Linwood
Linwood Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Overview
From the starting tile, players expand the forest area, known as Linwood, in search of the four element stones. Each stone has a unique ability which players can use within Linwood (described later). The aim of the game is to be the first player to collect all four element stones and return them to the starting tile.
Contents
One illustrated instruction booklet. Sixty hexagonal tiles. Three dice (two white, one black). Six coloured pawns. One black pawn (the Forest Bandit). Twenty four element stone cards. Two ability reminder cards.
Preparation
Place the starting tile face up in the middle of the table. Shuffle the remaining tiles face down, spreading them around the edge of the table. The Bandit (black pawn) is placed in the centre of the starting tile, and players place their pawns on their corresponding colours.
Roll the dice to see who starts the game.
Playing the game
Players take turns clockwise, from the starting player. On their turn, they begin by rolling one white dice (more dice are added later as elements stones are found). They then move from space to space the full amount shown on the dice. Players cannot move back onto a space from which they have just come, unless they reach a dead end.
Players may occupy the same space if they wish. When players reach the edge of a tile, they have the option of turning over a new tile. There is no limit to the amount of tiles turned during each players' turn.
Drawing new tiles
Players are not to turn a new tile until they have moved to the edge of their current tile. When players draw a new tile they can place the new tile however they choose against the same edge where their pawn sits. However, they cannot place a tile in such a way that they are unable move onto it. Players must move onto the new tile.
Element Stones
As players collect each element stone, they receive the corresponding element stone card.
In order to collect a stone, players must finish their turn by landing on the centre of the element stone tile. ie: no moves may be made after collecting an element stone.
Abilities
Each element stone contains a unique ability. These abilities can only be used as players collect each stone.
Forest allows players to control the Bandit. River allows players to cross water tiles. Wind allows players to roll two white dice. Fire allows players to use tunnels.
The Forest Bandit (Black pawn)
Players who hold the forest stone are able to move the Forest Bandit by rolling the black dice, along with the white. After moving their own pawn, players then move the Bandit the full amount shown on the black dice (in that order). The Bandit has two functions:
- Stealing Element Stones
If the Bandit lands on the same space as another pawn, that player will lose one element stone (decided by the player who moved the Bandit) and return their pawn to the centre of the starting tile. There is no limit to how many players the Bandit may steal from in one turn. If there is more than one player occupying a space where the Bandit lands, each player looses an element and returns to the starting tile. Stealing an element does not stop the Bandits movement. ie: if a four was rolled, the Bandit may move three spaces to steal an element, then move the remaining one space to steal another.
- Blocking Paths
Players cannot land on or pass through where the Bandit stands. In this way, the Bandit can be used to block players' paths.
The Bandit cannot cross water or element stones. Therefore, cannot steal element stones from a player while they are on these spaces. After leaving the centre of the starting tile, the Bandit cannot return there. This is also a safe zone for players. The Bandit cannot be used to turn over new tiles.
Water Tiles
A player can only cross water spaces once they find the river stone. Water is indicated by the blue spaces shown in the booklet's diagram.
The booklet's tile diagrams (water spaces, tunnel spaces) are images and are not reproduced in this text.
Tunnels
When players find the fire stone, they are able to navigate their way through tunnels. When players land on a tunnel, they can move directly to other tunnels within Linwood. Using a tunnel will end players' turns. An exact roll is not required to enter tunnels. Tunnels are the star-like spaces, shown in the booklet's diagram. There are only four tunnels within Linwood.