The Island Fortress

I created this post simply to ask a few questions about our new island home. I'm the kind of guy who likes to plot and scheme ahead of time, so I like to have better idea what I'm scheming with. First, we need a name for this place. I nominate Jamestowne, in reference to the very famous settlement in Virginia. Second, is this island self-sustaining? Does it have enough space for farmland, or is all food (other than seafood that we catch) shipped in? Third, what resources does this island have? Fourth, why was this place abandoned/allowed to fall into its current condition? Fifth, is there a village near the castle? Have we been granted the authority to govern these people? (Are we technically lords?) Sixth, whats the climate like? Seventh, does the castle's defenses include a fortified port area? (Ie. can we set up a badass port and demand people pay for docking there in exchange for not getting shot by pirates chasing them?) Eighth, whats  the climate like? Ninth, where is this located relative to Eras and the major trade routes? Thanks for your time.

As far as name, we should get together to agree on one. Right now, we have plans to make it self sustaining. No idea on the resources as of yet. We do have some more work to do with how it is set up. As for now we'll have to import things we need. As for the castle structure, it's a pile of rubble. No one living on the island. We've got plans to bring people in, though. No defenses, yet. I imagine it's fair weather with the occasional storm, as it would be on the seas. BTW, your sixth and eighth questions were the same. We're south west of Eras on the map. I'll be working on an idea of how we want the main structures to be set up. And then drawing it all out on graph paper, then finding out how to load it up online. Or drawing it out on Roll 20 after I do it on paper.

cx didn't know we were discussing this. 

We chatted about it a bit last week, would like to get some more input from people about things we may need. If anything post ideas. The main area I have some ideas for at least the first few floors. I think Zeekten has aspirations on the mountain on the island, and I know a couple people should discuss the docks we'll need.

I'm claiming the Arena for a fighters guild type setup to help protect the island, if that's of any help. We can chat more on it if you'd like. 

Oh yeah, that was my other question: how big is the island itself? I understand there's a mountain too, but is there land for farming? A village outside the castle?  I think we need a barracks, as well as a large area for the soldiers to drill and train. Obviously an armory of some kind. Repair facilities, several secure storage areas for stuff like food and the like, archery/gun range,  parade ground,  Grand hall for  meetings and feasts, a library containing  information to help us on there is knowledge checks  and magical questions. There's probably more we need, but that's all I can think of offhand.  Also, we ought to meet up sometime to discuss the docks situation. Im down to meet via Facebook sometime. 

There's a castle we can use, I'm sure it has floors. And I'm assuming it's rather large, due to the mountain. So I think we might have enough for what we need. Can always renovate the castle ;) And Doblin, you can always come on ts as well. We are always in there somewhere. 

This is is a little something I put together as an idea for what it should be like. There should be several fallback points and defensive positions. Just my 2 cents. Also, sorry about the formatting, I'm posting this from my phone. EDIT: upon further review, and a glance at the rulebook, I've come up with some additional ideas. First, we ought to include "fancy rooms" for visiting officials and/or dignitaries, depending on their rank. We should also design these rooms so we can spy on the people inside them, because I don't trust the new king. Second, we probably want a "siege engine construction room" or whatever its actually named because siege engines are relatively expensive, and my defensive plan for the castle basically boils down to "throw a lot of heavy artillery at the problem until it goes away." According to the CRB, heavy catapults cost 800gp and ballistas cost 500gp each, plus any special ammo we want to put in them (more on that later). I think each guard tower should have a minimum of one heavy catapult and two ballista, with additional ballista scattered along the walls for additional fire support. [based on my above diagram with 18 towers, not including any special defenses in the keep, that comes out to 32k for defending the outer towers, our weakest line of defense. We need to save cash somewhere.] Having catapults armed with alchemist's fire (which burns thru wooden objects like ships, ignoring hardness) ought to keep most invaders in check. I would also like to equip my ship with a large number of siege weapons so I can act as our party's warship. (Also, lets be honest, Edward isn't really a "reformed pirate" he quit because he realized there was more gold to be made elsewhere, and his dreams of becoming a noble took charge) This brings up my third point, which is "having firebombs would probably be useful." With that in mind, lets include an alchemists shop in the castle, and let him build specialty ammunition for our siege weapons and alchemical grenades for our soldiers to drop on potentially hostile armies.

OK, as far as the Main keep goes, it's rubble atm, nothing but rubble. I have some plans for the first floor atm, need to work out a basement, and upper floors.  I'm planning for storms, invasions, etc. Biggest issue at this time is getting the materials and workers to build. The Island is fairly big, we laid out some ideas of where some things can go. There's already an area sectioned off for training grounds. And another for farming. I think we should also section off an area for a cemetery. We do need to start up an area for a small forest also. As for the docks, I was leaving that up to Veric and Eddy to hash out, as they are both the sailors. As I think everyone might be busy for easter, I don't think anyone will be on til late on sunday. If anyone wants to chat about it weeknights, just let me know. I pop on to TS to see if anyone is on, but Garb never responds when I pop into which ever room he is in, lol.