Running a barony - what to use?

[Silveras]

All good points. Are you familiar enough with either system to have a strong opinion on which would work better?

And thanks to you folks for replying. This is a tough and long-lasting decision!

-Emiricol

We're back to the "what do you want to do" question, then.

Style 1: The PCs are minor nobles on the fringes. The bigger fish don't usually bother them, and they are left mostly to themselves as long as they pay their taxes "up the chain". They control a few (3-10) manors, and have hired a Steward and Chamberlains to run them. The PCs spend most of their time riding circuit from manor to manor, spending a day or so in each resolving disputes and dispensing justice to their vassals. Along the way, they are sometimes distracted by adventure hooks, and get sidetracked. Good thing they have a Steward and Chamberlains !

Style 2: The PCs are minor nobles on the fringes. Things are happening back in the capitol, and the effects are being felt here. The PCs' lands are now becoming the focus of more attention (perhaps a rare resource is discovered there), and their sworn lord is resisting an attempt to transfer these lands to another noble.

Style 3: The PCs are minor nobles on the fringes. Outside the border are the lands of hostile raiders. The raids are growing more frequent, and the PCs need to petition their superiors for help. If no help is forthcoming, the PCs may need to raise an army of their own to defend their lands. They may need to ally with other petty nobles in the area in order to defend it successfully.

Style 1 lends itself most to MMS:WE, and Empire can sit in the background if it even comes into use at all.

Style 2 is more suited to Empire. There may be tensions, possibly civil war brewing, among the domains. Perhaps it happens in the background; perhaps the PCs are able to defuse the situation. Knowing their resources on a strategic level may help the PCs decide which way to go. They do not care as much about the day-to-day income as they do about the seasonal-annual viability and defenses.

Style 3 is a mix of MMS:WE and Empire. You can use MMS:WE for the details of the PCs' lands, and use Empire to manage the greater scheme of their defensive efforts. No one said they can't be used together, after all.

 

[Grimn]

I'd go with Fields of Blood personally. It's finaly out. And the rules are the easiest to use out of any that I've seen. Strongholds & Dynasties would be my second choice. But it seems like Strongholds would require more work on the DM's part.


-Nathan

 

[kigmatzomat]

I'll second what Silveras said with less words.

MMS:WE is great for handling more peaceful backdrops where things are running smoothly.

T'other one (which I'm not so familiar with) seems better for war-like conditions.

Something in the middle might call for both.

 

[Emiricol]

I'd say mostly Style 1, with probably an adventure of Style 3 along the way for good measure

I need to find detailed review(s) of Fields of Blood...

Thanks for the help, people! This is really very helpful.

 

[Iron_Chef]

I need to find detailed review(s) of Fields of Blood...

Thanks for the help, people! This is really very helpful.

I just saw Fields of Blood and while noting it was a $30 softcover turned me off somewhat, I must say that the book looks beautiful, and more importantly, feels like it is loaded with crunchy goodness from a quick look through. In your particular case, there is extensive kingdom management ala Birthright that looked more in-depth, 3.5 compatible and logical than Strongholds & Dynasties or Empire, both of which were woefully complex and incomplete in that department, at least IMO, which is a shame, because I really wanted to like them and was hoping one or the other would really cover kingdom management much better than they did. Fields of Blood looks to be the best of the three, YMMV. Kingdom management nicely and concisely deals with each character class as both ruler and ally to the throne. Different types of governments are also covered along with the "against type" variations within each, and motivations for its existence and membership. Different governments offer different bonuses to their troops or citizens, and the ruler can negotiate with churches to confer divine blessings on the entire nation, barony, etc., based on the church's available domains (an example of each core domain is given and advice on incorporating non-core domains).

The other two sections of Fields are Mass Battle rules (hundreds to thousands on each side) and some awesome looking battlefield prestige classes for all types of characters, like Dread Ruler (evil), Living Legion (wade through armies unscathed looking for enemy captains to call out), etc. Flavorful stuff with nice art.

 

[Heretic Apostate]

I just saw Fields of Blood and while noting it was a $30 softcover turned me off somewhat...

If $30 is too much, how does $20.70 sound?

I'm doing a "Share the Love" (additional 10% discount, on top of the already 30% discount, for a total 37% discount) through Amazon, in the Marketplace forum.

Of course, you'd have to pay for shipping, unless you go for free shipping (and find another $4.30 of stuff to buy... which, since I'm also doing a "Share the Love" on five other items, might give you some ideas ).

 

[Emiricol]

Didn't Eden Studios just say they are not shipping to Amazon any more since Amazon owes them a lot of money? (Per the post, I don't know this for fact). How does that impact the share the love thing?

If $30 is too much, how does $20.70 sound?

I'm doing a "Share the Love" (additional 10% discount, on top of the already 30% discount, for a total 37% discount) through Amazon, in the Marketplace forum.

Of course, you'd have to pay for shipping, unless you go for free shipping (and find another $4.30 of stuff to buy... which, since I'm also doing a "Share the Love" on five other items, might give you some ideas

).

 

[Heretic Apostate]

Didn't Eden Studios just say they are not shipping to Amazon any more since Amazon owes them a lot of money? (Per the post, I don't know this for fact). How does that impact the share the love thing?

After I made this, I saw that Eden says it ain't availabe on Amazon...

Grrr....

Now I have to find someplace to buy from, and won't get much of a deal...