Ghost Stories Game Rules

Welcome to the world of Ghost Stories! Get ready for a thrilling adventure where you and your friends battle against the forces of darkness. In this game, you’ll take on the role of Taoist monks, tasked with protecting a small village from the vengeful spirits that haunt it.

Your ultimate goal is to defeat Wu-Feng, the lord of the Nine Hells, who seeks to return to the world of the living and bring chaos and destruction. But don’t worry, you won’t be facing this formidable enemy alone. You’ll have the support of powerful charms, ancient artifacts, and other brave monks by your side.

As you embark on your quest, you’ll encounter various ghostly apparitions that will try to thwart your efforts. These ghosts come in different forms, each with their own unique abilities and weaknesses. Some may possess the ability to drain your spiritual energy, while others may summon more ghosts to join their ranks.

To combat these sinister specters, you and your fellow monks will need to rely on your skills and resources. By performing exorcism rituals, you can banish the ghosts back to the spirit world. Each exorcism requires a specific combination of colored Taoist symbols, as indicated on the ghost card.

However, be warned that the process of exorcism is no easy task. It requires careful strategy and coordination among the monks. You’ll need to work together to maximize your chances of success. Communication and teamwork will be key to your victory.

Throughout the game, you’ll also have the opportunity to seek guidance from friendly village inhabitants. These wise villagers can provide you with valuable knowledge and powerful artifacts to aid in your battle against Wu-Feng. Make sure to visit them regularly and make good use of their expertise.

Remember, the ghosts you face will become increasingly powerful as the game progresses. You must stay vigilant and adapt your tactics accordingly. Failure to do so could result in the village falling into darkness and defeat for your team.

So gather your fellow monks, sharpen your wits, and prepare to face the spectral challenges of Ghost Stories. Only through teamwork and determination can you hope to vanquish Wu-Feng and save the village from his malevolent grasp. Are you ready to become true heroes of light? The fate of the village depends on you!

Long ago, many people fought to defeat Wu-Feng, the terrifying ruler of the Nine Hells. They finally succeeded, and Wu-Feng’s ashes were placed in an urn and buried in a village cemetery.

Years have passed, and little by little, the memory of Wu-Feng and his curse has faded from the minds of the living.

But in the depths of the underworld, Wu-Feng has not forgotten. He has been tirelessly searching for a way back to the world of the living, and he has found it.

The villagers, completely unaware of the danger that lurks, now find themselves under the shadow of Wu-Feng’s influence.

Thankfully, the Fat-Si, a group of brave Taoist priests, are the guardians who stand between the world of the living and the world of the dead. With their faith, their courage, and their special powers, they are fully committed to returning Wu-Feng to the depths of Hell.

Ghost Stories is a cool game. You and your team work together to beat the game. Either we all win or we all lose. When you’re first learning the rules, make sure to keep the play aids close by. They’ll help you understand how to play.

What you get

• 4 game boards
• 9 Village tiles
• 3 Tao dice
• 1 special Tao die
• 1 Curse die
• 55 Ghost cards (blue cards)
• 10 Incarnation of Wu-Feng cards
• 20 Tao tokens
• 20 Qi tokens
• 4 Taoist figurines
• 4 Yin-Yang tokens
• 8 Haunting figurines
• 2 Buddha figurines
• 1 Inactive Taos marker
• 1 Enfeeblement Mantra token (a scroll)
• 4 Inactive Power tokens

Let me tell you about something really cool – this awesome new board game! It’s called “Neutral Power” and it’s a game that I think you’ll absolutely love.

In “Neutral Power,” you get to be in control of three powerful tokens. These tokens give you special abilities and abilities that can really make a difference in the game. And the best part? You get two play aids to help you along the way!

When you play “Neutral Power,” you’ll also have a handy sheet where you can keep track of all the awesome things that happen during your games. It’s like keeping a scorecard!

So, why should you try “Neutral Power?” Well, it’s a game that lets you have fun and use your strategic thinking skills. You’ll have to make important decisions and figure out the best way to use your tokens to conquer the game.

But remember, “Neutral Power” is more than just a game. It’s an experience that will keep you entertained for hours. So, if you’re looking for a new and exciting challenge, give “Neutral Power” a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Now, go ahead and gather your friends or family, set up the game board, and get ready for an adventure like no other. “Neutral Power” is waiting for you to take control and show off your skills. Have fun!

Village Tiles A

I want to tell you about the village that the Taoists have to protect. It’s made up of 9 different places called Village tiles. Each tile represents a location in the village. These places can help us as we play the game, but they can also be filled with spooky ghosts!

On the front of each tile, you’ll see the place and who owns it. We call this the “active site.” On the back of the tile, you’ll see the same place, but without an owner. We call this the “haunted site.” If a site is haunted, it means ghosts have taken over and it might be harder to use.

You can find more details about the Village tiles in one of the play aids. They give us important information about each place in the village.

Game Boards B

Let me tell you about the game boards. There are 4 of them, and they each show different things. Each board has 3 rectangular spaces where the ghosts can stay. That’s where they plan their spooky attacks on the village.

Each board also has 6 circle icons or stones. These represent the Haunting figurines. There are 2 in front of each ghost space. We use them to keep track of how haunted a space is.

In addition, there are 3 Buddha figurines on each board. They are important because they can help us fight the ghosts and protect the village.

Finally, you’ll see a symbol in the lower-left corner of each board. This symbol shows the special power that a Taoist has on that board. Each side of the board has a different power, so you can choose the one that makes the game more fun for you.

Discover the Power of Qi Points

The ancient Taoists believed in the concept of Qi, which represents vital energy. Qi points are sacred locations on the body where this energy flows. These points can be gained or lost throughout the game, affected by various factors like ghost attacks or rewards from the Village tile.

As a Taoist, you have the ability to accumulate Qi points during the game. However, your total number of Qi points cannot exceed the number of Qi tokens available.

Unleash the Yin-Yang Power

Each Taoist has a special Yin-Yang token that can be used to perform powerful actions. This token can be restored during the gameplay by capturing ghosts.

In order to combat these supernatural entities, the Taoists rely on mystical components like sticky rice (yellow), silver bells (green), incense sticks (red), Taoist mirrors (blue), and coins (black). These components are represented by Tao tokens, each corresponding to a different type of ghost.

Embrace the Mystical Tao Dice and Curse Die

I use the 3 Tao dice to rid myself of ghosts. I also have an extra Tao die (grey) that gives me a special power as a green Taoist. Sometimes, I have to roll a different die, called the Curse Die, which brings negative effects.

Ghosts G

Ghosts have certain characteristics that make them unique. These include their color, resistance, abilities, and sometimes a reward. More information on these concepts can be found in the rules and play aids.

The abilities of ghosts are categorized based on when they can be used:

• Abilities in the left stone are applied when the ghost enters the game.
• Abilities in the central stone are applied each turn during the Yin phase.
• Abilities in the right stone are applied when the ghost is exorcised or when a curse or reward is involved.

If a ghost possesses multiple abilities, they are activated in the order from left to right.

For instance: a ghost may haunt one tile upon arrival, haunt one tile each turn, and haunt one tile when exorcised.

Once a ghost is removed from play, its abilities no longer have any effect.

Imagine this: I, the brave hero, confronted the terrifying Severed Heads, freeing the captured Tao die from their grasp.

The Fearsome Wu-Feng

When you play the game, Wu-Feng makes an appearance, but he’s not just one person – there can be more than one of him, especially on higher difficulty levels. In fact, there are ten different versions of him that can show up.

You’ll spot these incarnations on the red cards, and they’re distinguished by the Wu-Feng symbol underneath.

Each incarnation has its own unique abilities, which I’ll explain in a bit.

Buddha and Haunting Figurines I

The Haunting figurines represent the Ghosts’ threat to the village, while the Buddha figurines symbolize the mystical traps that the Taoists can use.

Setup

Start by randomly arranging the nine Village tiles to create a 3 x 3 square. At the beginning of the game, none of the locations in the village are haunted yet, so you can see all the villagers.

Alright, here’s what you need to do to set up the game:

First, place the 4 game boards on the sides of the square made by the Village tiles. Make sure each board is facing a player. They’re gonna need to see their own boards, right?

Next, randomly assign each player a color. It’s gonna be a surprise! Also, determine which side of the board they should use. A little randomness adds excitement.

Now, each player gets their stuff. They get 4 Qi Tokens, the Yin-Yang token in their color, a Tao token in their color, and a black Tao token. Also, tell them to put their Taoist figurine on the Central tile of the village. That’s their spot!

Oh, don’t forget! Put the 2 Buddha figurines on the “Buddhist Temple” Village tile. They’ll be watching the game.

Everything else is the supply. That’s all the extra Tao tokens, Qi tokens, and figurines. Keep them handy.

Finally, one of you has to prepare the Ghost deck. Here’s how:

• Choose one of the 10 Wu-Feng cards randomly. But don’t look at it! Keep it a secret. Then shuffle the Ghost cards. A twist of mystery and suspense!

To finish the deck, grab 10 Ghost cards, place the randomly picked WU-Feng card on top, and cover it all up with the remaining Ghost cards.

So, the deck is set up like this: 45 Ghost cards, 1 WuFeng incarnation card, and 10 Ghost cards.

Now, let’s talk about the goal of the game.

To win against the ghosts and save the village, our mission is to exorcise the incarnation of Wu-Feng.

Alright, let’s dive into how the game is played.

We’ll start with the player who has most recently seen a kung-fu movie. From there, we’ll take turns clockwise. Each player’s turn is divided into two phases: Yin and Yang. You can find a visual representation of a player’s turn on the last page of these rules.

First, let’s focus on the Yin Phase, specifically the actions performed by the ghosts.

When my turn starts, I let you know which ghosts I have on my board. Now, all of their central stone powers happen during the Yin phase.

Ghostly Encounters: The Haunter Ability

Hey there! Let’s talk about a fascinating ability known as the Haunter. This ability brings a whole new level of mystery to the game. Imagine having ghostly figures on your board, moving and haunting as you play. It’s pretty cool, right?

So, here’s the deal. If you have any ghost buddies with the Haunter ability hanging around on your board, you’re going to want to pay attention. Each haunted ghost has its own special Haunting figurine that likes to change its position. Three positions are possible for this spooky little companion: one on the ghost’s card and two on the board itself.

These ghostly figures have a mind of their own, and they’re always looking for a new spot to haunt. They may be on the ghost’s card, lurking and waiting for the perfect moment to make their move. Or perhaps they’ve decided to venture onto the game board, creating an eerie presence as they glide through the haunted landscape.

With the Haunter ability, the game takes on a whole new dimension. Just imagine the excitement of watching these ghostly figures twist and turn, revealing new hiding spots or haunting locations. It’s like having a little ghostly friend by your side, ready to surprise and enthral you with their spectral antics.

Isn’t it amazing how the Haunter ability adds a touch of otherworldly charm to the game? It’s truly a unique experience that will keep you engaged and wondering what these mischievous spirits will do next. So embrace the Haunter and let the ghostly fun begin!

About the Haunting Figurine: Do you ever wonder what happens when the eerie figurine is placed on the card? Well, let me tell you! If the haunting figurine stands on the card, you have to move it onto the matching haunting icon on the board. But hold on, that’s not all that happens! It’s a bit of a mystery…

Here’s the deal: If the figurine is already on the very first spooky symbol on the board, it gets moved to the eerie tile symbol at the edge of the board, and that tile becomes haunted. Right away, the creepy figurine goes back on the spooky symbol on the card.

So, unless the Taoists stop it, a spooky ghost haunts a tile every second turn.

Haunting a tile: When a ghost reaches the icon at the edge of the board, they must flip over the first village tile in front of them. If that tile is already haunted, the next one in line is flipped over.

B. Ghosts with the Tormentor ability

Whenever you have a tormentor on your board (those ghosts with a curse die on the central stone), you’ll need to roll the Curse Die. This will determine the effect that you’ll have to apply.

The meaning of this passage is that certain actions have specific consequences in the game. Let’s break it down:

a : No effect.

b : If there is a ghost in front of me, the first village tile it faces becomes haunted.

c : If I want to bring a ghost into play, I have to follow the placement rules.

d : If I have Tao tokens, I must discard all of them.

e : If I am the Taoist, I will lose one Qi token.

Knowing these consequences is crucial when playing the game. I have to carefully consider my actions and the effects they might have. It’s like a puzzle, figuring out the best moves to make. If I want to win, I need to make smart decisions and anticipate the outcomes. The game keeps me on my toes, always thinking ahead and adapting to the changing situations. It’s a thrilling challenge that tests my strategy skills. So, if you enjoy strategic games that make you think and plan, you’ll love this one. It’s full of surprises and rewards clever thinking. As you play, keep in mind these consequences and use them to your advantage. By understanding the effects of your actions, you can become a master of the game. Good luck!

Step 2: Board Overrun

When I start my turn and all three spaces on my board are filled with ghosts, I lose 1 Qi token. This means I don’t get to draw a new ghost from the deck and I go straight to the Yang phase.

Step 3: Arrival of a Ghost

If my board is not overrun by three ghosts, I draw the first ghost card from the deck and follow these rules to bring it into play:

Ghost Placement Rules

If the ghost is Red, Green, Blue, or Yellow, I must place it on the corresponding colored board if there is an open space. But if all three spaces on that board are already taken, then I can choose any other location for the ghost.

If you can, I need to put a Black ghost on my board. But if all three spaces are taken, I can choose somewhere else. And as soon as I pick a spot, I get to use the abilities on the left stone.

But sometimes, all 12 spaces are already full when I’m supposed to draw a new ghost. In that case, instead of adding a new ghost, I lose 1 Qi token.

Alright, here’s my take:

Example: So, I’m Bruce! I draw Severed Heads (ILLU) and guess what? The ghost is black, so I go ahead and put it on my board. Now, that bumps my ghost count up to 3. I’m pretty lucky because I don’t lose any Qi token for exceeding the board limit. That only happens in the active player Step 2, which I’m not in right now. But since I put one of the 3 Tao dice on Severed Heads, I have to draw another ghost. But hold up! I’ve run out of space on my board. Bummer! Instead of adding another ghost, I have to lose a Qi token. Phew!

Yang Phase (Taoist)

After the Yin phase is done, it’s time to bring out my inner Taoist! Here’s what I need to do:

1. Move (optional)
2. Ask a villager for help OR try an exorcism
3. Place a Buddha (optional)

Note: Oh, and just so you know, I have the power to use my Yin-Yang power before or after any step of my Yang phase. Pretty cool, huh?

1. Move

You can move your Taoist figurine to an adjacent tile, including diagonally. But remember, moving is optional. You don’t have to move if you don’t want to.

2. You have two options: ask a villager for help or try to exorcise a ghost

As a Taoist, you can choose one of the following actions:

A. Ask a villager for help

If there’s a villager on your tile, you can ask them for assistance. The specific actions you can take will be explained in the play aid.

B. Try to exorcise a ghost

If there’s a ghost on one of the adjacent tiles, you can try to exorcise it. However, you can only exorcise a ghost on tiles that are directly next to you. That means you can’t exorcise a ghost if it’s on the same tile as you, and you can exorcise two ghosts if they are both on the corner tiles.

To perform an exorcism, I roll the three Tao dice. I need to get the right colored side (matching the ghost’s color) with a number equal to or greater than the ghost’s resistance. The white faces on the dice can be used as any color, as decided by me. If I succeed, the ghost is banished back to hell, and its card is removed from the game. If I fail, nothing changes.

Let me tell you a story:

The protagonist is a yellow Taoist, played by Bruce. He finds himself in a fierce battle against Bleeding Eyes, a powerful red resistance. In order to defeat this formidable opponent and send it back to its hellish realm, Bruce needs to roll the Tao dice and get two red (or white) sides out of the five available options. Sounds challenging, doesn’t it?

But there’s another way to overcome this ghostly challenge. If Bruce fails to roll the required dice result, he can use a Tao token of the corresponding color to match the strength of Bleeding Eyes and conquer it. Clever, isn’t it?

Now, let me share another exciting piece of information. Imagine Bruce, standing on one of the four corner tiles, facing two adjacent spaces. This gives him a unique advantage in battling the supernatural. He can target both spaces simultaneously and exorcise two ghosts with a single roll of the dice. Talk about maximizing efficiency!

In conclusion, facing off against powerful resistance can be daunting, but Bruce has a few tricks up his sleeve. By rolling the Tao dice and strategically utilizing Tao tokens, he can handle any ghostly adversary that comes his way. It’s a thrilling and engaging adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready to join Bruce on his paranormal quest and experience the excitement firsthand!

When I play this game, I can use Tao tokens to help me out. If I roll the dice and get a combination that matches a ghost, I can choose which ghost card I want to get rid of. It’s nice to have that choice.

Imagine this: I’m playing a game called Taoist, and I’m in a tricky situation. There’s a yellow Taoist on a particular tile, with two neighboring spaces taken up by Bleeding Eyes (Red, resistance 2) and Perfidious Nymph (Blue, resistance 1). It’s my turn, and I roll the 5 Tao Dice. I get 1 red side, 1 white side, and 1 yellow side. Unfortunately, the yellow side doesn’t help me at all.

Here’s where strategy comes into play. I decide to spend a Red Tao token, which I add to the red side of the dice. With this added power, I’m able to exorcise Bleeding Eyes and remove it from the board. But I still have the blue Perfidious Nymph to deal with.

Luckily, the white side of the dice comes to my aid. I use it as a blue side, effectively turning it into the color I need to exorcise the Perfidious Nymph. With a carefully planned move, I eliminate both ghosts and clear the way for future progress!

Keep in mind: You’re never forced to spend Tao tokens, but if the dice display enough power to exorcise a ghost, you must exorcise it. So plan your moves wisely and make the most of the resources at your disposal.

Example: So, imagine I’m Bruce, and I find myself on a corner tile. To my left, there’s a spooky Zombie with a resilience of 2, and to my right, a Coffin Breaker with a resilience of 1. Now, my main goal is to get rid of that Coffin Breaker, because it’s nullifying the power of the tile it’s on. Okay, here’s the deal – I grab 5 dice and roll them. Guess what? Out of those 5 dice, I get 2 yellow sides and 1 white side. Sweet! That means I successfully exorcise both the Coffin Breaker and the Zombie. Oh, but wait, there’s more. The Zombie has this funky ability that triggers when it’s exorcised, so I have to roll a Curse die too.

Sharing Tao Tokens

Now, here’s an interesting twist. During an exorcism, if I’m the active player, I can use Tao tokens from any of my fellow Taoists. Pretty cool, huh? Of course, there’s a catch – those Taoists need to be standing on the same village tile as me. And just to be clear, Tao tokens can’t be given or exchanged in any other situation. They’re strictly for exorcisms with fellow Taoists on the same tile.

Example: So, here’s what happened. I moved my red Taoist to the same tile as the yellow Taoist. But, uh-oh, there was a Hopping Vampire (Yellow, resistance 3) in front of us. Not good. Anyway, I rolled the 3 Tao dice, and guess what? One green side, one yellow side, and one red side. Pretty cool, right? Here’s the thing, though – I didn’t have any yellow Tao tokens. But luckily, my buddy Sam, the yellow Taoist, had 2 of them. So, we decided to spend those tokens and ended up with a total of 3 yellow points. And just like that, we got rid of the Ghost and sent it to the discard pile.

Curse And Rewards (right Stone)

Now, let’s talk about curses and rewards. Some ghosts can be a real pain, and they like to curse or reward the Taoist who just exorcised them. You can find out what they have in store for you by checking the right stone of the ghost card. Most of the time, you’ll have to roll the curse die and deal with whatever it brings.

When you have the chance to play this game, there are a few things you might get from it. First, the game gives you a Tao token as a reward. You’ll be able to choose the color of the token you want from the available options. Second, you can also gain a Qi token. This will give you some extra energy to use in the game. And finally, if you’ve already used up your Yin-Yang token, you can recover it and have it ready to use again. But be careful! Before you get any of these rewards, you’ll have to face a curse. Curses always come first before any rewards. So, it’s important to be prepared for both the good and the bad in this game.

I Choose My Yin-Yang Over Qi

A Puzzling Decision

There I was, face to face with a formidable opponent – the Dark Wraith. The intensity of the battle was palpable. My heart pounded fiercely, matching the rhythm of my rapid sword strikes. Victory was within reach, but at what cost?

The battle with the Dark Wraith had left me drained, my spiritual energy depleted. As I stood victorious, I faced a perplexing choice. Would I replenish my Qi, gaining strength for future battles? Or would I opt to reclaim my Yin-Yang symbol, a token of balance and harmony?

It may seem like a trivial decision, but in the realm of spiritual warriors, choices matter. Each option possesses its unique allure, offering different paths to navigate. Do I replenish my dwindling energy reserves, or do I prioritize inner equilibrium?

After weighing the pros and cons, my heart led me down a path less traveled. I decided to retrieve my Yin-Yang symbol. Why would I choose this over an immediate power boost, you may wonder?

Allow me to explain.

A Symbol of Balance and Harmony

The Yin-Yang symbol is not just a mere emblem; it represents the essence of equilibrium and harmony. It encapsulates the delicate dance between light and darkness, good and evil – opposing forces which permeate our existence.

By retrieving my Yin-Yang symbol, I am symbolically reaffirming my commitment to balance and harmony within myself and the world around me. It serves as a reminder to tread the middle path, avoiding the extremes that can throw us off balance, both spiritually and in our daily lives.

Nurturing the Soul

Replenishing my Qi would undoubtedly grant me an immediate surge of power. But power, as we know, is a double-edged sword. While it may elevate us, it can just as easily corrupt and destroy. This realization made me contemplate the deeper meaning of strength – is it a mere physicality, or does it extend to the realm of the soul?

I chose to nurture my soul, to regenerate not just my physical energy but my spiritual essence as well. By reclaiming my Yin-Yang symbol, I am strengthening the interconnectedness of my spirit, mind, and body, fostering a harmonious unity that will guide me in all my future endeavors.

Choosing My Path

So, my dear companion, as you face your own battles and make your own choices, remember the importance of balance and harmony. Pause, reflect, and trust your inner compass.

The battle with the Dark Wraith taught me a valuable lesson – it is not always about the immediate gains or losses. Sometimes, the true victory lies in the deeper understanding and commitment we find along the path we choose.

So, will you choose fleeting power or enduring balance? The choice is yours.

If you find a Buddha figurine in the Buddhist Temple village tile, you can put it down at the end of your turn if there’s an empty ghost space in front of your Taoist. Put the figurine on the Buddha symbol. Sometimes, you can even put down two Buddha figurines in one turn. This happens when your Taoist is on a corner tile and there are two free ghost spaces nearby. When a ghost is placed on a space that has a Buddha, it gets sent straight to hell, which is the discard pile. The ghost doesn’t get a chance to use any of its abilities or rewards. The Buddha figurine then goes back to the Buddhist Temple tile.

In Taoism, each practitioner possesses a remarkable tool known as the Yin-Yang. With this special ability, I am able to seek assistance from any villager without being physically present on their tile. I can also use the Yin-Yang to restore a haunted tile, resurrecting the villager trapped within. This ability is an additional action that I can take during my turn.

When I choose to utilize my Yin-Yang, I must place the corresponding token into the supply.

As a Taoist, I may have the chance to recover my Yin-Yang by exorcising specific ghosts. I can use my Yin-Yang before or after any step in the Yang phase, whether it’s before taking any action or after moving, for example. It is important to note that I cannot use it in the middle of an action.

In certain situations, I may even be able to use my Yin-Yang twice in a single turn. For instance, if I happen to lose my Yin-Yang, I might regain it as a reward and immediately use it again.

Example: So, here I am, face-to-face with a spooky Dark Wraith (you know, the creepy, black kind with a resistance of 5). And boy, oh boy, do I want to get rid of this ghost for good! Lucky for me, I’ve got my trusty Yin-Yang in hand. Time to put it to good use!

The Tale of the Fallen Taoist

Now, picture this: a Taoist with absolutely no Qi left. That poor guy is as good as gone. And you know what? All of his precious belongings go down with him. Yup, everything – his Tao tokens, his Buddha figurines, his Yin-Yang, and even his power tokens. It’s all lost. So, to honor our fallen friend, we place his figurine ever so delicately on the Cemetery tile. But here’s the kicker – those pesky ghosts that were chilling on his board? Yeah, they’re sticking around. Guess they didn’t get the memo!

When my Taoist character dies in the game, I can still participate and strategize with the other Taoists. Even though I can’t act directly, my spirit is still there to offer wisdom and guidance. It’s pretty cool to think that I can still win the game, even in death! And there’s even a chance for me to come back to life if I land on the Cemetery tile and get some help from the other Taoists.

But here’s the interesting twist: even though I’m dead, my game board becomes possessed by supernatural forces. It becomes a neutral board where the ghosts take over. These ghosts have a mind of their own and keep on doing their ghostly activities, ignoring the fact that I’m no longer alive. This means that during the Yin phase of the game, steps 1 and 2 still have to be played. And the other players? Well, they’ll have to face the consequences and deal with the effects of these mischievous ghosts.

Example: There are already two haunted village tiles. In the next Yin phase, another tile will be haunted by a ghost with the Haunter ability. I only have one Qi left, but I decide to save the village by sacrificing my Taoist. I request help from the sorcerer and send the ghost to hell.

When you’re playing the game, Wu-Feng, the ultimate evil entity, appears towards the end of the deck. You place a card representing an incarnation of Wu-Feng on your board, just like you would a regular ghost. But keep in mind that the “Nameless” and “Hope killer” incarnations are considered as black ghosts.

To win the game, you must exorcise this incarnation of Wu-Feng. Each incarnation has its own special ability and specific conditions that you must meet in order to defeat it. The Sorcerer’s hut and buddhas cannot affect these incarnations.

If an incarnation appears on a space where a Buddha is already present, the Buddha is not eliminated. Instead, it is moved back to the “Buddhist Temple” tile.

Whenever an incarnation is exorcised, the group earns 1 Qi token and 1 Yin-Yang token. You and your fellow players can decide who receives these rewards. Just remember, if a Taoist is already dead, they cannot receive a Qi token or a Ying-Yang token.

In both the Initiation and normal levels, the reward only affects the final score. The game ends right away when the unique embodiment is expelled. However, in the nightmare and hell levels, the reward becomes incredibly valuable for the group’s progress.

Let’s talk about the end of the game. If we manage to exorcise Wu-Feng’s incarnation, we all win! However, there are three scenarios that lead to our defeat:

1. If all Taoists perish and we run out of Qi tokens, the village succumbs to the Ghosts’ attack with no one left to confront the threat.

2. If a third location in the village becomes haunted and the ghosts retrieve Wu-Feng’s urn, the world of the living ceases to exist. It’s a grim outcome.

3. If we fail to exorcise Wu-Feng’s incarnation before the 9th month card is drawn, he reigns supreme and we lose the game. Let’s prevent that from happening!

Remember, teamwork is crucial for success. We must work together, strategize, and make wise decisions to overcome Wu-Feng and his terrifying forces. Good luck!

If you play the last ghost card before exorcising Wu-Feng, the game is over and you lose. The village will forever be in darkness. It’s important to note that even if you send the last incarnation to hell, you still have to face any curses associated with it. You only win if the curse doesn’t cause your defeat. Let’s say you exorcise the “Death Army” incarnation of Wu-Feng. There are already cursed village tiles, and you have to roll the Curse die. Unfortunately, the die causes a village tile in front of the incarnation to haunt, and you lose the game in the final moment.

Don’t worry, if you lose your first few games, it’s totally normal. Ghost Stories is a game that takes some time to learn, and it might take a few tries before you can win.

Even experienced players can find the “Hell” level challenging, but don’t worry, it’s still possible to win. Just make sure you follow all the rules, use your powers and Yin-Yang wisely, and most importantly, work together as a team. You can do it!

If the Initiation mode is still too tough for you, you can try starting with 5 Qi tokens to give yourself a little boost.

Scoring

• You get +10 points if you win in Initiation, normal, or nightmare mode.
• If you manage to win in the Hell level, you earn +20 points.
• You get +1 point for every remaining Qi token you have.
• If you win the game, you earn +1 point for each ghost card still in the deck.
• However, if you lose the game, you lose 1 point for each card left in the deck.
• -3 points for every defeated Taoist
• -4 points for every haunted village tile
• +2 points for exorcising the initial form in nightmare and hell modes
• +4 points for exorcising the second form in nightmare and hell modes
• +6 points for the third form in nightmare and hell levels (3/4 players)