Twilight Inscription

To set up the game, place the Mecatol Rex board in the center of the playing area. Below it, deal three random relic cards face down from their respective decks. Next, place four random objective cards face up, ensuring the double-scoring side is visible. The Speaker token is given to the most experienced player to manage the game flow. The event deck is prepared by alternating blue and black cards, starting with a blue card, and placing it face down. Three black dice and three focus dice are placed within reach. Each player receives four faction sheets (Navigation, Expansion, Warfare, and Industry), a dry-erase marker, three random faction cards (from which they choose one, immediately resolving any setup effects), and a double-sided reference sheet.

The primary objective of Twilight Inscription is to accumulate the most victory points by the end of the game. Victory points are earned through various means, including progress on your faction sheets, completing shared objectives, controlling the Mecatol Rex board, and utilizing relic cards. Strategic planning and efficient resource management are crucial to outscore your opponents.

The game unfolds in a series of rounds, each initiated by the Speaker drawing an event card. This card determines the specific actions and focus for that round, categorized into four types: Strategy, Council, Battle, and Production. Players will then execute actions based on the event card, which may involve spending resources, rolling dice, and activating special faction abilities. The game continues until the final event card, 'A Throne to Reclaim,' is drawn.

Victory points are tallied from several sources. Points are awarded for progress marked on your individual faction sheets, successful completion of shared objective cards, control of the Mecatol Rex board, and the effects of relic cards. In the event of a tie in victory points, the player with the most remaining 'votes' (a specific asset) wins. If there's still a tie, a die roll determines the victor, adding an element of chance to close contests.

The game concludes immediately after the 'A Throne to Reclaim' event card is drawn. This card triggers a final battle phase, where players engage in one last military confrontation. Following this battle, all players proceed to the final scoring phase, where all accumulated victory points from faction sheets, objectives, Mecatol Rex control, and relic cards are totaled to determine the ultimate winner.