Townsfolk
You start knowing how many pairs of evil players there are.
This evening's reservations seem odd. Never before has Mrs. Mayweather kept company with that scamp from Hudson Lane. Yet, tonight, they have a table for two. Strange.
"You start knowing how many pairs of evil players there are." The Chef knows if evil players are sitting next to each other. On the first night, the Chef learns exactly how many pairs of evil players there are in total. A pair is two players, but one player may be a part of two pairs. So, two players sitting next to each other is one pair. Three players sitting next to each other is two pairs. Four players sitting next to each other is three pairs. And so on. The Chef detects evil Travellers just like other character types, but only if those Travellers joined the game before the Chef acts.
Townsfolk
You start knowing 1 in-play Townsfolk. If you were mad that you were this character, you gain their ability when they die.
Round and round the garden, go. Little girls run to and fro. Little boys climb up the tree. Which of these should Pixie be? Ladies smile and go to town. Lords with axe chop forest down. What’s yours is mine. What’s mine, divine. Silly little Pixie, me.
"You start knowing 1 in-play Townsfolk. If you were mad that you were this character, you gain their ability when they die." The Pixie pretends to be the same character as someone else. On the first night, the Pixie learns an in-play Townsfolk. The Storyteller chooses which Townsfolk this is. The Pixie does not learn which player is this character. If the Pixie player pretends that they are this Townsfolk, they gain the ability of this Townsfolk when the Townsfolk dies. They could have spoken loudly about being the character for one day, or pretended to be the character each day this game, or accused the Townsfolk of being a liar—the Storyteller is the judge of whether or not the player was convincing, by “being mad that they are this character”. When the Townsfolk player dies, the Pixie does not learn this, and is not told that they have gained a new ability. They may learn this has happened if they wake at night and start gaining information, or are prompted to choose players. If the player the Pixie learns about changes character then dies, the Pixie gains the ability of the Townsfolk the Pixie learnt about, not the new character.
Townsfolk
Each night, you learn which alignment the Storyteller believes is winning: good, evil, or neither.
I don’t have time for quotes.
"Each night, you learn which alignment the Storyteller believes is winning: good, evil, or neither." The General knows who is winning. If the good team is winning, the Storyteller gives a thumbs up. If the evil team is winning, the Storyteller gives a thumbs down. If neither team is winning, or the Storyteller isn’t sure, the Storyteller gives a thumbs to the side. The Storyteller is the judge on which team is winning. Many factors may be included, such as how many players of each team are still alive, how much information the good team has, how successful the evil team’s bluffs seem to be, which players the group wants to execute next, or how experienced the Demon player is. All of these, and more, will inform the Storyteller’s judgment. The Storyteller decides who is winning at the point that the General wakes. Previous events in the night may affect their decision.
Townsfolk
Each night, you learn a player of a different character type than last night. [+0 or +1 Outsider]
More heat! Higher! Higher! Più alto! Ahhh... it is so beautiful from up here, don't you agree? Can you see the children fishing by the river, under the willow? Can you see the glint of the sun on the circus tent-poles? What's this? An old man, alone, passed out in the vineyard? Less heat! Lower! Lower! Vai più in basso!
"Each night, you learn a player of a different character type than last night. [+0 or +1 Outsider]" The Balloonist learns players of different character types. Each time the Balloonist learns a player, the player must have a different character type to the previously shown player. The Balloonist does not learn the character type of the player they learn. The shown player can be alive or dead. The shown player can be good or evil. If the Balloonist is drunk or poisoned, they may learn a character of the same type as the previously shown player. When the Balloonist becomes sober and healthy, they must learn a player of a different character type to the previously shown player. During setup, the Storyteller may choose to add an Outsider due to the Balloonist’s ability.
Townsfolk
Each night, if the dead equal or outnumber the living, you learn 1 alive character. The Demon knows you are the King.
Betwixt the unknown strains of mortal strife / And morbid night, sweet with mystery and woe / Lies unfettered joys of fate’s long and colored life / Who’s garden blooms with each painted Face to Show.
"Each night, if the dead equal or outnumber the living, you learn 1 alive character. The Demon knows you are the King." The King learns which characters are still alive. The King gains this ability after a few nights have passed — once the dead players equal or outnumber the living. At the start of the game, the Demon learns who the King is. If a King is created mid-game, the Demon learns who the King is that night. The King may not survive long enough to use their ability. Once the number of dead players is equal to or greater than the number of alive players, the King learns one alive character each night. The King may learn good or evil characters, and may even learn the same character more than once. There may not be a Choirboy in play. But if there is, and they are still alive when the Demon kills the King, the Choirboy learns who the Demon is.
Townsfolk
Each night, choose an alive player: a chosen Demon swaps characters & alignments with you & is then poisoned.
Effendi... I am but a humble man, but my pipe is golden and a single tune will tame the wildest djinn, Inshallah. They say that greed hangs more men than rope. But not I, Effendi... not I.
"Each night, choose an alive player: a chosen Demon swaps characters & alignments with you & is then poisoned." The Snake Charmer learns player after player that is not the Demon... but becomes the Demon if they get either too greedy or too bold. Each night, they choose a player. If that player is not the Demon, nothing happens. If they are the Demon, the Snake Charmer becomes that Demon and turns evil, and the Demon becomes good and poisoned permanently. If the Philosopher has the Snake Charmer ability and becomes the Demon, the Demon becomes a poisoned Philosopher.
Townsfolk
Each night*, you learn if a Minion nominated today.
Hear ye! Hear ye! Witchcraft in the labyrinth! Genius savant reveals all! Town in danger! Hear Ye!
"Each night*, you learn if a Minion nominated today." The Town Crier knows when Minions nominate. Each night, the Town Crier learns either a “yes” or a “no”. They do not learn which players are Minions or how many Minions made nominations, just whether or not any Minions made nominations today.
Townsfolk
Each night*, choose a player & guess their character: if you guess wrong, you die.
Heads, I win. Tails, you lose.
"Each night*, choose a player & guess their character: if you guess wrong, you die." The Gambler can guess who is who... but pays the ultimate price if they guess wrong. Each night except the first, the Gambler chooses a player and guesses their character by pointing to its icon on the character sheet. If the guess is correct, nothing happens. If the guess is incorrect, the Gambler dies. The Gambler does not learn from the Storyteller whether their guess is correct or incorrect. The Gambler may choose any player, dead or alive, even themself.
Townsfolk
Once per game, at night*, choose a dead player: if they are a Townsfolk, they are resurrected.
The process is simple. Attach the hydraulic confabulator to the modified chi matrix amplifier, add 20 CCs of pseudodorafine, keep his Z levels above 20%, and your husband will be fine. Now, all we need is a lightning strike.
"Once per game, at night*, choose a dead player: if they are a Townsfolk, they are resurrected." The Professor can bring someone back from the dead. Once per game, the Professor can choose a dead player. If that player is a Townsfolk, they are resurrected, becoming alive again. If the Professor chooses an Outsider, Minion, or Demon, then nothing happens, and the Professor’s ability is gone. The resurrected player regains their ability, even a “once per game” ability they used already. Resurrected Townsfolk may or may not get to act on the night of their resurrection, depending on whether they would act before or after the Professor. If they had a “first night only” or “you start knowing” ability, they immediately wake to use it again, as soon as the Professor goes to sleep.
Townsfolk
Once per game, at night, choose a good character: gain that ability. If this character is in play, they are drunk.
If anything is real, beer is real. Drink, for tomorrow we may die.
"Once per game, at night, choose a good character: gain that ability. If this character is in play, they are drunk." The Philosopher has no ability until they decide which character they want to emulate. They can do this once per game. When they do so, they gain that character’s ability. They do not become that character. They may want to wait a while to choose. If the Philosopher chooses a character that is already in play, the player of that character becomes drunk. If the Philosopher then dies or becomes drunk or poisoned, the player they are making drunk becomes sober again. If the Philosopher chose a character that was not in play at the time but is in play now, that character is drunk. If the Philosopher gains an ability that works at night, they wake when that character would wake. If this ability is used on the first night only, they use it tonight. If the Philosopher regains their ability via the Bone Collector, or uses their ability twice via the Barista, the Philosopher may choose a new ability, or the same ability as before. If the Philosopher’s ability works while dead, such as the Klutz’s, it works if the Philosopher is dead.
Townsfolk
Executed good players might not die.
Distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful.
"Executed good players might not die." The Pacifist prevents good players from dying by execution. When a good player is executed, the Storyteller chooses whether they die or live. As always, when abilities like this function in obvious ways, the group is not told why something has happened, only what has happened. The group learns that an execution succeeded, but that the executed player did not die—that is all. If a player is executed and remains alive, that still counts as the execution for today. No other nominations may happen.
Townsfolk
If the Demon kills the King, you learn which player is the Demon. [+the King]
I saw it, I did. I was in the pews, tidying the hymn books, when a dreadful tune started from the pipe organ. The organist had a long cloak, and long fingers on the keys. And a hat that looked… just like… yours.
"If the Demon kills the King, you learn which player is the Demon. [+the King]" The Choirboy learns who the Demon is when the King is slain. The King can be in play without the Choirboy. During the setup phase, if the Choirboy is in play and the King isn’t, the King is added. If a King is already in play, the Choirboy doesn’t add a second King. If the Demon kills the King using their ability, the Choirboy learns which player is the Demon. The Demon nominating and executing the King doesn’t count. Minions that kill the King, such as the Assassin, don’t count either. If the Demon attacks the King but doesn’t kill the King, the Choirboy doesn’t learn who the Demon is. The Choirboy learns which player the Demon is, but does not learn which character.
Townsfolk
Minions & Demons do not know each other. If you die, they learn who each other are that night.
In the hidden groves of the deep forest, the black poppy dwells. To see its revelry is to be enchanted. To smell its thick aroma is to be lost forever, a slave to the gods of light and dark.
"Minions & Demons do not know each other. If you die, they learn who each other are that night." The Poppy Grower prevents the evil players from learning who each other are. The Demon still learns three not-in-play characters that are safe to bluff as. If the Poppy Grower dies, the Demon and Minions learn who each other are, as though it were the first night again. If the Poppy Grower becomes drunk or poisoned, Demons and Minions do not suddenly learn who each other are. If the Poppy Grower is drunk or poisoned when they die, Demons and Minions do not learn who each other are, since the Poppy Grower has no ability that night. An evil Traveller still learns which player is the Demon when that Traveller enters play.
Outsider
You might die at any time.
I think I see the problem. Luckily, I have an idea! This catapult will shoot twice as far with just a minor adjustment...
"You might die at any time." The Tinker can die at any time, for no reason. The Storyteller may kill the Tinker at any time. The Tinker cannot die from their ability while protected from death, as normal.
Outsider
If you die by execution, your team loses.
Wisdom begets peace. Patience begets wisdom. Fear not, for the time shall come when fear too shall pass. Let us pray, and may the unity of our vision make saints of us all.
"If you die by execution, your team loses." The Saint ends the game if they are executed. If the Saint dies by execution, the game ends. Good loses and evil wins. If the Saint dies in any way other than execution—such as the Demon killing them—then the game continues.
Outsider
You might register as evil & as a Minion or Demon, even if dead.
Garn git ya darn grub ya mitts ofma lorn yasee. Grr. Natsy pikkins yonder southwise ye begittin afta ya! Git! Me harvy no so widda licks and demmons no be fightin' hadsup ne'er ma kin. Git, assay!
"You might register as evil & as a Minion or Demon, even if dead." The Recluse might appear to be an evil character, but is actually good. Whenever the Recluse's alignment is detected, the Storyteller chooses whether the Recluse registers as good or evil. Whenever the Recluse is targeted by an ability that affects specific Minions or Demons, the Storyteller chooses whether the Recluse registers as that specific Minion or Demon. The Recluse may register as either good or evil, or as an Outsider, Minion, or Demon, at different parts of the same night. The Storyteller chooses whatever is most interesting. A Recluse that registers as a particular Minion or Demon does not have this character's ability. For example, a Recluse that registers as a Poisoner does not wake at night and cannot poison a player.
Outsider
You do not know you are the Drunk. You think you are a Townsfolk character, but you are not.
I’m only a hic social drinker, my dear. Admittedly, I am a heavy burp socializer.
"You do not know you are the Drunk. You think you are a Townsfolk character, but you are not." The Drunk player thinks that they are a Townsfolk, and has no idea that they are actually the Drunk. During setup, the Drunk's token does not go in the bag. Instead, a Townsfolk character token goes in the bag, and the player who draws that token is secretly the Drunk for the whole game. The Storyteller knows. The player does not. The Drunk has no ability. Whenever their Townsfolk ability would affect the game in some way, it doesn't. However, the Storyteller pretends that the player is the Townsfolk they think they are. If that character would wake at night, the Drunk wakes to act as if they are that Townsfolk. If that Townsfolk would gain information, the Storyteller may give them false information instead—and the Storyteller is encouraged to do so.
Outsider
If you died today or tonight, the Demon may choose 2 players (not another Demon) to swap characters.
Did you know that barbery and surgery were once the same profession? No? Well, now you do.
"If you died today or tonight, the Demon may choose 2 players (not another Demon) to swap characters." The Barber allows the Demon to swap any 2 player's characters. The players’ alignments stay the same when they swap characters. Each player learns which character they become. The Demon may choose not to swap players. If a player becomes a new character, they gain the new ability, even if it was a “you start knowing” ability or a “once per game” ability that the original character already used. If there is more than one living Demon, the Storyteller chooses which Demon makes the swap. The Demon may choose themself to swap. The Demon may not choose another Demon player to swap. If a player dies then becomes the Barber, the Demon may not swap two players’ characters tonight.
Minion
Each night, choose a player: they are poisoned tonight and tomorrow day.
Add compound Alpha to compound Beta... NOT TOO MUCH!
"Each night, choose a player: they are poisoned tonight and tomorrow day." The Poisoner secretly disrupts character abilities. Each night, the Poisoner chooses someone to poison for that night and the entire next day. A poisoned player has no ability, but the Storyteller pretends they do. They do not affect the game in any real way. However, to keep up the illusion that the poisoned player is not poisoned, the Storyteller wakes them at the appropriate time and goes through the motions as if they were not poisoned. If their ability gives them information, the Storyteller may give them false information. If a poisoned player uses a "once per game" ability while poisoned, they cannot use their ability again.
Minion
Each night, choose a living player (different to last night): if executed tomorrow, they don't die.
My client, should the objection be overruled, pleads innocent by virtue of the prosecution's non-observance of statute 27.B - incorrect or misleading conjugation of a verb. The fact that nine of the jury died last night is simply prima facie, which is, as Wills vs Thule set precedent for, further reason to acquit.
"Each night, choose a living player (different to last night): if executed tomorrow, they don't die." The Devil's Advocate saves players from execution. Each night, the Devil’s Advocate chooses a player to protect from death by execution. The next day, if that player is executed, the execution succeeds but the player remains alive. The Devil’s Advocate cannot choose the same player two nights in a row, whether or not that player was saved from execution today, and they cannot choose a Zombuul that registers as dead.
Minion
Each night, choose a player: if they nominate tomorrow, they die. If just 3 players live, you lose this ability.
Three drops of goat's blood. A lock of hair, torn in anger. The name is spoken, the shadow cast. Walk left foot first down that brambled path, and don't look back.
"Each night, choose a player: if they nominate tomorrow, they die. If just 3 players live, you lose this ability." The Witch curses players, so that they die if they nominate. Each night, the Witch chooses a player to curse. That player dies if they nominate any player on the next day, although their nomination still counts. The Witch’s curse lasts only for one day, but the Witch may curse the same player again and again each night. As soon as just three players are left alive, the Witch’s curse is immediately removed, and the Witch acts no more.
Minion
Each day, before nominations, you may publicly choose a player: they die. If executed, you only die if you lose roshambo.
Surprise!
"Each day, before nominations, you may publicly choose a player: they die. If executed, you only die if you lose roshambo." The Psychopath kills in broad daylight. During the day, if the Psychopath declares that they are the Psychopath and publicly chooses a player, that player dies. This can only be done once per day, and only before the Storyteller has called for nominations. The Psychopath does not need to use this ability if they don’t want to. The Psychopath can be nominated and voted for normally. If the Psychopath is executed, they might not die. They play Roshambo (Paper-Rock-Scissors) with the player that nominated them. The nominator needs to win for the Psychopath to die. Drawing or losing means the Psychopath lives. If the Psychopath is executed, this still counts as the one execution for the day. No more players may be nominated or executed today. If the Psychopath dies by other means, such as the Demon attacking them, they do not play Roshambo. They die.
Minion
If you are executed, all but 3 players die. After a 10 to 1 countdown, the player with the most players pointing at them, dies.
Tick... Tick... Tick... TOCK.
"If you are executed, all but 3 players die. After a 10 to 1 countdown, the player with the most players pointing at them, dies." The Boomdandy explodes when executed, killing most other players. If the Boomdandy is executed, the Storyteller kills other players, one at a time, until only three are left alive. The Demon will be one of the remaining three players (otherwise, the game would be over). Afterward, there is no further nomination or execution today. Instead, the Storyteller counts down from ten and all players point at the player they want to die. When the countdown ends, the Storyteller counts the number of fingers pointed at each player. If it is a tie, the day ends (and evil probably wins due to the Demon killing that night). Even dead players who have no vote token may point. Players may change who they are pointing at up until the countdown ends, at which point their decision is final. The Boomdandy only explodes due to an execution. Deaths by other means, such as via a Golem or a Psychopath, don’t count. If the Boomdandy is executed but doesn’t die (due to a Devil’s Advocate etc.), they still explode. If a character can’t die, such as the Fool or the Sailor, the Storyteller may rule that four players remain alive after a Boomdandy explosion.
Demon
Each night*, choose 2 players: they die. A dead player you chose last night might be regurgitated.
Blarg f'taag nm mataan! No sho gumtha m'sik na yuuu. Fluuuuuuuuurg h-sikkkh.
"Each night*, choose 2 players: they die. A dead player you chose last night might be regurgitated." The Shabaloth eats two players per night, but may vomit one of them back up the following night. Unlike most Demons, the Shabaloth attacks twice per night. The night after the attack, the Storyteller may decide that one of the players attacked by the Shabaloth comes back to life. This can be an alive player that was killed, or a dead player that was attacked. The regurgitated player regains their ability, even a “once per game” ability already used. If they had a “first night only” or “start knowing” ability, they may use it again.
Traveller
You must use a vote token to vote. If a dead player gives you theirs, you learn their alignment. You are sober & healthy.
Alms for the poor, good Sir? Spare a coin, Madam? Thank you. God bless! You're a right kind soul and no mistake! I'll have some swanky nosh tonight, I will!
"You must use a vote token to vote. If a dead player gives you theirs, you learn their alignment. You are sober and healthy." The Beggar can not vote unless someone gives them a token to use, but they learn if the player that does so is good or evil. The Beggar cannot raise their hand to vote at all unless they have a vote token. When they do vote, they lose one vote token. If they have more than one, they may only use one at a time. Only a dead player may give their vote token to the Beggar, after which that dead player cannot vote. Each dead player decides for themself whether to give the Beggar their vote token. No one, including the Beggar, may move a player’s vote token on their behalf. When a player gives their vote token to the Beggar, the Beggar learns whether that player is good or evil. The Beggar can still nominate freely, and can still vote for an exile freely, because exiles are not affected by abilities. If the Beggar dies, they gain one vote token to use while dead, just like any other character would. However, the Beggar loses all their previously acquired vote tokens. If the Beggar would become drunk or poisoned, they do not. The ability to donate vote tokens is unique to the Beggar ability. Players may not give their vote token to a player that is not the Beggar, whether or not a Beggar is in play.
Traveller
On your 1st night, you gain a Townsfolk ability (if good), or a Minion ability (if evil).
For years have I traveled, studying the ways of The Craft. Which craft, you ask? Simply that of the simple folk. Nothing to worry about. Not yet.
"On your 1st night, you gain a Townsfolk ability (if good) or a Minion ability (if evil)." The Apprentice has either a Townsfolk or a Minion ability. A good Apprentice gains a Townsfolk ability. An evil Apprentice gains a Minion ability. They have this ability until they die. The Apprentice learns their ability on their first night, and they may act that night if the character whose ability they gain would do so. Only abilities listed on the character sheet may be gained. If the Apprentice gains an ability that normally only functions on the first night of the game, such as the Grandmother’s, it functions on the Apprentice’s first night instead. The Apprentice does not literally become the character whose ability they gain. They are the Apprentice, a Traveller, so they may be exiled but not executed, and they do not count toward the number of alive players to see if evil wins due to just two players being alive. Also, other characters’ abilities that detect characters would detect the Apprentice as the Apprentice.
Traveller
Each night, choose a player (not yourself): their vote counts as 3 votes tomorrow.
Sign here please. And here. And here. Aaaaaaaaand here. This should all be sorted and tallied by the end of the day, assuming everyone's signatures are legible. We haven't had a mix-up in the paperwork for ages. Yesterday noon, if memory serves...
"Each night, choose a player (not yourself): their vote counts as 3 votes tomorrow." The Bureaucrat gives extra votes to a player of their choice. When a player chosen by the Bureaucrat votes, that vote counts as three votes. This happens every time that player votes that day. The player with the triple vote loses it immediately if the Bureaucrat dies, including if the Bureaucrat is exiled, because the Bureaucrat loses their ability. Exiles are never affected by abilities, so the player with the triple vote can only support exiles once, not three times. Since the Storyteller counts the number of votes out loud as they move their hand around the circle, all players will know which player the Bureaucrat chose.
Traveller
If you were funny today, you cannot die by exile.
Twas the lady's quip, forsooth.
"If you were funny today, you cannot die by exile." The Deviant can avoid being Exiled - as long as the Deviant player has been amusing today. The Deviant can amuse the group in any way they choose. Generally, verbal means such as jokes, funny stories, or witty remarks will suffice. The Storyteller is the judge of whether the Deviant was funny or not.
Traveller
Each night, choose a player (not yourself): their vote counts negatively tomorrow.
I ain't done nuffink. I weren't even in dat alley last night! It weren't me what stole Mayor Bruno's briefcase wiv all dem fancy dockoments innit. Besides, it was too 'eavy to carry far.
"Each night, choose a player (not yourself): their vote counts negatively tomorrow." The Thief steals votes from a player, making their vote count negatively. When a player chosen by the Thief votes, the vote tally goes down by one instead of up by one. This happens every time that player votes that day. The player with the negative vote changes back to having a positive vote immediately if the Thief dies, including if the Thief is exiled, because the Thief loses their ability. Exiles are never affected by abilities, so the player with the negative vote can support exiles unaffected by the Thief’s ability. Since the Storyteller counts the number of votes out loud as they move their hand around the circle, all players will know which player the Thief chose.
Traveller
Only you & the dead can vote. They don't need a vote token to do so. A 50% majority isn't required.
Bien venu. Sit down. Breathe deep. Enter the land of the dead. See with their eyes. Speak with their voice. Yon sel lang se janm ase.
"Only you & the dead can vote. They don't need a vote token to do so. A 50% majority isn't required." The Voudon gives the voting power to the dead instead of the living. The dead and the Voudon may vote as many times per day as they wish. They do not need a vote token to vote, and do not lose their vote token when they do so. Alive players cannot vote. It is not the case that they may put their hand up but the votes don’t count—their hands must stay down during voting. The number of votes required to execute a player is no longer half or more of the alive players. The player with the most votes is executed each day, but even a single vote is enough to execute a player if no other player gets more votes. The Voudon does not alter who can make nominations. As normal, alive players may make nominations, and dead players may not. Since Travellers are exiled, not executed, all players, alive or dead, may support exiling the Voudon or other Travellers. If a player is about to die and then the Voudon is exiled, that player is still about to die and nominations continue, but alive players vote as normal. If a later nomination gets more votes and it tallies to half or more of the alive players, this new player is about to die instead.
Fabled
Use the Djinn's special rule. All players know what it is.
نحن لسنا هنا. انت لست حقيقي. كل شيء هو وهم. أسئلتك هي جبل نار في يوم صافٍ.
"Use the Djinn's special rule. All players know what it is." Add the Djinn to all games with a jinx icon on the script. The Djinn resolves jinxes by creating a unique rule. When creating a character list using the Script Tool, some character combinations will be marked as unusual. These two characters are jinxed—they have abilities that clash or contradict each other in some way. The Djinn creates a special rule that allows these characters to work well together. Some jinxed characters even work better with the Djinn in play! The Djinn’s special rule is described by the Script Tool online, and is printed out automatically when you create a script with a character combination that is jinxed. There are many different Djinn special rules. Each is tailored to a specific pair of jinxed characters. If there are jinxed characters on the character sheet, even if there are no jinxed characters in play, the Storyteller tells all players what the Djinn’s special rule is at the start of the game. The Djinn may have several special rules at once. If there are multiple pairs of jinxed characters on the character sheet, the players learn all the Djinn’s special rules.