Kal-Cube ([kal:kjub])

A Kal-Cube is a necessary part - and sometimes the only one - needed to play the game Kalmys. While most were made of carved wood, others prefered the durability of a stone-cut Kal-Cube.

What Does 'Kal' Mean?

Kal is the Qalathi (technically Qalashev) equivalent of the Foyiitùn word qal meaning "stone" or "small rock". It was so called, regardless of the materials used in fashioning it, because the Kalmys could be translated as "Magic Rock" or "Lucky Rock" in Common Tongue.

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What is Kalmys?

Due to the massive scope of variation involved in explaining these games, a separate document will be compiled on the known variations. A short explanation could be:

A one- or two-player (though usually two) game, involving one or two Kal-Cubes. Additional optional features may include some sort of 'board' (which could be as simple as drawn in chalk on a floor), game pieces, miscellaneous items, strong drink and betting. Friendship with your opponent beneficial.

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Who Played?

Kalmys is an invention of Qalathii origin. Thus, usually, only Citizens and long-term visitors of Qal'ath played. The Dwarves of the Hold were known to engage in the game when in an inn, but one is rarely seen in the whole of the Erdàn Savànii.
One might even occasionally see one of the Woodsmen playing, so long as no gambling was taking place.

Minor

Kalmys - and games like it - are often played both in Bezélan Minor and Ragged Row, regardless of race or background, as a distraction and coping mechanism in their difficult circumstances. Anyone trying to turn the game into a gamble, however, is looked down on and likely seen as an outsider seeking to take advantage of the locals.

Races Who Did Not Play

• Elelupii: Even the most playful Elelup prefers to leave nothing to chance, much less by choice.
  
  
• Kyadii (usually): the idea of playing games is completely alien to any tribe of the Kyadii. Feasibly, the only ones that do are permanently resident in Qal'ath, or more likely, Bezélan itself.
  
  
• Citizens of the Byantē Alliance, where more physical forms of entertainment were encouraged to counterbalance that society's emphasis on study and education.
  
  

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A Cube May Not Be a "Cube"

Since King Carnael II took the throne of Qal'ath, all Kal-Cubes were commanded to be refashioned based on his superstitious beliefs about even numbers. Thus, any variation of Kalmys integrated rules denoting even numbers as "bad luck" or "losing rolls". This is now engrained as part of the culture, regardless of any one player's views of the King.
Authorised Kal-Cubes (from now on only referred to as Cubes) had one of two forms:

The Five-Sided Cube

Before the reader, who I presume is from outside of the Realm, frowns at that statement, it is easier to think of "Cube" as "the item rolled while playing the game". As the primary aim of Kalmys was (usually) to relax and enjoy it, whether you won or lost, regular (modern) players of the game do not get hooked up about the mathematical and/or geometric definition of the word "cube".
Details:

• 5-sided cubes must feature all numbers 1-5.
• Total of all numbers: 15
• Chance of Even Number: 2/5 (40%)
• Chance of Odd Number: 3/5 (60%)

How to Determine the Roll
Being five-sided, there are actually two "Upsides" when rolled. For this reason it is the side face-down that is the value of the roll. Some people's Kal-Cubes had the numbers edged on the flat sides in the corners, so the Cube did not require turning over to see the number rolled.

Due to people's affinity to their Cubes (see below), anyone still owning an old-style 1-6 Cube would have kept it safe and never used it for playing outside of their home. Worse than being found in contravention to the law was the potential of their Cube being confiscated.

The Six-Sided Cube

As the five-sided Cube was harder to fashion by oneself and, therefore, more expensive if you procured one from an artisan, eventually a new six-sided variety was approved by the King.

Version 1

Details:

• 6-sided cubes must be numbered with more odd than even numbers. The most common variety is: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
• Total of all numbers: 24
• Chance of Even Number: 2/6 (33.3%)
• Chance of Odd Number: 4/6 (66.7%)

Version 2

An easier-to-craft 6-sided Cube was eventually conceived to match the five-sided one - where 5 sides were numbered (1-5) and one was blank (or defaced), denoting it should be re-rolled. Even numbers were placed on opposite faces.

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On Fairness

There are some generally accepted principles about the fairness of playing with Kal-Cubes.

1. Players may use different types of Cubes if both agree to it. If they do not, then the game may proceed by temporarily sharing a Cube.
   
   
2. Under no circumstances must a Kal-Cube be part of the winnings. If a player loses all their coin, they must still walk away with their Cube.
   
   
3. Outside of the immediate family, never expect Kal-Cubes to be "fair". To play with one is to embrace the uncertainty of your opponent's roll, regardless of the Cube's composition. Claiming your Cube is "fair" is to announce that it is not.
   
   
4. If teaching children (here defined as offspring not yet living apart from their parents or under twelve Winters), then always share a Cube, so as to emphasise fun rather than suspicion.

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A Cube for Life

Anyone who carried a Cube likely uses it for other purposes - like deciding who pays for the next round of ale, or who takes the night/rain shift, or other (largely) inconsequential decisions. While proactively playing an actual game of Kalmys was disallowed in most places of employment, possissing one "while on the job" was not discouraged.
For the playful or the gambler, "rolling with life" or "rolling on life" sometimes felt more certain than the way "real" decisions were made.

The Battle of Superstition

As well as using a Cube as part of life, a "Cube Holder" would try to make their Cube last for life too. This was more feasible if they were originally fashioned with more durable wood, or stone. But where low-quality wood was used (as was more frequently the case), if a Cube became unusable, then a piece of the old Cube would be used in fashioning the new one.

Chronicler's Note: In the interest of fairness, I feel obliged to point out, dear reader, that the superstition some players of Kalmys had over their Cube was no less irrational than the law forbidding the use of 1-6 Cubes. It is potentially for this reason that I have rarely heard an avid player criticising the King on his superstition.

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Kal-Cubes in Writing

“Do either of you have a kal-cube on you?” he eventually asked, in all seriousness.
With twinges of guilt, Jewan and the other guard, a stern woman called Waryn exchanged glances and both pulled one of the inn-game stone blocks from inside their tunics.
“B-but Sir, most of us carry one,” Jewan protested, “we don’t play when on duty. Well, not often, anyway. And I don't know why that's even relevant?” he added, confused.
Rusziné grinned and pulled out his own.

(from Skirmishes and Schisms - part 1 coming soon)

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Significance

Interestingly, the Kal-Cube became symbolic of personal freedom. To carry a cube meant one had some influence over one's own destiny - even if that was a choice of throwing that destiny to Fate. Not all people carried one, but those that did would rather lose a weapon or an item of clothing in a barter than their Cube.

Two Types of Kal-Cubes on a Board

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Article Sections

Item type

Miscellaneous

Subtype / Model

Kalmys Pieces

Related Technologies

• Stone Masonry
• Woodworking

Related ethnicities

• Qalathii

Weight

2 - 5 girma

Dimensions

Various

Base Price

5 copper to 10 silver, depending on the materials used