Oriflamme

Oriflamme drops you and three to five friends into a medieval scramble for the French throne. The king is dead, and each player leads an influential family hoping to seize power through guile, brute force, virtue or outright infamy. The core of the game is a hidden‑card duel: each round you select a card from your hand, place it face‑down, and when your turn arrives you flip it and resolve its effect. Effects may grant influence points, block opponents, or force someone to discard cards. An action queue determines the order in which abilities resolve, while betting and bluffing let you mislead rivals about the cards you hold. Hand management is key, as you must decide whether to cash in a strong card now or save it for a decisive moment. Turn order progresses dynamically, shifting initiative as cards are played, which keeps the pace lively and each game fresh. In under half an hour you tally influence; the player with the most at the end crowns their dynasty. Despite the medieval theme, the rules are lean and the card text is concise, making it easy to learn and remember. Perfect for fans of tactical card games who enjoy a dash of politics and direct conflict without the heft of a full‑blown war game.