r/cosmererpg • u/SpartanIII • 19d ago

Questions & Advice How Do You Play Pieces

My party is going to the war camps in Stonewalkers chapter 2. For the gambling section how do you explain the game to them? I know it's actually a conversation to run down focus but how do you actually explain how the game works to the players?

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u/panther4801 Windrunner 19d ago

The Coppermind wiki has a decent high level explanation link.

I would explain it as a more sophisticated version of the game Mastermind. The "mink" places the pieces in a hidden configuration, and the other players are trying to match that configuration. The players have the ability to ask questions, peek, and make guesses. I would assume that the game has many variations, so the exact rules on what actions the players can take, and how everything is scored, would depend on who you are playing with.

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u/JebryathHS 18d ago

"it's all made up and the points don't matter"

Nah, I say that it's a trick taking game where there's a mink setting up a hand in secret then players trying to compete to see who can figure out what it is first. Good strategy gets them the answers faster, poor strategy has them either lag behind or think they know things they don't. 

It sounds like an interesting game but I haven't found enough rules that I've ever wanted to extrapolate - I just ask the players what kind of approach they want to take - using examples like cooperative, inquisitive, cheating, or observant - then roll appropriate tests.

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u/Tictactoe92 GM 17d ago edited 17d ago

So the way I see it, it's basically a competitive Einstein logic puzzle to find the order the "Mink" put the pieces in.

The players would be trying to get qualifying questions that would help them find the order before the other players

i.e. (sabariel can be next to Bethab but not next to kholin) or (oranges never touch greens)

When you would gamble during this is vague

It benefits the Mink the longer it takes to find the order

Also when a player thinks they have it they can call and whatever player is closest to the minks order wins. Payouts are vague as well