Praxis Seizure: Dallas just passed and it was another 
turnout disappointment for VTES fans.  In spite of three 
months of advertising on the internet and in local game shops, 
a grand total of 6 participants played in the tournament.  
I was able to stay out of this event as the judge because a 
7 player game really sucks and a 4/3 distribution really 
hurts the smaller table. 

Once again though, a Texas tournament was host to some 
great players from out of state.  On this occasion, we 
were graced with Norm Brown of Lafayette, Louisiana who 
regularly plays with the New Orleans playgroup. 

We also saw comptetition from three players from Austin, 
Texas.  Ethan Burrow - VEKN Prince of Austin / Toreador 
Anitribu Newsletter editor, R. Brian Smith, and 
Greg Faulkner - Gangrel Newsletter Editor.

We were hosted by Michael W. Jones - VEKN Prince of Dallas,
and Pat P. (I couldn't read his name on his deck listing, sorry.)

The players participated in three rounds of six players 
followed by a 5 player final.

We also introduced 5 new people to the game at the Project A-Kon 
Convention.  They played my decks and learned to play.
We would have included them in the tournament but due to time
constraints and the fact that they arrived 30 minutes after
the second round had started prevented us from doing so.
Thanks to Aaron, Wolf, Kody, Josh, and Mark may you bleed long 
and prosper.

At the tournament proper, we had 3 combat oriented decks and 3 
vote decks. All of the vote decks included Presence and Gideon Fontaine.

The three vote decks took the most victory points with only one
of the combat decks taking a victory point.  The combat decks
seemed stuck sitting next to each other every round.  Two combat
decks sat next to each other every round including the final.

Table seating Round One with victory points achieved this round:
	Brian - 0
	Greg - 1
	Ethan - 0
	Norm - 0
	Mike - 5
	Pat - 0

Table seating Round Two with victory points achieved this round:
	Pat - 0
	Brian - 2.5
	Norm - 0
	Greg - 0
	Mike - 1.5
	Ethan - 1

The second round is short one victory point due to the game ending
due to time constraints. The victory point for last standing is 
effectively lost in such a game.

Table seating Round Three with victory points achieved this round:
	Brian - 2
	Mike - 0
	Ethan - 1
	Norm - 0
	Greg - 3
	Pat - 0

Thus, entering the final round we had the following victory point
totals:
	
	Mike - 6.5
	Brian - 4.5
	Greg - 4
	Ethan - 1
	Norm - 0
	Pat - 0

Due to time constraints, Pat volunteered to sit out the final.

Final Round Table seating with victory points achieved during
 the final:
	Mike - 3
	Brian - 2
	Ethan - 0
	Norm - 0
	Greg - 0

With the option to sit anywhere he wanted the final round,
Mike chose to sit between the other two vote decks so as to
be insulated from the combat decks. Brian took two victory 
points but did not truly benefit from the first because of
a Political Flux he had called and passed that set the pool
gain for the first victory point to 1 which also caused a 
great delay in the first ousting because everyone wanted
six pool for ousting their prey and not the one pool that
had been set by the vote.  Mike eventually ousted Brian
after masterfully rebuilding with an Art Museum, Blood Dolls, 
Society Hunting Grounds and a Palatial Estate.  Greg had 
contested Tatiana Romanova with Mike for much of the game
but had to give up the contest first. After Mike ousted
Brain and with the game about to be called on account of time,
(the conventions time limit not ours) Mike was also able to 
oust Greg his initial predator.

The collected decks are available at:

The following is Michael W. Jones' Toreador Vote/Bleed deck that won:

13 Crypt:
	Dieter Kliest
	Felicia Mostrom
	Dorian Strack
	Antoinette DuChamp
	Tatiana Romanova
	Demetrious Slater
	Alexandra
	Anson
	Gideon Fontaine
	Kallista
	Isabel de Leon
	Delilah Easton
	Rake

80 Library:
	 2 Equipment:
			Sport Bike
			Palatial Estate
	 8 Combat:
			Majesty - 8
	15 Political Actions:
			Kine Resources Contested - 7
			Conservative Agitation - 4
			Consanguineous Boon
			Praxis Seizure: Paris
			Toreador Justicar
			Disputed Territory
	16 Action Modifiers:
			Aire of Elation - 5
			Voter Captivation
			Scorn of Adonis - 4
			Bewitching Oration - 5
			Closed Session
	20 Reactions:
			Telepathic Counter - 6
			Telepathic Misdirection - 6			
			Forced Awakening - 4
			Enhanced Senses - 2
			Dread Gaze 
			Delaying Tactics
	19 Master:
			Blood Doll - 4
			Minion Tap - 2
			Presence - 2
			Auspex - 2
			Aching Beauty - 2
			Society Hunting Ground - 2
			Art Museum
			Secure Haven
			Misdirection - 2
			Toreador Grand Ball 



In spite of the low turnout, a good time was had by all that played.
New players were introduced to the game and not slaughtered by those
with more experience and they will hopefully play again, soon and often.




Carpe Noctem.

Lasombra

http://www.TheLasombra.com