We all have dreams, don't we? Some of them are simple desires we all share. Winning the lottery, for example. We all fancy a bit of that. Some of them are a bit more personal, like my own strange yet strong urge to lead ghost walks around the Lake District while carrying an ornate lantern, and who cares if we lose a few walkers amongst the dark trees along the way? And some dreams, well, they're things you didn't know you wanted until someone makes a board game about them.
In Braided Skies, you take on the role of an airship captain in the Shallows, seeking to build the greatest magical travel company in the Northlands. You see? You've got a new dream too now, haven't you? Your mission involves exploring land and sky for new wonders, upgrading your travel company operations, and picking up tourists—all while maintaining a steady supply of tapstones, the magical gems that fuel the Northlands. Accumulate fame to become the Commodore of the Clouds. (I mean, come on, I was born for that title.) This is the first in a series of games set in the Smoking Bones universe created and illustrated by Andrew Bosley. You've seen his work in Everdell, so you know this will be beautiful. This is a standalone, single-session competitive game, not a campaign or narrative game.
Set sail on airborne drop ships to shepherd tourists and harvest tapstones from locations on an unlockable topographical map. You’ll experience a strong sense of progression by adding outposts, crewmates, and harvesters, plus outfittings for powerful recall turns. You’ll also discover magical Wonders for instant benefits, track advancements, and ongoing benefits. If you enjoy Lost Ruins of Arnak, Dwellings of Eldervale, or Galactic Cruise, then Braided Skies is your next destination.
The release date is October 14, 2026. If (like me) you can't wait until then, head over to this page to wind yourself up further.
Steve is currently a freelance board game blogger, but often dreams of life as a pirate, or as a ghost herder in the Lake District, or as an evil estate agent who sells haunted houses for his own dark pleasure. Instead of figuring out how to do these jobs in real life like a normal lunatic, he tries to write about them instead, and releases the resultant books upon the unsuspecting world via famous digital bookstores. More books are bound to follow. He’s also been seen within the pages of Tabletop Gaming Magazine. Find this peculiar entity here.
