A Guide to Thalassara's Gamble

Listen close, landlubber. You want to understand this world, you gotta understand its games. This here is Thalassara's Gamble, a game of risk and nerve as old as the tides themselves. It’s a prayer to Loki'Thos, the god of fortune, and a mirror to our lives on the sea. You play for coin, for secrets, or for the very soul of your opponent. But whatever you do, you play for keeps.

The Basics

The game is simple: you need five six-sided dice and a steady hand. The goal is to get the highest total from your dice without going over 21.

• The Bet: First, you lay your coin on the table. Each player places an equal wager in the pot, and the game is on.

• The First Roll: Everyone rolls their five dice, but you keep your results hidden. This is your starting hand, your first stroke of luck from the gods.

• The Reroll: Now comes the tricky part. On your turn, you look at your dice and decide. You can "lock" any number of them—these are the dice you're happy with. Then you reroll the rest. Maybe you got a good number, maybe you're pushing your luck for a better one.

• The Call: After any roll, you can "call" your opponent. This is a moment of pure bluff. You look them in the eye and say their luck has run out. When you call, both of you must reveal your dice.

The Rules of Fortune and Misfortune

• To Win: The player with the highest total wins the pot. Simple as that. You take it all.

• To Bust: If your total goes over 21, you've "busted." You lose automatically, no matter what your opponent has. Loki'Thos has turned his back on you, and your hand is worthless.

• When You Call: If you call your opponent and your total is higher, you win. If it’s lower, you've been bluffed, and you lose everything. It's a test of wits as much as luck.

• Ties: If both players end with the same total, the pot is split. There's honor among thieves, after all.