What's the deal with relics?

[Ecthelon]

Just played a 4 player free for all against the AI. It took a while but I crushed two of them and was just finishing off the last one when I was informed that I had apparently lost.

Turns out one of the AI had picked up some "relics" or something and the game just decided they won after a countdown that I didn't notice. I'm confused I couldn't figure out which AI had done it. Can an AI that has resigned still win a relic victory? Can relics be stolen?

[mmmcheesywaffles]

Relics are small boxy objects that a Monk can collect and take to their monastery. When stored in a monastery they cause the building to produce Gold.

If you look at your mini-map these Relics show as small White squares.

A Monastery can hold 10 and produce Gold for each Relic.

If you see an enemy monk carrying a large object, that will be a Relic.

While holding a Relic a monk cannot use his conversion skills.

Collecting all the Relics on a map can allow you to win a Relic victory.

Different maps have different numbers of Relics scattered randomly across the map.

A monk with Relic can be transported in a Transport ship

If a Relic carrying monk is killed the Relic is immediately dropped. However, if on a Transport ship the monk is killed but the Relic transfers to the nearest land.

A Resigned AI Foe should not be able to win any victory. Relics can indeed be stolen and you need to protect any monk or monastery.

EDit: added last 2 paras

[Ecthelon]

But can they be stolen after they've been put in a monastery?

[Blegh]

Originally posted by Ecthelon:

But can they be stolen after they've been put in a monastery?

Destroy the monastery and the relics will be dropped, the player no longer has control of them.
They can be taken by any player at that point and the relic vic countdown is cancelled

[mmmcheesywaffles]

Yes and you can define victory options when you set up a new game. In games that you disable the win... your Relics just earn you Gold
EDit: typo

[SassyA22]

Have you never played this game? I make getting the relics a priority because it racks of gold for your team and takes gold away from the other players...

[Ecthelon]

...clearly I hadn't played enough know what they did. That would be why I asked. Have you never used a forum?

[Blegh]

Originally posted by Ecthelon:

...clearly I hadn't played enough know what they did. That would be why I asked. Have you never used a forum?

Ignore the trolls, they just want to rile you up