Cathedral Relic Hunt - Family Tile Game

CATHEDRAL RELIC HUNT

“Within these ancient walls, faith flickers like candlelight.
Each relic you uncover strengthens your spirit —
but beware the false idols and omens that whisper in shadow.”

PRINTER NOTES

• Game Box: Doubles as a lightbox for dramatic display or gameplay lighting.
  Place a small LED or light beneath for an illuminated cathedral effect.
• Tile Plates:
   • For Cathedral Relic Hunt — print one plate of tiles.
   • For Memory of the Cathedral — print two full plates of tiles.
• Tile Holder (Optional):
   Keeps tiles organized in a snug container — easy to store and remove during play.
• Faith Tokens:
   Print as many as desired; recommend 12 total for two players.
   If you prefer not to print them, you can track Faith using coins, gems, or a tally.
• Game Components Include:
   • Game Box / Lightbox
   • Tile Holder (optional)
   • Tile Set (Relics, False Relics, Omens, Neutrals)
   • Faith Tokens (or substitute markers)
• Relic Tokens & Naming Guide
  • Sanctum Key
  • Crown of Hope
  • Chalice of Faith
  • Altar of Light
  • Gargoyle Stare (Omen)
  • Black Bell (Omen)
  • Fractured Glass (Omen)

Pictures above in order from left to right:  Game Box Top, Game Box bottom, Tile Plates (print twice if you wish to play the matching version - see below for details), Faith Tokens (optional), and Tile Tower (Holds the tiles in a container.

Game case as a lightbox:

Tile Tower (Optional): Securely holds all 32 tiles (Not faith tokens) - can print another tower if needed for faith tokens

 GAME MODE 1 – CATHEDRAL RELIC HUNT

A push-your-luck game of relics, faith, and fading light.

Goal

Maintain your faith as you search the cathedral.
Gain Faith from relics, lose it to false idols, and avoid the omens that spell your doom.

 Setup

• 16 Tiles total:
   • 4 True Relics
   • 4 False Relics
   • 3 Bad Omens
   • 5 Neutral Tiles
• Shuffle and lay face-down in a 4×4 grid.
• Each player starts with 3 Faith Tokens (These tiles should always remain separate from game tiles)
• This is a two-player game.
• Youngest player begins.

 Turn Order

On your turn, flip one tile and resolve it (Move out of play)

After resolving, pass play clockwise.

fig 1 - Standard game setup - Grid of 4x4.  Each player has three faith tokens to start

fig 2 - Pulling a blank tile - nothing happens, but one less tile in play

fig 3 - Pulling a false relic (printed in beige) Will end up losing one faith point

fig 4 - All three omens collected by one player (instantly loses the game)

End of Game

The game ends immediately if:
1️⃣ A player’s Faith reaches 0, or
2️⃣ A player collects all 3 Omens. (see fig. 4 above)

If neither occurs once all tiles are revealed:

• The player with the most Faith Tokens wins.
• In the event of a tie, the eldest player wins.

 GAME MODE 2 – MEMORY OF THE CATHEDRAL

A matching game of faith and remembrance.

 Goal

Test your faith and memory by uncovering pairs of relics.
Gain Faith for true relics, lose it to false ones, and beware the omens.

Setup

• 32 Tiles total:
   • 8 True Relics (4 pairs)
   • 8 False Relics (4 pairs)
   • 6 Bad Omens (3 pairs)
   • 10 Neutral Tiles (5 pairs)
• Lay face-down in an even grid (8×4 or 6×6).
• Each player starts with 3 Faith Tokens (or substitute markers).
• Youngest player begins.

Turn Order

Flip two tiles per turn:  Make sure other player sees the tiles - if no match, flip tiles back over in the same spot they were.

Note:

Unlike standard Relic Hunt, you would keep your matched pairs nearby - this would be used in tiebreaker situations (see end of instructions for reference)

fig 5 - Setup for Memory of the Cathedral matching game - 8x4 (or for a challenge, you can set up in a massive, disorganized pile!)

fig 6 - True Relic Match - Add one faith point

fig 7 - False Relic Match - Would lose 1 faith point

 End of Game

The game ends when:
1️⃣ A player’s Faith reaches 0,
2️⃣ A player collects all 3 Omen pairs, or
3️⃣ All pairs are matched and removed.

If neither elimination condition occurs:

• The player with the most Faith Tokens wins.
• In the event of a tie, unlike standard Relic hunt - whoever has the most matches would win - if still tied, then eldest player would win

Optional Play Mode: All Ages Edition

For a family-friendly twist, play the same game by matching pairs only — no faith tokens required! This simplified version is perfect for younger players. Just flip, find, and match tiles — whoever collects the most pairs wins!

“When faith endures, light returns to the cathedral.”

Note on Omen Tiles:

• In either game mode - if each player has at least one omen, not one player can instantly lose
• You can choose to adjust game rules - If one player collects at least two omens, or matches two omens, they instantly lose.