Founders’ Fortune – Bug Plagues, Battle Drills & Fortified Dreams | Episode 3

In Episode 3 of our Founders’ Fortune journey, the cold heart of winter meets the fire of preparation—and confrontation. What started as a peaceful colony-building game now simmers with tension as diplomacy cracks, pests invade, and swords are sharpened for the inevitable. We pick up mid-winter, having survived so far with warmth and optimism intact. But threats loom. The so-called Humble People, ironically the most hostile faction in the region, still attack on sight. Though we briefly flirt with the idea of striking first, we hold off—choosing instead to train our settlers for the eventual clash. Combat drills begin in earnest. Everyone eligible grabs a sword and begins sparring at the dummies. Those who can’t (like David, who remains our resident “dumb” doctor) become potential liabilities. With a growing population comes the need for expansion—emotionally and architecturally. We design new 5x5 homes, complete with proper beds, flower pots, and armor storage, finally upgrading our settlers from simple shelters to dignified dwellings. However, moods begin to sour. Alex, a pessimist, constantly demands new furniture, better food, and, of course, his own writing table—one we can’t even build yet due to missing iron ore. Then, disaster strikes: a bug infestation decimates our tomato crops. Within moments, nearly every plant is infected, and our winter food supply teeters on collapse. It's a hard lesson in agricultural fragility—and a wake-up call that our colony’s success hinges not just on building walls but on managing nature itself. We pivot to infrastructure. Fortifications begin to rise around the perimeter, aimed at delaying or deterring raids from neighboring factions. Our colonists gain combat levels, and some even learn to wield wooden swords with greater finesse. Meanwhile, Anna, our stalwart craftswoman, continues to push forward with research and production. Tensions rise not only with enemies but among the settlers themselves. Relationship dislikes emerge, personalities clash, and we question who we can trust when battle comes. Yet, as we move the loom into a proper tailor's workshop, and start production on our first gambesons (early armor), a new phase begins. This is no longer a rustic startup village—it’s a fortified society preparing for war. We end the episode on a high note of cautious momentum. Walls have gone up. The tailor’s workshop is buzzing. And even our most difficult colonists are finally getting what they want… more or less.