TEXT: Setup 
   
   
   
   
   
  Start Here 
  Choose a 
  dice 
  mechanic 
  d10 
  Gather 
  approximately 
  10d10 per player 
  Success means a 
  roll of 1, 3, or 5. 
   
  Failure is a roll of 
  2, 4, or 6. 
  Success means a roll 
  of 1 to 5. 
   
  Failure is a roll of 6 
  to 10 (treat 0 as 10). 
  Choose a 
  starting 
  Wealth 
  Accept 
  Default 
  Wealth of 
  25 Coins 
  High Wealth: More 
  room for initial 
  establishment of 
  Facts & Tenets. 
  Low Wealth:  
  Immediate Complications 
  necessary.  Fewer Tenets. 
  d6 
   
  Gather 
  approximately 
  10d6 per player 
   
  Choose a 
  default 
  Refresh 
  Accept 
  Default 
  Refresh of 5 
  Coins 
  High Refresh:  
  More narrative 
  power at the 
  beginning of 
  Scenes.  More 
  room to add new 
  Components. 
  Low Refresh:  
  Complications arise faster 
  in Scenes, reuse of 
  existing Components 
  encouraged 
  Gather 50 Coin tokens per 
  player (more if playing with 
  high Wealth or Refresh) 
  Set up 
  physical 
  game area 
   
  Gather pencils, paper, 
  cue cards for recording 
   
   
   
  Assign a location for 
  the Bank and each 
  Player’s Wealth 
  (usually bowls) 
  Distribute starting 
  Wealth to each 
  player, remaining 
  Coins to Bank. 
   
   
   
  Arrange seats so all players 
  can reach the Dice, the 
  Bank, their Wealth, and can 
  share writing materials. 
   
   
  Determine which player will 
  go first (by any means) 
   
   
   
  Go to  
  B  
  (Establishing 
  Tenets) 
  Record starting 
  Wealth and 
  Refresh 
  Go to 
  A 
  A 
  
  Establishing Tenets 
   
   
   
   
  B 
   
   
   
  Current Player 
  Begins Turn 
  Current Player 
  Chooses to 
  Propose a Tenet 
  or Pass 
  Current Player 
  Pays 1 Coin 
  and Proposes a 
  Tenet 
  Propose a Story Element, 
  Rules Gimmick, or  
  Social Contract Issue 
  Current Player 
  Passes 
  Have all 
  players passed 
  consecutively? 
  No 
  Yes 
  Turn passes Clockwise to 
  Next Player 
  Go to  
  E  
  (Bidding for 
  a Scene) 
  C 
   
   
   
  Social Contract 
  Issue 
  Propose a Story 
  Element 
  Rules Gimmick 
  How did 
  you enter 
  Establishing 
  Tenets? 
  From  
   C 
   
   
  From 
   B 
   
    
  D 
  Go to 
  D 
  Return to 
  section that 
  directed you to  
  C 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, Challenges, 
  Fines, and Recording 
  Results) and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  
  Bidding for a Scene  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  E 
   
   
   
  All players secretly select a 
  number of Coins to Bid 
  Are there 
  any bids? 
  Yes 
  Is there a tie for 
  highest bid? 
  No 
  Go to  
  G  
  (Framing a 
  Scene) 
  No 
  Yes 
  Highest Bid wins 
  Winner of Bid is the Scene 
  Framer of upcoming Scene. 
  All Players 
  Reveal Bids 
  Turn passes Clockwise 
  from Current Player to the 
  Next Player who has 
  Coins.  This Player has 
  won the Bid. 
  Player closest 
  Clockwise from 
  Current Player 
  wins the Bid 
  All losing Bids 
  return to their 
  Players 
  Scene Framer’s winning Bid (if any) 
  is kept separate.  The Scene Framer 
  must spend all these Coins during the 
  Scene or they are lost.  
   
  
  Framing a Scene 
   
   
  G 
   
   
   
  Has the Scene 
  Framer 
  Established 
  Location, Set 
  the Time, and 
  Introduced the 
  Components? 
   
  Yes 
  No 
  Scene Framer is 
  now Current 
  Player 
  Scene Framer Spends 1 
  Coin to Establish Location 
  Scene Framer 
  Sets the Time 
  Scene Framer  
  Introduces the 
  Components 
  Scene Framer 
  Frames the Scene 
  Go to  
  J 
  (During A 
  Scene) 
  Record the Location 
  H 
  Go to 
  H 
  Start a new section for 
  the new Scene, with 
  the name of the Scene 
  Framer 
  If Location is new, 
  record it separately.  
  The Location is a  
  Component. 
  The Scene Framer 
  has not Established 
  Location 
  The Scene Framer 
  has Established 
  Location 
  Is this the 
  first scene 
  of the 
  game? 
  The Past 
  The Future 
  Immediately after 
  the last scene in 
  the story’s present 
  No 
  Yes 
  No 
  When is the 
  scene set? 
  Scene Framer 
  Sets the Time for 
  Free (0 Coins) 
  Scene Framer  
  pays 1 Coin to 
  Set the Time 
  Coins 
  Scene Framer  
  pays 1 Coin to 
  Each Player 
  (not the Bank) 
  Yes, a Challenge Succeeded, 
  and the Time was defeated 
   
  No 
  The Scene Framer 
  has Set the Time 
  Record the 
  Scene’s Time 
  The Scene Framer 
  has not Set the Time 
  Did any 
  Challenges occur 
  that defeated the 
  Proposed 
  Location?  
   
  Yes, a Challenge 
  Succeeded, and the 
  Location was 
  defeated 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, Challenges, 
  Fines, and Recording 
  Results) and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  Did any 
  Challenges occur 
  that defeated the 
  Proposed Time?  
   
  Go to  
  I 
  (Introducing Components 
  at the Start of a Scene) 
  and return here 
  Go to 
  H 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, Challenges, 
  Fines, and Recording 
  Results) and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  P
  G 
   
   
   
  Note the beginning of a 
  Mini Scene within the 
  existing Scene 
  Where did 
  you enter 
  Framing a 
  Scene? 
  Return to 
  section that 
  directed you to  
  P 
  From  
   G 
   
   
  From  
   P
  G  
  
  Discussion, Challenges, Fines, and Recording Results 
   
   
  F 
   
   
   
  The Proposal 
  is accepted 
  No 
  A Challenger 
  won the Bid 
  Does anyone 
  object to the 
  Proposal, in 
  whole or part? 
   
  Yes  
  At this point, some issue is 
  being proposed to the group and 
  discussed.  Typically this is a 
  Fact, such as a new Tenet, 
  Trait, Location, and so on.  All 
  of these are the same for our 
  purposes here, and will be 
  referred to as the Proposal. 
  All players may 
  discuss the Proposal.   
  Return to 
  section that 
  directed you to  
  F 
  The side originally 
  favoring the Proposal 
  won the Bid, and the 
  Proposal is immune to 
  further Challenges 
   
  The Challenger must make 
  up the difference.  Any 
  difference that cannot be 
  paid by the Challenger 
  means that whatever isn’t 
  paid for doesn’t happen. 
  The Proposal 
  is defeated 
  Who won 
  the Bid? 
  Any Coins spent to 
  create the Proposal are 
  returned to the player 
  who made the Proposal.   
  Go to K: 
  (Bidding for a 
  Challenge)  
  and return here 
  once resolved 
  Alternatively, any 
  player can call for a 
  Fine, which may or 
  may not be related to 
  the Proposal  
  The player 
  calling for a Fine 
  reason for the 
  Fine, and who 
  should be fined. 
  Majority 
  votes for 
  the Fine 
  All players 
  vote for or 
  against the 
  Fine 
  Majority votes 
  against the 
  Fine  
  Player being 
  Fined pays 
  coins to the 
  Bank equal 
  to the votes 
  that issued 
  the Fine 
  Player who 
  called for a 
  Fine pays 
  coins equal to 
  rejecting votes 
  to the Bank 
  N 
  Go to 
  N 
  Does the 
  Challenger’s 
  version require 
  Coins to be spent? 
  Was the 
  Proposal paid 
  for with one 
  or more 
  Coins? 
  No 
  Does the player 
  who made the 
  Proposal revise 
  the Proposal? 
  Yes 
  No 
  Record any other 
  results, such as 
  Tenets, Events, 
  Other Details, the 
  end of a Scene, 
  and so on. 
  Record any 
  Component-
  specific Results, 
  such as new 
  Components or 
  Traits 
  Is a player willing 
  to bid a coin to 
  Challenge the 
  Proposal? 
  Yes  
  No 
  No 
  Yes 
  Yes 
  Is the Challenger’s 
  version more 
  expensive than the 
  original Proposal? 
  Returned Coins must first be 
  used to pay for the 
  victorious Challenger’s 
  version of the statement.   
  No 
  Yes 
  Any Components that 
  have been Taken Over by 
  another player are now 
  Controlled by that  
  Player. 
  New Components are 
  Controlled by the Player 
  who Created them. 
  
  Bidding for a Challenge 
   
   
   
   
  K 
   
   
   
  Current Bidder Bids 1 or 
  more Coins in favor of 
  either a Challenger or the 
  Challenged, states a 
  different solution, or passes. 
   
  Current Bidder 
  Passes 
  Have all 
  players passed 
  consecutively? 
  No 
  Yes 
  Bidding passes Clockwise to 
  Next Player, except for the 
  Challenged player, who is 
  automatically last in the turn 
  order before the Challenger 
  Coins are counted, and totalled 
  for each side (the Challenged 
  and any Challengers) the side 
  with the most support wins.  
  Ties go to the player being 
  Challenged, or if the tie is 
  between two Challengers, to 
  the option that was stated first. 
  Challenger bids 
  at least 1 Coin. 
  Return to 
  section that 
  directed you to  
  K 
  L 
  Current Bidder Bids 1 
  or more Coins to state a 
  different solution.  In 
  this case they are 
  considered another 
  Challenger. 
  Go to 
  L 
  Current Bidder Bids in 
  favor of a Challenger or 
  the Challenged 
  Is the Bid justified by 
  defendng a Fact (besides 
  the Proposal being 
  Challenged, if any) from 
  contradiction? 
  Yes 
  No 
  Bid keeps its 
  normal value 
  Coins just bid are 
  doubled in value 
  for the purpose of 
  winning the Bid 
  Does anyone 
  object to the 
  justification or 
  think it is weak? 
  No 
  Yes 
  Does the vote or 
  Challenge reject 
  the justification? 
  All players 
  vote to accept 
  or reject the 
  justification 
  No 
  Yes 
  The outcome 
  of the vote is 
  subject to 
  Challenge 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, Challenges, 
  Fines, and Recording 
  Results) and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  
  Introducing Components at the Start of a Scene 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  I 
   
   
   
  Return to 
  section that 
  directed you to  
  I 
  Spend Coins to 
  change a Component 
  in the Scene 
  The Scene 
  Framer may do 
  any of the 
  following: 
  Spend a Coin and add 
  an existing Component 
  to the Scene 
  Spend a Coin and state 
  that a Component is 
  not in the Scene 
  Has the Scene 
  Framer finished 
  Introducing the 
  Components?   
   
  No 
  Yes 
  Set up a 
  Mini-Scene 
  M 
  Go to 
  M 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, Challenges, 
  Fines, and Recording 
  Results) and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  Spend Coins to 
  create a new 
  Component  
  Go to 
  O 
  (Creating a 
  Component) and return 
  here once resolved 
   
  Go to 
  P  
  (Framing a Scene) 
  and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  Go to 
  M 
  Go to 
  Q 
  (Changing a  
  Component) and return 
  here once resolved 
   
  
  During a Scene 
   
  J 
   
   
   
  R 
  The Current 
  Player takes 
  their turn 
  Current Player 
  Passes 
  Turn passes 
  Clockwise to 
  Next Player 
  Any Player may spend 1 
  Coin to Interrupt the 
  Current Player  
  The Current 
  Player may Set 
  up a Mini-Scene 
  Go to 
  P  
  (Framing a Scene) 
  and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  Mini-Scene if 
  any, ends, and 
  any Components 
  in the Mini-
  Scene are no 
  longer Controlled 
  Go to 
  R 
  Has the 
  Current Player 
  proposed a 
  Tenet this turn? 
  Yes 
  No, they can 
  still propose 
  a Tenet 
  Go to 
  C  
  (Establishing 
  Tenets) and 
  return here once 
  resolved 
   
  Go to 
  O 
  (Creating a 
  Component) and return 
  here once resolved 
   
  The Current Player 
  may Create a 
  Component 
  Go to  
  S 
  (During A 
  Scene ctd.) 
  The Current 
  Player may 
  spend Coins to 
  change the Traits 
  of a Component 
  they Control 
  Go to 
  Q 
  (Changing a  
  Component) and return 
  here once resolved 
   
  Any Player can 
  spend 1 Coin and 
  Take Over 
  Control of a 
  Component 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, Challenges, 
  Fines, and Recording 
  Results) and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  Go to 
  R 
  V 
   
   
   
  Go to  
  W 
  (Interrupting) 
  Go to 
  R 
  Any Player may 
  initiate a Challenge 
  
   
   
  During a Scene (ctd) 
   
   
   
   
  S 
   
   
   
  The Current 
  Player takes 
  their turn 
   (Continuation 
  from J) 
  The Current 
  Player may spend 
  1 Coin to 
  Describe an 
  Event 
  The Current 
  Player may pay 1 
  Coin to Exit a 
  Component from 
  the Scene 
  The Current 
  Player may spend 
  a coin and add 
  Other Details, 
  which are Facts 
  Players may 
  discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, 
  Challenges, Fines, 
  and Recording 
  Results) and return 
  here once resolved 
   
  Go to  
  J 
  (During A 
  Scene) 
  Current Player may 
  describe the scene 
  freely, spending no 
  Coins 
   
  This is Color, and 
  has no mechanical 
  effect on other 
  Players, but it can 
  be Challenged 
  The Scene 
  Framer may 
  End the Scene 
  Go to  
  E  
  (Bidding for 
  a Scene) 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, 
  Challenges, Fines, and 
  Recording Results) 
  and return here once 
  resolved 
   
  Go to  
  U  
  (Describe and 
  Event) and return 
  here once resolved 
   
  Scene ends, 
  and any 
  Components in 
  the Scene are 
  no longer 
  Controlled 
  All players 
  collect Coins 
  equal to the 
  Refresh 
  amount 
  The Current 
  Player may pay 1 
  Coin to Introduce 
  an existing 
  Component to the 
  Scene 
  Any Player may 
  initiate a Challenge to 
  force the Scene 
  Framer to end the 
  Scene 
  Is the 
  Scene 
  ending? 
  No 
  Yes 
  Go to  
  J 
  (During A 
  Scene) 
  Any Player may 
  engage in dialogue 
  for a character they 
  Control, spending 
  no Coins 
  This is Color, and 
  has no mechanical 
  effect on other 
  Players, but it can 
  be Challenged 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, Challenges, 
  Fines, and Recording 
  Results) and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  Go to  
  J 
  (During A 
  Scene) 
  
  Describing an Event 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  No 
  Has an Event 
  survived 
  Discussion and  
  Challenges, if 
  any? 
  Yes 
  No 
  Record the 
  Event as 
  part of the 
  Scene 
  Does the Event 
  affect a 
  Component under 
  the control of 
  another Player? 
  Yes 
  Go to  
  T  
  (Complications) 
  and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, 
  Challenges, Fines, 
  and Recording 
  Results) and return 
  here once resolved 
   
  Does any 
  player create 
  an Obstacle 
  to the Event? 
  No 
  Yes 
  Has an 
  Obstacle 
  survived 
  Discussion 
  and 
  Challenges? 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, 
  Challenges, Fines, and 
  Recording Results) 
  and return here once 
  resolved 
   
  Turn passes to 
  Player who 
  won the 
  Complication 
  U 
   
   
   
  Return to 
  section that 
  directed you to  
  U 
  Mini-Scene 
  ends, if any, 
  and any 
  Components in 
  the Mini-Scene 
  are no longer 
  Controlled 
  Yes 
  No 
  
  Interrupting 
   
   
   
   
  Turn passes 
  to Player 
  who 
  Interrupted 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, Challenges, 
  Fines, and Recording 
  Results) and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  Does any 
  Challenge 
  override the 
  Interruption? 
  Yes 
  No 
  Yes 
  No 
  Closest player 
  Clockwise from 
  Current Player is 
  Interrupting, the 
  others keep their 
  Coins spent to 
  Interrupt and can 
  Interrupt after this 
  Interruption resolves 
  Mini-Scene ends, if any, 
  and any Components in the 
  Mini-Scene are no longer 
  Controlled by any Player 
   
  Is the Interruption 
  to start a turn or to 
  affect a Component 
  controlled by 
  another Player? 
  Start a 
  Turn 
  Go to  
  T  
  (Complications) 
  and return here 
  once resolved 
   
  Affect a 
  Component 
  controlled by 
  another Player 
  Turn passes to 
  Player who 
  won the 
  Complication 
  Are multiple 
  players trying to 
  Interrupt? 
  W 
   
   
   
  Go to  
  J 
  (During A 
  Scene) 
  Go to  
  V 
  (During A 
  Scene) 
  
  Creating a Component 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  O 
   
   
   
  Return to 
  section that 
  directed you to  
  O 
  The Component’s 
  creator may state that 
  the Component is in 
  the current Scene as if 
  they had paid 1 Coin 
  to introduce an 
  existing Component. 
  This is free. 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, 
  Challenges, Fines, 
  and Recording 
  Results) and return 
  here once resolved 
   
  Player Creates 
  Component 
  with a Role 
  
  Changing a Component 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Q 
   
   
   
  Return to 
  section that 
  directed you to  
  Q 
  How will the 
  player change the 
  Component? 
  Player adds 
  a Trait to 
  the 
  Component 
  Player 
  removes a 
  Trait from a 
  Component 
  Player 
  increases the 
  value of an 
  existing Trait 
  on a 
  Component 
  Players may discuss. 
  Go to 
  F  
  (Discussion, 
  Challenges, Fines, 
  and Recording 
  Results) and return 
  here once resolved 
   
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Universalis/Universalis - Flowchart.pdf