Death by Living
Death by Living
Object:
To be the first one to die by means of an excess in a given lifestyle.
Card Types:
Things (subtype): Things are objects that have an effect on your lifestyle. Things remain in play. Things have a value in one of a number of Facets, which can equal +1, 0, -1, -2 or -3. They come in one of four subtypes, each of which remains in play: Objects: Objects Physically exist in place and can effect your life. Places: Places are locations that have an effect on your lifestyle. Places remain in play. Effects: Effects are lasting circumstances or “permanent actions” that have an effect on your lifestyle. People: People are a sort of thing that effects your lifestyle.
Actions: Actions affect you or other players or their actions. Once played, Actions are discarded. Actions are capable of removing Things. Special kinds of Actions, called Death, can only be played if you meet certain criteria. Others can penalize others if certain criteria are met. Death: A Death card can only be played on yourself, and only if its conditions are met by the Things you have in play before the start of the turn in which you play the Death card. Thwart: A Thwart takes advantage of another player’s Facets, allowing you to neutralize some of their Thing cards, or prevent them from acting. The required Facets are listed on the card, similarly to a Death card.
How to Play:
Following modified Dvorak rules, on your turn you may do the following, in order:
1. Draw 1 card from the deck. 2. Play up to 2 cards, but they must be of different Card Types. 3. Check your hand size – your hand size may not exceed 5 cards – discard down to 5 cards.
How to Die:
Death is accomplished by playing Thing cards. Each thing card has a value on it representing one of the Facets of Being, as described below. Each Death card has a required value in several of these Facets. If you have the appropriate Facet scores at the beginning of your turn, you may play the matching Death card
Mind: Your mental health is reflected by your Mind – psychosis and trauma affect your Mind. Looks: Being ugly is a good way to suffer low self esteem Wealth: How much money you make can influence your will to live. Health: These cards effect your Health in a wide range of ways – drugs, disease, wounds and accidents can alter this. Fame: How well you get along with others determines how people like you – or not – or if they even know you. Identity: Your sense of self and your personal identity. Faith: Your faith in yourself, your deity and/or the human race in general. Karma: Your place in the cosmos as determined by your actions. Bad Karma is a good way for the universe to smack you down. Love: This is how many people truly love you and how much. Without love, there’s little left but rage and hate.
Cards
Some preliminary examples:
This 200 proof distiled sugar alcohol, it turns out, is cut with just the slightest hint of turpentine - for flavor.
"Wooooo! That's got the mo' bite than a pack o' pitbulls!"
Your obsession with this habit is matched only by your loss in social life.
"90 hours of side quests? I am so there!"
The law has discovered your debauchery and has come to unload you of your least legal vices.
"You have the right to remain silent, so shut the Hell up."
Your family and a well paid TV crew has ambushed you and is sending you to rehab.
"Bob went to rehab for 8 months, and now works herding cats."
You have successfully died. Now if only you would stay dead...
"Anyone got a shotgun?"
