QUICK START
If you are new to online computer games and need help using the system, all you have to do is ask one of the Heralds here and we'll get you up to speed, and keep you there.
In the game you have three major objectives.
1- You must keep your family line alive. When your current character gets killed or, less likely, dies of old age, you must have an heir (usually a son, but a daughter or widow will do). Without an heir, your line dies out and you are out of the game. Also note that if you do not enter the game page at least once every 21 days, your player position is inactivated (you lose it, this is called The Purge.
2-You must make money. You earn money by managing your fiefs, taking a job with the king, or through warfare (extortion , pillage and mercenary service). If you can't earn it, you must beg, borrow or steal it from other players. You need money to hire troops, and there are times when you simply must have troops.
3-You want to become more powerful, and win the game. This is done by purchasing or conquering additional fiefs and getting higher ranking titles from the king. If you are really ambitious, you might even become the king of England or France. Or you might become king of France AND England, for that was what the war was all about. But in practical terms, you must learn to use diplomacy to get the most benefit from your allies and the least harm from your enemies. Diplomacy is the most useful tool in HYW.
The game is designed for both players who want to jump right in and those that want immerse themselves in a complex gaming experience. Alpha and Beta players have gone both ways and enjoyed themselves. We initially described the game as, "SimCity Meets Road Warrior ." That's still an apt description. You can just jump right in and wander around looking for adventure. Many historical nobles did just this, pretty much ignoring the management of their fiefs or other obligations. But the more successful (if not always fun loving) nobles took care of business, in war and peace.
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Rules To Live By (Especially If You Enter the Game at the Beginning)
Bakers Dozen of Tips to Quickly get into the Play of the Game