Bones of Fate

Alea iacta est — The die is cast

The Story

The Blood of Aeneas

You are of the blood of Aeneas, founder of Rome. Your family has worn the purple for generations, heirs to an empire that stretches from Britannia to Persia.

The Betrayal

Your cousin — jealous, ambitious, ruthless — seized the throne while you slept. His guards dragged you from your bed. He sold you to Pictish traders as a slave, exiled to the frozen edge of the world.

The Path Home

Now you languish in a Pictish camp beyond Hadrian's Wall. But Romans do not surrender. Only your wits and the bones remain. Roll your way back to Rome. Reclaim what is yours.

Basic Rules

The Astragali

You play with four astragali — ancient knucklebones used for divination and gambling throughout the Roman world. Unlike modern dice, astragali have only four faces:

1
3
4
6

The four faces of an astragalus

How to Play

  1. Roll — Cast all four bones
  2. Hold — Tap dice you want to keep
  3. Re-roll — Cast the unheld dice one more time
  4. Score — Your final hand determines your score

Match Structure

Example Round

You roll 18, your opponent rolls 12. You win the round and take 18 points from them. Your score: 168. Their score: 132.

Scoring

Hand Dice Result
Venus
1
3
4
6
 Best! Take 30 from opponent
Normal Any other combination Sum of all dice (6-22)
Dogs
1
1
1
1
 Cursed! Pay 30 to opponent
Vultures
3
3
3
3
 Cursed! Pay 12 to opponent
Vultures
4
4
4
4
 Cursed! Pay 16 to opponent
Vultures
6
6
6
6
 Cursed! Pay 24 to opponent

Beware the Vultures!

Four of a kind (except 1s) is cursed. If you're holding three matching dice, think carefully before re-rolling — that fourth die could complete the Vultures and cost you dearly!

Ties

Charms

Divine powers granted by the gods. Equip charms before a match to gain special abilities.

Categories

Category Icon Purpose
Blessings ✨ Improve your rolls and outcomes
Shields 🛡 Protect against opponent effects
Curses 💀 Harm your opponent's rolls
Insight 👁 Gain information advantages

All Charms

Blessings (4)
CharmGodRarityEffect
Fortuna's Favor Fortuna Common Reroll up to 2 dice after your final roll
Apollo's Light Apollo Rare Your first roll cannot contain any 1s
Bacchus's Luck Bacchus Common If you lose a round, gain an extra reroll next round
Venus's Blessing Venus Legendary +15% chance to roll Venus (1-3-4-6)
Shields (4)
CharmGodRarityEffect
Neptune's Shield Neptune Rare Your held dice cannot be affected by opponent curses
Pluto's Veil Pluto Rare Your held dice are hidden from opponent sight
Vesta's Hearth Vesta Epic Prevent one Dogs roll from triggering its penalty
Juno's Protection Juno Epic If opponent rolls Venus, reduce their bonus by half
Curses (4)
CharmGodRarityEffect
Vulcan's Forge Vulcan Common One of opponent's dice becomes a 1
Diana's Hunt Diana Rare Opponent's highest die is reduced by 2 (min 1)
Mars's Fury Mars Epic Opponent loses 1 randomly held die
Jupiter's Wrath Jupiter Epic Force opponent to reroll 1 held die of your choice
Insight (3)
CharmGodRarityEffect
Mercury's Insight Mercury Rare See opponent's held dice before you roll
Janus's Sight Janus Rare See what your reroll will be before choosing to use it
Minerva's Wisdom Minerva Epic Reveal opponent's charm selection at match start
Legendary Charms (4)

Legendary charms can only be crafted by combining 5 Epic charms.

CharmGodCategoryEffect
Jupiter's Thunderbolt Jupiter Curse Force opponent to reroll ALL unheld dice. Their next roll cannot exceed yours.
Saturn's Time Saturn Blessing Take an extra turn. Your reroll does not count.
Mars's Conquest Mars Curse Opponent loses ALL held dice. They must roll all four.
Proserpina's Fate Proserpina Insight See opponent's final hand before you complete your roll. Can change your holds.

Avatars & Powers

Each avatar (except common tier) has a unique passive ability that affects your gameplay.

Roman Generals (8)
AvatarPowerTierEffect
Julius Caesar Caesar's Fortune Legendary +15% Denarii from wins, +10% drop rate
Augustus Pax Romana Legendary +30% estate income, +1 Optimas per win
Scipio Africanus Victor's Spoils Major +12% Denarii, +8% wager winnings
Marcus Aurelius Stoic Wisdom Major +20% charm duration, +10% rare blessing chance
Trajan Imperial Expansion Major +25% estate income, +8% Denarii
Constantine Divine Favor Major -15% Oracle cost, +12% rare blessing chance
Hadrian Builder's Vision Major +20% estate income, +10% Denarii
Nero Imperial Extravagance Major +35% estate income, -5% Denarii from wins
Barbarians (8)
AvatarPowerTierEffect
Hannibal Tactical Genius Legendary 1 free reroll per match, +10% wager winnings
Attila Scourge of God Legendary +12% Denarii, +15% drop rate
Spartacus People's Champion Major +2 Popularis per win, -10% bribe costs
Vercingetorix Gallic Defiance Major +15% wager winnings, +5% Denarii
Boudicca Queen's Vengeance Major +18% wager winnings
Alaric Sacker's Reward Major +10% Denarii, +8% drop rate
Arminius Ambush Master Moderate +12% wager winnings
Brennus Vae Victis Moderate +10% wager winnings, +5% Denarii
Heroes & Gladiators (8)
AvatarPowerTierEffect
Maximus Gladiator's Glory Major +2 Popularis per win, +10% wager winnings
Crixus Undefeated Moderate +12% wager winnings, +1 Popularis
Commodus Imperial Ego Moderate +8% Denarii, +10% estate income
Cincinnatus Humble Duty Moderate +1 Optimas and +1 Popularis per win
Horatius Bridge Defender Moderate +10% wager winnings
Mucius Scaevola Unflinching Will Moderate +8% wager winnings, +5% Denarii
Regulus Oath Keeper Moderate +2 Optimas per win
Coriolanus Exiled Pride Moderate +10% Denarii from wins
Legends & Rulers (8)
AvatarPowerTierEffect
Alexander World Conqueror Legendary +15% Denarii, +12% wager winnings
Cleopatra Serpent of the Nile Legendary -20% bribe costs, -15% Oracle costs
Mithridates Poison Immunity Major +25% charm duration
Zenobia Warrior Queen's Grace Major +10% Denarii, +15% estate income
Pyrrhus Pyrrhic Victory Moderate +20% wager winnings, -5% Denarii
Jugurtha Elusive Fortune Moderate +8% Denarii, +5% drop rate
Antiochus Eastern Wealth Moderate +10% Denarii, +8% estate income
Tigranes King of Kings Moderate +8% Denarii, +1 Optimas per win
Philosophers (8)
AvatarPowerTierEffect
Socrates Questioning Mind Major -20% Oracle cost, +10% rare blessing chance
Plato Philosopher King Major +15% rare blessing chance, +10% charm duration
Aristotle First Principles Major +15% charm duration, -10% Oracle cost
Seneca Stoic Wealth Major +10% Denarii, +12% estate income
Epictetus Inner Freedom Moderate +18% charm duration
Diogenes Cynic's Lamp Moderate -25% Oracle cost, -5% Denarii
Pythagoras Sacred Numbers Moderate +12% rare blessing chance
Zeno Stoic Endurance Moderate +15% charm duration, +5% estate income
Divine (8)
AvatarPowerTierEffect
Fortuna Lady Luck's Blessing Legendary 2 free rerolls per match
Romulus Founder's Legacy Legendary +2 Popularis and +2 Optimas per win
Aeneas Destined for Greatness Legendary 1 free reroll per match, +8% drop rate
Hercules Twelve Labors Legendary +15% wager winnings, +10% Denarii
Achilles Hero's Wrath Legendary +18% wager winnings, +10% drop rate
Odysseus Cunning Mind Legendary 1 free reroll per match, -10% Oracle cost
Mars God of War Legendary +20% wager winnings
Mercury Messenger's Speed Legendary +12% Denarii, +12% drop rate

Ranks & Estates

Social Ranks

Your rank reflects your standing in Roman society. Progress by accumulating wealth and winning matches.

#RankDescription
1SlaveWhere your journey begins
2FreedmanLiberty, but not citizenship
3PlebeianA common citizen of Rome
4EquestrianThe merchant class
5SenatorA voice in the Senate
6ConsulHighest elected office
7CaesarRuler of Rome
8DemigodBetween mortal and divine
9Minor DeityA god of limited domain
10Major DeityA god of great power
11OlympianAmong the twelve
12JupiterKing of the gods

Estates

Your estate generates passive income over time. Higher ranks unlock better estates.

EstateDescription
Humble FarmA small plot of land
Country VillaA pleasant rural retreat
City DomusA proper Roman townhouse
Palatine PalaceA palace on Rome's most prestigious hill
Mount OlympusHome of the gods themselves

Factions: Popularis & Optimas

Roman politics was divided between two great factions. Your influence with both determines your path to power.

✊ Popularis
Champions of the People

Clout earned by winning the favor of common citizens — soldiers, merchants, freedmen. Built through victories against civilian opponents and acts that benefit the masses.

🏛 Optimas
The Senatorial Elite

Clout earned by impressing the aristocracy — senators, generals, governors. Built through victories against officials and maintaining proper Roman dignitas.

Why Factions Matter

Building Clout

Every opponent grants clout based on their prestige rank. Soldiers and commoners grant Popularis; officials and aristocrats grant Optimas. Plan your battles wisely to build the influence you need.

Campaign: The Road to Rome

Journey from slavery in the northern wastes back to the heart of the Empire. Each zone has unique opponents to defeat and a boss battle to advance.

Prologue
The Pictish Camp
Beyond Caledonia

A hill fort in the northern wastes, beyond the reach of Rome. You are a slave here — but you were once so much more. Now you must earn your freedom with four small bones.

Zone 1
Vindolanda
Hadrian's Wall

The great wall that marks the edge of civilization. Soldiers, merchants, and travelers gather at this frontier fort.

Zone 2
Eboracum
Northern Britannia

The capital of northern Britannia, where legions train and merchants grow wealthy.

Zone 3
Londinium
Heart of Roman Britain

The bustling port city that serves as the commercial heart of Roman Britain.

Zone 4
Portus Itius
Gateway to Gaul

The channel crossing. Leave the misty island behind and step onto the continent.

Zone 5
Lugdunum
Capital of Gaul

The great city where three Gauls meet. Wealthy, cultured, and fiercely proud.

Zone 6
Mediolanum
Northern Italia

The gateway to Italia. You can almost smell Rome from here.

Zone 7
Roma Subura
The Common Streets

The teeming heart of Rome itself — taverns, tenements, and the pulse of the people.

Zone 8 — Final
Roma Palatine
The Seat of Power

The Palatine Hill, where emperors rule. Your cousin awaits. Reclaim your birthright.

Superbosses: Legendary Opponents

Beyond the zone bosses lurk legendary opponents — figures of myth and history who offer the ultimate challenge. Superbosses appear after you defeat a zone boss, but require significant wealth and influence to challenge.

SuperbossZoneRequirements
Cartimandua
Boudicca's Granddaughter		 Londinium 10,000 denarii + 2,000 clout
Critognatus
Heir of Vercingetorix		 Lugdunum 50,000 denarii + 5,000 clout
Thusnelda
Chieftain of the Cherusci		 Mediolanum 150,000 denarii + 10,000 clout
Maximus Decimus
Champion of Mars		 Roma Palatine 5,000,000 denarii + 25,000 clout

Defeating Superbosses

Superbosses are entirely optional but offer exceptional rewards. They require you to master the game, build wealth over time, and return to earlier zones once you've grown powerful enough. The Champion of Mars awaits only the most dedicated players.

Events & Activities

Beyond the campaign, regular events offer ways to earn rewards and test your skills.

Weekly Tournament

Compete each week to climb the tournament tiers. Points are earned based on your wins and opponent difficulty. At week's end, claim rewards based on your tier.

TierPointsReward
🥉 Bronze 0-49 50 denarii
🥈 Silver 50-149 150 denarii + charm
🥇 Gold 150-299 300 denarii + rare charm
🏆 Champion 300+ 500 denarii + epic charm

Monthly Labors of Hercules

Each month brings the Twelve Labors — a series of challenges inspired by the legendary hero. Complete all twelve for a special bonus reward.

Invasion Events

Occasionally, legendary enemies from Rome's history will invade! These limited-time events feature powerful opponents like Hannibal, Spartacus, Attila, and more. Defeat them before time runs out to earn exclusive rewards and titles.

Strategy Tips

Know When to Hold

  • High dice (6, 4) are usually worth keeping
  • A guaranteed 16-20 often beats a risky chase for Venus
  • Don't be greedy — a solid score wins more often than a perfect one

Fear the Vultures

  • Three of a kind is tempting, but the fourth die could curse you
  • Holding 6-6-6 and rerolling risks 6-6-6-6 (Vultures, pay 24!)
  • Unless you're desperate, don't gamble on four of a kind

Chasing Venus

  • Venus (1-3-4-6) is worth 30 — a massive swing
  • If you have three different faces, consider the chase
  • But remember: Venus is rare. Don't sacrifice a winning hand for a dream.

Match Economy

  • You take your score from the opponent — not just "win points"
  • A 20-point win means they lose 20 AND you gain 20
  • Cursed hands (Dogs/Vultures) are devastating because you PAY the opponent

Use Your Charms

  • Equip charms before important matches
  • Shields can save you from disaster
  • Insight charms give you information to make better decisions