4
Playing the Game
Traverse, Command, Gesture — one minute
The core rhythm is Traverse → Command → Gesture. One-minute turns. The timer is a pace tool, not permission to hide mandatory information or skip a legal reaction. You may skip a phase or end early. Unused movement or actions are never saved.
| Step | Player action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Traverse | Roll D6 and move. Resolve terrain, hazards, and movement modifiers. | Within the one-minute turn. |
| Command | Attack, claim, build, repair, trade, investigate, heal, or perform another Command. | Primary rules action. |
| Gesture | Resolve an effect assigned to Gesture timing. | Final beat unless text says otherwise. |
Time words
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| House Turn | One House selects one standing Active Character and resolves Traverse, Command, and Gesture. |
| Round | Every House completes one House Turn. The First Player marker then passes clockwise. |
| Cycle | Three complete rounds followed by the Economy sequence. |
| Age | Three complete cycles. |
This turn ends when the current House Turn ends; this round ends after every House acts; this cycle ends after the third round and its Economy sequence; next complete cycle means the next full cycle beginning after the effect resolves.
Movement
Movement is orthogonal or diagonal. Each coordinate normally costs 1 movement. A diagonal move cannot cut between two blocked coordinates. Characters may pass through friendly coordinates but cannot end there or pass through enemies.
Adjacent means any of the eight surrounding coordinates. Within X means the shortest legal distance, including diagonals.
Momentum
Momentum cap: 3. Gain no more than 2 Momentum per turn. Gain 1 after causing at least 1 wound, completing a meaningful objective step, or resolving an explicit card or ability. Typical spends are push, shift, reaction, tactical movement, assist, or a printed character/card effect. Most cost 1; major effects may cost 2–3.
Diplomacy window
Private information may be concealed or described dishonestly unless an effect explicitly requires truthful disclosure. Surveys may be traded, concealed, or described dishonestly unless a card requires truthful disclosure.