Septima
Septima is a competitive, high-interaction strategy game of witchcraft. As the leader of a coven, you strive to overcome your rivals to become the worthy successor of Septima, the High Witch. You play through four Seasons, each consisting of five rounds, to gather a powerful coven of Witches and gain enough Wisdom points to become the worthy successor of the High Witch. You will accumulate Wisdom as you practice your craft in the superstitious town of Noctenburg: gather ingredients, brew powerful Potions, perform Rituals, heal the afflicted, and work in the shadows to turn suspicion and anger into support and acceptance.
Mechanisms
Plan your Actions with a semi-coop twist
Septima uses a snappy card-driven action system where players plan their actions simultaneously each round. You may choose to play it safe on your own, or temporarily work with other players or even the Septima, choosing the same action as they do.
Manage suspicion and avoid the Hunters
Acting together grants a powerful bonus effect, but such direct displays of witchcraft also raise suspicion and attract Hunters. This creates a world that constantly reacts to you, where powerful moves are both tempting and dangerous. There are plenty of tools at your disposal to mitigate suspicion – how much you are willing to risk for the sake of power is entirely up to you.
Manipulate the Trials to expand your coven
As you use your magic to heal, recruit and charm the townsfolk, you will gain loyal supporters to swing the Trials in your favor. Saving an accused Witch from exile is a great way to grow your Coven and gain new permanent abilities. Even members of rival players’ Covens can be put to trial by the Hunters – and if you save them, they will join you instead!
How to Play
Expansions & Game Modes
Omens
Let the High Witch guide you on your path with the Omen Expansion. Based on your collective Suspicion level, your power enhances or dwindles, so make your decisions carefully.
The expansion adds a set of Omen cards that overwrite certain rules every turn: if you play too risky, a certain element of the game gets more difficult to everyone. But if you keep Suspicion low, the prophecy guides you towards a better path, and your abilities get more efficient.
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is one of the more advanced techniques that a Coven Leader masters; it gives them greater flexibility when trying to avoid Suspicion. Transform into a unique Animal form, and reap the benefits of your specialized action without drawing the attention of Hunters.
You need to plan your actions wisely in this game mode: you only get your Action Cards back after returning to your human form.
Solo Mode
Play against the Black Widow, a solo opponent using twisted versions of the Action cards. She will attempt to drain Wisdom from you with each of her actions, and wins the game if it drops below zero. The Black Widow has several difficulty settings, a very streamlined ruleset, and an extremely low upkeep. In this game mode you not only have to evade the Hunters, but the Black Widow’s spiders are also out to catch you in their webs.
