Letters and Crowns offers three distinct gameplay modes to suit every occasion.

Solo Mode: "Reflect. Journal. Pray."

Perfect for quiet moments and personal growth. Steps: Remove the Crowning Cards, Shuffle the deck, Draw one card, Write/pray/reflect, Return whenever you need grounding.

Circle Mode: "Gather your sisters."

For meaningful conversations, vulnerability, and connection. Steps: Shuffle the full deck, Deal 3–5 cards to each Queen, Take turns sharing, Vote at end of each round, Crown the Queen whose words moved the group.

Competitive Mode: "Play for the crown."

For lively game nights and strategic fun. Steps: Deal 3–5 cards to each player, Choose a Reader, Players answer prompts, Use Crowning Cards to shake things up, Earn crowns and become Queen Supreme.

Solo Mode: For journaling, prayer, or reflection. Over time, your words become an archive of healing and growth.

1. Remove Crowning Cards.
2. Shuffle the deck and draw a single card.
3. Write, pray, or reflect on the prompt.
4. Keep going whenever you need grounding.
5. Over time, your journal becomes a record of healing and remembrance.

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Circle Mode: For deep reflection, connection, and sisterhood spaces.

Setup

1. Shuffle the full deck (including Crowning Cards).
2. Deal 3–5 cards to each Queen (3 = faster play, 5 = more strategy). Place the rest in a draw pile.
3. Choose one Queen to go first.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, choose a card from your hand and read it aloud.
2. Every Queen responds. The player whose turn it is responds last.
3. Any player may play Crowning Cards at any time to add drama.
4. Discard your played card. Draw back up to maintain hand size.
5. Once every Queen has played a card, hold The Crowning Ceremony.

The Crowning Ceremony (Secret Voting)

1. A round is complete when every Queen has played one card.
2. All players vote in secret for the Queen whose story or response deserves the crown.
3. Reveal votes together: The Queen with the most votes earns a crown. Crowned Queens earn a crown token or tally.
4. Crowns may be awarded for vulnerability, creativity, humour, boldness, or wisdom.

Endgame Ceremony

1. Play a set number of rounds (3–5 suggested) or until the deck runs out of cards.
2. The Queen with the most crowns is crowned Queen Supreme.
3. She delivers a Legacy Speech (a blessing, reflection, or crowning truth for the group).
4. If all Queens earn at least one crown, celebrate with a Royal Toast – because every story is honoured.

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Competitive Mode: For lively game nights and replayable competition.

Setup

1. Shuffle all cards (including Crowning Cards).
2. Deal 3–5 cards to each Queen (3 = faster play, 5 = more strategy).
3. Choose a starting Reader/Judge.

Gameplay

1. The Reader selects a card from her hand and reads it aloud. The Reader does not respond this round.
2. All other Queens answer or perform as directed by the prompt.
3. Any Queen can play Crowning Cards at any time to shake things up (e.g., Double Glory for two crowns, People’s Court to force the Reader to answer the same prompt).

Immediate Crowning

• The Reader crowns one winner for her card.
• The crowned Queen keeps the winning card as a trophy to track crowns.
• Discard any Crowning Cards used.
• The Reader draws back to the chosen hand size.
• Rotate the Reader role clockwise.

Winning - Continue Until:

A. a target crown count is reached (e.g., first to 5), or

B. a set number of rounds/cards is played.

• The Queen with the most crowns is crowned Queen Supreme.
• Optional: Finish with a Legacy Speech to close the game.

• Definition Cards: Culture-rooted definitions of Black womanhood’s realities with a storytelling or reflection prompt.

• Prompt Cards: Creative challenges to write, speak, or perform your truth.

• Affirmation Cards: Words of life, inviting you to celebrate other Queens.

• Crowning Cards: Dramatic twists to shake up the game!

Have pens and paper nearby – a journal, sticky notes, or even scrap paper. You’ll need them!

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Crowning Cards

Crowning Cards add drama, strategy, and surprises to the game. Play them wisely - timing is everything.

• Auntie’s Blessing: Receive this round’s crown immediately - but you must proclaim (joyfully or dramatically) why this blessing is yours. The round continues, and you may respond as normal, and even win a second crown!
• The Royal Snatch: Steal a crown from another Queen. Make your case with a speech grand enough to justify the snatch. No crowns yet? Save this card for later.
• The Double Glory: Whoever wins this round earns two crowns instead of one.
• The People’s Court: Every Queen, including the reader, must answer the same prompt. The boldest answer wins the crown.
• The Swap of Fates: Swap roles with the Reader. You become the new Reader for this round and choose which card to play from your hand. This may be played either before or after the Reader has chosen a card, but only before any responses are given.

A Royal Reminder:

Crowning Cards can change the course of the game in an instant. Save them for the perfect moment - or unleash chaos whenever the mood strikes. 👑

Circle Mode only:

At the end of each round, every Queen secretly votes for the response that moved her most. Votes are revealed together, and the Queen with the most votes earns a crown.

Crowns may be awarded for:

✨ Vulnerability
✨ Creativity
✨ Wisdom
✨ Humour
✨ Boldness

At the end of the game, the Queen with the most crowns becomes Queen Supreme.

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Competitive Mode only:

After each round, the Reader/Judge chooses the Queen whose response deserves the crown. Crowning Cards can change the outcome, adding strategy and surprises.

The Queen with the most crowns at the end of the game becomes Queen Supreme.