A Hair’s Breadth
ye Tar Sibyl
In the Name of the Beautiful Creator
Masiab Khan was the most chivalrous and respected merchant in the country. For this reason, the king appointed him as the Minister of Finance. With him in charge, the people and the king were at ease, and the country prospered. But one day, an unexpected and shocking news captured everyone's attention: Masiab Khan had passed away!
After Masiab Khan, many merchants aspired to become the new Minister of Finance. However, the king set a challenge: only the merchant who could amass the most wealth and reputation would be chosen as the next Minister. The sign of this honor? The merchant’s mustache. In memory of Masiab Khan, the image of this great minister was displayed as a symbol of bravery and integrity in trade (a “strand of mustache”). Among the merchants, four individuals with high reputations were chosen to compete for the final...
Characters
- 1. Mirza Mohammad Khan
2. Badi-al-Doleh
3. Ghaq Morad
4. Teimur
Game Objective
In this game, you play as one of these four merchants, traveling across different regions of Iran and neighboring countries, buying and selling goods to earn the highest income. Maintaining high reputation in the market (symbolized by the “strand of mustache”) is also crucial. Try to overcome various challenges along the way, and with the most wealth and reputation, become the Minister of Finance of the country.
Game Components
- Game Board
- 19 Commodity Cards
- 2 Smuggling Cards
- 15 Mustache Tokens
- 3 Constable Tokens
- 48 Currency Notes (6 ten-denominations, 10 five-denominations, 10 two-denominations, and 22 one-denominations)
- 4 Merchant Pawns
- Dice (numbers 0 to 4 and a re-roll symbol)
Game Setup
Place the game board in the center of the players. Set up the treasury according to the illustration in the rulebook (money and commodity cards separated by color).
Map Symbols
The board includes various symbols and spaces that influence gameplay:
1. **Commodity Trading**:
When on this space, you may purchase the commodity of the province or sell one of the commodities previously acquired.
2. **Caravanserai**:
By landing on this space, pay 1 coin to receive rest services. If you cannot afford this amount, there is no charge.
3. **Bandit**:
- If you land on the purple-dressed bandit space with goods, return your most valuable commodity to the treasury unless you have a smuggled item, which you must hand over to the treasury.
- Landing on the red-dressed bandit requires a payment of 10 coins or all remaining money if less than 10. If you have no money, no payment is needed.
4. **Constable**:
Entering this space allows you to collect a constable token from the treasury, used to protect against bandit losses. Tokens are limited, so availability depends on other players.
Customs and Foreign Trade
To exit the country and trade abroad, you must pledge a mustache token of the same color as the customs region (yellow or orange) upon leaving and collect it upon return. Without a matching mustache token, exiting is not possible.
Black Market Sales
To sell smuggled items, reach designated black market spaces and sell according to the card’s price. You cannot trade smuggled items if holding a constable token.
Gameplay
Each player rolls the die and moves their pawn accordingly along the connected spaces. Upon landing, follow the instructions based on the icon (e.g., paying at the caravanserai or buying/selling at green spaces). Players can move forward and backward but must decide direction before rolling. One-way paths must be completed in the indicated direction.
Gift Exchange
If a player enters a space already occupied, they must gift a mustache token of the visitor’s choice to the new arrival, symbolizing the respect and honor of one caravan to another.
Loan System
Players may pledge a mustache token to the treasury for a loan of 15 coins. Loans can only be repaid once all debts are settled. Players may also offer a mustache token to another player as a personal loan, retaining it until repayment.
Trading Between Players
Players may buy and sell goods among each other at any point in the game without needing to be on a trading space, allowing negotiation and mutual agreements on prices.
Taxation
If the treasury falls below 15 coins, each player contributes 10 coins. If unable, contribute remaining coins.
Inventory Limit
Each player can hold up to three commodity cards. Smuggled goods restrict further purchases until sold.
Game End
To end the game, players must reach their starting location with either 4 mustache tokens or 30 coins. The final wealth is calculated, and the player with the highest value wins as the new Minister of Finance.
Strategy Tips
- Focus on building a steady income from regional trade before attempting to exit the country for foreign trade.
- Keep a close eye on your mustache tokens, as they are valuable for loans and scoring.
- Anticipate your opponents' moves and consider potential risks from bandits or taxation events when managing your funds.
Glossary
**Mustache Token**: Represents reputation and is used for various purposes such as loans, customs clearance, and final scoring.
**Constable Token**: Provides protection from bandits when in your possession.
**Black Market**: Designated spaces for selling smuggled goods outside official trading spaces.
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