• Train Units

Each castle you own can produce 1-6 units each turn. Your home base can produce 2, and the castles you capture start with a production of 1, but all can be upgraded. Units are paid for when the training starts, but are not ready until the next turn. If the castle is captured before then, no units are produced, and no refunds are given!

• Order Movement

Each army unit can be ordered to move to a neighboring area. If the unit has a movement value greater than 1, the unit can be ordered to move to several connecting areas. There is no limitation of how many units an area may hold. 

• Convey Units

Units may also be ordered to convey using friendly ships. To convey, the unit must be adjacent to the ship area. The ship can load, move and unload the unit in the same turn. The ship can also go on longer expeditions, with the unit still on board. If your ship is lost in combat, any units on board are lost. Each ship can hold units up to its capacity (1-3). Loading and unloading units takes 1 movement time each.

• Buy Scrolls, Techs and Buildings

Each round a set of random scrolls are offered at the market, with random prices. You can buy these and gain access to them immediately. Some scrolls allow you to build buildings onto the map that gives certain bonuses. Like using scrolls, buildings are built instantaneously. Among scrolls, there are dragon eggs and blueprints. These can be used to build dragons and galleons in a castle.

Every third round, a random Tech is available for research. Research costs money each round and cannot be aborted. A tech gives a permanent bonus for the rest of the match.

• Cast Spells

Certain units may cast spells that either give bonuses or negative effects to units. 

Turn Order

Once all players have submitted their orders, all orders are executed simultaneously. The turn resolution is performed in the following steps:

1. Spells are Cast 

If there are mages in the game, the turn begins with the mages casting their spells.

2. Units Move

All units move according to their given order a half area at a time. Thus a unit moving from A to be will first be at A, then in-between A and B, then at B. If, at any time, enemies are encountered movement will stop, with the exception of units meeting in between A and B. Such in-between meetings will result in an immediate battle and the winner continues to move to the next region in their move orders. If the units were injured in the skirmish battle and is part of a new battle, they will begin that battle injured.

3. Units Fight

When all movements are finished, battles will occur in all locations where there are forces of different kingdoms present. After battle at most one kingdom will be present in each area.

4. Income is Collected

Areas may be taxed if you own the region. Regions are captured with units.

5. Upkeep is paid

Each unit has an upkeep that must be paid with gold. If there is not enough gold to pay the upkeep, you must begin the next turn by disbanding units until the debt is paid.

6. Units are Built

Finally, new units are built in each castle that had build orders and have not switched owners during the battles.

Battles

If units belonging to different kingdoms meet during a movement, an automatic battle will occur. A battle round consists of 1) Units deal damage and 2) Units are eliminated. The battle will continue until one kingdom has no units left in the battle, or all units have been eliminated. At the end of the game turn, all units that were injured are healed.

1. Units Deal Damage

Each unit deals damage equal to its attack value. If there are multiple units to choose from, injured units will be prioritized, then cheaper units over expensive ones. If a unit is killed, any remaining damage will be dealt to the next unit.

2. Units are Eliminated

If a unit suffers as many hits as hit points, it is eliminated and will not participate in further battle rounds. Note that all units in the current round will deal its damage.

Example Battle

Greg has an army of 3 swordsmen and 2 knights. He invades Scott’s land which is only defended by 2 swordsmen. However, Scott has anticipated this and ordered 3 swordsmen from an adjacent land to aid in the defense. When Greg’s army arrives, so do Scott’s reinforcements and the two armies battle. 3 swordsmen and 2 knights against 5 swordsmen. Who will win?

Round 1

Greg’s knights deal 2 damage each to Scott’s swordsmen, taking out 2 swordsmen. Greg’s swordsmen deal a total of 3 damage, killing one swordsman and injuring another. Scott now has 1 normal and 1 injured swordsman remaining. 

Scott hits back with all 5 swordsmen, a total of 5 damage which kills 2 of Greg’s swordsmen and injures another. Greg now has 2 knights and 1 injured swordsman.

Round 2

Greg’s knights deal 2 damage each to Scott’s swordsmen, and his swordsman deal an additional 1 damage, for a total of 5 damage to Scott’s army, enough to kill it.

Scott’s 2 swordsmen deal one damage each, killing the last swordsman but not enough to kill a knight.

Greg is victorious with 2 knights remaining. The injured unit heals at the end of the game turn.

FAQ

1. Q) What happens if I build a ship in a sea region that is occupied by an enemy ship?

A: The ship will be built and the units will coexist in the same region for half a movement round. If both stand still or move the same direction, they will engage in combat.

1. Q) Can a mage move after or before casting a spell?

A: If given a move order, and a cast spell order, the mage will first cast the spell, then move.