I would like to inject a bit of light stronghold-building into my upcoming Draw Steel campaign without going the whole hog in terms of the bastion-building rules laid out in Strongholds & Followers. Rather, I'd like to try to keep it within the confines of the Downtime Project rules already established. This is my attempt, which I'm hoping some of you can give me some advice and feedback on regarding balance etc.! The rewards for acheiving each tier are totally up for debate - to be honest they're mostly just in there as placeholders at the moment. I also have no idea if the project goal numbers are right but they seem fair alongside building teleportation circles and airships and the like.
#Build a Stronghold (Downtime Project)
mellow whale
weak mirage
I think this is a straightforward and elegant way to incorporate strongholds without having to deal with brand new rules. Good work!
I will say having the rules attached as a plainly named .txt file might put some people off downloading and checking them out. Consider a Google Doc or even just posting the rules across a couple of messages in this thread?
mellow whale
Good idea, I'll do that now:
**BUILD STRONGHOLD **
**Item Prerequisites: **Wealth 2 or more and Renown 2 or more
**Project Source: **A master stonemason
Project Roll Characteristic: Might, Reason or Presence
**Project Goal: **Varies
Once you have amassed enough personal wealth and respect, you can start to consolidate your power through the creation of a stronghold. When you start this project, you select a location in which your stronghold will be built, which can be an entirely new construction in an empty space, or based upon an existing building (either in current use or ruined). If you start this project on the foundations of a ruined stronghold, add 250 points to the project when you start it, or add 500 points if you started it on a stronghold that is currently in use.
When you start this project, you hire a master stonemason to build the stronghold, and this expert brings trusted apprentices, advisors and suppliers to complete the work alongside you. You can make a project roll as long as you have a way to contact the master stonemason, which could be done by sending letters or through magic or psionics.
The more project points you put into this project, the more complex and beneficial your stronghold becomes, as shown by the table below.
SIMPLE STRONGHOLD
Project Goal: 1,000
A simple stronghold might take the form of a small keep with a few rooms, a hunting lodge, a wizard's tower, a tavern taproom, a riverboat, or some similarly iconic yet simple structure that represents your power and presence in the local area. When you finish a respite in your stronghold, you become Well Rested. While Well Rested, the next time you use a Hero Token, you gain the benefit but the token isn't expended. You are then no longer Well Rested.
Also, when you complete a simple stronghold, choose from one of the following additional benefits:
**Military Stronghold: **Your stronghold focuses on exuding a forceful presence, symbolising military might. When you complete a respite in your stronghold, you gain the services of a retainer if you don't have one already.
Studious Stronghold: Your stronghold is a bastion of learning, and attracts many researchers and students. Project rolls you make for research projects have an edge while you are in your stronghold.
**Trading Stronghold: **Your stronghold acts as a nexus of trade, enabling you to store, buy and sell a variety of goods. Project rolls you make for crafting projects have an edge while you are in your stronghold.
COMPLEX STRONGHOLD
**Project Goal: **2,500
A complex stronghold expands upon the humble foundations of your simple stronghold. It might take the form of a castle, a large inn, a galleon, a manor house, or some similar multi-room structure that expands your influence. When you finish a respite in your stronghold, you gain one Victory.
Also, when you complete a complex stronghold, choose from one of the following additional benefits. You can add the same thematic benefit as your simple stronghold, or a different one.
**Military Improvement: **You add further military function to your stronghold, which could take the form of additional defences or new weapons. When you craft this stronghold, you attract the services of a master NPC who has the Censor, Fury, Null, Shadow or Tactician class (your choice). You can use this master as the project source for the Learn from a Master project.
**Studious Improvement: **You add further function for learning and study to your stronghold, which could take the form of additional libraries, laboratories or hired researchers. When you craft this stronghold, you attract the services of a master NPC who has the Conduit, Elementalist, Talent or Troubadour class (your choice). You can use this master as the project source for the Learn from a Master project.
Trading Improvement: You add further trading power to your stronghold, which could take the form of large storerooms, vaults, carriage houses or hired traders. When you finish a respite in your stronghold, you receive one random consumable. Once you do so, you can't gain another consumable until you finish a respite in a different location.