Setup
The most experienced player becomes the King and sets up the box.
The most experienced player takes on the role of the King. They place the correct number of diamonds (all 13 to start) and the character cards appropriate to the player count into the game box. Kings Gift cards are placed face-up in front of the King — they are not put into the box. The King then secretly removes 0 to 3 diamonds from the box and keeps them hidden. The remaining unused components are removed from the game area.
Setup
The number of each character card in the box scales with player count.
The number of character cards placed into the box depends on total player count (excluding the King): 6P=1 Peasant/1 Usurper/1 Apprentice/0 Kings Gifts; 7P=2/1/1/0; 8P=3/1/1/1; 9P=4/1/1/1; 10P=4/2/1/1; 11P=4/2/2/2; 12P=5/2/2/2. Kings Gifts are not placed in the box but are held by the King.
Turn structure
The box is passed clockwise; each player secretly inspects it and must take diamonds or a character card.
Starting with the first player and moving clockwise, each player receives the box and must: (1) secretly examine the contents without letting others see; (2) secretly take either as many diamonds as they wish (minimum 1) OR exactly 1 character card; (3) replace all cards in the box and pass it to the left. The player keeps their take hidden at all times until demanded by the King. The King does not participate in the theft.
Restriction
Every player MUST take something from the box — taking nothing is forbidden.
It is strictly forbidden for a player to take nothing from the box when they receive it (unless they are the last player exercising the Street Urchin option, or they receive an empty box). A player who violates this rule is immediately Exiled. An Exiled player cannot speak or participate in the Investigation phase in any way.
Special
The first player may secretly dismiss one character card from the box before taking.
The first player, when they receive the box, may secretly dismiss one character card of their choice by turning it backwards in the stack. That card is then unavailable — no player can take it for the rest of the game. Dismissing diamonds is not allowed. After optionally dismissing, the first player must still take normally (diamonds or 1 character card).
Special
A player who receives a completely empty box automatically becomes a Street Urchin.
If a player opens the box and finds it completely empty (no diamonds and no character cards), they automatically become a Street Urchin. They must still pretend to take something to avoid revealing this information to other players.
Special
The last player in the theft phase may choose to take nothing and become a Street Urchin.
The last player to receive the box may optionally decide to take nothing, in which case they become a Street Urchin. However, they must still pretend to take something so that other players cannot tell. This is the only case (besides receiving an empty box) where a non-first player may take nothing.
Restriction
An Exiled player cannot speak or participate in the Investigation.
A player is Exiled if: (1) they violated the taking rules during theft (e.g., took nothing when not allowed); (2) they were accused and found to have stolen diamonds; (3) they made a mistake while helping themselves. An Exiled player cannot speak, answer questions, or participate in the Investigation in any way. If the King is Exiled, the investigation ends immediately.
