Overview

Paladins of the West Kingdom is a worker placement and resource management game set in the West Francia circa 900 AD. Players assume the role of noble Paladins tasked with defending the city against outsiders, commissioning monks to build outposts, and converting the populace to the one true faith. Workers come in multiple colors with different effects, and players must manage their virtue/corruption, faith/influence tracks while hiring townsfolk and developing their abilities.

Components

• 1 main game board
• 4 player boards
• 12 Paladin cards
• 72 Townsfolk cards
• 24 King’s Order cards
• 30 King’s Favor cards
• Worker tokens in multiple colors (Blue, Green, Red, Black, Silver, Gold)
• Various resource tokens (Provisions, Silver, Gold)
• Attribute markers (Faith, Strength, Influence, Virtue/Corruption)
• Outpost, Garrison, and Fortification tiles
• Wall sections

Setup

1. Place the main board centrally.
2. Each player takes a player board and starting resources.
3. Deal 3 Paladin cards to each player; keep 1 (determines starting bonus).
4. Shuffle and deal Townsfolk, King’s Orders, and King’s Favors.
5. Place workers in designated supply areas.
6. Set attribute markers at starting positions.

Turn Structure

The game plays over 7 rounds. Each round:

1. Reveal Paladin: Each player reveals their Paladin card for the round, gaining its bonus workers and abilities.
2. Player Turns: Players take turns placing workers on action spaces on their player board or the main board. Each action requires specific worker colors and quantities.
3. End of Round: Clean up, refresh Townsfolk, advance the round marker.

Actions

Players place workers to perform actions:

Action	Effect
Fortify	Build fortifications and garrison; advance Strength
Commission	Send monks to build outposts; costs Provisions
Absolve	Convert populace; advance Faith
Attack	Fight outsiders threatening the kingdom; requires Strength
Pray	Gain Faith and spiritual benefits
Hire Townsfolk	Recruit new workers with special abilities
Develop	Upgrade buildings and gain VP
Trade	Exchange resources at the market
Tax	Gain Silver or Provisions (may affect Virtue)

Worker colors matter: Different actions require specific colors. Black and Silver workers have special properties. Using certain workers may affect your Virtue/Corruption track.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

After 7 rounds, calculate VP:

Source	Points
Completed King’s Orders	Variable VP
King’s Favors	Variable VP
Built outposts/fortifications	VP per structure
Faith/Strength/Influence tracks	VP based on position
Virtue track	VP or penalty based on position
Remaining resources	Minor VP
Townsfolk bonuses	Variable VP

Highest VP total wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Virtue/Corruption track: Actions can move you toward virtue (bonus VP) or corruption (penalties). Some powerful actions require compromising virtue.
• Worker colors: Blue, Green, Red are standard; Black workers are more flexible but may lower virtue; Silver and Gold workers have premium effects.
• Suspicion: Hiring too many dark workers or taking corrupt actions increases suspicion.
• Paladins rotate: Each round features a different Paladin, providing unique bonuses and worker combinations.
• Debt: Players may take debt tokens for immediate resources at end-game VP cost.
• Townsfolk: Hired characters provide ongoing abilities and worker placement bonuses.
• Solo mode included.

Player Reference

Game length: 7 rounds

Round: Reveal Paladin → Take turns placing workers → End of round cleanup

Worker colors: Blue/Green/Red (standard), Black (flexible/corrupt), Silver/Gold (premium)

Tracks: Faith, Strength, Influence, Virtue/Corruption

Win: Most VP after 7 rounds