Overview

Destinies is a fully story-driven, app-supported RPG-like board game for 1-3 players. Each scenario presents a vivid medieval fantasy world full of dark stories, epic NPCs, and mysteries to solve. Players each take the role of a unique character on a quest to fulfill their personal Destiny. Each Destiny card gives two completely different paths to victory. Using dice, skill tracks, items, and interactions driven by the companion app, players explore map tiles, visit points of interest, make meaningful choices, and compete to be the first to complete their Finale and fulfill their Destiny. No game master is required.

Components

• 67 Map tiles (double-sided: explored/unexplored)
• 150 Item cards
• 15 Destiny cards (5 per scenario character)
• 26 Point of Interest markers
• 20 Coin tokens
• 3 Player boards (with skill tracks and inventory slots)
• 6 Main dice (white)
• 9 Effort dice (purple, 3 per player)
• 20 Experience tokens
• 10 Pairs of Trade tokens
• 36 Skill marker tokens
• 31 Miniatures (player characters, NPCs, enemies)
• Companion app (iOS, Android, Steam)

Setup

1. In the app, choose a scenario to play.
2. Read the scenario introduction aloud.
3. Each player chooses a character from those offered by the app.
4. Each player receives: 1 Player Board, 2 Main Dice, 3 Effort Dice, 1 Coin, their Destiny Card, and their character miniature.
5. Place Main Dice and starting coin in the supply area of the player board. Place Effort Dice off the board (exhausted). Place skill markers on skill tracks as shown by the app.
6. Privately read your Destiny Card (it is secret). Place it character-illustration-side up on your player board.
7. Follow app instructions to set up the world: place starting map tile (explored side up), Point of Interest markers, 3D Point of Interest minis, and character miniatures.

Turn Structure

Players take turns in sequence, passing the device between them. Each turn has 3 steps:

1. Start of the Turn

• Refresh one Effort Die (move it from the table to your supply area).
• Resolve any game events triggered by the app at this step.

2. Movement

• Move your character miniature to any tile up to 2 tiles away (orthogonal movement only, no diagonal).
• You may move onto an unexplored tile, which triggers the app to explore it (flip to explored side, place Point of Interest markers and minis).
• You may choose to stay on your current tile.

3. Visiting a Point of Interest

• Choose one Point of Interest on your current tile and select it in the app.
• The app describes the location and presents multiple options (interactions, tests, item scans, destiny card scans, trading).
• Each option may only be chosen once, and options can be chosen in any order.

Actions

Interactions

An interaction is an automatic action with unknown consequences. Pull a lever, open a door, talk to an NPC – the result is determined by the app without a test.

Tests

Tests require rolling dice. The player knows the skill being tested (Intelligence, Dexterity, or Power) and the action, but not the explicit difficulty.

Three Character Skills: | Skill | Examples | |——-|———-| | Intelligence | Talking, reasoning, drawing conclusions | | Dexterity | Sneaking, searching, climbing | | Power | Fighting, lifting, endurance |

Dice Rolling:

1. Roll 2 Main Dice (always). Optionally add 1-3 Effort Dice from your supply (each Effort Die used becomes exhausted until refreshed).
2. Sum all dice values to get the roll total.
3. Compare the roll total to skill markers on the relevant skill track: each skill marker on a value less than or equal to the roll total scores 1 success.
4. Effort Dice that show the crown symbol add 1 automatic success each.
5. Enter total successes into the app.

Test Difficulty Guide: | Difficulty | Successes Needed | |———–|—————–| | Easy | 1 | | Moderate | 2 | | Difficult | 3 | | Very Difficult | 4 | | Epic | 5-6 |

A test never needs more than 6 successes. More successes may yield better results.

Scanning Item Cards

When visiting a Point of Interest, the app may offer options to scan items. This represents showing, giving, or using an item with an NPC or in a situation.

Scanning Destiny Card

Players can scan their Destiny Card’s QR code when talking to NPCs to ask about their destiny. This gives story hints about fulfilling their path. Each Destiny Card has two QR codes (one per path). NPC responses about destiny are intentionally cryptic.

Trading

The app may create Trade Stacks at Points of Interest. Players can buy and sell items at their printed coin value. Items bought by one player become unavailable to others. Coins may also be used for bribes, debts, or other purposes.

Scan or Test

Some situations offer a choice: use a specific item (automatic success/failure) or take a test. Only one method per turn.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

• Objective: Each player has a Destiny Card with two different paths to fulfillment. The first player to complete their Finale and fulfill their Destiny wins.
• Finale: When a player meets their path’s requirements, a new interaction option appears at a specific Point of Interest (marked on the Destiny Card). Triggering the Finale begins a series of climactic events.
• Once a Finale is triggered, the player cannot return to normal turns. The Finale lasts several turns with tests and choices based on how well the player prepared.
• Multiple Finales: Even after one player starts their Finale, others can still trigger theirs. The first to complete their Finale wins.
• Solo Mode: Explorer mode (relaxed, no time pressure) or Challenger mode (time pressure and harder events).

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• All narrative text is public: The active player must read all app descriptions aloud. However, a player’s Destiny is always secret.
• Inventory limit: Each player can hold at most 5 Item Cards. Excess items must be abandoned (placed on the map with Trade Stack markers) or discarded via their “Discard” ability.
• Item abilities: “Always” abilities are active as long as the item is in inventory. “Discard” abilities require returning the item to the box.
• Experience points: Gained from various interactions. Can be spent at any time (except during a test) to upgrade skills by moving Skill Markers left on skill tracks (each XP moves markers a total of 2 spaces, distributed as desired).
• Skill gain and loss: Permanent. Gained skills move markers left; lost skills move markers right. Players choose how to distribute among markers on the affected track.
• Events: The app may trigger events that alter Points of Interest, move NPCs, or change the world. The active player follows the app’s instructions.
• Virtue: The world remembers moral choices. Good or evil, players shape their path. Following a consistent path yields deeper benefits.
• Campaign: Destinies has 5 scenarios. “The Nature of the Beast” is standalone. The other 4 form a linked campaign best played in order with the same group.
• Replayability: Scenarios may be replayed if all players have already played that scenario; otherwise, prior knowledge would give an unfair advantage.
• No internet required during gameplay: The app works offline once downloaded. Progress can be saved and resumed.

Player Reference

Turn: Refresh 1 Effort Die → Move (up to 2 tiles) → Visit 1 Point of Interest

Dice: 2 Main (always) + 0-3 Effort (optional, exhaust after use). Sum values, count skill markers at or below the total. Crown on Effort Die = +1 auto success.

Skills: Intelligence, Dexterity, Power (each with a track of markers on the player board)

Inventory: Max 5 items. Trade at Point of Interest shops. Items have coin values, categories, and special abilities.

Win: First to trigger and complete their Finale

Destiny Paths: Each Destiny Card has 2 completely different paths (QR codes). Choose one to pursue, or progress on both and commit later.