Masques (2010)

The new Doge has invited you to attend a prestigious masquerade ball at his palace during the Carnival of Venice! It’s the perfect escape from the boredom of noble life. But even better, it’s the perfect opportunity to plot and scheme your way to a position of power! While the various guilds frolic and cavort under the moonlit arcades of the ducal palace, you must utilize every means at your disposal to gain their support.

Finding Favor for Your Family

Gameplay revolves chiefly around the clever use of guest cards with varying levels of influence. Each player receives a hand of guest cards, and each guest card has an influence value. The higher the influence, the greater that guest’s clout at court. Each player’s hand consists of a mix of cards representing members of any of the families currently in play. Use a rival family’s guest cards against them, and watch for chances to set up your own house for success.

Each of the rooms of the Doge’s palace offer tokens guild favor or valuable ducats to be won by ambitious nobles. The spaces between each card representing a room in the palace are the hallways of the Doge’s estate – the areas in which guest cards are placed to compete for adjacent resources.