The Zax, A Villanelle RPG

[tablesaw]

As the players both stand foot to foot, face to face,
One should aim to go east while the other goes west,
Though they're out of the game if they step out of place.

Player one starts a volley by making the case
Why the other one budging would really be best,
As the players both stand foot to foot, face to face.

The opponent can then, if they choose to, embrace
This persuasive protreptic profoundly expressed,
Though they're out of the game if they step out of place.

So instead, they must fully expound the disgrace
That would fall upon them should they meet that request,
As the players both stand foot to foot, face to face.

Player two then returns a demand for the space
To move forward. The foe may choose not to protest,
Though they're out of the game if they step out of place.

Then repeat and repeat in a motionless chase
Where the mulish participants grow more obsessed¹
As the players both stand foot to foot, face to face,
Though they're out of the game if they step out of place.

¹For a more somber game, replace "obsessed" with "depressed."

---

Ben Lehman put forth the following challenge:

Rules: Write a role-playing game in the form of a villanelle. The text must follow the rhythm and meter rules of a villanelle, not simply be inspired by it. The game must actually be playable and fun.

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5796

Prize: Winner gets $100. I reserve the right to declare no winner if no entries meet the above qualifications. I realize that this is vague, but seriously it's the most money you'll ever get for writing a villanelle.

Edit: As a note I have a rather strong preference for games with rules.

And you know me, I have a hard time resisting any challenge relating to overly constrained doggerel.

But I did take umbrage with Lehman's comments in the thread where he intimated that he expected entries to meet the "classic" form implying iambic pentameter. Fie upon iambic pentameter, said I; I shall take my inspiration from anapestic tetrameter!

This is an RPG adaptation of the Dr. Seuss story. If you're unfamiliar with the original material, here is a video of the story from an animated special. You can also have the same story sung in the style of Bob Dylan