(Crowdfund Quest) The Terror - Can you survive the French Revolution?

Crowdfund Quest is a daily column that takes us on an expedition into tabletop crowdfunding with a look at a current project in the tabletop gaming world.

The Terror, Paris 1793 is a fast paced 20-minute card game, for 2 to 6 players, in which you are trying to survive the French revolution’s Reign of Terror by forging alliances, whilst sending your rivals to the guillotine.

Designed by London based indie studio Brickwork, who are also behind the popular HistroMaxYouTube channel, The Terror, Paris 1793 is their first game. The Terror is a game of intrigue, deception, and cutthroat combat, rich is historical detail and period artwork which they have licensed from galleries and museums around the world.

Four years since the fall of the Bastille, and things are turning ugly. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette face the guillotine. Rival revolutionaries have split into competing factions. As France descends into civil war, the heroes of the revolution (Robespierre, Danton, Marat, Le Fayette) turn on each other. The infamous Reign of Terror begins. The guillotine is working overtime. Your goal is to survive.

To do this you will need allies (CITIZEN cards) from powerful factions.

CITIZEN cards represent leading figures from the five major factions, ranked in importance from one to three stars. The ultimate value of these cards is determined both by the stars, and also by the fate of the relevant faction.

As the game progresses, citizens are sent to the guillotine. As more members of a faction go to the guillotine, the more disgraced the faction becomes; and the more dangerous it is to be associated with it.

For example, by the end of the game, 3-star Maximillen Robespierre might be worth either: 6 points (double), 3 points, or minus 3 points, depending on the fate of his faction (the Montagnards).

To win, you must manipulate the course of the Terror. Protect your chosen factions. Send those supported by your rivals to the guillotine. Influence events by playing TERROR cards. These allow you to guillotine rival citizens, swap citizens with your opponent, or make secret moves (the MASK cards).

But beware. Not everyone belongs to a revolutionary force. The BOURBONS, the royal family, are already doomed. In Paris in 1793, any association with the Bourbons could cost you dearly. There are four Bourbon cards in the deck, and you do not want them. Meanwhile, NAPOLEON BONAPARTE begins his rise to power. A useful guy to have on your side…

Our advice? Choose your allies carefully. In revolutionary Paris, today’s patriot is tomorrow’s traitor. Avoid a rendez-vous with the ‘national razor’… Don’t lose your head!

The Terror, Paris 1793is currently live on Kickstarter and runs until 9th July 2026.