Mayfair Games is set to release the tactical board game Fredericus designed by Eligio Cazzato and originally published in Europe by DaVinci Games earlier this year.  The theme of the game, which should appeal to fantasy gamers, is using falcons to hunt mythical beasts that are besieging a castle.  The art of falconry reached its height in the West during the medieval period and this game is set in 1246 at the court of Emperor Frederick II of the Kingdom of Sicily.  Frederick is a natural for this since he wrote a famous treatise on falconry.

Mayfair's Fredericus game (MSRP $30) is designed for 2-4 falconers for Frederick the II, aged eight and up.  It takes only about 45 minutes to play and requires considerable problem-solving skills as players match wits in an effort to capture the most creatures.  The game ends when one player has snared eight creatures or when the Fredericus card is drawn, at which time each player totals their score and the player with the highest score wins.