Rome, a view of the Tiber, Castel Sant'Angelo, Ponte Sant'Angelo, Saint Peter's Basilica by Hendrik Frans van Lint
Let’s defend a castle. I’d like this to be a group collaboration on how to defend a castle within a fantasy setting. For a common starting point, let’s use Dungeons & Dragons’ spells and monsters. Please feel free to branch out from this initial baseline.
PREMISE
Castles and fortresses were immensely expensive projects, and yet, were built, maintained, and upgraded because of their effectiveness. A historical medieval castle dropped into a fantasy setting becomes obsolete — or requires modifications to keep its reputation as a secure sanctuary.
How would you defend a castle against the following?
AERIAL ASSAULT
Dragons, griffons, other flying creatures.
In addition to making direct attacks, these aerial creatures also could function like helicopters or gliders in their ability to transport soldiers.
Other than siege towers and scaling ladders, a medieval castle had little to fear from direct infiltration from above.
How would you deal with any airborne threats?
SUBTERRANEAN SABOTAGE
Tunneling has been used for centuries to undermine castles and defensive positions, even into modern warfare. What fantastical elements could be used to collapse a castle tower or curtain wall?
And, with large burrowing creatures now in the ecosystem, even a random passerby could pose a risk to the castle.
How would you ensure the castle remains on steady ground?
19th century depiction of Hunyadi Castle
MIGHTY MAGIC
Magic poses a broad slate of new challenges. Magic can be dramatic as well as subtle.
To smash or batter down the thick walls of a castle is one way to conquest. A castle’s walls could be breached by turncoats who open a gate or who don’t raise the alarm when a ladder is placed against a wall in the dark of night. Bribes, demoralization, and offers of safe passage also can doom a castle without a hand ever being raised in anger.
Endless thoughts or the forces playing on the minds of the defenders are ever-present variables. Powerful forms of magic in their own right.
D&D spells such as Misty Step, Dimension Door, Invisibility, Greater Invisibility, Sleep, Charm Person, Disguise Self would create new or heightened challenges for castle architects and defenders.
What other spells would pose a challenge? And, how would you counter these concerns?
NEW DESIGNS AND DEFENSES
Imagine you and others reading this article are looking out from a pavilion and deciding where to build a new stronghold.
What recommendations would you make?
Leave a comment and check back to reply to the comments of others.
What an awesome idea for a post! One take: If a lord has the resources to build a stronghold or castle, they must also have resources to garrison and fortify it as well. Clerics to make the castle hallowed ground, mages to put wards on doors and in rooms, and beasts (mundane and rare) to patrol the grounds (and skies). And regardless of the level of fantasy, a network of informants and spies is always good for defense, or even a preemptive offense. Looking forward to hearing what others have to say. 👍🏽
I like your thinking, bringing a bit of realism into a fantasy setting. My opinions would be:
Aerial Assault: A good immediate plan would be to have a dragon army of your own, but if this is not feasible there are always ballistas, cannons, or just a solid stone roof would work.
Subterranean Sabotage: Now this would depend on what creatures live in the area as to what would be best but a possible all around solution would be a metal barrier below ground. Burrow ability allows movement through earth and rock but NOT metal. Or if you want to be even trickier, a large mimic colony, trained purple worm, pact with a blue dragon (if castle inhabitants are of a more evil alignment).
Mighty Magic: This one is a bit more complicated as each class has its own unique abilities and rules. The easiest solution would be for YOUR mage to set up multiple anti-magic fields in strategic areas. Another possibility if the castle doesn't have a mage is to arm the castle to the teeth with constructs such as Helmed Horrors and and various types of golems as well as siege weapons. (Constructs mostly because they can't be charmed and many damage and protection spells exclude constructs.)