Collaborative World Building
Set Up
A deck of cards should be divided into four piles, one of each suit, and shuffled. Each deck of cards represents an era in the worlds history. An era is completed when all the cards have been drawn and resolved.
The facilitator then begins the map drawing process by outlining a starting area. The other players then take turns expanding on this area by expanding its boundaries, adding islands, etc. This should not add geographical features, but should outline the boundaries of the gamespace.
Once the area has been outlined, the players then each add a geographical feature. These can be mountain ranges, large rivers and lakes, deserts, woodlands, etc.
Finally, each player states a resource that will be important to the inhabitants of this land. These resources should be broad and widely applicable, and will help define settlements as the game progresses. Things like shelter, community, knowledge or might are strong examples. Things like deer, iron, AAA batteries and nursery rhymes are often too specific to be truly useful.
Once these steps have been completed, the facilitator draws the first card from the Era of Creation deck and the game begins in earnest.
Turn Order
Each turn is an abstracted unit of time. If you find it important you may agree amongst yourself definitive measures, but this document assumes there is no set value. During a players turn, the following events occur in the listed order:
- Draw and Resolve a card: The active player draws a card, reads it aloud and resolves its effect. Most cards offer a choice between two questions. The player may ask for input as to what they think would be the more interesting question to answer, but the final choice and the final say in what that answer is belongs to the player that drew that card.
- Take an Action: The active player takes an action. Actions are outlined in detail later in this document.
- Countdown Timers: Any timers for ongoing projects or settlements are reduced by one. If this reduces a timer to 0, the player who activated that project or settlement, not the active player, outlines the results.
Once these steps have been completed, play passes to the player to the active players left and that players takes their turn.
Player Actions
On your turn you may take one of the following actions.
- Make a Discovery: Draw an additional detail onto the map. This can be a geographical feature, a ruin, a new island, basically anything that doesn't involve active participation from a contemporary source. Give a brief description of your discovery and name it if you wish.
- Start a Project: A project is any activity that requires active participation from a contemporary source. These usually interact with resources in some way, but can also change the nature of a geographical location. Building a bridge across a river, constructing a hospital in a settlement to alleviate a scarcity of health or establishing a postal service are all projects. Decide with the group how large an undertaking this project is and grant it an appropriate timer, from 1 to 6. Particularly large projects may expand beyond this number at the groups discretion. In the case where a timer cannot be satisfactorily decided upon, the facilitator will decide. When this timer reaches 0, the player who began this project describes the results and their effect.
- Establish a Settlement: Draw a settlement on the map. Choose a timer of either 3 or 6. If you chose 3, when the settlement is complete choose one resource to be adequate, the rest are scarce. If you chose 6, one resource is abundant, one is adequate and the rest are scarce. Once the timer reaches 0, your settlement is established. Take a moment to describe the aesthetic, population and any other details you would like to add.
- Tell a Tale: Describe an event that happens at some point on the map in broad strokes. Each player can then ask you one question about this event, which you can answer only in one sentence. This tale then becomes canon to the world, and any details established are true.
Settlements and Resources
Resources, those decided by the players at the beginning of the game, hold no mechanical score or benefit and are simply to help outline the differences between settlements, and for the players to decide what they feel is important to the world they are creating.
Each settlement tracks resources separately. A resource can be in one of three states of availability; scarce, adequate or abundant. Some cards will affect the availability of resources in one or more settlements, but generally the way to improve availability is with projects.
When a card asks you to choose a settlement or a project, it is good practice to select a settlement or project you initiated. If you are choosing a settlement or project initiated by another player, you must ask permission from that player.
Age of Creation (hearts)
Ace
There are ruins of an ancient civilization dotted around the map. What do we know of them? What do these ruins look like?
or
A group of indigenous creatures causes trouble for settlers. What are they? What trouble do they cause?
Two
There is a large body of water on the map. Draw it in. What make it unique?
or
There is a large building on the map. Draw it in. Why is it abandoned?
Three
Settlers arrive. Draw a settlement on the map with a timer of 3.
or
A windfall speeds up construction on a settlement. Reduce a settlement timer by 3. What was found and how did it help?
Four
The world is young and fertile. Choose a resource.
A settlement which is scarce in that resource becomes sufficient in that resource.
or
The next settlement you establish increases the availability of that resource by 1 stage.
Five
Wild things move in the dawning of the world. Tell a Tale about the world.
It should be disquieting and reveal a hostile presence.
or
It should hopeful and outline something awe inspiring.
Six
Describe a culture that is common in this new world. This can be a race, a religion or a social collective. What is their kindest trait? How do they self govern?
or
Describe a culture that is uncommon in this new world. This can be a race, a religion or a social collective. What food are they famous for? What kind of music do they make?
Seven
What social ritual is common to all inhabitants of the new world?
or
Describe an apex predator. What defences do people use to keep themsleves safe from it?
Eight
An old artifact is found, broken but repurposable. What do we think it was? What is it turned into?
or
An old artifact is found, malefic and macabre. What do we think it was? How is it destroyed?
Nine
A charismatic leader appears. Describe them and give them a name.
They set out into the wilds with a large group of followers. Draw a settlement on the map with a timer of 3.
or
They work tirelessly to improve the lot of those in need. Start a project to alleviate a scarcity in a settlement.
Ten
The people are filled with passion and vigor. Start a project with a timer of 3 or more.
or
Make a Discovery. What does this discovery tell us about the history of this world?
Jack
A good omen appears. What is it? How does it affect people?
or
A bad omen appears. What is it? How does it affect people?
Queen
What is a beautiful thing in this world? Draw it on the map.
or
What is a horrific thing in this world? Draw it on the map.
King
A young boy digs in the ground and finds something unexpected. What is it?
Explain how this thing could be used to improve lives and start a project to that effect.
or
Explain how this thing grants great insight into this world and Make a Discovery to that effect.
Age of Wonders (diamonds)
Ace
A settlement is experiencing strife. Which one? What is this strife? Can it be resolved?
or
A project has run into unexpected complications. Choose a project, what problems have they run into? How will they affect the outcome of the project?
Two
Settlers arrive, drawn by tales of wonder and plenty. Draw in a settlement with a timer of 9. When this settlement is complete, choose two resources to be in abundance and one to be adequate. The rest are scarce.
or
Workers on a project are inspired. Choose a project and increase its timer. How does this extra time and attention positively affect the outcome of this project?
Three
These lands are wild, but will be tamed. Start a Project related to exploration or infrastructure.
or
Civilization grows on full bellies and strong walls. Start a production related the food production or defence.
Four
Introduce a new resource. It is scarce in all settlements.
It should be related to higher knowledge or esoteric thinking. What social revolution happened to cause this resource to become relevant?
or
It should be related to comfort and luxury. What is it? How has it integrated into society?
Five
Legends abound. Tell a Tale about the world.
It should be about a great hero. Who were they? What did they do?
or
It should be about a legendary monster. What is it? Where is it rumored to be found?
Six
Describe a culture that is common in this new world. This can be a race, a religion or a social collective. What are they proud of? What symbol do they identify with?
or
Describe a culture that is uncommon in this new world. This can be a race, a religion or a social collective. What is a positive quality often ascribed to them? How do they protect themselves?
Seven
A group attempts to wrest control of a settlement. Does it work? What changes happen in this settlement as a result?
or
A headstrong ideology takes root and spurs the idle to action. Start a foolish project.
Eight
Arrogance has lead to disaster. A project fails. How did this happen?
or
A disaster has befallen a settlement. One resource drops in availability by one step. What happened?
Nine
A charismatic leader appears. Describe them and give them a name.
They inspire people to great deeds. Start a project with a timer of 6 related to exploration or infrastructure.
or
They inspire an incredible work of art. Start a project with a timer of 6 that will result in a world renowned monument.
Ten
Wonders never cease. Make a Discovery.
It should be a natural occurrence of surpassing beauty. What is it?
or
It should be ancient and magnificent. What do we know of it?
Jack
Bad omens abound. People are going missing in great numbers. What is the fretful story shared among the public?
or
Bad omens abound. What are people doing to protect themselves? Do not reduce project timers this turn.
Queen
A project completes early. What lead to its early completion?
or
A miracle occurs. Choose a resource and a settlement. That resource increases in availability one step. What happened?
King
Wonder is fleeting.
Discard the top two cards of the deck and take two actions this turn.
Age of Enlightenment (clubs)
Ace
Choose a project. People become obsessed with perfecting this project.
Add 3 to this projects timer.
or
All other projects fail.
Two
Choose two settlements.
Trade and community have fostered solidarity. Start a project to connect these settlements.
or
Tensions are rising. Tell a Tale of a conflict between these settlements.
Three
A sharp mind is the greatest strength. Start a project relating to education or research.
or
A strong arm is all that's needed. Start a project relating to military might.
Four
Technology and experience facilitate great change. Choose a resource.
A settlement which is sufficient in that resource becomes abundant in that resource. What changed to cause this?
or
Start a project with a timer of 9. Once this project completes, all settlements increase the availability of this resource by 1 stage. How did this come about?
Five
Great deeds are not always good. Tell a Tale about the world.
It should be about a grand and costly mistake.
or
It should be about a great battle, won by treachery or smarts.
Six
Describe a culture that is common in this world. This can be a race, a religion or a social collective. What do they value most? How do they punish wrongdoers?
or
Describe a culture that is uncommon in this world. This can be a race, a religion or a social collective. What craft have they mastered? How does this interact with the rest of society?
Seven
Idle hands make trouble. Start a project with a timer of 3 or less.
or
Make a Discovery. What could this discovery mean for the future?
Eight
Strife erupts in a settlement, leading to great social unrest. Describe how this worsens the quality of life for the residents of that settlement.
or
An accident occurs while attempting an experimental technique. Choose a project. Do not reduce the timer on that project this turn. What was the accident?
Nine
A charismatic leader appears. Describe them and give them a name.
They revolutionize life for their people. Start a project with a timer of 6 that will turn one settlements scarcity into an abundance.
or
They discover something incredible. Introduce a new resource. It is scarce in all settlements, except one where it is in abundance. This resource should be related to technology, magic or scientific knowledge.
Ten
A breakthrough results in a radical change in a project. Choose a project and reduce its timer by one. You are now responsible for describing the outcome of that project. What was the breakthrough?
or
Researchers and scientists have confirmed something worrying. Describe a rare and powerful creature that poses great threat.
Jack
The future looks bright. What gives people hope?
or
The future looks grim. What do people fear most?
Queen
Something inexplicable has happened. Introduce a mystery to the world.
or
Someone's experiments went awry. Describe an entirely new type of creature.
King
An enormous natural disaster strikes. Choose one:
A settlement is lost. Remove it from the map.
or
All ongoing projects fail.
Age of Strife (spades)
Ace
Choose a settlement with two or more abundances. Disaster strikes.
An abundance becomes a scarcity. What happened and how did it worsen the lives of the settlements inhabitants?
or
All adequate resources become scarce. What happened and how did the settlement protect it's interests?
Two
Choose two projects. A conflict arises between the workers.
One project fails but reduces the timer on the other project by it's remaining time.
or
Add 2 to both projects timers.
Three
The world is turning hostile. Start a project relating to defense or seclusion.
or
The strong will survive. Start a project relating to military might.
Four
Fear and panic lead to stockpiling and scarcity. Choose a resource.
For each settlements in which this resource is in adequate or scarce supply, one project timer does not decrease this turn.
or
Choose a settlement in which this resource is abundant and one in which it is scarce. It becomes adequate in both of those settlements and scarce everywhere else.
Five
Conflict and strife cause great hardship. Tell a Tale about the world.
It should be about a great undertaking that ends in futility.
or
It should be about a great battle, fought for a lost cause.
Six
Describe a culture that is common in this world. This can be a race, a religion or a social collective. What do they fear most? What is their cruelest punishment?
or
Describe a culture that is uncommon in this world. This can be a race, a religion or a social collective. How do they hide themselves from discrimination? What is a cruel lie about them?
Seven
A disagreement occurs between two settlements. How is it resolved? How does this make life worse for the people of those settlements?
or
Monsters roam the world, feasting on the fallen. Describe a dangerous creature that was once rare but is growing in numbers recently.
Eight
Mass movement by the workers results in collective bargaining. Each player must, on a count of 3, vote thumbs up or thumbs down. In the case of a tie, the active player is the tie breaker.
If there is a majority of thumbs up, do not reduce timers this round. Describe how life changes for the workers. If there is a majority of thumbs down, describe how the mass movement is dealt with.
Nine
A charismatic leader appears. Describe them and give them a name.
They launch a decisive campaign. Remove a settlement from the map.
or
They make great sacrifice in the name of order. Remove a resource.
Ten
A once-safe wonder has become wild and dangerous. Describe how a location on the map has gotten more dangerous.
or
A long and futile war has left it's mark on the world. Make a Discovery relating to the negative impact of a brutal war.
Jack
Strange omens herald great change. Tell a Tale of a grand omen. Each other player then states one event people believe this omen heralds.
Queen
Hope springs eternal.
An ongoing project makes an incredible discovery. Describe this discovery and how it will greatly increase the effect of that project once it completes.
or
Make a Discovery. Describe how this discovery will greatly improve the lives of many people.
King
The game ends.