The Secret to Happiness in Brunelleschi

What is happiness? While we could turn to the ancient philosophers to explore the concept, happiness has a particular meaning in the game Brunelleschi: Age of Architects.

Happiness represents the six requirements of a happy settlement:

• Security
• Health
• Prosperity
• Faith
• Education
• Respect

Without these six happiness types, a settlement will crumble. It’s people will fall into all sorts of peril depending on which type of happiness is not properly maintained.

Poor security leads to bandits. Poor health leads to plagues. Naturally, the larger a settlement’s population, the more is required to provide the population with these elements of happiness.

Security

Security represents how safe the settlement is, both inside and outside it’s boundaries. It is associated with the Commander class.

A high security settlement likely has many defense and security buildings with protective walls, guardhouses, and guards patrolling the streets.

Low security leads to internal crime and vulnerability to external attack.

Health

Health represents the ability of the population to stay clean and healthy. It is associated with the Noble class. Fountains, sewers, and certain management decisions can boost health while other features or events can damage the health of a settlement.

If a settlement or district’s health becomes to low, a plague could occur.

Prosperity

Prosperity represents the general wealth and economic strength of a settlement. It is associated with the Trader class. It reflects how much coin the population may be carrying and the overall buying power of a population.

High prosperity can reduce building costs and increase the income from income buildings where the people spend, like taverns and entertainment venues.

Low prosperity leads to poverty and, eventually, to famine.

Faith

Faith represents the people’s need for churches and spiritual guidance. It is associated with the Priest class. While there is no specific religion in Brunelleschi (or rather, a wide selection to choose from), the people need institutes and acts of faith to bolster them.

Low faith can lead to a settlement becoming cursed.

Education

Education represents the total amount of learning and enlightenment within a settlement. It is associated with the Caster class. An educated settlement will have greater success crafting and researching.

Low education can lead to Ignorance, a widespread penalty to tasks performed by the population.

Respect

Respect represents how much the population reveres the leadership of a settlement. It is associated with the Lord class. Respect is earned through great constructions, events, and impressive actions.

High respect can generate overall bonuses for the settlement. Low respect may make government overthrow more possible.

Settlement vs District Happiness

Happiness applies both to the overall settlement and individual districts. This is why buildings like guardhouses and churches will likely be found in many districts in a well-developed settlement.