Hi,

I know this may sound weird...

Here's one quick question regarding the story "The Other Path", we had a minor debate regarding the word "any" today. Just to be sure, can both players put one success token on each story where they have 2 or fewer success tokens or can they put one sucess token on any one story where they have 2 or fewer success tokens?

Thank you!

" on each story where they have 2 or fewer success tokens" > This one

Why does "any" become "each"?

Any = each and all

"on any story" = "all stories"

First definition on dictionary.com

Since there doesn't seem to be a consensus on my "any" problem - how do you guys actually PLAY "The Other Path"? Any other opinions on whether to put a token on one or all stories in which you have 2 or fewer success tokens?

In fact, the game text is quite clear if you refers to the way Stories used to be played.

Story
The Other Path
Icons : TCAI
Game Text: Each player may place 1 success token on any story on which he has 2 or fewer success tokens.
Illustrator: Federico Piatti
Collector's Info: CS F165

So, that means that the effect of the story can only targets the stories where you have less than 3 tokens onto, right.

Anytime you have a story that match this requirement, you must do so if the winner of the story card did trigger it !

The "any story" targets "everay and all" stories that do match this requirement.

If I do remember well, there was an article which explained how to use it : I can't recover it with the search engine (how pitifull it is!)

TheProfessor said:

read a real dictionary and you will find a lot of more definition for any. It's not just an adjective !

Dadajef said:

Of course there are many definitions of such words! But we are concerned with the adjectival form, and the first definition is the most common usage.

If I showed you a box of chocolates and said "Take any candy you like." would you think I was offering you the entire box? Or would you think I was offering you one, but had no restrictions on which one?

What we need is an official ruling on it. From a strict English point of view, either interpretation is acceptable. Without clarification from the designer of the intent all we can do is guess what it is supposed to mean.

TheProfessor said:

TheProfessor said:

Are you by chance not a native English speaker? I'm not either, but there's never been any doubt in my mind that card is meant to apply its effect to any and all stories which fulfill the condition.

PRODIGEE said:

PRODIGEE has it right. If the player who completes the story chooses to act, each player looks at each of his stories. If any one of them has 2 or less tokens, you add 1 more. Multiple stories means multiple success tokens placed.

Also, Im used to dealing with children 4 and lower. I would NEVER say "Anyone want some candy?" Id say say "Anyone want a piece of candy? TAKE ONE! NO, NOT A HANDFUL, ONE!!!!! ONE!!!!!! WHERES YOUR MOTHER?!!

I'm not convinced. Oh, and by the way, yes native English despite the quality of my writing!

I see two things that throw me off. The word "any", which has different meanings, and the use of the number "1". I can read this to mean that I am allowed to place a total of ONE token. And that token can be on ANY story.

I am not saying I am correct. I don't know what is correct. I'm just trying to demonstrate that we shouldn't jump to the conclusion that a player may place multiple tokens - one on each of the stories that meet the criteria.

I want an official ruling from the designer.

My son ran into this at Nationals regarding a misunderstanding of Dreamwalkers. He thought it worked like Byakhee Attack in terms of card targeting, but Nate came by and made an official ruling, indicating his intent and interpretation of the card.

TheProfessor said:

Anyway, if you want an official ruling from the designer no amount of arguing will convince you. You'll just have to contact Customer Support then and wait for a reply.

No offense taken! That was just my self-deprecating humor!

The word "any" in English is ambiguous. It can mean "one" or it can mean "at least one", or it can mean "at least zero", depending on the intent of the author. Usually context will make this clear, but in the case of rules of a game, I feel it is important to get clarification.

It really doesn't matter for fun games - as long as all players agree, no problem! But it does matter in a tournament competition.

And as for arguing, well if there is a logical argument that can be made from the rules and the FAQ, then I get convinced one way or the other very quickly. Unfortunately right now we have to argue from 'common usage" of the word in English, which is a slippery slope and prone to error.

I think both interpretations and arguments are valid. But only one of them can be right.

How is "The Other Path" played on tournaments, then?

Did anyone even participate in an official tournament where this card was played and who can tell us about the most popular or common interpretation?

Being a servitor, I used to rules it like I said and nobody ever asked me to reconsider the rulings ... but I'm not a designer of the Game !