Maintaining a fort - what is needed

[Derren]

What really matters, and what likely should have asked sooner, is what the PCs even want with this fort.

Do they want to have it fully staffed so that it can protect the countryside and attract settlers (that will be expensive and problematic as pointed out) or do they want just a minimal garrison to ensure that it does not fall into disrepair and drive away squatters?

 

[NewJeffCT]

I don't know. We're talking about a fort, not a village, right. The numbers really seem high to me, and a lot of the suggestions for specializations seem extraneous.

Just because you can fit 270 people, doesn't mean that you need to HIRE 270 people, does it? What are you fighting out here that you need almost 300 armed men to defend against? Did they have to fight through 270 bandits when they cleared the place out? I'd imagine that it's less "1 man for every 100 square feet" and more "1 man for every 10 feet of wall, and 2 men in reserve"

In general, I'd imagine that it's the troops who are doing most of these jobs. You don't need to cart out a theater troupe or brothel full of prostitutes. Someone brought a guitar, or a harmonica, or people would just sit around a fire and sing dirty songs, right?

well, they are not going to hire 270 people right out of the gate. I think for starters, the PCs are going to want to just have enough people there to ensure that a small group of bandits doesn't come back and either burn the place to the ground or take up residence there in their absence. And, also to make sure the place doesn't fall apart if they're gone for a month or two in game.

However, if the PCs do continue on with Kingmaker, the fort can become an important centerpiece for their kingdom and I'd think they want it fully staffed down the road.

 

[haakon1]

One employee I'd pay for is a gardener/herbalist.

I'm thinking of someone like "Brother Cadfael", who can grow useful healing herbs, and good stuff to add to your food.