Entertainment

In the East, there are two main sets of playing cards - Dahkland sets (graphically illustrated) and Foy sets (images of people). Foy is the most widely accepted. It consists of 5 suits of 12 cards, with each suit being a fictional nation (formerly tribes). The translated cards, invented to educate past citizens about social echelons are in order: Emperor, King, Duke, Lord, Gentryman, Knight, Priest, Merchant, Scholar, Artificer, Footsoldier, Peasant. There were various state sponsored card games, the most popular of which is Countess (Shithead). The West really only has drinking games and card with instructions/forfeits, not dissimilar to Cards Against Humanity and Superfight, though I don't know what teetotal Clare would do.

The popular board strategy game is called Ennaudus. It's basically just a board game version of the video game Into The Breach. It is similar to chess (different pieces with different abilities) but with additional changes. These include:

* The removal of the black/white ground feature
* Health (2 hits) for certain pieces (???)
* Fewer pieces on the board.

The point of the game is not to 'take' pieces or anything, but rather to push enemy pieces off the board. Pieces, for example, have abilities like leap, explosion, pull, push, flip. Also something to do with 5 moves total. All pieces either linked to the hermetic arts or various professions (spice merchant, fisherman) IDK.

The theatre is still very popular, especially among the middle and upper classes. The move has been made from Shakespearean acting to more modern realistic acting, though many comedies stick with the old style. Falling prey to sensationalism, like circuses though. Method acting helped by technological advances like limelight and mechanical scenery and the like. Plays can vary wildly in terms of content, tone and meaning.

Ruzian silent plays are a type of comedy play, mostly with slapstick absurdist and physical comedy. There are wild exaggerated mimes when the actors 'talk' and cacophonous horn sounds played like that of Don't Starve.

I think that martial sports like swordfighting and boxing are more common than in our world. Street wrestling is fairly common amongst lower classes, in Acrefell at least. However, some people may not want to get injured so there are standard sports - kicking, batting, throwing, running etc. Carrion is probably the most common introduced to the West from Nebelon and comes in a mixture of sorts of basketball and cricket, with some rule changes. Carrion is a bastardisation of kcaryan, and the sport spread like wildfire. Most towns and cities have carrion teams and aside from street wrestling, carrion is what you'll find all the little boys and girls playing in streets, slums, parks and gardens.

## Bassoon Fighting Pits

Redwood Baehr is the stage name of the top elite fighter in the men's non-lethal freestyle ring. Looks like Tsar Nicholar II??

Mostly illegal apart from the front boxing and martial arts clubs, but tolerated since many watch members spectate, bet and fight when off-duty. They provide a good evening's entertainment and even a means of profit so they attract people from a wide range of social classes and backgrounds. Fights are spread across multiple venues and host a large range of categories. For example:

* Gender - male, female, mixed
* Lethality - tapout, death, unconsciousness
* Weapons - none, swords, other, freestyle (no freestyle)
* Style - boxing, wrestling, swordplay, martial arts, freestyle
* Weights - Heavyweight, lightweight, middleweight, superweight, mixed

* Species - Human, dog, rat, cock, other, mixed

The venues range from upper class clubs and parlours to dark dirty earthen pits, depending on clientelle and personal preference, though it's generally agreed that any loyal customer is able to go to whichever venue he pleases. The Bassoons monopolise fighting rings and threaten any rivals, but they needn't as their pits are welcoming, well-run and aesthetically pleasing. For example, most lethal fights and especially all 'bloody freestyles' are held at the Habache Club on Tier 6, decorated in a proper rococo style but with a sunken arena.

One of the more popular fights are scarecrow fights. Through 'legitimate means', the Bassoons acquired a mechanical man and reprogrammed it to have more and better combat techniques and also victory dances (spinning arms) and he is also constantly being upgraded and updated with the latest technology and gearware. Tinboy fights various opponents and various numbers of opponents yet he always wins due to house fixing. The audience are aware of this (betting is closed on Tinboy fights) but they attend anyway because of the blood, spectacle and the fact that Tinboy is an audience favourite. Adjustable for heavy maces. Fackin' killl 'im, Tinboy. Slice 'im up.

As well as human fights, fights specialising with other species have become a popular pastime, at least with the commoners. Whilst extremely special fights can involve lions or greatbears, it is mostly reserved for dogs, cocks and rats. Sometimes there are interspecies fights such as dogs against sewer rats. A distinct breed of dog has emerged for this fight, the rathound. In the Alfogg Hound Pits in Acrefell, the current leader is Libby of Periull Retimp. Extermination matchs for old/frail dogs.

Trattick Gardens is open to the sunshine and is situated on Tier 6. A pleasure garden and open to the public for a small donation. Not too large and not too fancy (compared to the private gardens in the Luviln district) but notable for its fencing pavilion. Bassoon non-lethal sword fights often take place here. A wallless structure constructed of steel and glass, a long line with rotated squares at either end for brawls.