The Glasshouse Codex

The Glasshouse Codex: Complete Guide A Fractal Garden RPG for Contemplative Play to Practice Actual Meditation Techniques, for both single players and co-operative players This game is free to download and use, but there are multiple versions (light and dark mode) and a full expanded version with two dozen pages teaching you how to meditate and the history of meditation practitioners in a visually stunning manner, that you will have access to if you choose to make the recommended donation ($4.00 purchase). This gives you full access to updates for life, and access to the static / offline PDFs and high-res scans for poster printing. [NOTE]: As the book is still in development, purchases ($4.00 donation) should receive an email with their downloadable assets in an update within three months. You will only receive an email with the download, you won't receive a confirmation receipt. The one page RPG game is meant to be printed double-sided on a single letter-sized sheet of paper, or scaled up accordingly to poster sizes (high-resolution exports are downloadable). Table of Contents How to Play Garden Mode Rules Character Attributes Roll Results Stakes Tables (Risks/Edges & Rewards/Supports) The Six Patterns Zone Powers Resources Transformations Session Types Cooperative Play Complete Turn Example Pattern Combinations Quick Reference Materials Needed Digital Features Philosophy Full Version & Downloads How to Play ↑ Quick Start (30 seconds) Roll 2d6 , draw patterns in zones, watch your garden grow. Each zone affects how you draw. Patterns touching create synergies. Fill 7 growth circles to complete. Two Play Modes Pure Mode — Draw freely. No dice. Just meditation and patterns. Garden Mode — Full game with dice, resources, and emergent mechanics. Garden Mode Rules ↑ Core Loop Choose Zone – Pick where to draw based on intention Choose Stakes – Pick 1 Risk/Edge and 1 Reward/Support Roll – 2d6 + Attribute ( Mind/Soul/Form/Echo ) Draw – Follow constraints based on result Resolve – Apply effects, mark progress Character Attributes ↑ Distribute 7 points (max 3 per attribute): Mind : Logic and planning Soul : Emotion and intuition Form : Physical and precision Echo : Memory and repetition Roll Results ↑ Roll Result What Happens ≤ 6 Tangled Risk/Edge only, gain 1 Tangle 7–9 Natural Choose Risk OR Reward 10–11 Sacred Reward/Support only, gain Growth 12+ Transcendent Reward + remove 1 Tangle Stakes Tables ↑ Risks/Edges (Challenges) — choose 1 per turn Name Practice Drawing Rule Wanting 3 breaths, notice desire Curves only Aversion Say "May I be at ease" Soft lines only Dullness Stand, 5 alert breaths Bold straight lines Restlessness Count 10 breaths One continuous line Doubt Note uncertainty, continue Max 7 strokes Overgrowth Pattern exceeds zone Must overflow boundary Fragility No erasing allowed Mistakes permanent Drift Pattern moves zones Roll d6 for direction Rewards/Supports (Benefits) — choose 1 per turn Name Practice Drawing Rule Mindfulness 3 breaths at nostrils Slow: 2 sec/stroke Investigation Ask "What is this?" Add ½-scale detail Energy Energize spine Add 5 tick marks Joy Half-smile Include upward arc Tranquility Long exhales Even spacing Concentration Focus on pencil tip Repeat motif 3× Equanimity "Let it be" Leave empty space Clarity Gain 1 Edge token +1 to future roll Fecund Immediate growth +1 Growth Point Cleansing Remove negative −1 Tangle The Six Patterns ↑ Pattern Symbol Effect Synergy Spiral @ Flow to adjacent zone (−1 next roll) 2 touching = +1 GP Branch ⫸ Next pattern splits in 2 Meeting = −1 Tangle Circle ○ Creates anchor (return in 3 turns) Nested = +1 Edge each Triangle △ Bank roll result for later Touching = permanent Hexagon ⬡ Neutralize Risk/Edge 3+ = share GP Fractal ❋ Copy previous pattern effect Nested = transform Zone Powers ↑ Each zone has unique rules: Zone Power Constraint MIND +1 Edge on 10+ Straight OR curved only SPIRIT Swap Support after roll Must include curves FORM +1 for line discipline Declare style first ECHO +1 for exact copies Cannot modify SACRED Any roll → 7–9 No rewards TIME Advance Season Clock Show progression VOID Erase Tangles Equal negative space ROOT Gravity pulls down Lines flow downward BLOOM +1 GP touching 2 zones Organic shapes Resources ↑ Growth Track (7 circles) Fill 1 per successful pattern Circle 3: First transformation Circle 6: Second transformation Circle 7: Harvest (complete) Tangles (3 boxes) Gain from failed rolls (≤ 6) At 3: Draw pest, −1 to rolls Remove with Cleansing or VOID Edge Tokens (max 3) Gain from Clarity or MIND zone Spend after rolling for +1 Can trade to other players Season Clock (4 segments) TIME zone advances clock At 4: Roll Weather Event Weather Events (d6) Wind — All lines lean left Rain — Flowing connections Drought — Minimal lines (7 max) Storm — Chaotic energy Mist — Soft edges only Sunburst — Clear all Tangles Transformations ↑ Unlock at Growth circles 3 and 6 : Name Effect Constraint Crystal Skin +1 in FORM zone Straight lines only Vine Veins Connect any zones Crossing = +1 GP, +1 Tangle Fractal Eyes Always can choose Fractal See patterns within Root Mind Mirror across center Skip rewards Petal Breath Erase 1 line per turn +1 all rolls Quantum Bloom Draw 2 patterns Second at −1 Session Types ↑ Micro (5 min) One pattern, one zone, quick meditation Quick (20 min) SEED : Set intention (2 min) GROW : Draw patterns (15 min) HARVEST : Reflect (3 min) Standard (30–45 min) SEED : Intention & breathing (5 min) ROOT : First pattern (5 min) BRANCH : Develop (20 min) BLOOM : Expression (10 min) HARVEST : Integration (5 min) Deep (60 min) Complete garden, all zones, full transformation Cooperative Play (2–4 Players) ↑ Symbiosis : Touching patterns = both +1 Edge Resonance : Copy pattern = take their Risk Pollination : Gift Edge token (once/session) Group Breath : 1 min sync = advantage ( 3d6 , keep 2) Complete Turn Example ↑ Sarah's Turn Zone : MIND (working on career clarity) Stakes : Risk = Restlessness , Reward = Clarity Roll : 2d6 + Mind(2) = 9 ( Natural ) Choose : Takes Reward over Risk Practice : 3 breaths at nostrils (Clarity) Draw : Spiral with slow tempo constraint Resolve : Gains 1 Edge token, marks 1 Growth Pattern Combinations ↑ Vortex (3 spirals): +2 to next 3 rolls Stability (2 triangles): Both permanent Mandala (7 circles): See all as connected Hive (3+ hexagons): Share all resources Gateway (circle + triangle + spiral): Portal between zones Quick Reference ↑ Turn Order — Zone → Stakes → Roll → Draw → Resolve Dice Formula — 2d6 + Attribute + Modifiers − Penalties Modifiers Edge tokens: +1 each Zone bonus: Varies Symmetry: +1 Group breath: +1 Penalties Tangles: −1 at 3 Fatigue: −1 per Drift: −1 Flow cost: −1 Materials Needed ↑ Essential : 2 printed pages (or tablet), pencil, 2d6 (or app) Optional : Colored pencils, timer, extra paper for notes Digital Features ↑ Theme Toggle : Press T to switch between Victorian (black/gold) and Garden (green/white) themes Session Timer : Built-in timer with milestone notifications Interactive Elements : Click growth circles to track progress Philosophy ↑ The Glasshouse Codex treats drawing as meditation and gameplay as practice. Every mechanic reflects contemplative principles—challenges aren't failures but opportunities to practice with difficulty. Supports aren't rewards but qualities you're cultivating. Your garden grows as you grow. Full Version & Downloads ↑ Full Version & Downloads : johnnyfived.itch.io/glasshouse-codex #GlasshouseCodex