Military Properties

These buildings are the base for your military and peacekeeping forces. There isn't a separate Police Force, Guard Unit, Army, Navy etc - In this system those are all part of the same set up. Think of your town guards as a cross between a French Gendarme and a Local Guard Unit. In peace time they patrol your towns and cities, during a siege they lead the defence and they go out to fight wars as well. The navy will consist of Sailor/Marines who provide Coast Guard duties, military transport, defence etc …

• Watchtower – Little more than three or four rooms stacked on top of each other, with a guard post at the top. Often placed near roads or gates they provide basic protection when required. very basic accommodation for the troops, but better than being in the field. Troops (1x Light Foot) are assigned here on a rota basic.
• Barracks – This building is large enough to house a unit of soldiers and provide them with decent facilities. It is normally under the command of a Lieutenant and is the basic building block of an army. ★★ accommodation for troops, ★★★ for the officer. (2x Light Foot or 1x Light Cavalry)
• Keep – A strong building that provides a home for a minor noble – and includes a barracks for troops. The troops are normally commanded by a Lieutenant. ★★ accommodation for troops, ★★★ for the officers, with a ★★★ apartment for the local lord. (1x Light Foot, 1x light Cavalry)
• Garrison – A barrack for a larger unit. It has better facilities and is normally under the command of a Lt–Commander. ★★ accommodation for troops, ★★★ for the officers. (1x Light Foot, 1x light Cavalry)
• Castle (Small) - A strong building that provides a home for a noble and includes a Garrison for troops. The troops are normally commanded by a Lieutenant–Commander. ★★ accommodation for troops, ★★★ for the officers, ★★★★ apartment for the local lord. (2x Light Foot, 1x Veterans, 1x light Cavalry)
• Castle (large) - A strong building that provides a home for a noble and includes a Large Garrison for troops. The troops are normally commanded by a full Commander. ★★ accommodation for troops, ★★★ for the officers, ★★★★ apartment for the local lord. (5x Light Foot, 2x Veterans, 1x light Cavalry)

See Residential Classifications for a description of the ★ based accommodation rating system.

The cost of a military building includes and element to pay for troops. All Military buildings have light footmen. Buildings with +3 defence (or more) may have upgraded troops as well.
See This Page for full descriptions of troops, their equipment and officers.

• Light Foot - All military building come with units of Light Infantry. A unit consists of 10 troops and is made up of Warriors of levels 2-4 with an average attack bonus of 4. In broad terms it doesn't matter if they are Skirmishers, Guards, X -Bowmen or the like, nor what weapons and armour they have - they all count for one Defensive Point. If you want to flavour your troops, you can give them any light armour or any simple weapons. My 'standard' light foot will probably be Spear-men or Crossbow-men in studded leather. Light-Foot are probably those soldiers who serve for 5/6/7/ years and then go off to do something else.
  Light Foot
• Marines - marines are always an upgrade. marines are light foot who are used to fighting on boats and ships. It costs 1 BP to upgrade a Military Building to host marines. This purchases two fishing boats (used as patrol boats) and allows you to defend you water borders more effectively. It adds +2 Local Defence points that count in the defence of a city or stronghold, but do not add to your overall army for the Mass Combat rules nor count towards your noble status.
  Marines
• Veterans - Veterans can be an upgrade. A unit of consist of ten seasoned and experienced troops who have stayed on to become the main stay of your military, they are all 'combat' classes (Warrior, Aristocrat or PC) and have an average BAB of 5. When you give them your own flavour you can give them Medium Armour and any Simple or Martial weapon. My standard veterans are wear Scalemail, and carry halberds. It costs 1 BP to upgrade a Military Building to host veteran troops, due to the cost of the armour and higher pay, but the building gains +1 Defence.
  Veterans
• Light Cavalry - Light Cavalry can be an upgrade. A unit of five troopers mounted on Light warhorses, who all decent riding skills and an average BAB of 4 etc. Light Cavalry are all 'combat' classes (Warrior, Aristocrat or PC) - you may flavour them with any Light Armour and Simple or martial Weapons. My standard light cavalry is liable to have a Chain Shirt, Light Shield, Javelins and a Heavy Mace and a sword of some sort. It costs 1 BP to upgrade a Military Building to host cavalry, due to the cost of the horse and armour, but the building gains +1 Defence.
  Light Cavalry

The following upgrades are only available in Castles.

• Heavy Cavalry - Heavy Cavalry can be an upgrade. A unit of five troopers mounted on heavy war horses, with an average BAB of 5. They are all long service with military classes - and can be equipped with Medium Armour and Martial Weapons. My standard Heavy Cavalry will most likely be dressed in Scale, with a Heavy Shield, Lance and Long Sword. It costs 2 BP to upgrade a Military Building to host heavy cavalry, due to the cost of the horse, armour and wages - but the building gains +2 Defence.
  Heavy Cavalry

Q1. Why Stop there? Because those are the best troops readily available, they are the most skilled veterans who have been in the military for ages. Any character with skills beyond this level of ability need a proper Character Sheet and personal background - and are liable have 5th / 6th levels of PC combat classes. They deserve to be Individuals.

Not all troops will be in the same building - a Lt-Commander in charge of a Keep, may well be in command of the barracks (and its Lt) in a neighbouring town. That Lt might well oversee watch-towers in two nearby villages. That is how your military structure builds up :)

Defence Points can come together to reward you with a Noble Title.

See Residential Classifications for a description of the ★ rating system.

The Mass Combat rules that are used to resolve military disputes are based on a nation's defence points

See the Military Ranks page to get an understanding of the abilities of different officer grades.