1
Draw mage randomizers
Shuffle the mage randomizers, then draw a number equal to twice the number of players and add these cards to the Barracks
2
Prepare player card randomizers
Separate all player card randomizers by type, shuffle them, then draw five spell randomizers, four gem randomizers, and three relic randomizers to add to the Barracks
3
Set Gravehold life
Set the Gravehold Life Dial to 90 (99 on Easy, 80 on Hard)
4
Prepare nemesis battles
Separate nemesis randomizers by number, shuffle each deck, and draw one from each without looking at them - these represent the four Battles of the Expedition
5
Choose difficulty level
Select Easy, Normal, or Hard difficulty which affects starting life and upgraded nemesis cards
6
Reveal nemesis for battle
At the start of each battle, reveal the next Nemesis Battle card
7
Select mages
Each player chooses one mage from the Barracks to control
8
Equip treasures
Each player may choose up to one treasure of each level from the Barracks
9
Form the supply
Players collectively choose nine player cards from the Barracks to form the supply
10
Choose location
Players decide whether to use Xaxos: Outcast instead of Gravehold
11
Place starting fire tokens
Start each Battle with X fire tokens on your location, where X equals 10 minus the tens digit of the Gravehold life dial
12
Construct nemesis deck
Replace basic nemesis cards with upgraded basic nemesis cards equal to the number of players times the Battle number
13
Distribute upgraded cards
Add at least one upgraded card into each tier for every three basic cards in that tier, starting with the highest tier
14
Optional emergency mage
If Gravehold has less than 30 life at battle start, players may put the Brama or Z'hana deck in play (once each per Expedition)
