The Quest Continues: The Scented Sequel!
The SKUNK’D Scoop
Issue 2
SIMON SAYS…
Unraveling SKUNK'D's Science & Strategy!
Simon Armstrong, our VP of Science & Mathematics, delves into the Strategy and Probabilities behind the stink-tilating game of SKUNK’D
Reader's Question: What are the chances of getting SKUNK'D with 6, 5, or 4 dice?
Simon Says: Navigating the treacherous territory of 'getting SKUNK'D' is like chasing a wily skunk through the dicey wilderness! With 6 dice in your hand, this is a rare spectacle and stinkin' lousy luck. The chances? Only about 1 in 43. We call this feat the legendary 'Super SKUNK'D!'
With 5 dice, the odds of a skunk encounter rise to about 1 in 13. Even with just 4 dice, the odds are still greatly in your favor. Your chances of skunking with 4 dice are approximately 1 in 8! Still, beware the skunk's spray!
“Simon Says” is a regular feature in The SKUNK’D Scoop and @skunkdice
SKUNK’D UPDATE!
On the Road to Kickstarter Launch
We now have a fully engaged Skunkworks team in place! We have a diverse group of 78 members of Skunkworks playtesting our game ranging from individuals who despise table-top games to people who obsessively roll dice almost continuously throughout their lives. The feedback has been excellent and we’ve been recrafting the game as we go. You can read the latest version of the rules on the website (you’ll find the rules under ‘How to Play’). We’ve also published ‘SKUNK’D Etiquette’ which can be found with the rules — read up!
Plus, based on feedback and suggestions, we’ve made the first major change to the game! When we go to Kickstarter launch, SKUNK’D will be played with dice and cards! We’ve taken the elective rules out of the rulebook. We are working, instead, on creating a deck of cards where each card is a different rule. The rule-maker would play the cards with the rules of their choosing face-up for all players to see and use as reference during the game. Here’s a draft of one such card:
Where on Earth Can Ya Sniff Out Skunks?
I gotta say, I LOVE sweet, adorable, cuddly skunks! But where does one go to find these cute creatures? Are there different kinds of skunks? Here’s what I know:
Skunks are real party animals in the Americas, with each species having its own stomping ground. Check out the guest list:
1. **North America**:
- **Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) **: The ultimate party-crasher, this skunk rocks all over North America, from Canada's south to Mexico's doorstep.
Striped Skunk
(Mephitis mephitis)
Our mascot is a Mephitis mephitis! At the moment, he is cute but NAMELESS. WE CAN’T HAVE THAT!! We are stuck on thinking of a great mascot name… can you help us name our Skunk? Click this link to submit your suggestion: Name Our Skunk
Everyone who enters our contest will get a chance at receiving a free game of SKUNK’D!
- **Spotted Skunk (Spilogale spp.) **: These guys are the cool cats of the skunk world, with different species throwing parties in the East, West, and South of North America.
Spotted Skunk
(Spilogale spp.)
Check this out! This is a photo of an Eastern Spotted Skunk doing a handstand!! But beware! Should you come across an Eastern Spotted Skunk in the wild and he performs this handsome handstand for you, get ready to run! As when our fun and fascinating Eastern Spotted Skunk performs his handstand, it is an indicator that he is likely ready to SPRAY!!!!
The Eastern Spotted Skunk is sometimes referred to as a Carbuncle. The Carbuncle is featured in our game. In SKUNK’D, a Carbuncle occurs when a player rolls pairs of dice in a way that allows them to pick up all six dice and continue rolling. The Carbuncle is just one of the characters that adds a playful touch to the game of SKUNK’D!
2. **Central America**:
- **Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura) **: You'll spot this skunk having a fiesta in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Image: Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura) of Central America
He’s got a SCENTsational white hood!
3. **South America**:
- **Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) **: Down South is where these Skunks groove, hitting up Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
HOG-NOSED SKUNK
(Conepatus leuconotus)
Looks like we should steer clear of this snouted stinker!
“But, Ken,” you say, “what about other skunks all around the world?” My answer: Skunks are native to the Americas and are not found naturally on any other continents with one notable exception:
4. **Europe**:
- **Pepe le Pew (Latin lover) **: The ONLY French Striped Skunk!
Image of Pepe le Pew: The ONLY non-Native American Skunk in the world!
Pepe, as depicted here, is hanging on the wall above the fireplace in the home of one of our Skunkworks team members, Lisa. This is a framed side-by-side of an original pencil drawing and actual cel, personally signed by the artist himself, Friz Freleng. We can only dream that one day our mascot, (we need to give him a name), a Mephitis mephitis, will join Pepe in the Fragrance Hall of Fame!
In the Southern United States, the term ‘polecat’ is used as a colloquial nickname for the skunk. However, the Striped Polecat, while NOT technically a member of the skunk family, releases an anal secretion that stinks far worse than any skunk!
5. **Africa**:
- **Striped Polecat (Ictonyx striatus) **:
Striped Polecat
(Ictonyx striatus)
It looks like a skunk, but it’s anal defense weapon is far worse!
Possibly the stinkiest animal in the world, the African polecat’s butt stink can burn its enemies’ eyes and temporarily blind them!
There you have it – all the places on the whole stinkin’ earth where ya can sniff out skunks!
by Ken Johnson CJO (Chief Johnson Officer)
P. S. Just a little reminder, these skunks are known for their party poppers, so make sure to enjoy the show from a distance and avoid crashing their wild gatherings!"
I came, I Saw, I SKUNK’D
In a game of SKUNK'D we'll play,
With dice and scents, come what may.
Stripes and spots, we'll roll them high,
Under the musky, odorous, starlit sky.
Skunk-scores climbing, rolling bold,
A Carbuncle, a tale untold.
Mega streaks, they light our way,
In gaseous night and pungent day.
A pair of eyes, as dark as night,
With skunky flair, we'll take our flight.
In dens we gather, points so grand,
In skunky kingdom, we'll take our stand.
Through grassy fields, and forests deep,
Our rancid secrets, we will keep.
In scent-sational victory, we'll bask,
In SKUNK'D kingdom, an odorous task.
So, join us now, with hearts so bright,
In dicey challenge, in funky fight.
For SKUNK'D glory, we'll all contend,
A malodorous story, our spirits won’t bend!
