Courtisans Card Game

Enter the Queen’s court and use clever card placement, influence, and strategy to gain the most prestige. In Courtisans, players manipulate six powerful families while deciding which Courtiers to place at the Queen’s Table, in their own Domain, and in an opponent’s Domain. With secret missions, special abilities, and constantly shifting family influence, every card can change the outcome.

🎮 How to Play

1. Set Up the Game
Place the Queen’s Table mat in the center. Shuffle the Courtier cards and deal 3 cards to each player. Each player also receives 2 Secret Mission cards that remain hidden.

2. Draw 3 Cards
At the beginning of your turn, you have three Courtier cards in your hand. You must play all three during your turn.

3. Place One Card at the Queen’s Table 👑
Choose one Courtier and place it in the column belonging to its family. You decide whether it goes above or below the Queen’s Table.

This determines the family’s fate:

• More cards above → the family becomes Esteemed
• More cards below → the family becomes Fallen from Grace
• Equal numbers → the family remains Neutral

4. Place One Card in Your Domain 🏰
Place another Courtier in front of yourself. These cards can earn you positive points—or cause you to lose points—depending on their family's final status.

5. Place One Card in an Opponent’s Domain 😈
The third card must be placed in another player's Domain. This lets you help yourself while potentially giving your opponent cards from families you expect to fall from grace.

6. Use Special Powers ⚔️
Some Courtiers have special abilities that can dramatically change the game. Nobles count as two cards when scoring, Spies are played face down, Assassins can eliminate other Courtiers, and Guards are protected from assassins.

7. Keep Playing Until the Deck Runs Out
After playing your three cards, draw three new cards and continue clockwise. The game ends when the deck is empty and players have finished their remaining cards.