We’re in the final few days of our campaign, and we’re so glad to have you all with us. If you have friends who haven’t heard about the game yet, we hope you’ll tell them about it!
Interview with Zhenya
We asked you all for questions for Zhenya, and they were happy to answer them... for a small price. We’ve paid dearly for that, so we hope you enjoy the results!
Hey Zhenya, are you a real witch?
What an impolite question. Am I a real witch. What makes a witch real? What makes a worker of magic a witch? So little you know. Such shame you bring. If you want to learn whether I am a witch come find me. I am anywhere you see blood in the snow when the trees are quiet. I am beyond every green wall of stinging, cutting ozhyna. Find me and we can talk about witchcraft.
Cottages, with legs or without?
I am not who your question suggests, but I hold a great reverence for her.
Do you have any tips for getting blood out of wool? Asking for a friend.
Chop a hole in river ice. Tie a stout rope to a nearby tree. Tie the other end to the corpse and drop it, fully clothed in your wool, into the hole. In spring the wool will be as good as new after you lay it flat to dry. As an added bonus, the fat of the corpse will saponify (transform to a soap-like consistency) and will be perfect for making kasha.
Favorite recipe for weeknight meals?
Nothing warms my heart (or my stomach) on a busy weeknight like eating a delicious serving of kasha out of the skull of an old friend.
You will need: Two cow's horns of water, one cow's horn roasted kasha, forest mushrooms, garden onions, a good handful of human fat (preferably from a child), dill or other savory herbs, salt to taste.
To prepare: Boil kasha in water in your cauldron, then add salt and put next to the fire, covered, until kasha is tender. Cook first onions and then mushrooms in human fat until they are on the edge of burned. Add water and more fat as necessary. Season to taste, although they should be exquisite all alone. Add the tender kasha to this mixture and stir well. Garnish with dill and serve.
How do you prefer to take your fireweed tea?
Ah, you mean kostrytsya. I take it steeped until it is as black as my heart and twice as bitter. Perhaps with a little sprinkle of dried pivoniya as a reminder of lost youth. Good for the joints! Good for the guts!
Have you ever / would you ever date a werewolf? What qualities do you look for in a potential supernatural lover? What are some red flags?
Child, there is no such thing as a “werewolf”. There are wolf fairies, of course, who can masquerade as mortals, and these may be what you are speaking of. Zhenya is old; Zhenya does not date. But I have had many lovers and I always appreciate a partner with the Gift who knows not to tempt my wrath. Some red flags include the flag of Elbląski County, and the banner of my old friend Bohuslav of Švamberg.
What is your true name?
My true name rhymes with the fading light in a hanged man’s eyes. What is your true name, child?
Zhenya, what advice do you have for us Americans in these dark times?
It can always get darker, child. My advice is to cultivate fearlessness, for the creatures of the night and their mortal allies thrive on fear.
Why are you letting these people make this game?
They seemed so earnest, and they sought me out - which is an impressive demonstration of their determination or idiocy. A bargain was easily struck. I shall get a freshly pulled tooth every year and they shall have their little game. As long as the teeth arrive promptly I wish them the best of luck.
Have you actually played Zhenya's Wonder Tales?
No, mercy, no. "But Zhenya", Jason says, "It is a sort of game on cards that is not a card game, and you play-act and caper and jape," and I suspect it is some kind of riddle or trap. If I wish to "have fun" I will do something more to my own taste, like forcing fairies to dance until they turn to sand or chasing bears into pits.
Thank you for the questions! The campaign ends Thursday at 8pm EST!
