Archenland had developed into a highly industrial trading world when the era of Galactic colonisation took place. It was therefore an ideal trading planet and became a significant part of the Space Trade Network.
With Galactic War now looming, the various protagonists recognise the economic and strategic military benefits of the planet and are vying to gain control.
This has led to the outbreak of a proxy planetary war with the various Galactic forces supplying military support to Archenland's alliances of nation-states ....
Teams within each group battle each other with the winning teams in each group then battling for total control of the planet (best-of-3).
If two teams both have two wins in the group stage then a one-game tie-break occurs. If three teams have two wins in the group stage then a one-game three-team doubles tie-break occurs (teams get to pick their representatives).
Each battle will take place across the world of Archenland (Age Of Merchants map).
Fog of War will not be present due to technological military surveillance, although, due to fall out from the many battles, the final battle of the final round will involve Fog of War.
Due to the limited availability of arms, no spoils will be in place.
Given the speed of military vessels, trench warfare will not be in place and chained reinforcements will be in place.
[Automatic and sequential settings are also in place, as well as no round limit.]
If deliberate missed-turns are suspected then they will be investigated.
If timing-out occurs, it will be assumed to be deliberate, and the team in question will not be allowed to win the game in question (if they do win then the game is declared as a draw).
Players will be informed when they have a match and will have 24 hours to join. If they fail to do so then they will be ejected from the tournament and a reserve will replace them.