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The Knight is one of the most iconic images in fantasy, but in AD&D First Edition, it was never a player class. So why do so many people remember it that way?

In this episode, I look at where that idea came from, how the Cavalier and Paladin filled that role, and why the classic armored knight existed more as an ideal than a character class. We’ll also talk about chivalry, mounted combat, and how the rules expected you to become a knight through your actions, not by checking a box on your character sheet.

What are your thoughts? Did your group ever use Cavaliers, or did your Fighters become knights through roleplaying?

Hirelings were never just background characters in AD&D 1st Edition. They carried torches, guarded the camp, hauled treasure, and sometimes saved the entire party from disaster. In this episode of The Black Notebook, I look at why hirelings were an expected part of the game, how they changed the way adventures played, and why so many modern groups have left them behind. If you've ever wondered why old school parties seemed so much larger than today's adventuring groups, this episode explains why.Keep up with me: theevildm.com/p/links.html