Forbidden Lore
Alternative rules for deciphering the Mansion’s most elusive puzzles.
Many puzzles in Mansion of Madness rely on a specific investigator skill, most commonly Lore. These optional rules are intended to tie the puzzle-solving process more closely to the investigator’s abilities, rather than allowing unlimited experimentation.
If a scenario specifies a different skill than Lore for resolving a puzzle, investigators should always use the skill indicated by the game.
Alternative Rule I – Limited Insight
Some puzzles within the Mansion resist endless experimentation. Under this rule, the investigator’s understanding of forbidden knowledge determines how many attempts they may make before their turn ends.
The investigator’s skill represents the number of guesses that may be made when attempting to solve the puzzle using this page. Each guess reflects careful study, interpretation, and cautious experimentation.
Once the allotted number of guesses has been used, the investigator’s turn immediately ends. The Mansion does not tolerate reckless trial and error — only informed insight is rewarded.
Alternative Rule II – Trials of Knowledge
Some secrets demand more than passive study. This rule represents the uncertainty and danger of relying on raw understanding alone.
When attempting to solve the puzzle, the investigator rolls a number of dice equal to the skill specified by the scenario. Each success represents a moment of clarity or correct interpretation.
Failures grant no guesses, reflecting misread symbols, false assumptions, or dangerous misconceptions. Only through successful insight may further attempts be made.
