Inkwell

Illuminated manuscripts, and a superior who would like them finished.

The abbey at Iona, famed for manuscripts heavy with gold leaf and remarkable calligraphy, and through talent and discipline you have joined the ranks of its master illuminators. Jasper Beatrix, Lewis Graye and Joey Palluconi designed it for DVC Games, and the whole thing is built to celebrate the real manuscripts it is imitating.

The abbot is the clock. Empty the last inkwell of a given type and he ticks the game closer to its end, so the pace is set by the table collectively rather than by a round track. Turning the page scores your completed work, hands you gold leaf, lets you choose your next page, and moves your ability cards to the side where they carry on working for you — an engine of learned skills that thickens as the game goes. The pressure is that an upset abbot can make you turn the page before you have finished. Few rules, a great many choices, and it plays solo.

Perfect for: Anyone who has been asked whether something is done yet and had to answer "nearly".

1–5 players | 30–40 minutes | Age 10+

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