Maybe I'm not understanding the rules correctly, but, it is regards to rolling a chaotic event from the start. I am using regular six sided dice, so, one is marked as chaso as suggested. The rules state (I think) that if you roll a chaos without an energy (so a bad 1 and 2 - 6 on the energy die) then you go right to chaotic protocol. If this is your first turn, it guarantees a loss because you look at the energy die to determine which free marker card has a chaos event. Then, if you do jot lose anything from this you pay a tax with a cash card, if you do not have cash, then you go right into personal chaotic event and incure debt, therefore losing.
An example: red die is chaos and blue is energy, noted as RD and BD.
In my very first roll of a round, I roll a RD1 and BD3, I go into chaotic protocol, where my 3rd rune (swap) has a face down rune to indicate the chaos event. Since I have no assets, cash, or time and gained none from my roll, I lose nothing with this chaos event and SHOULD pay a tax with a cash card of my choice. I just started, I do not have cash, so, I can't pay the tax and then face a personal chaos event, which means I roll the chaos dir again to determine the level, let's say a BD5. I now owe a certain amount and must pay on my next turn, right? Well, if I don't roll a scenario to gain a card to pay back the debt, the game is over.
Basically, if you start off the game with a chaos event roll scenario, you lose, you won't be able to pay back event the smallest debt, which is 20. I could be wrong and maybe missed something in the rules, but it's a bit of an unfair chance. I do need help figuring this out.
If I'm not mistaken, then a solution could be to have each round start with a small cash pile to begin with, maybe a random draw of 3 cards or even two.
I think another issue so far, is the rules are a little vague in spots like this and maybe a couple more examples could be shown, maybe of a first turn both with and without a chaos roll. I know that would be a lot of extra editing and design and I do apologize for that, I'm honestly just a little confused.
Tutorial now up on TikTok :)
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeNaKecU/
Hi! Instead of replying right away I used your question as motivation to film the tutorial for this game, so that will be out soon!
As far as being able to lose right in the beginning, that is intentional. Chaotic Events is an attempt to represent the relationship between wealth building and time. When you start out with nothing, it is very hard to build yourself up, and you are most vulnerable to chaotic events in life.
Games of Chaotic Events should range from 1 minute (as you experienced) to 30-45 minutes on average, and up to an hour and a half to win.
I personally have still not won the game, but I know it’s possible, and this is the feeling intended with the game!
Tutorial coming soon - thank you so much for testing it out and providing your feedback!