"Kholiast" is a captivating elven game adapted for a standard 52-card deck, supplemented by the element of dice. This version of the game, designed for 2 to 6 players, blends strategy and chance as players aim to score the highest points through a series of rounds.
Game Components:
52-Card Deck: A standard deck with four suits: Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades. Each suit has cards numbered from 2 to 10, a Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.
Dice: Two six-sided dice to add a chance element to the game.
Game Setup:
Shuffle the Deck: Mix the cards thoroughly for random distribution.
Deal Cards: Each player is dealt a hand of 7 cards.
Determine First Player: Players roll the dice; the highest roller starts the game.
Gameplay:
Kholiast is played in rounds, each consisting of these phases:
Roll Phase: The active player rolls the dice at the round's start. The sum determines the "Elemental Favor" of the round, linked to the suits (e.g., 2-4 for Hearts (Fire), 5-7 for Diamonds(Air), 8-10 for Clubs (Earth), 11-12 for Spades (Water)).
Play Phase: Beginning with the active player and moving clockwise, each player places every card of the Elemental Flavor from their hand on the table before them. The card should match the Elemental Favor suit; if the player has no cards of that suit, they must pass. Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) have special abilities: The holder of a face card can change the Elemental Favor by placing it on the table and declaring the new element, or they can be used to force a named opponent to skip his/her turn. The holder of the face can only do one or the other, or neither.
Scoring Phase: Scoring points equals the total value of all cards played (numerical value for numbered cards, 11 for Jack, 12 for Queen, 13 for King, and 14 for Ace). The player who played the highest card of the Elemental Favor suit wins an twenty extra points in the round.
End Phase: Players draw up to 7 cards again. The dice pass to the next player, who becomes the new active player.
Winning the Game:
The game ends when the deck runs out. Players then calculate their scores. The player with the highest score is declared the winner, earning the title of "Aráto" (champion).
This adapted version of Kholiast maintains the strategic depth and mystical charm of the original elven game while making it accessible with a standard deck of cards and a pair of dice.
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