Each of the Novistrana's citizens exists as a unique individual. Their behaviors are designed to realistically follow the flow of social and cultural factors in the game. Members of the population may celebrate, riot, or simply carry on the status quo, depending on how their ideologies coincide or conflict with the politics of their surroundings. Their support is the key to victory.

The player begins as a barely noticeable speck on the nation's political landscape, running his or her faction's underground operations from a tiny headquarters in one of 30 small villages. The goal is to build a foundation for the player's political movement, gaining supporters through clever propaganda, political pandering, and even bribery and extortion, eventually winning enough followers to overthrow the government and instate the player as high ruler. Competition for this position exists at all levels, coming from the administration currently in power as well as from over a dozen other upstart factions vying for supremacy.