| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| slay_4_pay |
Posted - 13 Dec 2007 : 02:35:55
I just read an article about Three Dragon Ante, the card game that can be played within the AD&D setting. This made me start thinking about games within the game. I was wondering if anyone has any info on the various games played in The Realms? I seem to remember one from the novels (I believe it was from the Finder's Stone Trilogy) that involves various cards and dice. Any info out there on this topic would be appreciated. |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 12 Jan 2008 : 05:22:00
Sava is interesting because of what is not said as oposed to what is said. It is a plot devive (from all appearances) that allows the narator to change the odds.
Jettan (spelling) presented in full in _Chessman of Mars_ also had a Chess like rules, but also problems (A cheif to attack a cheif had to be withing three squares, which would allow oposing cheif to attack before next move) as to how to play a game to win. Clearly a dice throw should be a last chance of success, however the Dark Maiden used it fairly soon (in the novel) and Lolth has not. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 12 Jan 2008 : 05:12:54
quote:
Originally posted by Daniel
In the Underdark, as mentioned in the 'War of the Spider Queen' series (among others), there is a board game called sava that seems to be similar to chess. I don't know if there is more specific info on the game available, but it has been mentioned in several novels.
Going from memory... Pretty much, it's chess. Once per game, you can opt to throw 2d6. If you get snake-eyes, you get to remove any piece from the board. Otherwise, you lose a turn.
Which to me doesn't seem all that worthwhile. There's a neglible chance of getting snake-eyes on 2d6. Sure, it can and does happen (usually at the worst possible time, like when both blue properties have hotels, and you are on Park Place), but the chance is so minute that if I was playing sava, I'd only take the chance if I knew I was losing and had no hope of saving it.
I'd modify it to be something like every other turn, the dice get thrown, and certain pieces either are immune to being removed that way, or you've got to roll snake-eyes twice to take them out, or maybe you'd have to roll against the other player to actually remove a piece (both players roll, high roll gets it). That puts a lot more chaos and chance into the game, which is what the point of the dice was. |
| Daniel |
Posted - 12 Jan 2008 : 01:35:35
In the Underdark, as mentioned in the 'War of the Spider Queen' series (among others), there is a board game called sava that seems to be similar to chess. I don't know if there is more specific info on the game available, but it has been mentioned in several novels. |
| Hoondatha |
Posted - 02 Jan 2008 : 09:03:06
Kholiast is, hands down, my favorite FR game. I've had my players run across it, though they never played. For my verbal description, I drew on poker, competative solitare, and craps, all played at a speed much like they speed native Italian sounds to those who don't know it. It was very, very fun. |
| fw190a8 |
Posted - 02 Jan 2008 : 08:11:40
Chase the Dragon and Wheel-of-Spells are mentioned in Cormyr: A Novel (chapter 19) where they are referred to collectively as "dice-and-cards." Unfortunately this doesn't make it clear which is a card game and which is a dice game, or whether either game involves both. |
| Broken Helm |
Posted - 14 Dec 2007 : 04:45:39
I seem to recall that some of the games on Faraer's list are detailed in Volo's Guides (by Ed Greenwood) and some were described in Ed's replies here at Candlekeep, in the earlier years threads. |
| slay_4_pay |
Posted - 13 Dec 2007 : 23:25:51
Thanks to The Sage, I'll look for that issue of Dragon. I checked Aurora's Catalogue and found the section on games, it mentions quite a few, and some have real world translations such as chess and backgammon. But, what I'm really interested in are the various games that are exclusive to the realms. Several card games are mentioned under the Talis Deck (including the aformentioned Elemental Empires) but no rules are given for these games. Also, is a Talis Deck just like a regular deck of playing cards with the same number of cards, the same values (2-10 + face cards), etc., but with different names for the suits and face cards? If anyone can share any info on the rules of various card games, or just tell where I might find said info (if it is indeed available). I would certainly appreciate it. |
| Daviot |
Posted - 13 Dec 2007 : 05:12:50
Sage, your notes check out with my mine, but I'd like to add one missing card game: the Elven game of kholiast, from Elves of Evermeet. The rules were never worked out, but here's what we do know about it:
-One deck consists of 1000 cards
-Hand size is variable, and a based on a throw of dice
-The point counting system would "drive even the most dedicated Candlekeep scholar completely mad" ~_^
-It's probably similar to poker (and maybe also bridge), except that bets are simultaneous, the turn action is continuous, and draws and discards are likewise continuous. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 13 Dec 2007 : 03:13:28
Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue has some details on a few of the games played in the Realms. And Ed's shared a couple with us through his replies -- especially '04.
Here's a listing compiled by Faraer:-
"Here's the list (which doesn't have the Aurora's ones) that I've posted before:
Card games: Archers, Chase the Dragon*, High Dragon, Old Wizard, Smashcastle, Strikedragon/Battles, Swords, Swords and Shields, talis card games
Dice games: thabort, Traitors’ Heads, Wheel-of-Spells*
Board games: chess and variants (lanceboard), chethlachance, fiveknights, lancers and lions, shirestone
Other games: jacks, shove-skittles, tag, Toss the Dagger
* might be mixed up as to which is card, which dice"
...
"Elemental Empires," is what Giogio and his buddies are playing in The Wyvern's Spur, as I recall.
The DRAGON #320 June '04 issue details the games:- 'Over the Hurdles', 'Hardriders', and 'Throwknife' in the "Roaring Dragon House" article. [It's also the article that describes "Zzar wrestling." Despite my best efforts however, I never been able to persuade the Lady K to try it.  ]
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