The Red Prince

Wolfhart von Rothstein, or the Red Prince, is a tyrant in The Settlers: Rise of an Empire. He wants to rule the world and build his throne from his enemies' dreams.

Personality and Motivation: Meet Wolfhart, a cruel ruler obsessed with power and wealth. He thrives on conflict and has no regard for well-being or peaceful negotiations. His narcissism is extreme, viewing potential opponents as mere annoyances to his ego.

Player Interaction: When you finally cross paths with the Red Prince in the game, prepare yourself for a masterclass in condescension! His interactions with you are filled with a delightful cocktail of sarcasm and defiance. He’ll challenge your abilities, no matter if you’re a king or queen, serving up a platter of thinly veiled insults sprinkled with mock admiration.

“Oh, look who it is! A monarch! Isn’t that adorable? Let’s see if you can handle more than just throne polishing.” You’ve got to admire his confidence, though—he just can’t help but remind you how superior he is, even as you plot his downfall.

Role in the Story: As the plot thickens, the Red Prince plays a pivotal role in The Settlers. He becomes your main antagonist, appearing with all the flair of a dramatic villain in every cutscene after the initial one. His first grand entrance comes in Mission 8: Seydir, where he’s providing his loyal sidekick, Crimson Sabatt, with resources. Spoiler alert: those resources are probably used for nefarious deeds! By the final mission, it’s just you against him and his tyranny. If you think defeating him is hard, just wait until you see his desperate attempts to turn every battle into a personal vendetta—“I’ll be waiting… with popcorn!”

Appearance: Visually, the Red Prince is as refined as he is malevolent—think elegant aristocrat meets your worst nightmare. Picture this: dark gray hair slicked back so tightly you’d think he’s hiding secrets in there, and piercing eyes that could cut glass (or the hopes of his enemies). Adorned in a lavish red doublet trimmed with gold, he signifies how much he loves the finer things in life (and ruling with a rod of iron, of course). His cloak, fur-trimmed for that “I mean business” look, speaks of unending resources. And don’t forget about that brooch—probably a family heirloom or something stolen from an unsuspecting noble. If you thought that last detail was a stretch, just wait until you see the layers of jewelry adorning his arms. Each ring and bracelet screams wealth, power, and a complete lack of subtlety. And what’s that in his hand? A red rose—sweet and romantic, but we all know it’s just hiding those nasty thorns.

Affiliation with Crimson Sabatt: Let’s talk about his right-hand woman, Crimson Sabatt. She’s about as loyal as they come, but even she hasn’t escaped the harsh gaze of the Red Prince. Beneath his charming exterior lies a cruel man intent on absolute control—even over his closest companion. You could say she’s living in a “love-hate” dynamic… except it’s mostly hate and maybe a hint of, “Can you pass the salt?”

In Conclusion: In the end, Wolfhart von Rothstein isn’t just your standard evil monarch; he’s a complex character wrapped in layers of ambition, sarcasm, and a twisted sense of love. As you navigate through The Settlers: Rise of an Empire, just remember: defeating a tyrant is one thing, but beating a self-proclaimed red silk-draped villain who thinks he can sweep you off your feet while plotting your downfall? That’s a whole new level of challenge!

For those who want to dive deeper into this chaotic world and unravel the mysteries of the Red Prince, don’t forget to check out gameplay videos to witness his tyrannical charm firsthand. Good luck—you're going to need it!