Strongholds in Imesse
Strongholds are grants of land given by the King or one of his Dukes or Barons to someone that has put forth great effort to pacify or secure some threat to the Kingdoms of Imesse. These Grants can come with an obligation to fulfill some required action or effect on the region of the land granted, or it can come with an obligation to provide armed service in times of need or crisis. These Grants can also carry a title or official rank, but not all do.
The Granting of Strongholds was first initiated in the Kingdom of Lesser Imesse by King Mak II in an effort to pacify and settle the region of Teboba. This Royal Grant saw measurable success almost immediately, and as adventurers and campaigners ventured deeper into Teboba, winning bounties for the efforts undertaken as well as the treasure that was often associated with the tasks, these grants of strongholds provided communities and fortress refuges within the wilderness for future adventurers. Areas of ongoing effort include Briary of Molisloth, the Briary of Soton, the Town of Lothrick and the Town of Borick.
The successes in Lesser Imesse were seen and the program was initiated in the north, as well. Stronghold Grants were made in the northern Baronies of Cyell and Dunrick, then by the High King of Imesse for ventures on the Colian frontier in the Royal Domains of Northern Imesse.
Since the success of the Maxalli Rebellion in 98 AF and the crowning of Josso am Maxalli, called "the Thunderfist", it has been a crime to build a castle or fortified house without a charter from the King throughout the entire Kingdom. This was continued in both Realms with the creation of the Two Kingdoms of Imesse. With the institution of the Stronghold Grants, this changed significantly.
Technically, the Grants are still given by Royal Decree, even if offered by a noble Officer of the Royal Court. What is different is the removal of the fees and costs associated with the right to build a fortified house or tower, and to maintain an armed force. Taxes are still collected, and the feudal sword tax is still due when needed, but the rights associated with them are not bought with a great sum of gold. Instead, they are won by accomplishing great deeds that provide for or promote the welfare of the Realm.
Officially there is no limit to the size of the fortification that a Grant holder could build, but typically the most common fortification built is a tower house. As the smallest and cheapest structure available to young and successful adventurers, they are the design that is most readily achievable. The largest limiter to the sort of structure built is money, but it is more than simply the cost of the buildings themselves.
Most Stronghold Grants come with obligations tied to the grant. An example might be that, once the Grant is accepted and the stronghold is built, then roads must be planned, built and maintained. Or perhaps the obligation is to build a canal connecting a new village to a navigable river. Or it might be a series of bridges across difficult river crossings.
Nearly all the Stronghold Grants made to adventurers in the Teboba region of Lesser Imesse come with the following requirements: all Strongholds must provide shelter and/or assistance to other adventurers that might come to need in the region; all Strongholds must establish and settle (at least) one village at or near the Stronghold seat; all Strongholds must pay a tax of 40% of revenue after the cost of establishing a productive mine/quarry/mill/foundry, and 20% of any productive timber/charcoal/peat/wool venture. All other operations and ventures pay a 10% tax, typically at the market point of any transaction. Cereal grains are taxed at the mill, produce is taxed at the market, and meat is taxed at the butcher. The Stronghold holder is required to collect the taxes and get them to the noble that requires them, and to provide accounts detailing the production of the Grant lands and balancing those details with the taxes collected.
