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[ghostofmars]

I've read the new game "Alchemists" of CGE was the hit at Essen, so I would like to try it as a forum game. It is a worker-placement deduction game. There are 8 ingredients that mix according to their "atomic" structure to give 7 different potions. You want to deduce which ingredient has which atomic structure by trying combinations of different ingredients. All of this is built into a (more or less) classical worker-placement game to gather the ingredients and sell the potions you get to adventures to get more money.

The game is a bit controversial because it requires a smart phone (or a computer) to resolve the mapping from ingredient to potion during the game. However, for a forum game a moderator can take over the roll of the app.

Anyone interested? We could play with up to 4 players and I would be willing to mod. In principle, there is a beginner version, but I would prefer the full game. I think the added complexity is overcome by it being a forum game, where you have more time to think through possible combinations and can reread actions and mixed potions later.

Link to the game

Rules

Current turn order
1) Kirian
2) Qvist
3) Hugovj
4) Tables

[Qvist]

I've played it at Essen and I guess it would work well as forum game. I would play. /in

[Tables]

I'll give it a shot. /in.

[Kirian]

Sure, I'll try it!

[Hugovj]

Seems fun Never played/seen, only heard the concept.

/in

[ghostofmars]

Would you prefer to keep the private information in a separate spreadsheet? The alternative is a single spreadsheet with a sheet per player trusting that you wouldn't cheat by looking at the private tabs of the other players.

[Kirian]

Would you prefer to keep the private information in a separate spreadsheet? The alternative is a single spreadsheet with a sheet per player trusting that you wouldn't cheat by looking at the private tabs of the other players.

I think private info needs to go into separate spreadsheets, but it might be better to send via PM, make one sheet that we can all copy.

[ghostofmars]

Everyone will receive a PM with his starting hand and a link to his private information in a few minutes. Please choose one of the two favors that you want to keep.

I decided to stick to the signup as initial turn order. As you select your turn order every turn, I don't think the initial order is very important.

I didn't find an image of the master conferences, so we will stick to the apprentice conferences after round 3 (+1 rep/-1 rep for at least one/no published theory) and round 5 (+1 rep/-1 rep/-2 rep for 2+/1/0 published theories). For everything else, in particular for the debunking, we will use the master rules.

[ghostofmars]

In case you hadn't noticed. I've added descriptions to some of the game elements. If you see a small black triangle in the upper right corner of a cell, you can get a mouseover text that provides additional explanations.

In particular, you can see a description of all the favor cards in your private information sheet.

[Watno]

How did I miss this thread
Nooen I know seems to have this, and when I had finally decided to maybe buy it myself in Essen, it was already gone

[ghostofmars]

How did I miss this thread
Nooen I know seems to have this, and when I had finally decided to maybe buy it myself in Essen, it was already gone

I've started a thread for a 2nd game, perhaps we can find enough players.

[Tables]

Just noting that I've seen the thread and know I need to choose my starting hand, but I haven't read the rulebook yet. Will hopefully get around to that on Monday and make my starting choice then (I'm fairly busy this weekend).

Edit: If someone could post a link to the rulebook, that'd be nice. I had a look for one and found one for a different game that I think I played once years ago.

[Watno]

Actually, I think a mod is needed in this game only for the distribution of the Ingredient and Favor cards. You could simply share the code for the setup of alchemy youre using and let players mix their own potions.

[Kirian]

Edit: If someone could post a link to the rulebook, that'd be nice. I had a look for one and found one for a different game that I think I played once years ago.

http://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/108729/alchemists-rulebook-english

[Qvist]

Also, here's the newly released video from Richard:

[ghostofmars]

Everybody chose their starting favor. Hogovj chose a Herbalist so that he gets extra 3 ingredients and needs to discard 2. I don't think the decision what to discard will influence what you want to choose so please go ahead and select your turn order position.

Qvist may choose first. The others may send me conditional orders to speed things up, if they want to.

[Hugovj]

I sent a PM, but I think I can just post here: I discard fern and feather

[Watno]

When discarding ingredients in this game, it should always happen face down. It doesn't matter much in this case, but it will matter a lot later when making potions.

[Qvist]

+3 ingredient

[Hugovj]

Oh okay.   

[Tables]

If I'm reading right, I'm next? +1 favour, +2 ingredients

[ghostofmars]

Kirian is next

FYI: I will use a completely random roll for ingredients and favors. So don't try to track the content of the deck, because there is none.

[Kirian]

+2 Ingredients

[Hugovj]

+1 favor, +1 ingredient

[ghostofmars]

Turn order for this round
Kirian
Hugovj
Qvist
Tables

Distribute your workers in reverse turn order, so Tables goes first.
Just a reminder: You should assign all four of your workers at once.

[Tables]

Wait, assigning workers is reverse turn order? I missed that in the rulebook... and that changes a lot. I'm still fine with taking the bottom slot but now I need to think ahead more.

Transmute Ingredient
Forage
Buy Artifact
Test on Student

[ghostofmars]

Assigning workers is in reverse turn order, everything else is in turn order with modifications from associate and the bidding (sell potion).

Qvist, your turn

[Tables]

Yeah, I looked over the rulebook more, it makes sense. It also makes turn order hugely valuable, which is probably why the bonuses for going later are fairly significant.

[Qvist]

Forage ingredient
Forage ingredient
Test on student
Drink Potion

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj is next

[Hugovj]

Forage ingredient
Test on student
Drink a Potion
Test on student

[Hugovj]

Yeah, counting. Great.   

[ghostofmars]

Finally Kirian. You can also directly choose the first ingredient to forage, if you place at least one worker there.

[Kirian]

Forage (Scorpion)
Transmute
Buy Artifact
Test on Student

[ghostofmars]

Just a reminder, you may draw a random ingredient if you don't like to take one of the open ones.

Hugovj

[Hugovj]

Root

[Qvist]

Root

[ghostofmars]

Tables

Just to clarify, because I got asked by PM. Feel free at anytime to send conditional orders (COs) to me by PM, if you know what you will be doing in a certain turn. For example, the potions you will mix in this turn will probably not depend on the choices of the other players, so you may want to send me already the ingredients you want to mix.

[Tables]

Fern

[Qvist]

Random from the deck

[ghostofmars]

Transmute ingredient phase

Kirian transmutes an ingredient for 1$
Tables transmutes an ingredient with his sage for 2$

Buy artifact phase

Kirian buys Magic Mortar

Btw. I will randomly discard one of the two ingredients when Magic Mortar is used.

[Tables]

Boots of Speed

[ghostofmars]

Test on student phase

Kirian begins and makes a paralysis potion (green -).

The student is now disappointed and charges 1$ for every further experiment.

Hugovj, please PM me the two ingredients, you want to use.

[Kirian]

Argh, I'm making up a deduction grid for myself and the ingredients aren't in the same order in ghost's sheets as they are in the pictures in the rulebook and it's driving me batty.

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj pays 1$ and offers the student a nice soup (neutral)

Qvist pays 1$ to make the student insane (blue -)

Even so he is now paralyzed and insane, the student still declines Tables offer who couldn't afford to pay him.

After a bad day, the student heads home and leaves the masters to try their potions on themselves.

Hugovj drinks a paralysis (green -) potion.

Qvist is next

EDIT: I had messed up which worker Hugovj removed.

[ghostofmars]

Qvist drinks a poisson potion (red -)
Your worker goes to the hospital.

This ends round 1. I noticed a mistake, you were only supposed to place 3 workers in the first round. As this gives the same advantage to all players, we will just continue.

Tables is the new starting player and should choose his spot in turn order, then Kirian and Qvist. Hugovj is paralyzed, so he will get 1 ingredient and 1 favor and be last in turn order.

Now all action spaces except for Exhibition are available. Keep in mind that you need 1$ should you plan to publish a theory.

The adventurer wants to buy a potion of healing (red +), paralysis (green -) and insanity (blue -). There will be a bidding to change the turn order, before the selling takes place.

EDIT: Btw, nobody had 2 unused workers, so nobody gained an extra favor.

[Tables]

Poisson potion? What does that do, distribute your health?

+2 ingredients

[Hugovj]

It turns you into a giant fish.

[ghostofmars]

Poisson potion? What does that do, distribute your health?

Kirian is next

[Kirian]

Poisson potion? What does that do, distribute your health?

I can only hope he's referencing Pratchett's Feet of Clay

+1 ingredient, +1 favor

[ghostofmars]

You draw a Herbalist, choose two of your ingredients to discard.

Qvist, your choice.

[Qvist]

+1 favor, +2 ingredient

[ghostofmars]

In this turn we play with the following turn order
Tables
Kirian
Qvist
Hugovj

Hugovj, you start distributing workers.

Qvist, you have only 3 workers to assign.

[Hugovj]

Forage Ingredient
Transmute Ingredient
Buy Artifact
Drink Potion

[ghostofmars]

Qvist

[Qvist]

Play Assistant
Sell Potion
Buy Artifact
Drink Potion

[ghostofmars]

Your worker from the hospital is in the unused area now. If you don't use one of your worker this turn, you will get a favor.

Kirian is next.

[Kirian]

Play Custodian
Custodian (= early Drink Potion)
Sell Potion (2W)
Test on Student

[ghostofmars]

Tables

If you forage ingredients, you can directly choose the first one.

As always, feel free to PM me CO for any upcoming action phase, if you already know what you will do.

[Tables]

Forage Scorpion
Test on Student
Drink Potion
Drink Potion

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj, which ingredient do you forage?

Tables, could you send me a CO how you plan to use your Boots of Speed, so that I don't accidentally skip them?

[Tables]

Erm, actually, is it too late to change my turn orders? I'll PM what I want to do (doesn't change anything that's happened yet) in case you say no.

[ghostofmars]

updated

[Tables]

For ease of reading, I changed one Drink Potion into a Forage for Ingredients

[Hugovj]

Random ingredient

[Tables]

Lotus

[ghostofmars]

Transmute ingredient phase

Hugovj, you're the only one with workers there. Please send me a PM, which ingredient you want to transmute.

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj uses a Sage to get a total of 2$.

Kirian drinks a potion of insanity (blue -) and loses one point of reputation.

Sell potion phase

There will be a secret bidding phase first. Kirian has already send a PM, which bid he wants to make. Qvist, please send me your bid as well. Then, in the new order, every player will make a guarantee for a certain potion and send me his ingredients per PM. I will reveal the actual level of guarantee that the potion has. This may or may not tell you the potion that was mixed. If your promised guarantee is less or equal to the actual guarantee you get paid, otherwise not. Keep in mind that if you mix a potion that is neutral or has the wrong sign, you will lose 1 point of reputation.

[ghostofmars]

Both Qvist and Kirian do not offer a discount so the original turn order holds. Kirian sells first, then Qvist. Kirian please send a PM with the ingredients you want to use, which potion you want to sell at what level of guarantee.

[Kirian]

Kirian drinks a potion of insanity (blue -) and loses one point of reputation.

Kirian please send a PM with the ingredients you want to use, which potion you want to sell at what level of guarantee.

My adventurous friend!  You desire an insanity potion?  Then you, my friend, have come to the right place; I am insane.  I have a certificate to prove it!  And I can sell you a dose of my insanity potion for an insane price!

[ghostofmars]

The adventurer is satisfied because the potion is an exact match for his needs. He pays 4$ for the insanity potion.
Qvist please PM me your guarantee and ingredients.

[ghostofmars]

Qvist guarantees a correct sign for the paralysis potion

The adventurer takes a small nip of the potion and while he doesn't feel paralyzed, the potion definitely has a negative effect, so he pays 3$.

Buy artifact phase, Qvist goes first.

[Qvist]

Play Shopkeeper, buy Discount Card

[ghostofmars]

There is no artifact left, so Hugovj's worker goes to the unused pool.

Test on student phase
Tables, please PM me the ingredients you want to use.

[ghostofmars]

This round goes better for our new test subject

Tables offers him a neutral potion.

Kirian gives him a red + potion

Because the student is still happy Tables runs after him with his Boots of Speed and offers another potion. Please PM me the ingredients you want to use.

[ghostofmars]

Tables gives the student a potion of speed (green +)

Drink potion phase, Tables goes first.

[Kirian]

Because the student is still happy Tables runs after him with his Boots of Speed and offers another potion.

Tables gives the student a potion of speed (green +)

Seems appropriate.

[Tables]

No doubt I give him that fantastic potion before walking away and paralysing myself, of course. And let me tell you, being paralysed while moving fast with the Boots of Speed is incredibly jarring and potentially dangerous. I highly recommend it.

[Hugovj]

Paralyzing yourself is superfun. Really, try it out.

[ghostofmars]

This turn everyone is drinking the good stuff

Tables and Qvist both drink a healing potion (red +)
Hugovj drinks a speed potion (green +)

This ends the current round. I'll setup the board for round 3 in a minute.

[ghostofmars]

Everything is set up for round 3.

Choose your new turn order starting with Kirian, then Hugovj, Qvist, and Tables.

Nobody had two unused worker, so no extra favors. No theory is published, so no reputation either.

Notice that there will be the first conference at the end of this round. If you have not published (or endorsed) a single theory until then, you will lose 1 point of reputation, otherwise you gain 1 reputation.

[Kirian]

+1 ingredient, +1 favor

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj

[Hugovj]

+2 ingredients

[Qvist]

+3 ingredients

[ghostofmars]

I will update on Tuesday, Tables you can choose your turn order.

[Tables]

+2 Favours

[ghostofmars]

Everything should be up to date.

Turn order
Hugovj
Kirian
Tables
Qvist

Qvist goes last, i.e. chooses his worker distribution first.

[Qvist]

Did you already post what the new Adventurer wants?

[ghostofmars]

I don't think I posted it, but it is written in the game sheet.

Red-, green+, and blue+

[Qvist]

I don't think I posted it, but it is written in the game sheet.

Red-, green+, and blue+

Thanks I didn't see in the spread sheet.

Forage ingredient
Forage ingredient
Publish theory
Test on student

[Tables]

Play Associate, Forage x 2 with it
Publish theory
Transmute Ingredient
Play Assistant, Test on Student

[ghostofmars]

Kirian

[Kirian]

Forage
Publish x2

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj, your turn

[Hugovj]

Play Custodian
Custodian
Publish theory
Publish theory

[ghostofmars]

And we are good to go. As always COs are welcome if you want to speed up the game.

Forage ingredient phase
Tables goes first

[Tables]

Fern

[ghostofmars]

Kirian

[Kirian]

Sorry guys, off at a convention all weekend.

Root

[ghostofmars]

Qvist

[Qvist]

Feather

[ghostofmars]

Tables grabs a root

Qvist again

[Qvist]

Root

[ghostofmars]

Tables uses his boots of speed to get another random ingredient

Transmute ingredient phase
Tables

[ghostofmars]

As eHalcyon pointed out in the 2nd game thread, there has been a mistake setting up the adventures. Coincidentally, the adventures that occurred in this game could occur in a real game as well. Would you prefer to stick to the original set (no extreme cases +++ and ---) or should I reshuffle the rest of the adventures with the correct list.

[Tables]

I'd prefer a correct list, I think.

Transmute sent.

[Qvist]

I don't care, do what you think it's best.

[Kirian]

I'd prefer a correct list, I think.

This.

[Hugovj]

I don't quite see the difference? But as close to the game as possible would be nice, yeah.

[ghostofmars]

Ok, I replaced the two adventures not in the game by the Assassin (all -) and the Barbarian (all +).

Hugovj, please PM me the potion you want to drink.

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj gets early to the laboratory so that nobody notices that he consumes insanity potions (blue -). However, the word still spreads after he runs naked over the marketplace, so he loses 1 point of reputation.

Now, let's hear your theories

Hugovj, you publish first.

Keep in mind that you need to pay 1$ to publish and that you will lose 5 reputation if someone debunks your theory and you are not protected against the color used for debunking by a ? seal.

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj publishes that Root is R-G-B- and gets 1 reputation

Just to be clear, because I didn't mention it in the last post. The theory is public, but the seal you use is private. So you should send me the seal by PM and post the theory here or send me both the theory and the seal and I reveal the theory here.

Kirian

[Kirian]

Scorpion is R+ g+ b-

[ghostofmars]

Kirian gets 1 point of reputation.

Tables is next

[Tables]

Lotus is r- G+ b+

[ghostofmars]

Qvist

[Qvist]

I pay Hugovj 1$ and confirm his theory.

[ghostofmars]

Actually, you pay 1$ to the publisher and 1$ to Hugovj.

Hugovj, your turn

[ghostofmars]

You gain 1 point of reputation

Kirian

[Kirian]

Um... what did Hugo do?

[ghostofmars]

Um... what did Hugo do?

Sorry.

Hugovj pays 1$ to state that Mushroom is r+ g- B+.

[Kirian]

Fern is r+ G- b-

[ghostofmars]

You pay 1$ to the publisher and gain 1 point of reputation.

This ends the 'publish theory' phase. Now it's time to test these theories on some unsuspecting students...

Tables goes first.

[Tables]

I give a thing to a student.

[ghostofmars]

The student walks behind you for the rest of the day thinking you were his mother. I fear your potion has turned him insane (blue -). Unfortunately that means he doesn't get around to try Qvist potion, because he cannot afford to pay him.

At the end of the round you meet at the university to discuss your new theories. Everyone can brag about their ideas and gains 1 point of reputation. Kirian and Hugovj excel in particular and gain another point of reputation for having the most seals on the board.

The next day, after the hangover, you wonder if the published theories are actually correct. And hence a new round begins.

[ghostofmars]

Everything is set up for round 4.

The new adventurer wants a red -, green -, and blue + potion. Notice that the 2nd tier of artifacts are now available.

Select your turn order now, Hugovj goes first.

[Tables]

The new adventurer wants a red -, green -, and blue + potion.

Are you kidding me? ...I can make him anything but those!

[ghostofmars]

The new adventurer wants a red -, green -, and blue + potion.

Are you kidding me? ...I can make him anything but those!

Well, perhaps you need to trust the theories of your fellow alchemists

[Tables]

The new adventurer wants a red -, green -, and blue + potion.

Are you kidding me? ...I can make him anything but those!

Well, perhaps you need to trust the theories of your fellow alchemists

You mean the same fellow alchemists that included someone dancing naked in the town square? No thanks. I have a reputation to think of.

[Kirian]

Ka-bump!  Hugo?

[Hugovj]

+3 ingredients

[ghostofmars]

Qvist

[Qvist]

+1 ingredient

[Tables]

+2 ingredients

[ghostofmars]

Kirian

[Kirian]

+2 favors

[ghostofmars]

you draw a herbalist, please discard 2 of your ingredients

[ghostofmars]

Interestingly that makes the turn order exactly the reverse of the one last round.

Qvist
Tables
Kirian
Hugovj

Place worker phase, Hugovj goes first.

[Hugovj]

Sell potion
Publish theory
Drink potion

EDIT: Spelling

[ghostofmars]

Kirian

[Kirian]

Transmute
Publish
Test on 2 Students

[ghostofmars]

Tables

[Tables]

Forage Ingredient
Sell Potion
Publish theory

[ghostofmars]

Tables, could you also PM me, where you plan to use your boots of speed?

Qvist

[Qvist]

Sell Potion
Buy Artifact
Test on Student

[Tables]

Draw random ingredient

Please pause for potential boots of speed use here (will depend on what I draw).

[ghostofmars]

Updated, Tables do you want to use your Boots of Speed?

[Hugovj]

*Holds breath dramatically*

[Tables]

Nope, I'm good.

[Tables]

Also can I suggest everyone who is selling potions COs their discount choice? I don't believe there's any more information to be gathered before it happens.

[ghostofmars]

Transmute an ingredient, Kirian

[ghostofmars]

buy phase

Qvist and Hugovj please submit which discount you want to offer

[ghostofmars]

Qvist's PM received

[ghostofmars]

discounts offered and turn order for the sell potion phase
Hugovj -2
Qvist -1
Tables -1

Hugovj, please PM me the ingredients you want to use and the guarantee that you give

[Kirian]

Bump.  How's the sale going?

[ghostofmars]

Take this potion of wisdom (blue +), I guarantee it will have a positive effect (correct sign).

Adventurer sips the potion.

What are you selling here, I claim this has a negative effect (wrong sign).

Hugovj loses 1rep and doesn't get paid.

Qvist, your turn

[Tables]

Well... that's quite something.

[ghostofmars]

Qvist guarantees an exact match for the red- potion and gets 3$ for the potion.

Tables sells the green- potion with a 'correct sign' guarantee, which earns him 2$.

Buy artifact phase, Qvist goes first.

[Tables]

Hold on - what did I make? Correct sign, or exactly correct potion? I believe we all get to find out (even though it doesn't affect my payout)

[Qvist]

I buy Witch's trunk for $1.

[Tables]

Endorse Fern's alchemical, paying $2 and getting $2 from the grant.

[ghostofmars]

Hold on - what did I make? Correct sign, or exactly correct potion? I believe we all get to find out (even though it doesn't affect my payout)

both Qvist and you made a potion that is sufficient for the guarantee but also not better.

[ghostofmars]

Endorse Fern's alchemical, paying $2 and getting $2 from the grant.

Which seal do you use?

[Tables]

The one I said I would in my CO from way back when. Uhh... I'll check and PM again.

[Kirian]

Endorse Root, Paying $3, receiving $2 and taking the 1 VP grant

(Will PM seal)

[ghostofmars]

The one I said I would in my CO from way back when. Uhh... I'll check and PM again.

Sorry, I hadn't realized that you had submitted the same move as in your CO.

Hugovj

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj pays 1$ and publishes that Toad is R+G+B+. He gets 1rep and qualifies for a research grant. I gave you the money already, please tell me, if you don't want it .

Tables, do you want to publish another theory?

[Tables]

Yes. I put my seal on Scorpion, paying $2.

[ghostofmars]

Test on student - Qvist

[ghostofmars]

Qvist gives the student a neutral potion, so that he is willing to try another one for free.

Kirian

[ghostofmars]

Kirian offers the student a green + potion, followed by some water (neutral).

We conclude the round with Hugovj, who drinks a potion himself.

[Hugovj]

I'll pass this time.

[ghostofmars]

End of round 4

The alchemists with the most theories (which is everyone but Qvist) earn 1 point of reputation. Notice that this puts Hugovj and Kirian in the green area. As long as you remain in there, you will lose an additional point of reputation if you lose reputation and will get an extra smiley for selling potions.

Nobody passed with two workers, so no favors are gained.

Begin round 5

New adventurer wants only negative potions. After this round, there is the second and last conference, so you want to make sure to have at least 2 theories published by then, otherwise you lose 1 (or 2 if you don't have any) points of reputation.

I hope, everything is up to date so that we can start with round 5.

Qvist, choose your spot in the turn order.

[Qvist]

I go to the "no bonus" spot.

[liopoil]

I go to the "no bonus" spot.

This is the only post in this thread I've read, and that sounds pretty boring

[Kirian]

I go to the "no bonus" spot.

This is the only post in this thread I've read, and that sounds pretty boring

But no bonus means he'll (probably) go first this round.

[liopoil]

I go to the "no bonus" spot.

This is the only post in this thread I've read, and that sounds pretty boring

But no bonus means he'll (probably) go first this round.

Fascinating! Okay I'll leave now

[ghostofmars]

Tables

[Tables]

+2 ingredients

[Kirian]

+3 ingredients

[Tables]

So... bump?

[Hugovj]

Ah, sorry, I didn't open this topic because the subject still said Tables.

+1 Favor, +2 Ingredients

[ghostofmars]

So... bump?

Sorry, my bad

Everything up to date.

Current turn order is the same as last round. Qvist - Tables - Kirian - Hugovj

That means Hugovj is first to select the distribution of his workers.

[Kirian]

/cough

/bump

Hugo?

[Hugovj]

I was V/LA, had posted about that in the thread? Anyway, I'll look at this tomorrow.

[Hugovj]

Sometime later, but still:
Use Assistant

Forage ingredient
Sell Potion
Buy Artifact
Drink Potion

[Kirian]

Sell Potion
Publish
Test on Student

[ghostofmars]

Tables

[Tables]

Apologies for the delay. I'm gonna need a bit of time when I can sit down and look over this again, especially since it's the final turn. I'll try and get it done today or tomorrow.

[Kirian]

It's not the final turn.

[Tables]

...It's been a while, eh? I probably would have taken a different turn order bonus knowing that, actually, but oh well. My own fault.

Forage Twice
Transmute Ingredient
Publish Theory

[ghostofmars]

Qvist

[Qvist]

Sell Potion
Buy Artifact
Publish Theory

[ghostofmars]

Tables

[Tables]

Claw

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj

[Hugovj]

Lotus

[Tables]

Scorpion

No Boots use.

[ghostofmars]

Tables

[Tables]

Use Boots. Ingredients sent.

[ghostofmars]

Sell potion phase

Qvist, Kirian, and Hugovj please send me the discount you want to offer. Qvist, please take into account that Hugovj and Kirian get a bonus smiley due to their reputation

[ghostofmars]

I still haven't received any PM.

[Kirian]

Hrm.  This didn't show up on my "unread" list for several days, my apologies.  PM inc soon.

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj offers a discount of -1. With his green reputation he has 2 smileys.
Qvist offers a discount of -1 and Kirian offers none, so that they both have 1 smiley.

This leads to the following order for the sell potion phase:
Hugovj > Qvist > Kirian

Hugovj, you go first. Please send me the ingredients you want to sell, which potion you want to create, and the level of guarantee that you give.

Qvist and Kirian, if you want, you can send me a CO which potion you want to create depending which one is still available when it's your turn.

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj sells a the blue- potion with a guarantee of correct sign.

The potion has indeed the correct sign, so he earn 3$ - 1$ (discount) = 2$

Qvist, please PM me your ingredients, potion, and guarantee.

[ghostofmars]

Qvist sells the green - potion with a guarantee of correct sign.

The potion has the correct sign, so that he earns 2$.

Kirian plays the merchant to sell another green - potion (exact match). He earns 4$.

Buy artifact phase is next.

Qvist goes first. You have a discount of 1$ due to your discount card.

[Qvist]

Kirian plays the merchant to sell another green - potion (exact match).

Wait. Why can he sell the same potion again? Isn't that prohibited?

I buy an Amulet of Rhetoric.

[ghostofmars]

Wait. Why can he sell the same potion again? Isn't that prohibited?

Kirian plays the merchant to sell another green - potion (exact match). He earns 4$.

He used a favor to do so.

Hugovj, do you want to buy the Seal of Authority?

[Qvist]

Oops, reading is hard. I missed the "plays a merchant" part.

Also, btw, my Artifact costs only $3, not sure if you took that into account.

[Hugovj]

I won't buy the seal.

[ghostofmars]

Then we move on to the publish theory phase.

Qvist goes first.

Also, btw, my Artifact costs only $3, not sure if you took that into account.

I just double checked, your current coin total is correct.

[ghostofmars]

Qvist pays 1$ to publish a theory on feathers:
Feather is r- g+ B+
He gains 1 point of reputation, because he was the first in this field.

Tables, you are next

[Tables]

Claw is R- g- b+

[Kirian]

[/shakes tiny fist]

Endorse Tables's Claw theory

[ghostofmars]

Claw is R- g- b+

Endorse Tables's Claw theory

The net effect of these actions is that Tables gains 1 rep and Kirian pays 2$.

Test on student phase:
Kirian offers a blue + potion.

Drink potion phase:
Hugovj

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj drinks delicious water (neutral).

This ends round 5.

The best alchemist award goes to Kirian and Tables (4 seals each) who earn 1 point of reputation.

The new adventurer requires all positive potions.

Everyone is boasting with their theories at the second conference and gains 1 point of reputation.

The last II artifact is discarded and the III artifacts come into play.

Beginning of round 6 (final round)

Notice that in this turn you will not be able to test a potion or drink a potion, so the only ways to get more information about ingredients is to either play a Custodian favor or sell a potion.

The additional action is the exhibition phase: You may place up to 3 workers in this action. For every worker placed you get the possibility to create one red, green, or blue potion of your choice (neutral doesn't count). You may not create the same potion twice.
The procedure works as follows: You announce which potion you want to make. You send a PM to me with the 2 ingredients you want to use (notice that you need to have the ingredients). I announce if you successfully made the potion. If you didn't you lose 1 point of reputation. If you did, you gain 1 point of reputation if you are the first to exhibit this potion. If you exhibit both potions of 1 color you gain 2 points of reputation.

The ingredients you use to exhibit count towards the Feather in Cap artifact (if you buy that). Kirian, please be aware of the following interaction with your Magic Mortar.

Special case: If you also have the Magic Mortar, a colleague will randomly choose 1 card to be set aside for Feather in Cap and the other will be returned to your hand. Once you know which card is returning to your hand, you can decide to not use the Magic Mortar and leave both cards set aside to be counted for Feather in Cap.

After the exhibition, there will be a final best alchemist award. You will score points for your artifacts, grants, and remaining money/favors. Then I will reveal the correct ingredients and you will score the hidden points if your theory is correct. If it's wrong you lose 4 points if you didn't hedge against the incorrect color.

So let's get started: Tables choose your turn order.

[Tables]

Should I have claimed the Claw/Fern/Mushroom grant?

+2 ingredients

[ghostofmars]

Should I have claimed the Claw/Fern/Mushroom grant?

To get a 2nd grant you need to match 3 ingredients.

Kirian

[Kirian]

Buying breakfast this morning.

Top spot, -$1

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj

[Hugovj]

+1 ingredient

[ghostofmars]

Qvist

[Qvist]

No bonus spot

[ghostofmars]

select worker placement in this order
Tables > Hugovj > Qvist > Kirian

[Tables]

Hmm...

Forage
Publish
Exhibition
Exhibition

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj

[Hugovj]

Forage, Buy artefact, Publish Theory, Exhibition

[ghostofmars]

Qvist

[Qvist]

Forage Ingredient
Sell potion
Buy Artifact

[Kirian]

Sell Potion
Buy Artifact
Publish

[ghostofmars]

Forage Ingredient
Sell potion
Buy Artifact

Are you aware that you will not be able to use all the ingredients? You already have 8 ingredients and your actions only use two. Or did you forget that you need to place workers to participate at the exhibition?

Forage ingredient phase: Qvist

[Qvist]

Forage Ingredient
Sell potion
Buy Artifact

Are you aware that you will not be able to use all the ingredients? You already have 8 ingredients and your actions only use two. Or did you forget that you need to place workers to participate at the exhibition?

Forage ingredient phase: Qvist

I may be playing not very smart but I'm aware of this.

Forage Mushroom

[Tables]

Forage Ingredient
Sell potion
Buy Artifact

Are you aware that you will not be able to use all the ingredients? You already have 8 ingredients and your actions only use two. Or did you forget that you need to place workers to participate at the exhibition?

Forage ingredient phase: Qvist

I may be playing not very smart but I'm aware of this.

Forage Mushroom

Don't worry. This is how I'm feeling right about now.



It seems to be working at least moderately well.

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj

[Kirian]

It's okay if you guys don't know what you're doing.  I got this.

[Tables]

Hugovj?

[Hugovj]

I was skiing

But hey, still no idea what I'm doing. Scorpion

[Tables]

Lotus

[Kirian]

I've sent ghostofmars my PM for selling a potion.

[ghostofmars]

Sorry for the delay, I'm travelling this week.

Sell potion phase: All players offer no discount. That means Kirian goes first (both have a bonus of 1 smiley). Qvist will get an additional coin for whatever he sells.

Kirian, you need to state which potion you want to sell. You only send me the ingredients.

[Kirian]

Kirian, you need to state which potion you want to sell. You only send me the ingredients.

Ah, sorry, I'll sell the R+, correct sign guarantee.

[ghostofmars]

Kirian, you promise a red+ potion with a guarantee of a correct sign. The potion is an exact match. You earn 3$.

Qvist, you promise a green+ potion with a guarantee of a correct sign. The potion has a correct sign. You earn 4$.

Buy artifact phase:
Kirian send me a CO to buy the Altar of Gold with his shopkeeper and 6$ for a total cost of 7$ earning 6rep.

Qvist is next.

[Qvist]

Kirian send me a CO to buy the Altar of Gold

Unfortunately I wanted that artifact. That's sad.
To decide if I buy Wisdom Idol I want to know how much points remaining money is worth. Can anyone tell me?

[Kirian]

Kirian send me a CO to buy the Altar of Gold

Unfortunately I wanted that artifact. That's sad.
To decide if I buy Wisdom Idol I want to know how much points remaining money is worth. Can anyone tell me?

Coins are 3 for 1 pt at the end.

Edit:  So, if both your publications have been correct, Idol is better than sitting on Gold.

[Qvist]

Thanks. Then I buy the Wisdom Idol for $3

[Hugovj]

I'll get the Feather in Cap then

[ghostofmars]

Publish theory phase:

Kirian endorses Hugovj's theory about mushrooms paying 1$ to him and 1$ to the publisher. He qualifies for the Mushroom/Fern/Claw grant.

Hugovj is next

[Kirian]

Bump!  Hugo?

[ghostofmars]

Tables is next

PS: Hugovj endorsed Fern paying 1$ to the publisher, Tables, and Kirian.

[Kirian]

The suspense is killing me!

[Tables]

I endorse Toad (Seal sent).

Hugojv, make a potion!

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj receives 1$ from Tables.

Exhbition phase: Demonstrate knowledge about your potions.

Announce which potion you want to make and PM me the ingredients you want to use. If your announced potion agrees with the real potion, you get reputation if you are the first to demonstrate a particular potion. You may not produce a neutral potion.

If you demonstrate two potions with same color but different sign, you earn 2 additional reputation.

Hugovj, you go first.

[ghostofmars]

Hugovj demonstrates a red + potion and earns 1 point of reputation.

Tables

[Tables]

I use my boots of speed and demonstrate 3 potions.

[ghostofmars]

Tables uses his Boots of Speed and successfully exhibits a green - potion (+1 rep), a green + potion (+3 rep), and a blue + potion (+1 rep).

Then Tables and Kirian score the best alchemist award, which ends the last round with the following reputation values
Kirian 23
Tables 21
Qvist 18
Hugovj 16

This points are now converted to vp and you score for grants, artifacts, and remaining money.

New intermediate point total
Kirian 28
Tables 26
Qvist 21.7*
Hugovj 20.7
*= wisdom idol gives additional points

This brings us to the big revelation.

[ghostofmars]

Feather is r- g+ B-. Qvist's theory is correct.

Qvist placed a 3vp seal + 1vp from his wisdom idol.
Kirian 28
Tables 26
Qvist 25.7
Hugovj 20.7

[ghostofmars]

The theory about scorpions (R+ g+ b-) is correct.

Tables placed a 3vp, Kirian a 5vp seal

Kirian 33
Tables 29
Qvist 25.7
Hugovj 20.7

[ghostofmars]

Tables hypothesis that Lotus is r- G+ b+ is correct.

Tables placed a 5vp seal.

Tables 34
Kirian 33
Qvist 25.7
Hugovj 20.7

[ghostofmars]

Claws are indeed R- g- b+.

Tables placed a 3vp seal, Kirian a 5vp one.

Kirian 38
Tables 37
Qvist 25.7
Hugovj 20.7

[ghostofmars]

Toads are very suitable to make positive potions (R+ G+ B+, correct)

Hugovj placed a 3vp seal, Tables placed a 3vp seal.

Tables 40
Kirian 38
Qvist 25.7
Hugovj 23.7

[ghostofmars]

Roots are their negative counterpart R- G- B-.

Hugovj and Kirian placed ? seals, Qvist placed a 5vp seal (+1vp from wisdom idol).

Tables 40
Kirian 38
Qvist 31.7
Hugovj 23.7

[ghostofmars]

The theory about mushrooms is correct (r+ g- B+)

Kirian placed a 3vp seal, Hugovj placed a ? seal.

Kirian 41
Tables 40
Qvist 31.7
Hugovj 23.7

[ghostofmars]

Finally, the theory on Fern is also true.

The seals placed here are Tables 5vp, Kirian ?, Hugovj 3vp, which makes the final score

Tables 45
Kirian 41
Qvist 31.7
Hugovj 26.7

[ghostofmars]

Congratulation Tables, well played

[Kirian]

GG Tables!  I'm impressed you were able to get all 5 of your VP seals down.  I was expecting the final outcome to turn on whether you had gotten 16 or 13, not 19!

[Qvist]

gg everyone. Thanks ghostofmars for moderating. Congrats Tables for the win.
I'm surprised that every single theory is correct, well done.

[Tables]

Oh man, that was tense. Pretty much right after my first theory went down, I was playing a "go big or go home" strategy with my theories. I didn't know if even a single one was necessarily correct. But here's basically what happened early game:

Someone (sorry, can't remember who) placed a seal on an ingredient I knew about (I had three ingredients contingent on each other, with two possibilities). I looked at the data and figured, hey, they have to know the correct version of the one colour I have to hedge on. So it's very likely set 2. I ran with that, assuming those three were correct, placed a little faith in other theories that were published and became fairly confident - but not certain - that all of the 6 published around round 5 were correct. From there I made a bold play going into round 5 of publishing a 7th theory completely blind, but fortunately whoever went before me published the other theory.

This could have easily gone horribly wrong for me. I won through a bit of skill, and a lot of luck in when others published their own theories.

[Tables]

Anyway, thanks for playing everyone, and major thanks to ghost for both moderating and thus introducing me to this game!

[Hugovj]

Thanks for playing everyone

Congrats Tables!

Yeah, I had basically no idea what I was doing. So this result isn't really surprising. I think  I could have played a bit more agressive here and there.

Thanks for moderating Ghost!

[ghostofmars]

There is still one spot in the 2nd game, if anyone wants to play again.

There was more interest in the game, so let's see if we get enough players for a 2nd game.