The Three Kings
Disclaimer: This is one of the relatively safe ways to access (not enter) Shadowside. If the player does not follow these instructions to the letter, consequences will be dire. This game is not approved for social gatherings. Do not attempt if the player is compromised (drugs, alcohol, personal issues, etc.).
This game is for one player and one spectator. The token is a candle. The board is a very large, empty, quiet, and utterly dark room. The spectator is a loved one of stable mental background.
Note from a Player: I won't tell you that you shouldn't be afraid of the Shadowside; chances are you've already seen it after all, and merely think it was just a "recurring dream". I will tell you there is no need to be ignorantly afraid of it, though. There is a difference. Ignorance fuels fear and fear can give that place a lot of juice to run on. You have to be big on preparation if you want to try this. It's like sky diving: if getting it right on your first try is not something you're good at, then this is not for you.
Multiple back ups. You gotta be like a boy scout if you do these things. If you half-ass it, half-ass it all the way so that it won't work. Worst you can do is take it seriously enough for it to work and not seriously enough to be prepared for the consequences.
Materials:
A lighter.
A bucket of water.
A mug of water.
A quiet fan.
Two large mirrors.
Three chairs.
An alarm clock.
An active cellphone with full battery and charging cord.
A small toy or dear object from the player's childhood (henceforth referred to as the player's Object).
Setup:
Begin at 11 PM.
Place one chair in the center of the board, facing north. Place the other two chairs exactly to the left and right, facing the center chair. The distance between the player's throne and that of their queen and fool should be about the length of their arm to each side.
Place the two large mirrors on the queen and fool chairs, facing the center. It is ideal to have them stand at a 90 degree angle unless the player is willing to have more than three kings. The player should be just able to barely perceive their own reflection in each of the two mirrors on the queen and fool chairs without turning their heads.
Place the bucket of water and the mug just barely out of reach in front of the player's throne.
Place the fan behind the throne and turn it on to medium or enough to blow out a candle on the throne.
Turn off the lights and leave the door open.
The player should go to their bedroom.
Set the token by the side of the bed, next to the lighter, the alarm clock and the cellphone, which should be charging.
Set the alarm clock for 3:30 AM.
Turn off the lights and sleep while holding your Object.
It should look like this:
Play:
Wake up at 3:30 AM with the alarm clock.
Turn it off.
Light the token.
Take the cellphone, and Object, and sit on the throne by 3:33 AM.
Look straight ahead at the darkness.
When the game is complete at 4:34 AM, the player may find it especially comforting to turn on the light.
Under No Circumstances:
Turn on any light.
Look directly at either of the two mirrors.
Leave out any of the three contingencies.
Touch the player.
Abort Conditions - If any of these are true and you have not been seated, evacuate everyone from the building until at least 6:00 AM:
Cellphone did not charge.
Alarm did not go off at exactly 3:30 AM or you were not seated by 3:33 AM. The spectator should already be awake to ensure the instructions are followed.
Door to the dark room is closed.
Fan is turned off.
Contingencies:
Token: If blown out, the game will end.
Spectator: At 4:34 AM, call the player's name. If that fails, call the player's cellphone they used for the game. If that fails, use the bucket and mug of water.
Object: This will guide the player back from Shadowside.
Winning:
There is no win condition
