Earlier development reference. Use the current card catalog for updated costs, stats and abilities, or play the seven-faction release.
Three new factions. Three new ways to win. Explore their creatures, stories and complete draft decks before we bring them to the table.
51 card specifications · 6 Companions · 12 first paths · 6 Ascensions · 69 individual illustrations
Play all seven factions · Construct rules and tests · Revelwild laboratory · Encore rules and tests · Hourglass laboratory · Both Companions, the full deck and Foretell are implemented in a separate laboratory. Revelwild and Prismforge are now playable too; balance remains experimental.
These are proposed rules and starting stats. Hourglass now has an experimental playable laboratory with implementation tests; Revelwild and Prismforge also have experimental playable engines. Final balance testing is still ahead. The standard four-faction game retains its v0.36 rules.
Expansion design draft 0.1. Expansion design reference. Hourglass, Revelwild and Prismforge are playable in experimental laboratories with implementation tests. Prismforge remains an early balance candidate. Final balance is unvalidated.
Retain the v0.36 20-Renown goal, growing Charge capacity up to 6, ready entry, exhausting normal movement, defender-choice character interception, blocking by ready opposing characters, Guard-5 companions, two-turn recovery and existing progression.
At 3 Journey marks pay 2 Charge to choose one first path, retaining state and base abilities unless explicitly replaced. Earn three additional marks after choosing the path, then pay 3 Charge for its one Ascension: +2 Force and +2 Guard, unchanged Insight, retained path and one added ability. Existing defeat/reset/recovery rules apply. Each branch and Ascension requires its own distinct full-body illustration before release.
Telegraph a plan, pressure a Route and profit when the opponent cannot answer both today and tomorrow.
The Atlas has begun drawing roads one day before they exist. Orryx believes the missing fragments of its body are trapped in those tomorrows. Saela knows restoring every lost future would erase some of the people now alive.
3 × Secondhand Sentinel · 3 × Yesterday’s Echo · 3 × Dunewick · 3 × Pendulum Warden · 2 × Copper Archivist · 2 × Afterimage Courser · 2 × Eonbreaker · 2 × Vesper Clock · 2 × Borrowed Dawn · 2 × The Coming Fracture · 2 × Last Moment · 2 × Unwritten Route · 1 × Deferred Shelter · 1 × Future Claim
Companion / Outside deck / F1 G5 I1 / 0 deck copies
Once during your turn, reduce the Charge cost of a Foretell Tactic you schedule by 1, minimum 0. The pending-slot limit still applies.
Illustration direction: Floating split-hourglass torso, one weathered copper arm and one unfinished sand-and-stone arm; differently aged legs; broken indigo mask.
Companion / Outside deck / F2 G5 I1 / 0 deck copies
After your Foretell Tactic resolves, if Saela is ready and has not made a normal move this turn, you may move her to an adjacent normal Route for 0 Charge. This is her normal move and exhausts her.
Illustration direction: Tall many-faced oracle with a single continuous indigo mantle, six offset copper face plates and orbiting amber rings; gliding sideways.
Ally / 3 Charge / F3 G3 I0 / 3 deck copies
After your Foretell Tactic resolves, this character gains +2 Force until the end of your turn, once per turn.
Illustration direction: Compact bronze guardian bracing one enormous clockwork arm; short heavy legs and a narrow amber visor.
Ally / 1 Charge / F0 G2 I1 / 3 deck copies
When played, look at the top 2 cards of your deck and put them back in either order. Do not reshuffle for this effect.
Illustration direction: Small translucent hourglass creature with a smooth mask and trailing older silhouettes clearly belonging to the same body.
Ally / 1 Charge / F1 G2 I1 / 3 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: Young walking sand knot with two copper hooks and a rounded indigo stone head; eagerly climbing a dune.
Ally / 2 Charge / F2 G3 I0 / 3 deck copies
During your turn, this character has +1 Force while you have a pending Foretell Tactic.
Illustration direction: Wide triangular copper guardian balanced on two heavy pendulum legs, amber core suspended between shoulders.
Ally / 3 Charge / F1 G3 I2 / 2 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: Bent segmented creature carrying an unfurling indigo scroll shell, tiny copper hands and a long amber lens.
Ally / 2 Charge / F2 G2 I1 / 2 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: A non-animal running sculpture of interlocking copper chimes, two long spring legs and a flat indigo face; leaping a broken step.
Ally / 4 Charge / F5 G3 I0 / 2 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: Ancient broad-bodied stone-and-copper figure with a cracked hourglass head and two colossal hammer forearms planted into the sand.
Ally / 3 Charge / F1 G4 I1 / 2 deck copies
When played, you may change the locked Route of your pending Foretell Tactic to an adjacent normal Route. Its resolution time does not change.
Illustration direction: An upright split clock-mask creature with four slender legs and a copper pointer tail, actively redirecting a stream of sand.
Tactic / 0 Charge / 2 deck copies
Foretell — At your next turn’s Foretell step, draw 2 cards.
Illustration direction: Two small amber suns rising inside a cracked copper hourglass above a sleeping observatory.
Tactic / 3 Charge / 2 deck copies
Foretell — Choose a normal Route when scheduling. At resolution, deal 2 damage to every opposing Ally at that Route. Does not hit Companions or Constructs.
Illustration direction: An amber fracture hangs visibly above a bridge while small traveler silhouettes choose separate escape paths.
Tactic / 2 Charge / 2 deck copies
Deal 3 damage to an opposing character at any Route. This is immediate, not Foretell.
Illustration direction: An attacker caught within one sharp amber second as a copper clock hand shatters beside it.
Tactic / 1 Charge / 2 deck copies
A friendly character gains +2 Insight until the end of your turn. Does not ready it. This is immediate.
Illustration direction: A character stepping toward a luminous route that is drawing itself across an indigo sky.
Tactic / 0 Charge / 1 deck copies
Foretell — Choose a normal Route when scheduling. At resolution, heal one friendly character there by 3.
Illustration direction: An amber sand canopy slowly crystallizing over an injured traveler at an observatory gate.
Tactic / 1 Charge / 1 deck copies
Foretell — Choose a normal Route when scheduling. At resolution, if a ready friendly character and no ready opposing characters are there, gain 2 Renown. This is not an Explore and grants no Journey mark.
Illustration direction: A copper observatory seal lighting up over an occupied crossing, with a second empty road in the distance.
Patient, precise and privately terrified of becoming whole. Wants: Recover the pieces of its body without erasing the present. Flaw: Treats living people as pieces in a forecast. Bond: Saela remembers a future in which Orryx chose mercy over completion.
Animation direction: Amber sand climbs upward; unfinished joints assemble for a gesture, then loosen again.
Retain Orryx’s base ability. After your Foretell Tactic resolves, heal Orryx by 1, once per turn.
Art: Mature whole torso containing a stable amber sun; broad copper shoulder rings; calm planted stance, both hands cradling an orbit.
Retain Orryx’s base ability. After your Foretell Tactic resolves, you may deal 1 damage to an opposing Ally at Orryx’s Route, once per turn.
Art: Heavier muscular stone limbs, jagged aged copper plating and a storm of sand; low forward lunge with a massive fist raised.
After your Foretell Tactic resolves, you may give one friendly Ally +2 Force until the end of your turn, once per turn.
Art: Towering fully aged sun-cored being, massive copper arms spread around a shattered amber orbit; risen upright, no longer incomplete.
Warmly curious, but unwilling to reveal everything she knows. Wants: Preserve the imperfect future her companions can choose for themselves. Flaw: Her silence can look like manipulation. Bond: She carries the only record of Orryx’s original face.
Animation direction: Face plates turn one at a time; copper rings pivot to reveal a new horizon.
Retain Saela’s base ability. After your Foretell Tactic resolves, draw 1 card, once per turn.
Art: Older oracle with a wide hovering map mantle, many illuminated copper faces and outstretched arms tracing a future bridge.
Retain Saela’s base ability. Saela’s first Challenge each turn after your Foretell Tactic has resolved deals +1 damage.
Art: Armored mature oracle with fused brass face plates, thick grounded legs and a lowered judging staff; assertive side-on stance.
After your Foretell Tactic resolves, you may move another friendly character to an adjacent normal Route without exhausting or readying it, once per turn. Rooted cannot move. This does not consume its normal move.
Art: Monumental many-faced oracle above a fan of future roads, mature layered copper mantle and six luminous horizon rings; slow sweeping gesture.
Invest in vulnerable infrastructure, then exploit the Routes it improves. Win through positioning and sustained value.
Vitra hears a heartbeat beneath the Atlas’s blank pages. Keldrax was built to wall it away, but every wall he raises becomes another living road. They must decide whether they are uncovering a civilization or assembling something that should remain asleep.
3 × Shardling Surveyor · 3 × Facetbreaker · 2 × Chiselkin · 2 × Chromewarden · 2 × Refraction Mason · 2 × Lattice Vanguard · 2 × Shard Courier · 2 × Core Tender · 2 × Emergency Assembly · 2 × Prismatic Lance · 2 × Pattern Recall · 1 × Facet Surge · 1 × Salvage Order · 1 × Focused Refraction · 1 × Resonance Spire · 1 × Relay Prism · 1 × Facet Bulwark
Companion / Outside deck / F1 G5 I1 / 0 deck copies
Once during your turn, reduce the Charge cost of a Construct you play by 1, minimum 1. Route-slot restrictions still apply.
Illustration direction: Elegant floating turquoise plates around a magenta heart, four geometric arms and chrome arcs; assembling a small crystal seed.
Companion / Outside deck / F1 G5 I1 / 0 deck copies
Keldrax has +2 Force while at a normal Route containing your Construct.
Illustration direction: Huge low-slung walking citadel of faceted chrome buttresses, a recessed magenta core, turquoise shoulder towers and four heavy legs.
Ally / 1 Charge / F0 G2 I1 / 3 deck copies
When played, look at the top 5 cards of your deck. You may reveal one Construct and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom in any order. Do not reshuffle for this effect.
Illustration direction: Tiny three-legged floating crystal surveyor with a long turquoise prism lens and a tilted magenta measuring ring.
Ally / 3 Charge / F4 G2 I0 / 3 deck copies
This character deals +2 Challenge damage when attacking a Construct. During your turn, this character has +1 Force while at a Route containing your Construct.
Illustration direction: Broad asymmetrical crystalline warrior with one enormous prism fist, narrow head and splayed chrome feet.
Ally / 1 Charge / F1 G2 I1 / 2 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: Young turquoise stone figure with short angled legs, one tiny chisel hand and a glowing magenta chest seam.
Ally / 2 Charge / F2 G3 I1 / 2 deck copies
During your turn, this character has +1 Force while at a Route containing your Construct.
Illustration direction: Tall polished chrome guardian with a split turquoise shield torso and angular braced knees.
Ally / 3 Charge / F1 G3 I2 / 2 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: Graceful many-jointed crystal artisan with a magenta lens crown and two long arms measuring a suspended arch.
Ally / 3 Charge / F4 G4 I0 / 2 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: Heavy interlocking mineral warrior with a rotating square core, thick crystal thighs and two serrated chrome forearms.
Ally / 2 Charge / F2 G2 I1 / 2 deck copies
When played, you may relocate one of your Constructs to an adjacent normal Route with an empty friendly Construct slot. Keep its damage.
Illustration direction: Running angular messenger with two long turquoise legs and a hovering chrome cargo ring, no animal anatomy.
Ally / 2 Charge / F1 G3 I1 / 2 deck copies
When played, heal one of your Constructs at this Route by 2.
Illustration direction: Small rounded mineral caretaker unfolding four delicate chrome tools around a magenta ember.
Tactic / 0 Charge / 2 deck copies
Relocate one of your Constructs to an adjacent normal Route with an empty friendly Construct slot, then heal it by 2.
Illustration direction: Chrome arms moving a cracked turquoise spire between two bridges while fresh facets close its wounds.
Tactic / 2 Charge / 2 deck copies
Deal 3 damage to an opposing character or Construct at any Route.
Illustration direction: A single magenta beam refracting through turquoise crystal toward a distant fractured target.
Tactic / 1 Charge / 2 deck copies
Draw 2 cards.
Illustration direction: Two luminous construction patterns rising from a faceted magenta memory core.
Tactic / 1 Charge / 1 deck copies
A friendly character gains +3 Force until the end of your turn. Does not ready it or prevent Explore.
Illustration direction: A crystal warrior’s forearm unfolding into a brilliant turquoise striking facet.
Tactic / 0 Charge / 1 deck copies
Return one of your damaged Constructs to your hand, clearing its damage, then draw 1 card. It must be replayed for its normal cost.
Illustration direction: Broken mineral fragments being carefully gathered into a chrome ring, revealing a new glowing pattern.
Tactic / 2 Charge / 1 deck copies
Deal 4 damage to an opposing Ally at a normal Route containing your Construct. Cannot target Companions or Constructs.
Illustration direction: Three aligned crystal lenses concentrating magenta light on an opposing silhouette beside a defended spire.
Construct / 2 Charge / Guard 3 / 1 deck copies
Guard 3. The first friendly character to Explore here during your turn gains 1 additional Renown. This bonus is not an additional Explore or Journey mark.
Illustration direction: Slender turquoise spire with a suspended magenta bell core and chrome roots planted into a bridge.
Construct / 2 Charge / Guard 3 / 1 deck copies
Guard 3. Once during your turn, reduce the Charge cost of a friendly character’s normal move from this Route by 1, minimum 0. It still exhausts unless its own ability says otherwise.
Illustration direction: A low rotating turquoise prism in a chrome cradle, casting a magenta path toward an adjacent crossing.
Construct / 2 Charge / Guard 4 / 1 deck copies
Guard 4. Once per numbered round, reduce the first positive Challenge damage dealt to a friendly Ally here by 1, minimum 1. Does not combine with another Challenge-damage reduction; use the largest reduction. Does not protect Companions or Constructs.
Illustration direction: Three interlocking low chrome-and-turquoise plates surrounding a small recessed magenta generator.
Inventive, affectionate and fascinated by imperfection. Wants: Build something that can choose its own purpose. Flaw: Keeps repairing things that need to change. Bond: She considers Keldrax a person; he still calls himself a wall.
Animation direction: Four arms assemble a prism; chrome arcs rotate around a pulsing heart.
Retain Vitra’s base ability. After you play a Construct, heal Vitra by 1, once per turn.
Art: Mature crystal artisan with a taller stable core, wider chrome arches and four raised arms laying a complete spire into place.
Retain Vitra’s base ability. The first Challenge each turn by a friendly Ally at a Route containing your Construct deals +1 damage.
Art: Heavier angular queen-like creature with a large magenta core, thick faceted shoulders and spread crystal blades; decisive forward stance.
After one of your Constructs is defeated, draw 1 card, once per numbered round.
Art: Four-arm mineral sovereign surrounded by a complete living city ring, broad mature crystal frame and a slowly opening magenta heart.
Stoic, literal and unexpectedly gentle with small creatures. Wants: Discover a purpose beyond containment. Flaw: Measures safety by how much he can enclose. Bond: Vitra built a doorway into the fortress he thought he had to remain.
Animation direction: Heavy legs settle; buttresses rise and a magenta core illuminates the protected Route.
Retain Keldrax’s base ability. Your Construct at Keldrax’s Route takes 1 less positive Challenge damage, minimum 1.
Art: Much larger mature citadel with broad reinforced legs, multiple turquoise battlements and weathered chrome; crouched over its infrastructure.
Retain Keldrax’s base ability. After Keldrax Explores a Route containing your Construct, draw 1 card, once per turn.
Art: Longer-legged mobile citadel with open relay rings, bright magenta pathways and a striding upright silhouette distinct from its crouched sibling form.
After Keldrax’s own Challenge defeats an opposing Ally at a Route containing your Construct, gain 1 Renown, once during your turn.
Art: Monumental six-buttress chrome colossus with enormous crystalline shoulders and a luminous city core; powerful upright stride through a quarry.
Sequence Challenges and Explores at a shared Route to activate complementary characters. Win through coordination rather than individual brute strength.
Zazri wants to stage the Atlas’s missing ending. Pippa discovers the audience are memories of travelers who never arrived. To let them leave, the troupe must perform a story whose final act nobody remembers.
3 × Tatterstep · 3 × Grumbleglow · 3 × Paintspark · 3 × Ribbon Duelist · 2 × Maskbearer · 2 × Parade Weaver · 2 × Crescendo Hulk · 2 × Backstage Sprite · 2 × Steal the Spotlight · 2 × Curtain Call · 2 × Crowd Favor · 2 × Painted Rebuke · 1 × Standing Ovation · 1 × Empty Seats
Companion / Outside deck / F1 G5 I1 / 0 deck copies
Encore — After another friendly character Challenges from this Route, Zazri gains +1 Insight for its next Explore this turn, once per turn. An unused bonus expires at turn end.
Illustration direction: Tall porcelain crescent mask, midnight-violet lantern torso, four long ribbon arms with tassel hands and two bent stilt legs; theatrical bow.
Companion / Outside deck / F1 G5 I1 / 0 deck copies
Encore — After another friendly character Explores here, you may heal a friendly character here by 2, once per turn.
Illustration direction: Small floating lantern creature with a folding hot-pink body, orange heart, ribbon hands and a wide curious mask; hovering protectively.
Ally / 2 Charge / F2 G2 I1 / 3 deck copies
Encore — After another friendly character Explores here, if Tatterstep is ready and has not moved normally this turn, you may move it to an adjacent normal Route for 0 Charge. This is its normal move and exhausts it.
Illustration direction: Spindly dancer with enormous folded violet feet and long pink ribbon legs; twisting into an exaggerated mid-step.
Ally / 3 Charge / F3 G3 I0 / 3 deck copies
Encore — After another friendly character Challenges from this Route, Grumbleglow gains +2 Force until turn end, once per turn.
Illustration direction: Squat lantern-bellied creature with a huge painted grin, oversized orange fists and short pink ribbon legs; winding up a punch.
Ally / 1 Charge / F1 G2 I1 / 3 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: Tiny rounded paint spirit with a half-finished violet mask, orange belly light and two springy pink ribbon feet.
Ally / 2 Charge / F3 G2 I0 / 3 deck copies
Encore — After another friendly character Explores here, this character gains +1 Force until turn end, once per turn.
Illustration direction: Lean masked performer with two broad ribbon blade-arms, violet folded legs and a single orange eye slit; fencing stance.
Ally / 3 Charge / F1 G4 I1 / 2 deck copies
Encore — After another friendly character Challenges from this Route, heal Maskbearer by 1, once per turn.
Illustration direction: Broad-backed spirit carrying a fan of distinct porcelain masks, thick ribbon arms and a violet lantern chest; patiently braced.
Ally / 3 Charge / F1 G3 I2 / 2 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: Tall delicate spirit weaving hot-pink banners between four long fingers, orange core and sweeping violet skirt-like legs.
Ally / 4 Charge / F4 G4 I0 / 2 deck copies
Encore — After another friendly character Explores here, this character gains +2 Force until turn end, once per turn.
Illustration direction: Massive rounded violet performer with drum-like shoulders, heavy ribbon fists and an enormous orange furnace grin; low rolling charge.
Ally / 1 Charge / F0 G3 I1 / 2 deck copies
Instinct — Relies on its printed stats.
Illustration direction: Small folded violet lantern spirit peeking through a pink curtain-shaped mantle, orange cheeks and wide flat ribbon feet.
Tactic / 1 Charge / 2 deck copies
A friendly Ally gains +3 Force until turn end. If another friendly character already Challenged from that Ally’s current Route this turn, draw 1 card. Does not ready the Ally or prevent Explore.
Illustration direction: A bright orange spotlight sliding from one masked performer to a second whose ribbon fists flare pink.
Tactic / 0 Charge / 2 deck copies
Return one of your Allies to your hand, clearing its damage and temporary effects, then draw 2 cards. Cannot target Companions. Replaying the Ally costs its normal Charge.
Illustration direction: A battered small performer bows into a sweeping violet curtain while two fresh luminous tickets unfurl.
Tactic / 1 Charge / 2 deck copies
Draw 2 cards.
Illustration direction: A chorus of empty painted masks applauding as two orange tickets rise above the midway.
Tactic / 2 Charge / 2 deck copies
Deal 3 damage to an opposing character at any Route.
Illustration direction: A sharp orange stroke cutting through violet stage mist toward a looming opposing silhouette.
Tactic / 1 Charge / 1 deck copies
Choose a normal Route and a friendly character that already Challenged from there this turn. The next friendly Explore there this turn gains 2 additional Renown if its explorer is different from that chosen attacker. No additional Journey mark.
Illustration direction: A successful fighter taking a bow while another performer discovers a bright road beyond the empty audience.
Tactic / 2 Charge / 1 deck copies
Return an opposing Ally at a normal Route to its owner’s hand, clearing its state. You may then deal 1 damage to a different opposing Ally still at that Route. Cannot target Companions.
Illustration direction: One rival’s painted chair folds shut into a violet curtain while a neighboring mask is struck by a tiny orange spark.
Magnetic, mischievous and afraid of silence. Wants: Give every forgotten traveler a final bow. Flaw: Keeps the show running when people need permission to leave. Bond: Only Pippa knows the joke he cannot finish.
Animation direction: Four ribbon arms take separate beats; the mask tips, then a spotlight passes to the next performer.
Retain Zazri’s base ability. Encore — After another friendly character Explores here, draw 1 card, once per turn.
Art: Older taller ringmaster with a wide mask crown, broader ribbon shoulders and four arms conducting a sweeping procession; upright confident stance.
Retain Zazri’s base ability. Encore — After another friendly character Challenges from this Route, Zazri gains +2 Force until turn end, once per turn.
Art: Thicker mature body, oversized orange-lit forearms, jagged porcelain grin and huge curled feet; crouched forward in an aggressive stage bow.
After Zazri’s first Explore each turn, gain 1 additional Renown if another friendly character Challenged from that Route earlier this turn. This grants no additional Journey mark.
Art: Grand mature four-arm spirit with a giant layered mask crown, broad ribbon musculature and an orange halo of empty seats; arms raised in a final bow.
Tender, practical and quietly fearless. Wants: Help the audience find their way home. Flaw: Spends her own light keeping everyone else on stage. Bond: She repairs Zazri’s lantern after every performance without asking why it breaks.
Animation direction: Lantern folds open in a heartbeat; warm light travels along a ribbon to the healed friend.
Retain Pippa’s base ability, but its Encore heals 3 instead of 2. This replaces that healing amount rather than adding a second heal.
Art: Larger mature floating lantern with layered pink folds, a stable orange heart and long ribbon sleeves; open protective conducting gesture.
Retain Pippa’s base ability. Encore — After another friendly character Explores here, you may give a friendly Ally here +2 Force until turn end, once per turn.
Art: Stockier energetic spirit with a blazing furnace core, thick ribbon fists and a sharp violet mask; forward spinning punch pose.
After Pippa’s Encore removes at least 1 damage, regain 1 Charge up to your capacity, once during your turn. No refund for healing zero damage.
Art: Enormous luminous lantern heart inside a mature folding violet body, sweeping pink ribbon arms and a warm orange procession trail; protective soaring pose.