A Steampunk Reading Comprehension Board Game

   THE LEGENDARY LANDS

A Steampunk Reading Comprehension Board Game

Airships · Sky Pirates · Academic Vocabulary · Literary Adventure

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Complete Game Guide

Four Grade-Band Editions: Primary · Intermediate · Middle School · High School

Created by Sean Taylor — The Dyslexic Reading Teacher

Reading Sage Blog  

Complete Printable Game Materials 

 

GAME OVERVIEW

The Legendary Lands is a steampunk-themed board game designed to build Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 academic vocabulary through exciting territory conquest, airship travel, and scholarly adventure. Playing similarly to the classic strategy game Risk, players command professors and scholars across 18 mythical lands, using their knowledge of academic vocabulary — not just dice rolls — to conquer territories, accumulate florins, and build sky villages, libraries, and universities.

 

The game was created by Sean Taylor, a dyslexic reading teacher, specifically to give students a fun, novel, and competitive way to master the "Jackpot Vocabulary" — the tier 2 and tier 3 academic words that appear most frequently on state End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) reading assessments, including CCSS ELA, STAAR, NC EOC, NYS Exams, FCAT, Stanford 10, and others.

 

Why It Works

•         Students are motivated to learn vocabulary because knowledge directly determines success in the game.

•         Repeated, low-stress exposure to academic terms builds lasting retention.

•         The game scales from Grades 2–10 through four grade-band editions.

•         Multiple play modes keep the experience fresh across the school year.

•         Cooperative learning roles build classroom community alongside academic skills.

 

The World

The game board is a map of The Legendary Lands — 18 mythical territories surrounding a central ocean. Lands vary in value from 5 to 100 florins based on their strategic location and development. Players travel between territories using airships, steam trains, clippers, steamships, and ferries. Each conveyance has different movement range and passenger capacity, adding a layer of strategic resource management to the academic challenge.

 

 

GAME COMPONENTS

The Legendary Lands includes the following components. Print and laminate for repeated use.

 

Component	Quantity / Description
Map Sections	4 sections (assemble into full game board)
Character Sheets	8 pre-made steampunk/literary characters
ELA Reading Knowledge Cards	12 per grade-band deck (+ expanded sets)
Money / Florin Sheets	6 denomination sheets
Civilization Sheets	2 (track buildings and development)
Conveyance Vouchers	1 sheet (airship, train, clipper, steamship, ferry)
Sky Library Poster (small)	1
Sky Pirate Poster (small)	1
Game Cover (front & back)	1 (double-sided)
Sky Village Bookmark	1

 

Vocabulary Card Decks

Each grade band uses a specific vocabulary card deck. Cards are double-sided: one side shows the definition (player reads this aloud); the other shows the term (player gives the definition). This Jeopardy-style format can be reversed depending on lesson goals.

 

Grade Band	Deck Name	Concepts Covered
Grades 2–3 (Primary)	Vocabulary Cards 1st–2nd / Sight Words	300+ Sight Words · 60+ Primary ELA Concepts
Grades 4–6 (Intermediate)	Vocabulary Cards 3rd–5th / Power Words	130+ Intermediate ELA Concepts
Grades 7–9 (Middle School)	Vocabulary Cards 6th–8th / Literary Device / Poetry	90+ Advanced ELA Concepts · 60+ Poetry, Greek/Latin Roots
Grades 9–10 (High School)	Power Words / Idioms / Metaphor & Simile / Science	Full EOC/EOG Tier 2–3 Academic Vocabulary

 

 

CHARACTERS

Each player selects one Main Character and up to five Companions to start the game. Characters are literary and steampunk figures who inhabit the world of The Legendary Lands. Teachers may have students create their own characters, which makes an excellent creative writing activity.

 

Pre-Made Characters

Character	Title & Role
Lady Alice Amelia Wonderland	Airship Designer and Captain
Lord Jack "The Bean" Quick	Steampunk Mechanic and Engineer
Mr. Wolf	Sky Pirate (Antagonist Role)
Miss Red R. Hood	Wolf Hunter, Geographer, and Cartographer
Mr. P. N. Boots	Retired Ships Captain
Kate "Bonny Lass" Crackernuts	Restaurateur, Airship Caterer, and Chef
Baron Von Rum Pelstiltskin	Time Bandit and Part-Time Gold Weaver
Mr. Harry "Mad" Hatter	Tea Monger and Clockwork Engineer
Count Harry Beast	Barrister of Enchantments and Curses

 

Teacher Tip: Creative Writing Connection Have students design their own characters before the game begins. A character sheet with name, title, backstory, and special skill is an excellent narrative writing activity and makes students more invested in the game.

 

 

CORE RULES (ALL EDITIONS)

These rules apply to all four grade-band editions. Edition-specific variations follow in subsequent sections.

 

Starting the Game

1.       All players roll one die. The player with the highest roll places first and takes the first turn. Reroll ties.

2.      Each player receives: 1 Main Character, 5 Scholar companions, 250 florins, and 1 randomly drawn Conveyance Ticket (face-down).

3.      Players deploy their scholars to any territory with a value of 5 florins. Each player must start in a different territory.

4.      Determine cooperative roles if playing in groups (see Cooperative Learning Roles).

 

Turn Sequence

Each turn proceeds in four phases:

 

Phase	Action
1 — Hire	Optionally hire new scholars (25 florins each) or a new professor (200 florins or 4 scholars traded). Maximum: 5 scholars and 1 professor per reinforcement phase. New recruits must be placed immediately on territories you control.
2 — Move / Explore	Move your professor and companions to an adjacent territory (no conveyance needed) or use your conveyance ticket to travel farther. You must keep at least 1 scholar in every territory you control. Declare your intended invasion or migration target clearly.
3 — Knowledge Phase	Answer a vocabulary card to resolve movement, invasions, or explorations. The card reader (challenger) reads the definition aloud; the answering player gives the correct term. Dice break ties — high roll wins.
4 — Pay & Reinforce	Collect florins for newly conquered territories. The defender may also reinforce from adjacent territories after attacks conclude.

 

The Knowledge Phase — How Vocabulary Determines Victory

The core mechanic that makes The Legendary Lands an educational powerhouse: instead of (or in addition to) rolling dice, players answer vocabulary questions to determine the outcome of invasions, explorations, and migrations.

 

•         The attacker draws a vocabulary card and chooses their preferred difficulty level (5, 15, or 30 florin question) before the card is read. State the preference aloud.

•         If no preference is stated, the defender may ask any question from any card.

•         A correct answer = success (invasion proceeds, territory is captured, florins are collected).

•         An incorrect answer = failure (attack is repelled; attacker may retreat or try again next turn).

•         Any tie is broken by a dice roll — high roll wins.

•         Players may choose to use reading passages instead of vocabulary cards. Correct comprehension answers resolve the conflict. Note: this slows gameplay.

 

Jeopardy Style Cards are played Jeopardy-style: the reader reads the DEFINITION, and the player must provide the TERM. This can be reversed — reader says the TERM, player gives the DEFINITION — depending on lesson objectives.

 

Movement Rules

•         Scholars and professors may move to any adjacent, contiguous territory without a conveyance.

•         At least 1 scholar must remain in every controlled territory at all times.

•         You may choose not to move on your turn.

•         Water cannot be crossed without a conveyance (airship, clipper, or steamship).

•         Conveyances are drawn randomly at the start and may be purchased during play.

 

Conveyance Chart

Conveyance	Range	Capacity	Disaster Roll	Pirate/Bandit Roll
Airship	6 territories	10 scholars	Roll 1 = lose half scholars	Roll 1
Steam Train	3 territories	30 scholars	Roll 6 = disaster	Roll 1
Clipper	3 sea miles	5 scholars	Roll odd = disaster	Roll odd
Steamship	6 sea miles	30 scholars	Roll 6 = disaster	Roll 1
Ferry	Ferry crossing	30 scholars	No disaster	—

 

Natural Disasters cause loss of half your scholars. Sky Pirate / Time Bandit / Sea Pirate encounters cause loss of half your money OR loss of 2 turns (player's choice).

 

Trade Values

Item	Value
1 Scholar	25 florins
1 Professor	200 florins OR 4 scholars

 

 

COOPERATIVE LEARNING ROLES

The Legendary Lands is designed to support cooperative learning groups. When playing in groups of 3–5, assign these roles to keep the game organized and students engaged. Rotate roles after several rounds.

 

Role	Responsibilities
The Boss	Leads the group, makes final game decisions, ensures everyone is included and on task.
The Banker (Scribe)	Manages all florin transactions, tracks player balances, records game events, keeps cards in good condition.
The Ticket Master (Gopher)	Manages conveyance tickets, distributes materials, handles cleanup and setup tasks.
The Geographer (Praiser)	Tracks territory ownership on the map, monitors time, keeps the game moving forward, maintains a positive and encouraging atmosphere.

 

 

WIN CONDITIONS & SCENARIOS

The Legendary Lands supports multiple win conditions. Choose one scenario before the game begins, or combine scenarios for longer play. Each scenario emphasizes different academic skills and strategic thinking.

 

Scenario 1 — Territory Control (Limited Rounds)

Agree on a round limit of 3, 5, or 7 rounds before the game starts. At the end of the final round, the player who controls the most territories wins. If a player controls fewer territories but has more total points from florins, airships, and trains, they may still win. Best for shorter class periods.

 

Scenario 2 — Sky Ship Port Control

The first player to control all 4 Sky Ship Ports on the map wins. This scenario rewards strategic movement and consistent academic knowledge performance. Best for intermediate and middle school players.

 

Scenario 3 — Build a Sky Library

The first player to accumulate 5,000 florins and build a Sky Library wins. Players who prefer economic strategy over military conquest will thrive in this scenario. Best for collaborative or quieter class environments.

 

Scenario 4 — Castle Colleges

The first player to build two Universities (at a cost of 2,500 florins each) wins. This is the longest and most academically demanding scenario, requiring sustained vocabulary mastery across many turns.

 

Building Options (Cost in Florins) Railway Spur · Sky Ship · Train Station · Aerodrome · University · Sky Village · Library · Sea Port · Government · Sky Library. Costs and availability are set by the teacher. Encourage students to create their own building types and costs as a math and creative writing activity.

 

 

PLOT & MISSION CARDS

Plot cards add narrative excitement and a shared objective to the game. The teacher or students write the plot scenario on a card before play begins. Having students write their own plot cards is an outstanding creative writing activity that reinforces narrative elements, characterization, and conflict.

 

Example Plot: Rescue Red!

Mission Briefing Miss Red has been kidnapped by the Sky Pirates! All players must work together to rescue her. The Sky Pirate player is limited to 10–20 henchmen (adjusted for ability). Each correct vocabulary answer earns 25 florins. The Sky Pirate wins by defeating any single player. The rescue team wins by reducing the pirate's forces by half.

 

Creating Your Own Plots

Students can write plot scenarios using any of the following frameworks:

•         A beloved character is captured and must be rescued (conflict: rescue mission).

•         A kingdom is under siege and must defend itself (conflict: defense strategy).

•         Two civilizations compete to build the greatest university (conflict: resource race).

•         A rare artifact is hidden in one of the territories and must be found (conflict: exploration).

 

Writing Standards Connection Plot card writing targets: Narrative Writing (W.3–W.7), Story Elements (RL.3), Setting, Conflict, and Resolution. This activity pairs naturally with reading units on adventure stories, myths, and legends.

 

 

PRIMARY EDITION — Grades 2 & 3

The Primary Edition introduces young learners to academic vocabulary in a gentle, game-based format. The core mechanics are simplified to keep the game moving quickly and to ensure all students can participate regardless of reading level.

 

What's Different in the Primary Edition

•         Vocabulary cards use Tier 1 sight words and 60+ foundational ELA concepts.

•         Card sets: Vocabulary Game Cards 1st, 1st B, 2nd.

•         Students may ask for either the term OR the definition — choose whichever is more accessible.

•         The teacher or a designated Reader reads all cards aloud to support developing readers.

•         Game rounds are shorter — recommended 3 rounds maximum.

•         Florins are simplified: use only 5 and 25 florin denominations.

•         Win Condition: Scenario 1 (Territory Control) only. First player to control 5 territories wins.

 

ELA Concepts Covered

•         300+ High-Frequency Sight Words (Dolch / Fry lists)

•         Beginning, Middle, End (Story Structure)

•         Characters, Setting, Problem, Solution

•         Author's Purpose (PIE: Persuade, Inform, Entertain)

•         Fact and Opinion

•         Main Idea and Supporting Details

•         Compare and Contrast

•         Cause and Effect

 

Cooperative Setup for Primary

Recommended group size: 2–3 students. Assign the Boss and Banker roles only. The teacher circulates to serve as the Geographer and to support vocabulary card reading. Consider playing the first game as a whole-class demonstration on the projector before small-group play.

 

Quick Start for Primary Use only 1 of the 4 map sections for Primary Edition games. This creates a smaller board that younger students can manage easily and allows games to conclude within a single class period.

 

 

INTERMEDIATE EDITION — Grades 4, 5 & 6

The Intermediate Edition is the "full" core game experience. Students now use the complete 4-section map and all game mechanics including conveyances and the full building system. Vocabulary cards target the most common words found on 4th–6th grade standardized reading assessments.

 

What's Different in the Intermediate Edition

•         Vocabulary cards cover 130+ intermediate ELA reading concepts.

•         Card sets: Vocabulary Cards 3rd, 3rd B, 4th, 4th B, 5th, 5th B, 5th–6th; Power Words 4th Grade I & II.

•         All four conveyances are available from the start of the game.

•         All three win scenarios are available. Scenario 3 (Sky Library) is recommended.

•         Math Vocabulary Game Cards can be added to reinforce cross-curricular vocabulary.

•         Building costs use the full florin system (5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 denominations).

 

ELA Concepts Covered

•         Tier 2 Academic Vocabulary (words common across content areas)

•         Tier 3 Content-Specific Vocabulary (science, social studies, math terms)

•         Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences

•         Text Structures (compare/contrast, cause/effect, sequence, description, problem/solution)

•         Text Features (headings, captions, graphs, diagrams, glossary, index)

•         Figurative Language (simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, idiom, alliteration)

•         Author's Purpose and Point of View

•         Summarizing and Paraphrasing

•         Literary Elements (plot, setting, character, theme, conflict, resolution)

 

Reading Passage Variant (Intermediate)

Instead of individual vocabulary cards, players may answer a short reading comprehension passage to resolve an invasion. The teacher reads the passage aloud; the attacking student answers one comprehension question. Correct = success. This variant is slower but provides richer ELA assessment and discussion opportunities.

 

Sample Reading Passage (High School Level — used for challenge rounds) "A solar cell (also called a photovoltaic cell) is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect... The term 'photo-voltaic' has been in use in English since 1849." — Question: Which statement is correct? (A) A solar cell generates electricity using heat. (B) The term 'photovoltaic' comes from Italian. (C) A photovoltaic cell works without an outside power source. Correct Answer: C

 

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL EDITION — Grades 7, 8 & 9

The Middle School Edition adds advanced literary vocabulary, poetry analysis, and Greek and Latin root/affix study to the core game. Students are now expected to give precise, complete definitions — not just recognize terms — during the Knowledge Phase.

 

What's Different in the Middle School Edition

•         Vocabulary cards cover 90+ advanced ELA concepts plus 60+ poetry, Greek/Latin affix and root concepts.

•         Card sets: Vocabulary Cards 6th–8th; Literary Device; Poetry; Idioms; Metaphor & Simile.

•         Full game mechanics apply, including all four scenarios.

•         Players must give a complete definition (denotation AND connotation) to earn full florins.

•         Partial credit option: 50% florins for incomplete-but-correct definitions (teacher discretion).

•         Science Vocabulary Cards (4th–5th Grade) may be added for cross-curricular reinforcement.

•         Plot cards become required — students write their own mission scenarios.

 

ELA Concepts Covered

•         Advanced Tier 2 & Tier 3 Academic Vocabulary (EOG/EOC level)

•         Literary Devices (foreshadowing, irony, allusion, symbolism, mood, tone, diction, syntax)

•         Elements of Poetry (meter, rhyme scheme, stanza, couplet, sonnet, free verse, ode, ballad)

•         Greek and Latin Affixes and Roots (bio-, geo-, -ology, -graph, trans-, sub-, inter-, etc.)

•         Characterization (direct vs. indirect, dynamic vs. static, protagonist vs. antagonist)

•         Elements of Argument (claim, evidence, reasoning, counterargument, rebuttal)

•         Grammar and Conventions (syntax, clause types, parallel structure, punctuation for effect)

 

Advanced Knowledge Phase Rules

Middle School players may challenge any definition given by an opponent. The challenging player offers an alternative definition. The teacher (or Geographer) rules on which definition is more precise. Winner earns a 10-florin bonus. This mechanic rewards deep vocabulary knowledge and encourages academic discussion.

 

 

HIGH SCHOOL EDITION — Grades 9 & 10

The High School Edition is the full competitive academic challenge. Students engage with the complete vocabulary system — including all literary device, poetry, figurative language, science, and math vocabulary cards — in a strategic game environment designed to prepare them for EOC and AP-level reading assessments.

 

What's Different in the High School Edition

•         All vocabulary card sets are available and can be mixed into a single master deck.

•         Card sets: Power Words I & II; Literary Device; Idioms; Metaphor & Simile; Poetry; Science I–IV; Math Vocabulary Cards 6th–8th.

•         All four win scenarios are available. Scenario 4 (Castle Colleges / Two Universities) is recommended.

•         The University Graduation Simulation variant is available (see below).

•         Students may write and submit original CCSS ELA test questions on index cards. Correct questions earn 50 florins. All student-created questions are added to the class card deck.

•         Reading passage questions may be used exclusively, with no dice mechanic — pure knowledge determines all outcomes.

 

ELA Concepts Covered

•         Full Tier 2 & Tier 3 Academic EOC/EOG Vocabulary (No Excuses Testing Vocabulary / Stanford 10 Level)

•         Advanced Literary Analysis (critical lenses, textual evidence, authorial intent)

•         Rhetoric and Argumentation (ethos, pathos, logos, fallacy types, rhetorical strategies)

•         Extended Metaphor, Allegory, Satire, Parody

•         Advanced Greek and Latin Morphology

•         Cross-Curricular Academic Language (science, history, economics, philosophy)

 

University Graduation Simulation Variant

Instead of a single game session, The Legendary Lands can be run as an extended simulation across multiple class periods or the entire semester. Students work toward "graduating" from different colleges by demonstrating mastery in specific vocabulary domains. Each college represents a content area (College of Letters, College of Sciences, College of Mathematics, College of Arts). Graduates earn a diploma card. The first student to earn diplomas from all four colleges wins the grand simulation.

 

Assessment Connection The University Simulation variant aligns with standards-based grading. Teachers can use diploma cards as evidence of vocabulary mastery in specific domains, replacing or supplementing traditional vocabulary quizzes. Students who earn a diploma have demonstrably mastered 25+ academic terms in that domain.

 

Student-Created Test Questions

To earn a free digital copy of the full Legendary Lands materials, Sean Taylor asks that teachers submit 5 grade-level CCSS ELA test questions (multiple choice or extended response). All submissions are added to the Reading Sage Blog and shared freely with teachers nationwide. Submit to: seansart@hotmail.com

 

 

VARIANTS & ADAPTATIONS

The Legendary Lands is intentionally flexible. Teachers and students are encouraged to invent new rules, scenarios, and variants. Below are the most popular teacher-tested adaptations.

 

Pure Dice Mode

Use standard dice (Risk rules) to resolve all battles. Vocabulary cards are used for bonus florins only — correctly answering a card earns 25 extra florins per turn. This mode is useful for introducing the game before vocabulary cards are prepared, or for early-year review when foundational rules are the focus.

 

Pure Knowledge Mode

Eliminate dice entirely. All invasions, explorations, and defenses are resolved exclusively through vocabulary card answers. If a player cannot answer, the action fails. This is the highest-rigor mode and the most powerful for test preparation.

 

Vocabulary + Dice Hybrid Mode

The standard recommended mode. Vocabulary cards determine the primary outcome; dice break ties only. This maintains academic challenge while keeping the game moving when two players have equally strong vocabulary knowledge.

 

Parcheesi Variant

Use the Parcheesi board instead of the Legendary Lands map. Each player selects four pieces of the same color and places them in their starting nest. Use 25–30 vocabulary cards per deck. Move pieces by answering cards correctly rather than rolling dice. The goal: move all four pieces home to the center space. Excellent for small groups of 2–4 who prefer a shorter game.

 

Chutes & Ladders / Snakes & Ladders Variant (Alien Vocabulary Game)

Use the Alien Vocabulary Game Board. CAMO Aliens function as ladders (correct answer = beam up to next highest CAMO Alien plus card bonus). Blue Aliens function as chutes (wrong answer = beam down to next lowest Blue Alien). Landing on a Blue Alien and answering correctly = stay in place until next turn. Ideal for Primary Edition players or as a warm-up activity.

 

 

STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

The Legendary Lands is aligned to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) ELA reading standards and supports preparation for a wide range of state-specific assessments.

 

Assessments Supported

Assessment	Grade Bands Supported
CCSS ELA Reading Standards	K–10
NC End-of-Grade (EOG) / EOC	3–10
STAAR (Texas)	3–10
NYS ELA Exams	3–10
FCAT (Florida)	3–10
Stanford 10	K–10
STAR Reading	K–10
CRCT (Georgia)	3–8

 

CCSS ELA Standards Targeted

•         CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K-10.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words (Tier 2 & 3 vocabulary)

•         CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K-10.5 — Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances

•         CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K-10.6 — Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate academic and domain-specific words

•         CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K-10.1–10 — Key ideas, craft, structure, and integration of knowledge for literary texts

•         CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K-10.1–10 — Key ideas, craft, structure, and integration of knowledge for informational texts

•         CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K-10.3 — Write narratives (supported by plot card creation activity)

 

 

QUICK REFERENCE CARD

Cut out and laminate one copy per group.

 

Turn Sequence 1. HIRE — Pay 25 florins/scholar or 200 florins/professor (max 5 scholars + 1 professor). 2. MOVE — Move to adjacent territory or use conveyance ticket. 3. KNOWLEDGE — Answer vocabulary card to resolve action. Ties broken by dice. 4. PAY — Collect florins for conquered territories. Defender may reinforce.

 

Knowledge Phase Attacker draws card & states difficulty (5, 15, or 30 florin level). Reader reads DEFINITION. Player gives TERM. Correct = action succeeds + florins. Incorrect = action fails. Ties = dice, high roll wins.

 

Win Conditions (choose one) Scenario 1: Most territory at end of agreed rounds. Scenario 2: Control all 4 Sky Ship Ports. Scenario 3: Build a Sky Library (5,000 florins). Scenario 4: Build 2 Universities (2,500 florins each).

 

Trade Values Scholar = 25 florins. Professor = 200 florins OR 4 scholars. Natural Disaster = lose half scholars. Pirate/Bandit = lose half money OR lose 2 turns.

 

— The Legendary Lands — Reading Sage Blog — Sean Taylor, The Dyslexic Reading Teacher —