From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Tempel des Schreckens?
Schmidt Spiele German rules, English summary

Whoever most recently found a gold treasure takes the key card and starts. If nobody has, the rules jokingly say everyone loses immediately, then offer the youngest player as an alternative starter.
Rule details
The rulebook also says the game ends with everyone losing if nobody has found a gold treasure.
The key-card holder first opens another player's chamber. The owner of that chamber then receives the key.
Source & edition
- Tempel des Schreckens: Schmidt Spiele rulesSchmidt Spiele · Spielvorbereitung, step 3: Startspieler festlegen; PDF pages 1 · Checked 2026-09-23
Image: © Schmidt Spiele GmbH (edition publisher) · Schmidt Spiele
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
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