Buried Memories
Buried Memories Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 1 scoreboard
- 1 start player marker
- 1 goal marker
- 18 statue tiles
- 12 vase tiles
- 6 score wooden markers
- 6 creature tokens
- 18 gemstone tiles
- 5 different envelopes with additional components
Important: Do not open the envelopes! They will only be opened when certain conditions (written on the envelopes) are fulfilled.
Each base tile type — the gemstone tiles, the statue tiles, and the vase tiles — actually consists of 6 different tiles, one for each of the 6 creatures printed on its back side.
Setup
Dump all the tiles into the bottom part (base) of the game box and shuffle them around. The bottom part of the box is called the "dig site". Tip: Put on the lid and shuffle the box. All the tiles should end up in a random pile in the dig site, some face-up, others face-down.
Place the scoreboard on the table.
Place the goal marker on space 35. In later games, advance the goal marker 3 spaces for each envelope that has been opened. Example: If you have opened 2 envelopes, the goal marker is placed on space 41.
| Number of players | 1-2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Envelopes opened | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goal marker space | 35 | 38 | 41 | 44 | 47 | 50 |
Each player chooses a score marker and places it on the score track, starting on the space indicated above depending on the number of players. Take the corresponding creature token and place it in front of you — each score marker is associated with one creature type.
Goal of the Game
Exploring the ruins of an ancient world, you search for long-lost artifacts buried beneath the surface. Collect gemstones and assemble complete artifacts to score points.
On your turn, you may reveal as many tiles as you wish from the buried areas. However, caution is essential: some regions are inhabited by creatures best left undisturbed, and you must decide when to stop before revealing too many of them.
At the end of your turn, you score points based on the artifacts you have collected. The game ends when a player reaches the goal marker on the scoring track. When this happens, the player with the highest score at the end of the current round wins the game.
By completing the objectives sealed within closed envelopes, you will unlock their contents, introducing new artifacts as well as new ways to explore this mysterious dig site.
How to Play
The starting player takes the first turn. Players continue taking turns in a clockwise order until someone reaches the goal marker. At that point, the current round is completed, and the game ends.
On your turn, you can take tiles from the dig site (the bottom part of the box), following these rules:
- You must take one tile at a time.
- You can only take a tile that is fully visible. It cannot be covered by another tile (not even partly).
- Place all collected tiles in front of you with the creature side facing up.
- You can continue taking tiles as long as you want, or you can stop at any time.
- If you ever collect two tiles showing the same creature, you have "Busted" (see Busting, below).
Running out of tiles? If there are three or fewer tiles remaining in the dig site at the start of your turn, you may pour all discarded tiles from the lid back into the dig site. Shuffle the tiles as you did during setup before taking your turn.
Example: At your turn, take tiles. If a tile is fully visible, you can either take the gemstone tile with the creature facing you without risking being busted, or you can take the statue piece to complete the large statue (but this is risky because you can't see the creature underneath). You can only take tiles that are not covered by any other tiles.
If you ever find that all tiles are covered by other tiles (it's actually possible — this configuration is called "Escher stairs"), you may gently tap the box until the situation is resolved.
Busting
If you ever collect two tiles showing the same creature, you have "Busted" and cannot take any more tiles this turn.
- If the creatures on the tiles match the type shown on another player's score marker, you must give the two tiles to that player. They may score these tiles after you score your remaining tiles (if any), or keep them for a future turn.
- If the creature matches the type shown on your own score marker, or on a marker that isn't in play, discard the two tiles by placing them in the box lid.
Important: If you busted with your first two tiles (that is, you did not collect any additional tiles this turn), you can take another full turn! This may happen several times in a row, if you keep getting unlucky.
Note that each tile shows one of six creatures on one of its sides. As the tiles lie with a random side up in the dig site, you will sometimes know what creature is on a tile, and sometimes not.
End of Your Turn
After you stop taking tiles (whether you bust or stop voluntarily), flip your collected tiles to the side without a creature and check to see if you score any of the tiles. If you busted, you still flip over (and possibly score) any other tiles you collected. When scoring, advance your score marker accordingly on the scoreboard.
- Gemstones: Score 1, 2, or 3 points, as indicated on the tile. There are 3 different types of gemstones: yellow gemstone (scores 1 point), blue gemstone (scores 2 points), purple gemstone (scores 3 points).
- Vase: For a complete vase (top and bottom), score 5 points. To complete the vase, you need 2 parts: TOP and BOTTOM.
- Statue: For a complete statue (top, mid and bottom), score 12 points. To complete the statue, you need 3 parts: TOP, MID, and BOTTOM.
All scored tiles are discarded and placed in the box lid.
Tiles that cannot be scored (for example, incomplete vases and statues) are kept in front of you, so you can possibly score them on a future turn. Keep these tiles creature side facing down. These creatures will not have any effect on future turns.
Then the next player takes their turn.
Remember: If you bust with your first two tiles, you can take another turn!
End of the Game
If any player reaches or passes the goal marker, play the round to the end so that all players have played the same number of turns. The player seated to the right of the start player will always take the last turn.
The player with the most points wins the game. In case of a tie, the tied player with the most remaining tiles in front of them wins. If there is still a tie, the tied players share the victory (or they may agree to continue taking turns until there is no longer a tie).
Opening Envelopes
"You will need to advance step by step", Selara explains. "Some discoveries require time and attention."
The outside of each envelope shows the requirements needed to open it. Whenever any player fulfills a requirement on an envelope, cross off a box on that envelope. When all boxes of an envelope are crossed off, open the envelope at the end of your current game. Each envelope adds more tiles and rules to the game. During setup, remember to advance the goal marker 3 spaces for each envelope that has been opened!
"Some restorations are a priority. Vases and statues will be among the first artifacts you need to gather." Vases and statues are required to open the "Echoes of Ages" and "Stone Watchers" envelopes. Other envelopes will be available later on.
Solo Game
You learn from Selara to become a Watcher of Seasons.
At setup, choose one score marker for yourself and one score marker for Selara, and place them both on space 0.
Selara plays first. On each of Selara's turns, you must pick any one tile from the dig site (you may choose any legal tile) and place it in front of Selara. Selara always scores her tiles if she can (following the normal rules), and she also scores an additional 5 points on each of her turns.
Whenever you bust with a creature (other than the one shown on your own score marker), you must always give the two tiles to Selara.
Variations: You may reduce the difficulty by having Selara score only an additional 4 points, or increase the difficulty by having her score an additional 6 points on each of her turns.