Belaad: The Land of Swords and Quills

About this board game

Belaad: The Land of Swords and Quills is a thematic engine-building card game for 2–6 players, with games lasting around 60 minutes. Set in the golden age of Islam, it follows a struggle between the Kingdom, the People, and, with an odd number of players, the Hashashin.

The Kingdom and the People compete to hire the most Scholars, while the Hashashin seek to kill them. Each Scholar provides scientific symbols that contribute victory points at the end of the game, creating a contest where knowledge can become both a source of power and a target.

Players begin each turn with four action cards in hand. Play one to strengthen characters, gain or steal coins, declare war, or hire Scholars, then draw a replacement from one of three decks. Character mats and tokens support each faction’s engine, improving abilities such as generating coins, increasing power in war, or gaining influence when hiring Scholars.

• The Kingdom: Sultan, Vizier, Treasurer, Sheriff, and Commander.
• The People: Bahlool, Preacher, The Trustworthy, Altruist, and Folk Hero.
• The Hashashin: Sect Leader, Hashash, Spy, and Assassin.

Victory comes from two sources: scientific points provided by Scholars and military points earned through war. Across four eras, different Scholars emerge and the competing teams develop their characters, resources, and influence.

At the end of the fourth era, the team with the most victory points prevails. With its shifting alliances of power, coins, warfare, and discovery, Belaad offers a focused card-driven contest in which every faction pursues a different path through the land of swords and quills.