Dievas (2019)

Dievas is a game about a pagan community in early 13th century Lithuania, at the time of the Baltic Crusades. The Livonian Brothers of the Sword have been forcefully converting, plundering, and conquering much of the land. Scattered tribes in forests and swamps are the last to stay out of the crusaders’ reach, but for how long? Christian knights and hired thugs are on the hunt, looking to root out paganism.

Two to six players take on the roles of pagan gods, greatly diminished in power, living anonymously in a village community. There is no game master; the players have the secondary role of playing community members and outsiders (and occasionally spirits or animals). Together the players write the story of the community trying to survive and prosper, aided by the gods’ supernatural abilities. Three times outsiders will arrive, portending change and violence. How the community deals with this challenge is something you will find out during play.

To play, you need pen and paper, and a deck of 52 playing cards.