A Campaign Stronghold is a permanent base of operations that the party establishes, distinct from the more mobile, temporary Campaign Campsite. It represents a larger investment in time, resources, and narrative importance, often serving as a home base where the group can store valuable items, develop meaningful NPC relationships, and shape the world around them.

This is often something that comes up in tier 2 or greater play, as the party gains enough resources and notoriety to establish a foothold in an area.

Key Characteristics

1. Permanent Location
2. While a Campsite follows the party or can be quickly moved, the Stronghold remains anchored to a specific place. It might be a fortress, a cluster of buildings, or a repurposed ruin.
3. Travel to and from the stronghold could take days, weeks, or even months, emphasizing its significance as a strategic home base rather than a convenient resting spot.
4. Infrastructure & Upgrades
5. Unlike a campsite, which primarily focuses on tents and minor tools, a stronghold can feature permanent structures: workshops, libraries, vaults, armories, and living quarters.
6. The party may invest gold, resources, and time to build or enhance these facilities. Improvements might grant mechanical benefits, such as improved crafting times, storage capacity, or access to specialized NPC services.
7. Storage & Management
8. Because the stronghold doesn’t move, the party can store large, unwieldy equipment (like siege engines, heavy forges, or magical apparatus) that can’t be transported easily.
9. Long-term storage offers security for precious gear and artifacts, though it also introduces the possibility of theft or invasion if the stronghold is left undefended.
10. Downtime & Staffing
11. A stronghold is ideal for extended downtime activities—crafting powerful items, researching ancient lore, training specialized skills, or administrating local affairs.
12. The party may hire NPC staff, such as guards, crafters, or scholars, to maintain and defend the stronghold or to continue producing goods between gaming sessions.
13. No Automatic Relocation
14. Setting up or moving a stronghold demands significant planning and effort. Buildings and heavy fixtures typically cannot be uprooted without major in-game resources or story justification.
15. Should the GM allow relocation, items, NPCs, and other assets are not transferred automatically. Each piece of the stronghold’s infrastructure must be painstakingly moved or rebuilt, requiring collaboration between players and the GM.

Using the Stronghold in Your Campaign

1. Narrative Anchor
2. The stronghold can become a focal point for quest lines: defending it from rival factions, negotiating trade deals with neighboring villages, or hosting diplomatic events.
3. Events that occur at the stronghold—such as festivals, invasions, or NPC intrigue—can shape the party’s reputation and influence in the campaign world.
4. Ongoing Development
5. Encourage players to dream up building expansions or improvements that align with their characters’ goals (e.g., a ranger might want an animal pen, a wizard might desire a grand library).
6. Track construction or renovation over in-game time to give players a sense of accomplishment when new features are completed.
7. Economic & Political Interactions
8. The party’s stronghold can be a centerpiece for regional politics. They might attract artisans, farmers, or merchants, turning the stronghold into a small community or trade hub.
9. Factions or neighboring rulers might seek alliances or pose threats if the party’s domain gains too much power.
10. Defensive and Offensive Potential
11. A well-defended stronghold can serve as a bastion against enemy incursions, protecting valuable assets.
12. Conversely, a stronghold might be a launch point for military campaigns or raids, representing the party’s rising influence on a larger scale.

GM Tips

1. Scale Threats Appropriately
2. Owning a stronghold raises the stakes. Players now have something to lose, so threats should reflect the significance of guarding (or expanding) their territory.
3. Reward Investment
4. Construction projects, alliances with local powers, or successful defenses should yield tangible benefits—like unique items, local renown, or reduced downtime for specialized tasks.
5. Pace the Development
6. Building a stronghold shouldn’t happen overnight. Spread out construction, upgrades, and staffing over multiple sessions or in-game months to emphasize the realism and importance of this major endeavor.
7. Engage Players with Consequences
8. If the party neglects their stronghold, issues may arise: morale drops among the guards, bandits capitalize on weak defenses, or rival lords seize the opportunity to encroach on their land.