Gameplay
Send assistants to locations and grow an orderly bookshelf.
Shelving books
A book card shows one letter and a sequence number among cards with that letter. Shelve cards so the library reads from the top-left across each row, then down: letters rise alphabetically, and numbers rise within a letter. A new card must touch an existing card along an edge; never build more than three rows high, leave a hole between connected parts, or insert a card between two already adjacent cards. When you remove a card, the remaining shelf must stay connected.
Before the final inspection you may flip cards face down voluntarily. At inspection, scan row by row and flip every card that does not follow the previous card. A flipped card’s category icons do not score, but the card remains part of shelf-stability scoring.
Assistant placement
On your turn place one available assistant on an unoccupied space at a location tile or on your own library tile. A location’s instant effect happens immediately; a delayed effect happens when that location resolves later. If an effect needs cards in its card area and none remain, it cannot be carried out. Do not place on a space marked for a higher player count.
Your library has three home spaces. Each lets you choose one: draw a book card, or shelve one from your hand. In solo, your own library is not a location, so you may use multiple home spaces in the same round.
Round phases
Preparation
The first player reveals temporary locations until there is one per player. In round one, the Diviner’s Hut is already in play, so reveal one fewer. Deal cards to locations with preparation instructions.
Placement
Starting with the first player, players place one assistant each in clockwise order until all have placed their available assistants. A location’s action space can be occupied by only one assistant, unless a special ability explicitly allows sharing. At an auction location, the higher bid displaces the lowest bid if the tile’s stated limit is exceeded; return that assistant to its owner to place again later.
Resolution
Resolve locations in ascending number. Carry out each delayed effect, discard the remaining cards in its area and return its assistants. Effects that trigger when an assistant visits happen on placement, not at the later delayed resolution.
Cleanup
Move the lowest-numbered temporary location into the permanent row, then discard the other temporary locations. Remove assistants from home spaces. The first player stays the same unless the Diviner’s Hut changes control of the token.
Category scoring
The six book categories are Corrupted Codices, Fantastical Fictions, Historic Volumes, Monster Manuals, Reference Texts, and Spells & Potions. One category is public Prominent Works, one is public Banned Books, and each player has a secret Library Focus. The categories appear on each book card; count books, not cards.
Special Assistant timing
Special abilities that say “when [assistant] visits” trigger on placement. If two abilities conflict, resolve the previously placed assistant first. A location ability that refers to a location does not target a player’s library tile.