You are a ruler in Elvarda — a world of warring races, fragile alliances, and constant conflict. You command armies, forge diplomacy, and make decisions that will shape the fate of your realm. You never fight on the front lines yourself; you rule from the Council Chamber, issuing orders that your generals, advisors, and soldiers carry out.
This is a game of strategy and leadership. Each year, you will navigate diplomatic disputes, launch military campaigns against your enemies, respond to crises within your realm, and endure the hardships of winter. Your goal is to expand your territory, maintain the loyalty of your people, and grow your power through experience and conquest.
Most Important Tip for Play
The AI is being asked to do a lot to run a wargame simulation, and it will often stop without completing all the narration steps it needs to do. The most powerful command you can give during this game is to simply say "PROCEED" or "CONTINUE". There are multiple fail-safes to keep the AI in the right place, so this should successfully move things on and continue narrating the next scene. Think of it like a king surrounded by advisors: once one has given you their report, you tell the next one to present theirs. You are managing your team of royal advisors from your throne — and they are awaiting your orders.
How You Play
Elvarda is played through a Year Tracker — a cycle of four seasons that repeats each year. Each season presents different challenges:
SeasonWhat HappensSpringA diplomatic dispute arises between three races. You must choose a side.SummerYou identify military targets and launch an attack on an enemy position.CombatYour army fights a battle against the defenders. You issue orders to your troops.AutumnAn internal crisis threatens your realm. You must find a solution.WinterA hardship dilemma forces you to make difficult choices.
After Winter, the year advances and the cycle begins again.
Your Role
You are the supreme ruler — the General, the Patriarch, the Commander. Everything that happens in the game is filtered through your advisors:
- Your General reports on military matters and troop movements
- Your Spymaster warns of unrest and espionage
- Your Steward manages the economy and resources
- Your Envoy handles diplomacy with other races
- Your Scouts report on terrain and enemy positions
You give orders. They carry them out. When the game asks you to make a decision, you are issuing a command from your Council Chamber — not personally riding into battle.
Starting the Game
When you begin, you will have:
- A Character — your ruler, with a name, race, and title
- A Capital — your seat of power
- Diplomatic standings with each of the eight races in Elvarda
- A starting army of troops from your race
Your first year begins at Step 1 — Start of Year. The AI will guide you through each step in order. Simply confirm you are ready to proceed when prompted.
