The Whispering Verses Chapter 563: Opening
This morning's opening ceremony should be regarded as a quite formal cocktail party.
Every visiting guest was holding a wine glass, sitting or standing. After listening to a simple speech by Mr. Rick, the vice president of the Prophet Association, it was announced by Addis Stein, the president of the local association. The final rules for the 1853 Athenaeum Players' Rhodes Tournament.
Shad stood with his friend Baron Lavender, and beside him was the baron's "old enemy", the somewhat short Baron Rwanda.
"It's finally begun."
Baron Rwanda raised his head and looked very confident, as if he had heard the inside information early. Baron Lavender was holding a champagne glass and tapping the body of the glass with his fingers.
Similar to previous "Big City Players", this competition is also divided into three stages.
The first stage is the preliminary round. The 1,273 card players who have obtained the "Numbered Rhodes Cards" as of the end of registration yesterday will start from today, the sixth day of the Harvest Moon, within the Prophet Association that has completed the arrangements. , compete with other contestants under the supervision of the staff of the Prophet Association.
Xia De heard that not only the rooms on the first to third floors were all used for gambling during this period, but even a Rhodes gambling table was placed on the rooftop.
Each registrant has 10 points, two points will be deducted for a loss, and one point will be earned for a win.
Before 5 pm next Friday, the 13th day of the Harvest Moon a week later, contestants with 20 points in their hands can participate in the next stage of the rematch.
The preliminary round is a fixed rule for every "big city player", and specially invited players, that is, people like Shade, can skip the cumbersome first stage and directly participate in the semi-finals.
"This year's Phase 2 is different. This is a brand new rule for the city of Tobesk!"
President Stan announced loudly, causing a burst of discussion below. People looked at him expectantly, and even Shade had a smile on his face. He was very happy that in addition to drinks, the association also prepared juice:
"The Prophet Association cooperates with local clubs and shops. The semi-finals are not only held in the Prophet Association. In order to reflect the spirit of the 'Big City Players' as much as possible, let the Rhodes players gathered from all over the world, Enjoy the autumn of this city. The association has set up rematch competition venues in different districts of Tobesk. Get 20 points, or our specially invited players can go to six venues in the city starting from next Wednesday. For multi-player poker games, the rules for multi-player poker games are as follows”
The rules of the multiplayer card game he announced were clearly the rules of the card game in which Shade participated in and won the [Origin of Darkness] at the Queen's birthday party. Of course, the Queen provided 10 gold stars at the time, while the association only provided "Ayutthaya Players 1853 Bronze Commemorative Coins", and these commemorative coins can be kept privately after the game.
It seems that the guesses of the people at the Queen's Banquet were correct. The Prophet Association has long been preparing to do this at this year's Ayutthaya Players.
"Each player who enters the semi-finals needs to play a multi-player game in six locations. The semi-finals will end at noon next Sunday. At that time, the number of copper coins in each player's hand will be counted, and the top sixteen will be ranked. players, enter the finals."
"Where are the six locations?"
Baron Lavender beside Shade asked loudly, Vice President Stan gave the answer, while the staff of the Prophet Association carried huge oil paintings and maps of the city to show people the locations.
“The residence of Marquis Martinez in the East District. The Marquis also participated in the competition as a special guest player this time; I hope you like the aristocratic architectural style of the northern part of the old continent!
Shadis Cotton Textile Factory in the West District, thanks the factory owner for owing us a large sum of money; the Rhodes brand may go well with textile machines and steam engines!
On the first floor of the Three Cats Hotel in North District, Mrs. Sangmei generously lent us the venue and hoped that we would help her promote it; experience a common people's hotel, play cards amidst the lute and singing, this is the real Interesting card game!
Hall 3, King's Opera House, Delrayon, South District, thanks to His Majesty the King for his generosity; Rhodes is an elegant game, but don't forget to wear formal attire! Valley
Tobesk University Assembly Hall in the University District, which we rented, thank you all for your registration fee; the University District has a strong academic atmosphere, and you may have a different experience playing Rhodes in this kind of venue!
The third floor of the Prophets Association on Silver Cross Avenue in the central city is the room we have now. I hope you won’t hate it here! ”
His funny metaphors caused bursts of laughter, and Shade was also thinking about what he wanted to do.
In a total of five days from next Wednesday to next Sunday, he needs to participate in six multiplayer card games and try to accumulate as many copper coins as possible in his hand. Although in the end only the top sixteen players could enter the finals, based on the proportion in previous years and the information Vice President Mark quietly told him, the number of Rhodes players who could enter the semi-finals should be less than one-tenth of the total number of participants. one.
So, it is not very difficult to win the top 16 places among 100 people.
"The final is the final! Next Sunday afternoon, the association will draw lots based on the rankings and draw lots for the top 16 players. Next Monday, the 16th of this month, there will be a 16-to-8 competition, Tuesday Eight will advance to four, four will advance to two on Wednesday, and the final showdown will be on Thursday. In addition to the usual bonus of 3,000 pounds, the [Big City Player 1853 Tobesk Champion] special rules card will also be awarded to the winner by Tobes. Prizes provided by Gram Club and local Rhodes Club.”
President Stan quickly went through the list of prizes, which were physical rewards given by local shops and clubs to promote themselves. For example, Three Cats Hotel promised to provide the final winning player with 30% off housing and dining privileges for one year.
It seems that Mrs. Sangmei is sure that she can make a lot of money during this year's Big City Players period.
Sometimes outsiders really have to lament that people from other worlds actually do not lack business acumen at all. Even if he was asked to host this "Big City Players" competition, he couldn't do better.
President Stan’s high-pitched voice and the exciting competition that was about to begin made the cocktail party on Friday morning even more lively. Reporters from the Three Penny Newspaper and Steambird Daily were invited to interview Shade alone before the reception was about to end.
As the holder of three Founding Series cards, he is quite famous among Rhodes players. Therefore, the two newspapers paid a high fee of 3 pounds for an interview, specifically allowing Shade to express his views and opinions on this year's Big City Players game.
Xia De was of course happy to earn this money. He answered the questions seriously and touted Vice President Mark's efforts for this year's competition. But when he was finally asked to take a photo, Shade did not take a frontal photo. Instead, he asked reporters to take a backside photo of him leaving with other players.
Shad didn't want clear photos of himself to be circulated. This was not because he was a criminal who needed to cover up his crimes, but simply because he still went to Coldwater Harbor occasionally.
But at least recently, he will only enjoy the card competition of the Steam Age in this city, in the entire Northern Pearl.
【Are you really not a criminal? 】
Shad declined Baron Lavender's invitation to go out for a drink. On the way home, "she" suddenly asked.
Xia De thought about what he had done:
"Indeed not."
[Then why do you still think about it? 】
Xia De was choked by her, and the pleasant laughter came to his ears again.
While there was nothing else to do this afternoon, Shade visited Priest August again. The priest has received definite notice that he will leave the city of Tobesk next week and is packing his bags these days.
Because of his age, Priest Augustus has not been sent on official business by the church for almost ten years. This unexpected business trip not only puzzled him, but also Bishop Owen. However, the Holy See never gave a reason for the trip. They only said that a group of elderly devout clergy were gathered to hold meetings and training in the southeastern city.