Me and my boys, ages 9 and 13, just finished a 4 1/2 hour game of Runebound. The 13 year old had suggested we do a variant. Margath was removed from the red challenges and then 8 of the others were dealt out next to each town minus Tamalir. The story was that Margath had conquered the land and imposed his Dragon Lords on the towns. Margath had finally been defeated by an ill fated hero. Tamalir was now safe but someone had to free the remaining towns from the Dragon Lords. The goal was to defeat the DL's and collect the most Dragon Runes. Once the last Dragon Lord was defeated a very short Doom Track was activated, giving us time to fight over the Dragon Runes. Lots of chaotic adventuring and brutal PvP ensued.

In the end the 13 year old, Jason, was the winner.

On a sidenote: I used to think that Runebound PvP didn't work. Now that I've played a few more epic PvP battles I've changed my mind. Runebound PvP works very well in the context of the game itself.

But I don't have much trouble finding new things to like about Runebound. I love this game!

That sounds like a really cool variant idea. I'll have to try it out sometime myself.

I agree with the PvP comments. It's not that PvP doesn't work, it's just that most of the time there isn't really much of a reason to go out of your way to attack other players. Sounds like this variant makes PvP a vital, if somewhat brief, element of the game. Kudos! Sounds like you've got quite the little game designer on your hands there!

Nice idea!

Did you play the endgame as a Highlander (Only one survivor) or the holder of 5 or more Dragon Runes wins?

Crown of the Elder Kings is a Highlander type of expansion if you guys are into the character battles.

Sound like a an interesting end game variant.

Did you play Highlander or 5 Dragon Runes wins?

Crown of the Elder Kings is a Highlander endgame if you are interested in that kind of expansion.

Once the last Dragon Rune was captured by a player, we started a very short Doom track. When he Doom track ended we finished the round of turns so no one was shorted any. In the end we just went by most Runes won.

I liked Crown of the Elder Kings. Some of that was inspiration as I helped Jason hash out his idea.

What do you mean by Highlander? Deaths are final and last man standing wins?

Highlander..
There can only be one survivor.

If I remember correctly, Talisman ends that way also.
The last player left alive is the winner.