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 …

• P - Policing means the guys who carry out your day-to-day patrols and guard duties combined with simple security measures - such as chasing a small band of goblins away from the farms, or sorting out punch-ups when the taverns close. These light troops are cheap and cheerful - but they keep your lands clear and well-organised. They are deployed with your home army, should you go to war.
• M - Military Buildings can be home to your standing army, although they may also house light ‘policing’ troops. These guys have heavier armour and better weapons, and get called out to deal with larger groups of goblins, adventurers kicking off - or other large threats that that ‘light’ troops can’t handle. They are the ‘special team’ sent into resolve larger conflicts. They are deployed with your foreign army, should you go to war.
• H - Home are generally employed in homes, although they can also help provide policing services around town. They are deployed with your home army, should you go to war.
• W - Water Marine troops deployed on military vessels, jetties and wharves. They stay at home and defend your ports should you go to war.

• Jetty - A Military Jetty is used as a base for small patrol vessels and can support up to 6bp worth of vessels up to 30 feet in length. It comes with a small contingent of troops to guard the Jetty.
  • Local Patrol Boat. A Launch crewed by a unit of marines, used for local and harbour patrols. It isn't designed for long voyages and doesn't (generally) stay away overnight. Because of its large crew it can achieve a speed of 35. Think Harbour Guard, rather than Navy. Local patrol boats must normally be berthed at a Military Jetty, although a Community Jetty may give over one slot for a local patrol boat.
  • Area Patrol Boat. A shallop crewed by marines, used to patrol the wider area. It has larger sails, which give speed 30, and the hold area is converted to basic cabin space, which is used for bedding down and storage of weaponry. It is cramped and uncomfortable, but it works. Think Coast Guard, rather than Navy. Area Patrol boats must be berthed at a Military Jetty.
• 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).
• Fort - a small, lightly defended complex, designed to house light troops. It might be the defensive heart of a village or be a lone outpost in the wilderness.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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

The cost of every building with Defence Points includes an element to equip and pay for troops - this covers the costs associated with standard light troops. Therefore, all buildings with Def Points, initially come with Light Troops. However, you can choose to pay extra to have enhanced troops in Military Developments. This costs 1bp per Def Point of the building upgraded. You MUST upgrade the whole building at once, you can't have a mix of basic and enhanced units in the same development (because it makes the bookkeeping much more complicated!).

This does not add to your defence points, does not count towards titles, nor does it take up more space in your town or city - However, it does give you an advantage when it comes to war or other military encounters run under the Mass Combat rules.

Mass Combat Rules

Details of Enhanced troops can be found here.

Q: Why can't I have enhanced troops anywhere else?
A: There are a couple of reasons. First: Why would you? It doesn't make any difference in the way the rules are written, you would never get any advantage from those troops. Second: Why would any experienced, soldier want to hang around doing guard duty all day? No, if they are going to stay in the military long enough to get extra training and combat experience - they are going to stay in the army. Third: Waterborne troops really don't want all that extra heavy armour and those heavy weapons. At sea, a person in Metal armour is known as an anchor :)

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.