Ratings History

Information

info from the designer's website

THE GAME CONCEPT
You are an abbot of a medieval monastery competing with other abbots to amass the greatest library of sacred books. To do so, you need to have both the workers and resources to run a well-functioning scriptorium. To acquire workers and resources, you use a limited supply of donated gold. In addition, you must be on good terms with the powerful bishop, who can help you in your quest.

OUTLINE OF GAME PLAY
The object of the game is to score the most Victory Points. You win Victory Points by winning any of the 5 categories: Illuminators, Scribes, Manuscripts, Scrolls, and Supplies. You win a category by having the highest total number of workers (Scribes, Illuminators) or resources (Manuscripts, Scrolls, Supplies) in that category. This is determined by the numbers in the upper left corner on the cards. At the start of the game, each category is worth 3 Victory Points. As the game progresses, the values on the Value Board will change and some categories will become worth more or less Victory Points than others. The game is divided into 2 stages: a Donation stage and an Auction stage. During the Donation stage, players acquire free cards according to an established plan. In the Auction stage, players purchase cards in auction rounds. After the two stages, winners of each category are determined and Victory Points awarded. The player with the most Victory Points wins.

GAME CHARACTERISTICS
The game involves a good deal of strategic planning, some bluffing, and a little bit of luck. The rules are easy to understand, but you have to play it a few times to develop a playing strategy. It plays differently from 2-4 players, but each game is equally fun and challenging.

Components:
87 Total Cards
1 Scriptorium
5 Six-Sided Dice (5 different colors)
1 Rule Book

Card Size:
Standard Card Game (Magic the Gathering and similar CCG's)

Genres

Auction / Bidding   Auction: Turn Order Until Pass   Closed Drafting   Commodity Speculation   Hand Management   Set Collection  

Info

Release Date	2007
Players	2-4
Playing time	30 minutes
Age	10+
Alternate names	Biblios Scriptorium Scripts & Scribes Τα Χειρόγραφα του Αββαείου Аббатство ビブリオス ビブリオス：中世の写本師 文獻室
Honors and prizes	2008 Golden Geek Best Card Game Nominee 2009 Golden Geek Best Card Game Nominee 2011 Fairplay À la carte Runner-up
Publishers	Dr. Finn's Games Asterion Press GaGa Games Hobby Japan HomoLudicus IELLO Kaissa Chess & Games More Fun Co., Ltd. One Moment Games Origames Rocks Games