[Runequest] Shield skill penalty query

[lev at rpgreview.net]

> Greetings, Comrades,
>    A question regarding shields in castles.  I have often been told that,
> in the later medieval castles, the stairs circled clockwise so as to
> put the invader (i.e., the fellow fighting his way upstairs) at a
> disadvantage.  The idea being that, assuming the attacker to be
> right-handed, it would be difficult for him to make effective use of
> his shield.
>    Is this story true?  And, if so, what penalty should it be in RQ3?
>    Feedback is warmly welcome.

An example here: http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castlezi.htm

"Also, the spiral stairs in castle towers were designed to ascend
clockwise, to make the attackers expose more of their body in order to use
their swords in their right hands."

Oddly, both the illustration and photograph have the ascension
counter-clockwise!

It is no so much a penalty for the attacker, but a benefit to the
defender. The defender would be able to protect themselves with the centre
column for attacks that would otherwise land on their left side. If you
like you could say that all attacks on the left leg, left arm, abdomen and
chest fail because the centre column is in the way. Obviously the head
could be struck because the defender could see what they are doing.

In the example of the illustration or photo above, the attacker - assuming
they were right-handed - would receive the benefit.

HTH,


Lev