804. Fiefdom
With the Corona virus raging I am hoping to run an online hex-crawl, west marshes style campaign. The campaign will have two separate components running concurrently. One will be an exploration D&D style adventure game. The other will be the turn based administration of a fiefdom that your PC runs as a minor noble. Each week I will host 2 playing sessions 4 hours long and each session can be attended by any 2 or 3 players. Also each week one turn (a month of game time) will pass and you can perform a fiefdom action (or two) to improve your fiefdom. In your adventuring players will be more or less cooperating to stay alive, but in your fiefdoms players will more or less be competing for the King's favor (to be granted rulership over the area). The idea is that your adventures will bleed over into your fiefdom and vice versa.
If you like, you don't ever have to adventure, you can interact with the other players solely as the ruler of a fiefdom. Each week I will tell the group when I will host session and it will be up to players to form groups and decide what they want to do.
We are playing in southern Korthicos (The Great Kingdom) a region of Mediterranean farmland bordering a large and dangerous marsh. The largest town in the area, Ioannia, was recently utterly destroyed by something from the swamp. 100% of the ruling class of the area has been killed. A tightly packed group of small hamlets was overlooked in the attack. King Pyrrhus has decided to send a minor noblemen to each of these hamlets to take charge, build the area back up, find out what happened to the town, and make the area safe again. Each PC will be one of these noblemen from a distant part of Korthicos and will start as a 3rd level fighter. King Pyrrhus gives each a little food, gold, a competent steward, and 3 skilled men at arms. He is also sending one low level wizard that can read lizardman runes.
Meanwhile back at your fiefdom, each week (month of game time) your steward can perform one action and you can preform one action. If you go on an adventure that is your action for the month. Examples of actions are building an improvement like Walls or a Mill, or hiring a follower like a priest, weaponsmith, or wise woman. You can also perform various free actions and interact with other players, trading or sharing information.
In your fiefdom I will track your revenue and expenses, food production and use, your Piety (a combination of your morality and standing in the Church), and Favor (with King Pyrrhus). As well as the loyalty of your serfs and followers. Improvements and followers might increase one or more of these things, or unlock additional actions you can perform. You will know most of this but you may not always have perfect knowledge of what is going on in your fiefdom. There will also be periodic random events (external and internal) that can help you or throw a monkey wrench into your plans. Sometimes what is going on in other fiefdoms will affect your fiefdom.
Character Creation: You play a human noble without rank or land. You have been sent to resettle Ioannia either because you are so unimportant that this is a real opportunity for your family, or because your family is trying to get rid of you. You are a 3rd level fighter but can take other classes as you gain levels.
On the left is the area as the players know it. The line of green-gray is the edge of the Exile swamp, to the south of that line lays peril and adventure! Green hexes are forested. Also see the small spring-fed stream where all the players' Hamlets are located, and a small river where the town of Ioannina was located--now in ruins.
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On the right is the complete map to the area with all the DM notes, as it appeared at the end of the campaign. The rabbit icons are location where wild game could be discovered and harvested. SF are locations players could build forts. 'L' marks lizardman village locations, 'M' marks important monster lairs. White lines are walkable trails in the swamp, blue lines are continuous water-ways that can be accessed by canoe or skiff.
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Below is the endgame turn by turn summary of each player's favor with the King. As you can see Red (Lord Chad) executed a come-from-behind run to end up in the lead, while Black was a bitter, bitter disappointment.
Although the he was not the King's favored choice throughout this endeavor, Lord Chad's excellent management of his fiefdom in the last few months has cemented the idea in King Pyrrhus' mind that Lord Chad will be granted a hereditary title. He is now the Count of Ioannia. He rules from his growing town of New Ioannia. |
Lord Chad recovered the Chronicle of Ioannia from the lizardmen-infested ruins of the original town of Ioannia. He starting recording the activities in the local lords in the venerable tome, this symbolic action did much to make Lord Chad appear noble and lordly to the admittedly fickle King Pyrrhus.
Chronicle of Ioannia
A tome kept by the Count of Ioannia containing all the important events that happen within the county. It became an important symbol of just rulership of Ioainna. The first entries start in 558, accurate historical entries start in 690.
Culturally Important Artifact.
• If using the feifdom rules; +2F.
W/scribe: passive, learn 1 Lord's current store of favor.
W/scribe: passive, recording a military victory and give 1 Lord +2f, or record a defeat and give -2f
Generally entries are extremely brief and factual, their will only be a handful of entries each year. Rare events like the crowning of a new count are detailed with more poetic language. Their are also several religious/cultural myths recorded dealing with the area (that non-locals have never heard).
One of these myths catch's your eye. It tells of a battle between Cellik and Ses'sa'sinis, after Eshrenel's rebellion, to determine the boundary of the Exile Swamp. Cellik won, limiting its size. But in the setting of terms after the battle Cellik agreed to hide a powerful weapon that mortals used to fight Ses'sa'sinis' lizardmen somewhere in the swamp. After it was hidden The Dragon breathed fire around it setting fire to both the land and water surrounding it.
Recorded in October 804:
Devastation of Ioannia – [Orile 804] Ioannian defenses assaulted and overran by overwhelming force of lizardmen. Most residents killed; approx. 1000 survivors taken as prisoners into swamp. Ioannia burned and ravaged; only city walls, temple, pantheon, and palace survive.
Reclamation Expedition – [Ignemii 804] Approx. 630 settlers, soldiers, and servants under the leadership of the noble Ld.’s Chad, Filippa, Hesykosthenes, Leander, Mathilda, and Stavros arrive under mandate by and authority from King Pyrrhus to resettle and reclaim the county.
Entries predating Devastation of Ioannia made at the will and authority of the late Count Iobates. Chronicle of Ioannia retrieved from threat of destruction through heroism of Ld.’s Chad, Hesykosthenes, and Mathilda. Continued historical record made at the will and authority of Lord Chad of New Ioannia.
Battle of N’Kiru – [September 0804] Village of N’Kiru besieged by approx. 100 lizardmen. Lizardmen held at bay by sturdy walls and stalwart defenders of Lady Mathilda. Soldiers of multiple nobles mustered to mount rescue, with Lord Hesykosthenes first to arrive. Occupied by Lord Hesykosthenes’ dozen soldiers, lizardman force hit from behind and scattered by sortie of Lady Mathilda’s defenders. Entire besieging force of lizardmen run down and destroyed. No human casualties to record.
Recorded in Non Numerantur 805:
Bandit Activity – [September 804] Traveling merchant’s daughter kidnapped, raped, and killed by notorious bandit and womanizer Johnny the Cad. Outlaw brought to justice by Ld.’s Chad and Stavros. Johnny the Cad’s armor displayed as trophy in New Ioannian Reliquary.
Coup of Kulamata – [September 804] Lord Stavros deposed and expelled from Kulamata by Usurper Lysimachos and fellow rebels. No deaths in bloodless coup. Lord Chad taken hostage and ransomed by Usurper Lysimachos.
Monstrous Activity – [October 804] Goblin camp terrorizing local farmers destroyed by forces under command of Lady Mathilda.
Reconnaissance of Ioannia – [October 804] Lizardman forces and activity in Ioannia scouted by party led by Ld.’s Hesykosthenes and Mathilda. Lizardman cavalry five times the size of scouting party bloodied and routed by forces of Ld.’s Hesykosthenes and Mathilda.
Rise of the Strophee Mystery Cult – [October 804] Temple established by Strophee Mystery Cult in New Ioannia with public membership of Lord Chad, despite persecution elsewhere by Lord Hesykosthenes.
Reclamation of Kulamata – [October 804] Usurper Lysimachos slain by Lord Stavros in trial by combat. Lord Stavros restored as rightful ruler of Kulamata. Amnesty extended to rebellious serfs.
Siege of Melita – [November 804] Village of Melita besieged by approx. 250 lizardmen. Disastrous attacks mounted independently by Ld.’s Hesykosthenes and Mathilda with untold human deaths. Lizardmen subsequently driven off by overwhelming force flying the banner of Lord Stavros. Melita liberated; few deaths incurred.
Recorded in Primense 805:
Battle for Melita Burial Grounds – [December 804] Undead seen rising from burial grounds in Melita. Large pack of ghouls destroyed by combined military forces of Ld.’s Filippa, Hesykosthenes, Leander, and Mathilda. Military aided by priests with only one human casualty.
Monstrous Activity – [December 804] Forces under command of Ld.’s Filippa and Hesykosthenes defeated by small goblin band, 1 soldier killed. Goblins subsequently destroyed by forces under command of Lady Mathilda.
Bandit Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Notorious killer Jack of Swords expelled from hamlets by forces of Ld.’s Chad and Hesykosthenes. Multiple injuries and one soldier killed during brutal retreat of the Jack of Swords.
Monstrous Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Wererats, plaguing Kulamata, driven off by forces of Ld.’s Chad, Hesykosthenes, Mathilda, and Stavros. Human casualties prevented and human injuries greatly reduced through aid of large group of Strophee healers brought by Lord Chad.
Monstrous Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Camp of traveling Asteria Mystery Cultists destroyed by ghouls. Ghouls driven away by forces of Lord Chad despite strength disadvantage and without casualty.
Recorded in Orile 805
Bandit Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Forces under command of Lord Hesykosthenes defeated by the Jack of Swords in a bloody confrontation. Multiple soldier casualties and hostages taken by the bandits. Hostages killed by bandits just before bandits routed and destroyed by forces under Lady Mathilda.
Second Battle of N’Kiru – [Non Numerantur 805] N’Kiru besieged yet again by lizardmen. N’Kiru liberated by forces of Lord Chad. Lizardman forces smashed by the hammer of Lord Chad’s forces against the anvil of Lady Mathilda’s forces. No human casualties.
Monstrous Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Ghouls responsible for destruction of Asteria nomad camp destroyed by forces of Lady Mathilda.
Execution of Thanatian Death Cultist – [Non Numerantur 805] Thanatian Death Cultist, hiding in Melita, discovered, tried, and found guilty by Elutriator under employ of Lord Leander. Execution of heathen carried out personally by Lord Leander in his capacity as a paladin.
Recorded in Hebia 805
Battle of Pylos Tower – [Primense 805] Tower previously built by outlander Lord Pylos taken over by lizardmen. Tower assaulted by combined forces of Ld.’s Chad, Leander, Mathilda, and Stavros. Lizardman defenses broken after daring and brave actions of Ex. Frank Grimes, an Elutriator under employ of Lord Stavros, gaining human forces a foothold from which to access the tower. Lizardmen destroyed, tower burned.
Monstrous Activity – [Primense 805] Goblin nest destroyed by forces of Ld.’s Chad and Stavros.
Monstrous Activity – [Primense 805] Wererats, a persistent scourge upon the land, driven off yet again, this time by forces of Lady Mathilda.
Abdication of Hesykosthenes – [Primense 805] Recent cosmic events drove Lord Hesykosthenes to madness, turning his actions haphazard and messages darkly cryptic. Seeing portents in the night sky, Lord Heyskosthenes abdicated his position and sought refuge in his family estates. Assuming the mantle and responsibilities with little fanfare, his cousin Lord Elias seeks to stabilize the lands abandoned by Lord Hesykosthenes.
Recorded in Ignemii 805
The Ioannian Pacnadia Games of 805 – [Orile 805] A range of contests highlighting trade skill, athleticism, and marshal ability hosted by traveling performers with participants supplied by all fiefdoms in the county. Full week of entertainment, competition, and revelry held during the first month of martial peace experienced since the arrival of the Reclamation Expedition.
Recorded in October 805
Bandit Activity – [Hebia 805] Without any clear victor, bandits driven off after battle with Lds. Leander and Stavros. Light casualties incurred.
Monstrous Activity – [Ignemii 805] Serfs harassed by kobolds in Lord Elias’s lands. Klepto monsters destroyed by Lds. Elias and Stavros.
The Pit Outside N’Kiru – [Ignemii 805] Ground outside N’Kiru rent by giant pit to Punishment. Cause of such unnatural heat and smoke inexplicable by local priests. Previously captured lizardman sacrificially cast into pit during ritual by local wiseman, satiating the burning pit, leaving only a shear drop to the unknown.
Monstrous Activity – [Quintilis 805] Lord Leander’s graveyard seemingly unable to serve its purpose in keeping its dead where they belong, haunted this time by two ghosts. 45 men, including many priests and paladins, gathered by Lds. Chad, Leander, Mathilda, and Stavros to destroy the ghosts. Constant stream of terrified men driven away by ghosts until ghosts laid to rest with surprising display of mental fortitude by Strophee involved. Human forces reduced to only 5 men with many soldiers and a few priests prematurely aged.
Tragedy at Northern Settlement Fort – [Sextilis 805] Settlement fort built northeast of hamlets by Lord Chad completely overrun after failed attempt to lift lizardman siege. Fort commander and soldiers stationed at fort lost. Fort later retaken by mercenaries hired by Lord Stavros.
A tome kept by the Count of Ioannia containing all the important events that happen within the county. It became an important symbol of just rulership of Ioainna. The first entries start in 558, accurate historical entries start in 690.
Culturally Important Artifact.
• If using the feifdom rules; +2F.
W/scribe: passive, learn 1 Lord's current store of favor.
W/scribe: passive, recording a military victory and give 1 Lord +2f, or record a defeat and give -2f
Generally entries are extremely brief and factual, their will only be a handful of entries each year. Rare events like the crowning of a new count are detailed with more poetic language. Their are also several religious/cultural myths recorded dealing with the area (that non-locals have never heard).
One of these myths catch's your eye. It tells of a battle between Cellik and Ses'sa'sinis, after Eshrenel's rebellion, to determine the boundary of the Exile Swamp. Cellik won, limiting its size. But in the setting of terms after the battle Cellik agreed to hide a powerful weapon that mortals used to fight Ses'sa'sinis' lizardmen somewhere in the swamp. After it was hidden The Dragon breathed fire around it setting fire to both the land and water surrounding it.
Recorded in October 804:
Devastation of Ioannia – [Orile 804] Ioannian defenses assaulted and overran by overwhelming force of lizardmen. Most residents killed; approx. 1000 survivors taken as prisoners into swamp. Ioannia burned and ravaged; only city walls, temple, pantheon, and palace survive.
Reclamation Expedition – [Ignemii 804] Approx. 630 settlers, soldiers, and servants under the leadership of the noble Ld.’s Chad, Filippa, Hesykosthenes, Leander, Mathilda, and Stavros arrive under mandate by and authority from King Pyrrhus to resettle and reclaim the county.
Entries predating Devastation of Ioannia made at the will and authority of the late Count Iobates. Chronicle of Ioannia retrieved from threat of destruction through heroism of Ld.’s Chad, Hesykosthenes, and Mathilda. Continued historical record made at the will and authority of Lord Chad of New Ioannia.
Battle of N’Kiru – [September 0804] Village of N’Kiru besieged by approx. 100 lizardmen. Lizardmen held at bay by sturdy walls and stalwart defenders of Lady Mathilda. Soldiers of multiple nobles mustered to mount rescue, with Lord Hesykosthenes first to arrive. Occupied by Lord Hesykosthenes’ dozen soldiers, lizardman force hit from behind and scattered by sortie of Lady Mathilda’s defenders. Entire besieging force of lizardmen run down and destroyed. No human casualties to record.
Recorded in Non Numerantur 805:
Bandit Activity – [September 804] Traveling merchant’s daughter kidnapped, raped, and killed by notorious bandit and womanizer Johnny the Cad. Outlaw brought to justice by Ld.’s Chad and Stavros. Johnny the Cad’s armor displayed as trophy in New Ioannian Reliquary.
Coup of Kulamata – [September 804] Lord Stavros deposed and expelled from Kulamata by Usurper Lysimachos and fellow rebels. No deaths in bloodless coup. Lord Chad taken hostage and ransomed by Usurper Lysimachos.
Monstrous Activity – [October 804] Goblin camp terrorizing local farmers destroyed by forces under command of Lady Mathilda.
Reconnaissance of Ioannia – [October 804] Lizardman forces and activity in Ioannia scouted by party led by Ld.’s Hesykosthenes and Mathilda. Lizardman cavalry five times the size of scouting party bloodied and routed by forces of Ld.’s Hesykosthenes and Mathilda.
Rise of the Strophee Mystery Cult – [October 804] Temple established by Strophee Mystery Cult in New Ioannia with public membership of Lord Chad, despite persecution elsewhere by Lord Hesykosthenes.
Reclamation of Kulamata – [October 804] Usurper Lysimachos slain by Lord Stavros in trial by combat. Lord Stavros restored as rightful ruler of Kulamata. Amnesty extended to rebellious serfs.
Siege of Melita – [November 804] Village of Melita besieged by approx. 250 lizardmen. Disastrous attacks mounted independently by Ld.’s Hesykosthenes and Mathilda with untold human deaths. Lizardmen subsequently driven off by overwhelming force flying the banner of Lord Stavros. Melita liberated; few deaths incurred.
Recorded in Primense 805:
Battle for Melita Burial Grounds – [December 804] Undead seen rising from burial grounds in Melita. Large pack of ghouls destroyed by combined military forces of Ld.’s Filippa, Hesykosthenes, Leander, and Mathilda. Military aided by priests with only one human casualty.
Monstrous Activity – [December 804] Forces under command of Ld.’s Filippa and Hesykosthenes defeated by small goblin band, 1 soldier killed. Goblins subsequently destroyed by forces under command of Lady Mathilda.
Bandit Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Notorious killer Jack of Swords expelled from hamlets by forces of Ld.’s Chad and Hesykosthenes. Multiple injuries and one soldier killed during brutal retreat of the Jack of Swords.
Monstrous Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Wererats, plaguing Kulamata, driven off by forces of Ld.’s Chad, Hesykosthenes, Mathilda, and Stavros. Human casualties prevented and human injuries greatly reduced through aid of large group of Strophee healers brought by Lord Chad.
Monstrous Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Camp of traveling Asteria Mystery Cultists destroyed by ghouls. Ghouls driven away by forces of Lord Chad despite strength disadvantage and without casualty.
Recorded in Orile 805
Bandit Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Forces under command of Lord Hesykosthenes defeated by the Jack of Swords in a bloody confrontation. Multiple soldier casualties and hostages taken by the bandits. Hostages killed by bandits just before bandits routed and destroyed by forces under Lady Mathilda.
Second Battle of N’Kiru – [Non Numerantur 805] N’Kiru besieged yet again by lizardmen. N’Kiru liberated by forces of Lord Chad. Lizardman forces smashed by the hammer of Lord Chad’s forces against the anvil of Lady Mathilda’s forces. No human casualties.
Monstrous Activity – [Non Numerantur 805] Ghouls responsible for destruction of Asteria nomad camp destroyed by forces of Lady Mathilda.
Execution of Thanatian Death Cultist – [Non Numerantur 805] Thanatian Death Cultist, hiding in Melita, discovered, tried, and found guilty by Elutriator under employ of Lord Leander. Execution of heathen carried out personally by Lord Leander in his capacity as a paladin.
Recorded in Hebia 805
Battle of Pylos Tower – [Primense 805] Tower previously built by outlander Lord Pylos taken over by lizardmen. Tower assaulted by combined forces of Ld.’s Chad, Leander, Mathilda, and Stavros. Lizardman defenses broken after daring and brave actions of Ex. Frank Grimes, an Elutriator under employ of Lord Stavros, gaining human forces a foothold from which to access the tower. Lizardmen destroyed, tower burned.
Monstrous Activity – [Primense 805] Goblin nest destroyed by forces of Ld.’s Chad and Stavros.
Monstrous Activity – [Primense 805] Wererats, a persistent scourge upon the land, driven off yet again, this time by forces of Lady Mathilda.
Abdication of Hesykosthenes – [Primense 805] Recent cosmic events drove Lord Hesykosthenes to madness, turning his actions haphazard and messages darkly cryptic. Seeing portents in the night sky, Lord Heyskosthenes abdicated his position and sought refuge in his family estates. Assuming the mantle and responsibilities with little fanfare, his cousin Lord Elias seeks to stabilize the lands abandoned by Lord Hesykosthenes.
Recorded in Ignemii 805
The Ioannian Pacnadia Games of 805 – [Orile 805] A range of contests highlighting trade skill, athleticism, and marshal ability hosted by traveling performers with participants supplied by all fiefdoms in the county. Full week of entertainment, competition, and revelry held during the first month of martial peace experienced since the arrival of the Reclamation Expedition.
Recorded in October 805
Bandit Activity – [Hebia 805] Without any clear victor, bandits driven off after battle with Lds. Leander and Stavros. Light casualties incurred.
Monstrous Activity – [Ignemii 805] Serfs harassed by kobolds in Lord Elias’s lands. Klepto monsters destroyed by Lds. Elias and Stavros.
The Pit Outside N’Kiru – [Ignemii 805] Ground outside N’Kiru rent by giant pit to Punishment. Cause of such unnatural heat and smoke inexplicable by local priests. Previously captured lizardman sacrificially cast into pit during ritual by local wiseman, satiating the burning pit, leaving only a shear drop to the unknown.
Monstrous Activity – [Quintilis 805] Lord Leander’s graveyard seemingly unable to serve its purpose in keeping its dead where they belong, haunted this time by two ghosts. 45 men, including many priests and paladins, gathered by Lds. Chad, Leander, Mathilda, and Stavros to destroy the ghosts. Constant stream of terrified men driven away by ghosts until ghosts laid to rest with surprising display of mental fortitude by Strophee involved. Human forces reduced to only 5 men with many soldiers and a few priests prematurely aged.
Tragedy at Northern Settlement Fort – [Sextilis 805] Settlement fort built northeast of hamlets by Lord Chad completely overrun after failed attempt to lift lizardman siege. Fort commander and soldiers stationed at fort lost. Fort later retaken by mercenaries hired by Lord Stavros.
New Entry in the Encyclopedia of Claymore
Count Chad of Ioannia Fighter 774-836
In 804 the town and county of Ioannia were almost entirely destroyed by the lizardmen of the Exile Swamp in southern Korthicos. King Pyrrhus sent a group of minor or unpopular nobles to resettle the area. Chadrick made an alley of an ancient and powerful manticore, even once flying atop it. He also defeated a primordial lizard-monster said to be the son of Ses'sa'sinis. Thus he eventual rose above the rest and was given the hereditary title of Count. His rule was a great success thanks to his popularity with his people, hand-off style of governance, and extreme skill of his steward.
In 804 the town and county of Ioannia were almost entirely destroyed by the lizardmen of the Exile Swamp in southern Korthicos. King Pyrrhus sent a group of minor or unpopular nobles to resettle the area. Chadrick made an alley of an ancient and powerful manticore, even once flying atop it. He also defeated a primordial lizard-monster said to be the son of Ses'sa'sinis. Thus he eventual rose above the rest and was given the hereditary title of Count. His rule was a great success thanks to his popularity with his people, hand-off style of governance, and extreme skill of his steward.