Backstories: Alone Under the Ice
Backstories: Alone Under the Ice Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Setup
- Organize your space so there is a Player area, a Panorama area in the center of the table, an Objective area and a Discard area (where you place cards that are no longer needed).
- Read the first card of the adventure out loud and apply that card's effects.
Then you can start your adventure!
We suggest leaving the deck of cards in the box and taking them as and when you are instructed.
The four areas are:
- Discard area
- Panorama area
- Objective area
- Player area
Types of Card
There are various types of cards. Each card type has a different function, which is shown by its color (top left corner).
Character / Objective / Ending Cards
These cards tell you what you need to do to continue your adventure. You place them in the Objective area. Character cards allow you to follow the status of your hero.
Clue Cards
These are important adventure aides (images or text) which allow you to resolve certain situations during your adventure or better understand the challenges you're up against. You place them in the Player area.
Story Cards
These cards progress your adventure based on the actions you perform. You place them in the Discard area after reading them, unless you're told otherwise.
Situation Cards
These cards are images of locations, people or items where you can perform actions using your Action cards. You place them in the Panorama area until you're told to discard them. The Situation cards build up a broader view of the scene.
Note: When you draw a new Situation card, it is either added to the existing cards in this area or it replaces one. The diagram at the top of the card will tell you where to place it. If it replaces a card that is already in play, discard the previous card. The number of the card to be discarded will be shown on the card.
Action Cards
These cards represent courses of action, items, characters or other things that interact with the Situation cards. There are two types of Action cards: Window cards, which have a window in them, and Notch cards, with a notch in the side. To begin with, you place them in the Player area.
Status Cards
These cards are placed beneath your Character card, keeping the red section at the top visible. Throughout the story, effect conditions may refer to your current Status (for example, "If you are Wounded, draw XXX"). If you are instructed to draw a Status card that is already beneath your Character card, the card will give you further instructions (usually it will say: Turn over this card).
Progressing the Story
Perform actions based on the Action cards. This progresses the story.
Note: You cannot start a new action until you have completely finished the previous action.
If you're playing as a group, you work together as a team to complete the objectives. Set out the playing area in the way that feels most natural.
If you want a more structured approach: Take it in turns to perform an action. You can discuss the options as a group, but the person whose turn it is makes the final decision about which action is played. When you've finished your action, play passes to the player on your left.
Playing an Action
Choose an Action card from the Player area and a Situation card from the Panorama area and then pick up those two cards. Holding the Action card against the back of the Situation card, turn them over, making sure that the cards stay together. If it's a Window Action card, read the text in the window and apply any effects.
If it's a Notch Action card, draw the numbered card indicated by the notch from the deck. If there is an icon instead of a number, apply the icon's effects. If there is no number and no icon, nothing happens. Return the Action and Situation cards to their respective areas without looking at the information on the back of the Situation card.
Players tend to focus on Window cards and forget to use their Notch cards. If you get stuck, try using one of your Notch cards!
Applying an Effect
To apply an effect, you follow the text in the colored box. These effects help you progress your adventure and give you hints to help your adventure run smoothly.
- Draw [number]: Draw the numbered card from the deck that is indicated. If you're told to draw a card which is no longer in the deck, nothing happens and play continues.
- Discard [number]: Place that number card in the Discard area.
- Turn over this card: Turn over the card with this icon on it and read on.
- Return this card to the deck: Return this card to the deck. Make sure it is in numerical order and face up.
Some effects are dependent on a decision — for example, "If you want to keep searching: Turn over this card" versus "Otherwise: Return this card to the deck."
Some effects have a condition — for example, "If your belongings are in the basement (card 10 is in play): Turn over this card without reading on." If the condition is met, you must apply the instructions on the card.
When a card has multiple effects, apply them in the order you read them so that you don't forget any, as this could affect your experience or lead to inconsistencies. Be careful not to forget to do anything!
For each action, read the card text out loud and apply its effects. Then read any new cards you are told to draw and apply any further effects.
Don't forget to return a Situation card to the Panorama area once you've finished with that card (unless you are told to discard it).
Guessing the Card Number
Sometimes you'll have the opportunity to uncover secret codes (by solving a riddle, for example). You can only draw that card from the deck if there's a magnifying glass next to the number.
If the card you think you should draw does not have a magnifying glass, it is not the correct card.
End of the Story
Your adventure comes to an end when you draw an Ending card. There are multiple endings to each scenario, depending on the choices you make!
Special Rules for This Scenario
You'll be required to draw Status cards in this scenario. You place these cards above your Character card. The consequences of these cards will apply until the end of your adventure. An effect may relate to a Status card (indicated by an icon next to the number).
Example: Draw 24 (snowflake icon)
If you're told to draw a Status card you already have, follow the card's instructions.