The Shared Root

This is a game about collective care. In "The Shared Root," you won't be competing for resources or building an empire. Instead, you'll be nurturing a single, tiny, shared bonsai, one leaf at a time, with the help of the people you care about. This is my quiet interpretation of "mutual aid."

It’s not about grand gestures. It's about the small, daily acts of support that help something fragile grow into something beautiful. This game turns a standard-issue business card into a canvas for shared creativity and a testament to your personal community.

What’s Included in the Download:

• 1. "The Shared Root" Business Card Template (PDF): A standard business card size (3.5" x 2") ready for you to print. One side is the canvas for your bonsai (with the tiny 'seed' line). The other side is the "Signatures of Care" field.
• 2. The Game Rules & Journey Guide (PDF): A simple, one-page guide explaining the concept, the single "Rule of One," and how to guide the card on its journey.

How to Play:

1. Print: Print out a copy of "The Shared Root" business card template.
2. Start the Root: Draw the very first leaf yourself.
3. Share: Hand the card to someone you value. Explain that their small act of care will help it grow.
4. Aid: Ask them to draw one (and only one) new leaf, branch, or small detail on the front.
5. Sign: Have them sign the back as a participant in this mutual aid project.
6. Pass It On: The card can be passed along to the next person, continuing its journey.
7. Reflect: The game "ends" when the card is full. This is not about points, but about creating a physical artifact that proves a network of care exists.

We invite you to grow a forest of connection. Post pictures of your completed bonsai on the [itchio mutual aid game jam] with the hashtag #TheSharedRoot.