Game length: around 2 hours

Components:
The hex tiles that make up the map are of good card stock and nicely illustrated, as are the resource chits, although we felt that the reputation markers could have been a little thicker as these will get frequent handling during play.

Theme: We felt that the the Celtic theme worked well - it didn't just feel tacked on, as it does with some games.

First Game: The game comes with a learner game, Celtic Trader. This has most of the rules from the main game, but without the Quests and enchantments, but does still provide enough to learn the game. The rules are quite well written and illustrated and are easily learned.

Gameplay:
Setup
Once the various chits have been set out, each player receives a wooden player marker, ability markers for use on the play mat, a reference card (which is same size as play mat) and starting items, which is dependant on number of players. Also, if less than five play, their are less romans in play. The set of Destiny cards are for the advanced game, so each player gets role card, which shows you where you start and what bonus VPs are awarded to that player at game end.

Then the board is laid out using the hex tiles, which will make every game have a different layout. As an aside, the hex tiles are very reminiscent of the tiles in Magic Realm and have an enchanted side which changes the roads on the tile.

Player Turn
Draw Chits:
You draw 2 resource chits from the bag and these are placed either on a vacant space on the board or if one isn't available, the chit is discarded and a town has its demand for that resource increased, players choice.

Move:
Players move from tile to tile to collect resources. Initially a players movement is 2 tiles, but as the game progresses, this can increase to a maximum of 6 tiles.
Picking up a resource will end movement at first, but again this can be improved with reputation, so that you can even pick up a resource and continue moving.

After Movement:
Further actions are possible depending where the player ends movement.
If at a stone circle, quests can be completed and abilities improved if you have the reputation to do so. You can also claim VPs, draw a new quest and deliver crystals.
If at a settlement, collected resources can be delivered in exchange for reputation. However, delivering a resource also reduces the demand for that resource, meaning future deliveries of that resource there will pay less. We really liked this supply and demand feature as it keeps the game interesting.

Game end: The game ends when:
a pre agreed time limit is reached,
when 12 crystals have been collected,
or all 6 settlements have become romanised.
The latter occurs when a roman is drawn from the bag. each roman drawn is placed on a road leading to a settlement and when all roads have romans that settlement becomes roman and no longer accepts resources. The game can also end when the supply of repuatation markers is exhausted. 10 reputation markers are exchanged for a 10 reputation marker which ends the game at the end of the current players turn.

The player with the most victory points wins.

Summary:
The way that resources are collected for reputation which in turn can be used to either improve your abilities or to gain victory points is a nice touch. Also, some roads have bridges over other roads so getting from A to B is not always as straightforward as it first appears as you have to follow the paths where the roads take you. As Romans begin to appear and settlements begin to close down it becomes harder to deliver your resources. And I haven't even mentioned the quest cards and destiny cards yet! Briefly, Quest cards have two resources that need delivering to the stone circle. Once delivered, they earn VPs and grant a reward such as +1 movement.
Destiny cards are used in the advanced game and give a larger variety of roles.
We really enjoyed playing this and found it to be good fun to play.

Review by Brian