Biblical Israel (fan expansion for Ticket to Ride)

Description

--- **TLDR** Ticket to Ride fan expansion: First to connect 7 pilgrim cities to Jerusalem scores 2 points each; most pilgrims earn 10-point Temple Bonus on crowded Biblical map. (24 words) Key mechanics include: - *Pilgrim bonuses* First player to link one of 7 special cities (gold markers) to Jerusalem earns a 2-point pilgrim card. - *Temple Bonus* Player with the most pilgrim cards at game end receives 10 points. - *Competitive routing* Smaller board causes routes to crowd quickly, especially around Jerusalem; claim key routes early. - *Strategic targeting* Pilgrims become focal points of competition among players. - *No direct Jerusalem tickets* Destination tickets avoid Jerusalem, heightening route contention due to bonuses. This fan expansion for Ticket to Ride, designed for 2-4 players and set in Biblical times across Israel and surrounding areas, introduces pilgrim mechanics on a compact map. Seven pilgrims start in distinct cities marked by gold tokens; the first player to establish a route from any such city to Jerusalem claims that pilgrim card worth 2 points. Competition intensifies as pilgrims draw focus from all players, with routes—particularly those converging on Jerusalem—filling rapidly on the smaller board, necessitating early claims of critical paths. Lacking destination tickets to Jerusalem amplifies this crowding via the allure of bonuses. At game end, the player holding the most pilgrim cards secures the 10-point Temple Bonus, emphasizing strategic route-building and rivalry over these high-value connections. ---