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GM Jim Vroom's Table markers get high
points for originality. |
Table 4 is clearly marked as Willard
makes his move. |
A Work in Progress ...
47
people attempted to amass power and prestige on the streets of
Paris, in the shadow of Notre Dame cathedral, while avoiding
plague-infested rats. 34 players filled seven tables in the first
heat. Moving on as a result were: David Platnick, Robb Effinger,
Geoff Pounder, Craig Moffitt, Brian Kowal, Cary Morris, and
Matt Calkins. 20 more came for the second heat, including
13 new faces, to fill five tables of four. Advancing with
a first win were: Bob Wicks, Nick Page and Greg Crowe. Brian
Kowal and Geoff Pounder recorded second wins. This produced a
10-player field for the semi-finals with two 5-player games and
the top two in each advanced to the Final. Nick Page, Cary
Morris, and David Platnick thus joined Geoff Pounder who was
now the lone unbeaten in three games.
The Final was a spirited affair. Purple went first and
played his 'car' card, moving and taking a 2/cube chit, Red then
played the Hospital, with Green doing the same and Blue opting
for the Park. Second action found Purple claiming an extra
control cube, Green using his "trusted friend" to also
claim a cube, Red taking money and Blue placing a cube into the
Park. All players used the power of the Bishop advisor and
only two rats were sighted.
The second turn found Red going first and playing a cube into
the Money space of his board, Green played Park, Blue went for
Money and Purple checked into the Hospital. Second action
had Red placing his "trusted friend" into the Money
space and adding more cash to his coffers, Green claimed yet
another cube, Blue checked into his own Hospital and Purple sent
his "friend" to get some Money. Advisors: Red
bribed the Fool and took from his Money space, Green and Blue
bribed the City Guard for six points each and Purple bribed the
Fool to place an additional cube in his Hospital. The Rat population
climbed to six.
Turn 3 had Green going first and using his first action to
move his Car and pick up the 2/Gold chit, Blue played into his
Cubes space, claiming two more, Purple took Money for three gold
and Red drove his Car to a 3/Kill a Rat chit. Second action
had Green placing a cube into Notre Dame and spending a gold
for a point, Blue went to his Money space, Purple also went for
Money again, this time getting four gold and Red went to the
serenity of his Park. Blue and Green both bribed the Monk
for cubes and points, while Purple bribed the Rat Doctor to not
have to deal with the four Rats which appeared.
After the reshuffle, the second round commenced with Turn
4. Blue went first and sat in his Park, Purple went for
Cubes and claimed a pair, Red placed into Notre Dame and spent
three gold for six points and Green went to his Hospital. Second
action had Blue placing into his Points space and getting two.,
Purple going into Notre Dame and paying three gold for six points,
Red going to his Hotel and choosing to kill a Rat and Green playing
into his Park. There were seven Rats this turn, with Green
and Blue going over the maximum and losing two points and a cube
off their most populated board area.
Turn 5 had Purple choosing to take three cubes from his Cubes
space, Red moving his Car two spaces and claiming the 2/cubes
chit, Green placed a third cube into his Hospital and Red sent
his "friend" to the Money space. Second action
found Purple going to his Hospital, Red to his Park, Green sending
his own "friend" to get Money and Blue choosing the
VP space for five points. Everybody bribed the Fool and
had to deal with only three Rats.
Turn 6 began with Red moving his Car to pick up a 3/Kill a
Rat chit, Green taking three gold in Money, Blue going to his
Hospital and Purple taking five gold in Money. Second action
saw Red using his "friend" to move his Car again and
picking up yet another 3/Kill a Rat chit, Green taking Money
again, this time four gold, Blue placing a third chit in his
Park and Purple going to Notre Dame and spending three gold for
maximum points. Everyone bribed the Guild Master and dealt
with three Rats.
Turn 7 had Green going first and placing in his Cubes section,
adding wo cubes to his personal supply, Blue taking two gold
in Money, Purple adding a cube to his Park and Red taking a gold
in Money. Second action saw Green going to Notre Dame and
spending three gold for maximum points, Blue placing his FOURTH
cube in his Park (giving him +2 when scoring points), Purple
sending his "friend" to his Park and Red taking more
Money, this time two gold. Green & Blue bribed the Monk for
cubes and points, while Red & Purple bribed the Carpenter,
with Purple getting six points. Four Rats appeared this
turn.
Turn 8 had Blue going to his VP space for seven points!, Purple
went to Notre Dame and spent two gold, Red went to the Cathedral
as well, spending three gold and Green checked another cube into
his Hospital. Second action had Blue playing his "trusted
friend", Purple placing another cube into Notre Dame and
spending two gold again, Red moved his Car four spaces and claimed
a 3/Kill a Rat chit and Green going for VPs and gaining two.
Blue and Green sent their bribes to the Lady of the Court, while
Purple and Red bribed the Hostess. Only two Rats appeared.
The final turn began with Purple taking two from his Cubes
space, Red going to his Hotel and taking gold, Green using his
VP space for three points and Blue moving his Car one space to
pick up a 4-point chit. Second action saw Purple going for
Cubes again, this time taking three, Red going to his Park, Green
also placing into his Park and Blue moving his Car once again
and claiming another 4-point chit. Everyone bribed the Mayor
and had to deal with a whopping six Rats! That was too many
for Blue, who went over the limit and had to suffer the consequences.
After summing all accumulated points, it turned out to be
a VERY close game. Coming out on top was David Platnick
(Blue) with 69 points, right behind him with 68 was Cary Morris
(Purple). Geoff Pounder (Red) was only one more point back
with 67. Nick Page (Green) trailed with 60. Thanks to everyone
who played. Considering that it was a late addition, and
didn't have a prime time slot, I think we had a good turnout. Hopefully,
Notre Dame will return again next year and we'll have
an even bigger field. In the meantime, avoid the RATS!
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Anne Norton doesn't seem bothered
by the furry rodent. Lancaster Host on the other hand may not
appreciate these photos ... |
Notre Dame has
one of the most unusual and cleverly shaped boards which varies
with the number of players. |
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