Swordquest (board game)
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Swordquest is a 1979 board game published by Task Force Games.
Swordquest is a two- or three-player game in which the good, evil and druidic forces search for a lost artifact, in the guarded treasures of each of the towns of the fantasy land of Tiirane.[1] The designer, R. Vance Buck, wrote in the design notes that he drew heavily upon J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (LotR) for inspiration: the gameworld is peopled with dwarves, elves, a large dragon, and winged creatures named Wrogs that resemble Tolkien's balrogs. Reviewer Tony Watson noted that the gameplay is also very similar to LotR: a good team led by a white wizard and an evil team led by a sorcerer search for a lost artifact—in this case, the Sword of Lumina. As in LotR, the good team wants to destroy the artifact in fires found near the evil citadel, while the evil team wants to possess and use the artifact. An optional rule allows a third player to control a team of druids, who seek to possess the sword in order to restore balance between good and evil.[2]
The combat resolution system uses a ritualized form of engagement of up to five opponents per side. There are some magical spells in the game, found on scrolls in the cities of the land.[2]
Players search the lands for the sword. There are three sword counters, two of which represent counterfeit swords. The player who can get the genuine sword back to his citadel wins the game.[2]