Strongholds

An allegedly common feature of high-level play is the management of strongholds and dominions. The rules relating to strongholds have been rather minimal throughout the history of Dungeons & Dragons, but the treatment in Frank Mentzer's Expert Rules is perhaps the most comprehensive.

In order to acquire a stronghold, the character must "clear" a 6 mile hex of all monsters, either through extermination, negotiation, or what-have-you. Then the player draws up a map of the stronghold and construction begins. The territory is secure so long as regular patrols are sent out; the typical range of these patrols is 18 miles (3 hexes) except in swamps, jungles and the mountains, where there must be a garrison constructed every 6 miles.

Class	Min Level	Lingo	Followers	Notes
Cleric	9	Castle	50-300 crusaders	church may pay half cost; crusaders morale 11
Fighter	None	Castle	8d6 soldiers	soldiers only acquired at level 9
Magic-User	11	Tower	1d3 students
Thief	9	Hideout	2d6 gangsters	at least one gangster is guild spy
Dwarf	9	Stronghold	?	?
Elf	9	Stronghold	?	forest animals as early warning system
Halfling	None	Stronghold	?	?