Combat Rules ○ Therefore, even if you have already played Arena: the Contest,
do not skip the QuickStart.
• Before starting Tanares Adventures’ Epic Campaign, you must un-
derstand the combat system — especially how to move and attack What to play first?
with Heroes.
○ These rules are found in the QuickStart. Grab it and leave it in • We recommend you play Tanares Adventures first, even though
reach as you move forward. its events take place after Arena: the Contest’s campaign. (Think of
Arena as a prequel movie that you may watch later.)
Campaign Rules
Components to grab in Arena’s Game Box
• You will learn about the Calendar, Facts, City Management, and • You may completely ignore all booklets (Campaign Tome, Quest
other aspects of the Campaign in the Introduction, which begins
ahead. Consult the Rulebook if you have questions not covered in Guide, Rulebook, QuickStart guide) in Arena: the Contest). Grab,
this book. instead, the following components:
The Rulebook A lways used P robably used S ometimes used
• If you have questions about combat not covered in the QuickStart, Game board Hero miniatures Prisoner miniatures
or questions about the campaign not covered in this book’s Scenario tiles Hero attack cards Orb miniatures
Introduction, consult the appropriate section of the Rulebook. d20 (twenty- Villain figures (varies
Tokens: Time, XP, “+70”
○ It contains precise, thorough rules for episodic consultations (you sided die) with Quest)
may read it from cover to cover, but it is not necessary). Chest Team token (red and
Fate cards
miniatures blue)
Arena: the Contest HP tokens Flask cards
• Although Arena: the Contest and Tanares Adventures share a sim-
ilar combat system, their campaigns are played with a completely
different set of rules.
Epic Campaign - An Overview gather intelligence on the kemet and their plans, amass resources, help
the town grow in capabilities and power, and be in the forefront of the
initiative to take Fisherman’s Wharf back.
The Empire is at war! A mysterious species — the kemet — came from
the other side of the ocean to attack the continent. They have successfully This is the “loop” or “cycle” of what you’ll do in the campaign:
conquered the coastal city of Fisherman’s Wharf and established base
there. “Wharfers” are missing and the enemy threatens to expand their
territory.
(Journey Phase)
1. Choose a Quest Card among those available;
Tanares Adventures is a cooperative dungeoncrawler for 1-4 players.
2. Play its corresponding Quest in the Journal and Quest Guide;
In it, you are a Hero established in Wharfugee, a hidden town located
○ Meanwhile, gain Story Facts, loot cards, and Kemet Hunt levels.
a few hundred miles east of the kemet-conquered city.
○ Take note of everything in the Campaign Log.
For various reasons (such as proudly defending your homeland, or
saving your family of Wharfers) you will assemble a TEAM of FOUR: (City Phase)
not too large to draw attention, but strong enough to conduct “special 3. Return to Manage the City, develop its Structures, gain new items
ops” missions, called Quests: help the Ironhand and others in need, and assets.
Quest Guide • 3
Introduction 1 It’s nighttime, but you keep away from the main roads because the
moonlight shines bright on the land. Foes had been pursuing you after
THE CAMPAIGN BEGINS HERE.
a successful adventuring day, and you think you’ve lost them.
DO NOT CHOOSE YOUR HEROES YET. The fast-paced journey takes is toll and you decide to set up camp.
YOU WILL LEARN THE CAMPAIGN RULES AS YOU MOVE What will you do? Each PLAYER must choose a different option:
FORWARD IN THIS INTRODUCTION.
A) Your party depends on every ounce of strength you can spare and
Grab 40 cubes (8 different colors, except black ones, 5 copies of each). your muscles are sore from today’s fighting, so you rest.
B) Keep watch. You never know when your enemies might catch up
to you.
C) Prepare a meal for everyone. That ought to lift everyone’s spirits
up for tomorrow.
Malrokian Curse D) Get away from the others to have some alone time and recollect
your thoughts, as the party relies on you for a good part of their
strategies.
History And Setting E) Go hunt. Best case scenario, you bring back good food; worst case
Malrokian Curse scenario, you find enemy scouts and take them down before they re-
port on your position.
Eternal Storm and Wasteland
Evolutionist Church When all players are done choosing, go to [2]
• “Massive bloodshed will be punished with natural catastrophe.” For
many centuries, this—the Malrokian Curse—has been the rule of
the land.
2 Assign the following components according to each player’s
choice in the previous section:
• The first Malrokian Curse episode happened almost two thousand Player “A” (if any) gains 1 yellow cube.
years ago. It consisted of an earthquake followed by a tsunami that Player “B” (if any) gains 1 grey cube.
decimated life in Stravian and Outumn provinces and spawned,
Player “C” (if any) gains 1 green and 1 brown cube.
deep in the western ocean, what Tanareans call the Eternal Storm,
which wrecked all ships that later ventured too far from the coast. Player “D” (if any) gains 1 purple cube.
Player “E” (if any) gains 2 blue cubes.
• Tanareans eventually forgot, lost their fear, or simply ignored the
You can’t sleep. To distract your minds, you talk about the history of
decree, which most claim has a divine origin, including the world’s
the Empire, Arenas, Heroes, and the Ironhand:
main religion, Evolutionism.
• Almost 180 years ago, the last “world war” was waged. It resulted in
the obliteration of almost a hundred thousand square miles, entirely Arena of Fate
eradicating the world’s most advanced kingdom and all armies that
had put Arcana, its capital, under siege. History And Setting
• In the vacuum of power following the decimation of almost all
• In addition, the region became an uninhabitable land where ab- armies in the last world war, a powerful unknown man started mak-
errations dwelled and a toxic mist spread. It became known as the ing alliances—via diplomacy or violence—with the Evolutionist
Wasteland. Church (which believes that war is regression and peace is one of
the main desires of the gods) and nobles (most of whom had lost
RULES COME IN TEXT BOXES SUCH AS THE ONE AHEAD: their private armies and bent their knee to maintain their status).
Sections • This man became the Emperor and unified the continent, which at
When you find numbers between brackets and in bold, head to that that point was believed to be the entire world.
section. After this Introduction ends, that will always be a section of
the Journal. • The Empire has successfully maintained peace with two decrees.
First, it is forbidden to gather more than five armed people who
• Sometimes, these are at the end of an alternative. In this case, head
share common interests. Second, conflicts of interest must be
to that section only if you chose that alternative. (E.g.: “B) Talk to
resolved peacefully or in the Arena, where fighters called Heroes
the man. [12]” — If you choose to talk to the man (alternative B),
decide the fate of nations, having in their hands the power that once
head to the section that begins with the number 12.
belonged to whole armies.
• The only army in the world is the Empire’s Ironhand. It is composed
mostly of soldiers who suffer magical psychosurgery that deprives
them of their free will, personality, and memory. They obey only
orders that come from “sentient” higher-ranked officers (usually
sons of nobles and other people who have a good relationship with
the Empire).
4 • Tanares Adventures
The next day, you reach the safety of Fisherman’s Wharf. You meet in a Keep these cubes (players mustn’t discard them or give them to
tavern to drink and split your loot. Each of you tries to keep the silent other players).
composure of a powerful Hero who doesn’t need to advertise their
feats, but your tongues progressively loosen as the barmaid brings A bard plays a paced melody while singing a fresh epic tale about the
you endless spirit refills. end of the Wasteland. The bard doesn’t have the “insider” knowledge
you do as a Hero, but their verses tell a fairly accurate story:
“The inauguration is today,” she says, out of breath, in between each
round. “Of the Arena of Future — Visitors from all over the conti-
nent — Even the Emperor is there! — Customers see Heroes such as SPOILER ALERT
yourselves and call their friends over — Good for reputation — As
long as you’re sitting there, I will keep serving you — Free of charge.” Arena: The Contest’s Epic Campaign — Canon Story
She winks and disappears into the crowd.
• The Wasteland was spreading at an accelerating pace and threatened
When you notice that evenly splitting your loot is impossible, the to engulf the world.
bragging becomes inevitable.
You’re responsible for which of the deeds below? Each PLAYER must • Scholars discovered information about how to stop it from spread-
choose a different option: ing. The Emperor assembled a team of experienced Heroes to take
action.
A) “Keeping you alive was tiresome; you should all be thankful I was
there to heal your wounds, or neither of us would be here.”
• They learned that it is Avatar Dragons, frenzied by the scent of
B) “If not for my splitting that Ogre’s skull open before he even real- massive bloodshed described in the divine decree, that produce
ized our presence, imagine what he’d have done to us all!” the Malrokian Curse catastrophes. While these dragons live, the
C) “That’s only because the distraction I created and intelligence I consequences of the natural catastrophes they created remain.
gathered was good enough, otherwise none of you would’ve been able
to do your jobs.” • These Heroes, who became known as The Wasteland Heroes, found
D) “We were outnumbered, and would‘ve been overwhelmed if not and faced Thyra, the Blue Avatar Dragon of Thunder. Slaying her
for my draining the life off those goblins… and as if that weren’t put an end to the Eternal Storm.
enough, I directed their energy to the orb that opened the sealed gate.”
• The spirit of Zarumag, the Black Dragon, was then slain. It had been
E) “You only had the time to do any of these things because i was
single-handedly holding all the goblins at the door!” entrapped by the Cult of the Shadow Wing, whose leader, Dillsgar,
wanted to enslave it and, on its wings, become ruler of the world.
When all players are done choosing, go to [3] When Zarumag’s soul was released, the toxic mists of the Wasteland
stopped spreading.
3 Assign the following components according to each player’s • Dillsgar was Captain of the Ironhand, also. He fled before being cap-
choice in the previous section:
tured or killed. The Emperor appointed Sedura as the new Captain
Player “A” (if any) gains 2 green cubes. — this Amazon was one of the Wasteland Heroes who saved the
Player “B” (if any) gains 2 blue cubes. world, and her knowledge as a blue dragonblade was instrumental
Player “C” (if any) gains 1 yellow and 1 orange cube. to finding and slaying Thyra.
Player “D” (if any) gains 1 purple cube.
Player “E” (if any) gains 1 gray and 1 yellow cube.
Quest Guide • 5
Outside the tavern, you hear the sounds of explosions and screaming.
The glasses vibrate on top of the tables. 4 Assign the following components according to each player’s
choice in the previous section:
“Oh, my!” The barmaid exclaims, a hand on her panting chest. “What
is going on in that Arena? All of our taxes were spent on exaggerated Player “A” (if any) gains 2 red cubes.
pageantry, it seems!” Player “B” (if any) gains 1 orange cube.
Most of the crowd instinctively leaves the tavern to check what is go- Player “C” (if any) gains 2 grey cubes.
ing on. After a while, the excited shouting becomes terrified scream- Player “D” (if any) gains 1 green cube.
ing. You can see people running on the streets outside, stumbling on Player “E” (if any) gains 1 purple cube.
each other.
Keep these cubes (players mustn’t discard them or give them to
Before you can react, sinister figures approach the tavern, with their other players).
weapons drawn. You beat the enemies and leave the tavern after helping other peo-
ple—Wharfers and tourists alike—escape. Outside, the city burns.
To survive, you decide to spread and gather resources and informa-
tion about the invasion.
A New Prelude
• With the end of the Eternal Storm, Fisherman’s Wharf quickly
began to thrive; it is the biggest coastal city by the western ocean.
• With spirits elevated by the end of both the Wasteland and the
Eternal Storm, the Empire made a move westbound: it built a sec-
ond Imperial palace in Fisherman’s Wharf and built the Arena of
Future, which is even greater than the Arena of Fate in the capital.
They also began to build a wall around the city to further protect it
now that it harbored such points of Imperial interest.
• The Arena of Future was built on top of a hill and has an opening
in the western stands that allows people in the eastern seats to have
a beautiful view of the city and ocean.
• On the day of the inauguration, the cheers of the crowd were re-
placed by horrified screams as war vessels appeared on the horizon.
These ships brought a revelation: we are not alone in the world;
there is another civilization on the other side of the ocean, a hu-
manoid species called the kemet, with gray skin and white hair.
Each PLAYER must choose a different option:
Each PLAYER must choose a different option:
A) Grab your weapon, and charge!
A) Try to find survivors and mobilize them against the enemy army.
B) Hide behind the counter to surprise-attack them from behind!
B) Go to the old Blacksmith shop and grab as many weapons and
C) Turn the table over to defend from their arrows, and get ready to armors as you can.
fight!
C) Keep with the rescued civilians and protect them while the rest of
D) Help the Barmaid and Bard escape! the party scouts ahead.
E) Destroy the structure holding the kegs together, so they’ll collapse D) Climb the tallest building around to assess the situation.
onto the invaders! E) Sneak around and try to capture an enemy to interrogate.
When all players are done choosing, go to [4] When all players are done choosing, go to [5]
6 • Tanares Adventures
5 Assign the following components according to each player’s E) Your game is all about strategy,
cunning, or dirty fighting. Face
choice in the previous section: their spy.
Player “A” (if any) gains 2 brown cubes.
Player “B” (if any) gains 1 yellow and 1 red cube.
Player “C” (if any) gains 1 gray cube.
Player “D” (if any) gains 1 brown and 1 purple cube.
Player “E” (if any) gains 1 orange cube.
Keep these cubes (players mustn’t discard them or give them to
other players).
Your help is significant, but pointless: there’s nothing much that a few
Heroes can do against an army. You need to run. Head toward the
When all players are done choos-
city’s east gates and flee.
ing, go to [6]
But you’ve already drawn too much attention: a small crowd had gath-
ered around you, as they noticed you were the best protection they
could find. This pack stands out in the middle of the road, right in be-
tween the Arena of Future and the newly-constructed Imperial Palace.
6 Assign the following components according to each player’s
choice in the previous section:
Not five retreating steps are taken, and you’re surrounded. This is like-
Player “A” (if any) gains 1 orange and 1 blue cube.
ly a fight to death. With no time for strategic schemes, you decide
to face the enemy that most behaves like you, so that you can fend Player “B” (if any) gains 1 yellow cube.
them off in a dispute of similar skills for as long as possible, while the Player “C” (if any) gains 2 red cubes.
rest of the populace makes a run for it. Player “D” (if any) gains 1 purple cube and 1 green cube.
Each PLAYER must choose a different option: Player “E” (if any) gains 1 orange and 1 brown cube.
Keep these cubes (players mustn’t discard them or give them to
other players).
A) No one can be more nimble B) You’ve never lost a battle of at-
and accurate than you. Face their trition and you hope to keep your
archer. streak alive, as resilience is your
surname. Face their warrior.
The fight is tough. In the end, your abilities prove superior, but you’re
outnumbered. One of the kemet was left alone and, when it was about
to hit you, a thunder knocks it down. You look up, the sky is a clear
blue. The origin of the thunder was actually a tall woman, in white
and blue shining armor, heading a squad of Ironhand soldiers on top
of the hill where the Arena stands.
She comes to you and immediately shouts instructions to the popu-
lace. It seems that the East gate is near, and still open. You follow the
pack.
“Hold on!” She shouts, stopping you in your tracks. “I am Sedura, the
C) No one is stronger than you. D) Your magic powers are un- Ironhand Captain. The Empire and its people could use your help.
Let them come, you’re serving matched: you can support allies Please, introduce yourselves.”
death. Face their barbarian. and dispel enemy spells. Face
their necromancer.
Quest Guide • 7
Choosing Heroes Recommendations:
With the imperial army in shambles and the Emperor missing, the peo- • Build a balanced group that includes one character that can heal
ple’s last shred of hope is trusting that YOU, the world’s mightiest fight- and give support (Healer or Commander), one resilient character
ers, can stand your ground against an army of thousands… to operate in the frontlines (Tank or Bruiser), one focused mostly
in dealing damage (Brute or Shooter), and one skillful, strategic
• Each player must now choose a Hero.
character (Controller or Tactician).
Restrictions: • The choices made thus far have highlighted a few of your per-
• You must not pick Magenta (may be unlocked later) or any hero sonality traits. If you wish to continue playing in accordance to
from the “Special” Combat Role. this style, pick a Combat Role whose cubes you have in higher
quantity.
• Each hero must belong to a different Combat Role.
• But remember: you are free to choose any hero you want.
• You will enconter severe inconsistecies in the story if you pick
Gazini, Kor’dal, Sedura or the Emperor.
Examples of Brutes:
Examples of Shooters:
Examples of Healers:
Examples of Commanders:
8 • Tanares Adventures
RED (Brute) + BLUE (Shooter): Striker ORANGE (Tactician) + PURPLE (Controller):
Strategist. You like to outsmart your enemies,
You like to be simple and efficient, dealing damage
apply powerful debuffs, and manipulate the
and eliminating foes in your path.
circumstances in the battlefield.
GREEN (Healer) + BROWN (Commander): Support GREY (Tank) + YELLOW (Bruiser): Protector
You like to stay back and support your team by healing You enjoy wreaking havoc in the frontline,
their wounds. Also, you may be a strategist who can withstanding enemy blows to protect your Team.
sometimes provide the right buffs at the right time.
Completing the Team
• Also, it is recommended to balance between ranged and melee • Your Team must have four Heroes. If the number of players is lower
characters so you can cover the entire field in various situations than that, choose Heroes to complete the Team (maintaining the
(Brute / Bruiser / Tank / Tactician are melee, while Shooter / Restrictions and Recommendations above).
Controller / Healer / Commander are ranged).
○ These heroes are Comrades. Check the rules in the QuickStart.
Examples of Tacticians:
Examples of Controllers:
Examples of Tanks:
Examples of Bruisers:
Quest Guide • 9
“Pleased to meet you,” Sedura says. “I have nothing to offer, but the A
opportunity to defend your homeland. You likely have loved ones in
Fisherman’s Wharf. Friends. Perhaps a house in town. Find in you B C
whatever you need to give meaning to the word ‘Heroes,’ and defend
your people!”
D
Preparing for the Quest
E
• Grab the four Hero Cards.
• Equip not-Comrade Heroes with Lv. 0 items. Grab their four Hero-
exclusive attack cards, and choose two Lv. 0 Role-based Primary
Attacks.
F
• Grab the Skill Pad of your Combat Role, four Lv. 1 Skill Tokens, and
assign them to different skills.
• Open the main battle board (empty side) and put the Heroes’ HP
Tokens on the number matching their Max HP Stat, as indicated in
their Skill Pads or Comrade Cards.
Grab Quest Card #01 (QC-01) in the Deck of “Extras.” R eference I nformation M eaning
Silver = Sidequest
Reading a Quest Card Gold = Main Quest (only on a
weekend)
A Edge Color Blue = Relic sidequest (puzzle-
oriented)
B Red = Boss Fight
D
Purple = Others (usually Extras)
C
Who, in the city, is providing you
B Giver
with the information in the card.
What the quest giver says to convince
you to do that quest (oft-times an
C If neglected exaggerated statement). It hints to the
A consequences of losing or not doing the
quest.
Expected
D What you will likely face on the board.
Mission
Story information, to provide you
E Text
with context for the Quest.
Follow this to move on to the next
step (most often, it shows a number
E Instruction in
F within brackets corresponding to the
bold letters
Section of the Journal you must read
if you decide to play this Quest).
R eference I nformation M eaning
Art of the Illustrates the part of the world
A Note: Sometimes Quest Cards begin with “Required:” followed by
Scenario where the Quest takes place.
another information. This means you need to meet these require-
The name and number of the
B
Quest Number
Quest in the Quest Guide and
ments to play the Quest. It may be the presence of a particular
- Title hero in the Team, or, in the case of Main Quests, playing them
Journal.
If it matches the number of the
in a particular day of the week. If the quest requires a particular
week (see below), it is available hero to be in your Team, you don’t need to have it in your
as soon as that week begins, on Assets Deck — grab its card wherever it is.
Newsday. “(Extra)” is a separate
C Deck
deck of cards with quests that
may be added to your options,
depending on decisions and other
events in the Epic Campaign.
Informs the week it is first
available in the campaign. In rare
D Week
occasions, you may play it in a
different week.
Informs the quadrant of the
E Location Quest/Artwork in the Map of
Outumn Provice.
10 • Tanares Adventures
8
1
9
2
5
3
6
7
4
Reading Quest Instructions ○ You may ignore the instructions and Quest Features of events that
haven’t yet begun.
1. Illustration, number, name, week, Introduction.
8. Boss: Special, unique villains whose Stats and powers come de-
○ Below the artwork of the scenario where the Quest takes place you
scribed in this box.
will find a brief thematic description of the unique aspects of the
situation you’ll encounter. ○ Use the Boss Card. It describes the Boss Perks, which apply to all
Bosses in the game.
2. Primary Objective: The Quest’s win condition.
9. List of Components/Map: the list speeds your setup time if you
3. Extra Challenge: Do this to earn 2 additional Loot cards and a want to grab all components involved before assembling the board,
Story Fact when you accomplish the Primary Objective. including elements that will only appear later, or in the Journal. The
map visually indicates the position of all Terrain Tiles, villains, and
4. Special Rules: A set of unique Quest Features with rules that you other elements of the scenario.
must observe throughout the mission.
○ Before the Quest begins, place only the elements with white
4.1. Alternate rules: apply the standard instructions in the col- borders.
orless background, unless the Journal tells you to flip your Team
○ Elements with other border colors are placed later, when their
Token to the blue or red sides.
event begins.
5. Initial Placement: Description of heroes’ and villains’ positioning ○ Villains are indicated by circles whose background color and
before the first turn is taken. number correspond to the ones found in their villain card.
○ Villains are mentioned by their name followed by the card number
○ Place villains with this symbol if you have that kemet hunt level:
and initial letter of its color). E.g.: Orc (13-O)
6. End of Round: The final turn in a Round comes after all active
combatants have taken their turn. It is signaled by this symbol:
○ Several effects may happen at the final turn. Look for this symbol
in the Quest Guide and apply its instructions in the order the
symbols appear.
○ When the “end of round” turn ends, all combatants lose their
Fatigue markers and the next Round begins: combatants become
ready to take turns again.
7. Events: new things may happen or elements may appear on the
board after the Initial Placement’s situation.
Quest Guide • 11