Kingdom of Astoria
Here are some general tropes applicable to various kingdom characters:
- Badass Army: Has to be considering they're fighting a vastly larger force.
- Frontline General: A vast majority of the kingdom characters due to the fact that they're sorely outnumbered and need to deploy all the able commanders as they can.
- The Good Kingdom
- La Résistance: The resistance fighting against the invading Leganian Empire.
Cornelia is the last survivor of the Astorian royal family. When the capital fell, she alone escaped from the chaos with a small party of loyal soldiers and attendants. Following their daring escape, she managed to reach an old castle by the sea, far from the capital, and raised her own army. Pieced together from remnants of the royal army, loyal commoners, and others with their own interests, her forces grew and began a campaign to retake her father’s throne.
As a leader, she lacks experience, but her youthful enthusiasm and sincerity bring many to her banner. Should she survive this campaign, she will indeed be ready to serve as a benevolent queen.
- Artificial Stupidity: Since she takes the most direct route to the capital, she often runs into battles that can or will get her killed.
- Blue Blood: The only known living member of the Astorian royal family left.
- Born Lucky: Her lucky girl personality character card.
- A Child Shall Lead Them: She's 16 years old and she's the leader of the remnants of Astoria's military forces.
- Damage Reduction: Any ally she recruits loses their abilities and grants her one damage reduction. Her warrior personality character card has this effect innately.
- Fiery Redhead: Wages a war against the much superior Leganian Empire to avenge her family and retake her kingdom despite her advisers urging against it.
- General Failure: Despite being able to win any battle she gets into due to the near fanatic devotion of her troops and her headstrong nature, she often takes heavy losses. Moreover, without the aid and guidance of the other kingdom characters, she will get herself killed.
- Leeroy Jenkins: She will attempt to head straight for the capital, and will not avoid a fight, even one she will clearly lose. The players' job is to get her there and defeat the Emperor instead of getting herself killed. Averted if you play using her strategist personality character card, in which case she is able to move tactically.
- Magnetic Hero: If using her social personality character card, soldiers join her force at the start of every round.
- Rank Scales with Asskicking: She's the sole surviving royal of Astoria, and she's able to defeat any enemy force she encounters, including a dragon and a demonic construct.
- Royals Who Actually Do Something: Her kingdom gets invaded by the Leganian Empire, she decides to personally lead a small resistance force to retake her kingdom.
- Warrior Princess: Quite literally in her warrior personality character card.
- We Cannot Go On Without You: She's the only kingdom character that's not expendable, as she's the only known living member of the Astorian royal family and is required to restore the kingdom, if she dies the resistance falls apart and the kingdom characters lose.
Her school record was incredible, but she was often nervous and stumbled at many opportunities, hence why her reputation among teachers and students was not the highest. But in the face of real battle, her true talent could finally bloom without hindrance. Her sharp tactics were so masterful, and her command so exact and sure, that people around her completely changed their view of this young student. Outside of battle however, she was still a clumsy city girl. People scratch their heads over her enigmatic gap in personality.
- Badass Bookworm: Can hold her own in battle.
- Shrinking Violet
- The Strategist: For Astoria. She grants additional battle dice to allies that engage in battle in space adjacent to her and manages the logistics of the kingdom's armies.
- Support Party Member: Can be played as this due to her ability to send soldiers and resources for free.
One night, a star representing a bad omen appeared in the night sky, and she saw a vision of a dark cloud covering the land’s future. This premonition turned out to be the empire attacking. Donia joined the princess as soon as she heard of her escape, and brought with her capable warriors.
- Action Girl
- Crippling Overspecialization: While a decent attacker, she's terrible in defensive battles.
- Fortune Teller: Is able to see the future, gameplay-wise, she enables you to always see the top of the event deck and can send support cards to other players.
- Mystical White Hair: Is a fortune teller of sorts and has white hair despite being 19 years old.
- Support Party Member: Due to her ability to get a free support card at the start of her turn and her unique ability to send support cards to other players, she can be played as this.
- Vapor Wear
When the empire invaded, Gato and Zoroaster were ambushed by Imperial soldiers together wtih the black dragon Dahaka, and Zoroaster was killed. Gato was carried away in chains and, seriously wounded, was dropped into a deep crevasse.
The immense vitality and strength from his dragon blood saved his life, and he later buried Zoroaster in the hidden graveyard of dragons. Now he is on a mission of revenge against the killers of his teacher.
- The Big Guy: For the kingdom characters, he's a one-man army.
- Dragon Ancestry: He's half-dragon.
- Enemy Mine: Only working with Astoria because he wants to get revenge on Dahaka and those who aided Dahaka (the empire).
- Half-Human Hybrid
- It's Personal: His whole reason for aiding Astoria is because he wants revenge on Dahaka for killing Zoroaster.
- Lightning Bruiser: The most mobile player character in the game due to the fact he requires no resources to move, and his strength matches that of a small army.
- One-Man Army: The only kingdom character who doesn't lead troops. This doesn't stop him from charging into empire forces and routing them.
- Warrior Monk: His artwork suggests this.
As head of the Astorian kingdom’s state religion, the Church is highly powerful. When the empire invaded, the Church dispatched Godfried and the Dawn Knights, officially to deliver the faithful from the grasps of evil. Internally, the Church is concerned that should the empire solidify their rule, the Church could lose autonomy.
The empire, for its own part, wants to avoid a full-scale collision with the Church during the annexation of the Astorian kingdom, however the Church has no intention of avoiding the conflict.
For their worshipers and for the furtherance of its improved position in the future, the temple knights rallied under the princess’ banner, and give their lives to this liberation front. They wear the armor of faith, and are stronger and more resilient than any other.
- Church Militant
- Combat Medic: His only ability is to heal others, but he can hold his own in a battle.
- The Faceless
- White Mage: Can heal other characters as an action.
After his retirement, he served the princess as her personal guard, until finally leaving that position at the age of 58. Ever since, he has led a reclusive life in a small estate that was bestowed to him by the King, near the eastern frontier of the kingdom.
Because the capital fell suddenly, he was unable to join that battle. This has left Havok furiously vengeful. When word came that Princess Cornelia was alive, he led his small army to join the banner of the princess. He is a cheerful and vivacious old man despite his desire for vengeance, and of good counsel for the princess.
- Bash Brothers: With Magnus who helped raised an army for Havok.
- Best Friend: Of Magnus's.
- Cool Old Guy: 61 years old and still able to fight as well as any of the kingdom warriors.
- My Greatest Failure: Not being able to protect the royal family when the empire invaded.
- The Mentor: To Princess Cornelia.
- Old Retainer: To the Astorian royal family.
- Retired Badass: Was retired until he took up arms again to aid Princess Cornelia.
- Revenge: Swears to exact it on the empire.
- Undying Loyalty: While true for most of the kingdom characters, Havok is notable as he came out of retirement at the age of 61 to fight for Princess Cornelia. In fact, he even becomes a
Elves normally do not participate in the mundane fights of the humans, but Ilsahati felt the empire a threat to their autonomy, and also, the empire used soldiers of vile races that elves hate beyond all else. Thus Ilsahati has agreed to a temporary military alliance with the princess. The elven families have a distinguished technique with the bow and can fire from afar without being noticed by the enemy. Their small numbers are outweighed by their prowess.
- Crippling Overspecialization: Possibly the most powerful attacking character, but is terrible in defensive battles; although, not to the extent of Donia.
- Glass Cannon: Great at attacking, mediocre at defending.
- Royals Who Actually Do Something
In her younger days she was married to a man who inherited a small shop that handled shipwright tools. Josephine learned the business and her knowledge served as a complement to her husband’s efforts. However, her husband passed away in an epidemic, and she had to take over the business completely.
She evolved her business into a merchant ship wholesaler, and the business grew rapidly.
She has always had an eye for the inland trade, and has been waiting for an opportunity to trade with the royal family. Now, the situation has completely changed, and she has judged that it’s much better to declare loyalty to the princess rather than siding with the empire. With this, she has become the main financial sponsor for raising an army to march on the capital with the princess.
- Non-Action Guy: The worst fighter out of all the kingdom characters.
- Support Party Member: Gets free troops and supplies at the start of her turn, but she's terrible at combat, which pushes her into this.
- Utility Party Member: Due to her terrible combat ability and her ability of getting free soldiers and resources, she's this for the kingdom characters.
When Havok sent word that the capital had fallen, Magnus was asked to help him raise an army. Magnus at first refused, having grown completely weary of the mundane world. However, unwilling to leave his old friend rushing out in a reckless and dangerous battle, Magnus has grudgingly agreed to join the fight.
- Bash Brothers: With Havok.
- Best Friend: Of Havok's.
- Old Retainer: To the Astorian royal family.
- Retired Badass: Was a former court magician for the Astorian royal family.
- Robe and Wizard Hat: His get-up.
The Queensguard were involved in the battle of the capital, and fought valiantly, but realizing that the battle was lost, Malene ordered her bodyguards to retreat to fight another day for the sake of the kindgom, and sent them away. They managed to escape from the capital, but were scattered by the enemy, and Mirza was finally cornered in a small village.
Her counterattack starts from this hopeless position!
- Action Girl
- Amazon Brigade: Her former unit of the Queensguard.
- Cast from Hit Points: She can pay one life to turn all her misses to hits in a battle.
- Heroes Prefer Swords
The current leader, Fara, is the daughter of the former leader. Spunky and driven, she is highly skilled in finding dubious individuals who can fight for her cause
- Bandit Clan
- In the Hood: Fara.
- Royals Who Actually Do Something
- Stone Wall: Mediocre at attacking, but great at defending.
However, the prime minister and others who value the old ways of advancement, were jealous of this young man moving up so fast in the kingdom. Instead of promotion, he was immediately given the rank of “Eastern General” – a command over the forces in the far eastern edge of the kingdom. There he was stationed at his new post, a fort with scarcely any soldiers – in effect, a demotion. However, this proved to be a stroke of luck; his forces were unscathed during the invasion, and now, in this national crisis, he leads his 11th army of the border guard, truly the most reliable supporter of the princess.
- Brainy Brunette: Known as the "Shrewd General."
- Extra Turn: His ability.
- Master of All: Has no notable weaknesses, is a high end combat character, and has the highest command out of all the kingdom characters (barring some of the princess's personality cards).
Leganian Empire
Here are some general tropes applicable to various imperial characters:
- Back from the Dead: Possible for all imperial characters if the curse of immortality event card is in play.
- Defeat Means Friendship: If the persuasion fate card is drawn, the fate-bounded imperial character will join the kingdom character that defeats them in battle.
- Heel–Face Turn: The redemption support card more or less is this, it allows you to recruit a defeated imperial character as an ally.
As he was once known as a good king who never abused his power, even his own people are highly surprised at such sudden military action this late in his reign. However, most remain loyal.
Those retainers who voiced opposition to their lord were banished, and the peaceful neighboring kingdom of Astoria was torn by the flames of war.
Today, Lionel sits on his newly claimed throne, with what some might see as madness glinting in his eyes. Will the reason for this sudden change of character ever come to light?
- Beard of Evil: Sports a large white beard.
- Big Bad: Of the game, although it's heavily suggested he's probably under the control of someone else.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Heavily suggested.
- The Emperor: Self-explanatory.
- Everyone Is Related: A distant relative to Princess Cornelia.
- Final Boss: Generally serves as one for the kingdom characters considering Princess Cornelia has to enter his space to win the game.
- The Good King: Was apparently this in the past before he suddenly decided to invade Astoria.
- Orcus on His Throne: He doesn't move out of the capital unless a certain event card is drawn.
- Rank Scales with Asskicking: Potentially one of the most powerful empire characters depending on the number of empire characters left on the board.
Despite being slightly selfish because of her young age and position, she is kind at heart. She is hurt and worried at the sudden change in her father, and has often been seen praying for him at monasteries.
- All-Loving Heroine
- Anti-Villain: Is noted to be kind of heart and understanding.
- Blue Blood
- Loved by All: Even the inhabitants of Astoria seem to adore her. In fact, if you recruit her as an ally, any other empire character your character defeats joins you.
- Nice Girl
- Pimped-Out Dress
With this goal achieved, Dahaka waits for the empire to complete its war with the Astorian kingdom. At that point Dahaka will launch his next plan, the extermination of the annoying empire from these lands, to build a kingdom of his own.
- Dragon Hoard: Stole Zoroaster's hoard after killing Zoroaster.
- The Starscream: Plans to back stab the Empire eventually.
Given new life as a vampire by the capriciousness of another vampire ages ago, this former Imperial noble has recently begun to tire of power, glory and even his own existence. However, the sudden change in the empire, and the unexpected military action against Astoria were curious enough to ease his boredom. In the fires of the war, he built a new little realm within the Astorian kingdom and is there awaiting a new enemy that can light the fire inside him.
- Blood Knight: Heavily implied by his character bio and the fact that he's an aggressive imperial character.
- Blue Blood
- Compelling Voice: While he's an ally, he can force empire soldiers in spaces adjacent to you join your forces.
- Death Is Cheap: Will come back no matter how many times you defeat him in battle unless someone stays on his lair where he respawns.
- Our Vampires Are Different
- Recurring Boss: Due to the fact he returns after being defeated, he can become this.
- Who Wants to Live Forever?: "Has recently begun to tire of power, glory and even his own existence."
He is fully aware of his role, and relishes the madness and chaos of the battle, in stark contrast to the quiet family man he is when off the field. What creates such violence in a quiet soul?
- The Berserker: In battle he's this.
- Co-Dragons: With the other members of the imperial general council.
- Four-Star Badass: A general in the imperial army and on the imperial general council.
- Frontline General: Unlike a majority of the empire characters who are generally passive, Dorgas charges head first into enemies alongside his soldiers.
- Gentle Giant: When not in battle.
- Rank Scales with Asskicking: A member of the imperial general council and a whirlwind of death.
He will promote and value any talented individual, paying no regard to family or status. Where others look for lineage, Exhar looks for skill. The trust he gains from his subordinates is strong and fierce.
He internally questions the reckless and confusing military action of the emperor, but outwardly regards the current situation with calm. After the capital fell, he set up his own headquarters in a fortress that the Astorian kingdom built to repel barbarians in the past.
Exhar immediately committed to learning everything about Astoria, its lands, and people. Knowing that inevitably, he would have to face down some nature of rebellion.
- Co-Dragons: With the other members of the imperial general council.
- Four-Star Badass: A general in the imperial army and on the imperial general council.
- High-Class Glass: Wears a monocle.
- No-Sell: Moreso than other imperial characters on defensive positions as the fortress he is on removes two battle dice when attacking into him, and his own personal ability removes another. This means attacking Exhar without at least four combat power will do nothing to him and his soldiers.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Values any capable individual regardless of their family or status, and has second thoughts about the Emperor's sudden attack on Astoria.
- The Strategist: For the empire.
- Cool Mask: Holds a skull-motif mask in his artwork.
- Dark Is Evil: Worships the Night God, wears dark robes, has a skull-motif mask, uses dark magic, and is sacrificing people to his deity.
- Evil Sorcerer: Uses dark magic and is sacrificing kingdom loyalists.
- Obviously Evil: Wears a skull-motif mask and dresses in dark colors.
- Gradual Regeneration: While an ally, he heals your character for one life every round.
The brother, Irvin, is a careful tactician while the sister, Marianne, is a passionate ambusher. They both make up for the other’s shortcomings, and have achieved great results in military expeditions together. At this point they have reached positions where they both have armies under their command.
Even separately they are skilled enough, but together they are next to invincible. Even the General Council are concerned about this pair.
- Action Girl: Marianne.
- Blue Blood
- Brother–Sister Team: Noted to be near invincible when together.
- Defeat Means Friendship: While this is possible for any character that can be fate-bound to a kingdom character, one of them joins you automatically if you defeat them while the other is your ally.
- Gemini Destruction Law: Unless you defeat both siblings in a single round, a defeated sibling returns at the start of the round.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: Marianne (red) is aggressive and launches ambushes while Irwin (blue) takes a defensive position in a fortress.
- Sibling Team
- The Strategist: Irwin.
The construct is still not satisfied, and is roaming the lands for more things to engulf. Not even the empire can control it anymore. This is little more than a walking catastrophe, bringing death wherever it goes.
- Our Demons Are Different: Some kind of demonic construct.
- Person of Mass Destruction: Removes two of your soldiers if you're in the same area as the King of the Abyss at the beginning of a round. It's also suggested that it turned the area it starts on into a desert wasteland.
He’s currently situated in one of the conquered merchant cities in the Astorian kingdom and is constructing a trade pipeline to the empire with tremendous speed. Of course, Kostov never neglects to fill his own coffers in the process.
- Co-Dragons: With the other members of the imperial general council. In fact, probably moreso than the other three members of the council considering that the kingdom cannot win unless he's defeated.
- Corrupt Politician: Noted to take bribes and is taking some of the gains from the conquest of Astoria.
- Evil Chancellor
She is not only skilled in the military arts, but she knows much about intrigues and rumors. She has stood face to face with death more than thirty times, and inspires fear in her soldiers. Lyla is known as the “Goddess of War.”
She has a violent temper and a foul mouth at times, but shows loyalty to her competent subordinates and despises unfairness. She finds this invasion ended too quickly and too easily, and is thus eager to continue the fight with any remaining uprisings.
- BFS: Wields one.
- Blood Knight: Eager to fight with any uprisings and felt that the invasion ended too quickly.
- Co-Dragons: With the other members of the imperial general council.
- Four-Star Badass: A general in the imperial army and on the imperial general council.
- Rank Scales with Asskicking: A member of the imperial general council and is noted to be a powerful mage and general.
- Sir Swearsalot: Noted to have a foul mouth.
She participated in the war without any henchmen, but the more that were killed in battle, the more power she amassed, and she has now grown more powerful than ever.
- Came Back Wrong: Loses a bit of her humanity every time she returns from the dead.
- Flunky Boss: Has soldiers (raised from the dead) all around her area, and they keep returning at the start of a round unless she's defeated.
- Our Liches Are Different: While she's not explicitly stated to be a lich, she's essentially one considering the fact that she is a powerful necromancer who can resurrect herself after being slain.
This ancient construct was held in a laboratory in the Astorian kingdom after its discovery, and was captured by the empire when the capital fell. However, as she awoke without proper directions, she immediately escaped. She is currently waiting for her long-dead master in the ruins where she was found, and attacks anyone that dares come close.
- Action Girl
- Defeat Means Friendship: Joins any kingdom character as an ally that defeats her without a specific fate card.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Heavily implied with her ability as an ally which requires removing her as an ally to turn all battle dice into hits for one battle.
- Older Than She Looks: Being an ancient construct that looks like a little girl.
- Robot Girl
Other
The name of The Black Knight has been told in many war stories, and all of them tell of a tremendous might, but no one knows more than that. Many theories, including that it’s a succession of warriors, or that it’s a dead spirit in a suit of armor, surround this mysterious knight.
The Black Knight didn’t so much as move when the empire invaded, but didn’t join the Imperial forces either. Perhaps those eyes, silently glittering under the visor, are the only ones who know the terrible truth behind this war.
- Black Knight: Self-explanatory.
- Defeat Means Friendship: Joins any kingdom character as an ally that defeats it.
- Exactly What It Says on the Tin
- The Faceless
- Optional Boss: Defeating it isn't necessary to win the game, and it doesn't count as a empire character; as such, the Black Knight doesn't give Emperor Lionel a bonus to his combat power. However, if you do defeat the Black Knight, it joins you and instantly removes Emperor Lionel when you are adjacent to Lionel.
- Worthy Opponent: Regards the character that defeats it as such considering it joins said character.
