Eclipse: Wooden Dawn

In the year 2024, I took it upon myself to make a luxury custom version of Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy. Whilst one can never really verbalise the origin of artistic inspiration, the two main reasons for this were (a) I enjoy the game, and (b) it does not have any cards. Cards are annoying to make.

The game is exactly the same, I haven't changed a thing mechanically, but it's themed around the age of sail. Ships are now ships, and technology is now technology, except both of those things are the old ocean-based kind instead of the futuristic space-based kind. Money is still money.

How a four player game might start.

A shot of the canvas player sheet. This is Orion Hegemony, here the Crown's Armada.

The cash is Actual Fake Dubloons. These things are heavy and feel amazing. This is the Merchant's Guild (Eridani Empire) who start with 26 cash.

The economy tracks have inset positions for population cubes, as do all components.

The initial tech tray and turn clock. The NPC battle heptagons feature the Pirates, Ghost Ships, and the dreaded Kraken.

I made and hand-painted 300 or so ship parts. Then I made a tray. Then I made a better tray and gave the first one to my dad.

Later in the game, players gather around the kraken hoping to take the center. Ships are identified by the number of main sails they have (sloops have one, frigates two, and galleons three). Every hexagon is unique and has a name, and they are designed such that lines make patterns akin to navigation maps of old.

An overview of some later turn chaos. The table is littered with dice and broken dreams. The start player anchor is visible too.

After a battle well fought, the components return to their treasure chest. Yes, it's all stored in a treasure chest.

Until next time! Note: too heavy to comfortably lift.

Playing this game is a luxury kinesthetic experience. I don't get much chance to break this out, as I rarely have several people, a large table, and six hours free. It sometimes makes public appearances at tabletop conventions in my local area of Edinburgh, Scotland, though only if I can organise it in advance, as the whole shebang weighs a good 20kg and isn't something you can joyfully carry around all day.