As the sun rises over the vast and untamed wilderness, you gather with a group of chieftains from different tribes at the ceremonial gaming area. You take your place, ready to prove yourself and build the most prestigious Chiefdom.
In Chiefdom, you are tasked with building up your own Chiefdom from scratch. The game begins with an empty plan, and it's up to you to carefully choose what icons to draw and how to draw them based on the dice rolled on each turn.
With a roll of the dice, the game begins. You choose your actions simultaneously with the other players, using the values rolled to determine what icons you will draw and how to place them. Will you draw a lake or a forest? Will you give your people jobs such as fishing, woodcutting, or building? Every decision must be carefully thought out to ensure a balanced Chiefdom that can provide for its people.
But the competition is not just about building a functional Chiefdom. As chieftains from different tribes, you are vying for prestige and recognition. You want to create the most impressive Chiefdom, one that will be remembered for generations to come. As you work to build up your Chiefdom, you must also ensure that your people are fed, sheltered, and employed.
As the game progresses, tensions rise, and you must remain focused to outmaneuver your opponents. Will you take risks to try and secure victory, or will you play it safe and ensure a steady rise to the top? Only time will tell as you strive to become the most respected and successful chieftain in the land.
—description from the designer