Video Game / War for the West

War for the West is an Interactive Fiction game created by the company Hosted Games. Released on the 14th of November 2019 by author Lucas Zaper. Almost 80 years ago, your family was the most powerful of the Sielcs, the rightful rulers of the Western Kingdom, a Kingdom that encompassed four of the five provinces of the Western Peninsula. The Sielcs ruled the West from their home province of Sielcia, the Dullacs ruled over the fertile lands of Dullis, the Stargaze Family ruled over the plains of Farhall, and the PC's ancestors ruled over the province which separates Dullis from Sielcia. The fifth province, Boglan, existed as petty Kingdom. Unfortunately for the Westerners, the Eastern King of Ludland, Mathias Mainstrel, claimed the Western Peninsula as part of their Kingdom. After 3 years of bloody struggle, the Western Kingdom is dismantled and incorporated in the new realm of Ludland.

The story focuses a young noble who inherits their father's title after their sudden death. Depending on the chosen personality of the father, the MC will have to navigate the court in order to clear up the mess their sire left behind. During their time juggling court intrigues, they will most likely unravel assassination plots, discover a secret society, solve disputes between peasants and try to assess the loyalty of their counsellors. As the name suggests, the main objective of the player will be to prepare for the upcoming War for the West, learning crucial information about the enemy's plans, developing their army, their province and their network of alliances in order to withstand the foreign invasion. After the war, the player will realize that the War for the West and all the politicking done so far pale in comparison with the struggle ahead: A battle of humanity against 'daemons,' who come from the sky with the sole of objective of wiping out every human on the planet.

Can be found here.

---

This series contains the following tropes:

#-C

• Action Girl: A female PC with a high combat is a good example. She can win a tournament, slay two bandit captains, defeat said bandits in bloody battle, kill a renowned knight or a war priest in single combat, defeat the enemy general in single combat, crush a rebellion and hold her own in a three-to-one duel.
• Aloof Ally: In such a treacherous world,it is to be expected.
  • Jenneth, your 'trusty counsellor.' During the fight with the 'Triple Chalice,' the counsellor will fight side by side with the conspirators, and only reveal she was on your side all along AFTER you killed the agents.
  • The Kingdom of Wents. Even if a male PC has a marriage alliance with the Northerners, they will still be too far away to send any meaningful help in time, letting you on your own.
  • Lady Sessanah Drown of Boglan. She may have let the PC get attacked by brigands on their way to visiting her, so that the PC will want revenge.
  • Lord Dulsen Dullac of Dullis: Even if you are married to his offspring, he will take his own sweet time to come to your aid against the invaders, possibly hoping that you will both weaken each other beforehand. If you are besieged in your castle, he only shows up at the end of the siege (if you do not bend the knee to Noyedas that is. Subverted when you deceive the enemy king, as Dulsen will have to fight by your side in order to protect his own province. Also subverted when you are not married to his offspring and have only signed a commercial treaty, as it is quite impressive that he comes to your rescue for a piece of paper.
• Altar Diplomacy: All the marriage options available in the game are meant to be politically advantageous:
  • Marrying Danna/Dannel ties Dullis to the PC.
  • Marrying Petka/Hereya/Wyneva is meant to tie Wents to the PC.
  • Marrying Vyden may not be as prestigious, but he is from a very rich bourgeois family from the East.
  • Marrying Noyedas strengthens the PC's claim to Sielccia
  • Marrying Ullus is the least advantageous offer, but nonetheless, it grants a female PC access to his mercenaries. Keep them within the walls.
  • A male PC can offer Sessanah a marriage alliance so that she will vote for the PC to become King in the West.
• Altar the Speed:
  • Lodka doesn't give the PC a chance to see his sisters. He either choses a bride straight away, or marriage is out of the questions.
  • Noyedas will have a rushed wedding with the PC, as he wants to immediately go on campaign.
• Amazon Brigade: The Iron Maidens are an elite group of female bodyguards who protect clergy of high-rank from the Temple of the Two.
• Ambiguously Gay:
  • Kenrir, a tracker from the forest (irrelevant if your PC is male or female).
  • The PC.
• And Now You Must Marry Me: Applies to a female PC. If she is unmarried by the time the War for the West starts, Lord Noyedas Sielcner will offer a marriage alliance. Subverted, as the player can refuse and still be allowed to bend the knee.
• Anti-Villain:
  • Daedros and his fellow Triple Chalice co-conspirators. Whilst the Triple Chalice is highly antagonistic and fearful of the PC's power and influence, they mostly qualify as Well-Intentioned Extremist. They want to save humankind from a demon apocalypse, no matter who they have to betray and murder, so that a ruler with the right blood may emerge and banish the demons once and for all.
  • The enemy King and your greatest rival in the War for the West, Noyedas Sielcner. While he is designed to appear as the primary antagonist the PC's ambitions (further emphasized by the fact that the PC's survival in the war is mutually exclusive to his survival), he is nonetheless a Well-Intentioned Extremist. He may have assassinated your father, started a war for control of the Western Peninsula and usually behaves like a self-entitled brat, but he does all of this because he heard a prophecy which made him understand that only a King with his blood can sit on the Western throne, otherwise the whole world may be doomed. Plus, no one can blame him that he wants the Easterners out, since the current King of Ludland is an oaf who fails miserably at managing the realm's treasury, and his family oppressed the Westerners for three generations.
• Ascended Extra:
  • Captain Hurlen: A minor character, he plays quite a massive part in a rebellion which brings the PC out of power for good if the PC dismissed him from the City Watch.
  • Triple Chalice members, Daedros and Sartham. Both of them are fairly minor characters throughout the game, and only become relevant at the end. Subverted by the numerous spy reports which hint that there is more to them than the eye hints. Also subverted by a prophetic dream which hints at the identities of the Triple Chalice members.
• Badass Family:
  • The Dullac Family. One of the oldest and most respectable of the Western provinces, they have ruled Dullis for hundreds of years. Their resources and power allow them to act as a wild card in Western politics. Making them unhappy can prove detrimental to any ruler who seeks to control the Western Peninsula, as The Sielcs learned to their sorrow.
  • The Meinstrel Family. It is quite impressive that they managed to unify most of the continent and create what is considered as the largest kingdom in the world. It is also impressive that they kept the continent united for roughly 200 years. Although they had some Ax-Crazy and incompetent rulers (such as Ilswen and Jeor), they also had many brilliant rulers such as the founders of the Kingdom and Mathias Meinstrel himself, who has achieved the impressive feat of fully unifying the Western Peninsula for the first time (and stayed united under Eastern rule for almost 80 years afterwards).
  • The PC's family. They are either an ancient local house, raiders that became nobles by helping the locals against other raiders or refugee mercenaries that were granted land for their excellent fighting prowess. Even the Eastern ancestors were quite badass, since they were low-born who became the King's most trusted advisors, then played an instrumental role in the victory of House Meinstrel against the Western Kingdom and were rewarded with hereditary rule over the land.
  • The Sielcs themselves were quite badass. They were the first to create a Western Kingdom, which they managed to rule for almost 600 years. Even more impressive is that their blood enables them to have prophetic dream about possible futures.
• Badass Normal: Although in this world there are no superpowers such as 'regeneration,' 'levitation,' or 'invisibility,' it is nonetheless a setting with mind-controlling aliens and prophecy magic. It is therefore satisfying to see characters who can be badass without having any kind of magic on their side.
  • Avran. He unhorsed King Jeor and became known was knighted afterwards as the 'Knight of the Broken Cord.' He can win the PC's tournament as well.
  • Brendell. He is the first knight of Sielccia. This should say enough about his reputation.
  • Daedros. He is the commander of the armies of Dullis, a skilled fighter and a cultured scholar. Subverted, since he tortures people with prophecy magic to find out the best possible future for the West.
  • Hereya is a skilled warrior, and a beloved leader. She only requires a weapon and her battle skills to be regarded as a badass.
  • Jenneth. She is an assassin and master of court intrigue. No magic needed.
  • Myra belongs to an elite group of female bodyguards, and is an excellent fighter. The PC can at best reach a stalemate during a sparring match.
  • The PC averts this trope. Whilst for most of the game they only require only their wit, knowledge or battle prowess to be a successful ruler, they nonetheless have prophecy magic in their blood. Said magic can save their lives at least twice during the game, although this can be avoided.
  • Vradnir. He is the first knight of the PC, so he is a badass.
  • The PC's wrathful father. He became known as one of the most skilled and greatest warrior during his life time.
• Bad Powers, Bad People: The antagonists of the game, the Sanctified, have power to see the future, kill an enemy by performing a ritual and mind-control. All for the sake of world domination and extinction of humankind.
• Battle in the Rain: Can happen if the player decides to wait until late-autumn/winter for the war to start. The rain impacts significantly the battlefield if you chose to fight in the open. Your army is more exposed to thunder if it stays atop a hill, the river starts overflowing (if the PC choses to break the dam, which will be a sound tactical decision), and flaming ammo will be rendered useless throughout the battle.
• Bastard Bastard:
  • Downplayed. The Triple Chalice assassin who tries to kill the PC claims to be the PC's bastard brother, but that is likely a lie.
  • Played straight with Jenneth, the actual bastard sibling of the PC, if she helps the Triple Chalice take out the PC.
• Beauty Is Bad:
  • Nellasha and her twin sister, Sessanah. They are both deemed as beautiful women, but they are treacherous, scheming and vengeful. It is likely that Nallasha wishes to usurp her sister's throne, whilst Sessanah wishes her sister's claim to inheritance nullified. It is possible that both of them are trying to manipulate the PC for their own gain.
  • Morren, a knight of the Farhall. Whilst 'handsome' is a bit of a stretch, he is described as being as an example of chivlary: tall, imposing, renowned as a skilled fighter, and champion of many tourneys, being a better at jousting than melees. Under the facade, however, hides a rapist who forced himself several times on Myra's sister, then forced her to have an abortion or be killed with the child. The abortion goes badly, however, and she dies, whilst Sister Myra swears read vengeance against the man who raped and caused the death of her beloved sister.
  • The PC, potentially. They are sometimes described as 'charming,' 'handsome' or 'beautiful,' but based on the player's choices, the PC is more than capable of committing some horrific acts, such as torture, assassination, the attempted assassination of a pregnant woman, abandoning their child for being the seed of their enemy, throwing innocents in the dungeon out of pure boredom, and either burning the entirety of Sielccia to scare future invaders, or setting the enemy's capital afire whilst letting escaping soldiers burn to death 'because it is fun.'
• Being Good Sucks. Subverted. Whilst it is possible to win the game by being pragmatic and taking ruthless decisions, the game makes it clear that being kind and generous is a better way of to acquire the love of your subjects and solidify your reputation in the eyes of other nobles. Nonetheless, the PC is not encouraged to be honorable to a fault either. Being too kind or too trusting can have serious consequences, some of which may include banishment, imprisonment or even death. Sometimes a 'good' PC should harden their heart and order a torture or an assassination if they wish to survive in a world built on treachery and deceit.
• Big, Screwed-Up Family: Save for the Gorroths, every other major House seems to fit this trope one way or another.
  • The Drowns. Although neither rich nor powerful, they are possibly one of the worst families in the West. The twin sisters Nellasha and Sessanah would gladly see each other dead, whilst Lyper may be nothing more than a Sartham agent. Considering that in Boglan treachery festers with every passing day, it is nigh impossible to determine who is plotting against who, or who is on who's payroll in that family.
  • The Dullacs. They are very rich and very powerful, and although they seem like a normal family at the beginning, it becomes clear that they are not perfect. Dulsen is the powerful patriarch who ignores his wife and fathers a bastard with the owner of a brothel. Although he tries his best to be a good and kind father, Danna reminisces how her father always trained Daedros to rule, while she was sidelined. Dannel has encountered a smiliar problem, as he always felt overshadowed by his older brother, Daedros. Finally, there is Daedros, a man who cares little for romance, but is obsessed with battle, books and prophecies. Becomes even worse when it is revealed that Daedros is actually a Triple Chalice member who poisons his own father to fulfill an old prophecy.
  • The Meinstrels. The book example of this trope. They are rich, powerful, have a lion on their banners, and some of their monarchs were Royally Screwed Up as well. Whilst they had some good rulers, others were either mad (like Ilswen) or incompetent (like Jeor). Although Jeor's family is reduced to only himself, the childless King of Ludland, his dynasty definitely fitted this trope in its two hundred years of existance. One of their tailors even wrote 'I HATE THEM ALL' in one of his documents.
  • The PC's family, potentially. Whilst they are neither big, nor extraordinarily powerful, the father's background can lead to some inferences. If the father was wrathful, he was always on campaign, most likely neglecting their kid entirely whilst they were off warring against their vassals. If the father was greedy, then the narrative makes it evident that he was always been too busy counting money. If the father was lawful, then it is also likely that he may have been to busy upholding the law then spending time with the PC. The only father that subverts this trope is the kind father. As for the rest of the family, it doesn't help that your aunt had a falling out with the father, or that your cousin is a drunken whoremonger. The PC can also become a bad spouse, always cheating on their spouses with up to six different lovers.
  • The Sielcs. Not much is said about their 600 years of reign, but it is fair to assume that they had some good rulers, and some bad rulers. The last king, Vytheo IV, was quite mad himself, believing he must wake a dragon buried under the earth using the blood of his enemies in order to save the world from doom. His mother adopted the persona of a witch in order to provide her son counsel.
• Bittersweet Ending: A couple
  • Fate Defier Ending. The PC becomes the ruler of the Western Kingdom now that all of their enemies lie dead, with no one strong enough to challenge the PC. It comes at a huge cost, however: Their vassals become suspicious of them, the Great Betrayal is shrouded in mystery and some of those nobles (if not all) may have all been the PC's allies, who supported their claim. If they are all dead, the people who will replace them will have to assess the PC's worth once again, delaying the coronation further.
  • Running Away Ending. If the PC is male and married to Wyneva, they have the option to leave their noble lives behind and run north to live happily as ordinary people. It will not last, however, as the PC's child will be needed in order to fulfill a prophecy.
  • Waking the Wyrm ending. After the War of the West, if the treasury is hugely indebted, then there is a massive uprising against the PC. They can choose to run in one direction in order to distract the peasant from their family's escape. If the PC has high intellect, then they will realize there is no other choice, but sacrifice themselves in order to awaken a god buried deep in the earth, which will be tied to the PC's offspring.
• Black Magician Girl: Whilst this game doesn't really have 'magic' in the traditional sense, it does have 'the power of prophecy.'
  • Hellen of the Streams: A witch that gave King Vytheo IV counsel during the Annexation War. Whilst not exactly a 'girl,' she is a female character which utilizes her 'five senses' to look into the past and future to help her King, and son to defeat the Meinstrels.
  • The PC, if she is a woman. She has the same power as Hellen, because she descends from House Sielc.
• Blood Knight:
  • Daedros Dullac is described by his brother as a excellent fighter who is always eager to resolve a conflict with a sword, even when it can be solved with a parley.
  • The Dagorians: Whilst they aren't impressive warriors, they sure live for blood spilling.
  • Noyedas Sielcner, the enemy King. Whilst he sometimes 'tries' to solve conflicts peacefully, his diplomatic acumen only goes as far as 'bend the knee or get crushed.' This gives an overall impression that he is more eager to solve conflicts by force than by diplomacy. As a fighter, he is portrayed as being decent in a sword fight, but nothing exceptional.
  • The PC, potentially. The player may want their PC to always fight and solve everything with either trial by combat, or warring without any diplomatic effort whatsoever.
• Blood Lust:
  • The Dagorians. A cult of demon worshipers from a far away island, their only desire is to spill as much blood as possible in order to awaken a dragon buried beneath the earth.
  • The PC, potentially. Depending on the player's choices, the PC can be mad be perceived as mad for blood. It is especially viable if the PC actually [[spoilers:murders a child in order to join the Dagorians on their quest of awakening the buried dragon]].
• Bodyguarding a Badass:
  • Sister Myra. Initially sworn to the Temple, based on the player's choices, she can swear her life as the personal bodyguard of the PC.
  • Brendell, the first knight of Sielccia. He protects Noyedas.
  • Vradnir, the first knight of the PC's province, tasked with ensuring their protection.
• Book Dumb:
  • The peasantry. Most of them are illiterate, because they are too busy carrying for crops and have no time to read books.
  • The PC, potentially. A PC with low knowledge is definitely not an intellectual. It should be mentioned, however, that this make the PC utterly clueless. A PC with high social and low knowledge may be stupid intellectually, but is able to read people, lie, plan and unveil even the most complex of plots.
  • Sessanah Drown. She doesn't know how to read the maps shown at the Stargaze tower, therefore dismisses the demonic threat.
• Boring, but Practical:
  • The siege. Whilst it takes longer to win the war, it is also most practical to simply await your enemies outside the wall, whilst archer volleys fell many of them. The PC takes less casualties if they bear the siege rather than fight in the field.
  • The 'Peacemaker.' Your PC can avoid war entirely if they assassinate Noyedas in Dullis. Although solving the war peacefully takes away from the whole essence of the 'War for the West,' it is also the cheapest method to end the conflict with the smallest amount of bloodshed, and the least amount of destruction.
• Born in the Saddle: The people of Farhall. They are master cavalry men, and their plain make cavalry engagements extremely advantageous for them.
• Bothering by the Book:
  • The PC's father, if he was lawful. He is described as a man of the law who always focused on doing the right thing, no matter what.
  • The PC, potentially. If they are honorable to a fault, however, they may suffer terribly for it, as 'doing the right thing' and 'playing by the book' is quite dangerous in such a treacherous world.
• Bread and Circuses: The PC may hold tournaments and make popular rulings in court in order to win the favor of the peasantry.
• Bribing Your Way to Victory:
  • The Meinstrels won the Annexation War simply because they promised the Dullacs lower taxes.
  • The PC can bribe a mercenary company to join them in battle. If you fight in a siege, they remain loyal. If you fight in the open field, however, this tropes is averted, as they betray you halfway through the battle.
  • The PC can also bribe Sessanah Drown and governor Bluden of Sielccia - with money or titles - so that she may vote for the PC to be the new monarch of a resurrected Western Kingdom. Subverted with Dulsen Dullac and Avellyn Gorroth. Whilst they are uninterested in the PC's money or titles, they may seek other favors.
• Bring My Brown Pants:
  • Dulsen Dullac is terrified when he hears how monstrous the daemons from the sky are.
  • The PC, potentially. Highlighted when they are given the option to run away from their Sielccian opponent (either Brendell the Knight or Maalbran the war prist), which demoralizes the army.
• Brother–Sister Incest: It can inferred that the PC and Jenneth are actually half-siblings. They can enter an affair during the War for the West. Also acts as Surprise Incest, since the PC is unaware of their blood relationship.
• Cain and Abel: There are many scenarios in which a sibling has murdered (or attempted the murder)of another sibling.
  • In the 'Black Book of the Old Empire,' a war between Emperor Luminur and his unnamed brother is described.
  • The PC can murder Jenneth, who is theorized to be their half sister.Similarly, Jeneth can help the Triple Chalice bring down the PC if their combat skill is not high enough.
  • The PC may also choose to assassinate a man who claims to be their bastard brother. Said man will attempt to assassinate the PC as well.
  • The PC and Noyedas will attempt to kill each other during the War for the West, although they are distant cousins.
  • Ironically, Sessanah and Nellasha subvert this trope. Whilst both of them would be better off with the other one dead, neither gets around killing the other. Sessanah even says that she would not kill her sister, because Western society frowns upon fratricide and sororicide.
• The Caligula: A few examples throughout the story:
  • Daedros, if he becomes king. It is probable that his quest for prophecy has turned him into a maniac. Some characters remark that he and his fellow co-conspirators are all deranged by the prophecy overflow.
  • Ilswen Meinstrel, one of the most 'controversial' kings of Ludland. He took many idiotic decisions throughout his life, such as funding charlatan explorers like Kenrich Loffroy, publishing the book of a madman, and almost turning into law a decree which made it illegal to have a penis larger than five inches simply because he couldn't grow the seize of his own member. The full extent of his madness is not yet known.
  • Noyedas Not as in 'mad and cruel,' but it must be emphasized that he STARTED A WAR just because he had a prophetic dream that the world was doomed otherwise.
  • Potentially the PC, if they become the monarch. Entirely dependent on the choices the player makes throughout the game.
  • Vytheo IV Sielc. Most people remember him as 'Mad Vytheo the Defeated.' Although his madness may have been exaggerated by the Meinstrel propaganda. The extent of his madness is difficult to assess, but he may have led his whole army to its death in the North to awaken a dragon buriend beneath the earth.
• Call That a Formation?: Averted. It is recommended that the soldiers maintain formation during the War for the West. The only place where it may be better to break up formation are the swamps of Bogland, where it is much harder to maintain one in the first place.
• Came Back Strong:
  • Galver Laeshwyr. If you crush his first rebellion, he will come back for a second one if your province's debt is too high after the War for the West.
  • Hurlen, if you dismiss him, will come back to lead Galver's forces during the second rebellion.
  • The PC, if they 'die' either at Ehael or at the Lord's Summit. The Sanctified and the Triple Chalice will be taken by surprise to see the PC alive, well, and ready to get some revenge.
• Cavalry Refusal:
  • The PC can refuse to send the King Jeor financial and military aid when he asks for it.
  • Potentially, the PC's ancestors may have refused King Vytheo help during the Annexation War if they remained neutral.
  • Wents is useless during the War for the West. They are too far away to send help, even if the PC took one of Lodka's sisters as brides. So much for blood ties.
• Challenging the Chief:
  • Both the PC and Noyedas can contest the Jeor's ownership of the Western Peninsula.
  • The son of Lady Veta can contest the claim of Dannel/Danna.
  • The Triple Chalice contest the results of the Lords' Summit, no matter the outcome. Ironically, the Triple Chalices are also either in the employment of three lords present at the Summit.
• Chokepoint Geography:
  • Boglan is this for all invaders. The swamps make it nigh impossible for an army to utilize its numerical superiority between tress and bogs. Small wonder Boglan held out for almost 30 years against the Ludland invaders.
  • Dullis has hills which enable the Dullacs to skirmish effectively against any invader. They also have tunnels which enable them to move troops quickly from one point to another, making the ascent a living hell for anyone foolish enough to try their luck at climbing the hills.
  • The PC also has quite a few hills in their home province which enable them to hold the high ground against any invader.
• Civil War:
  • Can happen in Dullis, between the bastard of Lady Veta and Lord Dulsen, and either Danna/Dannel.
  • Happens at the end of the game, after King Jeor is slain and the Eastern portion of Ludland descends into anarchy.
  • Norm in the Northern Kingdoms. Everyone fights against everyone up in the North.
• Conscription: The most effective way for the PC to increase the seize of their army.
• A Commander Is You: Generalist. Unlike all the other provinces which tend to specialize in one fighting style (the Dullacs are very good at skirmishing, the Boglanders at guerrila, the Sielcners at brute strength and the Gorroths at cavalry fighting), the player's faction does not have any specialist units. They all have average strength, are very loyal if their morale is high, yet none of their units are especially 'outstanding' when compared to the others.
• Cornered Rattlesnake: Ifthe PC fights against the 'Sons of the Snake,' they will inflict severe damage on their army when storming their stronghold.
• The Coup:
  • The King is overthrown by a coup after the conclusion of the War for the West.
  • If the PC decides to cooperate with the peasants who rose up against them, then they will murder them.
  • If the PC assassinates Noyedas and takes his province, then it is a coup.
  • If the PC plans the assassination of Dannel/Danna and their favored claimant inherits the province of Dullis.
  • The Triple Chalice attempts one at the Lords' Summit.
• Cowardly Lion: Taken quite literally with Jeor Meinstrel, the current ruler of Ludland. The heraldry of House Meinstrel is a lion, and he is a weakling.
• Crapsack World: Not as dark as other fantasy worlds, but it is not a fairytale either. The Westerners have had several conflicts between each other prior to the Sielc Unification, and there have been countless plots and counterplots. And all the scheming done in the West pales in comparison to the amount of backstabbing, lying and cheating committed in the East. The North is not much better, since everyone always fights against one another for every grievance committed generations ago. As for the South, it used to be a great empire a thousand years ago before its lands were turned into wastes by the Great Cataclysm. It doesn't help that the realm is currently ruled by a weakling, a storm of daemons will come from the sky and hit the West, while the Heads of Church are demons themselves and the Dagorians are committing blood sacrifices to awaken a demon from the earth.
• Crippling Overspecialisation: Boglan. They are experts at guerrila warfare in their swamps, but have always been unable to push further inland.
• Cruelty Is the Only Option: Subverted. Whilst it can sometimes help to take cruel decisions, most of the time it actually impacts the PC's reputation negatively. For instance, if the PC burns the enemies' capital, then reveal that their Sielc heritage, the conquered populace will actually hate the PC, most believing it to be just a fabrication and an excuse. The opposite happens if the PC spares the castle, however, as the conquered people will come to adore the PC as a savior and champion against the Eastern yoke.
• Culture Clash: Often not such a great issues, but it is apparent that there are many different stereotypes regarding each culture. In the West, the Easterners are ridiculed for their love for democracy and their 'Eastern influences' (homosexuality), the Northerners are always ridiculed for their constant in-fighting, the Boglanders are called 'Frogsters' for living in the swamps, whilst the Southerners are seen with disdain by everyone on the continent, because they are refugees in the West and Ludland.
• Cutting Off the Branches: It is impossible for both the PC and Noyedas to survive the War for the West. Either one or both of them has to die.
• Cutting the Knot: The PC's father has just died, and they already have to deal with requests from the King, requests from old petitioners, requests from new petitioners, a village that has been exterminated by 'pirates,' a falling star, a demon which haunts the Thornwood, finding a suitable spouse, building alliances, unraveling conspiracies, and all the while preparing for an upcoming war (which will begin in five or six months from the start of the game). The PC has quite a lot on their plate.
• The Cycle of Empires: By the end of the game, it becomes apparent that the PC's province has either begun or almost finished the first phase, Expansion.

D-L

• Dawn of an Era: The game begins just as the PC became their province's new ruler, in a time where religious cultists commit genocide to find wake a sleeping demon, a meteorite falls in the Thornwood, war is brewing in the West and the royal capital after decades of peace and prosperity. Not to mention, demons may be coming from the sky in the following years.
• Death from Above: Any army that awaits atop of a hill. The Sons of the Snake and the Dullacs are experts at skirmishing. The PC's army can qualify as well if it has a large amount of archers awaiting the enemy atop a hill.
• Death of the Old Gods:
  • When the Temple of the Two was created, they replaced the many different religions that existed in the South and West.
  • The PC can replace the current religion with a new one of their own. They may keep, adapt or discard completely the God of the Sun and the Goddess of the Moon.
• Decapitated Army:
  • When Noyedas is poisoned in the midst of his army, his soldiers become demoralized. If the PC has high social, they might even convince them to return home unmolested, as they lost their King.
  • Something similar can happen at the enemy's capital. The PC can convince the demoralized soldiers to open the gates, since it would be pointless for them to throw their lives away after for their dead King.
  • If the PC slays the second captain of the guards, then the brigands are too demoralized to fight. This is averted if the PC kills the first captain of the brigands, since that only motivates them harder to capture the PC.
  • Averted when the forces of Ludland wipe out every last trace of the swampland nobility. Although they install puppet rulers in Boglan, the brigands keep fighting in the name of the Snake for decades after the conquest, with the help of the dissatisfied local. It certainly doesn't help that the loyalty of the Drowns is dubious at best.
  • Played straight when Vytheo IV is slain in 1287, as his Kingdom dies with him.
• Depraved Bisexual: The PC, depending on the player's choices. A PC might engage in both hetero and homosexual relationships with up to six partners, whilst ordering assassinations, tortures, and even genocide.
• Disproportionate Retribution:
  • Although the people of Boglan have defied the Meinstrels for almost 30 years, the eradication of their entire nobility was very brutal.
  • Noyedas, if the PC cuts his face and then surrenders their castle to him. Whilst he is understandibly angry that his face is scarred, he choses to kill the PC instead of repaying the PC back with their own coin.
  • The PC is capable of this several times throughout the game. It mostly resumes to them handing harsher judgements than necessary (for instance, sending several innocents to the dungeons out of pure boredom). One particular judgement stands out above others: When the PC has a guard's head smashed against every window in the castle, just for the sake of 'poetic justice,' after the guard tried to get some extra money from the PC. Additionally, almost every noble in the West could tell the PC that the looting of Sielccia or the burning of Riverrine Castle may have been a step too far.
  • The 'wrathful father' of the PC, who murders a great deal of his vassals after finding out about a plot, then ignites a decades' long Civil War with their families.
• Double Standard: Mostly averted. In the game gender is not really an issue, since a male and female PC are equally capable of fighting, witticism and management. Additionally, the laws of inheritance in Ludland are based on equalitarian primogeniture, which allows the eldest child to inherit regardless of gender. Nonetheless, there are some people such as Morren or Noyedas who hold the traditional beliefs that women should not have a place on the battlefield or holding much political power.
• Downer Ending:
  • All the endings where the PC dies before the War for the West actually starts. The PC can either be slain in a rebellion, be assassinated after they lose a rebellion, be assassinated by a servant due to the gross mismanagement of the economy, die in Boglan, become ax-crazy after murdering a child and joining a secret cult or dying whilst HUNTING.
  • If the PC dies whilst failing to defend their people is also a downer.
  • It is hugely disappointing to see the PC's soldiers abandoning their liege at the hands of their enemy.
• Early Game Hell: Applies to all 'kind fathers' background, but taken to the extreme with the 'kind southern father.' Choosing the 'kind father' option provides the PC with the lowest starting treasury, whilst the 'southern' background is the one that has the least starting money. Combine the two traits, the PC will have only 1800 starting aurens in their treasury. Those money are meant for the repairs of the damaged infrastructure, upgrades to the existing infrastructure, recruiting new conscripts, training the current conscripts, dealing with Jeor's deamnd of 1000 aurens, and many many other expenses. Good luck trying to juggle all of this with the starting treasury without using cheats, borrowing money or having to deal with a rebellion in the first month of your rule!
• Easing into the Adventure:
  • The 'cheat menu' makes the game much, much easier. For obvious reasons.
  • Starting with the 'greedy eastern father' provides the PC with 5000 aurens, which are very useful in the early game.
  • Although 'kind father,' beginning is by far the hardest, it also makes the late game the easiest. That is because of the father's kind rule, commoners had their lives improved, which lead to a population a boom. This can be as high as 200 thousand souls, which is the highest population you can get in the game. This will ensure the late game army is much larger than the enemy's when he invades.
• Easy Logistics: It is unclear whether recruiting more units affects resource production and consumption in any way. Nonetheless, it is played straight in terms of finances. The PC only needs to pay for the initial recruitment only. Afterwards, the soldiers do not require any upkeep.
• Easy Level Trick:
  • A 'greedy eastern father' grants the PC 5000 initial aurens. No to mention that a greedy father offers the same trait bonuses as a kind father (+1 social, +1 knowledge).
  • A 'kind father' grants the PC the highest population available for their fief (roughly 208000 people). This will make the PC's army far greater than the invading force. The highest amount of soldiers the PC can have is roughly 8000, which is double the enemy invasion force.
  • Fighting on the side of the Sons of the Snake ensures the PC suffers no casualties. Siding with Lord Lyper is another story...
  • Granting Lord Goyler just 100 additional militia to repel 2000 invaders... works brilliantly.
  • Step one: Have as many archers as possible (anywhere between three to four thousand). Step two: Wait inside the castle when the foreigners invade your land. Step three: Enjoy as the archers utterly annihilate the enemy forces while taking negligible casualties.
• End of an Age:
  • The game begins just after the PC's father has passed away, marking the end of their noble reign. It becomes apparent throughout the game that a new era is emerging now that the PC is in power.
  • The King of Ludland, Jeor Meinstrel, is regarded by many as the 'Last Lion.' Many predict that his weakness will bring the end of the Kingdom of Ludland. Turns out the pessimists were right all along, since Jeor's stupidity weakened the realm, which ensured his downfall and the collapse of the Kingdom of Ludland.
• Enemy Civil War:
  • How the countless civil wars of the Southern Empire must have appeared to outsiders.
  • How the outsiders regard the civil war that emerged following the Fall of the Meinstrel Dynasty.
  • The struggle between the Drowns and the Sons of the Snake is pretty close to a Civil War.
• Enemy Mine: Although the five Western provinces have countless reasons to be at each other's throats, they all agree that the upcoming demon invasion is more of a concern.
• Event Flag: The War for the West. Once the War starts, the entirety of the game changes. Before the war, the gameplay consists of dealing with randomly generated court events. After the war has begun, the gameplay is mostly focused on a more 'linear storyline.'
• Evil Pays Better: Subverted. Whilst taking decisions motivated by greed and spite sometimes enlarges the treasury, the hits taken to the PC's reputation may not be worth the trouble.
• Evil Prince: Although none of the characters (save for the Dagorians) is truly evil, there are some characters whose ambition may lead commit questionable acts to further their position.
  • Daedros Dullac, a member of the Triple Chalice. Is willing to murder his own father along with the most powerful nobles in the West, just so he can become King of the West.
  • Noyedas Sielcner, the self-acclaimed King in the West. He starts a War and a rebellion against the Meinstrels in order to become the ruler of the West.
  • The PC can qualify as well, especially if they murder Governor Bluden after the massacre at the Lords Summit, just so there will be no witnesses to the incident.
• Fantasy Counterpart Culture:
  • The East likely represents either Normandy or England, as they are depicted as technologically advanced conquerors.
  • The North likely represents the Scandinavia during the Viking Era.
  • The Southern Empire is most likely a reference to the Roman Empire, whilst the Cataclysm may refer to the Fall of the Western Roman Empire. The Southerners are likely to be Italians or Spaniards, as they descend from the Southern Empire.
  • The West represents either Wales or Anglo-Saxon England before the Norman Conquest.
• Fire Keeps It Dead:
  • Abyssal Spawn. They are truly dead if their bodies are burned.
  • Burning Riverrine Castle can scare the rivermen into submission.
• Foreign Ruling Class:
  • Boglanders see any outsider as a threat, especially the Meinstrels who keep oppressing them.
  • The Drowns. They are locals from the swamp, but are despised throughout Boglan for their subservience to the Meinstrels.
  • The Gorrths. They may have married within the old Stargaze family, but compared to everyone else, they are relatively new money in the West.
  • How the Meinstrels are seen throughout the West.
  • The PC's family for the first few generations, if the do not have Western heritage. Even more true if the PC's family are Eastern, since they are awarded with land from the vanquished rulers of the province.
  • How the rivermen see either the PC or the appointed governor, since they are seen as invaders and a constant reminder of their failed ambitions. The exact opposite happens when they are the ones who take control of the PC's province.
• From Nobody to Nightmare: If the PC plays their cards right, at the end of the game the PC should have the largest province in terms of economy, population and military strength, and even claim rulership of a new Western Kingdom. At the beginning of the game, their province had serious issues with its infrastructure and based on your father's background was either mismanaged, had suffered a decade of Civil War, or had an almost empty treasury.
• "Get Back Here!" Boss: Happens with Noyedas Sielcner. He will attempt to run away from the battlefield once the battle is lost, and the PC will try at ay cost to prevent his escape.
• Grey-and-Gray Morality: In the World for the West world, no character is good or evil. The only characters who are truly villainous are the Dagorians (although not by choice, since demons have corrupted their minds), and the Sanctified are the Big Bad of the story and want nothing else than world domination. As for the main nobles of the West:
  • Avellyn and Arlec Gorroth and also Lizra come closest to being 'morally good.' Nonetheless, lying, cheating and politicking are no strangers to them.
  • Daedros Dullac and the Triple Chalice. They have manipulated historical events for years, and even go as far as trying to assassinate all the nobles at the Lords' Summit, but they are doing this to prevent the demon apocalypse from destroing mankind.
  • Depending on the player's choices, the PC can either come close to being a paragon of virtue (although not pure by any means) or coming close to being a psychopath and a sadist (although, far from being a monster like the demons).
  • Dulsen Dullac is far from being perfect, as he cheats on his wife, favors his eldest child and can be very manipulative, even when he is on the PC's side. Nonetheless, he is not depicted as power thirst or particularly ruthless. He tries his best to ensure that his children are married well and that his province is well secured, and also ensuring a worthy legacy for his family name.
  • The father of the PC can either be a kind-hearted man of the people, to a lawful neutral, a greedy hoarder or a ruthless battle commander. This either makes him mostly white at best or fully gray at worst.
  • Jeor Meinstrel is a weak and ineffective ruler. Nonetheless, he does follow the Code of Honor, and tries his best to keep the realm together during the political turmoil. He is never antagonistic to the PC, unless he is provoked, and even awards good and loyal service.
  • Sessanah Drown herself. While she can be very manipulative and would prefer her sister removed from the line of succession, she also has some good moments. For instance, she does keep her word and back the PC's claim if the PC manages to get past Dulsen's royal ambitions. Additionally, she doesn't want to commit sororicide, which indicates that deep down she might actually care about her sister.
  • Nellasha fits this trope as well. She is just as manipulating as her sister, but she can be quite a good companion to the PC, especially if they marry the Walvanar. Additionally, it is never outright stated that she desires her sister's death.
  • Noyedas Sielcner, the King in the West. He is antagonistic to the PC, starts a war and assassinates the PC's father, but is doing all of this in order to prevent the extinction of humankind by the Abbysal Spawn.
• Grim Up North: The Northern Kingdoms always war with one another over blood feuds, are sparsely populated and somewhat 'primitive' (by Ludlander standards) in terms of government, technology and (especially) religion.
• Going Native:
  • The Gorroths, since they are Easterners who become more Westerner over generations.
  • The PC's family, if they are not of Western descent.
  • The Southern refugees, who try to assimilate in Ludland.
• Gold Digger:
  • Lady Veta, the mistress of Lord Dulsen.
  • Nada, a servant which may engage in an affair with the PC.
  • Nellasha. She can either marry Walvanar for his familial connection with the PC, or become Noyedas' mistress. All for political gain, of course.
  • The PC, if they marry for financial or political gain.
  • Ullus Goldenteeth. They marry a female PC for political and financial gain.
• Golden Path:
  • Although the PC may choose to marry as they wish, Dannel/Danna are the most advantageous matches for the PC politically.
  • The game can be played as desired. Nonetheless, the players are encouraged to win the War for the West, and it would be most advantageous if the PC became the 'Peacemaker'.
  • It is also encouraged that the players survive the Lords' Summit.
• Golden Ending: 'Dying' at the Lords' Summit, then the PC figuring out their death was just a dream, and afterwards either defeating the Triple Chalice or joining them. Everyone lives, and the PC is bloodlessly crowned the monarch of a new Western kingdom.
• The Government:
  • Dagoria is ruled by a High Prophet, a charismatic leader who is the only who can control the madness of the Dagorian cultists.
  • The Kingdom of Ludland is a feudal monarchy. It encompasses Ludlandar in the center, the Eastern Reaches, the Southern Wastes and the Western Peninsula. The Western Peninsula is split into five different provinces, each ruled by a local noble family. The highest legal court is the High Court of Ludlandar, while the highest religious authority are the Sanctified, who pass judgement from the Templar Tribune in the holy city of Ehael. Equalitarian primogeniture and freedom of worship are permitted.
  • The Northern Kingdoms are also feudal monarchies, although not as developed as Ludlandar.
  • Little is known of the Southern Empire, other that it was a monarchy who had numerous civil wars between siblings and many ambitious generals who tried to usurp the throne. By the time of the Cataclysm, the Southern Empire split into several petty kingdoms.
  • The Western Kingdom used to be feudal monarchy as well. It can be assumed that it was a bit more advanced than the Northern Kingdoms, but less advanced than Ludlandar.
  • Zaar is ruled by the Baron of Bets. He gives gamblers an opportunity to earn riches beyond their wildest dreams. Back in the day, if the gamblers lost the bet, they forfeited their lives. The current Baron is more merciful, however, and allows the losers to keep their lives as indentured servants.
• Government in Exile:
  • Arlec Gorroth. He is the rightful ruler of Farhall, but stuck thousands of miles away from home, and his sister and heir lies dead, potentially, with savage mercenaries pillaging his capital.
  • King Vytheo, after Riverrine Castle was conquered by Ludlandar in 1286.
  • Nellasha. If Sessanah dies at the Lords' Summit and her twin sister is not in Boglan.
  • The PC, if they murder a child and join the Dagorians, which leads to the population to overthrow them once they go ax-crazy. The PC gathers their army and empty the treasury in order to afford mercenaries, so that they can commit a massacre at King's End, in order to wake a dragon from beneath the earh.
• Happy Ending:
  • All the endings that end up with the PC as the rulers of the Western Peninsula.
  • If the PC doesn't like being a ruler, than running away with Wyneva also qualifies.
• Harder Than Hard: Subverted. Neither background makes the game anything close to 'impossible,' but choosing the 'southern kind father,' gives the PC the least amount of initial money, which creates an Early Game Hell.
• The Hero Dies: The PC can die through several ways, such as hunting accidents, rebellion, war, assassination or betrayal. Nonetheless, the game can continue if a descendant of the PC is still alive.
• Hero Must Survive: Subverted. The story can continue into the sequel even if the PC dies, so long as they have a child. Nonetheless, if the PC dies too early (before the war even starts), then the player are locked out of most of the game, including The Climax and the Grand Finale.
• Hero with Bad Publicity: It is entirely possible for a PC to slay a demon with a sword made out of meteorite, win a war and become monarch of a new Western Kingdom, but also be despised by the commoners, King Jeor, the Temple of the Two, or even all three factions.
• High Middle Ages: Hard to qualify. There are some societal developments like freedom of worship, equalitarian primogeniture and even ideas such as 'democracy' are discussed, and some advanced technologies include plate armor and a baking system. Nonetheless, crossbows exist but are not common and gunpowder has not been discovered yet, while Western society doesn't go much further than 'divine right to rule,' and feudal hierarchy. The High Middle Ages are an acceptable period, since in real life the High Middle Ages started with the Norman Conquest of England, which is relatively similar to the Meinstrel Conquest of the Western Peninsula.
• Hired Guns: It is possible to hire Ullus Godenteeth's mercenary company. Make sure they stay within the castle walls.
• Hit-and-Run Tactics: The main tactic when fighting in the swamplands. The Boglanders will seek to use their thick vegetation to wear down the enemy armies marching through the bogs and wetlands, whilst engaging in open combat as little as possible.
• Hordes from the East: Subverted. The Easterners are not clans of raiders or pillagers, but a highly advanced feudal monarchy. Nonetheless, they are Oriental invaders to most Westerners, who came with overwhelming numbers to conquer the East.
  • When the Kingdom of Ludland collapses, Eastern refugees are flooding the Western Peninsula, looking to escape the war by any means.
• I Did What I Had to Do: Every noble and their counselors do this, to an extent. There are a few who take the cake, however.
  • Daedros and the Triple Chalice. They manipulate, cheat, backstab and murder for what they justify as the greater good.
  • How Noyedas justifies everything he does, from starting a war, to assassinating the PC's father.
  • The PC may justify themselves in a similar manner for all the horrific acts they are able to do.
• I Let Gwen Stacy Die: The narrative makes it clear that the PC will be haunted by the deaths of their spouses, if they burn Riverrine castle whilst their spouse was captive inside.
  • Inadequate Inheritor:
  • Jeor Meinstrel should have not come to the throne. The only reason he inherited was because his eldest brother perished before he could inherit. Many believe that the older brother was much better suited than the weak-willed Jeor. Turns out they were right, since the Kingdom of Ludland plunges into anarchy during Jeor's reign.
  • If both Dulsen and Daedros die near the end of the game, Dullis passes to either Danna or Dannel Dullac. Whilst neither is truly incompetent, they were never instructed to rule by their sire, as he always focused his efforts on his eldest son, Daedros. Considering that both Danna and Dannel can be taken out by the PC in mere months using either assassins or the rebellion of a bastard brother, the trope may be reinforced.
  • Potentially, the PC, if their father was competent and they royally screw up everything. It is entirely possible, if the player so chooses.
• Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Almost impossible for any character to achieve, especially for the rulers of provinces, since they will have to at least the bare minimum of politicking and lying if they wish to maintain their position.
  • The PC may attempt to reach such a status, but even them are bound to make a decision that will be considered 'immoral' or 'dishonorable' by at least one small group of people. The PC can at best be a 'mostly white' character.
  • Any of the PC's potential spouses (except Hereya the Warrior, Noyedas Sielcner, Ullus Goldenteeth or Sessanash Drown), since they are mostly dutiful and do not usually partake in the ruthless business of politicking.
  • Infinite Supplies:
  • The Baron of Bets, in Zaar. He is so rich, that he can grant immeasurable wealth to anyone bold enough to challenge him in the Tower of Chance.
  • Dullis is the most fertile region in the game. As such, they always have food supplies to endure any siege, and enough gold to afford as many mercenaries as possible. Not once does it appear that they are running out of money.
  • The Eastern Bargaining Brotherhood. A mercantile company, they are one of the richest merchant companies in the known world. They are so rich that they can throw away thousands of aurens as if it is nothing, and they even make and unmake kings.
  • The PC, with the help of the cheat menu.
• Insanity Defense: Theoretically. If the PC is killed by the Triple Chalice at the Lords' Summit, they will afterwards say that the PC was innocent, it was their 'fellsword' which was possessed by a demon and made the PC slaughter everyone present.
• Instant Militia: It take 11 days to recruit militia. A single militia unit costs half an auren to recruit. Not to mention, they have no upkeep whatsoever.
• In the Blood:
  • Avellyn and Arlec Gorroth are both honorable and wise. It is safe to assume they inherited these traits, since Gorroths and Stargazians have been loyal to their respective overlords.
  • Dannel may have inherited his 'alcohol problem' from his father.
  • The PC can become the very image of their father. For instance, if they decide to spare the rebels after their defeat, they may be compared with their kind father for doing so. If they chose to follow the law word by word, they will be compared with their lawful father. At the Lords' Summit, Lord Dulsen will compare the PC's talent for collecting aurens to that of their father, if the father was a greedy one. Finally, there is an achievement which says 'Like Father, Like Heir,' which can be achieved if the PC becomes a war fiend like their wrathful father.
  • Sessanah and Nellasha are both manipulative and deceitful.
  • Sielc and Sielcners both have the the power of prophecy in their veins. Both Noyedas and the PC have prophetic dreams.
• Involuntary Battle to the Death:
  • If the PC fails to catch Noyedas as he flees the battlefield, and afterwards proceeds to conquer Sielccia, then Riverrine castle will not surrender and will fight to the last. If the PC catches the enemy leader, then the enemy is almost certain to surrender without a fight.
  • If the PC fails to convince the rivermen to leave in peace once their liege has been assassinated, then they will have to fight them with the help of the units from Dullis. This will result in the rivermen fighting to the death.
  • If the PC imprisons Linazio, the leader of the rebel army, then the rebels will fight to the last, not wanting to be captured by such a cruel and dishonorable leader.
• Irony:
  • Considering that Noyedas orchestrated the death of the PC's father so that they would have to deal with an inexperienced child, it is quite ironic if the PC becomes a better ruler than their father and humiliates the enemy on the field of battle.
  • It is even more ironic if the PC actually arranges for Noyedas to be poisoned, since that is how the PC's father died.
  • If the PC defeats the Triple Chalice at the Lords' Summit, then it is quite ironic that the people who acted on prophecy for so long are unable to fulfill the one which stated that the PC must die.
  • If Dulsen is truly funding the Sons of the Snake and is allied with the PC, it is quite ironic if the PC wipes them out.
  • If Sessanah truly planned to set the PC against the Sons of the Snake, it is ironic if the PC sides with them against her.
• I Want My Beloved to Be Happy:
  • A male PC can allow Hereya to cuckold him.
  • Averted beyond a doubt with Vuzik Balmard. He does not like it when Fodd Joysong sleeps with his wife, so much so that he demands a duel to redeem his honour.
• Jack of All Stats: The PC's army. They do not specialize in anything, but are very good at both defensive and offensive operations. They are capable of protecting their homelands with relative ease, whilst also being capable of taking the fight to a foreign land.
• The Juggernaut:
  • Dullis: The richest and the most fertile of the Western fiefs, it would be foolish to wage war against them, especially when they have the homeland advantage.
  • Ludlandar, especially when united, controls a whole continent. It would be suicide to attempt to fight against the largest and most prosperous realm in the known world, as Vytheo the Last learned to his sorrow.
  • The PC's province, if they acquire Sielccia, as this would make their fief the largest, richest and most populous out of all the others.
• Kangaroo Court:
  • As seen with the PC, a judgement in court can depend entirely on the mood of the noble. The noble can be lawful, and actually bother to reach the truth of the matter in order to pass a wise judgement. Or they could simply hand out death sentences, throw people in the dungeons, confiscate people's wealth and smash a guard's head against all the windows of the castle For the Evulz.
• Kansas City Shuffle:
  • Boglan is a complete mess. It is nigh impossible to figure out if the Sons of the Snake just chanced to capture the PC, or if Sessanah deliberately allowed the PC to get captured by the rebels, or even if Dulsen himself had a role in the whole situation, to antagonize the PC against Boglan. All three could be true, actually.
  • If the PC helps Lord Lyper to defeat the Sons of the Snake, then Sessanah is not fully in control of the province, since she loses her husband after the battle, which makes her too weak to rule for a long time. If the PC helps the Sons of the Snake, however, then the Drown control doesn't completely collapse, as Sartham manages to rule the province with an iron fist.
• Karma Meter: Subverted. Unlike other Hosted Games, War for the West has no 'good/bad meter.' Nonetheless, the 'civil unrest' can work as such. The peasants are more content to be ruled by a generous, kind and wise ruler who has the interests of other at heart. If the PC takes more 'malicious' decisions, then civil unrest may increase, as the peasants become discontent with a brutal ruler.
• The Kingslayer:
  • Daedros if he kills either Dulsen or the PC (depending on who was elected King at the Lords' Summit).
  • Jeneth, if she assassinates Noyedas.
  • Subverted when the PC 'assassinates' King Jeor, since it was actually the Triple Chalice who did it, but blames the PC for it. Played straight when the PC either slays in combat or arranges the assassination of the King in the West, Noyedas.
  • Subverted with Sartham when he murders Sessanah. Only applicable if the PC promised Boglan independence with Sessanah as queen.
• Kinslaying Is a Special Kind of Evil: Several characters may become kinslayers.
  • Daedros, if he assassinates his father.
  • Jenneth if she helps the Triple Chalice take down the PC, since they are siblings.
  • Noyedas, if he kills the PC during the war.
  • The PC has several opportunities to become one. If they kill Noyedas, since they are distant cousins. Also, if they kill Jenneth,since they are half-siblings.
• Kissing Cousins:
  • Averted with Walvanar and the PC. So far, it is impossible for them two to get engaged in any sexual activity whatsoever.
  • Subverted with Noyedas and the PC. While they are cousins, they are quite distant relations.
• Leeroy Jenkins:
  • Lyper when he must attack the rebel stronghold. His only strategy is to charge uphill and overwhelm the enemy. Subverted, since he actually has no other option to deal with the enemy.
  • Noyedas, when he fights the PC in the open field. Not only his men-at-arms, but his knights as well have no real strategy other than charging uphill and hoping to overwhelm the PC's army.
• Lightning Bruiser: The Abyssal Spawn. They are very quick, thrive in the dark and can use their numerous limbs to take out countless enemies at once. Their only real weakness are meteorite swords, which are extremely difficult to acquire.
• Losing the Team Spirit:
  • The army of the PC, if theyhave a morale lower than five and Meybuk is dead will abandon their lieg to the enemy.
  • The Dagorians. Once their captains die, the soldiers are lost without them. Same thing applies to their society as a whole: Without their High Prophet, their entire society would descend back into anarchy.
  • The rivermen lose their motivation to conquer the Western Peninsula once their leader dies. They are a bit more resoulte to avenge him, however...
  • The Sons of the Snake, once their second captain is killed in a duel with the PC.
• Loved I Not Honor More:
  • When Wyneva gives the PC an option to run away and be free of all the court responsibilities, the PC can refuse because it is their duty as nobles to remain and look after their subjects.
  • Lodka and a female PC. They are both unable to abandon the claims to their thrones, since it is their duty to rule and look after their subjects.
• Luck-Based Mission: Subverted, as the story in the War for the West tends to avoid luck-based events.
  • Court events are randomly generated. Whilst the order in which they are completed is not HUGELY important, a player may want some court events to occur before others. Unfortunately, it is impossible to control which events follows when, so the player may have to do a bit of Save Scumming if they wish to get the desired court event when they want.
  • The amount of aurens the PC collects at the end of the month is also randomly generated, so the player may want to exit the game and re-enter if they want a higher amount of money to be displayed on the front page.
  • Same thing applies with unit training and recruitment. The amount of units the PC gets at from recruitment and the number of days necessary to upgrade units are randomly generated. To get more troops from recruitment, just exit the game and re-enter. To upgrade your units faster, the player will have to do a bit of Save Scumming.
• Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me: There are quite a few instances where a shield can prove to be useful for deflecting enemy attacks. The best is example is during the tournament hosted by the PC, where a shield can be essential to winning the tournament. Most knights and men-at-arms use shields to protect them, whilst militia only carry spears into battle. The only major characters that forego shields in favor of two-handed swords are Red Tull (a Northern soldier in the PC's army) and the PC themselves, based on the player's choices.

M-Z

• Magic A Is Magic A: The Dagorian Prophet has the power to control his follower's minds, the [[spoiler:Sielcs] have the power of prophecy, whilst the Abyssal Spawn hold dark powers, such as mind control, and are even make an incantation which can kill somebody.
• The Magnificent:
  • At the end of the game, the PC can earn different epithets, such as the 'Demon-Slayer,' the 'River Bane,' the 'Black Widow,' and if the PC has enough prestige, they will be known as 'The Great.'
  • The PC will become known as 'Kingslayer' if they go to Ludlandar, despite being innocent.
  • Sister Myra becomes known as the 'Knightslayer' after killing Sir Morren.
• Magocracy: Subverted. Whilst it is certainly not a requirement to be either a noble or monarch, the Sielc have ruled a kingdom for hundreds of years, and they had the power of prophecy in their veins. The Dagorian High Prophet qualifies, as he has magic which secured his rulership over the Dagorians.
• Making Love in All the Wrong Places: A lot of instances.
  • Dannel and a female PC might do it in the dinning hall.
  • Jeneth and the PC might do it in a tent, one night before a battle in Dullis. They might also do it after the massacre at the Lords' Summit, surrounded by dead bodies.
  • Hereya and a male PC might do it in the training grounds.
  • Lelyana Balmard and the PC might do it whilst her husband and lover fight a duel to the death.
  • Vradnir and the PC might do it one night before a battle in Boglan.
  • Vyden and a female PC might do it during a party.
• Mama Bear / Papa Wolf: The PC can will go mental if Daedros threatens the lives of their children during their duel.
• Marriage Before Romance: Applicable for all the suitors. The PC will have to wait until marriage before any love-making. Subverted with Vyden, since the PC and Vyden could make love once before any marriage takes place.
  • Marry for Love: All of the PC's marriages are done to secure a political alliance, first and foremost. Averted with the matches with the Northern brides, since the PC doesn't even set eyes on them until their wedding day. Subverted with the other options, since the PC at least sees them beforehand and can form a rough idea of what to expect.
• The Matchmaker:
  • Dulsen for the PC and Danna/Dannel.
  • Lodka for the PC and any of his three sisters.
  • To an extent Vedric, for the PC and Vyden.
• Mêlée à Trois:
  • During the Annexation War, the Sielc loyalists fight against the Meinstrel loyalists, whilst Boglan stays fights against any invaders. Can even become a four-sided war if the PC's family declared neutrality during the war.
  • The War for the West is a struggle between the three most powerful provinces of the West: Dullis, Sielccia and the PC's fief. Whilst the PC can either win the war alone, or side with one of the other two factions, it is clear that all three rulers are out for themselves, and would not hesitate for a second to turn on the other if it proves advantageous.
  • Mercenary Units: The PC or Noyedas can recruit a mercenary company belonging to Ullus Goldenteeth. Daedros is also getting a few of his own.
• Mind Manipulation: The High Prophet and the Abyssal Spawns' most powerful magic.
• The Mistress:
  • Jenneth, for the PC.
  • Lelyana Balmard, for the PC.
  • Nada, for the PC.
  • Nellasha can become one to Noyedas.
  • The PC can become one to Lodka.
  • Veta, for Dulsen.
• Money Dumb:
  • Jeor Meinstrel: If the PC complies with his 1000 aurens request and then they get married, Jeor will send the PC a 'wedding gift' of 700 aurens. He does so when his kingdom is experiencing discontent vassals in the East, btw.
  • The PC, potentially. Based on the player's choices, they might waste so much that they go into debt.
• Money for Nothing:
  • Cheat menu: The PC will automatically gain 99999 aurens.
  • Cheat menu: Skip time option. Just skip the months, and collect taxes each time.
• Morale Mechanic: An army with low morale will question the PC's orders and even abandon them to the enemy.
• Morality Chain:
  • The PC's counsellors will at some point try to dissuade the PC to commit a horrible act, or encourage them to commit a justified one. Vradnir qualifies the most for this tropes, whilst Jenneth qualifies the least.
  • Some of the PC's spouses, such as Danna/Dannel, Vyden or Vradnir may want to dissuade the PC from a savage course, encouraging compassion and diplomacy.
• Multiple Endings: As is the case with most Interactive Fiction games, there are many possible endings. Some of them offer a continuation to the sequel, even if the PC is dead/deposed as ruler.
• My Master, Right or Wrong:
  • The PC's counsellors will comply with the PC's orders, no matter how cruel, unjust and unsavory. The only time they will refuse to comply is when the PC goes mad after murdering a child.
  • The PC's army, if their morale is high enough.
  • Lizra is very loyal to Lady Avellyn. As is Avellyn to her brother, the rightful Lord Gorroth.
  • Averted, with Sartham and Kellek, as they are Triple Chalice members actively working to sabotage their liege lords.
• Naval Blockade: Dulsen threatens the PC and Noyedas with one, if they dare attack Dullis.
• Necessarily Evil:
  • Noyedas starts a devastating war in order to prevent a calamity to befall the West.
  • The PC can be unusually brutal with their vanquished foe so that they will think twice again before rebelling. If they decide to annex the enemy province and burn their castle, they might justify the act as a means to prevent rebellion against their new ruler.
  • The Triple Chalice. They commit horrendous acts in order to alter the past, influence the present and change the future, but they are doing this for what they perceive as the greater good.
  • Slakar, the King of Wuria. He massacres all the petty kings that had once existed in his province, but he does so because he wishes his kingdom to become a land of peace.
  • The 'wrathful father.' He wages brutal war against his enemies to ensure no one will dare challenge his family again.
• Noble Bird of Prey: The PC's heraldry can depict an eagle, or another magnificent bird of prey.
• Noble Savage: The Northerners. They are less advanced than the West or the East, but they are regarded as fierce warriors. They even have kings and nobles.
• Obstructive Bureaucrat:
  • The High Court of Ludlandar. They are too far away to prevent the War for the West, and do nothing to help the PC in their struggle.
  • The PC, potentially. They may dismiss peasants' requests, such as dealing with the captain of the City Watch, do nothing to compensate peasants who lost their houses due to a fire, and use legal technicalities to prevent the family of a rich commoner from inheriting his wealth once he passes away.
• Off with His Head!: Beheading is a common form of execution in a Medieval setting. The PC can behead or order the beheading of several people. They themselves can also get beheaded.
• Oh, My Gods!: The people of Ludlandar swear 'By the Two!'
• Only in It for the Money:
  • The Dullacs during the Annexation War. They betrayed the Sielcs because the Meinstrels promised lower taxes.
  • The PC's marriages are all built on political interest. They may evolve into love, or they may not.
  • Ullus Goldenteeth and his mercenaries. They always sell their swords to the higher bidder.
• Onrushing Army: During the War for the West, the PC can simply charge forward against the invader army.
• Overrated and Underleveled: The Kingdom of Ludlandar. Although it controls most of the world and in the past a united East was terrifying to behold, now the kingdom has grown weak, with multiple factions vying for dominance, as the kingdom itself is brought to ruin by the incompetence of King Jeor. Although the sheer seize is meant to be imposing, it simply fails as Ludlandar is not a challenge for the entirety of the game., and the PC can get away with outright defying the King.
• Paper Tiger: Ludlandar. It is massive, but divided into several competing factions who would betray the king in a heartbeat, and the its government is so utterly incompetent that it can neither prevent a revolt in its Western provinces, or prevent the rise to power of the noble who ends the revolt.
• Perpetual poverty:
  • Boglan. They are the poorest of the Western fiefs, but always have enough gold just to get by.
  • Sielccia. It is heavily taxed, and they even have to buy their own blades from the royal capital. It is impressive that despite all of these difficulties they are capable of mustering a 6000 strong army. Turns out the EBB was funding their war efforts, in an attempt to destabilize the West while they strike East.
• Power Up Letdown: Conscription. Whilst initially it grants the PC a way to expand their army, whilst also bringing bonuses such as increased morale and better units, after the tenth recruitment report, the conscription may prove detrimental due to increased civil unrest or decreased morale and after the eighteenth recruitment report it becomes pointless to conscript, as there is no way to prevent decreased morale and civil unrest.
• Princess in Rags:
  • The mother and aunt of PC. They are actually descendants of Sielc Royalty.
  • Wyneva, if she and the PC run away from court business.
• Properly Paranoid: Most of the nobles in the game, and their spymasters as well. Considering the amount of treachery present throughout the game, it is more than justified. A PC may avert this trope, but it is not recommended.
• Proud Warrior Race Guy:
  • Northerners. They are fierce warriors and always fight amongst themselves.
  • Southerners. Once they ruled a mighty empire in the south of the continent. Having southern ancestry grants a PC two combat points. Reinforced if the PC had a 'wrathful southern father,' and the PC is taking after him.
• Puppet State:
  • The PC's province, once the PC marries Noyedas. He will dismiss the old bureaucrats, kill the PC's counsellors and replace them with his own men.
  • The PC can propose this to Sessanah Drown during the Lords' Summit. If she helps the PC become the Western monarch, the PC will grant Boglan 'independence.'
• Puppet King:
  • Sessanah, if she accepts the PC's offer to become Queen of Boglan.
  • The Triple Chalice will attempt to make the PC's heir a puppet ruler after the massacre at the Lords' Summit.
• Purple Is Powerful:
  • House Gorroth has black and purple as their color, and are quite a powerful family in the West.
  • The PC's family, if their banner depicts the color purple.
• Pyrrhic Victory:
  • Meinstrel Conquest of Boglan. Although ultimately successful, it took almost 30 years, and the population remained as rebellious as ever. Considering how poor Boglan is in terms of resources, the conquest may have been not worth it.
  • The PC can inflict one on their enemies during the war for the West. Similarly, their enemies can inflict one of them, especially if the PC loses all their friends from the army.
  • The Sons of the Snake can inflict one on the PC. Although they manage to take their stronghold and inflict a grievous defeat on the brigands, the PC's army bears the brunt of the attack. Considering that Boglan descends into chaos again after the PC departs, it is clear to say that the battle may have not been worth it.
• Rags to Riches:
  • The PC's mother. A peasant from the countryside, she manages to seduce the ruler of one of the five provinces and become a noble herself. Subverted, since she actually has royal blood.
  • Ullus Goldenteeth, if he marries a desperate female PC or is rewarded with a lordship.
  • Veta. Goes from a brothel master, to one of the most influential women in Dullis. All because she is the mistress of Dulsen.
• Rags to Royalty: Applies to Ullus, if married to the PC and she becomes Queen at the end of the game.
• Rain of Arrows: Anybody who is fool enough to charge an army uphill will be greeted by a volley of arrows.
• Raised by Grandparents: Kenrir, the tracker from the Thornwood, was raised by his grandfather. Subverted, since it wasn't his biological grandfather, but by the first knight of King Vytheo, who left his liege once he saw him descend into madness.
• Real Men Wear Pink: The banner of the PC can have the color pink. This leads to quite a few of the PC's soldiers to wear the color pink, Vradnir included.
• Realpolitik: Nobody is truly a 'friend' in this world. Everyone is out for self everywhere on the continent, especially in the West. The best example is what occurs during the actual War for the West: Dullis, [[spoiler:Sielccia] and the PC's fief are all vying for supremacy over the Western Peninsula. While the PC might ally with one of the other factions, or be allied to both in practice, it is clear that the allies mistrust each other. Dulsen Dullac in particular, since he might deliberately be letting the PC get weaker before he comes to rescue them. It is also inferable that Dulsen might be witholding information from the PC in regards to his plans and strategies.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: All the nobles from the five major Western provinces are shown to be reasonable, more or less. The PC can, of course, either subvert or outright avert this trope based on the player's choices.
• Rebel Leader:
  • Belmor Snakeson is the first captain of the Sons of the Snake. If he dies, he is succeeded by Veed Fewfangs. If the PC manages to bribe Veed, Puddar Badbones becomes the third captain of the swamp brigands.
  • Galver Laeshwyr, who funds a rebellion against the PC.
  • Hurlen, who leads a second rebellion against the PC.
  • Linazio, who leads the first rebellion against the PC.
  • Noyedas, who leads a rebellion against the King of Ludland.
  • The PC, if they plan to go against the crown. Subverted, because they never actually get a chance to outright revolt, as the king dies during an Eastern revolt.
• Rebellious Princess: Wyneva and Hereya. Wyneva doesn't want to be a noble, but to live a simple life instead, away from all the court intrigues and politics. Similarly, Hereya is not very happy that she was shipped off from her homeland to marry a foreign noble. She believes the only reason her brother sent her away was because she was more popular with the army, and may have posed a challenge to her rule.
• Rebel Prince: Ilswen Meinstrel. When he was still the Crown Prince, he ordered whilst drunk that a law be drafted which would require that anybody with a member larger than his own would have to be gelded. Thankfully, he fell asleep drunk before it was signed, and the next day Ilswen had forgotten the whole incident.
• Red Herring: Jenneth. The PC may have suspected her of having plotted their assassination. Turns out it was Daedros who organized the 'bastard brother' plot.
• La Résistance:
  • Boglan. Even after Boglan was conquered, the Sons of the Snake have been actively rebelling against Meinstrel rule for a long time.
  • The PC's faction, after they assassinate their husband, Noyedas. If civil unrest is low enough, the people will gladly follow the PC on guerrila campaign against the foreign invaders occupying her fief.
• Riches to Rags:
  • The mother and aunt of the PC. They were the granddaughters of a Sielc Princess once, but she had to go into hiding as a peasant once the war was won by the Meinstrels.
  • The PC, if they are married to Wyneva and decide to leave behind the court.
• Rich Suitor, Poor Suitor: The only suitor is truly 'poor' is Ullus, as all the other marriage options are nobles. Nonetheless, some are more advantageous than others. The PC may choose either Dannel or Danna Dullac, who are from the richest Western fief, but also the least exciting. The Northern princesses do not come from a very rich kingdom, but are definitely more interesting. Vyden is also exciting, rich, but does not have prestigious blood. [[spoiiler:Noyedas]] doesn't really care for the PC, but he is one of the most powerful nobles in the West, with the most prestigious of bloodlines.
• Rightful King Returns: When the PC publicly reveals that they are a Sielc descendant, in open defiance of Jeor Meinstrel's claim to Ludland.
• Roaring Rampage of Revenge:
  • The PC, if they choose to either loot Sielccia or burn Riverrine as retaliation for the invasion of the PC's homeland.
  • The PC's wrathful father. He executes many of his vassals for plotting against him, then wages a decade long Civil War against their descendants.
  • Sessanah. If the PC murders her husband, then she swears red vengeance against the PC.
• Royally Screwed Up:
  • Ilswen Meinstrel. One of the most 'controversial' kings of Ludland. Largely because he gave symptoms of being Ax-Crazy.
  • Daedros Dullac can become king if he either kills or captures the PC. He also believes prophecies word for word, is capable of patricide and doesn't even blink when he has to torture prophets to see the future. Would qualify as Ax-Crazy.
  • The PC, if they have an Ax-Crazy reputation and become the monarch at the end of the game.
  • Noyedas Sielcner. He starts a war just because he had visions that the world was doomed, otherwise.
  • Vytheo IV Sielc. Whilst the extent of his madness was likely exaggerated by the Meinstrel propaganda, he nonetheless led his whole army to die because he believed this would wake a dragon buried beneath the earth.
• Salt the Earth: If the PC decides to burn Sielccia in retaliation for the invasion, the fief will be so desolate that Governor Bluden will complain loudly about the state of Sielccia. The PC says that if he is that unhappy, they will return for a second time to finish what they begun.
• Sanity Slippage:
  • The PC can go down this path, especially if they murder a child, then start a genocide in order to awake a dragon buried beneath the earth.
  • It is safe to assume that most Triple Chalice members may have been sane at one point, before they started going mad from all the prophecies they heard.
• Save Scumming: A player may have to do so in order to get a desirable court events, more money from taxes, or more troops from conscription.
• Screw the Rules, I Have Money!:
  • Dullis. They are so rich that they can always back whatever side they want in a war and still come on top.
  • EBB. Are probably the richest mercantile company in the world. They can make kings and unmake them at will.
  • The PC, potentially. From a meta perspective, the player can use the cheat menu to abuse the stats as they wish. In-game, the PC can often get away with stuff that peasants would be punished for.
  • Nobles in general. Best example is how the Templar Tribune cannot sentence a noble to death without the King's approval.
  • Morren.Rape a common girl and threatens her with death if she doesn't get rid of the child.
• Scripted Event: The Dagorian raid on Emyria village, the PC's visits to other provinces, the fallen star, the War for the West itself and everything that follows after its conclusion.
• Sedgwick Speech: The PC can give an epic speech before the battle against the enemy. Among the things the PC can say are: 'an auren for each riverman killed,' 'Chaaaarge,' 'Rwwwaaargh,' 'Father was more scary than this,' 'We are severly outnumbered. They will make songs about us,' and 'I know you expected a battle, but all I have to give you is a masscare!'
• Silk Hiding Steel:
  • Nellasha. She appears courteous, but it is hinted several times that she is way more dangerous than she appears.
  • The PC, if female. Best example when she marries Noyedas, then assassinates him.
• Shoot the Dog: Assassinating Noyedas may be regarded as dishonorable, but his death can prevent the war from happening, which is more beneficial to the West than a senseless massacre.
• The Sociopath: Being honest, every noble who has any hope to maintain their rule has to commit at least one or two sociopathic acts. Some of them do take the cake, however, such as:
  • Daedros and the Triple Chalice. He himself is capable of patricide, assassination and torture without even blinking. His co-conspirators aren't much better. All of them justify themselves as doing it for the greater good.
  • Noyedas is capable of starting a war without qualms, just because he had a prophetic dream that without a war, the West is doomed.
  • The PC, potentially. Based on the player's choices, they can commit genocide, assassination, torture and abet senseless violence, and it doesn't seem to really weight on their conscience.
• So Proud of You:
  • Dulsen will congratulate the PC after the battle against the enemy is won.
  • Jenneth will congratulate the PC for having a suspicious mind. Best example is after the massacre at the Lords' Summit, where the PC declares that they don't trust Jenneth's intentions.
  • Meybuk, if the PC is close to being crowned monarch of the West.
  • Sessanah and her court will congratulate the PC for the victory against the Sons of the Snake.
  • The spouses of the PC, especially if the PC commits heroic feats. Applies mostly to Danna/Dannel, Vyden, Petka and Hereya. Wyneva is the coldest out of all the possible spouses, except Noyedas.
  • Vradnir, if the PC slays an Abyssal Spawn.
• Sore Loser:
  • The Dagorians, if they are overwhelmed during their second raid, they would rather kill themselves than surrender.
  • Noyedas, if he loses the War for the West. If the PC catches him, he refuses to allow himself captured. If he manages to run back to his castle, he refuses to yield, as he would rather starve to death than bend the knee to the PC.
• Starter Villain: The Dagorians are the first military threat the PC encounters during the War for the West. Considering that the game is expected to be a trilogy, Noyedas acts as the first major military threat the PC will have to encounter in the trilogy.
• Starting Units: Knights. If the PC wants more of them, they will have to improve the training grounds.
• Storming the Castle:
  • Noyedas will attempt to do capture the PC's castle.
  • The PC may similarly attempt to take Riverrine by assault.
  • The Stronghold of the Sons of the Snake is not exactly a castle, but it has to be stormed nonetheless.
• Succession Crisis: Happens quite a few times in the game.
  • In Dullis, if both Dulsen and Daedros die. Ownership of the fief can be contested by Danna/Dannel Dullac, Veta's bastard, and if the PC is either married to Danna/Dannel, then by their child as well.
  • The Lords' Summit leaves the entire West shaken to its core. All of the West's most powerful nobles lie dead. If the PC dies as well, then there is a ambiguity as to who will inherit the Western throne.
  • In Ludlandar, after the king dies, as there are now multiple claimants to the throne.
• Suicidal Overconfidence: The Sielccians. When they the PC's army uphill, they do not bother with any flanking maneuvers whatsoever. Their only strategy is to charge uphill until they emerge victorious. This trope is subverted if the PC is hugely outnumbered, but played straight if the PC hugely outnumbers the enemy (at least 2:1).
• Take Over the World:
  • Ludlandar has taken over most of the continent, expcept for the Northern kingdoms. Nevertheless, one continent may still be far from 'the whole world.'
  • Suberted with the PC's ambitions. The PC is able to conquer only Sielccia in the game and be crowned the monarch in the West, at most. Nevertheless, the PC proposes during the Lords' Summit that if they were King/Queen, then they would lead Western armies to victory against Ludlandar itself.
• Tampering with Food and Drink: Can happen several times. Most famously when Jenneth poisons Noyedas, Daedros poisons Dulsen and Jenneth can potentially poison the PC.
• Timed Mission: The PC has roughly six months to prepare for the upcoming War for the West. Subverted, since the PC can initiate the war whenever they wish.
• This Is Gonna Suck: The PC's councilors are rightfully stressed by the war's outbreak, and are not in a better mood if the PC sides with their enemy.
• Throwing Down the Gauntlet: As is to be expected in a medieval setting.
  • Daedros will propose a duel to the PC, in order to sort out the ownership of the Western Peninsula once and for all.
  • If the PC had a wrathful father, then Lord Frytt (cousin to Lord Dulsen) will demand restitution of his lands. The PC can engage in a duel to the death with him.
  • Lyper will propose a duel to the PC if the PC betrays him. The PC can also have a duel of sorts against the captain of the Sons of the Snake, but it is interrupted when one of the PC's soldiers stabs the captain in the neck with a spear.
  • The PC can propose a duel to Jeor to decide ownership of the Western Peninsula.
  • The PC can have a duel with Noyedas after he loses the war.
  • The PC can propose a duel with Noyedas when Brendell comes for a parley, as a means to end the siege of the PC's capital.
  • The PC can have a duel with the Triple Chalice after the massacre at the Lords' Summit, declaring 'I would rather be a doom-bringer than a coward.'
  • The PC can approve duels between peasants. The most popular examples are the duel between the cousins arguing for a chunk of land, and also Vuzik Balmard dueling the bard Joysong.
• Too Dumb to Live:
  • A PC who trusts anybody blindly will be in for a nasty surprise when they are stabbed in the back.
  • Going into the Lion's Mouth is a very bad idea. The PC is safe protected by their own army in their own homeland. Why would they go pay homage to a king so weak that he is eliminating himself as a ruler?
  • Going to Ehael and trusting The Sanctified out of pure piety is commendable. Stupid, but commendable.
  • A female PC who just sits on her hands as Noyedas makes himself king and transforms her in a symbolic ruler has earned her death.
  • Noyedas blindly trusts a PC who only says 'I will join you.' Subverted, since he can also take a hostage from the PC's side and an oath during medieval times ought to be taken seriously. Nonetheless, it was quite stupid of him to entrust the PC to keep faith by giving NOTHING in return for the help, especially if they have a larger army than the Sielccian one.
• To Win Without Fighting:
  • The PC can win the War for the West without bloodshed by assassinating Noyedas.
  • The PC might also become monarch without the massacre at the Lords' Summit. All the PC has to do is figure out the massacre was just a dream, then join the Triple Chalice.
• Tyrant Takes the Helm:
  • Boglan, when the Meinstrels conquer their fief and wipe out their entire nobility.
  • Sielccia, if the PC conquers it.
  • The PC's province, if it is conquered by Sielccia. Also true if the PC's ancestors were foreigner conquerors.
  • The Western Peninsula in general, after the Meinstrel conquest. Especially for the Sielcners who have been opressed for decades by the Meinstrels.
  • Wuria, as Slakar murdered most of the nobles and united their petty kingdoms using an iron fist.
• Undying Loyalty:
  • Brendell,to Noyedas. She would never accept anyone else as liege, not even the rightful Sielc inhritor.
  • Dagorians, to their High Prophet. They will kill others and themselves if need be. Subverted, since it is mostly related to their madness.
  • Hellen of the Streams, to King Vytheo IV. She knew his cause was doomed, but went with him anyway.
  • Lodka, to Wents. He would never abandon his claim to Went, neither for love nor honor.
  • Myra, to the PC. She will di on the field of battle protecting the PC, if need be.
  • Lyper, to Sessanah. Even when betrayed by the PC, he still refuses to wield.
  • Sons of the Snake, to Boglan. They will never give up the struggle against the Meinstrels. Subverted, since they are not as loyal to their captains as would be desired.
  • Vradnir, to the PC. He will always stand by the PC's side, no matter what. The only time when he turns against the PC is when the PC goes mad and starts a genocide against their own subjects.
• The Unfettered: Most nobles in the War for the West qualify. Some more than others, however.
  • Daedros and his accomplices murder, torture, lie and betray casually in order to save the world from a demon apocalypse.
  • The Dagorians massacre innocents en masse, so that they might wake a dragon buried beneath the earth.
  • Noyedas starts a war in order to become King of the West. He believes this is the only way through which the end of the world can be prevented.
  • The PC, potentially. A PC might commit horrific acts of cruelty for the good of their fief and of the realms.
• Universally Beloved Leader: If the peasants are satisfied with your rule, you can get a number of advantages. The greatest advantage by far can be seen after the PC assassinates the enemy leader who forcefully married her. If she was a popular ruler during her time, the civilians will flood to her side, ready to fight a guerilla war against the invaders. If she made the peasants despise her, however, then she is on her own...
• Uptown Girl:
  • The PC's parents. He, a rich noble, her a poor peasant.
  • The PC themselves, if they are only interested in a poor lover.
• Velvet Revolution: Can happen in the PC's province if they accept the rebels' demands before any serious fighting can happen.
• Vestigial Empire: The Kingdom of Ludlandar. Once the most powerful and influential realm, it controls most of the continent except for the Northern kingdoms. Despite this, the financial policies of Jeor and his father before him have angered the EBB terribly. The Easterners have had enough of Meinstrel rule, because Jeor is weak and incompetent, a sentiment shared by many in the West as well. Jeor doesn't have the power to deal with his the uproar his eastern provinces, requesting Arlec Gorroth to bring his army and settle the matters. Nor is Jeor unable to prevent all the independence movements in the Western Peninsula.
• Victory Pose: The soldiers will cheer each time the PC is successful in a hunt or battle.
• Video Game Cruelty Potential: The PC can order torture, execution, assassination of a pregnant woman, genocide, the burning of a whole castle to the ground and smashing a guard's head against all windows of the castle.
• Villain with Good Publicity:
  • Daedros is well respected by pretty much anyone in the game, despite being a ruthless sociopath in cahoots with a secret society. Even better for him, barely anyone heard about his secret society.
  • Noyedas is very popular with his people, as he promises a return of past glories.
  • The PC, potentially. They can have very low civil unrest whilst they secretly order looting, assassinations and tortures.
• Virtuous Bees: If the PC's heraldry depicts bees and their family is virtuous, then they qualify.
• War Is Glorious:
  • Daedros is described by Dannel as a man who always seeks to resolve everything with a fight rather than with diplomacy.
  • Northerners and Southerners agre with this statement. The Northerners are among the fiercest warriors in the world, whilst the Southerners had a massive empire built on war and violence.
  • Knights generally agree that war is very glorious.
  • Noyedas starts a war, and one of his reason might be that he wants more glory.
  • The PC can feel this way about war. A PC married to Dannel might even say that there is nothing as good as slaying a foe in battle. Especially considering that the War for the West is pavement on the PC's path to become the monarch of the Western Peninsula.
• Warrior Poet:
  • Daedros is described as a well-cultured scholar with an interest in poetry by Dannel. He is also an excellent fighter and battle commander.
  • The PC, if they have high social and high combat.
• Warrior Prince:
  • Lodka is a literal prince, and a warrior. His sister Hererya is a princess, a skilled fighter and beloved leader.
  • Noyedas proclaims himself King of the West and personally partakes in battle. He even duels with the PC at the end.
  • The PC, potentially. They have royal blood and might even become a monarch at the end of the game. It is entirely dependent on their combat skills, however.
  • Vytheo IV. He led his armies during the war for the West against fellow warrior, King Mathias Meinstrel II of Ludlandar.
  • The wrathful father of the PC. Several people remember that he loved war almost as much as he loved his wife.
• We Cannot Go On Without You:
  • Noyedas subverts this trope. If he is assassinated, the PC will be able to convince his army to stand down only if they have high social. Played straight with the Riverrine. If the enemy king is dead, than his capital is almost certain to open its gates to the PC.
• Well-Intentioned Extremist:
  • Daedros and the Triple Chalice betray every noble at the Lords' Summit and torture oracles without mercy. Nonetheless, they are doing all of this in order to save the world from a demon apocalypse.
  • Noyedas starts a war against all the other Western fiefs and has assassinated the PC's father. This is because he had a prophetic dream which convinced him that if he did not become King in the West, the demons would triumph over mankind.
  • The PC, potentially. They may commit horrific acts such as torture, murder and genocide, but they do so in order to protect their fief and potentially the entire Western Peninsula.
  • Slakar of Wuria. Murders all the ruling families in Wuria, but does so in order to unify his realm and make it a kingdom of peace.
  • Vytheo IV Sielc. He leads his entire army to its doom in order to wake a dragon buried beneath the earth, but he does so to prevent the Meinstrels from conquering the West and also to combat the Sanctified
  • The wrathful father. He wages brutal war against his vassal, but he does so that his heir may inherit a peaceful land.
• Wide-Eyed Idealist:
  • Linazio, a rebel leader who leads an army of rebels against the PC. Seen by many as a champion of the poor.
  • Petka. She is oung and enjoys the small things in live.
  • The PC, potentially. Depends on their ideology.
  • Vyden. His Eastern values make him put little value on noble blood, believing that everyone can go far with money.
  • Wyneva. Although 'wide-eyed' is a bit of a stretch, she does not really enjoy her role in the court. She desires to be free from court functions, to live a simple life as a commoner.
• Wild Card: House Dullac. They are the third faction in the war. Regardless if they are allied with the PC or not, they look out for the interests of Dullis first and foremost. If the PC doesn't appear keen to help them, then the are on their own. They will not shy away from fighting against the PC if the PC sided with House Sielncer.
• The Wrongful Heir:
  • Dannel or Danna, if both Daedros and Dulsen are dead. Whilst neither is incompetent, they are simply not strong enough to withstand the PC.
  • Jeor is totally unfit as a ruler. He is weak and incompetent. He isn't awful, and if he would have lived in better times, he would have been an average king at worst. However, these are extremely troubled times when a firm hand is required, and he simply doesn't have one. He was not even meant to inherit the throne, but his older brother died before he could inherit.
  • The PC, potentially. Especially if their father was a good ruler and they screw up.
• Young and in Charge:
  • The PC. They inherit their father's noble title at 15 (they become 16 later in the year, at an unspecified date).
  • The PC's eldest child, potentially. If the PC married either Dannel or Danna, then the PC might order assassinations until the PC'S child remains the only claimant. The PC's eldest child is a toddler, btw.
• You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: All the nobles present at the Lords' Summit. The PC as well, if they secured at least on heir. If they didn't however, the Triple Chalice will seek to capture them until they can get a child. When the PC is a female, Daedros will even consider raping her to get an heir.
• Zerg Rush:
  • Boglan. Their only plan to deal with the Sons of the Snake is by pouring troops until the enemy is overwhelmed. Subverted, since they have no other choice than to starve them out.
  • The Dagorians. All they know is to rush forwards and kill everything in their path.
  • The Sielccian army. Their only tactic is to charge ahead, even if the PC holds the high ground. They even hesitate to use any flanking maneuvers with their knights.