Core Mechanics & Resources
A successful ruler must have a firm grasp of the kingdom's vital statistics. These resources are the foundation upon which you will build your legacy. Managing them effectively is the key to prosperity and survival.
Primary Resources & Stats
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Gold
Gold is the main currency of the realm, the engine of all your ambitions. It is primarily earned through taxes levied on your civilian population but can also be generated by special buildings or terrains. Nearly every action requires gold. Be warned: if your treasury falls below -30,000 gold, your kingdom will be considered bankrupt, and your reign will end.
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Population
This represents the total number of people in your kingdom. It's important to distinguish between the total population and your Civilians. Only civilians (those who are not soldiers or rebels) generate tax income and can be recruited into the army. Population grows naturally over time and can be significantly boosted by constructing Cities.
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Technology Level
Your Technology Level is a measure of your kingdom's scientific and engineering advancement. Investing in technology is a long-term strategy that unlocks more powerful military units, a more productive workforce, and other advanced capabilities. It is a crucial factor in maintaining a competitive edge.
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Army Size
This is the raw military strength of your kingdom, representing the number of soldiers in your standing army. A large army is essential for defense and conquest, but every soldier requires upkeep each tick, which can be a significant drain on your economy.
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Tax Rate (%)
The tax rate is the percentage of income you claim from your civilians. It is your primary lever for controlling gold income. However, a higher tax rate generates more gold at the cost of your people's satisfaction, lowering Social Stability.
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Social Stability (%)
Stability represents the satisfaction and loyalty of your people. This crucial stat naturally decays over time, with the rate of decay increasing as your population and tax rate grow. Low stability (below 60%) is extremely dangerous, as it can lead to civil unrest and armed rebellions.
1. The Engine of Growth: Population & Gold
- Your population is divided into Soldiers, Rebels, and Civilians. Only Civilians work and generate income for the kingdom.
- Your Gold income is primarily from taxes, calculated based on the number of Civilians, the Tax Rate you set, and your Technology Level. More civilians mean greater income potential.
2. The Cost of Power: Gold & Strength
- Gold allows you to invest in two main areas: Recruiting soldiers to increase your Army Size and Upgrading Technology to enhance your overall strength.
- However, every soldier in your army requires a Gold upkeep cost every single tick. A large, powerful army is a significant financial burden.
3. The Weight of the Crown: Population, Taxes & Stability
- Your kingdom's stability naturally decays over time, and this decay rate is proportional to your total population. The more people you have, the greater the pressure on social order.
- The tax rate you set has a direct impact on stability. Any tax rate above 25% will begin to decrease stability, while a lower rate can help improve it slightly. This is the most critical trade-off you must manage.
4. The Spiral of Decay: Instability & Rebels
- When Social Stability drops below 60%, rebellions can occur. The lower the stability, the higher the probability of a rebellion happening in any given tick.
- When a rebellion occurs, a percentage of your civilians will turn into rebels. This has a negative double-impact:
- You gain a hostile army (rebels) within your own territory.
- You lose a portion of your tax-paying population, reducing your Gold income.
- To quell the rebellion, you must use your own army, which can result in casualties on both sides and weaken your forces.
Examples of Vicious Cycles
If not managed carefully, you can fall into dangerous spirals:
- The Economic Death Spiral: Need Gold -> Raise Taxes -> Lower Stability -> More Rebels -> Fewer Taxpayers -> Income Drops -> Need even more Gold.
- The Military Quagmire: Large Army -> High Upkeep & Lower Stability -> More Rebels -> Must use army to quell them (taking casualties) -> Must recruit more soldiers to compensate -> The problem worsens.
Your task as ruler is to break these negative cycles and create positive ones by investing in buildings, managing taxes wisely, and making shrewd decisions to keep all stats in a healthy balance.