30-Groat Army

A Gambling Tavern Game In The World Of Oathsworn

In the Oathsworn World, tavern-goers with some spare iron in their pocket often gamble it away in a game called 30-Groat Army. In the poorer neighborhoods, it is played where the loser buys the winner a drink. In the richer quarters, the money played in game is kept.

Traditionally, 30 Groats are used in various denominations, one side painted Black, often just by rubbing coal and oil on them. In today’s world, coins totaling thirty cents may be used, with tails being the black side.

Each player selects 30 Groats (or cents) worth of coins to be in his army. No less than six coins may comprise the army, and it can be 30 1-Groat pieces (or pennies).

A WAR consists of three BATTLES.

A BATTLE: Each player selects AT LEAST TWO of his coins from his army, at whatever values he chooses. (Example: two pennies, or four nickels or a dime and a penny are all fine). These are dropped into an empty mug.

Declaring “Groat Sworn, Thirty Strong, FIGHT!” the selected coins are rattled about in the mug and slammed to the table, mouth down on “Fight”. The mugs removed, and combat resolved.

TAILS or BLACK SIDES are worth no points. HEADS or CLEAN SIDES are worth as many points as the Groat value (a nickel is 5 points and so on). Ties repeat the process without changing coins selected. Whichever player won the battle with more points takes ALL involved coins.

This is repeated a second and third time, selecting from the remaining army of Groats unplayed. If the player miscalculated and has to play less than 2 coins, all coins he brought to the game are given to the other player, regardless of earlier rounds.

After three rounds, winner is the one with the highest Groat Value won.