132 Chapter 130 Grounded, So Kvetz (2/2)

Commanders defeat any 10-unit token, but can't move or attack, and die if they are double disadvantaged, or are attacked by 100-unit tokens.

Infantry that kill three units, can promote to another commander unit, and infantry that kills one other unit, can be drafted to change a 100-unit archer, or cavalry unit, that was reduced to a 10-unit token, back into a 100-unit force.

The first infantry is called virgin, until after it wins a battle, then it is called blooded. Units placed in defense during the opponents turn, resists attacks much better than otherwise, but must take a turn to change back to attacking, before they can move again.

Joseph explained that there were tons of different approaches, from steadily removing the forces, to going straight for the commander. More modern play styles even allowed the green units to start off center, so it would be more fair at the beginning, but he was a traditionalist.

While he knew that it didn't really matter in this realm, his previous life had preferred it that way, because it made winning as the green side much sweeter.

The commander would start in the center tile on one side of the board, and then the players would take turns placing their starting tokens: two 100-unit Calvary, two 100-unit archers, ten 10-unit infantry.

Each token had to share at least one corner with another of the starting pieces. Just the opening moves had thousands upon thousands of combinations, but also tipped your strategy to your opponent from the beginning.

After the explanation, and a couple of practice rounds, Stella got the hang of it, but still lost…a lot. Several other people were attracted to their game, so he had some more boards made and explained the rules. After everyone watched a game, they started playing on their own.

Stella, when she was Sylva, was part of an elite hunter unit, so a war game like this, was really hard for her. Strategy was important, but not at this scale.

Joseph had been awesome at this in his previous life, so he was used to winning. He really just enjoyed playing with her. Fortunately, she didn't glare at him for just losing a board game, but when Sam came and called them for dinner, she gave him a look that must have shaved decades off his life.

Joseph couldn't help feeling sorry for Sam, since her frustration was at the difficulty of the game, rather than at him. He would have to make it up to him at some point.

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