M eguey B aker

Dedicated
to my Mother, Barbara R. Threet, in gratitude for a
childhood rich in fairytales
to my sister Serena R. Torrey, in recognition of years of
shared imaginary space
and to my sons Sebastian, Elliot and Tovey in hope for and
commitment to wonder
Vincent, with you all this and more
My grandfather would have liked to see this, I think.
Albert Walter McKie 19292005
A Thousand and One Nights
a game of enticing stories
2006, 2012 by Meguey Baker
www.nightskygames.com
Illustrations by Claudia Cangini
www.claudiacangini.com
Book design by Meguey and D.Vincent Baker

AThousand
and
ne
ON
ightS
A Game of
Enticing Stories

Meguey B aker

bvr

Preface

This is not a game about Arab culture. I have not set

this game in any real Arabic place, nor any real period
of history. I have not made note of literature, music, or
religion in the text, nor have I made generalizations
about the peoples of the Arab world.
I do not remember a time I did not know the story of
Scheherazade and the Arabian Nights. As a girl, I was
aware of the subtext of a woman keeping herself alive by
her cleverness, and the dangers of abused power. I related
strongly to the shared desperate and dangerous plan,
executed with the help of a sister. In the tales, I loved
the magic and the color and the rich sensual language. In
the winters of upstate New York, I loved reading about
desert oases, and caravans of camels loaded with silk and
jewels. Every lamp might hold a genie, if I rubbed hard
enough, and quilts spread on the floor might fly if I knew
the secret words. I loved saying the names Al-Adin,
Morgiana, Cassim, Dinrazade to myself, feeling the
odd syllables. And then there was the art those beautiful
drawing of women and men in layers of perfectly draped
clothing, turbans, sashes, and curved slippers.
That is what this game is about.
What we make other, we find easy to dismiss or
abuse. What we try to see as just the same, we risk
making colorless and bland. We need the exotic, the
fantastical, to lift us out of ourselves, out of our everyday
experience. We need to delight in what is not familiar,
exploring it for what it is a strange and wonderful
world not our own.

Meguey Baker 2006

Contents

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Introduction 6
Menu 7
Courtiers 9
Names 10
the Senses 13
Clothing 16
Envy 18
Ambition 19
Courtiers in Common 19
Telling Stories 21
Story Seeds 26
Layers Upon Layers 27
Playing the Sultan 30
Ending Stories 33
Live Action Support 37
Violence and Viziers 40
Subtle Gestures 42
Example of Play 45
Summary 57

In the palace of the Sultan are many rooms. In these

rooms are many people, and the people have many
stories. Most intriguingly, many of these people cannot
leave these many rooms. The ornate carved walls
surrounding the fragrant pools and exotic gardens
are high; the lace-like doors are webs of iron; the
delicately cool tones and publicly refined manners raise
the significance of an arched brow to feverish degrees.
This place apart holds the Sultans peace; to disturb it
would be foolish indeed. Yet, beneath the surface of any
still pool are many currents, and this is no exception.
Nights especially can be long in the desert. The sun
sinks, and the relief of evening washes over the palace;
the inhabitants stir themselves, bathe, dress, eat, and
scheme. Music of cymbals, tambours, strings and drums
fills the marble halls. Smoke, perfumed and otherwise,
seeps into thick color-soaked carpets. Coriander, dates,
wine, cardamom, black pepper, coconut, saffron and
mint mingle on the tongue. Oiled skin glows beneath
fine cotton and silk, set off by leather and gold. And
always, the planets dance overhead, taunting in their
freedom high in the cool air. Is it a wonder that those
here turn to tales of mystery and magic, beauty and bold
adventure, to fly away in thought, if only for a time? And,
if ones tale is well told, and brings a favor of one kind or
another, so much the better, is it not so?
Gather three or more players; you may find more than
six unwieldy. Consider the space in which you play: Can
you burn incense or candles? Can you have tart grapes
and dates and honeyed drink and sharp peppery crackers?
Can you have music softly in the background?

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Introduction

Menu

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Food and drink you might consider, evocative of the

setting and appropriate to eat while you play:
coffee, raisin wine, shaved ice with fruit syrups
anise seed drink, mint tea, fruit juices
dates, figs, cashews, walnuts
olive oil with crushed garlic and sea-salt, with
vegetables to dip
saffron rice with cashews and raisins
almond coil cake
hummus and pita
tabouleh bulgur wheat salad with onions, parsley,
lemon, cucumber, mint
grape leaves stuffed with lamb and rice
baklava pistachios and honey pastry
roast goat or lamb with coriander, cumin and pepper
babaganoush roast eggplant pure with spices
zalata yogurt, cucumbers, herbs
lentil and vegetable stew
fried pudding with syrup
rabbit or fowl, marinated and roasted, with herbs and
couscous or rice.
oranges, pomegranates, peaches, grapes, apricots
sugared cubes of jellied fruit
tagine meat or vegetable stew on couscous
grape leaves stuffed with raisins, rice and almonds
honey candy rich with sesame seeds, almonds,
cashews or pistachios

Farida paused before the crystal palace. Somewhere within, her sister
Mariam was captive. The message she had received rang in her mind
like a silver bell Parham is a monster. I have discovered his secret.
Come to me in this manner... The directions had been perfect thus
far. Her heart pounding, she turned to take a last look around the
courtyard before stealing through the open door.

Courtiers

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9

Give each player a pencil and a character sheet or a small

piece of paper. In the middle of the table, put a bowl,
pleasing to look at, and fill it with dice of many colors,
shapes and sizes. These are the gems of the Sultan.
Next, create your characters. There are characters
at two levels in 1001 Nights: Court and Story. The
Court level character is as we are generally familiar with
playing; a character that we give flesh and shape and
temperament. Every player chooses a Courtier from the
following non-exhaustive list:
the Captain of the
the Junior Advisor
Guard
the Cook
the Food Taster
the Aged Nursemaid
the Chronicler
the Serving Girl
the Sultans Newest
the Falconer
Wife
the Perfumer
the Midwife
the Visiting Scholar
the Assistant Physician
the Astrologer
the Chief Eunuch
the Scholar of the
the Water Boy
Koran
the Assistant Gardner
the Chief Poet
the Master of the Hunt
the Historian
the Seamstress
the Favored Musician
the Favored Dancer
If you do not find your desired Courtier here, discuss
it with your fellows, remembering that all the relevant
Court members are confined to the Palace.The Headman
of the Trade Caravan would not be a likely character for
the Court, unless he was the Maimed Ex-Headman,
perhaps. There are some, like the Master of the Hunt
and the Visiting Scholar, who have greater circles of
movement, but are still tethered to the Palace. Consider
also social rank: there are many reasons for a Serving
Girl, the Astrologer, and the Sultans Newest Wife to be
together, youll just have to discover those reasons.

bvr

Names

Choose for your Courtier a name. Remember the

setting, and choose a name that fits the Palace of the
Sultan. Some names are clearly male or female, some are
less distinct; make sure all players know the gender
of all Courtiers, and remember that some may be
eunuchs. You may choose to be precise as to age,
but it is enough to say of your Courtier that they are old,
young, of middle age, venerable, just past youth, or the
like.
Male:
Al-Adin
Ali Cogia
Baba Abdalla
Baba
Mustapha
Nouronnihar
Schan
Ahmed
Hasad
Behman
Schraiaz
Cassim
Female:
Amira
Ismalia
Balsora
Nisam
Serendib
Dinarzade
Nour
Imma
Maimoune
Melia

10

Abdul-Qadir
Mahmoud
Danash
Abdalla
Mustapha
Douban
Gifar
Haroun
Marzaman
Mihrage
Damriat
Perviz

Firouz
Rashid
Sidi
Zouman
Abdul-Latif
Tayyib
Wahid

Badoura
Malika
Zara
Nourigan
Aziza
Morgiana
Parizade
Maryam
Serit
Zoulika

Dina
Cala
Tahirah
Buthaynah
Hadeel
Najla
Rihana

If you feel the need for a character with a full name,

an easy way is to choose Name ibn Fathers Name for a
man and Name bint Fathers Name for a woman. For a
man to be known only as Ibn Fathers Name would be
common and fine. Name al-Adjective is very common
for men, far less so for women. Adding Baba before a
name is a handy familiar honorific, as Uncle would be.
Women are often honored as Umm (mother of) Childs
Name, Name: Umm Rashid Aziza. For nobility, Emir
and Emira, Caliph, Vizier.
For al-X last names:
Najjar carpenter
Ghassani line of
Husayn beautiful
Ghassan
Rabi spring
Suli line of Sul
Abbas frowner
Iskafi Iskafiyah sect
Khalil friend
Sufi Sufi mystic
Azhar shining
Uqlidsi studier of
Basir wise
Euclid
Fayyad generous
Nasrani Christian
Katib scribe/author
Hindi Hindu/Indian
Hakam judge
Rawandi Persian
Walid newcomer
Ikmimi Egyptian
Sagher young
Ifriqi North African
Awar one-eyed
Badawi Bedouin
Darir blind
Rumi Roman
Kabib elder
Sakhawi Eygptian
Hasib respected
Abartai near Baghdad
Abrash leper
Samari from
Mubarak lucky
Sammarkand
Quatan cloth worker
Jurashi Yemen
Hadad blacksmith
Maghribi West
Rashidi line of Rashid
African
Jahmi line of Jahm
Tahiri line of Tahir

11

With a quick twist, Hanifa released the stopper from the jeweled
bottle, her bracelets chiming softly. Scents of cinnamon and sulfur
swirled through the air as the mighty djinn took form out of the
coppery smoke. Her lips curled briefly at the prospect of victory the
djinn did not know her secret, and best if that remained the case until
her task was complete.

theSenses

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Now, to give your Courtier flesh. Consider the senses

Hearing, Sight, Smell, Taste, and Touch. List these on
your paper, and describe each in a short sentence, so: I
wear rows of tiny bells in my clothes to announce
my presence, I am hard of hearing, I love music
My eyes are warm and smiling, I have a piercing
gaze, I have seen death Cinnamon and cloves scent my
skin, I smell always of leather and animals, Strong smells
upset me I love almonds and honey, I can make a rich
and savory meal, I smoke a pipe My hands are delicate
but stronger than they look, I can tell a good horse from a
bad one by feeling its coat, I have deep scars on my arms.
Make sure to describe at least one sense as a physical
attribute, but not all.
Hearing:
My voice has this quality
I am nearly deaf
People confide in me
I am hard to surprise
I know the people of the Palace by their sounds
I can speak many languages
I have overheard dangerous information
I speak with authority
People believe me
These sounds are most pleasing to me
I long for this sound

13

Sight:
My eyes are weak
I have seen this
Little escapes my notice
I am oblivious to what does not immediately concern me
This sight is most beloved to me
I know the worth of this by sight
This one thing about me is visually striking
People overlook me easily
I can read more than one language
I know what you need by the way you look

Smell:
I smell always of this
The scent of this repulses me
I can smell a shift in the weather long before others can
My most favorite scent is this
I am highly sensitive to others emotions
I am easily influenced
My nose has been broken
I am always interested in the lives of others
I know the scent of (birth, death, fear, war, hate)
Taste:
I love this food
I am disgusted by this food
I am addicted to this
I have a taste for forbidden women
My clothes are of the latest fashion
Simplicity pleases me
Subtlety is lost on me
I am jaded and ever searching for the new and exciting
My skin tastes of this
My manners are unrefined
Touch:
I have killed someone
My hands are skilled in this
I can tell the value of a thing by touching it
Animals are uncomfortable around me
I touch things constantly
My palms are moist
I have a diplomatic way about me
I am connected to many people
I am warm, friendly and outgoing
I am chaste

14

15

Mens clothing:
Dishdasha short sleeved loose v-neck gown
Sirwal slim cotton pants, worn as an undergarment
Thobe slim gown with a simple sleeve and short collar,
usually a light color
Vest often matching in material to the kaftan
Kaftan long sleeved loose gown with a square neckline
or a simple slit neck, often highly embroidered, and
usually of wide vertical striped fabric
Mashala elbow-length sleeved long robe of heavier
fabric, highly decorated through the chest, worn as a
coat over a kaftan
Aba wide dark-colored rectangular wrap, slit to form
a back and two equal front sides, generally trimmed
with gold at the neck area
Taksirah short sleeved jacket in rich dark color with
much gold or silver embroidery, open in the front
Taquiyah small white pill-box type cap
Ghutra triangular scarf worn over the cap and secured
by a band
Turban long length of fabric folded, twisted or wrapped
around the cap
Hayim length of fabric folded and tucked as a belt with
pockets, including the dagger
Khanjar a broad curved dagger
Boots thick-soled leather boots with heels

Clothing

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The Sultan commands great trade caravans, bringing

all manner of things practical and fanciful to the Palace.
Cotton, silk, linen, and wool; velvet and gauze and
all weights between, in rich reds, blues, blacks,
purples and oranges; bright pinks, yellows and
greens. Very old cloth wears to soft pastels. Nearly
every garment is embroidered over the chest and upper
back, along seams, at cuffs, and hems in geometric and
abstract organic shapes. Everyone who can afford jewelry
wears it, in rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Choose for your Courtier a garment that is noteworthy
and particular to them.

16

Womens Clothing:
Sirwal slim fitting cotton pants, narrow at the ankles,
worn as an undergarment
Libas very full pants of fine fabric, gathered at the waist
and ankle
Karsh very full skirt, usually in several gathered tiers.
Thobe slim gown with a simple sleeve and short collar,
usually a light color
Abaya gently flaring long gown with flared long sleeves,
all with embroideries
Sirish gown with tight elbow-length sleeves and a low
scooped neckline, tight to the hips then full, worn
over pants
Suriya Mabdu rectangular knee length gown with sheer
sleeves, worn over pants
Vest tight fitting stiffed vest, highly decorated, with any
of several necklines, worn over suriya mabdu
Beladi long gown with long sleeves, slit on the sides,
worn over pants
Kaftan long sleeved loose gown with a square neckline
or a simple slit neck, often highly embroidered
Jillayh gown slightly fitted through the bodice and
flaring from the hips to ankles, buttoned down the
front, worn as a coat
Mashala elbow-length sleeved long robe of heavier
fabric, highly decorated through the chest, worn as a
coat over a kaftan
Aba wide dark colored rectangular wrap, slit to form
a back and two equal front sides, generally trimmed
with gold at the neck area
Veil various lengths of cloth used to cover the hair and/
or face, can be sheer or not
Chador full-body veiling, with a lace, net, or
embroidered screen for the eyes
Slippers (also worn by men) thin soled, embroidered
or decorated leather shoes with slighting up-turned
and pointed toes
Sandals (also worn by men) leather, with moderate
soles and wide straps over the foot leaving the toes
bare

See, Norin, how peacefully he sleeps and how beautiful he is! Surely
my prince is more lovely than your princess! Let us devise a way to
view them side by side, that you may know for yourself his superior
form! Hakim focused on breathing deep and even, his mind racing.
What princess was this the djin spoke of?

bvr

Envy

Now consider all the Courtiers together. Each has a

place, and skills and connections real and imagined.
What must each feel towards the others? What does each
wish of the others place? Does the Cook envy the
Eunuchs soft hands? Does the Scholar long for the
Water Boys simple life? Write down what your
Courtier envies about each of the others and say it out
loud. Note that the Scholar sees only the simplicity of
the Water Boys tasks, not the heavy, wet buckets and the
constantly sore back what your Courtier envies may
not be truth entire.
Envies, for example:
Dauod his well-connected friends
Cassim his fine clothes
Aziza her relaxed friendship with others
Maryam her artistic success
Abdal his rare jewelry
Habib his pretty face
Serit her skill
Rumah her knowledge of the stars
Imma her well-favored children
Tabita her oh-so famous lover
Ahmed his seemingly unshakable faith
Yamina her easy confidence
Mador his access to forbidden things
Shifha her membership in the Sultans inner circle
Nafi his many admirers
Umar his memories of battle and glory
Kalima her innocence and youth
Yuseff his place by the window
Tahir his leisure time
Raziya her position as the Sultans wife

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Courtiers in Common :
The Courtiers you play are known to each other,
as are all in Court, despite differences in rank or
station. They are not necessarily allies or friends;
yet they are not, at the moment, hostile. If you
need other members of Court for a Court scene,
call for volunteers I need my friend the Chief
Gardener in this scene; he is an old man, bent low
but always laughing who will play him? The player
who answers the call does not write up a sheet for the
common Courtier, and if that Courtier is called for
again, a different player may answer. The player who
called for the scene gives a brief and broad outline of the
action, and has authority to close the scene or provide
guidance for the volunteers.

Ambition

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A Courtiers envies drive an Ambition, some grand or

small thing they wish to achieve: I envy the Gardner his
fresh air I wish for access to the garden; I envy the Chief
Eunuch his access to the Sultanas ear I want the
favor of the Sultana; I envy the Scholar her travels
I wish to see her shown up by one more traveled
than she; I envy the Tutor his fine clothes I want to see
them muddied and torn. An Ambition can also elaborate
on one of the Courtiers senses: I long for the sound of
my homeland I want my singing of my native songs to
win renown; I have a taste for men forbidden to me I
desire to lie with the Sultans own bodyguard; I can smell
when you are lying I want to catch the Accountant in a
lie, and be well rewarded for my knowledge.
Make your Courtiers Ambition something they must
strive to achieve, not some triviality easily obtained. In
scope, consider the next week or month or season, such
that the desire is pressing and immediate. Each Courtier
has one Ambition that drives them onward write down
that thing.

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Courtiers
in
Common

19

All the long way home, Ivan could not forget the touch of sorrow in
the Princess eyes. The wonders of the clock-work horse had brought
him far more than he expected, and cost him far more as well. There
was much to consider and decide. Far below, the peasant boy Asad
shouted Look! There it is again! A star in noonday sky!

21

The task of the GM:

As GM, have your Courtier assign roles to the other
Courtiers for the sake of the Story. Here you may further
your Courtiers cause: assign the haughty Astrologer the
role of the humble Sheep-boy, tell the quiet Guard she
admires to play the role of noble Lord, and cast her
rival Handmaid as the Unfaithful Wife. Thus make the
roles of the Story shift and illuminate the alliances of the
Courtiers. Opening the Story is your responsibility, but
have no particular outcome in mind. Cast the Courtiers
into the Story and set them together in the scene, and
then unfurl the Story just before the feet of the players
this is the GMs role.
Remember the five senses and use them often in your
play; they will make for richer gaming. When you are
the GM, start each Story by giving the setting: what
mood at Court, what physical space, what light, what
refreshment, what season and what time of day. Every
object has shape and color, weight and texture; there is
always scent and sound, or else the notable absence.

Telling
Stories

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To pass the time, the Courtiers tell Stories. This is the

Courtiers opportunity to advance their agendas and
achieve their Ambitions. When they are not telling
Stories, they are occupied with their varied tasks,
and yet, there is plenty of room for a Story over
the chessboard, across the bathing pool, or before
a heap of onions on a chopping block. In Stories,
you have the freedom to insult what you wish to insult,
criticize where you wish to criticize, and make yourself
look better than your rival. Here is where you may call a
dangerous person foolish to their face.
When it is your Courtiers turn to tell a Story, that is
when you are the GM.
Draw lots to determine who begins as GM the other
players will get their turns. Everyone begins with three
gems, including the GM.

22

For the start of a Story, you need go no further than

the tales of childhood. Fairytales, nursery rhymes, songs
and poems are all available to you as the beginnings of
Story. Do not have the whole of Humpty Dumpty in
mind, only that an object is broken, and needs mending
beyond the ability of those present. Do not expect it to
be Cinderella, just that it concerns a shoe that will fit
the chosen bride. In this way, you have the opening for a
Story always at hand, but you are free to allow the Story
to unfold into whatever shape it naturally takes.
Naming a Story sets the tone. The Story of the
Celebration of the Fairys Wedding is far different from
The Tale of Mustapha the Demon-killer or Three
Brothers a cautionary tale. It can introduce the
primary characters and their relationships, giving the
Courtiers a moment to grasp their role. Naming a Story
The Woesome Tale of Hakim, a Barber, and his Trusty
Camel lets the players understand that one Courtier will
play Hakim, one a barber, and one will most likely play
the camel.
Begin with the setting of the Courtiers: The Sultan, a
stern man, has just lost an important battle, and his poor
temper fills the Court. We are in a small garden in the
late afternoon. The leaves overhead are thick and green,
the roses nod in the heavy sunlight. A white tray holds
silver cups of mint tea, and theres a rich silk carpet on
the grass, but we keep our voices low. Each player then
describes the appearance and action of their Courtier in
the scene as set. Allow as many vignettes as needed to
hear each Courtier speak and see each Courtier interact
with at least one other Courtier. This provides richness
and context for the pointed tales to come. This may pass
quickly or languidly, as each Court is different. When
naturally a moment of tension or a lull in conversation
arises, or you are called on to do so by your fellow
Courtiers, that is the time for you to step forward with
the Name of the Story. Introduce the Story, and as soon
as is reasonable, assign Story roles: Now hear the Story

The silent princess Noor stood on the balcony as she did every
noontime, gazing with sightless eyes across the square. Umm Sadi
Binah felt the packet in her pocket and stirred up her courage. She had
come this far, she would see it through, and try to gain the reward.
From the shadows of the gate, Vasta the palace guard watched the old
woman s slow approach.

of the Lost Slipper. Our tale begins in the morning in the

Lords household. He has lost his green jeweled slipper,
and is curious where it has gone. He goes to his lovely
wife, a woman easily distracted by frivolous things.
Continue your Story until there arise in your tale
characters equal in number to the other Courtiers in
play. Generally, seize the first opportunity to cast your
fellows into the Story: In the fields outside the palace,
a humble shepherd taking his sheep to graze stumbles
upon a single slipper. Guard Daud, will you play the
great and noble Lord? Astrologer Kuziamah will play the
Shepherd, and you, Sura the Handmaid to the Sultana,
please play the forgetful Wife. If perhaps at your table
there are more players, one might play the capricious
Wind, or even the Slipper itself.
Now wait on the action of the others.
As GM, resolve any conflict within the Story by whim
and chance. Simply pick any gem of any size, declare the
possible outcomes, for example: on a 1-3 this happens,
on a 4-10 this other happens, on a 11-12, this third
thing. You may find it unwieldy to have more than three
outcomes.

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The task of the player:

As the Story unfolds, you may, once per story, reward
the GM for fine work by giving her a gem from the bowl.
This can be for a particularly richly defined scene, a
cleverly executed plot twist, a deftly played Common
Character, or any other thing that inspires your praise.
You can do this at your whim, but explain your reason.
As the Story unfolds, whenever a situation arises
that interests you, take a gem from the bowl and place
it before you on the table. Declare your interest: Im
curious to know if the rabbit got away Ill bet it was the
elder brother Well, was it the lost ring of the Princess?
It falls upon you to know what you have declared; any
gem whose declaration you have forgotten, return that

25

gem to the bowl unrolled. You and another player can

declare interest in the same event, but only if your hands
meet in the bowl.
As the Story unfolds, the events of the Story will
naturally resolve. As your declared interests resolve, one
by one, roll their corresponding gems. Every gem that
rolls Odd, pass these to the GM; every gem that rolls
Even, put these in your own bowl.You have not wagered
on a certain result, merely invested in a point of interest.
Whether the rabbit got away or not, whether it was the
brother or not, whether it was the ring of the Princess or
not if it has been made clear, roll the gem.
A gem on the table is like a coin in the air; when the
coin lands, roll the gem.
At any given moment, each player may have no more
than 5 declared gems. More than this, the declared
interests are too small to be of meaning to the Story. If
a player cannot recall the interest on a gem they have
declared, that gem returns to the Sultans Bowl.
Again, you would do well to keep the five senses in
mind, using shape and color, weight and texture, sound
and scent and flavor to describe your role in the Story.
As GM, you may gain up to 8 declared gems from
each Story you tell; after the eighth gem, return the Odd
gems to the Sultans Bowl.
After the GM has received the 8th gem, as a player you
may declare no new gems. The GM must address all the
declared gems on the table, or create an event at Court
to interrupt the Story. This event must actually be able
to interrupt the Courtiers from their pastime: a letter
arrives, a fight breaks out, it suddenly begins to rain. The
story in process is cut off return all unresolved gems to
the Sultans bowl and go on to the Court scene.
As GM, if you chose to cut off your Story with an
interrupting event at Court, you must return a gem from
your bowl to the Sultans.

bvr

Story
Seeds

26

In telling the Story, you need only a compelling situation

in which the conflict between characters is clear. There
are myriad places you may find these, but it is as easy
as remembering the first tales you knew as a child
nursery rhymes. Trust your story. You need not
create the new and most amazing thing, only show
a diverting and interesting facet of something
familiar and beautiful to you.
Three Blind Mice The Woeful Tale of the Swordsman
beset by Vermin, How the housemaid bested the mouse
king, The three brothers and the ogre, The mouse and
the cook.
Tom, Tom, the pipers son The thief in the night, The
revenge of the pig, How the greedy man was punished
for his ways.
Little Bo Peep The careless shepherdess, How the
djinn stole the Sultans flocks, The search for the spotless
fleece, A lesson in patience.
Hickory, Dickory Dock The Maiden in the Golden
Tower, Twelve Brothers, The journey to the edge of
Time.
The Grand Old Duke of York The Battle of the
Doomed Armies, The eight voyages of Saladin the Lucky,
How the fairy saved the king of Spain.
Lucy Locket The Lost Ribbon, The Careless Maiden
and the Wise Maiden, Kindness Repaid.
Old Mother Hubbard The Sorceress and the
Greyhound, The sad tale of the princess and the terrible
famine, The magic cupboard.
This little piggy The Five brothers and the djin, How
Marjian won the wealth of five counties, The foolish men
and the wise pig.

Interests in Court:
As soon as the chosen storyteller begins the Story,
players may begin to declare interests in the scene
in Court, as well. Use these interests as connecting
threads between the Story and the Court. Some
of these very early interests may be among the
very last to be resolved. Throughout the Story,
players may occasionally declare interest in Court
Does Behman the scholar find the tale beneath
him? Will the Sultana Aziza smile at me? Is Melia the
musician embarrassed by the attention? all of these
are fine. Be more eager to declare interests in the Story
for each gem regarding the Courtiers, have 2 or 3 or 4
regarding the Story. Recall that it is only in the Story that
you may openly act. Remember also the Courtiers, their
appearance and place in the Court.What interests do you
have about their actions or reactions, their moments of
spite or self-revelation?

27

Stories within stories:

On occasion a story is like a flower opening, with
layers inside layers.The great and powerful jiin may agree
to help the noble young prince, but only if the prince can
bring him the answer to the puzzle of the little bird. And
so we set aside the Story of the jiin and the prince to
follow the tale of the bird. When this occasion arises,
handle it as follows.
Firstly, the storyteller of the outer story may not
begin the inner story. The inner story must arise
naturally from the outer, through the actions of the story
characters. When a player seizes the moment to being an
inner story, the first role she must assign is to the first
storyteller Hasad, scholar of the Koran, would you
please play the little bird? Then she assigns other roles
as she chooses from among the story characters Little
Kafia the water-bearer, you are playing the noble prince
Daud; would you now portray the cat who hunts the

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Layers
Upon
Layers

bird? And Ibn Shem the historian, you have shown us

the haughty princess Aziza; now you will play the kindhearted shepherd Aba who rescues the bird. Our story
begins... Note that in casting the inner parts, the inner
storyteller may counter the pointed commentary of the
outer role; clearly this storyteller thinks differently about
Ibn Shem than the first!
Set aside the character sheets, disturbing none of the
gems declaring outstanding interests in the first story or
in court. Take up a card or a small scrap of paper. Write
upon it only the name of the inner Story character and
some characteristic that gives this character direction
for example, Mirriams player might write Aba, a
simple shepherd.
Secondly, these are smaller tales, by necessity fitting
within the arc of the outer story and the time available to
the players. Each player may declare up to three interests
in the inner story, with gems resolving and moving to
the player or the inner storyteller as usual. Further, each
player may begin only one inner story during the course
of the evenings play.
The inner story teller may receive 4 gems in this
way. Gems the outer storyteller receives while playing a
role in the inner story do not count toward the 8 gems
received for telling the outer story, but do go into that
players bowl and are useful in avoiding the Sultans
wrath and striving for the thing desired.
Last, a note of caution: As with any unfolding flower,
what is inside may be larger that it first appears. If time
is a concern, agree between the players that there will be
no stories within stories for this session.

28

Beset by rogues in her own chambers, Nurinisa, the Queen of

Marakanda, stood as tall and still as the evergreen trees in the gardens
beyond her windows. Around her feet, her servants shivered, their
fear-filled voices shrill as mice. The men before her were greedy-eyed.
intent on their presumed prize and utterly blind to the danger they
were in.

O great and mighty Sultan, lord of all you survey, by

whose whim we breathe, through whose grace we are
inspired to tales of wonder and delight, grace us with
your presence and walk amongst us!
And herein lies the making of the Sultan. The
Sultan is noble indeed, but still a mortal. So, the
player who portrays the Sultan describes him as any
other member of the Court, with the senses and
the garments, the envies and the ambition. The Ambition
of the Sultan may lie outside the Court, naturally, but
there are no doubt things close to home that he wants
to achieve that would be politically difficult to do openly
focus on these. He may travel as he wishes, as he is
the Sultan, but this is not true freedom the chains of
his rule are ever on him. For Freedom, it is relief from
the unwanted obligations and constant observation
that he wishes, to move as merely a man, unnoted and
unhindered. In the place of Safety, however, he risks
an attempt on his life. In the first instance, there is an
attempt on his life. In the second, he is wounded. In the
third, the attack is successful. And, as he is set somewhat
above other mortals, and must safe-guard his person and
his realm with care, he must have two dice turn up even
to ensure his Safety instead of merely one.
In the telling of the Story, the Sultan may declare
interests as any member of Court, but when his interest
is answered, he does not roll. Instead, he decides if
the outcome pleases him, and awards the gem to the
Storyteller at his whim. If it is not to his liking, he returns
the gem to the bowl. The Sultan may declare interests to
direct the story, as any Courtier, but he is also watching
to discover things about his Courtiers, how they behave,
where their secrets lie. If he so chooses, the Sultan may
himself offer a Story, commanding a place out of turn to
do so. He may receive up to 8 gems as usual while he is
the GM, but they act as markers only, and he does not add
them to his gems for the sake of divvying between Safety,
Freedom, and Ambition. When the Sultan is in play, at

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Playing
the
Sultan

30

the close of the Story, all other players roll the dice they
have. Any even dice, those that would otherwise return
to the Sultans gems, go instead to the Sultan, to divide
between his Safety, Freedom, and Ambition. Naturally,
his numbers are higher, as his reach is greater.
Sultan, think on your realm. Is it at peace? At war? In
a time of plenty or of want? Then think on your person.
Are you generous or jealous? A sharp handler of your
resources, or prone to vast displays that over-reach
for the sake of show? Have you many strong sons and
beautiful daughters, or has fate withheld those riches
from you? Are you a pious man, temperate and merciful,
or are you fallen into vice and vengeance? Decide these
things, and note them as needed on your character sheet.
Be sure that all present know your nature; it lies with you
to describe the situation at Court at the opening of play,
and as needed throughout the storytelling.
A note: The Sultan is best suited to a game of 5 or
6 players; more, and his wealth tends to come easily,
keeping him safe and fulfilling his desires. Fewer, and his
life hangs on every turn of the tale.
It hardly needs saying that a woman may portray the
Sultan as well as a man. or that the Sultana may be the
one to hold this Court.

31

Arianna clasped the fallen Dinrazel in her arms. The blood on the sand
was dark and mixed with her tears. The quest for water for her people
had taken an unexpected turn, and she was faced with a choice she had
not foreseen. A short way off, her loyal servant Basha al-Rumi wept
into his worn sleeve.

Ending
Stories

pvr
33

At the close of a Story, all players:

Divvy the gems in your bowl between Safety, Freedom
and Ambition.
Once you have divided your gems, be forthright in
your nearness to victory. Hey, if all these come up
Even, Ill win the game.
You may block another Courtiers Ambition
Ambition only, not Safety or Freedom by returning any
one of your own gems to the bowl, taking with it two of
the gems they have assigned to Ambition. More than one
Courtier may block any Courtier, but you may not block
the same Courtier twice.You must most assuredly frame
a Court scene, showing how your Courtier interfered
with the others Ambition.
Roll the gems in Safety: At least one must be Even,
or the displeasure of the Sultan falls upon your Courtier.
The first time there are no Evens, your Courtier loses
favor with the Sultan; make one mark on your sheet. The
second time, the Sultan is displeased make a second
mark. The third time, make the third mark, and the
Sultan has your Courtier beheaded for their offense.
Roll the gems in Ambition: For every Even, your
Courtier may advance towards their Ambition. Your
Courtier needs 5 Even gems over the course of play to
achieve their Ambition.
Roll the gems in Freedom: Keep track of Evens, in
hope of gaining 7 Even gems.Your Courtier needs 7 Even
gems over the course of play to achieve the Freedom to
leave Court as you wish.
Discard your Evens back to the Sultans bowl; keep
your Odds in your own bowl, where they stay through
the next Story and into the next Court scene.

Court level:
Every player now plays their Courtier at Court,
showing the effects of the rolls just cast and thus the
Story just told. Your Courtier has angered the Sultan?
Show how that came to pass. Your Courtier has
progressed toward her Ambition? Let us see her success,
or the steps she has made on that path.Your Courtier has
made a small gain on his road to Freedom? Reveal the
hardship he has undergone to reach even this, or the little
concessions given him.
Begin the next story. Consider first the players who
have not yet had a turn as GM. Of them, the player with
the least gems becomes the next GM. Should there be a
tie, choose the player to the left of the last GM. Turn to
that player and have your Courtier invite their Courtier
to tell a story. If you like, challenge them to make their
story follow from the one before but of course that
reminds me of the story of Asim and the wild boar, does
it not you? This is also the place for the subtle barbed
politeness and carefully veiled comments that Courtiers
can say, whereas in the Story, they may speak more
freely.
The new GM then takes over, and sets the scene in
Court for the next Story. The mood may have shifted
since the last tale, especially if the Sultans peace was
disturbed, and someone was reprimanded for it. The
new GM may move the whole Court forward in time,
eclipsing days or years between the first Story and the
next.

34

The end:
Once the Sultan Beheads a Courtier, or a Courtier
achieves their Ambition, or a Courtier wins their
Freedom to come and go, the game is over. Each of you
now narrate an Epilogue for your Courtier where do
we leave them in their envies, their ambitions, and their
quest for freedom?

If you would like to continue playing with the same

Courtiers, you may, except the Courtier who is now
gone from Court. When you are the player of the
Courtier who is Free or Beheaded, choose another
character, and devise new Envies and Ambitions between
the new and existing Courtiers. All continuing Courtiers
may change the Envies they feel towards one another,
and Ambitions if they feel so inclined, but all must define
what they Envy about the new Courtier. The next GM
then sets anew the scene at Court, reflecting the shifting
list of Courtiers and the tone at Court.

35

Beloved! You have returned at last! Where were you this long month
gone? Catching rats at the command of the Sultana. And was your
mission a success? Yes my love the vermin are disposed of, and I am
richly rewarded.

To portray the Court more fully, bringing it to life, follow

the steps below. Someone will play the Sultan, and it may
be necessary to have some other players portray Viziers
to the Sultan more will be revealed about them
soon. Your guests will benefit from a familiarity
with the rules beforehand, if possible. If not, tell
them to recall the stories of childhood, the rhymes
and songs and make-believe, and to think on the
Tales of the Arabian Nights, and they will be served
well enough. At the back of the book there is a list of
supplies you will need as host.
Gather this information prior to the day, so that you
may best consider the feeling at Court: your guests choice
of Courtier, the name, and the descriptive phrases for
the five senses. If you have some favored dancers, a poet,
some foreign princes, and the cook, that reflects perhaps
a different Court than one that contains war veterans,
hawk-masters, and the sultans daughter. Direct them to
come attired for the Court of the Sultan, and to perhaps
bring a dish appropriate to the theme. Prepare the space
in which you are to play in the best ways you are able, to
evoke the Palace of the Sultan. You may choose to play
the Sultan, but you are not obligated to do so only be
sure that someone with a full understanding of the game
does. For a group of up to ten. the Sultan appoints one
Courtier a Vizier. For each aditional five players, The
Sultan appointes one aditional Vizier.
When all of your guests have arrived, and as needed for
the group, tell to them the rules around the gems of the
Sultan, the role of the Storyteller, and the three objectives
of each Courtier Safety, Freedom and Ambition. Allow
each player a minute or two to introduce the Courtier
they are portraying for the evening, that each will know
the other members of the Court. Proceed with the rest
of the character creation, what is envied and what is the
desired ambition of each Courtier. Have each player
write these things on a character sheet, copied from the

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Live
Action
Support

37

38

back of this text, that they can keep secret about their
person.
If you have ample time, have the members of Court
introduce themselves, and then simply enact their
lives together for half an hour or so, all the envies and
ambitions might naturally emerge. Have some chime or
bell ring when the time is up, and at that time write out
the envies and ambitions.
If you are more pressed for time, write out each envy
directly after hearing each introduction, and the ambition
once all the Courtiers have introduced themselves. Also,
if there are a large number of people, perhaps over ten,
have each Courtier write out only the four most pressing
envies, assuming others to be less urgent.
After everyone has written down their envies and
ambition, reveal them in the following manner: the
Sultan gives one of the Viziers a small hand-mirror and
requests the Vizier to use this magic mirror to peer within
the hearts and minds of his Courtiers, so that all things
are known to the great Sultan. The Vizier then accepts
the mirror, and passes it to one of the Court, selected at
random by the Vizier. The chosen Courtier then discloses
the envies and the ambition written on their sheet clearly
for all to hear before passing the mirror on to the next
person. This repeats until all present have revealed their
envies and ambitions, including the Vizier tasked with
this undertaking, who goes last but for the Sultan. For
groups of more than ten, consider splitting into two
smaller groups for this step. In this case, the Viziers must
report all ambitions publicly to the Sultan before play
begins.
When the mirror returns to the hand of the Sultan,
he tells his own envies and ambition, and sets aside
the mirror, now full of secrets, for safe-keeping. All
players now know the hidden side of the Court, but the
Courtiers must not assume they know these things told
into the Sultans mirror. In the stories soon to be told,
few or many may be made clear.

39

Then, the next phase begins. If there are fewer

people, perhaps up to six, consider staying in one room
and telling the Stories as in the regular game. If there
are many people, split into smaller groups, to better use
the time available and to give each tale its chance. Each
group must include the Sultan or at least one Vizier.
Have bowls of gems in various rooms or locations so that
each group may tell a tale complete to the apportioning
of gems and noting the Courtiers safety and progress
toward freedom and ambition.
As each Story ends, all players in that story return to
the main room and continue play as their Courtier. Once
everyone has returned from the first round of Stories,
the Court scenes take place, following the outcome of
the gems. The Sultans will is made known in regard to
each Courtier; the Viziers report to the Sultan the actions
of the Courtiers in the location that Vizier observed, that
the Sultan may pass judgement upon the Courtiers as he
sees fit.
An idea of how it might look:
Habib, Amia, and Daud have finished their story,
watched by Vizier Asan. It turns out Habib has done
something deserving rebuke, Amia is closer to attaining
her ambition, and Daud is closer to winning his freedom.
In another room, The Sultan has taken part in the story
told by Sulima, who has incurred his wrath for a second
time, along with Nizam, who is closer to her freedom.The
Sultan receives gems only for Stories in which he takes
part.When everyone comes back,Vizier Asan presents to
the Sultan the error of Habib, the praiseworthy actions of
Amia, and the hard work of Daud. The Sultan then makes
judgments accordingly on all Courtiers.
After passing judgment, and seeing the Court scenes
that play out accordingly, the Sultan directs which people
go in which groups for the next round of stories. This is a
power of the Sultan, to move his Courtiers at whim.

When a member of Court has won her freedom, or

achieved his ambition, or lost their head, this scene must
play out. Following that scene, the game naturally ends.
Players may decide to continue the game if there
is a dominant desire to do so, and the Sultan wills
it. If the Courtier can devise another ambition, all
carries on as before. If the Courtier is dead or has
left Court, this player becomes a Kapuji, able to declare
interests and report to the Sultan, but unable to receive
gems, and all else continues as above. This is a dangerous
Courtier, for he or she has nothing to lose be wary of
the Kapuji! Further, do not actually commit violence to
each other, but let words alone carry the tale, and the
Sultan alone decree the death of a players Courtier, in
keeping with the Story. Note: If a Storyteller chooses
to interrupt a story with an event in Court, that event
must be conveyed immediately to the Sultan, who then
may choose to interrupt the other Stories or not, at his
whim.

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on Violence
and Viziers

40

Playing a Vizier:
In a larger group, have one player in five play a Vizier.
The Viziers are no different from any other member of
Court, they merely have more work to do and more
power with which to do it. They are characters as any
other, with ambitions and envies. They declare interests
and take part in the stories as any Courtier, and they
are also the eyes and ears of the Sultan, and the people
know it. Be wary, Viziers, that this does not lead you
to corruption, for you may find yourselves under the
displeasure of the Sultan or the contrivance of your
fellows!
After the Courtiers are introduced publicly, the
Sultan decides which characters are the Viziers. The little
handmaiden may turn out to be the most trusted Vizier
of the Sultan, while the grand philosopher may not be
accorded this honor.

What have you to offer us, o man? Maboud gazed at the Serpent
Queen in fear and wonder. The snakes of her court swayed, their jewellike scales flickering in the strange light. He swallowed, tasting blood.

There are times when the Storyteller or the players

listening wish a greater degree of description, or to
provide other direction. Without disrupting the flow to
the tale, these gestures can encourage the speaker
to include more of what is wanted. Incorporating
this technique provides another way to enrich the
experience for all. Teach the gestures first, then use
them, reminding each other as needed.
These are particular to the characters, their physical
expression and their state of mind. This applies to both
the Courtiers, the story roles they portray, and any
common characters that appear in the scene.
Two fingers of one hand, tapped twice on the relevant
body part to request a focus on that sense:
beside the eye the colors and shapes of a thing
beside the nose the smells in the scene
beside the mouth flavors if obviously relevant; the tone
and manner of the speech if not clearly about food
beside the ear the sounds in the scene not related to a
person
on the fingertips of the opposite hand the texture of a
thing, or what the character physically feels
Two fingers traced vertically down a few inches from
the base throat please describe further the clothing and
appearance of the character.
Two fingers tapped to the heart please show the
emotions of the character.
Two fingers across the corner of the brow please
share the thoughts of the character.
These assist with the overall description of the stories
and the actions, being useful to all players :
Outline the hills in the air before you, make a series
of small arcs with two fingers please describe the
scenery, including such things as the immediate place,
the time of day, the season, or anything particular to this
setting.

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Subtle
Gestures

42

A knock at the door knock twice on the table

please move to the action. This is not to be used to rush
a scene, but to gently remind a player that each scene has
a reason, and to come to the reason.
Come to stillness on the table or in the air, make
a zigzag that moves towards you and comes to a stop,
diminishing as it does please draw to a close and bring
this bit to its conclusion
Step up extend the hand palm up, and raise it slightly
toward another player, as if resting on the next stair above
the original place invite another player who has been
quiet for some time to take the floor and contribute.
Step back extend the hand palm up and turn it
toward your body palm down, as if closing a book
recognize that you have been speaking, and convey your
readiness to hear from other players

43

The three sisters arrived at the garden of their mother, weary from
their long flight. Wait! cried the youngest. I hear something! Ah,
Kalima, said the eldest, Do not fuss so! I want to bathe! Come on!
Poor Duban, dirty and bedraggled, hid behind a tree in the garden as
the great birds descended. He watched astonished as each bird, on
lighting at the edge of the pool, lay aside its dusty feathers as if laying
aside a cloak, and stepped into the water a beautiful maiden!

Chris, Robin, Greg and I are starting a game of 1001

Nights. We meet at Chris and Robins at 6 p.m.. I bring
carrots, hummus and pita, Greg brings grapes and
peppery crackers, Chris and Robin have almond
cake, tea, juice and coffee. The living room has
comfortable chairs and a small table, and theres a
faint scent of incense in the air.
I start by reading the first few paragraphs of this book
aloud. We need a big bowl for the Sultans Gems, and
a small bowl for each of us. Chris gets a silver metal
bowl and four small glass bowls. Each person takes
three gems, the rest go into the big bowl. Dice rattle
and sparkle as they tumble into the Sultans Bowl. Now
we choose our Courtiers.

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Example
of Play

Decide in public who is

playing which Courtier.
While it is reasonable to
have two undercooks, there
can be only one favored
dancer. There can easily be
the Favored Dancer and the
Former Favored Dancer,
however. Also give a little
thought to the circumstances
that bring these Courtiers
together brainstorm this
together until everyone is
clear.

Robin: I want to be the Favored Dancer.

Chris: Im going to be an Old Advisor to the
Sultan.
Me: Like an accountant or something?
Chris: Sure, an Accountant to the Sultan!
Me: I think Im going to be a Eunuch, trusted
with the Sultans womenfolk.
Greg looks over the list: Hm. Ill be the Assistant
Cook in charge of pastry.
Ok, we all need names, and then we write a short
descriptive sentence about ourselves for each
sense, and describe our most notable item of clothing.
The players write and think for a while.

Chris: Ok, Im Baba Mubarek. Hearing: My voice is gruff

and measured. Sight: Im slowly going blind due to
cataracts. Smell: I smell like old coins. Taste: I have
a weakness for candied apricots. Touch: I can tell the
number of the coins by the weight of the bag. My aba
is dark blue and edged with silver.

45

Robin: Nour bint Ahmed ibn Haroun is the current

favorite dancer at Court. She has long lustrous black
hair and when she dances she seems to shine from

within. She loves to walk in the rose gardens Im

stuck on the hearing bit She loves the new paisley
cottons. She doesnt like to be touched. She often
wears saffron colored libas.
Greg: How about something to do with music for her
hearing?
Do all character creation in
public, so all players have all Chris: Yeah, like shes always hearing drums or
the information.
something.
Robin: Ok. She often looks like shes listening to
Take time here to help
something you cant hear.
each other if needed, and
make suggestions if asked.
Some people will have an
easier time than others, and
everyone must complete
their Courtiers before play
can begin.

Me: I am Hasad al-Azhar, a most trusted eunuch

of the Sultans harem. I have seen a thousand
secret things. The scent of raw meat disgusts
me. I know the voice of everyone in the Palace. I
prefer lovers from outside travelers, tradesfolk,
or visitors. My skin is nearly black and highly
polished, accented by brass jewelry. My favorite kaftan
is emerald and gold striped silk. And I favor a small
checked turban to match.
Chris: Cool!
Greg: Im Umm Sidi Balsora
Robin:Youre female?
Greg: Yes. Im the assistant cook in charge of pastry. Ive
seen great cities in my childhood. My sons clean hair
is my favorite smell. I sing while I work. Whoever
tastes my cooking is content. My arms are strong and
my hands are sure. I wear a dark karsh skirt and a loose
patchwork shirt in the manner of my homeland.

46

Me: Excellent! Now, what do we all envy about each

other?
Robin: Well, Nour envies Umm Sidi Balsora her freedom
to eat as much as she likes.
Greg: Umm Sidi Balsora envies Nour her easy physicality,
and imagines her talking with people from all over.
Robin: I also envy Hasads connections; he seems to
know everything. And Baba Mubareks secure place in
the Sultans eyes.

Chris: Baba Mubarek envies Nours youth and beauty,

Umm Sidis family, and Hasads access to the What the Courtiers envy can
harem.
be big or little things, and
Me: Well, obviously I envy Baba Mubareks intact may not even be true. Envy is
in the eye of the beholder.
state.
Chris: Obviously.
Me: I also envy Umm Sidi Balsoras security below the
Sultans gaze, and Nours innocence. What else does
Umm Sidi Balsora envy, Greg?
Recall that what one envies,
Greg: I envy Baba Mubareks leisure time and they
wish for themself. How
Hasads rich clothes.
might Nour gain Hasads
seeming connections,

Me: All right. Now, out of these things we envy,

or Baba Mubarek usurp
figure out what your Courtiers Ambition is, Umm Alis family? Envy is
something that builds up
big or small. My Ambition is to get the dirt on
over time, and is expressed
Baba Mubarek.
in a thousand and one small
Robin: Nour wants power and security; shes all ways; slights, jibes, pointed
about Ambition, because she knows this is her jests, subtle movements and
countermoves.
moment. She wants her place in Court made
sure, so that she doesnt fall out of favor and
get forgotten. Oh, Ive got it she wants to be made
dancing master.
Chris: Hmm. Baba Mubarek wants to sleep with Nour.
Robin: Oh really!
Greg: My Ambition is to see my son return to my
homeland.
Me: Greg, that seems kinda long-term. What does Umm
Sidi Balsora want in the next week?
Greg: Ok. I want to be paid for my work right now I
get room and board, but I want to save up money to
send my son back home. So I want recognition and a
stipend...No! I want the Sultan to legitimize our son,
and raise him accordingly!
Chris: Cool!
Greg:Yeah, as soon as I said recognition it was clear.
I say, as the first GM, I get to set the scene. You can add
to it when its your turn to GM.

47

When setting Ambitions, be

specific. To be happy is not
specific enough. Also, short
term Ambitions work better
in play than long-term ones.
Hasad and Baba Mubareks
Ambitions will lead directly
to character action, whereas
Umm Sidis is less direct.
Very simple things make
fine Ambitions break this
persons nose, be served first
at a feast, have nicer shoes
than that person. If you are
uncertain, think about the
next week or month of the
Courtiers life, and what they
want in that timeframe.
Be thorough in the first
description of the Court
setting the mood, physical
health and general outlook
of the Sultan, the political
scene, and the Palace itself.
This gives a good framework
for the rest of the game.You
do not need to detail every
rug and wall, only whether
the rugs are new and fine,
old and worn, old and rare,
new and flashy, muted, soft,
uncomfortable on the eyes
that sort of thing. This
leaves room for the next GM
to add to the Court setting
while giving all players a
sense of the place. Be sure to
include some clear indication
of the season and time of day
in the example, it is during
the rainy season, just after
dinner.

48

The Sultan is happy and at peace just now.

There have been good rains lately, which means
good grazing for the Sultans herds, ample food
for the people, and lush gardens in the Palace. The
rains also have kept any raiders or rebels at bay.
Its been a good time for politics, and there has
been a visiting dignitary here for the past week,
leaving within a few days. This Sultan is wellestablished and fairly competent; his Court runs
smoothly and he deals quickly with any upset in
his Palace or his lands.
The Palace reflects that in the dcor, which
is quiet and strong, showing wealth in excellent
wood and stonework more than in bright tassels
and flashy ornaments. The colors of the cushions
and soft furnishings are deep jewel tones dark
sapphire blues, purples, emeralds, and garnet
reds, accented with pearls and small bits of gold.
The Sultan has an interest in art, especially hunting
scenes, and has a gallery for his collection, which
include works from far beyond his own lands. He
is also fond of clean scents, so cedar and pine and
vanilla and citrus dominate, rather than heavier
things like amber and rose and musk.
Chris: So basically its too good to last.
I laugh. Ripe fruit ready to go rotten. Ok,
we are relaxing towards the end of a feast. Nour
danced, Umm Sidi Balsoras pastries were a hit,
and Baba Mubarek got to say something advisory a
few hours back. Im here to look out for anything
inappropriate. The Sultan is deep in a game of
chess in the adjoining room, watched by half the
Court. Theres still food around, and other people
talking in groups. Theres a musician playing at the
far end of the room. I stretch and settle where I
can watch everyone. Where are you all?

Nour (Robin): Im sitting near Baba Mubarek, as far

from Umm Sidi as I politely can. Gotta align myself with
the upper folk.
Baba (Chris): Im totally checking you out, but After you have set the scene,
only out the sides of my eyes. I dont want allow your players to place
their characters. This is the
Hasad coming down on me.
time we officially see
Umm Sidi (Greg): Im sitting on the floor on a thefirst
characters in play, which
little cushion, by a bowl of fruit and figs. So, a can be revealing. The length
story! Lets have a story!
of this initial Court scene can
Nour (Robin): I look pointedly from the food vary; give everyone a chance
to speak and act before the
to Umm Sidi. Not enough to distract you very
first Story. Sometimes
here tonight, Umm Sidi Balsora? Theres the
thats enough, sometimes
slightest hint of disdain in my tone.
youll want more interaction
Umm Sidi (Greg): I pop a fig in my mouth and to establish the characters.
lick my fingers, seeming to enjoy it more than
maybe I actually do.
Baba (Chris): I pat Nour on the knee. Dont worry my
dear, there are plenty of juicy figs to go around.
Umm Sidi (Greg): Oh ho!
Nour (Robin): Pat me on the knee, is it? I look acid.
Hasad (me): I clear my throat and look coolly at Baba
Mubarek. Ill tell a tale. This is the tale of the Sage,
the Student, and the Stubborn Camel. Once upon a
time, a young student raised an orphan camel. The
student, call him Abib, doted on this camel fed him
from a flask, washed him in rosewater, and gave the
camel his own robe as a cover against the chill of night.
Now, the time came when the student Abib had reason
to call on his old teacher. He took the camel With subsequent Stories,
the GM can launch
with him, as ever he did, and traveled to the though,
directly into a Story after
cave of the Sage. On arriving, Abib called out O describing the setting. Use
master! I have returned! Please, hear me! The any of the traditional story
Sage bid him enter, and so he did, the half-grown opening phrases: Once upon
a time, Our story begins,
camel following as ever he did. Well! A camel, in Here
is a tale, The story of, I
the cave of a wise man? It was too much! Out once knew a man who, etc.
with that beast, Abib! What have you brought
me? said the sage, his brows knit tight. But the camel
sat down, and would not be budged. Baba Mubarek,

49

please play the camel. Nour, you are the young Abib,
and Umm Sidi Balsora the sage.

Set the stage for the Story

as thoroughly as you did the
Court. Again, pay attention
to the senses, the season, and
the time of day.

Baba (Chris): The camel! Hmph. All right.

Nour (Robin): I make some reassuring gesture.
Thats all right, Im sure youre a most dignified
camel. And sweet-smelling, too.
Umm Sidi (Greg): Here, boy, take this camel out at
once!
Nour (Robin): But teacher, it is a poor orphan camel that
I have raised from a babe. Surely I am right in treating
such an unfortunate beast with tenderness.
Baba (Chris): I break wind.
Hasad (me): The stench is mighty in the small space,
ruffling the curtain at the caves mouth.
When you choose a Story
and assign Story roles, keep Nour (Robin): Ha! I wonder if the sage leaves
in mind what you envy of the before the camel! (Robin takes a white gem from
other Courtiers and what
the Sultans bowl and places it before her.)
your Ambition is the Story
Umm Sidi (Greg): Ack! Smell what your camel
is where you can be more
pointed, where you can make has done! I wave my hands before my face and
your attacks on those you
back towards the door. I think you had best leave.
wish to bring down or flatter You have not the wisdom to let a camel return to
those you wish to use.
its own kind; I think you have not the wisdom to
continue as my student! I bet Abib and the sage
dont
part well. (Greg takes a yellow gem from the
A Story can be any nursery
rhyme, fairytale, song, or
Sultans bowl and places it before him.)
poem you know well. In
Nour (Robin): I pull on the camels lead. Come,
the example, the story is
based on Mary Had a Little Petal, you must get up.
Lamb.. There is a student, a Baba (Chris): Im tired from the journey here. I
teacher, and a devoted but pull back, shaking my head and pulling you closer
unruly pet the three Story to me. Sand flies everywhere. Does Abib drop the
characters needed for the
rope? (Chris takes a black gem from the Sultans
three Courtiers.
bowl and places it before him.)
Hasad (me): The sand flies, stinging your eyes, Abib.
The rope is rough in your hands and behind you your
teacher is growing more angry by the moment.
Nour (Robin): I drop the rope and turn to prostrate
myself at my teachers feet Forgive me! I am at a loss
without your guidance!

50

Baba (Chris): Ha! (Chris rolls the black gem, for does
Abib drop the rope? Even goes to his bowl, Odd goes
to my bowl. He rolls Even.)
Once the Story roles are cast,
give the Story characters
Umm Sidi (Greg): Im flattered, but still Im
a
moment to adjust, then
waving my hand by my face. What were you
follow their lead. Trust
thinking, that a camel is like a man? A camel is your Story, and dont worry
a camel, and should be treated like a camel! I too much you know this
Story well enough to tell it
swat the camel on the rump.
backward.
Baba (Chris): I snort in surprise and ordinance,
and bolt from the cave, tearing the curtain in
the process.
When a gem is declared,
Nour (Robin): Drat! (Robin rolls the white gem,
thats a cue to what the
for I wonder if the sage leaves before the player finds interesting.You
camel! Even goes to her bowl, Odd goes to can use those cues to help
drive the Story. Let the Story
mine. She rolls Even.)
play out, and most of them
Umm Sidi (Greg): Well, the camel is out, but now should resolve naturally. If
my curtain is torn. And there goes your spoiled your players declare wildly
incongruous things, or dull
camel, running in the brush.
or overly simple
Nour (Robin): I run after the camel calling Petal! thingsthings,
(Is the water wet?),
Come back Petal! Do I catch him? (Robin puts
Remember that you can
spend a gem from your bowl
forward a brown gem.)
Hasad (me): Petal, bits of plants get caught in your to have the Sultan interrupt
your Story.
coat, making you uncomfortable. Abib, your
shoes fill with sand as you run. Overhead, clouds
begin to gather.
Baba (Chris): And how soon does it rain? I think Abib gets
soaked. (Chris puts forward a sparkly gem)
Hasad (me): Well, lets see. (I take a gem from the
Sultans bowl.) 1 or 2, right now; 4-8, in a bit; 9 or
10, it holds off until you get home. (I roll a 3.) Ah,
you are in luck. The rain holds until you catch up with
Petal, at the bottom of the hill.You come back to your
teacher only mostly soaked. (I return the gem to the
Sultans bowl.)
Robin rolls the brown gem, for do I catch him? Even
goes to her bowl, Odd goes to mine. She rolls Odd. It
is my 1st gem gained.

51

Chris rolls the sparkly gem, for I think Abib gets soaked.
Even goes to his bowl, Odd goes to mine. He rolls
Odd. It is my 2nd gem gained.
Umm Sidi (Greg): I throw up my hands What am I to
do with such a student as you? You are soft-hearted
to a fault. Fix my curtain, and we shall see about your
next lesson.
Nour (Robin): I stake Petals rope securely outside, and
start on the curtain.
Baba (Chris): I start eating the flowers.
Umm Sidi (Greg): No! Not my prize apricots! Are you
blind, you stupid camel?! Dont you know too many
will make you sick? (Greg takes a blue gem from the
Sultans bowl and sets it before him.)
Nour (Robin): I run out holding the curtain. Petal, what
are you doing now?
Umm Sidi (Greg): Eating my prize apricots, thats what!
Baba (Chris): I keep eating. Do I get sick?
Hasad (me): You feel a little uncomfortable. The lilies
look torn and chewed on, whats left of them. There
are muddy brown puddles around from the rain, and
its still sprinkling slightly.
Baba (Chris): When Abib comes over to check on me,
Im going to lean on him. (Chris says to Robin,
Keep in mind other
Courtiers quirks and bring Babas leaning all over you, brushing your shoulder
them into the Story. Greg with his cheek.)
introduced the apricots here
Umm Sidi (Greg): Lean on him right into the mud,
to get at Baba Mubarek;
Chris is playing right along. I bet! (Greg takes a red gem from the Sultans
Make broad and pointed
bowl.)
references, pointing out the Nour (Robin): I dodge your head, waving my arms
flaws or virtues you see in
wildly to avoid falling. I drop the curtain, though.
your fellow Courtiers
(Robin says, I dodge Baba too. Robin pantomimes
Nour leaning away, her nose wrinkling ever so
slightly.)
Greg rolls the red gem, for lean on him right into the
mud, I bet! Even goes to his bowl, Odd goes to mine.
He rolls Odd. It is my 3rd gem gained.
Umm Sidi (Greg): I shake my fists. You foolish young
man! Now look at my curtain!

52

Hasad (me): The curtain settles gently into a puddle, the

water soaking through the colors.
Remember your Courtier.
Nour (Robin): I throw myself in the mud Oh Speak and act for them, as
great teacher! How can I make it up to you? I well as for their Story Role.
am not worthy to be your student!
Umm Sidi (Greg): I wait a long time before answering.
At last I say. I got that curtain from a certain jinn that
lives in the tree by the river of gold, far to the east.
If you replace my curtain, you are fit to remain my
student. If you do not, I forbid you, and your camel,
from setting foot within 500 paces of my home for the
rest of your days. Understood?
Nour (Robin): I scramble up covered with mud but
smiling broadly. O, you will not be sorry, my teacher!
I will return with a new curtain, I swear it! Come,
Petal! I take your lead rope.
Baba (Chris): No. I look pouty. Im not feeling well.
Greg rolls the blue gem, for dont you know they will
make you sick? He rolls Odd and gives it to me. Its
my 4th gem gained. He also rolls the yellow gem, for
I bet Abib and the sage dont part well. It is Even,
and he puts it in his bowl.
For the sake of brevity, we will skip to the end. Let
us assume Abib and Petal made it to the jinn
Feel free to add new
and secured a new curtain for the Sage. Let us characters to the Story as
further assume that Hasads (my) description of needed, played by you or
the river of gold inspired Robin to reward me assigned to the Courtiers as
you wish. Dont overload
with one die.
your players, though
theyre already playing a

Hasad (me): And so the camel learned to stay Courtier playing a Story role;
outside, and Abib managed to learn to treat more than one or two bit
parts might be burdensome.
animals as animals and men as men.

53

Me: Now we divvy up our gems between Safety,

Ambition and Freedom. Im putting three in safety,
four in Ambition, and five in Freedom.
Robin: Ill do four in Safety, six in Ambition, and two in
Freedom.
Greg: Two in Safety, five in Ambition, two in Freedom.

Chris: Boy, I dont know three in Freedom, three in

Ambition, four in Freedom.
Robin: Hey Chris, Im going to spend a gem to return
two of your Ambition gems to the bowl; I think
Remember that first
Umm Sidi made Nour look foolish in that Story.
everyone divvies and says
whether they might win,
then anyone can block
Ambitions, then everyone
rolls.

54

Me: Ok, now we all roll. I got one in Safety

whew! So, I keep the two odd gems, and the
even goes back in the Sultans bowl. I got three in
Ambition, andtwo in Freedom.
Robin: Oh! I have none in Safety! Three in Ambition,
though. And two in Freedom.
Greg: Two in Safety, three in Ambition, and none in
Freedom.
Chris: Two in Safety, one in Ambition thanks to Robin,
one in Freedom.
Me: So, Nour, what happens? How does the Sultan show
his displeasure with you?
Robin: Well. I think someone ratted me out for flirting
with Baba Mubarek. I think it might have been Hasad,
but Im not sure. Anyway, I get confined to the harem
for the next month. The scene should be between
Hasad and a messenger from the Sultan. Who wants
to play the messenger?
Chris: Ill do it. Im Cassim the messenger. Hasad knows
me because I often bring the Sultans wishes to the
harem. Hasad, I have news.
Hasad (me): What is it?
Cassim (Chris): That dancing girl, Nour? The Sultan is
displeased with her outrageous behavior at the feast,
being sointimatewith Baba Mubarek.
Hasad (me): And what does His Splendid Majesty wish?
I stroke my chin, suggesting that I know already.
Cassim (Chris): Hm, that flusters me a bit Shed better
be more careful. And shes to stay within the harem
for a full cycle of the moon.
Hasad (me): I nod my head courteously I will be sure it
is so.
I ask Robin Is that enough?

Robin: Sure, thats good.

Me: And how does Nour interfere with Umm Sidi
Balsoras Ambition?
Chris: Well, I would have maybe been halfway to getting
my son acknowledged, but nooooo.
Robin: Hm. Oh, I know. I exorbitantly praise one of the
other children as a gifted dancer, and request that
praise be sent to the Sultan on behalf of this child of
his Court, with the subtext being that its his child,
and thats why it is skilled.
Me: Do you want to play that out?
Robin: No, Im good.
Me: Cool. Ok, whos our next GM?

55

Sharifa held the gem aloft, taunting the guards on the palace wall. She
had the gem the wizard Absalam had requested, indeed, but more she
had the Sultans cat beside her. I do not suggest we stop the cat said
calmly as the first of the arrows began to fly.

Initial Setup (refer to page 6)

Summary

Create a Courtier (refer to page 9):

Describe your Courtier with a short sentence for each of the
five senses.
Decide and declare what your Courtier Envies about each
other players Courtier.
Decide and declare your Courtiers Ambition.
Take three gems from the Sultans bowl and put them in your
own.

pvr

Set the table (refer to pages 6-9):

Put a bowl full of gems (dice) in the center of the
table; this is the Sultans bowl.
Put a bowl in front of each player.

Choose a starting GM (refer to page 21):

By lots, or by who best knows the game.

In Each Story
GM, start the Story (refer to page 21):
Set the scene in Court.
Name your Story.
Assign a role in your Story to each of the other players
Courtiers.
Set the opening scene.
Do not have a whole story in mind! Launch the scene and then
give it its head.
Do all with your Courtiers envies and ambition foremost in
your mind.

57

Players, play your Courtiers in their Story roles

(refer to page 24):
Speak in both your Courtiers voice and in the voice of the
character theyre playing.
Say both what your Courtier does and what they have the
character theyre playing do.
Try to use your Courtiers Story role to advance your
Courtiers ambition and express their Envies.

In Stories, your Courtiers can be confrontational, rude,

aggressive, and blunt, which they cannot be in Court.
Do not try to adhere to whatever Story you suppose the GM
to be telling! Follow your Courtiers and your Courtiers
Story roles lead.
Players, declare gems (refer to page 25):
Whenever youre interested in the resolution of some question
or circumstance in the story, declare a gem.
Take a gem from the Sultans bowl, say your interest, and place
the gem on the table in front of you.
If another player declares a gem on a point of interest, you
may not declare one on the same point of interest, unless
your hands met in the bowl.
When youve declared a gem and then that point of gets
resolved, roll the gem.
If its odd, put it into the GMs bowl. If its even, put it into
your own.
Once the GM has received eight gems, you may not declare
any new gems, but all the gems youve already declared
remain on the table, in play.
GM, resolve events in the Story (refer to page 25):
Resolve them through the story, or by simple whim, or by
simple chance.

58

GM, end the Story (refer to page 25):

In any single Story, you can add only eight gems to your bowl.
Once youve received that eighth gem, you have reason to
bring your Story to an end.
You must resolve the points of interest associated with every
gem remaining on the table before you can end your Story.
When there are no more gems on the table, you can end
your Story however you like.
Or else, if you prefer not to resolve all the remaining gems,
you can declare that the Sultan interrupts the Story. Put all
the gems on the table, unresolved and unrolled, into the
Sultans bowl.
You must also take one gem from your bowl and put it into the
Sultans; this is the price you pay for the interruption.

Between Stories (refer to page 33)

Divvy your gems:
Take all the gems from your bowl and arrange them in three
piles: Safety, Freedom, Ambition.
Announce to your fellow players whether you might win on
this roll.
If youd like to set another Courtier back from achieving their
Ambition, discard any one of your gems to the Sultans
bowl. Your chosen player must discard two of the gems
theyve assigned to Ambition. Describe how your Courtier
interferes with theirs.
Roll your gems:
For Safety, you need at least one gem to come up even, or
your Courtier displeases the Sultan. The third time your
Courtier displeases the Sultan, the Sultan beheads them
and the game ends.Youve lost!
For Ambition and Freedom, keep a running total of how many
evens youve rolled, over the course of the whole game.
For Ambition, once you total five or more evens, your
Courtier achieves their Ambition and the game ends.
Youve won!
For Freedom, once you total seven or more evens, your
Courtier wins their freedom to come and go, and the game
ends.Youve won!
Ties are allowed.
If nobodys won or lost, discard all the evens youve rolled
to the Sultans bowl. All the odds youve rolled, return to
your own bowl.
If the Sultan is in play, he has more to win or lose, so his
numbers are higher for each of Safety, Ambition and
Freedom.

59

Play out Court scenes (refer to page 33):

Whatever status changes your gems indicate, play out scenes
between your Courtiers to reveal them.
Call upon your fellow players to play the roles of any incidental
characters you need.
Remember the strict bounds of manners and decorum the
Sultan imposes.
For the next story (refer to page 34):
Consider all of the players who have not yet been the GM.
Of them, consider the player with the fewest dice in their
bowl. That player becomes the GM for the next Story.
In case of ties, choose the player nearest to the previous GMs
left hand.
At the End of the Game (refer to page 34):
Three things can end the game: a Courtier is beheaded by the
Sultan; a Courtier wins their freedom; a Courtier achieves
their Ambition.
Go around the circle, giving an epilogue to each Courtier.
Everyone can contribute to each epilogue, but the
Courtiers player has the last word.

60

There are many I could acknowledge and thank, but

these in particular:
Joshua A C Newman for encouraging me to publish
in the first place.
Ben Lehman for an hour-long international playtest
report which was invaluable.
Emily Care Boss and Vincent Baker, without whom this
game would not exist.
Julia Ellingboe for being such an enthusiastic playtester,
friend and hair guru.
Rachel and Steven Cronen-Townsend for initial
playtesting.
Ralph Mazza for writing Universalis and inspiring the
first spark of this game.
Paul Czege for his comments on the first text, over 10
years ago.
Moyra Turkington for early encouragement and Matt
Wilson for being a steady voice of support.
The folks at Story Games and the Forge for being
generally great people.

pvr

Gratitude

Specific thanks for the 2nd Edition:

Fabio Michele Russo and Cristina Recupero played in my
game at Lucca 2011. Fabio made a choice in-character
that was the key to realizing my vision for nested
stories, and the two of them deserve credit and my
great thanks.
The folks who played in my game at InterNosCon 2012
inspired me to sit down and finish the 2nd edition.
They will recognise their characters within the text.
And finally, great thanks to Claudia Cangini for her
amazing artwork!

61

I Envy

the Senses
Hearing

pvr

Courtier
Sight
Smell
Taste
Touch

Clothing

Safety

The Sultan Rebukes me in private.

The Sultan Rebukes me publicly in court.

Ambition

I win my freedom from Court.

j
j j
j j
j j

j j
j j
j j
j

Freedom

bvr

I achieve my Ambition, which is...

j
j j
j j

j j
j j
j

The Sultan has me beheaded.

the Senses

I Envy

Hearing

pvr

the Sultan
Sight
Smell
Taste
Touch

Clothing

There is an attempt on your life

You are wounded in an attempt on your life

j
j

Safety

Ambition

j
j
j
j

j
j
j
j

j
j
j
j

The assassin is successful.

I achieve my Ambition, which is...

j
j
j
j
j
j
j
j
j
j

j
j
j
j
j

I gain my Freedom to travel unknown

j
j
j
j
j

bvr

j
j
j
j

Freedom

Live Action

Courtier

I Envy

the Senses
Hearing
Sight

j
j
j

Smell

Safety
Ambition
Freedom

j
j
j
j
j

j
j
j

Taste

j
j
j
j
j
j
j

j
j
j
j
j

Touch

j
j
j
j
j
j
j

Live Action

Courtier

I Envy

the Senses
Hearing
Sight

j
j
j

Smell

Safety
Ambition
Freedom

j
j
j
j
j

j
j
j

Taste

j
j
j
j
j
j
j

j
j
j
j
j

Touch

j
j
j
j
j
j
j

Live Action

the Sultan

I Envy

the Senses
Hearing
Sight

Safety

j
j
j

Smell

j
j
j
j
j
j
j

j
j
j

Taste

Live Action

Courtier

j
j
j
j
j
j
j
j
j

Touch

j
j
j
j
j
j
j
j
j

j
j
j
j
j
j
j

Ambition
Freedom

I Envy

the Senses
Hearing
Sight

j
j
j

Smell

Safety
Ambition
Freedom

j
j
j
j
j

j
j
j

Taste

j
j
j
j
j
j
j

j
j
j
j
j

Touch

j
j
j
j
j
j
j

Supplies

For a table-top game

Beautiful dice to represent the Sultans Gems
A container for those dice - a dish or tray or cloth that
suits the setting
Pencils and copies of the character sheets
Tasty things to eat and drink

For a live-action game

Beautiful dice to represent the Sultans Gems
One container for each group of five players
A bell to signal the close of the initial Court scene
A couple of hand mirrors for the disclosure of the Envies
and Ambitions
Pencils and copies of the character sheets
Tasty things to eat and drink