09 March 2014

“Slights make war, but favors make peace.”

In one of the interactive scenes, a warrior from another clan tells us, “Slights make war, but favors make peace.”

This is a reasonable summary of how relationships between clans work. But things aren’t quite that simple.

Certain acts are considered slights — stains on a clan’s honor. (Raids are annoying, but unless the context decrees otherwise, aren’t considered slights.) If you slight another clan too many times, it will declare a feud, which is essentially a statement that they consider themselves at war with your clan.

The exact number is affected by certain treasures, but usually it takes three slights to push a clan over the edge into feud. Of course, you already have a history with the other clans that emigrated to Dragon Pass, so you might start on the cusp of a feud.

Exactly what offends another clan is not always obvious, so this isn’t shown in the user interface. But your ring often incorporates the number of slights into their advice. Sometimes you can erase a slight, but in general the offended clan will remember them forever.

Note that slighting a clan won’t always result in an immediate feud. Tensions have to simmer to a boil, and they may want to make sure that they’re strong enough to prosecute a feud.

Ending a feud will remove at least some of the slights, depending on just how you managed to resolve it.

As far as favors making peace, the connection is a little less direct. You can be owed any number of favors. No one feels so obligated that they offer a treaty. But a clan that owes you is more likely to go along with what you want — perhaps you subtly remind them that they owe you, or on their own they would rather back you than pay 30 cows. At the same time, a clan that you owe will be less likely to side with you. Who are you to ask for a political favor, when you are already in their debt? Tribal negotiations are just one area that works like this.

When an advisor says, “Her clan will be slighted if we aid her, and obligated to us if we return her to them,” hopefully the meaning is clear. And now you know what it means in game terms.

8 comments:

  1. I pray to the gods every night for a "King Of Dragon Pass 2". I can't believe that not more devs use the elements of this amazing game that tied me to my chair. A more refined version of the game would be probably my most anticipated project ever (every friend I have shown the game said the same). It is just that unique and the soundtrack is just to die for.

    This game has a beautiful soul. I mean it! And I would be willing to pay more money for a sequel than for any other game.

    Please :*(

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  2. Hey David, thanks for the continued blog/game updates. Have you given any more thought to your next project, or will polishing up KoDP as much as you can be your final endeavor in the gaming industry?

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  3. Well, I am still making games at Shenandoah Studio…

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  4. Do they have a website? How would one get an idea of the games you make with them, and where to purchase these games?

    Anything in the vein of KoDP or do you do different genres with Shenandoah?

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    1. http://www.shenandoah-studio.com, the games are available in the iOS App Store.

      They are strategic boardgames, rather than storytelling games. But lots of attention to detail, and fun games.

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    2. Thanks, will definitely check those out!

      Also, remind us to update our reviews of KoDP with the newer versions, I for one am more than happy to take the time

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  5. David, have you considered a Kickstarter to see if there would be enough interest/funding in android porting? You mentioned that market before, I know well, but I am curious. There just might be enough folks interested in funding a port.

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