The Midsummer Maulings (WW5) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 07-03-2005, 12:18 PM

*cue Danse Macabre by Camille Saint Saens*

It had been a wild night for mid summer in the small but absurdly picturesque village of Midsomer Mawlin. Flash floods had cut the village off from the outside world, but even before the hamlet had seemed isolated in time and space. Each of it's tiny population lived alone in their exquisite dwellings and most were a bit vague about their earlier lives. They were an odd assortment among whom, Mithalwen might have seemed one of the most normal.

An elderly lady, habitually dressed in grey, she had retired to the village for a quieter life. She was loath to go into details but when questioned she would mention that she had an unfortunate knack of being around when unfortunate events occured. It weas rumoured that her last village, St Mary Mead, had a death rate which made an abbatoir seem bloodless and even when the old lady went on holiday, Death would be her travelling companion. "Really it was mot unfortunate," she had said, "so I decided to get right away".

So she had lived quietly but observantly in Midsomer Mawlin until last night. There had been a full moon - not that there had been much chance to see it through the rain clouds - and some of the villagers woke to find they had changed.

But Mithalwen did not wake at all.

As the afternoon wore on the villagers realised that the lace curtains of Nemesia Cottage had not twitched all day. Neither had the old lady been seen tending her garden (which like all the others in teh garden had survived the ravages of the storm remarkably well..), nor had she been met walking in the village always speaking with perfect politeness but her meat cleaver mind not missing a detail of what was going on.

Gradually the villagers decided that they should "check on the old girl" and tentatively made their way up the path. The door swung open and the villagers trooped in, packing in to the tiny dwelling behind the leaders who had stopped dead on reaching the parlour.

The body of Mithalwen was seated at the desk. A noose was about her neck, a knife was protruding from her back and a cup of tea had been knocked over.

"Ooo she's dead" said someone, "Maybe she drowned in the flood" said someone at the back. Everyone at the front turned round and stared at that Unfortunate.

"Holy Mackerel" said Gil-Galad who lived in Wayne Manor at the edge of the village. He was fantastically rich and therefor his strange garb was tolerated. Only the very wealthy could wear their underpants outside their trousers and not be bled for the simples.....

"Eeeeeet eeeees my opinion that Meeeeeeeeess Mithalwen has been meurdered" said Durelin who was more conventionally dressed in a raincoat and homburg hat.

Holbytlass also wore a raincoat, but it was shabby and she only muttered about something that had happened to her niece's brother in law.

Firefoot, a glamorous blonde dressed in scarlet said she hadn't a clue who could have wanted to kill the old lady. While Feanor of the Peredhil eyes darted around the room assessing the situation. The woman had penetrating eyes and refined carriage --- that polished air of resilient nobility. She seemed to carry her blessings with a grace and humility.

" Mithalwen's been Murthered" went up the cry, all the villagers being temporarily afflicted by a speech impediment.

"Stabbed" said some, " Hanged" said others. "Both" said a few, hedging their bets ..
"I think you will find " said mormegil, a girl with bushy brown hair and slightly prominent front teeth, who despite her youth was renowned for her fierce intelligence and not suffering fools gladly.. "that she has been poisoned" she sniffed the contents of the teacup. There is no blood coming from the wound and no marks on her neck....- I studied potions - I mean chemistry at school "she added when she realised that maybe this was not the moment to show off knowledge.

" That seems like overkill" said the same person who had suggested drowning.

They got stared at again.

"It does seem rather excessive" Said Orominuialwen, an aristocratic figure, all nerves and nose, who was examining the documents on Mithalwen's desk through her monocle. A slightly foppish air belied a great deal of learning. But this does not seem to be an ordinary crime."

The Guy who would be Short had padded off to investigate the kitchen - a tall, hirsute figure he was perpetually hungry and he reasoned that Mithalwen would no longer need the contents of her larder. He returned in time to hear that the old lady had been poisoned and hunger fought with a quite justified suspicion of any foodstuffs in the house.

All the villagers crowded around the desk. The documents concerned astronomy and the history of lycanthropy. It was clear from her notes that Mithalwen had anticipated the strange events to which she had become a victim. there were werewolves among them and it was certain they would strike again.

Everyone started to eye each other suspiciously.

The population had been reduced to thirteen. A singularly inauspicious number.

Other villagers

Kitanna, a straight talking former bounty hunter and hot-dog saleswoman from overseas.

Kath

Oddwen

Sophia the Thunder Mistress

Nilpaurion Felagund

Day ends at 7.15 pm BST tomorrow unless seven of you agree before then. Once seven agree the decision is made and no vote may be retracted. If there is a tie a villager will be selected to die at random.

the guy who be short · 07-03-2005, 12:30 PM

Poor Mith. She will be missed. Justice must be done!

Now, then, here are all the villagefolk:

Holbytlass
Mormegil
The guy who be short
Kath
Gil-Galad
Orominuialwen
Firefoot
Durelin
Kitanna
Oddwen
Sophia the Thunder Mistress
Nilpaurion Felagund
Feanor of the Peredhil

I am obviously innocent. Anyway, my handy pocket abacus declares the following to be werewolves:

Sophia the Thunder Mistress
Oddwen
Nilpaurion Felagund.

Convince me of your innocence...

Mithalwen · 07-03-2005, 12:45 PM

ALL NON GAMEPLAY COMMENTS SHOULD BE IN THE NOTICEBOARD THREAD

I had not forgotten I was in the throes of editing.

mormegil · 07-03-2005, 01:02 PM

TGWBS for shame...going off to eat and only thinking of you stomache at a time like this. What didn't get enough to eat last night?

Firefoot · 07-03-2005, 01:06 PM

How horrible... not just dead but stabbed and hanged and poisoned! Must have been painful, those treacherous wolves. Who would do such a thing?

Now that Mormegil... he's a pretty shady guy. And Gil-Galad, there's a right odd type of character. But murderers and wolves? I don't know... there's mysterious things going on here, no doubt about that, and I intend to see justice done.

Holbytlass · 07-03-2005, 01:07 PM

This is most puzzling. And a sad moment for Mithalwen, same thing did happen to my neice's brother-in-law, only he was more hanged than poisoned.
I appreciate your abacus in not accusing me, the Guy Who Be Short, sir. But I shall step out for a smoke and to think. Good day to you all, but not for Mithalwen.
One thing more, TGWBS, sir, unfortunately, it is only obvious to you that you are innocent.

Kitanna · 07-03-2005, 01:20 PM

Oh poor Mithalwen. I always liked her.

And now down to business. We need to find the real werewolves or be held responsible for the deaths of innocents.

Kath · 07-03-2005, 01:21 PM

Poor Mithalwen, died so confusingly, she will be sadly missed. But as to who it was that killed her? That's a puzzle and no mistake.

Already there is suspicion in the village with vague accusations and demands for proof of innocence. But I think I will wait until everyone has arrived before making any of my own.

mormegil · 07-03-2005, 01:27 PM

Of course we need to examine every individual and look for suspicious activity and voting patterns and habits. However the major problem of the day is limited information. There is no history to track or voting patterns to go by. It's sadly a shot in the dark.

the guy who be short · 07-03-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mormy

TGWBS for shame...going off to eat and only thinking of you stomache at a time like this. What didn't get enough to eat last night?

Can one ever be said to have enough to eat, mormegil? Food simply exists; I don't know about getting enough of it. Enough for what anyway?
In conclusion, no i didn't get enough to eat. I only had five hamburgers and three sandwiches.

Where was I? Ah, yes, replying to people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holbytlass

I appreciate your abacus in not accusing me, the Guy Who Be Short, sir. But I shall step out for a smoke and to think. Good day to you all, but not for Mithalwen.

The Abacus works in mysterious ways, my dear. Perhaps, discreetly, It does accuse you. I can go only by what the Abacus reveals to me.
In any case, I don't think we can really claim it wasn't a good day for Mithalwen. Surely she's happily in heaven now as a result of today's events?
Unless you don't want people to go to Heaven! For you are on The Dark Side! Wolf! Wolf!

Was that a little rash of me?

Quote:

Originally Posted by holbytlass

One thing more, TGWBS, sir, unfortunately, it is only obvious to you that you are innocent.

Here I must agree with you, oh lass of Holbytish origin. But mayhap the Seer hath dreamt of me, though the odds are as low as something reasonably low.

Remember, friends, that three of us are in league, and yet two oppose them also. We must be careful not to mistake an alliance, for doing so could be fatal to our survival.

Myself? I will say, i am neither Lycanthrope, nor Hunter, nor Guardian, nor Seer, nor Shape-changey-whatyamacallit. Though my evidence is slightly slim.

Talking of slim, I feel hungry.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 07-03-2005, 01:58 PM

I must say... What a horrible time to move to this village, and on such short notice... Mithalwen dead, and with such um... certainty. I mean... if the noose hadn't gotten her, the poison would have, and if that failed, the knife?

In any case, I am here. Let the accusing and backstabbing begin (the pun, of course, being the entire reason for the comment).

Quote:

For you are on The Dark Side! Wolf! Wolf!

Was that a little rash of me?

Just a wee bit, m'boy.

Holbytlass · 07-03-2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the guy who be short

For you are on The Dark Side! Wolf! Wolf!

No, sir, the only thing I like on the dark side is chocolate. Maybe the abacus 'discreetly' tells you, TGWBSDoo, that you are on the dark side but then you would already know.

Some questions....Now I took chemistry awhile back and I recall not having studied poisons. Perhaps, things are different now. Hermiormegil, perhaps you could tell us if you smelled something untea-like. You seem to have much knowledge in this area, surprisingly for one so young, but maybe it is because I'm so old.

And maybe there was no blood on Miss Marpalwen from the knife wound because Miss Firelet's dress soaked it up. It was afterall scarlet in color if I remember correctly.

Anyway, much to think about....

Edit: and why would you pay for her funeral, Gil-Batlad? She was as wealthy as you or near enough. Is it guilty conciounce(sp?)?

07-03-2005, 12:18 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	The Midsummer Maulings (WW5) cue Danse Macabre* by Camille Saint Saens* It had been a wild night for mid summer in the small but absurdly picturesque village of Midsomer Mawlin. Flash floods had cut the village off from the outside world, but even before the hamlet had seemed isolated in time and space. Each of it's tiny population lived alone in their exquisite dwellings and most were a bit vague about their earlier lives. They were an odd assortment among whom, Mithalwen might have seemed one of the most normal. An elderly lady, habitually dressed in grey, she had retired to the village for a quieter life. She was loath to go into details but when questioned she would mention that she had an unfortunate knack of being around when unfortunate events occured. It weas rumoured that her last village, St Mary Mead, had a death rate which made an abbatoir seem bloodless and even when the old lady went on holiday, Death would be her travelling companion. "Really it was mot unfortunate," she had said, "so I decided to get right away". So she had lived quietly but observantly in Midsomer Mawlin until last night. There had been a full moon - not that there had been much chance to see it through the rain clouds - and some of the villagers woke to find they had changed. But Mithalwen did not wake at all. As the afternoon wore on the villagers realised that the lace curtains of Nemesia Cottage had not twitched all day. Neither had the old lady been seen tending her garden (which like all the others in teh garden had survived the ravages of the storm remarkably well..), nor had she been met walking in the village always speaking with perfect politeness but her meat cleaver mind not missing a detail of what was going on. Gradually the villagers decided that they should "check on the old girl" and tentatively made their way up the path. The door swung open and the villagers trooped in, packing in to the tiny dwelling behind the leaders who had stopped dead on reaching the parlour. The body of Mithalwen was seated at the desk. A noose was about her neck, a knife was protruding from her back and a cup of tea had been knocked over. "Ooo she's dead" said someone, "Maybe she drowned in the flood" said someone at the back. Everyone at the front turned round and stared at that Unfortunate. "Holy Mackerel" said Gil-Galad who lived in Wayne Manor at the edge of the village. He was fantastically rich and therefor his strange garb was tolerated. Only the very wealthy could wear their underpants outside their trousers and not be bled for the simples..... "Eeeeeet eeeees my opinion that Meeeeeeeeess Mithalwen has been meurdered" said Durelin who was more conventionally dressed in a raincoat and homburg hat. Holbytlass also wore a raincoat, but it was shabby and she only muttered about something that had happened to her niece's brother in law. Firefoot, a glamorous blonde dressed in scarlet said she hadn't a clue who could have wanted to kill the old lady. While Feanor of the Peredhil eyes darted around the room assessing the situation. The woman had penetrating eyes and refined carriage --- that polished air of resilient nobility. She seemed to carry her blessings with a grace and humility. " Mithalwen's been Murthered" went up the cry, all the villagers being temporarily afflicted by a speech impediment. "Stabbed" said some, " Hanged" said others. "Both" said a few, hedging their bets .. "I think you will find " said mormegil, a girl with bushy brown hair and slightly prominent front teeth, who despite her youth was renowned for her fierce intelligence and not suffering fools gladly.. "that she has been poisoned" she sniffed the contents of the teacup. There is no blood coming from the wound and no marks on her neck....- I studied potions - I mean chemistry at school "she added when she realised that maybe this was not the moment to show off knowledge. " That seems like overkill" said the same person who had suggested drowning. They got stared at again. "It does seem rather excessive" Said Orominuialwen, an aristocratic figure, all nerves and nose, who was examining the documents on Mithalwen's desk through her monocle. A slightly foppish air belied a great deal of learning. But this does not seem to be an ordinary crime." The Guy who would be Short had padded off to investigate the kitchen - a tall, hirsute figure he was perpetually hungry and he reasoned that Mithalwen would no longer need the contents of her larder. He returned in time to hear that the old lady had been poisoned and hunger fought with a quite justified suspicion of any foodstuffs in the house. All the villagers crowded around the desk. The documents concerned astronomy and the history of lycanthropy. It was clear from her notes that Mithalwen had anticipated the strange events to which she had become a victim. there were werewolves among them and it was certain they would strike again. Everyone started to eye each other suspiciously. The population had been reduced to thirteen. A singularly inauspicious number. Other villagers Kitanna, a straight talking former bounty hunter and hot-dog saleswoman from overseas. Kath Oddwen Sophia the Thunder Mistress Nilpaurion Felagund Day ends at 7.15 pm BST tomorrow unless seven of you agree before then. Once seven agree the decision is made and no vote may be retracted. If there is a tie a villager will be selected to die at random. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace Last edited by Mithalwen; 07-04-2005 at 12:23 PM. Reason: To add new characterisation

07-03-2005, 12:30 PM	#2
the guy who be short Shadowed Prince Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thulcandra Posts: 2,343	Poor Mith. She will be missed. Justice must be done! Now, then, here are all the villagefolk: Holbytlass Mormegil The guy who be short Kath Gil-Galad Orominuialwen Firefoot Durelin Kitanna Oddwen Sophia the Thunder Mistress Nilpaurion Felagund Feanor of the Peredhil I am obviously innocent. Anyway, my handy pocket abacus declares the following to be werewolves: Sophia the Thunder Mistress Oddwen Nilpaurion Felagund. Convince me of your innocence... Last edited by the guy who be short; 07-03-2005 at 01:23 PM.

07-03-2005, 12:45 PM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	ALL NON GAMEPLAY COMMENTS SHOULD BE IN THE NOTICEBOARD THREAD I had not forgotten I was in the throes of editing. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace Last edited by Mithalwen; 07-03-2005 at 01:28 PM. Reason: No longer necessary

07-03-2005, 01:02 PM	#4
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,648	TGWBS for shame...going off to eat and only thinking of you stomache at a time like this. What didn't get enough to eat last night? __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

07-03-2005, 01:07 PM	#6
Holbytlass Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Party Tree Posts: 1,042	This is most puzzling. And a sad moment for Mithalwen, same thing did happen to my neice's brother-in-law, only he was more hanged than poisoned. I appreciate your abacus in not accusing me, the Guy Who Be Short, sir. But I shall step out for a smoke and to think. Good day to you all, but not for Mithalwen. One thing more, TGWBS, sir, unfortunately, it is only obvious to you that you are innocent. __________________ Holby is an actual flesh-and-blood person, right? Not, say a sock-puppet of Nilp’s, by any chance? ~Nerwen, WWCIII Last edited by Holbytlass; 07-03-2005 at 01:14 PM.

07-03-2005, 01:06 PM	#5
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	How horrible... not just dead but stabbed and hanged and poisoned! Must have been painful, those treacherous wolves. Who would do such a thing? Now that Mormegil... he's a pretty shady guy. And Gil-Galad, there's a right odd type of character. But murderers and wolves? I don't know... there's mysterious things going on here, no doubt about that, and I intend to see justice done.

07-03-2005, 01:20 PM	#7
Kitanna Child of the West Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn Posts: 2,132	Oh poor Mithalwen. I always liked her. And now down to business. We need to find the real werewolves or be held responsible for the deaths of innocents. __________________ "Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

07-03-2005, 01:21 PM	#8
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	Poor Mithalwen, died so confusingly, she will be sadly missed. But as to who it was that killed her? That's a puzzle and no mistake. Already there is suspicion in the village with vague accusations and demands for proof of innocence. But I think I will wait until everyone has arrived before making any of my own. __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

07-03-2005, 01:27 PM	#9
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,648	Of course we need to examine every individual and look for suspicious activity and voting patterns and habits. However the major problem of the day is limited information. There is no history to track or voting patterns to go by. It's sadly a shot in the dark. __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”