Forking Paths

issue #2 an analog / tabletop / live-action / roleplaying game zine

 Contents
Introduction 3

Overview of the classical myth 4

How to play Labyrinthine 8

Maze tiles 14

Oracle for protagonists 23

Colophon
all text and illustrations by Nathan Harrison, except where otherwise noted
published August 2019 in Portland, Oregon
text typeface is Garamond Premier Pro. title typeface is Argon, by Tom Anders
Watkins. other typefaces used are Caesar Dressing, Calder, & Metallophile Sp8
sketch on pg. 6 drawn after the sculpture Theseus and the Minotaur (1843) by
Antoine-Louis Barye
maze tile illustrations sourced by Nate Treme of Highland Paranormal Society
special thanks to playtester & explorer patron Rainbow, the Spectromancer
the rules: wanna hack, remix, or build off my stuff? drop me a line & let’s chat!

Contact
P.O. Box 55361, Portland, OR 97238
[email protected]
forkingpaths.info / orbis-tertius.org / nathan.creates.games
this zine is supported in part through my Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/_nthdegree
Forking Paths is a zine devoted to roleplaying games, storygames, and other
forms of emergent narrative. Welcome! This issue’s theme: Lost in Dark Halls.
Who’s lost? It could be me, starting work on this issue from the middle and
puzzling my way toward the edges. It could be the figures and histories that
animate a legend, caught between fragmented or contradictory positions. Or
it could be you, tracing and retracing steps during play: inside is Labyrinthine,
a self-contained storygame for solo or group play that uses custom maze tiles,
inspired in part by ancient Greek myth (plus a not-totally-coincidental overlap
with the name of this zine itself ).
The Minotaur and his infamous Labyrinth cast a long shadow, despite being
little more than an interlude in the lives of Greek royals and monarchs-to-be.
Chalk part of it up to aesthetics: the allure of the endless maze, swallowing all to
wander endlessly within. Labyrinths persist for their literalizing of the human
condition — sometimes making the leap from imagination into the real, like
the unicursal labyrinths gracing the floors of medieval churches and cathedrals
(metaphorical pilgrimages; to Jerusalem, to spiritual bliss) or the older knots,
spirals, and mazes cut into turf or laid out with rocks. We’re all doomed to die
in these halls, bound to our path or free to choose between this door and that in
search of a way out, knowing too well the truth that none have escaped before us
while alive. Thus, the Labyrinth. Our mortal coil, rendered in stone.
No map defeats the Labyrinth, even in the classical tale. The only hope is help:
a gift of yarn, or thread, or string, spun out behind us that we might retrace our
steps. What the clew gives us is the power to look back, know our past decisions,
and learn from mistakes with the certainty that we are not merely repeating
them. In short, experience. Our modern sense of “clue” comes from this same
“clew” (meaning a ball or skein of thread) that Ariadne gave to Theseus, so often
was that original clew invoked as a metaphor for trying to unravel life’s difficult
and perplexing situations.
Armed with such a gift ourselves, able to freely plumb the Labyrinth of our own
lives, we might at last live up to that ancient Greek maxim, inscribed above the
doors of temples and invoked or interrogated by philosophers:
ΓΝῶΘΙ ΣΕΑΥΤΌΝ
“Know thyself.”
4 \\ Forking Paths #2

Overview of the classical myth

The game in this issue is by no means Minotaur, yet leaves the Minotaur a
designed to only work with a single blank slate, absent any motivation or
legend, but this myth was the main personality. We learn his backstory
inspiration, and likewise gives a good and how he fits into the lives of
example of the kind of story the game others, but little ink is spilled about
can explore. So as a starting point, the his own “monstrous” deeds or nature.
core of the classical myth of the He is half man, half beast, though
Labyrinth is this: even in which combination is unclear;
depictions have thus varied over the
The Minotaur dwells within his centuries. Possibly he is murderously
maze, the Labyrinth, built at the violent; possibly he is a cannibal
command of King Minos of Crete. (meaning of humans, of course; there
Theseus of Athens arrives on the is no Minotaur-kind). All sound like
island of Crete intent on killing the slanders or excuses designed to cast
Minotaur, and is helped in this by the killing of a misbegotten,
Ariadne: royal daughter of Minos unwanted creation in a heroic light.
and half-sister to the Minotaur. She
promises her aid if Theseus will take The Minotaur as a character may be
her from Crete in his ship, and gives confined to tales of Theseus’ heroic
him a ball of thread to unravel and deeds (a Labyrinth he cannot escape
eventually retrace his steps once the even in death) but at least his origin
deed is done. Otherwise, he, like all extends outside that narrative. King
others banished inside the maze, Minos, though not the Minotaur’s
would be doomed to wander lost in biological father, is the seed from
its halls forever. Thus equipped, which the creature springs. Gifted by
Theseus enters the Labyrinth, finds the god Poseidon with a remarkable
and kills the Minotaur, and leaves bull of celestial beauty, white and soft
the island of Crete with Ariadne. as seafoam, Minos selfishly decides to
keep the fine animal for his personal
In those broad strokes, the encounter herds, instead of returning it to the
with the Minotaur is fairly anodyne. deity in sacrifice as was intended.
But the above leaves out quite a bit: Offended, Poseidon returns the
backstory, context, relationships, insult indirectly by cursing Minos’
history, and historiography — not to wife, Queen Pasiphae. Stricken with
mention a host of conflicting details. lust for the divine bull, Pasiphae has a
cattle-shaped frame custom-built to
Most of what can be layered onto the fit her inside, so that she can satisfy
above summary surrounds the her desire. She mates with the bull,
 Lost in dark halls // 5

later giving birth to a half-human, an Athenian defeat in war at the hands

half-bovine child. “Minotaur” is only of King Minos. Sometimes woven into
an epithet or title for the creature that war, or a cause all its own, is that
(“Minos” the king, combined with Minos’ son Androgeus was killed in
“taurus” for bull) and some versions Athens after winning too decisively in
give the Minotaur’s name as Asterius athletic games hosted by King Aegeus.
or Asterion, meaning “starry.” Tellings involving this aspect further
diverge on whether jealous Athenians
Minos orders a prison built to confine killed Minos’ son after his victories, or
the Minotaur and hide the shame his if Aegeus himself took insult and
pride brought down upon his royal killed Androgeus. In either case,
house, though in some versions he Minos calls down a curse on Athens,
takes this course only after consulting which becomes stricken with plague.
the Oracle at Delphi. The legendary Desperate for relief, they ask the
inventor Daedalus is given the task, Oracle’s advice, and are told to do
designing the confounding corridors whatever Minos demands. King
and branching passages that make the Minos’ war against Athens (or his
Labyrinth: a prison so vast and demand of tribute in place of a war
twisting it has no need of jailers, locks, campaign, or his price to lift his curse)
or even doors. Some sources involve then is the result of his grief and
Daedalus earlier too, as designer and vengeance for his son’s murder.
builder of Pasiphae’s cattle-shaped
frame. (As a historical aside, the name His demand is for seven young men
“Labyrinth” may derive from the and women at an interval of years;
labrys, a ritual double-headed axe tied sources disagree whether the tribute
to female religious orders on Crete. If was offered every seven years, every
that’s the origin, Labyrinth would nine years, or each year. Likewise,
essentially mean “house of the labrys.” some sources say the tributes were
Labrys imagery in the ruined Minoan chosen by drawn lots, or that the
palace of Knossos led archeologists to demand was for the seven strongest
theorize that its sprawling halls and men and seven most beautiful women.
rooms might be the genesis of the Their fate was to be banished into the
mythical Labyrinth, though other Labyrinth, either to die of starvation
historians dispute the association.) in endless wanderings, or be devoured
by the flesh-eating Minotaur.
The circumstances that later brought
Theseus to Crete sprang from the Enter Theseus: heir of King Aegeus of
tense relationship between Crete and Athens, fresh off a series of heroic
Athens, and in some tellings involved labors (in much the same vein as
another of Minos’ children. Several Heracles). Though the king’s trueborn
stories cite the tribute as owed due to son, he was raised far from Athens,
6 \\ Forking Paths #2

and accordingly had a chip on his the summary given earlier, though
shoulder to match his outsized several variations emerge. Ariadne’s
bravado. On the third occasion of the string is possibly on a spindle instead
human tribute due to Minos, Theseus of in a ball; the idea for it might be a
volunteered himself as part of the suggestion from Daedalus, who, as an
Athenian offering, promising to slay Athenian himself, is equally eager to
the Minotaur and break Athens free see Theseus to victory. Theseus is
of the obligation once and for all. To sometimes given extra insight into
signal news of his defeat or victory, navigating the Labyrinth by Daedalus,
Theseus told his father he would bring who as its builder tells him to take no
a white sail in addition to the tribute turnings and follow every stair that
ship’s customary black sail. If he leads down in order to find the
should succeed and live, he would fly Minotaur. (As interpreted by Robert
the white sail. If he failed and died, the Graves, the clew given by Ariadne is
returning ship would bear its usual magically enchanted, and unrolls
black sail. itself at Theseus’ feet to lead him to the
Minotaur directly.) In some versions,
Upon Theseus’ arrival in Crete, the Theseus enters the Labyrinth
story gains little more detail than in unarmed and strangles the Minotaur,
who is found sleeping. In others, he
smuggles a sword under his tunic
while posing as an unarmed tribute,
and after finding his quarry, fatally
stabs the Minotaur in a fight.

Minotaur defeated, Theseues leaves

Crete with Ariadne at his side. His
ship makes a landing on the island of
Naxos along the return to Athens, and
differences in the story spring up once
again. Ultimately, Theseus leaves
Ariadne behind on the island of
Naxos: either she is forgotten on the
island while sleeping, then happened
upon by the god Dionysus whom she
marries; or Dionysus appears to
Theseus and demands Ariadne as a
wife; or it is revealed that Ariadne had
sworn herself to be Dionysus’ wife
long ago, and the promise must be
upheld. In each version, Theseus sails
 Lost in dark halls // 7

on toward Athens without the one from Athens are not to be killed by a
who aided him against the Minotaur. monster, but are intended as slaves; the
Labyrinth is a mundane prison that
Due to haste, exhaustion, grief over temporarily houses the tributes,
separation from Ariadne, or simple instead of a mysterious maze; the
thoughtlessness, Theseus mistakenly defeated foe is Minos’ cruel general
flies the black sail meant to herald his named Taurus, who Theseus defeats or
defeat and death when he eventually slays in the arena; and so on.
return to Athens. Seeing the sail in the
harbor from far off, bereaved King Viewed through a social lens, there’s
Aegeus throws himself from a cliff the themes of transgression present in
into the sea below (the sea that now Pasiphae’s relationship — perhaps the
bears his name, the Aegean). Theseus, Minotaur’s origin was a simple affair
Aegeus’ only heir, thus becomes king of passion resulting in a child, recast
and sets Athens on the path toward with fantastic elements to sully her
democracy... or so the Athenians’ reputation or that of the king. The
version of their founding myth goes. stories that give the name “Asterion”
or “Asterius” for the Minotaur lend
this interpretation extra weight,
especially as both names appear as
names for other Cretan royalty
At the baseline, there’s the heroic (including King Minos’ own father).
reading of the myth: a warrior travels Likewise, the “monstrous” label could
to another land, slays a monster, and be the sad legacy of a child with a birth
frees his people of a burden. There’s defect or other visible disorder.
conflict in this version of the tale, but Equating abnormal bodies with
its morality is pretty black & white. monsters or villainy is a tale as old as
time. And as for Ariadne, her sought-
Then there’s the political reading: an for independence is vanishingly brief.
Athenian travels to Crete, the former
regional power, and kills a creature Using any of these approaches as a way
linked to Cretan royalty (as well as to reinterpret a familiar myth or story
part bull, a major Cretan religious is perfectly at home in Labyrinthine.
symbol). Thus, an Athenian upends The inspirational sources disagree
the old order before returning home to about events, their meaning, their
become the founder of a new era. consequences or causes, and so on.
Give yourself equally as much freedom
For the ancient writer Plutarch, many when playing! And if using a character
conflicting stories are attempted to be or situation plucked from an existing
reconciled, to map the myth onto a story, keep or change as much or as
plausible history. The human tributes little as you want.
8 \\ Forking Paths #2

LAbyR|nth|nE
Labyrinthine is a storygame (i.e., a The maze tiles have six different
narration-heavy storytelling game) for layouts, with a different type of
one to four players, lasting one to three prompt for each. The amount of each
hours. Using prompts on maze tiles, type of tile is in parenthesis.
you’ll tell the story of a protagonist
worthy of myth as they make choices Cross (12) a cross-shaped intersection,
and handle consequences. You won’t offering an open-ended choice.
explore just one series of events from Branch (9) a T-shaped junction,
beginning to end, though: you’ll presenting a decision between
traverse many branches, returning to opposites.
earlier decisions to make new choices Hall (9) a straight corridor, describing
and see how events play out from there. how something continues or
increases.
Required materials Turn (9) a corner, prompting an
◆ A set of all 52 maze tiles unexpected change or twist of fate.
or End (9) a stopping point, noting the
◆ A 52-card poker deck + this zine circumstances of death, demise, or
other ultimate fate.
Recommended materials Shrine (4) an octagonal room with
◆ 30+ glass stones (aka glass beads, four exits, home to an especially
pebbles, gems, etc.) or similar tokens significant (and ambiguous) prompt
◆ Pens or pencils that represents a destiny fulfilled.
◆ Notecards, index cards, or other paper
◆ A 52-card poker deck (can be the A single character, the protagonist, is
same deck used instead of maze tiles) the focus of the game. (Even in group
play, there’s still only one protagonist.)
Instructions for making a set of maze You could invent them from whole-
tiles are on page 14. If you’re using a cloth; pick them from the myth of the
deck of cards instead of a set of the Labyrinth or another legend; or, in
maze tiles, remove the jokers and any true Greek fashion, consult the oracle
other inserts. You’ll also need this zine on page 23 and let fate decide. That
as a key to see which cards correspond oracle is tailored to this game, so it’s
to which prompts and maze layouts. what I recommend using if you’re at all
Whenever the rules reference using unsure who you want to be. A little
the tiles in some way, follow the same background, some notable qualities,
steps with the cards. (Having a deck of and recent circumstances are plenty to
cards is handy to use with the oracle, get started. If, like me, you get stuck
too, even if using actual maze tiles.) on names, you don’t need that either!
 Lost in dark halls // 9

To choose the primary player, who tile corresponds to a protagonist’s

narrates most from this protagonist’s Ideal or Instinct, there may be
point of view, either decide among additional procedures as well. Those
yourselves or pick the player who was rules are covered later, but generally:
most recently underground. Any the Ideal grants the protagonist more
other players will play as the Fates. flexibility with matching tiles, whereas
the Instinct will rear its head in the
Each maze tile notes a suit of cards, form of unexpected endings.
which loosely corresponds to the
themes of prompts on the tiles: As the last step of setup, the primary
♣ Clubs: Fate, possibility, growth player chooses or draws one of the
♦ Diamonds: Value, reward, objects twelve Cross tiles. The situation and
♥ Hearts: Society, relationships, choice on that tile is the starting point
emotion for the protagonist, and the Origin
♠ Spades: Prowess, judgment, ruin tile for all the paths you’ll explore with
them. Place that tile in the middle of
Authority over those suits is divided the playing area, then make sure all the
based on the number of players. others are shuffled together well
(including the Crosses) and put them
1 player: The suits aren’t divided (all in a face-down stack nearby.
falling to the single player), but pick
one suit as your protagonist’s Ideal You’re ready to play!
and another suit as their Instinct.
2 players: The primary player picks one The story begins with the first prompt.
suit as the protagonist’s Ideal and The primary player narrates the scene
another as their Instinct. The two or situation corresponding to what’s
unchosen suits go to the lone Fate. on the Cross tile — even if they don’t
3 players: The primary player picks one have authority over the suit of this first
suit as the protagonist’s Ideal and one tile. They might narrate in the first-
as an Instinct. The two Fates divide person, using “I” statements:
the other suits between themselves. “I’m the Queen of Athens, and my
4 players: The primary player picks the messengers bring me news that my
the protagonist’s Ideal suit and their rival Sparta is vulnerable…”
Instinct, but keeps only the Ideal in Or in the third-person:
terms of narration rights. The three “Messengers arrive in the throne room
Fates divide the three other suits of the Queen of Athens, telling her of
between themselves. recent misfortune that has befallen the
rival city of Sparta, leaving it
When a tile is placed, the player with vulnerable…”
authority over its suit has additional Either one, or a combination, is fine!
rights or responsibilities. And if the (For the Fates: avoid using first-person
10 \\ Forking Paths #2

statements anytime you’re narrating Branch, or Shrine). The primary player

about the protagonist; second-person will narrate the protagonist’s response
“you” statements are best instead.) to events, make their choice if any,
draw three new tiles and choose one,
After narrating for a bit, the primary and play will continue in this cycle. A
player brings the protagonist to the basic example of those steps is below.
choice they’ve made. To find out what
follows after that choice, they draw
three tiles from the stack, lay them out
face-up, then choose one tile from
among the three. The chosen tile is Jess, the primary player, draws K♠ as
placed alongside the current tile, the Origin tile to start play. For the
connecting to an unused exit, and all prompt, they
tiles not chosen are put into a face-up describe how a
discard pile. The chosen tile is placed A rival or enemy is vulnerable.
rival, Sparta, is
in any orientation that maximizes the What action do you take? vulnerable. Their
number of other usable exits. (If the K♠ narration proceeds
stack to draw from runs out of tiles, until they make
shuffle the discard pile, place it face- their choice clear:
down, and continue as before.) the action their protagonist, the Queen,
takes is to seize the moment and attack.
Next, the player corresponding to the
suit on the new tile narrates how With the choice
events from the prior choice develop made, Jess draws
in light of the new prompt (for a Hall, three tiles from the On trial for past choices.
Punished or spared?
Turn, or End) or details how the new stack. They must
10♠
situation comes to pass (for a Cross, choose one of the
three to use.
Cross and Branch tiles make
clear which part of the prompt
should be narrated by the player Reputation spreads far and The result
falls upon the
who controls a suit (regular text), wide.
unintended.
5♣
and which part is exclusive to the 8♠
primary player (italics). Shrine
tiles are special: the player with
the corresponding suit should Jess chooses 8♠, a Turn tile. The new tile
describe the appearance of the is placed connecting to the Origin tile;
shrine itself, but the primary the other two are put into a face-up
player has full authority over the discard pile. One of the Fates is in charge
written prompt (hence why it’s of spades, so that Fate interprets and
entirely in italics). narrates how the prompt connects to
 Lost in dark halls // 11

what was narrated before. “On your means turning the tile so that its exits
order, the Athenian army lays waste to mostly point away from other exits/tiles.
the city of Sparta, slaying all found
within its walls. In the aftermath, the
bodies of visiting royals from Knossos are The result
A rival or enemy is vulnerable.
found among the slain. Your messengers What action do you take?
falls upon the
unintended.
soon bring word that King Minos has K♠ 8♠
sworn to avenge his dead children.”

Jess narrates what

form the promise

A promise made.
Kept or broken?
The result
A rival or enemy is vulnerable.
falls upon the
takes, describing

10♥
What action do you take?
unintended.
K♠ 8♠ whether it’s kept
or broken. When
ready, they draw
Before moving on, Jess has the chance to three new tiles to choose from, and keep
describe how their protagonist reacts to playing to find out what happens next.
this development. “I set off for Crete
immediately, headed to the royal palace
at Knossos, in hopes of cooling Minos’
anger...” After finishing their narration,
another three tiles are drawn to find out Invent as many details, intervening
what happens next. events, and so on as you like around
each prompt. If you’re not sure how to
fit in a prompt, or connect an idea, ask
questions to clarify previous details.
You cause a deception or A promise made. Narrating each tile should take about
misunderstanding. What do the
affected come to believe?
Kept or broken?
2-3 minutes, with an extra minute or
10♥
J♣ two during group play since more
folks are adding detail. Spending more
than five minutes narrating a single
Jess chooses 10♥, a tile is probably too long!
Branch tile. Hearts
The choice holds true for
a long time. is one of their suits, Wait until the protagonist is ready to
5♦ so Jess narrates the exit a tile before drawing the next
prompt as well as three — in particular, make sure they
the choice made. are committed to a course of action on
When placing the Branch tile on the tiles with a choice-based prompt. The
exit from the Turn tile, Jess orients the primary player places a glass stone (or
tile to maximize the number of exits for other token) on the current tile once
future tile placements. In this case, that they’re ready to move on. This leaves a
12 \\ Forking Paths #2

handy trail of breadcrumbs when you far, both involving how a protagonist’s
need to refer to past tiles, especially as Ideal and Instinct affect the game. The
branches grow more complex. first affects End tiles: specifically, those
that match a protagonist’s Instinct. If
Placing an End tile stops the current one of the three tiles drawn face-up is
story with a death or other definitive an End matching the protagonist’s
end. (If the labyrinth’s shape means Instinct, the primary player must
another type of tile must be placed choose and play that tile. This is the
with all its exits blocked, treat it as an unexpected ending mentioned before!
End, too.) After narrating the End, If there happens to be more than one
the primary player returns to any End matching the Instinct drawn at
previous decision point with an open the same time, the primary player can
exit along the path that just ended. It choose between them. Lastly, ignore
could be a choice immediately before this rule when leaving the Origin tile.
the ending that just happened, or all
the way back at the start! Wherever The second relates to tiles matching a
you return to keeps the same lead-up protagonist’s Ideal. Whenever new
established by tiles before that point, tiles are drawn, the primary player can
only this time the primary player will opt to save one matching their Ideal to
make a different choice. Pick up any use later. If they do save a tile, draw a
extra glass stones not along the path replacement from the stack so there’s
between the Origin tile and the still three to choose from. A saved tile
current tile. When the new choice is is an extra option during future draws,
narrated, draw three tiles as usual, and and can be played instead of choosing
keep following the new path to see a drawn tile. (Unless one of the three
how things go differently. drawn tiles is an End matching the
protagonist’s Instinct, as described
When you’re narrating along a above. That rule trumps this one.) The
new path, you can include or primary player can keep up to one
ignore anything established on a saved tile at a time. If they want to save
previous path. For example, if the a different tile before using the one
path that just ended uncovered they already have, the old tile is
your birth parent was actually a discarded. And when the protagonist
deity, that needn’t also be true on reaches an End, the primary player
the new path. Only the details discards any saved tile they may have.
established along the path
between the Origin tile and the Fates can each save one tile matching a
current tile must remain true. suit they control, too! However, they
have to wait until after the primary
There are two important additions to player makes their choice to claim one.
the core gameplay steps described so (In other words, the Fates can only
 Lost in dark halls // 13

snatch tiles from unused ones already

headed for the discard pile.) Whenever
related works
the primary player draws tiles, a Fate A selection of stories and novels
can offer their saved tile as yet another about mazes, and of lost wanderers
option. Fates can change a saved tile searching for meaning or an
the same way the primary player does. ultimate escape that will not come:
“The Library of Babylon”
For homemade sets of maze tiles “The Garden of Forking Paths” and
made with the type of cardstock “The House of Asterion”
that a copier or home printer can by Jorge Luis Borges
handle, the tiles may be difficult “Watson’s Boy” by Brian Evenson
to shuffle well. If that seems to be The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
an issue, there’s an optional rule House of Leaves by Mark Z.
you can use: the rule of three. If Danielewski
all three drawn tiles are the same
Labyrinth myth details drawn from
type (like all Crosses, all Ends,
Bibliotheca by Pseudo-Apollodorus
etc.) the “rule of three” allows the
and Parallel Lives by Plutarch.
primary player to discard all of
them and draw three new tiles in Games that inspired or influenced
their place, if they wish. the design of Labyrinthine:
Life on Mars and Fall of Magic by
The best time to end Labyrinthine is Ross Cowman
whenever the primary player feels like The Quiet Year by Avery Alder
their protagonist has reached a fitting Microscope by Ben Robbins
end. That could be after exploring the In a Wicked Age by D. Vincent Baker
very first path, or after reaching all A Penny for My Thoughts by Paul
nine possible End tiles. It’s up to you! Tevis
If the group is starting to feel restless, Becoming by Brian Engard
it’s probably best to follow the current Polaris by Ben Lehman
path to an End, and wrap things up.
Labyrinthine also draws on ideas
from In Ruins, an unfinished game
For groups, players should take turns
by myself & Josh Gearheart.
once play ends sharing which of the
protagonist’s various paths was their For a game specifically devoted to
favorite. I recommend taking a picture exploring life as a minotaur, seek out
of the labyrinth you created as a The Clay That Woke by Paul Czege.
memento, too! Given how many
different ways 52 unique cards can be The puzzle picture-book Maze by
arranged, in all probability your Christopher Manson is good, too!
labyrinth will be the only one with its
exact configuration ever made.
 14 \\ Forking Paths #2

Maze tiles for LAbyR|nth|nE

The maze tiles can be directly copied cardstock if you can (or better). I used
out of this zine (consider this my 110lb weight cardstock for my own
express permission being granted, for set. When making copies or printing,
any copy shops that might need it!) or make sure the tiles are printed out
printed from the standalone PDF of single-sided, so the backs of the tiles
tiles. If you have this zine, but no copy are blank. Once printed, cut the tiles
of the print-at-home PDF for the tiles, apart into squares, color in the heart
let me know — contact info is on the and diamond symbols with red (if
inside front cover. I recommend using you’re copying) and the set is ready!

A ancient grove of divine trees, At long last, the treasure which was
grown from seeds of paradise. Eat, kept from you and that you have
ask, and it will be answered. always sought.

A♣ A♦

Make the gift, swear the oath, and Waters lap gently in the cistern.
don the mantle of your Gaze long and you will
hidden lineage. be changed.

A♥ A♠
 Lost in dark halls // 15

A strange dream. What new You break a custom or tradition.

quest, task, or cause does it inspire? What are the lasting effects?

K♣ Q♣

You cause a deception or

An omen is written in the stars.
misunderstanding. What do the
How do you interpret it?
affected come to believe?

J♣ K♦

A unique relic, mechanism, or

ritual. What does it do, or Disaster strikes. You can save
make possible? some but not all. What is lost?

Q♦ J♦
 16 \\ Forking Paths #2

A festival, holiday, or other

Support is needed. With whom
gathering. To what patron, deity,
do you forge an alliance?
or lover do you swear a new oath?
K♥ Q♥

A familiar source of counsel. A rival or enemy is vulnerable.

What course of action is advised? What action do you take?

J♥ K♠

A snap decision is made, humble

A violent struggle erupts. You or significant. Who dies as a
are hurt gravely — how? result?
Q♠ J♠
 Lost in dark halls // 17

A task handed from on high. A deception uncovered.

Undertaken or refused? Reburied or made known?

10♣ 9♣

In dire need of help. Something dangerous and rare.

Given or withheld? Preserved or destroyed?

8♣ 10♦

A great boon at great price. A promise made.

Accepted or rejected? Kept or broken?

9♦ 10♥
18 \\ Forking Paths #2

What seemed
An intimate secret.
like choice is
Revealed or left hidden?
revealed as fate.
9♥ 7♣

An old
On trial for past choices.
decision rears
Punished or spared?
its head in the
10♠ present.

6♣

What results is
A great offense given.
something
Forgiveness or reprisals?
unexpected.
9♠ 8♦
 Lost in dark halls // 19

A different A change of
opportunity heart by
emerges. someone close.

7♦ 8♥

What was Your feeling

done becomes develops into
a major its opposite.
obsession.
6♥
7♥

The result falls A new

upon the problem
unintended. arises.

8♠ 7♠
 20 \\ Forking Paths #2

Reputation spreads far and wide. Mastery achieved in the

chosen course.
5♣ 4♣

The choice holds true for

A doubling of cost or reward.
a long time.
6♦ 5♦

More is at stake than anyone

knew until now. A feeling grows in intensity.

4♦ 5♥
 Lost in dark halls // 21

Trapped
A group increases in size. forever.
4♥ 3♣

Aftermath spreads from few In a strange,

to many. far-off place.
6♠ 2♣

Transformed
The effect is more than
into something
expected.
permanent.
5♠
3♦
22 \\ Forking Paths #2

To pay In defense of
a price. others.

2♦ 3♥

At the side of Another’s

your beloved. revenge.

2♥ 4♠

Mutual By your
destruction. own hand.

3♠ 2♠
Oracle for protagonists
♥ background ♦ distinction ♠ flaw/hardship ♣ dilemma
2 Grew up in a different society Genius inventor or thinker Distrustful, isolated An old promise must be fulfilled
3 Last of your lineage Recipient of prophetic visions Consumed by ambition Neighboring states are at war
4 Given up for adoption Beloved by the people Desperate to prove The people slowly starve during drought
yourself or famine
5 Child of a union between Eloquent speaker and Obsessed with the past Invaders pillage the countryside
feuding rivals diplomat
6 Orphaned or estranged Crafter of masterpieces Followed by bad luck An idealogue stirs the people up to
alarming outbursts
7 Born physically different or Described in a prophecy Cursed with terrible Something important has been stolen,
marked beauty broken, or befouled
8 Raised by beasts Favorite of a deity Hated by a deity Strange plague has fallen across the land
9 A reincarnated soul Scholar of secrets and hidden Easily provoked An old wrong must be made right
knowledge
10 Kidnapped and raised by Physical strength of ten people Target of vicious lies Whispers of a conspiracy are growing
others
J Member of a royal family Heir to a throne Lacking in subtlety The former monarch is dead or dying,
with no apparent heir
Q Descended from divine blood Bearer of a divine weapon or Rejected by society Divine wrath has been roused
tool
K Brought back from the dead Blessed with near-immortality Proud to a fault The people suffer under a tyrant
A Given artificial life or created Possessor of sorcerous magic Death foretold by an An unnatural force throws the cycle of
from inanimate matter oracle life into disarray
To use this oracle, take a 52-card poker deck, remove the jokers and other inserts, and separate the cards by suit. Shuffle each suit, then draw one card
from each. (For more-varied results, don’t separate suits; just shuffle & draw four cards. For less-varied, choose four ideas you like best.) Integrate
Lost in dark halls // 23

the four parts into a cohesive concept, and you’re done! A digital version of this oracle can be found at: http://forkingpaths.info/labyrinthine-oracle
ORBIS TERTIUS PRESS