Players Companion: Strongholds

Upon building a stronghold,* a PC attracts followers (low-level NPCs).

*construction details are given in the Expert Set rulebook, pg. 23

**see also "Castles revisited" by Bruce Heard, in Dragon #193 (May, 1993)

A fighter with enough money may build a castle regardless of level.  When a fighter reaches Name level, the character is eligible for selection as a Baron (or Baroness).  Once a fighter has become a Baron or Baroness, up to 50 Normal Men and Fighters of levels 1-3 will come to apply for jobs and training.  Specialists may also be hired.

When a cleric reaches Name level, a castle may be built.  50-300 loyal troops of the same alignment will come to help the cleric.  Most will be Normal Men, with Fighter leaders of up to 3rd level.  In addition to mercenary troops, the cleric may attract other low-level clerics to serve the church.  These clerics will be of 1st-3rd level, and of the same alignment as the cleric.

Upon reaching 11th level,* a magic-user may build a tower.  When a tower is built, up to 6 magic-users of levels 1-3 (and of any alignment) will come seeking training.  Up to 12 normal men will also come, seeking to become magic-users.  Their intelligence scores will usually be above average, but many will probably become discouraged and quit after 1-6 months.

*a throwback to the OD&D rules, in which 11th level was Name level for magic-users

Upon reaching Name level, a thief may construct a hideout (a fortified house in a city, a cave network, etc.).  When a Hideout is built, a thief character will gain 2-12 1st level thief apprentices, sent by the Thieves’ Guild.  At least one NPC thief will be a spy from the Guild, sent to keep an eye on the character's progress.

Illustration by Larry Elmore

The Players Companion includes additional information germane to fighters:

Strongholds are maintained through peasant workers (5% of the population of the dominion), while the ruler is directly served by Retainers and Servitors.

A Retainer is a noble-born person, or an unusually loyal follower.  A Servitor is a faithful servant, often gaining the job through inheritance.  The many types of common Servitors include Armorer, Barber, Carpenter, Cellarman (Wine Steward), Cooks, Dairyman, Falconer, Forester, Gardener, Grooms, Kennelman, Miller, Portalman, Potter, Poultryman, Stonemason, and Weavers.

Details regarding advisors and other officials are also given.  The most common advisors are Artillerist, Castellan, Chaplain, Engineer, Guard Captain, Herald, Magist, Chief Magistrate, Reeve, Sage, Seneschal, and Steward.  Other officials include Bailiff, Chamberlain, Equerry, Magistrates, Marshals, Provosts, Sheriffs, and Wardens.

Special Positions:

When the title of Count is acquired, a PC is offered 1-6 Squires by the lesser rulers of the dominion.

A Squire is the son of a Noble, who acts as a servant while being trained as a fighter.  Squires become 1st level fighters after 6 months of training, and then gain at least 1 level of experience per year.  A Squire’s training is finished when he reaches level 5; the Squire then returns home, and is usually replaced by another (beginner) Squire.

A Lady-in-Waiting is the daughter of a Noble within the ruler’s realm, acting as a servant but actually in search of a husband.  From 1-4 Ladies-in-Waiting will be sent to a PC Count only if the PC is female or is married.  Ladies-in-Waiting are trained and closely watched by the matron of the stronghold.

Additional Reading:

"Who lives in that castle?" by Katherine Kerr, in Dragon #80 (December, 1983)