BoardGamesBot

A Kayenta Games publication
by Dan Hallagan

Upstairs
Downstairs
An Obsession Expansion

Editing/Playtesting Group
Tim Hallagan
Mariya Meshcheryakova
David Cross
Larry Schneider
Maricel Edwards
Laura Frankos
Frank Calcagno
John Weber
Bill Buchanan
Stephen Robert Clark
Chris Dorrell

What's in the Box?
The Upstairs, Downstairs expansion (and all components in
this box) requires the Obsession base game and features the
following:
► Pages 2-3: Component list and base game integration
instructions
► Page 4: Upgrade components for Obsession 1st edition
► Page 5: Three rule changes to Obsession 1st edition
► Page 6: Explanation of the new Supplemental Service
mechanic
► Pages 7-8: Rules for the individual Upstairs, Downstairs
servants—the Cook, Hall Boy, Head Housemaid, and
Useful Man
► Page 9: Explanation of the Upstairs, Downstairs new
Pass/Hire rule
► Page 10: Setup for the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion,
along with an explanation of the servant draft
► Page 11: Rules for 5 and 6 players
► Page 12: Rules for Competitive Team Play
► Pages 13-14: Rules for Solo Estate Challenge
► Page 15: Rules for Tableau Obsession and the Milestone
public objectives
► Page 16: Rules for the new improvement tiles

STOP
Developer Note: If you have acquired Obsession at the same
time as Upstairs, Downstairs, I can't stress how important it is
to first learn and play Obsession before adding the new
servants. Only when you are comfortable with Obsession
should you add the complexity of this expansion.

Dan Hallagan

Learn Upstairs Downstairs from Video Tutorials
Follow the link to watch tutorials that
explain and demonstrate the following:
► How the new servants work
► Setup, including the servant draft
► Examples of gameplay
► How everything fits in the big box
► How to play Solo Estate Challenge,
Competitive Team Play, and Tableau Obsession
► Rules for 5 and 6 players

Second Printing Acknowledgment: Special thanks to David
Cross and Larry Schneider for playtesting and quality control.

---

Game Components with Integration Instructions
Upstairs, Downstairs is a toolkit containing a major expansion, components to enable 5 or 6 players,
three new game modes, milestones, and upgraded materials for 1st edition Obsession owners.
Detailed instructions for all components follow on the next three pages.

Howard
MAIN
LIBRARY
WEST
SALOON
WEST
TERRACE
BIG GAME
TROPHY ROOM
IMPORTED
MARBLE FLOOR
MANOR
GARGOYLES
SCULPTURE
GARDEN
5 ESSENTIALS
5 ESSENTIALS
5
ESTATE
MONUMENT
MONUMENT
MONUMENT
MONUMENT
GALLERY
CABINET OF
CURIOSITIES
CRICKET
FIELD
5
5 SPORTING
Howard Family Player Board (1)
The Howard player board adds a 6th
family whose advantage is to begin the
game with a cook, which is one of the
Upstairs, Downstairs servants.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
The Howard family can only be used with
the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion.

Country Estate Improvements
ESSENTIALS
SERVICE
ESTATE
PRESTIGE
SPORTING
Country Estate Organiser (1)
This is a generic 5th country estate organiser.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
This board is integrated into Obsession
without any special rules or consideration.

PRIVATE
GARDEN
BUTLER'S
ROOM
MAIN
EMBRY
FRONT
PARLOUR
BOWLING
GREEN
1 ESSENTIALS
1 SERVICE
1 PRESTIGE
1 PRESTIGE
1 SPORTING
START Tiles (10)
These 10 START tiles enable 5 or 6
players. These tiles are interchangeable
with the START tiles in the base game.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
The tiles are integrated into Obsession
without any special rules or consideration.

Scorepad (1)
An extra scorepad for up to 6 players.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
The scorepad is integrated into
Obsession without any special rules
or consideration.
5
Prestige Rating 5 Tiles (6)
Obsession contains one copy of each
improvement tile with a prestige rating
(PR) of 5. Upstairs, Downstairs adds
another set of PR5 tiles, which enables 5
or 6 players. They are interchangeable
with the PR5 tiles in Obsession and
therefore not marked as coming from the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
These tiles are fully integrated into
Obsession without any special rules and
are used for all player counts. New
builders' market rules eliminate the need
for scaling (see pg 4).

STOCKED
LAKE
PARISH
CHURCH
BABBLING
BROOK
CARRIAGE
HOUSE
£600
6 SPORTING
4 ESSENTIALS
2 SPORTING
1 SERVICE
New Universal Tiles (5)
The Stocked Lake (1), Parish Church (1),
Babbling Brook (1), and Carriage House
(2) improvement tiles can be used in any
game of Obsession; each has a unique 'U'
identifier below the tile sorting number.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
These tiles are integrated into Obsession
without any special rules or consideration.

5-8
15-18
New Chits (14)
These are circular chits that serve as
Milestone markers and contain two of each
family's crest. On the reverse side of one
set of these markers are market identifiers
for Solo Estate Challenge.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
These chits are integrated into the base
game for use with milestone cards. If
playing Solo Estate Challenge (pg 13),
these chits are used on the Supply Board.
2
Low VP Value Monuments (4)
There are 4 monument tiles with reduced
Victory Point (VP) values, and they have a
unique 'U' identifier below the tile sorting
number. These tiles have two uses:

► They optionally replace the 6
monument tiles in the base game for
players who wish to reduce the impact
monuments have on courtship (for the
same reason, the service monument is
not included in this set), and
► They are the monument tiles used
when playing Tableau Obsession.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
These monuments cannot be mixed; when
setting up a game, choose whichever
monument set fits the style of your group.
If you are playing Tableau Obsession,
these low-VP monuments must be used.

RENOVATED
KITCHEN
HOUSEKEEPER'S
ROOM
1 SERVICE
1 SERVICE
New Upstairs, Downstairs Tiles (3)
The Renovated Kitchen (1) and
Housekeeper's Room (2) are new service
tiles for use with the Upstairs, Downstairs
servants, and they have a unique 'U'
identifier.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
These tiles can only be used with the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion.

VP Cards (30) & Theme Cards (10)
These cards are identical to the courtship
cards in the base game, except they are
larger (for players who dislike handling
the base game micro cards).

INTEGRATION DETAIL
Choose whichever size deck you prefer
for routine use and store/dispose of the
other deck.

---

Game Components with Integration Instructions, continued

Tableau Round Track (1)
Front Side

This round track is two-sided, with a
tableau side that enables 2 new game
modes and a side intended for Obsession
1st Edition owners (discussed on page 4).

INTEGRATION DETAIL
The Tableau Round Track side is used
when playing Tableau Obsession (pg 15)
and Solo Estate Challenge (pg 13).

1
3
Reputation Counters (14) & Markers (2)

Twelve of the 14 reputation chits are
generic reputation counters (along with 2
reminder tiles). Two of the 14 reputation
chits are new 9/10 reputation wheel
counters for use in Tableau
Obsession—Duel.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
The 12 generic counters and 2 markers are
integrated into Obsession without any
special rules or consideration. The two
9/10 counters are reserved for playing
Tableau Obsession-Duel.

Player Aids (12)

Player aids for Upstairs, Downstairs.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
Two are stored in each family box.

Small Cloth Storage Bag (1)

A bag that can hold all servants.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
Use this bag for storing all servants or for
any other storage need.
Basic Servants (14)

Butlers (2)
Housekeepers (2)
Valets (3)
Lady's Maids (3)
Footmen (4)

INTEGRATION DETAIL
These servants enable 5 or 6 players and
are integrated into Obsession without any
special rules or consideration.

Upstairs, Downstairs Servants (21)

Cooks (6)
Hall Boys (5)
Head Housemaids (5)
Useful Men (5)

These servants are used when playing the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
These servants are only used with the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion. The extra
cook is to supply the Howard family box.

OBJECTIV
5 VP
Upstairs, Downstairs Objective Cards (33)

The Upstairs, Downstairs objective card
deck has 33 cards, three more than the
Obsession deck. These cards have a unique
'U' identifier in the upper right-hand
corner. Twenty-six of the 33 cards are
identical to the cards in the base game; the
7 new cards include 5 related to Upstairs,
Downstairs servants and 2 new tableau
objective cards.

► The Obsession deck must be used when
only the base game is played.
► The Upstairs, Downstairs deck must be
used when the Upstairs, Downstairs
servants are used.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
Both decks are retained, and the cards are
not mixed. If the Upstairs, Downstairs
servants are used, choose the
Upstairs, Downstairs deck.

3
Upstairs, Downstairs Gentry Cards (37)

Howard Family (4)
Starter Guests (7)
Other Casual Guests (10)
Prestige Guests (16)

Each of these gentry cards has a unique
'U' identifier beneath the VP frame.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
All casual and prestige guests (33) are
integrated into Obsession without any
special rules or consideration. The Howard
family cards (and board) are used only
with the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion.

Promotional Gentry Cards (16)

There are 16 thematically-sound
promotional cards developed by
Obsession owners during a contest in
2019 and each has a unique 'P' identifier
beneath the VP frame.

DEVELOPER RECOMMENDATION
These cards should be kept separate from
the main gentry decks, and it would be
unwise to play with all/most promotional
cards in a given game. Select a modest
number (3-5) based upon preference to
add fun and flavour to any game.

7
MILESTONE
Milestones (10)

There are 10 Milestones (competitive
public objectives). One of the 10 (showing
the four Upstairs, Downstairs servants)
cannot be used in the base game.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
Except for the one card mentioned above,
Milestones may be integrated into
Obsession using the Milestone rules on
page 15.

---

Components and Rules for Owners of Obsession, 1st Edition Only

BUILDERS'
MARKET
RESERVE

PRESTIGE
RATING 1 (PR1)

Obsession

SERVANTS
FOR HIRE

BUILDERS' MARKET
£500

£700

Supply Board Extension (1)

The supply board extension upgrades the Obsession 1st Edition supply board.

INTEGRATION DETAIL
Integrate the Supply Board Extension into the base game. As shown above, it is
placed to the left side of the Obsession 1st Edition supply board where it functions as
the market reserve, which is a holding location for service tiles and for tiles with a
prestige rating of 1 (see the Builders' Market Reserve rules at right).

SERVANTS'
HALL

BARN

Proper
Grounds

SERVICE

SERVICE

Updated Service Tiles (4)

These Servants' Hall and Barn tiles (2
of each) have updated language that
reflects the new rule for the Servants'
Hall and clarifies the Barn language in
light of the new supplemental service
mechanic (introduced on pg 6).

INTEGRATION DETAIL
Replace the Servants' Hall and Barn
tiles only in copies of Obsession 1st
Edition. If you have a later version of
Obsession (after the 1st Edition),
discard these tiles.

Obsession 1st Edition Changes
at a Glance

Rotation of 1st Player Pawn: The
1st player pawn now rotates
counterclockwise (see pg 5).

Objective Card Management:
Players now evaluate Objective
Cards during the game (see
page 5).

Servants' Hall Mechanic: A player
must expend a servant to 'steal'
reputation from another player
(see page 5).

Introduction of Builders' Market
Reserve: Low value tiles are
cleared from the market during the
game (see panel at right).

Alderley Hall

Extended Play Round Track
Back Side

This Tableau Round Track (referenced
on pg 3) has one side for Obsession 1st
Edition owners that relocates the
National Holiday to a more relevant
position and provides instruction as to
when the market reserves go into
effect. This extended play side is
identical to the extended play side in
Obsession 2nd Edition.

New iconography has been added to
the Courtship spaces on the extended
play round track to remind players to
take actions at the conclusion of
courtship (and before the white pawn
is advanced to the next round space):

► Discard one objective card (see new
objective card rule on pg 5), and
► Except for the last courtship, rotate
the 1st player marker counterclockwise
(see new 1st player rule on pg 5).

INTEGRATION DETAIL
This Round Track is added to
Obsession 1st Edition. The Obsession
1st Edition original Round Track
must be retained for standard play.

4

Rules for the
Builders' Market Reserve

During a game, the Builders' Market
Reserve will activate twice. The purpose
of the reserve is to remove low-value tiles
from the market as player reputations rise.

Service Tile Reserve: After the 1st
courtship is over, the Service Tile
Reserve activates, and the following steps
are then taken:

► Move all SERVICE tiles currently in
the market to the Service Tile Reserve
space.
► Refill the market as needed. If any
additional SERVICE tiles are drawn,
they are moved to the reserve and
additional tiles are drawn to fill the
market.
► For the remainder of the game, all
SERVICE tiles drawn are moved to
the reserve and replacement tiles are
drawn to fill the market.
► Players may review the tiles in the
reserve at any time and make
purchases from there. Players may
make multiple purchases from the
reserve on a builders' holiday.

Prestige Rating 1 (PR1) Tile Reserve:
After the 2nd courtship is concluded, the
PR1 Tile Reserve activates, and the
following steps are then taken:

► Move all tiles with a PR1 in the
market to the PR1 Tile Reserve space.
► Refill the market as needed. If any
additional PR1 tiles are drawn, they
are moved to the reserve and
replacement tiles are drawn.
► For the remainder of the game, any
PR1 tiles drawn are moved to the
reserve and replacement tiles are
drawn.
► Players may review the tiles in either
reserve at any time and make
purchases from there. Players may
make multiple purchases from both
reserves on a builders' holiday.

Note: The addition of the market reserve
is not mandatory; 1st edition rules may
still be used, if preferred.

---

Rule Changes to Obsession 1st Edition
1st Player Marker
New Rule Summary: The 1st player pawn rotates counterclockwise.
Previous Rule: The 1st player pawn rotates clockwise.
Reason for Change: Eliminates downtime (as much as 8 turns in a 5-player
game) and better compensates the last player in Season 1 (that player goes 1st
in Season 2 and has consecutive turns, a tactical advantage).
Rule Detail (a doffing of the top hat to Mariya Meshcheryakova)
► Setup: Randomly assign the 1st player pawn.
► Setup: Starting with the person to the left of the 1st player and going clock-
wise, players choose a family board (i.e., 1st player gets last choice).
► Note (not a rule change): For any given round, the turn order remains
clockwise, beginning with the 1st player.
► During the Game: At the end of each season (courtship), the 1st player pawn
is passed counterclockwise (to the player's right—see graphic).
Objective Cards
New Rule Summary: Players evaluate Objective Cards during the game.
Previous Rule: Players choose their objectives before the start of play.
Reason for Change: Objective Card (OC) requirements are variable, some
easily granting victory points, others requiring difficult tile groups. The previous
rule is that players are dealt five OC at setup, keeping two. However, evaluating
these objectives before the game begins involves guesswork and, for many tile
objectives, a significant amount of luck in the marketplace.
Rule Detail (a doffing of the top hat to Martin Butcher)
► Setup: For a standard game, players are dealt five OC, keeping them all. For
an extended game, players are dealt four OC, keeping them all.
► During the Game: At the end of each courtship, players discard one OC.
► Round Track: During rounds featuring an OC draw, players draw two OC,
keeping both.
In standard play, players acquire a total of seven OC, discarding four, scoring
three. In extended play, players acquire eight OC, discarding four, scoring four.
Servants' Hall
New Rule Summary: A player must expend a servant to 'steal' reputation.
Previous Rule: Players automatically 'steal' one reputation each turn.
Reason for Change: The Servants' Hall was overpowered.
Rule Detail
► Setup: Replace the Servants' Hall (SH) tiles in 1st printing copies of the
base game with the two provided in the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion.
Any printings after Obsession 1st Edition do not need this upgrade.
► During the Game: At the beginning of a turn (see right), the SH player may
place any available servant—the source of rumours about an opponent—onto
his SH tile. The targeted player reduces her reputation by one, while the SH
player increases his reputation by one. During cleanup, the gossiping
servant is placed into Expended Service and rotated normally.
5
After Season 1,
the marker
is passed
1, 2, 3, 4
(1, 5, 4, 3)
5, 1, 2, 3
(5, 4, 3, 2)
New
Counterclockwise
Rule
2, 3, 4, 5
(2, 1, 5, 4)
4, 5, 1, 2
(4, 3, 2, 1)
3, 4, 5, 1
(3, 2, 1, 5)
The purple player is 1st. In a five-player game,
the large number series near each player
represents their turn position for each of the four
seasons, and the number series in parentheses
represents their position under the old rule.
An extended play example. At setup, players get
four Objective Cards (OC). During the game,
players discard one after each courtship.
Alderbly Hall
1
2
3
5-1-4
6
8
12
14
17
3-2-5
Round Track—Extended Play
Players get two OC on round 7.
They get two more on round 18. Players finish
with and score four OC.
SERVANTS' +£200
HALL
Rumour Mill
Place any se
to gossip abo...
local Derbyshire
family (steal one)
030
SERVICE
Notes:
► Any servant can be used, including the butler,
housekeeper, and underbutler.
► Physically place a servant onto the tile.
► The Servants' Hall MUST be used at the
beginning of the turn after the player rotates
service. Once Step 3 (Host Activity) begins,
the player cannot use the Hall.
► The Servant's Hall is not used on a courtship
round.

---

Upstairs, Downstairs Expansion (new service mechanic)

New Service Concept: Supplemental Service
NOTE: This section explains a new game mechanic, which is critical to understanding the new servants. Rules follow this page.

Before beginning play with the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion, it will be
useful to review new concepts created by the addition of the Cook, Hall Boy,
Head Housemaid, and Useful Man. In the base game of Obsession, all servant
placement is mandatory and prompted by an icon on an improvement tile or
gentry card. The Upstairs, Downstairs expansion introduces an optional
use of servants that does not require a servant icon. The addition of one or
more of the four new servants to a tile or card is always optional (called
supplemental service) and done for the purpose of enhancing a favour or
changing a mechanic. A supplemental servant is physically placed onto a tile
or card to activate its abilities—along with any required traditional servants.

Consider the example in the upper right showing a typical activity during an Obsession
turn. Each servant used is mandatory and prompted by an icon. The family Howard
receives visitors, which generates £200, four reputation, one 'See 2, Take 1' casual guest
invite, and one blind draw invite from the prestige deck. An excellent turn!

Now let's add the new servants. With the same hand of cards (featuring some guests our player was unable to invite) and the same
tiles in the organiser (featuring some activities that she could not yet use), our player could now host the activity shown below.

This new activity nets our player £700, 8 reputation, and two 'See 2, Take 1'
invites, one casual and one prestige! How so?

The cook (orange, on the Music Room tile) enables the player to invite guests
1 or 2 levels above her reputation. Normally, our player (reputation level 3)
would be unable to invite
the Marquess of Tetbury
(prestige rating 5);
however, her extraordinary
cook breaks down the social restraint of
the marquess, who cannot resist Mrs.
Puggins' larded oysters.

The hall boy (sky blue, on the
marquess's card) is tasked by the butler
to attend to our esteemed guest's every need, and the young footman-in-training
spends the entire week running messages to post for the busy marquess. The
result is that the £500 monetary favour increases to £600.

The head housemaid (pink, on Lady Marianne Turner's card) is the most
well-connected domestic in the area, and she provides exquisite information to
the lady of the house, giving her an informed choice of prestige acquaintances
mentioned by Lady Marianne (our player draws 2 prestige guests, keeping one).

Finally, the useful man (brown, on the Music Room tile by the prestige rating) is
tasked by the butler to help finish the renovation of the new Music Room so that
it is ready for the marquess's visit. The useful man's ability (one of five abilities)
temporarily lowers the prestige rating of the Music Room by one so that the new
room is ready for the marquess (normally, a Music Room, with prestige rating 4,
could not be used by our player because of her reputation of 3).

On the next two pages, let's learn about the new servant abilities in detail.
6

DRAWING
ROOM
3. PRESTIGE Howard
Activity
Order of Play
1. Refresh Servants
2. Round Track, Movements
and Servants Hall
3. Host Activity
4. Invite Guests
5. Provide Service
6. Enjoy Favours
(£, R, G, I)
7. Buy from Market
8. Clean Board
Special Actions
2R - £100
3R - Refresh 1 Servant
4R - Refresh 2 Servants
5R - Refresh 3 Servants
6R - Refresh 4 Servants
Expended Service
Servants' Quarters
Available Servants
Family Bonus
The Howard family cook
is renowned in
Derbyshire. Begin the
game with a cook.

MUSIC
ROOM
4. PRESTIGE Howard
Activity
Order of Play
1. Refresh Servants
2. Round Track, Movements
and Servants Hall
3. Host Activity
4. Invite Guests
5. Provide Service
6. Enjoy Favours
(£, R, G, I)
7. Buy from Market
8. Clean Board
Special Actions
2R - £100
3R - Refresh 1 Servant
4R - Refresh 2 Servants
5R - Refresh 3 Servants
6R - Refresh 4 Servants
Expended Service
Servants' Quarters
Available Servants
Family Bonus
The Howard family cook
is renowned in
Derbyshire. Begin the
game with a cook.

Supplemental Service
in Brief

MANDATORY SERVICE
Introduced in the base game, it is service
prompted by these recognisable icons:

This service is always mandatory!
Without the designated servant, the card
or tile cannot be used.

SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICE
Introduced in Upstairs,
Downstairs, this service is
NOT prompted by an icon.
Placement follows a ruleset.
Grab the player aid and
keep it close.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, if Upstairs,
Downstairs servants function as mandatory
servants (i.e., the Hall Boy standing in for the
Butler on a card), they do not grant their
supplemental service special ability.

---

Upstairs, Downstairs Expansion (the new servants)

Cook
Description: The Cook is represented by a short, orange
meeple and is used to attract elite guests and enhance the
family's reputation.

Thematic Material: Like so many Victorian pursuits, dining in society was a
showcase event. The elegant setting, the training of the domestic staff, the fine
china and exquisite silver would all be for naught without an accomplished
cook to impress guests and make dining at the family's estate an anticipated
event. The aristocracy delighted in extravagant meals; twelve-course dinners
were not uncommon, featuring dishes such as:

Pigeons Comport Lambs Ears Forc'd Mock Turtle
Sheep's Rump & Kidneys in Rice Larded Oysters
Ox Pallets Pork Griskens Bottl'd Peas French Pye
(Mrs. Isabella Beeton, The Book of Household Management, Volume 1, 1861).

While the lady of the house typically planned these elaborate meals, the cook
did the lion's share of the work. An aristocratic family treasured an accom-
plished cook, who possessed the skill to bring off the most intricate meals.
Thematic Note: The cook's prowess is on display for all meals prepared during
guest visits to the estate, not just for the activity on which she is deployed.

Gameplay Detail: Placing the cook onto the current activity tile has two effects:

► Always increases the family's reputation by one (even when the cook is
used as the mandatory servant in the Renovated Kitchen). This reputation
is taken with all other favours during Step 6 in the Order of Play.
► Optionally permits guests with prestige ratings 1 or 2 levels above the
family's reputation to attend that activity.

Hall Boy
Description: The Hall Boy is represented by a short, light blue
meeple and is used to enhance a monetary favour. Alternatively,
the Hall Boy may accompany a carriage or attend to elite guests.

Thematic Material: The Hall Boy is typically an older child or
younger teenage male domestic worker in a superior house; he is
responsible for menial tasks such as carrying coal, attending to the
front door, cleaning up, and running messages. He is often an apprentice
footman and expected to work in excess of twelve hours a day. The employment
of a hall boy demonstrates a family's investment in a robust domestic staff.

Gameplay Detail: The Hall Boy can be used in three ways:

► Place the Hall Boy onto a gentry card showing a pounds (£) favour to
increase the favour by £100.
► The Hall Boy may stand in when the butler is the mandatory servant on a
gentry card regardless of whether the butler is available. Place the Hall
Boy onto the card's butler icon; used in this way, the Hall Boy does not
increase any £ favours.
► The Hall Boy may stand in for a footman on the Carriage House service
tile regardless of whether the footman is available. Place the Hall Boy
onto the Carriage House tile in the player's organiser.

FRONT
PARLOUR
1
PRESTIGE
Activity
Howard
Order of Play
1. Howard Family
2. Renovate Kitchen
3. Meet Gentry
4. Invite Guests
5. Enjoy Favours
6. Pay from Market
7. Clean Board
Reputation
Special Actions
1. £100
2. £200
3. £300
4. £400
5. £500
6. £600
7. £700
8. £800
9. £900
10. £1000
Expanded Service
Servant Quarters
Available Service
Family Bonus
The Howard family cook
is so good that the
Derbyshire Begin the
party with a cook.

The cook is placed
onto the Parlour tile,
which allows the
player to invite the
guest on the far right,
who has a prestige
rating (PR) of 3
(circled in red). Normally, a player cannot invite
a guest with a higher PR than her own reputation.

FRONT
PARLOUR
1
PRESTIGE
Activity
Howard
Order of Play
1. Howard Family
2. Renovate Kitchen
3. Meet Gentry
4. Invite Guests
5. Enjoy Favours
6. Pay from Market
7. Clean Board
Reputation
Special Actions
1. £100
2. £200
3. £300
4. £400
5. £500
6. £600
7. £700
8. £800
9. £900
10. £1000
Expanded Service
Servant Quarters
Available Service
Family Bonus
The Howard family cook
is so good that the
Derbyshire Begin the
party with a cook.

The cook also
generates one
reputation, which is
taken during the
Enjoy Favours
phase of the player's
turn.

The multiple uses of a Hall Boy:
5
To the right, the attentive Hall
Boy runs messages for the
Marquess of Tetbury. The player
receives £600 during the Enjoy
Favours phase instead of £500.

6
On the left, see
the service
requirements. On
the right, the
Hall Boy may
stand in for the
butler, even if the
butler is
available. Note:
When used in place of a butler, the Hall Boy does
not increase any monetary favours.

CARRIAGE
HOUSE
Gracious Host
Place a footman
to or the
activity guest count
by one guest
SERVICE
The Hall Boy may stand in for
the footman on the Carriage
House tile (located in the
player's organiser), even if a
footman is available.
7

---

Upstairs, Downstairs Expansion (the new servants)

Head Housemaid
Description: The Head Housemaid is represented by a short, pink
meeple and is used to screen invitation favours. Alternatively, the
Head Housemaid may also attend to elite guests.

Thematic Material: In a word, the housemaid was responsible for
cleanliness: changing bed linen, emptying chamber pots, cleaning
upstairs fireplaces, and much more. In a superior house, the head
housemaid kept watch over the lower housemaids and took on less arduous
bedroom duties (in the absence of a chambermaid), such as changing and
repairing linen, dusting, and tending to flower arrangements.

Gameplay Detail: The Head Housemaid (HH) can perform two actions:
► Place the HH onto a gentry card or current activity tile with an invite
favour to allow a player to screen guests (look at an extra guest card when
inviting a guest). She can only perform one screening action per turn.
► The HH may stand in when the housekeeper is the mandatory servant on
a gentry card, regardless of whether the housekeeper is available. Place
the HH onto the card's housekeeper icon; used in this way, the HH does
not screen guests. Note: If the player has the Housekeeper's Room
service tile—which permits the HH to additionally stand in for the
housekeeper on tiles and for the lady's maid in any role—the HH does
not screen guests.

Useful Man
Description: The Useful Man is represented by a short, brown meeple and
is used to help with setup and break down of the local village fair
and to assist with renovation projects.

Thematic Material: The Useful Man or handyman was a
jack-of-all-trades domestic worker who performed whatever
menial tasks needed doing in a great Victorian house. He rose well
before the family, and his duties were varied and often backbreaking.

Gameplay Detail: The Useful Man (UM) has five abilities:
► Place the UM onto the Private Study tile during a Village Fair round,
thereby increasing the revenue from that Village Fair by £200 (either
from £0 to £200 if the Study Tile has not been flipped or from £300 to
£500 if the Study Tile has been flipped).
► Place the UM onto any tile in the market when making a purchase,
thereby decreasing the cost by £100 (the cost cannot be reduced to £0).
► Place the UM onto any improvement tile located in the player's organiser
with a prestige rating visible (playable tiles), thereby temporarily decreas-
ing that prestige rating by one.
► One Time Use (at any time during a player's turn): Remove the UM
from the game to refresh the builders' market.
► One Time Use (at any time during a player's turn): Remove the UM
from the game to allow the player to search the tile bag for a specific tile
(monuments excluded) and place it in the £800 space of the builders'
market (the tile in the £300 space is returned to the bag, the remaining
five tiles slide to the left, and the new tile is placed in the £800 space,
where it can then be purchased normally).

Lady Turner's favour is to draw a
single card blindly from the top
of the prestige guest deck. With
the addition of the Head
Housemaid to the card, the player
examines the top two cards,
keeping one.

The Head Housemaid can also be
used on a tile, which converts a single draw to a
'See 2, Take 1.' If a tile or card already has a
screening ability, the Head
Housemaid increases the cards
drawn, with the player keeping
the same number; at left, the use
of the Head Housemaid changes
this invite to 'See 5, Take 2.'

The Head Housemaid may also
stand in for the housekeeper, even
if the housekeeper is available.
Note: When standing in for the
housekeeper, the Head
Housemaid does not screen
guests.

Place the Useful Man (UM) onto
the Study Tile at the beginning
of a Village Fair turn to increase
the money favour by £200.
Thematic Note: The family sends
the UM to the village to help get
ready for the fair, perhaps as an alternative to
actively engaging their role as patron. This aid
results in a slightly better fair, yielding some
income. If the family embraces the role of patron,
the fair will be a smashing success.

Note: The UM is placed on the Private Study in
the country estate organiser during Step 2 of the
Order of Play (on the player board).

is available Note When standing in for the housekeeper the Head Housemaid does not screen guests Place the Useful Man UM onto the Study Tile at the beginning of a Village Fair turn to increase the money favour by 200 Thematic Note The family sends the UM to the village to help get ready for the fair perhaps as an alternative to actively engaging their role as patron This aid results in a slightly better fair yielding some income If the family embraces the role of patron the fair will be a smashing success Note The UM is placed on the Private Study in the country estate organiser during Step 2 of the Order of Play on the player board

Rule Clarifications
► Timing of Supplemental Service. The Order
of Play directs that service be provided in step
5. This refers to mandatory service, reviewed
on page 3. Supplemental service—the service
mechanic governing the Upstairs, Downstairs
servants—may occur at various times
throughout the Order of Play. The Useful Man
is used primarily in steps 2, 3, and 7.
► Special Actions and the Village Fair? A
player may use a special action to refresh the
Useful Man to make him available for a
village fair; special actions may be taken any
time during a player's turn.
► Touch-Move Rule? If the Useful Man is
placed onto a tile in the market for a discount
or a tile in the organiser to lower the prestige
rating, the player is not locked into that
decision. If, after review, the player cannot or
does not want to make the purchase or use the
tile in the organiser, the Useful Man is
returned to Available Service.

8

---

Upstairs, Downstairs Hiring Rule & Servant Limitations

Note: This hiring/passing rule is required when the Upstairs, Downstairs
expansion is used. It is optional for any game of Obsession that does not use the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion.

Hiring Servants on a Pass Turn

New Rule Summary: Players are able to hire servants when passing.
Current Base Game Rule: The hiring action occurs on a standard turn and
is the sole activity. Passing takes place on a separate turn.

Reason for Change: The introduction of four new servants
does not make additional valets, lady's maids, and footmen
any less critical to a successful strategy. Given the limited
actions in a game, servants would be underutilized without
mechanisms to increase access, which are this rule and the
servant draft (see page 10).

Rule Detail
► Preliminary Steps: As seen in the flowchart, the player
refreshes service (step 1), reclaims his genty discard pile
(step 2), checks the round track (step 3) to see if an event
requiring action is happening (Village Fair, Objective Card draw), and takes
reputation for Monuments/uses the Servants' Hall (step 4), if applicable.
► New Hiring Option: In the original rule, passing offered the player two
beneficial options: a choice between £200 and refreshing the builders'
market. The new rule adds a third option: hiring servants.
► Hiring Action Explained: The hiring action, if chosen, functions exactly
like the hiring action described in the Obsession 1st
Edition rulebook: the Butler's Room start tile is
placed onto the player board with the butler (or
underbutler) as the mandatory servant. Two servants
are chosen from the servants for hire area on the
supply board and placed with the butler into Expend-
ed Service (the underbutler cannot be hired in this
fashion and is only acquired with the purchase of the
Butler's Pantry service tile from the market).
► Critical Rule—Servant Limitations: Players may hire multiple valets,
lady's maids, and footmen, but may only possess one each of the cook, hall
boy, head housemaid, and useful man; if the useful man was used to refresh
the market or locate a tile (see Useful Man, page 8),
a player cannot hire another to replace this lost
servant.
► Recruiting (Stealing) Servants: If using the hiring
action for the second time (see modified action
highlighted by the yellow box, right), players may
only recruit valets, lady's maids, and footmen from
another player. Players cannot recruit any of the
new Upstairs, Downstairs servants (cook, hall boy,
head housemaid, or useful man). Note: The original rule prohibiting recruit-
ment of the butler, housekeeper, and underbutler also remains in effect.
► Butler Availability: When hiring servants during a pass, note that on the
player aid above REFRESH SERVICE is before HIRE SERVANTS; this means the
butler will always be available for the hire. After hiring, the butler and new
servants go into the Expended Service on the player board.

Passing Flowchart (UD)
PASS
REFRESH SERVICE
(move all servants to available service)
RECLAIM DECK
(take back discard pile)
OBSERVE ROUND TRACK EVENT
MONUMENTS/SERVANTS' HALL
COLLECT £200
(tenant rents)
HIRE SERVANTS
(use butler's room)
REFRESH BUILDERS
MARKET
SHOP
(in the builders' market)

BUTLER'S
ROOM
Servant Hiring
Butler
Hire Two
Servants from
the Supply
1 SERVICE 0

BUTLER'S
ROOM
Servant Hiring
Butler
Hire Two or
Recruit One
Servant from
Any Player
1 SERVICE 1

9

Hiring without Passing?

The original hiring rule required that the
Butler's Room tile be used on a standard
turn as the sole activity. Can a player still
use this original rule? Not really.

With this new rule, hiring during a standard
turn without passing is possible, but it
makes no sense. Even if a player chose to
hire servants as the main activity in a
regular turn, what would be the reason to
refuse the free option of refreshing her
servants and reclaiming her deck, two
hugely valuable actions?

If a player wanted to hire servants on
consecutive turns (exceedingly rare), they
would still take advantage of refreshing the
first group of servants hired.

1 Start
2 Village Fair Courtship
This creates a strategic
challenge for those
players who prefer to hire
in the 1st season to
expand hosting options
early in the game. Now
hiring in Season 1 comes
along with inefficient
reclaim and refresh
actions (which could lead
to an additional pass later
in the game).

Season 1 Hire?

Yet, there are compelling new reasons to
hire the powerful Upstairs, Downstairs
servants early to maximize their special
abilities. Decisions, decisions!

Passing without Hiring?

Every hiring turn will include a pass, but not
every pass turn will include a hiring action.
Players not infrequently value £200 or a
market refresh over hiring more servants.

Using the New Rule without
Upstairs, Downstairs Servants?

Feel free to adopt the new rule even if
playing Obsession without any Upstairs,
Downstairs components. Note: It will lead
to moderately elevated scores, but the new
rule expands the role of servants and makes
the pass turn more interesting.

---

Upstairs, Downstairs Expansion (setup with draft detail)

Player Area Setup with Draft

To enable the new servant draft and the rest of Player Area Setup using the
Upstairs, Downstairs servants, it is necessary to go briefly out of sequence and
complete only the first step of the Central Play Area Setup on page 4 of the
Obsession rulebook (which is normally done after Player Area Setup on page 3).

Begin setting up a game by placing the supply board in the centre of the table.
Then populate the Servants for Hire area as follows:

► 1 Player: 1 U, 4 F, 2 V, 2 LM, 1 C, 1 HB, 1 HH, 1 UM
► 2 Players: 2 U, 4 F, 2 V, 2 LM, 2 C, 2 HB, 2 HH, 2 UM
► 3 Players: 2 U, 6 F, 3 V, 3 LM, 3 C, 3 HB, 3 HH, 3 UM
► 4 Players: 2 U, 8 F, 4 V, 4 LM, 4 C, 4 HB, 4 HH, 4 UM
► 5 & 6 Players: 2 U, 10 F, 5 V, 5 LM, 5 C, 5 HB, 5 HH, 5 UM
(Key: Underbutler-U, Footman-F, Valet-V, Lady's Maid-LM, Cook-C,
Hall Boy-HB, Head Housemaid-HH, Useful Man-UM)

Player Area Setup now begins as detailed on page 3 of the Obsession rulebook,
with the following modifications:

► Preparation for the Draft: Take one of each of the 'short' servants (cook,
hall boy, head housemaid, useful man, valet, lady's maid, and footman) from
the Servants for Hire and display them in the centre of the table for the draft.
► Step 1: Assign a 1st player.
► Step 2: Starting with the player to the left of the 1st player and going
clockwise, each player chooses a family board and drafts one servant from the
display. Note the following:
→ If a player chooses the Howard family board with a starting bonus of a
cook, that player cannot draft a second cook; he must choose from the
remaining servants on display (see the Visual Look to the right). All
other players, of course, are eligible to draft the single cook on display.
→ All drafted servants are placed in Available Service on the player board.
→ The display is not restocked; once a servant is drafted, the next player
chooses from the remaining servants.
→ The York family, with their family bonus of an extra footman, may draft
another (there are no limits on the number of footmen that can be hired).
→ After the draft, return undrafted servants to the Servants for Hire area
on the player board. The Servants for Hire setup step is now complete.
► Finish setting up the player areas as detailed on Page 3 of the Obsession
rulebook, starting with step 3. In step 10, ensure the Objective Cards from
the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion are used.
► Player aids summarising the abilities of the new servants are recommended.

Central Play Area Setup

Set up the Central Play Area as described on Pages 4 and 5 of the Obsession
rulebook, with the following modifications:

► Step 1: This step was completed above when the remaining servants were
returned to the supply after the draft.
► Steps 2–5: Follow the Obsession rulebook.
► Step 6: Note that monument selection for 5 and 6 players is identical to the
4-player setup.
► Steps 7–9: Follow the Obsession rulebook.

This completes the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion setup rules.

REMINDER: Players may only ever possess
one each of the Cook, Hall Boy, Head House-
maid, and Useful Man; if the Useful Man is used
to refresh the market or locate a tile, a player
cannot hire another to replace this lost servant.

A Visual Look at the
Servant Draft

Display the 'short' servants, one of each:

Ted is the first player and gets the purple pawn.
The draft starts with Ann, the yellow player to the
LEFT of Ted:

Ted: 1st Player
Marcos
Ann: Player
who chooses a
family 1st and
drafts 1st
Maricel
Ulrich

Ann chooses a family board (Cavendish) and
takes the family advantage. Now she must draft
one of the short servants on display and put it into
Available Service with the rest of her starting
servants. Ann drafts the Head Housemaid:

No other player can now draft a Head
Housemaid. The player to the left of the yellow
player, Ulrich, has a choice from the six remain-
ing servants. He chose the family Howard, which
makes the Cook unavailable to him (players can
only have one each of the Upstairs, Downstairs
servants on their staff):

Ulrich takes a valet.

Maricel, the player to Ulrich's left, takes the York
family (who starts with a bonus footman). She
could draft another footman (there is no limitation
on footmen, valets, and lady's maids), but instead
chooses the Useful Man:

The next player, Marcos, drafts the Cook and Ted
(the 1st player) drafts a footman, leaving:

The hall boy and lady's maid left over after the
draft are returned to the Servants for Hire section
of the supply board.

10

---

Unique Rules for 5- and 6-Player Games

Player Boards and Organisers
There are a total of six player boards available:
► Obsession (4): Asquith, Cavendish,
Ponsonby, York (+ 4 separate organisers)
► Wessex (1): Wessex (no separate organiser)
► Upstairs Downstairs (1): Howard (+ 1 separate organiser)

Country Estate Improvements
Separate Country Estate Organiser
Howard
Order of Play
1. Butler Games
2. Housemaid, Manservant
and Grounds Staff
3. Lord/Lady
4. Underbutler
5. Outside Service
6. Footman/Valet
7. Lady's Maid
8. Cook
9. Objective Card
10. Board
Expended Service
Servants' Quarters
Available to Serve
The Howard family
has a special ability
to use the Butler
from the
Upstairs,
Downstairs
expansion.
Follow the link for
video help with
5 & 6 players!
Either the Howard or Wessex board (Wessex
expansion) may be added to Obsession so that there
are five families. Both Howard and Wessex are
required for six players. Note: the Howard board and all 2nd printing player
boards have one side with an integrated country estate organiser (see example,
top right); since there are only five separate country estate organisers
available, one of the players in any 6-player game must use the integrated
organiser side as shown to the right.

Guests, Servants, and Other Components
► Guests: The 33 Upstairs, Downstairs guest gentry cards are added to ensure
sufficient guests for 5- and 6-player games. Critical Rule: Always place
screened or dismissed guests at the bottom of the appropriate deck. If guests
run out, no further invites are possible.
► Servants: Additional starting servants for 5 and 6 players are contained in
this expansion along with a modified quantity of the servants for hire.
► Objective Cards: Objective Cards (OC) discarded at the end of each season
should be shuffled and then placed at the bottom of the OC supply deck.
This will ensure sufficient OC are available for standard and extended play.

5 Player—Player Area Setup
► Steps 1 & 2 (page 3 of the Obsession rulebook): If playing without the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion, the last player (yellow player, top right) is
compensated £200 (as she never goes first in a season). If playing with the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion, there is no £200 compensation; follow the
servant draft rules on page 10 of this rulebook.
► Steps 3–10: Finish setting up the player areas as detailed in the Obsession
rulebook. Use the OC in this expansion if playing with the new servants.

5 Player—Central Play Area Setup
► Step 1 (page 4 of the Obsession rulebook): The Servants for Hire is populat-
ed with two underbutlers, ten footmen, five valets, and five lady's maids.
► Finish setting up the Central Play Area, steps 2–9.

6 Player—Unique Rules and Setup
Six-player individual play was a Kickstarter stretch goal and requires experi-
enced players to keep play time remotely reasonable. If competitive individual
play is desired, unique setup and rule adjustments are required (see right).

The official version of 6-player Obsession is competitive team play (see next
page instructions). Important Note: All 6-player games—individual or team
play—use 4 OC during Step 10 of setup regardless of game length.
11

PRIVATE
BUTLER'S
ROOM
MAIN
HALL
FRONT
PARLOUR
BOWLING
GREEN
2 Guests
+£300
1 ESSENTIALS
1 SERVICE
1 ESTATE
1 PRESTIGE
1 SPORTING

1st Player
After Season 1, the
marker
is passed
Last Player
who never
gets to
go 1st
+£200
Rule for
compensating
5th player w/o
Upstairs,
Downstairs
expansion

Six-Player Individual Competitive
Play Adjustments
(components and rules)

Player Area Setup:
If playing without the
Upstairs, Downstairs
servants, start the last
player (green) with
£300 and the
second-from-last player
(yellow) with £200.
Otherwise, use the servant
draft. Also, players are dealt 4 OC
during setup for all 6-player games.
+£300
+£200

Central Play Area Components: Set up for a
5-player game to the left. This means that there
will be a limitation on servants with no
additional base game servants and only a total
of 5 each of the Upstairs, Downstairs servants
(if this expansion is used). Players will need to
strategise for shortages and compete in the
hiring market. Reminder: Be sure discarded
objectives are returned to the supply deck.

Guest Limitation Rule: At such a high player
count, it is recommended to institute a six
prestige guest limit on all players, excluding
either Fairchild. Once at the limit, players can
continue to draw new prestige guests, but must
always discard down to six. This will depend on
an honor system, but all playing are Victorian
ladies and gentlemen of character, so there
should be no issues. Any prestige guests over
this limit will have their VP subtracted from the
guest VP end game total.

---

Competitive Team Play (4 or 6 players)
The official 6-player Obsession mode of play is 3 competitive teams of 2 players
each (4-player competitive play uses the identical rules with one less team).
Setup
Seat Assignments: Players from the same team
(matching colors in the graphic) must sit across from each
other with one player from each team between them.
Player Area and Central Play Area Setup: Follow the
Upstairs, Downstairs setup instructions on page 10. For the draft, choose a team
to go first and assign the 1st player marker to a member of that team. The player
to the left of that player will begin the servant draft (see page 10). The draft will
proceed clockwise as normal, and teams are free to coordinate all aspects of
player board and servant selection. If playing with 6 players, recall that—for
either a standard or extended length game—players always start with 4 Objec-
tive Cards (OC) and must remember to return all OC discarded at the end of a
season to the bottom of the OC deck on the supply board (see Page 11, centre).

Teams will work together to score the most victory points:
► Family members and close family friends may attend teammate activities.
► Teammates may loan servants to each other as needed.
► Teammates may gift small amounts of money to each other (£100 or £200).
► Teammates may discuss and coordinate objectives.
► Table talk is an expected part of the game; however, a private discussion after
setup to review objectives, discuss courtship, and other strategies is advised.

Definitions: The rules below apply to the two players on the same team. Active
Player refers to the team member hosting an activity, and Teammate refers to
the team member who is being asked to provide money, servants, and/or guests.

Cooperative Actions
Money: On her turn, the active player may ask her teammate for £100 or £200.
► The teammate can accept or refuse (he may have plans of his own).
► This money is a gift and will not be repaid.
► The teammate may use special actions (SA) for the loan.

Servants: On her turn, the active player may borrow servants from her teammate.
► All servants are eligible if they are in Available Service.
► The teammate may use special actions (SA) to refresh a servant.
► The teammate can accept or refuse (he may have plans of his own).
► Once the activity is concluded, the loaned servant(s) are returned to the
teammate and placed in Expended Service.
► Note: Two Cooks cannot be used during one activity. Two Hall Boys, Head
Housemaids, or Useful Men cannot be combined to double their effect, but
can be used during one activity on separate favours and/or actions.

Guests: On her turn, the active player may invite family members and close
friends (i.e., starter guests) of her teammate to her activity.
► Family members may attend an activity if they are
in the teammate's active hand (not the discard pile).
► Any starter guests in the circle of friends may attend an
activity if they are in the teammate's active hand.
→ This includes the two starter guests acquired at setup.
→ This includes any additional starter guests (small crown
beneath the prestige rating) acquired during the course of play.
→ Note: All starter guest favours go to the active player.
12
► The active player may invite any
number of her teammate's qualifying
family or guests, even if those guests
represent all the guests at the activity.
► Once the activity is concluded, the
visiting gentry are placed in the discard
pile of the teammate.

Critical—Status of Guest Favours:
Visiting family favours do not automati-
cally go to the hosting player.
► Man of the house: His £200 favour can
go to the active player or the teammate.
► The lady of the house has a choice in
favours:
→ Invite: The invite favour can go to
the active player or the teammate.
→ Dismissal: The Lady's dismissal
action can only be used to dismiss a
guest from the teammate's own
gentry deck.
► The heir has a choice in favours:
→ Money: The £100 favour can go to
the active player or the teammate.
→ Reputation: The reputation must
stay with the teammate.
► The young lady has 2 favours:
→ Invite: The invite favour can go to
the active player or the teammate.
→ Admirer Bonus: The reputation must
stay with the teammate.

End Game Scoring
► For each category on the scorepad
except Reputation and Objective Cards,
teammate scores are averaged. All
averaged values are rounded down.
► For Reputation, the lowest teammate
reputation is recorded (this prevents
trashing one player's reputation for the
benefit of the team). Note that the
teammate with the higher reputation
can use the excess near the end of the
game without any negative impact!
► For Objective Cards, the team scores
any three objectives.

Improvement Tile VP: Averaged
Gentry VP: Averaged
Objective Cards VP: Team Scores 3
Reputation VP: Lowest
Service VP: Averaged
Wealth VP: Averaged
Courtship/VP Card: Averaged

---

Solo Estate Challenge – Setup
The traditional Obsession solitaire puzzle is finessing courtship against increasingly difficult solo opponents. Solo Estate Chal-
lenge (SEC) eliminates courtship and shifts the focus to country estate development as the path to victory.
Setup
Unique Player Area Setup: The player area sets up as detailed on page 3 of
the Obsession rulebook, with three exceptions:
► The solo player (SP) is always the starting player.
► The SP does not start with any objective cards.
→ Note: Milestones are not used.
► The SP drafts one servant (see page 10 for draft details).
→ Note: If the SP chooses the Howard family, a Cook is not used in the
draft or put into the supply.
Game Length Note (Standard and Extended): The standard and extended
length games for Solo Estate Challenge use the same number of reputation
1
3
5
RWC
Max
Start
Alderley Hall
Tableau Round Track
VP Cards
188
+10
12
132
wheel counters (RWC) as the standard and extended length games for traditional Obsession (see page 3 of
the Obsession rulebook). The standard SEC game information is marked in yellow on the Tableau Round
Track with a Target Score of 132 beneath round 12. The extended SEC game is marked in red with a Target
Score of 188 to the left of round 15.
Unique Central Area Setup: Stock the supply board as detailed on pages 4 & 5 of the Obsession rulebook, with these changes:
► Step 2: Remove all the group bonus objectives from the objective card deck and place the remaining cards on the supply board
(objective cards can be acquired during the game via the Main Library and VP Cards).
► Step 6: Instead of filling the purple bag, create a supply of one copy of every improvement tile, with these modifications:
→ Include Suites tiles, but do not include Hybrid tiles.
→ Include these five monuments: Trophy Room, Wine Cellar, Marble Floor, Manor Gargoyles, and Sculpture Garden.
► Step 7: Set out the Tableau Round Track (found in the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion—see above) and place the white round
track pawn on the START space. Shuffle and place the VP cards as shown above.
► Steps 8 and 9: The Builders' Market will function differently in SEC than in a conventional game of Obsession. The six market
spaces will now hold all the tiles set aside in Step 6 as follows:
Prepare the Market: From the supply established in Step 6, stack tiles by type (written in yellow below) in Tile Sorting Number
(TSN) order, lowest on top. Place each stack in its proper spot in the market.
For example, the SPORTING stack would
be in the £400 market spot and have the
Riding Stables on top, followed by the
Croquet Lawn, Tennis Court, Hillside
Kennels, Billiards Room, and Cricket
Field, with the Stocked Lake on the
bottom (TSN order). Repeat this for each
category stack. The £800 MONUMENT
space holds a single stack of monuments
BUILDERS' MARKET
No
Purchase
19-20
£300
£400
£500
£600
£700
£800
SERVICE
SPORTING
ESSENTIALS
ESTATE
PRESTIGE
MONUMENT
£300
£400
£500
£600
£700
£800
1-2
3-5
6-8
9-11
12-14
15-18
with the Trophy Room on top, followed by the Wine Cellar, Marble Floor, and Manor Gargoyles, with the Sculpture Garden on the
bottom (TSN order). Other stacks are set up in the same way. Place the SEC market counters (numbered round counters seen in the
graphic above) as indicated, and obtain the d20 dice.
Target Score: Depending on the game length chosen, the SP now aims to beat the Target Score. In a standard game, the SP needs
to beat a Target Score of 132 (Round 12, highlighted yellow). In an extended game, the SP needs to beat a Target Score of 188
(round 15, highlighted red). Target Score Variant: For expert difficulty, add the scavenged Monument VP to the Target Score (see
AI Scavenging, next page).
13

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Solo Estate Challenge – Gameplay and Scoring

Gameplay

Each solo player (SP) turn follows the Order of Play listed on each family
board, which is then followed by the AI scavenging a tile from the Builders'
Market (more on this below). The round track pawn is advanced counterclock-
wise to the next round. This continues until two end game conditions are met:

1) The SP is at Max reputation, and
2) The SP's tableau (tiles in the country estate organiser) is complete.

For a tableau to be complete, the player must:

► Have a tableau comprised of exactly 5 columns of
3 tiles for a standard game and 5 columns of 4 tiles
for an extended game. For example, this graphic
shows the number and type of tiles needed for a
tableau to be considered complete in a standard game.

Country Estate Improvements
ESSENTIALS SERVICE PRIVATE SPORTING
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3

► Have flipped all tiles (that can be flipped) to their rose side. Monuments and
all service tiles except for the Butler's Room are never flipped.

Once these two conditions are met, the game ends and the score is tabulated.

Step 7, Order of Play: Buy from Market

► The SP may shop in the market with the advan-
tage of having all tiles initially available and of
knowing the cost of each tile; just as in a
standard game of Obsession, the cost of any tile
will be the market cost (i.e., £500) +/- any
modifier on the tile itself.

BUILDERS' MARKET
£500
MORNING
ROOM
£100
1, 2, or 3 Gentry
ESSENTIALS O
£600
PADDOCK
1 ESTATE

► The SP may buy as many tiles as she can afford each turn.
► The SP may buy any tile in any stack.
► The SP cannot exceed the tableau size for the game she is playing; for
example, she cannot purchase a 4th service tile (in a standard game) unless
she first discards (and removes from the game) one of the service tiles
currently in her tableau. Note: If a discarded tile granted an advantage, the
player loses the benefit (i.e., if the Brushing Room is discarded, her footmen
lose the ability to stand in for a valet).
► During Builders' Holiday rounds, all tiles are discounted £100.

AI Scavenging: After Step 7, the AI will scavenge tiles from the market stacks.
The SP rolls the d20, and, referencing the market counters, locates the tile to be
removed from the game based on the range of the market counter. If there is no
tile in a scavenge location, no scavenging action happens that turn.

£500
6-8
Example 1: A 6 is rolled. The SP looks at the market counters (see
previous page) and notes that the number 6 falls in the range of the
£500 Essentials market stack. Since the first number of that range is
a 6, the first (or top) tile in the Essentials stack is removed from the game.

£700
12-14
Example 2: A 13 is rolled. The SP looks at the market counters and
notes that the number 13 falls in the range of the £700 Prestige
market stack. Since 13 is the second number of that range, the
second tile in the Prestige stack is removed from the game. Note: If
there happened to be only one tile in the Prestige stack, no tile would be
scavenged (position 13 is empty).

Critical Rule: The AI can never scavenge
from a stack when it would prevent a player
from completing her tableau. For example,
if during an extended game, a player had
two Service tiles in their tableau (she must
finish with four in each column), the AI
could never scavenge the Service stack to
fewer than two tiles (or fewer than however
many she needed to finish any column in
her tableau). When the AI rolls to do this, it
does not scavenge a tile that round.

Grand Ball: At the beginning of
round 5, there is a Grand Ball. During
Step 2 in the Order of Play, the SP
takes three prestige guests from the
supply, keeps one (this card goes into
the SP's active hand), and returns the
remaining cards to the bottom of the deck.
The SP then completes Steps 3-8 of a
standard turn.

Rule Exceptions: Use the standard solo
rule exceptions (see Obsession Solo Rules).

End Game Scoring

The SP totals her score using the Obsession
scorepad and compares her total to the
Target Score for the game length played. If
she finishes the game on any other space
besides the Target Score space, a VP
modifier will be applied to her score.

the beginning of round 5 there is a Grand Ball During Step 2 in the Order of Play the SP takes three prestige guests from the supply keeps one this card goes into the SP s active hand and returns the remaining cards to the bottom of the deck The SP then completes Steps 3 8 of a standard turn Rule Exceptions Use the standard solo rule exceptions see Obsession Solo Rules End Game Scoring The SP totals her score using the Obsession scorepad and compares her total to the Target Score for the game length played If she finishes the game on any other space besides the Target Score space a VP modifier will be applied to her score

Builders'
Holiday
+5
12
Village
Fair
-5
Longer Game
132
-10
X
The round track has
number modifiers
to either side of the
Target Score. Each
number represents VP added or subtracted
from the SP score for that particular round.
For example, if the SP finishes on round 14
(marked with the X), she would subtract
15VP from her score (a 5VP penalty for the
Village Fair round plus a 10VP penalty for
round 14). Bonuses and penalties follow
this same incremental 5VP pattern (i.e., if
the player had finished three rounds later on
round 17, the penalty would be 5+10+15+
20+25 for a total of a 75VP penalty!).

Target Score Variants: Players may use
Obsession & Wessex solitaire cards (base
scores are used) in place of the AI Target
Score for a graduated challenge. Add
scavenged monument VPs to the solo
opponent base score for elevated difficulty.

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Tableau Obsession and Milestones

Tableau Obsession (including Duel)
Tableau Obsession is Obsession chess. It is designed to remove almost all
randomness and variability that represents Victorian fate in traditional play.
Unique characteristics of Tableau Obsession are: 1) The Tableau Round Track is
used, 2) There is no courtship, and 3) The game ends immediately when any
player is at Max reputation at the end of his turn (no further turns).

Setup
Unique Player Area Setup: Set up the player area using the player board
selection and servant draft as detailed on page 10 of this rulebook, with four
possible changes:

► In Step 3 of player setup (Obsession rulebook, page 3), be aware
there is a 2-player variant called Tableau Obsession—Duel. If
playing Duel, use the two 9/10 reputation wheel counters (Upstairs,
Downstairs expansion). End game scoring VP are awarded as follows:
→ Finishing at level 9 scores 45 VP
→ Finishing at level 10 scores 55 VP
→ Finishing at Max scores 66 VP
► In Step 9 of player setup (Obsession rulebook, page 3), use the Starter Guest
draft variant (Obsession glossary page 26).
► In Step 10 of player setup (Obsession rulebook, page 3), no initial objective
cards are distributed to players (it remains possible for objective cards to be
acquired via the Main Library and VP Cards).
► Milestones are used and chosen at the beginning of Player Area Setup.

Unique Central Area Setup: Follow the Central Area Setup instructions on
pages 4–5 of the Obsession rulebook, with the following changes:
► Step 2: Remove all group bonus objectives from the objective card deck.
► Step 6: Use the low VP value Monuments (Upstairs, Downstairs expansion).
► Step 7: Use the Tableau Round Track and place the white round track pawn
on the START space. Shuffle and place the VP cards in their space. Charles
and Elizabeth Fairchild are not used.

Gameplay
The 1st player pawn is never rotated. The round track pawn moves counter-
clockwise on the round track with players taking standard turns following the
Order of Play. The game ends immediately when any player is at Max
reputation after finishing his or her turn.

Unique Market Rules: Two unique market rules are used when playing:
► Use the Queen Victoria market variant as described on page 25 of
the Obsession Glossary.
► At the conclusion of Round 3, activate both Builders' Market tile
reserves (see page 4 of this rulebook), which remain in effect for the
remainder of the game.

Grand Ball: On Round 5, there is a Grand Ball. At the start of the round
before individual turns begin, in turn order each player takes three prestige
guests from the supply, keeps one (this card goes into the player's active
hand), and returns the remaining cards to the bottom of the deck. The
round then proceeds normally with each player taking a turn.

15

Tableau Obsession
End Game Scoring
Scoring does not take into account positive
gentry VP points, money, or servants. End
Game Scoring takes into account only:

► VP for improvement tiles,
► VP for player reputation,
► Negative VP for unsavoury guests,
► VP for any completed objectives acquired
via the Main Library and VP Cards, and
► VP Cards.

If tied, the player with the highest tableau
score wins. If still tied, the player who
reached MAX reputation wins.

Milestones
Public objectives that can be added to any
game or serve as an alternative to private
objectives

Setup: Choose two milestones per game
(randomly or by preference) and place them
in a central location. Players choose when
this is done based upon preference:

► Before Player Area Setup if players
desire maximum information for
planning, or
► During Step 2 of Central Play Area
Setup.

Players then acquire
their two family
crest circular chits.

Gameplay: At any time
during a player's turn, one
and only one milestone can
be claimed (1st or 2nd position). The player
must meet the card requirements (the
milestone player aid explains the symbols
and requirements). The
player places one of his
two markers on an
available space. Note: It
does not matter when the
player achieves the
milestone, only when the
player claims the
milestone. Milestones,
once claimed, can never
be lost (if possible).

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Upstairs, Downstairs New Improvement Tiles Rules
New Improvement Tiles
Carriage House: The Carriage House allows players to
increase or decrease the number of guests dictated by an
improvement tile. The Carriage House service tile rules
are:
CARRIAGE
HOUSE
Gracious Host
Place a footman
to or the
activity guest count
by one guest
SERVICE
An available footman (or hall boy/underbutler) must be
placed onto the tile to activate it during Step 4 in the Order of Play.
Any additional guests must qualify normally (prestige rating, gender,
etc.). For example, a tile that requires only ladies cannot add a gentleman.
It cannot reduce the guest count to zero.
It cannot be used to increase the guest count for a Suites tile.
It cannot be used when only family are the required gentry at an activity.
During Step 8 in the Order of Play, the servant used to activate the Carriage
House is placed into Expended Service.
Stocked Lake: The Stocked Lake is the first Sporting tile
with a prestige rating of 6. This tile functions like any other
sporting tile in the base game.
HOUSEKEEPER'S
ROOM
Housemaid Ability
Head Housemaid
may perform any
female service role
(except Cook)
SERVICE
STOCKED
LAKE
Fly Fishing
4 Gentry
+£200
£600
SPORTING
150
6
Housekeeper's Room: The Housekeeper's Room gives the
Head Housemaid a new permanent ability: she can stand in
for either the housekeeper or lady's maid, even if one is
available. When the Head Housemaid stands in as the
essential servant (see page 8), she does not screen guests.
Renovated Kitchen: The Renovated Kitchen allows a player to attract
guests to her estate who otherwise would not attend. The Renovated Kitchen
rules are:
RENOVATED +£300
KITCHEN
Gourmet Tasting
2 Gentry
Guests of any
prestige rating
may attend
1
SERVICE
RENOVATED
KITCHEN
Culinary Renown
Activities using
the Cook may add
one guest beyond
the guest count
SERVICE
Front Side: The cook is the mandatory servant for the
Gourmet Tasting activity; this tile, which is first placed into
the player's organiser with the cook icon visible, is played
onto the player board. Any two guests (regardless of
prestige rating) may attend. Note: The cook still generates
one reputation from her supplemental ability (see page 7).
Back Side: After this tile is flipped, it stays in the organiser
and grants the cook a permanent ability for the rest of the
game: a player may increase the guest count by one
during any activity where the cook is used (i.e., when the
cook is placed as a supplemental servant during an
activity). Observe the following rules for this new ability:
The additional guest must qualify normally (prestige rating, gender, etc.),
It cannot be used to increase the guest count for a Suites tile, and
If the Carriage House is also activated when the cook uses this permanent
ability, the player may invite two additional guests (one for the
cook's ability and one for the Carriage House activation).
KAYENTA
16
Backer-Developed
Promotional Tile Winners
The two winning improvement tiles in the
crowdfunding contest during the 2019
Kickstarter campaign are the Parish
Church, designed by Stephen Cleary, and
the Babbling Brook, designed by MJ Petrie.
PARISH
CHURCH
Establish Living
1 Gentleman
火火火火
4
ESSENTIALS
PARSONAGE
MONUMENT
+£400
Parish Church: This tile
converts from an activity
tile into a monument and
may count towards the
monument objective card.
No activity service is
required on the front side.
On the monument side,
during Step 2, the player
chooses either £100 or 1 reputation.
BABBLING
BROOK
Fly Fishing
4 Gentlemen
£400
Babbling Brook: This is a hybrid tile (it
may be flipped back and
forth). The tile enters play
on the side with a line
underneath the stylised
flower in the upper right
hand corner.
2
SPORTING
BABBLING
BROOK
Watercolor Landscapes
4 Ladies
*
3
ESTATE
The Estate-side favour (with
the hand) allows the player
in Step 6 in the Order of
Play to choose any card in
her discard pile and put it into her active
hand. Guests from the current activity do
not qualify as they do not go into the
discard pile until step 8.
Modified Component Credits
Extended Play Round Track (a doffing of
the top hat to John Weber): The position of
the National Holiday has been moved from
round 17 to round 11 to make it relevant.
Barn Service Tile (a doffing of the top hat
to Frank Calcagno): The gardener reference
was removed to avoid confusion.
GAMES
COPYRIGHT
2021
Kayenta Games
31737 Tradewinds
Avon Lake, Ohio 44012
www.kayentapublishing.com
CE
GAME DESIGN
and
ILLUSTRATION:
UK
CA
DAN HALLAGAN
CONTENTS: One (1) Round Track, One (1) Player Mat, One (1) Organiser, One (1)
Board Extension, One (1) Rulebook, Thirty-Seven (37) Gentry Cards, Ten (10)
Player Aid Cards, Ten (10) Milestone Cards, Fourteen (14) Milestone/Solo Chits,
Thirty-Two (32) Improvement Tiles, Fourteen (14) Reputation Chits, Thirty-Three
(33) Objective Cards, Thirty (30) VP Cards, Ten (10) Theme Cards, One (1)
Scorepad, Thirty-Five (35) Custom Wooden Meeples, Two (2) Wooden Markers,
1-6
30-120
14+
One (1) Linen Bag, Sixteen (16) Promo Cards, One (1) Promo Aid
Made in China
Kayenta Publishing, 2021, no part of this product may be reproduced without permission.

Ohio 44012 www kayentapublishing com CE GAME DESIGN and ILLUSTRATION UK CA DAN HALLAGAN CONTENTS One 1 Round Track One 1 Player Mat One 1 Organiser One 1 Board Extension One 1 Rulebook Thirty Seven 37 Gentry Cards Ten 10 Player Aid Cards Ten 10 Milestone Cards Fourteen 14 Milestone Solo Chits Thirty Two 32 Improvement Tiles Fourteen 14 Reputation Chits Thirty Three 33 Objective Cards Thirty 30 VP Cards Ten 10 Theme Cards One 1 Scorepad Thirty Five 35 Custom Wooden Meeples Two 2 Wooden Markers 1 6 30 120 14 One 1 Linen Bag Sixteen 16 Promo Cards One 1 Promo Aid Made in China Kayenta Publishing 2021 no part of this product may be reproduced without permission

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