Root

Root is a digital adaptation of a tabletop game of adventure and war for 2 to 4 players. You compete to control a vast woodland, choosing among four factions with different ways to build strength and score victory points: the Marquise de Cat, the Eyrie Dynasties, the Woodland Alliance and the Vagabond.

The woodland conflict

The Marquise de Cat has seized the forest to harvest its riches. The Woodland Alliance has formed to strengthen its resources and undermine Cat rule, while the Eyrie Dynasties seek to reclaim the territory they once controlled. The Vagabond travels the dangerous woodland paths, and may help the Alliance or deal with the other factions. The players determine which group takes control of the woodland.

The Marquise de Cat

The Marquise builds an industrial war machine and polices the forest. She collects Wood to construct Workshops, Sawmills and Recruiters, earning victory points whenever she builds one; building more of the same type earns more points. Her large army needs a strong, interconnected Wood economy to keep construction going, and spreading forces too thin can leave her unable to keep up with opponents.

The Eyrie Dynasties

The Eyrie capture territory and build Roosts to regain control. During the Evening, they score victory points based on the number of Roosts on the map. Each leader has different specialties and advantages, but the Eyrie must follow that leader’s Decree: a growing set of mandated actions. They must complete every action in the Decree each turn or fall into turmoil.

The Woodland Alliance

The Alliance gains sympathy among the forest’s creatures. Placing sympathy tokens can earn victory points, with more sympathy on the map bringing greater scores. The Alliance gathers supporters to place sympathy or incite rebellions. A revolt establishes a base, where the Alliance can train officers to improve its military strength and flexibility. It starts slowly but can become powerful later in the game if it can undermine the other factions.

The Vagabond

The Vagabond explores the map, including its clearings and dense woods, to find items and ruins. It manages a pack of items to move and act effectively, and can expand its selection by exploring ruins and aiding other factions. The Vagabond can trade with and lend aid to the factions, pursue secret quests, and play the sides of the conflict against one another. It earns victory points by improving relationships with factions, removing warriors from factions hostile to it, and completing quests; quests can also increase its renown throughout the woodland.