Root
Root is a game of woodland might and right. Stalk the woods as one of the Vagabonds, seize the initiative with the Eyrie birds of prey, rule over your subjects as the Marquise de Cat, or command the Woodland Alliance to create a new order. With creatures and cunning, you'll rule a fantastic forest kingdom in this asymmetric board game of adventure and war.
The nefarious Marquise de Cat has seized the great woodland, intent on harvesting its riches. Under her rule, the many creatures of the forest have banded together. This Alliance will seek to strengthen its resources and subvert the rule of Cats. In this effort, the Alliance may enlist the help of the wandering Vagabonds who are able to move through the more dangerous woodland paths. Though some may sympathise with the Alliance's hopes and dreams, these wanderers are old enough to remember the great birds of prey who once controlled the woods.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the region, the proud, squabbling Eyrie have found a new commander who they hope will lead their faction to resume their ancient birthright. The stage is set for a contest that will decide the fate of the great woodland. It is up to the players to decide which group will ultimately take root.
Each player in Root has unique capabilities and a different victory condition. With the aid of gorgeous, multi-use cards, a truly asymmetric design has never been more accessible.
The Marquise de Cat. The Cats play a game of engine building and logistics while attempting to police the vast wilderness. By collecting wood they are able to produce workshops, lumber mills and barracks. They win by building new buildings and crafts.
The Eyrie Dynasties. The Eyrie muster their hawks to take back the woods. They must capture as much territory as possible and build roosts before they collapse back into squabbling.
The Woodland Alliance. The Alliance hides in the shadows, recruiting forces and hatching conspiracies. They begin slowly and build towards a dramatic late-game presence — but only if they can manage to keep the other players in check.
The Vagabond. Meanwhile, the Vagabond plays all sides of the conflict for their own gain, while hiding a mysterious quest. Explore the board, fight other factions, and work towards achieving your hidden goal.
Designed by Cole Wehrle and illustrated by Kyle Ferrin, Root is an accessible asymmetric strategy game with enormous replayability. Later expansions can take the game to six players, but everything you need for a 2–4 player game is in this box.
What's in the box
- Double-sided board with the Fall and Winter maps
- 4 faction boards
- 55 wooden warriors and 1 Vagabond pawn
- 54-card shared deck, 16 faction overviews, 4 Eyrie leaders, 2 Loyal Viziers, 3 Vagabond character cards, 15 quests and 4 walkthrough cards
- Cardboard buildings, tokens, 12 clearing markers, ruins, items and other markers
- 2 dice
- Walkthrough, Learning to Play and Law of Root rulebooks
Key facts
- Players: 2–4 (later expansions can take the game to 6)
- Play time: 60–90 minutes
- Age: 14+
Awards & honours
- 2018 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year
- 2018 Golden Geek Best Thematic Board Game
- 2018 Golden Geek Most Innovative Board Game
- 2018 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork & Presentation
- 2018 Cardboard Republic Striker Laurel
- 2019 Origins Awards Best Board Game Nominee
Returns & Refund Policy
At Sword & Board, we want you to be satisfied with your purchase. If you are not entirely happy with your order, we are here to help.
1. Cooling-Off Period and Returns
In accordance with the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, you are entitled to cancel your purchase within 7 days of receiving your items for a full refund, subject to the following conditions:
- Condition: The items must be unopened, unused, and in their original factory-sealed packaging. Due to the nature of our products (e.g., Trading Card Games, board games with components), we cannot accept returns on items where the shrink-wrap or security seals have been broken.
- Return Shipping: The cost of returning the item to our Milnerton store is the responsibility of the customer. We recommend using a trackable shipping service, as we cannot guarantee receipt of returned items.
2. Defective or Damaged Items
If you receive an item that is damaged in transit or has a manufacturing defect (e.g., missing components or printing errors):
- Reporting: Please notify us at info@swordandboardgames.co.za within 48 hours of delivery. Please include photos of the damage and your order number.
- Resolution: We will arrange for a courier collection of the defective item. Once inspected, we will offer a replacement, a store credit, or a full refund.
- Manufacturer Defects: For certain products, we may facilitate a request for replacement parts directly from the supplier to resolve the issue quickly.
3. Non-Returnable Items
The following items cannot be returned or exchanged:
- TCG Singles and Sealed Product: Due to market volatility, Trading Card Game singles and sealed "blind" products (booster packs) are non-returnable.
- Gift Cards: Digital or physical gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash.
- Sale Items: Items purchased on "Clearance" or during specific "Flash Sales" are considered final sale unless defective.
4. Pre-order Cancellations
You may cancel a pre-order for a full refund at any time before the item has been dispatched.
- Note: If a pre-order is cancelled after we have specifically secured stock for you, or if it is a high-value special import, we reserve the right to charge a 10% administration/restocking fee.
5. Refunds
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
- Approved Refunds: Refunds will be processed via EFT within 2 to 3 business days.
- Store Credit: If you prefer, we can issue store credit immediately upon approval of the return.
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