Vault Residents Training Manual

History didn’t end with a bang. It ended with a checklist.

The Vault Residents Training Manual is a tabletop roleplaying game of survival, legacy, and community—played out beneath the earth, over generations. Built for 2–4 players, this simulation drops you into a sealed underground bunker.

You won’t play as heroes or warlords. You’ll play as planners, problem-solvers, and survivors. Over the course of the game you'll map your Vault, make difficult decisions, weather unexpected disasters, and explore what it means to build a future in the ashes of the old world. Powered by a unique Tarot-based card system, the game unfolds through four generations of residents: from the Old World refugees to the Final Generation poised to open the Vault doors and reclaim the surface.

Each card reveals a new twist: conflicts, discoveries, celebrations, and sacrifices. Track resources, manage Karma, debate hard choices, and make your mark—knowing it may not survive the next generation. Whether you’re creating a hopeful utopia or a crumbling echo of civilization, one thing is certain: You are the last best hope for what's left.

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Designer Note: The PDF is 32 pages long, in  color, and can be printed in Booklet Form and saddle-stapled at home. I set the Suggested Donation Amount at $0.0005 per word, rounded to the nearest dollar.

AI Use: I use Generative AI as a tool in my creative process, not as an author; every word is shaped by me, not pasted from a prompt.

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I have physical versions of the Oracle Deck available at TheGameCrafter.com. Both are priced at print cost, so purchase the PDF here to support me.

I also prepared a traditional Tarot Deck without any of the prompts from the game.