Maeshowe: an Orkney Saga

About this board game

Maeshowe: an Orkney Saga is a 2021 solo or two-player card game that takes about 30 minutes to play. Set in the chambered tomb of Maeshowe, it challenges players to survive the threats within and remove enough rubble to escape.

On each turn, play one card to the row and discard one. Managing a hand of five cards is central to survival, as every decision affects your health, food, and the cards remaining in your draw deck.

Escape depends on carefully timing your Excavation cards. Play a set of four to remove rubble blocking the way out, but starting a set too early can be dangerous: a row with fewer than four Excavation cards causes those cards to be lost, reducing your chances of survival.

• Play alone or with a friend.
• Manage health, food, your hand, and your draw deck.
• Use sets of four Excavation cards to clear the escape route.
• Face changing threats and moments of relief from the draw deck.

The draw deck can bring disaster, including a collapsing passage or a shortage of food. It may also provide much-needed relief, such as an opportunity to sleep or the arrival of a Raven sent by Odin to watch over you.

The game ends in defeat if your health reaches zero or you run out of cards in your draw deck. Survive long enough to clear the rubble, and you can escape the tomb. This updated version of Lee Broderick’s print-and-play game offers streamlined core gameplay alongside mini-expansions and alternate setups for added variety, challenge, and replayability.

In Maeshowe: an Orkney Saga, every card choice matters as you balance immediate needs against the difficult journey toward freedom.