Vagrantsong

• Select a language:
• en

• Setup
  • • Players should choose their vagrants
      1. Take:
         • The vagrant card
         • A humanity token
         • Your 3 matching coins
         • 2 Starting skills (see vagrants)
      2. Place the humanity token on the max humanity
      3. Place your starting skills in the matching spaces (denoted by the "diamond" on the cards).
    • Place the junk cards near the board.
    • Place the haint effect tokens near the board.
    • Place all the rummage tokens in the bindle (bag).
    • Follow the setup instructions for the chosen scenario.
    • Place any remaining event tokens near the board.
• Vagrant Turns

  • At the beginning of a round, the vagrants determine the order in which they will take turns. Each vagrant turn is followed by a haint turn.

  • Move
    • • For each coin, the character can move their designated number of spaces.
      • Movement is always orthogonal.
      • Movement may be split between other actions. e.g. With a move value of 3, the character could move 1, investigate, then move the remaining 2 spaces.
      • Vagrants cannot move through terrain.
      • Vagrants can move through spaces with a haint, vagrant, or tokens.
      • Vagrants cannot end their movement on spaces with the haint or other vagrants.
  • Rummage

    • A full explanation of rummage tokens and their rules is here.

      • Draw 1 rummage token per coin placed on this action.
        • No matter how many tokens were drawn, only 1 token is kept.
        • Unkept tokens are returned to the bindle.
      • The rummage value on the player card is the maximum amount of tokens a player can have.
        • If a player goes over their threshold, return tokens to the bindle until they are at their max.
      • If event tokens are drawn from the bindle:
        • Resolve the event immediately.
        • If multiple event tokens are drawn, resolve them in order from lowest to highest.
        • After resolving the event(s), draw a replacement rummage token.
      • A rummage token may be used immediately after drawing, but remember that you can only use 1 rummage token per round.
      • Rummage tokens are discarded to the cycle track after use.
        • If this meets the threshold for the token's limit on the cycle track, cycle the track.
  • Investigate
    • • A vagrant in the same space as an event token can investigate it.
      • Roll a number of dice equal to the number of coins on the action.
      • For each coin placed on the action, roll a die.
      • 1 success is added for each die meeting/exceeding the investigate value on the character sheet. See the rules for booming boxcars if a 6 is rolled.
      • Most events will normally need 0-2 successes.
      • Regardless of success or failure, read the associated event text in the scenario book.
      • Discard the event token if the event was successful, unless otherwise stated in the event text. Generally, events stay on the board if the success criteria was not met.
      • "Moments" are like events, but are in the back of the rule book.
      • Event tokens on tracks (round, break, etc.), they are triggered when the marker enters (or moves past) its space.
      • Event tokens may be drawn from the bindle, see the bindle and rummage tokens for more info on this.
  • Patch Up
    • • Roll a number of dice equal to the number of coins placed on the action.
        • Gain 1 humanity for each success.
      • A vagrant can never gain more humanity than their max.
  • Bust (fight)
    • • Roll a number of dice equal to the number of coins placed on the action.
        • For each success, the haint gains 1 humanity.
• The Haint's Turn
  • 1. Determine the Haint Action
    • • The vagrant who most recently took a turn draws a rummage token from the bindle. If an event token is drawn, follow the instructions in the bindle section.
      • Perform the action as noted in the section of the scenario book that represents the current haint mood.
      • Discard the rummage token to the cycle track.
  • 2. Determine the Target Priority

    • Determine the haint's target in the following order:

      1. Special priority: The vagrant with the Special Target Priority token.
      2. Action specific: The vagrant or (non-candle) token that is considered the target priority from an action or effect in any train car. e.g. "target furthest vagrant" or "target closest vagrant".
      3. Candle: The closest candle in the same train car. Haints may only target a candle with an action that would move them a number of spaces.
      4. Hurt vagrant: A vagrant with the most humanity currently lost in the same train car, not the vagrant with the lowest humanity.
         • The number of wounds is ignored for this purpose.
         • Westbound vagrants are not considered for this.
      5. Nearby vagrant: The vagrant closest to the haint in any train car.
         • Westbound vagrants are not considered for this.
      6. Westbound vagrants: A westbound vagrant in any train car.
      7. Recent vagrant: The vagrant whose turn was the most recent in any train car.
  • 3. Move the Haint
    • • Haints move orthogonally only.
      • Haints may move through terrain and vagrants.
        • If a haint moves through a vagrant, they haunt the vagrant.
      • If the haint would end its move on a space with a vagrant, the vagrant moves to an adjacent space of their choice.
      • The haint will move up to its move value so that it ends in range of a vagrant.
      • The haint will move such that it haunts as many vagrants as possible.
      • If the haint is already in range of a target, it moves such that it haunts as many vagrants as possible and ending in range of the target.
      • If the target priority is not in range, and won't be after moving, the haint still moves toward the target.
        • As noted in resolve action, the target priority may change after moving if a different target is in range at that point.
      • If no range/target is specified, the haint will move towards the highest target priority.
      • If there are multiple paths a haint can take, always choose the one that is the worst for the vagrants. If there is not a potential worst outcome, players decide the path.
  • 4. Resolve the Action
    • • If the haint has moved and is is not range of its target, but there is another vagrant(s) in range, it will target them based on target priority.
      • If the haint action can't be resolved, it's ignored.
  • 5. Add the Rummage Token to the Cycle Track

    • After the action has been resolved, add the rummage token to the cycle track. If a threshold is met for that token, cycle the track. Then, the haint's turn is over.

• Winning and Losing

  • Many victory conditions are, or include, saving the haint. See the victory conditions for the scenario for specifics.

    • If victorious, read the victory moment at the start of the camp phase.
    • If all vagrants are Westbound at the end of the scenario, they are defeated. Some scenarios may have other ways for the vagrants to be defeated. Read the Defeat Moment at the start of the camp phase.
    • Victorious or defeated, players move on to the next scenario.

    Proceed to the camp phase.

• Various Rules

  • There are many assorted rules in Vagrantsong. This collects all the various rules in this section.

  • The Bindle and Rummage Tokens

    • Reminder: Only 1 rummage token may be used per round.

      • Rummage tokens may be used at any point during a round.
      • Rummage tokens do not require coins.
      • A rummage token may be used immediately after drawing it on a vagrant's turn.
      • Rummage tokens are discarded to the cycle track after use.
        • If this meets the threshold for the token's limit on the cycle track, cycle the track.
      • Rummage tokens may be traded/given to an adjacent vagrant.
        • Trading/giving is considered to be "using" the token for that round.
      • If event tokens are drawn from the bindle:
        • Resolve the event immediately.
        • If multiple event tokens are drawn, resolve them in order from lowest to highest.
        • After resolving the event(s), draw a replacement rummage token.

      Symbol	Name	Effect
      	Iron Nails	Target a haint within range 2 to have the haint gain 2 humanity.
      	Candle	The candle is placed in an open, adjacent space. A candle in the same train car becomes the haint's highest target priority. Once the haint moves onto the candle, the haint ends its movement and the candle is discarded. After the movement, the haint targets a vagrant in range.
      	Salt	When used, the vagrant may ignore the effects of a haint's action that targets the vagrant. Salt does not nullify a haint's move, haunted effects, or effects that target another vagrant.
      	Rabbit's Foot	The rabbit's foot is treated as a 4th coin. This is discarded after use.
      	Apple	The vagrant using the apple may flip a wounded skill card face up so it can be used again.

  • Booming Boxcars

    • Booming boxcars (commonly referred to as "exploding dice") is a concept wherein, when dice are rolled, if a 6 is rolled, an additional die can be rolled.

      • This can be repeated as long as a 6 keeps getting rolled. All the successes are counted.
      • It must be a natural 6. e.g. It cannot be a 5 with a +1 modifier.
  • Cycling and the Cycle Track
    • • When the number of rummage tokens of a particular type meets its cycle value (number to the right), the track is cycled.
        1. Resolve the cycle effect for the haint's current mood.
        2. Put all rummage tokens on the cycle track back in the bindle.
  • Haint Effects
    • • Haint effects are represented by 2 different tokens.
      • Normally, a vagrant may only gain 1 of each type of haint effect.
      • Haint effects are removed in the way defined in the given scenario.
      • If negating a haint effect requires discarding a rummage token, only the player with the token may discard it to negate it. e.g. Vagrant 1 cannot discard a token to remove a haint effect from vagrant 2.
  • Haint Moods
    • • Haints have 2 different moods.
      • The mood is tracked via the mood token. Flip this over as the haint mood changes.
      • Haints always begin a scenario with the top-most mood.
      • When the mood changes, use the actions/effects from the new mood thereafter.
  • Haunted
    • • If the haint moves onto a space with a vagrant, they are haunted.
      • After the haint move is resolved, resolve the haunted effect for the haint's current mood.
      • A vagrant can only be haunted once per turn.
  • Humanity

    • Both vagrants and the haint (zero by default) have a humanity value. You are generally trying to restore humanity to the haint to win a scenario.

      Vagrant Humanity

      If a vagrant's humanity reaches zero:

      • The vagrant suffers a wound, returns their humanity back to their max and either:
        • Flips a skill card to the wounded side OR
        • Flips a junk card to its broken side.

      If a vagrant would reach zero and all of their junk/skills are flipped to broken/wounded, they become Westbound.

      Haint Humanity

      • If the haint's humanity reaches the humanity threshold (breaking the haint):
        • Any additional humanity the haint would have gained is lost.
        • Move the marker up 1 space on the break track. Resolve any events on the space. See the investigate action for more info on resolving events.
          • If the marker would move off of the 1 space, the haint has been saved and (usually) the vagrants have won the scenario.
        • Reset the humanity tracker to zero.
        • The haint does not take its next turn!
        • All vagrants gain 1 humanity.
  • Junk
    • • Junk is always active, unless broken.
      • They do not require a coin to use.
        • Some junk might give additional benefits if a coin is placed on them.
          • Coins cannot be placed on junk in 2 consecutive rounds, like skills.
      • Junk cards can be traded during the camp phase.
      • Broken junk can only be fixed during the camp phase.
  • Passive abilities

    • Each character has an ability that is available in either the scenario or camp phase. These are always in effect regardless of whether or not it is the vagrant's turn.

  • Placing Skills and Junk

    • When placing skills, note that the skills, when matched with the player card, will form a ◆. This limits you to 2 skills per side and 1 junk card (unless you are the wayfarer).

  • Rounds

    • 1 round consists of each character taking a turn (followed by haint turns). See turns for more info. If the round marker is on the 6th space and would move, move it back to the 1 space.

  • Skill Cards
    • • The same skill card cannot be used in 2 consecutive rounds.
      • Common skills are available to all vagrants.
        • These can be obtained by spending coins on them during the camp phase.
        • These can be exchanged between vagrants during the camp phase or held along with junk in the belongings.
      • Exclusive skills are tied to the vagrant matching the shown symbol.
        • These do not cost coins.
        • These are obtained via story elements in the game.
        • These cannot be traded.
        • They can be saved as personal belongings and swapped out during the camp phase.
      • Skills that summon:
        • Summoned characters cannot be placed on terrain.
        • Vagrants may move through summoned characters, but cannot end their movement there (as is normal).
        • Haints may haunt it to remove it from the train board.
        • It cannot be targeted by skills other than the skill that placed the character.
  • Targeting and Range
    • • Targets are one of 3 things:
        • "V": vagrant
        • "H": haint
        • "Any": either a vagrant or haint
      • Be sure to check the action text as it may allow for additional targets.
      • Vagrant's targeting:
        • Count the specified distance orthogonally from the character to the target location.
        • A "0" (zero) range means the vagrant can target themselves.
        • Range can be drawn through other characters.
        • Range cannot be drawn through terrain.
          • A haint on terrain can be targeted.
      • Haint's targeting:
        • Count the specified distance orthogonally from the character to the target location.
        • Range can be drawn through terrain.
  • Turns

    • Turns in the game cycle back and forth between a character and the haint such that the haint has a turn after each character (unless the haint is broken).

  • Westbound

    • If all of a vagrant's skills and junk are flipped to their wound/broken side, the vagrant becomes Westbound and does the following:

      • Discard any haint effect tokens.
      • Flip your vagrant card to the Westbound side.
      • Place your humanity token on the 1 space.
      • Keep any rummage tokens.
      • Place your character's Westbound skill on top of 1 of your skill cards.
        • Note that this skill will be lost if the vagrant is still Westbound at the end of the scenario (below).
      • A Westbound vagrant cannot lose humanity if they only have 1 humanity.
      • Westbound vagrants cannot perform skills, even if they are healed, but can do general actions.
      • If a vagrant is ever told to flip their card to the Westbound side, flip all their skills to wounded and junk to broken.
      • If all vagrants are Westbound at the end of a scenario, read Moment 13.
      • If a vagrant is Westbound at the start of the camp phase, they must permanently discard the skill they placed their Westbound action on.
        • If they became Westbound multiple times during the scenario, they still only discard 1 skill.
        • The discarded skill may be wounded or normal.
      • If a Westbound vagrant would lose humanity and their humanity is greater than 1, they may instead have the closest, non-Westbound, vagrant lose the humanity instead.
      • When a Westbound vagrant regains all their humanity (during the scenario or during the camp phase):
        • They flip over any 1 of their wounded skills to the normal side.
        • They flip over their character card.
        • Place the humanity token on the max value.
        • Set aside the Westbound action card.
• Vagrants

  • Cursebearer

    • Ability: (Passive - Devil on Your Heels) Once per turn, after you're haunted, that haint gains 1 humanity.
    • Starting skills:
      • Old Knife, Strange Blade -- #67
      • Distant Memory -- #68

    Empress

    • Ability: (Passive - Boxcar Queen) The 1st time your roll a booming boxcar (6 on the die), roll an extra die.
    • Starting skills:
      • General's Orders -- #51
      • Strangely Resonant Speech -- #52

    Songsmith

    • Ability: (Passive - Upbeat Tempo) If you only have 1 coin on a skill, reduce the success value of that skill by 1.
    • Starting skills:
      • A Little Rhythm -- #35
      • An Old Medley -- #36

    Revivalist

    • Ability: (Passive - Selfless) When you would gain humanity, you many have another vagrant in range 2 gain that humanity instead.
    • Starting skills:
      • Soothing Hymn -- #59
      • Copal Incense -- #60

    Runaway

    • Ability: (Passive - Girl's Best Friend) You have the pup.
      • The runaway has 2 standees, herself and the pup.
      • When placing vagrants during setup, place the pup in an open space adjacent to the runaway.
      • If both the pup and runaway are affected by a single effect, only the runaway is affected.
      • They share humanity, coins, junk effects, rummage value, and haint effects.
      • Coins may be placed on the pup card to have the pup perform move, investigate, or bust actions.
      • The pup is considered a vagrant for targeting purposes, but is not affected by the haunted by haints.
      • If a haint ends its move in the same space as the pup, the pup is moved 1 space (like vagrants).
      • The pup cannot use rummage tokens or perform the rummage action.
      • If the pup finds a rummage token via an event, is is placed on the pup's card.
        • The pup can hold onto this as long as the runaway has capacity to do so.
        • It must be given to another vagrant to be used.
        • If the pup gives a rummage token to the runaway, the runaway cannot use a rummage token that turn.
    • Starting skills:
      • Soothing Hymn -- #59
      • Copal Incense -- #60

    Wayfarer

    • Ability: (Passive - Thrifty) You may hold 1 additional junk.
    • Starting skills and junk:
      • In a Pinch -- #75
      • Feathery Friend -- #76
      • Writer's Satchel -- Junk #31
• Camp Phase

  • First, read the Moment for victory or defeat as appropriate.

    Tear Down

    1. Restore humanity
       • Flip over any Westbound vagrant cards to the normal side.
       • Restore humanity back to the maximum for vagrants.
       • Haint effects are removed.
       • Any coins not available to vagrants are returned to them.
    2. Clean up scenario
       • Remove any unused event tokens from the bindle.
       • Discard the Seance card.
       • Return any rummage tokens to the bindle.

    Build Up

    1. Spend coins
       • Players collaboratively decide how to spend their coin pool.
       • All coins from each vagrant plus any earned from rituals are available to use.
         • Players may also discard any broken junk to get 1 coin per discarded junk.
         • Any coins not spent will be lost.
       • Coins can be spent on the various actions:
         • Acquire new skills: (2 coins) There are 2 skills available per scenario. The new skill is added to a slot for the chosen vagrant. If skills are acquired via Moments, they do not cost coins.
         • Heal a wound/fix junk: (1 coin) Wounds and broken junk can be healed/fixed for 1 coin per item.
         • Rummage: (1 coin) Players may rummage 1 (as normal) to acquire rummage tokens that can be brought into the next scenario.
         • Acquire junk: (3 coins) Shuffle the junk deck for your current tier (tier 1 at the start of the game) and draw the top card. This can be purchased for 3 coins.
           • Any replaced junk can be put in the groups belongings.
           • Only 1 junk can be purchased per camp phase.
         • Draw different junk: (1 coin) Vagrants may put the offered junk on the bottom of the deck and draw a new junk. This can, again, be acquired for 3 coins.
         • Perform a seance: (1 coin per vagrant) Vagrants may gain the seance card for use in the next scenario. The seance is used per the scenario rules.
         • Bank coins: (1+ coins) Mark off the number of banked coins on page 41 of the rule book, or your campaign sheet (see Mile Posts below for a link to download the sheet for printing), as boxes in the appropriate location on the sheet from left to right.
    2. Save game (optional)
       • Keep the skill and junk cards associated with each vagrant for use in the next scenario.
         • Wounded skills and broken junk stay in the same state.
    3. Manage vagrants
       • Vagrants may switch out skills and/or junk as long as they have space in the appropriate locations for said items.
       • Personal skills may be swapped in out for each vagrant at this time.
       • Personal belongings, like group belongings, are unlimited.
       • A new vagrant can chosen during this phase.
         • Permanently discard any exclusive skills for your current vagrant.
         • Starting skills are not permanently discarded and may be used if a player switches to this vagrant later.
         • Choose any non-wounded skill/unbroken junk to keep for the new vagrant.
         • Choose a new vagrant that is not Westbound and gain that vagrant's starting skills.
       • At this stage, a new player can be added to the group.
         • They take the character's starting items and may also take skills/junk from the group's belongings.
    4. Witness the In-Between
       1. Return any pooled coins to each vagrant.
       2. Draw the top card from the In-Between deck and read the story out loud. The In-Between deck should be in numerical order and never be shuffled.
       3. Each player secretly chooses one of the available reactions.
          • Each player will place a coin with their choice face down (A for choice A, etc).
       4. After all players have chosen, flip the In-Between card and each player resolves their results individually.
    5. Start the next scenario
       • Players should progress to the next scenario per their victory, defeat, or the In-Between card.

    Mile Posts

    • You can check off mile posts in the rule book on page 41 or you can download and print off a copy of the tracking sheet at: http://www.wyrd-games.net/vagrantsong
• How to Play Videos 📹