Great Escape- Friday night magic

[Kray]

Taking his own pile of cards in hand the giant begins to start shuffling, an awkward process given the size difference. "Ah. Well winning sure would be nice, but yeah can't win them all." That there were no stakes helps, if these games had mattered all manner of other tricks would be coming out. "Ha. Yeah it seems straight forward until cards start messing with each other." The finer interactions, priority and the like had so far proven to be a labyrinth of rules.

MTG 1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-11 14:56:00	Kray rolls 2 to MTG int+comp-2 (ogre curse no 10 again)	5, 10	1 success

And in a rare instance the giant makes a passable opening play, an island for his opening land into a delver of secrets. although it is quite clear he does not have a poker face as he seems rather pleased with himself.

[Aurora]

Instructions read, she sets them off to side, but within reach because she was sure she was going to need them. “It is nice, but I’m more about having a good time then winning.” That was her goal in life, having a good time, enjoying whatever life threw at her. Following suit, she begins to shuffle, making sure she had the right number of cards and all that. “Ah, but then that’s when things get interesting and the lessons begin.” It did seem like it could get complicated, but, like it could still be fun.

She watches his play, nodding and smiling. For her play, she feels she has to play the green land card, a forest. Like the primal wilds for the Shaman. Glancing at the rules, she nods, and places an Almighty Brushwagg. It only had a cost of one, so she thinks she’s ok to put it down.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-12 13:04:12	Aurora rolls 5 to MtG(Int+Comp-2) (10 Again)	10, 9, 7, 3, 7, 1	2 successes

[Kray]

With his current unbroken losing streak at this game it is safe to say he must be playing for something other then the desire to win. "Eh. A good time winning its possible to have both." Many would only have a good time if they were winning. Eyes glint as the women shows understanding of what that reason is why he plays. "Ha. Yeah learning this feels like it could be a skill set all of its own." Mastery over words he had, able to twist and bind them but this game and its depth of rules was an entirely new challenge and one he rather did enjoy slowly slowly puzzling out.

Looking at the creature she played, it was a perfectly fine play just not one he has ever seen before, looking to the box the set name is one from before he started play. "Huh. Well this will be new." And it was already a problem he needed to overcome. "Ah. That will get big soon enough." And well size did matter.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-12 14:29:12	Kray rolls 2 to MTG int+comp-2 (ogre curse no 10 again)	9, 9	2 successes

First his delver does something. He reads the card out loud, for both their sakes. It revels a rat out a one cost instant which means his delver transforms into its over side. "Ha. Now that was lucky." Taking the card out the sleeve and turning it over into its stronger version is a problem but he gets there.

The rest of the turn is not surprising a swamp comes down, rat out is played to kill the brushwagg while making himself a little rat and then he attacks for 3 damage with the newly transformed insectile aberration.

[Aurora]

A soft chuckle as she nods, glancing at her cards then back to the giant, “A skill set I’m not sure I can master, but one I think could be fun to learn all the same.” Some other Awakened might find it a bit crass, but hell, live a little. “I mean, sitting down and learning how to statistically play these over a beer or whatever could be a good way to spend a couple hours.” There were worse things to do.

Looking at the card, “The Land color and cost matched.” Starting to sound a bit worried, but when he didn’t make a thing about it, she relaxed. “Oh, ok.” So she didn’t misread, good good. “Maybe, depends on what you play, it might disappear into my,” pausing, looking at her rule card, “graveyard!” that was word.

Gray eyes watch the giant take his turn and widen at the turn of events!

“Damn! That was lucky!” chuckling, “Nice one!” taking her little brushwagg and placing off to the side in the graveyard. “I would say he had a good run, but, well, he didn’t.” all said with good humor.

“Ok, lets see.” Taking a look at what she has, looking at Lands and cost, that was a big thing. So a White Plains was played then a Savannah Lions card. It wasn’t anything special, but maybe she could build up to something.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-14 22:51:59	Aurora rolls 5 to MtG(Int+Comp-2) (10 Again)	1, 8, 4, 4, 8	2 successes

[Kray]

The giant squints first at his cards then at Madison. "Uh. I was not thinking mathematically, more like top trumps." You have that but I have this which beats it. "Uh. Way way more complicated top trumps." Because well it was considerably more then just comparing the two numbers.

He snorts. "Ha. Luck is all that was." The right card had been on top of his deck to set him up for a good turn, nothing more or less then that. "Oh. He could have been a huge pain if he stuck around." Creatures that could get bigger added another consideration to when attacking was good or bad, a skill the ogre had not really grasped yet. Looking at lion as it comes down. "Huh. A 2/1." A good trade for his rats but they can't block so.

MTG 1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-15 17:55:27	Kray rolls 2 to MTG int+comp-2 (ogre curse no 10 again)	4, 9	1 success

His preference for attack shows as he attacks with both creatures for another four damage. Putting a red mountain down to make three different land types. He ends his turn grinning nastily again but not having developed his board at all.

[Aurora]

A nod, “Those are always good to have, but sometimes the way to get to those in play, is to play a bit more strategically. But I could be wrong about if that would work in a game like this, first night and all.” Shrugging. “Everyone has their own way of going about it.” She was just thinking of how sometimes you have to play the long game.

“Hey, sometimes luck is all you need. And sometimes lady luck decides she doesn’t like you that night and screws you.” That was life. Nodding at the comment about her card, “Seemed like a good play.” Plus, it was all she could afford to play.

Laughing as she frowns, “Well, there go the lions. I need to find a card to keep in play long enough to attack with here.” Humor in her voice as she removes the card, “They certainly cannot block that.”

Her lack of skill with the game was showing, but it wasn’t bothering her. This was how you learned a new game; you played it. You failed, got your ass kicked, and learned.

But then a card caught her eye, and maybe this one will be more successful! Especially if she was reading it right. But it might mean she takes a direct hit, which sucks, but, that was ok.

First, another land was placed, because those were important, needed those for bigger cards. It was another Forest. Then she places down an Edmorg Plains Griffin, flying, 2/3. And looked quite proud of that card.

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-16 23:44:52	Aurora rolls 5 to MtG(Int+Comp-2) (10 Again)	10, 6, 9, 10, 4, 6, 1	3 successes

[Kray]

A amused grunt from the ogre meets the statement. "Uh. Yeah there are tactics and strategy to this. Deck building for one, still not to good at that myself." As mentioned it had been luck that put the removal spell on top of his deck. "Ah. And that guy over there." Pointing at another player who froze. "Hm. He is real good at what he calls prediction." Something else the giant had yet to grasp in the game, probably because it required more research then a for fun game should require. "Hm. Knows ever legal card there is he does." And Kray, well he does not.

MTG failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-17 09:03:27	Kray rolls 2 to MTG int+comp-2 (ogre curse no 10 again)	1, 5	failure

As Aurora goes to put here lions in the graveyard the giant shakes his head. "Uh. They don't need to. They would only die if you blocked, otherwise you you get to keep them around." And so focused is he on trying to make sure he got the rules right, he forgets to do anything passing the turn without actually making a play.

[Aurora]

“That’d be something to look into if I really decide to dive into this. Right now, it’s a kind of test the waters thing.” If she enjoyed playing this evening, it might turn into something regular. Following to where the giant pointed, chuckling as the poor guy froze, offering him a friendly wave and smile, trying to let him know it was all good. “Prediction? Like he can predict the cards? Or is it how you, uh, build the deck? That was word, right? Build the deck?” lots of weird phrases with this game.

Eyes widen, “Every one?” a low whistle, “Damn.” Lowering her voice, “Either really loves the game, or has no life. Because that is dedication.” To the max. Then again, she knew the Lex, not by heart mind you, but more than most.

Looking at the Lion card, “But wouldn’t I want to block? If I don’t block, I take damage, and taking enough damage and reaching zero I believe means I lose right? Or did I not read that right?” picking up the rules again. “So it would seem early on, it would be better to block and get the smaller ones out and get more land out to get bigger ones out in play.” Seeming content with her decision to keep the Lions in the graveyard.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-17 22:48:35	Aurora rolls 5 to MtG(Int+Comp-2) (10 Again)	10, 7, 4, 7, 10, 2, 5	2 successes

That decided, she places another Forest out and turns the Griffin, attacking with him.

[Kray]

It really is something he should look into the ogre mulls over as the game progresses it might help him understand some of the interactions better. "Uh. No prediction like he can look at your lands, see what colours and what mana you have and from that he knows what options you have." Having memorised the available card list probably helped with that. "Uh. Gets in his own head a little though, but usually he is on the money." Even an above average success rate would make winning a lot easier for the guy in question. "Ah. I think he loves the game honestly." The Giant grumbles as he reads cards in his hand.

Then nodding. "Ah. Yeah damage is not great but if you might want to keep you creature alive to attack me back with." Pausing. "Um. Or for some other reasons, some cards need creatures to work." He was referring to combat ricks but had forgot that precise term.

MTG 2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-18 10:32:51	Kray rolls 2 to MTG int+comp-2 (ogre curse no 10 again)	10, 10	2 successes

The giant demonstrates this by taking the damage from the attack rather then sacrifice his own creatures. On his turn things get a little more complex. First draws, plays another mountain and then attacks with both his creatures. As Aurora has no blockers he gets his damage through. "Ah Ha. Now you get to draw a card, a gift from me." And because that what his card says. "Hm. Wildfire howl. Deals one damage to the griffon then two damage to everything so all creatures die I think." Unless the woman had a way to save her creature.

[Aurora]

“Oh! Wow, that’s some skill, and someone who must really enjoy the game. So good on him.” Credit where it was due. “Glad he found something he loves; everyone needs something they love and really enjoy in life. Something that brings a little bot of happiness to them. Like me, I love brewing beer, more of a hobby and I couldn’t tell you every ingredient and what it did, but I enjoy it. What about you? Aside from telling stories.” small talk, it was fun, well, she enjoyed it.

“That is a good point, one I forgot, so thanks for reminding me.” But she had committed to the action, so that was that. “I’ll remember that going forward.” Offering a smile and a grateful nod.

Laughing, “So I take damage *and* get a card? Awesome! Thank you!” drawing a card.

Then she watches as the attack continues and nods, “Yup, that adds up.” Removing the Griffin from the table. Understanding more now what he had pointed out. “And seeing the wisdom in your words from earlier.” Drawing a card to start her turn, she actually smirks, this could be a good one! If she could keep it alive. She needed to get some creatures on the table for more than a turn.

Ok, Plains goes out, build the land. Then four lands are tapped, one Forest, one Plain and two more Forest. She then plays Yasharn, Implacable Earth, a 4/4, “He allows me to search my library for a basic Forest and a basic Plains when he enters the battlefield, reveal them to you, place them in my hand, and then shuffle my library.” She makes sure to turn the card so he could read it as well. Then does as the card instructs, reveal the cards, a basic Forest and Plain, places them in her hand and then shuffles the library.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-20 11:37:30	Aurora rolls 5 to MtG(Int+Comp-2) (10 Again)	6, 6, 9, 8, 6	2 successes