Saboteur

First, separate the cards into four piles: path cards, action cards, gold cards, and dwarf role cards. Based on the number of players, select the appropriate number of gold-digger and saboteur role cards, shuffle them, and deal one face-down to each player. One role card is set aside face-down and not used. Find the start card (depicting a ladder) and place it in the center of the table. Take the three destination cards (two rock, one gold), shuffle them face-down, and place them six card-lengths away from the start card. Shuffle the remaining path and action cards together to form the draw pile. Deal 6 cards to 3-5 players, 5 cards to 6-7 players, and 4 cards to 8-10 players. The remaining gold cards are shuffled and placed face-down in a separate pile.

The objective of the game depends on your role. If you are a gold-digger, your goal is to create a continuous path from the start card to the gold destination card. If you are a saboteur, your objective is to prevent the gold-diggers from reaching the gold before the end of the round.

On your turn, you must perform one of three actions: 1) Play a path card: Place a path card from your hand onto the table, connecting it to an existing path. Paths must match on all connecting sides, and cards cannot be placed diagonally. 2) Play an action card: Place an action card in front of a player (including yourself) to either block them (e.g., broken pickaxe) or help them (e.g., repaired lantern). Some action cards allow you to peek at a destination card or remove a path card. 3) Discard a card to pass: If you cannot or choose not to play a card, discard one face-down from your hand. After performing an action, draw a new card from the draw pile. Your turn then ends.

Scoring occurs at the end of each round. If the gold-diggers successfully found the gold, they receive gold cards based on the number of players. The player who placed the final path card to the gold gets to choose their gold card first, then passes the remaining gold cards clockwise. If the saboteurs successfully prevented the gold-diggers from reaching the gold, the saboteurs receive gold cards based on their number. If there was one saboteur, they get 4 gold nuggets. If there were 2-3 saboteurs, each gets 3 gold nuggets. If there were 4 saboteurs, each gets 2 gold nuggets. Players keep their gold cards secret until the end of the game. After three rounds, all players reveal their collected gold cards, and the player with the highest total value of gold nuggets wins the game. In case of a tie, all tied players share the victory.

A round ends in two ways: either a player successfully creates an unbroken path from the start card to the gold destination card, or all players run out of cards and cannot make any more moves. If the gold is found, the round ends, and gold is distributed. If no gold is found and players run out of cards, the saboteurs win the round, and gold is distributed to them. After a round ends, all cards are collected, shuffled, and a new round begins with new role assignments. The game concludes after three full rounds have been played.