In AD 962 Otto the Great becomes Holy Roman Emperor. In this age of the 'itinerant kingship' he does not rule from a capital but travels from palace to palace. In The King's Will the players assume the role of the dukes whose palaces the King is visiting. They try to determine the King's current will and ascend in his favor while they steadily enlarge their duchies. After four rounds, the player who proves himself to be the best in meeting the wishes of the King will win the game.