Zum

Zum (/zuːm/), also known as the Salt and Pepper Game, is a common parlor game that has been extremely popular in the Agnomain and other Jarmenic countries of central Heremonia since the sixteenth century. Variants of the game have also become quite popular in the Kiltic regions of eastern Heremonia. It is primarily a spoken game, although it has a physical component. Any number may play, and the game often develops into boisterous hilarity. Game play involves a series of complicated conversations among the players, using only three words and two gestures. The game continues until all of the competitors have been eliminated and only one victorious player remains.

Rules

Zum is played using three words -- "Zum," "Saltz," and "Pfeffer." The words are combined with two gestures -- tilting the head to the right and shruggung the shoulders. The head is tilted to the right when saying "Saltz," and shoulders are shrugged when saying "Pfeffer." "Saltz" and a head tilt may only be used twice in a conversation, while "Pfeffer" and a shoulder shrug may only be used three times. It is forbidden to "Zum the Zumer."

Gameplay

The players sit in a circle facing each other, with one of them selected to start the game. That player selects another player by making eye contact and saying, "Zum." The person who has been "Zumed" then has a choice -- engage in a conversation, or "Zum" another player (one can never "Zum the Zumer"). If she chooses to engage in a conversation, she may say either "Saltz" and tilt her head or "Pfeffer" and shrug her shoulders. The "Zumer" then has his own choice -- continue the conversation or start a new one by "Zuming" another player.

To continue the conversation he may say either "Saltz" and tilt his head or "Pfeffer" and shrug his shoulders, keeping in mind that "Saltz" may only be used twice and "Pfeffer" three times, thereby limiting the options as the conversation progresses. At any point in a conversation a player may "Zum" another player, but another player must be "Zumed" if "Salts has been used twice and "Pfeffer" three times. The conversations continue from player to player until someone commits a foul.

Typical fouls are:

• Failure to Respond to a "Zum"
• Failure to tilt the head or shrug the shoulders correctly when saying "Saltz" or "Pfeffer"
• Using a word more than the maximum number of times in a conversation
• "Zuming the Zumer"

Fouls result in removal from the circle. The game continues until only a single victorious player remains.

Popular Variants

In some regional variations, particularly in the north, it is permissible for the "Zumer" to "Re-Zum" the same player, thereby restarting the conversation and resetting the available word count. Of course only the initiator of the conversation may "Re-Zum" the same player, as it is forbidden to "Zum the Zumer." This variation adds a layer of complexity to the game.

In the eastern Kiltic nations of Érevon and Bréifne, a variant of the game called Salannpiobar is a popular drinking game in the pubs and bars. Gameplay is nearly identical, except that when a player is removed the remaining players must drink from their beverage. This variation, although it does not affect the complexity of the game, increases the difficulty substantially.

PART OF A SERIES ON

Parlor Games

Zum

Players:

4 or more

Setup time:

less than 5 minutes

Playing time:

unlimited

Random chance:

low

Age range:

children and adults

Skill(s) required:

concentration, mental focus, quick thinking