will be thinking of cool nicknames to give them so much more flavor than some made up name on the spot. Like there is a story behind each nickname or maybe it will be obvious in roleplay, like your Stammering Mary. Very good stuff and thanks again.

Drago Russo
>>137223215

When I commented it was after and I did not refresh and I mistakenly thought I was first. I should have known better. He gets the bagels before they come out of the oven.

Jay

Now this is the content I enjoy and can definitely use at my table. Thank you for the history lesson of the Executioner. Some of this material will work out nicely.

Drago Russo
>>137226793

That was like a real life lore drop. Very interesting. I now want to read the book.

Jay
>>137226106

Nicely stated. These are my thoughts as well. Collect one inspiration token for viewing this video.

Rich Koenig

Nice! Love the idea of nicknames for known rogues.

Máté Gergely Balogh

This is something I will definitely use at the table. Thank you!

Smarting

I personally don't like how this video starts with these sensationialized description of the punishments, but that is the way you have to make this type of videos, I guess. An interesting point about being "honourless" or "honorable": You count Millers as "honorable", but that was not always true. Because of their importance for the economy, millers were exempt from drafts in some parts of Germany and because of that, became a "honourless" profession. There is a reason, why for example in the Krabat saga, the evil wizard lives in a mill. By the way, for these, who can understand German, I highly recommend "Geschichtsfenster", a German history youtuber, if anyone is interested in learning about different aspects of living in Germany from 11th century up to 16th century.

Scott

I'm just commenting so the Professor will give me a good grade for participation lol. But that does sound like an interesting book, will have to give it a read.

Timothy S Wattigny

[jk] sounds like we've got a BobWorldBuilder v. PDM beef approaching EGG v. Arneson levels [jk]

Lee Dunning

It's hard for my modern mind to wrap itself around the idea of grabbing up the wife and kids to go have a picnic at an execution. But it could definitely make for a great opening to an adventure.

Ben McInnis

I loved this PDM! I would love to see more videos like this (that medieval underworld book sounds awesome!)

Firstspear

Great tips on how to improve the game world! I don't recall where, maybe schola gladiatora or Tod's Workshop spoke about the book - real historical accounts are so fascinating. I think the executioner had done over 100 executions.

Graham Kane

Love this sort of content! I think this kind of detail is so important if you're trying to build a gritty world. I love the look on my players' faces when I reveal how harsh the penalties can be... especially the Thief's!

MrGunn

Dear Professor, I hope you and yours are doing well. I am very pleased with this video, it is just this type of content that sets you apart and why I am a patron. I don't call having laws and punishments verisimilitude, it is just common sense. Not sure if you have heard of the AH theory, it posits that for every 10 persons there is one AH, when you only have 10 people and one is an AH, society is is easy to manage. However, as the population grows the number of AHs grows with it, until you need a dedicated group of AH wranglers, hence the birth of law enforcement. Medieval punishment was brutal and quick, no one had the time or resources to keep non-contributing AHs around, so off with their heads. Under medieval law only the nobility could expect 'due process'. A noble could kill one of their own peasants and not suffer direct consequences, killing another noble's peasants would most likely result in a fine. Killing a free person might have stronger repercussions, like a heavy fine or sanction. Killing another noble outside of a duel or battle would bring the law and most likely their family down upon you. Your video begs a follow up discussion about the medieval class system. The medieval class system dictated what type of life a person would lead, their opportunities, the kind of weapons one could openly bare, where one could travel, and whom one could marry or have relations with. I was always frustrated when PC murder hobos traveled around beating, killing, and looting the bodies of common folk. Skilled crafts folk, villeins, half-villeins and free tenants are valuable resources to a Lord and the Lord is obligated to protect them (Feudalism is basically a protection racket). Murdering folks under a noble's protection would have severe consequences for non-nobles, most likely death. Worse than killing a peasant however, is laying hands upon a noble. PCs who assault or murder a noble would be in deep, deep trouble. At a minimum the PC would be tried and executed and if they escaped they would be declared outlaw and hunted down. Being declared outlaw, similar to exile is a pretty severe consequence, life in medieval times was very harsh without the protection and support of a group, clan or tribe. Even a non-noble mouthing off to a noble would warrant a beat down. Players should be informed of the law in the world at the beginning of the campaign, and their PCs punished as appropriate. While some have stated, "Verisimilitude is great but at the same time sometimes impossible." I agree somewhat, however, it depends on the game you want to run. I suggest GMs and their players discuss what level of medieval realism they would like. How sanitized their medieval times and how rigid the class structure is, and how severe the consequences of PC law breaking will be. Note, a more authentic medieval game will deal with horrendous topics not safe for younger players: war, slavery, skullduggery, politics, sexism, tribalism, rape, racism, disease, murder, mayhem et al. How sanitary do you want your world to be is up to you and your players. For more detail on medieval law useful for gaming, I like the Columbia Games HarnLore Law article, the PDF is available direct from CGI or DTRPG for USD 3.99. Great video Professor, I hope to see more of this kind of excellent content soon. Best, MrGunn

Keith

Whoa, if innkeepers are responsible for their guest's behavior, then it sounds like being an innkeeper is a fairly high risk profession and/or has close ties to the local police. Those sound like huge changes in how to run taverns and inns for ttrpgs. Probably good for dark fantasy though

Jay
>>137241576

Gives me a great idea. Opening adventure to rescue one of the player characters family members from being falsely accused and sentenced to be burned as a witch. That would ramp it up from zero to hero brining players immediately into the action with incentive to save the family member....or at least that's what I think...but what do you think....leave your comments down below. lol

Jay
>>137267990

@MrGunn, you present some good insight here. It got me thinking of an old video by PDM "Crime & Punishment in D&D & Pathfinder (Ep. 119)" and I will be reviewing it again as it seems somewhat pertinent to the video regarding the executioner here. In your last paragraph with regard to verisimilitude does give me pause for thought as you ask a great question here. In fact, a very important one if the GM wants consistency in his campaign. Nicely done!

Jay

PDM, before putting this video up on YouTube it might be worth making the following statement at the end: “If you like this video one the Executioner you can find this video on "Crime & Punishment in D&D & Pathfinder (Ep. 119)" linked here.” It relates to the material and may get you more engagement from the viewers. Also, for future videos that may somewhat connect to ones you have made in the past. Anyway, hope this helps.

MrGunn
>>137293858

@Jay Quoting DungeonCraft back to PDM, well played sir. Episode 119 is an excellent article, great catch. It also highlights a little discussed benefit of RPGs, they drive folks (mostly GMs) to read history books and historical articles about the medieval period. I have researched all manner of things for my games and learned so much.