I played it a bit, but got turned off a bit by the random events. In particular there was an event where huge numbers of one type of critter would appear rando

I played it a bit, but got turned off a bit by the random events. In particular there was an event where huge numbers of one type of critter would appear randomly on the map. If you could talk those critters into joining your armies you were guaranteed a win. If not you lose. The entire game at that point became a race to collect as many of those critters as possible and form a giant doomstack that nothing could hope to stop and crush the opposing castle.