TRIBUNES is a game based on the 'game system' created by Reiner Knizia in his New Games in Old Rome (published by Piatnik). In order to play this game you will need the equipment it supplies. TRIBUNES is not supported or endorsed by the manufacturer or designer of that game system. TRIBUNES is the copyright of Derek R Hohls, 1995, 2001.

-3 to 5 players
-15 minutes
-game board
-cards
-5 x 5 stones
-5 x 1 figures

The Tribunes were a powerful group of elected statesmen, who served in the Roman Senate. They had the power both to bring proposals, or Bills, to the vote or, conversely, to veto proposed Bills.

This game describes the struggle amongst different Factions in the Senate to gain the support of the Tribunes for their cause. Each player must seek out the more powerful Tribunes in order to gain the most support; but the machinations of rivals can hinder your attempts.

Materials

In addition to the game board, a set of coloured cards, including those numbered 1 through to 5 as well as the 2 banner cards, are used for each player. Furthermore, each player needs a coloured figure. Five stones in each of the 5 colours, are needed. (Note: a special game board can be made; alternately the one from IMPERIUM can be used.)

Preparation

Lay out the game board between the players. It shows spaces, laid out in a table, numbered from 0 to 25. On the spaces from 1 to 25, place the coloured stones in sequence, one per space, going from red, to yellow, then green, blue, and lilac - and then starting with red again. All players place their figures on the '0' space, and take up a corresponding set of cards.

Course of the Game

Each player decides which Tribune he is going to attempt to influence, and selects a numbered card from his hand to move the corresponding number of spaces.

When everyone is ready, all of the players turn over their card at the same time and each player calls out his number. Each player moves his figure the number of spaces selected. However, the player who has selected the highest number has his move reduced by the number selected by the player who has the next highest number. If two or more players select the same highest number, then none of them can move. If all players select the same number, then none of them can move.

     Example

Player A selects the 5 card, player B selects the 4, player C selects the 2 and player D also selects the 2. Player A only moves 1 space, while player B moves 4. Players C and D both move 2.

Players A and B both select the 5 card, player C selects the 3 and player D selects the 2. Players A and B remain where they are; player C moves 3 spaces and player D moves 2.

In the second and subsequent turns, and provided a player has moved off the 0 space, players may play a banner card instead. In this case, the player does not move, but picks up the stone on the space he is occupying. If two or more players are on a space, and more than one of them selects a banner card to play, then no one picks up the stone. If a player does not have a banner card to play, he must play a numbered card ie. players cannot 'pass' at any time.

Once played, cards are set to one side. When a player has played all of his numbered cards, he must pick up all of his discarded cards to use again.

Game End and Winning

The game ends as soon as the first player passes space 25. The scores are calculated as follows. Each red stone held is worth 1 point, each yellow is worth 2 points, green is 3 points, blue is 4 points, and lilac is 5 points. The winner is the player with the highest total score. In case of a tie, the player who was farthest along is the winner.

Series

TRIBUNE is a quick game that lends itself to series play. In this way, the game simulates a number of Senate meetings in a session.

The scores from individual games are listed consecutively. The player with the best total score at the end of the series has won.

Comments

All players begin with the same cards in their hand. Thus the course of the game is determined more by bluff and good guesswork - based on a shrewd assessment of your opponents' intentions - than through random chance.

If you co-occupy a space with another player, you should decide whether or not he is likely to play a banner card - based on the stone's value, the position in the game and the stones he already holds - before risking one of yours.

You should at least keep track of which cards players have already played so as to gauge which ones cannot be played in the next round, and which are likely to be played. The opening and end games are usually the hardest to judge.

Variations

Players should agree before a game starts as to which, if any, of the following variations they wish to use.

Banner Scores

You can decrease a player's score by subtracting from it the number of banner cards held at the end of the game; say 3 points for each card.

Banner Moves

In addition to using a banner card to retrieve a Tribune (when the space is occupied by more than one player), you can also use a banner card to swap places with any other player. When all player cards have been revealed, those playing banner cards (and not jointly occupying a space with another player) may first exchange their pawn's position with any other player. If more than one player qualifies to do this, begin with the youngest player and move clockwise; or begin with the player who is furtherest ahead.

(Thanks to Eddie for this variant!)

Hand Size

Increase the number of numbered cards given to each player to 6, or even 7. This means players will not be able to pick up as many Tribunes and makes selection of the correct card at any given time even more vital.

Stone Ordering

The tempo of the game can be changed by altering the order in which the stones are placed eg. start from the lilac and go down to red. This makes the first space a very attractive one, and can lead to some interesting opening moves! Alternately, place all the stones in a container and draw them out at random to place on the board. This causes an unsymmetrical layout and will also necessitate differing movement tactics.