Ars Mysteriorum (2005)

About this game

In Ars Mysteriorum, each player participates in King Florim's Alchemy Apprentice Competition. As an apprentice, you will vie to see who can earn the most money by the end of the competition. You will barter favors for basic elements such as Brimstone, Verdigris, and Salt. You will use those elements not only to gain entrance into Masters' tents but to demonstrate to the Masters your ability to successfully complete a recipe. For an alchemist, they are simple recipes like turning lead into gold or sand into rubies. As you complete the recipes, they are added to your Recipe Book, and you are paid at the end of each day for the best combinations of recipes. When the competition is over, the apprentice with the most money will be declared a new Master Alchemist. (From the publisher's description.)

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 3 to 5.
• Rules load. At 3.0/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.