A game using cards or virtual cards that are used by players during game play to dynamically create a board representing a territorial expanse. Game play takes place within the context of a narrative or story line for the characters playing the game wherein the narrative develops and unfolds according to explicit choices the player makes at multiple opportunities to choose among several options. The player choices that direct the game play and narrative are intended to ultimately resolve a goal-oriented quest or attain an objective assigned to the player's character. The game play and the assembly of the cards or virtual cards to form the territory arise from the characters' exploration of territory represented by a plurality of numbered cards and by the characters' interaction with other features of the cards and with the features of non-numbered cards.