Automatic stronghold generation! [OD&D / Delving Deeper]

 

Let's bring together all my favorite things: random tables, automated through Inspiration Pad Pro, OD&D-style strongholds, and ancient history turned fantasy!

I put together a generator file for Strongholds:

Download the .ipt file*

* To run the generator, you need Inspiration Pad Pro 3.0 installed, then you have to copy the generator file (.ipt) into the folder with all the other generators. The software is free for Windows, but not free as a mobile app.

or,

use the online generator at perchance, created by ktrey/d4 Caltrops!

It's based upon:

1. The wilderness and treasure sections of Delving Deeper form the foundation (DD is one of the best OD&D clones out there!).
2. For the NPCs, I added the wonderful d4 Caltrops Vocations, Mannerisms & Pecularities!
3. For names, I loaded thousands of ancient Greek, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Hittite names, sources from Kate Monk's Onomastikon.
4. And fleshed it out with some of my own work.
5. Also, for inspiration, read the collected "Implied OD&D setting" posts!

The file generates a hextype, a short stronghold history, details about the current resident and garrison, and also a magic artifact or item that can be found at the fortress. Named magic swords included!

A couple of examples:

· Plains hex
· The Stronghold is a centuries old fastness at a bridge. It was won at a game of chance by the current resident. Its condition is weak.
· The resident is Eurykratides the Barbarian, a level 10 Chaotic Magic-User (signature spell: Phantasm), Judgmental and Paranoid; with an entourage of Gargoyles. Attended by 2 Apprentices (level 3-6 Magic-Users).
· The resident's coat of arms is a Purple Flower against Black field.
· A force of 130 Berserkers is garrisoned in the Stronghold.
· No Specialist hireling is in the resident's personal employ.
· Some NPCs: Pushu-ken (Fastidious Caulker), Satyros (Egotistical Shrine Attendant) and Luga the Gray (Honest Furniture Maker).
· An artifact is hidden in the zoo: a Map leading to a magic item: a magic sword:

Teeth of Leontiades the Mad
Lawful Sword +2, Ego: 5 (+1 for each language or power), Intelligence: 5 (Unintelligent)
If both Intelligence and Ego are equal to or over 9, the sword's Purpose is to Slay fighters

 

· Mountains hex
· The Stronghold is a pre-human fort inside a volcano. It was created by the current resident. Its condition is serviceable.
· The resident is Duchess Oarizus, a level 11 Anti-Cleric (signature spell: Insect Plague), Impolite and Giggling; with an entourage of Vampires.
· The resident's coat of arms is a Black Gorgon against Silver field.
· A force of 100 Orcs is garrisoned in the Stronghold.
· No Specialist hireling is in the resident's personal employ.
· Some NPCs: Ahu-shina (Earnest Hawker), Maiandrios (Irrational Guardsman) and Pinotmou the Equine (Observant Jailor).
· An artifact is hidden in the bedchamber: Plate armor & shield +2.

 

· Desert hex
· The Stronghold is an antediluvian fort on an island. It was purchased by the current resident. Its condition is vulnerable.
· The resident is Cockatrice Archduke, a level 11 Neutral Fighter, Understanding and Immature; with an entourage of Griffons with Riders. Attended by Somtutefnakhte, a level 6 Cleric (signature spell: Neutralize Poison*).
· The resident's coat of arms is a Crimson Flame against Red field.
· A force of 120 Buccaneers is garrisoned in the Stronghold.
· A Ship’s Captain (Oenops) is in the resident's personal employ.
· Some NPCs: Imdi-ilum (Reticent Furrier), Zopyrus (Just Bookbinder) and Ankhnesneferibre from the West (Businesslike Footpad).
· An artifact is hidden in the resident's room: a magic sword:

Doom of the Sword-bearer
Neutral Sword +2, Vorpal, Ego: 8 (+1 for each language or power), Intelligence: 3 (Unintelligent)
If both Intelligence and Ego are equal to or over 9, the sword's Purpose is to Slay fighters

· Ice plains hex
· The Stronghold is a pre-human keep on a cliff. It was created by the current resident. Its condition is ruinous.
· The resident is Deineira the Bald, a level 10 Cleric (signature spell: True Seeing), Magnetic and Cloddish; with an entourage of Hippogriffs with Riders. Attended by 5 Assistants (level 3-6 Clerics).
· The resident's coat of arms is a Purple Rider against Blue and Silver chequered field.
· A force of 70 Zealots is garrisoned in the Stronghold.
· No Specialist hireling is in the resident's personal employ.
· Some NPCs: Warad-iliya (Shivering Bowyer/Fletcher), Nur-kubi (Distant Beekeeper) and Ankhtify the Demoniac (Kempt Alderman).
· An artifact is hidden in the castle moat: a Treasure map and a magic sword:

Bejeweled Fang of Igmilum
Lawful Sword +2, Unholy, Ego: 8 (+1 for each language or power), Intelligence: 10, communicates Verbally (languages: Alignment and one additional)
Powers: Detect magic, Detect shifting stonework, Detect shifting stonework
If both Intelligence and Ego are equal to or over 9, the sword's Purpose is to Slay fighters

· Forest hex
· The Stronghold is an ancient tower at a bridge. It was created by the current resident. Its condition is ruined.
· The resident is Nammahani, a level 10 Cleric (signature spell: Detect Evil), Irrational and Macabre; with an entourage of Centaurs. Attended by Ahi-shagish, a level 7 Fighter.
· The resident's coat of arms is a White Gorgon against White and Light-Blue chequered field.
· A force of 120 Berserkers is garrisoned in the Stronghold.
· An Assassin (Tjia) is in the resident's personal employ.
· Some NPCs: Oresus (Waspish Doctor/Dentist), Astyarges (Forgetful Exotic Animal Dealer) and Paser the Lion (Bellicose Welldigger).
· An artifact is hidden in the vegetable patch: Helm of Alignment Change.

 

· Swamp hex
· The Stronghold is a famed keep in a valley. It was won at a game of chance by the current resident. Its condition is weak.
· The resident is the Raccoon, a level 9 Anti-Cleric (signature spell: Speak with Dead), Paunchy and Apathetic; with an entourage of Lycanthropes (Werebears).
· The resident's coat of arms is a Gray Centaur against Red and Silver vertical divisions.
· A force of 110 Zealots is garrisoned in the Stronghold.
· No Specialist hireling is in the resident's personal employ.
· Some NPCs: Mutu-bisir (Fastidious Woodseller), Tefibi (Loyal Fool/Buffoon) and Syennesis , Son of the Large Snake (Optimistic Government Official).
· An artifact is hidden in the highest tower: a Treasure map.