We meet again…
If you have not already done so, we suggest that players take a moment to commit to the game’s atmosphere. You could:
Put on some music (perhaps the ELDER playlist?).
Burn a candle.
Turn down the lights.
When the atmosphere is adjusted, follow the steps below. You do not need to read aloud; you know how this game goes.
————
⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖
————Build the Path
Remove the Set-Up, the Tutorial and any blank Elder Cards from the game. Then built the Path as below:
Chapter VI: The Epilogue (bottom card)
Chapter V: The Heart of the Wood
3x facedown Elder Cards (randomly dealt)
Chapter IV: The Gorge
3x facedown Elder Cards (randomly dealt)
Chapter III: The Mire
3x facedown Elder Cards (randomly dealt)
Chapter II: The Thicket
Chapter I: The Inn (top card)
When the Path is built:
Gather all remaining Elder Cards (those not dealt into the Path) into the table’s centre to form the deck.
————
⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖
————Assign Character Cards
Once the Path is built, assign Character Cards.
Take the deck. Deal a single random Elder Card face-down to each player.
When everyone has a Character Card and the deck is reformed, continue.
————
⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ ⧖
————⇐ 📖
When all travellers are settled, the ELDEST player should flip over and scan the first card in the Path (Chapter I: The Inn). They are the first Reader.
From now on, only the current Reader should flip and scan cards from the Path.