Reading into Your Cards: Olid Loa

 

Olid Loa
Cardtype: Combat
Clan: Samedi
Only usable before range is determined. Retainers on the opposing minion lose their abilities this combat. The opposing minion cannot maneuver to close or press to continue this combat.
Artist: Juan Calle

The name on this card has two components: Olid and Loa.

Yes, I know this statement seems incredulously obvious, but bear with me for the moment.

Loa
The Loa (also Lwa or L'wha) are the spirits of the voodoo religion practiced in Louisiana, Haiti, Benin, and other parts of the world. They are also referred to as Mystères and the Invisibles, in which are intermediaries between Bondye (Bon Dieu, or good god)—the Creator, who is distant from the world—and humanity. Unlike saints or angels however, they are not simply prayed to, they are served. They are each distinct beings with their own personal likes and dislikes, distinct sacred rhythms, songs, dances, ritual symbols, and special modes of service. Contrary to popular belief, the loa are not deities in and of themselves; they are intermediaries for a distant Bondye.
(from Wikipedia)

The Loa are spirits that interact directly with mortal beings and each belong to a group of Loa that govern a particular domain. Famous Loa include Papa Legba and The Baron (Samedi).

Olid
— adj
foul-smelling

[C17: from Latin olidus, from olēre to smell]
(from Dictionary.com)

So the Olid Loa is in fact a foul smelling spirit used to keep your enemies at bay. And that's why your card does what it does.

P.S. The is no actual Loa known as "Olid Loa" (or at least there is no information about it available to me).
 

Ruling: Referendums & Ruling: Border Skirmish

 
Seems like we have all been a little fuzzy over here on how a referendum is conducted. A few key points to note:

- Once terms are set, they cannot be re-set (relevant to Poison Pill)
- Once a minion/Methuselah has cast his/her votes, it cannot be changed

Reference:
V:tES Online Rulebook

With the release of Keepers of Traditions, the definition of directed (D) actions have been changed. Any card (with the exception of political actions) that target one (non-acting) or more Methuselahs (or their cards) are directed at all those Methuselahs.

This affects cards like Taunt the Caged Beast and Border Skirmish, to name a few, and means that all Methuselahs affected by the card may attempt to block the action (all Methuselahs on the table, for cards like Vaticination and Border Skirmish).

Reference:
Keepers of Tradition
Newsgroup Message
 

Ruling: Freak Drive and Voter Captivation

 
Freak Drive (and cards that are usable only after a successful action) may be played before or after Voter Captivation (after resolving a successful referendum).

That is, the acting minion may
A) Play Freak Drive, pay 1 blood, untap, play Voter Captivation, gain blood and/or pool as per Voter Captivation card text, in that sequence, or
B) Play Voter Captivation, gain blood and/or pool as per Voter Captivation card text, play Freak Drive, pay 1 blood, untap, in that sequence.

Reference:
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.trading-cards.jyhad/msg/b91656a4dfe25b34
 

Sibyl's Tongue

 
On the Network this week:

"Sure, I'll give you my fullest support as your cross-table ally! Three votes against!"
 

Ruling: Kyoko Shinsegawa and NRA

 
Looks like the fastest way to get a card ruling found is to pwn someone with said card. :)

Kyoko Shinsegawa may not use her ability more than once per minion phase, as it is an effect provided by a card in play.

"A minion cannot perform an action with the same action card or via the same card in play (including from the minion's own card text) more than once each turn, even if he untaps." http://www.white-wolf.com/vtes/rulebook/rulebook.html#sec6_1_6

Reference:
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.trading-cards.jyhad/msg/fcc6732c1dbba16d