Let's Change Forts

[WraithLord]

agreed. Maybe supplies could confer a bonus to income as well (smaller than admin of course).

And defense may add some national militia squads or something.

[thejeff]

The better forts could just have even more built in archers. And I mean lots.
Currently, those are nice, but past the earliest wars aren't sufficient to turn a battle.

[JimMorrison]

Renojustin said:
Peasants do not refuge in a fort because that would be worthless mouths to feed during a siege. Castles are reserved for fighting men and those with useful trades, like blacksmiths and coopers and such.

What about the Fortified City, Tel City, Great City, Swamp City, Jeweled City, Mountain City, Cave City, and perhaps the Citadels?

"Citadel" seems to me to refer to a monstrous fortification like Helm's Deep in LOTR, designed to temporarily house enormous numbers of people, with the direct intent of keeping them all from being slaughtered by the occupational forces (and deprive them of slave labor) during the seige.

[Renojustin]

Sieges can last more than a year. At that point, defenders of the fort are usually down to eating bugs, shoe leather, and each other.

All Saruman had to do was lock them up in there for a few weeks and Rohan would have died. Then wait for Gandalf on the fifth day, and kill his ***.

A besieged city would be much, much worse. Riots, murder, disease, and cannibalism would run rampant... and then the really bad stuff would start.

So you go right ahead and hole up at Helm's Deep, buddy. I've got dibs on your leg!

[Twan]

Peasants... are something to eat.

[Leif_-]

Renojustin said:
Sieges can last more than a year. At that point, defenders of the fort are usually down to eating bugs, shoe leather, and each other.

All Saruman had to do was lock them up in there for a few weeks and Rohan would have died. Then wait for Gandalf on the fifth day, and kill his ***.

There has been real-world sieges, of cities, that have lasted for years -- and Saruman was on a deadline. Dawdling would not be appreciated by his betters ... worsers?

Besides, even if Saruman hadn't attacked Helm's Deep head on, he would still have lost the moment the Ents showed up on the field.

[Edi]

Just a heads up, the soon to appear modding wishes shortlist is going to have a slew of fort modding suggestions.

[Endoperez]

Renojustin said:
Sieges can last more than a year. At that point, defenders of the fort are usually down to eating bugs, shoe leather, and each other.

All Saruman had to do was lock them up in there for a few weeks and Rohan would have died. Then wait for Gandalf on the fifth day, and kill his ***.

A besieged city would be much, much worse. Riots, murder, disease, and cannibalism would run rampant... and then the really bad stuff would start.

So you go right ahead and hole up at Helm's Deep, buddy. I've got dibs on your leg!

Actually, Helm's Deep is a Mountain Fortress, or perhaps Cave Fort or Jervellan Wall, to Edoras' (that was the capital, right?) Tel City. Less city, more walls any way.

LA Ulm's Malediction was basically need-not-eat commanders and slaves besieging the Ulmish capital. That went well... But of course, Ulm being Ulm had something to do with it. Eating just broth and wine for a few years would be tough (potatoes... oh my God they are eating potatoes out there! Charge!), and could result in insanity and eating bugs and rats at some point, but sieges would take much longer.

[JimMorrison]

Peasants - the other white meat.



Anyways, as you may or may not be aware, at some times, and especially in poorer weather areas, sieges were often broken for the winter, to resupply the besieging army. These sieges would in fact sometimes last years at a time. Honestly, I think the Dominions method of reducing supplies in the fort are harsh enough. Considering that a Roman legion typically consisted of ~10k men, and we are looking at armies of a few hundred, they should be able to live in there indefinitely.

[Renojustin]

A Roman legion consisted of 4200 foot and 300 horse.

EDIT: I knew that because in my youth I played a little Sega Genesis game called Centurion: Defender of Rome. One of the ancient spiritual precursors to Dominions, for sure. Actually, I think the graphics were a little bit better.