Editing Liberi Gothica: Running the game (section)

==Turn Order==
LM has a deck of playing cards, complete with jokers. She deals 5 cards to each player. Players cannot show their hands to each other. Each monster has a set value and suit for its initiative, but unique NPCs may get a hand if the LM wishes.

At the beginning of each round, the PCs and NPCs play 1 card face down. When everyone has played a card, they are all flipped up to determine the turn order.

Highest number wins. Aces are high. Jokers can be any number the player wants them to be. When cards of the same value are played, Spade goes before Heart goes before Club goes before Diamond.

After the fifth round, cards are shuffled and a new 5 card hand is dealt.

If someone joins the combat in the middle of a hand, they are dealt in a full hand of five cards. On the round after they join, they play a card face down as normal. At the end of the hand, any remaining cards in the newcomer's hand are shuffled back into the deck.

In game terms, one hand of cards takes half a minute, or 30 seconds.

If there aren't enough cards in the deck for each PC/group of NPCs, you may deal smaller hands. However, the half-minute a hand system breaks down with smaller hands. For time lines:

:Hand of 4 cards takes 24 seconds. Used when 11 or more groups/PCs are competing for initiative.
:Hand of 3 cards takes 18 seconds. Used when 14 or more groups/PCs are competing for initiative.
:Hand of 2 cards takes 12 seconds. Used when 19 or more groups/PCs are competing for initiative.
:Hand of 1 card takes 6 seconds. Used when 23 or more groups/PCs are competing for initiative.