Scrag

"There are two kinds of scrag!" howled the DI from a distance of at least ten millimeters. "Rat bag recruits are SCRAG! The other kind is a card game played by real MARINES!"

Most Imperial Marines are addicted to a solitaire game known as Scrag. Except for the additional fate or scrying cards, Scrag is similar to ancient solitaire games.

Scrag is a solitaire card game similar to Klondike, except that it is played with four extra cards called fates: Joker, Prisoner, Witch, Dragon

Joker – symbol for whimsy, black humor, blind chance, lost opportunity

Prisoner – represents circumstance, fate, courage, cowardice

Witch – called the bitch, she infers temptation, poison, treachery, revenge

Dragon – symbolizes death, honor, bravery, battle

Play: Deal seven (7) racks, left to right, with the first card face-up. Begin the second layer with a card face-up on the pile immediately to the right of the first up-card, then continue dealing cards face-down on the racks to the right. Start the third layer with a face-up card to the right of the second up-card and continue in that manner until you have established seven racks with the top card facing up.

Remaining stock is placed to the upper left. Waste pile will be just to the right of the stock. Play requires turning one card at a time from the stock. Cards are played in descending sequence on the racks, in alternating colors. Movement of playable sequences between racks is done in the same way as Klondike and other, similar games. A tomb of four piles is established, each with suits in sequence beginning with the Ace. Cards may be played directly from the stock and waste to the tomb or racks as openings appear.

Stock

Waste

Fate

Tomb

Rack

The fate/scry cards are placed to the right of the waste, as they appear. Their sequence is supposed to foretell something about the players fate. Players usually identify themselves with the Prisoner, although variations exist. The relationship of fate/scry cards to visible face cards and aces has meaning within the game. Although there is only one player, the game is often played in the company of acquaintances, all with their own interpretations as to the meaning of card sequence and fate cards.

Number cards generally have no assigned meaning. As in regular solitaire games, a player must complete descending sequences in the rack and play cards to the tomb in order to win. Winning is most often considered a good omen.

Though local variations exist wherever Marines play Scrag, the appearance of face cards and aces are generally given the weight and meaning as follows:

Spades: Associated with death. Always in shadow.

King – Black-robed, hooded figure leaning on a sword

Queen - Black-robed, long black hair, pale below a white mask, holding a wine cup.

Knave - Black-robed, hooded figure brandishing a dagger.

Ace - Death card. Sinister until buried in the tomb.

Hearts: Associated with blood. Blood and roses are common to the cards.

King - Seated on a throne, robed in white, staring at a single red rose.

Queen - Full face aspect, enigmatic smile, bloody white shift.

Knave - Dark-haired figure, seated, morose, red rose tattooed on back of clenched fist.

Ace - Wounds or pain.

Clubs: Associated with the Joker.

King - Seated on throne, laughing, stein of ale in hand

Queen - Standing in moonlight, in her shift, a possibly inviting expression.

Knave - Standing in a garden, clown-faced, black & white checkered robe.

Ace - Amelioration of pain.

Diamonds: Associated with life.

King - Standing, staff in hand, diamond on tabard, benevolent expression.

Queen - Kneeling, white robe stained with blood, grieving for dead warriors.

Knave - Standing in meadow, white robed, surrounded by sheep.

Ace - Escape from danger.

Sequences are important! Though cards in the racks are played by alternating colors in descending sequence, the actual meaning ascribed to the placement of one face card on another is subject to interpretation. The interaction between player, cards and onlookers is most important.

Marines will seldom admit any belief in the dooms and portents revealed by the game, yet they play it constantly.