Abyss Echo: The Forbidden Rite

Abyss Echo: The Forbidden Rite Rulebook

Table of Contents

Foreword
Part I: Immersive Atmosphere
Part II: Gameplay
Part III: Story Mode Guidelines

Foreword

Thank you for choosing Abyss Echo: The Forbidden Rite. This is an immersive narrative game. Physical components, narrative choices, and gameplay systems all carry equal importance. Each element works together to create a complete tabletop experience.

Do not feel overwhelmed by the size of this rulebook. This manual is divided into three color-coded sections to improve clarity. You do not need to read all sections before starting the game.

Red: Immersive Atmosphere & Component Descriptions. This section helps you identify and organize all physical items. (Read this section first.)
Yellow: Core Gameplay Rules. This section explains the core systems of the game. Read this section when you are ready to begin.
Blue: Story Mode Guide. This section provides optional guidance for story-focused play. Read this section after you complete one full playthrough and want to focus on narrative progression.

Now, take a deep breath, follow our guidance, and prepare to embark on this supernatural journey.

Part I: Immersive Atmosphere

It begins on an ordinary day. You receive a mysterious package with no sender information. At first, you assume it is merely a forgotten misdelivery. However, when opened, what lies inside sends a chill down your spine. It is a private diary belonging to a student from Miskatonic University in 1925. Yet, as far as you know, this university, frequently mentioned in weird fiction, should not exist in reality...

Inventory Your "Evidence"

Before we officially open the diary, please take a moment to inventory the contents of the Core Box to ensure everything is ready. To preserve the sense of surprise during your exploration, the interior of the game box features a precision-layered storage design. Please refer to the structural diagram on the right to verify that all components are present and complete.

NOTICE: If you find any missing or damaged components during the process, please contact our logistics team at any time via email at [[email protected]], and we will do our utmost to resolve the issue for you.

The structural diagram lists the following components:

The Forbidden Stage (Custom Binder)
Call to Action Card
Foil-Stamped Dice Tray
Miskatonic Enamel Badge
Rulebook
Chapter Archive Box, x4
Character Profile, x5
SANscope
Character Profile Shield
Constellation Card
Echo-Point (Magnetic Bookmark)
Ghostwriter Badge
"Unbind" (Cursed Book Acrylic Magnet)
Destiny Coin
Trophies Of Fate
Narrative Artifacts tokens
Ending tokens
"The Veil Of Knowledge" (Engraved Cloth Bag)
The Seal & Mark System
Original Liquor Prescription (1920s Prohibition Replica)
Opening Letter
Sealed File: The Redacted Archive
Neuro Veil (Translucent Filter Card)
THE 13 ECHOES
Fracture Dice, x2
"Veritas Vos Liberabit" (The Pen Of Reason)

Core Mystery: The Four Chapter Archive Box

STOP! SPOILER WARNING! Do not open any chapter box in advance to check components. Open a chapter box only when the game instructs you to do so. This rule preserves discovery and tension. Our packing process is strict. If you find any missing components during play, please contact support at [email protected] for a replacement.

NO TIME SKIP. The narrative is strictly linear. Solve chapters in order from 1 to 4. Do not change the order or skip any chapter. This will break the story and may cause loss of sanity.

After you complete the full linear sequence, the full truth reveals itself:

Reaching the Fated Ending: At the end of the sequence, read the ending branch as instructed. The game contains 13 distinct endings.
Initiating Multi-Playthrough Cycles: The finale is not the absolute end. If you find the courage to attempt multiple playthroughs, you will have the opportunity to unlock SEALED FILES that have been erased from history. For details on how to use SEAL KEYS to awaken these memories, please refer to the Multi-Playthrough Schedule and Marking System section later in this manual.

For the specific contents sealed within each chapter's Archive Box, please check the inspection list on the back of the corresponding box.

NOTE: Remove protective film where applicable.

The four chapter archive boxes are:

Chapter I: [Emerald Dossier]
Chapter II: [Sapphire Dossier]
Chapter III: [Amber Dossier]
Chapter IV: [Crimson Dossier]

Reconstruct the Truth: Assembly and Archiving Guide

Some Special Pages use unique materials and processes such as custom sizes and manual pasting. We pack these pages separately inside the box. Before the first play, use the Page Numbers at the bottom of each page to insert each Special Page into its correct position within the Story Booklet. This restores the diary to its original continuous form. Place all Adversary Cards and Narrative Artifacts aside. They are key evidence for story progression. The diary will call for them at specific moments.

The assembly diagram labels the following:

Adversary Card
Narrative Artifacts: Student ID Card, Newspaper, Class Timetable, Steamer Ticket, Photo, and others.
Sealed Files
Special Pages
Story Booklet

Binding Your Archive. Once the sorting is complete, use the Forbidden Stage Binder to secure the organized pages. To provide the best tactile experience when flipping through, the central rings are typically designed to hold a maximum thickness of two chapters at once. As the investigation deepens, you may remove old chapters and replace them with new pages at any time.

Expansion Content Notice: For Resonators with the Miskatonic Archive Box. If you have additionally ordered the Miskatonic Archive Box during this campaign, you can unlock the ultimate version of the Archive! Please insert the two Modular Expansion Panels from that box into both sides of the Forbidden Stage. This allows you to add approximately one additional chapter's worth of pages to each of the left and right panels, creating a more complete and imposing reading setup.

Pause and Archive. Long nights often require multiple sessions of exploration. When you need to rest or save progress, please place the exclusive Echo-Point Magnetic Bookmark on the current page. It locks your investigation progress until you find the courage to open it again.

The Vessel of Madness: The Forbidden Stage

This heavy loose leaf binder, known as the Forbidden Stage, was once a normal student diary that Rodrigo carried from 1925 to 1926. Unknown events corrupted and distorted it into its current form. It now carries a disturbing presence. The truth behind this transformation awaits discovery during your investigation.

Operating the Metal Rings. When you need to insert or replace chapter pages, open the central six ring metal binder. The regular procedure is to press the metal tabs at both the top and bottom at the same time.

RESONATOR TIP: To ensure this diary remains durable throughout your long and maddening investigation, we have utilized high-strength reinforcement processes. Consequently, during the first few uses, if you find the metal rings to be too tight, it may be easier and more efficient to simply pull the rings outward with both hands.

Resonator Personal Compartment. The inner cover pocket uses a fully open design. We do not assign a fixed use for this space. In a real investigation, you may place a quick note, a torn newspaper from a wall as an extra clue, or any item you consider critical for survival. Please treat this as your personal storage area and use it as you see fit.

Sealing the Abyssal Whispers. When you finish an exhausting investigation, or simply wish to step away from the disturbing gibberish, place the assembled The Forbidden Stage Binder into the red cloth bag labeled "THE VEIL OF KNOWLEDGE" Engraved Cloth Bag. This is not merely for dust protection; perhaps... it is also to prevent certain things inside from quietly slipping out in the dead of night.

Trophies of Fate

Narrative Artifacts Area. When you acquire a Narrative Artifact in the game, place the corresponding Narrative Artifact Token on its numbered space. Do not remove these stickers during future playthroughs. They remain permanently as unlocked clues until you collect all artifacts.

Ending Echo Area. When you reach an ending in the game, place the corresponding Ending Token on its numbered space along the board's edge. Likewise, do not remove them during future playthroughs. They serve as an unlocked ending gallery, ultimately assembling your unique record of achievements.

This wall is a visual achievement system for your journey into the abyss. Whenever you uncover a brutal truth or reach a predetermined end, you apply the corresponding sticker onto this wall. When you fully complete the entire game, it becomes a unique trophy, a testament to your entire journey.

RESONATOR WARNING (SPOILER PREVENTION): To preserve the mystery, clue and ending stickers are on six separate sheets. Do not examine the designs in advance. Only peel a sticker when the story explicitly states you have "obtained a clue" or "reached an ending."

Character Profile

In this nightmare investigation, several key characters besides yourself have a profound impact on the story's direction. They are not simply passersby. Each one carries their own hidden past, unspeakable connections, and deep regrets. As the story progresses, when you trigger a specific memory node, the diary will guide you to consult these characters' secret files.

Each Character Profile seals four dimensions of information:

I. Basic Info
II. Innate Traits
III. Secret Ties
IV. Past Shadows

RESONATOR TIP: Loose ends are the norm. Please note that this information will absolutely not be revealed to you all at once in order. Some extremely hidden pasts will only surface when you achieve a specific ending, start a new game cycle, or unlock certain Sealed Files. Therefore, if you find that some characters' secrets are still shrouded in mystery after a complete playthrough, do not doubt that this is completely normal.

Bringing Characters to "Life" on the Table. To make your investigation even more immersive, the back of each Character Profile features a folding mechanism. You can prop the cards upright on the table, letting these intertwined souls witness your every choice throughout the journey. Please refer to the diagram below to select your preferred display mode.

Non-Destructive Archiving Technique. The hidden information on the Character Profile is initially obscured by a scratch-off coating. Once you have scratched them off and finished reading, should you wish to re-conceal this information for future playthroughs (to prevent spoilers for new players or to preserve the raw experience of a new cycle), please use our specially designed Character Profile Shields. Simply place them over the cards, and the secrets that should not be known ahead of time will retreat once more into the darkness.

Sealed Files and the Seal & Mark System

Beyond the main storyline and established endings, this diary conceals 8 Sealed Files that are absolutely inaccessible during your "Initial Investigation (First Playthrough)" (Two files are sealed within each chapter).

The true cycle only begins when you discover a Seal Key at the furthest reaches of the abyss or within specific endings. Upon restarting your investigation in a subsequent playthrough and reaching the specific point, the key will grant you authorization to unlock brand-new forbidden branches from Sealed File: The Redacted Archive.

The Redacted Archive utilizes a specialized tear-away design. Please tear out the unsealed pages directly and store them safely within the Sealed File folder.

Unlocking Sealed Files: Complete Operational Flow

How to Awaken Sealed Memories?

Step 1: Ignorance is Blindness. During your first playthrough, when you inevitably encounter a folder labeled Sealed File, skip it immediately. You do not yet possess the clearance to peer into its secrets.
Step 2: Finding the Keys of Fate. As your investigation deepens (or after reaching certain endings), you will obtain the corresponding Seal Key at specific narrative nodes. Please place it securely on The Seal & Mark System.
Step 3: Returning to the Abyss. When you begin a new playthrough and once again reach that previously closed Sealed File folder, check your record board. If you possess the corresponding Seal Key, open your Sealed File: The Redacted Archive and locate the story module with the matching ID.
Step 4: The Physical Revelation. Tear this specific Sealed File from the archive booklet, carefully read the newfound truths within, and slide it permanently into the Sealed File folder at that location. Congratulations, this hidden history is now an indelible part of your diary.

Regarding Other Marks. Beyond the Seal Keys, the system also includes reserved slots for other marks. Their specific meanings and detailed applications will be fully revealed to you in the next chapter: Gameplay.

Relics of the Abyss and Investigation Tools

The 13 Echoes. This volume records every possible fate that may await you. Absolutely do not read it in advance. If your sanity completely breaks during an investigation (meaning you fail the game), open this book immediately and read "Ending 0."
Opening Letter. A mysterious letter that appears from nowhere, addressed specifically to you. There is no signature on the paper. You must open and read it before you officially open the diary and begin this mad journey. Perhaps at some moment as you step into the abyss and continue your exploration, you will encounter the true author of this letter...
Fracture Dice. The box contains the standard dice as well as the specially provided Kickstarter stretch goal variant (Fracture Dice: Bloodstain Edition). For regular checks and gameplay, you only need to use one of them. Please choose the color you feel will bring you the best luck.
Foil-Stamped Dice Tray - Abyssal Green. This portable green tray is not only the perfect surface for rolling your dice but also a useful tool for organizing your table during play. You can also temporarily store loose tokens, stickers, or unused small items here.
Destiny Coin. A mysterious minted coin capable of swaying the tides of fate. Its specific activation mechanics will be fully revealed in the next chapter: Gameplay.

COLLECTOR'S TIP: This coin utilizes high-specification metal plating and enamel craftsmanship. To protect the eerie and exquisite patterns on its surface, we strongly recommend catching it in your palm when flipping it or letting it land on a soft surface (such as the green dice tray mentioned above) to prevent damage from hard impacts.

"VERITAS VOS LIBERABIT" The Pen of Reason. Each pen is individually crafted from real wood, so the pen in your hand has a wood grain pattern found nowhere else in the world. But this is not just an ordinary pen. Its length is intricately designed to be exactly 6 inches. In certain tense combat or special determination situations later in the game, you will be instructed to "roll the dice from a height of 6 inches." At that moment, this pen serves as your perfect physical height reference!
Neuro Veil Translucent Filter Card. During gameplay, when your SAN drops to 25 or below, immediately place this translucent filter card over your current diary page (excluding Combat Phase).

NOTE: Please remove protective film before first use. It will realistically simulate the maddening, distorted vision a Resonator perceives when their sanity is on the verge of collapse...

Narrative Artifacts Inspection Guide

Please carefully observe the [Coding] on the back of each clue.

The coding on each clue reads, in order: NO. (Unique Clue ID), Short Title (spoiler-free short title), and Chapter Title (the corresponding chapter).

Archive Inventory (20 items total). Note: Due to confidentiality protocols, the names of certain High-Risk Archives have been visually redacted.

NO.01 [STUDENT ID]
NO.02 [CLASS TIMETABLE]
NO.03 [PRESCRIPTION]
NO.04 [NEWS 215]
NO.05 [NEWS 216]
NO.06 [GROUP PHOTO]
NO.07 [STEAMER TICKET]
NO.08 [EXPEDITION PHOTO]
NO.09 [TORN DIARY]
NO.10 [ICE CRYSTAL]
NO.11 [ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE]
NO.12 [MEDICAL RECORD 2]
NO.13 [S██TLEMENT]
NO.14 [R██OVA'S L██TER]
NO.15 [MEDICAL RECORD 3]
NO.16 [O██TUARY]
NO.17 [INTAKE FORM]
NO.18 [TA██MAN]
NO.19 [O█D P█OTO]
NO.20 [B██EPRINT]

(█ marks redacted letters as printed in the source.)

LAWS OF THE CYCLE: Legacy Instructions for Multiple Playthroughs. When you begin a new game and re-enter the abyss, reaching a narrative node for an item you already possess: the acquisition is treated as "status quo" (it is assumed you have already brought the item back with you). However, note that the SAN loss and the story check associated with that node still resolve normally. The abyss's gaze does not diminish one bit simply because you are familiar with it.

Additional Atmospheric and Collector's Items

Echo Galaxy: Numbered Constellation Card. This is a unique commemorative initiative where we will organize and map the information of all participants onto a Massive Star Chart. Each card is printed with a unique, exclusive serial number and star chart sector. As a Resonator who has braved the abyss, if you wish to anchor your coordinates on the official star chart, please send the following information to [email protected]:

KS Backer Number (Required)
Nickname (Required)
Avatar (Optional)
Message (Optional, maximum 50 English characters)

Star Chart Search and Update Guide:

Sector Coordinates. To make location searching easier, we have divided the entire star chart into nine major thematic zones. Cards are assigned randomly, but the prefix of your serial number will guide you to your location (e.g., Number LX-328 is located in the "Lyra Zone"). The nine zones are: Lyra Zone, Orion Zone, Spiral Arm, Aurora Ring, Fallen Sector, Gray Harbor, Abyssal Spine, Morning Star Cluster, and Null Core.
System Updates. The star chart on our official website and Kickstarter page will be updated monthly; you will be able to find your star starting the following month.

NOTE: Data updates for this crowdfunding version will conclude in June 2027.

Within this galaxy, we hope that every Resonator who embarks on this journey will leave behind their own glimmer of light.

Ghostwriter Badge (Limited Edition Commemorative Badge)

The inaugural commemorative pin of Tin Universe. Voted into existence by the resonance of our community, it marks the exact origin of your descent into the Abyss. Wear it as a witness to the truth.

Miskatonic Enamel Badge

An authentic freshman pin forged in the shadows of the 1920s. It has survived a century of buried secrets. Now, the burden of inheritance is yours. Welcome to Miskatonic University.

"Unbind" Cursed Book Acrylic Magnet

A magnetic artifact to mark your personal investigation base. Be it your fridge, your workstation, or your sanctuary.

Note: Please peel off the surface protective film before use. Consider it breaking the final containment seal.

Original Liquor Prescription - 1920s Prohibition Replica

This piece of paper was the only legal gateway to bourbon during Prohibition. Back then, even madness had a medical cure. One shot usually did the trick. Keep it close. You're going to need a drink.

Part II: Gameplay

During the game, every choice you make determines how close you get to the truth. Sometimes you must rely on instinct to make a story decision. Other times, you must entrust your fate to the dice. Some situations require a deadly combination of both.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: in the world of Cthulhu, fate never favors anyone, and it is absolutely not fair.

While exploring the abyss, you must fight with all your might to protect your sanity. If your sanity reaches zero before reaching the end, you succumb to complete madness. This means the investigation has failed. The number of clues you possess, your inclination toward Science or Mysticism, and your final SAN at the end all weave together to create a unique ending, tailored specifically for you.

Will you uncover the truth behind the mist, or save Miskatonic University from its impending collapse? Where will your curiosity ultimately lead you? Are you truly just a bystander reading a story, or have you long since become an inseparable part of this cryptic past?

Set Up: Get Ready Before Playing

Unsealing the Dossier. Open the Emerald Chapter Archive Box (Chapter I).
Assembling the Stage. Arrange the Story Booklet, Special Pages, and Sealed File folders in strict numerical order. Secure them using the metal rings of The Forbidden Stage.
Displaying Evidence. Unfold the Trophies of Fate wall chart and lay it flat or mount it on a wall. Place the Narrative Artifacts Tokens aside. Keep the Narrative Artifacts and Adversary Cards from the chapter box within arm's reach.
Equipping Tools. Prepare the five Character Profiles, The Seal & Mark System board, the SANscope, and the Fracture Dice.
Determining Mentality. Roll the dice to calculate your starting SAN, and record the final result on your SANscope.

Start the Game

Read the Opening Letter. Before opening the diary, read the Opening Letter addressed to you.
Listen to Fate. Flip the Destiny Coin to determine your exclusive Buff for this playthrough.
The Abyss Gazes Back. The game officially begins! Throughout your adventure, whenever you obtain a Narrative Artifact, place the corresponding Narrative Artifact Tokens onto the designated area of the Trophies of Fate chart. Whenever your sanity is shaken or restored, ensure you immediately adjust your SAN on the SANscope.

Basic Procedures

This game uses "flexible immersion" as its core design principle. To avoid interrupting your exploration pace, most rules and mechanics unfold naturally as the story progresses. Whenever you encounter a new mechanical challenge, the journal pages will present the most direct instructions.

Therefore, you only need to understand the following core basic modules to easily step into this supernatural journey.

Forming an Investigation Team (Multiplayer Recommendations)

Abyss Echo supports not only solitary exploration but is also suited for 2 to 6 Resonators to face madness together. Since this is a shared narrative experience, and to prevent any single Resonator from bearing too much sanity impact (or reading fatigue), we strongly recommend the following division of duties when investigating as a group. Rotate these roles as chapters progress.

The Keeper (Reader). Holds the Forbidden Stage binder and reads the current journal pages and story choices aloud. Use your voice as the whisper of the abyss to immerse everyone in the story.
The Archivist (Asset & Mark Management). Manages the Trophies of Fate, Character Profiles, Destiny Coin, and sticker packs. When the story calls for clues or requires accessing Sealed Files, you present the evidence precisely.
The Observer (Checks & SAN Recording). Holds the Fracture Dice and the SANscope. When the team faces a Chaos Check or combat encounter, you shall cast the judgment of fate and coldly record the team's precarious SAN.

THE IRON RULE OF DISAGREEMENT. In the world of Cthulhu, arguments are often deadlier than monsters. When the team faces a stalemate over a choice, give the final decision to the current round's Keeper (Reader), or simply roll a dice and leave the fate to the gods. Never let endless arguments slow your escape from the abyss.

Fracture Dice and SAN System

In this spine-chilling investigation, the Fracture Dice will be your only physical reliance when facing the unknown. It possesses three distinct modes of use:

Numerical Check. Functions like a standard 8-sided dice; simply read the number on the top face as your result.
Chaos Check. Ignore the numbers; the outcome is determined solely by the unique symbols on the dice faces.
Combat Check. Used in specific battle scenarios (the physical landing point of the dice will determine damage modifiers; see the Combat and Adversary Cards section for details).

Numerical Check. Read the number directly. Example: The final result of this check is "8."
Chaos Check. Ignore the numbers; read the symbols only. Example: The roll results in "3 Sanity and 3 Madness." (Refer to the following page for the specific meaning of each symbol.)
Combat Check. Physical landing points determine fate. Example: If the dice strikes a specific body part within the monster's field, it will trigger different damage resolutions.

Chaos Check

When the narrative calls for a Chaos Check, numbers lose all meaning. Roll the dice and let the symbols on the upward-facing side proclaim your fate:

Star Symbol. Represents Sanity, symbolizing a flicker of clarity found amidst the horror.
Eye Symbol. Represents Madness, symbolizing the abyss eroding and distorting your mind.
Special Symbol. Represents a Critical Success, signifying an extreme favor of fate.

CORE RULE: Eternal Favor. Whenever you roll a Critical Success during a Chaos Check or a Combat Check, immediately restore or gain 3 SAN, then re-roll. If the re-roll result is another Critical Success, gain another +3 SAN and continue to re-roll until a non-Critical Success result appears. Once a non-Critical Success result lands, resolve it as normal; no further re-rolls are permitted for that check.

The Fracture Dice faces are as follows:

Face	Symbols	Meaning
1	1 Sanity	Only 1 Sanity symbol
2	2 Madness	Only 2 Madness symbols
3	1 Sanity, 1 Madness, 1 Sanity	Both, more Sanity
4	4 Sanity	Only 4 Sanity symbols
5	2 Sanity, 3 Madness	Both, more Madness
6	3 Sanity, 3 Madness	Both, balanced Sanity and Madness
7	7 Madness	Only 7 Madness symbols
8	Critical Success	Special: Critical Success

Please note that the design of the Fracture Dice is non-uniform. Some faces feature a single symbol, while others are a chaotic mix of sanity and madness. Depending on the conditions of the check, rolling the exact same face could lead to vastly different outcomes.

Calculating Initial SAN

Before officially opening the diary, you must perform two Numerical Checks to determine your starting SAN.

First Roll: Determining Your Base SAN. Roll the Fracture Dice and consult the table below to find your base SAN:

Roll	Base SAN
1	51
2	54
3	57
4	60
5	63
6	69
7	72
8	Critical Success: add +4 and roll again

(Base SAN Table)

Second Roll: The Boon of Destiny. Roll the Fracture Die once more and add the result directly to your Base SAN.

NOTE: If you roll an 8 during this second roll, it simply counts as a numerical +8. The Critical Success re-roll mechanic does not trigger during this step.

Calculation Demonstration

Standard Scenario:

First Roll: Results in 6 (consulting the table: Base SAN = 69).
Second Roll: Results in 3.
Final SAN: 69 + 3 = 72.

Extremely Lucky Scenario:

First Roll: Results in 8 (Luck Explosion! Record +4; must re-roll).
Second Roll: Results in 8 (Consecutive Explosion! Record another +4; must re-roll).
Third Roll: Results in 7 (Base SAN attained: 72).
Fourth Roll (the "Second Roll" phase): Results in 8 (counts as a flat +8 bonus; no further re-rolls).
Final SAN Calculation: 4 + 4 + 72 + 8 = 88.

Once the calculation is complete, immediately adjust and record your final starting SAN on your SANscope.

MENTAL BUFFER: Please note that the absolute ceiling of mortal sanity is strictly locked at 89. If your initial SAN exceeds 89, the overflowing points do not vanish; instead, record them on a separate note. They are transformed into a precious Mental Buffer. During your subsequent investigation, any SAN loss will be deducted from your Mental Buffer first until it reaches zero.

SANscope

Like two bloodshot eyes staring into your soul, the SANscope is a dual-dial component specifically for recording and tracking your current SAN. It consists of two independently rotatable discs and an eerie, hollow window.

You may adjust and display your real-time SAN at any moment by manually rotating the left and right dials:

Left Eye: Represents the Tens digit of your current SAN.
Right Eye: Represents the Units digit of your current SAN.

Listen to the Brain's Whisper. During the game's suffocating progression, whenever your SAN is impacted or unexpectedly recovers, simply rotate the dials to adjust the number to the latest reading. At this moment, through the hollowed-out window above the "Left Eye," you will see more than just cold, clinical numbers, you will discover a descriptive prompt regarding your current SAN status. Please ensure you carefully read these whispers as they manifest alongside your declining points; they provide the most direct and immediate insight into the harrowing depths of your current mental state.

RESONATOR WARNING: While your sanity remains intact, these windows may offer mere reminders; however, as the numbers plummet toward the unknown abyss, be prepared to face increasingly hair-raising distortions...

When SAN ≤ 25: Your senses will undergo a physical distortion. Immediately retrieve the Neuro Veil Translucent Filter Card and place it over the diary page you are currently reading.

Destiny Coin

After reading the mysterious Opening Letter, you may choose to toss this heavy Destiny Coin to pray for a unique form of protection for your initial exploration. Once the coin stops spinning, the side facing upward determines the specific special Buff available to you for this game session.

The Destiny Coin included in the Core Box features a double-sided design, each representing a different form of salvation:

SAN +10. A Sliver of Divine Mercy. You gain additional 10 starting SAN.
UNDO 1 DECISION. A brief reversal of time. During a long game session, you have one opportunity to undo any single decision you made.

Fate's Intervention in Multiple Playthroughs

Second Playthrough (New Game+). There is no need to toss the coin again. Simply flip it over and utilize the buff on the opposite side.
Third Playthrough and Beyond. The Destiny Coin no longer provides protection (do not use it). At this point, you fully understand the entire journey's peril. Your fate and final outcome will depend entirely on your conscious choices.

Expansion Content Instructions: For Resonators with the Miskatonic Archive Box. Inside the Archive Box, you will discover an additional Destiny Coin with an eerie design and entirely different effects. Before officially stepping into the abyss, you may follow your intuition and choose one of the two coins to toss, determining your exclusive starting protection.

The Seal & Mark System

Every inclination you show within the abyss will be placed on the record. The dedicated board for the Mark System consists of three distinct types of markers:

Seal Key. A credential that transcends timelines. This prove you have earned the right, even in the direst of circumstances, to unlock specific Sealed Files, allowing you to tear away the veil and reveal new truths in subsequent playthroughs (For specific usage, refer to Part I: Sealed File and the Mark System).
Mark of the Erudite. Represents your preference for utilizing logic, reason, and academic knowledge to dissect the unknown. The accumulation of these marks will have a profound impact when the game moves toward its final resolution.
Mark of Chaos. Represents your tendency to embrace madness and chaos itself. Much like the Mark of the Erudite, these serve as critical scores that will shape your ultimate ending.

Usage Guide. As the story progresses, whenever the narrative instructs you to gain a specific mark, place the corresponding physical token on the reserved spot on the board to record it.

Face the Fear: Combat & Adversary Cards

During your exploration of the abyss, bloodshed and combat are unavoidable. Each thrilling encounter consists of three core elements: the Attack Dice, the Monster Field, and the unique Adversary Card.

Please be aware that when you cast the Fracture Dice, they are far more than mere numerical generators. Starting from Chapter II, the physical area where the dice eventually lands will trigger special functions, such as Weak Point Strikes. These will directly determine the lethality of your damage or trigger unique mechanical shifts!

Every monster lurking in the shadows has its own unique and chilling mechanics. These malicious mechanisms evolve and update as the story progresses. Therefore, for specific combat rules, carefully read the corresponding Adversary Card each time you face a deadly encounter.

For smooth rolling, remove combat pages from The Forbidden Stage and lay them flat.

Combat Survival Protocols

Initial Mercy. In your first encounter, the Fracture Dice only determine the most basic attack. They deal fixed damage.
Eternal Favor. As the investigation deepens, combat mechanics will become increasingly maddening and perilous. However, remember this one iron rule: no matter what unspeakable horror you face, all rolls are subject to the Critical Success law.

If you roll the Critical Success symbol during combat, take a deep breath. Immediately restore 3 SAN and reroll the dice. If the reroll result is also a Critical Success, restore another 3 SAN and continue rerolling until you roll a non-Critical Success result.

When you finally roll a non-Critical Success result, use that result to determine the actual attack damage for this strike. Do not reroll again. Rolls that result in a Critical Success do not count toward the attack turn and have no negative effects, such as monster counter-damage.

The Final Bell: Ending the Game

In this gamble between sanity and madness, the story has two possible endings.

Plunging into the Abyss (Falling Insane). If your SAN hits zero before you reach the truth, it means your mind has completely shattered. The game ends immediately and prematurely. Open the The 13 Echoes and read Ending 0.
Touching the Truth (Reaching an Ending). If you successfully trigger a defined ending while your sanity remains intact, find the corresponding chapter number in the 13 Echoes to read your fate. Afterward, retrieve the exclusive sticker for that ending and solemnly place it upon your Trophies of Fate wall chart as an eternal record of your gaze into the abyss. (Refer to Part I: Trophies of Fate for detailed usage instructions.)

Whether you die with regret and madness or unveil that unspeakable veil, each finale is your unique Miskatonic University adventure epic.

Part III: Story Mode Guidelines

Ultimate Spoiler Warning

This section is strictly reserved for Resonators who have completed at least one full playthrough (first cycle).

If you wish to skip repetitive chapter checks in subsequent playthroughs and immerse yourself in the complete narrative branches and hidden character arcs via Story Mode, please consult the following guide.

If you have not yet reached an ending, close this page immediately! The text ahead contains major spoilers for the core mystery and hidden truths. Peeking ahead will completely ruin your enjoyment of discovering the unknown.

The Fork in Fate: Ending Observation Guide

At the conclusion of Chapter IV, the diary will perform a final Judgment of Fate. The destination you ultimately reach is determined by a complex interplay of the narrative artifacts you have collected, your final remaining SAN, and the balance between the Mark of Chaos and Mark of the Erudite on your Mark System board.

To ensure the smoothest story experience, we strongly recommend you consult the different ending branches according to the following three stages:

STAGE I: Mortal Struggles (Standard Ending Exploration). In your first investigation (first cycle), no matter what efforts you make, you can only reach one of the following 10 endings:
- Ending 2: The Agent
- Ending 3: The Leader
- Ending 5: To See Her Again
- Ending 6: The Fugitive
- Ending 7: Unclean
- Ending 9: Abyssal Soliloquy
- Ending 10: Madness
- Ending 11: Improvised Obituary
- Ending 12: Trapped in Echo
- Ending 13: The Upload
STAGE II: Horizons Beyond Samsara (Playthrough-Restricted Endings). After reading several standard endings and gaining a considerable understanding of the entire 1925 conspiracy, you are no longer a novice who knows nothing. We now recommend you open the The 13 Echoes booklet and read the other two hidden destinations absolutely unreachable in the first playthrough:
- Ending 1: One-Man Army
- Ending 4: Ascension
STAGE III: The Deepest Abyss (Hidden Condition). Among these thirteen echoes lurks an extremely unique outlier: Ending 8: Dark Conversion. You cannot reach this point simply by adjusting your stats. To trigger this desperate conclusion, you must first successfully unlock and read SEALED FILE #2: The Awakening of the Madman during multiple playthroughs. Only when you know that erased history will the door to this ending truly open for you.

HINT: The key clue to opening this archive is hidden on page Page 548 of Chapter IV...

OBSERVATION ADVICE. After finishing your earned ending, if you are curious about others, please refer to the Ending Determination Table at the end of Chapter IV for reverse-reading. This helps you most directly understand which attribute deviation or which choice led to a completely different life path.

Seal Key Tracking Guide

After your first successful playthrough, the remaining locked archives will likely feel like a thorn in your side. To obtain these eight critical keys, you must locate the corresponding Seal Keys at specific locations during subsequent cycles.

To prevent your sanity from completely draining during endless trial and error, we provide this tracking guide. Use the following clues to find the key to unlocking the truth in the corresponding chapters or specific endings:

Sealed File #1: The Faded Red Scarf. Key hidden in: Chapter II, Page 230.
Sealed File #2: The Awakening of the Madman. Key hidden in: Chapter IV, Page 548.
Sealed File #3: The Sharpest Blade. Key hidden in: Ending 6: The Fugitive (Final Page).
Sealed File #4: The Usurper of the Flesh. Key hidden in: Chapter IV, Page 487.
Sealed File #5: The Drowning Nightingale. Key hidden in: Ending 10: Madness (Final Page).
Sealed File #6: A Purple Iris for the Requiem. Key hidden in: Ending 1: One-Man Army (Final Page).
Sealed File #7: The Unburned Ashes. Key hidden in: Ending 2: The Agent (Final Page).
Sealed File #8: The Warden of Reason. Key hidden in: Ending 7: Unclean (Final Page).

Timeline Reconstruction for Multiple Playthroughs

The story of Abyss Echo is not limited to the 1925 diary. When you collect all Sealed Files (Seal Keys) across multiple playthroughs, you will piece together a grand, hidden narrative spanning decades.

To help you better organize the plot of story, here is the chronological order of all Sealed Files on the real timeline:

Echoes of the Abyss: Pre-1925

Sealed File #1: The Faded Red Scarf. Witness the bond and shadows of the Romanova sisters' childhood.
Sealed File #8: The Warden of Reason. Uncover the heartbreaking secret correspondence between Professor Sterling and his closest friend.
Sealed File #5: The Drowning Nightingale. Peek into the suffocating past of Catherine's childhood.
Sealed File #4: The Usurper of the Flesh. Records the first Antarctic expedition that planted the seeds of all future calamity.

The Convergence of Fate: 1925

The Main Narrative Begins: The core journey you experienced during your first playthrough.

Aftermath and Beyond: Post-1925

Sealed File #2: The Awakening of the Madman. A descent into a maddening "IF" timeline involving Rodrigo during his years at Miskatonic University.
Sealed File #6: A Purple Iris for the Requiem. Bear witness to Oliver's heartbreaking future.
Sealed File #3: The Sharpest Blade. The brutal truth about Captain Rourke, decades later.
Sealed File #7: The Unburned Ashes. The ultimate mystery: Reveals why this diary from 1925 finally arrived in your hands.

Quick Reference Table for Character Profile Unlocking

Each character card conceals four dimensions of information:

I. Basic Info
II. Innate Traits
III. Hidden Relationships
IV. Past Shadows

In Story Mode, if you wish to quickly complete a character's full background, please refer to the table below to find the designated chapters or narrative milestones where you can scratch off the concealment coating.

Dimension	Rodrigo	Tong	Romanova	Sterling	Catherine
I. Basic Information	Chapter One, Page 4	Chapter One, Page 25	Chapter One, Page 48	Chapter One, Page 88	Chapter One, Page 119
II. Advanced Traits/Clues	Chapter Two, Page 252	Chapter Four, Page 493	Chapter Two, Page 222	Chapter Four, Page 614	Chapter Three, Page 343
III. Hidden Relationships	At the end of Sealed File #6: A Purple Iris for the Requiem (Oliver)	At the end of Sealed File #7: The Unburned Ashes	At the end of Sealed File #1: The Faded Red Scarf	Chapter Four, Page 576	At the end of Sealed File #5: The Drowning Nightingale
IV. Ultimate Past	At the end of Ending 5: To See Her Again

Resonator Survival Quick Reference

1. Fracture Dice. Sanity | Madness | Critical Success.

The Iron Rule of Success: Rolling a Critical Success immediately grants +3 SAN and triggers an infinite re-roll until a non-Critical Success result appears (does not count as a turn during combat).

2. SAN Critical Alarm.

SAN ≤ 25: Sensory Distortion! Immediately use the Neuro Veil (Translucent Filter Card) to cover the current reading page.
SAN = 0: Zero Sanity. You are forced to open The 13 Echoes and proceed to Ending 0.

3. Combat Protocols.

Physical Landing: Starting from Chapter II, damage modifiers are strictly determined by the dice's final landing area.
Height Gauge: When a "6-inch drop" is required, use the length of The Pen of Reason as your official measuring scale.

4. Scars of Fate.

Seal Key: The exclusive authorization required to unlock specific THE REDACTED ARCHIVE during subsequent playthroughs.
Mark of the Erudite / Chaos: Key indicators that directly determine the path toward your final ending.

5. Miskatonic Logistical Support. Missing components or abnormal damage? Remain calm and contact the logistics support team for replacements: [[email protected]]