From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in The White Castle?
Devir English edition

Stack the Influence markers in random order, then arrange the Heron tokens in that same order. The player whose Influence marker is on top plays first.
Rule details
Choose starting card pairs in reverse turn order during setup. During play, follow the Heron tokens on the Turn Order track.
Source & edition
- The White Castle: English rulebookDevir · Player setup steps 11–13; Playing the game; credits · Checked 2026-09-26Printed page references: 3, 4, 19
Image: © Devir Games · Devir Games
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
Underwater CitiesRandomly arrange the play-order markers on the play-order track for the first round. The player in space 1 goes first.
Five Tribes: The Djinns of NaqalaRandomly place the turn markers on the Bid Order track. The marker in position 1 bids first; after bidding, the highest bid takes the first action turn.
Arkham HorrorSelect one player at random to be the first player and give them the first player marker.
Vivid MemoriesGive the start player marker to whoever can recall the earliest positive memory, or choose a player at random.
Caverna: Cave vs CaveChoose at random who receives the starting-player marker. As an explicit alternative, let the smaller player begin.
Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools
Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.