On Wednesday, film studio A24 released a tabletop roleplay game tie-in to its upcoming Arthurian fantasy film, The Green Knight. Directed by David Lowery and starring Dev Patel, the film will explore the 14th century tale Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It was originally slated for release in May, but has been pushed back due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is unknown, but the tale is one of the most famous in the Arthurian canon. It describes the eponymous Knight of the Round Table accepting a challenge from a mysterious Green Knight: He dares any knight to take his axe and strike him, if they will accept a returning blow in one year and one day.
Gawain accepts the challenge and beheads the Green Knight. Then, the mysterious figure stands, retrieves his head and leaves. Over the course of the next year, Gawain repeatedly demonstrates his chivalry and loyalty -- until his honor is called into question by Lady Bertilak of the Green Knight's castle.
Now, fans can at least get a taste of what's to come through the TTRPG, which was co-created by Lowery and professional Game Master Timm Woods.
Per the press release: "An epic reimagining of the classic Arthurian tale, what begins as a game will become an odyssey into the unknown to prove thy worth in the eyes of the Kingdom. From the hallowed halls of Camelot to the mysterious wilds of the fabled Green Chapel, embark on a mythical journey in search of the Green Knight. With Honor at stake, will you rise to meet the challenge?"
The Green Knight: A Fantasy Role Playing Game seems to draw at least some inspiration from the mechanics of Dungeons & Dragons. Through the guidance of a Game Master, players can choose to play Knights, Nobles, Hunters, Sorcerers, or Bards as they face mystical creatures, bandits, ghostly damsels and more throughout the course of their adventure.
In addition to a Game Master's Guide including rules, encounters and bonus quests, The Green Knight Starter Set includes a map, five character sheets and 20-sided die. The kit retails for $35 and can be purchased from the A24 online store. All orders will ship by August 7.
The official synopsis for The Green Knight is below:
An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, THE GREEN KNIGHT tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur's reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger. From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table.
Written and directed by David Lowery, The Green Knight stars Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Barry Keoghan and Ralph Ineson.