Stronghold building - Do you do this?

[Altalazar]

Related to my other thread, but really a small, less ambitious subset, is strongholds - how many of you build these in 3E?

In 1E, for some classes, it almost seemed an absolute requirement upon reaching name-level for certain classes.

In 3E, there is no such requirement - so I'm curious, how many players actually try and do this? Does the group all pool together and build one stronghold? Or does everyone do their own? How does it end up fitting into the gameworld? How do you go about designing and building the castle (or whatever it turns out to be?) Do you end up having to pay taxes and defend it on occasion?

Do you get design ideas from real castles? Do you store your treasures there? Do you actually map it out? Any particular supplements you use?

 

[francisca]

Related to my other thread, but really a small, less ambitious subset, is strongholds - how many of you build these in 3E?

In 1E, for some classes, it almost seemed an absolute requirement upon reaching name-level for certain classes.

In 3E, there is no such requirement - so I'm curious, how many players actually try and do this? Does the group all pool together and build one stronghold? Or does everyone do their own? How does it end up fitting into the gameworld? How do you go about designing and building the castle (or whatever it turns out to be?) Do you end up having to pay taxes and defend it on occasion?

Do you get design ideas from real castles? Do you store your treasures there? Do you actually map it out? Any particular supplements you use?

Never had a player want to settle down and run a manor/fief/what have you.

I'm curious why you say that it was almost required in 1E. I never interpeted the rules that way. Of course, somebody needs to build castles to provide adventures for future generations

 

[Piratecat]

It's cheaper to raid one, and then remodel.

 

[Altalazar]

Never had a player want to settle down and run a manor/fief/what have you.

I'm curious why you say that it was almost required in 1E. I never interpeted the rules that way. Of course, somebody needs to build castles to provide adventures for future generations

Well, it HAS been a while since I really read the 1E books, but I seem to recall, for certain classes (like Fighters) it was required to build a stronghold in order to attract your followers when you achieved "name" level. Of course, not everyone necessarily WANTED that light infantry company (or whatever you would get), but if you did, I'm pretty sure you needed to build some sort of stronghold to get them.

 

[Altalazar]

It's cheaper to raid one, and then remodel.

Yeah, that is one route to take, and I've done that on occasion while playing, though it was usually not as a stronghold, more of a "League of Justice" for the whole party to use as a base.

Though on one occasion, I DID clear out a tower stronghold and use it as a stronghold. It was based on something the DM found in a magazine - it was pretty cool and made a nice "home" as part of the larger nation my other character was building.

 

[Vaxalon]

In my upcoming game, "Dogs of War", it will be almost a requirement in order to meet the campaign objectives.

 

[MarauderX]

I like it, but it seems less and less a necessary step in 3E. Way back when (OD&D) PCs would eventually become rulers if they had a good reputation and could still go adventuring just like everyone else. In 3E it seems the adventurers are always just roaming wanderers doing good deeds for the powers that be, and never gaining stature as a ruler. Part of this seems to be caused by the Aristocrat/Diplomat sub-class introduced in the DMG, as players think they will be out-done whenever it came to politics. All of the sudden politics became to complicated and difficult for players who couldn't compete with the Aristocrat of the same level. If you aren't going to be a ruler, why build a stronghold/castle? Spend that cash on something you can carry around and use, like a brand new flail +3, full plate armor +3 and a few potions and other trinkets. Adventure your way up to level 20 doing tasks for the king/emperor and soon you will be wandering your way across the planes with no strings attached. I want to change that in a campaign.

I am hoping to get Fields of Blood for xmas, which says it covers PCs as rulers as well as detailed mass combat.

 

[francisca]

Well, it HAS been a while since I really read the 1E books, but I seem to recall, for certain classes (like Fighters) it was required to build a stronghold in order to attract your followers when you achieved "name" level. Of course, not everyone necessarily WANTED that light infantry company (or whatever you would get), but if you did, I'm pretty sure you needed to build some sort of stronghold to get them.

I gotcha. You are correct, you had to establish a freehold/church/guild to attract the followers.

None of my players ever wanted to be responsible enough to protect/feed/arm a small army of humans. Bribing humanoids, now that is a concept some have gotten behind.

 

[DragonLancer]

My players never bother with strongholds but they always want to buy/build inns or taverns. Always with the inns.

When we do have them build a stronghold we use the Stronghold Builders Handbook from WotC.

 

[Arnwyn]

Yes, my players certainly do build strongholds of some type - though I do agree that in 3e it is less necessary to do so.

IMC I made it necessary, since I force PCs to buy a lab and library (or altar for divine spellcasters) if they wish to create magic items.

Edit: Oh yeah, the second part of the question. Yes, the players must map out the stronghold in it's entirety. As for books, we use the Stronghold Builder's Guidebook.