NESSOS

OBJECTIVE OF NESSOS: The objective of Nessos is to be the player with the highest number of points when the game comes to an end.  

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 3 to 6 Players 

MATERIALS: 1 Starter Player Pawn, 15 Charon Cards, 40 Creature Cards, 55 Amphora Cards, and Instructions 

TYPE OF GAME: Bluffing Card Game 

AUDIENCE: Ages 8 and Up 

OVERVIEW OF NESSOS 

Players must become the embodiment of Greek heroes, attempting to persuade the gods to make them their Chosen One. Players will gift the gods with a variety of gifts including amphoras, which contain mythological creatures. The players must be careful as they complete their tasks, as the terrible Charon roams the land, paving the road to Hell for all players if they misstep! 

SETUP 

The number of cards that are taken out of the pack depend on the number of players in the game. If there are three players, then the cards with numbers 8, 6, and 4 are left out, along with 4 Charon cards. With four players, the card with the number 6 is removed along with one Charon card. Finally, in a round that consists of five or six players, all of the cards will be used.  

All of the Amphora cards are shuffled, and five cards are dealt to each player. The remainder of the cards are placed in the middle of the playing area, creating the draw pile. The first player is randomly chosen by the group, and they are given the starter player pawn. The game is then ready to begin! 

GAMEPLAY 

 The game is played over the course of many rounds, and it is played until one of the conditions that end the game are met. The player with the starting player pawn will choose a card from their hand and place it in front of another player, making an offering. If the card is a Creature card, then the player must announce the number of the card, ensuring that they are being truthful. If it is a Charon card, however, the player should announce the number, attempting to lie if they are able.  

The player who the card was offered to will have a few choices to make. They may accept the card without looking at it, refuse the card without looking at it, or adds one of their own cards to it, offering it to another player. The player who is offered two cards will then have the same choice to make. Players are not allowed to offer cards to players who have already been offered cards within the round. The final player to be offered the cards may either accept them or decline them.  

Whenever a player decides to accept the cards, flipping them over in front of them, the round comes to an end. Depending on the scenario, the player may reveal numerous cards at the same time. Once the player tallies their points, if they have the number of points that are needed, the game comes to an end. If a player acquires three Charon cards, then they are immediately sent to Hell.  

If the game does not come to an end at the end of a round, then all players who have less than five cards will draw enough cards to leave five cards in their hand. The starting player pawn is rotated to the left, and the first player will begin the new round. The game is played in this manner until the end of game conditions are met.  

END OF GAME 

The game may come to an end one of three ways. If the values of the cards that a player has goes above the number of required points, then they are determined to be the winner. If there are only two players, and one of them get eliminated, then their opponent wins the game. D 

If at any point during the game there are nine Charon cards facing up on the table, then the game will come to an end immediately. The players will tally their points to determine the winner. The winner is the player with the highest number of points.  If there is a tie, then the winner is the player who owns the most cards.  

Ellie Phillips
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