Palace of Hopes

Metaphysics

Most things are coincidental in the Palace, where anything can happen. However, attempts to pin it down to a consistent behaviour are doomed to failure. No matter how good you are at counting cards or what your models say the expectation value is, they will always fail eventually and often in spectacular fashion - just ask Rostina. Similarly villainous, or worse, boring behaviour will always eventually meet its comeuppance. Of course a truly inspired villain will be able to delay this moment for a long time, as no villain is worthwhile without being established by events.

If a techno got in, they would call it a chaotic system - it doesn't repeat, but it rhymes.

Locations

The layout and decor of the Palace is variable, but some specific locations are relatively static and some general regions consistently exist.

Storerooms

North Storeroom

The storeroom of games currently in play. Large and bustling. Contains rats.

West Storeroom

The storeroom of games Liz has grown past or forgotten. Does not contain rats, due to the snakes.

South Storeroom

The storeroom of games Liz has come to dislike, or even (in the deeper depths) hate. A lot of school sports equipment can be found here. Contains rats.

East Storeroom

The storeroom of games that do not yet exist. When a new game is introduced, its equipment is found in some of the boxes in this room. Opening the other boxes is strictly forbidden. Contains rats.

Inhabitants

Major Spirits

These creatures are unique and powerful.

• The Queen of Games
• Captain Euclid is a caped crusader with a vaguely Greek theme. He is straightforward and virtuous, but no fool at the gaming table and not shy of beating those who deserve it, and likes to swoop in to help poor newbies being crushed by experts. He regularly unveils new inventions that help him win games or are games in themselves. He has an on-again off-again relationship with Rostina. His special power is astounding inventions.
• Lady Isabel is an elfin femme fatale and bottomless schemer and psychologist. She never cheats - technically - and prides herself on her ability to make anyone walk into their own defeat. Her special power is being the one who is behind you. A top-class player.
• Lan Meizhu is a sword-wielding qipao-wearing heroine and head of security. She relishes a challenge but isn't all that good at ones not based on sports or fighting, possibly thanks to her habit of working everything out through awkward military or martial-arts metaphors. Her special power is martial arts (all of them).
• Mark Gilt, handsome secret agent, is a master of disguise and bluffs and general cardmanship. His special power is spy gadgets. A top-class player.
• Mizore is a pointy-eared white-haired blue-blooded ice demon miko and a feared player of Eastern games. She is intolerant of weakness and lambasts those she defeats for their failings, however she is honourable to a fault and willing to teach those who show proper respect. Her special powers are curses and paper seal control, though she can also perform the spiritual functions of a miko.
• Rochambeau is one of the very few inhabitants who does not ever play. Instead he is the administrative heart of the Palace and the dour voice of reason, who reminds the Queen of her responsibilities and keeps things from falling apart. His special power is having his head screwed on straight.
• Rostina the robot is determined to prove the supremacy of her logic modules. By calculating all possibilities and solving all games she leaves all normal opponents in despair. However, truly skilled or plucky enemies will find solutions she did not expect, or overcome her with pure heart. She has an on-again off-again relationship with Captain Euclid. Her special powers are infinite calculations and built-in devices. A top-class player.
• Tanto the clown is a disreputable ruffian and cheat, who has an endless succession of cunning, overcomplicated plans. These are unreliable at winning him his fortune but more successful at keeping him from disaster, or dealing with truly dangerous troublemakers. His special power is sleight of hand.
• Tictac is somewhat like a cockroach and somewhat like an eagle and somewhat like a man. He always hides in shadows but is never far from the action, and yet the Queen has never been seen to notice or interact with him. His powers are unknown, but he seems to know all the secrets of the Palace and offers cryptic, unexpected advice and prophecy to those who need it - if they're lucky.
• The Incredible Klaustina is a stage magician. She is very aloof and proud of her art, but dedicated to it and consummately skilled. Her extensive libraries in her permanent suite detail every trick of the trade, useful for both games and performances. Her special power is stage magic.

Minor Spirits

These creatures not so much.

• The Guards are sometimes burly men in suits, sometimes walking playing cards with spears and muskets, sometimes flamingo-men in rich livery. Whatever their costume they maintain order in the palace, subduing troublemakers and dragging off those who fall into debt to work it off or to the dungeons.
• Players come in all shapes and sizes, and not all are native. Some are spirits and some are sleeping mortals. Players who do particularly badly may find themselves forced to join the staff to work off their debts.
• Staff wait tables, mix drinks, deal cards, sweep floors, and do all the other tasks that form the background of casino life. They're as varied as guards, but lack the fighting ability.