Welcome to Tol-in-Gauroth XI 'Fall of the Fall'

[Holbytlass]

An island comprised of 15 villagers (and then some)
3 wolves
1 seer
1ranger
1 hunter
1 cursed
8 ordinary

wolves: may P.M. each other to strategize and choose one victim at NIGHT only. During the DAY, wolves transform to villagers and participate in the discussions.

seer: chooses one villager a NIGHT to dream about, that person's secret role will be revealed (Cursed villager will be 'seen' as ordinary villager).

ranger: chooses one villager a NIGHT to protect. If the wolves choose same person that person is saved. Ranger cannot protect self and cannot protect same person 2 NIGHTS in a row.

hunter: chooses one person to kill at time of their own death.

cursed villager: does not know that s/he is cursed (seer will 'see' them as ordinary). If s/he gets lynched, they die as as ordinary villager, if they are attacked by wolves, they become a wolf.

TO WIN:
Villagers win if they eliminate all wolves.
Wolves win if they eliminate villagers till they equal the number of wolves (still alive), then the wolves can openly revolt.

~DAY/NIGHT phases are 24 hours long
~no mass lynchings
~nonretractable votes
~In the event of a first place tie, villager who received the first vote will die.
~no game related p.m.ing to each other (except wolves at NIGHT), even if you died
~once dead, stay dead. No posting on game or admin thread

Players:

Mormegil(M)-blacksmith specializing in weaponry
The Perky Ent(M)-pipeweed pusher, I mean salesman
Formendacil(M)-The Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Ph.D
Wilwarin(F)-sketchydrawer
TheSaucepanMan(M)-big beefy lumberjack
EomeroftheRohirrim(M)-Purveyor of Mystical Oddments
Shelob(F)-official pebble painter
ArcticStorm(M)-preacher
Gil-Galad(M)-Gonzalo the Llama Paladin Conqueror of distant lands
Alcarillo(M)-silversmith
AbercrombieofRohan(F)-anchoress
Marcolie Lamen(F)-Math book editor
AzaeliaofWillowbottom(F)-grassbasket maker
Boromir88(M)-brain unwasher (deprogrammer)
Cailin(F)-dramatic soprano


*game will start in about 40 minutes after Holby's death narration*

[Holbytlass]

In the wee of the morning, when the hours still belonged to nocturnal animals, a cool breeze blew across SeekHaven Island. It spoke of the new season when leaves were bursting forth in colors and the inhabitants would celebrate this year's bounty. It promised to be a beautiful day.

A scream shattered the calm. Those nearest jerked awake, threw on robes and ran out of their homes to find out what was going on.
"It sounded like it came from Holby's," said a villager. So the few of them grabbed lanterns and hurried up Riverside Path.

"Oh my," one said weakly. Before them lay Holby's door, it was torn off its hinges.
They ran into the little shack and a pitiful sight met their eyes. Holby, the pigeon-girl, was still in bed lying in a pool of her own blood. A faint gargled whisper escaped her lips.

"Were...", Holby whispered.
"Were..."

"Where's what, sweetie?", someone asked.
"Wolves", Holby breathed her last as a crimson bubble popped and trickled down her cheek.

"No-o-o," cried some of them, "werewolves? but how? why?"
"That's not all," a grim voice answered, "by the looks of things, these werewolves killed all of Holby's birds and from the different sized tracks we're dealing with three of them."

"We need help from the mainland," stated somone. So they made their way across North Bridge and received another shock. All the boats were destroyed.

"Clever beasts," said the same grim voice, "Don't you see? We're cutoff. No carrier pigeons to send messages and no boats to flee. Well, come on. We need to alert the whole town 'cause somebodies gonna pay."

As they trekked back down alerting all and summoning the cemetary keeper, the breeze picked up again. This time a mournful wail that spoke of a haven that turned to hell........


*wolves stop P.M.ing, DAY ends at 8:00p.m.EDT (12:00a.m. GMT)*

[The Perky Ent]

Alas, that those sneaky devils have taken Holby. She was a good person, to the last. And we're trapped! What are we to do?!? We have a sketcher, a blacksmith, a lumberjack, a silversmith, and a dramatic soprano. Surely we could build a boat and escape the wol- Ah....how would we know who the wolves are if we don't stop to look. Clearly, we cannot escape the island until the wolves are dead. What a tragedy this is! It's times like this I'm glad I have pipeweed to settle my stomache

[mormegil]

THEY KILLED THE PIGEONS!!! HOW AWFUL!

The whole Holby killing is a bit disconcerting as well. Well it looks as though business will be picking up for me.

Anybody need a weapon or two?

[Gil-Galad]

it begins indeed...

aye Mormegil, i shall be needed my sword, the grand uhh... well make me a sword then name it and Gonzalo shall conquer the wolves from this cursed town!

[The Saucepan Man]

I'll have some of that pipeweed, Perky. But I need no weapon, sir blacksmith. I prefer to rely on my trusty axe.

Looks like we need to find three Wolves out of the fifteen of us trapped here. Now all ye Villagers hear this, and particularly the Lycans among us.

I don't trust those who do not speak much.

I don't trust those who do not vote.

I don't trust those who make accusations without backing them up with good reasons.

and

I don't trust those who change their minds frequently or without reason.

Anyone doing any of those things will be subject to a long, hard examination from me. We ain't gonna find the Wolves by staying silent or by continually making baseless accusations. It is only through discussion and exchange of ideas that we will have any chance of tracking them down.

Oh, and I don't trust mysterious folks with grim voices. Who on earth was that?

[The Perky Ent]

Aye, I would like one too. If you please, can you engrave it saying

Cookie Monster's Bane

. He won't stop going for my cookie dough!

[Alcarillo]

Poor Holby! What an atrocity! And now we're cut off from the mainland, too. Let's lynch those werewolves and avenge our pigeons!

I suppose I'd better start making those silver bullets.

[The Perky Ent]

Ah, Saucepan. My regular! You need another fix...i mean, barrel? I believe your favorite was Bluebeard's Delight. Am I not right? And in regards to Saucepan's list, I follow the same code. But at the same time, my brother lived in a far off town, may his soul rest in peace. His town was invaded by a monster of some sort a heard. The monsters turned out to be the people running the investigation against the monsters! It is for this reason, that I also will not trust anyone who seems to be running the show from an omnipotent throne. Everyone is a suspect, but some are more than others.

And Saucepan, you can pick the barrels up any time you like (assuming those werewolves aren't running around)

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by The Perky Ent

He won't stop going for my cookie dough!

Who?

Originally Posted by Alcarillo

I suppose I'd better start making those silver bullets.

What are these bullets you speak of?

[Gil-Galad]

I accuse Alcarillo of witchcraft! burn him!!! burn him!!! he turned me into a newt!

[The Perky Ent]

Thank the stars! Alcarillo kept me from double posting! Saucepan Man, that person I am refering too is none other than Cookie Monster. He lives down Martin Luther King Blvd, formerally Riverside Oaks!

[The Saucepan Man]

Thanks Perky. I needed that, what with all the stress 'n all. Purely medicinal, you understand ...

I suggest that we all repair to the inn, charge our glasses and get down to some talking. Er - why do we not have an innkeeper?

Darn! He must be safe on the mainland. Bad planning! Oh well, we can always leave the money on the counter.

Originally Posted by Perks

It is for this reason, that I also will not trust anyone who seems to be running the show from an omnipotent throne. Everyone is a suspect, but some are more than others.

Well, I don't suggest that we go round lynching people just because they are being vocal and offering up ideas. But you are right. At this stage, no one is above suspicion.

[Alcarillo]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

What are these bullets you speak of?

The obligatory anachronism, of course.

I accuse Alcarillo of witchcraft! burn him!!! burn him!!! he turned me into a newt!

It's not witchcraft, it's gunpowder weaponry!

[The Perky Ent]

Originally Posted by Gil

I accuse Alcarillo of witchcraft! burn him!!! burn him!!! he turned me into a newt!

Wow, Gil-Galad! I can really seen how saddened you are by Holby's death.

Originally Posted by saucy

Well, I don't suggest that we go round lynching people just because they are being vocal and offering up ideas. But you are right. At this stage, no one is above suspicion

Well, from what I heard, two of the villagers were running the show for days. It wasn't just that they were vocal. They were dictation the entire show, slowly poisoning the minds of the villagers. Good think pipeweed isn't poison

If you want, I might have a couple of glasses left in my broken distillery! Though, some people might have to share. I hear the innkeeper went to dislant lands, in search of business. Bromomeer, I think his name was

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by The Perkster

Saucepan Man, that person I am refering too is none other than Cookie Monster. He lives down Martin Luther King Blvd, formerally Riverside Oaks!

Someone call the deprogrammer. I suspect Perky's losing it ...

Originally Posted by Alcarillo

It's not witchcraft, it's gunpowder weaponry!

You turned Gil into a newt with gunpowder? Hmm, curious.

[Gil-Galad]

Alcarillo could have done something with the Gunpowder thingy to kill Holby!

[Márcolië Lamen]

Alas, poor Holby is dead. And so not to infect the others we must find them ourselves. I'll keep a Calculus book upon me at all times in order to knock one upon the head if I find myself in such a position to need one, but what do we do? Three wolves in our little village of 15. A whole fifth of us are wolves, us 80% must protect ourselves somehow to root out them and decrease there numbers to the limit of zero.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Gil-Galad

Alcarillo could have done something with the Gunpowder thingy to kill Holby!

Could be worth following up. We need to work out how Holby died.

Darn! The pathologist is away on the mainland too.

Darn! That's another anachronism ...

[wilwarin538]

Oh my! Not Holby! She was the only one in the village not creeped out by me drawing everything in town. She was amasing to draw, one of the only people I could manage to capture on paper. I will miss her greatly.

And we are trapped, I always knew it was a bad idea to move to an island.

We must find these werewolves and quick. Or else our village will dwindle to an even smaller number then it already is.

[arcticstorm]

I am horrified to find that this monstrosity has happened under my very nose. I cannot beleive that we have three murderous scoundrels on this island with us, oh the horror of it all, I have failed in my attempt to bring an aspect of spirituality to this island. But we need to remember what is written in the good book, whoever sheds the blood of man by man shall his blood be shed. We need to root out these wolves and put an end to their reign of terror for good.

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

Oh dear, such a tragedy. Holby...and the birds...*sniff*

I don't suppose anyone needs a basket? No? Well, a girl can hope, can't she?

I say we get out there and hunt down some werewolves!

[arcticstorm]

let us examine what we have here

first of all, we have a death, killed by "wolf-men" or whatever you want to call them.
Second we have no way on earth of determining who is one of them, yet. Hopefully soon one of them will slip up and reveal himself to us, when/if that happens, we need to watch those who defend him, and those who are the first to accuse him. I will be keeping a careful eye on events as they unfold. I do not want to administer injustice and have some innocent blood on my hands.

[The Perky Ent]

Originally Posted by Saucy the o so recent woodsman

Could be worth following up. We need to work out how Holby died.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind hearing more from Alcarillo, since we don't have a lot to go on. And now to The pan who be saucy's question. How did she die.

Well...*takes out a pipe, fills it, lights it, and begins to smoke*

Originally Posted by Our new moddess Goddess

Before them lay Holby's door, it was torn off its hinges.
They ran into the little shack and a pitiful sight met their eyes. Holby, the pigeon-girl, was still in bed lying in a pool of her own blood. A faint gargled whisper escaped her lips.... ...."That's not all," a grim voice answered, "by the looks of things, these werewolves killed all of Holby's birds and from the different sized tracks we're dealing with three of them."

Well, I'd say question number one (as it's the first piece of information) is how the door was knocked down. The entire description of her death is fairly vague. The only people we know of that are skilled in arms are Mormegil (blacksmith), SaucepanMan (big beefy lumberjack), and Alcarillo (silversmith). This is just arms mind you, and I have no doubt the wolves could use their bear (get it? bear! ) claws to knock it down. In terms of who wields what, we know that Mormegil makes swords, and saucy likes his axe. And of course, the most deadly weapon of all, Márcolië Lamen with the calculus book ; ). There are no mentions of marks on the door, but I have no doubt arms would help. They aren't necesarily my prime suspects, but it is something to keep watch on, I guess. Also, let us not forget that the hunter and the ranger also bear arms. Once again, the people I have listed are not necesarily on my suspect list, since I have not made a list yet, and it is too early to tell.


In terms of a bloody pool, that's fair wolves game. And as for the birds, well...smart planning, or someone hates birds. Either way, it's too vague to tell. Any ideas anyone? If you want, you can think it over with some pipeweed. If no one has anywhere else to turn, I myself would be intrigued in Alcarillo's defence from Gil-Galad's acusations.

[mormegil]

Originally Posted by wilwarin538

Oh my! Not Holby! She was the only one in the village not creeped out by me drawing everything in town. She was amasing to draw, one of the only people I could manage to capture on paper. I will miss her greatly.

My theory is that Wilwa, our little artist, enjoying to draw Holby so much, by her own admission, drew her too many times and got bored with her muse and the finite poses that the living Holby could offer. When Wilwa couldn't stand it any longer she let her desire to draw her favorite muse in a different position to get the best of her and killed her so as to provide her with new material for her twisted art!

[AbercrombieOfRohan]

Once upon a daylight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my cavern door.
" 'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my cavern door;
Only this, and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is, I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my cavern door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you." Here I opened wide the door;---
a villager there, and nothing more.

Long I stood there looking, peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only words there spoken were the whispered words,
What is it? This I whispered, and the upset villager murmured back the word,
“"Werewolves!” Merely this, and nothing more.

Back into the cavern turning, all my soul within me burning,
I needed to make up my mind quickly, something I was not good at, before
"Surely," said I, "surely, I must go down to the village.”
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore.
Let my heart be still a moment, and this mystery explore.
" I must go help with everything and more."

Down I ran the stately path, and into the village filled with wrath
And asked the village, “Who hath committed this unsightly gore?”
And not a sound reached my ears; though faces were drenched with woeful tears
I have not seen such a tragedy in all my books of lore
Why me, O God? I am but a faithful servant of your lore.
We must kill the wolves and nothing more!

P.S. I will not talk in poetic form the entire time, I just thought Poe was befitting for this dreadful time.

P.P.S. And I know the rhyme scheme is off where I changed some things, deal with it.

[Formendacil]

Clearly, my friends, there must be some connections between these werewolves hidden in our midst. They did not change to their true beings at dusk, and then all "happen" to descend on dear Holbytlass together. They must know each other well in real life.

And who have we seen being chummy so far more than The Saucepan Man and Perky... Indeed, they have been not only chummy, but also rather flippant about the whole affair, going on about smokes and pipeweed, which is really a most disgusting habit, and dangerous to one' health, to boot. Collusion? Perhaps...

Remember who it was that first started casting unwanted suspicions at quite possibly innocent villagers? The Saucepan Man!

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

I don't trust those who do not speak much.

I don't trust those who do not vote.

I don't trust those who make accusations without backing them up with good reasons.

and

I don't trust those who change their minds frequently or without reason.

Is he poking fun at himself, or do the latter two suspicions mask a malicious intent in the first two?

I do not know yet whether or not to suspect these two, nor have I any idea who a third person would be if they were guilty, but it is strange that they put themselves forward immediately with illfitting humour and comradeship so soon after this tragic event. It could be a sign of friends we can trust, or it could be a sign of comrades with a darker past...

I do not know yet...

[The Perky Ent]

Abercrombie - Interesting choice. Very clever, but ...the raven. Raven ---> birds . First thing that popped in my head when I saw that was Holby's dead birds. Makes me thing...

And secondly,

Originally Posted by formendacil

And who have we seen being chummy so far more than The Saucepan Man and Perky... Indeed, they have been not only chummy, but also rather flippant about the whole affair, going on about smokes and pipeweed, which is really a most disgusting habit, and dangerous to one' health, to boot. Collusion? Perhaps...

Yes, we have been rather chummy, haven't we? I guess I just talk too much. If I seem to be blabbing to much about this and that, it's only for the destruction of the werewolves. I'm just trying to group thoughts to try and see patterns in the way people are acting. But foremost, INSULTING MY PROFESSION I have never been so insulted! The Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Ph.D, pfft! Truly you are full of lies and slander, if you are suggesting that pipeweed is a disgusting habbit. I happen to consider it as an art! Long have I worked on different brands of pipeweed, various recipies, and the fine mastery of smoke rings. Although I don't deny that it is harmful to one's health, in these trying times we need to losen up before we kill each other (ie lynch innocents and not the wolves)! Do you call cooks disgusting when they serve meals made from the inner parts of animals? Disgusting, my friend, is in the eye of the beholder. However, I do not approve of the death of villagers and slaugher of innocent birds. I would hope you reconsider before you insult my job. An old friend once told me never get in a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel, but I won't stand by meek and helpless as someone questions my integrity! Good day!

[mormegil]

Originally Posted by The Perky Ent

Yes, we have been rather chummy, haven't we? I guess I just talk too much. If I seem to be blabbing to much about this and that, it's only for the destruction of the werewolves. I'm just trying to group thoughts to try and see patterns in the way people are acting.

As am I. Interesting behavior has been noted.

[Formendacil]

Well, I do not wish to condemn people out of hand, but I have a vote to make, I believe, and it would be most tardy of me not to do so.

They say "let he who is without sin, cast the first stone", and while I am certainly not a saint, I am not a werewolf, and can only hope that my word will be taken as truth on that point, and so I must cast the first stone...

I do this reluctantly, and with great hope that I do not arrogantly condemn an innocent lamb among us, but I have a burden which cannot be set aside, (see here).

However, although I continue to have my suspicions about Saucie and Perky, I will cast my stone in another direction, fulfilling my civic duty and thus setting an example to the good citizens.

For reasons that really don't exist, I randomly accuse:

++Márcolië Lamen

[Cailín]

Ai ai ai ai!

Sorry, my dears, I have not rushed to the cause earlier, but you all know my shows (for whom, I wonder, stuck here on a nearly forsaken island?) finish so late, I've never been an early riser. Mia poor Holby! So kind, so peaceful and now she's lying in an early grave. Oh, such a harsh world we live in.

Now, we have not much to go on today, except that we are probably dealing with either very silly wolves or wolves that are able to build boats. If they cannot, they will be stuck on this island forever and eventually starve to death, when all of us (alas, alas) are long gone. That does not help much, cause I have no idea who is able to build boats or who is lacking in the brain area.

So who to look at? We already have an early vote - but explicitly stated for no reasons. I agree with what Saucy says here:

I don't trust those who do not speak much.

I don't trust those who do not vote.

I don't trust those who make accusations without backing them up with good reasons.

and

I don't trust those who change their minds frequently or without reason.

But something tells me we should also listen to dear Perky; for just because people are smart, vocal and logical, this does not mean they are innocent - no! - I shall be observing them very closely as well.

I personally think that - if we are dealing with slightly intelligent wolves - they will try to discover a pattern in what we innocent villagers are saying. As soon as they find out a pattern and we become (*gasp*) predictable, they will have a far easier time to delude us and guide us to our bloody and painful deaths. And who is more predictable than the one who reasons clearly and comes to logical conclusions?

I suggest, Mr. Saucepan, that you slightly revise the statements above, which I'm sure were well-intended, and never rule out those people you think make sense. For the only ones who can make sense of this situation... are the ones who started it.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Perks

This is just arms mind you, and I have no doubt the wolves could use their bear (get it? bear! ) claws to knock it down.

Precisely. The fact that morm and I have weapons is neither here nor there.

Originally Posted by Formendacil

Clearly, my friends, there must be some connections between these werewolves hidden in our midst.

Quite so. But they’d be crazy to make it too obvious early on, before having had any any opportunity to assess the “lie of the land”.

Originally Posted by Formendacil

And who have we seen being chummy so far more than The Saucepan Man and Perky... Indeed, they have been not only chummy, but also rather flippant about the whole affair, going on about smokes and pipeweed, which is really a most disgusting habit, and dangerous to one' health, to boot. Collusion? Perhaps...

Well, I can assure you that there was no intent to collude on my part. Perky was one of the few people around at the time and I wanted to get the discussion going, as it is only through talking that we will have any hope of catching these fiends. If we are going to start accusing people simply for talking and sharing ideas, then we might as well all slit our throats now.

As for being flippant about Holby’s death, well I am far more concerned with preventing further innocent deaths than with mourning someone who is now beyond our help. Anyone who spends more time mourning than in trying to find the Wolves looks suspicious in my eyes.

*Glares at wilwa and Azaelia*

As for pipeweed, well it helps clear my head.

Originally Posted by Cailin

I suggest, Mr. Saucepan, that you slightly revise the statements above, which I'm sure were well-intended, and never rule out those people you think make sense. For the only ones who can make sense of this situation... are the ones who started it.

Quite so. As I said earlier to Perky:

Originally Posted by me

But you are right. At this stage, no one is above suspicion.

I am not ruling anyone out. But I am not going to start accusing those who seem to me to be talking sense solely because they are being vocal, without any other evidence against them.

Right now, we have little in the way of evidence and in the absence of anything solid, I am most inclined to vote for those who are being least helpful.

Of course, going by my own criteria, Formendacil is looking the most suspicious at present. He outlines suspicions against two Villagers which are tenuous at best (and I would say as much even if I was not one of those that he suspects), and then votes for someone completely different without any shred of an explanation. Yet I am somewhat disinclined to vote for him solely on the basis of that alone when he is not present to explain himself further. He had to vote early and any vote that early on is going to be more or less randomly picked.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I see that The Saucepan Man has just made the point that I was beginning to formulate. Azaelia and wilwa's 'nothing' posts are precisely what I'd expect from: a) Bumbling newbies, or b) Insincere wolves. Now, word on the street is that the two of them have had previous experience in fighting wolves (at least that's what Ol' Bluetooth down in the woods told me – you may not have seen him but he's a decent fellow; I play cards with him at times).

Strange contributions from the two.

Formendacil's behaviour is also worrying. He casts suspicion on two villagers and then votes for another, completely at random. I don't like random voting.

[AbercrombieOfRohan]

And who have we seen being chummy so far more than The Saucepan Man and Perky... Indeed, they have been not only chummy, but also rather flippant about the whole affair, going on about smokes and pipeweed, which is really a most disgusting habit, and dangerous to one' health, to boot. Collusion? Perhaps...

So, Formendacil, you claim suspicion of Saucepan and Perky, and yet you voted for Marcolie...Why not vote for those you already have suspicion of? Not, trying to bandwagon, just trying to get answers from what is unclear (to me at least.)

To Perky, I didn't wish to make comments against the birds! Actually, I hadn't even made that connection...

[Shelob]

Sorry to come somewhat late, couldn't be helped.

First off I'm not so sure if we can form a list of criteria and say "wolves will match this pattern", some wolves will but as soon as we define the list the smart one's will be sure not to. However to the point that the list says "Everyone is suspicious" it works, regardless.


Secondly, in regard to the list, "good reasons". Good reasons, indeed reasons of any kind, are somewhat hard to come by on the first day...right now I'm rereading and rereading looking for (probably) non-existant clues. After today though we'll have more to go on and so "good reasons" shall (hopefully) become more common.

For myself though, I can't come up with anything concrete. I'm reading posts and getting feelings, suspicions, about people just from the tone of their posts. For where that leads me now I would suspect everyone. From such a wide and varied list though I would pinpoint The Perky Ent, Mormegil, and Gil-Galad as being currently above the rest.

Mormegil I have little reason to suspect, but his intitial and almost over-reaction to the fate of Holby's birds has a strange feel to it. For Perky it is that he has said a lot and yet said a rather small amount. Not to say he's being unhelpful, some of what he says holds merit, some of it though seems to be naught but idle chatter.

For Gil-Galad, like Wilwarin and Azaelia he has posted little and all of it unhelpful...

and now I must escape...or be all but literally lynched (ah parents, the horror, the horror)...

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Shelob

First off I'm not so sure if we can form a list of criteria and say "wolves will match this pattern" ...

My purpose in setting out my criteria was not so much to identify a pattern of Wolfish behaviour, but to encourage them to talk and (when the time comes) to vote. If they don't talk and vote, we are going to have a very hard time spotting them. So, having set out my criteria, I will have no hesitation in voting for those that I do not think are contributing sufficiently. Even if they turn out not to be Wolves, I would rather see the back of them than innocent Villagers who are contributing to the debate. Particularly when there is very little in the way of other evidence to go on.

Having said that, you are right, Shelob, to point out that we should be wary of those who say much but tell us little.

Originally Posted by Shelob

Good reasons, indeed reasons of any kind, are somewhat hard to come by on the first day...

True. But any reasoning, even gut instinct, is better than nothing because it gives us something that we can possibly work with.

Before the voting gets underway in earnest, I would just like to point out that it is in the Villagers' interests (and against the Wolves' interests) to keep the voting spread out as much as possible. Wolves love bandwaggons, because they can hide in them. If the voting is spread out, then it makes it more difficult for them to hide and they might be forced into a bold move to save one of their furry chums.

That doesn't mean that you should vote for someone that you have little suspicion of. But just bear it in mind when the time comes to vote. And keep an eye on how the voting progresses. There is no danger of a mass lynching, but it is worth taking into account who might buy it in the event of a tie.

[Márcolië Lamen]

Originally Posted by AbercrombieOfRohan

So, Formendacil, you claim suspicion of Saucepan and Perky, and yet you voted for Marcolie...Why not vote for those you already have suspicion of? Not, trying to bandwagon, just trying to get answers from what is unclear (to me at least.)

I was wondering this too, not relation to the fact that the vote was for me. I really don't see the point of random votes if you have some supisions if you don't mention any reason why not to.

Then again, keping around those strongest players has reason, though it has killed many a village. If we choose this hopefully we don't doom ourselves like I heard they have from visiters before.

Originally Posted by Shelob

First off I'm not so sure if we can form a list of criteria and say "wolves will match this pattern" ...

I feel we could make a stronger statement and say if we made such a statement the wolves would try to avoid it stronger.

Most important now in the beginning is getting all involved so we have information to go on. If there are those who aren't participating its easier for the wolves to hide like this. Simarilly spreading out votes and avoiding bandwagoning now at the beginning at least.

There's not much information at all now, and it is very important to look at what we can, but I know that I am not the person best at first day lists and such. I will try though once I finish editing Chapter 3 of this new book.

[Cailín]

Before the voting gets underway in earnest, I would just like to point out that it is in the Villagers' interests (and against the Wolves' interests) to keep the voting spread out as much as possible. Wolves love bandwaggons, because they can hide in them. If the voting is spread out, then it makes it more difficult for them to hide and they might be forced into a bold move to save one of their furry chums.

Spreading the votes is a very sensible idea, so the voting pattern might tell us something tomorrow. However, it is then also very easy for the wolves to get the one they wish to get killed, really killed without raising much suspicion.

I fear it's almost like it's unavoidable to kill an innocent on day One. Most depressing... I think it would be helpful to not head into one or even two or three particular directions early on. If the wolves have no idea where the village is heading, they will be unable to get any control over it. Voicing suspicions is good, making early and rash decisions about who's not going to survive this day is only helpful to the wolves.

--

Anyway, I suppose it's time to start voicing suspicions. The Perky Ent, for example, is a name I'm hearing a lot toDay, especially in relation to The Saucepan Man. Right now, I don't think them guilty of anything, except something in relation to possibly illegal smoking substances. I must say Perky seems rather Perky about all this, but then again, he is Perky.

Formendacil... strange vote. But any vote so early in the Day would seem strange - as has been said before - and I really think SpM just scared him by saying he wouldn't trust anyone who failed to vote. Also - I'm very reluctant to vote for someone unable to defend himself. It's too easy.

Wilwarin and Azaelia both only expressed their sentiments so far... Which means I cannot accuse them of anything, which is ever so suspicious.

Shelob I find myself agreeing with, even though she has not said much. I can see where her suspicions come from, but do not necessarily share them.

Eomer and AbercrombieOfRohan both jumped on Formendacil's case, after Saucepan Man mentioned his suspicions of him. Are they werewolves trying to subtly lead the village into lynching an innocent? Probably not, but I do find it worth mentioning.

Márcolië Lamen, oh! you are cool, most definitely. Anyone slightly more foolish would have started defending him or herself after the vote, but you know and trust we will all see it as something completely random and meaningless. You are smart without being in danger and your thoughts seem to be put into words most carefully. Not that they're very helpful - but you stay in the picture. I will be watching you (but in a good, friendly not necessarily involving nasty gallows sort of way, for you are not yet in my top suspects list).

The others I'm still trying to get some more on. I see I have not voiced any real suspicions, probably because I don't have any. It's terrible to feel you have to distrust your fellow villagers...

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

You must admit though, Cailín, that Formendacil has a case worth jumping on.

What do you mean by the strategy of spreading the votes being

'very easy for the wolves to get the one they wish to get killed, really killed without raising much suspicion'

I don't quite follow you. If they really want to get a particular person killed then they will likely need to band together and vote for the same person, which would be very brave indeed; not to mention (or, in fact, to mention) highly suspicious – especially if they all come in near the end of the day to do it.

[Cailín]

That would be right, Eomer, if we did not spread the votes. If a lot of different people have - let's say - two votes, because we are trying to spread them, it would just take one wolf-vote, not three, to condemn someone they wish to get rid of - someone they suspect of being a gifted, perhaps. Though I admit this would be a highly unlikely situation today, since I don't think the wolves are gunning for anyone in particular just yet. But that's what I meant.

You must admit though, Cailín, that Formendacil has a case worth jumping on.

Yes. As does everyone on our little island right now.