Resource extraction, compound structures, and refining
Outposts are remote resource-gathering settlements you build on the parish map. Each outpost extracts a primary resource from the land, and can be expanded with compound structures that produce additional resources or refine raw materials into valuable goods.
Caravans transport collected resources back to your estate. The outpost system is your primary engine for scaling production beyond what a single estate can provide.
Tip: Yield varies across the map. Look for high-yield zones before placing an outpost — a 1.5x yield outpost produces 50% more than a 1.0x outpost of the same level.
Outposts can be upgraded from level 1 to level 10. Each level increases:
| Stat | Per Level | At Level 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary production | +base rate per level | ~125% of estate building Lv 10 |
| Storage capacity | +200 per level | 2,000 |
| Structure slots | +1 every 3 levels | 7 slots |
Resources accumulate in the outpost's storage until collected. Send a caravan from your estate to gather them:
Automation: You can enable automated collection on each outpost. When storage reaches the configured threshold, a caravan is dispatched automatically every 10 minutes.
Each outpost has a compound — a circular perimeter where you can place modular structures. Open the compound view by clicking Manage Compound on any outpost you own.
Structures fall into four categories:
These produce additional resources based on their type and the local yield. Production scales with structure level.
Grows wheat using the local soil fertility.
Harvests lumber from the surrounding forest.
Extracts stone from local deposits.
Digs iron ore from underground veins.
Catches fish from nearby waters.
Refining structures convert raw resources stored in the outpost into higher-value refined goods. They consume input at a 2:1 ratio and require the outpost to be at least level 3. Outposts are the high-throughput way to make refined materials.
You don't need an outpost to get started: your estate Lumbermill, Quarry and Mine refine a small amount of planks, slabs and iron ingots automatically once they reach level 5. Outposts are for scaling that production up to serious volume, not a requirement for progression.
Tip: Pair production and refining structures together. A Quarry produces stone, while a Stone Cutter's Hut refines that stone into slabs, all within the same outpost. The caravan collects both raw and refined resources.
How refining throughput works: A level 1 refining structure consumes 4 input per tick and produces 2 output. At level 3 (max), it consumes 12 input and produces 6 output per tick. That's 360 refined resources per hour at max level.
Defensive structures protect your outpost against raids. They don't produce resources but trade a structure slot for garrison bonuses.
Wooden fortification that boosts garrison defense and reduces incoming damage.
Stone tower that multiplies garrison defense power and reduces loot stolen during raids.
Expands storage capacity and protects a portion of resources from being looted during raids.
Structures can be upgraded from level 1 to level 3. Each level multiplies the structure's output. Upgrade costs increase with level:
| Target Level | Cost Multiplier | Build Time |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (initial) | 1x base cost | 2 minutes |
| Level 2 | 2x base cost | 3 minutes |
| Level 3 | 4x base cost | 5 minutes |
Any production or refining structure can be disabled from its info modal. A disabled structure stops consuming input and producing output, but remains built. This is useful when you want to stockpile a raw resource instead of refining it, or reduce caravan load for specific resources.
Structures can be damaged during enemy raids. Damaged structures stop producing until repaired. Repair cost is 50% of the structure's placement cost at its current level, and takes 2 minutes plus 1 minute per structure level.
You can demolish any structure to free up the slot. Demolishing refunds 25% of the total resource investment (including upgrade costs). This is irreversible.
You can assign one of your experts as a foreman for an outpost. The foreman provides a production bonus based on their relevant skill level — an expert with mining skill boosts an iron ore outpost, for example.
Foremen also gain experience each production tick, gradually leveling up their skill for a growing bonus. The expert must have studied the Outpost Foreman knowledge node to be eligible.
High-level outposts (level 6+) produce a small amount of catalyst resources in addition to their primary output. These rare resources are used in advanced crafting and building:
| Primary Resource | Catalyst Produced | Min Level |
|---|---|---|
| 🌾 Wheat | 🌶️ Eastern Spices | Level 6 |
| ⛏️ Iron Ore | 🔩 Bog Iron | Level 6 |
| 🪵 Lumber | 🧪 Ancient Resin | Level 6 |
| 🐟 Fish | 🧂 Sea Salt | Level 6 |
Tip: Catalyst resources have their own storage cap per level above the minimum. A level 10 outpost stores up to 250 catalyst units. Caravans pick up catalyst resources alongside the primary resource automatically.
Outposts can be garrisoned with military units to defend against raids. Send troops from the outpost card or the map modal. Key defense mechanics:
Caravan travel time depends on the number of parishes between your estate and the outpost, with speed bonuses from:
| Modifier | Source |
|---|---|
| Fleet type multiplier | Hauler (0.6x speed), Armored (0.85x speed), Standard (1.0x) |
| Fleet upgrade bonus | Per-caravan level upgrades |
| Seer perk | Religious specialization caravan speed bonus |
| Tool bonus | Active tool buffs (e.g. iron wheels) |
| Road network | Established roads between parishes reduce travel time |
| Seasonal events | Active seasonal modifiers |
| Parish quest bonus | Completed parish quests with travel speed rewards |
Caravans load all resource types stored in the outpost — primary resources, catalyst resources, and refined goods. Capacity is determined by the fleet entry assigned to the caravan.
Location matters. Yield multipliers vary across the map. A 1.6x yield iron ore outpost outperforms a 0.8x one at every level. Scout before you build.
Pair producers with refiners. Build a Quarry and a Stone Cutter's Hut in the same outpost. The quarry fills the storage with stone, and the cutter refines it into slabs — a more valuable resource. One caravan trip brings home both.
Automate collection. Enable automation on outposts that fill up quickly. A level 10 iron ore outpost with a smeltery produces both iron ore and iron ingots — set automation to 60% and let caravans handle the rest.
Defend high-value outposts. A garrison with a Palisade and Watchtower significantly reduces raid damage. Prioritize defense on outposts producing rare catalyst resources.
Disable when needed. If you're stockpiling stone for a big building project, disable the Stone Cutter's Hut temporarily so nothing gets refined. Re-enable it when you need slabs again.
Imperia Borealis — Outpost Guide