Tol-in-Gaurhoth XIV: Nyárë Nauroron Númenoreva

[Alcarillo]

It is the early winter of 3318 of the Second Age, and Ar-Pharazôn is at the height of his power. The Elendili are persecuted at every turn, and hundreds have been sacrificed to Melkor in Sauron's Temple.

On the northernmost tip of Númenor, two Elendili hide in a tiny village. But they have been discovered by a spy of the king, and three houseless fëar of wolves drift into the town this very moment, as the moon rises and the fog rolls in from the sea . . .

Welcome to Tol-in-Gaurhoth XIV: Nyárë Nauroron Númenoreva!

How the Game Works

The Werewolf Game is divided up into two different parts: DAY and NIGHT. Each lasts 24 hours.

The DAY starts with a description of what happened and who was killed over the previous night. That person's role will be revealed in the post. During the DAY, the villagers discuss the game on this thread and try to detect the wolves. They can lynch who they think are wolves by casting votes, like this:

++Alcarillo

Whomever receives the most votes is lynched. Votes are non-retractable. Once you vote, you cannot change it. The Hunter PMs the moderator daily and nightly to choose a victim in the event that the Hunter is about to be lynched. The DAY ends at midnight GMT with a post describing the lynching. The lynched villager's role is revealed in the post (All dead villager's roles are revealed).

Then the NIGHT begins after the lynching. During the NIGHT, nobody may post on this thread; you're all asleep. The NIGHT is also when the werewolves PM each other to decide upon a victim. Then one of the wolves PMs the moderator with the name of their victim. The Seer also PMs the moderator to choose a villager to dream about. And the Ranger also PMs the moderator to choose a villager to protect, and the Hunter too PMs the moderator to choose a victim in the event that the werewolves come after him. NIGHTs, like DAYs, end at midnight GMT with a description of the night's werewolf kill, revealing the victim's role. Then a new DAY starts, the villagers vote, a villager is lynched, and so on.

When you're lynched or killed by werewolves, you're dead. That means no more posting on this thread. You may be dead, but you're not a zombie.

Victory

The villagers win when all of the werewolves have been lynched. The cobbler automatically runs away to Armenelos to report the bad news to the King.

The werewolves win when the number of villagers is equal to that of the remaining werewolves, when the latter is strong enough to rise up against the rest of the village.

Additional Rules, Notices, etc.

Mass-lynchings have a two-person maximum. If there is a three-way or greater-way tie, I'll lynch the first two to be tied.

Please do not edit your posts! We want everybody to see exactly what has been said. Double-post, instead.

You will be told if the Ranger has saved somebody from the werewolves, but not who was saved. If you are guarded by the Ranger one night, you will also not be told.

There are no hidden clues in my posts, not even in this one. When I use players' names, that means nothing important. Also, when I use "he", I mean "he or she".

Players absolutely cannot PM each other concerning the game. Only the werewolves may PM each other at NIGHT.

Please don't refer to other werewolf games. Don't say things like, "When I was the Mayor of Swankytown back in WWIIX…" or "In WWXI, this happened…".

Stay invisible, please.

Also, you are allowed to say anything you want about your role, but you are not allowed to post any definite proof (like the PM I sent you).

Roles

Ordinary villagers: Ordinary villagers discuss the game's events during the DAY and try to discover and lynch the werewolves. During the NIGHT they are to remain silent and not post on this thread. This also applies to all other roles.

Hunter: The Hunter, if lynched or attacked by werewolves, can kill another villager alongside him. The Hunter PMs the moderator daily and nightly with his choices in case he is killed.

Ranger: The Ranger, one of the Elendili, protects a villager's home each NIGHT, guarding that villager from the werewolves. However, the Ranger cannot defend a villager from the Hunter. The Ranger PMs the moderator nightly to choose which villager he wishes to guard.

Seer: The Seer is visited each NIGHT in his dreams by Ulmo, who reveals the true identity of a villager of the Seer's choosing. The Seer PMs the moderator nightly to choose a player whose role he wishes to know.

Werewolves: There are three werewolves, sent by Sauron to destroy the village. They avoid detection by DAY and by NIGHT kill one of the villagers. Only during NIGHT can they PM one another and decide upon a victim. Then one of them PMs the moderator with the name of the victim. The victim's death is described at the end of the NIGHT and signals the beginning of the DAY.

Cobbler: The Cobbler is an agent of Ar-Pharazôn and wants to see the village destroyed by the werewolves. During the DAY he tries to throw the village off track and generally make things tougher for them. He can even sacrifice himself if necessary to help the werewolves. However, he does not know who the werewolves are.

Players

Aiwendil – retired tutor
Boromir88 – crab farmer
Dancing spawn of ungoliant - embroider
Fordim Hedgethistle – lithesome and non-unionized pearl diver
Formendacil – disgruntled office clerk
Gurthang – (possibly unemployed) dockhand
Holbytlass – butcher
Jack – blacksmith and farrier
Kath – bum
Lhunardawen – polite little shepherd girl
Mormegil - repairman specializing in ships and docks
Rune Son of Bjarne – Union leader
The Saucepan Man - harbormaster
WaynetheGoblin – doctor
Wilwarin538 – fiddler

I, your mod, am a tax collector.

Tonight

NIGHT 1 has now begun. Tonight is unique, because I, the moderator, will be the werewolves' victim when morning comes. I only need a PM from the seer so I can give him a dream to fuel DAY 1's activities. The werewolves may PM each other to get to know one another and plan for DAY 1. Also, PM me if you have any questions about your role or how the game works. DAY 1 begins in 24 hours. Sleep tight!

[Alcarillo]

An empty cart creaked down a dirty road at breakneck speed. Its lone rider sped as fast as he could to the village at its end. The midnight moon lit the path from gaps in the thick evergreens to either side, and more than once a root reaching from the darkness jostled the cart until its driver nearly fell out. A crumbling wall lined one side of the road, signaling that the village was approaching. And soon the forest stopped to make way for buildings, and the road plummeted through the village down towards the harbor. The driver turned along a street running across the slope. Relatively free of trees and houses, it gave a grand view of the harbor. Three piers jutted out into the water, all different lengths and with different sized boats moored at them. Beyond the harbor's black-cliff mouth thick fog masked the northern sea from view. But now the cart reached a tiny home at very end of the road, and its driver leapt from the cart. After unleashing the horse, he unlocked the door and entered the house, where he instantly lit a lamp, gathered pen and paper, and wrote in a hurry:

I have returned from Armenelos, under the guise of bringing the king his taxes. My spying was a success, but we now face grave danger. The king's men know we are here. Already now, three werewolves of Sauron are among the village-folk! I will take the news to Elendil as soon as possible. Meanwhile, you must protect the village from the werewolves. Each night, guard the home of an innocent. We cannot let the werewolves decrease our numbers to the point that they can rise up and slaughter us! This may be difficult, as there is an agent of Ar-Pharazôn in the village also. It was he who alerted the King of our presence. He will try to foil our every move!

But we have help. Our village is home to a seer. Each night, he is visited in his dreams by Ulmo. I do not know his identity, but if you can find out, use his visions to find the werewolves as soon as possible and lynch them!

There is also a mighty hunter in the village. He is strong enough to kill a werewolf with his bare hands! When the werewolves (or villagers, when they discover the werewolves) come for him, we can be sure that he will kill who he thinks is guilty of werewolvery, guilty or innocent they may be.

I am headed off to Andúnië at this very moment, so you'll be the only Elf-friend in the village for some time. I shall return with allies.

-Alcarillo

Alcarillo folded his letter and moved towards the door, but as soon as his hand touched the door knob, the door burst inwards with the force of a battering ram. Three shapes, like furry men, leapt into the home. Shadows concealed their faces from view. Alcarillo drew his sword, but one of the werewolves wrenched it from his hands and stabbed him through the stomach. Alcarillo's life flashed before his eyes: his childhood in Ondosto, meeting Elendil for the first time that winter's day so long ago, and the first time he met the Elf-friend with whom he would take turns spying upon the King. The werewolves fled into the night, leaving the sword embedded in Alcarillo's torso, and he slumped to the floor in the moonlight, still clutching his letter in one hand.

* * * * *

When young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shone once more over the village, the village-folk were already awake and about their daily chores. But something was amiss. Kath was the first to notice that Alcarillo was missing. She said by the docks:

"Hey, Alcarillo isn't nagging me about tax evasion! Where is he?"

This prompted a town meeting. The harbourmaster rang the town gathering bell and everybody in the village gathered at the docks.

"Alcarillo left for Arminalêth a week ago to deliver the taxes," the Saucepan Man said to explain Alcarillo's absence.

"But he should've been back last night!" said Wayne, "I asked him to purchase some more leeches for me while he was in the city."

"He could've ran late, perhaps crashed his cart into a tree," said Mormegil, "His cart was never very sturdy."

"But my horse, which Alcarillo borrowed, returned to his stables last night," said Jack.

"Then we can only go to his house and see if he is sick, perhaps," decided the Saucepan Man, "Follow me!"

All of the villagers climbed the main road up the slope, up from the docks in the harbor and towards the dark forest on the hills, on a pilgrimage to Alcarillo's house. The sky was overcast as usual, with fog in the distance and at the edges of the harbor. Seagulls sat in flocks on rooftops, and would fly into the air at the least provocation. The entire town had a tense aura of anxiety as the group turned from the main road and onto the street along the hillside, where Alcarillo's home sat. They approached the house, and the were surprised to find that the door was ajar; one of the hinges was loose. The group took in unison a giant gulp of anticipation of the horrible. What had happened? Finally the terrible dread was finished as those in the front of the group shouted in utter disbelief, "He's dead!"

The group filed into the tiny house, all gazing at Alcarillo's pale body on the floor. His long, shining sword had stabbed deep into his stomach, so far that the tip of the sword protruded from his back. A few of the ladies swooned at the ghastly sight. Formendacil reached for something in Alcarillo's hand. "A letter." He unfolded the paper, straightened his spectacles, and read in his official, office clerk's voice what Alcarillo had written, during which someone would occasionally murmur an "Oh, my" or a "Good heavens".

He finished reading the paper, and there was a short pause of silence. "So he was an Elf-friend this entire time," said Lhuna, "And the werewolves killed him."

"Then we can only do one thing," Fordim the pearl diver said, "Lynch the werewolves."

* * * * *

Dead
Alcarillo – mod – impaled upon his own sword – NIGHT 1

Living
Aiwendil – retired tutor
Boromir88 – crab farmer
Dancing spawn of ungoliant - embroider
Fordim Hedgethistle – lithesome and non-unionized pearl diver
Formendacil – disgruntled office clerk
Gurthang – (possibly unemployed) dockhand
Holbytlass – butcher
Jack – blacksmith and farrier
Kath – bum
Lhunardawen – polite little shepherd girl
Mormegil - repairman specializing in ships and docks
Rune Son of Bjarne – Union leader
The Saucepan Man - harbormaster
WaynetheGoblin – doctor
Wilwarin538 – fiddler

It is now DAY 1. Villagers, you may now talk. Werewolves, stop PMing. And Hunter, get a name to me by the DAY's end in case you're lynched.

[WaynetheGoblin]

Alcarillo was one of my best friends in the village may we slay the ones who did this.

[The Saucepan Man]

Werewolves you say? Tricksy fellows, Werewolves. Reminds me of the time we was sailing in the South Seas and went ashore on an island to replenish our food 'n water. Well, it took us longer than we had bargained for, so we made camp for the night. Full moon it were. And it were not long before we heard their howls. Chilled us to the bone, they did. Chilled us right to the bone, I tell thee. And then they attacked. Great hairy beasts they were. As like men, but bigger and hairier with claws as like iron and great fanged snouts. Great fanged snouts, I tell thee. And strong they was. Each 'ad the strength of five men. Five men, I tell thee. Only two of us made it back to the boat and escaped from that island with our lives. The rest were seized upon and ripped limb from limb. Limb from limb, I tell thee.

Well, if three of them beasts are loose in the village, no good will come of it, mark my words. Our only hope is to find 'em and lynch 'em by day, for it is during the hours of darkness that they gain their powers.

As to who we should lynch, well I don't like that Rune there misself. Been naught but trouble since 'e came to this village, muttering about minimum wages and working conditions n' all. 'E's up to no good, mark my words. And 'e seems to have some unnatural influence over young Gurthang. Poor lad 'asn't been 'imself since that there union man arrived. 'E used to be such a good lad, but now 'e's naught but trouble.

If we're hunting Wolves, then in my book it's those two we should be looking at first.

[Aiwendil]

I come all the way up here to the farthest coast of the Forostar for a nice quiet retirement and what do I find? Elf-friends and werewolves! And harbourmasters dropping their 'h's! I've half a mind to pack my things and be off in search of some quieter place to settle down, among ordinary folk with proper Adunaic pronunciation.

But I'm afraid that as a tutor and a scholar, I simply can't walk away from an unsolved mystery. I'll stay and do what I can to help you catch these fiends.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Alcarillo was a good person, but not greatly missed as he did helped the Capital exploiding the workers: Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor, and lives the more, the more labor it sucks.

I did tell him that progressive income taxation was the one to prefer.

Allready I am beeing accused by the harbormaster The Saucepan Man, this is obvius a attempt to weaken the union and the workers of this land. We must not let this happen! Know this you will not succed, we will not let the Capitalist expoid us no more!

Wolves he call us, but he has shown no evidence other than those of his own greed, an appetite for profit and power that previous had not been seen in this village. Such an appetite that is only found in the soul of a wolf.

I say lets get rid of The Saucepan Man ! Wolf he is thats for sure, maybe in more than one way.

[Boromir88]

I dun trust nun of ya'lls union folk. Ya'all been workin togedar I surspect.

Poor Alcarillo, but the wulves did 'ave a fine choice on who to kill. I mean...yee was the tax collector. Now, I can save all me 'onest errnings from me crab farm.

Spekkin of the crab farm. Do wolves like, 'ave the power to make animals goes mad? Cuz, I wolked up this mornin' and one of me own crabs wus eatin' anutha one. I 'ad to kill it I did, it wuld of ate 'em all.

My first surspect is Lhuna. Shes says shes sum polite shepard gurl. I wunder 'ow polite she is at night, I do.

[wilwarin538]

(since everyone is talking with the great accents I'll do the same, though it won't be a very good job )

My oh my. A friend of the elves killed by wolves. I would never have thought something like this wouldv 'appened, specially since the most excitin thing this here town has seen was that moose that stayed in my front yard for more then a week. Though I doubt that has anythin to do with the were thins....

Anyway, since many others whove spoke accused someone, I might as well do the same. I'll use my number to choose three suspects, and I'll come up wit the best reasons I can think of.

3. Dancing Spawn of Ungliant - Well she embroiderd' me a case for my fiddle last week. It was red, I hate red, every person that lives within in a mile of the village knows that, plus red is the colour of blood, maybe she 'adn't seen blood for awhile and was missin what it looked like.
5. Formendacil - Disgruntld' aye? Perhaps he's so upset cause he adn't eaten anyone in awhile?
8. Jack - He uses a hammer a lot. Hammers could be used as a weapon I'm sure.

I knows those ain't the best reasons for accusing people, but I'm at a loss. I'm still trying to get over Alcarillo's death and I be expected to be a part o killin someone else. I think I'll just need a littl' time, I'll go play Alcarillo's favorite song for awhile before leavin for time. I'll be back about four hours before the votins closed.

[Gurthang]

Eh, I be alright with gettin' rid of old Master Saucepan. I'd enough of his long-winded tales the first day I worked for 'em. That may not be werewolvery, but it drove me to a union, that's for sure. I'll be listenen to those tales, now, I'll promise ye that, just to see if I catch anythin'.

But there ain't near enough talkin' goin' on. So:

++Formendacil

For being a lazy, good-for-nothing desk 'worker'. Puh! How you can work while sittin' on yer butt behind a desk is beyond my knowledge. I know what work is, done it all me life, and that clerk ain't ever done none.

[mormegil]

I'm not sure sure about having werewolves among us. Alcarillo always was a bit touched in the head and let his imagination run a bit wild. Now there is no doubt that he's dead, as I saw for myself but I think we need to see who would benefit from his death.

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Poor Alcarillo, but the wulves did 'ave a fine choice on who to kill. I mean...yee was the tax collector. Now, I can save all me 'onest errnings from me crab farm.

Now I think all business owners had some dislike of this tax man of ours and some had more to benefit than others. I mean really how much profit is there in crabbing and pearl diving? That points to Fordim and Boromir although Jack's business has been slow lately and has to benefit by saving on taxes and on increasing our paranoia so that we buy more weapons and armor.

My sights are set on those three

Jack
Boromir
Fordim

Though Rune is worth watching with his talk of politics at a time of death and tragedy.

[Boromir88]

It 'as been quiet. I 'ate quiet towns. You jus' aint gonna solve a thing if ya'lls jus' sit 'nd stare at eechother.

Well, we now 'ave a population of fithteen peeple. Six peeple 'ave sed sumthin' so far. So, this means someone whos sed sumthin so far is a wulf, by my own simple logic.

Wayne, just says somethin' about Alcarillo an' makes like a tree and leafs.

The Saucepan over 'ere goes off about sum stories that I aint gonna try to unnerstand. I surspect if he's a wulf, he's trying to distract us frum the real task and thats killin' wulf.

Aiwendil, whines 'bout his own life and cries 'bout how awful our spekkin' is.

Rune fires back against the Panman. Did the Panman 'it the wrong nerve Mista Union, sir?

Wilwarin, just kin' of seems normal if ya's all gonna ask me. I mean, she certainly does whut I surspect an innocent to do. So, I guess jus' fur that I shuld be more carefuwl.

And Gurthang votes. Which, usually I dun find votin' early that suspicious, 'specially on the furst day, when nun of us no what these wulves act like, or whats they try to do.

So, based on my simple logic that a wulf has sed sumthin', and frum whos a sed anything...Gurthang, Rune, and Aiwendil are my surspects.

[Boromir88]

I mus' of cross-posted with uh...mormegil. But, uh, he's not worryin' me right now. He seems like wilwarin, I'd surspect an innocent to do this, so I surspect he's innocent right now.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

I may be naught but a lithesome pearl diver, but even I'm a bit suspicious of the person who would cast the first vote so early in the day! Why, poor Alcarillo's body's still warm and there's Gurthang champing at the bit for more blood already! And he's after one as hasn't even spoken up yet!!

That having been said, it's true that there's precious little to go by on this first day other than paranoia, so in the end I suspect I'll have to cast my vote in pretty much the same way -- with a lot of guesswork and hope. The likelihood of catching a Wolf this day is only 3 in 14 and I don't like those odds.

So it's like the adage says: him as wants to catch a werewolf needs luck or patience....and so since I don't believe in luck....

So how to catch a werewolf? Well, it's mighty tricky and that's for sure as they have that one great advantage as we don't: they know who's human and who isn't. The thing we have to do (and by we I mean us innocents) is to turn that advantage against them. Y'see, when it comes to voting time, everyone casts his or her vote as an individual -- cause, when it comes down to it, the only person you can really know is innocent is yourself. But wolves, y'see, when they vote, they vote as a group. Even if they spread their votes around, they're still going to be spreading those votes around as a group. So the trick here, y'see, is not to focus on individual choices or actions, but on groups of people who seem to be acting more or less alike, or groups of people who are acting different from one another consistently.

So, as I see it, if you try and catch a werewolf, you're doomed. But if you try to catch a group of three werewolves you might just stand a chance.

The first step, then, is to figure out what the groups are in this here village. The second step, is to decide which group it is that's acting the most wolfish and to vote to lynch from within that group. So it's with that in mind that I shall be watching for these kinds of patterns and groupings. So far, early as it is, there's at least one clearly defined group...

The Accusatory:

Sauce
Rune
Boro
Gurthang

...and possibly two...

The Visibly Non-Committal:

Wilwarin
Aiwendil
Wayne

So this is what's I know right now --

The Accusers are drawing a lot of attention to themselves and making a lot of noise, so they are either clumsy innocents or daring wolves.

The VCNs are shadowing the Accusers without going all the way, so they are either nervous innocents or cagey wolves.

In all fairness I suppose I should probably put myself in a group as well...

Self-Appointed Saviours:

Fordim

The SAS is drawing a lot of attention to himself by suggesting a strategy that will only work if lots of people believe it and go along with him, so he is either a daring innocent or an arrogant wolf.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Ach! Cross-posted I did with mormegil whom I see has joined the ranks of...

The Accusatory:

Sauce
Rune
Boro
Gurthang
mormegil

A note to what I said above -- the wolves, if they are smart, will split themselves up between the groups I identify, but that, y'see, ain't no way to hide, since we can spot folk as join in with groups to try and hide -- when it comes down to it, if they're acting as though they're a part of one group, but voting in a way as aligns them with the thinking of other groups...well...that will catch me lithesome eye...

[Aiwendil]

Well, I'll tell you why I'm visibly non-committal - because when I first came around just about everybody else was doing nothing but standing and staring. Didn't have much to go on, you see. But I've got a bit more to go on now.

Fordim suggests that the wolves will endeavour to diversify their approaches. This makes sense to me, though it seems that it'll be difficult in practice to identify such behavior. But building on this idea, it seems likely to me that on the opening day the wolves will split themselves between early posters and late posters. So I'd guess that at least one wolf has posted so far, but also that at least one has not yet posted.

The people who have spoken up are, in order of their first utterance:

WaynetheGoblin
The Saucepan Man
Aiwendil
Rune
Boromir
Wilwarin
Gurthang
Mormegil
Fordim

And those that have not yet said a word:

Dancing spawn of ungoliant
Formendacil
Holbytlass
Jack
Kath
Lhunardawen

. . . all of which leaves me nowhere in terms of definite suspicions. So I guess I'll remain visibly non-committal for the moment.

One further thought - I've heard there's a seer in this village to whom the Valar speak at whiles. It seems to me that this seer is our best chance to catch those beasts, and I think we'd do well to think long and hard about how best to make use of his or her ability. Two important points occur to me:

1. It's vital that the seer not be discovered by the wolves. Therefore, the seer ought not to hint at his or her abilities.

2. Once the seer is killed, we will all, naturally, closely analyze everything he or she said. As I see it, the seer's priority should be to make this eventual analysis as clear as possible. My advice to the seer, then, is to be very, very careful in every reference to another person - so that after the seer's death, it will be immediately apparent whether the seer in fact knew that person's identity.

[mormegil]

Aiwendil, you seem to suggest to the seer contradictory statements.

1. Don't leave any hints as to who you are.

2. Make sure you spell out who is innocent and guilty so as to know upon your death.

They seem to contradict in that you tell the seer to remain discrete and essentially silent yet by indicating or leaving confirmable evidence as to the guilt or innocence of the individual. Which, to me, seems would give the werewolves some hints.

Now Fordim I find it rather interesting that after only 7 or 8 people have spoken, most only once, you are ready to begin classifying into groups. It seems overly hasty to me.

[Aiwendil]

Allow me to clarify.

I suggest that the Seer speak in such a way that only once his or her identity is revealed will the information being conveyed be apparent. If the Seer, for example, says that he or she strongly suspects someone, or that so and so is almost certainly innocent, then after the Seer's death those remarks will (inevitably, I think) be taken to mean 'I dreamt about so and so and he is a werewolf' or '. . . and he is innocent'. I think that if the Seer is conscious of this throughout the game, then after the Seer's death we should be able to reconstruct most of the Seer's knowledge - would could be quite valuable. But the Seer would be saying nothing that you wouldn't expect any reasonable, paranoid villager to say.

It's just a thought, from someone with little experience in these matters. Does anyone have a better idea for maximizing the Seer's utility? Or the utility of the other Gifteds, for that matter?

[Gurthang]

But, the wolves know who they be. Nobody else does. If the wolves see a villager name just one suspect, and their suspect happens to be a wolf, then the wolves can very well assume that that person is the Seer.

Warning: A very wolfish looking statement coming up.

My advise to the Seer is this: Dream of Saucepan or Fordim. If either are wolves, I suggest coming out and saying so. They are both too influential to let free if they are wolves. They can be great assets, or our greatest enemy.

[Lhunardawen]

Sleep in peace Mister Alcarillo, sir. Rest assured we'll do the best we can to kill those sneaky carnivorous villains - no offense to them - and avenge your demise.

Like has been said already, there's not much that we can do today but guess and read words and guess and hope we catch a werewolf. The first Day, I think, is going to be the hardest for us, but as long as you grown-ups don't kill each other we're gonna do fine. I mean, it's not as if these wolves are causing us enough trouble already.

My first surspect is Lhuna. Shes says shes sum polite shepard gurl. I wunder 'ow polite she is at night, I do.

Oh, my politeness knows no time, mister crab farmer. I am always polite, so there, sir.

I can see Mister Gurthang has voted early. If you will trust the mind of a child, I think he is no one to worry about. Perhaps he is merely gauging reactions, but doing so extremely. I could be wrong of course, but I'm only young so don't be harsh on me.

As for the grouping done by Mister Fordim, I do agree with Mister mormegil that it's too early for that. Besides, if we notice these things this early, they're bound to change their behavior to keep us off their trail.

I think it's a very quiet village we have here to Day. Perhaps everyone is still overly shaken by dear Mister Alcarillo's death? Or it could be that time zone thing I once heard the grown-ups in Emerie talk about. I heard it's such a nuisance.

[Gurthang]

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

I think it's a very quiet village we have here to Day.

That's about the understatement of the year.

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Gurthang voted early, but I see that his vote hardly made this village more talkative. Well, we still have time. Nothing overly suspicious in his voting, I think.

I'm not sure if I like the way that Aiwendil is putting words to the Seer's mouth. It would be ideal, if we could spot the Seer's dream targets right after his/her death, but we also want to keep him/her among us as long as possible. Telling them, how to act will just help the wolves. Unless, of course, everyone starts acting like the Seer could act, but that just might get a bit too confusing, don't you think?

Oh, and Wilwa, you say the case was red? Are you sure? I could have sworn that it was green! Now, that is scary.

[Lhunardawen]

I'm very sorry, dear fellow villagers, but it's hard to say "mister" and "lady" before each of your names everytime. Please don't think I'm being impolite or something.

Wayne - the first to speak. Claimed close association with Alcarillo. Expresses desire to slay his murderers. Says nothing else. Either he really has nothing to say, or he was being a dispassionate "helpful" villager. No offense, sir, but you are high on my list.

The Saucepan Man - suspects Rune and Gurthang due to grown-up job stuff. Really, I have no idea why they have to argue about those union things which I don't understand. You grown-ups should really grow up. Oops, I'm sorry. Where was I? Ah, while he does not seem particularly suspicious, he should definitely be watched.

Aiwendil - willing to help the village catch the werewolves. First to comment about the Seer and, it seems to me, is asking him/her to do the impossible. I agree on what he said he/she should do, but it's easier said than done. Not much to worry about for now.

Rune - was quite childish about the whole argument with Mister Pan thing, and so wanted to get rid of him. Should be watched as well.

Boromir88 - was being crabby. Suspects Gurthang, Rune, and Aiwendil among those who "said something." May be a helpful villager in the guise of someone otherwise, but we can't really be sure.

wilwarin - suspected dancing spawn, Jack, and Formendacil just because. Gauging reactions or trying to be helpful or really has nothing to say, I cannot tell.

Gurthang - voted for Formendacil. Nothing to worry about, or trying to deflect attention by attracting it? Then asks the Seer to dream of Fordim and Saucepan. Helpful, or luring the Seer? I think it's a good idea to dream of them first, though.

mormegil - suspects Jack, Fordim, and Boromir, and possible Rune. Doubts existence of werewolves? A werewolf trying to hide himself? It's all too obvious were that so. Seer comments on Aiwendil's suggestion came off a bit scary to me, I don't know why.

Fordim - suspects Gurthang. Believes werewolves work as a group,a nd proceeds to group those who have posted. Calls himself an SAS, which is either a daring innocent or an arrogant wolf. For now I'm inclined towards the former.

dancing spawn - does not suspect Gurthang's early voting. Has doubts on Aiwendil's Seer suggestion.

*scratches head*

That was not much help, wasn't it?

No doomsayer am I, but I believe that in a village as small as this, with three werewolves among us and an agent of Sauron lurking around relatively unnoticed, it would be very difficult for us innocent villagers to survive. So if you would, sirs and ladies, please think carefully before doing anything.

Well, a little girl like me doesn't have all the time in the world to wait for the elders to speak up, if you will excuse me. I still have to do some shepherding of my own brain, not to mention some studying of Archaeology and how it relates to us shepherds. So please don't think any wrong of me for voting less than twelve hours into the Day, but I have no choice.

++WaynetheGoblin

That's probably the best I can come up with for now.

See you soon, everyone! If I'm not yet dead, that is.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

Fordim - suspects Gurthang. Believes werewolves work as a group,a nd proceeds to group those who have posted. Calls himself an SAS, which is either a daring innocent or an arrogant wolf. For now I'm inclined towards the former.

Clarification: I don't suspect anyone yet -- I have no basis for actual suspicion right now, since it's all guesswork. I just noted that Gurthy was pretty quick off the mark.

And it's not me as is "grouping" folk, I'm merely trying to look at the patterns that are emerging as folk post. Every community is composed of groups: I'm a-just trying to see which groups exist in this village. Sadly, it will take a couple of days of observation to figure that out (should I live that long....)

[WaynetheGoblin]

Lhuna I cant just say suspicon when I was the only one to post. I see other people do that when they are the first to post why because I do it you vote for me.
++Lhunardawen
I posted one quick post and left cause I was very tired.

[Kath]

Woohoo! Two posts from Wayne in one day!

Ahem, and apologies for my own absence but bumming properly takes more than a bit of effort you know. So is that two votes? One from Gurthang for Fordim and one from Wayne for Lhuna. Isn't it a bit early for voting? I mean, I thought that when Gurthang voted it was because he wouldn't be back, but then he reappears. Surely you vote when you have to leave or is there some new plan I'm unaware of? Oh no we have three! Lhuna for Wayne. And so Wayne's vote is in fact just retaliation against Lhuna. Looking at his last post there seems no other reasoning behind it.

Anyway, so far I can't see anything odd bar these early votes. All this grouping into suspects and innocents seems a little hasty as well since we haven't heard from all of the villagers yet. Still, in the spirit of the thing, I'm not sure about Lhuna. As yet there seems no real reasoning behind that, just her being too polite I should think!

[Holbytlass]

My apologies for not showing up till now, I was cutting and shipping me finest cuts of beef, pork and lamb for poor Alcarillo's family. At least they need not worry about how to feed the young'uns as they make plans this week. Dearly departed.

This is indeed terrible news! I thought we were far from the King's thoughts and plans, we must help the Elendili by doing our best to get rid of these vicious creatures.

Boromir88 – crab farmer
Fordim Hedgethistle – pearl diver
Lhunardawen – shepherd girl
Jack – furrier/blacksmith
Holbytlass – butcher

With so little to go on today, I suppose we should take a look at this group, if they be human and kill animals by day who's to say they don't turn animal and kill humans by night? Not a very good plan, seeing as I'm on it too, so no doubt there would be other innocents on this list as well, got to start somewhere....

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Originally Posted by WaynetheGoblin

++Lhunardawen

That seems very Wayneish, but I still don't get his logic.

Gurthang has acted quite wolfishly, which he admits himself. Well, I didn't find his early vote so suspicious if it really was intended to encourage discussion, as he said, but this Seer thing surprises me. What are you up to telling the Seer to reveal him/herself after just one day, eh?

Originally Posted by mormegil

I'm not sure sure about having werewolves among us. Alcarillo always was a bit touched in the head and let his imagination run a bit wild.

Ah, denial, it's the first step... Otherwise morm's posts seem sound.

Hmm, I'm really not getting much out of the posts thus far. I don't know, if I can get online again toDay (I'll try, though), so I must vote now...

++Aiwendil

... because of his Seer talk, which I found somehow unsettling. Not the best reason, I know, but it's been so silent.

Originally Posted by Kath

Isn't it a bit early for voting?

On Lhuna's time zone, it's already late. Otherwise I think that early votes are cast because it should be a way to make people talk. (My reason can be found in the admin thread.) I agree, though, that something's not sitting right with our Ms. Polite.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Though Rune is worth watching with his talk of politics at a time of death and tragedy.

Don't get me wrong, I am not happy about the death, but things like death must never get in the way of the greater struggle (I am an union leader scandinavian style, not mobster)

The Accusers are drawing a lot of attention to themselves and making a lot of noise, so they are either clumsy innocents or daring wolves.

I cannot see anything wrong in accusaitions the first day, otherwise we are never getting the debate startet. . . Imagine if everybody refused to accusate each other. We would be just as lost as we where when the whole thing startet. I can however see the point in not just throwing accusations around now when the debate has startet to take form.

Rune - was quite childish about the whole argument with Mister Pan thing, and so wanted to get rid of him. Should be watched as well.

Does it really matter?

I could have starte by looking at peoples names/professions and made accusations from that point of view.
ex. Lhuna must be an wolf as her name has a striking resemblance to Luna. . .

As I see it my argumentaition was just as good as anything we have seen yet or at least it has just as good a chance of beeing correct.

I don't know what to make of the whole thing yet, I will return in an hour or two with a more interesting post.

[Gurthang]

Originally Posted by dancing spawn of ungoliant

That seems very Wayneish, but I still don't get his logic.

Which is what would make him such a great cobbler or wolf. Nobody can understand what Wayne is thinking, and so he confuses the heck out of people!

As for me and my early vote, well, you'll see my possible reasons later. Now is not the time.

Note: I say 'possible' reasons because there is always the very likely chance that no one will believe what I say. So, I will just post all the different possibilities that seem logical to me.

[The Saucepan Man]

Goodness gracious me! All this yammerin’ and accusin’ reminds me of the time we was sailing the Western Oceans and we found that someone had been helping theirselves to the rum supply. Just helping theirselves, I tell thee. Well, we weren’t too happy, as you can imagine. On a voyage like that, everything has to be strictly rationed, you see, or it runs out, don’t it? Well, we got to discussing it and all kinds of accusations and the like were flying round. But there weren’t no way of being sure who done it, like. All them accusation were simply based on grudges and rivalries. Grudges and rivalries, y’see?

Well, it seems as if we are in much the same boat now. There bain’t no way of knowing for sure who might be a Wolf and who might be innocent. There’s very little to go on see, and so we resort to personal grudges or wild imaginings. My own accusation of that there Rune was based on the fact that I dislike the fellow. I freely admit it. Although I am taken aback that he should think me one of these foul fiends. And it does seem to me that he is more concerned with ‘is outdated and discredited philosophies than on finding a Wolf. I shall be keeping my eye on him, and no mistake.

Now we never found out who had been pilfering that there rum. There was naught as came to light to point to anyone as being guilty, y’see? And that’s where I reckon our current situation is different. For, in time, there will be evidence of Wolvish behaviour there in the Wolves’ words. In their words, I tell thee, sure as the flowing of the tide.

So, what have we got so far?

Gurthang’s early vote worries me. I knew the young lad were impetuous, like, but ‘e worries me in voting for one who has not spoken yet at a time when there really was naught to go on. Mayhaps it would be foolish for a Wolf to draw such attention to ‘eself so early on. Or mayhaps ‘e reckoned that’s how people would see it. Mayhaps ‘e thought that we’d all dismiss it as too obviously suspicious and therefore unlikely behaviour for a Wolf. He hasn’t really explained why he voted so early. ‘Tis possible to stir up conversation without actually voting y’know, me lad. And, while I’m more than happy for the Seer to dream of me, I don’t like ‘is suggestion that the Seer reveal hisself so early on. All in all, he’s certainly one who concerns me.

Our scholar, Master Aiwendil, has caused quite a stir with his comments. But, for all ‘is fancy words, ‘e makes sense to me. I ‘appen to think ‘e’s right that a Wolf was amongst those who spoke early (although it bain’t me, thee can rest assured of that). And ‘is suggestions for the Seer were sensible enough, even if difficult to put into action successfully. I certainly don’t think ‘e was trying to flush out the Seer, as has been suggested. No, I am prepared to consider him simply as an innocent who is trying to be helpful – for now at least.

And then we come to Master Hedgthistle. Fine words and a seemingly fine plan from our Pearl Diver. But is it really, when we think on’t? Seems to me all ‘e’s really sayin’ is that Wolves might act one way or they might act another and that not all of them are likely to act the same way. Which is much like saying the sun’s going to set tonight and rise again tomorrow. He ain’t telling us anything we don’t know already, or can’t work out for usselves, although he uses lots of fine words in doin' it. Is ‘e trying to look helpful, and therefore innocent, without actually being helpful (or innocent) at all? Self-Appointed Saviour? More like Self-Appointed-Stater of the Bleedin’ Obvious. And while ‘e accepts that it may take some time for his plan to help us spot the Wolves, that didn’t stop ‘im making comments about people’s behaviour based on naught but a handful of contributions. He has already labelled some of us “Accusers” and therefore “either clumsy innocents or daring wolves”. Well, I don’t know how you can tell that from just a few words, Master H, but I can assure you that I am neither clumsy nor a Wolf. If I were a suspicious fellow, I might think that you were trying to make subtle insinuations about those you have grouped without appearing to be too accusatory.

Mistress Lhunadarwen ‘as voted early, which might be regarded as suspicious, but I tend to believe ‘er claim that she ‘ad no choice. Tricksy things, these time zones. I’m more suspicious of our good Doctor, WaynetheGoblin, for his reaction vote against her – without giving any reason, other than (I presume) the fact that she voted for him.

Much the same goes for dancing spawn. I’m not ‘appy ‘bout her vote for Aiwendil, as I reckon there are far more suspicious characters around as matters stand. But I believe ‘er when she says she won’t be around to vote later.

As for the others, well there’s not much to go on really, as yet, and so naught to raise my suspicions unduly.

[Folwren]

Woah. Holbytlass. . .careful. I'm not a 'furrier'. I don't kill animals during the day. My job is to protect the horses from getting lame, and to create beautiful things out of iron and steel.

As for my tardiness in beginning to talk, I really apologize. . .that's how it will be daily, I'm afraid. Early morning is the best time to work, and the best time to think.

But I have thought and pondered the words said, and come to very little revelation of any sort. The wolves left us nothing to follow in their murder of Alcarillo. His death is bitter and unlooked for.

I think. . .I think that it would be foolish to fight over the politicial arguments at such time, Saucepan and Rune. Lives, and not Money, are on the line. Be that as it may, it would be equally foolish for we villagers who are not in the middle of such arguments to leap on people like Saucepan Man for lashing out at his adversaries in this topic of Union and whatnot.

You must understand, all this talk that is flying around can really reveal very little until another day has passed. No one knows anything, except the Wolves, and maybe the Seer (but even he will only know of one person). Forms of likes and dislikes shouldn't necessarily be made so soon, if one can help it, and accusations should be carefully thought out and wrought up. Speaking as a blacksmith and metal worker, one can not expect to change the form of iron when it is not fully heated. All you'll manage to do is get a shower of sparks into your face and hardly a dent in your metal, regardless of the strength of your hammer stroke.

-- Jack

[Kath]

Righty ho back again. So it was Lhuna I wasn't sure of earlier. Now I'm not too keen on Folwren but for that I have a little more reasoning, well not much, just this sentence:

I don't kill animals during the day.

So you kill them during the night? Is what came into my mind as I said it. Technically humans are animals so it sort of works.

Sauce and Fordim are talking far too much for my liking. Why can't they make nice short posts that don't take forever to read! Ah well, they are full of information, though whether it be useful or space filling rubbish is yet to be determined.

And I see we have another vote, making that:
Formendacil (Gurthang)
Lhuna (Wayne)
Wayne (Lhuna)
Aiwendil (spawn)

I don't really suspect anyone at the moment. Folwren I picked up on but it could well be nothing of course.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Originally Posted by Kath

Sauce and Fordim are talking far too much for my liking. Why can't they make nice short posts that don't take forever to read!

Hear Hear!!

But I do need to say three quick things:

1) Contrary to what Kath has said, Gurthang has not voted to lynch me...not this Day, leastaways.

2) I don't kill the oysters, I sings to them for a bit and when they open their shells to applaud I swipes the pearls from out of the inside.

3) I have pressing business away from this here place which will make taking part in this discussion impossible after 2:00 pm EST (7:00 GMT) so's I will have to cast my vote early....sadly, as it looks as though there's to be a lot of late discussion which is sure to be interesting.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I really dont have that much to say, no one really stands out as beeing very suspecios. The people I am currently considering voting for is(this can change quickly because of the lack of evidence):

Wayne for his strange vote for Lhuna and because, he is imposibel to get a read on. As others has statet very dangerous to have around. . .

Aiwendil because of the strange seer talk, allthough he did a pretty good job explaining what he meant afterwards.

Gurthang because of his wolfish statement, but I dont think I will be voting for him today.

The Saucepan Man I just dislike

[Aiwendil]

Well, it seems that my suggestions for the Seer have caused a bit of an uproar. I was merely speaking my mind. Of course, it's up to the Seer now and I'll leave it at that. Still, it's interesting to look at the reactions that my suggestion received:

Mormegil: Thinks my idea is contradictory.
Gurthang: Thinks my idea will expose the Seer. Proposes that the Seer dream of Fordim or the SPM.
Dancing Spawn: Says I'm putting words in the Seer's mouth and that this will help the Wolves. Votes against me.
Lhunardawen: Says that I'm asking the Seer to do the impossible.
Saucepan Man: Says that my idea is sensible but difficult to put into action. Does not think it's a trick.

Now I'm a bit dismayed that no one else seems to want to get organized, and I'm a bit wary of anyone who claims that a plan for doing so is a Wolvish trick. If my suggestion were such a trick, then it would be a very poor one indeed! After all, my first piece of advice was:

1. It's vital that the seer not be discovered by the wolves. Therefore, the seer ought not to hint at his or her abilities.

My initial suspicion, then, falls upon Gurthang and Dancing Spawn. This suspicion is strengthened by the fact that Dancing Spawn voted for me on (what seems to me to be) rather shaky logical ground, and Gurthang voted absurdly early, for someone that had not (and still has not) said a word.

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by Kath

So you kill them during the night? Is what came into my mind as I said it. Technically humans are animals so it sort of works.

*sigh* No. I was answering Holbytlass's statement:

With so little to go on today, I suppose we should take a look at this group, if they be human and kill animals by day who's to say they don't turn animal and kill humans by night?

And all I had to say to deflect that argument, I thought, was say that I didn't kill animals by day (therefore it would follow that I didn't kill humans by night). Guess I was wrong on that bit of logic. No. I don't kill anything at night. One would think that after spending all day at the anvil or shoeing horses (that sometime have the audacity to lean entirely on me while trying to fit the shoe), it'd be pretty obvious that all I did was sleep at night.

-- Jack

[Aiwendil]

Cross-post: Add to my list of reactions:

Rune: Is considering voting for me due to 'strange seer talk', but says that I did a pretty good job of clarifying my idea afterwards.

His comment doesn't seem particularly suspicious to me, at the moment.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Gurthang

But there ain't near enough talkin' goin' on. So:

++Formendacil

You are most wise to vote thus, Master Gurthang, for I am a wolf.

So is Fordhim. So is SPM. And tonight we will lynch the seer, Lhuna, and the ranger, Rune, will be helpless to do anything.

Believe me? I hope not, but if you're as paranoid and overanalytical as most villagers tend to be in days of crisis like this, then you just might....

Honestly, there is no way of knowing who or what the wolves are in this village, and I'm not even going to bother presenting theories of guilt or innocence. I rather think that Gurthang's early vote for me is suspicious, but that's just because he picked me. If he had picked, Wilwa, say, then I wouldn't be bothered in the slightest.

You want a random vote?

Then I'll make it:

++Dancing Spawn of Ungoliant, just because we know that Ungoliant is/was evil.

[Folwren]

Cross posted with a few people. . .

Rune, don't vote for someone just because of personal dislikes. Saucepan Man is an important person here. He thinks more clearly than a few of us. Since we have to vote somebody off today, and since there are really no good reasons to vote anyone off, I highly recommend we not vote one of the smart people off. Saucepan Man, mormegil, and Fordim all fall into this category. True, some of us might suspect them, but at this point in the game, it would be folly indeed to kill any one of these.

In order for the villagers to win, we need the smart people who are talkative, at least some. Of course. . .if they do end up being wolves, their brains mean that they'll be dangerous. But, at this point in the game, there's little or no reason to vote them off because there is no proof.

-- Jack

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I was not serious, it was just a comment on our earlyer political discution. . .
that's why i used the

Sorry about the miss understanding


About Aiwendil the reason he is on my list is that there is practical nothing to go by. Please dont think to much of my list suspects, it is based on allmost nothing.