07.13c: Go, Do Something

[Joshua]

After a short while, many of the fae are involved in the dozens of card and board games. Anriki, for example, has set up eight boards in a circle around himself and is playing 3 games of Go at the moment. Nia is nearby, procuring tea and beverages for those in the game.

[Spellbinder]

Spellbinder will look at the games for a few minutes. He will speak to Anriki. "Go, right? I know the rules, but never got a round to actually playing myself. Would you mind a game against a novice player?"

[ShadowOfPreservation]

Lyra will make her way over as well, intrigued by both the game and its player. With a curtsy to both the tanooki and Spellbinder, she asks, "Mind if I watch? I've heard mention of Go but that's the extent of my knowledge. Chess is really the only board game I've played."

[Joshua]

Anriki is working on three games, and is more than happy to pull up a forth and a fifth. "It is okay. My abilities as an instructor are not very good, but I will do what I can."

He will smile at Spellbinder. "Casual games are always informative. How the superior player treats the lesser, how the lesser treats the game. Respect can be shown which reveals character. Besides, practice helps strategy. If you are here for the reason I heard, then our second game should be real."

He offers to Lyra. "A short game then. Forgive, but as these are all casual, they will be 'eyes open' for me. I can better assess what you need to learn for a real game."

[ShadowOfPreservation]

"You can play this game blindfolded?" she asks as she sits down to play. She's likely heard some about Anriki but asks the question nonetheless, interested to learn more.

[Spellbinder]

As Anriki says "If you are here for the reason I heard" Lyra will notice an almost imperceptible wince and a very quiet sigh from Spellbinder. Other than that, he sits quietly and focuses on his game, allowing Lyra and Anriki to talk without interruption.

[Joshua]

"Holding the board in your mind is essential to proper planning ahead." Anriki will explain to Lyra. "Otherwise how would you anticipate, if you only see part of the game?"

His teaching skills were very understated. He quickly demonstrates the scoring and other systems of the game. At which point he plays at lyra's level. In fact all the games he's part of, he seems to be evenly matched regardless of the skill level of his opponent.

Well, except for Spellbinder. Spellbinder gets a series of puzzles and situations, some artificial, some occurring naturally as he plays to win. These seem designed to target Spellbinder's weaknesses and force him to shore them up in preparation for a real game.

[Spellbinder]

"Agreed. The true game takes place in the minds of the players. The game board is just a visual aid. Well that at it actually allows for spectators. I've seen people play chess blind several times."

Most Spellbinder continues to focus on his game. He's actually enjoying the extra challenges that Anriki is throwing his way.

[ShadowOfPreservation]

Lyra is a quick study and her chess lessons have helped her quite a bit with understanding how to translate battle strategy to a game board. As she gets better at the game, she plays with more confidence, hoping to encourage Anriki to employ more complex strategies to keep challenging and teaching her. While she does have a competitive side to her, she's more interested in enjoying the game and learning what it can tell her about her opponent and perhaps of Spellbinder as well.

[Joshua]

While it's not as obvious as it could be, Anriki is playing at the level of each opponent. Situations which seem to baffle him in one game, he is able to evaluate effortlessly in another. A fairly impressive trick, as he seems to be holding 5 different games and full game strategies in his head. Or, there's more to this. With just warfare, it wouldn't be that hard to simply win all the games, but to intentionally make them all look both close and naturally so is more than simply knowing how to play.

Lyra, you have the warfare to notice that. You will also note that you are better than him. Although, he is significantly more experienced than you, and in this game that matters for a lot. Are you going to start giving him challenges?

Spellbinder, you're having trouble with some of his puzzles. You seem to be on a more even par with him, and these challenges are designed to shore up the experience gap between the two of you. You'll also note that his playing styles are different, but more from noticing subtle changes in him. He's using some kind of 'method acting' to keep the 5 different strategies separate.