The players are Charlemagne's heirs and in constant conflict with each other. He has asked them to build castles in his favorite territories. To do this they must seek and maintain the support of the five powerful clans of paladins. The paladins are the ones who administer the Emperor's lands.
During the game, the players have many resources and options. In each round they decide the order in which they will take their turns and how far they will be allowed to move the Emperor, which is crucial, since castles can only be built in his presence. When castles are built in neighbouring territories, these territories are joined, so that, as the game progresses, great domains are formed, defended by four, five and more castles.
In the end, to win the game and gain the Emperor's favor - and perhaps even the right of succession - a player must have built 10 castles.
