The Rural Economy is one step on from the Wilderness. It is based around country side activities – hunting, trapping, farming, fishing and the like – although there is some room for business and religion. Rural areas probably aren’t the best place for serious (NPC) casters, merchants or craftsmen – they all need access to lots of customers and good trade links.

However, even the smallest village some sort of trade link if it is to grow larger – and that normally means a road, having access to a navigable river or being situated on the coast. You will notice, later, that the larger Defensive Developments need a road, or other transport link, before you can build them.

GM Note (Be a bit flexible, but any ‘civilised’ stronghold needs contact with the outside world to be able to grow. Settlers, Refugees, Colonists (etc), who are normally Commoners, need to be able to get here safely. Actually, they there has to be a way they can find out about the opportunities available here. Then there needs to be a way to get produce in and out of the stronghold. Personally, I would want to see some sort of clear transport/communication link with the outside world before I allowed the stronghold to grow beyond the rural stage. I would expect roads to link the different parts of the stronghold together.)

Each village starts with a Defensive Building - after all you aren’t going to attract people into your village if you can’t protect them from bandits, kobolds and wandering monsters. After all, stronghold is defined as “a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack”. You start by building one of these defensive buildings. It is OK to start with a Watchtower and upgrade it as you develop your village.

These military developments provide a base for your patrols and guards and may form the basis for a village, but do not always provide you with a home. The officer in charge of the military often acts as the Lord's Bailiff in the hex, and maybe tasked with looking out for your interests in the area.

Note: Troops (In my game this means L3 Warriors configured as light troops. Larger garrisons may have a mix of guards, scouts and light cavalry)

• NOTE_1: In some circumstances you might want to consider a Garrison from the Urban rules. However, it is very difficult to balance - remember that Defence MUST be lower than Econ, Loy or Stab. (If that doesn't make sense yet, it will do eventually)
• Note_2: You might also want to look at the community Jetty described further down the page. It is capable of housing a few defence points that could, under some circumstances, function as the defensive core for a village.

• 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). It is normally under the command of a Sergeant. Can be upgraded to a Fort or a Fortified Villa.
• Fortified Villa – Little more than a watchtower with a nice house attached for the owner/commander. Troops (1x Light Foot). Can be upgraded to a Barracks or a Fortified Manor.
• 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. Can be upgraded to a Barracks or a Fortified Manor.
• Barracks – Little more than a fort with a nice house attached for the owner/commander. Troops (2x Light Foot). It is normally under the command of a Lieutenant. Can be upgraded to a Fortified Manor.
• Fortified Manor - very similar to a fort, but with a mansion attached for the owner/commander.

NOTE: Villages are restricted to four developments plots and Size 6. You should note that the Defensive Building is included in these calculations

Once a hex has transport and its own defensive building, you can develop it into a village, by addind up to three developments around the defence point. Remember that you need to be aware of the balance between Economics, Loyalty and Security in this village. Many primary villages have a tavern or road house, supported by a religious and manufacturing developments – and act as the social and commercial centre for the hex. Size represents the population of your village. More people live there, than the few that work at the Fort, Tavern and Holy House - who live in cottages provided by their employer. The others build smallholdings reached by the roads and trails that surround the village. They aren't wealthy folk - but they are the driving force for rural life.

http://rp.baileymail.net/doku.php?id=pathfinder:campaign_systems2:rural_development_details#farms

The table below lists some of the most common developments. Note, however, that villages are not a suitable environment for master-craftsmen.

If a village is a 'stand-alone' development it needs a full stewardship committee to run and manage it. If it is part of a larger estate you just need to nominate a Reeve, Elder or Deputy to run it on your behalf. However, the estate that it belongs to must have a Stewardship committee.

Stewardship committee rules

These are some of the most appropriate developments for a rural Village.

Note1: (A public Jetty is a multifunctional jetty. Some of its capacity is given over to the community to support small fishing and working vessels. However, there is 'space' for three other Boats - Two Fishing Boats (Econ +1) and one Military Launches (Def +1). The main difference is that fishing boats at Public Jetties are a taxed resource and need permission from the Jetty Owner. A jetty with a Military Launch can act as the Core Defence that a village requires.)

Once the village has been built you may build a palisade, if you choose.

Once you have established a Village, you may build one or more hamlets in the same Hex. Hamlets are always smaller than the main village and have a much stricter growth limits. However, they can be used to 'flesh out' the hex. Most have economic benefits, although they must still be balanced within the hex. However, you can also use a hamlet to increase your defence, or to build a county estate home.

Hamlets