Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance

K. Fields
2011-06-11T14:40:29-04:00
Video Games

Recently, I dug out my old copy of Birthright: The Gorgon’s Alliance (henceforth referred to as BTGA). Released in 1996 by Sierra On-Line, BTGA was a computer game adaptation of the Dungeons & Dragons Birthright campaign setting. According to the documentation, it was supposed to be the first installment in a trilogy. Unfortunately, it didn’t sell well enough to justify more games in the series. As I’ve mentioned before, Birthright was my favorite D&D campaign setting. The computer game focused on realm-level strategy set in the region of Anuire, the southwestern portion of the continent of Cerilia. It has been over 500 years since Michael Roele, the last Emperor of Anuire, died. Your goal is to create a new empire and take your seat on the Iron Throne.

I decided to play as Thuriene Donalls, the regent of Talinie. She is the Thane of Talinie and the Supreme Hierarch of the Northern Imperial Temple. Serving the Thane is Torele Anviras, the Mage of Talinie and the Earl of Freestead. First, we repelled the humanoid invaders of the Five Peaks. Next, we found ourselves at war with the goblin kingdom of Thurazor. We received support from our powerful ally, the Archduchy of Boeruine. After the death of the Mhor, Daeric Mhoried, the realm of Mhoried became belligerent toward Talinie. We were at war with Mhoried on and off for many years. Eventually, we formed a west coast alliance with Boeruine, Taeghas, and Brosengae. Talinie expanded its borders into the Heartlands as well as to the Southern Coast. Our troops marched to the Straits of Aerele and absorbed some of the lands of the Barony of Diemed before it fell.

The two maps below show the great expansion of Talinie as Thuriene Donalls claimed her birthright and gained enough power to be recognized as the Empress of Anuire.

Talinie’s place in Anuire at the start of the game

Talinie, when Thane Donalls ascended to the Iron Throne as Empress of Anuire