Tol-in-Gaurhoth XVIII: The Play’s The Thing…

[Shelob]

Or few lower

DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Shelob--Mad Scientist/doctor
AbercrombieofRohan--Retired Yeti Spotter
Saucepan Man--foreign dignitary
Farael--alchemist
Mormegil--soldier
Aiwendil--cook
Glirdan--musician
Formendacil--knight
Dancing Spawn of Ungoliant--shepherd
Nilpaurion Felagund--fishmonger
Lhunardawen--princess
Eomer of the Rohirrim--priest
Littlemanpoet--silversmith
Kath--beekeeper
Garin--baker
Holbytlass--governess
Anguirel--banker
Celuien--resident amphibian
Tar-Ancalime--ex-leper
Gil-Galad--devoted Lupine enthusiast
Boromir88--magistrate

ACT I

Scene i
Thunder and Lighting, Enter three WOLVES

First Wolf: When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lighting or in rain?
Second Wolf: When the hurly-burly’s done, when our task’s over and done
Third Wolf: That will be ere the rise of sun.
First Wolf: Where the place?
Second Wolf: Upon the Heath.
Third Wolf: There to meet with MacDeath.

Scene ii
A moonlight dappled forest clearing, Enter ABERCROMBIE

Abercrombie: (muttering) They made me retire. I could find a yeti, all I have to do is look. DO YOU HEAR ME? I WILL FIND A YETI!
(While she’s been mumbling a large, dark shape enters behind her)
Abercrombie: No yetis over there.
(She half turns, the shape moves closer and she spots it)
Abercrombie: Yes? I do believe it’s…yes, YES! A yeti! I’ve spotted a Yeti!!!!!
(The shape moves into a patch of moonlight and is revealed to be a giant bear.)
Abercrombie: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

(Exit, chased by a bear)

Scene iii
This and all following scenes take place in valley village Eaumor. Eaumor is nestled between mountains on its west and east. A river runs through the valley from North to South and runs along the Western edge of the village. To the east of the village is a dark (and very expensive) forest. The forest stretches across most of the eastern mountains and there lives within it the Mad Scientist/Doctor SHELOB. Everyone fears this mysterious scientist, yet since she’s come to their valley no one has died of sickness, injury or old age, for all that she’s kept these villagers alive and unharmed the rumours of her unnatural experiments are believed unquestionably by the residents of Eaumor.
It is early morning in the village square. The sounds of people waking up and beginning their day can be heard.
Enter GARIN and AIWENDIL

Aiwendil: Now Garin, I know you’re afraid of bees, but trust me. Just ask Kath for a little bit of honey and use it in your baked goods, it’ll make them much better.
Garin: (panicking slightly) But they’re bees! They can sting you!
(He backs away from Aiwendil. He trips into the shallow fountain in the square’s center and begins to scream)
Aiwendil: Garin, Calm Down!

(Garin has crawled out of the fountain but his continued screaming has drawn the attention of the other villagers, enter FARAEL, GLIRDAN, FORM, SPAWN, NILP, LHUNA, EOMER, LMP, KATH, HOLBY, ANG, CELUIEN, TAR, GIL, and BORO)

Littlemanpoet: Quiet! Quiet Garin! What’s the matter with you?
Garin: (stuttering) S-S-She’s…She’s…
Holbytlass: (trying to calm Garin) Who’s what dear?
Garin: Shelob. Fountain. Dead.

(This announcement gets quite the response, many villagers make dubious comments while a handful, including Eomer and Gil-Galad, rush to the fountain and pull out the ex-scientist/doctor’s mutilated corpse)

Celuien: My Fountain? MY fountain you say?
Gil-Galad: (while the body is being dragged out of the fountain) She’s been badly clawed up. This definitely looks like the work of at least two very unhappy werewolves. Three even, though it’s a little hard to tell for sure.
Eomer: I found this on her. It’s gotten rather wet but it appears to be a letter, written in her blood if not her hand.
Lhuna: Well? What does it say?
Eomer: (reading) Shelob hath murdered sleep and therefore Eaumor shall sleep no more, Death shall sleep no more.
Formendacil: “Death shall sleep no more” I don’t like the sound of that.
Farael: Nor do I.

(Enter MORMEGIL and SPM, from the Eastern forest)

Dancing Spawn: Hello, who are you two? Would either of you happen to know anything about this death, or have seen some suspicious looking wolves around?
Mormegil: We’ve just arrived here, the most we can tell you is that this morning, in the forest a little way from where we’d camped, we passed the remains of what we assumed was a villager. She was torn to pieces. A short distance from her remains was the corpse of a huge bear. Someone had put a good number of arrows into the thing, and cut off its head.
Saucepan Man: We’ve come with a message for Shelob, but The sight is dismal; And our affairs come too late: The ears are senseless that should give us hearing.
Nilp: Excellent, well, I am…
Kath: Nilpaurion, leave be. This whole thing is smells fishy enough without you muddying up the waters.
Nilp:…a fishmonger. I was only going to sell them fish Kath, what else could I have said?
Tar-Ancalime: You know, I’ll bet the villager who’s remains they found was Abercrombie. She gave me some alms last night before heading off towards the woods, and I heard her muttering something about wanting to find a yeti.
Anguirel: Alms? For an ex-leper?
Boromir88: Enough! I suggest we all get settled for the day and gather back here in the square. We should do our best to track these beast-people down, may we be as lucky in our shots as whoever hunted down the creature which kill poor Abercrombie.

(Exaunt all but Glirdan)

Glirdan: (singing) When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came to man's estates,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain
'Gainst knaves and wolves we’ll shut our gates,
For the rain it raineth every day.

(Exaunt)

Scene iv
(The central square. Enter all)

[littlemanpoet]

Alas and alas, this is no good at all.
We're all going to die, mark my words.
There are werewolves amongst us,
and they will kill kill kill!
We are doomed.

All right, I've given me little speech for the sakes of this play which is apparently the thing, so now I'd have ye all pay attention for a might bit. I've silver, you see, and silver's a good thing when it comes to werewolves, see, as good or better than it is for making the ladies look pretty, you see, and I've got a fair bit of it for it's my trade. Now: I've made knives of it, a pretty little collection. Each of ye should purchase a nice silvery knife from me so as to make sure that who ever is our hunter winds up with a silvery knife. And if every last one of us has one, maybe one as is a werewolf will have bad luck and sit no its own silver knife and thereby do itself in.

Now, I hear tell that there's a seer or two in this here village, and that they can't be trusted. One of 'em's right all the time, the other's wrong more than half the time and we've no way of telling until one of 'em's dead, and that's not a good thing. But see, the werewolves aren't all pretty minded about this neither, 'cause they know that there's two seers, one true and one false, and the longer they both stays hidden, why the worse for them! Because that gives the true seer lots of time to gather facts, and who knows maybe we'll be lucky and the false seer will be found out in some way, though me fears the most likely is to get lynched or mauled, more's the pity. Well, that's all I'm saying for now. If some of you folk have wisdom to add, all the better.

Still, we're doomed unless we use our noggins and pay close attention to likely signs of lycanthropy.

Oh! The knives are five gold coins a piece.

[Anguirel]

Werewolves, you say? Are you quite sure? Right.

I'm afraid interest rates are going to have to rise.

The bank of Anguirel, Anguirel and Anguirel (Angangang PLC) will otherwise continue to function properly and cater for every inhabitant of Eaumor. We do not take responsibility for loans that turn out to be, in retrospect, to wolves.

However no one with a visible tail will be permitted onto our premises.

Now, I'm going to retire for a nice, ah, morning slumber and mull the business over. Business acumen can become sleuthing expertise in a pinch.

I want to end by emphasising that drama is all very well, but Polonius was an idiot...

[Glirdan]

Alas for poor Shelob. Tis a sad day to know that Wolevs are amongst us. I'm so frightened that when I practiced this morning, I couldn't hit high C!! Shelob was one of the only people who truly enjoyed my singing, and now she is gone. May her soul rest in peace.

And Abercrombie as well!? Oh this is truly a sad day. Why on Arda would the Wolves want to attack those two? What have they ever done to hurt anyone?

Now, to get to the matters at hand, I know this is quite obvious, but for those who don't know me, I like to be blantantly obvious. So, here we go: we have to cath these Wolves. And what's this? Two Seers, one of which is always right and the other pretty much alway wrong!? We are in a terrible state. Luckily, we have our nightly protectors. May you guard us well.

Now, I must say that we come up with a strategy and I have one already. It's simple: we get rid of the quiet people. ( ). They cannot be trusted. I have heard from others who have travelled and have lived in a village with Wolves that there is always one quiet one, one talkaive and one in between. So, I say we flush out the quiet one by lynching everyone who is to quiet. What say you!?

[Boromir88]

Werewolves you say? Why this was like the last village I was at...Salem I believe it was. I authorized 12 lynchings and one man to be crushed, alas I had to call an end to it all because it turned out the whole town went into hysteria and everyone was being accused of lyncanthropy. If I hadn't put an end to the madness everyone in the village surely would have been lynched. I shall do my part and authorize all lynchings if though shalt offer substantial proof of werewolvery.

Lmp don't use these desperate times to further the thickness of your wallet, a good noose is much better than any of your silver devices.

[tar-ancalime]

*shouts from 100 yards away*

No silver knife for me. No noose neither. I'm safe from the wolves--none of you will go near me, so why should they?

How many times do I have to tell you, it's EX-leper!

[Aiwendil]

Oh! The knives are five gold coins a piece.

Five gold coins for a knife? Madness, I tell 'ee. Still, I've half a mind to take one. Only I hope that Boromir's right, the wolves get the noose, and the knife will be used solely on vegetables!

Now, I know we don't have much to go on as yet. But it seems to me that random accusations and similar nonsense will only help the Wolves. Meseems the sooner we get down to some serious discussion, the better the chances of our village surviving.

With that in mind, I offer a few questions for all to consider in the hope that they may provoke some useful discussion of villager strategy.

1. What is the most reliable way of spotting a wolf? Should we focus on the accusations people make, on the general tone of their posts, or on their voting records?

2. What should the Gifteds' strategy be? My own feeling is that the Gifteds, and our Seers in particular, should emphatically not risk revealing themselves unless necessary. Especially at the outset, the prime goal of the Gifteds should be to survive.

3. Among how many people should we spread the votes today? I would guess that with nineteen villagers, we should try to spread the votes among about five or six people, which would make the chances of at least one of them being a wolf fairly good.

Any thoughts?

And by the way, Wolves, to quote a famous Hobbit, I cook better than I cook, if you see what I mean.

[The Saucepan Man]

Enter THE SAUCEPAN MAN, Viscount Kettle and Fourth Earl of Lower Churdlecombe-in-the-Wold, Stage Right.

Zounds! Well that's just great isn't it!? I journey all this way from fair Albion, far away over the water, to meet with your resident mad scientist and part-time local dignitary. And forsooth! When I get here, I find that she hath verily kickèd the bucket. And what is more there are Werewolves to contend with, and seemingly Bears to boot. Ah well, the twinning of this village with Lower Churdlecombe-in-the-Wold shall have to wait. I know little of Werewolves, for they are but a legend in my land. But I shall do what I can to aid you in rooting them out.

May I suggest that all come forth and tell what they know of this foul deed. Let no one hold back, for it is only through discussion that we will have any hope of identifying these dreadful beasts. And when the time comes to choose one of our number to face the gallows today, as surely it will, I hope that all will see the sense in discharging their civic duty and casting their vote. For, over time, I imagine that those votes will tell a story in themselves, and only the Wolves have anything to hide in the telling of it. And I trust also that everyone will appreciate the wisdom of spreading our votes out as best we can. For it is only if the Wolves are in danger during the Day's voting that we may force their hands, or should I say paws.

Originally Posted by Glirdan

Now, I must say that we come up with a strategy and I have one already. It's simple: we get rid of the quiet people. They cannot be trusted.

While I have some sympathy for this view and will not look kindly upon those who hold back and do not contribute to our discussions, I believe that some restraint is in order here. Quietness alone doth not a Wolf make. We must look for other evidence in that which is said and, more importantly, in the way that the votes are cast.

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Oh! The knives are five gold coins a piece.

Originally Posted by Anguirel

I'm afraid interest rates are going to have to rise.

Er - perhaps it is a cultural thing, but aren't you being just a tad opportunistic there?

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Lmp don't use these desperate times to further the thickness of your wallet, a good noose is much better than any of your silver devices.

Easy for you to say, oh thou majestic magisterium, sir; you're on the guvment payroll. Those of us who actually have to work for a living must come up with whatever profitable methods we can for keeping body and soul together.

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Glirdan

Now, I must say that we come up with a strategy and I have one already. It's simple: we get rid of the quiet people. ( ). They cannot be trusted. I have heard from others who have travelled and have lived in a village with Wolves that there is always one quiet one, one talkaive and one in between. So, I say we flush out the quiet one by lynching everyone who is to quiet. What say you!?

Too arbitrary. Let's see what people say (or not). If someone acts suspicious, lynch that one instead of an arbitrarily picked quiet one. There's not guarantee that the three werewolves will follow the ol' quiet/middling/loud format anyway.

[Lhunardawen]

Before anything else, let it be known to the masses that I, your princess, am not, I repeat, NOT an ordinary villager.

I'm extraordinary.

With that piece of information lodged in your crania, I propose, nay, demand that I must NOT in any case whatsoever be lynched by Day or killed by Night. Violators will be punished in the most fitting manner.

Thank you.

P. S. How do y'all like my title? I think our foreign dignitary in particular will find it, umm, interesting...

[Lhunardawen]

Now, to business.

Originally Posted by Glirdan

Now, I must say that we come up with a strategy and I have one already. It's simple: we get rid of the quiet people. ( ). They cannot be trusted. I have heard from others who have travelled and have lived in a village with Wolves that there is always one quiet one, one talkaive and one in between. So, I say we flush out the quiet one by lynching everyone who is to quiet. What say you!?

I say you ought to be lynched for that.

Princess though I am, there are certain realities in life over which I have no control, and with regards to this play or whatever we call this thing, I name a bizarre condition called timezones as my greatest bane. I've searched high and low for someone who can cure me, but to no avail. The grave effects of the condition include a disturbing degree of quietness on my part. And can you blame me, musician?

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

All three, I should say, and more. We should focus on everything that is said and done, for therein might lie clues to guilt. As for the voting record, it is clearly important. But moreso over time and most particularly when we catch a Wolf.

I couldn't agree more. However I must warn everyone of the perils of reading too much into what is being said. Many a village in the past have been completely destroyed by the kin of these villainous carnivores because their denizens look farther than they ought to look, if you see what I mean.

I also agree with the ex-leper tar-ancalime's thoughts on the Seers. Stay as hidden as you can, do not give blatantly obvious "hints," and choose your dreams well!

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

For starters, such helpful questions as these lead me to suspect your innocence.

If it's any good news, Aiwendil, I think the same of you. But if you ever so much as reveal a furry tail...

Alas, the time for my princess lessons (Calculus, actually ) draws nigh. I'll be back in three hours or so with a vote. Speaking of which, NOBODY must suspect me for voting early everyDay. Anyone who does so will be pushed down the stage and out of the theater.

[Formendacil]

Friends, villagers, countrymen, lend me your ears! I come to bury these ladies, and to praise them!

So wise so young, they say never live long, yet I am nearly done to death by this slanderous deed- for what is life without the fair maidens Shelob and Abercrombie? Mine chivalry is affronted, for I, the noblest Knight of this land, was powerless to assist them!

Alas, poor lasses! I knew them well, good villagers.

Though these deaths be madness, yet there is method in 't! We need but find the method and we find these things of darkness!

This is the unkindest cut of all, that we have no madness of yet in which to find a method. Let every villager negotiate for himself his defence. The course of Werewolf-hunting did never run smooth. O, what Werewolves dare do! Are not many done to death by slanderous tongue? Here's ado to lock up honesty!

Remember: Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once! How poor are they that have not patience...

Something is rotten in the village of Eaumor!

[mormegil]

Formendacil, when will you knights learns that being a soldier is far superior to your station? You've wrapped yourself up in quixotic fantasies and dilluted your true purpose.

Now on to business.

Lhunardawen is a bit haughty and may be hiding pointed ears under her tiara.

All but Gil have responded to my accusations much like I would expect. I will not reveal yet what I think of those responses but will continue to hold them in high suspicion.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

[Yavanna gilled rower here.]

Oh, The Saucepan Man from foreign lands, have you ever seen anything like my sign?

Ah, dancing spawn, the Princess Shepherdess. ( to Lhunade-hime*) My name is Mamandil, and I would like to sing a ballad of--

*thwack thwack thwack* Listen, ignoble-class person, you will do only two things in this village: Sell fish and vote. ¿Comprende?

No Español.

*facepalms* Never mind . . .

Spanish . . . voting . . . that reminds me. I remember Farael carping about obtaining the Moderator's Gallstone to achieve immortality. That's pretty susfishious, isn't it?

Besides, I have a promise to him, and on my honour as a merchant of mer-products, I shall keep it!

++Farael

Never did understand his lecture on the Krebs cycle of life, anyhow?
__________________
*hime - princess (Japanese)

[Lhunardawen]

Fishpaurion Fishagund, you're nothing but a second-rate trying hard copycatfish.

Originally Posted by mormegil

Lhunardawen is a bit haughty and may be hiding pointed ears under her tiara.

Ah, dear soldier...perhaps I do. Maybe I'm an Elf. Who knows?

But if I were you, I wouldn't insult our Don Quixo...I mean our knight so much. As a matter of fact, why don't we make it a law? "All insults directed at the knight henceforth shall go 'rubber glue back to you.' "

Within the hour or so I shall come up with a name which I shall affix to two plus signs, and after that you shall see me after my royal beauty rest, on the next Day. Now will someone show me some fur before I go? I don't want to waste a vote.

[Lhunardawen]

*sigh* It's time.

++GLIRDAN

He's most likely innocent, but what can I do? As a respected Dwarf from a village of old, Kuruharan I think his name is, aptly put it, "Day Ones "

I decree that no one suspect me for voting in such a manner, even if Glirdan is later proved to be indeed innocent.

Farewell, fair village, and see you soon.

[The Saucepan Man]

I am glad to see that this seems a fairly talkative village. Some musings follow on what has been said since I was last here.

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

Also, some werewolves tend to explain their strategy by means of conjecturing how they "suppose" a werewolf might think. These aren't definites, but they help me lean toward suspicion, if you take my meaning.

Originally Posted by Anguirel

I disagree that trying to discover wolves by empathatic thought experiment is necessarily wolvish. It can simply be an effective way of exploiting what we know of character and likely strategy to our benefit.

I tend to agree with the Banker on this one. What is it they say? To catch a Wolf, one must try to think like one. And it can help in assessing innocence as well as guilt. Having said that, we should still take care over what we say in this regard. As tar-ancalime has suggested, we do not want to provide the Wolves with a ready-made guide on how to act to avoid suspicion …

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Mormegil comes out with his random accusations as usual.

Indeed. Though he has said that he prefers to use the power of his mind to his strength at arms, his accusations are made seemingly without any rational basis. Still, it is standard behaviour for Captain morm and, although I don’t hold much with random accusations, I will be interested to see what conclusions he has reached concerning the responses to them.

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Glirdan quickly votes as usual. And it always seems to be the most obvious target.

Well, it seems that he had good reason to vote early. But I agree that he has chosen an easy target. Legend tells of the quietness and confusing nature of Gil-Galad’s predecessors ( ). Nevertheless, it is risky behaviour for a Wolf to draw attention to himself by voting so early and for someone who had not at that stage spoken, and I somehow doubt that a Wolfish Glirdan would be so bold. Not at this stage, at least.

Originally Posted by tar-ancalime

It seems to me we've got to play as though we'd already lost the Seer (blind, if you catch me). We can dispense with the usual Seer-related flotsam of the first few days: people looking for hints that aren't there, declaring that they know who the Seer is, silly warnings to keep hidden, and the rest of that nonsense. We've just got to do the best we can and wait for later in the game, when we'll (if we're lucky) get a great gift from the true Seer.

I certainly agree with this. As I said earlier, we should trust the Gifteds to get on with doing their jobs as they think best. There has been far too much Seer talk already for my liking. In my view, it serves only to distract us from the job at hand.

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

The only problem with this is that seer talk is one more piece of the village talk by which we may be able to snare a werewolf by means of his/her words.

I disagree. Too much Seer talk can only help the Wolves. How do you envisage that it might ensnare them? Surely it is better to focus our discussions on who might be the Wolves, rather than on how the Seers should be behaving.

I will be keeping an eye on those who seem to be encouraging this talk of Seers. *Glares at littlemanpoet and Aiwendil*

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

But I certainly did not mean to suggest that we adopt any such arbitrary number as an absolute standard. I merely suggest that we aim, rather approximately, for the 5 - 6 range.

Well then, I agree. But none should regard themselves as constrained by it. Still, we have three votes already for three different villagers, so it seems already that the votes are likely to be well spread.

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

Before anything else, let it be known to the masses that I, your princess, am not, I repeat, NOT an ordinary villager.

I'm extraordinary.

Hmm, your imperious manner befits your station in life. And that would be a bold statement indeed for a Wolf. But your vote for Glirdan concerns me. I accept that you had good reason for voting when you did and it is fair to say that there is not yet much to go on. Yet, if Gil-Galad was an easy target, then so is Glirdan at this moment in time. Do you really think that a Wolf would have acted in the way that he did?

Originally Posted by Nilpaurion Felagund

Oh, The Saucepan Man from foreign lands, have you ever seen anything like my sign?

Aye, I have seen its like before. But not in these parts. And ‘tis a helpful contribution to our e-moot. Your quick and unreasoned vote for Farael does not speak in your favour, but I see that you were discharging an oath sworn before the village was beset by these unhappy circumstances. For now, your vote notwithstanding, I am inclined to view you as innocent.

As matters stand, I would like to hear from dancing spawn of ungoliant, Eomer of the Rohirrim and Garin none of whom have, I believe, joined our discussion as yet. Oh, and I would like to hear something more useful from Farael, Formendacil and Kath …

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

I disagree (with LMP). Too much Seer talk can only help the Wolves. How do you envisage that it might ensnare them? Surely it is better to focus our discussions on who might be the Wolves, rather than on how the Seers should be behaving. ... I will be keeping an eye on those who seem to be encouraging this talk of Seers. *Glares at littlemanpoet and Aiwendil*

SPM, if you agreed with me at any point in time about anything, I would be greatly surprised. So that aspect of things is unchanged.

To answer your "envisage" question, however, I don't. I wait to see what I will see. If I "envisage" how I think things ought to look, it tends to limit my ability to see what's staring me in the face. Such as this: there's something about SPM that just seems a little off (this game). I can't really explain it, but will be reviewing his posts much more carefully. Things sound and look the same on the surface, but there's an undercurrent that I can't quite put my finger on, and it makes me wonder if he's furry. I'll be watching. Carefully.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Anguirel, I hear you. But I do suppose that the burden of being a wolf would cause any player a worry, and a tendency to blunt their words. I expect many 'Ooh, I'm sorry for voting this way's and 'I'll vote for you but I'm really not sure's—that kind of thing from any wolf, as long as they are not bold. I suppose that at least one and probably more are going to be extremely 'friendly', if you understand me.

Tar-ancalime, my worthy healed child, what has this Priest (who prayed for you every day) ever done to deserve such a vote? Seriously, I would have thought that my posts could offer at least the tiniest bit of insight. You youngsters; no respect for the Church and the traditions of this land... *shakes head*

[Aiwendil]

The Saucepan Man wrote:

I will be keeping an eye on those who seem to be encouraging this talk of Seers. *Glares at littlemanpoet and Aiwendil*

That said, his comments did also prompt all this Seer talk, which I don’t like.

And what harm, I ask thee, has "all this Seer talk" done? It seems to me that it's in the best interest of the village for us to be speak freely regarding strategy. Wolves thrive on secrecy. I trust that the Seers are intelligent enough to decide for themselves how to act, and that they will take advice from fellow villagers only when it seems suitable to them.

Well, enough about that. In general, though, I'm pleased to see that the Day 1 discussion has been largely one concerning strategy rather than a parade of random accusations.

My thoughts turn now toward my vote. In spite of the (I think) fairly productive discussion so far, it's still Day 1 and we have very little to go on. No one so far has struck me as particularly wolvish; in all likelihood (alas!) my vote will fall upon an innocent. But that's no reason to make it random; I shall at the least endeavour to make a (slightly) educated guess.

Of all the villagers, the one that seems to me to have been the most helpful so far is littlemanpoet. I am inclined, for the moment, to think him innocent. If he's a wolf, then he's one most adept at playing the "helpful thinker" role.

Boromir88 and SPM both seem to be helpful as well. At this early stage, I certainly wouldn't go so far as to call either of them "likely innocent". But it seems to me that neither should be lynched on the first Day.

Glirdan worries me slightly. He calls for the lynching of quiet villagers and then votes for Gil-Galad. Now, I can see how an innocent villager could easily do both of those things. But the vote for Gil-Galad seems a very "safe" move for a wolf.

tar-ancalime is another one I have my eye on. Perhaps I'm reading too much into her posts, but it looks to me like she's eager to find excuses to bring suspicion upon people - first with her proposed moratorium on Seer talk (suggesting perhaps that anyone who talks about the Seers is to be suspected) and then with her statement that Spawn's summary "rubs me the wrong way". She has backed off of both of these, declaring that her moratorium was not intended to be a wolf-test and that Spawn's summary is not suspicious. Could be a wolf testing various approaches and backing off when they seem not to be working.

I realize I am grasping at straws here, but that's as it must be. Again, neither Glirdan nor tar strikes me as "likely a wolf". But based on the rather meager evidence we have so far, I am leaning toward voting for one of them .

[Garin]

I'm afraid that I, Garin, have not been as participatory in our village affairs in the manner that I ussually like to be.

I was about to second Nilp's early call to silence the silents for once and all, because this Is my usual initial suggestion in these god-forsaken villages. File it in the 'better than nothing but pretty close to it" category.
Now I can understand how events can turn against you and force an abbreviated absence. However, I think our village should address those that are repeatedly quiet/unuseful.

I've just starting reading the last several posts, and will try to add something else soon.

Oh and I forgot the theatrics...

Abercrombie and Shelob are both dead?
WHHHHYYYYYYY??? NOOOOOO!!!! What diety would allow this to happen? They shall be avenged.

As for those villagers trying to fill their purses on the villages' misfortune... I offer the village free bread. We can't get the lupines on empty stomachs. It is a dark rye that was Shelob's favorite. Help yourself.

She was the only one who bought it anyway.

edit: Grammar
edit: Glirdan was the one that suggested the lynch o' the silents. Sorry, I was in a hurry.

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Some thoughts of a few villagers:

- Gil received a vote from Glirdan who suggested getting rid of those who don't post much because one of the three wolves is usually a quiet one (this theory may not apply in this village because I think everybody's quite talkative). Well, as it happens, Gil finds now Glirdan wolvish (or was it innocent/ cobblerish?), pulls his usual "I'm stupid, ignore me" act and votes for Glirdan.

There's nothing unexpected in Gil's behaviour and Glirdan's vote for him seems a bit unfair as Gil hadn't even said a word when this vote was cast. However, I think Glirdan just has some traumas of quieter villagers that cannot be healed and I don't think his vote itself looks very wolvish.

- I just noticed that I accidentally left Formendacil out of the summary, but then again, he didn't even say much... I would like to hear more from him as well as from Kath, Celuien and Farael.

- Much of what Lhuna has said is spoken through her role. That doesn't look suspicious to me, but her vote for Glirdan is oddly unreasoned. Was it just because Glirdan suggested killing the silent ones and Lhuna thought that she belonged into that category? However, it is Day One, but I wonder if she really thought that Glirdan was the most likely person to be a wolf at that point. If so, why did she say: "He's most likely innocent, but what can I do?" An excuse for her vote if we should actually lynch Glirdan and then start looking at Lhuna?

- One last thing, it's worrying that I'm getting paranoid already on Day 1, but did someone just say that we want to kill The Rohirrim? *sigh*

I shall go to eat grass with my sheep. I'll be back later.

[Garin]

I failed to mention my distaste for this false seer business. It gives us a quite a dilemna. (Really Garin? Do go on..)

Our best hope is that the village or even the wolves, kill him or her-- thus revealing their identity. Not that I am clamoring for the death of an innocent, the Falsey just seems to benefit the wolves more.
They know who they are and know who is totally off the mark in identifying them.

I'm sure I am repeating what others have said. I admittedly still need to read several posts.

I have no voting strategy and no suspects, as of yet. I will likely vote late.

I won't say much into I can read all of the posts.

Back to baking....

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

We have to remember that Glirdan had to vote early. I must get that in as it looks like I shall also have to vote early.

My guess is that he chose to vote for Gil because Gil is notoriously quiet and hard to decipher anyway. Lhuna voted for Glirdan pretty much on the basis that he was the only one to vote so far. Gil voted for Glirdan pretty much out of spite. It might be a tremendous place for Glirdan to hide (the very first vote) but I am definitely leaning towards Glirdan's innocence; and possibly a bit of foolishness on the part of Lhuna and Gil. Wolvish? I cannot tell.

[Boromir88]

But if we only spread them among, say, three or four, then chances are that all those voted for will be innocent.

That I would agree with. There are 19 villages 3 of which are wolves, making it an approximately 6:1 ratio. So with 6 votees the math tells us one is a wolf. 3 or 4 would be too little. Though I agree with Sauce and that a cap should not be set at all. Though math shows us one wolf per 6 villagers...I do not always trust math. Everyone should just vote for who they think looks the most wolfish.

In my prior post I talked about how usual things were going a long, or atleast they were going a long with the way I expected. Well, Lhuna seems unusually chirpy. I doubt she'll be back today, but a lot of posts for our princess in a short time, mostly filled with junk that's of no use to anyone.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Good heavens! What has happened to our beautiful home? Monsters and demons, O my! I warned you, I warned you all! Our Holy Lord will not stand for such wickedness and debauchery as has been demonstrated here in recent times. Whither morality, I ask? It is not too late, though. My Church will forgive and welcome all sinners (especially at this time when the funds are running low).

Now, to catch these wolves.

My ancestors (at least those who were genuinely trying to catch wolves ) all told me a similar story, that being that other villagers will ridicule you for trying to read too much into Day One's discussion; and they were bitter and furious about it! For sure, we don't have voting records or tell-tale deaths to work with, but we certainly have the 'feel' of the village to gauge. That is why I will always try to imagine What would a wolf do? How would a wolf post? And if that makes someone in this village suspicious of me then I say: Don't be silly! I believe (and please debate this with me) that on Day One, wolves are going to be mostly timid: not too keen on offering big ideas, convoluted strategies, or hardline accusations.

Of course, there's not a lot to work with, but I totally disagree with those who lament poor discussion as being 'Just a Day One.'

*looks sharply at Lhuna*

*is quickly defeated in the staring-contest because of her beauty and power*

Goodness gracious me, what am I saying? The lovely Princess has ever been a friend of the Church. And it simply would not be right to lynch a being of such majesty, would it? Now Princess, about the state of my church...

[Holbytlass]

Thank you, Spawn, for the summary. It certainly has brought up a bit of questionable behavior to light that would need further analyzing.

Originally Posted by Dancing Spawn

- If you mean that when someone who is being accused as a joke takes it seriously, it's wolvish, then I agree. However, I don't think that other villagers should disregard the accusations that people say against each other even though they seemed like a joke. -

True, but what I was trying to explain as another wolvish behavior for example:a third person trying to get Mormegil lynched based solely on his obvious joking-type random accusations to get discussions started, especially if the village as a whole feels what Morm did was harmless-that third person seems wolvish.

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Originally Posted by Holbytlass

True, but what I was trying to explain as another wolvish behavior for example:a third person trying to get Mormegil lynched based solely on his obvious joking-type random accusations to get discussions started, especially if the village as a whole feels what Morm did was harmless-that third person seems wolvish.

I agree with that.

tar-a, I certainly don't know if you can get anything out of the summary. However, it helps me to gather my thoughts, and when I list the posts like that, it's easy to see if people have really said something useful in their posts or are they just babbling something about their occupations, because to me those who post much yet say little are the most suspicious ones. The summary is in the most logical order I could think of: it's the order in which people made their first post toDay.

Also, when I hopefully can come up with a decent theory during a Day, I find many of the things I use as an argument in one post and I don't have to browse the whole thread through when trying to find something. So, I guess I've always done those summaries for selfish reasons, but if they happen to help other villagers to gather their thoughts as well, it's all the better.

[tar-ancalime]

dancing spawn, I'm sure you put a lot of work into that and I do appreciate that.

However, what exactly are we supposed to take from it? All you've done is summarize today's posts, out of order. You seem to have given equal weight to the very first few posts of the Day (in which people are, as usual, drawing heavily on occupations for the sake of having something to write about), and the posts that followed in which we (lamentably) discussed the Seer situation. I just don't see what a summary like that can tell us.

Now, on to other matters:

Originally posted by The Man with the Pans, directed at Elempi:

Too much Seer talk can only help the Wolves. How do you envisage that it might ensnare them? Surely it is better to focus our discussions on who might be the Wolves, rather than on how the Seers should be behaving.

You know, I'm with you, Saucey. The more time we spend on "who's the Seer? What should s/he do?", the less time we spend on "Who's a wolf? What are they up to?"

But on the other hand...

lmp's comments are not to be dismissed. It might be that early Seer talk could become useful later in the game as an artifact, once some identities (preferably at least one wolf) are known. We could look to see who was most eager to deflect discussion onto the Gifteds, for example.

But that's going to be true of every kind of discussion, and I just don't think it's a compelling argument. In the end Saucey is right. We've got to focus on lynching a wolf tonight and creating a useful voting record.

The above is my last Seer-related comment. I'm done. (That's there to keep me honest--as strongly as I feel about this, I know I'm as susceptible as anyone to getting drawn into ongoing discussions. Maybe I'll be able to refrain if I've got this statement on the record.)

Now, to matters at hand--

Something about dancing spawn's post really rubs me the wrong way. It's so long, so intricate, and so devoid of any new information. Being as it's the first day and all, and as my vote is going to have to come in the next few hours, unless I see anything that compels me to place my vote elsewhere I'm likely to go with the dancing spider.

[Anguirel]

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

I believe (and please debate this with me) that on Day One, wolves are going to be mostly timid: not too keen on offering big ideas, convoluted strategies, or hardline accusations.

Nonsense, priest! A wolf plays to their strengths, pure and simple, and their enjoyments and appetites. If one of the wolves is of the type who likes to confuse and irritate his fellow-villagers with a master-plan or a good deal of loquacity, rest assured he will. The situation of being outnumbered and unleashed by day can prompt wolves to stunning and unheard of talkativity. As you well know, I deem.

[Gil-Galad]

++Glirdan



too wolfish for me, i don't quite trust him, hes acting somewhat rash, either hes a confused vilalger or more probably the cobbler

[The Saucepan Man]

I guess that the time has come for me to share my thoughts on my fellow villagers. We are, of course, still at a very early stage, but this is the way I am currently thinking.

Farael: Not a lot to go on. I would still like to hear more from him.

Mormegil: Nothing out of the ordinary from morm so far. I have no particular reason to suspect him at this stage.

Aiwendil: Has prompted some useful debate on strategies which is, frankly, more helpful on Day 1 than random accusations. That said, his comments did also prompt all this Seer talk, which I don’t like. I am keeping an eye on him.

Glirdan: His behaviour seems too risky for a Wolf to me. If a Wolf had to vote early, why vote for someone who generally comes under suspicion as a matter of course and so could well end up being lynched? It could be a bluff, but I’m inclined to think not for the moment.

Formendacil: Hmm, I would have hoped for something a bit more constructive. Reserving judgment for now.

Dancing spawn of ungoliant: Unlike tar-ancalime, I found her summary quite useful. Particularly as she included some of her own thoughts, which seemed sensible and some of which struck a chord with me. Coming across as innocent, although that always makes me worry.

Nilpaurion Felagund: Most likely innocent, in my view. He knows why.

Lhunardawen: I remain concerned over her vote for Glirdan. I am also puzzled as to why she felt so threatened by Glirdan’s suggestion to lynch the quiet ones, when she has been one of the more talkative villagers to date. A bold Wolf, if she is one, but it’s possible.

Eomer of the Rohirrim: Not really enough to go on at the moment, although I would agree with his general approach to catching Wolves.

Littlemanpoet: Guilty, obviously. That said, I am uncomfortable with the way that he seems to have fanned the flames of the Seer debate. And I don’t like the way that he suggested that trying to think how a Wolf might act could be a sign of Wolfish behaviour. How else are we to catch these beasts? One to watch.

Kath: Nothing to go on. Again, I would like to hear more from her.

Garin: Still hasn’t graced us with his company, although there may well be good reason for that. Reserving judgment.

Holbytlass: Reacted slightly defensively to morm’s random accusation, but not to the degree that Celuin did. I am not reading too much into that at the moment.

Anguirel: A bit mercenary, but has generally talked good sense, albeit in a rather flowery fashion. No strong suspicions at the moment.

Celuien: Like dancing spawn, I was struck by her attempt to divert attention from herself to tar-ancalime and Anguirel in response to morm’s accusation. Has otherwise remained quiet. Looks suspicious as matters stand, but I would like to hear more from her.

Tar-Ancalime: I generally agree with most of what she has said, although I am not quite sure what she sees in dancing spawn’s post to make her suspect her quite so much. That concerns me, but for now I will give her the benefit of the doubt.

Gil-Galad: Very little to go on, as usual. His reaction to Glirdan’s vote seemed measured in the circumstances, but that is all he has contributed so far.

Boromir88: Hasn’t said too much yet, but what he has said has seemed sensible. Not sure what he means about everything being “usual … too usual”. Isn’t that what we should expect on Day 1? Still, no particular reason to suspect him.

Edit: Cross-posted with Gil-Galad and his vote, which looks decidedly un-measured ...

[tar-ancalime]

dancing spawn, you had me at "gather my thoughts." I can certainly understand that, and while my vote today is going to be somewhat random no matter what, I would rather not cast it for you.

++Eomer of the Rohirrim

Mostly random, Eomer, but I have to say: if you're innocent I'm glad to have you on my team, but if you're not I want you out of here before you even get started.

[Anguirel]

It must be admitted that Her Royal Highness' choice of vote is a strange and unhappy one.

On this day when the field is open and the evidence flimsy, why target a musician, whose songs and tunes will help allay the sorrows of these times? If all the world's a stage, Glirdan's art will liven that stage. We would be fools to rid ourselves of him without a solid basis.

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Originally Posted by Gil

++Glirdan


too wolfish for me, i don't quite trust him, hes acting somewhat rash, either hes a confused vilalger or more probably the cobbler

Ahem... according to our Moddess Goddess we don't have a cobbler in this village, I believe.

[Anguirel]

I would like to point out that I myself don't see much sign of malign intent in Celuien's so-called "diverted accusation" to tar-ancalime and I. As far as I can see, Celuien, accused via occupational banter, brushed it off via occupational banter, onto others, by using their occupations. I don't discern any real evidence in that...

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

I'm pleasantly surprised that random accusations aren't just flying around although they may sometimes prove helpful, too. It's time for a little summary about what has been said toDay:



lmp: Gives a rather glum speech and wants everyone to buy a silver knife. Says the Seers cannot be trusted, but they should remain hidden. However, the Seers should leave subtle clues that help us when they're dead. Disagrees with Glirdan's "lynch the quiet ones" suggestion because we can't know how the wolves will act. Thinks that wolves can usually be spotted based on how they suspect others or make theories how a lycan could act. Thinks Aiwendil's questions make him look innocent. Somewhat agrees with spreading the votes widely, agrees with Sauce on the voting. Also agrees with tar-a's suggestion to act as though we didn't have the Seers, but says that the usual Seer talk may help us to find the wolves.

Anguirel: Talks about bank stuff, thinks Polonius was an idiot. Disagrees with lmp that stating possible wolf strategies is necessarily wolvish. Agrees with tar-a's Seer plan, wants the Seers to talk "with manifold, contorted tongues". Says it's ludicrous to think that the wolves are acting collectively instead of taking different approaches on the situation based on their skills.

Glirdan: Laments for the dead, says we're in a terrible state, but luckily we have the Guardian and the Hunter. Wants to lynch the silent ones. Votes for Gil because of his occupation.

- Well, I assume the vote was due to his occupation because at this point Gil hasn't even spoken yet, although I think he might be trying to get rid of a not so talkative villager because of... hmm, some bad memories. -

Boro: Promises to authorize all lynchings if there's enough proof of wolvery, prefers a noose to lmp's knives. Says that the discussion has been good, but nothing new has been said. Thinks Sauce is innocent and mormegil, Glirdan, lmp and Gil has acted as usual. All in all thinks that everything seems (even a bit too) usual. Says the false Seer can cause a whole lot of confusion, would trust the Seer to authorize the lynching of a wolf, but as long as we don't know who the false Seer is, it's problematic.

tar-a: Says she's safe from the wolves although stresses the word EX-leper. Says fear and money are great motivators although she has just the fear part of the combination. Thinks we should act as though we didn't have the Seers at all. Says the wolves are looking for the Seers, but not too hard because they want to keep us in doubt. Doesn't think tha we should suspect those who disagree with the "we have no Seers" plan or those who seem to be calling out the Seers because it's too easy for the wolves. Doesn't think we can decide what's suspicious and what's not.

Aiwendil: Says random accusations are useless for innocents, wants to have serious discussion, asks questions about good ways to spot a wolf, how the Gifteds should act and how to vote. Wants to spread votes wider than lmp and thinks approx. 5-6 is a good number. Thinks we don't have to worry about the false Seer so much even though they might cause confusion. Says there's no need to stop talking about the Seers although they should remain hidden. Says the Seer is most useful when they're dead and we can be sure of their identity.

- Although lmp and Lhuna seem to think that Aiwendil is innocent because of the questions he asked, I think it would be a good way for wolves to poll people what they think to be suspicious and ask how the Gifteds are probably acting and then adjust their behaviour to look innocent based on the answers.
I agree about the Seer thing, though. We're in a tricky situation. If someone steps forth and says that they're the seer, no one can know if they're telling the truth. -

Sauce: Wants everyone to step forth to talk and vote, wants people to spread their votes and understands Glirdan's suggestion to kill the silent people, but doesn't quite agree. Referring to Aiwendil's questions says that we should focus on everything people say and do and finds the voting record impostant. Trusts the Gifteds' own judgement to decide how to act, thinks everyone should vote in a way that seems best to them.

Kath: Says that it's a bad thing that we have wolves here, but is happy as long as her honey business is safe.

morm: Brags about his soldier skills, says that two of Gil, tar-a, Celuien and Holby are wolves. Says soldiers are better than knights and thinks that Lhuna's proudness may mean that she has pointed ears. Also says that everyone except Gil has answered his accusations as expected,but doesn't reveal his thoughts of them yet.

Farael: Tries to rid us of the wolves with Chemistry, isn't convinced that tar-a's an EX-leper and therefore wants to prepare sulfonamides for her.

Gil: Says that he admires lupines, but doesn't want to be one, warns Glirdan about senseless voting.

Holby: Defends herself against morm's accusations. thinks that it's supicious when people take accusations that are presented jokingly too seriously.

- If you mean that when someone who is being accused as a joke takes it seriously, it's wolvish, then I agree. However, I don't think that other villagers should disregard the accusations that people say against each other even though they seemed like a joke. -

Wants the Gifteds to lay low, but not too much (or Glirdan will want to lynch them). Doesn't want them to be obvious but clear enough although they shouldn't get themselves killed. Says that if the Seers are in danger of getting lynched, they should reveal themselves and provide us a list of their dreams, thinks spreading the votes is good.

Celuien: Laments over the dead, defends herself against morm's accusations, says tar-a and Ang look much more suspicious than her, says the Gifteds should stay hidden.

- Hmm, morm's accusation was a joke (I should think). Why is Celuien trying to shift "suspicion" on tar-a and Ang? -

Lhuna: Claims to be an extraordinary villager and she must not end up dead in any case. Says Glirdan should be lynched for his suggestion and laments the time zones.

- I don't think Glirdan meant you, Lhuna, with lynching the silent ones... right now you've spoken the most. -

Agrees completely with Sauce on focusing on everything although warns about analyzing too much what people say, agrees with tar-a concerning the Seers and with lmp on Aiwendil looking innocents. Threatens people if they should suspect her for voting early. Answers morm's accusations, says that people shouldn't insult Formendacil and wonders how the wolves will react to the village acting like it had no Seers. Says the wolves are hunting for both Seers and probably will go after the quiet ones first. Wonders if we should take a look at those who are calling out the Seers or disagree with tar-a's suggestion. Votes for Glirdan whom she thinks to be most likely innocent. Forbids anyone to suspect her because of her vote.

Nilp: Asks Sauce's opinion of his sign, wants to sing a ballad and votes for Farael as promised.

***

I'm a bit surprised that so many people are giving advice for the Gifteds about how to act. I'm sure they can decide themselves what to do better than us who don't actually even know who they are and how they usually act. This is not "hide the Gifteds". We are trying to find the Wolves. I'm sure the Gifteds can manage on their own pretty well, so let's leave them for a while and focus on the possible wolves, shall we?

More thoughts later.

Edit: Sauce and Boro's last posts aren't included in my summary.

[Lhunardawen]

Oh, and another thing. I was talkative at that time because all you other weird people from weird time zones are silent or sleeping or whatever you were doing. And since you haven't talked much prior to my arrival, naturally I'd have more posts than you all have...until you arrive. But look now, I'm sure I'm way down the list.

Glirdan, I think your vote for me toDay is a bit justified. I think you're innocent. That, or a dumb wolf messing up with the wrong girl.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

My instincts (or whatever second-hand version of that I got) tells me Farael is a Werewolf, what with his focused attacks and all that confusion the previous DAY.

But since there's that nagging thought telling me Aiwendil is also a Werewolf (see my post #461), I doubt my instincts is correct. Unless they're playing one of the greatest bluffs in WW history.

Glirdan . . . well, we've not been hearing much from him. I understand his RL problems but still, he's leaving us with little to go on. And those little points to a lot of trouble.

More later. I have to go to class.