My Brothers and I Have Some Rules for Our Favourite Game

Hi there! This is a game my brothers and I used to play when we were kids. We lived out in a small remote village next to a large forest. The townsfolk were always superstitious, and typically adhered to a single rule regarding the woods: keep a ring of iron around the perimeter of the forest. However, my brothers and I got curious and eventually created the game you are about to read! I decided to post the rules of the game here, since my friend told me that anyone can play as long as they live near any forest!
Rule 1. You cannot wear iron if you’re going to play this game. Please leave all iron at home and make sure you have a shower if you were in contact with iron previously. You also cannot wear the colour red or wear your clothing inside out.
Rule 2. You’re allowed to bring friends with you if you’re playing the game, but make sure they know the rules first. You will not see your friends again until the game concludes.
Rule 3. If you make contact with any iron while entering the forest, immediately go home or wash it off before coming back to the forest. Otherwise, you cannot play the game.
Rule 3.5: You also cannot play the game if you enter near running water.
Rule 4. Once you can no longer see the edge of the trees or any metal, the game will begin.
Rule 5. You cannot go back in the direction you came in once the game starts.
Rule 5.3. If you wish to end the game early, sit on the ground until you can hear your (real) name being called, then run in the direction of the voice and you will safely exit the forest.
Rule 5.6. If you did retrace your steps or go backwards too far, immediately apologise and bow your head. If you can cry on command and make yourself look smaller, it is highly advised.
Rule 5.9. If someone approaches you, apologise to them immediately for ruining the game. If they hug you and accept your apology, then all is forgiven and you may even be allowed to continue playing with them as a friend. If they walk away from you, then you didn’t apologise sincerely enough.
Rule 6. If you are playing the game with friends, then you need to split off from one another once the game begins.
Rule 7. If you meet someone new in the forest, then be polite and kind to your new friend. Your new friend won’t lie to you, and they will treat you like you treat them. Do not tell them your name, even if they ask for it. You can, however, tell them a nickname they can call you by. Do not leave your friend until they say that the game has ended.
Rule 7.4. If you upset or anger your friend, apologise and refrain from making eye contact. Crying or acting regretful is a good idea if you can manage it. If your friend forgives you, then all is well.
Rule 7.8. If you do tell your friend your real name, then you’ve really enjoyed the game! It’s not bad that you gave them your name, it just means the game has ended well for both of you.
Rule 8. If there are flowers where you walked previously, do not pick them. Doing so may ruin the game and they will hurt if you pick them regardless.
Rule 8.5. If you are walking with a new friend (see rule 7) then point the flowers out to your friend. They will smile and talk about the flowers' meaning. Do not interrupt them; this is a good thing.
Rule 9. If you see a hallway made of trees with people dancing inside, stop walking and sit down immediately. Do not join the dancers. You are out of bounds.
Rule 9.3. If you are with your new friend (see rule 7), you are meant to be here. It’s no longer out of bounds. Do not look too closely at the dancers as you follow your friend.
Rule 9.6. If you are alone, wait for someone other than the dancers to approach you. Explain that you got lost while playing the game and you’re scared. They will take you out of the hall and you’ll have a new friend.
Rule 9.9. If nobody approaches you, then join the dancers. The game has ended.
Rule 10. Do not eat any plants, berries, or animals in the forest, unless they are offered to you by someone else. If they are offered to you, eat them gratefully knowing they're safe to digest regardless of what they are.
Rule 11. If you see one of the friends you started the game with, do not call their name. Instead, call them by an alias they know.
Rule 11.4. If your friend has made their own new friend in the forest, then you can approach them safely. Try and make a mutual friend.
Rule 11.8. If your friend is alone and does not respond to the alias, then run away from them.
Rule 12. Do not approach the sound of running water, it is not there.
Rule 13. If the season changes, then you are out of bounds. You won’t have a friend to help you and sitting down doesn’t work there. You should circle back into the correct forest, otherwise the game will end.
Rule 14. Before you end the game, your friend will ask you to stay. Tell them about the good things you have waiting at home and promise to play again, otherwise the game will continue past its end.
Rule 15. You need to play again by the end of the season. If it is close to the end of the season, play again on the first day of spring.
Rule 16. If you’ve played previously, the same rules still apply, even if you’ve met your friend many times before.
Rule 17. Only play in Spring - there are a different set of rules each season.
Rule 18. If you are leaving the game, don’t stop walking straight ahead until you have passed enough iron.
Rule 18.4. If you played with friends, they will be leaving alongside you. This is true even if your games ended at different times.
Rule 18.8. If there are friends missing, don’t worry. They’re staying in the forest now. Do not tell their families or they may force you to break Rule 15.
Rule 19. Never break a promise to a friend.
Rule 20. If you wish to play twice in the same day, go back into the forest and call out to your friend, then the game will begin again.
Rule 20.5. You cannot play the game at night. Your friend cannot protect you then.
Rule 21. Before going home, take one piece of iron from the barrier and take it with you. It will help your friend.
Rule 22. After you go home, keep your bedroom window unlocked in case your new friend finds a way to visit you.
We played the game many times as a child and it was always fun! We started to bring other kids along as well after the friends we made in the forest suggested it. Our parents had tried to get us to break our promises once, but luckily, we had removed enough iron that our friends could still visit us!
I hope you have fun playing this game!
Category:Beings
Category:Nature
Category:Ritual