paladinx333
Sergeant at Arms
I entered the keep in my castle and I was all alone. None of my companions were there either. It's true what they say, it's lonely at the top.
I agree with you if you would live across the map from me, but if I am the owner of your town (and your a.s ass a consequence), wouldn't you know who actually owns said a.s??most people in the middle ages had heard of the person they fought for but nothing more than that. they just followed theorders of the person above them in the chain of command, the people they actually knew personally.
today we have tv and the internet and photo's in newspapers (yes some people still read those) so people know who their leaders are but without those things people would still not know how their king/president looked like
I entered the keep in my castle and I was all alone. None of my companions were there either. It's true what they say, it's lonely at the top.
+1ABOUT CASTLES:
Troops you have garrisoned should show up in the scene in proportion to how many you have. So, as an example, 20 troops in scene.. 20 peasants, 10 crossbowman, 10 knights garrisoned = 5 crossbowmen on walls and towers, 5 knights posted guard at gates and barracks etc, 10 peasants milling around.
Also, if i construct training grounds, there should be a trainer at my castle. If i visit I see them training troops and if I choose I can train myself. If I make a garden, how bout a little garden patch. Little things like this give player a sense of ownership and connection that would be lacking otherwise.
Little one liners of dialogue too. If loyalty is low, troops may complain, if it is maxed they may praise me. NPCs should also be aware what Nobels are visiting the castle and if who is in the dungeon. Gossip / rumors "I've heard sir whats his face is rotting in the dungeon, serves him right." How you doing? (low loyalty) "All I do is stand here all day, no better the food is rotten" etc. Talking to guards outside keep or inside hall, all they need to say is "Welcome home sire / mi lady." Latest news "We're working to complete the granary. We have plenty of food. Our garrison is strong and ready to withstand siege." I want NPCs to check the condition of the castle and tell me about it.
Dialogue options:
Tell me your feelings
Gossip/ Rumors
The castle - latest news
Thats all that needed for immersion in castles, more would take from other areas that are more lacking.
I wouldnt mind having to wear non armour cloths in towns if they actually gave us some nice cloths to wear? not the peasant crap we curretly have - Im a KING for christ sake!
MORE ABOUT CASTLES:
NPCs with context and awareness:
If I speak to the trainer at my castle, they should be able to tell me the status of my garrison. If the vast majority are recruits and they are few. The trainer might say, "I've got my work cut out for me. These are just boys but given time I'll train men!" A sizable garrison of trained troops should receive a a fitting response. "Our garrison is fit for battle," etc.
Upgrade jails:
Prisoners escape very easily, this has been stated elsewhere. Prisoners escape very easily and without notification (see bounties for related ideas). Prisons should upgrade to a second and third tier, increasing security and capacity. Guards should be aware of the upgrade level of the jail and have dialogue to reflect that. Guards should also know what notable prisoners are in jail, who captured them and where and context (siege, while raiding, in the field), and have dialogue to reflect that also.
Bounties:
I'd also like to have a board or an NPC in front of jail with bounties or issues that need to be resolved. Doing so would raise relations with notables in corresponding fief. Accepting a bounty would give player a quest to track down a specific looter, raider or clear an active hideout. This could also be to track down a fugitive, recently escaped prisoners might be found hiding in nearby fiefs. Checking quest page would give last known location of bounty. Completing the quest would give gold, relation bonus with notables and scouting exp as player must use tracking. Quest variants could be to return villagers or militia captured by raiders to one of the attached fiefs.
Local patrols:
Owners of castles should be able to hire patrols. The patrol would be recruited from the pool of militia at castle. Payment should be upfront to "outfit" them, daily wage to maintain and a bonus for every captured unit delivered to jail. Length of patrol would be no more than one season (ie. from 17th - 17th of following season). Surviving patrols at the end of their deployment would return to garrison as veteran militia, upgraded from original militia troop.