Index -> Playing the Game -> Main Phase -> Playing Cards -> Faction Meter

Located on the right side of your avatar on the playmat is your faction meter. The faction meter icon begins the game as neutral, right in the center, pointing to the right.

Many cards in the game have the trait of Light or Shadow. When you play a card that has one of these traits, you gain faction which contributes to your avatar becoming either Light or Shadow.

The first time you play a card with the Light trait, your faction meter moves toward the white globe of Light. The amount that the faction meter increases is equal to the cost of the Light card you played.

Similarly, when you play cards with the Shadow trait, your faction meter moves toward the black globe of Shadow. Your faction meter fills up with black, and again, the amount is equal to the cost of the Shadow card.

When your faction meter fills up to 10, your avatar becomes Light (if you've played enough Light cards) or Shadow (if you've played enough Shadow cards). Your half of the playmat dramatically changes its look to black or white when this happens.

Many cards have game text identified with a Light or Shadow icon. These actions are available only when your avatar has become Light or Shadow.

Once an avatar has become Light or Shadow, there's no turning back. Playing cards of Light or Shadow will no longer affect your faction meter. However, you will suffer a penalty for playing a card with the opposite trait.

For example, if you've become Light and you play a Shadow card, your avatar takes 2 damage.