The game
Each round is divided into the following phases:
1 BID SPQR TOKENS
2 RESOLUTION
2A. SEQUENTIA CARDS
2B. CIVITAS CARDS
2C. CONSPIRACIES
3 END OF THE ROUND
During the first phase, on their turn, players must place SPQR tokens face down (with the value hidden) on one of the ten face-up civitas cards, to try to gain the advantages.
Once the bidding phase is over, it is time to resolve the cards.
CIVITAS cards must be resolved in the order given by SEQUENTIA cards.
When it is time to resolve a card, all SPQR tokens played on that card are revealed, and the winning bidders receive the rewards (or the losing bidders suffer the penalties!).
1 BID SPQR TOKENS
2 RESOLUTION
2A. SEQUENTIA CARDS
2B. CIVITAS CARDS
2C. CONSPIRACIES
3 END OF THE ROUND
During the first phase, on their turn, players must place SPQR tokens face down (with the value hidden) on one of the ten face-up civitas cards, to try to gain the advantages.
Once the bidding phase is over, it is time to resolve the cards.
CIVITAS cards must be resolved in the order given by SEQUENTIA cards.
When it is time to resolve a card, all SPQR tokens played on that card are revealed, and the winning bidders receive the rewards (or the losing bidders suffer the penalties!).
A typical game in play
After each SEQUENTIA card is complete, there is an opportunity for a conspiracy phase. If the players choose to begin a conspiracy, they can try to kill the emperor.
A conspiracy follows these steps:
-PLOT:
To decide who will join the conspiracy, who will be its leader, and who may instead defend the emperor, players bid Coniura cards from their hand.
The first player to bid at least one CONIURA card becomes the leader.
The other players can:
PASS, without bidding any cards (they don't take part to the conspiracy and can defend the emperor);
ACCEPT, by bidding the same number of CONIURA cards (they join the conspiracy);
RAISE, by bidding a higher number of CONIURA cards (and becoming the new leader).
-FAVOR:
All conspirators, starting with the leader, decide to place their favor token either on the chosen candidate or the living emperor.
-ASSASSINATION:
The conspirators try to kill the emperor, while the other players try to defend him... Or will someone change their mind at the last moment and stay his knife?
Non-conspirators can play PUGIO cards to defend the emperor.
Conspirators can play PUGIO cards to kill the emperor, and if they are successful the candidate goes to the throne…
-VICTORY POINTS: if the emperor dies, conspirators gain victory points.
If not... just wait for the right moment and start a new conspiracy!
A conspiracy follows these steps:
-PLOT:
To decide who will join the conspiracy, who will be its leader, and who may instead defend the emperor, players bid Coniura cards from their hand.
The first player to bid at least one CONIURA card becomes the leader.
The other players can:
PASS, without bidding any cards (they don't take part to the conspiracy and can defend the emperor);
ACCEPT, by bidding the same number of CONIURA cards (they join the conspiracy);
RAISE, by bidding a higher number of CONIURA cards (and becoming the new leader).
-FAVOR:
All conspirators, starting with the leader, decide to place their favor token either on the chosen candidate or the living emperor.
-ASSASSINATION:
The conspirators try to kill the emperor, while the other players try to defend him... Or will someone change their mind at the last moment and stay his knife?
Non-conspirators can play PUGIO cards to defend the emperor.
Conspirators can play PUGIO cards to kill the emperor, and if they are successful the candidate goes to the throne…
-VICTORY POINTS: if the emperor dies, conspirators gain victory points.
If not... just wait for the right moment and start a new conspiracy!
