The Selenolyth

 

Introduction
The Selenolyth is a strategic abstract game for two players, designed by Vadrya Pokshtya, where you take on the roles of Thaumaturges, competing for control over the Celestial Tablet.

Use the magic of Selenolyths to attract and shift stones, and the power of the Shards to accumulate Luminance. But beware: an incorrect action can lead to a Lunar Ricochet and instant defeat from The Hex.

Goal of the Game
Win immediately by fulfilling one of the following conditions:

1. Create "The Sacred Square": Form a 3x3 square of stones on the board (all 9 cells occupied).

2. Achieve "The Ninth Luminance": Score 9 points using the Shards of Diox and Orthos.
If a player manages to fulfill both conditions with a single turn, they perform The Lunar Eclipse — the highest act of creation, granting them an absolute victory (worth double the game's value).

3. If a player depletes their reserve of stones before any player has fulfilled the main victory conditions, that player is immediately declared the winner and earns the title of the Lord of the Silver Meridians.

Components
A 6x6 cell board with coordinates (a1-f6).

36 stones in two colors (e.g., 18 dark, 18 light). Each set contains: 14x "Selenolyths", 2x "Shards of Diox", 2x "Shards of Orthos".

One six-sided die (d6).

Gameplay
The players decide who takes the first turn.

The game begins with an empty board.



Turn Phase
A player selects any one of their stones from their reserve in front of them and places it on the table next to the chosen file (a-f) on their half of the board.


All provided examples will be presented from the perspective of the player sitting at the South position, who controls the dark stones.

Before rolling the die, the player places any one of their stones next to the chosen file. In the example provided, the player has placed a Selenolyth in front of file C.

Each player views the board from their own side, starting the coordinate count from the nearest left-hand corner to them. Thus, the bottom-left square for each player is a1.

This creates a Duality of Perspective: the ranks and files are relative to the players, but the rules are absolute and unchanging.

File Check
If the chosen file has no free squares, the player cannot choose this file. They must choose another file where there are free spaces.

Will of the Thaumaturge: If the chosen file has exactly one free square, the player may place the chosen stone on this square without rolling the die. The stone's effect is activated. However, if the player decides to use the die for this file, they have every right to do so.

If the chosen file has two or more free squares, the player rolls the die. The result (1-6) determines the rank on which the stone must be placed.

Resolving the Turn

A) If the target square is free: The stone is placed on it, and its effect is activated.

Stone Effects

Selenolyth



Upon placement, it immediately manifests Silver Meridians in 8 directions (like a queen in chess). Every stone (friendly or opponent's) found on the path of these meridians is shifted towards the Selenolyth and stops on a free square adjacent to it.

The Selenolyth is active in eight directions:



All stones of both players, located on the board squares within the Selenolyth's area of activity (within its line of sight), are pulled towards it, so that after the Pull is complete, they must end up next to it on adjacent squares surrounding it:



For example, the player with the dark stones chose file C and rolled a 3:



They place a Selenolyth on c3, and four stones on the game board are pulled towards square c3:



Note that the light Selenolyth on c6 cannot be pulled towards the newly placed stone because it is "not seen" by it — the Selenolyth on c6 is outside the line of sight of the Selenolyth on c3.

Shard of Diox


The owner immediately gains 1 point of Luminance for every stone (their own or their opponent's) located on one of the 4 adjacent diagonal squares.

The player with the dark stones chose a Shard of Diox and file D. They rolled a 3:



They place the Shard of Diox on d3:



and gain 3 points of Luminance for the three stones located on the adjacent diagonal squares — c2, c4, and e4:



Shard of Orthos


The owner immediately gains 1 point of Luminance for every stone (their own or their opponent's) located on one of the 4 adjacent orthogonal squares (up, down, left, right).

The player with the dark stones chose a Shard of Orthos and file D. They rolled a 4:



They place the Shard of Orthos on d4 and gains 4 points of Luminance for the four stones located on the adjacent orthogonal squares: c4, d5, e4, and d3:



B) If the target square is occupied ("Lunar Ricochet"):

1. If it is a Selenolyth, the player is obliged to place it on any other free square on the board. The Pull effect does not work. If, as a result of this move, a 3x3 square of any stones is formed on the board (The Hex), the player immediately loses the game.

Example: The player with the dark stones chose a Selenolyth and file E. They rolled a 6:



Square e6 turns out to be occupied — the stone cannot be placed there. In this case, the Selenolyth being introduced into the game must be placed on any free square on the board. The player with the dark stones makes a mistake and places their stone on e5:



The player with the dark stones immediately loses the game due to The Hex — they created a Sacred Square using the distorted magic of the Lunar Ricochet and have brought the curse upon themselves.

2. If it is a Shard of Diox or a Shard of Orthos, the player skips their turn. The stone is returned to the reserve, and no points are awarded.

End of Turn and Victory Check
The conditions for immediate victory are checked after the completion of all actions of the turn (that is, after placing the stone and applying all effects).

These conditions are:

Creating The Sacred Square.
Reaching 9 Luminance.
Performing The Lunar Eclipse.
Having no stones remaining in one's reserve, thus earning the title of the Lord of the Silver Meridians.

The Sacred Square
Example of Winning with The Sacred Square.

The creation of The Sacred Square is the core of the game's mechanics. It is not merely a goal — it is the embodiment of the perfect geometric form that every Thaumaturge strives to achieve. Every move you make, especially the placement of a Selenolyth, is not just an attempt to gain Luminance or block your opponent, but a strategic step towards assembling this sacred figure from scattered stones. The constant threat of its sudden emergence creates a tense tactical confrontation, where control over space and foresight of the Pull's chain reaction become decisive.

The player with the dark stones chooses a Selenolyth and file D. They roll a 4:


They place their stone on d4. Since this stone is a Selenolyth, other stones on the board within its line of sight are pulled towards square d4:



As a result of the Pull of three stones, The Sacred Square is formed — the player with the dark stones has won.

It does not matter if a single move creates multiple Sacred Squares. In the example shown, the Selenolyth on d4 forms two at once.


Creating any one of them secures victory.

The Will of the Thaumaturge
Example for the "Will of the Thaumaturge" Rule:

If the chosen file has exactly one free square, the Thaumaturge (player) manifests their Will. They may place the chosen stone on this square without rolling the die. The stone's effect is activated at full strength.

Note: The player may voluntarily waive this right and rely on chance by rolling the die, should it serve their tactical purposes.

Example: The player with the dark stones chose a Shard of Orthos and file B:


Since there is only one free square in this file, they may place their stone on b1 without rolling the die.


By placing the stone on b1, the player earns three points of Luminance.