Editing Kingdoms: Overview of the Game System (section)

=Game Structure=
==Game Length==
'''Kingdoms''' is a heavily structured roleplaying game - a necessity to reflect the nature of the game!

The duration of the game is referred to (in character) as '''The Game of Succession'''. This is a period of twelve years, filled with highly ritualised warfare and politics, during which dominance must be achieved.

The Adjudicator must track the passage of time, from Year 1 to Year 12, moving through the Seasons in order...

===Priority===

In each year, either the White Court or the Black Court will '''hold priority'''.

In the First Year, and in every odd numbered year (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11) the White Court holds priority. 

In the Second Year, and in every even numbered year (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) the Black Court holds priority.

This is an important game concept that effects many actions elsewhere in the game.

===Secrecy===

As the Two Courts are separate and in opposition, generally they will plan and declare their actions in secret and closed session.

The King speaks with his Queen, and they decide what they are going to do. They then secretly pass that information to the '''Adjudicator'''. The King and Queen of the opposite Court will do the same.

The Adjudicator then refers to the rules and resolves the actions. Usually the resolution of actions is NOT secret, and happens in the open in front of all players. There are a few specific exceptions to this, detailed in the rules.

The above process is repeated four times in each game year - once for each Season.
<br><br>
==Turn Structure - The Four Seasons==
===Springtime - Season of Growth===
Each year starts with Spring, the Season of Growth and Renewal.

During this phase the King can strengthen his kingdom, through various means:

* He can recruit men to his '''Armies''' to replace losses, though he can never have more than eight.
* He can apportion '''Boons''' to his armies and his court, expending '''Glamour''' to achieve this.
* He can build '''Improvements''' to his realm, again at cost of '''Glamour'''.
* If available, he can hire '''Mercenaries''', bidding '''Glamour''' for their service for the remainder of the year.

The Kings are the main actors during Springtime.

Other Pieces have only a few specific actions they can attempt:
* '''Captives''' can try to '''Escape''' and return to their courts.
* The '''Queen''' may be able to perform rituals, spending her Court's '''Glamour''' to achieve impressive sorcerous effects.

You can learn more about Springtime on [[Kingdoms: Springtime - Growth|this page.]]
<br><br>

===Summer - Season of War===
Next comes Summer, the Season of War.

During this season the courts assemble their armies and launch them on '''Summer Campaigns'''. A ''Summer Campaign'' always consists of one '''Attack Commander''' (any back row piece, but usually a queen or knight) and an '''Attack Army''' (consisting of at least one Pawn). A Court can launch multiple ''Summer Campaigns'' in one year, but each uses a separate Attack Commander and its own Army.

When the ''Summer Campaigns'' are revealed, the Courts can mount '''War Defences'''. A ''War Defence'' consists of one '''Defence Commander''' (usually a Queen, Knight or a Rook) and a '''Defence Army''' (consisting of at least one Pawn). A Court can only mount defences from the pieces who didn't themselves go on the attack - thus a balance between attack and defence must be struck. 

Of course, the game system favours those who throw caution to the wind and attack, as it is slightly easier to win in attack than in defence.

There are various sorts of '''Summer Campaigns''' that can be attempted, but common ones include:

* '''Pillage''' - Destroying an Improvement.
* '''Plunder''' - Stealing Glamour.
* '''Rescue''' - Rescuing a Captive.
* '''Checkmate''' - Capturing the opposing King.

You can learn more about Summer on [[Kingdoms: Summer - War|this page]]
<br><br>
===Autumn - Season of Harvest===
In Autumn the Harvest is gathered!

While the people of the kingdom harvest their crops, the King gathers '''Glamour''' - an invaluable resource that is the source of his authority and power.

Autumn is also the season of gathering back lost members of the Court - '''Ransoms''' for '''Captives''' are negotiated and paid.

You can learn more about Autumn on [[Kingdoms: Autumn - Harvest|this page]]
<br><br>
===Winter - Season of Intrigue===
As the cold long nights draw in, politicians and subversives have a chance to work - this is the Season of Intrigue.

During this season the courts assemble dispatch their agents on '''Winter Intrigues'''. A ''Winter Intrigue'' is always executed by a single ''Agent'' (any back row piece, but usually a Queen or Bishop). A Court can launch multiple ''Winter Intrigues'' in one year, but each must be executed by a separate Agent.

The courts may also alocate back row pieces to '''Internal Security''' (usually any and all pieces that aren't acting as Agents) allowing them to potentially counteract ''Winter Intrigues'' against the kingdom.

When the ''Winter Intrigues'' are resolved, they may or may not remain covert and secret. A successful ''Winter Intrigue'' will often have hidden effects, and the targetted courts may remain none the wiser. On the other hand, a ''Winter Intrigue'' that runs into significant ''Internal Security'' will usually be pulled into the open.

There are various sorts of '''Winter Intrigues''' that can be attempted, but common ones include:

* '''Espionage''' - Spying to reveal useful military intelligence.
* '''Kidnap''' - Capturing opposing characters in the middle of the night!
* '''Propaganda''' - Disrupting the population and armies of an opposing kingdom.
* '''Manipulation''' - Disrupting back row pieces.

You can learn more about Winter on [[Kingdoms: Winter - Intrigue|this page]]
<br><br>