derived from the Greater BotC Community
editorial by LivFreeOrPie

Stoytellers should strongly consider rejecting Vortox-proofed or overly complicated yes/no questions and ask players to rephrase or simplify their questions. 

The possibilities for the contents of the Artist question are unlimited by design of the character. The Storyteller always has the discretion to reject Artist questions as presented and ask for them to be rephrased before considering questions. Informing players of this discretion is especially helpful for players that present vague, subjective, or unanswerable questions: 

• "Before I answer your question, please understand that 'yes,' 'no,' and 'I don't know' are the only responses I can give to artist questions. Consider rephrasing your question with that in mind before I answer and you exhaust your ability."

One common tactic is to phrase an Artist's question in a way that will bypass a Vortox with a question similar to this:

"Is EXACTLY ONE of these statements true: (1) There is a Vortox in play OR (2) [any yes/no binary Artist question]?"

• YES Vortox in play, AND YES to the binary question, THEREFORE "YES" response, because more than one statement is true and the Vortox flips the "NO" with the required lie.

• YES Vortox in play, AND NO to the binary question, THEREFORE "NO" response, because one statement is true and the Vortox flips the "YES" with the required lie.

• NO Vortox not in play, AND YES to the binary question, THEREFORE "YES" response, because the only binary question is true.

• NO Vortox not in play, AND NO to the binary question, THEREFORE "NO" response, neither part is true.

A Storyteller may accept and answer this question as a reward for clever thinking. However, if this meta takes root in the group, then every following Artist question will very likely be phrased in a Vortox-proof way.

In a podcast interview, Steven Medway suggests that he rejects Vortox-proofed Artist questions in his games because they go against the spirit of the character and create an over-optimized gameplay meta that can't be changed once it takes root. SOURCE: Script Notes special w/ Steven Medway by AlejoFBlack - Timestamp 03:51:22 | 2023.05.20