Findar is the Dwarven word for “good or favorable chances”. It is also the name of one of this races’ most commonly played games. It is believed that the game was developed back in the ages when dwarves were primarily farmers. This may explain the terms of “sowing,” “planted,” “seeds,” and “store.”What is Needed
Traditionally, findar is played with each player placing six small bowls in front of them, and a larger bowl on either of the two ends; this larger bowl is referred to as the “store.” A player controls the bowls in the row closest to him and the Store to their right. Into each small bowl is “planted,” or placed, four seeds. These are more commonly replaced with dried fruit pits, hardened clay balls, or small, round pebbles.
The Object
To gather as many seeds in your store as possible. The player with the most seeds in their store at the end of the game is the winner.
The Play
Play begins by moving one group of seeds at a time. Remove all the seeds from one bowl, then begin replacing, or "sowing" them into the other bowls by dropping one into each, including your own stores, but skipping your opponent’s. Movement takes place by traveling to your right. If the last seed that you sow goes into your store, you get another turn. If the last seed you sow ends in an empty bowl on your side, you capture that seed and all the seeds in your opponent’s bowl opposite. All of these seeds are placed into your store. It is then your opponent’s turn.
Game play ends when one player clears all the bowls on their side of the board. The player who still has seeds in their bowls now collects them and places them into their own store.
Seeds in the store are counted and the player with the most seeds wins.
In more recent ages, findar has been played on a board made specifically for that purpose. Usually of wood, these boards have the same twelve bowls carved into the middle, with two larger bowls at either end. Special clay balls are often made and decorasted quite elabrately by artisans or craftsmen. In games where the players make wagers, lead beads, or even sometimes gold pieces are used in place of seeds; the winner taking all the money that has been placed into their store.
