Obsession (2nd Edition): Upstairs Downstairs Expansion

Obsession (2nd Edition): Upstairs Downstairs Expansion

Obsession embraces the rich stories supplied by Victorian fate: shocking revelations, haunting tragedy, unbearable secrets, family dishonor. Navigating the twists of Victorian fate in Obsession is the story… and the tactical challenge. Upstairs Downstairs is an expansion that supplies gamers with new options for mitigating your fat. But true to the game’s spirit, the mechanics are intertwined with the theme – specifically, in the unique abilities of new domestics: the Cook, Hall Boy, Head Housemaid and Useful Man. For example: 

The Cook – Like so many Victorian pursuits, dining in society was a showcase event. The elegant setting, the training of the domestic staff, the fine china and exquisite silver would all be for naught without an accomplished cook to impress guests and make dining at the family’s estate an anticipated event. The aristocracy delighted in extravagant meals, with twelve-course dinners not being uncommon. – The Cook enables a player to invite guests 1 or 2 levels above the reputation showing on the Player Board

Useful Man – The Useful Man or handyman was a jack-of-all-trades domestic worker who performed whatever menial tasks needed doing in a great Victorian house. He rose well before the family, and his duties were varied and often backbreaking. – Place the Useful Man onto any improvement tile located in the players organiser (only tiles that can be played on the players family board qualify), thereby temporarily decreasing the prestige rating of the tile by one. 

Head Housemaid – In a word, the housemaid was responsible for cleanliness. Changing bed linens, emptying chamber pots, cleaning fireplaces, and much more. In a superior house, the head housemaid kept watch over the lower housemaids and took on less arduous bedroom duties (in the absence of a chambermaid), such as changing and repairing linens, dusting, and tending to flower arrangements. – The Head Housemaid may be placed onto an improvement tile or gentry card showing an invitation favour to allow the player to look at an additional card when inviting guests. 

Hall Boy – The Hall Boy is a typically an older child or younger teenage male domestic worker in a superior house responsible for menial tasks such as carrying coal, attending to the front door, cleaning up, and running messages. He is often an apprentice footman and is expected to work in excess of twelve hours a day. The employment of a hall boy demonstrates a family’s investment in a superior domestic staff, which enhances the family’s standing. – The Hall boy may be placed onto a gentry card showing a monetary favourbto increase the pounds recieved during the Enjoy Favours phase of a players turn.

In addition to 4 new servants the Upstairs Downstairs expansion comes with a new family, the Howard family, whose advantage is that they begin the game with a cook. This aditional family enables 5 players and, in conjunction with the Wessex Expansion, 6 players. This expansion also comes with 33 new gentry cards that increase the emphasis on the 2nd and 3rd level guests, the heart and soul of the local aristocracy.