The Game of KINGS

Pipe dreams, being what they are - flights of fantasy, with high hopes of grandure - I've got one of my own. Without drawing out all the details, this is just a hint of one of my hobbies and aspiring pipe dreams; before its big premiere debut. Here is the first Handcrafted version of "The Game of Kings."

A complex, situationally driven, strategy game using a milliaristic format to move pieces on a board with dice, and cards. Inspired by the Fantasy Shortstories of Michael T. Smith, and Don Walker.

The origin of KINGS reaches back into the antiquity of a forgotten world; the Land of the Seven Empires. The Game of Kings commemorated the end of a seven hundred year war between its two largest countries. The realm of the Moon standard lands of Berendez, and The Star standard eastren lands of Parval; who ended their rivalries naming KINGS their offical game. Having once been a game only for the nobles, KINGS soon found enjoyment in all households of the Empires.

KINGS is a two player game. Any method agreed upon to begin play is acceptable. The image on the card depicts which piece on the board may be moved, in alternating turns.

The full deck of cards are shuffeled then placed face down. Each player initionally draws six (6) cards, and thereafter must retain six (6) in hand throughout the game. Only a pair enables a piece to be moved. The Flag card serves as a "wild card" allowing it to complete a needed pair. The player anounces the piece to be moved, while removing that pair from their hand, creating a discard pile, (with face up; oppoiste the draw plie). A player's turn is called a "round" and is completed by replenishing the player's hand, totaling six cards. If no pairs can be played the player may discard as many cards as they wish, replacing them with the same amount; which concludes their round.

The cards determine which piece may be moved. Yet, the dice determines which direction the pieces are allowed to move. Each piece is governed by its own moving style. When the Flag is threatened with capture in the next move it must be anounced with "Threat." Whenever all possible protective countermeasures have failed "Surrender" is anounced, and the is game over. However, when the Flag has not been surrendered but all possible moves place it in Threat a Stalemate is declared, and the game is over. If all of an opponant's pieces have been captured the game is over, and victor declared.