Planetary alignment is a gameplay mechanic in the game For The King. It is an important element of the Lost Civilization adventure.
Description[]
As the planets align the ancient rituals being performed gain strength, the Great Convergence approaches and the planetary alignment meter will fill up. As the meter fills, strange and adverse effects will alter the world, including significant heat damage in the later stages. If the meter ever fills up completely, the heat becomes unbearable and Fahrul is lost, resulting in defeat.
The alignment timeline[]
The Planetary Alignment timeline.
The timeline shows a convergence icon indicating when the next phase in the alignment will happen. Each of the four phases will introduce additional effects into the game. For more information on each phase's particular effects, see the following section.
The planetary alignment meter can be reduced by completing quest objectives and by finding special locations hidden throughout Fahrul (see below).
Effects[]
Planetary alignment is comparable to chaos or flooding in other adventures. Increased planetary alignment adds additional perils and challenges. These effects will gradually increase as the Great Convergence shifts through each of its phases, finally culminating with the scorching of Fahrul and an instant campaign loss.
Sunburn[]
The Great Convergence will eventually scorch the Overworld and destroy Fahrul. As the alignment meter progresses, characters will find themselves taking additional heat damage during the day, unless they end their turn in a town, a camp, or at the Dark Carnival. The amount of damage taken per turn will increase as the timeline progresses.
Phases[]
On standard difficulties, the Great Convergence will make its way through 4 phases as the timeline progresses and the planetary alignment meter fills. Each new phase will bring additional effects:
| Phase I | Attack damage is increased to 115%. |
| Phase II | Attack damage is increased to 130% and characters take 3 points of sunburn damage per turn. |
| Phase III | Attack damage is increased to 145% and sunburn damage is increased to 6 points per turn. |
| Phase IV | This is an immediate loss and the campaign will end. |
| Phase I | Attack damage is increased to 125%. |
| Phase II | Attack damage is increased to 150% and characters take 4 points of sunburn damage per turn. |
| Phase III | Attack damage is increased to 175% and sunburn damage is increased to 10 points per turn. |
| Phase IV | This is an immediate loss and the campaign will end. |
Ways to reduce alignment[]
The Planetary alignment meter can be reduced by completing quest objectives or discovering hidden locations during the Lost Civilization adventure:
- Enter the Local Library during the "County Fair Mystery" questline.
- Find both Ritualistic Focusers hidden in Jungle Falls.
- The first can be found when setting out in part one of the adventure.
- The second can be located later on in part two, during the "Rumble in the Jungle" storyline.
- During the "Welcome to the Jungle" questline:
- Purge the Ancient Temple.
- Conquer the Warrior's Arena.
- Following either of the paths presented during the "Turning Up the Heat" questline:
- If following the Parched Waste path, complete the second Local Arena for an opportunity to reduce the alignment meter.
- If following the path through the Ashfall Islands, purge the Obsidian Keep for an opportunity to reduce the alignment meter.
| Difficulty • Time • Weather • Movement • Combat • Damage |
| The Overworld • Chaos • Flooding • Planetary Alignment • Scourges |