in the sacred wood of monsters

You are a traveler who has come to the Sacred Wood of Monsters – a sprawling sculpture garden hundreds of years old, that stands on the grounds of what used to be a glorious estate. 

Local legend says that the paths here are so mysterious and winding that even repeat visitors cannot have the same journey through it twice. Some say that the statues hold clues that solve an ancient puzzle. There are even whispers that visitors who pay close attention can stumble upon secret places in the gardens – places where the veil between the worlds is thinner, where echoes from the past seep through if only for a moment. 

What will you find here? 

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in the sacred wood of monsters is a journaling game about wandering an old sculpture garden and discovering secrets. 

It uses a six-sided die and a standard deck of playing cards.

Though this was written as a solo game, you may play it with one or more friends by taking turns to make discoveries and answer the game's prompts.

This game is a hack of Alone in the Ancient City by Takuma Okada, and Alone Among the Derelicts by B. Everett Dutton. 

"Evocative of both mystery and wonder -- and the fear that can come with true awe -- in the sacred wood of monsters invites players to create their own paths through a labyrinth of their choosing. I creeped myself out during my first play of it, but am eager to keep exploring this strange garden stuffedtern has designed for us solo journaling gamers." - Edaureen Muhamad Nor (dvaleris.itch.io) 

"in the sacred wood of monsters invites you to utilise your imagination like you are a child again, to give names and stories to things around you while leaving you space to explore tiny wonders and larger fears, to wander and perhaps even lose yourself within it." - @ewagan

"It was a lot of fun being inspired to write because it's been a while since I've had that itch! I really liked the prompts [in] the discovery tables; sometimes giving yourself something that is more narrow in focus helps your curiosity flourish. As I was playing I was thinking about how the game could easily work as a two-player game!" - @petitforce

"in the sacred woods of monsters is a really enjoyable atmospheric game that let me enjoy a lifelong interest in spooky gardens from the safety of my mind! I really like that I can keep coming back and explore it new ways -- either by building new stories around what I come across or with the optional prompts to guide me along." - @selfcestsenpai

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1/2/2023: THIS GAME IS NOW ITCHFUNDING!

Stretch goals:

USD $100 - CUSTOM ARTWORK. I will commission (real! human!) artists to draw a cover page and spot illustrations!

USD $150 - EXPANSION GAME. I will write and release an expansion/companion game to this one--which I already have ideas for!

USD $200 - PHYSICAL COPIES. I will be able to produce physical, full-color zine versions of this game that you will be able to purchase and hold in your hands and share with your friends! Huzzah and hoorah!

If you've tried the game, reviews and ratings are much appreciated! And if you like this project but can't support financially,  sharing links to this page on social media or even just telling your friends about it are just as appreciated <3 Thank you so much!