Paupers’ Ladder: A Visit from a Caparrot and the Cutty Stark
Set out to learn important virtues on the quest to achieve victory in Brighthelm as an everyday character in Paupers’ Ladder.
There was no way I wanted to stop playing Paupers’ Ladder so soon, which meant it was right onto the next adventure! This little island has so many unique cards to encounter, and I know I still haven’t seen them all. A bird companion adds to the charming and cozy atmosphere, although watch out for those dragons! Onward I went, happy to journey forth again.
Game Overview
Game Name: Paupers’ Ladder
Publication Year: 2019
Designer: Paul Stapleton
Artist: Paul Stapleton
Publisher: Bedsit Games
Solo Mode: Included in The Moon Towers
Regions hold all kinds of discoveries that a character and bird may find. Completing 3 of 5 virtues form the main victory condition, but this is one where the journey is the key part! There’s no telling what might be out there in the wilderness… Friend or foe? Always a fun experience!
First Play
February 26, 2023
Complexity
2
Latest Play
August 22, 2025
Expansions
6
Setup Time
10 Minutes
Lifetime Plays
16
Play Time
45 Minutes
High Score
N/A
Game Area
38" x 26"
Low Score
N/A
Blacksand Troubles
During this adventure, Ginny Heaver was the hero with her trusty bird companion. Not long into the journey, though, they split off to explore different parts of Brighthelm.
With the worst luck possible, a cutthroat appeared in Blacksand and had this bird, nicknamed Cappy, cornered!
Multiple turns were wasted as he continuously lost to this chainmail-clad bandit. Cappy! Lives were lost. Gems were lost. And Ginny questioned how good her bird really was…
I always have played where I keep the same bird from the start, but this play offered a unique city location to consider.
The Bird Seller
Long gazes were cast upon the northwestern city of Lilacsville. Not only was it in a lovely spot with a fun quest to complete, but an avian merchant called it home.
I, and by extension Ginny, thought about hoofing it across the island just to visit the famed bird seller! Cappy was proving to be quite ineffective, and I glared at him a lot. Ha!
However, with time ticking down and trouble brewing elsewhere, it never made sense to pursue a new bird.
Maybe the threat was enough… After Cappy abandoned Blacksand, he seemed to perk right up and do much better!
Gladiator To Cleric
Ginny was a lot of fun to play as! Her unique piece of equipment was a powerful weapon that helped her out in a pinch. But goodness, Ginny… What were you doing?!
She whittled away enemies, quite literally. Her starting talent was that of a gladiator, yet she eventually slowed down to take on a more clerical role. Literally. As a cleric!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the addition of talents and curses from the expansions. They add so much additional flavor!
More about Cappy in a moment. I was very pleased with this story and how Ginny completed her personal quest.
Cappy, the Caparrot
One of the small promotional mini-expansions includes a total of 4 new birds… Actually, feathered vegetables! These were drawn by the game designer’s nephew. Very nice!
By sheer chance, this caparrot was on top of the shuffled deck! For those not versed in these definitely living creatures, this is a carrot mixed with a parrot. Of course. Ha!
I came close to using Cappy’s special ability once, and might have pulled it off if I could reorder my outcome deck again.
The very different visual style actually blended in and offered a few more smiles each time I peered at Cappy!
Game Memories and Personal Connections
I’ll admit that I was skeptical about having the Rootwings mixed into my bird deck. There is a very nice aesthetic to the game, and the caparrot was just one example of how this sketch style doesn’t exactly match up. But you know what? I wasn’t looking for something serious, and I definitely laughed a few times as I pictured this carroty parrot flying around!
Read on below for another realization I had about how my game is slightly off with me calling the famous ship the Cutty Stark. Now, though, I have a backstory for that mistake and will forever remember it even more. I enjoy funny mishaps. Ha!
This is another nice reminder of what different games mean to different players. We’re not all going to have a strong personal connection to every single one. But your favorite game might have memories attached to it that go beyond a simple rating of the mechanics and theme. That’s where I am with some games I rarely play, but still love for other reasons.
The Cutty… Wren?
I mainly wanted to admire Ginny’s learned recipes, but then something caught my eye… The rules for the expansion that feature a ship that travels around Brighthelm. Named what?
For some reason, I always call it the Cutty Stark. But it is actually the Cutty Wren! So I whipped up a backstory…
Mischievous sailors once landed in port and told the locals the Cutty Wren was actually the Cutty Stork as a terrible joke.
Then, Ginny Heaver was hired to etch it onto wooden signs, yet a clerical error led to it being spelled the Cutty Stark. The end! Ha ha! That’s canon in my copy of the game forever.
Looking Outward
Although I was happy with Ginny’s story, the next opportunity to play a solo game was when I felt tired. Rather than swap out characters, I stuck with Ginny to make it easy.
Setup takes a little bit of time, but I always enjoy taking a step back to understand everything available at the start.
Her companion this time was a crow, who was quite obviously nicknamed Kaw by myself. Always a fun time with the variety in the different birds in the game!
I didn’t have any specific goals in mine with this play… Only a slight hope that it would be unique in its own way.
To Catch a Bandit
Not too much went on in general, aside from the appearance of so many dragons! I think there were 3 or 4 of them on the map at once, which is quite difficult to do. Nice job, Ginny?
Kaw’s trained ability was straightforward, but Ginny was the one who battled the hazards of Brighthelm. Kaw was more inclined to search for ingredients for a virtue.
Interestingly, this play was a struggle. I narrowly lost time and time again, never making progress. Ginny!
However, it all finally worked out, with a rare collection of gems for the final virtue of generosity. Another success!
The Murderer Quest
At the start of play, one of the beginning quests hinted at a notorious killer fleeing to the wilderness. If Ginny could, you bet she would start the chase wielding her whittler!
Now, she did manage to defeat a bandit right near the end. Unfortunately, to complete this quest would have meant an almost guaranteed loss with no gems and almost no time.
Although it wasn’t exactly the best ending, Ginny definitely went down as being remembered for upholding justice.
Such a different story! I enjoyed the random elements that connected together, and it was another excellent play.
Session Overview
Play Number: 15 & 16
Expansion 1: The Moon Towers
Expansion 2: This Cobbled Isle
Solo Mode: Included in The Moon Towers
Play Details: Hard Difficulty Level
Outcome: 2 Wins
Despite being endlessly cursed leading up to the end, Ginny made it! Actually, she seemed to pick up the curses that had no effect on her… That’s a masterful plan, right there. Ha ha! Another delightful set of plays with this one that offers so many fun little stories to enjoy. And don’t forget: Caparrots!
%
10 Plays
Affordability
Price & Value
8
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
10
Originality
Design & Theme
7
Quality
Components & Rules
9
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
9
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
9
+ Pros (Positives)
- Each character’s story is shaped not only from random starting elements, but by the wide variety of region cards.
- None of the expansions are required for a full game experience, yet each adds new and fun elements to discover.
- Gameplay moves quickly and a full play doesn’t take long at all for the enjoyment factor and satisfying adventure.
- The difficulty level can be adjusted during setup and allows the challenge to feel more like survival or a cozy journey.
- Brighthelm is lovingly crafted and illustrated by the designer, so even the ingredients seem to have some personality.
- Many of the mechanics are familiar so that the focus can remain on the storytelling and what happens during a play.
– Cons (Negatives)
- Certain cards are needed to progress, and there are times when bad luck makes these difficult to regularly encounter.
- As awesome as the enormous meeples are, they can be tricky to neatly fit in a region, particularly one of the cities.
- Some of the little rules can be easy to forget, especially when combining expansion content with the solo mode.
- Luck is designed to be a big part of the game and is often fun, yet low outcome cards and dice rolls can be frustrating.
Victory Conditions
Complete the Scenario Win Condition
- Overall Goal Progress 33%
Goals and Milestones
Complete the Garolium's Tournament scenario.
Win at least 1 game with each base game character. (2/8)
Continue the Conversation
Do you have a favorite character or bird companion from Paupers’ Ladder? Has anything stood out to you in your recent plays? I adore Brighthelm, and every visit is a lovely one! There is a lot more content… I keep forgetting to spend time exploring cities, and my very strange backstory for the Cutty Stark means I need to get sailing. Someday: Adventure awaits!
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