Last question (for now haha) - how do you get more manpower

[FroBodine]

I keep getting a message that I have no stronghold, and every location that I secure says not enough manpower. What does this even mean?

If this is explained further into the game, then that's fine. I'll wait. But, if not, I would appreciate some insight into this game mechanic.

I am getting ready to hit the first town/dock area, about four locations from the starting prison. So, I'm still way early in the game.

[Blackjack]

Manpower generation is determined by a character's alignment.

Lawful characters generate an amount equal to their highest Utility skill (Labour, Thwart, Weave).
Neutral characters generate an amount equal to their total Utility investment squared.
Chaotic characters generate an amount equal to their second highest skill.

Certain skill levels will increase this amount. The second Labour skill, for example, doubles all Manpower generated.

edit - If you want, you can send me a friend request to get more or less live action answers haha. That way you won't have to post on the forums and wait for a reply!

[Machi]

Originally posted by FroBodine:

Pretty much all explained, but just to add, almost every (but not all) maps in the game you secure have a manpower requeriment to turn it into your stronghold (the map "upkeep"). Also, every stronghold "supports" a max number of people and or services. (Yes, services use the stronghold capacity too, but they are really necessary, not just a commodity)

As an example, the March Marina, the first stronghold map has an upkeep of 144, so if your manpower is below that, you wont be able to set the map as your stronghold.

But suppose you got 444 or more manpower, you can occupy one of the stronghold slots to hire a service that can be quite usefull, like a quartermaster, blacksmith or even a merchant! (I'd suggest getting a quartermaster early on)

Another thing you must know, you can change your stronghold to another map at any given moment, so long you have enough manpower to pay the upkeep. Also, manpower isn't some kind of "coin" you dont spend it, but the ammount of manpower can be lowered in case you decide to dimiss one of your party members. all the manpower he/she produces will be gone with him.

[FroBodine]

Great stuff, Wolfy! Thanks. So, can you only ever have one stronghold at a time, or multiple ones in various locations? Would you even want more than one?

I'm thinking their are like home bases, a place to keep all your stuff.

[panurgy]

You only need one at a time. You can move it when you have enough manpower for a bigger space.

I usually get the biggest one I can "afford" as my manpower increases, because it's good to have a couple of slots open to get NPCs to join or to recruit monsters or people in battle.

Manpower took me the longest to figure out, so here are a couple of rules of thumb:

You eventually want to get all recruits level 2 Labor. It will double the manpower output of that character, regardless of their alignment.

You want around 5 or 6 recruits to be primarily combatants (melee, archer, or wizard), but most of the rest you'll want to turn into laborers. For Lawful characters just invest all their points in Labor. For Neutral invest in any of the Utility skills (though get at least 2 in Labor). For Chaotic, do whatever you want, but along the way give them 2 in Labor. Chaotic characters are the best recruits in this sense, because they can be spec'd for combat and still provide decent manpower.

Note that with the above strategy, Lawful and Neutral characters will be really bad in combat. That's OK, just give them a bow and take them out with 3 good fighters when you need to level them up.