TECHNICAL MANUAL // 02

Territories

Placing nodes, naming, sizing, and label positioning

Placing Territories

Territories are the fundamental building block of every map. Each territory is a node on the canvas — a named position that players will fight over during a game.

To place a territory, double-tap on an empty area of the canvas. A new node appears at that position with an auto-generated name from the active naming theme.

You can place as many territories as you like, but the map must have at least 6 to pass validation. There is no strict upper limit, but maps with more than 30–40 territories become complex to balance.

Map canvas with eight territories connected by arrows — Eight territories placed on the canvas with connections between them. The arrow legend shows the four connection types.

Editing a Territory

Double-tap an existing node to select it. The Territories panel shows the editor for that node, where you can change:

Name — the territory’s display name, shown in-game on the node label. Names are generated from a compound name system with themed word pools (neutral, volcanic, coastal, dark, ancient, industrial). You can re-roll individual parts, add adjectives or articles, or switch to freeform editing.
Size — a scale multiplier from 0.25x to 2.0x that controls how large the node circle renders on the map.
Label anchor — controls where the name label sits relative to the node: above, below, left, right, or at corners.
Min/Max forces — optional per-territory force constraints for game balance.

Press Enter to save the name and deselect the node. Tap another node to switch selection.

The territories panel with a node selected for editing — The territories panel showing a selected node. Name, size, label anchor, connections, and properties are all editable.

Naming Themes

Territory names are generated from themed word pools. Each theme produces names with a distinct flavour:

Neutral — generic fantasy names (Irongate, The Crimson Vale)
Volcanic — heat and earth (Marble Loom, Pumicearth)
Coastal — water and shore (The Oak, Willowmeadow)
Dark — sinister and arcane (Wraithblade, Hollow Pike)
Ancient — classical and historic (The Canon, Remotespringprairie)
Industrial — machinery and metal (Molten Arch, The Anvil)

The active theme is set in the Settings tab and applies to all new territories. Existing names are not affected when you change themes — only new nodes use the new pool.

The compound name editor showing four naming themes — The compound name editor. Each theme generates names from a different word pool. Re-roll, add parts, or switch to freeform.

Tips

Spread territories evenly. Tight clusters create chokepoints; wide spacing creates isolation. Both are valid design choices, but neither should happen by accident.
Use meaningful names. Good names make a map memorable and help players communicate during negotiations. “Irondeep” is more useful at the table than “Territory 14.”
Size matters. Larger nodes are easier to tap on mobile. Consider making strategically important territories slightly larger.