The Enemy of Gold

A battle had just ended. Together we had proven our valour and overcome a terrible enemy; our ships were laden with the spoils of battle, a new treasure for our golden hall.  Our Prince was the enemy of gold, for he was generous and eager to part with it; he was the lord of rings, the protector of our people, and a whole lot of other things.

But many years have passed since that glorious night. Our Prince stood alone against a threat we were too craven to face. And the price of victory was his own death. As the Prince gave his warriors a chance to for their mighty deeds to be remembered, so too must we tell his tale for posterity.

The Enemy of Gold is a freeform game by Chiara Locatelli about the mighty deeds of a warrior band, and the tragic end of their legacy. Boast about your victories as you divide the spoils of battle, then gather around the Prince's burial mound to describe his last, heroic stand.

The game was first written as an exploration of Beowulf and mirrors its narrative structure, allowing you to tell epic tales of ancient heroes while following a set of simple, freeform rules. All you need are a few index cards and trinkets to make up your treasure hoard.

Winner of the Giovine Italia prize at Carbonerie Ludiche 2020 and featured as an extra scenario in the Italian edition of Marc Majcher's 24 Game Poems.