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Message: <blockquote data-quote="haakon1" data-source="post: 4343776" data-attributes="member: 25619">Very interesting, but I'm thinking about it in Greyhawk terms, where the military to population size definitely varied by the type of area, and where the 100,000 person was more likely an independent state than a county.For an independent state, I think the urbanization rates work -- there's no larger city nearby for major trading and administration, so some "oversized" urbani centers are needed.About the varying military populations, part of what's going on in Greyhawk is importation of military resources from other areas.  For example, in Bissel, there are troops, money, and mercenaries coming to this border area that's supported by other states.When I play "Medieval II Total War", it works the same way.  The stable center of my empire (currently Milan, with the center in northern Italy) has small military populations, basically capable of putting down minor banditry or rebellions, and grouping together into something more.  The major forces on the frontier are supported by income from the center, not just the local population.  And when I have Crusader States, Acre is all about importing men and money and exporting war and religion.  I think that model reflects real empires -- Rome and China come to mind -- but it might be less true in medieval kingdoms.  For example, England's best castles and marcher lords were on the Welsh border, the Saxon shore, etc., but I'm not sure how much manpower and wealth transfer to the periphery was going on.Also, about itinerant kings, I wouldn't do it in by Greyhawk -- too easy to make a "hit".  So, the king (mostly) stays in the best fortress, with the best troops and high-level guys, while minions deals with various issues.  This works as a DM -- the creepy old guy sending you on missions has a reason to stay at the big castle, and the PC delusions of grandeur about overthrowing the king stay delusions -- too much magic and too many high level guys are potentially in the big castle to mess with it.</blockquote>

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