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Exiled From Camelot

Sir Kay, half-brother of Arthur and Seneschal of Britain, is an important character in the Arthurian legends, though of secondary prominence to the likes of Gawaine, Lancelot, Bedivere. Essentially a bureaucrat in charge of the smooth running of the kingdom, Kay is unlike his fellows at the Round Table and an unlikely knight. He is generally represented as what modern observers would call a "jerk"; sarcastic, boorish, cowardly, excessively particular, and with a biting wit. When I first heard Cherith Baldry had devoted a novel to him, I was dubious of the interest such a story would hold to an audience enamored with questing, war, and other knightly endeavors.

I need not have feared. Green Knight Publishing has a remarkable track record in handling the Arthurian mythos, treating it with consistent respect but equally unafraid of turning it's conventions on ear when it suits a purpose. With their guidance and blessing, Cherith Baldry has revealed a Kay rarely seen, a man every bit as noble and honorable as his more martial companions on the Round Table. Indeed, she has restored Kay to what many would say is his rightful position as a heroic figure.

The story begins with the arrival of Loholt, King Arthur's illegitimate son, as court. Camelot is thrown in upheaval as Loholt is welcomed as the son Arthur has always wanted, despite the misgivings of Kay and others who see a more sinister side of the lad.

Arthur, blinded by his need for an heir, embraces Loholt, even naming him his heir over the previously named Gawaine. With every passing day, Kay's relationship with his foster brother is strained as he tries desperately to serve the best interests of Arthur and his kingdom, even if it counters the kings wishes.

Into this unease comes word of war. Briant, in alliance with King Claudas of France and the evil sorceress Brisane, invades northern England. While the knights of the Round Table ready for battle, the enemy plot a course far more sinister and underhanded than merely war, a subtle conspiracy to which all but Sir Kay's devious mind are oblivious to. They plan to conquer the kingdom by turning Arthur against his primary followers-- Lancelot, Gawaine, and Kay--thereby isolating the king and casting Camelot in turmoil.

But how can Kay save the kingdom when he is accused of murdering Loholt and is sent into exile? Forging an uneasy alliance with very enemies, Kay fights to save the glory of Camelot, restore himself to favor, and rescue an oppressed people from tyranny.

The story is suitably epic, every bit as fulfilling as the adventures during Arthur's consolidation of power. And under Baldry's smooth and immensely readable prose, the novel unfolds quickly and without undue complication. It is a book you will not want to put down.

Kay is not the anti-hero I would have expected. While not as brave or as skilled with a swords as other knights, we are left with the impression that a man can earn honor through more than merely martial splendor. Duty, honor, loyalty, diligence----these are the noble qualities that Sir Kay exhibits in spades. I was touched by the depth of this character, who puts aside everything of himself in the service of King Arthur, who for his part takes his seneschal for granted. He also demonstrates a rapport with the common people and, in an awkward and protective way, with the ladies of court. In other words, he is far from the "cookie cutter" knight stereotype, and all the more interesting for it.

For role-players, Exiled From Camelot offers a host of possibilities. Beyond Kay, the book details the personalities of other principle characters (Arthur, Gawaine, Bedivere, Gaheris, and others ) in a more human way than usually offered. Brisane and Briant are suitably evil and complex villains, worthy adversaries. Indeed, you might consider employing them in earlier adventures. The story itself makes for an excellent mini-campaign, spread out as it is over two years and with a nice blend of battles, sorcery, intrigue, and questing. I would set it in the early 530's; this reveals the beginnings of King Claudas' antagonism to Arthur which will lead to war in 536. This is particularly noteworthy as it fills deep void in the Pendragon storyline, all of the detailed campaigns taking place before 530 (the Wars of Unification, Saxon Wars, Irish War, War with the Roman Empire, the Welsh Uprising, etc) which left gm's in a bind when their games advanced past this plateau.

Exiled From Camelot is easily one of the best yet written. Baldry should be commended for reconstructing Sir Kay in a more accurate and favorable light, and applauded for the fine story she immersed him in. Easier to read than many Arthurian novels, it should serve to attract a wider and younger audience than some of the previous Green Knight Publishing fiction releases, and hopefully encourage more people to immerse themselves in the glory of the Pendragon saga.

Exiled From Camelot
Exiled From Camelot Capsule Review by Andrew Hind on 17/04/01 Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 5 (Excellent!) One of the finest Arthurian novels of modern times with a refreshing look at a misunderstood character. For fantasy roleplayers, particularly those of Pendragon, a wealth of possibilities and an epic campaign. Product: Exiled From Camelot Author: Cherith Baldry Category: Novel Company/Publisher: Green Knight Publishing Line: Pendragon Fiction Cost: $14.95 Page count: 312 Year published: 2001 ISBN: 192899916-6 SKU: GK6207 Capsule Review by Andrew Hind on 17/04/01 Genre tags: Fantasy	Exiled From Camelot Sir Kay, half-brother of Arthur and Seneschal of Britain, is an important character in the Arthurian legends, though of secondary prominence to the likes of Gawaine, Lancelot, Bedivere. Essentially a bureaucrat in charge of the smooth running of the kingdom, Kay is unlike his fellows at the Round Table and an unlikely knight. He is generally represented as what modern observers would call a "jerk"; sarcastic, boorish, cowardly, excessively particular, and with a biting wit. When I first heard Cherith Baldry had devoted a novel to him, I was dubious of the interest such a story would hold to an audience enamored with questing, war, and other knightly endeavors. I need not have feared. Green Knight Publishing has a remarkable track record in handling the Arthurian mythos, treating it with consistent respect but equally unafraid of turning it's conventions on ear when it suits a purpose. With their guidance and blessing, Cherith Baldry has revealed a Kay rarely seen, a man every bit as noble and honorable as his more martial companions on the Round Table. Indeed, she has restored Kay to what many would say is his rightful position as a heroic figure. The story begins with the arrival of Loholt, King Arthur's illegitimate son, as court. Camelot is thrown in upheaval as Loholt is welcomed as the son Arthur has always wanted, despite the misgivings of Kay and others who see a more sinister side of the lad. Arthur, blinded by his need for an heir, embraces Loholt, even naming him his heir over the previously named Gawaine. With every passing day, Kay's relationship with his foster brother is strained as he tries desperately to serve the best interests of Arthur and his kingdom, even if it counters the kings wishes. Into this unease comes word of war. Briant, in alliance with King Claudas of France and the evil sorceress Brisane, invades northern England. While the knights of the Round Table ready for battle, the enemy plot a course far more sinister and underhanded than merely war, a subtle conspiracy to which all but Sir Kay's devious mind are oblivious to. They plan to conquer the kingdom by turning Arthur against his primary followers-- Lancelot, Gawaine, and Kay--thereby isolating the king and casting Camelot in turmoil. But how can Kay save the kingdom when he is accused of murdering Loholt and is sent into exile? Forging an uneasy alliance with very enemies, Kay fights to save the glory of Camelot, restore himself to favor, and rescue an oppressed people from tyranny. The story is suitably epic, every bit as fulfilling as the adventures during Arthur's consolidation of power. And under Baldry's smooth and immensely readable prose, the novel unfolds quickly and without undue complication. It is a book you will not want to put down. Kay is not the anti-hero I would have expected. While not as brave or as skilled with a swords as other knights, we are left with the impression that a man can earn honor through more than merely martial splendor. Duty, honor, loyalty, diligence----these are the noble qualities that Sir Kay exhibits in spades. I was touched by the depth of this character, who puts aside everything of himself in the service of King Arthur, who for his part takes his seneschal for granted. He also demonstrates a rapport with the common people and, in an awkward and protective way, with the ladies of court. In other words, he is far from the "cookie cutter" knight stereotype, and all the more interesting for it. For role-players, Exiled From Camelot offers a host of possibilities. Beyond Kay, the book details the personalities of other principle characters (Arthur, Gawaine, Bedivere, Gaheris, and others ) in a more human way than usually offered. Brisane and Briant are suitably evil and complex villains, worthy adversaries. Indeed, you might consider employing them in earlier adventures. The story itself makes for an excellent mini-campaign, spread out as it is over two years and with a nice blend of battles, sorcery, intrigue, and questing. I would set it in the early 530's; this reveals the beginnings of King Claudas' antagonism to Arthur which will lead to war in 536. This is particularly noteworthy as it fills deep void in the Pendragon storyline, all of the detailed campaigns taking place before 530 (the Wars of Unification, Saxon Wars, Irish War, War with the Roman Empire, the Welsh Uprising, etc) which left gm's in a bind when their games advanced past this plateau. Exiled From Camelot is easily one of the best yet written. Baldry should be commended for reconstructing Sir Kay in a more accurate and favorable light, and applauded for the fine story she immersed him in. Easier to read than many Arthurian novels, it should serve to attract a wider and younger audience than some of the previous Green Knight Publishing fiction releases, and hopefully encourage more people to immerse themselves in the glory of the Pendragon saga.