Overview

Mascarade is a social deduction game of hidden identities and bluffing. Players start with face-down character cards and must use (or claim to use) their character’s power to accumulate 13 gold coins. Characters are swapped so frequently that nobody – including you – can be sure which character they actually have. Players can peek at their card, swap (or pretend to swap) with another player, or boldly claim to be any character and use its power.

Components

• 13 character cards (each with a unique power)
• Gold coins
• Courthouse token
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Select characters to use based on player count (rules specify recommended sets for each count).
2. Deal 1 character card face-up to each player. Players memorize their character.
3. Give each player 6 gold coins.
4. Place remaining coins in the bank.
5. Turn all character cards face-down.
6. For the first 4 turns, players MUST swap (or pretend to swap) cards – no other action is allowed.

Turn Structure

On your turn, choose exactly ONE of three actions:

1. Peek

Secretly look at your own face-down character card. Do not reveal it to anyone.

2. Swap (or Pretend to Swap)

Take your card and another player’s card under the table. You may swap them or return them unchanged – no one knows which you did. Both cards return face-down.

3. Claim a Character

Announce: “I am the [Character]!” Then:

• If no one challenges: You use that character’s power.
• If someone challenges (says “No, I am the [Character]!”): Both players reveal their cards. The actual holder of that character uses the power. The false claimant pays 1 gold to the Courthouse. If neither is the claimed character, both pay 1 gold to the Courthouse.

Actions

Character Powers

Character	Power
Judge	Collect all gold from the Courthouse
Bishop	Take 2 gold from the richest player
King	Take 3 gold from the bank
Queen	Take 2 gold from the bank
Thief	Take 1 gold from each neighbor (left and right)
Witch	Swap your entire fortune with another player
Spy	Look at another player’s card, optionally swap
Peasant	If 2 Peasants are in play and both claim, each gets 1 gold from the bank (3 gold for 2 claims)
Cheat	Wins at 10 gold instead of 13
Inquisitor	Look at another player’s card; if they can’t guess their own character, take 4 gold from them
Widow	Collect gold from the bank up to 10 total
Fool	Swap two other players’ cards (not your own)

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first player to accumulate 13 gold coins (10 if you are the Cheat) wins immediately.

If a player is bankrupt (0 gold), they must reveal their card and use its power. If the power cannot help, they are eliminated.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• For the first 4 turns, only swapping (or pretending) is allowed.
• Multiple players can challenge the same claim; all non-matching challengers pay the Courthouse.
• Cards are always face-down except when revealed during challenges or bankruptcy.
• Players genuinely may not know their own character after several swaps.
• For first games, play with 8 or fewer players to learn the system.
• The Courthouse accumulates gold; the Judge collects it all.

Player Reference

Action	Effect
Peek	Look at your own card secretly
Swap	Exchange (or pretend to exchange) cards with another player
Claim	Declare a character; use power if unchallenged; reveal if challenged

Win condition: 13 gold (10 for Cheat)