Welcome to the Proving Grounds Modules!

Join me on a thrilling journey of discovery

Hey there! Have you ever wondered about the world around you, the incredible things that happen every day, and the mind-boggling mysteries that keep us guessing? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Here at the Proving Grounds Modules, we dive deep into the fascinating realms of knowledge and exploration.

So, what exactly are these modules? They are a collection of mind-expanding adventures designed to make you think, learn, and have fun all at the same time. Each module is like a treasure chest full of secrets, waiting to be unlocked by your curious mind.

Let’s embark on a thrilling journey together. From untangling the enigmatic wonders of nature to unraveling the mysteries of the universe, these modules cover a wide range of mind-bending topics.

But why should you join me on this adventure? Well, let me tell you a little secret. The world we live in is an astonishingly complex and awe-inspiring place. We can find beauty, wonder, and amazement in every corner if we know where to look.

Imagine being able to understand the unfathomable forces that shape our world, the intricate dance of atoms, or the vastness of space. These modules will equip you with the knowledge and tools to unravel these mysteries, one piece at a time.

By actively engaging with the modules, you will unlock the hidden potential of your own curiosity. You will learn to ask questions, seek answers, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around you. The more you explore, the more you will discover, and the more amazed you will become.

So, are you ready to embark on this thrilling journey? Great! Let’s dive into the first module and unleash the power of your curiosity. Together, we will uncover the wonders of our world and unravel the mysteries of the universe! Are you excited? I know I am!

#image.jpgModule 1: The Dragonling

“My heart raced. If I’m wrong about the dragonling, it could be deadly. But if I’m right, it could be my powerful ally in this impossible battle.”

In this module, the dragonling makes its appearance! Maybe it will help me, Maia Strongheart, in the arena. But the dragonling is a wild creature that can cause chaos if not controlled.

Getting Ready

Add the dragonling die to your dice collection, giving you a total of nine dice instead of eight. Place the dragonling token in play. (You can find a guide on the back for reference.)

Playing the Game

Hey there! Let’s talk about the dragonling die and how it adds a twist to the game. When you start a new round, don’t forget to roll the dragonling die along with all your other dice. It’s an essential part of your initial roll. And guess what? You can even reroll the dragonling die if you want!

Here’s the catch though: you can’t combine the dragonling die with a single die and reroll them together. It only works with sets. So keep that in mind!

Once the timer runs out, it’s time to figure out what to do with the dragonling die result. This depends on the other dice you have rolled. Think strategically and plan your next move accordingly!

When you’re playing the game, you have the option to add the talon, tail, or teeth card to any set or single you have in order to attack an enemy card with the same icon. But here’s the catch – the dragonling die doesn’t count as a colored die. When it comes to meeting color requirements, it’s considered a white die.

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The wing result can help keep the battle marker from descending in a single turn. Keep in mind, though, that it won’t stop an enemy from raising their shield in certain situations.

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When the chaos result shows up, you have to use it right away to roll all the colored dice again. Do this before you do anything else, it’s a must.

Let me give you an example: Imagine Enemy #3 requires two 3s, but I’ve only rolled a single 3. However, the enemy card has the tail icon, and I rolled the tail result on the dragonling die. So, I can add the dragonling die to my single 3, turning it into a set of two 3s instead.

#image.jpgModule 2: Chariots

“The horse-drawn chariots encircled the combatants, hooves pounding the earth and stirring up clouds of dust across the arena”.

In this module, chariots pose a new threat to Maia Strongheart. She must defend against them while also dealing with the usual six enemies coming at her from all directions.

Setup

Let’s start by shuffling the deck of chariot cards. Take the top card and place it face up next to the encounter board. Keep the rest of the deck face down next to the revealed card.

How to Play

When you roll the dice, you can place them on any chariot cards that are already in play. Each chariot card has its own requirement for dice placement: either a single die with a specific number or any two dice with the same number. Remember, you have to do this while the timer is running!

After the timer stops, but before you resolve your attacks, you need to take care of any chariot cards in play. If there are multiple cards, resolve them in the order they were drawn.

• If you placed the required dice on a chariot card, you have successfully prevented it from activating. Move those dice to the reserve (next to the exhaustion track) and discard the chariot card.
• If you forget to put the needed dice on the chariot card, it will activate its effect (if it can). Once the effect is resolved, you can discard the chariot card.

Example: The chariot card that I drew has a special ability: “For each individual move, the enemy’s battle marker is moved one additional space.” However, I can prevent this effect by placing two dice with the same number.

Let’s say I’m Carter, and I’m too focused on forming sets that I forget to put dice on the chariot card. I only have one 3 in my hand. When I attack enemy #3, I have to move the battle marker down by two spaces instead of just one.

Once I’ve moved the dice on the exhaustion track, I can take any dice from the reserve and return them to my dice pool. Then, I turn over the top card from the chariot deck and place it face up next to the encounter board.

If there are no dice left on the exhaustion track, I reveal another card from the chariot deck and place it next to the previous one.

#image.jpgModule 3: The Power of Inspiration

“I wear Maia Strongheart’s legendary armor, which was made from the beautiful green scales of the Wizened. It’s a symbol of support for the Sun Queens that came before me – my mother, the first matriarch of the Strongheart clan, and my beloved grandmother, Eva, who recently passed away.”

As I venture through the Proving Grounds, I gain strength from my friends and the stories of my people. I find inspiration in ancient legends and powerful relics.

How to Prepare

First, gather all 15 inspiration cards. Then, choose which modules you want to include in the game. Remove any inspiration cards that require modules not in play. Shuffle the remaining cards and draw one, keeping it face up. Put the rest of the inspiration cards back in the box.

Note: Each inspiration card has a special icon that represents the module it is associated with.

How to Play the Game

Your inspiration card gives you a special ability that you can use throughout the game. The card will have instructions on what the ability is and when you can use it.

The dragonling module is a necessary component for using this card. You can only utilize this card if you have the dragonling module.

For example: I’ve decided to play with the dragonling module. The inspiration card I draw is Dragonscale Armor. Its power allows me to use the tail result of the dragonling die against any enemy, not just those with the tail icon.

#image.jpgModule 4: Shields

“The queen’s soldier lifted a shiny metal shield, blocking my attack. I lost my balance for a moment and ended up on my knee as the soldier’s weapon narrowly missed my shoulder.”

In this module, the enemies of Maia Strongheart will raise their shields whenever you attempt an unsuccessful attack. Shielded enemies become much more challenging to defeat!

Setup

Let’s start by placing the six shield tokens close to us.

How to Play

Here’s how it works: when we try to attack an enemy that doesn’t have a shield and we roll the dice but don’t get the right combination, the enemy will respond by raising their shield. We’ll need to place a shield token on the enemy card to indicate that they are now protected. From this point on, our attacks won’t be effective until we find a way to break their shield.

Example: I rolled four 3s, but unfortunately none of them are blue, which you need to attack enemy #3. Since I rolled a set, but it is not the correct combination to attack, I instead put a shield token on the enemy card.

If an enemy card is shielded, when you attack them with a single, you break their shield. Remove the shield token, but don’t move the battle marker.

If an enemy card is shielded, when you attack them with a set, whether it would normally score a hit or not, move the battle marker down one space on the battle track.

#image.jpgModule 5: Conspirators

“The legend’s many mysteries, both real and imagined, have captivated the minds of conspirators, politicians, and wise advisers alike”.

Whenever I, Maia Strongheart, vanquish my adversaries in this thrilling module, a devious conspirator emerges from the shadows, revealing their true identity and attempting to gain control over the arena.

Setting Up

To get things started, I need to shuffle the deck that contains the six conspirator cards. Then, I place this deck face down above the encounter board. Now, it’s time to uncover the top card of the conspirator deck and display it face up.

Playing the Game

With each enemy I defeat, the excitement continues. At the beginning of the next round, I get to unveil the top card of the conspirator deck. I place it next to the other conspirators that are currently in play, making sure it’s face up. What’s interesting is that if I manage to defeat multiple enemies in a single round, I reveal multiple conspirators in the following round.

Once I have exposed all the conspirators, this rule no longer applies. It’s a clue that the game is progressing towards its final stages.

Before we begin each round, let’s roll the attack die. If the number on the die matches the number of a revealed conspirator, that conspirator will be active for this round. If the numbers don’t match, nothing happens.

Now, some of the conspirators have special abilities. Some abilities take effect right away, while others activate when you make your attacks.

At the beginning of the round, there are two conspirators involved: Queen Brianna (6) and Fern Greenbush (4). I roll a single die and get a 4. This triggers Fern Greenbush’s ability, which states: “Choose an enemy and move their battle marker down one space.”

Module 6: Sun and Moon

“We have gathered at this unusual time to observe. Let’s hope the secretive rumors and hidden truths are revealed by the moon’s silver glow or the sun’s first light.”

In this module, it’s important to pay attention to which way Maia Strongheart is facing. If you attack the enemy directly in front of Maia (in the sun position), you will receive bonus dice. However, failing to attack the enemy directly behind Maia (in the moon position) can result in more wounds.

Setup

When you’re setting up the game, you’ll need to attach the sun and moon dial to the encounter board. Use the included rivet to secure it in place. Something a little different this time – instead of placing the three colored dice (blue, green, yellow) on the usual space of the health track, you’ll put them on the indicated spaces of the sun and moon dial. This adds a fun twist to the game!

How to Play the Game

When you start a new round, make sure to turn the sun and moon dial so that Maia is facing one of the enemy cards. Each round, you need to rotate the dial. That means Maia can’t face the same enemy card two times in a row.

After you finish resolving the attacks, put any colored dice you gained in the previous round back on the sun and moon dial. Then, it’s time to see what happens with the sun and moon effects.

What Happens with the Sun Effects?

• If you hit the enemy in the sun position, you can choose one of the colored dice from the sun and moon dial and add it to your dice pool for the next round.
• If you didn’t hit the enemy in the sun position, nothing happens.

What Happens with the Moon Effects?

• If you hit the enemy in the moon position, nothing happens.
• If you miss the enemy while they’re in the moon position, slide the battle marker down one spot on their card.

Example: I’m gonna spin the sun and moon dial so it’s looking at enemy #2 this time. Once I’m done attacking, I’ll see what the sun and moon effects are.

I hit enemy #2, so I’m gonna grab the green die from the sun and moon dial to use in the next round. But I didn’t roll any 5s, so I’ll move the battle marker down one space on enemy #5.