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Step into 13th - century Italy, where city - states like Venice, Florence, and Genoa are rich from thriving trade with the Levant. But they lack strong national armies, vulnerable to envious neighbors. Enter the Condottiere! After the Crusades, a wave of experienced English soldiers came to Italy. These desperate yet capable men became hired swords, contracted by city - states through a 'condotta'. The top ones were the Condottiere, the mercenary leaders. The goal of Condottiere is to get four connected provinces in Renaissance Italy. Players auction off provinces on the board, using cards of mercenaries, seasons, scarecrows, and political figures to bid. Unlike normal auctions, all players lose their bids, as if bidding the number of troops they'll sacrifice to win a province. Special effect cards add excitement and keep players on their toes.
To play Condottiere, first, set up the game board with all the provinces. Each player gets a hand of cards representing mercenaries, seasons, scarecrows, and political figures. When it's time to bid on a province, use your cards as bids. Remember, every player loses their bid, so think carefully about how many troops (represented by bids) you're willing to sacrifice. To win, aim to acquire four connected provinces. Pay close attention to the special effect cards as they can change the outcome of the contests. There aren't any strict maintenance requirements for the game, but keep the cards in a dry place and avoid bending them to ensure they last. Also, when playing, make sure all players understand the rules clearly to avoid any disputes.
