Lyssan

Lyssan is a game of strategy and diplomacy for two to four players. You are the one true Emperor of Lyssan, and your goal is to upstage the pretenders to the throne. You'll use spies and priests to get your way, along with armies lead by knights and nobles.

Each agent has different actions to choose from each turn. Priests peddle influence and denouncing your rivals. Spies kidnap key members of rival courts and negotiate betrayals between your rivals and their vassals. Knights and nobles ensure that the local gentry pay their taxes to you when they aren't too busy killing each other.

These fixed actions are complicated by influence. Each player gets a handful of new influence cards each turn, and plays some by discarding others. Some influence cards are courtiers that grant lasting benefits for their player. Others are surprises - one shot chances to break the rules.