Place the tower card and action card in the middle of the table. Then place the 5 shield tokens next to the action card. Note: for 2 player games, 5 player games, or when you are using the exploration tokens, please refer to Playing with 2 Players or Playing with 5 Players for modified rules.

Middle of Table

Give each player:

• 7 meeples in their color

• 1 of each resource token (mana, ore, & food)

• 1 research token (in their color)

• 1 tower token (in their color)

• 1 faction card (random draw, or chosen by each player)

• 1 territory card (random draw, then players choose which side to use), this is considered the player’s home territory.

Each player should place:

• Their resource tokens on the resource track of their faction card to represent a total of 6 resources. (For first time players, it is suggested they take: 1 ore, 2 mana, 3 food.) The ‘zero’ space is considered off the card.

• Their tower token below the tower card – this will be used to track their tower level.

• Their research token below the magic levels on their faction card – this will be used to track their magic level.

• Two meeples on one region on their home territory card.

Player Area

Assign the Active Player Token

The player who most recently swung a sword is given the active player token and starts the game, or determine the first player randomly.