In response to Robert Harper & He Who Spoke Before:

> >I have had some problems lately with the contest action as it is
> >described in the rule book.
> >
> >I used to think that you had to have a holding of the same kind to be
> >able to contest a holding of somebody else.
> >(i.e. you need a guild holding to contest a guild holding).
> >But lately a somebody tried to contest my source holding while he didn't
> >own a source holding in the province so I checked again.
>
> I view your interpretation (most recent) as correct. Anyone with influence,
> be it mercantile, religious, lawful or magical, can use that influence to
> disrupt the affairs of another. Contest does not have to be about taking
> over the holding, just getting rid of its current holder.
>
> Recently had a province ruler in my campaign Contest a Temple Holder into
> the ground because he disapproved of the religion in question. There should
> be no question the Ruler can do this, and by extension Law Holder. Ability
> of church or mercants to influence each other and law pretty clear as well.
>
> Only tricky one is Source due to its less 'substantial' nature. But thought
> of as connection to nature and land, its ability to work against others and
> be worked against itself becomes clearer.
>
> I see no problem with cross-holding type contests. Give PC's more things to
> spend on and more things to worry about. Essence of a good campaign is choices.

I think it all comes down to how you define your holdings and how they
interact. Law holdings in one's own domain is defined as the local
constabulary, but in others it may be discribed as thugs or banditry.
Law, Guild and Temple holdings are made up of people handling those
matters for the regent. If High Druid Max desides the local loging
Guild has got to go, his followers will do their best to comply with his
will. If Guildmaster Guedo desides the cops are getting too restrictive,
Sheriff Bobbo may find some of his men are "retiring early". Etc,etc...

The same goes for Sources. If a wizard has defined the Source as being
focused within a grove of trees and Guilder Guedo drops by with his
lumberjacks, well...
This dosn't mean the wizard can't take a few precautions of his own.
(The information on Sources in the Magecraft book has lots of good ideas
for the finding and defining of Source holdings)

Later...
- --
Grendel Todd