ONION:
The common structure of layered cards upon which players play cards from their hands. Represents the fruit harvested by Quarternarians from starquid beds for its purple, a material essential for the central cultural practice of reading and writing.
INNER LAYER:
The four cards at the heart of the ONION. Players may only play ROTTEN cards on the INNER LAYER after peeling the OUTER LAYER.
OUTER LAYER:
The eight cards at the cardinal and intercardinal points outside the INNER LAYER of the ONION. Peeled after all players consecutively CRY exactly once.
ROTTEN / UNROTTEN:
The state applied to spots in the ONION once the OUTER LAYER is peeled. Face cards render spaces ROTTEN and unusable, which is only alleviated by playing a 10 to turn a ROTTEN space UNROTTEN.
ONION HARVESTER:
The dealer of cards who represents the ceremonial harvester of the ONION from starquid beds for its purple.
CRY:
Passing a player’s turn without playing, whether by choice or necessity. Represents tears induced by the dense, aromatic fumes released when peeling the ONION.