First Design Diary Entry and Next Stretch Goal Crossed!
9 months ago
– Tue, Oct 07, 2025 at 02:01:57 PM
With the next RPG adventure stretch goal ($12,500) unlocked we bring you the first card design diary entry:
Design Diary #1
Hello backers!
I’m Channing, designer ofPendragon: Glory of the Round Table.
I’ve been obsessed with card games for as long as I can remember. Since my brother bought us booster packs in 1995, I can remember a lot. My history with Pine Box Entertainment goes back to the very first Doomtown: Reloaded event at Gen Con 2014, where I snagged Top 16 and started podcasting with some of the founders. Since then, I’ve had the joy of helping with YouTube content, Kickstarter promos, and playtesting alongside the PBE team.
A few years ago, I pitched them a delightfully unhinged idea: a chivalric card game about Knights, Glory, and Questionable Decisions. It was the right place at the right time and they said yes. With our friends at Chaosium, we’ve been developing Pendragon: Glory of the Round Table for the last three years.
Today, I want to share a peek at something special: some example offerings from the Name-A-Card tier, the 6 cards being added that aren't currently in the TTS module. Presented here are some of the Event options.
Why Traits Matter
For additional Events, I knew they needed symmetry and balance. But more importantly, they needed flexibility. That’s why I leaned into one of my favorite mechanics in the game: Traits.
Traits weren’t in the earliest versions of the game. Back then, players often pitched cards just to get them out of hand. These cards had fun ideas, but were too narrow. By embracing the RPG roots of Pendragon, we found a way to keep those flavorful, highly specific effects without sacrificing playability.
Now, these cards aren't just thematic. They are useful in Competitive, Cooperative, and even Solo play. Sure, you might never Forfeit an ally’s Possession in a friendly co-op run, but having the option to pitch a card for Appeal or support another Knight with Constitution adds meaningful agency.
More choices means more stories.
Why Three Event Choices?
Pendragon breathes in threes: 3 Stats, 3 Cards in hand, 3 Possessions in play, 3 Gold a turn. For these new Event options,the design shape practically revealed itself: one card per Stat but with triple utility. Each card offers:
Pledge for one Stat, Trait 1 supporting a second, Trait 2 covering the third.
And to make them even more intuitive, all three cards share similar Trait 1 abilities. That way, once players understand the first card, they instantly get how the next two work. This helps to speed up gameplay and deepen long-term mastery.
Stat Identity
We worked to ensure that each stat has its own identity. This way, you can expect what a card might do by checking which stat it boosts or which stat it keys off of. Strength loves breaking and empoweringPossessions. Constitution digs deep into Quests. Appeal hoards Gold and Cards.
I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into the design process! Next time, I’ll pull back the curtain even further with early playtest cards and how they evolved into what you're seeing today.
Cheers for now, and may your quests be glorious.
Channing
