Once an age; a mythic wind lifts the veil between the spirit world and ours. Whimsical seraphs; drawn to the vigor of an ancient forest; descend through clouds to once again take up their centennial game. You are one of these seraphs – a being of great power and curiosity. The life of the forest fascinates you; and you eagerly gather plant; animal; and sprite alike to add to your mystical menagerie. But beware; for you are not alone. Other beings just like yourself contest to collect the life of the forest as well!

In Spirits of the Forest; players represent the four elements that nourish the forces of nature. Up to four players compete to acquire the most (of nine different) spirit symbols; which are bound to a different element of nature. Each turn; a player drafts up to two spirit tiles from the forest (a common pool of 48 spirit tiles); collects favor tokens; and moves; places; or recovers gemstones. Players continue taking turns until all tiles have been collected from the forest. At the end of the game; players score nature points for each spirit (augmented by favor tokens) of which they have a majority. Whoever has the most nature points at the end of the game wins.