"Sir Rat, you may enjoy the company of the lady of the North," the Samurai says with a deep bow. "I, for one, must, I believe, return to our hostess... for I feel that may be my most winning move."
The hostess offers a graceful curtsey in acceptance of the Midnight Samurai's request. Her departure from the Corsair's company was quite a bit different, as the two of them seemed to interact as though they were quite familiar with each other.
"A winning move..." she says as they dance. "Have you already found a path toward claiming the lead?" she asks, gesturing to the Samurai's four songbird feathers. At an appropriate moment in their dance, the Snow Princess retrieves her white ladies' fan from a loop about her waist. She slowly unfolds it while hiding her expression from the Samurai's view, revealing the card kept wedged between one of the sticks and the cloth of her fan.
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"At this point, milady, I'll accept a path to claiming the middle of the pack." He deftly steps closer, blocking the party's room of her fan for a moment - when he steps back, the card remains prominently visible, though it is unclear whether it is hers, or his.
He holds the card in his hands aloft. "Alas, Lady Feline, I'm afraid I must insist on my feathers back, for I currently hold the Priestess, and you, madam, are caught in your deception."
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The merchant scans the ballroom floor for a few moments. She makes an awkward curtsy and apologizes to the Green Knight,
"If you will excuse me, I must speak with the spy among us."
After a short departure,she returns to the Green Knight, and slips back into his arms with a giddy smile on her face. "It looks like the spy has turned up something useful to me after all. Someone who would be quite a profitable partner in trade. A Princess, no less. I eagerly anticipate negotiations with her Highness."
After this brief statement, the merchant's valiant efforts to maintain eye contact with her dance partner fail, and her gaze sinks again to his armor.
"Ah, a legendary armor of the Verduran Forest, shrouded in mystery...It I may inquire, how much did you pay for this fine piece?
The Masked Cat gives a dramatic sigh. "That is not very gentlemanly, to give a lady a present and then ask for it back. But, I will be gracious and return your feathers for I believe the Grand Prince is my true friend, and will bring me some others."
She makes a show of addressing her card. "Why thank you, Grand Prince. You are most generous to grant this boon to your humble servant."
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The Kuthona Rat dances with much prowess as before while giving pointers privately to assist his current partner, .
As the current dance continues, he giggles suddenly as he passes the Merchant. When a questioning tilt of the head is given by his partner, he laughs again, this time more hollowly, and nods towards the Merchant. "She is doing it left. I am figged up with her now, she called me a sty! I got all dressed up and cleaned up and costumed up and my mom made the costume, it is so lemon of her to call me a swine's hobby tat and steal my Prince Ess. If this game works like a clock that works, then she could learn that one of the stick things on the clock go faster than the others because it is faster than the others are fast. I play the Lying Blade!"
The second song has run its course, and the guests are becoming rather acquainted with each other. Pleasurable words are shared between dance partners, and anonymous friendships are forged.
The Frost Witch, perhaps unsure of her next move, or perhaps confirming her plan, examines her own card.
The Merchant of Sands, confident in her play, declares the Princess. If she is not challenged, she will claim two feathers.
The Kuthona Rat also exudes his own brand of confidence as he declares the "Lying" Lion Blade. If he is not challenged, he will have the opportunity to examine his own card and another player's, as well as choose whether to swap them.
The Midnight Samurai, eager to return the slight inflicted by the Masked Cat, declares the Priestess. If he is not challenged, he will take two feathers from the leader.
The Masked Cat, meanwhile, seeks to push into a greater lead by declaring the Grand Prince. If she is not challenged, she will receive three feathers.
The Carpenter, perhaps unwilling to dive into this conflict, examines his own card.
Challenges to the four actions above are due tonight. Tomorrow morning, they will all be resolved, and we will see who claims the lead.
Frost Witch, check your PMs.
The Merchant of Sands plays the Princess. She receives two feathers.
The Kuthona Rat's play has been challenged by the Frost Witch. When both players reveal their cards, the Kuthona Rat is actually holding the Count and the Frost Witch is holding the Lion Blade. The Rat loses a feather, while the Frost Witch may use the ability of the Lion Blade.
Frost Witch, check your PMs.
The Midnight Samurai plays the Priestess, and reclaims his two feathers from the Masked Cat.
The Masked Cat plays the Grand Prince, and receives three feathers.
After all that resolves, the Carpenter examines his own card. Carpenter, check your PMs.
Currently:
The Masked Cat has nine feathers.
The Merchant of Sands has eight feathers.
The Frost Witch, Carpenter, and Midnight Samurai have six feathers.
The Kuthona Rat has five feathers.
There is now one feather which can be claimed by the Count.
Since the game is starting to heat up, so to speak, I will re-post the descriptions of the cards' abilities:
The Lion Blade: The player secretly looks at his or her own card and another player’s card, then privately chooses whether to swap these two cards or leave them.
The Priestess: The player takes two feathers from the player with the most feathers. In the case of a tie, the player chooses from which player the feathers are taken.
The Count: The player takes all feathers which have been lost due to falsely claiming to have a card. If any players lose a feather due to falsely claiming to have the Count, the feathers are lost after the player holding the Count takes all the other feathers.
The Princess: The player receives two feathers.
The Grand Prince: The player receives three feathers.
The Witch: The player chooses another player, and the two players exchange all of their feathers.
The Thief: If the player has ten or more feathers, that player wins the game. If the player has less than ten feathers, nothing happens.
The next actions are due Saturday evening. Until then, the next song begins, so enjoy the dance...
"Ah, a legendary armor of the Verduran Forest, shrouded in mystery...It I may inquire, how much did you pay for this fine piece?
"It did not come cheap," the Green Knight replies. "I might not know the final cost, since I had another take care of the payments, but I would guess around two thousand, after the etching and coloring are included."
"Does this mean that you are also an admirer of art and folklore?" he then asks.
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The Frost Witch during the dance would come within close range of the Carpenter. She comes to a halt then, twisting her hand that it drops-the back facing the ballroom, the front angled just so that the Carpenter can see it.
"I trust you do not mind me playing my Lion Blade?" She asks with a small smile. At the same time she tilts her own head-so she can take a peek at the card he holds. The sleeve on her arm billows-so it's hard to see if there was a switch or not.
The Masked Cat lingers near the Midnight Samurai after handing over her two feathers, "Oh, you handsome gentleman, you can have ALL of my feathers, for I would dearly love to have the next dance with you."
She awaits his reply but, lacking her usual subtlety, she is clearly eyeing the card which he has played to her repeated disadvantage.
The Masked Cat gives another dramatic sigh. "Well, my consolation is this - if everyone takes my feathers, then eventually the Priestess will have to steal from some other."
The Priestess smiles at the Kuthona Rat's return to her, glad to be dancing with him again. "You're an interesting fellow," she says to him. "You seem so awkward, but you're very sure of yourself when you dance."
As the first verse of this song concludes, a rather interesting situation has arisen. Both the Midnight Samurai and the Kuthona Rat have claimed to have the same card, just as the Masked Cat has grasped the Samurai's hand for a dance.
As these are two separate plays, players can challenge either or both of them. This means that players can either:
-Challenge the Kuthona Rat but not the Midnight Samurai
-Challenge the Midnight Samurai but not the Kuthona Rat
-Challenge both the Kuthona Rat and the Midnight Samurai
-Challenge neither one.
The Kuthona Rat can choose to challenge the Midnight Samurai's play.
The Midnight Samurai can choose to challenge the Kuthona Rat's play.
Meanwhile, the Carpenter has exited the game, perhaps due to physical exhaustion or perhaps due to his mind being boggled by the plays. His card is now held by the Snow Princess.
When a player chooses to change partners with the Snow Princess, he or she now has two choices of cards to swap with (or not):
-She has hidden one card in her fan, the same card as before.
-She now has the Carpenter's card tucked into her gown.
Challenges to the Kuthona Rat and Midnight Samurai's actions are due by Monday night. As usual, the next action is due by Wednesday night.
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The Merchant spins around with a flourish, but she trips over her own heels a bit and lands in the Green Knight's arms. After taking a moment to compose herself, she replies,
"I am indeed an admirer of art and folklore. Truly, artistic merit is one of the surest signs that a piece will be more valuable than it appears on the surface. What can you tell me of the legends behind this piece, in particular, why it is made of such a rare and poisonous metal?"
As the drama over competing claims unfolds, it draws the merchant's attention temporarily away from her partner. At the last moment before the turn ends, she takes a quick peek at her own card.
The two actions (including challenges) will be resolved sequentially. This means that after the first Priestess's effect occurs, the leader may change, and the second Priestess's effect can involve taking feathers from a different player.
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The Carpenter politely bows his head to the Frost Witch but does not answer her, thinking that it is rude of him to interrupt his dance with the Masked Cat. "Ha dear Masked Cat, I do not want to make a move that would cut short our dance either!" He resumes his energetic dance with her. Now his outfit is russet brown, his hat pointy, and he smells of cinnamon.
The unusual nature of this verse continues to express itself. Not only are both Priestesses unchallenged, but the Carpenter literally jumps back into the dance (and the game) after downing a glass of wine from the Winter Faerie's tray.
The Kuthona Rat's play of the Priestess goes unchallenged. The Masked Cat gives two of her feathers to the Kuthona Rat.
The Midnight Samurai's play of the Priestess goes unchallenged. The Merchant of Sands gives two of her feathers to the Midnight Samurai.
The Masked Cat has offered her hand to the Midnight Samurai. The Cat has the opportunity to swap cards with the Samurai.
PMs have been sent to the Frost Witch, Carpenter, and Merchant of Sands, as they are examining their cards.
Currently:
The Midnight Samurai has eight feathers.
The Masked Cat and Kuthona Rat have seven feathers.
The Frost Witch, the Merchant of Sands, and the Carpenter each have six feathers.
There is now one feather which can be claimed by the Count.
The next verse begins, and the game continues. Next actions are due by Wednesday night.
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The Carpenter twirls around the Frost Witch with unbridled speed and skill , and once the blur of movements ceases between the two dancers and the dust settles, there are two Frost Witches and no Carpenter... and the Frost Witch plays the Lion Blade card and points to the Masked Cat across the dance floor!
The Masked Cat smiles at The Frost Witch. "If you want to know my card, you need only ask."
She then turns to address The Samurai. "I have no need to steal feathers from another, for I hold The Grand Prince. Then you and the Rat can go back to stealing my feathers . . ."
The Masked Cat is correct. Once players have an opportunity to challenge the play, and the action is resolved, I will handle the details over Private Messaging.
"I am indeed an admirer of art and folklore. Truly, artistic merit is one of the surest signs that a piece will be more valuable than it appears on the surface. What can you tell me of the legends behind this piece, in particular, why it is made of such a rare and poisonous metal?"
The Green Knight is very mannerly as he helps the Merchant return to her feet, though he was obviously not expecting to catch her like that.
"Poisonous? he asks, obviously not expecting that adjective. "I... imagine that is possible, since the tale originates from the north, near the forest. The legends say that the knight who wore this armor was virtually invulnerable, perhaps because he was an avatar of the Verduran Forest itself. They never spoke of the armor's material, however."
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The Kuthona Rat makes no move to switch partners.
"Thanks, Priest Ess! I'm not sure what a ward for hawks has to do with dancing though. Is it like a new style of dance? Maybe hawkward dancing is something for people who do falconry, but with hawks. Hawklonry? Halcony? Halcyon? I don't know. Maybe the Grand Prince would know? Good thing he gave me his card, now I can call for him, right?"
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The Masked Cat is correct. Once players have an opportunity to challenge the play, and the action is resolved, I will handle the details over Private Messaging.
The Lion Blade: The player secretly looks at his or her own card and another player’s card, then privately chooses whether to swap these two cards or leave them.
--> therefore I believe The Masked Cat must secretly PM me what her card is before I can decide to swap or not...
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"Thank you for catching me, Sir Knight. Strong, graceful, and courteous, just as a knight should be. An avatar of the forest...well, that explains why you have more civility than the other so-called knights of Taldor.
As to the material of your armor, I believe that such an illustrious green could only come from abysium. It is a rare and extremely valuable skymetal that is quite an effective poison in its ground form, but I suppose you are living proof that it is safe to wear."
"As for my play...my trade agreements with the Princess are going swimmingly. I would like to continue negotiations."
The Masked Cat is correct. Once players have an opportunity to challenge the play, and the action is resolved, I will handle the details over Private Messaging.The Lion Blade: The player secretly looks at his or her own card and another player’s card, then privately chooses whether to swap these two cards or leave them.
--> therefore I believe The Masked Cat must secretly PM me what her card is before I can decide to swap or not...
"Oh, I would definitely take The Grand Prince, if I were you. It's quite a powerful card, and you could probably win in a few turns if no one swapped with you. Of course, The Kuthona Rat might actually have it. Deception, deception . . ."
With five of the six players declaring a card, the game has become quite lively, as evidenced by the smiles and interest of the Snow Princess.
The Kuthona Rat has declared the Grand Prince.
The Frost Witch has declared the Witch.
The Merchant of Sands has declared the Princess.
The Midnight Samurai will change partners with the Carpenter.
The Masked Cat has declared the Grand Prince.
The Carpenter has declared the Lion Blade, choosing the Masked Cat.
Players now have the opportunity to challenge any or all of the five actions involving declaring cards. Challenges to these actions are due tonight.
--> therefore I believe The Masked Cat must secretly PM me what her card is before I can decide to swap or not...
The Masked Cat is correct; I handle this sort of communication. Also, players have an opportunity to challenge the play of the Lion Blade, meaning that the card's effect will be resolved tomorrow morning.
If there is any lingering confusion, I recommend a re-read of the game's rules.
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The merchant turns toward the source of the booming voice and stammers,
"E-excuse me? First of all, when did you show up? Second of all, d-do you really think yelling like that is the best way to get an answer out of a Rat? Rats are skittish by nature. N-not that there's anything wrong with being skittish by nature."
"Thanks, Priest Ess! I'm not sure what a ward for hawks has to do with dancing though. Is it like a new style of dance? Maybe hawkward dancing is something for people who do falconry, but with hawks. Hawklonry? Halcony? Halcyon? I don't know..."
The Priestess smiles and laughs as the Kuthona Rat transforms "awkward" into "halcyon." She seems to find his speech adorable.
"I've never held a hawk before, much less danced with one," she comments. "Or is it just the hawk who's dancing?"
"As to the material of your armor, I believe that such an illustrious green could only come from abysium. It is a rare and extremely valuable skymetal that is quite an effective poison in its ground form, but I suppose you are living proof that it is safe to wear."
"I would certainly hope it is safe," the Green Knight says with a laugh. "The legendary version, though, he could have worn this abysium, or he could have been wearing something forged by nature itself. The details have been lost to time. It's a favorite tale of mine, and my understanding is that our hostess shares the same appreciation."
He pauses his conversation for a moment, as it is time for the Merchant to announce her action. "And what of yourself? Your costume leads me to place you somewhere in the south, if you do not mind such an observation."
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"The legendary version?"
A light of recognition shines in the merchant's eyes, followed by disappointment.
"Ah, I see. So you the version you wear is a replica, and not the original piece."
Her face quickly brightens again as she speaks of her supposed country of origin.
"But of course. I am a proud daughter of the most glorious Padishah Empire of Kelesh, in particular, the satrapy of Qadira. I would be happy to explain the deep and complex symbolic meaning of my costume. First off, my mask is a flag of Qadira. The holes in the flag represent my fiscal shrewdness, for I found this mask in the streets of Taldor. Even though some bumbling fool accidentally burned two holes in it, and then accidentally stepped on it with a muddy boot, it functions just fine as a mask."
The Merchant tries unsuccessfully to stave off an uncharacteristic amused smirk before continuing.
"As for the slit purses, they represent the way that we Qadirans bleed our trade partners dry of coin in negotiations. The essence of being a Qadiran is spotting moments of weakness in others and sneaking up on them, striking like a poisonous viper, and then bleeding them dry like a leech. That's how we started our Grand Campaign against Taldor. Except for the part where they reclaimed their land and repelled our forces...ah, but that part is not relevant."
The Merchant beams with pride.
"And that, my friend, is why you should trade with Qadira. So that poor, simple merchants like me can sample all of the finest things in life, and then spend our savings on something wonderful for society. I, myself, am partial to gambling on horse races."
The Carpenter, now appearing as a Biscuit Monster, has issued a rather lively challenge to the Kuthona Rat's play of the Grand Prince. Both players reveal their cards:
-The Carpenter is holding the Lion Blade.
-The Kuthona Rat is holding the Count.
Both players lose a feather, adding to the pool of feathers which can be claimed by the Count.
The Frost Witch has played the Witch. She may now choose a player and exchange all her feathers with all of the chosen player's.
The Merchant of Sands has played the Princess. She receives two feathers.
The Midnight Samurai has changed partners with the Carpenter.
The Masked Cat has played the Grand Prince. She receives three feathers.
The Carpenter has played the Lion Blade. He may examine the Masked Cat's card and decide whether to swap it with his own.
Carpenter, Frost Witch, check your PMs.
Once the Frost Witch's play is resolved, we will know the current feather totals. As usual, the next actions are due by Saturday night.
May the Rose smile upon your costumed endeavors.
The Green Knight laughs along with the Merchant's description of the Qadiran culture. "A wonderful satire," he comments.
"It has been quite awhile since I have heard such a lively description of our southern neighbors. From where I reside, the talk is all of Galt. With their policies and moods changing every day, we have to spend a lot of our time speculating on what they are going to do next, and whether it involves us having to defend our holdings from their forces or their wandering bands of vagabonds."
"I would imagine the conversation would be much less tense if we spoke of Qadira instead. We know their intentions to strip the Gilded City of everything that shines in the sunlight they claim to own, where with Galt we are never sure of whether to pity them, help them, or fear them."