User summary Ränkespieler & Rivalen (Schemers & Rivals) is an adventure collection for Das Schwarze Auge, suitable for 3-5 unexperienced player characters. All adventures are winning entries of the Hannover Spielt! convention of 2003. The book contains three adventures: In Ein Hauch von Schmerz (A Touch of Pain) the characters are hired to challenge the examinees of the Combat Seminary of Andergast. What sounds like an easy job drops the characters into a cesspool of intrigue. Artistenschuh und Rote Bälle (Acrobat's Shoe and Red Balls) provides more intrigue, this time in the city of Methumis. The characters have the chance to thwart some plots of evil nobles. Nach Rastullahs Willen (At Rastullah's Will) leads the characters into the Khôm desert where they attend a bridal combat of the Beni Khivad tribe.