Depths of Peril - Peek #2 @ RPG Vault

Soldak's Depths of Peril sees its second Peek at RPG Vault with project lead Steven Peeler writing about the strategic elements:

The barbarians survived the near annihilation of the west. Barbarians are well, barbarians; they choose their leaders through fights to the death. You play as a head of a faction (called a covenant in the game) where your main goal is to destroy the other covenants and become the new town leader. This is also their goal, so be careful. The strategic gameplay primarily comes from this competition with the other factions, and adds depth and more meaning to all of your actions.

Going to war with all of the other covenants at the same time is usually suicide. It's best to keep them peaceful until you are ready to crush them. By using diplomacy, primarily through trade, you can keep your competitors happy. In general, the more you trade with a given covenant, the more it will like you. You can trade various things including items, money, influence, crystals (covenant version of money), treaties and trade routes. You are not restricted to fair trades though. You can also give gifts or demand things from them.