Shadowlord is a board game published by Parker Brothers in 1983. Two to four players, each representing a "master" of one of the four classical elements (air, earth, fire, water) battle each other, and the Shadowlord non-player character, to become master of the universe.
Gameplay
Premise
The object is to destroy the armies of opponents, and of the shadows, before the timer runs out and the Shadowlord wins.
Equipment
Various objects required to play the game have a distinct purpose.
Power Rings: These are the rings that carry the discs in play. Character discs: These specify the name and power level of the characters. Spaceships: These are required to move, and also to lay claim to galaxies players are not currently in. Power cards: These are used in battle, explained later. Battlefield: A big blue board where battles (explained later) are held. Universe: The board that the game is played on. Each space is a galaxy, and the corner galaxies are "building stations" (explained later). Power Stone: An object put into a spaceship slot on the power ring that allows an extra power card to be drawn in battle (explained later). Initially owned by the Shadowlord, it can be won by defeating him in battle.
Legend
He ruled the galaxies of the Universe with wisdom and justice ... and by powers the likes of which no man or woman has ever possessed. His name was the Starlord, and his word was Law. When he grew old, the Starlord created a beautiful and mysterious crystal which harnessed his wondrous powers so that they might be preserved for the Starlord’s five children. He called it the Power Stone.
When the Starlord’s death came to pass, into the Shadow Master’s hands fell the Power Stone. He became the Shadowlord, and a glorious civilization crumbled into darkness and decay.
If this civilization is to flourish again, one of the four remaining heirs must emerge as the Starlord’s successor. Who will it be ... the Earth Master of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn? ... The Air Master of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius? ... The Fire Master of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius? ... The Water Master of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces? Or will the Shadowlord overpower them all?
The four Masters travel the galaxies in search of Warriors, Merchants, and Diplomats. Will the four Masters be powerful enough to defeat opposing alliances in exciting and suspenseful duels? ... Strong enough to withstand attacks from the Shadowlord's mysterious deputies and field commanders? ... Mighty enough to challenge their dark brother the Shadowlord, whose greatness in battle is a legend within a legend, for ownership of the Power Stone?
The secret to survival is accumulation of power, sabotage of opposing alliances, and the strategic use of one’s resources.
So prepare for an extraordinary adventure among worlds, space-storms, and the Shadowlord’s eerie Lost Fortress ... Where promises last until the next tempting bribe ... Where battles are fierce and defeat is forever.
Characters
The game is based on five classes characters.
Masters (Power level: 8) the most powerful and important characters in the game; if a master is killed, that player is out of the game. Human Masters: Air, Earth, Fire, Water Warriors (Power level: 6) Warriors are primarily used in battles. Human Warriors: Astrid, Axel, Holger, Kaare, Randi, Sten Alien Warriors: Bernhard (Bear), Viggo (Lizard) Merchants (Power level: 3) Merchants are capable of doing battle, but are most useful for building spaceships. Human Merchants: Arne, Brandon, Elayne, Faye, Folke, Selwyn Alien Merchants: Svein (Pig), Vang (Tiger) Diplomats (Power level: 0) Diplomats never battle, however they are the only ones who can reveal character discs. Human Diplomats: Aage, Deems, Elfrida, Erling, Ola, Sigurd Alien Diplomats: Bors (Weasel), Gye (Mouse) Shadows (Power levels: vary) antagonists of the game; the Shadowlord begins with the power stone. Power Level 10: Invincible Darkness, Shadowlord Power Level 6: Iron Claw, Baron Cruel, Counts Hector and Gwyth, Duke Halifax Power Level 3: Marshalls Racson and Lynx
Initial setup
The Shadowlord is placed in a black power ring, given one of the power stones and five black spaceships, and placed in the center galaxy. The minor shadows are placed circling the Shadowlord and are given one black spaceship each. A protagonist character disc is placed face down in each of the other galaxies except the home planets of the masters. Each player chooses a master and is given one warrior, one diplomat, and three spaceships which they can distribute to the three members of the force any way they choose. The three allies for each player are placed on the master's home planet.