D&D Blog - Kings and Castles

[pauljathome]

Another blog post up, this one asking about whether high level characters should have keeps/followers etc.

As I write this there seems to be a fair consensus that this stuff is cool but should be optional (an opinion that I also hold)

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[Alzrius]

I like having these sorts of things in my game, though I suppose that they shouldn't be required.

Honestly, I look forward to seeing how 5E will designate what's "optional" from what's not. With the degree of modularity that it wants to have, that's going to be pretty important.

 

[SeRiAlExPeRiMeNtS]

It is a cool option, and not only for high level characters, but should be optional. I have no interest in playing as a king or something like this, and this shouldn't have be the fighters "power".

 

[AntiStateQuixote]

Like everyone so far: it's a cool option, and I would like to see rules for how to gain followers, how many you get, etc., but these rules are an option, not "the way the game works" at high level.

 

[Dausuul]

HELL. YES. Bring back Name level, followers, and strongholds!

I think the default should be, "If you build it, they will come."

The idea is that to get followers, you have to establish a stronghold. Probably the most common method will be to choose some likely dungeon that you've already cleared, renovate it, and set up shop. However, you can also hire laborers to build one, or you can buy a castle or accept it in payment for services rendered. Once you've established a stronghold, if you've reached Name level, your reputation starts to attract followers with no further effort on your part. If you don't want to get into all this, you can just not establish a stronghold, or turn away the would-be followers as they arrive.

(Also, is anyone else having trouble leaving a comment? I click on "Leave A Comment" and it tells me to log in. Then when I log in, the "Leave A Comment" link disappears. I log out, copy the URL of the link, log in, paste the URL, and end up on the community main page. The dead hand of Gleemax reaches out once more to afflict the living...)

(Further note: Figured it out. You have to click on the little "Join Group" link underneath the D&D Next logo in the upper left. Then you can comment. Of course, there's no feedback that would tell you you need to do this. Web design FAIL.)

 

[kitsune9]

As a DM, I have it as an option. My favorite box set of the BECMI was the Companion set because it detailed acquiring a stronghold or a dominion and running it. As a kid, the thought of getting to 15th to 25th level was awesome and having your own barony or dominion was turning the dial up to 11.

Anyways, I would like a good set of optional rules to go with having your own dominion, followers, and henchmen.

 

[Someone]

I strongly dislike rules with an implied setting, so imagine what i think with rules with an implied campaign.

IMO this is another poll in the "Which one of these trees is the true forest?" series

 

[the Jester]

Since 1e I have been starving for a good dominion management/mass combat system for D&D.

I missed Birthright, never had the Rules Cyclopedia system, enjoyed Battlesystem (but found it too clunky)... so maybe it was there and I just didn't have the material. But damn, I would kill [a bunch of pcs] to have a good system with a good sourcebook for this kind of stuff.

 

[Minigiant]

I would love to see a follower option.
But they shouldn't be all castles and soldiers.

Fear Lord Minigiant and his army of bears.
Immense pain for those who threaten his forest domain!

 

[boredgremlin]

I'm not a fan of high level play really so this option is great IMO.

The best campaign I ever ran had the players settle in and build a mass stronghold for all their followers at 10th level and turn themselves into a mercenary group ala black company.

They rolled up new guys and made them their followers and we spent the next year or so gaming every week switching back and forth between different people in the camp so we could keep the story and world going without getting into high level wonkiness.