This variant changes the game's victory conditions so that becoming the sultan is the only way to win. Additional DP and SP awards are added to sustain the narrative momentum. City cards are distributed to players at the start of the game. An optional rule is also included in case players are hopelessly overcome with multiple negative statuses.

The Sultan Variant is not designed to work with the story-telling or merchant rules, but feel free to adapt it to these rules if you wish. I always play with multiple statuses allowed.

I recommend this for 3 players. In my experience TotAtN becomes too much of a spectator sport with four or more players, but the variant will work with up to five.