[p]Since the early days of Wartales’ Early Access, one request has consistently stood out from the community: owning and managing a fief.[/p][p]With our upcoming DLC, Contract: The Fief, we’re finally bringing that vision to life. [/p][p]From population dynamics to kingdom relations, The Fief brings a more strategic layer to Wartales. It remains rooted in the game’s original spirit: survival, freedom, and meaningful decisions.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube="H7vdrn9qFsQ;full"][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]At the heart of this DLC is a simple but ambitious goal: grow your population, expand your fief, and shape your domain. As your fief levels up, you unlock new districts, new buildings, and new ways to govern.[/p][p]Each rest, your fief produces resources that contribute to four key needs: Food, Defence, Trade Goods, and Knowledge.[/p][p]Balancing those needs determines your population’s happiness, which in turn will determine its growth.[/p][p]More people means higher needs, and the population itself shifts over time. Some residents are scholars, some are peasants, some are bandits. Each brings its own influence, needs and events.[/p][p][/p][carousel][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/db467c5348ff692f04ce6b1ed2d5111c411676a2.png"][/img][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/e11fb52d74b778d7188149acc350379b26d2b2c0.png"][/img][/carousel][p]The Steward, a knowledgeable advisor whose wisdom could help even the dullest mercenary become a passable lord. You'll find him in the Throne Room.[/p][p][/p][carousel][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/fea2725865b9e8b80c57ab831301e28a18903de6.png"][/img][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/99e9b826e5931bcdb2b92e0989063d0e56b9b3e1.png"][/img][/carousel][p]The Captain of the Militia, the head of the fief’s armed forces. You'll find him in the Militia Barracks.[/p][p][/p][carousel][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/57f6065654391ab0d0d3524609429522f5d0d42d.png"][/img][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/617bf24d78934231062b8ceb62db1fb0b799d8c0.png"][/img][/carousel][p]The Barber, he allows companions to change both their hairstyle and facial appearance. You'll find him in the Market Square. [/p][p][/p][carousel][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/773294c25fb301a20a664b52c961721eda21dc4e.png"][/img][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/dd449d75d698ef51f0db1be8980ea070fcbc6382.png"][/img][/carousel][p]The Executioner, practices the ancient art of torture to set wayward brigands back on the right path. You'll find him in the Prison.[/p][p][/p][p]The alignment system tracks your long-term decisions and priorities. Build up your security and you may become a Militarist Citadel. Focus on trade and luxury and you could be known as a Merchant Port.[/p][p]You can also choose a government type and manage up to three active mandates at a time. Mandates are unlocked through your choice of buildings, government types, or audience events, and each one gives you strategic objectives to pursue over several rests. Some unlock passive bonuses, others impose constraints, but most of them affect how your fief functions and how your people see you.[/p][p][/p][p]Your fief does not exist in a vacuum. Trade and diplomacy with other kingdoms will shape your influence across the map. Choose how to manage relationships, shift allegiances, or raid your neighbors if you are willing to pay the price.[/p][p]From the Inn, you can send your mercenaries on missions suited to their strengths, like escorting or raiding caravans. Successful missions will grant you riches and may affect your relationship with other kingdoms.[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/458aa06fa238b7e2b9de8b0a25affaa0cfe10280.png"][/img][/p][p]The Mercenaries' Inn allows you to access your storage chest, assign mercenaries to the garrison, and send them on missions, as well as the standard activities you would find in other inns.[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/860394a1f91cea893c4d7ef252869e9803ade1f8.png"][/img][/p][p]You can leave animals, train them to match the troop's level, or purchase a new animal of a species you already own.[/p][p][/p][p]Back in the fief, buildings produce goods that can be shipped to your active troop. You’ll work with a dedicated trader NPC to supply up to three items per rest. This is another way your territory supports your campaigns.[/p][p][/p][carousel][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/a664021394ea969bc3907238b3e7986eb5a01292.png"][/img][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/061af4b4effe09735659c83eec449e7a21db78cc.png"][/img][/carousel][p]Choose which religion to promote among the population of your fief.[/p][p][/p][p]Many buildings also influence which types of population you attract or unlock bonuses tied to your alignment. In some cases, your mercenaries will even shape these systems directly through construction, upgrades, or audience events. [/p][p][/p][p]We hope this brief overview of what's to come has been informative and interesting for you to read. As usual, there will be more for you to discover in game! [/p][p]If the Fief seems like something you'll want to add to your world of Wartales don't forget to wishlist the DLC on Steam, this really helps us out and lets us know you're interested in the upcoming content. [/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3899740/Wartales__Contract_The_Fief/"][/dynamiclink][/p][p]If you forget to wishlist, you might end up like this guy. And nobody wants that.[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/40723209/a4b4bb3358f63a9c63cfee3ec42edf6f60ad29ca.gif"][/img][/p]