CAPRIC I O US
We deities erupted in arguments
and quarrels and bickering.
Who did Creation serve? Who did
mortals praise? Who among us
was the most divine?
So we destroyed Creation.
We will remake Creation. Set the
THREADS anew.
Creation is there to serve us.
Mortals are there to praise us.
We will know, truly,
who is most divine.
Bequeathed the Stars
DOMAIN: light the fire
THREADS
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from the dark
sparking skies
colours crawl and sing
the embers, they glow
across the sky
burn, detonate, drift
DIVINITY
‡ Lose a SYMPOSIUM you initiate
‡ Use your domain as a THREAD
‡ Ensure that no deity becomes a challenger in a BATTLE at
least once
Stones Found Immaculate
DOMAIN: caringly collected
THREADS
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unearthed memories
at the bottom
in their embrace
sealed and protected
in motion, perpetually
writ upon the heart
DIVINITY
‡ Convince the same deity to vote with you three times
‡ Have THREADS that are fractured, mirrored, and distorted
‡ Do BATTLE and win
Gently Sleeps the Riot
DOMAIN: frenetic stillness
THREADS
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worked to fervor
let them seethe
under her gaze
moments of rage
lights splayed on walls
licking flames
DIVINITY
‡ Force a SYMPOSIUM to a draw
‡ Make a deal with another deity, then break it
‡ Create a Fractured Thread on all other deities
Night Songs Eclectic
DOMAIN: shadows waiting patiently
THREADS
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rot of new growth
a leaf on the wind
thrumming from below
protected from elements
staccato steps
sand, silt, and clay
DIVINITY
‡ Replace a THREAD that you placed
‡ Create three DETAILS under the same PILLAR
‡ Become the challenger in a BATTLE
Waiting for Morning Dew
DOMAIN: between a breath and a wink
THREADS
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summer rains fall
memories lost in a dream
telling lies to forget
humorous facade
smiles too wide
light bending through water
DIVINITY
‡ Replace a THREAD placed by the same deity three times
‡ Call for a SYMPOSIUM immediately after a deity replaces a
THREAD
‡ Do BATTLE to hijack another deity’s turn
Gift of Winter Winds
DOMAIN: danger so sweetly
THREADS
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forgotten bloom
howling beyond the veil
the sound of falling
trick of the light
gather round the warmth
stand sentinel silently
DIVINITY
‡ Use your name as a THREAD
‡ Call for a SYMPOSIUM and win by unanimous vote
‡ Do BATTLE and lose
GATHER THESE THINGS: three, four, five, or six people, including yourself;
deity profiles; a pile of index cards; writing utensils; this document;
documents from previous sessions.
Now you may begin.
Begin Creation
Each player selects a deity to embody. Choose from the available
profiles. Read over your profile to better understand who you are.
THREADS are living words – the manifestation of a deity’s
power. When spoken, they shape reality itself. THREADS
take the form of short, cryptic phrases with ambiguous
meaning. Their true meaning is defined through discussion.
Select one of your THREADS to define your relationship with the deity
on your left. The deity to your left describes what it means. Discuss
the finer details until you’re both satisfied.
Cross that THREAD out on your profile.
The three PILLARS support all of creation. Everything you create is
linked to one of these: MORTAL LIFE, MORTAL WAYS; UNIVERSAL TRUTHS; SHAPE
OF NATURE.
UNIVERSAL TRUTHS – brute laws, axioms, sources of power.
These show what is possible, and what is not. Shape how
these powers are harnessed, and how these laws guide
creation.
SHAPE OF NATURE – the land itself, flora, and fauna. Nature
presents both opportunity and danger. Shape the look and
feel of the world, and how nature interacts with itself.
MORTAL LIFE, MORTAL WAYS – language, culture, worship.
Mortals toil through their limited lives. Shape their effect on
the world, each other, and deities.
1
Write each PILLAR on separate index cards. Put them in the centre of
the table.
One by one, add a THREAD to a PILLAR. A PILLAR may have only one
THREAD.
● You may add a THREAD from your profile to a blank PILLAR.
● You may replace a THREAD on a PILLAR with one of your own.
● Do not discuss what a THREAD might mean. That is for later.
Any time one of your THREADS is replaced by another, it
becomes Fractured, Mirrored, or Broken. The deity who
replaced your THREAD chooses. Mark this on your profile.
Stop when each PILLAR has a THREAD, and a deity chooses not to
replace a THREAD.
Each THREAD that is on a PILLAR gets crossed out. The deity who
submitted the THREAD determines what it means. Discuss the finer
details, to ensure everybody understands.
2
Weaving Reality
With PILLARS in place, you may begin creating the world. Take turns
doing one of the following: Create a THREAD; Create a DETAIL; Place
a THREAD; Hold a SYMPOSIUM; Do BATTLE.
CREATE A DETAIL – Consider a concept you want to
expand upon. Something specific you want to be in your
world. Name it and connect it to one of the PILLARS. Write
the DETAIL on an index card and place it under the
corresponding PILLAR. Do not define it any further.
PLACE A THREAD – A DETAIL may have exactly one
THREAD at a time. To define a DETAIL add one of your
THREADS to the index card. You may replace a THREAD
on a DETAIL with one of your own. When you do this,
choose whether the former THREAD becomes Fractured,
Mirrored, or Distorted. Do not cross out your THREAD.
Do not define what the THREAD means. A THREAD is only
fully defined through a SYMPOSIUM.
CREATE A THREAD – You may replace a THREAD that has
been crossed out with a new one. Create your own phrase.
Consider discussions, the state of your world, or anything
else. If the former THREAD was Fractured, Mirrored, or
Distorted, there are further conditions.
Fractured: Use part of the old phrase in the new THREAD.
Mirrored: Make a THREAD that feels opposite to the
former one.
Distorted: Twist the meaning of the old phrase into
something unintended in the new THREAD
A Deity may have no more than six threads at a time.
3
HOLD A SYMPOSIUM – Declare that you are holding a
SYMPOSIUM. Tell the other deities which index card
(DETAIL and THREAD) you want to make permanent. You
may choose any DETAIL with a THREAD, even if you didn’t
contribute either part. You may offer reasons why, but do
not share your plans. Other deities may ask questions and
offer thoughts.
When you’ve heard enough, call for a vote.
When a majority votes in favour, you get to define what the
THREAD means. Others may offer ideas that build on
yours, but you have the final say in what is true. Discuss
the finer details to ensure everybody understands. Bring
the SYMPOSIUM to a close.
When you fail to get a majority, the DETAIL and THREAD
remain in flux. The THREAD can be replaced as before.
Bring the SYMPOSIUM to an end.
In the event of a draw, you must Do BATTLE.
DO BATTLE – BATTLE IS ANTITHETICAL TO CREATION. IT
IS DESTRUCTIVE, HOSTILE, VIOLENT IN NATURE. THE
CONSEQUENCES OF BATTLE CAN HAVE PERMANENT EFFECTS
ON CREATION ITSELF. IN NO SITUATION SHOULD A DEITY
CHOOSE TO DO BATTLE.
4
Set Creation in Motion
Continue adding DETAILS to PILLARS, THREADS to DETAILS, and
holding SYMPOSIUMS to manifest Creation. When all the Deities feel
content with their creations and contributions, agree to let life begin.
One by one, describe a moment that takes place in the world you have
created. Focus on any of the elements in creation. Show surprising
consequences of conflicting THREADS. Show how your works are
evidenced throughout history. Take your place as a Creator.
Divinity
Each Deity has a list of conditions to meet in order to maintain their
divinity. Each one that you meet increases your power. You may satisfy
some multiple times.
The Deity who is most successful becomes the ruler of all Gods. Before
the next game, you may change any of the PILLARS. This deity is the
first to add a THREAD to a PILLAR. They take the first turn after
PILLARS have been established. In a SYMPOSIUM, they have the
option to ask a question or offer idea before anybody else. They may
vote after seeing how the other deities have voted.
5
Do Battle
When there is a draw during a SYMPOSIUM, you are unhappy with the
result of a vote, or you want to make something true without
discussion or collaboration, Do BATTLE.
Announce what you want to be true, and issue a challenge to the table.
Another deity must step forward to face you. Should no one step
forward, you are the declared the victor. What you fought for becomes
true.
Once a challenger has been selected, engage in ritual battle.
Choose your approach: FORCE, RHETORIC, SUBTERFUGE.
FORCE – Direct and powerful action. Make yourself big,
and threatening. Others should fear you and want to avoid
confrontation.
RHETORIC – Methodical and logical action. Outwit your
opponent through careful argumentation, and undercut
their cause.
SUBTERFUGE – Manipulative and subtle action. An
underhanded approach that goes unnoticed until it is too
late.
DON’T
Write your approach on an index card, and add one of your THREADS.
When both deities are prepared, reveal your actions at the same time.
Describe what your combination means. Argue why your approach
wins, and how your opponent’s fails. Decide who is the victor.
Should you win, whatever you fought for becomes true. Should you
lose, return to play as normal.
IN THE EVENT THAT A WINNER CANNOT BE AGREED UPON:
DESTROY BOTH DEITY PROFILES. TEAR UP THE SHEET, BURN IT. DELETE
THE FILES FROM YOUR COMPUTER. DO NOT DOWNLOAD THEM AGAIN.
THOSE DEITIES ARE OBLITERATED. THOSE PRESENT MAY NEVER PLAY IN A
FUTURE GAME OF CAPRICIOUS WITH THOSE DEITIES PRESENT. FORGET
THEY EXISTED.
THEY ARE REMOVED FROM CREATION TRULY AND PERMANENTLY.
IF ALL ORIGINAL DEITIES ARE DESTROYED:
DESTROY THE GAME. SHRED, DISSOLVE, EAT ANY PHYSICAL COPIES.
DELETE THE GAME FROM YOUR COMPUTER AND REMOVE THE GAME FROM
YOUR ONLINE LIBRARIES. YOU MAY NEVER PLAY CAPRICIOUS AGAIN. FOR
YOU, IT DOES NOT EXIST.
CREATION IS NO MORE.
PILLARS TURNED TO DUST.
DETAILS ERASED.
THREADS ANNIHILATED.
THE GODS ARE DEAD.
YOU HAVE NO PLACE IN CREATION.
DON’T
