Solo Variants
The Solo Robot Variant gives the player competition and adds randomness to the burning of the Library. Thus, the end of the game is not completely in your control, much like it is in the multiplayer game.
The Lone Librarian Variant does not use a Robot; it's up to you to save as many books as you can in the given number of turns.
For either Solo Variant, follow the Setup as normal.
In the first round, the player can choose any of the Turn Order Cards.
Once a Turn Order Card has been used, it is set aside and the player can only select a Turn Order Card from those remaining. Once all Turn Order Cards have been used, the player again has the choice of all the Turn Order Cards and will set aside cards as they are used.
Tool differences for both solo Variants:
The Amulet places a token on each of the remaining Turn Order Cards.
Solo Robot Variant
The Solo Robot Variant adds an additional automated Robot Player. This player does not take a turn like a regular player or make choices, but it does use a Librarian Figure to track its score. The player takes a turn as described in the multiplayer rules. Then, the Robot Player takes a turn.
Robot Player Turn:
If the player caused any books to burn during their turn, the Robot Player scores points equal to the highest value book.
Otherwise, flip over the top card of the Tool Deck. Burn and discard 1 Library Card from each Section of the Library shown as banners in the Robot Burns section.
Add Fire Tokens if any Library Cards revealed have the Fire Icon.
The Robot Player scores points equal to the current value of the Sections of the Library that are shown in the Robot Scoring section of the card (Icons next to the Tool Name). The Robot Player gains 2 Bravery Points for every book scored, except the first book.
For example, on the Tool to the right, the banners are White and Black, so the Sections that burn are White and Black. The Robot Player scores for the Yellow and Purple book values, plus 2 points for Bravery.
Do not burn the Library during Step 3.
If the Robot Player completely burns down the last card of any Library Section, the Robot Player does not score that round. The game ends IMMEDIATELY when the last Library Card for any one Section of the Library is removed.
If the player has more points than the Robot Player at the end of the game, they've won!
Tool differences for solo robot variant:
If the Slingshot causes the Robot to gain a Book Token, it gains points for that book unless the Robot causes the game to end. If a tool causes the Robot to gain a Fire Token, ignore it.
Lone Librarian Variant
"A Librarian is never alone. They always have the books to turn to".
- Unknown
The Lone Librarian Variant does not use a Robot Player. Instead, it is a race to see how many books you can save!
This game is played in 12 rounds and uses all the Turn Order Cards as round markers.
After each Turn Order Card is used, a Section of the Library burns, unless you triggered Fire Spreading.
The game is over once you have gone through the Turn Order Cards twice unless the Library has burned down.
If the Library burns down before you complete 12 turns, do not take any further turns.
End of Game Scoring:
Once the game is over, add or subtract points based on the following:
- If the Library Burned Down: Lose 10 points for each unused Turn Order Card.
- If the Player Played 12 Turns: Gain 2 points for every remaining Section of the Library.
If you have more than 125 points, you have won. If you have more than 160 points, you are the bravest librarian and have won with honors!
Multiplayer With Robot Player Variant
"As the very nearsighted Iyashni the Fifty Seventh said to a nearby ladder robot: 'Would you like a cup of tea?' "
This variant is suggested for the two-player game, but can be used in any game with fewer than six players.
This variant adds an additional automated player called the Robot Player. The Robot Player does not take a turn like a regular player or make choices, but it does use a Librarian Figure to track its score and takes a Turn Order Card.
Play with the number of Turn Order Cards equal to the number of players, plus one for the Robot Player.
Select Turn Order Cards as normal, with the Robot Player choosing the earliest Turn Order Card available.
For the Robot Player's turn, flip over the first card on the Tool Deck. The Robot Burning Section (banners in the upper right corner) indicate which Sections of the Library have burned.
The Robot Scoring Section (icons by the Tool name) indicates which Sections of the Library the Robot Player scores. The Robot Player may also score Bravery Points based on its Turn Order Card and the number of books it has saved.
The Robot Player scores for the Sections of the Library that are listed next to the Tool Name. It may also score Bravery Points based on its Turn Order Card and the number of books it has saved.
For example, on the Tool to the right, the banners are White and Yellow, so the Sections that burn are White and Yellow. The Robot Player scores for the Black and Purple book values, plus points for its Bravery.
If the Robot Player is playing with the 1st Turn Order Card, it will gain two points for the Bravery, but if the Robot Player has the 3rd Turn Order Card, it will gain no Bravery Points, as the two books it saved would be in Safe Spaces.
Do not burn the Library during Step 3.
Otherwise, play continues as normal. If the Robot Player completely burns down a Section of the Library, the Robot Player does not score that round.
If the Slingshot causes the Robot Player to gain a Book Token, it gains points for that book unless the Robot Player causes the game to end. If a tool causes the Robot Player to gain a Fire Token, ignore it.
No Tool Variant
Some young gamers might be too busy saving books to deal with reading and tool cards. This variant is for them!
Instead of dealing out Tool Cards and gaining them for burning or for escaping the Library before it becomes too risky, the players must only use their wits to save books and earn bravery!
Players earn an additional point for exclaiming "Burn!" whenever any player triggers Fire Spreading.
Wild Fire Variant
The fire in the Library is out of control! There's no longer time to grab a tool when escaping the Library early and two sections of the Library burn at the end of every round.
This variant is for those who really want to press their luck and have a fast game.
Inferno Variant
The fire in the Library is even more out of control! In addition to playing with the changes for the Wild Fire Variant, Turn Order Cards are dealt randomly.
This variant is for those who want the most extreme version of Fire in the Library.
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