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A motte is a stone keep on a raised earthwork common in early medieval fortifications. More pertinently,
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this to the medieval fortification, where a desirable land (the bailey) is abandoned when in danger for
the more easily defended motte. In Shackel's words, "The Motte represents the defensible but undesired
propositions to which one retreats when hard pressed."
On The Motte, always attempt to remain inside your defensible territory, even if you are not being pressed.
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Notes -
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Played Slay the Princess recently (still exploring the remaining threads). So well written, I'd wholeheartedly recommend it to pretty much anyone.
Enjoyed Cataclismo, a sort of a survival city builder with block-by-block fortification placement and a proper campaign to play through. Spanish studio, competent attempt at unique aesthetics and worldbuilding (at best distinguished and fablelike, at worst a little sterile), ok-ish campaign narrative. Fortification building satisfying, but gets tedious if you overbuild at every opportunity - difficulty is bit low and spiky, in retrospect better to build more than one layer of simple walls rather than elaborate, optimal walls & towers.
Playing Synergy currently, another city builder, set in a hostile, post-collapse world (a failed colony world? did not pay attention): people live in small numbers, climate is harsh, water is toxic, but since it's made by the eco-faithful, it's all a good thing actually, just the world where harmony with and respect for nature is finally non-negotiable. I'm being unfair, it's not preachy at all, serious about its aesthetics, very pretty and detailed. Plays well - both building placement, and plant management (near all resources come from foraging, flora changes the soil/humidity/temperature, not all plants like each other etc). Resource carriers are a bit buggy (trips happening for minimal amount of resources, building input inventory sizes mismatched to crafting speed), but it only means you should build densely. Recommended.
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