For generations, the fertile Hiddenlands were shared by the peoples of the Five Realms. The Elves, Mages, Dwarves, Halflings, and Men lived peacefully together, though they became increasingly involved in fierce competition for the prosperity and glory of their nations.

But then everything changed. The Goblin Hordes attacked and the Hiddelands' whole grains could not stop them. The survivors of the empire fled by ship and discovered a new country after a few days at sea. It was a time of hope, a time of exploration and construction, and a time of renewed competition in a new world they called Pandoria.

In Pandoria, players discover this new land by placing tiles and placing workers. When a terrain type is completely surrounded by other terrain, the worker gains resources. Although more than one civilization usually benefits, each player tries to get more than the others.

Mining gold gives you income to buy cards that have two options: buildings and spells. You can build cards with wood and you can use crystals to cast one-time spells. Excess resources can be converted into prestige points. When the new land is fully explored (all tiles have been placed), the player with the most points is declared the most powerful nation in Pandoria and wins the game!