Long ago, a splendid streak of crimson fell from the sky and carved the valley from the earth. The foliage that the light touched grew wild and fierce, and the wildlife grew larger and more fearsome. Life prospered in the vale.
From distant lands, members of many cultures converged, drawn by the mystery and allure of the red star and the verdant realm it created. They settled there, distancing themselves at first. The soil was hearty, perfect for crops; the rock was rich with mineral deposits begging to be mined, and the very land itself seemed eager to be shaped.
On warm summer nights, the velvet sky became streaked with the scarlet light of meteor showers. The settlers found that, under these lights, their crafting projects finished more quickly and with greater results! Before long, the people began to co-operate, sharing their wares and knowledge with one another.
Together under an evening meteor shower, they founded a shared township — one that valued knowledge and craft. The township was named Splendence after the valley that brought them all together.
In the centuries that followed, a red substance the people named material could be found after meteor showers. Artisans learned to craft using the substance, which lent magical qualities to their works. These works, called Artifice, were established which would catapult the township into an industrial revolution.
The Artisans of Splendent Vale is a cooperative adventure game set in a magical and unique land. As a troupe of artisans, you will explore the beauty of the Splendent Vale while honing your individual crafts. Overcome challenges during tactical action scenes played out on specialized grid maps, then experience individual interludes to build your story, separately from the group’s tale. Teamwork and careful strategy will be crucial during these encounters.
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Artisans of Splendent Vale is a cooperative, narrative-driven legacy board game where players take on the roles of artisans in a magical world, combining story exploration with tactical combat.
Gameplay Overview
Cooperative Storytelling: The core of the game is a shared narrative experience, with a campaign length of around 40-50 hours. The story is told through individual character books and a shared adventure book, with players making choices that determine their adventure path.
Unique Characters & Crafting: Players choose one of four diverse characters (e.g., artificer, apothecary, tailor, mason), each with their own unique crafting skills and character development mechanics. Crafted equipment can be used in the tactical action scenes.
Tactical Action Scenes: Adventures feature tactical battles or chase sequences on hex-based grid maps. Actions are determined by a shared dice pool, requiring teamwork and strategy to overcome challenges.
Legacy Elements: The game features legacy elements, where choices have lasting impacts on the world and characters. Players unlock new skills and record progress on their character sheets using stickers and other components.
Story Emphasis: Reviewers generally praise the rich, immersive, and charming narrative and world-building, which is the main draw of the game. The character-specific storybooks and interwoven text are highlighted as unique and effective ways to flesh out the cast.
Combat Mechanics: The combat system has a mixed reception. While some find the battle mechanics "quite ingenious", others find the dice-based system highly random and that the action scenes can become repetitive or drag on.
Production Quality: The game's components, including the numerous high-quality books, beautiful artwork, and custom dice, are frequently commended for their excellent quality.
Experience: The game is designed for 2-4 players, ages 14 and up, with sessions typically lasting around 90 minutes or more. Reviewers recommend it for groups who enjoy story-based campaign games and are willing to invest heavily in the narrative aspect over complex combat.
