Keeping the Keep

Running a Fortress in Varisia and Beyond

Daunting edifices of rulership and martial might, every castle carries with it a story. From seats of royalty to ruins of legend, lairs of monsters to tenuous bastions of civilization, countless adventures might stem from these intimidating fortresses or take place within their cold, unyielding walls. Yet few heroes might expect that, aside from laying siege to or delving through a castle, running such a fortress can be an adventure all its own. Yet, before one takes up the mantle of lordship, one should know what has come before and what dangers such a title might entail.

The Burden of Rule

While the PCs are in residence at Fort Rannick, the party should select one character to be the lord, the manager of the keep. Once per week, the lord makes a Charisma check and applies the result to the chart in the Weekly Fortress Events sidebar to see what encounter or event arises in the coming week. High rolls result in benefits and good fortunes, while low rolls reveal problems and calamities. 

If the PCs choose to depart from their fortress but plan to return and retake control, they should consider leaving an NPC in charge. A cohort gained through the Leadership feat would be the optimal choice, as such a character is typically devoted to the PCs and does not demand payment. If the PCs don’t have a cohort they wish to leave behind, they might hire a steward or overseer to maintain the fortress in their absence. A typical steward is capable of sustaining the status quo at a keep, but is not exceptional and will not improve the characters’ holdings. It should be assumed that the steward always rolls a 15 (No Event) on the Weekly Fortress Events chart.