What Is Shadows of Leão?

A game of secrets, survival, and strategy.

Shadows of Leão is a social deduction game where every player holds a secret role. You’ll step into a world where magic and technology entwine — and someone among you isn’t who they seem.

Players are divided into two hidden factions:

  • Isleborn Citizens – protectors of the island - The Good Guys

  • Shadow Council – infiltrators working to take over from the inside - The Evil Team

The challenge? Decide who to trust… before it’s too late.

The Role of The Architect

The Architect is the game’s guide — a neutral presence who leads each phase, calls roles at night, and reveals events at dawn.

The Architect remembers so you don’t have to.

While they take no sides, The Architect may gently adjust timing, pacing, or clarity to keep the game fair, immersive, and enjoyable for all.

With their Codex in hand, the Architect tracks every moment, ensuring smooth, unforgettable gameplay for everyone at the table.

At the start of each game, the Architect offers a quiet warning:

“I am The Architect — guardian of balance and builder of fate. I do not interfere. I only design the path that lies ahead. What you choose to do with it… is entirely up to you.”

With the Architect as your guide, all you need to do is step into your role… and let the game unfold.

Set Up

Before the game begins, the Architect prepares the circle.

  • Players gather in a circle, each representing a City Council Member from one of Leão’s districts.

  • The Architect distributes a folio page - a reference sheet listing all possible roles that may appear in this game.

    — Important: While players will see the full list of potential roles, they won’t know exactly which ones are active this session.

  • The Architect shuffles and secretly assigns each player a role card.
    This card tells you:
    — Your faction (Isleborn Citizen, Shadow Council, or another)
    — Your special ability

Keep your role secret — your survival depends on it.

Once all cards are handed out, the Architect gives a brief reminder of the rules, checks that everyone understands their part, and prepares to begin the Night Phase.

Important: You don’t need to memorize everything.
The Architect will guide you through the game, phase by phase.

🎲 What You’ll Need to Play

  • 6 to 20 players

  • Role cards (printed or digital)

  • One Architect to guide the game

  • A quiet space for the Night Phase

Optional: Use a voting tracker, game log, or companion app for smoother play.

🔁How the Game Works

The game flows in a repeating cycle:

1. Night Phase – Players close their eyes. Some awaken to perform secret actions.
2. Day Phase – Players open their eyes, discuss what happened, and share suspicions.
3. Nomination & Voting Phase – Players nominate and vote to banish someone from the game.

The Architect guides the game, managing each phase — but the choices (and consequences) are primarily yours.

🌘 Night Phase

As night falls, all players close their eyes.

The Architect moves quietly through the circle, calling on specific roles to awaken in secret and use their abilities.

He may tap players on the shoulder or use another agreed-upon method to signal attention.

The Ravager, leader of the Shadow Council, silently selects a player to eliminate.

Other roles may act as well. Some will:

  • Investigate another player

  • Protect someone

  • Eliminate a target

  • Alter information or status effects

The night is silent — no talking, only gestures. Once all roles have acted, The Architect says:

“Everyone, open your eyes.”

🌞Day Phase – The Discussion

Morning brings revelations.

The Architect announces key events:

  • Who was eliminated

  • Who has been silenced, frozen, or poisoned

Now comes the heart of the game: discussion, accusations, and voting.

Players may now:

  • Share observations

  • Theorize or bluff

  • Ask questions or challenge others

  • Begin forming suspicions

The truth hides in the noise — listen carefully.

⚖️ Nomination & Voting Phase

Players nominate those they suspect. Each nominated player may briefly defend themselves or offer final words.

Then, the group votes.

🗳️ How Voting Works

  • Voting begins with the player seated to the left of the accused and moves clockwise around the circle.

  • Players may vote for as many nominees as they choose — or none at all.

  • Ghosts may cast one vote per game using their vote token.

  • After each vote is tallied, the group may continue with additional nominations until the Architect closes the floor.

  • Once your vote is cast, it cannot be changed.

  • If you don’t vote when the Architect passes you, you are counted as abstaining.

  • You may add your vote as the circle goes, but you cannot take it back once it’s been counted.

📊 Passing a Nomination

  • To eliminate a player, they must receive 50% or more of the living players’ votes.

  • If no nominee has 50% or if there’s a tie — no one is banished.

⚡ Final Reminder

One vote can tip the balance. One silence can seal a fate.

Be strategic. Banishing an innocent could bring ruin. But if you find the Ravager…

You might just save Leão.

👻 You’ve Died or Been Banished… Now What?

Despite the intent of others, your essence lingers on.
In Shadows of Leão, death is not the end — it is a transformation. As a ghost, you remain tethered to the world of the living, a whisper in their ear, a shadow at their back.

What Does That Mean for You?

  • You lose all abilities — unless your powers say otherwise.

  • You’ll still close your eyes at night — silent, watching, waiting.

  • During the day, you’re free to speak. Share thoughts, theories, or stir the pot — your voice still matters.

You’ll also receive a Phantom Mark, a one-time vote from beyond that can sway the game.

🕯️ Your Phantom Mark (One-Time Vote)

As a ghost, you hold one final influence: the Phantom Mark — your one-time vote from beyond.

When The Architect moves through to collect votes, they will pause and ask: “Will you use your Phantom Mark?”

Once spent, it’s gone — you cannot vote again.

⚠ Important to Remember

  • Keep your eyes closed and stay silent at night.

  • Respect the game — no cheating

  • Enjoy the role — you’re part of the tension, strategy, and fun until the very end.

🎯 Win Conditions

  • Isleborn Citizens win when the Ravager (the leader of the Shadow Council) is eliminated or banished.

  • Shadow Council wins when their numbers equal or surpass the remaining citizens.

Some victories are earned through insight. Others… through silence.

🌐 Your Factions

Isleborn Citizens

  • Loyal to the island

  • Rely on teamwork, logic, and gut instinct

  • Must uncover and eliminate the Ravager

Shadow Council

  • Hidden enemies of peace

  • Manipulate, deceive, and eliminate

  • Win by keeping the Ravager alive

Alternative Modes

Certain roles introduce new game modes and unique win conditions.
Characters like the Queen Bee, Fates of Death, Assassins, and Silver Fangs add surprising twists — creating chaos, shifting alliances, or even pursuing victory on their own terms.

No two games of Shadows of Leão are ever the same.

Quick Start – What You Need to Remember

  1. You’ll receive a secret role: either a loyal Isleborn Citizen or a hidden member of the Shadow Council.

  2. The game moves between Night (silent actions) and Day (group discussion and voting) — all carefully guided by The Architect, your narrator and Game Master.

  3. No peeking at night! Keep your eyes closed unless The Architect calls you to act.

  4. You can ask questions at any time — I’ll help you through every step. You don’t need to memorize anything.

  5. Most importantly: you can’t mess this up. Relax, enjoy the chaos, and have fun getting deceived. 🎭

📘Learn More

🧩 Roles – Discover each character’s powers

🌍 Lore – Explore the world of Leão

🗣️ Join a Game – Connect with the Architect and begin