The Governors have important messages that must reach the Czar as quickly as possible. Because the Governors live in provinces in the far reaches of the empire, a Governor must be clever and a little lucky to be the first to get his message to the Czar, winning his favour and the game.

The players each send several couriers on the long and convoluted trip to the Czar's palace. Along the way, the couriers travel from village to village through swamps, forests and mountains. In each village, the couriers check in to one of the inns and spend the night. Who will win the race and the favour of the Czar? Will it be the Cossack that first reaches the palace? Or the lady, who best plays her role and bribes the guards for victory?