Eternal City

In the timeless expanse of an ever-thriving Rome, history has taken an alternate course. Defying the whispers of downfall that echoed through the ages, The Eternal City stands stronger than ever with its marble edifices casting shadows over three millennia of unbroken rule. As the fading health of the Emperor looms over the empire, the stage is set for a epic struggle among the Imperators vying for the throne's mantle. Each Imperator must assemble a Cadre of loyalists and champions drawn from the diverse tapestry of Roman society. From the elite Praetorian Guards to the elusive Thieves, every choice carries weight, shaping not only the outcome of battles but the very fate of the empire itself. As the Bank of Aureus overflows with the lifeblood of the city, fortunes rise and fall as Imperators strive to amass the wealth and influence needed to secure their claim to the throne. Yet, amidst the clash of steel, one truth remains: in the Eternal City, only the strongest will ascend to rule.

Overview

Recruit a variety of Fidelis (Loyalists) to form a strategic Cadre (Army) that will protect your Imperator (Commander). Aquire enough funds from the Bank of Aureus to afford the cost of your Fidelis actions. Weaken your opponent’s Cadre until only their Imperator remains. Remove them from their power position with one final attack. Last Imperator remaining claims the throne of the Eternal City.

The game is split into 2 phases. Build Phase and Campaign Phase.

Build Phase

Players will all start with a unique Imperator to strategize and build their Cadre around.

*Various Imperators each with a unique special ability to use throughout the game.

In turn order, you will then choose to either draw 3 and keep 1 Fidelis from the facedown Cadre deck, or withdraw 3 coins from the Bank of Aureus. The goal of this phase is to both build a Cadre you believe will protect your Imperator while also acquiring enough starting Aureus to carry out a few actions early into the Campaign phase.

*Display of the different Fidelis you can recruit through the game, each with their own actions and abilities.

Everyone will continue clockwise until either a Cadre Limit or Aureus Limit is reached based on the player count defined in the rulebook. Once this limit has been reached, you will finish that round and then all players will organize their Fidelis facedown around their Imperator in any formation they desire. Then proceed to the Campaign Phase.

Campaign Phase

During this phase, each player will get to take 2 actions on their turn. They can either flip over a Fidelis, pay any required Aureus cost, and carry out the card's action, or withdraw more Aureus from the Bank if you need to replenish your supply.

*Example of a single action on a players turn where the Etruscan was flipped in support of the flipped Assassin granting +1 to the die roll for the Assassin attack which cost 2 Aureus coins to activate.

There are either Attack Fidelis which target player's cards for elimination, Defensive Fidelis which can block attacks targeting your Cadre, Passive Fidelis that might grant die roll bonuses to either the Attack or Defensive Fidelis types, or Utility Fidelis that help you gain or steal more Aureus for your supply.

Players will continue playing cards, ultimately attacking one another, until all Fidelis are elimited around a player's Imperator and they are left unprotected. With a final attack you can elimite that player from the game, granting you one step closer to victory.

Last person standing claims the throne of the Eternal City.