RPC-418

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418.jpg

Artistic depiction of RPC-418-1 (circa 1585).

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Registered Phenomena Code: 418

Object Class: Alpha-Red

Hazard Types:Additional Properties: h-aggression.png Aggression h-sapient.png Sapient h-contact.png Contact h-extra-dimensional.png Extra-Dimensional h-mind-control.png Mind-Control

Containment Protocols: RPC-418 is to be contained within an anomalous item locker when not in use. Long-term containment of RPC-418 requires moisture removers to prevent any potential damage.

All testing on RPC-418 must be approved by at least 2 Senior Researchers. Personnel interacting with RPC-418 are to be given a file containing the ruleset and must be capable of speaking Latin.

Activation of RPC-418 is to occur in a soundproof testing chamber completed with an observation deck outfitted with a one-way mirror and recording equipment. When active, a game of RPC-418 is not to be disturbed.

All video recordings of RPC-418 during activation periods are to be collected and analyzed for any deviation from the currently understood ruleset.1


Description: The designation RPC-418 refers to a set of 49 woodcut playing cards measuring 5.1cm in width and 10.2 cm in length originating from 16th century Venice, modern-day Italy. While similar in design to the Italian Tarocchino,2 the imagery printed on cards does not match any found within the medieval historical and archeological records. The deck consists of four suits (Cups, Coins, Clubs, and Swords) of non-anomalous numerical cards labeled 1-9. The deck also contains 13 additional cards (termed "Fate Cards" by the Latin writing found on their bottom) whose anomalous properties manifest only while interacting with RPC-418 according to its ruleset. The Fate Cards have both a gameplay purpose and act as punishments for failing to participate in the core stack-building element of RPC-418.

RPC-418 is meant to be played like a card game for 2-4 individuals. The ruleset is presumed to be comprehended by the Research staff. When RPC-418 is removed from its ornate wooden casing, RPC-418-1 manifests.

RPC-418-1 is a humanoid creature roughly 1.6 meters in height dressed in jester motley, similar to the ones worn by 16th century Harlequins.3 Once victorious in a game of RPC-418, a subject will replace the current instance of RPC-418-1. RPC-418 will manifest only 1 instance of RPC-418-1 at any given time, relinquishing its control over the previous host. All anomalous properties of a subject are neutralized once their RPC-418-1 classification is lost. RPC-418-1 is sapient and fluent in Renaissance Latin. Other languages spoken by a subject before reclassification as RPC-418-1 are not expressed.

Upon manifestation, RPC-418-1 will offer to participate in a game of RPC-418 with those nearby, playing with only 3 individuals at any given time. Should a person refuse to play, the attitude of RPC-418-1 will become hostile, provoking the entity to bludgeon the offender with its wooden club. Long periods of being unable to find suitable players will result in the mental health of RPC-418-1 rapidly deteriorating, prompting the entity to attempt self-termination in order to demanifest.

Should a person accept to play, RPC-418-1 will become pleased and find a suitable nearby surface to deal the cards so that a game of RPC-418 can begin. RPC-418-1 seems to put the game of RPC-418 above all else, as exemplified by its desire to activate its harmful effects even if the said activation could result in damage to itself or others. RPC-418-1 has proven to be immune to all methods of fatality resulting from RPC-418's "Fate Cards", although bodily deterioration resulting from its anomalous effect has been noted.

Counters used to indicate a player's resources (termed "Ducats" by RPC-418-1) bear the appearance of golden coins used for trade in the Italian Peninsula during the late Middle Ages. While not contained within the ornate wooden container of RPC-418, RPC-418-1 will provide the Ducats from a red pouch located underneath its headgear.

Should a subject attempt to use illegitimate methods to gain an advantage, disturb, openly criticize, surrender, or otherwise disregard the rules of RPC-418, RPC-418-1 will become hostile and attempt to clobber the offender to death. If the subject is capable of fighting off the attacker, RPC-418-1 can be terminated by conventional means. Once terminated, an instance of RPC-418-1 will demanifest and manifest again once RPC-418 is interacted with. While RPC-418-1 can recall prior players of RPC-418, it is either unwilling or incapable of recalling itself ever being terminated.



Fate Cards

Card Classification
Key The Card is used for achieving victory.
Beneficial The Card grants its user an advantage.
Harmful The Card will either harm or debilitate its user without posing a threat of fatality.
Deadly The Card has a chance of causing a fatality, but death is avoidable.
Mortal The Card will result in certain death.

Key

Features a depiction of a yellow sun with a human face. Holding this card alongside 10 Ducats results in victory condition. When played due to the user being unable to contribute to the stacks, the card is shuffled back into the deck.





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