Obscurians
Discover the Shadow Bazaar and become an Obscurian!
Game mechanics
Intrigue and deception
Skilfully navigate the subtle pitfalls of the other Obscurians to best accomplish your secret mission. Deceive your opponents without having to lie and disguise your true intentions.
To gain victory points from your secret mission, you must make the most of the henchman dice. However, if you pursue your goals too obviously, the other Obscurians will be able to figure out what you are up to, thwart your plans and score victory points by correctly identifying your client.
An Obscurian must always act in the shadows and keep the identity of their clients secret in order to maximize their success. Obscurians are not merchants, they are skilled schemers who can read secret agendas from the actions of others while keeping their own hidden.
Secret Missions
Every Obscurian has a secret client for whom certain combinations of goods are to be procured. Fulfill these orders cleverly and figure out the plans of your fellow players to score the most points at the end of the game.
During the game, you have the opportunity to determine the identity of the other Obscurians’ clients in order to receive victory points for each correct tip at the end of the game. The earlier you correctly identify the intentions of your opponents, the more points you will receive at the end of the game.
Experienced Obscurians can even use these open suspicions to create false clues or divert attention from themselves.
At the start of the game, every Obscurian receives poker chips with all possible clients in the game. If you want to make a guess, place the chip with the corresponding identity in front of the other Obscurian to accuse them of a specific target. All subsequent chips are stacked on top of those already placed so that only the last tip remains visible.
Henchmen and disguises
Use the henchman dice wisely and take advantage of the constantly changing circumstances to achieve your goals and keep the other Obscurians in the dark.
On your turn, a dice roll determines which options are open to you. You must optimize each roll so that you can complete your mission without being too conspicuous.
Each turn, you must decide whether to use your dice roll to conceal your true objectives or to get closer to your secret objective. But always remember that the end of the game in the form of a devastating sandstorm can come sooner than you’d hoped!
Gameplay
Exchange of goods and tactics
The henchman dice force you to make clever tactical decisions. Only the dice roll shows you your exact options for action. Swap goods, increase your own supply or give goods to other Obscurians to achieve your goals.
The situation changes rapidly every round. Other Obscurians can take your goods, swap them with each other or give you goods that you may not want. You must use your turn to take advantage of the dynamics of the game and subtly persuade the Obscurians to act in your favor.
Every move you make will be closely analyzed by your opponents. If you can make every move influence them to your advantage, you will achieve true mastery of the Obscurians’ craft.
Exchange of goods and tactics
The henchman dice force you to make clever tactical decisions. Only the dice roll shows you your exact options for action. Swap goods, increase your own supply or give goods to other Obscurians to achieve your goals.
The situation changes rapidly every round. Other Obscurians can take your goods, swap them with each other or give you goods that you may not want. You must use your turn to take advantage of the dynamics of the game and subtly persuade the Obscurians to act in your favor.
Every move you make will be closely analyzed by your opponents. If you can make every move influence them to your advantage, you will achieve true mastery of the Obscurians’ craft.
Challenges in every round
Each round card brings a unique challenge that influences the dynamics of the game. From surprise visitors to sudden sandstorms, adapt tactically to the game’s many twists and turns.
The end of the game caused by a sandstorm can only be roughly predicted. If you wait too long to complete your secret objective efficiently, the sandstorm could get the better of you. However, if you are too hasty, the other Obscurians can easily spot what you are doing.
The turn cards can provide cover for the bluffs of clever Obscurians, but can also thwart some plans. A good Obscurian makes the best of the circumstances and uses them to their advantage instead of allowing themselves to be cornered by rigid plans.
Immerse yourself in the world of the Shadow Bazaar and become an Obscurian!
