Eyes on the Prize

Name Name
The Plot:
Affection Plot Suspicion
 1: Matrimonial Memories
Someone has asked to hear a story about your
relationship. What is it? (If playing with 4 players, the
2: Teamwork Makes the
other pair decides.) You’ve rehearsed things like this Scheme Work
before, but now you’ve been put on the spot. Each
member of the partnership should roll a d8; the one There’s an opportunity that requires skills from each
who rolls lower has to tell the story based on the member of the partnership, an exact crossroads
results. If you roll doubles, you each have to alternate between your strategic strengths. You can’t move
sentence by sentence. forward on your own; you have to each bring
11-16: You realize as you tell the stories that you something to the table. Decide what it is, then roll 2d8.
really believe them, or at least that you can see 11-16: It goes perfectly, but your synchronicity and
where you’re getting all this from. You find shared power is intoxicating. Describe what new
meaning in the lies. What’s the biggest similarity compatibilities the two of you have discovered. +3
between the pretty thing you made up and the Affection, +2 Plot.
truth? +3 Affection, +1 Plot. 2-7: It sucks. You suck. Tension rises. What did
2-7: Your mind has gone blank! You have to make you bicker about, and how did that ruin
something up. Start a stopwatch and speak everything? +3 Suspicion, -1 Plot.
without stopping for 60 seconds. If you contradict 8-10: You advance your goals skillfully, but
yourself, repeat yourself more than twice, or say professionally; this is exactly what you had in mind
something that makes another player laugh, +5 when you started all of this. Describe how you
Suspicion. celebrate after your success. +3 Plot, and if the
8-10: You recite the planned lies and everyone is celebration gets dangerously romantic, +1
satisfied and vaguely charmed. How do you stop Affection.
yourself from looking bored while you do so? +2
Plot, -2 Affection

3: A Duel!
Someone has insulted your “beloved.” (If playing with 4 4: Dancing, Obviously
players, it came from the other pair!) Each member of the What’s a social event without a turn around the ballroom?
partnership should roll a d8; the one who rolled lower is Play rock-paper-scissors against each other 8 times, and
the one insulted, and the one who rolled higher is the one count the number of times you play the same move. (With
tasked with defending their honor; if you rolled doubles, 4 players: The other pair is free to keep an eye on you and
the insult was to your marriage itself, and all token raise hell if they think you’re cheating/giving each other
changes are doubled. some kind of signal.)
11-16: You go apeshit. Somehow, in ways beyond your 6-8 times: You feel like you’ve danced together a
control, this has touched a real nerve. Describe the million times. What is it about this that’s making the
carnage, and then the aftermath. +3 Affection, -2 rest of the couples fade away? What touch or gesture
Plot. finally brings you back? What kind of excuses are you
2-7: You can’t motivate yourself to throw a fit over going to make to dance for much longer than you had
something like this, not when there’s so much to do. originally planned? +3 Affection, -1 Plot.
So you let it slide, in front of everyone, which is 0-2 times: You just can’t find a rhythm. You’re actually
almost more scandalous than a fight would have so bad at this that you’re starting to irritate the other
been. What kind of rumors circulate afterwards? How couples on the floor. Maybe you should just forget it
do you each feel about them? +2 Suspicion, -2 and go focus on your real plans — which one of you
Affection. gets fed up first? +2 Suspicion, +1 Plot, -1 Affection.
8-10: Well, socially this calls for a duel, so it’s time to 3-5 times: You’re perfectly charming together, and
d-d-d-d-duel. The dueling partner rolls a d8; for a 1-4, you dance just enough to make sure everyone sees you
you lose. You’re humiliated, but at least you stood up enjoying yourselves. What do each of you think about
for your spouse as expected: -2 Suspicion. For a 5-8, while you dance, instead of thinking about your
you win, and the court at large hums approvingly: -2 hands on each other’s waists? -1 Suspicion, +3 Plot.
Suspicion, +2 Plot. (4 players: roll as a challenge;
EACH pair gets the subsequent win/loss tokens.)
 5: Your Ex Is Here 6: Oh No, My Gown!
Someone’s trodden on the train of your dress, or
God fucking damn it. Both partners roll a d8; the one spilled champagne all down your jacket front, or
with a lower roll just saw their ex walk in. (If you roll severely jostled your wig. Luckily, this is firmly in the
doubles, you’ve BOTH dated them! How? Why? What realm of “problems to be solved by your devoted
happened???) Why aren’t you together anymore? Why spouse.” Each partner should roll a d8; the one with the
the hell are they walking over here? lower roll is the one impacted with a wardrobe
11-16: You and your spouse are so engaged in each malfunction, and the one with the higher roll has to fix
other’s company that your ex… just can’t really get it. If you rolled doubles, you’re somehow in this mess
a word in edgewise. What did they say that together — tangled jewelry, a double-wide appetizer
distracted you so effectively? And when someone splatter?
tried to point them out to you, afterwards, didn’t 11-16: Fingers brush one too many times between
you kind of find yourself thinking, “...Who?” +3 layers of lace. A curl of hair is caressed away from
Affection. your forehead. It takes a little firm pressure to slip
2-7: There is some kind of absolute meltdown. your shoe back onto your foot. Which part of your
Describe it. -2 Plot, and in the end, decide to take outfit is your spouse now going to be thinking
either -2 Affection OR +2 Suspicion. about all night? +3 Affection, -1 Plot
8-10: No fuss, no muss. You’re so normal. You’re 2-7: It’s just too awkward to fiddle with each
very very normal about it. So normal that everyone other’s clothes like this. You can’t bring yourselves
gets a little bored, and the ravenous crowd that to do it. What part of your outfit looks like shit
had gathered in hopes of seeing some kind of now, and how is it going to distract you all
absolute meltdown disperses. How does this evening? +2 Suspicion, -2 Plot
extremely normal interaction change how you feel 8-10: What a frivolous problem! Easily solved.
about your ex? Are you now thinking about the Describe how a solution is improvised so the night
inevitable end of your marriage, once this plan has can continue. +2 Plot; if you make each other
run its course? -1 Suspicion, +2 Plot. laugh, +2 Affection.

7: Trial by Friendgroup
Obviously, the ones who care about you want to see 8: Performance Art
who the hell has swept their friend so thoroughly off Won’t you play something for us on the harpsichord? I
their feet — and they have high standards. Each heard you have a lovely voice. Come on, show me that
partner should roll a d8; the lower roll is the one being parlor trick you did last summer, the one with the
interrogated. If you roll doubles, a combo troupe from teaspoon and a coin — Partygoers are clamoring for
both your social circles has arrived for inspections, and entertainment. Each partner should roll a d8; the one with
token changes are doubled. the lower roll has to perform. If you roll doubles, you have
11-16: The interrogated spouse has utterly charmed to perform together, and token changes are doubled.
the curious companions — describe how and why. 11-16: Your spouse’s performance is enchanting — to
One friend leans over, asking why in the world you you as well as the rest of the room. Did you know they
didn’t get together sooner… and that suddenly had this talent? Ask them to tell you about another
seems like a good question. Ask your spouse. +3 hobby they have. Maybe they can teach you, if it isn’t
Affection, -2 Suspicion one you share. +3 Affection, -1 Plot.
2-7: Uh-oh. The nerves have set in, and the 2-7: Maybe being watched this closely is putting you
on edge. That was not your best work, and you have a
interrogated spouse is overcompensating. Set a
feeling people are going to be tittering about it for
stopwatch for 60 seconds and sing your own
weeks. What rude comment does your spouse (or
praises without stopping. If you repeat yourself
both of you, if you rolled doubles) blurt out in the
more than twice, say something that your spouse
aftermath? -2 Affection, -1 Plot
finds irritating, or make another player cringe or 8-10: You’ve put plenty of practice in, and you manage
wince, -2 Affection, +2 Suspicion. a perfectly pleasant display of your talents. Not quite
8-10: You know all the right things to say. What is nice enough for anyone to ask for an encore, though,
it that your spouse’s friends were hoping to hear? so you can shake off the entourage and get back to
What kind of person did they want their friend to work. Which freshly-entertained guest do you
end up with? Is that actually the kind of person you wheedle information out of? +3 Plot
are? -1 Suspicion, -1 Affection, +2 Plot
 10: Sweet Somethings
9: Travel Album With this event comes an expectation of gift-giving;
with the expectation of gift-giving comes the
Everyone wants to know where you went on expectation of a very public display of exactly how
honeymoon! Except, you didn’t. Better come up with much you love each other. The more quantifiable, the
something quick! Roll 2d8. better. Each partner should roll a d8; the one with the
11-16: Actually, why not just tell the truth? You lower roll is the one offering a gift, and the other is the
haven’t had a chance yet, but you’d love to. recipient. If you rolled doubles, you both brought
Brainstorm where you’d like to go. Get a little lost something, and token changes are doubled.
in the dreaminess of it. Start actually imagining 11-16: It’s wonderful. It’s thoughtful. It’s intimate.
it…? +3 Affection, -1 Plot It’s not what your spouse was expecting at all.
2-7: You’re caught entirely off guard. Count to What did you give them? How did you know? How
three on your fingers, and each time, you and your do they react? +3 Affection, -1 Suspicion
spouse have to simultaneously say: 1. A location 2-7: Shit. You forgot. Stand up, then set a timer for
(i.e. “The beach!”, “The mountains!”, “The beautiful 30 seconds and use that time to find an object in
new opera resort on the moon!”), 2. How long you the room. When you return with it, do your best to
were there, and 3. What you spent the most time give a heartfelt speech on why this is a really great
doing together. +2 Suspicion for each mismatched gift, actually. While you’re at it, do your best to
response. ignore the judgmental stares of everyone else in
8-10: Oh yes. We went to a beautiful place, and had the room. -2 Affection, +2 Suspicion.
a beautiful time, and made beautiful memories. 8-10: You have come prepared with A Nice Gift Of
Tell the most boring, generic story you can, to Jewelry, Maybe, or Something Like A Luxury
drive away the curious crowds as quickly as Lighter, or perhaps even A Monogrammed Pen. Is
possible — even if you bore each other a little in the your spouse actually going to use this thing? If not,
process. +2 Plot, -1 Affection where are you stuffing it when you get home? -2
Suspicion, -1 Affection.

11: What Happens in Court...

It’s time for some good old fashioned party games. Choose
12: If You Can't Say Anything Nice...
a variety of game that would generally be played at The rumor mill is churning, and your ass is flour.
festivities like the ones your characters are attending, like Come up with a scandal from each partner’s past
drinking games, gambling over cards, or garden croquet — (unrelated to the fake marriage); then each partner
either way, determine if it’s just for fun, or if you’re betting should roll a d8. The one who rolls lower starts to hear
money on it. Roll 2d8. (If playing with 4 players, both teams whispers about their secret. If you rolled double,
should roll and take the token changes of their respective rumors about both scandals are beginning to creep
results; roleplay your couples playing against each other!) through the party.
11-16: You two make a formidable force of fun. Why is 11-16: Your spouse locks on to that rumor and
your winning streak so relentless? Are you using open-palm slaps it out of the air like a fucking
excellent nonverbal communication to cheat? Are you basketball. How does the blowback deal damage
just really, really good at charades? If you were playing against one of your enemies or obstacles? How
for fun, +4 Affection; if you were playing for money, +4
does it feel to be so fiercely protected? +3
Plot.
Affection, +2 Plot
2-7: Boo, this is the pits. You’re not winning, and you’re
2-7: You panic. Set a stopwatch for 60 seconds and
not having fun, so in the end this feels like a waste of
deliver an impassioned speech on why everyone
time… and your fellow guests have noticed you don’t
seem to be enjoying each other’s company. What here is a dirty, filthy liar without stopping. If you
excuses do you make for your terrible efforts? If you repeat yourself more than twice, say something
were playing for fun, -2 Affection, +2 Suspicion. If you obviously incriminating, or make another player
were playing for money, -4 Plot. laugh, +4 Suspicion, -2 Plot
8-10: You win some, you lose some, but most 8-10: You simply will not stoop as low as
importantly you hear a lot of gossip. What’s the most acknowledging such vulgar sentiments (whether
interesting thing someone let slip in the midst of all the they’re true or not). What new conversation topic
revelry? If you were playing for fun, +1 Affection, -2 do you set alight in an attempt to distract from the
Suspicion; if you were playing for money, +3 Plot, -1 gossip? -2 Suspicion, +2 Plot
Suspicion.
These blank card prompt tables are provided so you can write your own -- to adjust to a specific
setting you'd like to explore, add in scenarios that are perfect for your charcters, or just extend
the content to play more/longer games. Don't worry too much about the nitty-gritty of token
change balance; just try to offer a mix of positive and negative results, and when in doubt, do
whatever's right for the story while playing.

Prompts
A

10
J DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

Q DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

K DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

 Prompts
A

10
J DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

Q DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

K DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

 Prompts
A

10
J DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

Q DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

K DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

 Prompts
A

10
J DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

Q DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL

K DRAW A MARITAL TRIAL