Vassals of the King

Vassals of the King is a competitive medieval strategy game for 2–6 players set in the fictional kingdom of Franconia. King Albert must appoint a regent for his young heir, and each player leads a rival duchy seeking to become the first to reach 8 Influence.

On their turns, players reveal and claim hexes, develop resource production, construct buildings, recruit troops and mercenaries, and resolve battles and multi-turn sieges. At the end of every round, the King’s Council votes on a law or event; the majority decision is binding until the next Council. Markets and Merchants enable players to negotiate resources, troops, territories, cards, loans, Council votes, mercenaries, and other agreements.

Players develop their duchies through seven skill categories and asymmetric character abilities inspired by medieval figures. In addition to the standard Influence victory, three conditional alternative victories are possible. When a player reaches 7 Influence, the other eligible players form a temporary Coalition against the leader.

—description from the designer