Lanternbearer

The Grand Solstice Games

Once every ten years, 1,024 knights answer the call to the Grand Solstice Games. You are one of them: a low-born knight with a horse, a name and a canvas lean-to.

THE GAMES OF THE REALM HAVE BEGUN
Every ten years, the heralds light the Grand Solstice Pyre on the highest peak above Realm City. One thousand and twenty-four Lanternbearers light their lanterns from its flame. Only one will ride to the summit, put out the Pyre and claim a ten-year reign.

You begin with a canvas lean-to, a worn saddle and your house lantern. Win to advance through the bracket; fall, and your run is over for good.

ONE-BUTTON ARCADE COMBAT

• The Charge: hold, then release on GO for a Mega Start off the line.
• The Gallop: hit the speed checks to build to full gallop.
• The Strike: time your hit in slow motion, on the gap in your rival's guard.
• The Impact: every hit wears down helmet, body armour and shield piece by piece: sparks off steel, blood when it reaches flesh.

A FIELD OF 1,024 KNIGHTS

• Five classes of knight: low-born, mid-born, high-born, royal blood and former champions, each with their own stats and rating.
• The bracket is fought out by rating: the strongest usually go furthest. Meet each rival before you ride.

THE TOURNAMENT CAMP
Every round you arrive at a new camp, with the tents pitched in a different order each time.

• The four shops: the Armour-Smith, the Weapon-Smith, the Blacksmith and the Stables. Upgrade your lance (tip, shaft, grip), armour and horse, and repair what's battered.
• The Merchant: bandages, kits, ale and more, and the only one who buys from your 10-slot saddlebag.
• Squire Recruitment: 19 squires, from common to legendary, each with their own perk.
• The Alchemist's: strong elixirs for your next joust.
• The Rest Pavilion: a night by the fire restores you to full health, for gold.
• Your own tent grows from a lean-to to a noble pavilion as you climb the bracket.

TEN CAMP GAMES TO WIN (OR LOSE) GOLD

• The Grand Camp Derby: a six-horse race down the long field.
• The Ring Run: spear five shrinking rings with your lance at full gallop.
• The Juice & Joust: smash watermelons on spikes in slow motion.
• The Golden Bullseye: archery. Draw, steady the sway and hit the gold.
• The Arm & Anvil: arm-wrestle the Strongman across a giant anvil.
• The Knight's Hand: a card joust of lance, horse and armour.
• The Tabletop Tilt: a dice joust with toy knights.
• The King's Coin Flip: Heads or Helm, then double or quit, up to ×128.
• The Gambler's Den: bet on your own riding in your next joust.

FLY YOUR BANNER

•  Fully customise your knight, colours, coat of arms, banner and horse tack.

GAME FEATURES

• A 10-round elimination bracket, from village greens to cathedral cities and the royal lists beneath the burning Pyre.
• Permadeath roguelike: single elimination. Armour takes the force first; once it breaks, every blow hits your heart.
• Three difficulties:
  • Squire, for newcomers.
  • Knight, the true tournament.
  • Champion, for masters.

WILL YOUR FLAME OUTLAST THE BRACKET?

Controls
Space, Enter, a click or a tap does everything. The mouse aims the lance in the Ring Run and the bow at the Golden Bullseye. Esc pauses. Keys can be changed in Settings.
Best played on a computer; on a phone, turn it sideways.