Alchemists

The base game supports two to four competitors. Randomize the eight ingredient identities each game; use a shared app setup or an additional noncompeting gamemaster with the included board.

Mix two different ingredients. Matching color and sign between a large and a small aspect circle determines the potion; no matching aspect produces a neutral potion. Record results to narrow possible identities.

Play six rounds. Each round, choose an order space and its benefits, declare actions from the later player toward the earlier player, then resolve action areas in the board’s fixed sequence.

Available action cubes depend on player count and round; everyone uses only three in round one. Selling, debunking, and publishing are unavailable in that first round. Follow each action area’s cube costs and repetition limits.

Foraging supplies ingredients, transmutation exchanges one ingredient for one gold, and artifacts cost their printed price. Tests consume two ingredient cards; testing on a student and drinking yourself handle negative potions differently.

To sell, choose a potion wanted by the adventurer and a guarantee level; discounts may change selling order. Payment depends on meeting the promise, and an unsuitable result can also cost reputation.

Normally pay one gold to publish a new theory, place an alchemical on the ingredient’s book, add a face-down seal, and gain one reputation. Alternatively endorse an existing theory under its rules and pursue grants.

Apprentice debunking reveals an ingredient’s sign in a chosen color. Master debunking tests whether two ingredients make a specified potion, establishing an error or a new conflict between theories. Debunking consumes no ingredient cards.

Apprentices begin with three ingredients and masters with two; conference standards and debunking procedures also differ. Round six includes a final exhibition, followed by scoring reputation, artifacts, grants, gold, and seals after the truth is revealed.

At revelation, correct theories award five points for a gold-starred seal and three for a silver-starred seal; unstarred seals score none. Incorrect theories normally cost four points per seal, except an unstarred seal properly hedged against the sole incorrect color.