diff --git a/src/core/MythosArea.ttslua b/src/core/MythosArea.ttslua
index c95aca34..4b2fcdad 100644
--- a/src/core/MythosArea.ttslua
+++ b/src/core/MythosArea.ttslua
@@ -8,13 +8,13 @@ local tokenSpawnTrackerApi = require("core/token/TokenSpawnTrackerApi")
 
 local ENCOUNTER_DECK_AREA = {
   upperLeft = { x = 0.9, z = 0.42 },
-  lowerRight = { x = 0.86, z = 0.38 },
+  lowerRight = { x = 0.86, z = 0.38 }
 }
 local ENCOUNTER_DISCARD_AREA = {
   upperLeft = { x = 1.62, z = 0.42 },
-  lowerRight = { x = 1.58, z = 0.38 },
+  lowerRight = { x = 1.58, z = 0.38 }
 }
-local DRAWN_ENCOUNTER_CARD_OFFSET = {1.365, 0.5, -0.625}
+local DRAWN_ENCOUNTER_CARD_OFFSET = { 1.365, 0.5, -0.625 }
 
 -- global position of encounter deck and discard pile
 local ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS = { x = -3.93, y = 1, z = 5.76 }
@@ -153,39 +153,44 @@ end
 -- 'params' contains the position, rotation and a boolean to force a faceup draw
 function drawEncounterCard(params)
   local encounterDeck = getEncounterDeck()
+  local reshuffledAlready
 
   if encounterDeck then
     reshuffledAlready = false
-    local card
     if encounterDeck.type == "Deck" then
-      card = encounterDeck.takeObject()
+      actualEncounterCardDraw(encounterDeck.takeObject(), params)
     else
-      card = encounterDeck
+      actualEncounterCardDraw(encounterDeck, params)
     end
-    actualEncounterCardDraw(card, params)
   else
     -- nothing here, time to reshuffle
     if reshuffledAlready == true then
       reshuffledAlready = false
       return
     end
-    reshuffleEncounterDeck() -- if there is no discard pile either, reshuffleEncounterDeck will give an error message already
+
+    -- if there is no discard pile either, reshuffleEncounterDeck will give an error message already
+    reshuffleEncounterDeck()
     reshuffledAlready = true
     drawEncounterCard(params)
   end
 end
 
+-- draw the provided card to the requesting playmat
 function actualEncounterCardDraw(card, params)
   local metadata = JSON.decode(card.getGMNotes()) or {}
 
+  -- draw hidden cards facedown
   local faceUpRotation = 0
   if metadata.hidden or DATA_HELPER.call('checkHiddenCard', card.getName()) then
     faceUpRotation = 180
   end
 
+  -- get position and rotation for the specific playmat
   local pos = params.mat.positionToWorld(DRAWN_ENCOUNTER_CARD_OFFSET)
+  local rot = { 0, params.mat.getRotation().y, faceUpRotation }
 
-  -- get first empty slot in threat area (right to left)
+  -- maybe override position with first empty slot in threat area (right to left)
   if not params.stack then
     local searchPos = Vector(-0.91, 0.5, -0.625)
     for i = 1, 5 do
@@ -200,7 +205,6 @@ function actualEncounterCardDraw(card, params)
     end
   end
 
-  local rot = { 0, params.mat.getRotation().y, faceUpRotation }
   deckLib.placeOrMergeIntoDeck(card, pos, rot)
 end
 
@@ -208,21 +212,26 @@ function reshuffleEncounterDeck()
   -- flag to avoid multiple calls
   if isReshuffling then return end
   isReshuffling = true
+
   local encounterDeck = getEncounterDeck()
   local discardPile = searchLib.atPosition(ENCOUNTER_DISCARD_POSITION, "isCardOrDeck")
-    
+
   if #discardPile > 0 then
     local discardDeck = discardPile[1]
-    if not discardDeck.is_face_down then --flips discard pile
-      discardDeck.setRotation({0, -90, 180}) 
-    end 
+
+    -- flips discard pile
+    if not discardDeck.is_face_down then
+      discardDeck.setRotation({ 0, -90, 180 })
+    end
+
+    -- make a new encounter deck
     if encounterDeck == nil then
-      discardDeck.setPosition(Vector(ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS) + Vector({0, 1, 0}))
-      discardDeck.shuffle()
+      discardDeck.setPosition(Vector(ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS) + Vector({ 0, 1, 0 }))
+      encounterDeck = discardDeck
     else
       encounterDeck.putObject(discardDeck)
-      encounterDeck.shuffle()
     end
+    encounterDeck.shuffle()
     broadcastToAll("Shuffled encounter discard into deck.", "White")
   else
     broadcastToAll("Encounter discard pile is already empty.", "Red")
@@ -231,6 +240,7 @@ function reshuffleEncounterDeck()
   -- disable flag
   Wait.time(function() isReshuffling = false end, 1)
 end
+
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 -- helper functions
 ---------------------------------------------------------