Phase 1: Establishment

Duration: Until the first Queen of any suit is drawn

Tone: Hopeful, ambitious, foundational

Focus: The settlement is finding its footing. Players define community identity, establish resources, set up infrastructure, and articulate initial aspirations. Challenges exist but feel manageable. The future seems open.

Mechanical Notes:

• Characters emerge slowly; typically 2-4 by phase end
• Tension starts low and builds gradually
• Projects initiated tend to be infrastructural
• Deliberate actions often define cultural identity

Phase Ends: When any Queen appears, read that suit's Growth Phase entry below, then transition to Phase 2.