# ELDGREN’S TACTICS: THE HEART OF THE FOREST

In this phase, the characters are face-to-face with the pulsing Heart of the Forest, and at last they have the chance to heal it, removing the mysterious and invisible parasite that infested it.

## Core Conflict Mechanics

### The Heart's Limitations

This conflict is based upon a special rule designed to showcase the narrative through the game mechanics:

- The Heart enters the scene with current Hit Points equal to 1 and its Hit Points cannot go below 1.
- If the Heart’s current Hit Points become equal to or greater than 480, it loses all Ultima Points and Surrenders immediately.

### Slumbering Hope Clock

This scene also includes a “Slumbering Hope” Clock with 4 sections, visible to all participants. This Clock can be filled or emptied only in the following ways:

- When a Player Character present on the scene spends 1 Fabula Point to invoke a Theme of Belonging, Hope, Justice or Mercy, fill 1 section of the Clock.
- At the start of the fourth enemy turn (see below) of the round, if the Clock is full, empty it. If you do, the Heart regains 40 Hit Points and 40 Mind Points, and it doesn’t perform any action this turn.

## The Heart's Strict Cycle of Play

The Heart follows a very strict cycle of play:

- On the first enemy turn: The Heart uses Flame of Remembrance during odd-numbered rounds or Avenging Miasma during even-numbered rounds, both against random targets.
- On the second enemy turn: If it has enough Mind Points, the Heart uses Aura of Desperation during odd-numbered rounds, or Ashen Breath during even-numbered rounds. If it lacks the required Mind Points, it uses Avenging Miasma against random targets.
- On the third enemy turn: The Heart uses Ancient Vitality or, if it doesn’t have enough Mind Points, a Recovery action. If it doesn’t have any Ultima Points left, it uses Flame of Remembrance against a random target.
- On the fourth enemy turn: Check the “Slumbering Hope” Clock (see above). If the Clock isn’t empty and the Heart is not in Crisis, it uses Parasite Grasp. If the Heart is in Crisis and/or it doesn’t have enough Mind Points, it uses Flame of Remembrance against a random target.