The Empire, formed by three Kingdoms, has a period of wealth and prosperity. Each Kingdom is governed by a council of four nobles. The members of six influential families sit around in the councils and lead the Kingdoms. Players hold the roles of rich merchants who seek to obtain permits to build their own Emporium inside the cities of the three kingdoms. Whoever take more permits, while also placing their Emporium in the best places, will be the most famous merchant and will win the game. But pay attention to the Emperor! He can allow you to build without permits!
The main action is to corrupt a council, which is represented by a slide with four noble's pawns. By corrupting the three Kingdom's councilors, the player gets permits cards that give various instant and game end benefits, and the possibility to build an Emporium in a specific city.
Another action is to play a permission card to build an Emporium. Each emporium earns the player the special benefits of the space where it's built, but also activates all connected emporiums, with a chain effect.
Corrupt the Emperor’s council to allow a player to build Emporiums without permission cards.
Players can change the composition of a council.