WHAT DO I PUT IN MY CASTLE COURTYARD?

I see this a lot in castles in RPG Maker games, but in my opinion it makes no sense to have shops in a castle courtyard where nobody is ever going to buy anything.

This isn't exactly as senseless as you make it out to be, which I'll elaborate in a moment:

- Equipment / item shops

It was commonplace for castles to host blacksmiths, armorers, fletchers, poleturners, masons, carpenters, and other such various craftsmen and merchants because the castle garrison needed such facilities for everyday operation. Plus, a castle doesn't have to bar normal civilians from entry (especially a castle in a world of your own creation); if a castle allowed ordinary people to come in and do business, then it'd make plenty of sense to host such workshops and markets in the courtyard.

I agree with you on the out-of-place-ness for ordinary houses and inns/pubs though, those are better situated outside the castle walls (the castle garrison can party in the castle itself, anyway!).

Things I already have:

- A training spot for soldiers to spar and practice
- Stables
- A fountain

Other things that come to mind are:
* An archery range.
* A jousting arena.
* Barracks and/or dorms for the castle garrison.
* Craftsmen's workshops which I mentioned above.
* A garden (and a garden maze?).
* A lake (to complement the garden?).

You just put Rob in it. Seriously, perhaps a few NPCs to talk to?

author=JustRob
Right, I'll just make a huge empty courtyard with nothing but brick floor and some NPC's aimlessly wandering around saying random crap.

Thanks for the tip.

Remind me never to try to help you doing anything ever. °°