English Transcript
Full transcript of all text, instructions, and content used in the English version of the game.
The Great Exodus is a cooperative historical board game based on the Siege of Missolonghi (1825-1826) during the Greek War of Independence. Players take on the roles of defenders — Fighters, Civilians, or Philhellenes — and work together to gather resources and organize a successful Exodus from the besieged city, while learning about the heroes and events of the era.
Ability: +1 bonus to combat rolls in Exodus
Special: Recruit on 4-6 instead of 5-6 in preparation
Ability: Generates +1 Food during preparation
Special: Starts dice race with +3 head start
Ability: Once per game: cancel negative event OR gain +1 Intelligence
Special: Gets odd/even hint during intel guess
The besieged had been deprived of food for months; many families died or weakened.
Lose 1 Food
Historical: The 12-month siege led to severe food shortages, causing many deaths within the city.
European Philhellenes offer supplies, military advice and moral support.
Gain +1 Ammunition
Historical: Lord Byron, Johann Jakob Mayer, and others contributed enormously to the defense of Missolonghi.
The besieged used paths and underground passages to avoid the opponent.
Gain +1 Food
Historical: Underground passages and secret routes were used to move supplies and people during the siege.
Local informants report on Ottoman troop movements, revealing gaps in the blockade.
Gain +1 Intelligence
Historical: Greek spies and sympathizers gathered crucial intelligence about opponent positions.
Illness spreads through the overcrowded city. Fighters are weakened.
Lose 1 Active Fighter
Historical: Disease was rampant during the siege due to poor sanitation and overcrowding.
News of Greek victories elsewhere in the revolution lifts spirits.
Gain +1 Active Fighter
Historical: Greek successes in other parts of the revolution inspired the defenders to keep fighting.
Defending the walls has depleted ammunition stores. Supplies are critically low.
Lose 1 Ammunition
Historical: The prolonged siege made resupply impossible, forcing defenders to ration ammunition.
A hidden cache of supplies is discovered beneath a ruined building.
Gain +1 Food and +1 Ammunition
Historical: Supplies were often hidden throughout the city to prevent total loss during raids.
A fierce storm batters the city, damaging defenses but also slowing the opponent.
No resource change
Historical: Weather conditions during the siege alternately helped and hindered both sides.
Inspired by the heroes of the Greek Revolution, new fighters join the defense of Missolonghi.
Gain +1 Active Fighter, Lose 1 Food
Historical: Markos Botsaris, a Souliote war leader, was one of the greatest heroes of the Greek Revolution. His fame inspired the defenders of Missolonghi.
Some groups tried to escape earlier but were detected, increasing danger for everyone.
Lose 1 Intelligence
Historical: The exodus plan was betrayed on April 10-11, 1826, leading to the Turco-Egyptian forces being prepared.
A patrol spots movement near the gates. The opponent is on high alert.
Lose 1 Ammunition
Historical: Ottoman patrols were constant during the siege, making any movement dangerous.
Total darkness provides cover for movement but makes navigation treacherous.
No resource change
Historical: The exodus was planned for a dark night to maximize concealment from opponent forces.
In the chaos of the escape, defenders mistake each other for opponents.
Lose 1 Active Fighter
Historical: The confusion during the exodus led to tragic incidents of friendly fire.
A small band of fighters who were hiding outside the city joins the escape.
Gain +1 Active Fighter
Historical: Some Greek fighters positioned outside Missolonghi tried to aid the escaping defenders.
A pre-positioned supply cache along the escape route is found intact.
Gain +1 Food
Historical: Some supplies had been hidden along planned escape routes in advance.
Ottoman soldiers spring an ambush from behind a hillside.
Lose 1 Food and 1 Ammunition
Historical: The Egyptian-Turkish forces had prepared ambush points along likely escape routes.
The sight of the hills beyond the siege lines fills everyone with renewed determination.
Gain +1 Intelligence
Historical: The hope of freedom beyond the siege lines drove the defenders forward despite impossible odds.
The escape route through old trenches partially collapses, slowing progress.
Lose 1 Food
Historical: The terrain around Missolonghi was marshy and unstable, complicating any movement.
A small group of fighters volunteers to create a diversion, drawing opponent attention.
Lose 1 Active Fighter, Gain +1 Intelligence
Historical: Many defenders sacrificed themselves to give others a chance to escape during the Exodus.
A European ship is spotted offshore, offering potential rescue for those who reach the coast.
Gain +1 Food
Historical: European ships occasionally tried to break the naval blockade to aid Missolonghi.
Ottoman cannons open fire on the fleeing defenders. The ground shakes.
Lose 1 Ammunition
Historical: Artillery played a devastating role during the fall and exodus of Missolonghi.
Civilians
The women and children of Missolonghi played a critical role in the city's defense, carrying ammunition, food and water to the fighters, while many fought on the walls themselves.
Effect: +1 Food
Greek Defenders
Athanasios Razikotsikas was one of the most heroic leaders of the exodus. He led the fighters in the final charge and sacrificed himself to save the others.
Effect: +1 Fighter
Markos Botsaris, a Souliote war leader, was one of the greatest heroes of the Greek Revolution. He was killed in a night attack at Karpenisi in 1823, but his fame inspired the defenders.
Effect: +1 Ammunition
Lambros Tzavellas was a Souliote chieftain who distinguished himself in the defense of Missolonghi. He led many sorties and counterattacks against the Turks.
Effect: +1 Intelligence
Kitsos Deligeorgis was one of the key organizers of the exodus. He managed to escape with a group of fighters and continued the struggle after the fall of Missolonghi.
Effect: +1 Food
Christos Kapsalis, known as Drakos, blew himself up along with opponents during the fall of Missolonghi, in an act of self-sacrifice that remained in history.
Effect: +1 Fighter
Philhellenes
Lord Byron, the great British poet, came to Missolonghi in 1824 to aid the Greek cause. He died of fever in April 1824, but his sacrifice inspired all of Europe.
Effect: +1 Intelligence
Swiss Philhellene Johann Jakob Mayer fought at Missolonghi and was killed during the Exodus. His devotion to the Greek cause symbolizes European solidarity.
Effect: +1 Ammunition
British officer George Norman was a member of the Philhellenic expedition. He helped organize the defense and transport supplies to the besieged.
Effect: +1 Food
American doctor Samuel Gridley Howe came to Greece as a volunteer and provided medical aid to the defenders. After the war, he helped with reconstruction.
Effect: +1 Fighter
Opponent Commanders
Kiutahis was the Ottoman general who directed the siege of Missolonghi. Known for his ruthlessness, he pressed the defenders relentlessly for months.
Effect: -1 Food
Ibrahim Pasha, son of Muhammad Ali of Egypt, brought the powerful Egyptian army to the Peloponnese. His presence dramatically increased military pressure on the Greeks.
Effect: -1 Ammunition
In what year did the final siege and exodus of Missolonghi take place?
Explanation: The Great Exodus occurred on the night of April 10-11, 1826.
Christos Kapsalis is remembered in history for what act?
Explanation: Kapsalis detonated a powder magazine, killing himself and surrounding Ottoman soldiers.
Who was the Ottoman general directing the siege of Missolonghi?
Explanation: Reshid Mehmed Pasha (Kiutahis) commanded the Ottoman forces during the siege.
What body of water is Missolonghi located near?
Explanation: Missolonghi is situated on the northern shore of the Gulf of Patras in western Greece.
Who brought the Egyptian army to assist the Ottomans in the Peloponnese?
Explanation: Ibrahim Pasha, son of Muhammad Ali of Egypt, led the Egyptian forces against the Greeks.
What was the main reason the defenders decided to attempt the exodus?
Explanation: After months of siege, starvation and disease forced the desperate breakout attempt.
Christos Kapsalis (Drakos) is remembered for what act during the fall?
Explanation: Kapsalis detonated a powder magazine, killing himself and surrounding Ottoman soldiers.
The Greek War of Independence began in which year?
Explanation: The Greek Revolution began on March 25, 1821.
What was the term used for European volunteers who fought for Greece?
Explanation: Philhellenes ('lovers of Greece') were foreign volunteers who supported Greek independence.
How many times was Missolonghi besieged during the Greek War of Independence?
Explanation: Missolonghi endured three sieges: 1822-1823, 1823, and 1825-1826.
What role did Markos Botsaris play in the defense?
Explanation: Markos Botsaris was a legendary Souliote chieftain who inspired the defenders.
Approximately how many people attempted the exodus from Missolonghi?
Explanation: Around 7,000 people — soldiers and civilians — attempted the breakout.
What happened to most of those who attempted the exodus?
Explanation: Tragically, the plan was betrayed and most were killed or captured. Only about 1,000 escaped.
Which country provided the Egyptian troops that fought alongside the Ottomans?
Explanation: Egypt, under Muhammad Ali, sent a powerful army led by his son Ibrahim Pasha.
Samuel Gridley Howe was a volunteer from which country?
Explanation: Samuel Gridley Howe was an American doctor who volunteered to help the Greek cause.
What time of day was the exodus attempted?
Explanation: The exodus was planned for the dark of night to maximize concealment.
What did the fall of Missolonghi cause across Europe?
Explanation: The heroic resistance and tragic fall of Missolonghi galvanized European support for Greek independence.
Johann Jakob Mayer, who died during the exodus, was from which country?
Explanation: Johann Jakob Mayer was a Swiss Philhellene who fought and died at Missolonghi.
What painting by Eugene Delacroix was inspired by events at Missolonghi?
Explanation: Delacroix painted 'Greece on the Ruins of Missolonghi' in 1826 to honor the fallen city.
Greece achieved full independence with the Treaty of Constantinople in which year?
Explanation: The Treaty of Constantinople in 1832 formally recognized Greek independence.
What terrain feature made Missolonghi difficult to attack?
Explanation: Missolonghi was surrounded by lagoons and marshland, making direct assault difficult.
Which European power eventually intervened militarily in the Battle of Navarino (1827)?
Explanation: A combined British, French, and Russian fleet destroyed the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet at Navarino.
What was the primary weapon used by Greek defenders during the siege?
Explanation: The defenders relied on muskets and artillery, though ammunition was scarce.
Lambros Tzavellas was a chieftain of which warrior group?
Explanation: Lambros Tzavellas was a Souliote chieftain who fought bravely at Missolonghi.
What date is celebrated in Greece as the anniversary of the exodus?
Explanation: April 10 commemorates the heroic exodus of Missolonghi in 1826.
Congratulations! You have completed the Great Exodus. You have served your country well.
You have lost the Great Exodus. Try again next time.