## Gameplay Cycle 1. EVENT - We begin in media res, in a particular event during the Courting Season in fancy rat society. The Rat Regent sets the scene. - Players take turns describing their player character (PC) actions as they try to woo suitors. - Whenever something challenging occurs that would activate an event move, we roll dice. - Once a character has caught a suitor's attention, they can choose to court a suitor, roleplaying an interaction and trying to score as many affection points as possible (unless they have a different goal in this interaction). - We continue the narrative, switching between event moves and courting the suitors until the event ends in-world, the players leave, or the Rat Regent decides we have seen enough. 2. DEBRIEF - We’ll have a period for all the PCs to chat together as a family, or to have one-on-one scenes, debriefing the event. 3. DOWNTIME - We will go turn by turn, giving each PC a chance to make a downtime move. During each downtime period, they will get up to two downtime moves. - The Rat Regent will have the rivals make their moves behind-the-screen, but will announce any public changes. 4. PREPARE - We’ll have a period for all the PCs to chat together as a family, or to have one-on-one scenes, debriefing the event. 5. EVENT AND REPEAT! - It repeats until the Season is complete, or the family is completely ruined. Perhaps both! ## Four Stats and Event Moves Every Rat has four stats they use to maneuver the high gentry of the Great Skittish Isles: Squeak, Scamper, Sniff, and Steward. <table> <tr> <th></th> <th>SQUEAK</th> <th>SCAMPER</th> <th>SNIFF</th> <th>STEWARD</th> </tr> <tr> <th>BASE STATS</th> <td>Your rat's ability to physically escape risky or unpleasant situations, or to withstand conflict with grace.</td> <td>Your rat's natural magnetic force of beauty, charm, and/or seduction.</td> <td>Your rat's skill at finding clues, secrets, and opportunities.</td> <td>Your rat's compassion for their allies and knack for righting wrongs.</td> </tr> <tr> <th>EVENT MOVES</th> <td>Attract Attention</td> <td>Escape or Endure Misfortune</td> <td>Read a Rat</td> <td>Assist an Ally</td> </tr> <tr> <th>DOWNTIME MOVES</th> <td>Arrange a Meeting</td> <td>Spread Rumors</td> <td>Investigate</td> <td>Repair Reputation</td> </tr> <tr> <th>INDULGE IN A VICE</th> <td>Bawdy Ribaldry (Unsavory tag)</td> <td>Electrochemical Stupor (Harlot/Rake/Drunk tag)</td> <td>Mysticism & Devilry (Witch tag)</td> <td>Neurotic Domesticity (Obsessive tag)</td> </tr> </table> ## Scandal **Scandal** is a general measure of how well-regarded you are in fancy rat society. Having too much scandal means that you are a lowlife not fit for marriage! You will gain and lose scandal through various moves. If ever you fill out your 6th scandal box, your character’s place in high society is utterly ruined! The Rat Regent will offer you a **cat’s bargain** — a diabolical deal that could restore your standing at a high cost. If not, then you are overcome with sorrow, hysteria, or apathy and exit the Season. However, if you have a high enough **affection score** with a suitor, who’s telling what could happen in the name of love… ## Reputation Tags **Reputation tags** mark your character and impact how others see you. Depending on what reputation tags you have, different suitors may gravitate around you.  Positive reputation tags will always give you a positive AP when **courting a suitor**, even if you don’t actively express that tag in roleplay. On the other hand, negative reputation tags will always give you negative AP when **courting a suitor**, unless you get rid of them.  While **qualities** are personality traits that you must express through roleplay to gain or lose AP while **courting a suitor**, **reputation tags** linger around you, for better or for worse. ## Courting a Suitor 1. Use your **Event Moves** to maneuver yourself into a narrative position where you can interact with a suitor. 2. Roleplay a conversation/interaction with them. No moves are used during the interaction unless an outside force interrupts it. 3. The Rat Regent will secretly log the Suitor’s affection points (AP) based on these things: - +1 or -1 AP if there is positive/negative sentiment built by an earlier move - +1 or -1 AP depending on the initial **approach** - At max +2 and at min. -2 AP,  depending on the **qualities** you exhibit - At max +2 and at min. -2 AP, depending on relevant **reputation tags** - At max +2 and at min. -2 AP,  depending on what **topics** you discuss 4. The Rat Regent will add up these points. Then, they will secretly add a maximum of 5 points or a minimum of -5 points to your affection score with that Suitor. 5. Use **Event Moves** to read the conversation or maneuver to something new. ## Preferences Suitors prefer certain **approaches**, **qualities**, and **topics**. ### Approaches Suitors may prefer different approaches from different genders. Once Suitors are at a certain Affection level, their favored approaches may change. <table> <tr><th>Direct</th><td>Approach with honesty, passion, and/or a lack of manners.</td></tr> <tr><th>Subtle</th><td>Approach with innuendo, control, and/or an excess of politeness.</td></tr> </table> ### Qualities Qualities are personality traits you must show while courting a suitor in order for it to impact your AP. Some suitors may favor certain qualities; others will detest them. <table> <tr><th colspan=2>Qualities</th></tr> <tr><td>Submissive</td><td>Dominant</td></tr> <tr><td>Homely</td><td>Ambitious</td></tr> <tr><td>Pious/Patriotic</td><td>Skeptical</td></tr> <tr><td>Comedic</td><td>Honest</td></tr> <tr><td>Chaste</td><td>Flirtatious</td></tr> <tr><td>Sweet</td><td>Stoic</td></tr> </table> ### Topics <table> <tr><th colspan=2>General Topics</th><th>Suitor Specific Topics</th></tr> <tr><td>Arts & Culture</td><td>Family Life</td><td rowspan=10>(These are unknown without further investigation.)</td></tr> <tr><td>Food & Housekeeping</td><td>Wealth & Industry</td></tr> <tr><td>Military & Combat</td><td>Vices & Pleasure</td></tr> <tr><td>Politics</td><td>Science & Academia</td></tr> <tr><td>Literature & Philosophy</td><td>Games & Tomfoolery</td></tr> <tr><td>Mysticism</td><td>The Church</td></tr> <tr><td>Nature & Wilderness</td><td>Love & Romance</td></tr> <tr><td>Travel</td><td>Music & Dance</td></tr> <tr><td>Current Affairs</td><td>Careers & Discipline</td></tr> <tr><td>The Suitor Themselves</td><td>Your True Emotions</td></tr> </table>