Expiate: Boston Tournament Report

Who ate the Fruitcake?  Expiate it!
Sunday, May 21.

This tournament was not prepared for the arrival of The Fruitcake.
As it rounded the corner, escorted by its New Hampshire Brethren, the
tournament was destined to be something special.

There were twelve participants in our tournament, and the Fruitcake
was *determined* to return to its homeland; it could not take any
chances.

The final standings before the final round were:

Matt Flint       - 2GW, 6VP
Ben Peal         - 2GW, 5VP
Scott Gomes      - 1GW, 5VP
Josh Feuerstein  - 1GW, 5VP
DJ Chagnon       - 1GW, 5VP

Ben Swainbank    - 1GW, 4VP
Kevin Mullen     - 1GW, 3VP
John Eno         - 0GW, 1VP, 94TP*
Matt Hirsch      - 0GW, 1VP, 94TP*
Ulysses Lateiner - 0GW, 1VP
Steve Joyce      - 0GW, 0VP
Greg Pettigrew   - 0GW, 0VP

"This just won't do," pondered the Fruitcake.  "How will I ever
return to the Live Free Or Die state?  How can I live in a state that
has 5% sales tax?"

And, so it was.. The Fruitcake used its mystical ancient powers to
draw three of our finalists away.  Mr. Peal was called away by the
melodic Siren's Lure of Maynard James Keenan, the Tool of the
Fruitcake.  Mr. Chagnon, seduced by love, was called to his wife.
Mr. Flint had a sudden other commitment.  These were no coincidences.
 The Fruitcake was homesick.
Ben Swainbank was a finalist indeed.

A coin was flung into the air, and the magnetism generated by the
Fruitcake's mystical aura once again called out to the spirit of the
Old Man in the Mountain, and John Eno was thrust into the final
round, one further step in the Fruitcake's evil plan.

The Final Round was a rough one.  As my Kiasyd stealth-bled their way
through the defenseless Ishtarri (Kevin M), the call of Saulot from
my new prey (Ben S) was unquestionable.  I had to Accept the Gambit.
As I threw myself up against Saulot again and again, he Blissfully
caused the Agony of forcing me to fight my predator's (Scott G)
Rabbat.  Again and again, her ghouled fleas gave the lethal bite of
peaceful rest.  Bound to the Dragons of John Eno's Brujah Death Metal
Band, I succumbed to Rabbat's power, giving my predator two exquisite
victory points.
Still, Rabbat could not hold up for very long against the potent,
celeritous minions of the mighty Prophet of Fruitcake.  Scott soon
fell.  This left the two demons from New Hampshire to fight the final
Fruitcake Battle once again.
Due to the earlier Gambit I had Accepted, a victory for Saulot would
surely be a victory for the long-ousted Scott Gomes.  Therefore, the
forces of the Fruitcake had no choice but to allow Mr. Eno the
ability to oust the mighty Antediluvian.

And so it did occur...
The Fruitcake rejoiced.  Back to the Source, it may someday become
Free Again.

Here is the decklist for the inevitable victor, John Eno:

Deck Name : Old School Beats
Author : John Eno
Description :
CEL/pot rush. Jimmy and Bianca are the stars, and Volker should
probably be a second Bianca.


Crypt [12 vampires] Capacity min: 3 max: 6 average: 4.67
------------------------------------------------------------

1x Bianca                 6  CEL pot pre             Brujah:1
1x Julian Sanders         6  CEL PRE pot             !Brujah:2
1x Sela                   6  POT PRE cel obt  bishop !Brujah:2
2x Rigby, Crusade Van     5  CEL PRE aus pot         !Brujah:2
1x Volker, The Puppet     5  CEL pot          prince Brujah:2
1x Evangeline             4  cel pot pre             !Brujah:2
1x Hugo                   4  POT pre vic             !Brujah:2
2x Jimmy Dunn             4  CEL POT for             Pander:2
1x Victor Tolliver        4  CEL pot                 !Brujah:2
1x Jacob Bragg            3  cel pot                 !Brujah:2


Library [90 cards]
------------------------------------------------------------

Master [13]
 1x Amusement Park Hunting Ground
 3x Blood Doll
 1x Dreams of the Sphinx
 1x Elder Library
 2x Fame
 2x Gang Territory
 3x Haven Uncovered

Action [16]
 10x Bum's Rush
 3x Flurry of Action
 3x Legal Manipulations

Combat [54]
 6x Blur
 1x Fast Hands
 4x Flash
 10x Immortal Grapple
 4x Pursuit
 7x Sideslip
 6x Taste of Vitae
 4x Thrown Sewer Lid
 12x Torn Signpost

Event [1]
 1x Dragonbound

Reaction [6]
 6x Wake with Evening's Freshness