Game Overview

Every year, the animals of the forest compete to determine who is the most influential among them. Thematically, you take on the role of a contender for the throne, enhancing your court with loyal vassals. Mechanically, you play cards each round to either increase your own influence or use clever intrigues at rival courts to weaken your competitors.

Goal of the Game

The goal is to gather the highest influence at your court by playing vassal cards. The game ends as soon as a player reaches a total of 42 influence points or more.

Gameplay

Preparation

• Use the preparation card corresponding to the number of players to remove specific cards.
• All remaining cards are dealt equally; there is no draw pile.
• The player who last saw a deer begins the round.

A Turn

On your turn, you must play exactly 1 card to any court (your own or an opponent's):

1. Own Court: You gain the card's influence value (0 to 7) for your scoring.
2. Opponent's Court: The other player gains the influence, but you trigger the card's unique scheming ability (intrigue).

End of Round

The round ends when no player has any hand cards left. Influence points at your court are summed up and recorded.

The Vassals (Excerpt)

Game End & Scoring

• The player with the most points after someone reaches 42 points is crowned King or Queen of the Woods.
• Alternatively, play the Winning rounds Variant until someone achieves 3 wins (or 2 wins in a 2-player game).