The kingdom of Fayrune finds itself in terrible peril. Peasants are in uproar over the Dragon scouring the countryside, burning crops to the ground, and leaving naught but an enormous singe-mark where crops meant to feed the realm once stood. Worse still, the Dragon is never sated and has now taken to devouring livestock.
With his knights on the run, the King issues a final, desperate plea to those who would slay the beast, promising his daughter's hand in marriage as a reward.
In L'Aventure c'est dur you are one of those brave/foolish souls who have stepped forward to travel across the land and attempt to slay the Dragon. First, you must play "Land" cards, each of which specifies a distance, to travel one hundred miles (80 with five or more players) Milles Bornes-style and reach the Dragon's lair. Once there, you use "Combat" cards that have accumulated in your hand to try to exhaust the Dragon's hit points and the princess' hand.