Yspahan

About this board game

Yspahan is a 2006 board game for 2–4 players, with games lasting about 60 minutes. Set in 1598, it places you among merchants trading with Yspahan, the fair capital of the Persian empire during a period of cultural and economic blossoming.

As the Shah’s supervisor approaches, caravans loaded with goods and jewels head into the desert. Your goal is to profit from the city’s expansion by placing merchandise in the right shops, sending goods to the caravan, and constructing buildings that strengthen your position.

Each turn, players draft their actions in order. However, a roll of the dice determines which actions are available and how powerful they will be, creating changing opportunities throughout the game.

• Claim shops in the city to earn points in the short term.
• Send traders to the caravan and score from your deliveries.
• Construct buildings to improve your actions and infrastructure.
• Acquire action cards that provide extra options.

Time is organized into weeks of seven turns. At the end of each week, points are scored in the city and caravan, and after three weeks the merchants compare their profits.

With its combination of ordered action selection, dice-determined possibilities, shop placement, caravan deliveries, and building development, Yspahan gives players several ways to pursue success. The wisest traders will adapt to the available actions and make the most of each week.