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Ark Nova
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Inkwell
2026
Rules assistance for Inkwell
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–5 players
- 30–40 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for Inkwell
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Inkwell is a board game released in 2026 for 1–5 players, 30–40 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Jasper Beatrix, Joey Palluconi, and Lewis Graye and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Race, and Set Collection.
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About the game
The abbey at Iona is famed for its illustrious manuscripts, replete with gold leaf and remarkable calligraphy. In fact, through talent and discipline, you have joined their ranks as a master illuminator! In Inkwell, each player will either take supplies from a shared mat, or choose to score and move on to a new page of their own codex. Supplies include colored ink cubes, gold leaf, and technique cards with special powers and effects. Everything you take must fit on your manuscript card, and if you empty the last inkwell of a certain type, the abbot ticks down the game time towards ending the game. If you choose to turn the page, you score for all your completed work, and collect your ability cards on the side to benefit you the rest of the game, building an 'engine' of learned skills. You also get a reward of gold leaf and a chance to pick your next page to work on. Just beware that if the abbot becomes upset, he may force you to move forward before you are finished. A strategic and tactical game with few rules and lots of choices, Inkwell is designed to celebrate beautiful historical manuscripts and surprisingly tricky gameplay for groups or even solo play. —description from the publisher
Mechanics
Publishers
- DVC Games
Questions and answers
Inkwell supports 1–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Inkwell is 30–40 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Inkwell for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Inkwell has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Inkwell belongs to these categories: Medieval and Religious. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Race, and Set Collection. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Inkwell are: Jasper Beatrix, Joey Palluconi, and Lewis Graye. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Inkwell as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.