Opener

Rise as the Grimsborne, or be swallowed by the Gloom


Chance and deception decides who falls and who survives. Enter the game of monsters, tomes, and treachery. Played in rounds of brutality and domination of those seeking to break the Gloom’s hex and rise as the Grimsbourne. Where every cast drags everyone closer to the edge.  


A tabletop survival horror based on tension, cunning, and swift decision making. Built for unforgettable rounds and no endless rules. It’s a story driven gameplay that feeds into collectable sets of trading cards 


Cornerstone of the game 


  • Rivals chase the same prize: You are all trying to lift your hexes, but only by outlasting 

  • the other mobs.

  • The Keeper shapes the round: Each round, one player controls the draw, reveals first, and leads the danger.

  • Short, brutal clashes: Players enter the fray, cast tomes, summon monsters, and attack until one mob remains.

  • Dice and tomes twist the odds: Every battle can swing wildly, and every cast pushes the game closer to the brink.

How to Play 


(graphic or video) accompanied by the below summerised copy

Draw  Keeper chooses how many tomes and monsters everyone draws. 

  • 1-3 Tomes

  • 1-3 Monsters

Keeper draws +1 extra tome.

Set in turn order, set a facedown monster as your Mob Boss in the Fray or pass the round for the next player to make their move. 

Clash Reveal Mob Bosses, then in turn order each player makes one move (Cast, Summon, Attack, or Pass) until only one Mob Boss remains.

Survive Outlast your rivals as the last Mob Boss standing, then break 1 Gloom’s Hex and draw 1 tome from your Haul. The Keeper passes the role clockwise. A new round begins.


What you need to start the melee

  • 2-6 players 

  • 6 monster cards per player

  • 40 tome cards shuffled and placed into the Gloom

  • 3 tome cards are handed out to each player, must be faced down 

  • 2d6 is rolled amongst all the playes to see who becomes the Keeper (highest gets it)

Gameplay Explained

The Keeper dictates the round by choosing how many Tome cards and Monster cards each player gets.

Tome Cards

  • The Keeper decides on a number from 1 to 3.

  • Each player draws the number of Tome cards decided by the Keeper from the Dark Deck into their hand.

  • The Keeper, draws 1 extra tome, in addition to the decided number of Tome cards

Monster Cards

  • The Keeper decides on a number from 1 to 3.

  • Each player draws the number of Monster cards decided by the Keeper from their Mob Deck into their hand.

Lore and Card Types