Graham Rose, introduces the world of The Hooded Man and the age of medieval outlawry in which players will have their adventures.

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Your realm is the deep and shadowed forest amidst the birch and ancient oak. You are the hunter and the prey, a friend of the people, an enemy of tyrants. Wrongly accused, only your wits and your longbow can save you from the gallows. You are an outlaw, a wolf’s head, a hooded man… 

The Hooded Man is a game about outlaws in a semi-historical medieval England. Characters begin as ordinary folk striving to survive against the odds. As newly-made outlaws they need to ensure their survival and that of their comrades, gain allies, and fight their oppressors. 

The characters in this game are victims of circumstance. They are born at a time and place in history when unjust laws are the norm and criminals are cruelly punished. Some may lose the battle for survival, to be remembered by their friends in tales told around the campfire. Others though may prosper, becoming renowned outlaws and even legendary figures, giving hope to the downtrodden and inspiring fear in the hearts of tyrants. 

Robin Hood, aka The Hooded Man 

Robin Hood is an English folklore hero, a legendary figure that in modern times has come to represent a rebel fighting against tyranny. Traditionally depicted as a freeborn common man, he is described in most stories as an accomplished archer and swordsman. Many stories portray him as a champion of the downtrodden, ordinary folk of 13th century England. Tales of Robin Hood have grown in number and persisted through the centuries. His is an enduring legend; he is a figure of hope to the oppressed, a symbol of resistance against tyranny, and an inspiration for this roleplaying game. 

Outlaws 

Inspiration for the game also comes from the historical records of medieval outlaws. Accounts exist of several infamous outlaws including Roger Godberd, who was outlawed after fighting against King Henry III; and the Coterel Gang, who operated in Sherwood Forest and were responsible for a wide range of criminal activities. Whilst the motivation of these historical figures was perhaps not as noble as the legendary Robin Hood, they nonetheless provide an insight into the outlaws of medieval England. 

For more on Robin Hood and medieval outlaws, see the Game Master’s Guide later in this book. 

Medieval England 

The Hooded Man is set in the medieval period of England, evoking a setting somewhat akin to the 12th or 13th century. This is a semi-realistic medieval England, however, with fictional places readily mixed with real locations, and fictional figures existing alongside historical ones. As for the rules, certain facts and nuances of medieval life are intentionally ignored for the sake of clarity, variety, and playability. 

Historical information in The Hooded Man is kept to what is relevant and useful for the game, rather than attempting to give the reader a lesson in history. Of course, those readers interested in learning more about this fascinating period of English history are encouraged to do so; a little historical information introduced during a game can be helpful for creating a realistic atmosphere. Beware, however, of getting bogged down in so much detail that the game becomes slow-paced and tedious. The key to successfully using historical information is to keep it brief, interesting, and relevant to the adventure. 

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 The Hooded Man is available to pre-order now.

Begin your story with character sheets available to download and print from our resources page.