The move is done, and we're in our new house - surrounded by boxes, but with internet access (and the games are unpacked).  So I'm back, and we're going to finish this series with Die Kutschfahrt zur Teufelsburg.


(BGG image by user Zoriak)

Die Kutschfahrt zur Teufelsburg (in English, Coach Ride to Devil's Castle) is a small card game for 3-10 players.  It was designed by Michael Palm and Lukas Zach, with art by Lukas Zach and Eckhard Freytag.  The game was originally published by Adlung-Spiel, a German company that specializes in small card games that provide a full gaming experience.  The game is published in German with English text on the cards.  During the game, players will be secretly divided into two teams and work with their teammates to collect objects.  However, you won't know who is on your team, and part of the game is deciding who is with you and who is against you.


(BGG image by user Zoriak)

There are 60 cards in the game - 10 character, 10 occupation, 10 association, 21 objects, and 9 Drink of Power cards.  That's it.  It comes in card sized box with nothing else except the rules.


(BGG image by user bodomchild81)

At the beginning of the game, each player receives a character.  Each character card is double-sided - one side has a sword in the upper left corner, the other has a shield.  The character you get is not important - this is not your hidden identity, simply who you are.  It will be used in battles.

Each player will also get one occupation card, one association card, one object card, and, if there are an odd number of players, one Drink of Power card.  These are kept secret.  Association cards will either place someone in the Order of Open Secrets or in the Brotherhood of True Lies.  The deck of association cards should be prepared with a number of cards of each type equal to the number of players divided by two (rounded up).  So, with seven players, the deck will contain four Order cards and four Brotherhood cards.  The others should be put to the side as they will not be used.  The object deck should contain two bag cards and cards with seals equal to the number of players minus two.  So, again with seven players, you'll have five seal objects and two bags.  All other objects will form a draw pile.

You're ready to play.  If you're in the Order, your goal as a team is to collect at least three keys.  If you're in the Brotherhood, your goal as a team is to collect at least three goblets.


(BGG images by user Die Wespe)

On your turn, you must do one of the following: pass, offer a trade, attack another player, or proclaim the victory.  Passing is self-explanatory - you do nothing on your turn.  To offer a trade, hand one of your object cards to another player.  They can either accept or reject it.  The objects have special effects, some of which are triggered by events such as trades.  Others will assist you in other aspects of the game.  Some objects will even allow you to draw more object cards.  If you are offered a bag, and you only have a bag, you must refuse the trade.

To attack another player, choose a character.  You will place your character sword face up, while the other character will be placed shield up.  All other players, starting on the attacker's left, will decide which side they are on.  They can abstain if they want.  After this, players may use objects or occupations that will influence the outcome.  Add swords and shields to determine the winner.  If there's a tie, the attacker may draw a card from the object pile.  If one side wins, the winner can either peek at the loser's occupation and association cards, OR can look at the loser's objects and steal one.  If the loser only had one object, the winner must give him an object to replace it.


(BGG image by user jsper)

To proclaim the victory, you must think that your team owns either three keys or three goblets for the win.  Declare that you demand the absolute subjection of the other team, then name the players on your team that own the objects in question.  If you're right, your team wins.  If not, the other team wins.  Bags can count as one of the objects, and if your team is outnumbered, you can use a Drink of Power as one of the items.

And that's the game.  Read more at BGG, and if you can find the game, expect to pay around $10.  I think it's out of print, and it's not published in the US so you may have to search.  There are always rumors of reprints, so keep looking.

Thanks for reading, and I'll hopefully be back soon with a new series.  Happy gaming!
-Jesse