As Dominus, you have a variety of resources at your disposal. Guards to protect you from the machinations of your opponents. Slaves to manage your house and earn money. Gladiators fighting to gain glory and influence for their Dominus.
The game takes place in 3 main phases per turn.
The intrigue phase is where players launch their intrigues, hoping to increase their fortunes while weakening their opponents. Machinations and reactions are represented by cards from the plot deck.
Players use their influences or seek help from other players to use more powerful storylines.
The market phase allows players to buy, sell or trade their labor and equipment (Gladiators, Slaves, guards and equipment).
Wealth is not the only path to success. Players bluff and trade to acquire the assets they covet.
The Arena phase represents the bloody fights between Gladiators of different houses. The game's spectacles are represented by combat figures on the game board. Fighters roll their defense, attack, and speed dice against their opponents to determine the winner. Each player can increase his fortune by betting on the outcome of the fight.
The gladiator surviving the arena gains favors and influence for his Dominus.
During the game, Dominus will bribe, steal, betray, kidnap, and do many other things to their opponents. Gold will change hands again and again to buy support or influence decisions.
Will you be an honorable player with a golden word or will you be a traitor with a word as light as the wind?
