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.

Related Rule(s)