Objective of the Game

The objective of "The Pillars of the Earth" is to accumulate the most victory points by constructing the cathedral in Kingsbridge. Each player represents a master builder, managing a workforce and craftspeople to gather resources and convert them into victory points.

Game Components

• One game board
• 6 Construction site cards
• Various resource cubes
• Craftsperson cards
• 1 Master builder token for each player
• Event cards
• Gold coins and worker figures

Gameplay

Phase 1: Reveal an Event Card

At the beginning of each round, an event card is revealed. These cards can impact the game in various ways. Some events are immediate while others have lasting effects for the round.

Phase 2: Place Workers

Players place their workers on various resource spaces on the board. Each space accommodates a specific number of workers and yields resources when fully occupied.

Phase 3: Marketplace

In this phase, players sell the collected resources. The conversion of resources into victory points is determined by craftsperson cards.

Phase 4: Hire Craftspeople

Players may purchase new craftsperson cards to aid them in future rounds.

Phase 5: Building Progress

Each player has one master builder token to allocate at various locations for benefits. The order of the master builders is determined randomly as they are drawn from a bag.

Scoring

At various points during the game, intermediate scoring is conducted for craftspeople contributions and construction progress.

Strategic Tips

• Resource Management: Ensure a steady flow of resources that can be effectively traded for points.
• Worker Placement: Strategically place workers to maximize the benefits from resource spaces.
• Adaptability: Be prepared to adjust strategies based on event cards and opponents' actions.

The game concludes after six rounds, and the player with the most victory points wins.