Florian was born the bastard son of Bonduc Hartwynn, the promiscuous first 'King of Hearts.' He earned his place as heir by winning the Tournament of Bastards—held by his father when he fell gravely ill. Determined to secure his position, Florian worked tirelessly to impress Bonduc but soon realized that pleasing him was an impossible task. Behind the scenes, Florian resorted to darker methods, secretly keeping his father sick with a magical poison. Over the course of a year, his slow and deliberate manipulations drove Bonduc to madness. Eventually, the king attempted suicide. Although Kao intervened with his potent magic, it was too late—Bonduc's sanity was shattered, and he could no longer serve as the King of the northern kingdom. Seizing the opportunity, Florian ascended to the throne. His subjects embraced him with open arms, drawn to the glorious reputation of his father. Few suspected Florian's role in the overthrow, allowing him to solidify his rule as the new 'King of Hearts.
Standing 6'2" and weighing 225 pounds, Florian is as imposing as he is cunning. From a young age, he knew his ambitions would lead him to dark places. Though he grew up in the shadow of a grand temple to Alion, Florian held no faith in the three gods of Tistrofel. Instead, he found refuge in a nearby church dedicated to Demetris the Fair, where open arms and sustenance were offered to those willing to work. There, he honed the skills to forge his signature weapon, Fealltóir.
Whispers tell of Florian’s chilling rise to power. After the Tournament of Bastards that secured him the Throne of Hearts, he is said to have poured a thin layer of molten gold across the blood-soaked battlefield. As the gold cooled, it absorbed the blood of his fallen brothers. He later returned to a secret forge near the church to Demetris the Fair, where the molten flows below served as the crucible for his now-infamous armor Anam Fola.
Standing 6'2" and weighing 225 pounds, Florian is as imposing as he is cunning. From a young age, he knew his ambitions would lead him to dark places. Though he grew up in the shadow of a grand temple to Alion, Florian held no faith in the three gods of Tistrofel. Instead, he found refuge in a nearby church dedicated to Demetris the Fair, where open arms and sustenance were offered to those willing to work. There, he honed the skills to forge his signature weapon, Fealltóir.
Whispers tell of Florian’s chilling rise to power. After the Tournament of Bastards that secured him the Throne of Hearts, he is said to have poured a thin layer of molten gold across the blood-soaked battlefield. As the gold cooled, it absorbed the blood of his fallen brothers. He later returned to a secret forge near the church to Demetris the Fair, where the molten flows below served as the crucible for his now-infamous armor Anam Fola.
Strategies to Consider
The King of Hearts is, at his core, a healer, self-preservationist, and survivor. But don’t be fooled—your ability to manipulate shields, sustain yourself, and outlast opponents makes you an absolute nightmare to take down. While others focus on aggression, you play the long game, carefully choosing when to boost your defenses, when to heal, and when to strike. Your healing powers make you everyone’s best friend—until they realize you plan to outlast them all. Your ability to generate shields, even in the endgame, makes you deceptively durable, and when played right, you’ll outlive, outmaneuver, and outsmart everyone at the table. You’re the most likely to make friends at the table, but that won’t always be enough to secure victory. Your biggest struggle is regaining used Power Tokens, making every decision about using them feel crucial. To thrive, focus on your trait healing, play your cards wisely, and elicit aid from others. Try to keep your HP around 18—too much health (25-30) paints a target on your back. Spread the wealth with your trait heals to keep allies on your side.
Battlefield Guardian
Your trait allows you to heal any king once per round - which means you have built-in political leverage. Pick a target and single them out, then encourage the others to attack them. Maybe point out how big their shield is or highlight their core strengths as a “concern” for the group. Keep the act up by tossing a timely heal to an ally during your +FX to show you “care,” but don’t be too obvious. Use healing as a bargaining chip. Players will think you're an alley... until you're the last one standing. Stay relentless in your attacks against your chosen target while acting benevolent with your heals—just don’t let your HP drop too low. Once you’ve whittled down your opponents one by one and there’s only one left, well… you know what to do.
Relentless Survivor
Your L-1 abilities set you apart. If you want to keep opponents guessing, grab an L-1: Heart Shield early--it’s a secret everyone will want to know. It’s a great deterrent, but also a risky choice in the early game. Your L-2: Stoneheart is the strongest heal in the game. At ANY TIME (like just before damage is resolved), you can gain a massive shield boost that converts into direct healing when destroyed. Sitting on two Power Tokens will often deter attacks, as opponents will think twice before hitting a well-prepared King of Hearts. The best Hearts players know that healing isn't just about survival - its about deception. Your combination of healing shields and mind games can make you one of the hardest kings to eliminate.
Mitigation Master
Your L-1: Stone Heart is best saved for after a 3/3: Fracture spell has failed—but you’ll never know when that will happen. If the Bone King is in play, expect faster cycling of the dominoes, but don’t worry—even his L-1: Bone Splinter can’t touch your face-down Heart Shield. The risk is yours to take. Domino cycling benefits you in the long run, as your trait activates when they’re gone. Use L-1: Nepotism wisely when your HP or shield is low—the surprised look on your attacker’s face is worth it. It’s a quick defense that doesn’t seem too threatening, making it easy to slip under the radar.
Final Thoughts
Read the table. Having low HP can be a double-edged sword. Some players may hesitate to attack a weakened King of Hearts, letting you heal up and prepare for a comeback (suckers). Others, however, will be mad with rage—this is Battle Kings, after all—and gleefully finish you off just for fun. Know your audience. The King of Hearts is not an easy target—and that’s what makes him dangerous. You are the true survivor, capable of shifting the balance of power through well-placed heals, unbreakable defenses, and a never-say-die attitude. By the time your opponents figure out your game, they’ll either be your pawns… or your victims.
Battlefield Guardian
Your trait allows you to heal any king once per round - which means you have built-in political leverage. Pick a target and single them out, then encourage the others to attack them. Maybe point out how big their shield is or highlight their core strengths as a “concern” for the group. Keep the act up by tossing a timely heal to an ally during your +FX to show you “care,” but don’t be too obvious. Use healing as a bargaining chip. Players will think you're an alley... until you're the last one standing. Stay relentless in your attacks against your chosen target while acting benevolent with your heals—just don’t let your HP drop too low. Once you’ve whittled down your opponents one by one and there’s only one left, well… you know what to do.
Relentless Survivor
Your L-1 abilities set you apart. If you want to keep opponents guessing, grab an L-1: Heart Shield early--it’s a secret everyone will want to know. It’s a great deterrent, but also a risky choice in the early game. Your L-2: Stoneheart is the strongest heal in the game. At ANY TIME (like just before damage is resolved), you can gain a massive shield boost that converts into direct healing when destroyed. Sitting on two Power Tokens will often deter attacks, as opponents will think twice before hitting a well-prepared King of Hearts. The best Hearts players know that healing isn't just about survival - its about deception. Your combination of healing shields and mind games can make you one of the hardest kings to eliminate.
Mitigation Master
Your L-1: Stone Heart is best saved for after a 3/3: Fracture spell has failed—but you’ll never know when that will happen. If the Bone King is in play, expect faster cycling of the dominoes, but don’t worry—even his L-1: Bone Splinter can’t touch your face-down Heart Shield. The risk is yours to take. Domino cycling benefits you in the long run, as your trait activates when they’re gone. Use L-1: Nepotism wisely when your HP or shield is low—the surprised look on your attacker’s face is worth it. It’s a quick defense that doesn’t seem too threatening, making it easy to slip under the radar.
Final Thoughts
Read the table. Having low HP can be a double-edged sword. Some players may hesitate to attack a weakened King of Hearts, letting you heal up and prepare for a comeback (suckers). Others, however, will be mad with rage—this is Battle Kings, after all—and gleefully finish you off just for fun. Know your audience. The King of Hearts is not an easy target—and that’s what makes him dangerous. You are the true survivor, capable of shifting the balance of power through well-placed heals, unbreakable defenses, and a never-say-die attitude. By the time your opponents figure out your game, they’ll either be your pawns… or your victims.
THE CLERIC IS ARRIVING IN 2025!
Divine intervention is on its way—introducing the Cleric! Coming soon, the Cleric brings unparalleled support and righteous fury to the battlefield. With Alion’s Prayer, heal allies, replenish strength, or smite enemies with piercing power. Unleash the healing flames of Sacred Flame, or grant divine favor with Bless, letting allies draw strength and shields from the King’s Guard pouch.
For those who dare to dabble in the beyond, the Cleric’s Animate Dead raises a skeletal army to fight in your name. Whether you're bolstering your team or raining holy wrath upon your foes, the Cleric is the ultimate blend of mercy and might. Prepare to embrace the light... or dark—coming soon to your kingdom!
For those who dare to dabble in the beyond, the Cleric’s Animate Dead raises a skeletal army to fight in your name. Whether you're bolstering your team or raining holy wrath upon your foes, the Cleric is the ultimate blend of mercy and might. Prepare to embrace the light... or dark—coming soon to your kingdom!
Xinelizé Inamani - The Cleric
Xinelizé was raised in a border hamlet where the god Alion and the King of Hearts were revered with equal fervor. But during her final pilgrimage to Hartwynn Castle, her faith was shattered.
King Florian Hartwynn unveiled the world’s grim realities through dark rituals and sinister alliances with corrupt preachers. Flaunting his immoral exploits and the unchecked power his new crown afforded him, he twisted the ideals she once held sacred. Her desperate prayers for his redemption went unanswered when she was forced to flee a depraved and dangerous celebration. In that moment, her unwavering loyalty to her king and her faith in Alion crumbled beneath the weight of betrayal.
Spiritually adrift, Xinelizé became vulnerable to Gothiel’s insidious whispers, offering her the stability she so desperately craved. Yet, she clung to the hope of redemption, vowing to heal King Hartwynn’s corrupted spirit. Now, she walks a razor-thin line between light and darkness, caught in a battle not only for her king’s soul—but for her own.
If she falters, Gothiel’s seductive darkness will claim her. But if Alion wills it, she will rise from the shadows and bathe in his light.
Xinelizé stands 5'7" tall and weighs 135 pounds. Her deceivingly innocent features and mannerisms mask an intensity barely concealed within her dark eyes. Like most clerics raised in the House of Alion, she is highly skilled in a variety of weapons, including the mace, morning star, and flail. Both her armor, Light of the Phoenix, and her flail, Alion's Cord, bear the sigil of her god— the face of a phoenix with a ruby embedded in its forehead.
Her armor, though resembling the standard issued to all Alion's clerics, has been custom-designed by King Florian Hartwynn's personal armorer, allowing her greater flexibility and freedom of movement. Despite her growing revulsion toward the king, he was captivated by her power and chose her as his personal champion.
When not preening for the king at court, Xinelizé secretly hones her skills alongside a small band of adventurers who call themselves The Chosen—the other four champions of their respective kings. They alone understand the world has changed. When the Bone King was raised in a magical explosion, the land of Tistrofel cracked open, revealing an underground world teeming with dangerous creatures and wild magic. Now, The Chosen have taken it upon themselves to hold the darkness at bay for as long as they can.
King Florian Hartwynn unveiled the world’s grim realities through dark rituals and sinister alliances with corrupt preachers. Flaunting his immoral exploits and the unchecked power his new crown afforded him, he twisted the ideals she once held sacred. Her desperate prayers for his redemption went unanswered when she was forced to flee a depraved and dangerous celebration. In that moment, her unwavering loyalty to her king and her faith in Alion crumbled beneath the weight of betrayal.
Spiritually adrift, Xinelizé became vulnerable to Gothiel’s insidious whispers, offering her the stability she so desperately craved. Yet, she clung to the hope of redemption, vowing to heal King Hartwynn’s corrupted spirit. Now, she walks a razor-thin line between light and darkness, caught in a battle not only for her king’s soul—but for her own.
If she falters, Gothiel’s seductive darkness will claim her. But if Alion wills it, she will rise from the shadows and bathe in his light.
Xinelizé stands 5'7" tall and weighs 135 pounds. Her deceivingly innocent features and mannerisms mask an intensity barely concealed within her dark eyes. Like most clerics raised in the House of Alion, she is highly skilled in a variety of weapons, including the mace, morning star, and flail. Both her armor, Light of the Phoenix, and her flail, Alion's Cord, bear the sigil of her god— the face of a phoenix with a ruby embedded in its forehead.
Her armor, though resembling the standard issued to all Alion's clerics, has been custom-designed by King Florian Hartwynn's personal armorer, allowing her greater flexibility and freedom of movement. Despite her growing revulsion toward the king, he was captivated by her power and chose her as his personal champion.
When not preening for the king at court, Xinelizé secretly hones her skills alongside a small band of adventurers who call themselves The Chosen—the other four champions of their respective kings. They alone understand the world has changed. When the Bone King was raised in a magical explosion, the land of Tistrofel cracked open, revealing an underground world teeming with dangerous creatures and wild magic. Now, The Chosen have taken it upon themselves to hold the darkness at bay for as long as they can.