I've seen two very nice homemade improvements here on the forum - the goose-pen and the barracks. Both seem very creative and got me wondering whether people are using them in their games and what other home brew improvements long time players have created?



Also Morien, you mentioned the goose-pen being linked to fletchers, would you feel the two improvements could be used together to raise and train archers instead of standard footmen? My Zazamanc PK may pursue these two improvements for that purpose....

Also Morien, you mentioned the goose-pen being linked to fletchers, would you feel the two improvements could be used together to raise and train archers instead of standard footmen? My Zazamanc PK may pursue these two improvements for that purpose....

(Goose-pen link here: http://nocturnalmediaforum.com/iecarus/forum/showthread.php?930-Manorial-Improvement-idea-Goose-pen )

Eh, I don't really think it has enough of an impact either way. If someone wants to specialize in archers, I wouldn't have a problem with it, regardless any goose-pen they may or may not have. It would be more of a flavor thing.

If the player was really into it, and the GPC would be in Tournament or later when Longbow-based armies become the norm, adding a Fletcher improvement which would get some of the maintenance from the goose-pen (similarly to vineyard feeding a winery) would be possible.

One that was created by one of my players:
duck decoy
A duck decoy is a device to capture wild ducks or other species of wildfowl. The birds were slaughtered and used for food.
Wildfowl are birds that can swim, float on the water surface, and in some cases dive in at least shallow water, it includes ducks, geese and swans.

the decoy consisted of a central pool of water leading from which are from one to eight curving, tapering ditches. Over each ditch is series of hoops, made from wood, which diminish in size as the ditch tapers. The hoops are covered in netting. The combination of ditch and net-covered hoop is known as a pipe. On the outside curve of the pipe, for two-thirds of its length, are overlapping screens.


There are two methods of working a duck decoy, dogging or feeding.
Dogging
Ducks are naturally curious and when they see a predator, such as a fox, they will keep it at a distance, but tend to follow it. The decoyman uses a dog, preferably a breed similar in appearance to a fox, to lure the ducks along the pipes. The dog appears between a gap in the screens and the ducks approach. It then appears at the next gap further along the pipe, and so on until the ducks are trapped at the end of the pipe.

Feeding
The decoyman walks behind the screens, throwing grain or other food over them while keeping out of sight. The ducks follow, eating the food, and are caught at the end of the pipe.


Upgrade Duck Decoy
Cost £8
Annual Income £1d3+2
Maintenance £2
Type Investments

Duck Decoy sounds very nice for the time and area. Thanks for sharing it :)

As a quick aside, I think the rule of thumb in the revised Book of the Estate is that the investments bring in £1 profit per £10 cost to build.

So for instance, if the goose-pen is £1d2 income and £1 to maintain, that is £0-1 profit = £0.5 annual average. Hence, it should cost £5 to build. (Or do it the other way around, £5 to build = £0.5 annual profit = 1d2-1.)

Thus, the duck decoy, having a profit of 1d3 = average £1.5, should cost £15. (I know Book of the Manor & the unrevised BotE were more generous, so this may have been calibrated on those.) Personally, I would make it cheaper and less productive, probably like the goose-pen, since increasing your manor's income by 15% with duck-hunting feels a bit too much. :)

I might also increase the cost or lower the income of the duck decoy, if there is no suitable water way nearby, but that is details.