Ages 10+ ~ 30-45 minutes ~ 3-10 players
A fast, trick taking game of medieval village politics!
Life in a medieval village can be very political. On one side you have the Mayor - respected, powerful, able to affect real change. On the other side you have the Village Idiot.
Challenge other players to a battle of skill and luck. Add to the rules of the game as you seize power but beware! No one is above the law. Claw your way to the top and do your best to stay there in this fast, fun, trick taking game with a twist! Village Idiot plays in less than an hour for 3-10 people. You'll be jumping right out of your seat!
Based on several classic party games, Village Idiot combines trick taking, rules making and six rounds of play with every round progressively changing as players build upon the basic rules.
Game Objective
Become the Mayor. Each round the player who is the Mayor gains the most points. Those closest to the Mayor also score points, though not as many. The highest scoring player after 6 rounds wins.
Play
Deal all of the cards out to the players, some players may have fewer cards and that’s okay. The player with the Start card begins the first of six rounds by playing that card.
Each player must play one or two cards of the same number to the central play pile. These cards must be a higher number than the top card in the play pile. If there are no cards in the play pile, the current player may play any number they wish.
Two cards played together (for instance, two 6's) beat a single card of the same number. This means you may play the same number as the top card on the play pile, but only if you play two cards and there is only one already on the play pile.
If you find yourself unable to play a card, you must take the top card from the play pile. If there is a discard pile, you must also take the entire discard pile.
Once a Fool(15) is played, that player clears all of the cards into the discard pile and may play again with the card(s) of their choice. Remember you can start with any numbered card you’d like and can play no more than two of them.
The first to play all of their cards in each round becomes the Mayor and immediately scores themselves 5 points. The next is the Counselor, then the Minister and so forth. Each player scores their points when they play their last card. Their titles will stay with them through the next round.
The last player to empty their hand becomes the Village Idiot. Once there is a Village Idiot (or only one player with any cards, who becomes the Village Idiot by default) the round ends.
All Players must then rearrange their seats so that the Counselor sits to the left of the Mayor, the Minister sits to the left of the Counselor and so on. The Village Idiot should find themselves to the right of the Mayor and will play last.
A new rounds starts and the Mayor makes one rule to add to this game. This rule cannot change the basic rules. Any player (including the Mayor) who forgets this rule must draw a card from the discard pile instead of playing a card. If there is no discard pile, they must take the current Village Idiot’s lowest card. Players should keep watch on each other and should freely remind others when rules are forgotten.
If the Village Idiot forgets a rule, the Mayor must hand them a card of their choice.
The 2nd - 6th rounds start with the Mayor playing the first card(s) regardless of who holds the Start card. Play proceeds clockwise. The Mayor may open with any card(s) they choose.
After six rounds, the game ends. Players add up their scores with the highest score winning. A tie is broken with a card flip, highest number wins.
Card Effects
Peasants may be played on any card with a value of 10 or below. The person playing one or two Peasants clears the play pile into the discard pile and plays again.
Laborers may be used as wild cards and can be any number from 2-10. They do not gain the Peasant's ability if 2 is chosen.
Example rules for Mayors
When a player plays a card, they must thank the Mayor for the privilage.
The Yeoman must stand up and make a 'shooting a bow and arrow' motion whenever they wish to speak.
The Village Idiot must retrieve drinks and snacks for any player who requests it.
Any player who has three or less cards in their hand must flap their arms like a chicken before playing a card.
No player is allowed to look at a cell phone until the game is over.
No players may take a card into their hand during the game without high fiving the Village Idiot.
How to play this game using this document and the provided PnP files
First, you can play with a standard deck of cards. All of the same rules apply. The numbered cards (2-10) retain their numbers but have no suits. The face cards are counted as:
Ace – 11 Jack – 12 Queen – 13 King – 14 Joker – 15
The only card whose suit matters is the 4 of Hearts – this is the START card.