The Mediterranean Sea is the lifeline for merchants in the lands on its shores. Here, the players represent competing merchant families plying their trade throughout the region. As the players move their ships from port to port, they try to load and deliver large cargos of the seven major trading goods: jewels, scrolls, silk, salt pottery, olives and grain. Knowing the maret limit for each ware, a player will try to fill his ship with just this much of each cargo type to gain the most from his investments. Of course, players must always be on the lookout for pirates, who will board careless ships, stealing both cargos and reputations. The most successful player will earn the most money - you are merchants, after all, and win the game!