Recruiting an Army

[Matafuego]

Hello Everyone !

My high leveled almost epic group has settled in their own city and are investing a lot of money, time and feats into making it grow (leadership and probabl the feat that leats you build things at half cost). They´ve been doing that for the past few levels and have now decided to invest in a decent army for their city (a soon to be small city, 10000 adults...)

I´ve looked at the rules in the DMG and asigned their followers and cohorts (they all have a score of over 25...) and they have already chosen their professions (such as miners, blacksmiths, carpenters, cooks and the like for the low leveled ones, and scribes, army general and miner/blacksmith/carpenter/cook leader for the higher leveled ones).

But the want also to have a big army (they have made quite some ennemies in the world)in cas the city is under attack.

That´s where the problem comes from, there are no rules in the book for having an army and the only one "similar" is the one on Mercenaries NPC hirelings. No mention of Warpriests, Battle Wizards or even Druids.
Since one of them is a Paladin and has made a very reputable Order (approved by his god) and has his own military school we have decided he would get some paladins every year to protect the city for a few years (to "repay" their education and food) but my players want more than that. And so do I !

How do you handle this kind of things?? Have you ever?? Is there any book out there REALLY worth looking at??

Any help would be appreciated. I´ve been searching the web all over for this but i can´t find anthing that seems reasonable =(

 

[Tonguez]

If your followers are Warriors etc doesn't that cover it? Put your Cohorts in as the Captains and its all good

 

[Jdvn1]

Find some neighboring towns and explain to them that you're going to be a force in the land. You're willing to protect them and fight off whatever may threaten them, and that you need men to train to be part of an army. Basically, comandeer smaller militias.

 

[Captain NeMo]

Jdvn1, has a good idea. Mandatory millitary service could be an idea for able adults for X number of years.

 

[Starglim]

The DMG will tell you what classes and levels of NPCs make up the town. You could use whatever method seems best to get numbers by race and alignment, then ask the players what methods and slogans they are using to recruit troops, and judge how many of the NPCs will be swayed by such arguments.

Don't forget that essential services and food supplies will start to suffer if they recruit too many of the Experts and Commoners. A certain percentage of the population will be too young or too weakened by age to be part of an army, pregnant or nursing (if the society and their recruitment methods would otherwise encourage all women to fight). If they can get 2-5% of the population to train as professional soldiers, 15-20% to defend the land as a militia when called out, or 50-60% to provide any effective support to the army at all when invaded, they will be doing better than most historical army-builders.

If they are in charge of more than a single unplanned siege or border raid, you'll need to know their tax base, where they are getting weapons and horses, who's going to feed the army, and what the neighbouring landholders and the local ruler think of this new military power.