Strongholds and Followers for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition: A Comprehensive Plan
This supplement revives old-school domain-based play, offering rules for building strongholds, attracting followers, and managing resources—a complete toolkit for 5e campaigns.
“Strongholds & Followers” represents a significant expansion of the 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons experience, delving into a layer of gameplay often absent in modern campaigns. It’s a return to the roots of high-level play, reminiscent of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, where characters didn’t just amass treasure, but built legacies. This book isn’t merely about constructing fortifications; it’s about establishing a domain, attracting a loyal following, and influencing the world on a grand scale.
The supplement provides a robust system for players to claim territory, develop structures, manage resources, and navigate the complexities of leadership. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with existing campaigns, offering a wealth of options for downtime activities and long-term character goals.
II. Core Concepts & Design Philosophy
The core philosophy behind “Strongholds & Followers” centers on player agency and world impact. It aims to empower characters to become more than just adventurers, transforming them into influential figures with tangible stakes in the game world. The design prioritizes a balance between exciting dungeon crawls and engaging domain management, ensuring both aspects feel rewarding.
The book isn’t simply a collection of rules; it’s a framework for a specific style of play, one where characters actively shape their surroundings and build lasting legacies. It encourages a shift in focus from solely defeating villains to fostering growth and prosperity within a claimed domain.
III. The Appeal to Old-School D&D Players
For veterans of earlier D&D editions, “Strongholds & Followers” evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia. It recaptures the high-level gameplay experiences of AD&D, where characters routinely established keeps, amassed armies, and exerted control over vast territories. This supplement directly addresses a long-standing desire for that level of character progression within the 5th Edition framework;
The book’s domain-based approach seamlessly integrates with campaigns focused on territorial control and political intrigue, mirroring the sandbox style favored by many old-school players. It provides the tools to build a truly persistent world influenced by player actions.
III.a. Nostalgia for High-Level Play
Many long-time Dungeons & Dragons players fondly remember the days of building keeps and commanding armies in older editions. “Strongholds & Followers” directly taps into this nostalgia, offering a pathway to that style of high-level play within the 5th Edition ruleset. It allows characters to move beyond simply accumulating treasure and focus on establishing a lasting legacy.
The supplement provides the mechanics to truly feel powerful, moving beyond dungeon crawls to encompass the responsibilities and rewards of leadership and domain management, a core element missing from many 5e campaigns.
III.b. Domain-Based Campaign Integration
“Strongholds & Followers” isn’t just about building a castle; it’s about weaving that stronghold into the fabric of a larger campaign. The book facilitates a shift in focus, encouraging DMs to create campaigns centered around a player-controlled domain and its impact on the surrounding world.
This approach allows for deeper roleplaying opportunities, political intrigue, and long-term consequences for player actions. It’s presented as one half of a larger domain-based play supplement, enriching the overall campaign experience.
IV. Understanding the Book’s Scope: More Than Just Strongholds
While the title highlights strongholds and followers, the book’s scope extends far beyond simple construction and recruitment. It’s a comprehensive toolkit for influencing a campaign world, offering a style of play where characters become invested in shaping their surroundings.
The supplement provides options for downtime activities, resource management, and political maneuvering. It’s not solely focused on the mechanics of building a base, but on the broader implications of wielding power and establishing a domain within a 5e setting.
V. Stronghold Construction Rules – A Detailed Overview
The core of the book details a robust system for establishing a stronghold, beginning with claiming a domain – any location a party designates as their own. Rules cover diverse stronghold types and terrain considerations, impacting construction possibilities.
Players can build and upgrade structures, each offering unique benefits. The system isn’t just about blueprints; it’s about resource allocation, labor management, and adapting to the environment. It provides a framework for creating a truly personalized base of operations within the campaign world.
V.a. Claiming a Domain: Initial Steps
Establishing a stronghold begins with claiming a domain – a process detailed within the book. This isn’t simply planting a flag; it involves asserting control over a location, potentially facing resistance from existing inhabitants or monstrous threats. The initial steps require a careful assessment of the area’s resources and defenses.
Players must consider the strategic value of the location and prepare for the challenges of establishing a foothold. This phase sets the stage for future development, influencing the stronghold’s growth and potential.
V.b. Stronghold Types & Terrain Considerations
The book presents diverse stronghold types, ranging from simple fortified towers to sprawling castles, each suited to different terrains. Terrain profoundly impacts construction and defense; a mountain fortress differs greatly from a coastal keep. Considerations include resource availability, natural defenses, and potential vulnerabilities.
Choosing the right location and stronghold type is crucial. The rules account for these factors, influencing building costs and the effectiveness of fortifications. Adapting to the environment is key to a thriving domain.
V.c. Building & Upgrading Structures
The rules detail a tiered system for constructing and upgrading structures within your stronghold. Initial builds focus on essential defenses and resource production, like walls and lumber mills. Later upgrades unlock advanced facilities – barracks, temples, workshops – enhancing capabilities.
Each structure provides specific benefits, impacting follower morale, resource generation, or defensive strength. Costs scale with complexity, demanding careful resource management. The process isn’t merely mechanical; it’s a narrative opportunity to shape your domain’s identity.
VI. Resource Management in Stronghold Development
Effective stronghold development hinges on astute resource management. The book emphasizes a cycle of acquiring labor, gathering materials, and balancing economic needs. Labor, sourced from followers, fuels construction and production. Materials – wood, stone, metal – are gathered from the surrounding terrain, requiring expeditions and logistical planning.
Trade with nearby settlements offers opportunities to acquire scarce resources, but demands careful negotiation. Ignoring economic considerations can lead to unrest and hinder growth, making resource allocation a crucial aspect of domain leadership.
VI.a. Labor & Workforce Acquisition
Acquiring a capable workforce is paramount for any burgeoning stronghold. The book details various methods for attracting followers, ranging from offering employment and protection to appealing to their ideals or providing land. Different follower types – commoners, skilled artisans, soldiers – contribute unique abilities.
However, simply recruiting isn’t enough; maintaining a sufficient workforce requires addressing their needs, providing adequate housing, and ensuring fair treatment. A disgruntled workforce can lead to decreased productivity or even rebellion, impacting the stronghold’s progress.
VI.b. Material Gathering & Costs
Constructing and upgrading a stronghold demands substantial resources. “Strongholds & Followers” outlines a detailed system for material gathering, encompassing wood, stone, metal, and rarer components. Costs vary based on structure complexity and terrain. Players must strategically manage their resources, potentially establishing quarries, lumber mills, or trade routes.
The book emphasizes that resource acquisition isn’t merely about expenditure; it involves logistical challenges like transportation, storage, and protecting supplies from bandits or monsters. Efficient resource management is crucial for sustained growth.
VI.c. Economic Considerations & Trade
Beyond raw materials, “Strongholds & Followers” introduces economic layers to domain management. Players can establish trade agreements with nearby settlements, generating income through surplus production. Careful consideration must be given to supply and demand, setting prices, and managing tariffs.
The book highlights the importance of a stable economy for attracting skilled laborers and maintaining follower loyalty. Investing in infrastructure like roads and markets can boost trade, while neglecting economic needs can lead to unrest and decline. Trade isn’t always peaceful, potentially attracting rivals.
VII. Attracting Followers: Building a Loyal Base
“Strongholds & Followers” emphasizes that a domain is only as strong as its people. Attracting followers isn’t simply about numbers; it’s about recruiting individuals with diverse skills – artisans, soldiers, scholars, and laborers. The book details various recruitment methods, from offering land grants to providing protection and opportunity.
However, challenges arise. Competition from other lords, differing ideologies, and the basic needs of a growing population require careful management. Maintaining follower loyalty demands fair treatment, addressing grievances, and ensuring a prosperous life within the domain.
VII.a. Follower Types & Roles
The supplement meticulously categorizes followers, recognizing their vital contributions to a thriving domain. Commoners provide essential labor, while soldiers bolster defenses and expand influence. Skilled artisans craft goods, driving economic growth, and scholars offer valuable knowledge and counsel. Each follower type possesses unique abilities and needs.
Beyond these basics, specialized roles – healers, priests, merchants – further enrich the domain’s capabilities. Effectively assigning followers to appropriate roles is crucial for maximizing efficiency and ensuring the stronghold’s long-term success, fostering a balanced and productive community.
VII.b. Recruitment Methods & Challenges
Attracting followers isn’t simply a matter of offering coin; the book details diverse recruitment methods. Players can issue proclamations, offer land grants, or establish favorable trade agreements. Demonstrating leadership and providing security are paramount. However, challenges abound – rival lords may attempt to poach potential recruits, and existing prejudices or fears can hinder efforts.
Maintaining a positive reputation and addressing follower concerns are vital. The supplement emphasizes that successful recruitment requires diplomacy, resourcefulness, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of the domain’s populace.
VII.c. Maintaining Follower Loyalty & Morale
Follower loyalty isn’t guaranteed; the book stresses consistent effort. Providing adequate food, shelter, and protection are foundational, but morale requires more. Fair laws, just rulings, and opportunities for advancement are crucial. Addressing grievances swiftly and celebrating successes builds trust.
Neglecting follower needs leads to discontent, potentially sparking unrest or even defection. The supplement details events – festivals, religious ceremonies – that boost morale. A happy populace is a productive one, strengthening the domain and supporting the adventurers’ goals.
VIII. The Role of Downtime Activities
“Strongholds & Followers” significantly expands downtime, moving beyond simple healing and crafting. Characters can oversee construction, manage resources, resolve disputes, and cultivate relationships with their followers. These activities aren’t merely administrative; they directly impact the domain’s prosperity and security.
The book provides detailed rules for various downtime tasks, offering meaningful choices and consequences. This encourages players to become invested in their domain’s well-being, fostering a sense of ownership and long-term campaign engagement. Downtime becomes as vital as adventuring.
IX. Integrating Strongholds into a 5e Campaign
Successfully integrating strongholds requires balancing adventure with domain management. “Strongholds & Followers” doesn’t replace traditional campaigns; it enhances them, adding a layer of strategic depth. DMs can adapt existing adventures, introducing stronghold elements as rewards or challenges.
The book suggests weaving domain responsibilities into downtime, creating a seamless blend of exploration and administration. It’s about characters influencing the world, not just reacting to it. This approach fosters a more immersive and rewarding experience for players, deepening their connection to the campaign setting.
IX.a. Balancing Adventure with Domain Management
The key to successful integration lies in balance. “Strongholds & Followers” isn’t about replacing dungeon crawls with bookkeeping, but enriching them. Downtime activities, like managing resources or resolving follower disputes, should complement, not overshadow, the core adventuring experience.
DMs can tie stronghold development directly to campaign goals – a fortified base aiding a rebellion, for example. This ensures domain management feels meaningful and contributes to the overarching narrative. The book encourages a dynamic interplay between exploration, combat, and strategic leadership.
IX.b. Adapting Existing Campaigns
Integrating “Strongholds & Followers” into a pre-existing campaign requires careful consideration. Don’t force it; look for organic opportunities. Perhaps the party liberates a ruined keep, or a grateful noble grants them land. Start small, focusing on a single structure before expanding.
The book’s rules are modular. DMs can cherry-pick elements – follower recruitment, resource management – without adopting the entire system. Existing NPCs can become potential followers, and current storylines can be interwoven with domain-based challenges, adding depth and player agency.
X. The Siege of Castle Rend Adventure – A Showcase
“The Siege of Castle Rend” isn’t merely an included adventure; it’s a practical demonstration of the “Strongholds & Followers” rules in action. Based on Matt Colville’s campaign, it presents a compelling narrative where players reclaim and rebuild a ruined castle.
This adventure effectively illustrates how ruins can serve as rewarding campaign elements, showcasing stronghold construction, follower recruitment, and defense. It provides a tangible example of the book’s concepts, helping DMs visualize implementation within their own worlds and campaigns, offering a strong starting point.
X.a. Adventure Overview & Plot Hooks
“The Siege of Castle Rend” centers on reclaiming a strategically vital castle overrun by monstrous forces. Players begin as agents tasked with assessing the ruin, then escalate to leading the reconstruction and defense against escalating threats.
Plot hooks include a desperate plea from a nearby lord, rumors of a powerful artifact within the castle, or a direct commission from a kingdom seeking to re-establish control. The adventure emphasizes both combat and domain management, forcing players to balance adventuring with the responsibilities of leadership and rebuilding.
X.b. Utilizing Castle Rend as a Campaign Starter
Castle Rend provides an excellent springboard for a long-term campaign. Successfully defending and rebuilding the castle establishes the player characters as regional heroes, attracting attention and responsibilities.
The surrounding lands offer ample opportunities for expansion and further adventure, with potential conflicts arising from neighboring lords, monstrous incursions, or political intrigue. The adventure’s foundation in Matt Colville’s campaign allows for organic growth, seamlessly integrating player choices into a dynamic world. It’s a perfect launchpad for domain-based play.
X.c. Modifying the Adventure for Homebrew Settings
Adapting Castle Rend to a homebrew world is surprisingly straightforward. Replace specific NPCs and locations with equivalents fitting your established lore, maintaining the core conflict – reclaiming and fortifying a ruined stronghold.
Adjust monster encounters to reflect your setting’s bestiary, and tailor the political landscape to align with existing factions. The adventure’s strength lies in its adaptable framework; the underlying themes of rebuilding and establishing dominance translate universally. Focus on mirroring the spirit of the original, rather than strict replication, for a truly immersive experience.
XI. Monsters Included in the Book
“Strongholds & Followers” doesn’t just provide rules; it bolsters a Dungeon Master’s bestiary with a diverse array of creatures. These aren’t simply stat blocks, but monsters thematically linked to stronghold defense, ruin exploration, and the challenges of attracting followers.
Expect to encounter creatures suited for sieges, guardians of ancient sites, and even beings drawn to the power a growing domain exudes. Many are imaginative additions, offering unique tactical encounters and enriching the overall campaign experience, expanding beyond typical monster manuals.
XII. The Book as a Tool for Worldbuilding
“Strongholds & Followers” transcends a rules supplement, functioning as a potent worldbuilding catalyst. It encourages DMs to consider the political, economic, and social ramifications of player-controlled domains. The book prompts questions about regional power dynamics, resource distribution, and the impact of a growing stronghold on surrounding communities.
It provides frameworks for creating believable settlements, defining local factions, and establishing a sense of history within the campaign world. Utilizing the concepts within fosters a richer, more immersive setting for players to inhabit and influence.
XIII. Comparison to Previous Editions (AD&D)
“Strongholds & Followers” directly echoes the high-level play experience of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, where characters routinely acquired keeps and amassed armies. Unlike earlier editions, however, this supplement seamlessly integrates those concepts into the streamlined 5th Edition ruleset.
It avoids the complexity of older systems while retaining the core appeal of domain management. The book updates those classic ideas, offering a more accessible and balanced approach to stronghold construction and follower recruitment for modern players.
XIV. Strengths of the “Strongholds & Followers” Supplement
The book’s greatest strength lies in its comprehensive approach, offering a complete system for stronghold building, resource management, and follower interaction. It’s more than just rules; it fosters a playstyle where characters actively shape the game world.
The inclusion of the “Siege of Castle Rend” adventure is a significant benefit, providing a practical example of the concepts in action. Furthermore, the diverse roster of new monsters expands a Dungeon Master’s bestiary, enriching campaign possibilities.
XV. Potential Weaknesses & Considerations
While robust, the sheer volume of options presented in “Strongholds & Followers” can be overwhelming for some groups. Determining the appropriate level of detail to implement requires careful consideration and player buy-in.
It’s crucial to recognize this isn’t solely a “build a stronghold” book, but a broader domain-based play supplement. Some players might desire more focused rules for individual stronghold construction. Successful integration demands a campaign willing to embrace downtime activities and world influence.
XVI. Utilizing Ruins as Rewards
“Strongholds & Followers” excels at integrating ruins into campaign rewards, exemplified by the included “Siege of Castle Rend” adventure. Rather than solely granting gold or magic items, players can claim and rebuild dilapidated structures.
This approach fosters a sense of ownership and long-term investment in the game world. The book demonstrates how ruins provide a foundation for establishing a domain, offering immediate benefits and future development potential. It encourages DMs to weave these locations into narratives, creating compelling storylines around reclamation and restoration.
XVII. The Importance of Player Agency
“Strongholds & Followers” fundamentally shifts character focus towards influencing the world, not just adventuring within it. The book empowers players with significant agency over their domain, dictating its development and attracting followers based on their choices.
This isn’t a prescriptive system; players decide how to build, whom to recruit, and what values their stronghold represents. The rules provide a framework, but the narrative direction is driven by player decisions, fostering a deeply personalized and engaging campaign experience.
XVIII. Expanding Beyond the Core Rules
“Strongholds & Followers” isn’t intended to replace existing 5e rules, but rather to augment them, adding a layer of strategic depth. It seamlessly integrates with established campaign settings and mechanics, offering optional rules for resource management, follower interactions, and stronghold defense.
DMs are encouraged to customize the system, adapting it to their world’s specific lore and power structures. The book provides a solid foundation, but leaves ample room for homebrew content, allowing for truly unique and immersive domain-based gameplay.
XIX. Long-Term Campaign Implications
This supplement fundamentally shifts character motivation, encouraging players to invest in the world beyond immediate adventure goals. Building a stronghold and attracting followers creates a lasting legacy, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Campaigns utilizing these rules naturally evolve into multi-generational sagas, where characters’ actions have tangible consequences for the domain and its inhabitants. It provides a framework for long-term storytelling, with political intrigue, economic development, and defense against external threats becoming central themes.
XX. The Style of Play Encouraged by the Book
“Strongholds & Followers” promotes a playstyle where characters become influential figures, actively shaping the world around them. It’s a departure from purely adventuring, integrating downtime activities like resource management, diplomacy, and construction into the core gameplay loop.
The book encourages a broader perspective, where players consider the long-term consequences of their actions and invest in the prosperity of their domain. This fosters a sense of agency and allows for a more immersive and rewarding campaign experience, mirroring classic high-level D&D.
XXI. Impact on Character Motivation
“Strongholds & Followers” significantly alters character motivations, shifting focus beyond simply acquiring treasure and defeating monsters. Players are driven to establish and improve their domains, attracting followers and securing their legacy.
This creates a compelling reason to engage with the world on a deeper level, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. Characters become invested in the well-being of their communities, leading to more nuanced roleplaying and a stronger connection to the campaign setting; Ambition takes on a new form – building, leading, and protecting.
XXII. The Book’s Place in the 5e Ecosystem
“Strongholds & Followers” fills a notable gap in the 5th Edition ecosystem, providing tools for high-level play often absent in core materials. It complements existing adventures by offering a framework for long-term campaign goals beyond traditional questing.
While not essential, it enriches the experience for groups desiring a more sandbox-style campaign with significant player agency. It’s best suited for DMs willing to embrace domain management and integrate it seamlessly into their worldbuilding, expanding the scope of 5e considerably.
XXIII. Resources for Further Exploration
Beyond the book itself, online Dungeons & Dragons communities offer extensive discussions and homebrew content related to strongholds and followers. Websites like D&D Beyond and Reddit’s r/DnD provide forums for sharing experiences and adapting the rules.
Matt Colville’s campaign, partially showcased in “The Siege of Castle Rend,” offers inspiration for integrating stronghold elements. Exploring older AD&D materials can also provide valuable insights into domain-based play, enriching your understanding and campaign design.
XXIV. Conclusion: Is “Strongholds & Followers” Right for Your Game?
“Strongholds & Followers” excels for groups desiring a campaign shift towards long-term world influence and character investment beyond simple adventuring. If players enjoy downtime activities and strategic resource management, this supplement is invaluable.
However, it demands commitment; it’s not a quick fix. Groups preferring streamlined dungeon crawls might find it overwhelming. Ultimately, assess your group’s playstyle. If you crave a deeper, more immersive 5e experience, embracing domain-based play, this book delivers a rewarding journey.