Saga of the Nine: Diplomacy Variant Rules

What is Saga of the Nine?

Saga of the Nine (S9) is a Diplomacy variant for nine players. Saga of the Nine provides rules for two different scenarios: S9 Basic and S9 Complete.

While S9 Basic uses very few special rules, S9 Complete incorporates more advanced features such as Diplomacy Points (DP), Heirs, Minor Neutral Powers, Thrall Powers, and Vassal Powers. It is comparable in complexity to Ambition & Empire, and its ruleset is almost the same as that of Order of the Dragon.

Fantasy / Alt-History Setting

Saga of the Nine takes place in an alternate version of Earth’s history and geography. A considerably warmer global climate has driven early civilizations further from the equator. Surrounding the North Pole, instead of a solid ice cap, lies a cold but arable continent called Arctica or Hel. Several feudal states have grown and thrived in and near Hel despite its sunless winters and nightless summers.

Each player will lead one of nine powers in the region: the Aesir, Dokkalfar, Jotnar, Ljosalfar, Madr, Surtr, Vanir, Ymir, and Zwergar. Centuries later in this alternate Earth, the stories of these nine powers and their conquests will be spun and reshaped until they reach mythical proportions. These nation-states led by mortal humans will be transformed by generations of storytellers into giants, dwarves, elves and deities; they will become the basis of the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology.

Variant Features

9 players
33 Supply Centers (16 needed to win)
Specific to S9 Complete:
- Diplomacy Points (DP) allocations to control Neutral Minor Powers, Thralls, and Vassals
- Neutral Minor Powers: stationary units occupying neutral SCs whose orders are set via secret
- Heirs: special non-combat unit type used to create new Thrall & Vassal powers via marriage.
- Early Elimination: players that lose all Heirs and their Capital are eliminated, converting their remaining SCs to new Neutrals.