Not counting the Shaman. Swipe or use the buttons.
One person volunteers as the Shaman. The Shaman runs the ceremony, settles any disputes, and has final say on everything. Their authority is absolute.
The Shaman participates in initiate activities but does not draw Initiate cards themselves — only Shaman cards. They also decide when any initiate's turn ends by declaring "Ludos is satisfied".
You have been blessed by Ludos with a special ability. Flip the card to reveal it.
You keep this power throughout the ritual, may use it as much as you want, and turn it on and off at will by announcing you are using it. After claiming the power, draw an additional card and take your normal turn.
Take turns drawing from the deck. The drawer reads the card's title aloud, flips it, reads its instruction aloud — then obeys.
Shaman cards are read silently by the Shaman, who acts on them without revealing the text. Power cards bless you with an ability you may use any time — claim it, then draw again.
The Shaman decides when each initiate's turn ends by declaring "Ludos is satisfied".
Initiates now find their own prompts from Ludos. For each turn, draw one Form card and one Function card. The initiate must quickly make up their own prompt from these two words and act on it.
As ever, the Shaman decides when the initiate's turn ends by declaring "Ludos is satisfied".
You are initiates of the Church of Ludos, God of Play. The goal? Throw yourself fully into a ritual of play, creativity, and complete submission in worship of Ludos. How? By drawing cards that give you instructions and grant you special powers.
There are four card types:
The app has already done all this for you. Tap through the phases below.
One person volunteers to be the Shaman. The Shaman runs the ceremony, settles any disputes, and has final say on everything. Their authority is absolute.
Everyone else is an initiate.
Note: The Shaman participates in Initiate card activities but does not draw Initiate cards themselves, only Shaman cards . The Shaman also decides when any initiate’s turn ends by declaring “Ludos is satisfied.”
In this first phase, the Shaman leads the initiates through the Opening Ceremony. The Opening Ceremony consists of 6 steps, which are listed for the Shaman at the end of the instructions.
This is the main ritual. Every initiate takes a turn drawing a card from the Initiate deck. This works as it does in the Warmup Phase.
However, now Shaman and Power cards are involved too:
In this final phase, initiates are ready to find their own instructions from Ludos. For each initiate’s turn, the Shaman draws 2 cards from the Ascent deck – one from the Ascent Form deck and one from the Ascent Function deck . The initiate must quickly make up their own prompt from these two words.
The Shaman decides what the Closing Ceremony looks like — it can be anything. Closing Ceremony is performed. Afterwards: all initiates restore the ritual space to normal. The altar is disassembled. Everyone shares a group hug to signify the return to cold, secular reality.
Indoors or outdoors — just enough room for physical movement.
If several do, let them plead their case. If none do, choose collectively.
Even asking this question is heresy. Extra exertion in your worship is encouraged.
Declare, hands outstretched, “SPIRIT OF LUDOS COME DOWN TO US!” If the spirit enters enough other participants, the Shaman may extend a phase.
You are Ludos’s voice in this circle. Steward the ritual with confidence. You have final say in moments of ambiguity. All styles are acceptable.
Yes you are worthy! Keep drawing until your next Initiate card, but don’t forget to test all your new powers out before proceeding.