HOW TO PLAY

Although it is the best strategy game of all time, that would make you presume it may be a bit difficult. It is in the beginning, but it isn't at all if you learn how to play it. If you know how to play this game for example, you can play as any character and DOMINATE the whole island. I know that sounds a bit easy and why would you play it then, but if it would be too hard, there would be no fun there. However you can dominate only if you have a strong battle ability lord/or leader. In this game there will ALWAYS BE BATTLES TO FIGHT, so here we go... I will teach you how to play this game.

The main start of the game, picking a scenario. Though you can consider the gameplay is always the same, battling, and building up your provinces... there are differences that can effect gameplay a bit.

Each scenario allows you to be a different ruler than the other, however Lyle and Blanche are always able to be played. The scenarios differ from the original Gemfire storyline from the battles of the land with slight success of each ruler, especially Lyle and Blanche, who each gained a gem that made their forces stronger.

In all the scenarios, Lyle and Blanche are always pickable sides. Each time they have gotten a bit stronger, due to the whole process of the game being sixteen years. Erin still tops Ander at battle ability, but in Gemfire scenario four, Ander's diplomacy is so high it makes cultivation SIMPLE and very easy to beat the game. That's why Ander is so... popular.

First off, when you start the game, start your scenario and pick your family, you must choose your Advisor who can give you hints during the whole gameplay of the game. , I suggest Eldrow the wise due to him... basically giving you advice that most people can understand, forget the other three lol. Ok now that we have our Advisor, let us start the game!!

PICK YEA AND THE GAME WILL BEGIN!!

OH MO HO... YESSS... I loveee... the start of a freshly picked scenario... reminds me of THE FIRST TIME I EVER PLAYED :Paulos begins going on about how he played the game on Sega Channel and how it's one of the longest term games he's ever actually PLAYED it for: ohh yes... yes... oh my I've ranted on again!! ;)!! First off...

There are thirty PROVINCES in total, meaning thirty kingdosm that you can attempt to gain and defend, as well as the kingdom stats and options that you can use, starting with your gold count, food count, soldier count, loyalty chart, crop chart, and protection chart.

PROVINCE OPTIONS!!

MILITARY, Military is how you advance to other provinces mainly in the beginning of the game and how you can conquer and command. You can setup an ATTACK against enemy provinces, recruit troops, move soldiers to another province or hire a mercenary/monster in the area to act as a fifth unit, having a fifth unit is important due to if you are a Gem holder and you used up your wizard for one turn but have to fight another battle a month or day after!

DOMESTIC, Ok... as figured you will want to CULTIVATE your crops usually every month to get some food growing for the next harvest in the Fall, also buying and selling at the merchant is sometimes an easy way to gain money or food fast if sales are low or high, these are domestic commands. Also, you can give food to your people to increase their loyalty. Loyalty is very important to a province, it can make very nice things happen in your province and more! Also you can ship goods 

DIPLOMATIC, Diplomacy, actually the chances of succeeding in these areas are sometimes very low. You can ally with another family, for example Erin can ally with Ander so it will not be as difficult for him to conquer lands due to him not fighting with Ander, however I have seen alliances allow your eventual ally who WILL BE YOUR ENEMY SOMEDAY to become more powerful, but also alliances break alot I have noticed. NEGOIATION is one of the best commands in this game, where you can either attempt to force a whole family to surrender under your ruling meaning you gaining all their provinces and holdings... however that is very unlikely to the kingdom, so DEFECTION is quite valuable as well, but I have seen that family members/relatives never seem to leave their original family for another kingdom due to esteemed loyalty. Negoiation is difficult, it usually never works, but it "CAN" work, and can be effective, also can help you gain a quick province from a Lord or Lady of it, that can be very useful if it works, but do not solely depend on it.

EXPLORATION/POWER, This is an important function. This is where you can change lords and ladies of certain provinces, move yourself to another home base without conquering a new province with you leading it, search lands for enemy 5th units and also possibly find ITEMS OF GREAT power to enhance your people's abilities! You can also VIEW your characters under your command and even enemies stats and gems they have as well.

Yes this game is not as advanced as ROTK, but I still say it's better, easier to use and way more fun. WE LOVE GEMFIRE, NOW GO PLAY IT!!! :)