Quick answer

Set up Runes & Ruins by shuffling the 30-card deck, placing it face down, and grabbing a coin or token to scratch off choices as you read through the story.

What makes Runes & Ruins different

Unlike traditional card games, Runes & Ruins uses a scratch-off mechanic on each card to reveal your path. You play as an Arctic Fox scholar exploring the World of Børe between Skulk Hollow and Maul Peak. The entire experience is solo and narrative-driven, so there are no opponents or timers to manage.

What you need before starting

The game comes with 30 cards and requires nothing else from the box. You will need a coin, fingernail, or any small edge to scratch off the silver circles on the cards. A flat surface and good lighting help you read the small text clearly. No other components are needed.

Step-by-step setup and first play tips

  1. Shuffle and place the deck: Shuffle all 30 cards thoroughly, then place the deck face down in front of you. The top card is your starting card. Do not look at the cards while shuffling — the story unfolds in order.
  2. Read the first card aloud: Flip the top card and read the narrative text. Each card presents a story moment with one or more silver scratch-off circles. Read slowly and absorb the lore before scratching — the text sets up your choice.
  3. Scratch your choice: Use a coin or fingernail to gently scratch off the silver circle that matches your decision. The revealed text tells you what happens next and often directs you to another card number. Scratch only one circle per card — scratching multiple will break the story path.
  4. Follow the card number: After scratching, the card will tell you to find a specific card number from the deck. Search through the deck (without reordering) and place that card on top to continue. Keep the deck in the same order as much as possible — do not re-sort or shuffle mid-game.
  5. Continue until the story ends: Repeat the read-scratch-follow cycle. The game ends when you reach a card that says your adventure is complete, or when no further card number is given. A single playthrough takes about 15 minutes, but you can replay to explore different paths.

Product details

  • Runes & Ruins: Runes & Ruins is a single player adventure set between Skulk Hollow and Maul Peak, with 30 cards and a scratch-off mechanic. The scratch-off mechanic means you reveal choices as you play, so you cannot plan ahead — each decision is permanent once scratched.

    Runes & Ruins

    Runes & Ruins