Play Diary

Play Diary: King Baran and the Whisper at Court

Studio play diary: Baran is a fictional character, not a real player. The game was played by our studio autoplayer; the events, figures and screens come from that run, and the telling is ours.

I took the head of House Altınhilal and the throne of Valoren, with about 233,000 gold in holdings. People think starting as a king is easy. The real work is keeping what you have.

The first week

On day 2 I broke a band of 64 bandits: 2,410 gold and 15 renown. The people of Valmont rejoiced and support rose. A new king could not ask for a better start.

Tip: If you start as a king, take a visible win in the first days. Popular support pays off when trouble comes.

A whisper at court

On day 33 word reached me: Benedetto might be working behind my back. My chief aide. True, or slander? Some whispers are real, and some are invented to burn someone.

Tip: Do not ignore whispers. Open the Whispers matter in Council and investigate, accuse or buy them off. Wait too long and you may lose the throne.

The horde comes

On day 127 a steppe horde began burning the lands around Eldermere, and it lasted until day 172. The treasury kept growing all the while: 359,000 in holdings by day 84, 476,000 by day 252.

Tip: Read the treasury ledger often. It is the fastest way to see what earns and what drains.

I ended day 252 with 441,000 gold and my throne still under me. But every time I see Benedetto, I remember that whisper.