Picture Europe after the fall of Rome, plunged into the Dark Ages, but soon seeing feudalism flourish, bringing a certain stability. In the High Middle Ages, prosperity coexists with constant conflicts. In After the Empire, you are a feudal lord, ruling your fiefdom from a walled city, with lands, settlements, and possessions that are your birthright. Neighbors are also feudal lords, and the struggle for resources in the rich, yet unclaimed, lands is constant. Tensions are high, and petty feuds are routine. But then scouts bring alarming news: invaders from the east are approaching! A sizable army is camped on the borders of your realm, and this new common enemy endangers the entire region. Refugees from the devastated lands arrive, bringing tales of destruction. It's time to put old rivalries aside and focus on defense. After the Empire is a worker placement and resource management game set in the Middle Ages. Each round, known as a 'season,' players take turns using their worker tokens to perform actions such as gathering resources, constructing advanced buildings, and recruiting refugees. Once all workers have been committed, it's time to harvest food and prepare for combat. In each season's combat, invader cards are revealed, indicating the number of troops and the direction of attack. Wealthier castles attract larger forces and heavy siege weapons. You'll need to be quick to repair your city, recruit, and arm your troops to stand a chance. The winner is the lord or lady who best preserved their fiefdom and accumulated the most gold. Your life, your wealth, your fiefdom, and your legacy depend on it!