The Prince is a colorful card game in which the players represent one of the great, powerful Italian families in renaissance Italy. Making the best of available resources and using the political influence of your family, you pave the way towards the ultimate goal: The Papacy. The road to becoming Pope is long and difficult, however. You will need to connive with other families, gain fame by becoming patron of remarkable artists, gain Papal offices (strongholds in the patrimony of St. Peter), acquire vast sums of money, consolidate your military power, and jostle for position and political leverage until the time comes for the elector cardinals to retreat into their enclave and cast their votes for a new Pope.