Creating a Thrilling Cooperative Board Game: "Echoes of Eridu"

I want to invent a new board game that is a strategic, cooperative, and moderately-paced game. It should be playable by 2-4 players, ages 12-18.

The game should have an ancient, mystical theme, drawing inspiration from Mesopotamian mythology. Some unique mechanics I'd like to include are a modular board, hidden player roles with asymmetrical abilities, resource management, and a dynamic event system.

Game Name: Echoes of Eridu

Backstory:

In the forgotten city of Eridu, an ancient Sumerian metropolis, a group of brave adventurers must band together to unravel the mysteries of the city and appease the gods. The once-great city is now plagued by a terrible curse, causing the land to wither and the people to suffer. As the last remnants of the city's magic begin to fade, the players must work together to restore the balance of the elements, uncover hidden artifacts, and appease the gods to save Eridu from destruction.

Components:

1. Modular Board: A set of interlocking tiles featuring different districts of the city, each with its own challenges and opportunities.

2. Player Boards: Each player has a unique board with their character's abilities, resource management, and hidden role information.

3. Resource Tokens: Tokens representing the five elements (air, earth, fire, water, and aether), which players must manage to perform actions.

4. Artifact Cards: A deck of cards containing ancient relics, magical items, and powerful artifacts that players can discover and use to aid them in their quest.

5. Event Cards: A deck of cards featuring challenges, obstacles, and surprises that players must overcome as they navigate the city.

6. Dice: A set of six-sided dice used for resolving conflicts, skill checks, and determining the success of player actions.

7. Hidden Role Cards: Each player has a unique hidden role card, which outlines their character's abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

8. Player Tokens: Tokens used to track player progress, health, and resource levels.

Setup:

1. Assemble the modular board by randomly placing the district tiles.

2. Each player selects a player board and places it within reach.

3. Shuffle the artifact card deck and deal a set number of cards to each player.

4. Shuffle the event card deck and place it within reach.

5. Determine the starting player randomly.

Game Play:

A turn consists of three phases:

1. Action Phase: The player takes two actions: move, explore, rest, or use an ability. Players can also use resources to perform actions or use artifact cards to aid them.

2. Resolution Phase: The player resolves the outcome of their actions, using dice rolls and skill checks as needed.

3. Event Phase: The player draws an event card and resolves its effects.

Winning Conditions:

If the players successfully appease the gods by restoring balance to the elements and uncovering hidden artifacts, they win the game.

If the curse consumes the city, and the players fail to restore balance, the game is lost.

Variations and Advanced Rules:

Traitor Mechanic: Introduce a traitor player who secretly works against the group, adding a social deduction element to the game.

Asymmetric Player Powers: Introduce unique player abilities and strengths, making each player's experience more distinct.

Time Pressure: Introduce a time limit for each turn, forcing players to make decisions quickly and adding an element of urgency.

Legacy System: Create a campaign mode where players can play through multiple scenarios, unlocking new content and storylines as they progress.