With this expansion, the players have new possibilities of strengthening their influence in the area around Carcassonne.
Now traveling merchants transport their goods to surrounding cities and monasteries. The cities in the surrounding countryside can increase to a size large enough to elect their own mayors. Simple farmers build large and wealthy farms and the church tries to strengthen their influence by establishing abbeys.

Also see The Main Game of Carcassonne
the 1st Carcassonne Expansion; Inns and Cathedrals
the 2nd Carcassonne Expansion; Traders and Builders
the 3rd Carcassonne Expansion; Princess and the Dragon
the 4th Carcassonne Expansion; The Tower
the 3rd Carcassonne Expansion; Abbey and Mayor