Castles Burning In The Night

Engine: PICK+E System (E is for Existence)
Category: Siege-Type Run / Tactical Scenario
Itch.io: Castles Burning In The Night

Castles Burning In The Night is a flagship “Run” (self-contained tactical sequence) developed for the APPX-N JAM. It demonstrates the high-stakes, attribute-driven combat of the PICK+E engine, placing a squad of operatives into a critical defensive or offensive siege within the Terminium universe.

The PICK+E Foundation

The scenario leverages the core attributes of the PICK+E model to drive every interaction:

• P (Physique): Determines labor capacity for fortifying breaches and HP pool.
• I (Intuition): Used for situational awareness and identifying enemy stress thresholds.
• C (Cognition): Drives tactical execution and analyzing structural weaknesses.
• K (Kinesthesia): Crucial for high-intensity dueling and siege equipment operation.
• E (Existence): Modulates how GODLIVING or GODLESS operatives experience metaphysical pressure.

Mechanical Depth: The Siege Loop

Unlike a standard skirmish, this Run focuses on ordered chaos and resource depletion:

• Tactical Requisitions: Gear choice (blunt vs. sharp, 1H vs. 2H) directly impacts critical hit formulas based on PHY and KIN.
• Hostile Pool Logic: Uses a depleting hostile pool. Bosses (1) or elite units (2+) can be cleared permanently, rewarding surgical strikes.
• The Surrender Threshold: At 25% HP or lower, high-cognition enemies may attempt to surrender, forcing strategic moral choices.

Strategic Entry Vectors

1. Protectorate: Overseeing a prominent holding for a King or God.
2. Regroup: Locating squad members within a burning fortress after a split entry.
3. Mercenary Contract: Fulfilling high-risk objectives (e.g., STIK data theft) during bombardment.

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For the latest system updates and technical rules, see the PICK+E Extended Devlog.