After the last gathering lost shadow for a bit, and tossed in the monkey wrench, I tweeked the rules to handle clouds with shaky skies
I'll share them here,
Moon Dial gambling, these rules are from the original Howling creators, Dick & Yvonne Patrick.
I have added some to handle the lack of shadow from clouds, and clarity of intent. M. Jessee
CONCEPT
A gathering to celebrate the full moon upon its’ rising, with the cacophony of ragged HOWLING.
To observe a shadow cast from the center pipe over the rock ring dial and the winners bet.
The timing of this has to have but one dominate light source, the moon. Too early, and twilight is too bright, over shadowing the moon early in it’s arc.
PLACING A BET
$1.00 bill with your name on it for winner's id.
Roll up and place in the rock dial, in line with the post and where you think the moon will show itself, at the time of observation, to determine the winner.
Upon completion of the bet, , , HOWL.
Bet must take place before the sunset turns from orange to grey.
OFFICIAL OBSERVER
This post is what you make of it, you can have a fancy title like, High Priestess of the Wolf Clan with outfit/costume, down to HMFWBIC.
“Observer" will do here in the rules.
Main job is timing, need some kind of timepiece, countdown timer a +, and the ability to see
An official spot is needed to help minimize the variables as to the viewing, & the hight of the observer remains constant.
Observation point will now be just to the west side of the pile of rocks @ the north end of the rock dial.
The moon will have to be the width of the observers thumb above the ridge line, at arms length to start the timer.
Upon starting , , , HOWL.
The observation, with a HOWL, will take place after rising (party) time has passed, providing a shadow has appeared thru the cloud cover, if any.
Shadow passes over the rock ring and the winners bet, winner identified from the bet, winner takes all.
HOWL
TIMING
Rising time will give the twilight, time to to dim gracefully out, this has been tested.
Half hour may barely provide a shadow for results, one hour, there is no question, one hour it is.
Depending on how long the party lasts, the shadow will still be on the move around the dial.
Giving enough time another observation could happen, for a fair amount of movement two hours might be the call.
CLOUDS
Observer will asses the conditions for the HOWLING the day of to confirm the moon's ability to cast shadow
Partly cloudy could involve timers along the lines of overtime in sports.
Just like applause regenerates Tinkerbell, HOWLING encourages the moon to overcome cloud shadow.
15 minutes of rising time has to pass from the previous observation before another observation.
If the moon is still a no show/no shadow it will go to instant death + 1 minute for the observer to get into position @ the dial upon any sign of shadow.
If for any reason the shadow disappears, with the observer in place, before a call is made, repeat if necessary, or if physically spent from the proceedings, , , call it.