You will need:

The Board above, printed or recreated on an A3 Size sheet of Paper or larger.

An Opaque Bag (Dig bag) that contains:

(The cubes used are standard board game cubes in various colours)

• 1 Yellow “Treasure” cube.
• 71 Black “Dirt” cubes
• 12 Red “Bobby Dazzler” cubes
• 24 Light Blue “If So” cubes
• 28 Green “Ad Break” cubes

To the side you will also have

• Pile of $100 notes
• 36 Dark Blue “Clue” cubes
• One token for each character (Blue, Green, Red, Black, Purple, Yellow, Orange, White, Pink)

Before the game begins, remove 7 cubes unseen from the Dig bag, and hides these. (no one knows what was removed). You can use a pocket, or underneath a cloth etc.

Start the Game with the Laird Character Token on the Interpretive Center.

How to play

Each Round has one “War Room” phase, and two “Episode Phases”. Play Rounds until someone finds the Treasure and wins, or the Dig Bag is empty.

Each Player receives $100 at the start of the Round.

Each Round starts with the “War Room” phase. Where all Character Tokens (Except for Laird) are placed on the Compass on the Board. Players then take turns moving any one Character from this place to a location on the map. You can also relocate a character that has already been moved for $100 dollars paid back to the bank.

The player to move a character first is determined by who has the most Bobby Dazzlers, if a draw, who has the most Money, if a draw the youngest player goes first.

Once all characters have been moved “out of the War Room”, the first Episode starts.

Episode Round

Players now take turns (same rule as above to determine first player to act) selecting a Location that is Active and performing the Action for that Location.

A Location is active when it contains the required Characters. The Character requirements are shown on the board. Each line of coloured dots represents Characters required in that Location.

Lines with Coloured dots containing the number 2, means you needs two Characters from that line.

You must also have the required amount of Money to perform the action. You pay this to the bank when performing the action.

Each Location will allow you to Dig a number of cubes from the bag. This is shown on the board (before the + symbol)

It’s best to do this one at a time for dramatic effect.
Note: Each player will keep a pile in front of them made up of “If So” cubes, “Clue” cubes, “Bobby Dazzler” cubes, Money, and sometimes the “Laird Character”, so it’s best to place cubes taken from the on your turn onto the middle of the board. When your turn ends, move all dirt cubes to the Dirt Pile (a pile of dirt cubes accumulates to the side of the board), and all other cubes into your pile.

For each Light Blue Cube you dig out, you should say “If So”. For each Red Cube you dig out you should say “It’s a Bobby Dazzler!”. For each Green you pull out you can say “Ad Break!” or “What’s that?!”. If you Pull the Yellow Cube out you win instantly.

Note: If you Dig a Red Cube during your turn at the “Swamp” or “Lots” Locations, place Laird in front of you.

Note: You can only have a total of six “If So” and “Clue” cubes (combined) in front of you. Any excsess you took from the bag this turn, return to the bag.

In the Swamp, and Money Pit locations, You may dig extra cubes from the bag for each Dark blue “Clue” cube you have in front of you. However, there is a limit to how many extra cubes can be pulled, this is shown on the board after the +. For example, you dig a Bore Hole, and you take 2 cubes from the back, (you also have 6 Clue cubes) – so you are allowed to dig an extra 2 from the bag.

When you pull a Green cube, you instantly get $100 from the bank.
At the end of your turn, return Green Cubes to the bag.

New Round

After everyone has done one action. You repeat the Episode Round once more. Then a new Round begins. (ie Each round is two Episodes)

Interpretation Center

There is a location on the map for “Interpretation” Center. Here you can use your turn to convert all of your “If So” cubes into “Clue” cubes. OR you can use the turn to convert one Bobby Dazzlers into $100 and a “Clue” cube.

If you have Laird in front of you, move him to the Interpretation Center.

When “If So” cubes and “Bobby Dazzler” cubes are converted in this way, They are removed from the game (put them in the Dirt Pile).

Laird (The Archaeologist)

If you have Laird in front of you at the start of your turn, you can’t dig in the “Lots” or the “Swamp”.

You can get rid of the Archaeologist by using your turn to move him to the Interpretation Center (where you must trade in your If So cubes or a Bobby Dazzler cubes if you have any of each). Or you can wait for someone else to dig a Bobby Dazzler and take the Archaeologist from you.

No Treasure?

It’s possible that every cube gets removed from the bag, and no treasure is found. In this case, Whoever has the most Bobby Dazzlers in front of them wins. (If a tie, the youngest wins)

Jonathan Hinson’s “Nobles & Glory” transforms a simple deck of standard playing cards into an epic tableau of power, ambition, and intrigue. “Nobles & Glory” artfully orchestrates a complex tapestry of resource management and strategic planning amidst the backdrop of medieval politics. It balances the intricate dynamics of rulers and subjects, treaties and warfare, political manoeuvres, and unforeseen challenges within the bounds of a standard 52-card deck and a pair of Jokers.

The game’s mechanics provides a depth of strategic complexity that belies the simplicity of its components. Brought to life with a rich medieval theme, each card in the deck takes on a role within your burgeoning kingdom. Population, agriculture, economy, and military might all reside in your hand, and every action is a deep strategic decision. Herein lies the beauty of this game – it transcends the familiar and transforms the deck of cards into a tool of grand strategy and intriguing decisions. This homage to playing cards brings forward a fusion of classic card game mechanics with engaging and thought-provoking gameplay that pushes the boundaries of traditional card games.

What sets “Nobles & Glory” apart, however, is its thematic cohesion and narrative flair. The game is steeped in the nuances of medieval politics and the whims of fate, with each draw of a card bringing potential prosperity or impending disaster. The inclusion of face card events – invasions, natural disasters – adds a dash of unexpected drama to the proceedings, keeping players on their toes and infusing the game with a sense of historical narrative.

However, like any intricate game, ‘Nobles & Glory’ does come with its own set of challenges. The array of rules and their complexity could be a bit of a hurdle for some players. The learning curve? It’s steep. And if you think you won’t be referring to the rulebook constantly, you might want to think again. It’s like learning a new language; you’ll be fluent eventually, but it’s going to take time and practice. But hey, if you can navigate the D&D Player’s Handbook, then ‘Nobles & Glory’ has got nothing on you.

In essence, ‘Nobles & Glory’ is an ingenious tribute to the humble deck of cards, proving that a simple deck of cards can transform into an engaging world of its own. It’s a testament to Hinson’s inventive prowess and a deep understanding of game mechanics.

In conclusion, while “Nobles & Glory” might be a complex and mentally stimulating game that necessitates frequent rule consultations, it offers a unique and rewarding gameplay experience. Its ability to challenge strategic thinking and adaptability, coupled with its array of intricate decisions and unexpected twists, makes it an anomaly in the world of Playing Cards. If you’re prepared to delve into the rules and embrace a novel use for your deck of cards, “Nobles & Glory” is a must-try.

By The Card Connoisseur

Players place these cards into their hand in the order the were dealt. during the game, you can never reorder the cards in your hand.

Each player takes turns playing a “poker hand” from their hand. Only cards that all next to each other in their hand can be played together.

You don’t place 5 cards (unless a Full-House, Straight, or Flush), you only play the relevant cards from a hand… eg.. for two of a kind, you only place two cards. for High Card, you only place one card, for Two-pair, you only place 4 cards etc…

The hand you place must be higher than the last hand played.

After you play a hand, you draw a card, and place it into your hand at any position *it cannot be moved to another positions after this point.

If you can’t play a higher hand (or don’t want to) you say “Check”, don’t play any cards and then draw a card if able to do so – and choose what position to place into your hand.

If all players check consecutively, then the hands played in the middle are cleared, and the first player who checked gets to go first.

The first player to place down all cards, before drawing a card wins.

If no one does this and the last card is drawn. Whoever has the least cards in hand wins.

If there is a draw, whoever can make the best Poker Hand from their remaining cards is the winner.

Advanced Rules

On your turn you may “Bet” instead of placing cards. You are betting that you can beat the hand in front of you on your next turn. If you win the bet, you won’t need to draw a card when playing your hand. It’s also possible for the opponent to Raise, but they risk drawing an extra card if they lose.

When you bet, the other player has three options…

Option 1:

They can “Fold” and not play a hand and draw a card as normal.

You can now “Check” or play a higher hand, and not draw a card as a reward.

Option 2:

They “Call” and don’t play a hand, and don’t draw a card, but may reposition one card in their hand.

You can now “Fold” and not play a hand and draw a card as normal.
OR
You can play a higher hand, and not draw a card as a reward.

Option 3:

They can “Raise” by first repositioning one card in their hand, then playing a higher hand, and drawing a card.

You can now “Fold” and not play a hand and draw a card as normal.
OR
You can play a higher hand, and not draw a card as a reward and your opponent instantly draws a card.

How to Start

Each player receives 4 secret cards from the top of a shuffled deck.

They may place these cards face down in front of them, in any order, left to right.

You cannot place the same suit next to another suit. If this is not possible, declare mulligan, show your cards, discard and draw 4 more secret cards.

These cards aren’t touched again until the end of the game (only to have a look at them to remember which cards you placed).

How to Play

There are four positions between players where cards can be played (Contest Cards).

There are four positions between players where “Point Cards” are stored (one for each suit) – players share these piles.

There are four actions each player can do – choose one – per turn.

1. Play a card into an empty Contest Card position. (two cards of same suit cannot be placed next to each other)
2. Play a card onto an existing contest card of the same suit.
3. “Claim” by selecting two Contest Cards of different suits. Place the lowest card (or any card if a draw) into the Discard Pile, and the other card into a Points Pile. To perform this action you must discard a card from your hand that matches a suit of either Contest Card.
4. Discard a Card from your hand, and Draw a Card.

(Players will always have 7 cards in hand at end of a turn).

Kings, Queens, and Jacks

When performing the Claim action, you can do special things when discarding a King, Queen or Jack as part of the action.

Jacks, You may discard a Contest Card of the same suit, and then perform the Claim action

Queens, you may place a card of the same suit from your hand and then perform the Claim action.

King, Can be used as a Jack or a Queen.

How to win

When the last card has been drawn each player has one more turn each.

Flip over your Secret cards.

For each card in a Points Pile of the same suit as your 4th position card, get 4 points

For each card in a Points Pile of the same suit as your 3rd position card, get 3 points

For each card in a Points Pile of the same suit as your 2nd position card, get 2 points

For each card in a Points Pile of the same suit as your 1st position card, get 1 points

Highest points score wins.

Players will take turns placing cards in a row (a row each), and each card placed will either be Valid, or Not Valid placement, based on a secret constraint or sequence determined by the other player.

Each player writes down a secret constraint for how a sequence of cards can be placed to be considered a valid before each round.

For example, a Card must be the same colour as the previous card. A card must be Higher than the previous Card, A card must be a Heart etc. There is a reason why you don’t want this sequence to be too hard (players get points if they don’t guess 1 or 2 cards) or too easy (players could end up getting lots of points). The only two rules when creating sequences is: It must be technically possible to place every card as Valid, so no “Every 3rd card can be anything”. And it must be related to the cards themselves, no no “You must place a card while smiling”.

Players take turns placing a card in their Row, and after each card is placed, the other players tells them if it is valid. If it is, move this card down a bit to record a success.

The Round ends after 10 cards placed on each side.

If you have 3 or more Valid Placements – gain 1 point per Valid card.

OR

Gain 6 points if you made no valid placements, 4 points if you have 1 valid placement, 3 points if you have 2 valid placements.

During placement of you cards, if you feel you know the sequence, place cards face down, these will be worth 2 points at the end of the round if correct. (Players reveal secrets at end of round). BUT, it will be worth -1 for each card you are incorrect. Cards can still be placed face up after face down cards, but during the round, they are validated based on the previous face up card. At the end of the round, during scoring, they are validated based on the preceding card.

If someone wins first round by 5 points they win. Otherwise play two rounds. Highest score after 2 rounds wins.

To Start remove from deck in order of appearance, 4 Spades, 2 Hearts, 2 Clubs, and 2 Diamonds.

Players take turns (youngest first) taking a card from this pool. You may take 2 Spades, and one each of Hearts, Clubs, and Diamonds.

Players then use these to construct their space ship in the following pattern…

Diamond is your Shield. Spades are your Weapons, Heart is your Life Support, Clubs is your Maneuvers.

Players take turns (youngest first) doing one of the following actions.

• Repair
• Divert Power
• Evasive Maneuver
• Resupply
• Attack
• Board Enemy (win)
• Destroy Enemy (win)

Repair

Replace a card on your ship with a card from your hand, or place a card from your hand into an empty position on your ship from your hand.

Draw a Card.

Divert Power

Replace a card on your ship with a lower card, to replace any card on your ship with a card from the top of a Discard Pile*
Or place a card in an empty position with a card from the top of a Discard Pile*

*In Anakrux. any cards being removed from ships are placed in four separate discard piles, one for each suit.

Evasive Maneuver

Replace the club on your ship with a higher club. The opponent cannot attack you on their next turn.

Draw a Card.

Resupply

Discard up to 2 cards from your hand, and Draw the same number of cards from the Draw Pile.

Attack (type 1)

Move one of your Spades on top of an enemy card that is higher. Remove Both cards, and replace the enemy card with a card of the same suit from your hand (typically a lower card).

Draw a Card

Note: You can only Attack Enemy Spades, Hearts, and Clubs when the enemy has no Shield (Diamond)

Attack (type 2)

Move one of your Spades on top of an enemy card that is Lower. Remove Both cards.

Note: You can only Damage Enemy Spades, Hearts, and Clubs when the enemy has no Shield (Diamond).

Board Ship

If your ship at any time (instantly) – has a higher Club, and higher Heart, and the Enemy Ship has no Shield. You Board their ship and Win the Game.

Destroy Ship

If your ship at any time (instantly) has a Spade, and the Enemy Ship has no Shield, and No Engine. You destroy their ship and win the game.

Draws

When the last card has been drawn from the Draw Pile. The game ends at the end of the next turn. If no ship is Boarded or Destroyed, it is a draw.

Remove Aces from Deck, and deal face up in front of each player to determine starting Suits for each player. Aces always remain face up in front of players.

Each player is dealt 7 cards.

Place a Card from the Draw deck face up in the middle of players to start the Play Pile

The Suit you have determines the type of cards you can play in the Play Pile.

Hearts can only play Cards that are the same colour as the top card of the Play Pile.

Diamonds can only play cards of the opposite color of the Play Pile.

Clubs can only play cards that are Higher than the Cards in the Play Pile

Spades can only play cards that are Lower than the card in the Play Pile.

Players take turns playing cards into the middle Pile based on the rules above if they cannot place a card, they pass.

Players draw cards at the end of their turn.

The First player to have no cards in their hand before their Draw Phase wins.

How do you reduce the number of cards in your hand?

During a players turn, they may place a card next to their Ace, face up (called the Lessen Card). There can only be one Lessen Card per player at a time.

If your Lessen Card can be validly placed onto the card you just played on your turn, you may do so before drawing and ending your turn.

You may only, place a Lessen Card, or Play a Lessen card on your turn, not both.

Lessen cards cannot be removed in any other way, they must be played onto a valid Play Pile card you have just played.

Swapping Aces

When a player places a Lessen Card, they swap their Ace with whoever has the suit of the Lessen Card they played.

Turn Order

The turn order is determined by the suit of the card you have played. Whoever has the Ace matching the card that was last played in a turn (from hand, or Lessen card if played).

ie it’s possible to have many turns in a row.

Running out of cards and not being able to play...

Reshuffle the Play Pile into the Draw pile if Draw pile runs out, leaving the last played Play Pile card in place.

If a player can’t do anything on their turn, they still draw a card, but only if they have less than 7 cards. If they have 7 cards and still can’t do anything, then play moves to the left.

Each player is dealt 3 cards face down (These are your “Destiny Cards”), these cards are kept secret. The only hint that you can give as to what these cards are, is by the choices you make in cards you play. ie. there is to be no discussion about this during the game.

The cards you are dealt, represent your ambitions, your desires, and path to happiness. Diamonds are Wealth, Clubs are Fun, Hearts are Love, Spades are Career.

Each player is dealt 7 cards.

One player will play one card to the middle face up, and one card of the same suit in front of themself.

The other player places any card in front of themself and the middle card.

The card in the middle represents a discussion, the cards played represent the level of interest, encouragement, or agreement on that topic.

Whoever played the highest card (not counting the middle card), takes the middle card, and places it face down on the their side, off to the side, into their “Love Pile”.

They also take the ‘Losing’ card, and place it into their hand.

Note: Players are not allowed to discuss what cards they want, which hand they want to win etc. This must only be communicated in the way you play your hands.

Also Note: Your Love Piles are kept face-down, and only you can look at them during the game.

These face down cards will come to represent compatibility, support, shared interests, in the pursuit of love.

Both players now draw cards to have 7 in their hand, and move to the other players turn.

Every time a middle card is taken, which results in the two players having the same number of cards in their Love Piles – The next players turn is skipped, and instead an “Event” occurs.

With an Event, instead of the player playing a card, a card is taken from the top of the draw pile and placed into the middle face up.
(Note: If a King, Queen, or Jack is drawn, it is always placed immediately to the bottom of the Draw Pile, and another card drawn.)

Players place their cards face down, and then reveal to see who wins the card for their Love Pile.

Note: During an Event, players may also play cards from their Love Pile, instead of their hand.

An Event represents a situation that the couple must support each other through. Drawing card from your Love Pile is not always a sacrifice, but usually shows a moment of understanding.

When the Draw Pile is exhausted, play continues until someone is unable to place down two cards of the same suit on their turn.

All remaining cards in hand are placed into the discard pile.

Each player picks up their Love Pile, and hold secretly in their hand.

At this point both player must agree on who will go first for the End Game. If their is any disagreement at this point the game is lost.

Once you know who is going first, that player (Player 1) will flip over one of their Destiny Cards – of their choice.

Then Player 2 places a card of the same suit on top.
If they cannot, or choose not to place a card, then that destiny is unfulfilled, and discarded into the discard pile.

If Player 2 was able to place a card, then Player 1 also places a card of the same suit on top. And that Destiny will be fulfilled.
If they cannot, or choose not to place a card, then that destiny is unfulfilled, and discarded into the discard pile.

Play now moves to the next player to reveal one of their Destiny Cards, and the End Game process above is repeated, until all Destiny Cards are revealed.

If each player has at least 2 Fulfilled Destiny Piles each, you have found True Love and Win the game.

The Battle Of… is played 1 against 1. It simulates a battlefield melee between two opposing medieval forces – With Archers, Infantry, Spearmen and Cavalry.

Each Player is dealt seven cards.

Start Phase

Each player places 4 cards face down onto the battlefield, then each player turns their cards over. Whoever has the highest card (or second or third highest) goes first (is the “Active Player”). Both players now draw to have 7 cards in hand.

Turn Order

Attack > (Move / Regroup) > Reinforce > Draw

Attack

The Active Player selects a card they control and places it in front of an opposing card (See ‘Card Reach’ restrictions below). The player also places another card from their hand face down (Combat Power) on top of their attacking card.

The opponent can either Defend by placing a card face-up from their hand (Combat Power) on top of the card being attacked, or Route.

If they Defended, turn over the face-down attackers Combat Power – and tally the totals for each side (including the card that is attacking and defending.). The highest number wins.

The Winning Card, is swapped with the highest card that is lower than the Winning Card of the same suit, and that new card is moved back to the original battlefield position.
If a card isn’t available. The Winning Card takes no “damage” is is returned to the original battlefield position.

The Losing Card is given to the Victor, and it is stored on their side (off to the side) face down to record a Point. All other cards involved in that skirmish are placed face down into the Discard Pile.

If a player chose to Route instead of Defend. The Attacker takes their card as a Victory point. The Attacker must still show and Discard the Combat Power Cards used, before returning to their original battlefield position.

Move

The Active Player can one of their cards left of right one space only – to fill an empty space left after battle if there is one. Cavalry can move to any empty space (doesn’t have to be adjacent).

Regroup

The Active play may remove one card from the Battlefield and place into their hand.

Note: Move, and Regroup can be done in any order.

Reinforce

Place cards from your hand to fill all empty spaces. You must fill all empty spaces.

Draw

Draw until you have seven cards.

The other Player now becomes the “Active Player”

Royals

When you have Jacks, Queens and Kings in play they have a value of 10. However, they give a bonus to your cards of the same suit (not other Royals)…

• Jacks. A card being attacked, or attacking can be swapped with a higher card of the same suit from your hand prior to placing Combat Power cards.
• Queens. A Combat Power card matching the suit as the card involved in a skirmish, and the same suit as your Queen – may be returned to your hand after a skirmish.
• Kings. Cards of the same suit may place an extra Combat Power card of the same suit. Must be face up when attacking.

Note: These do not stack for the same suit (use the highest value cards effect).

Note: When a Royal is in play, your cards of that suit cannot be Routed.

Combat Reach

A card can only attack the Card directly in front of it, except for Archers, and Cavalry, they may also attack the card diagonally to their left or right.

Combat Advantage

When an attack is initiated, the Suits of the combatants determine if an Attacker or Defender has an Advantage.
A card that has an advantage in battle can use a second card for additional Combat Power.

Combat Balance Table

A Diamond (Cavalry) has advantage when fighting a Club (Infantry) or a Spade (Archers).

A Club (Infantry) has advantage when fighting a Spades (Spears) or a Hearts (Archers).

A Spades (Spears) has an Advantage against Diamonds (Cavalry)

Arrow Attacks

Hearts (Archers) are special in that they can enter into combat like other cards, but they can also shoot arrows. As one Extra Attack each turn, which can be taken before or after the primary attack.
If you have any Archers – you may swap an enemy card with a card from your hand – with the following conditions.

• The card from your hand, must have the same suit as the card being attacked .
• If your Archers are a lower value than the card being attacked, then you must use a card that is no no more than 3 lower in value of the card being attacked.
• Note: Royals don’t affect Arrow Attacks

Game End

The Game ends when someone wins by collecting 9 Points.

If you run out of Draw Cards before this, reshuffle Discard Pile into a Draw Pile