# The Slow Knife: Cards

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## Act 1 — Ashes

Opening: 
In the ashes of the incident, our Conspirators consolidate their power. Everyone answers:
What new ambition do you feel emboldened to pursue?

A: Something is harder for you now the Knife is gone. What is it? How do you adapt?

2: You celebrate your victory over the Knife. Who do you carouse with? What secret do you keep from them?

3: You consider your legacy. Who do you intend to be your successor? What flaws must you correct first?

4: Someone with power over you talks about the Knife fondly. Who? Do you endure, or act to undermine them?

5: One of your vices gets you in trouble. What did you do? How do you bury the resulting scandal?

6: Someone threatens to ruin what you have gained. What are they planning? How do you stop them?

7: A grieving friend begs you to help them rescue the Knife. Who? How do you abuse their trust to ensure they fail?

8: You finally secure something you have coveted for a long time. Why doesn’t it satisfy you? What new desire do you distract yourself with?

9: You develop a kinship with another conspirator. Who? What venture do you start together?

10: You are jealous of another conspirator. Who? What rumours do you spread about them?

J: Answer as the Knife. What is the most harrowing part of your isolation? What trace of nature brings you solace?

Q: Answer as the Knife. You are marked out for special punishment. How did you attract the ire of your captors? What dream do you retreat to during their abuses?

K: Answer as the Knife. Someone else is trapped with you. Who? What do they begin to teach you?

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## Act 2 — Vines

Opening: 
As their stars rise, our conspirators relocate to the centre of power. Everyone answers:
How does your influence grow with your move?

A: You use your position to exploit somebody. What do you take from them? Why can’t they stop you?

2: You borrow heavily to pursue a risky venture. Why does it fail? Which of your looming creditors do you fear the most?

3: A dignitary from an isolated culture makes a striking debut into society. What opportunity do you see in them?

4: Someone powerful is deposed. How does their removal change your society? What opportunity does this provide you?

5: You witness a transgression by a high-ranking official. What do you see? What price do you demand for your silence?

6: You have a scandalous connection with the spouse of a conspirator. What are you doing together? Who knows your secret?

7: You remove someone who threatens or blocks your goals. What is their fate? What loose thread do you leave?

8: Someone you left behind arrives at your new home. What do they want from you? How do you get them to leave?

9: You require the help of a conspirator with a delicate matter. Why? Are you open with them, or do you hold something back?

10: Political unrest is rife. What are people protesting about? How do you exploit their anger?

J: Answer as the Knife. Years pass. What valuable skills have you honed in captivity? How will they define your new identity?

Q: Answer as the Knife. Years pass. You determine a path to return to society. What opening will give you the opportunity to escape?

K: Answer as the Knife. Years pass. You have become rich. How did you obtain this secret fortune? What doors in society does it open?

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## Act 3 — Snares

Opening: The Knife has returned to society. Answer together:
What grand event announces the Knife’s arrival? Why could you never recognise them?

A: The Knife speaks with you briefly. They are pleasant and sincere. What invitation do you offer them before you leave?

2: The Knife speaks with you briefly. They are swaggering and insufferable. What challenge do they bait you with as they leave?

3: You are hosting a prestigious seasonal event. What detail are you obsessed with? What calamity does this fixation obscure?

4: The Knife hints at a lucrative opportunity in passing. What is it? How do you plan to seize it for yourself?

5: The Knife rescues someone important to you from peril. Who? How do you display your gratitude?

6: Someone else you left for dead returns. Their vengeance is one of simple violence. What do they wreak before you stop them?

7: Someone from your past demands what they are owed. Do you give them what they want, or move against them?

8: You are caught in a violent protest. Who leads the furious rabble? How do you secure safe passage?

9: Someone you are responsible for is in love. Who is their beloved? Why do you disapprove of them so intensely?

10: You betray one of your conspirators. What do you take from them? Why are they powerless to stop you?

J: Answer as the Knife. Someone brings you genuine happiness. Who? Do you live a lie with them, or tell the truth and drive them away?

Q: Answer as the Knife. Your facade breaks, just for a moment. What caused this lapse of control? Who glimpsed your true self?

K: Answer as the Knife. You make a costly, showy acquisition. What is it? Why does it make you the envy of all high society?

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## Act 4 — Knives

Opening: The Knife’s plot sharpens to a point. Everyone answers:
What do you most fear to lose?
When each Conspirator has flipped their card, the game is over.

A: One of your long-buried sins is publicly exposed. How did the Knife unearth this scandal? What consequences do you face?

2: An old friend betrays one of your darkest secrets. Who do they share it with? What did the Knife promise them in return?

3: One of your schemes is revealed to be a trap. What did you think you would gain? How does the Knife twist that back on you?

4: You sequester yourself from society, dealing through proxies and messages. Where do you hide away?How does your isolation make you more vulnerable?

5: You are abandoned by someone you love. What was the final straw? What were the last words they said to you?

6: You arrange to have someone quietly killed. How does the Knife foil your scheme? Who do they have murdered instead?

7: The Knife cuts you off from your ill-gotten wealth. Who helps the Knife bankrupt you? Why will nobody else now offer you a loan?

8: You make plans to flee to a remote region. Where will you travel? How, at the last minute, does the Knife prevent your escape?

9: You stare at a cherished token of your reputation. How did you win it? Why does it no longer bring you pride? 

10: Someone powerful tires of your excuses. How do they arrange your certain death? How long do you have?

J: Answer as the Knife. A striving youth reminds you of your carefree years. Who threatens their happiness? Do you intercede, or turn away?

Q: Answer as the Knife. Someone innocent stumbles upon part of your intricate plan. Do you give up this scheme, or silence them forever?

K: Answer as the Knife. As your plans crescendo, you feel the weight of a future without purpose. What scares you most about outliving your revenge?


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## Epilogue Questions

• A day later, who visits your broken Conspirator to gloat? 
• A week later, what reckless, last-ditch effort finally dooms your Conspirator?
• A season later, who rises to claim your Conspirator's dominion for themselves?
• A year later, who gathers with drinks to celebrate your Conspirator's demise?
• Three years later, what squalid, humiliating state do we find your Conspirator in?
• Five years later, the Knife looks out over a serene vista. Does it bring them peace?