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When I was a kid, I loved Choose Your Own Adventure books. I loved exploring stories where I got to steer the plot, with varying degrees of success. The illustrations that would occur throughout the books was a nice touch too. Thankfully, there plenty of great examples of interactive fiction that are aimed at older audiences. Many video games have successfully adapted the Chose Your Own Adventure format to electronic form. Where I am going with all of this. Today, we're going to take a look at one of the best examples of interactive fiction I've seen in quite some time. We're taking a look at 80 Days.
80 Days is an adaption of Jules Vernes' classic novel Around the World in Eighty Days. Our story begins in 1872. Passepartout is a French valet recently hired by British gentlemen Phileas Fogg. Fogg has recently taken a bet from his gentlemen's club that he must make it around the world in no more than eighty days. Ah, but there is a twist. You see, this isn't out Victorian era. Rather, it is a steampunk alternate history. Passepartout and Fogg must make their way across this steampunk world using several strange, exotic, and sometimes mundane, modes of transportation. How will they accomplish this? What routes will they take? That's all up to you. The choice is yours, so choose wisely.
I was first introduced to Around the World in Eighty Days when I saw Disney's 2004 adaption starring Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan. I think it was that film which indirectly lead to my interest in steampunk. There actually wasn't that much in the way of steampunk in the film itself, though Fogg was a bumbling inventor, rather than a rich gentleman like in the novel. The film deviates a bit from the novel, often for comedy. Eventually, I did seek out the original novel, which is easily my favorite of Verne's work. So, when I saw this game, I knew I just had to buy it.
Now, let's briefly discuss terminology and classification. After mulling it over I decided to classify 80 Days as a video game, but me being me, I feel that's a bit too simple. More broadly, it falls under the umbrella of Interactive Fiction. As the name suggests, Interactive Fiction is any fictional narrative medium influenced by the choices of the readeplayer. The exact degree of interactivity varies. On the high end, you have stuff like the Ace Attorney games; not only do you have different dialogue options, but you must collect evidence and call-out false statements in court. On the low end, you have certain types of Japanese Visual Novels, where the story is pretty linear, and the choices don't really matter, or are for purely aesthetic stuff.
I would say there is a fair bit of genuine choice and strategizing involved in 80 Days. You have to determine the best route first and foremost. You are presented with options as soon as you arrive at a new city, but you can also quite new routs options by purchasing travel schedules. You also have to watch your budget. Different modes of transportation charge different rates. You also have to spend money on hotels if you stay overnight in a city. You do start off with money, and there are ways to gain more as you go. Each stop has a marketplace where items can be purchased and sold. How much each item sells for depends on where you are. Fortunately, the game does tell you where you can get the most for each item. The items are also important because they affect Fogg's health. Fogg takes health damage no matter what you travel in, but carrying certain items in your suitcase help negate this damage. You can also add to his health by attending to his needs before or during travel. You can also get money by going to the bank, but be careful, because Fogg isn't made out of money, and it will run out if you make too many bank trips. You can earn a bit of money by polishing shoes at hotels. Hey, small drops fill the bucket.
You care the items with you in a suitcase, and you can purchase more if you run out of room. However, more suitcases will increase the cost of travel, and certain modes of travel limit the amount of luggage you can take with you. Fogg will provide commentary depending on what you choose to carry with you. For example, if you chose to bring a gun at the start, and then purchase another one, Fogg will inquire about just how many guns you think you'll need. If you sell the altimeter, Fogg will inquire about what you've done with his grandfather's altimeter. If you purchase a mirror, Fogg will remark about how it is occupying your attention quite a bit as of late.
Your choices have consequences beyond advancing the story. How you interact with Fogg determines how he will view you. Serve him well, and he will consider you a truly worthy companion that any gentleman would be lucky to have at his side. There are also several characters you have the option of romancing. Oh, and Passepartout is bisexual, so you can romance women or men without issue. Play your cards right, and you can even romance Fogg, but that takes a bit of skill.
The artwork is very well done. You have a three-dimensional globe that tracks your progress. Your latest mode of transport, as well as famous buildings from the cities you visit, are represented as stylized black and white drawings set against color backdrops. The day-night cycle is also represented in shifts in background color. You get the text of the story when you are embarking on a new leg of your journey, when you arrive at your destination, and if you chose to stay the night in a city. And it is fairly substantial text; we're talking multiple paragraphs. Upon successfully completing the journey the route you took will be highlighted on the globe, and you'll get stats about how many places you visited.
One of the biggest draws of 80 Days is the way that it explores steampunk outside of Europe. Many nations were able to successfully avoid colonization, or kicked out their colonizers. Each nation also has its own unique twist on steampunk technology. You can ride anhinga, a type of fast bird-like airship, in South America and the Caribbean. You can take a mechanical elephant through the mountains of Northern India. You can cross the Pacific Ocean in a steamship that can also turn into a submarine. You can even visit Haiti and see the unique steam-powered cyborg animals they utilize. Well, that and the automatons made out of wood and bone, which are powered by blood.
Oh, and did I mention that Haiti is a major power in this world? Well, they are, though they're also secretive and highly protective of their steam-powered cyborg animals. In fact, it was Haiti, with assistance from France, that built the Panama Canal in the world of 80 Days. But that's not the only notable change. The Zulu have formed a federation in Southern Africa to resist British colonization. They've embraced steampunk technology thanks to the Artificers Guild, who we'll talk more about in a minute. They've kicked the British and Portuguese out of several parts of Southern Africa; though some areas of European settlement, such as the Orange Free State, still remain. Meanwhile, Madagascar has also managed to remain independent thanks to embracing steampunk technology. Madagascar is also a hotbed of Artificer activity. There also seem to be more gender equality than in our world’s Victorian era. We see numerous women as engineers, captains, and in positions of authority. True, some do mention having to deal with sexism, but its all very progressive given the time period.
The Artificers Guild is an international organization of scientists, engineers, and inventors dedicated to spreading steampunk technology throughout the world. Their officially language is Turkish, as they claim to have been founded in Turkey, and their members wear bronze flowers. Officially, they're politically neutral, but they do have influence in pretty much all nations. Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you to decide. People of all nations, except the Austro-Hungarian empire, are allowed to join. As you can imagine, the nations of the world are sharply divided in their views of the Artificers.
There are also several secret locations that require you to do special things to find them. For example, there is a flying First Nations city in Canada named Kahwoka Othunwe. Go to either Calgary or Regina and looked for a Cree boy. If you help him, you'll get a mysterious device. After that, head to Toronto. Along the way some Lakota will find you and take you to Kahwoka Othunwe. However, if you're carrying whiskey the council will decide you a whiskey trader, and you'll have to escape on a gyrocopter. If you don't have whisky, you'll get to stay, and will be dropped off in Quebec City.
Yeah, having certain items in your inventory affects how things go. Sometimes you are given items when chatting with other characters, but this can backfire on you. For example, can be given a copy of Communist Manifesto in Moscow. However, if you have it with you while you're in Vladivostok, you will be arrested and waste four days in prison. I learned that the hard way; I would have won that play-through if I hadn't gotten stuck in Vladivostok. Then again, you'll get arrested anyway if you stay overnight in Vladivostok. The Russians are paranoid about British travelers due to The Great Game. The only way to prevent this is to get travelers papers by stoping at Omsk. And even then, if you got involved in the demonstration in St. Petersburg, they won't mean anything. Personally, I don't find it worth the hassle. My advice, at the Trans-Siberian Railway all the way to Karimskaya. Then take the Trans-Manchurian Railway to either Pyongyang or Beijing, and from there get on a ship to Yokohama.
Another hidden location can be found if you chose you go around the North Pole. Yes, circumnavigating the pole is considered a valid route. Get far enough north and you'll join the crew or an ice walker. Be sure to get into their good graces, because eventually the walker will crash, and Fogg's health will take a serious hit. You need to keep him alive until you are rescued by members of Qausuittuq, a hidden city of Arctic indigenous peoples. Think kind of like Wakanda from Black Panther, but steampunk and the culture derives from the native peoples of the Arctic. You can explore a bit, but the council will decide you must stay in Qausuittuq forever, because of the whole secrecy thing. Thankfully, you can find an airship hanger, which will take you to either Winnipeg or Gastown (Vancouver).
Obviously, there are many different routes you can take. This creates quite a bit of replay potential. The wide variety of destinations, and the choices they present, also adds to the replay value. If you chose to follow the route of the original novel, the events will be fairly faithful to it, steampunk elements notwithstanding. Well, it will be depending on your choices. That said, there are some slight deviations. In the novel, when Fogg and Passepartout are in India they save a woman named Aodha from sati, aka Hindu wife burning. She joins them on the rest of their journey, and eventually becomes Fogg's love interest. In the game, however, she's the leader of an anti-British rebellion in India. As such, she stays in India.
If you go to Florida, you can encounter Michael Ardan from the novel From the Earth to the Moon also by Verne. You can go from a rocket ride, but if you do that Fogg will be killed, and potentially you too if you make the wrong choices. You can continue the journey alone, and you will win if you return to London. Of course, you'll also have to live with the guilt that Fogg died because of you. So you know, win some, lose some.
You'll encounter Inspector Fix in Singapore and Hong Kong. He'll try to convince you that Fogg is a criminal up to no good. Be careful about meeting him in the Hong Kong opium den, because next thing you know you'll be on a airship bound for Yokohama. Then you'll have to perform at a Japanese circus until Fogg finds you. Though, this is all faithful to the novel. Well, mostly. In the novel, Fogg didn't consider balloon travel to be trustworthy. Ironically, more than a few adaptions of the book have Passepartout and Fogg riding in a balloon on the cover. It is possible that the publishers get it confused with one of Verne's other novels, Five Weeks in a Balloon. Of you return to London via Lisbon you may encounter another British gentleman traveling around the world with his Prussian assistant. It makes for an amusing encounter.
I'm not the only one who thinks 80 Days is amazing. It has won numerous awards. Frankly, it would be easier to list the awards this game hasn't won. And if you're curious about tips and tricks be sure to check out the game's wikia.
I've played 80 Day many times, and there's still plenty of achievements I'm chasing. This is an absolutely fantastic game and I can't recommend it enough. Download it today, you will be so glad that you did. 80 Days is available for Apple, Android, PC, Nintendo Switch, and is available on Steam.
Link to the original review on my blog is here, but is just the same as what is here: http://drakoniandgriffalco.blogspot.com/2020/11/video-game-review-80-days.html?m=1

When I was a kid, I loved Choose Your Own Adventure books. I loved exploring stories where I got to steer the plot, with varying degrees of success. The illustrations that would occur throughout the books was a nice touch too. Thankfully, there plenty of great examples of interactive fiction that are aimed at older audiences. Many video games have successfully adapted the Chose Your Own Adventure format to electronic form. Where I am going with all of this. Today, we're going to take a look at one of the best examples of interactive fiction I've seen in quite some time. We're taking a look at 80 Days.
80 Days is an adaption of Jules Vernes' classic novel Around the World in Eighty Days. Our story begins in 1872. Passepartout is a French valet recently hired by British gentlemen Phileas Fogg. Fogg has recently taken a bet from his gentlemen's club that he must make it around the world in no more than eighty days. Ah, but there is a twist. You see, this isn't out Victorian era. Rather, it is a steampunk alternate history. Passepartout and Fogg much make their way across this steampunk world using several strange, exotic, and sometimes mundane, modes of transportation. How will they accomplish this? What routes will they take? That's all up to you. The choice is yours, so choose wisely.
I was first introduced to Around the World in Eighty Days when I saw Disney's 2004 adaption starring Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan. I think it was that film which indirectly lead to my interest in steampunk. There actually wasn't that much in the way of steampunk in the film itself, though Fogg was a bumbling inventor, rather than a rich gentleman like in the novel. The film deviates a bit from the novel, often for comedy. Eventually, I did seek out the original novel, which is easily my favorite of Verne's work. So, when I saw this game, I knew I just had to buy it.
Now, let's briefly discuss terminology and classification. After mulling it over I decided to classify 80 Days as a video game, but me being me, I feel that's a bit too simple. More broadly, it falls under the umbrella of Interactive Fiction. As the name suggests, Interactive Fiction is any fictional narrative medium influenced by the choices of the readeplayer. The exact degree of interactivity varies. On the high end, you have stuff like the Ace Attorney games; not only do you have different dialogue options, but you must collect evidence and call-out false statements in court. On the low end, you have certain types of Japanese Visual Novels, where the story is pretty linear, and the choices don't really matter, or are for purely aesthetic stuff.
I would say there is a fair bit of genuine choice and strategizing involved in 80 Days. You have to determine the best route first and foremost. You are presented with options as soon as you arrive at a new city, but you can also quite new routs options by purchasing travel schedules. You also have to watch your budget. Different modes of transportation charge different rates. You also have to spend money on hotels if you stay overnight in a city. You do start off with money, and there are ways to gain more as you go. Each stop has a marketplace where items can be purchased and sold. How much each item sells for depends on where you are. Fortunately, the game does tell you where you can get the most for each item. The items are also important because they affect Fogg's health. Fogg takes health damage no matter what you travel in, but carrying certain items in your suitcase help negate this damage. You can also add to his health by attending to his needs before or during travel. You can also get money by going to the bank, but be careful, because Fogg isn't made out of money, and it will run out if you make too many bank trips. You can earn a bit of money by polishing shoes at hotels. Hey, small drops fill the bucket.
You care the items with you in a suitcase, and you can purchase more if you run out of room. However, more suitcases will increase the cost of travel, and certain modes of travel limit the amount of luggage you can take with you. Fogg will provide commentary depending on what you choose to carry with you. For example, if you chose to bring a gun at the start, and then purchase another one, Fogg will inquire about just how many guns you think you'll need. If you sell the altimeter, Fogg will inquire about what you've done with his grandfather's altimeter. If you purchase a mirror, Fogg will remark about how it is occupying your attention quite a bit as of late.
Your choices have consequences beyond advancing the story. How you interact with Fogg determines how he will view you. Serve him well, and he will consider you a truly worthy companion that any gentleman would be lucky to have at his side. There are also several characters you have the option of romancing. Oh, and Passepartout is bisexual, so you can romance women or men without issue. Play your cards right, and you can even romance Fogg, but that takes a bit of skill.
The artwork is very well done. You have a three-dimensional globe that tracks your progress. Your latest mode of transport, as well as famous buildings from the cities you visit, are represented as stylized black and white drawings set against color backdrops. The day-night cycle is also represented in shifts in background color. You get the text of the story when you are embarking on a new leg of your journey, when you arrive at your destination, and if you chose to stay the night in a city. And it is fairly substantial text; we're talking multiple paragraphs. Upon successfully completing the journey the route you took will be highlighted on the globe, and you'll get stats about how many places you visited.
One of the biggest draws of 80 Days is the way that it explores steampunk outside of Europe. Many nations were able to successfully avoid colonization, or kicked out their colonizers. Each nation also has its own unique twist on steampunk technology. You can ride anhinga, a type of fast bird-like airship, in South America and the Caribbean. You can take a mechanical elephant through the mountains of Northern India. You can cross the Pacific Ocean in a steamship that can also turn into a submarine. You can even visit Haiti and see the unique steam-powered cyborg animals they utilize. Well, that and the automatons made out of wood and bone, which are powered by blood.
Oh, and did I mention that Haiti is a major power in this world? Well, they are, though they're also secretive and highly protective of their steam-powered cyborg animals. In fact, it was Haiti, with assistance from France, that built the Panama Canal in the world of 80 Days. But that's not the only notable change. The Zulu have formed a federation in Southern Africa to resist British colonization. They've embraced steampunk technology thanks to the Artificers Guild, who we'll talk more about in a minute. They've kicked the British and Portuguese out of several parts of Southern Africa; though some areas of European settlement, such as the Orange Free State, still remain. Meanwhile, Madagascar has also managed to remain independent thanks to embracing steampunk technology. Madagascar is also a hotbed of Artificer activity. There also seem to be more gender equality than in our world’s Victorian era. We see numerous women as engineers, captains, and in positions of authority. True, some do mention having to deal with sexism, but its all very progressive given the time period.
The Artificers Guild is an international organization of scientists, engineers, and inventors dedicated to spreading steampunk technology throughout the world. Their officially language is Turkish, as they claim to have been founded in Turkey, and their members wear bronze flowers. Officially, they're politically neutral, but they do have influence in pretty much all nations. Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you to decide. People of all nations, except the Austro-Hungarian empire, are allowed to join. As you can imagine, the nations of the world are sharply divided in their views of the Artificers.
There are also several secret locations that require you to do special things to find them. For example, there is a flying First Nations city in Canada named Kahwoka Othunwe. Go to either Calgary or Regina and looked for a Cree boy. If you help him, you'll get a mysterious device. After that, head to Toronto. Along the way some Lakota will find you and take you to Kahwoka Othunwe. However, if you're carrying whiskey the council will decide you a whiskey trader, and you'll have to escape on a gyrocopter. If you don't have whisky, you'll get to stay, and will be dropped off in Quebec City.
Yeah, having certain items in your inventory affects how things go. Sometimes you are given items when chatting with other characters, but this can backfire on you. For example, can be given a copy of Communist Manifesto in Moscow. However, if you have it with you while you're in Vladivostok, you will be arrested and waste four days in prison. I learned that the hard way; I would have won that play-through if I hadn't gotten stuck in Vladivostok. Then again, you'll get arrested anyway if you stay overnight in Vladivostok. The Russians are paranoid about British travelers due to The Great Game. The only way to prevent this is to get travelers papers by stoping at Omsk. And even then, if you got involved in the demonstration in St. Petersburg, they won't mean anything. Personally, I don't find it worth the hassle. My advice, at the Trans-Siberian Railway all the way to Karimskaya. Then take the Trans-Manchurian Railway to either Pyongyang or Beijing, and from there get on a ship to Yokohama.
Another hidden location can be found if you chose you go around the North Pole. Yes, circumnavigating the pole is considered a valid route. Get far enough north and you'll join the crew or an ice walker. Be sure to get into their good graces, because eventually the walker will crash, and Fogg's health will take a serious hit. You need to keep him alive until you are rescued by members of Qausuittuq, a hidden city of Arctic indigenous peoples. Think kind of like Wakanda from Black Panther, but steampunk and the culture derives from the native peoples of the Arctic. You can explore a bit, but the council will decide you must stay in Qausuittuq forever, because of the whole secrecy thing. Thankfully, you can find an airship hanger, which will take you to either Winnipeg or Gastown (Vancouver).
Obviously, there are many different routes you can take. This creates quite a bit of replay potential. The wide variety of destinations, and the choices they present, also adds to the replay value. If you chose to follow the route of the original novel, the events will be fairly faithful to it, steampunk elements notwithstanding. Well, it will be depending on your choices. That said, there are some slight deviations. In the novel, when Fogg and Passepartout are in India they save a woman named Aodha from sati, aka Hindu wife burning. She joins them on the rest of their journey, and eventually becomes Fogg's love interest. In the game, however, she's the leader of an anti-British rebellion in India. As such, she stays in India.
If you go to Florida, you can encounter Michael Ardan from the novel From the Earth to the Moon also by Verne. You can go from a rocket ride, but if you do that Fogg will be killed, and potentially you too if you make the wrong choices. You can continue the journey alone, and you will win if you return to London. Of course, you'll also have to live with the guilt that Fogg died because of you. So you know, win some, lose some.
You'll encounter Inspector Fix in Singapore and Hong Kong. He'll try to convince you that Fogg is a criminal up to no good. Be careful about meeting him in the Hong Kong opium den, because next thing you know you'll be on a airship bound for Yokohama. Then you'll have to perform at a Japanese circus until Fogg finds you. Though, this is all faithful to the novel. Well, mostly. In the novel, Fogg didn't consider balloon travel to be trustworthy. Ironically, more than a few adaptions of the book have Passepartout and Fogg riding in a balloon on the cover. It is possible that the publishers get it confused with one of Verne's other novels, Five Weeks in a Balloon. Of you return to London via Lisbon you may encounter another British gentleman traveling around the world with his Prussian assistant. It makes for an amusing encounter.
I'm not the only one who thinks 80 Days is amazing. It has won numerous awards. Frankly, it would be easier to list the awards this game hasn't won. And if you're curious about tips and tricks be sure to check out the game's wikia.
I've played 80 Day many times, and there's still plenty of achievements I'm chasing. This is an absolutely fantastic game and I can't recommend it enough. Download it today, you will be so glad that you did. 80 Days is available for Apple, Android, PC, Nintendo Switch, and is available on Steam.
Link to the original review on my blog, but it’s just the same as what is here: http://drakoniandgriffalco.blogspot.com/2020/11/video-game-review-80-days.html?m=1

When I was a kid, I loved Choose Your Own Adventure books. I loved exploring stories where I got to steer the plot, with varying degrees of success. The illustrations that would occur throughout the books was a nice touch too. Thankfully, there plenty of great examples of interactive fiction that are aimed at older audiences. Many video games have successfully adapted the Chose Your Own Adventure format to electronic form. Where I am going with all of this. Today, we're going to take a look at one of the best examples of interactive fiction I've seen in quite some time. We're taking a look at 80 Days.
80 Days is an adaption of Jules Vernes' classic novel Around the World in Eighty Days. Our story begins in 1872. Passepartout is a French valet recently hired by British gentlemen Phileas Fogg. Fogg has recently taken a bet from his gentlemen's club that he must make it around the world in no more than eighty days. Ah, but there is a twist. You see, this isn't out Victorian era. Rather, it is a steampunk alternate history. Passepartout and Fogg much make their way across this steampunk world using several strange, exotic, and sometimes mundane, modes of transportation. How will they accomplish this? What routes will they take? That's all up to you. The choice is yours, so choose wisely.
I was first introduced to Around the World in Eighty Days when I saw Disney's 2004 adaption starring Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan. I think it was that film which indirectly lead to my interest in steampunk. There actually wasn't that much in the way of steampunk in the film itself, though Fogg was a bumbling inventor, rather than a rich gentleman like in the novel. The film deviates a bit from the novel, often for comedy. Eventually, I did seek out the original novel, which is easily my favorite of Verne's work. So, when I saw this game, I knew I just had to buy it.
Now, let's briefly discuss terminology and classification. After mulling it over I decided to classify 80 Days as a video game, but me being me, I feel that's a bit too simple. More broadly, it falls under the umbrella of Interactive Fiction. As the name suggests, Interactive Fiction is any fictional narrative medium influenced by the choices of the readeplayer. The exact degree of interactivity varies. On the high end, you have stuff like the Ace Attorney games; not only do you have different dialogue options, but you must collect evidence and call-out false statements in court. On the low end, you have certain types of Japanese Visual Novels, where the story is pretty linear, and the choices don't really matter, or are for purely aesthetic stuff.
I would say there is a fair bit of genuine choice and strategizing involved in 80 Days. You have to determine the best route first and foremost. You are presented with options as soon as you arrive at a new city, but you can also quite new routs options by purchasing travel schedules. You also have to watch your budget. Different modes of transportation charge different rates. You also have to spend money on hotels if you stay overnight in a city. You do start off with money, and there are ways to gain more as you go. Each stop has a marketplace where items can be purchased and sold. How much each item sells for depends on where you are. Fortunately, the game does tell you where you can get the most for each item. The items are also important because they affect Fogg's health. Fogg takes health damage no matter what you travel in, but carrying certain items in your suitcase help negate this damage. You can also add to his health by attending to his needs before or during travel. You can also get money by going to the bank, but be careful, because Fogg isn't made out of money, and it will run out if you make too many bank trips. You can earn a bit of money by polishing shoes at hotels. Hey, small drops fill the bucket.
You care the items with you in a suitcase, and you can purchase more if you run out of room. However, more suitcases will increase the cost of travel, and certain modes of travel limit the amount of luggage you can take with you. Fogg will provide commentary depending on what you choose to carry with you. For example, if you chose to bring a gun at the start, and then purchase another one, Fogg will inquire about just how many guns you think you'll need. If you sell the altimeter, Fogg will inquire about what you've done with his grandfather's altimeter. If you purchase a mirror, Fogg will remark about how it is occupying your attention quite a bit as of late.
Your choices have consequences beyond advancing the story. How you interact with Fogg determines how he will view you. Serve him well, and he will consider you a truly worthy companion that any gentleman would be lucky to have at his side. There are also several characters you have the option of romancing. Oh, and Passepartout is bisexual, so you can romance women or men without issue. Play your cards right, and you can even romance Fogg, but that takes a bit of skill.
The artwork is very well done. You have a three-dimensional globe that tracks your progress. Your latest mode of transport, as well as famous buildings from the cities you visit, are represented as stylized black and white drawings set against color backdrops. The day-night cycle is also represented in shifts in background color. You get the text of the story when you are embarking on a new leg of your journey, when you arrive at your destination, and if you chose to stay the night in a city. And it is fairly substantial text; we're talking multiple paragraphs. Upon successfully completing the journey the route you took will be highlighted on the globe, and you'll get stats about how many places you visited.
One of the biggest draws of 80 Days is the way that it explores steampunk outside of Europe. Many nations were able to successfully avoid colonization, or kicked out their colonizers. Each nation also has its own unique twist on steampunk technology. You can ride anhinga, a type of fast bird-like airship, in South America and the Caribbean. You can take a mechanical elephant through the mountains of Northern India. You can cross the Pacific Ocean in a steamship that can also turn into a submarine. You can even visit Haiti and see the unique steam-powered cyborg animals they utilize. Well, that and the automatons made out of wood and bone, which are powered by blood.
Oh, and did I mention that Haiti is a major power in this world? Well, they are, though they're also secretive and highly protective of their steam-powered cyborg animals. In fact, it was Haiti, with assistance from France, that built the Panama Canal in the world of 80 Days. But that's not the only notable change. The Zulu have formed a federation in Southern Africa to resist British colonization. They've embraced steampunk technology thanks to the Artificers Guild, who we'll talk more about in a minute. They've kicked the British and Portuguese out of several parts of Southern Africa; though some areas of European settlement, such as the Orange Free State, still remain. Meanwhile, Madagascar has also managed to remain independent thanks to embracing steampunk technology. Madagascar is also a hotbed of Artificer activity. There also seem to be more gender equality than in our world’s Victorian era. We see numerous women as engineers, captains, and in positions of authority. True, some do mention having to deal with sexism, but its all very progressive given the time period.
The Artificers Guild is an international organization of scientists, engineers, and inventors dedicated to spreading steampunk technology throughout the world. Their officially language is Turkish, as they claim to have been founded in Turkey, and their members wear bronze flowers. Officially, they're politically neutral, but they do have influence in pretty much all nations. Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you to decide. People of all nations, except the Austro-Hungarian empire, are allowed to join. As you can imagine, the nations of the world are sharply divided in their views of the Artificers.
There are also several secret locations that require you to do special things to find them. For example, there is a flying First Nations city in Canada named Kahwoka Othunwe. Go to either Calgary or Regina and looked for a Cree boy. If you help him, you'll get a mysterious device. After that, head to Toronto. Along the way some Lakota will find you and take you to Kahwoka Othunwe. However, if you're carrying whiskey the council will decide you a whiskey trader, and you'll have to escape on a gyrocopter. If you don't have whisky, you'll get to stay, and will be dropped off in Quebec City.
Yeah, having certain items in your inventory affects how things go. Sometimes you are given items when chatting with other characters, but this can backfire on you. For example, can be given a copy of Communist Manifesto in Moscow. However, if you have it with you while you're in Vladivostok, you will be arrested and waste four days in prison. I learned that the hard way; I would have won that play-through if I hadn't gotten stuck in Vladivostok. Then again, you'll get arrested anyway if you stay overnight in Vladivostok. The Russians are paranoid about British travelers due to The Great Game. The only way to prevent this is to get travelers papers by stoping at Omsk. And even then, if you got involved in the demonstration in St. Petersburg, they won't mean anything. Personally, I don't find it worth the hassle. My advice, at the Trans-Siberian Railway all the way to Karimskaya. Then take the Trans-Manchurian Railway to either Pyongyang or Beijing, and from there get on a ship to Yokohama.
Another hidden location can be found if you chose you go around the North Pole. Yes, circumnavigating the pole is considered a valid route. Get far enough north and you'll join the crew or an ice walker. Be sure to get into their good graces, because eventually the walker will crash, and Fogg's health will take a serious hit. You need to keep him alive until you are rescued by members of Qausuittuq, a hidden city of Arctic indigenous peoples. Think kind of like Wakanda from Black Panther, but steampunk and the culture derives from the native peoples of the Arctic. You can explore a bit, but the council will decide you must stay in Qausuittuq forever, because of the whole secrecy thing. Thankfully, you can find an airship hanger, which will take you to either Winnipeg or Gastown (Vancouver).
Obviously, there are many different routes you can take. This creates quite a bit of replay potential. The wide variety of destinations, and the choices they present, also adds to the replay value. If you chose to follow the route of the original novel, the events will be fairly faithful to it, steampunk elements notwithstanding. Well, it will be depending on your choices. That said, there are some slight deviations. In the novel, when Fogg and Passepartout are in India they save a woman named Aodha from sati, aka Hindu wife burning. She joins them on the rest of their journey, and eventually becomes Fogg's love interest. In the game, however, she's the leader of an anti-British rebellion in India. As such, she stays in India.
If you go to Florida, you can encounter Michael Ardan from the novel From the Earth to the Moon also by Verne. You can go from a rocket ride, but if you do that Fogg will be killed, and potentially you too if you make the wrong choices. You can continue the journey alone, and you will win if you return to London. Of course, you'll also have to live with the guilt that Fogg died because of you. So you know, win some, lose some.
You'll encounter Inspector Fix in Singapore and Hong Kong. He'll try to convince you that Fogg is a criminal up to no good. Be careful about meeting him in the Hong Kong opium den, because next thing you know you'll be on a airship bound for Yokohama. Then you'll have to perform at a Japanese circus until Fogg finds you. Though, this is all faithful to the novel. Well, mostly. In the novel, Fogg didn't consider balloon travel to be trustworthy. Ironically, more than a few adaptions of the book have Passepartout and Fogg riding in a balloon on the cover. It is possible that the publishers get it confused with one of Verne's other novels, Five Weeks in a Balloon. Of you return to London via Lisbon you may encounter another British gentleman traveling around the world with his Prussian assistant. It makes for an amusing encounter.
I'm not the only one who thinks 80 Days is amazing. It has won numerous awards. Frankly, it would be easier to list the awards this game hasn't won. And if you're curious about tips and tricks be sure to check out the game's wikia.
I've played 80 Day many times, and there's still plenty of achievements I'm chasing. This is an absolutely fantastic game and I can't recommend it enough. Download it today, you will be so glad that you did. 80 Days is available for Apple, Android, PC, Nintendo Switch, and is available on Steam.
Link to the original review on my blog, but it’s just the same as what is here: http://drakoniandgriffalco.blogspot.com/2020/11/video-game-review-80-days.html?m=1

Saturday July 27, 2019
Saratoga Race Course
Race: 9 (5:44 PM EST Post)
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes
Mitole really needs no introduction as he has been taking the sport by storm of late. The son of Eskendereya has rattled seven straight, clear cut wins including back to back Grade: 1’s in his last two. This bay colt has recorded splits and final times that are off the charts good and consistent. Note the last seven speed figures as well as they range from 103 to 108. No way I try to beat him until he start showing some kinks in his armor…………………….The speedy Strike Power is clearly at his best game (sprinting) in this spot. After this big chestnut toyed with mid level optionals two back, he blew out of the gate, set a hot early pace and only one of the best horses in training today (Catalina Cruiser) was able to gun him down late. The slight cut back in distance should only help him here. Don’t worry about his one try over this surface being a bad one, his rider that day was on some kind of kamikaze mission as he forced this horse to run a :21.1 opening quarter mile. Between this horse, and the top pick, there might an interesting battle for early supremacy…………………………… Those of you who know me know I like Imperial Hint. This now six year old “little guy” is a running fool while winning 12 of 21 career starts. The problem is, after three straight defeats, are his best days behind him? I mean, his form *is\* showing a noticeable downward trend………………………..Honorable Mentions: Diamond Oops might quietly be sitting on a big one at what will probably be some long odds too. This son of Lookin’ at Lucky has cycled back into top form and looked good coming from behind to take down a Grade: 3 at Gulfstream last time out. With a plethora of speed to his inside, stretch runners like him are always dangerous in these kinds situations………………….If Belmont surface lover Firenze Fire couldn’t handle Mitole at Belmont Park, how will he handle him at ‘Toga? I don’t know… but he has run well, including back to back “trips” speed figures in his last two, so he deserves a “mention”…………….Mr. Crow looks overmatched in this spot but I did notice he is 2 for 4 at ‘Toga and 2 for 10 everywhere else.
Race: 10 (6:18 PM EST Post)
Bowling Green Stakes
These marathon turf races are getting tougher and tougher to figure as the same group appears in the entry box and they take turns beating each other, with the winner (like normal) being the one who gets the best trip. I don’t know about you, but I’m treading lightly in this WIDE open contest. That said, I’m taking Yo Primo, who is another in a looooong line of runners Chad Brown brings in from other parts of the world, for several reasons. First off, you get the “fresh face” angle. Now tack on first time Lasix angle, the fact he is 5 for 9 in his home country of Chile (including four Group: 1 wins), he’s been lighting up stop watches in the mornings since his arrival, and note the final times of his last two starts/wins. 10 furlongs in 1:56.3? 12 furlongs in 2:24 flat? Those are stone cold racehorse times and if he duplicates either of those races in this spot, he’ll be long gone in the stretch………………..Arklow just missed in the Grade: 1 Man O’ War and in the Grade: 2 Belmont Derby in his last two. This stretch runner from the Brad Cox barn should be coming late once again here………………….13 time and multiple Graded Stakes winner Bigger Picture is a threat in just about any turf race he runs in. Still another who should be coming late………………….Honorable Mentions (and there are several due to the depth of this field): Zulu Alpha has won five of his last 10 races and just missed in the Grade: 1 United Nations at Monmouth last time out. This six year old gelding made a brazen, three wide move on the turn but was gunned down in deep stretch by a long-shot winner. Could be tough with a better timed move by his (new) rider……………….I love Sadler’s Joy heroic, late running moves. He habitually comes from 8, 10, 12 sometimes 14 lengths out of it early but always makes it interesting late. Although he’ll be making his first start in almost nine months it must be noted he has run big off layoffs several times in the past…………………….Channel Maker won this race last year and likes this turf course but is a little too inconsistent for my liking……………………..Did Highland Sky’s late running, wide tripped, close up third in his last signal some kind of return to form?.........................Argonne has won three straight vs. lesser. Steps up and stretches out but, with so many late runners in this field, he could be a menace late if left alone on an uncontested early lead.
Race: 11 (6:51 PM EST Post)
Jim Dandy Stakes
Global Campaign is three for four in his career and was nothing short of brilliant in winning the Peter Pan Stakes last time out. This son of Curlin stalked a strong early pace, took over at the quarter pole, opened up on the field at that point and held sway late, beating eventual Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston in the process. Note the internal and final fractions of that race as they included a :48.2 middle half mile and a :12.1 final furlong. Having not run in two months, he should be a fresh horse and trainer Stanley Hough, who is no babe in the woods, should have him ready to fire……………………..I’m not sure if it was the 12 furlongs or the fact that Preakness winner War Of Will, who has had a tough campaign thus far in 2019, is showing signs of fatigue, to explain his disappointing effort in the Belmont Stakes last time out. Either way, although it might prove futile, I’m going to try to beat him here. One last thing, he has physically looked like a million bucks training for about the last week or 10 days……………….Tacitus is a gorgeous and well bred son of Tapit who possesses a good late run, one that he has used to win the Wood Memorial, finish third in the Derby and second in the (nightmare tripped) Belmont Stakes. This gray colt sports a record of 6-3-1-1 in his career and is a must use in any exotics betting scenario…………………………..Honorable Mentions: After winning the inaugural Oaklawn Park Invitational while getting the last furlong in about :12 seconds flat, Laughing Fox quietly made of the most impressive mid race moves I’ve seen all year in the Preakness Stakes, totally outrunning his almost 22-1 odds in the process. This $375,000 son of Union Rags was near last and some 25 lengths off the early pace that day but methodically starting “picking off” horses one by one down the backside, swung wide on the turn for home and finished full of run to check in fifth. Note, at the end of the day, he was beaten less than four lengths. Making up some 21 lengths, especially in classic race, deserves attention…………………..Although running a very, very respectable fourth, Tax found the 12 furlongs of the Belmont Stakes a little too much to handle. Colt by Arch cuts back to a more reasonable distance here and could be a menace………………………..Mihos is not as bad as his last race or two would indicate.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Race: 8 (8:30 PM EST Post)
Bing Crosby Stakes
Cistron blew the doors off of his competition in his return to the dirt while wiring the field in the Kona Gold two starts back. I know that this five year old, by the ridiculously fast The Factor, blew a three length lead at the top of the stretch in his last but it must be noted he set a supersonic early pace that day and that race was also at seven furlongs. Logically, the cut back to six furlongs plays right into his lap. Big work last week should have him “revved up” for this………………..Recruiting Ready has taken on some crack sprinters back on the East Coast, including the super-fast World Of Trouble and (getting beat by a half a length to) Catalina Cruiser his last time out. He will meet no such rivals here and figures bang up here, especially if he can adapt to the vastly different West Coast race tracks…………………. Jalen Journey won three straight vs. lesser before being nailed on the wire by Diamond Oops in the Grade: 3 Smile Sprint at Gulfstream last time out. It’ll be interesting to see if he can hold his form with a trainer change and a move to the West Coast………………..Honorable Mentions: Chief Cicatriz is a win machine as his 10 for 15 career record would indicate. However, this six year old son of Munnings will be swimming in much deeper waters here………………………Air Strike pulled a 12-1 upset when running down my top pick last time out. This son of Street Sense was 0 for his last 5 heading into that race and, although he might run well in this spot, I doubt he does it again.
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By: Gerard Apadula
Director of Equine Operations and Development
Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
2019- Record: 45-128 = 35%
2018- Record: 107-261= 41%
2017- Record: 92-235 = 39%
2016- Record: 91-229 = 40%
2015- Record: 67-180 = 37%
2014- Record: 29-73 = 40%
2013- Record: 20-59= 34%
2012 -Record: 24-73= 33%
2011 –Record: N/A
2010- Record: 24-74= 33%
​
Little Bets N’ Pieces
**** Trainer Shug McGaughey said Code of Honor who will bypass the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes, will train up to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 24.
Owned by William S. Farish, Code of Honor was a recent winner of the Grade 3 Dwyer, following his second-place result in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.
“I haven't decided, still on the fence,” McGaughey said. “He's made great progress here in the last few days and I'm probably leaning more towards the Travers as opposed to running in both, just to give him more time in between races.”
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**** Omaha Beach recorded his first work at Del Mar after being sidelined due to an entrapped epiglottis.
The handsome son of War Front went three furlongs in :36 3/5 Tuesday with Alex Solis aboard
"Everything's healed up and he's back in good shape," trainer Richard Mandella said. "Had a very nice first work today, :36 and a little change, and he galloped out (four furlongs) in :49. We scoped him afterwards and the throat looked good, so we couldn't be happier."
Del Mar's Aug. 25 Shared Belief Stakes, run at a mile for 3-year-olds, is a possible comeback spot for Omaha Beach.

One of the bigger Kentucky Derby prep races that takes place this weekend is our highlighted race; the $1 million, nine furlong, Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
The entire card at Gulfstream is huge, as it includes seven other Stakes races. Of these, we will be looking at four. The Gulfstream Park Mile, the Gulfstream Park Oaks for three year old fillies and the marathon Pan American Stakes.
Elsewhere, we move west for a look at three races at Santa Anita Park. They include the Grade: 1 Beholder Mile for three year olds and up fillies and mares, the Grade:1 Frank E. Kilroe Turf Mile for four year olds and up, and the San Carlos, a seven furlong dash for three year olds and up.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the Dubai World Cup on Saturday. Although I won’t be playing any of the races, a full field of 13 has been entered with more than half being U.S. based runners. The list includes Gunnevera, Audible, Seeking the Soul, Pavel, Gronkowski, Axelrod and Yoshida. Also entered is the talented North America and defending Dubai World Cup Champion Thunder Snow.
Other U.S. runners on the card include True Timber and Coal Front (race 2), Stormy Liberal (race 4), and Gray Magician and Plus Que Parfait (race 5). On a side note in race 5, I will be closely watching the well named and super talented Walking Thunder as well as Van Beethoven as possible Kentucky Derby runners.
Race 6 looks strong as well as Imperial Hint and X Y Jet will square off in that one. Roy H was entered but will scratch with a foot abcess.
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Saturday, March 30, 2019
Gulfstream Park
Race: 4 (1:00PM EST Post)
Gulfstream Park Mile
Prince Lucky is 5 for 9 in his career and was sparkling in his 2019 debut. Gelding by Corinthian destroyed his rivals in the Hal’s Hope when winning by 6 and stopping the clock in a fleet 1:34.4 for one mile…..logical choice………………..Be Gone Daddy has won his last two while coming from way back early with scintillating stretch runs. This son of Scat Daddy is razor sharp right now and he loves this track as he’s 3 for 5 at GP but 1 for 9 everywhere else. Takes a sizable step up in class here however……………….Although Guy Caballero is 0 for his last 7 and just 2 for 18 in his career, he has been “right there” in his last 5 races in a row. Note, he too will be taking a steep step up in class. (My Play: $100.00 win on Prince Lucky. Cost $100.00)
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Race: 8 (3:00PM EST Post)
Gulfstream Park Oaks
Cookie Dough blew the doors off of Restricted Stakes runners on this oval twice to end 2018. Filly by Brethren was just a little short in her 2019 debut (Grade: 2 Davona Dale) as she was caught on the wire by a 51-1 shot after leading every step of the way. That race and a big work two weeks ago (5F- 1:00 flat) should have her “tighter” for this…..narrow margin in very competitive field…………………Dunbar Road is a $350,000 daughter of Quality Road who went off at 8/5 in her racing debut and won like an 8/5 shot should. This Chad Brown trainee took command of that race leaving the half mile pole (in :46.4) and was visually impressive drawing off to win by almost 9 lengths. She’ll be stepping up in company and stretching out in distance but she is scary none the less…………………….Point of Honor used an impressive four wide, sweeping move to the lead when winning her debut back in December at Gulfstream Park then came back in February to manhandle the field in the $150,000 Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Unbeaten filly by Curlin will be making her first start in 49 days and her works are so-so at best……………Honorable Mentions: Champagne Anyone has yet to run a bad race in five career starts including holding her own in her last three straight (Graded Stakes) races………………Safta is still a maiden but had two legitimate excuses in her one and only race. Filly by Dialed In missed the break and she was so wide throughout that race, I thought she was trying to get a hot dog from the 2nd level concession stand yet was still making up ground late. She could be a menace here at long odds with a cleaner trip and the stretch out in distance should only help her. (My play: $1.00 trifecta box using all. Cost $60.00)
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Race: 13 (6:00PM EST Post)
Pan American Stakes
Bigger Picture is another who could not have looked any better in his 2019 debut. This now eight year old powered home down the lane while overcoming a dawdling early pace to win by 3 ½ going away lengths at Sam Houston in January. I have zero concerns about the 2-0-0-0 career record on this turf course for this 12 time winner…………….Soglio is about three quarters of a length away from coming into this riding a four race win streak including just missing in the W. L McKnight on this turf course last time out. This son of Scat Daddy has hit the board in 10 of his last 12 races and has never been off the board on the GP “weeds”. Slight edge over the others based on consistency………………Focus Group ran one heck of a race when last seen on Oct 13 in Canada in the Canadian International. This five year old rallied from last, with a 6 wide move on the turn, to get up for third in that race. I’m not sure I like his training (steady half mile works) for a 12 furlong race and this being his first start in over 5 months, but this cat has run big off long layoffs before………………………....Honorable Mentions: Melmich has run back to back bang up races since arriving from Canada at the beginning of the year including just missing behind Zulu Alpha at 13-1 in a Grade: 2 last time out. No surprise if he runs well in this spot……………Canessar probably needed his effort in the aforementioned W.L. McKnight on Jan 26 as it was his first start since last July. Unique looking French invader has run very well in all six U.S. starts including several Graded Stakes races…………………Nessy, who is just 3 for 27 in his career and hasn’t really been close to winning since last April, does have some back class but he’s going to need a form reversal to be competitive here. (My play: $100.00 win on Bigger Picture & $1.00 trifecta box using the top 5. Cost $160.00)
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Race: 14 (6:30 PM EST Post)
Florida Derby
I repeat, Hidden Scroll ran one of the most impressive debut race wins I’ve seen in all of my almost 40 years of being involved in this sport when winning by 14 lengths, scoring a 104 speed figure and finishing a mile in 1:34.4. Trainer Bill Mott brought him back in the Fountain of Youth where lost tribes in the Amazon could see he was out of control early while rattling off super fast early fractions. I thought he did well to hang on for fourth as that was just his second career start and in such a tough spot. Since then, Mott has been teaching him to rate and all reports indicate he took to those tactics very well. “From what I've seen he has no problem (doing it). It shows he won't be a one-dimensional (speed) horse, and that gives a jockey a little more knowledge going into a race and, obviously, more options while in the race." said Garrett O'Rourke, general manager for Juddmonte Farms who own the colt. So what happens? Lo and behold this colt draws the #1 post position, which means he’ll have to use his early speed to secure a good position early, a sharp contrast to what he is being taught in the mornings. I’m sure his connections must have been sick at the post position draw on Wednesday. Don’t read too much into the fact that Joel Rosario hops off of him here as Rosario had already committed to riding Game Winner in the Kentucky Derby. In fact, you probably get a slight rider upgrade here as Castellano will be taking the reins. If anyone can work out a good trip and keep this colt relaxed early, it’s Castellano. That said, it’s now or never for this gorgeous bay as if he wins, it’s on to Churchill with just three career starts, if they beat him, then throw the Derby out the window completely………………………Code of Honor bounced back nicely from the inexplicable drubbing he took in his 2019 debut. As I mentioned previously, trainer Shug McGaughey gave him several weeks off and “rebooted” him and this colt responded beautifully in winning the Fountain of Youth last time out. Although he only won by three quarters of a length, I loved the way he was striding out in deep stretch; it signals that there was a lot more there and he will only get better as the season moves on and the distances get longer. Back to back bullet works at the notoriously deep track at Payson Park only adds to it. Those lost tribes in the Amazon I mentioned before can also see this horse is sitting on another big race…………………………..Harvey Wallbanger went from Maiden winner in November to 30-1 upset winner of the Holy Bull in February. Although he has never been worse than second in five career starts, he still needs to prove that he belongs. Yes, his Holy Bull was impressive but he got a wickedly fast pace in front of him and an absolutely perfect, rail skimming trip. What happens if the pace is slower and/or he has some traffic issues? Also, with such huge race off the layoff, will he “bounce” in this spot? His last two works, which were supersonic, say no, he won’t. Bottom line here is I’m not completely sold on him …..yet……………………..Honorable Mentions: I hate to put Bourbon War this far down, I really, really do. This $410,000 son of super sire Tapit was absolutely flying low at the end of the Fountain of Youth and almost caught Code of Honor, missing by just three quarters of a length at the wire. I wonder how much different things would have been in that race if he wasn’t six wide at the quarter pole? Anyway, the same goes for this colt as it does for Harvey Wallbanger as he too took advantage of a nuclear pace meltdown late in the Fountain of Youth, so he could be in trouble also with a slower early pace………………………Once again, in all of my almost 40 years of being in this sport, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a trainer winning at a 45% clip with 73 starters as Jason Servis is right now. I can’t even wrap my head around that. Anyway, Servis brings Maximum Security into this off of three consecutive, colossal wins including his last by an astounding 18 lengths. Yes, all those races were against inferior competition but the speed figures he’s posted in all three races say he can be competitive in this spot. This son of New Year’s Day is one of the more intriguing storylines in this race……………If you are hunting a long shot in this race, take a look at Garter and Tie, who has hit the board in 6 of 8 tries in his career (all over this oval) and wasn’t completely embarrassed by any stretch in the Holy Bull. (My Play: .50 trifecta box using the top 5. Cost: $30.00)
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Santa Anita Park
Race: 5 (6:00PM EST Post)
Frank Kilroe Mile
Catapult moved way too soon in none other than the inaugural running of the Pegasus World Cup Turf in his 2019 debut yet still “ran on” to finish a very good fourth. So, there is no surprise to see a rider change (from Rosario back to Drayden Van Dyke). This $350,000 son of Kitten’s Joy had a big year last year including back to back Grade: 2 wins in super fast final times. This dark bay 6 year old has worked very well since and he looks all systems go in this spot………………It appears as though River Boyne poses the biggest threat out of the rest of this field. Although running an even fourth in his last, it must be noted he too is a multiple Graded Stakes winner who has won 7 of 15 career starts and, perhaps more importantly, is an attention getting 6 for 7 on this turf course. Figures bang up here…………………..Next Shares showed little in the aforementioned Pegasus World Cup Turf in his last but I suspect he didn’t like the turf course labeled “yielding” that day. Six year old by Archarcharch had won three of his four prior to that and did take down the Grade: 1 Shadwell Mile last year, so you know there is some back class there. Threat should he bounce back to form…………………Honorable Mentions: Ohio is off to a good start this year. Eight year old by Elusive Quality just missed in his last (prep race for this) and pounded a Stakes field in January prior to that in noting more than an in hand gallop…………………..Hunt won the Grade: 1 Shoemaker Mile last year but has done very little since, including being conclusively beaten by Catapult twice recently. Gray seven year old poses a long shot threat should he bounce back to his old form. (My play: $100 win on Catapult & $1 trifect box using all 5. Cost $160.00)
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Race: 6 (6:30PM EST Post)
San Carlos Stakes
Dr. Dorr chased Accelerate (twice), Diversify and Catalina Cruiser in his last four races last year. Although he will be making his first start since August, this now six year old, who is Game Winner’s morning workout partner, cuts back to a distance he can handle and has been working very well for his return. Can anybody get them ready to run of a layoff better than Baffert? Lastly, note he is 5 for 8 at Santa Anita and 0 for 7 everywhere else…..narrowest of margins in a very close, competitive horse race………………Speaking of stats, Kanthaka is 6-3-1-1 at Santa Anita and this is clearly, and I mean, clearly, his best distance. Stretch runner by Jimmy Creed is 3 for 4 at seven panels but 0 for 4 at every other distance they’ve tried him. Excellent work pattern coming into this. Note how he valiantly chased two time Champion Sprinter Roy H last time out and absolutely held his own against him…………………….I wonder which Ax Man we will see on Saturday? The one who showed brief speed then folded his tent like a circus leaving town (finished 12th, beaten eight lengths) in the Malibu Stakes in December or the one who was absolutely sensational in wiring optional claimers last time out in January. The newly gelded son of Misremembered ran a hole in the wind (:22, :44, 1:08.3) while beating some of the better sprinters on the West Coast and roaring down the lane in 1:21 and change at this seven furlong distance. He’s hard to play on top but can’t completely throw him out either. …………………….Honorable Mentions: After several lackluster efforts, Touching Rainbows might have signaled a return to form in beating a Restricted Stakes field last time out. This 6 year old by Aragorn is still another who loves this surface as his 5 for 8 record over it would indicate and should be tighter with this being his second race off a layoff………………………….Solid Wager returns to the West Coast after a successful, yet short journey to New York. This durable eight year old, who will be making his 51st career start, won the Grade: 3 Toboggan and then chased the speedy Stan the Man in a high level claimer, at a distance that was not his best, in his two races there. Bay gelding is also 6 for 11 at this distance. (My play: $1.00 trifecta box using all 5. Cost $60.00)
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Race: 9 (8:00PM EST Post)
Beholder Mile
2018 Eclipse Award finalist Marley’s Freedom made a triumphant return to the races in Feb when winning the seven furlong Santa Monica Stakes in 1:22.1. Good looking, now five year old mare shows four super good works since, including her last when she went 5 furlongs in :59.4; 2nd best of a whopping 92 who worked the same distance that day. Don’t worry about her stretching out to a mile here. If she can win at a mile at Aqueduct in December, she can win at one mile at Santa Anita in March. Logical choice and hard to go against here……………..Selcourt has excellent early speed and draws towards the inside, signaling to me she will once again come out running and be the one to catch in this spot. $800,000 mare by Tiz Wonderful is 8-4-3-1 on this oval and has beaten Marley’s Freedom soundly in the past…..figures right there……………………….Although Mopotism is just 3 for 23 in her career, it must be noted she is back on her favorite surface (9-2-3-3 record over it) and back at her best distance (4-3-1-0 at one mile). Looks best of the rest in what also looks like a replay of the Santa Monica. (My play: $100.00 win on Marley's Freedom. Cost: $100.00)
​
By: Gerard Apadula
Director of Equine Operations and Development
Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
2019- Record: 18-57 = 32% (My Plays: -$1,857.14)
2018- Record: 107-261= 41%
2017- Record: 92-235 = 39%
2016- Record: 91-229 = 40%
2015- Record: 67-180 = 37%
2014- Record: 29-73 = 40%
2013- Record: 20-59= 34%
2012 -Record: 24-73= 33%
2011 –Record: N/A
2010- Record: 24-74= 33%
Little Bets N’ Pieces
**** War of Will, who appeared to slip but definitely lost forward momentum at the start of the Louisiana Derby, seems to have come out of it ok, according to trainer Mark Casse.
“It's amazing how much better he was today,” Casse said on Monday after reports that he was “noticeably off” on his hind end on Sunday. “I just feel fortunate that he's okay first and foremost. We're fairly certain that he probably caught his patella a little bit right at the start. So what we'll do is we'll do some exercising and probably laser treatment to strengthen the patella muscle. But we feel optimistic that we can still make the Derby.”
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**** Trainer Tom Amoss reported on Twitter that beaten 1/5 Fair Ground Oaks favorite Serengeti Empress bled during Saturday's race. The filly quickly established the lead in the 8 ½ furlongs but faded in the stretch run to finish last in the seven-horse field. She was eased up after the wire and given a precautionary ride back to her stall in the horse ambulance.
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**** Grade: 3 Sham winner Gunmetal Gray is officially off the Kentucky Derby trail. The son of Exchange Rate breezed at Santa Anita on Sunday after which a condylar fracture was discovered and a surgical repair scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Terry Finley, CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds who own the colt, said they won't know for at least 90 days whether the horse will recover to well enough to race again.
"It is not a slam dunk that he's coming back and it's not like he's done," Finley said. "The surgery went well, but we have a long road ahead. We are optimistic."
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**** M. V. Magnier blew through the Gulfstream Park sales like a hurricane this past week.
Magnier spent $1.65 million on a colt by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah on Wednesday afternoon.
The colt was bred in Florida and is out of the Graded Stakes winning Tabasco Cat mare Spice Island, making him a half brother to Florida Derby winner Ice Box . He worked an eighth-mile in :10 2/5 during the March 25 under tack show.
As if that wasn’t enough, Magnier came back and spent an eye popping $3.65 million for a two year old colt by Curlin out of the Bernardini mare Achieving, making him a half brother to Stakes winner Counterforce. The colt worked an eighth of a mile in :10 flat at the under tack show also on March 25.
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Our focus will be at Gulfstream Park once again this week as our highlighted race will be the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes for three year olds going a mile and a sixteenth.
The entire card at Gulfstream is very strong as they will be running a whopping nine Graded Stakes races of which we will be examining five.
Although I won’t be breaking down either race, keep an eye on the eighth race at Santa Anita today (Friday) as, although it’s a “non winner other than,” it has enough talent in it to be a Stakes race. Trainer Bob Baffert sends out mega talents Dessman and Roadster, while John Sadler’s Nolo Contesto, who drew the rail, also seems to have ability.
Also on Saturday at Santa Anita, Baffert will fire another missile from his arsenal in Flor De La Mar, a gargantuan filly who actually outworked Dessman in the mornings more than once and could not have looked any better in decimating maidens in her initial race last month.
Before moving forward and, since this will be read by thousands of you, my friend Trimi75 over at Reddit has been trying to remember a filly or mare from just a few years ago who swished her tail every time her jockey hit her left handed a la McKenzie.
She was ridden by Mike Smith and pretty sure she was trained by Bob Baffert. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Gulfstream Park
Race: 5 (1:30 PM EST Post)
Canadian Turf Stakes
Hembree has developed into a very nice turf horse over the past year, highlighted by winning a Grade: 2 race in Canada last fall. It looks like this handsome son of Proud Citizen is picking up where he left off as he came from last, and some 10 lengths behind at the half mile pole, to zoom past the field and win his 2019 debut (the El Prado Stakes). Big work Feb 4 followed up by a maintenance drill last week signals to me he is sitting on another big effort and he’ll face many of the same rivals he beat in the El Prado…………………….Being by War Front, I’m not sure why it took the powerhouse team of McGaughey/Phipps so long to put Breaking the Rules on the turf. But since, this dark bay colt who is 4 for 8 in his career, has won two impressively including the Tropical park Derby last time out…..looms a major threat here…………………..Cowboy Culture closed well, late, to beat $50,000 claimers on New Year’s Day. He then came back and was absolutely flying down the stretch (again) but was impeded late and had to settle for fourth (but was “put up” to third), less than two lengths, behind Hembree in the El Prado….another threat, especially with a clean trip………………Honorable Mentions: Krampus was also impeded late in the El Prado, and also finished right behind Hembree. Gelding by Shakespeare has hit the board in 9 of 12 turf starts also………….Siem Riep probably needed his race in the El Prado in his last. Five year old by Tapit has speed, draws the rail and should be “tighter” for this (My play: $1 trifecta box all 5. Cost $60.00)
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Race: 6 (2:00PM EST Post)
Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes
Quijote was visually impressive powering down the lane while pulling off a major upset (23-1) in the Sunshine Millions Sprint last time out. Ignore his race two back as it was on the synthetics and note he won by 6+ lengths three back. Colt by Pomeroy is sharp right now, shows a bullet five furlong work last week (1:00.1) and a 25% Irad Ortiz Jr. gets the leg up…………………..After winning the Gravesend Stakes at Aqueduct two back, then chasing (second) the supremely talent World of Trouble last time out, Recruiting Ready also seems to be in good form right now. Colt by Algorithms has speed, draws the rail (the rail is winning at a 20% clip) and also shows a big work last week….figures bang up…………………. ..Storm Advisory outran his odds in his last two vs. Graded Stakes runners on this oval. This veteran seven year old will be making his 54th start in this spot and, most importantly, he gets back to his best game (sprinting)……………….Honorable Mentions: Sweetontheladies is 0 for his last 13, dating back two years but his last two races weren’t bad including finishing within shouting distance of Quijote two starts back……………Santiamen just missed two starts back, then chased the speedy X Y Jet in his last. You get an underrated Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle and the third start off the layoff angle as well. (My play: $1 trifecta box using all 5. Cost $60.00)
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Race: 12 (5:01 PM EST Post)
Davona Dale Stakes
Off of back to back tour de force wins in the Grade:1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park and the Grade: 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly Juvenile, 2018 Two Year Old Filly Champion Jaywalk makes her 2019, three year old debut in this spot. Gray filly by Cross Traffic has excellent early speed and gets a tactical advantage by drawing the rail. Albeit, she is looking at bigger races down the road, she has been training very well and is hard to go against in this spot. “She not a big, robust filly, so we didn’t expect a big physical change. But, mentally, she’s matured quite a bit and is training very well. I am very happy with where she is now,” trainer John Servis said. “It’s been a long few months since (the Breeders’ Cup) November. Everyone is chafing at the bit to see her run. The freshening at Hidden Brook Farms has done her some good mentally, and she’s come back and trained great. She’s ready to run.”………………Champagne Anyone was charging hard, late in the Forward Gal Stakes in her last on Feb 2. Logical contender with the stretch out in distance in this spot and she might have a fitness edge over the rest as she is one of only three fillies in this race to have had a start in 2019………………………..Cookie Dough was visually impressive decimating Restricted Stakes fields in her last two to end 2018. Filly by Brethren will be coming off a four month layoff but has been training lights out for this her 2019 debut…………………….Honorable Mentions: High Regard has yet to run a bad race through six career starts. Good looking filly by Will Take Charge may not have cared for the sloppy track in her last start of 2018 and this distance seems to hit her right between the eyes……………..Bold Script is another who hasn’t run a bad race yet as her 5-2-1-2 career record would indicate. Oddly enough, this gray filly by wide spectrum sire Speightstown will be making her first dirt start here but is still another who is training very well of late. (My play: $1 trifecta box using all 5. Cost $60.00)
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Race: 13 (5:32 PM EST Post)
Fountain of Youth Stakes
On the Road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby, there is not another horse that intrigues me more than Hidden Scroll. This gorgeous, rather small colt by the equally gorgeous Hard Spun, ran one of the most impressive debut races I’ve ever seen in my almost 40 years of being involved in this sport. On Jan 26, this colt blew the gate and ripped through torrid early fractions (:22.2, :44.4 and 1:09.2) on his way to annihilating a maiden field while winning by 14 lengths and registering a towering 104 Beyer Speed Figure. For those of you who follow them, he also registered a mind boggling -2 Ragozin number. This Bill Mott trainee finished a mile in an outstanding 1:34.4 while basically being eased up on in deep stretch. I had to watch the race a few times to wrap my head around such a colossal effort. Of course, the elephant in the room is he did that on a sloppy track, which in turn begs the question; can he repeat that performance on a fast track?……………………..Although Vekoma will be making his first start in 118 days, he showed serious ability while winning his first two career races in New York. Chestnut colt by Candy Ride, who “swims” a little when he runs, whistled six furlongs in 1:08.4 in September, then came back about six weeks later to take down the Grade: 2, one mile Nashua Stakes in an excellent 1:36.3, proving he can carry his wealth of speed. Two other items I noted…he’ll go first time Lasix here and he ran a hole in the wind over the notoriously deep Palm Beach Downs Training Track last week, signaling readiness………………….Signalman might be your post time favorite in this spot and if he is, I’m going to try to beat him. Colt by General Quarter completely outran his 67-1 odds while making up a ton of ground late in chasing two year old colt champion Game Winner in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile race in November. This Ken McPeek trainee then came back about three weeks later and overcame traffic trouble to gamely win the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs…figures among the vanguard at the end of this one……………….Honorable Mentions: Global Campaign is a half brother to the super talented Bolt d’Oro. By Curlin, this colt beat maidens in his initial journey then came back to whip first level allowance foes while being “wrapped up” late both times. We have clearly not seen the best of this colt by any stretch and, at this point, there is no telling how good he is. We should find out more come Saturday……………………After winning his debut and then finishing a very good second in the Grade: 1 Champagne Stakes in just his second career starts, Code of Honor’s last race was too bad to be true. It’s clear that trainer Shug McGaughey backed off of him and “rebooted” so to speak. Albeit this colt is a stretch runner, so him drawing the rail hurts his chances, I am expecting a bounce back performance off his abysmal 2019 debut where he was a fading fourth, beaten by almost eight lengths………….Epic Dreamer set a fast pace in the Holy Bull last time out and had every excuse to cave in late but he did not. In fact, this son of Orb held very well late while checking in fourth but was only beaten by 2+ lengths….figures prominent early here and could be tough in the late stages once again…………….If you are hunting for a long shot in this race, take a look at Union’s Destiny, who blew the doors off of maidens back in August then ran sneaky good in the Smooth Air Stakes in December. Note the speed figure in the Smooth Air as it states he can contend vs. these. (My play: $1 trifecta box using the top 5. Cost $60.00)
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Race: 14 (6:06 PM EST Post)
Mac Diarmida Stakes
The well named Zulu Alpha appears to be a late bloomer as he’s won three of his last four and four of his last six dating back to last year. I love the way he split horses at the top of the stretch and went on to take the Grade: 3, W. L. Mc Knight last time out on this turf course. He’s trained well since, his speed figures are on the rise, he handles any footing and Ortiz Jr. takes the reins……looks best…………………Although at first glance Melmich looks like a one dimensional synthetics beast, having hit the board an astounding 34 times in 39 races over it including 17 wins, his last race on the turf was excellent. This Canadian, eight year old son of Wilko was last at the half mile pole but catapulted past eight horses and made up eight lengths in the last 4 ½ furlongs to finish a close up third vs. a Restricted Stakes field on this surface. Although he’ll be taking a big step up in class here, that race proven a) he can run effectively on the grass and b) he likes this surface…..figures close……………………….After wiring the field in the Grade:1 Turf Classic at Belmont last September, I think the connections of Channel Maker got a little carried away with themselves when throwing him in there vs. superstar filly Enable in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on November then putting him in the Pegasus World Turf Cup in his last two races. Although this gelding by English Channel has been plagued with inconsistencies throughout his career and is 0 for 3 on this turf course, the fact still remains he is taking an enormous drop in class, to a much more reasonable spot, here…………………….Honorable Mentions: Montclair has a very good year last year while beating up on lesser and winning four of eight starts up and down the East Coast. His speed figures are in the same zip code as some of the top contenders in this race and you get the third start off the layoff angle as well…………………..Hunter O’Riley quietly ran a huge ran in his last. This bay gelding had a tough trip (bumped and wide on the turn) but was less than five lengths behind Alpha Zulu in the W.L McKnight, which was his first start in 275 days. The son of Tiz Wonderful should be tighter for this and he has a good amount of “back class”…no surprise if he runs well on Saturday afternoon………………………..Vettori Kim will be making his first start since last summer but he too has back class and has been training forwardly. (My play: $1 trifecta box using the top 5. Cost: $60.00)
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By: Gerard Apadula
Director of Equine Operations and Development
Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team
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[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
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2019- Record: 14-37 = 38% (My Plays: -$526.36)
2018- Record: 107-261= 41%
2017- Record: 92-235 = 39%
2016- Record: 91-229 = 40%
2015- Record: 67-180 = 37%
2014- Record: 29-73 = 40%
2013- Record: 20-59= 34%
2012 -Record: 24-73= 33%
2011 –Record: N/A
2010- Record: 24-74= 33%
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Little Bets N’ Pieces
**** Champion Abel Tasman has arrived safely in Ireland and will be bred to leading sire Galileo, Coolmore announced last Friday.
The powerhouse racing and breeding operation broke news of the mating on Twitter after acquiring the six time Grade: 1 winner in January, when they went to $5 million at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale.
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**** Maximus Mischief, the very handsome winner of last year’s Remsen Stakes, has been taken off the Triple Crown trail because of a soft-tissue injury to his right front leg that surfaced after a workout Feb. 24 at Gulfstream Park.
“I’m very disappointed. I was hoping for a Derby horse and to share the experience with my son for really the first time,” said Chuck Zacney. “It has been really, really precious.”
Zacney’s son Alex, who is 19, was the namesake for Afleet Alex, the Preakness and Belmont stakes winner in 2005 that was the first horse his father owned.
Jockey Jose Ortiz reported something was amiss after he worked the colt four furlongs in :49 flat seconds in what was supposed to be their final work before Saturday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Oritz pulled the horse up after the work and did not gallop out at the end.
Plans call for Maximus Mischief to be sent from Gulfstream to Eisaman Equine near Ocala, Fla., where he will undergo further evaluation and be given ample time to recuperate.
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**** Super mare Winx is aiming for the March 2 Chipping Norton Stakes at Royal Randwick as her next engagement.
The now eight year old daughter of Street Cry claimed her 30th straight win just last week in the Feb. 16 Star Apollo Stakes.
“What you see is what you get with her. She is just a class act,” the mare’s trainer, Chris Waller said. “People are understanding how hard it is to win 30 in a row. You don’t do it by being the best horse on one day, but by being the best over three or four years. She has overcome track conditions, barrier draws, slow starts, wide runs you name it—that’s Winx.”
***** 2017 champion turf male World Approval has been retired from racing.
The 7-year-old gelding by Northern Afleet, who won the 2017 Breeders’ Turf Cup Mile, will take up residence at Live Oak Stud in Ocala, Fla.
World Approval will reside in an adjoining paddock to multiple Graded Stakes winning siblings Revved Up and Za Approval.
“How lucky we have been at Live Oak Stud/Plantation to have championed such a winning family,” said Charlotte Weber, owner of Live Oak Plantation. “I am proud and privileged to have experienced this Sport of Kings with such outstanding racehorses and shall protect them as we grow older together.”
All told, the almost white horse won 10 stakes, eight of them Graded, and earned $3,062,363.
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Part 1 of The Human Race can be found here.
JENS: Welcome one and all to the 305th running of the Pax Ultima Megarace Interspecies Competition Extravaganza! I'm Jens Kirrel, here with my lovely Lix friend, Liff Leff, up in the broadcast booth. And Liff, are you as excited as I am about today's Pax Run?
LIFF: Jens, I'm so excited, I could tear your armored carapace in half right now. We have an absolutely gorgeous day here at Pax Station. The weather programmers really went all out to make it a great day to race.
JENS: That's right, Liff, a beautiful day. And the festivities have already gotten started down in the midfield as the stands fill with spectators. Let's go down to Stet on the track. Stet?
^{STET: I'm here on the track. It is 1 yul in length. This is the track the race will be on. The racers must run around it 33 times.}
JENS: Stet, what's the mood of the crowd there in the infield? It looks like they're getting pretty rowdy!
^{STET: Yes. A Koval spilled an alcoholic beverage on me. I replaced my jacket. Then, a Quirr ate my jacket. That is why I am currently not wearing a jacket.}
LIFF: Those Quirr get pretty hungry when they get together. Having 200 siblings from each litter tends to increase intrafamilial competition for food, so they'll eat just about anything around a crowd!
^{STET: It was my favorite jacket. It was a gift from my beloved-}
JENS: Thanks for the update, Stet! Now Liff, you know I've got to ask you: will last year's winner, Gojak, pull a repeat victory this year? You know a repeat has only happened 3 other times in the history of the Pax Run, but Gojak is the only Tylar in the race.
LIFF: Now Jens, you know that Tylar aren’t the only species who can win this thing.
JENS: You know what, you’re right! Why, I seem to remember a Lix winning just about 20 cycles ago.
LIFF: Haha Jens, very funny. That Lix was me, as you well know, and it was only 17 cycles ago. Let’s not start adding more years where there are already too many!
JENS: Haha, I kid because I care, Liff. But you’re right, there is a bright up and coming Lix in today’s race, who goes by the name of Loff Laff. Any relation?
LIFF: There are literally hundreds of billions of us, Jens. But... yes, actually! He’s my nephew.
JENS: Fantastic! Did you place any bets on your nephew?
LIFF: Of course I did! Just a few friendly credits, as always. But you know the story every cycle is the simply astronomical amount of credits that gets bet on this race.
JENS: Liff, you know we like to dig into that! And the boys downstairs did pick up an anomaly in the betting data for the race today.
LIFF: Well, the brain scanner didn’t make them statisticians for nothing, did it? What did they find, Jens? Let’s hear the details.
JENS: An abnormally high amount was bet on a relatively minor entrant. A member of the newest Conclave member species, the Humans, registered for the race just last night, and bets in his favor followed immediately after, with a volume high enough to trigger a few eyebrows among our numbers guys. Most of the actual bets are on the Tylar, Gojak, but this human has attracted unusually high interest!
LIFF: A human? The pink, squishy bipeds? Did someone warn the poor thing? This is a 33 yul race, after all. It’s not for the faint of heart. And humans only have one heart.
JENS: But someone must think he’s worth betting on.
LIFF: Ha, someone who doesn’t like credits very much! Ah, here come the racers now!
JENS: Right you are, Liff! They are parading onto the track now. Let’s check in with Stet down on the field. Stet?
^{STET: This is the Frin racer. This is the Zorran racer. This is the Lix racer.}
LIFF: There’s my boy! Go get ‘em Loff!
^{STET: This is the Quirr racer. This is the Koval racer.}
JENS: Thank you Stet, let’s just let the camera pan over them there… There’s Gojak, the Tylar favorite, in full regalia.
LIFF: He will be a tough one to beat, I have to admit. He’s looking healthy, and his feathers are in peak color.
^{STET: My list has a human runner on it. There is no human present.}
LIFF: Well, there go some guy’s credits…
JENS: That is odd though, Liff. It doesn’t look good for the humans if their chosen champion doesn’t show up. Kind of embarrassing, actually.
LIFF: It is a shame Jens, you’re right. You and I like to kid around a bit, and this is a fun event, but it’s also a very important gathering of species. It’s better not to enter at all than to enter, and then not show up. It makes me want to smash up this booth a little, I have to tell you.
JENS: Indeed, Liff. Major faux pas by the humans. But, it looks like the race is about to start.
LIFF: Yes, they’re all lined up and ready to go!
JENS: And they’re off! Now Liff, you’re the expert. What’s the strategy on this first lap?
LIFF: I tell ya, Jens. Each cycle is different. Sometimes the racers will just go out as fast as they can, burn out by the end of the 2nd yul, and crawl for the next 31 laps. Other times the leaders start moving as close to an average pace as they can.
JENS: And we can see that Gojak, with his long legs, is going for the latter strategy now. A steady pace for 33 laps.
LIFF: And that works in his favor. It works in Loff’s favor too. Both the Tylar and Lix species benefit from this sort of even pacing.
JENS: But look at the Frin!
LIFF: Exactly! Just shot right out of the starting gate, but Jens, I promise you he will be overtaken before the end. He could potentially build up a huge lead now, but the effort is exhausting, and the lead will be temporary. 33 yul is just not a distance you can race with your reproductive organs just hanging out [translator’s note: the Lix verb literally means “to race balls out”]. You have to respect this distance.
JENS: Well we’ve got an exciting couple hours ahead of us Liff, so let’s go back down to Stet for an update on the midfield festivities. Stet?
^{STET: This vendor sells meat between two pieces of bread. It is my new favorite food.}
I planned everything out with Yediel. I assured him over and over that I could run the 33 yul in under an hour. It turns out, he’d bet a lot on me. And now, just like before every race, I was beginning to doubt myself. Part of me knew that the 8:57 per mile pace that our plan required was well within my ability, but another part of me had seen the amount that had been bet on me. It was… quite a lot. Yediel had evidently told a few of his Koval friends, and a few of them might have told their friends too.
First place would have been almost literally a cake walk. A time of 2 hours flat would be a huge Conclave record, and that would require nothing more than a brisk walk on my part. But Yediel had convinced me to make things a bit more… dramatic. Instead of toeing the line with the other racers, I would show up an hour and a half late, flustered and seemingly unprepared, and then start flat out running the 33 laps, pulling ahead of everyone and ending with a dramatic Conclave record of around 2:30. Mo Farah (gold medalist, 10k, 2012 Olympics) or Kenenisa Bekele (world record holder, 10k) might show up next cycle, and show them what a real human runner could do, but for 1 galactic cycle at least, I would hold the title of Fastest Sentient in the galaxy for the 33 yul race. My name would be forever written in history.
So yeah, I was nervous.
“Are you sure this won’t cause a diplomatic incident, Yediel?”
“Of course not. You’ll be following all the rules of the race. There’s nothing in the rules against showing up an hour late. And there’s certainly nothing in the rules about running as fast as you can. That’s the point. I'm telling you, this will really put a good face on Humanity.”
“The Lix isn’t going to rip me apart, is he?”
“Loff’s actually a really cool guy. You should meet with him afterwards.”
“How’s he doing so far?”
Yediel glanced at the screen. “He and Gojak are staying pretty tight. They haven’t quite caught up to the Frin, but the Frin has definitely slowed down after his initial burst. They should catch him in the next lap or two. Then it’ll be down to which one breaks down first: the Lix or the Tylar. Or so they think.”
“Or so they think, yeah.” I smiled weakly. I wanted to throw up. This is pretty standard before any race.
“Ready?”
I took a deep breath. “Ready.”
^{STET: Attendance for the Pax Ultima Megarace Interspecies Competition Extravaganza is 11.1% higher than last cycle. The count of sentients at midfield is three thousand, five hundred fifty four spectators, and the count in the stands is forty three thousand, nine hundred two. The broadcaster detects that tune ins number eight billion, five hundred twenty million, three hundred se-}
JENS: Stet, I’m going to stop you right there, because Gojak and Loff are about to pass the Frin.
^{STET: -venty five thousand, six hundred fifty seven screens.}
LIFF: These two are really digging in here. You can see the concentration in their faces. It’s really a mental game more than a physical game at this point. They’ve been at it for 90 minutes [translator’s note: times have been converted to Earth standard], just finishing up lap number 18. A faster pace than last cycle! I’m so excited, I could slaughter a whole village!
^{STET: Actually, make that eight billion, five hundred twenty million} [microphone cuts off]
JENS: And they have now pulled ahead of the Frin. Does this change the dynamic at all, Liff? Would they have seen the Frin as a target to catch up to?
LIFF: Absolutely, Jens. Now that they’ve passed him, they’re on their own. Sure, they’re lapping some of the slower racers here and there, but their objective is now 12 laps away at the finish line, rather than a lap or two ahead of them. This matters, psychologically. It makes that mental game so much bigger. It brings me back to my own win 17 cycles ago, when-
JENS: Hold on Liff, there’s a little bit of commotion coming out of the locker room. Is that the human there?
LIFF: Yes it is Jens! Nice of him to show up, right?
JENS: He’s hopping around a bit there. Looks like he’s trying to get his shoes on?
LIFF: Ha, hope he doesn’t use up all his energy hopping around! He’s got a long run ahead of him!
JENS: Now the question is, if he’s starting this late, he’ll need to finish in just over 4 hours to beat the cutoff. Can he do it?
LIFF: I don’t know. He’s pretty scrawny. Seems like he could do it, if he paces himself well. But this isn’t just the first 33 yul race for him - it’s the first for his species! He won’t know how to pace himself for a race that long.
JENS: He’s got his shoes on, and oh! There he goes!
LIFF: Oh wow, too fast. Waaaay too fast! Even the Frin had better pace discipline than that.
JENS: Looks pretty smooth, though…
LIFF: There’s no way he can keep that up for more than a lap, maybe 2. The Frin lasted for 4 laps before he had to slow down, but he was going a little slower.
JENS: He got flustered by the late start. You think he’s trying to make up for it, Liff?
LIFF: Oh sure, he’s overcompensating. Probably embarrassed. Maybe one of the human leaders called him up and chewed him out when he saw that he was late.
JENS: A few too many drinks at last night’s prerace party?
LIFF: No doubt Jens! Haha! Look at him go, though.
JENS: He’s maintained pace for the first lap. When will the crash come, Liff?
LIFF: The kid’s got spirit. I bet he makes it to the end of the second lap before he crashes and burns.
The first couple laps were the worst. It was hard to tell if I was setting the right pace. My GPS watch wouldn’t work here - no satellites. And the track is 1 yul, which is 327 meters. So, a little more than 80% of the length of a standard Earth track? And Pax station gravity is set at about 90% of Earth’s. And the clock on the stadium’s Jumbotron isn’t in Earth units. Too hard to do all that math in the best of circumstances, but especially not when all my blood has left my brain for greener pastures. So I honestly had no idea how fast I was going, although I was doing my best to aim for an 8:57 per mile effort. Fortunately, I can count laps. That’s easy enough. Breathe. Run. Steady.
LIFF: How is he still so steady?
JENS: Our researchers have sent up some info on humans.
LIFF: That quick, huh? The brain scanner didn’t make them researchers for nothing!
JENS: Evidently, their biology is particularly suited for long distance running.
LIFF: That thing? A natural runner?
JENS: Let’s look at this graphic of the human skeleton. First, we have the nuchal ligament in the neck, which stabilizes the human’s head while running.
LIFF: You’re telling me he just ran a... my stars, a 1:49 yul because of a neck ligament?
JENS: That’s not all. The human’s arched feet act as a spring on every step. It actually allows some of the energy of landing to be returned in the next takeoff. And the tendon on the back of the ankle does the same thing. They’re walking rubber bands.
LIFF: Running rubber bands.
JENS: Yes, I suppose so. Can we get a close up of his ankle in slow motion?
LIFF: The brain scanner didn’t make them camera operators for nothing!
My ankle was rubbing a bit. I’d had the replicator make a pair of Brooks Adrenaline shoes and a pair of Zulu socks, but the socks ended up a little short once I started running. Oh well, I mean it really is just 6.7 miles. Or 33 yuls. It’s not like my nipples are going to start bleeding. Whatever. I’ll survive. I hope.
LIFF: I found a picture of a human runner on their "internet". His nipples are bleeding.
JENS: That didn’t come up in the research they sent up. Is that an advantage to running long distance?
LIFF: I don’t think so. It looks painful, actually. Here, take a look.
JENS: That does look extremely painful. It may be caused by the copious amounts of sweat they produce soaking into his clothes.
LIFF: Sweat?
JENS: To cool themselves off, they exude fluid from pores all around their bodies. It appears to be quite effective! Look at the human! He's wet!
LIFF: That… would be very effective. It turns his entire body into a wet tongue, so he doesn’t have to pant to keep cool! How did that trait evolve?
JENS: They can also breathe out of rhythm with their running cadence. They can choose to inhale and exhale independently of when their feet hit the ground.
LIFF: Amazing! And can we get an analysis from our researchers on this human’s breathing pattern?
JENS: Looks like… three steps to inhale, two to exhale.
Three in, two out. That’s how I knew I was maintaining pace - it means I’m running about 9 minute miles. Although I wasn’t sure how the 90% gravity would affect that. Yediel was in the midfield, near the edge of the raucous crowd, and he’d yell out to me, “Right on pace!” or “Doing great!” every couple laps. I had passed every runner at least once in the first few laps, and every couple laps after that, but I actually passed one in the race standings for the first time during lap 11. 40 runners started the race, and I was now in 39th place. Many aliens in the infield besides Yediel were starting to cheer me on.
JENS: Okay, the human has now finished 11 yul at this astounding pace. Assuming he can maintain this pace for another 22 yul-
LIFF: That’s a big assumption, Jens.
JENS: But assuming he can, can he catch up to Gojak and Loff? I checked with the timers…
LIFF: The brain scanner didn’t make them timers for nothing!
JENS: And they say that he can overtake them, again assuming everyone stays at the same pace.
LIFF: And Gojak and Loff have to be nervous. The human has blazed past them three times now! And he shows no signs of slowing down.
(To be continued...)
Part 3 has been posted!

The Seychelles are a small group of islands off the coast of East Africa that is a popular holiday destination, mainly for newlyweds and snorkelers. This tiny nation isn't known for its football yet, but is trying hard to make a name for itself through sheer determination and meticulous focus on its grassroots coaching system. I thought I'd post a brief insight into it's history, link some articles and show you what this nation is trying to do, and who knows, it may pay off one day when we see some of these lads' children playing in the World Cup.
They play their home games at their 10,000 seater stadium Stade Linite, which is based just outside the capital Victoria. Their top scorer is Phillip Zialor with 11 goals.
The start:
Not much is known about the history of the Seychelles pre the 1990's. Their first match was against the Indian Ocean powerhouses Reunion in 1974 which ended in a 2-0 defeat. They participated in the Indian Ocean Island games in 1979, finishing runner up to (who seemed to be their kryptonite at the time) Reuinion, losing 2-1 to the host nation, and also recorded their record win, 9-0 against the Maldives, in the same year. They went out in the group stages in 1985 and came in 3rd place in 1990, beating Comoros 3-1 in the consolation playoff.
Managers:
The earliest known coach Englishman Adrian Fisher who first introduced rules to the game to the island. He was the first man to introduce 90 minute games to the people of Seychelles (before he arrived they played 60 minute games). He is seen as the key reason as to why football is so popular on the islands today.
The next known coach and first native coach was Seycehllios manager Ulric Mathiot, who was in charge in 1991. He is a highly respected coach in the Seychelles and currently works as a technical director for the National team. He's also taken charge briefly in 2008, and in 2014-15 where he lead the Seychelles into the Indian Ocean Island Games, where they went out in the group stage. You can read an interview he did here. Ulrich is the go to guy when the Seychelles are in trouble, which is why he's overseeing training of the next generation of coaches on the island, I mean he has to retire at some point, right?
The next known manager is Helmut Kosmehl, who, for the majoirty of his sporting career was a handball player. He lead the team into fourth place in the Indian Island Ocean Games and then was seemingly sacked. He was last seen in South Africa, being appointed director of the South African club AmaZulu FC in 2008.
They then went five years before appointing their next coach Vojo Gardasevic in 1998. This Yugoslavian came with good pedigree. He managed Iraq in 1981. He made his name with Gor Mahia in Kenya's domestic league, leading them to a title win, which got him a gig with the national side. He had a mixed spell where after a run of five straight losses, got the sack after the Kenyan FA went behind his back to appoint a new coach whilst Vojo was managing an official match with Kenya against Guinea. He managed the Pirates for 3 years, coming third in the Indian Ocean Island Games and lead them into their first World Cup campaign, getting a draw with Eritrea in the process. He loved the country so much that he managed two domestic sides, La Passe from 2005-2006, and Anse Reunion from 2006-2012, winning the league twice (once with each team) in that period.
Frenchman Domonique Barthenay was next on the scene and he lasted 6 months. The only thing I can find about him is this match report where his team beat Eritrea 1-0; "I can only say that the officials were very bad." being Eritrea coach Tekie Abrha's take on the game. He left to take over French side Sedan.
Then came Michael Nees, a German coach. He coached the team from 2002 to 2004 and apparently coached them again in 2010 according to this interview. "Six years after leaving Seychelles in a controversial manner and being at odds with the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF), Mr Nees said he has buried the hatchet and is thrilled to be back. “What happened then is history. I live in the present and hope for a better future,” he said. “Not everything you plan works out the way you want. And it is not necessarily worse. It would have been ironic for me to come and work here and still carry ill-feelings." He came in full of positivity and it's good to see that that never changed. Mr. Nees corrently works as a director for the Kosovo national team.
Congolese man Raoul Shungu was then drafted in, and his reign was poor, winning only 3 games in 13 matches. His reign lead to discussions that the young Seychellios coaches managing in the domestic league should get the chance to manage the national team, such was the poor performances and seemingly lack of commitment from the foreign managers.
However, they were deemed not ready yet so yet another foreign coach joined, Dutchamn Jan Mak. He had two spells with the team, one in 2008 and one in 2013-14, where he noticed a significant change of the quality of the football between his two spells. He also said that they will never be the top team in Africa which I bet didn't persuade the board not to sack him after a string of poor results.
After Mathiot's short reign, it was the turn of Swede Richard Holmlund. There's not a lot of information about him or his reign, other than he also managed the Seychelles U20 team at some point. He sadly died in a car crash near Orebo, Sweden in 2011.
The Seychelles FA then spotted former Manchester City player Andy Morrison on the island soaking the rays, and offered him the job. Only that it wasn't actually Andy Morrison, but Andrew Amers-Morrison, whose past experience was founding a soccer community youth club in 2005. He was sacked before managing one game because he was an "imposter". Here is a video of his Samba Street Soccer School.
It seems as if they gave up on hiring foreign managers after that as they appointed promising young Seychellios manager Ralph Jean-Louis shortly after, who was appointed on the back of a successful stint at St Michel Utd, winning the title. His main aim was to make the nation proud by reaching the final of the Indian Ocean Island Games in 2011. He lead the team out of the group as winners by drawing 0-0 with Comoros, beating Mauritius 2-1 and walloping the Maldives 5-1. They then played against their bogey team Reuinion in the semi final, beating them 2-1 in extra time. He had achieved what he had set out to do, and had to face Mauritius, a team he beat in the groups, in the final. The game ended 1-1 after normal time and the tie could not be settled after extra time. A nervy penalty shooutout ensued and it was the Pirates who won 4-3, making this the first and only success of the Seychelles National Team. He resigned shortly after to take over St. Michel Utd.
Mak and Mathiot had short spells with the team again but quickly left after the Seychelles could not defend their crown in the Indian Ocean Island Games, going out in the group stages. Another interim coach came in, Madagascan manager Bruno Saindini who took charge against Ethiopia, drawing 1-1. Jean-Louis returned to the team shortly after.
Jean-Louis is the current manager and has been so since 2015. He's one of the many African managers making a name for himself on the internatinal stage, like Florent Ibenge of DR Congo and Alliou Cisse of Senegal. The Seychelles are out of the race to enter the 2018 World Cup, but there is no doubt they will try again for the 2022 World Cup, and who knows? Jean-Louis is a very passionate and part of a new breed of coach nurtured by Mathiot who may just have what it takes to upset the apple cart a bit. You can read another interview of his here.
and after all that, if you still want to know more about this fascinating nation's footballign history, you can just read this.

Happy Holiday’s everyone!!! Sorry for not updating lately, but I was busy with school and finals so I had no time to write. As soon as my break started I worked on this episode, and I really think you guys are going to like it. Anyway, as always any feedback you guys give me is always appreciated. Please upvote, comment, send me a private message, share it with friends, heck make an edgic for this season if you feel inclined. Every little bit helps, because I want to know what you guys think always. Anyway, I hope everyone here enjoys my little Holiday gift to everyone here!!
Since there are a lot of episodes, I am just going to permalink a comment that will have the links to all the episodes. https://www.reddit.com/civbattleroyale/comments/5l6qw9/survivor_civilization_episode_8/dbtca13/
Survivor: Civilization Episode 8: World Congress
Omoachel: Ashurbanipal, Augustus, Boudicca, Catherine, Dido, Gandhi, Harun, Maria, Nebby, Ramesses, Sejong, and Shaka.
Previously on, Survivor! After blindsiding her ally Wu Zetian, Catherine suffered the ramifications of her move, causing Harun to target her. At the same time, Maria persisted in her attempts to mend her relationship with Shaka, but was unsuccessful in doing so. Meanwhile, over on Belulchad Gandhi tried to help Attila, believing that he could change Attila’s ways, but all he did was merely anger Attila and cause him to take action. At the reward challenge, Belulchad won once again, furthering the frustrations at the Meleseb tribe. Back at camp, Augustus continued to antagonize everyone, and in an attempt to regain control on her tribe, Catherine tried to target Augustus, but Boudicca turned the tables on her by telling Harun, cementing her spot on the bottom. Over on Belulchad, Dido tried to learn whether Nebby and Sejong had an idol, but found her attempts to use Ramesses to eavesdrop unsuccessful. While doing so, Ashurbanipal became suspicious of her, and tried to further his bond with Ramesses by offering him a final 3 deal. At the immunity challenge, Meleseb came from behind and shockingly beat Belulchad. With his back up against the wall, Sejong scrambled to avoid going home, but found his attempts unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Nebby lurked in the shadows in an attempt to stay under the radar. While all of this was happening, Gandhi’s paranoia reached its peak, and Attila tried to take advantage by trying to convert him into a life of chaos and destruction. Gandhi tried to resist, and in a freak accident inadvertently caused Attila to fall face first into the fire. His burns were deemed too severe by medical, and Attila ended being pulled from the game in 13th place. With Attila and his wrath now gone, how will this affect the game as it moves forward? Find out what happens, tonight!!
Belulchad Night 19
Gandhi is alone sitting by the fire.
• Gandhi: I can’t believe that actually happened. You know it’s funny. I wanted him gone so bad I dreamed about it once. Now that he’s gone though…part of me misses him. Like in a strange sense I feel like he was the only one out here who actually understood me.
• Gandhi: All that stuff that Attila said about me…part of me wonders if he might actually be right. When I look at this fire, I see its glory and its destruction. I saw the pain it caused Attila, and I think I liked it.
• Gandhi: I don’t really know what’s happening to me right now, but I do know that this game is moving forward faster than I can comprehend. I’m on the bottom, and with Attila gone I think there’s some room for me to maneuver. The merge is coming sooner rather than later, and I am going to ensure that I will be in a safe position one way or another.
Cue the theme song.
Meleseb Day 20
Boudicca is out on the beach.
• Boudicca: Part of me had trouble sleeping last night. I kept worrying about that Belulchad member, you know? We don’t know how serious the injury was. It could be severely life threatening for all we know. Stuff like that really puts this game into perspective.
• Boudicca: I mean yeah, we all came out here to win, but these elements will just kill you. Winning isn’t everything. Surviving is. You can do everything you can to win, but at what cost? I don’t know about everyone else here, but for me I am going to make sure that if I’m going to win this game, then I will be in my right mind and body when I do so.
Scene cuts to Meleseb gathering around camp minus Augustus lying in the shelter.
Catherine: Guys, we got treemail!!
Maria: Treemail this early?
Harun: Interesting. Hmm…could be a merge?
Catherine: Is everyone here?
Shaka: Augustus is pretending to ignore us in order to try and sleep longer.
Augustus: Screw you, Shaka.
Boudicca: Get your lazy behind up. We got treemail.
Augustus: I can hear just fine from here.
Harun: Well if it is a merge, then I guess we can leave Augustus behind.
Augustus: Bite me.
Catherine: “Members of Meleseb, the game of Survivor changes daily, and today is no exception. You will have five minutes to gather your belongings and then you will depart for the next stage of your journey. Your five minutes start now.”
Scene cuts to a montage of everyone gathering camp items sans Augustus. The scene cuts to Shaka approaching Augustus.
Shaka: Get up and grab stuff, or I will keep you from getting on the boat.
Augustus: You can’t do anything to me so don’t think you can intimidate me.
Shaka: Ok fine. In that case you’re more than welcome to come but I will make the rest of your stay an absolute hell. And believe me when I say you don’t want to test me on this one.
Augustus: See! This is what I’m talking about. The moment I do something you don’t like you go off and threaten to make my life miserable! You can’t just get away with this.
Shaka: I don’t care. Get. Up. Now.
Augustus: (He sighs) Fine. (He stands up. Shaka keeps glaring at him) Umm, we have a time limit, or have you forgotten.
Shaka: I hate you (He walks away).
Belulchad Day 20.
Everyone is sitting around camp.
• Sejong: Everyone’s pretty tense right now, myself included. I don’t know, having Attila just go out like that really just killed any kind of mood here. It’s not really positive or negative…it’s just quiet. Even Dido’s not saying anything or just tainting the air with her smug attitude.
• Sejong: I know none of us liked Attila, but having that happen right next to where we sleep is just well…terrifying. Sure, this game makes you extremely weak and hungry, but you still feel like you’re safe, and I think right now none of us have that luxury.
• Sejong: All I know is we need something to happen sooner rather than later that snaps us out of this funk, because I’m still on the bottom, and I am not going home because of this.
• Dido: I…I know I come off as a scary bitch who doesn’t care about anyone or anything, but right now I’m scared. What happened to Attila could have easily happened to me. I’m scared for the first time in a long while. It just puts things into perspective and I don’t think I’m the only one here who could use a hug. Too bad everyone hates me. Good job, Dido. Way to go.
• Nebby: Call me callous, but I couldn’t care less about Attila getting medevaced. It’s not that I came here to play the game and all without any emotions, but I just don’t care. He was an idiot, and his arrogance was his downfall. I’m not one to get all concerned for my wellbeing when something like this happens, because I am not an arrogant idiot. I take care of myself, and as a result, I am able to move past a fool’s mistake and focus on getting myself out of the bottom.
• Ashurbanipal: Today’s been quiet so far. People have been affected by Attila’s medevac, myself included. All I know is that I am going to value the people I love and trust out here much more than I have recently. Heck, maybe I’ll give Harun a big ole hug next time I see him.
Belulchad is lazing around when they hear a noise.
Ramesses: Do you guys here something?
Ashurbanipal: Hey look! It’s a boat!
Everyone looks at the boat containing Meleseb.
Sejong: Is that the other tribe?
Nebby: Looks like it.
Boudicca: (From very far away): HEELLLLOOOOOOO!!!!
Camera cuts to Belulchad greeting Meleseb getting off the boat.
Boudicca: WHAT’S UP BELULCHAD!!!!
Ashurbanipal: Boudicca!! Harun! It is a pleasure to see you both.
(Ashurbanipal moves forward to embrace Harun)
Ashurbanipal: We’re back together, buddy.
Harun: I missed you man. Can’t wait to catch up.
• Harun: Ashurbanipal and I just clicked together Day 1 on Meleseb. He and I are close, and honestly he’s the only one out here that I truly trust.
• Ashurbanipal: Harun’s a standup guy. He’s smart, intelligent, and we get along perfectly. He’s a great ally, and I can’t wait to control the merge with him.
Ashurbanipal: Harun, come here and meet Dido.
Harun: Ah, Dido, it’s a pleasure.
Dido: The pleasure is all mine.
Camera pans to Sejong greeting Shaka.
Sejong: Shaka! How’s it going man? You and Maria still at each other’s throats?
Shaka: He scoffs I guess you could say that.
Sejong: Is there something wrong?
Shaka: It’s a long story. Let’s just say I’m glad to be back here.
• Shaka: Meleseb sucked. We lost so many freaking challenges, I had to deal with Augustus 24/7, and Maria betrayed me. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to be back at Belulchad with people I trust. And on top of that I can’t wait to school these fools in challenges.
Camera pans to Nebby and Catherine greeting each other.
Nebby: Catherine, it’s good to see you again.
Catherine: Likewise. Listen, I know you might be mad at me, but I do need to talk to you as soon as possible.
• Nebby: I like Catherine. She’s one of the few people who don’t go running around like a chicken without a head flapping its wings like an idiot. She’s smart, respectful, and I like talking to her. She’s also quiet, so another plus.
• Catherine: Nebby may be a bit abrasive, but I enjoyed talking with him on Belulchad. I’m hoping that he and I can work together, because I’m starting to feel like the targets on my back.
• Nebby: Of course it’s too early to say how things will turn out, but if it’s possible I would like to keep Catherine around if it all possible. She could prove to be a loyal ally, and having her around would help get the crazies out of here faster.
• Catherine: The thing is I’m worried about Nebby and Sejong turning on me because I blindsided Wu. I know they were close, so I hope they understand that I was making what I thought was the correct move at the time.
Boudicca: Wait a minute. Where’s Attila?
Ashurbanipal: Gone.
Boudicca: YES!!!!! Everyone glares at her. What? We hated each other. Why shouldn’t I be glad he’s gone?
Catherine: Because he could be seriously hurt. What happened to him?
Nebby: He fell in the fire.
Harun: Ok, well we’ll I’m gla—Wait what? He fell in the fire?
Nebby: Yeah.
Shaka: How in the hell does something like that happen?
Ashurbanipal: He tripped because he was a moron.
Boudicca: Ah…
Camera cuts to everyone gathering at camp. Boudicca is reading treemail.
Boudicca: CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU ALL HAVE REACHED THE MERGE!!!
Everyone: WOOHOOO!!!
• Sejong: The merge!! I actually made the merge!! Thank you Survivor Gods this is exactly what I needed. Oh, for the first time since Wash went home I actually feel like I have a chance to win. YES!!!!
• Boudicca: I’m so excited!! I thought I was going home on Day 1, but here I am at the merge! HAHA, TAKE THAT ATTILA!!!
• Dido: Of course I made the merge. That was never in doubt, and with Ashurbanipal at my side I am going to absolutely rule this game. I guess. I don’t know. I’m just not in the mood right now to really strategize. Maybe some food will cheer me up.
• Maria: Against all the odds, I made the merge. Wow…now that I think about how the heck did I make the merge? Seriously, with the way I acted I should’ve been gone in William’s place. Oh well, I’m not going to complain, because I got a lot left to do in this game, namely making up with Shaka if at all possible.
• Shaka: Time to destroy these challenges. I’m not going home anytime soon.
• Ramesses: Ok, I’m at the merge. Thank goodness. I actually have a pretty good feeling on moving forward in this game. No one sees me as a threat, so I can just lie low and wait to strike.
• Catherine: Ok, I’m at the merge. Whew. Here’s hoping everything goes well for me. Hopefully Dido isn’t still acting like a total bitch.
• Ashurbanipal: Honestly, I’m not surprised I made the merge. I think I’ve played a very clean game so far. The only reason I haven’t been in the majority is because of tribe swaps or purple rocks. I see no reason why anything is going to change.
• Harun: Boudicca seemed to be very excited to make the merge, and I don’t blame her. The feeling of reaching this milestone is unlike any other.
• Augustus: Oh, these fools haven’t even seen the worst of me yet. I am going to enjoy this.
• Nebby: I’m here, and I don’t think I’m dead in the water, cause this old cat has quite a few tricks up his sleeve, and I intend to use them all. Mark my words, when all is said and done, I’ll be crowned as the Sole Survivor.
• Gandhi: I’m very concerned about the merge. I don’t think I should be the target, but I can’t take any chances. Especially with these people. You can’t trust raptors. They’ll eat you alive. No! If anyone is going to be the raptor, it’s going to be me. It’s time to take some action.
Everyone is now looking at the merge feast.
Maria: OH MY GOD!!! LOOK AT THAT FOOD!!!
Everyone: WOOHOO!!
Ashurbanipal: Hey everyone, we even have some wine!!
Ramesses: Awesome!!
Camera cuts to everyone eating and enjoying the feast.
Ashurbanipal: So, I say we should go around and introduce ourselves to everyone since some of us haven’t been on the same tribe together. I’ll start. Hi, everyone. I’m Ashurbanipal of Assyria.
Harun: Greetings. I am Harun al-Rashid of Arabia.
Boudicca: Hey everyone, my name’s Boudicca, leader of The Celts.
Catherine: I am Catherine of Russia.
Augustus: Those who know me address me as Augustus Caesar, Emperor of the Roman Empire. Please, feel free to call me Emperor Augustus though.
Shaka: Ha, fat chance Augustus. Now, hello everyone I am Shaka of The Zulu Kingdom.
Gandhi: I’m Gandhi of India.
Nebby: Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. Most people just call me Nebby for short though.
Sejong: I’m Sejong: Leader of Korea.
Dido: Hello everyone, I am Dido, the founder and leader of the mighty kingdom Carthage.
Augustus: Ha! Mighty? Your puny civilization was destroyed by my Empire you idiot.
Dido: And your mighty Empire fell to barbarians with the same amount of intelligence as Attila. What a glorious achievement.
Maria: Hello. I’m Maria the 1st of Portugal.
Ramesses: And finally I am King Ramesses the 2nd of Egypt.
There is a pause in the talking for a moment.
Boudicca: Ok, I’m just going to apologize in advance for butchering everyone’s name.
Ramesses: Ha! Same.
Everyone laughs in response to that.
• Boudicca: The feast was nice, minus that girl Dido and Augustus getting into a little argument. I don’t know, I’m allied with Augustus, but now that we’ve merged, we do have more people to work with so maybe we could possibly get rid of Augustus?
• Augustus: Dido doesn’t concern me at all. Any leader of Carthage is no match for any leader of Rome. And I am the mightiest leader of Rome so I have nothing to be concerned with.
• Dido: Augustus is a prick. If I can I am absolutely going to try and eliminate him after Nebby and Sejong go.
Camera cuts to Dido walking in the woods towards the water supply.
• Dido: Ok, so the idol was hidden at our water during the premerge, but they usually hide another one around the merge, so I volunteered to go get water for camp to give me time to look for the idol.
Dido: If I’m right then there should be an idol or a clue to the idol somewhere around here.
Dido searches around the area, and eventually gets to a tree with a dangling branch. She looks around it until she finds something.
Dido: Oh my god yes!!! Come to mama, come to mama. What do you have for me here?
She looks around to make sure that no one is coming, and then she opens what she found.
Dido: “Congratulations, you have found a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol.” Ok, not an idol, but close enough. “Now that you have reached the merge, gameplay is elevated and challenges will only get harder. Finding idols is no exception. In order to retrieve your idol you will need to sneak away from camp at night and follow fire to your reward.”
• Dido: I did it! I found a clue to the idol! Yes!!! I wish it were the actual idol, but retrieving it shouldn’t be a huge obstacle. All I need to do is slip away silently, and then I’ll basically guarantee me a spot in that Final 3.
• Dido: You know, I was feeling down earlier after seeing Attila go down, but this is just what I needed to get my head back into the game. I’m ready to go.
Dido: Alright, now to get water, and head back.
Scene cuts to Ashurbanipal and Harun talking in the woods.
Harun: So where do you think we stand?
Ashurbanipal: I think we’re golden.
Harun: You really think so?
Ashurbanipal: Let me break it down for you. On my side I have you, me, Ramesses, and Dido. Who do you have?
Harun: I have Boudicca, Augustus unfortunately, and maybe Catherine.
Ashurbanipal: Why maybe Catherine?
Harun: Well, she flipped on her alliance to vote with me to take out Wu, but she only did that after she tied the vote originally. I think she did it to save her behind, and quite personally I don’t trust her. I think she’ll do anything if it’s in her best interest.
Ashurbanipal: Well, we need seven for the majority. I know Dido and Ramesses are loyal, and believe you would say the same for Boudicca and Augustus. We need Catherine for the majority.
Harun: I’ll work on her, but she’s no idiot. She knows that I don’t trust her fully.
Ashurbanipal: Perhaps I should talk to her?
Harun: No, I’ll do it. I can mend our relationship.
Ashurbanipal: Sounds good. And if she doesn’t go with us?
Harun: Then she’s against us. And I personally would want her gone sooner than later. She’s a wildcard.
Ashurbanipal: Ok, well we’d still need a 7th vote. Any ideas?
Harun: I guess I could pitch some Meleseb unity crap thing towards Shaka and Maria. It might work.
Ashurbanipal: Ok. I don’t want to work with Nebby and Sejong unless absolutely necessary so please try and get Shaka and Maria. I could try and work on Gandhi, but to be honest I have no idea where his head is these days.
Harun: What’s wrong with him?
Ashurbanipal: Attila got in his head, and we don’t know the full story but I know Gandhi was there when Attila fell. It’s definitely been affecting him. I don’t know, right now I’d say it’s safer to leave him alone.
• Ashurbanipal: I’ve worked myself into a power position in this game. If I play these next few days correctly, then I’ll be in a great spot for the endgame.
• Harun: It is a bit concerning regarding Catherine because if she flips then we could be looking at a tie situation. And I’ve already drawn rocks once, I am not doing that again.
Harun: Alright, I’ll work on Catherine, Shaka, and Maria.
Ashurbanipal: Sounds good. I am going to check in with Dido.
Harun: See you later.
Camera cuts to Nebby talking to Catherine.
Catherine: I must say, I’ve missed talking to you.
Nebby: Likewise. God, be glad you never had to live with Attila.
Catherine: Oh, believe me I am, but you haven’t had to live with Augustus.
Nebby: Augustus is nothing compared to Attila.
Catherine: How bad was he?
Nebby: Has Augustus threatened to kill you yet?
Catherine: No…
Nebby: I rest my case.
Catherine: That bad?
Nebby: I’m still not convinced that Attila didn’t try to burn Gandhi alive and failed in doing so, so yes that bad.
Catherine: Ah…Well Augustus is still pretty bad.
Nebby: Yeah, but we can handle him.
Catherine: I guess. I don’t know. I’d like to eliminate him pretty soon.
Nebby: I’d be down with that.
Catherine: Except for the fact that I’m kind of allied with him.
Nebby: Kind of allied? What the heck does that mean?
Catherine: Ok, we are allied, but it’s complicated.
Nebby: Well, un-complicate it for me now. Start from the beginning. What is going on with you?
• Nebby: Catherine is starting to worry me. Don’t tell me these non-answers and expect me to believe you’re on my side. I want to work with her, but I’m starting to question whether she really wants to work with me.
Catherine: -And that’s about it.
Nebby: So let me get this straight. You flipped on Wu for literally no reason.
Catherine: I panicked!! I don’t know! I messed up.
• Catherine: I honestly have no idea what I’m doing anymore. I know I’m screwing up, and I know with every move I make the target on my back grows larger, but I need to do something to dig myself out of this hole. Nebby is my best bet so I’m just trying to be as honest as possible with him.
Nebby: Are you serious? You messed up?
Catherine: Yeah…look, I’m not proud of what I did. It was a mistake, and I know that. But right now we can’t afford to dwell on the past. I want to work with you. I don’t want to be allied with Ash and Harun any longer.
Nebby: And how can I trust you if you’ve proven yourself to be indecisive?
Catherine: Right now you don’t really have a choice. We need each other if we’re going to survive.
Nebby: Fine. But if we’re going to do this, then we’re going to do it right. Don’t overplay your hand. Stay calm right now. Stay under the radar. Let me and Sejong handle this.
Catherine: Ok, ok, fine. That sounds great.
• Nebby: Things are getting a little dodgy right now. Catherine’s not as reliable as I once thought, and I hate to say it but I need her to stay alive. If she isn’t true to her word then I’m as good as gone.
Scene cuts to Sejong talking to Shaka.
Sejong: Shaka, you got a minute?
Shaka: Make it quick. I’m actually working on catching food for us unlike everyone else.
Sejong: What do you mean unlike everyone else?
Shaka: As soon as the feast was over, everyone except Boudicca and Maria went off to strategize. I am the only one who’s stayed working for camp. It disgusts me.
Sejong: Well, strategizing is part of the game.
Shaka: Not for me it isn’t. I don’t need strategy to win this game.
Sejong: Dude, seriously? You know that’s not true, and I know from Catherine that you did strategize on Meleseb.
Shaka: And look at what it got me: a knife in the back, and a ticket to the minority. I’m done playing their game. It’s time for me to play my game.
Sejong: Ok, good for you. But I would like to talk to you – (Shaka cuts him off)
Shaka: I’m voting Augustus. Vote with me or against me. It doesn’t matter. I’m winning immunity so I’ll be safe.
Sejong: Ok…you need any help around camp?
Shaka: If you could go collect some more water that would be great. Dido went to get some but she isn’t back yet.
Sejong: I can work with that.
Shaka: Good. Now get lost.
• Shaka: I strayed from my ideals over on Meleseb. Strategy is useless. I will be firm from now on.
• Sejong: I don’t really want to go get water, but I also want to stay on Shaka’s good side since I need his vote. So yeah, I’ll help out around camp if it means I can stay a little longer.
Scene cuts to Harun approaching Maria in the shelter.
Harun: I thought you were working around camp now. This doesn’t look like working.
Maria: Eh, I was but this feast isn’t really sitting with me that well. Plus, Shaka’s all riled up now so I’m honoring his wishes and staying away.
Harun: How is he doing?
Maria: I don’t know. One minute it seems like he might want to talk to me, and then the next he’s pushing me away. It’s confusing.
Harun: Look, I’m sure you’ve heard this already, but he does need time. Give him his space, and he should calm down.
Maria: But what if he doesn’t? I don’t want to lose him. It’s been a while since I’ve had a friend like that…
Harun: Our actions have consequences. Sometimes you can’t fix things. It’s a fact of life.
Maria: I was afraid you were going to say that.
Harun: But, I also know one more thing. We don’t know the future and what it holds. You can’t go through life expecting the worst. Be hopeful. I think it will work out between you too. Just be patient.
Maria: Thanks Harun, I really appreciate that.
Harun: Ah, but I’m not done yet. How are you doing?
Maria: Emotionally fine, physically, I think I’m going to puke.
Harun: Ah. I guess I’ll leave you to it then.
• Maria: Harun’s right. I need to stop being so melodramatic. It’s time for me to stop worrying about what I can’t control, and start focusing on what I can control.
• Harun: Notice how I didn’t even mention strategy? There was no need. Maria isn’t one who’s going to respond to strategic talks. What she wants is a friend who will listen to her issues. I’ll be that friend for her, and in return I can nudge her in the way I want her to go.
Scene cuts to Augustus and Ramesses catching up.
Ramesses: So wait, Catherine flipped on Wu and kept you for literally no reason?
Augustus: HA! Yeah, can you believe it? It’s ridiculous. If that girl had half a brain, then I would be gone.
Ramesses: You should be gone. Let’s face it. Both of us shouldn’t be here.
Augustus: Ah, but you see my friend we’re both fighters. We don’t roll over and play dead.
• Ramesses: From what I can gather, I might be the only person around here who doesn’t hate Augustus. Sure, he’s loud, obnoxious, rude, a general piece of crap…but he’s nice to me, or at least somewhat neutral to me. Eh, doesn’t matter. Point is, he and I get along, and I’m not about to turn away a beneficial relationship…for me. See, the longer Augustus stays around, the less likely people are to target me. So, if I want to make it to the end, Augustus can’t go.
Ramesses: Right you are my friend. So, what’s our game plan for the next vote?
Augustus: I say let Harun and Ashurbanipal have their fun in the spotlight. It will only make the target on their back bigger, and then we’ll blindside them when the time is right.
• Ramesses: Ashurbanipal has offered me a deal to the final 3, and I believe he intends to hold to it. Problem is, Augustus wants to take out Ashurbanipal in the near future. My entire game revolves around me cultivating these relationships I’ve built. Taking out Ashurbanipal before that relationship can bear its fruit so to speak would be a waste.
Ramesses: Are you sure it’s a good idea to take out Ashurbanipal?
Augustus: Of course, he is a big threat. If we let him or Harun go to the end with us we both lose. They need to go.
• Augustus: Ramesses unfortunately seems loyal to Ashurbanipal over me right now. That just won’t do. Everyone here may hate me, but that won’t stop me from doing some psychological manipulation to get what I want.
• Ramesses: Augustus does bring up a good point though. Ashurbanipal basically masterminded Wash’s elimination. He took control of Belulchad, and got Attila to flip to take out Darius. I don’t necessarily think one needs to make big moves to win this game, but they definitely help, and right now Ashurbanipal has a lot of them in his favor.
Scene cuts to Shaka and Boudicca out fishing.
Boudicca: This is relaxing, isn’t it?
Shaka: Indeed it is. The water is very peaceful today.
• Boudicca: Over on Meleseb, Shaka and I went fishing together all the time. I think it’s really helped forge a bond between us, and I really want Shaka to stay in the game right now.
• Shaka: Boudicca’s fine. She doesn’t annoy me too much, plus she is really good at fishing.
Shaka: Quick question?
Boudicca: Shoot.
Shaka: Where’d you learn to fish so well?
Boudicca: Well, I did know how to fish beforehand coming into this game, but Kam and Gajah helped give me a few pointers during the early days of Meleseb. Now, Kam and Gajah are wizards fishing wise.
Shaka: I can’t vouch for Gajah, but Kam definitely was an extremely skilled fisherman.
Boudicca: Yeah…you know, part of me still can’t believe he’s gone.
Shaka: I don’t follow.
Boudicca: I don’t know, the two of us just really connected. We had this bond where we both just really understood each other…(She sighs)…I wish he hadn’t gone so soon.
Shaka: Uh huh. Well, you’ll get to see him after the game is over, right?
Boudicca: Right, but still. Having him here right now would make me feel 100X better.
Shaka: Well, I know he’s not here…but I know he’s probably rooting for you or something? Sorry, I’m not good with touchy feely talk like this.
Boudicca: Don’t get down on yourself. You’re just fine. Thank you, and sorry for letting my feelings get the best of me for a sec.
Shaka: No need to apologize. Now, shall we get back to it?
Boudicca: I believe we shall.
• Boudicca: Shaka’s a nice guy, though he’d never admit it. And, I really do miss Kam. His positivity would be such a welcome here. Everyone’s so serious with strategy…I just want to relax and enjoy the experience. We haven’t even had the immunity challenge yet, just calm down for one second.
• Shaka: Wow, just thinking about it I wish Augustus had drawn that rock instead of Kam. My life right now would be a lot less stressful had that happened.
• Boudicca: Thinking about me and Kam though…we may not have gotten a chance really to explore our bond…but I see no reason why that shouldn’t be the same for someone else. Being out here is a once in a lifetime experience. I want people to remember it fondly. That means I think rather than being short and rude to Maria, I think I should help them reconcile!
• Shaka: Part of me wishes people would stop being so emotional. Things would be a lot simpler if people could just deal with their problems and not bother me with them.
• Boudicca: So Shaka and Maria, look out because Boudicca is coming to help both of you!!
Omoachel Night 20.
Everyone is starting to go to sleep. Only Dido, Nebby, and Shaka are up.
Nebby: How’s the fire?
Shaka: I think it’ll last through the night.
• Dido: Ok, so I have my clue to the idol, and it says I need to leave camp at night. Great! So it should be sooooo simple to just sneak away without anyone noticing because it’s night and everyone should be asleep, but noooooo. Shaka and Nebby won’t shut up and they won’t go to sleep!! It’s so frustrating!!
Nebby: You sure? It looks pretty frail to me.
Shaka: Hmm…you might be right. Let’s see if we can’t help it out some.
• Dido: I couldn’t afford to wait any longer, so I just decided to roll with it.
Dido: Hey guys, my stomach isn’t feeling great. I’m going to go take a walk and see if it’ll calm down.
Shaka: Sounds good.
• Dido: So I managed to get away and sure enough there was a line of torches for me to follow. At the end was a pot of gold for me!!
Dido: (Dido has found the idol and is untying it) Oh my god, oh my god. Hahaha!!! I did it! “Congratulations, you have found a hidden immunity idol”. Yes! Yes!!
• Dido: (Holds up the idol in front of the camera) Look, isn’t it so beautiful? This baby is going to take me to the final 3. WOO!!
As Dido is cackling to herself, she hears a noise from the path.
Dido: What the heck was that. Shit! Is someone coming?
She moves to hide the idol, but it’s too late.
Nebby: Hello, Dido.
• Nebby: I don’t trust Dido, so when she gave me some two faced lie about her stomach hurting I knew something was up. So, I excused myself and followed her to see what she was really up to. Let’s just say I hit the jackpot.
• Dido: GODDAMMIT NEBBY!!! THIS WAS NOT HOW THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK!!! UGH!!!
Dido: Ah, Nebby…ah…how did you? It’s not what it looks like!!!
Nebby: Oh really. So, you didn’t just find an idol?
Dido: Ah, no?
Nebby: Hmm…lying huh? Well, I guess I’ll see you later then. I’m assuming you won’t want to be around camp when everyone finds out your little secret.
Dido: Ah, wait!!! (She sighs and grumbles to herself, and then with great difficulty says) Fine. You caught me. I found an idol. Congrats to you. What do you want?
Nebby: What do I want?
Dido: Yes, what do you want in exchange for you keeping quiet about my idol?
Nebby: Ah, straight to the point I see. Well, you see I’m having trouble thinking of any reason to not run and tell everyone. But I’m sure you could offer something that would make it worth my while.
Dido: Grrr…(She then gets and idea and grins to herself). How does this sound? In exchange for you keeping quiet about my idol, I’ll keep quiet about yours.
Nebby: That would work, except for the fact I don’t have an idol. And that’s not a very tempting offer for me. If that’s the best you can do, then your idol is out in the open.
Dido: Fine. How does this sound? You keep quiet, and in exchange I won’t write your name down for the next 5 votes. That’s to the final 7.
Nebby: That’s good, but I think you can do better.
Dido: Oh, come on!!! That’s more than fair and you know it!
Nebby: Fair, since when have you played fair? I’m just evening the tables so to speak.
Dido: I. Hate. You.
Nebby: Ok, here are the terms: You won’t vote for Sejong or me until the Final 7 at the earliest. If anyone actively targets the two of us you will let me know immediately, and finally as of this moment you will vote for whom I tell you to. Is that clear?
Dido: No, I don’t think it is. You can act like you have all the power here, but I still have the majority, and I could just vote you next without a second thought!! So don’t think you can just make me your slave without me fighting back.
Nebby: (He smirks slightly). Fair enough. How’s this sound? Remove the third part of the agreement, keep the first two, and I say we form an alliance.
Dido: An alliance. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Nebby: Think about it. No one would expect us to be aligned. We both hate each other. If we actually worked together instead of targeting each other, we could do some serious damage.
Dido: An alliance?
Nebby: Yes, an alliance. One where we’d both have an equal say it what happened. And to show you that I mean it when I say an alliance, how does this sound? In order to make it work I also won’t write your name down until the Final 7. I think that is more than fair.
Dido: Huh. You make a good pitch.
Nebby: That’s my final offer. Take it now or your idol is public knowledge.
Dido: I…accept. I suppose it’s not the worst deal I could possibly get.
Nebby: Exactly. Plus, look at it this way, now our alliance has an idol.
Dido: I really hate you.
Nebby: Aw, don’t be like that Dido. You’d do the same if you were in my shoes.
Dido: I know. I respect you now, but I still hate you.
Nebby: (He chuckles). Well, we should be getting back now right? We wouldn’t want poor old Shaka to get suspicious now would we, partner?
• Dido: I am so annoyed right now!!! Everything was going great until Nebby came along and had to ruin everything!!! God, I’m so mad I could punch a hole in a brick wall.
• Nebby: That was just perfect. Dido and I may not be the perfect match made in Heaven, but I know for a fact we can do some damage together.
• Dido: Oh, I bet Nebby is just gloating so much right now. Ha! If he thinks he’s won then he’s got another thing coming. I am going to destroy him!!
• Nebby: I’m sure Dido’s going on and on about how she thinks she’s going to take me down blah blah. Thing is though she can try, but I’m not going anywhere and that’s thanks to this bad boy. (As he’s talking he takes out an object from his pocket. It’s the Belulchad Hidden Immunity Idol.) I found this bad boy on Day 2 when I was getting water. I’ve kept it a secret from everyone out here, even Sejong, because ultimately I am playing for myself. And with two idols on my side now, this game is going to be mine.
Commercial Break
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