Welcome to the Castellion Game!

Are you ready to dive into a world of imagination and strategy? The Castellion Game is here to challenge your mind and test your skills. In this game, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a mysterious castle that needs your help. As you explore the castle, you’ll encounter magical creatures, ancient artifacts, and hidden secrets waiting to be uncovered.

But be careful! The castle is not as friendly as it seems. It’s filled with dangerous traps and powerful monsters that will test your bravery. To overcome these challenges, you must use your wits and make smart choices. Every decision you make will have consequences, so think carefully and trust your instincts.

Your goal in the Castellion Game is to restore the castle to its former glory. You must find and collect the lost pieces of a powerful artifact known as the Great Dragonstone. Only when the Dragonstone is complete can the castle be saved from the darkness that looms over it.

But how do you find these missing pieces? That’s where your strategic thinking comes into play. You’ll need to explore the castle, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies to uncover the Dragonstone fragments. Along the way, you’ll meet other adventurers who can aid you in your quest, each with their own unique abilities and stories.

As you progress through the game, you’ll discover that the castle itself is a living entity. It constantly changes and adapts to your actions, creating a dynamic and unpredictable gameplay experience. This means that every time you play, you’ll encounter new challenges and surprises, keeping the game fresh and exciting.

Are you up for the challenge? Are you ready to embark on an epic adventure and restore the castle to its former glory? Then grab your sword, gather your courage, and step into the world of Castellion. The fate of the castle rests in your hands. Good luck!

The dream world is in great danger! The chilling menace, a creature with multiple forms, seeks to destroy everything in its wake. It is up to you, as the commander of Castellion, a magnificent fortress that can change its shape, to put an end to this chaos.

However, before facing the menace head-on, you might want to consider the valuable lessons taught at the School of Architects or undergo rigorous training at the esteemed Admiral’s Academy…

Components

The game includes the following components:

• 72 Defender tiles
• 12 Traitor tiles
• 24 Ordeal cards
• 2 player aids
• 1 Champion of the Oniverse card
• 1 Menace pawn
• Rulebook

Object of the Game

In Castellion, you can play alone or with a partner. The game has three levels of play:

• The School of Architects: Here, you’ll learn how to build using the rules.
• The Admiral’s Academy: This is the basic level, where you can use special powers from the Defense tiles.
• The Menace: For the experts, this level adds special powers to the different defensive formations.

In order to win the game, you have to overcome three challenges, no matter what difficulty level you choose. Each challenge requires you to construct your castle according to the instructions on the challenge cards, while ensuring that its foundation is solid.

Since time is limited, it’s important to efficiently build your castle by carefully selecting where to place each Defense tile.

Except for the challenge cards, the game components remain the same for all difficulty levels.

Keep in mind: The rules for the basic level assume that you have already read the rules for the introductory level. Similarly, the rules for the expert level assume that you have read the rules for the introductory and basic levels.

Therefore, regardless of the level you want to play, you should start by reading the rules from the beginning.

Welcome to the School of Architects: Introductory Level!

Let’s get started with the setup.

First, place the Exam I card and Exam II card faceup on the table.

Now, it’s time to shuffle the remaining three Exam III cards. Choose one at random and place it next to cards I and II. The other two cards can be put back in the box since we won’t be needing them anymore.

Next, we’ll shuffle the 12 “safe” Dream tiles with the blue backs, and the other 72 Dream tiles with the brown backs. Make sure to shuffle them separately.

Let’s Play the Game

Hey there! So, here’s how it works: Every turn, I gotta pick a Dream tile. I have an option to draw from the regular pile or the “safe” pile.

Quick note, just for you: The “safe” pile has 12 Defender tiles, meaning no Traitors in there. Once those are all gone, I can only draw from the regular pile. Gotta use this limited resource smartly, you know?

Now, there are two types of tiles I can get, and they lead to three possible actions. Let me break it down for you:

1. If I get a Defender tile, I can either A) add it to my castle, or B) just discard it.
2. If I get a Traitor tile, I’m obligated to C) put it in my castle.

A. Adding a Defender Tile

So, here’s the deal: If I come across a Defender tile, I can add it to my castle. This helps me brace myself for the tough challenges that lie ahead. It’s all about creating awesome defensive formations, you see? (Check out page 8 to learn more!) Once a tile is in my castle, it stays there until it gets destroyed or moved, or until the game comes to an end.

When I put down a tile, I need to remember these four important rules:

When you’re building your castle, it’s important to keep in mind that each tile, except for the first one, needs to be placed next to another tile. So, you have to think about how all the tiles are going to fit together.

Let’s talk about how to build a castle! I’ll show you the rules for placing the tiles so that your castle stands strong and sturdy.

Here’s the deal: the bottom row of your castle is the foundation. You can’t place any tiles below it – that’s the rule. The rest of the tiles need to be placed on top of another tile. So, no floating tiles in the air!

And here’s another important thing: you can’t just cover up a tile by placing a new one on top of it. Each tile needs to have a supporting tile underneath it.

So, when you’re building your castle, make sure to follow these rules. Keep the foundation strong, and stack those tiles carefully. Your castle will be a masterpiece!

Hey there! So, here’s the deal: you’ve got a set of tiles, and you want to place them in a certain way. Now, when it comes to these tiles, there’s one rule you need to remember: you can’t put a tile next to another tile that has the same shape, except for the 6 tiles that form your foundation.

Now, let’s break it down a bit. There are three shapes you’re working with: the triangle, the square, and the circle. Each tile has one of these shapes on it. So, if you have a square tile already placed, you can’t put another square tile next to it. But, you can put a triangle or a circle tile next to it. Make sense?

It’s important to keep this rule in mind while you’re building your arrangement. You want to create a lovely pattern with your tiles, but you also want to make sure it follows the shape rule. This can be a bit tricky, but don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it!

I want to tell you about something really interesting – castles! Did you know that a castle in this game can’t be bigger than 6 tiles wide and 6 tiles tall? It’s not very big, right?

Defensive Formations

Now, when it comes to placing Defender tiles in the castle, you have a lot of freedom. You can put them wherever you want, as long as you follow the rules I mentioned earlier.

But here’s the cool part – you can create defensive formations! These formations are made up of 4 Defenders of the same faction, arranged in a special pattern. There are 3 types of defensive formations:

• The bastion: This is a square shape made up of 4 Defenders of the same faction.
• The line of defense: This formation is a horizontal line of 4 Defenders of the same faction.
• The tower: Picture a vertical line of 4 Defenders of the same faction. That’s the tower!

Hey there! I want to talk to you about an important concept in a game I’ve been playing. It’s all about defensive formations and how they work.

So, here’s the deal: in this game, when it comes to defensive formations, you need to have exactly 4 tiles of the same faction. If you have any extra tiles of the same faction, they won’t count towards your defense – they cancel out the formation.

Now, here’s something interesting: if you have Defender tiles of a different faction placed next to your defensive formation, it won’t be canceled. So, you can mix things up a little bit if you want.

Here are some examples:

1. None of the tiles next to the Chameleon tower are from the same group. The tower stays active.
2. The Pyro line of defense is canceled out by placing another Pyro tile above it.
3. The eight Seer tiles cancel each other out. They can’t be used to create defensive lines or strongholds.

Note: The group used to create a defensive formation doesn’t matter. A tower made of Pyros has the same effect as a tower made of Seers.

B. Get Rid of a Defender Tile

If you draw a Defender tile and you can’t place it (because it goes against the rules) or you don’t want to place it (because it would mess up your building strategy), you can simply get rid of it. Put it face-up in the discard pile.

Destroy/discard:

In these rules, when a tile is destroyed, it means that it gets removed from your castle and placed in the discard pile. On the other hand, when you discard a tile, it means that you’re choosing to put it directly into the discard pile instead of adding it to your castle.

But here’s the thing – destroyed tiles and discarded tiles both end up in the same discard pile.

C. Put down a Traitor Tile

To play, you’ll need to put a Traitor tile next to the lowest numbered Ordeal card. Don’t worry about the black border on some of the tiles – it doesn’t matter for this level. Pay attention to how many Traitor tiles are beside each Ordeal card.

When you come across an Ordeal, it means that the number of tiles beside it is the same as the traitor number on the Ordeal card.

Special Case – Castle Completion

If you manage to complete your castle with all 6×6 tiles, you must face the Ordeal card with the lowest number, regardless of how many Traitor tiles are adjacent to it. If your castle stays complete even after defeating an Ordeal card, you must immediately face the next Ordeal card.

Ordeal Card – Exam I

Once you have five Traitor tiles next to it (or if you finish your castle), you must face this challenge, known as the Ordeal.

Make sure you have a solid foundation and the required defensive formations (1 tower, 1 bastion, and 1 line of defense) to pass the Exam.

If you haven’t built the required formations or your foundation isn’t complete (6 tiles on the bottom row), unfortunately, you fail the exam and lose the game!

If you have successfully built the formations and your foundation is complete, I congratulate you! You will move on to the next exam. Remove the Ordeal card and all Traitor tiles next to it from the game.

Failure: What a frustrating word. It carries the weight of disappointment and discouragement, and yet it is an essential part of growth and learning.

When I think of failure, I can’t help but reflect on its paradoxical nature. It seems like such a negative thing, something to be avoided at all costs. And yet, without failure, how can I truly understand success?

Failure, in its essence, is a teacher. It shows me what doesn’t work, what I need to improve, and what strategies I should adjust. It allows me to see the gaps in my knowledge and the areas where I need to grow. Failure challenges me to try new things, to step outside of my comfort zone, and to embrace the unknown.

But here’s the tricky part: failure can be tough to handle. It can be disheartening, demoralizing, even devastating. It requires resilience and a willingness to get back up and try again. It demands that I face my weaknesses, confront my limitations, and keep pushing forward.

So, how can I navigate the treacherous waters of failure? How can I turn it from a stumbling block into a stepping stone? Here are a few suggestions:

First and foremost, I need to change my mindset. Instead of viewing failure as a personal failing, I can choose to see it as an opportunity for growth. Failure is not the end of the road; it’s just a detour. Embracing this mindset allows me to approach failure with curiosity and optimism, ready to learn and adapt.

Next, I need to develop a growth mindset. This means recognizing that my abilities and intelligence are not fixed traits, but rather something that can be developed and improved over time. With a growth mindset, I can view failure as a temporary setback, a chance to learn and grow stronger.

Additionally, I need to cultivate self-compassion. It’s easy to be hard on myself when I fail, to beat myself up over my mistakes. But this self-flagellation is counterproductive. Instead, I can offer myself kindness and understanding. I can acknowledge that failure is a natural part of life and that everyone experiences it. By embracing self-compassion, I can bounce back from failure with resilience and determination.

Finally, I need to seek support. Failure can be isolating, but I don’t have to face it alone. I can reach out to others for encouragement, advice, and guidance. Whether it’s a friend, a mentor, or a support group, having a network of people who believe in me and my abilities can make a world of difference.

So, while failure may sting in the moment, it is not the end of the story. It is an opportunity for growth, a chance to learn and improve. By changing my mindset, embracing a growth mindset, practicing self-compassion, and seeking support, I can navigate the challenges of failure with grace and resilience.

Failure: It may not always be easy, but it is an essential part of the journey towards success.

Achievement: In this article, I will discuss the importance of choosing the right defensive formations and establishing a solid foundation.

When it comes to playing a successful game, it’s crucial to have the right defensive formations in place. These formations act as a shield, protecting your team’s goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring. The choice of formations depends on various factors, such as the strengths and weaknesses of your team, the style of play you want to adopt, and the specific challenges posed by the opposing team.

Understanding the different defensive formations is key to developing a winning strategy. There are several options to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Let me discuss three common defensive formations:

1. The 4-4-2 Formation: This formation is widely used and provides a balance between defense and offense. It features four defenders, four midfielders, and two forwards. The four defenders work together to protect the goal, while the midfielders provide support both defensively and offensively. The two forwards are responsible for creating goal-scoring opportunities.

2. The 3-5-2 Formation: This formation focuses on control and possession of the ball. It consists of three defenders, five midfielders, and two forwards. The three defenders work as a unit to defend against the opposing team’s attacks, while the five midfielders add stability to the team’s overall gameplay. The two forwards provide attacking options.

3. The 5-3-2 Formation: This formation prioritizes defense and is especially effective against strong attacking teams. It comprises five defenders, three midfielders, and two forwards. The five defenders form a solid defensive line, making it difficult for the opposing team to break through. The three midfielders provide support in defense and can also contribute to the team’s offensive efforts. The two forwards focus on capitalizing on goal-scoring opportunities.

By evaluating these formations and taking into account your team’s strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges you face, you can make an informed decision about which formation to adopt. Remember, success in soccer is not just about having the right formation; it also requires a solid foundation.

Building a solid foundation involves various aspects, such as teamwork, communication, and individual skills. As a team, you need to work together, communicate effectively, and understand each other’s roles and responsibilities on the field. Strong teamwork can make a significant difference in your team’s defensive performance.

Communication is vital on the soccer field. Effective communication helps players coordinate their movements, anticipate each other’s actions, and organize their defensive efforts. By communicating clearly and efficiently, you can prevent defensive errors and create a more cohesive defense.

Individual skills, such as proper marking, tackling, and positioning, are crucial in maintaining a strong defensive line. Each player must understand their specific role and execute their defensive duties effectively. Practicing these skills regularly will contribute to a solid defensive foundation.

In conclusion, when selecting defensive formations, consider your team’s strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges posed by the opposing team. Choose a formation that suits your team’s style of play and addresses your specific needs. Additionally, focus on building a solid foundation through teamwork, communication, and individual skills. By doing so, you can enhance your team’s defensive performance and increase your chances of success on the soccer field.

In order for you to face this challenging test, there are a few requirements. First, you must have two Traitor tiles positioned next to it, or you must have completed constructing your castle.

The task at hand is to demolish the six tiles that make up your castle’s foundation. This action will cause the second row of tiles to become the new first row, essentially becoming your new foundation. Be aware that if your new foundation is incomplete, meaning it has fewer than six tiles, you will unfortunately lose the game.

However, if your new foundation still contains all six tiles, congratulations! You have successfully completed the second exam.

Once you have finished this task, you can remove the Ordeal card and all Traitor tiles adjacent to it from the game.

There is a special situation to consider: If you have completed your castle and successfully passed the first exam, you will immediately move on to the second exam. In this case, you are guaranteed to pass. You can then remove both exams and any Traitor tiles near them from the game.

No success: I couldn’t finish building the new foundation.

Great news: I finished building the new foundation!

Test Time – Exam III

Once you reach the Ordeal, you’ll see your hard work pay off. It’s a crucial step in your journey to becoming a Master Architect. But before you can pass, there are a few requirements you must meet.

To begin, you need to have five Traitor tiles positioned next to the Ordeal, or you need to complete your castle. This is a vital test that will determine if you have what it takes to succeed.

Next, you must ensure that your foundation is complete. This means you need to have six tiles in place. Additionally, you must construct the necessary defensive formations to prove your skill.

If you haven’t fulfilled these conditions, I’m afraid you’ll lose the game. It’s a tough outcome, but it’s part of the challenge.

However, if you have met these requirements, congratulations! You’ve done it! You’ve won the game. The Master Architects will bestow upon you their highly sought-after diploma, recognizing your exceptional abilities. They also recommend that you continue your education at the esteemed Admiral’s Academy before facing the formidable Menace.

I have a problem. There is something missing and the foundation is not complete. This is what I call “Failure.”

Hooray! I see 3 towers and 2 bastions standing tall. And the foundation below them consists of 6 tiles.

Ahoy! Welcome to the Admiral’s Academy: Base Level

Here at the base level, we follow all the introductory rules, but there are a few extra things to consider:

First things first: Setup

Let’s start by placing the Simulation I Ordeal card faceup on the table. Then, we shuffle the 3 Simulation II cards and randomly choose 1 to place faceup (don’t forget to put the other 2 back in the box). We do the same thing with the Simulation III cards.

Now, pay attention: these Simulations can only be encountered after placing 3 Traitor tiles next to them or if you manage to complete your castle. If, by any chance, you fail a Simulation or end up with an incomplete foundation – well, my friend, that’s game over.

Hey there! So, when you manage to pass a Simulation and finish building your foundation, something pretty cool happens – you get to remove the Ordeal card and all those pesky Traitor tiles from the game! It’s a major relief, let me tell you.

Let’s Talk Game Play

A Special Move: Discarding a Defender Tile

Now, here’s where things get interesting. From this point forward, whenever you decide to ditch a Defender tile instead of placing it on the board, you’ll actually activate its special power. Cool, right? But hold on, the effect that gets triggered depends on the faction of the tile you decide to discard.

The Amazing Performer

Hey there! I’ve got a fantastic ability that’ll blow your mind. I can switch the positions of any two Defender tiles that are right next to each other, in a straight line. How awesome is that?

Note: Oh, and guess what? You don’t even need to worry about that rule that says tiles of the same shape can’t be adjacent. With my power, you can totally make them neighbors!

The Visionary

When I use my special power as the Visionary, I get to reveal 4 Dream tiles and show them to everyone. It’s like peering into the future!

Here’s the exciting part: I can choose the Dream tiles I want to reveal from either the regular pile or the “safe” pile, or I can mix them up. It’s up to me!

But wait, there’s a catch! Whenever there are already some Dream tiles revealed, I can’t just draw a new one from the facedown pile. Nope, I have to deal with the ones that are already faceup. I’ll have to use them before I can move on.

Oh, and here’s another rule. I can’t have more than 4 revealed tiles at a time. So, if I discard another Visionary, I’ll have to reveal more Dream tiles until there’s a total of 4. It’s all about keeping the balance, you see.

The Shapeshifter

When I play the Chameleon, I have a special ability. I can recover a Defender tile from the discard pile. But here’s the catch – the tile I recover must have the same shape as the discarded Chameleon. It’s like being a shapeshifter! Once I recover the tile, I can use it right away, either by placing it on the board or discarding it.

The Pyro

Hey there! Let me tell you all about the Pyro. It’s a pretty cool card, let me tell you. So here’s how it works: when you play the Pyro, it does two things, one after the other. First, you get to choose a tile in your castle to destroy. Yeah, that’s right, you get to blow something up. Pretty exciting, huh?

Just a heads up: If you take out a tile from a stack of tiles, the other tiles above that one automatically slide down to fill the empty space.

It’s totally okay for tiles of the same shape to end up next to each other because of this slide. But you can’t remove a tile that would split the castle into two separate parts.

Alright, here’s what you need to do:

First, pick a tile in your castle that you want to move to a different spot.

But before you go moving tiles around, there are some rules to follow. Rule number 3 doesn’t apply to this move, which means tiles of the same shape can be next to each other.

Just keep in mind, you can’t move a tile that’s underneath another one. And you can’t move a tile if it would split your castle into two separate sections.

Here’s something to remember: If you decide to get rid of a tile, you don’t have to use its special power. But if you do want to use it, you have to use the power fully.

Now, let’s talk about discarding a Traitir Tile.

Hey there! I have an exciting update for you. Starting now, you have the option to get rid of a Traitor tile instead of putting it next to an Ordeal card. This means you can prevent an encounter from happening until you’re ready. Pretty neat, right?

But here’s the catch. When you choose to discard a Traitor tile, there’s a price to pay. You have to destroy 4 tiles in your castle.

Now, if you happen to have less than 4 Defender tiles placed in your castle, no worries! You just have to say goodbye to all your Defender tiles. But if you don’t have any Defender tiles placed, you can simply discard the Traitor tile without it affecting anything. Easy peasy!

Listen up, folks: There are 3 sneaky Traitor tiles lurking about, and they’ve got a black border so you can spot them. Here’s the deal: if you happen to draw one of these treasonous tiles, you’ve got no choice but to slap it down on the game board. No discarding allowed, my friends.

Now, pay attention: When you obliterate some tiles, be aware that if there are any other tiles stacked on top of them, those remaining tiles will immediately slide down to fill in the empty spaces below. Picture it like a tile avalanche – pretty cool, right?

Oh, yeah! Almost forgot to mention: tiles of the same shape are totally allowed to cozy up together when they slide down. But hold on – you can’t blast a tile that would split the castle into two separate sections. We don’t want any architectural disasters on our hands!

• Now, here’s something fun: if you’re feeling a bit daring, you can choose to face off against the very first Ordeal at any time. Just follow the usual steps for encountering an Ordeal card, and if you manage to conquer it (which I know you can), then go ahead and toss that Ordeal card and any Traitor tiles sitting next to it. You’ve got this!
• And here’s a heads up: if you’ve already played all the Dream tiles, you better get ready for the grand finale. Any unencountered Ordeals will come crashing down in order, one by one. It’s crunch time!

The Beast: Challenge Mode

Now, things are really going to get tough. Brace yourself, because the expert level is the ultimate test of your skills. Let’s dive in!

The Setup

First, let’s make things interesting. Take the 4 Assault I Ordeal cards, give them a good shuffle, and choose one at random. This card will be placed facedown on the table. Put the other 3 back in the box. Repeat the same process for the Assault II and Assault III cards.

Keep in mind that each Assault must be confronted when only 2 Traitor tiles have been placed next to them. Of course, if you manage to complete your castle, it’s game over for the Assault.

Playing the Game

Now, this is where things really heat up. Each defensive formation comes with a special power. Yes, that’s right! In addition to protecting against the Ordeal cards, they now bestow you with a unique ability.

When you have four Defender tiles of the same color in a horizontal line in your castle, it forms a line of defense. This line of defense has a special ability: if you draw a Traitor tile and decide to discard it, you will destroy one less Defender tile than usual for each line of defense in your castle. So, having more lines of defense means you can discard Traitor tiles without destroying anything. However, keep in mind that the black-bordered Traitor tiles cannot be discarded.

Another special ability in the game is the tower, which is formed when you have four Defender tiles of the same color in a vertical line. When you complete a tower by placing the fourth tile, you get to choose one facedown Ordeal card and reveal it. This special power has no effect if all Ordeal cards have already been revealed.

So, remember: the line of defense and the tower are two important strategies in the game that can give you an advantage. Use them wisely!

When you have a bastion in your castle, which consists of four Defender tiles arranged in a 2×2 square, something special happens. It helps protect your castle when you can’t construct the required defensive formations for the Harpy, Behemoth, or Horde Assaults (known as the four avatars of the Menace). For each bastion in your castle, you get to keep four tiles that would otherwise be destroyed. However, please note that the Bastion does not protect against the tile destruction caused by the Earthworm Ordeal cards.

The Four Avatars Of The Menace

Now, let’s talk about the four avatars of the Menace. These are the expert-level Ordeal cards that you will encounter during the game. But before you face them, you need to have at least two Traitor tiles placed next to them or complete your castle.

Regardless of which avatar you encounter during an Ordeal, there’s one crucial condition: your foundation must be fully built with six tiles. If you don’t have a complete foundation, you will lose the battle.

The Harpy, the Behemoth, and the Horde

Hey there! Contrary to what you might expect, in the expert level of the game, you won’t automatically lose if you fail to meet the building requirements of Ordeal cards. Instead, you’ll have to do a little destruction.

On the bottom right corner of an Ordeal card, you’ll see a number. That number tells you how many tiles you need to demolish from your castle. But don’t worry, every bastion you have in your castle reduces the number by 4.

Remember, if you happen to have the defensive formations that match the Ordeal card’s requirements in your castle, you won’t have to suffer any penalties.

The Earthworm

The Earthworm

The unique feature of this avatar is that it compels you to demolish one or more rows at the bottom of your castle. Different avatars possess different levels of destructiveness: Assault I targets the bottom row, Assault II targets the bottom two rows, and Assault III goes for the bottom three rows.

Once you’ve destroyed the required rows, the remaining rows will have their bottommost row transformed into your new foundation. Remember, your new foundation must be complete, or else you will lose the game.

It’s important to note that a Bastion cannot reduce the number of tiles destroyed by the Earthworm.

End of the Game

Let’s go over the victory conditions once more, which remain consistent with the introductory and base levels:

• Defeat: If you encounter an Ordeal card and end up with an incomplete foundation, you will lose.
• Victory: To win the game, your foundation must remain complete even after encountering the third Ordeal card.