Ill Met By Moonlight is a mini RPG where you enact the vengeance of a fey monarch onto an unfortunate and rude capitalist.
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In the light of a full moon, the young Elias Constant runs into a beggar on an old road. Being a mean spirited fellow, with little care for others, harsh words are spoken and insults are exchanged. The pair part ways, with the beggar muttering a curse…
What misfortune, though! For Elias has run afoul of Alberich, Monarch of the Fey, whose temper is easily raised and whose vengeance is legend…
How To Play
This is a game for one or two players, where you take on the roles of both Alberich the insulted Fey Monarch & the ill-met mortal Elias Constant, or divide the roles between you.
You will need a standard pack of 52 playing cards (remove the Joker) & 2d6.
Before you begin, discuss and decide on the following:
- Alberich’s appearance in the mortal world
- Alberich’s appearance in the fey world
- Elias’ family members
- Elias’ business and source of income
- Elias’ passions and sources of joy
Next, answer the following together:
- Where do Elias and Alberich meet?
- How does Elias insult Alberich?
- What keeps Alberich from revealing their true identity?
- What are Alberich’s parting words to Elias?
- What are Elias’ parting words to Alberich
Alberich will visit the mortal world 7 times. Each visit will be exactly 7 years apart and will bring new pain or difficulties for Elias. Begin with Alberich’s first visit and then play the 7 years that follow in Elias’ life. Repeat this until you have had 7 visits and 7 times 7 years of Elias’ life. Once this is done, move to The End.
Alberich
Alberich does not deal well with insult and is known as a troublesome and tricksome spirit by all who cross their path. To fall into their bad grace is to sow the seeds of a crop of ashes and reap only sorrow.
For each visit to the mortal world, draw to determine the season and Alberich’s power. When you draw, discard 6 cards and read the suit from the 7th:
| SUIT | SEASON | POWER |
| SPADES | SUMMER | FULL – Pick 6 INTERACTIONS |
| HEARTS | SPRING | WAXING – Pick d6 INTERACTIONS |
| CLUBS | AUTUMN | WANING – Pick d6 INTERACTIONS |
| DIAMONDS | WINTER | LOW – Pick d3 INTERACTIONS |
When you use an INTERACTION, have a scene where you describe how Alberich’s influence on Elias’ life manifests.
| INTERACTION | RESULT |
| DO HARM | Someone close to Elias sickens, is injured, or dies |
| TAKE WEALTH | A source of income, stockpiled resource, or treasured possession is lost to Elias |
| RUIN PROSPECTS | A plan or venture in Elias’ future is compromised or destabilised |
| BREAK BONDS | Someone close to Elias falls out of love with, loses trust in, or disavows him |
| WILT PASSION | A project, task, or object of affection loses all fascination for Elias |
| DISCREDIT NAME | Elias’ reputation is damaged or ruined |
Alberich’s influence may not be felt immediately – you can choose to use these INTERACTIONS at any point during Elias’ 7 years, but you must use them all before the next visit to the mortal plane. Your INTERACTIONS may be used in direct opposition to any positive effects that come from Elias’ focus.
Once you have seen the effect of your last INTERACTIONS on Elias, move to THE END.
Elias Constant
Elias Constant is a hard man to like and a harder man to love. In business, he is a bludgeoning cudgel, or a whetted blade. With family, he is cold as stone. The conversations that go on behind his back are seldom unknown to him and the thin smile with which he greets his peers hides a forked tongue and sharp mind.
For each year between meetings, pick one of the following to FOCUS on:
| FOCUS | MODIFIER |
| BUSINESS & WEALTH | +2 |
| REPUTATION & STANDING | + 1 |
| PASSIONS & PROJECTS | 0 |
| FAMILY & FRIENDS | – 1 |
When you FOCUS on something, have a scene which shows how Elias’ FOCUS manifests, then roll 2d6 and add the relevant modifier.
On 7-10, pick 1
On 11-12, pick 2
| REPAIR/REBUILD | The FOCUS recovers from complications or damage |
| ENHANCE/EXCEL | The FOCUS grows or improves in some way, to your benefit |
| FASCINATE/FAVOUR | The FOCUS shines in a different way and invigorates you with new passion |
| BLOSSOM/BURGEON | The FOCUS opens up a new opportunity or prospect |
On a 6 or below, whatever you FOCUS on worsens, sours, or turns to ashes – make a MARK. REPAIR/REBUILD allows you to remove a MARK.
When a FOCUS reaches 3 marks, Elias reaches RUIN in that aspect of his life – he can no longer FOCUS on it and must apply his attentions elsewhere.
If all of Elias’ FOCUS are in RUIN, then he is made destitute. Move immediately to THE END.
The End
At the end of Elias’ life, Alberich will visit him and reveal their true form. They will show Elias 3 VISIONS, and revel in his despair.
If Elias avoided complete RUIN, Alberich will have 3 cards left. If Elias was RUINED and became destitute, then shuffle the deck and draw 3 cards at random.
Show Elias 1 VISION for each card. Have a scene for each one.
| SPADES | A vision of a past, now long lost |
| HEARTS | A vision of a future that could have been |
| CLUBS | A vision of a different present, where Elias prospers |
| DIAMONDS | A vision of what will remain after Elias’ death |
Once the final VISION has been shown, Elias will be left in the tatters of his life, to fade away and think on all that could have been.
Alberich will bid him farewell and return to the Feywield, with their taste for revenge sated; at least, for now…
