Tol-in-Gaurhoth XVI: No man is an Island

[Formendacil]

After Alcarillo’s death, the only thing that the village could decide on was that they didn’t want to kill Lhunardawen. After the better part of a week, two Werewolves still remained hidden in their midst- and about those two Werewolves, the villagers each had some very specific ideas.

The most prevalent idea of the day was that Meneltarmacil was guilty. The dweller on the edge of town had always been considered creepy, but he also seemed more silent than usual, and the remaining villagers were jumpy. Taking his distraction for a sign of Wolfishness, they chose him as their victim.

“What…” said Meneltarmacil, snapping out of his trance. “You’re lynching… me!”

“I believe that is what I just said,” said Naria, the self-proclaimed Huntress having taken on the persona of village law enforcement.

“But… you can’t!” said Meneltarmacil. “I’m the new Ranger!”

“You’re just saying that to get out of a sticky situation!” said Amanaduial.

“I notice that it doesn’t hurt you any,” said Farael.

“No, seriously!” said Meneltarmacil. “Alcarillo’s been training me for months!”

“There’s no way to know short of lynching you,” said Naria. “If we let you live, we’ll never KNOW!”

“I won’t let you do this to the village!” said Meneltarmacil, grabbing his sword. “This is idiocy.”

“What this is,” said Naria, “is following the rules.” She drew her own blade.

Meneltarmacil lunged at Naria, dodging her blows, and attacking with his own.

“You have some skill,” said Naria. “But swordsmanship does not a ranger make.”

“She’s getting a little arrogant, isn’t she?” said Malkatoj to Cailín.

“Oh please!” said Rune, “enough fighting!”

“The village rules were agreed to by Meneltarmacil,” said Lhuna, hard. “He was selected for death today.”

“That’s cruel!” said Rune.

“Careful, or you’ll be next,” said Amanaduial.

Meanwhile, the duel was ending poorly for Meneltarmacil. Naria was clearly the more experienced of the two, and soon he lay, swordless, on the ground.

“Go ahead!” he said, “end it!”

“Any last words?” said Naria.

“I’d rather they weren’t…” said Meneltarmacil, “but if you insist… Then I’m going to say that you’re all idiots. It’s a classic quote, and quite appropriate.”

And in a blow, Naria’s sword crashed down and Meneltarmacil’s life ended. Severed with his neck was a silver chain.

“Look!” said Cailín, pulling it out of the dead man’s tunic. “The Tree of the Kings! Meneltarmacil was the APPRENTICE RANGER, after all.”

“I guess we are idiots,” said Amanaduial.

Day 6 is over, Night 7 is in session. I am waiting for my nightly names. Day 7 will begin at the normal time.

~Michael A. Joosten - WW XVI Moderator~

[Formendacil]

It was late at night in the village that would come to be known as Dol-in-Gaurhoth. All of the villagers had sought their respective homes, and all of them should have been in bed.

But not all of them were.

Two of the villagers, seemingly harmless by day, had transformed into hideous beasts, and while they prowled the village looking for an ideal victim, there was one other villager awake.

The tired figure of Lhunardawen remained awake in her shop, trying to create a pizza that would divine the secrets of Werewolves. A Lhunatic thing to do, perhaps, but after the deaths of Formendacil, Nilpaurion, Alcarillo, and now Alcarillo's apprentice, Meneltarmacil, Lhuna was running out of options.

Yet again, she had been visited by a spirit of the dead, but the dead villager's thoughts on one of her suspects were no more lucid or helpful than her own thoughts were. But the spirit had insights, and was certainly more objective in death than in life, and Lhuna had every intention of conveying the ideas to the village in the morning.

But the Wolves did not have any such intentions. For unbeknownst to Lhuna, it was that very potion pizza person that the Wolves stalked that night. Even as the spirit of the dead departed, and Lhuna found herself completely without inspiration, the door of her shop opened, and two hairy beasts strode in.

Lhuna lunged for Formendacil's sword, which she had shamelessly taken possession of since his passing. One of the Werewolves, missing it's tail, halted a moment, recognizing the blade.

But the other continued forward, growling. With a mighty leap, it lunged at her. The tailless Werewolf circled around, and attacked from behind.

Lhuna didn't stand a chance. Soon, the cuts and bites of the Werewolves had left her covered in blood, and with several broken bones. As she lay on the floor, waiting for the Werewolves to finish her off, she suddenly became aware that the two beasts had stopped moving, and that their backs bristled with fury.

Between her and the Werewolves, a silvery figure appeared, wielding a sword that looked identical to the one the Wolves had knocked out of her hand. The tall figure looked rather familiar, very much like one Formendacil who had been slain by the same Werewolves.

"Be gone!" said the spirit, forebodingly. Hesistantly, the Wolves obeyed, with one last snarl at Lhunardawen.

The spirit turned to the broken woman on the floor.

"They shall trouble thee no more."

"What are you doing here!" gasped the dying pizza person. "You're dead! Gone beyond the circles of Arda!"

"I have lingered for but a short time, until my death is avenged," said Formendacil.

"Then you should have come sooner, and saved me from this!" said Lhunardawen.

"The dead may not always interfere with the living," said Formendacil. "Because of our kinship, I may be with thee in these last hours, and to spare thee the final blows of the Werewolves. But I may not, and can not, save thee."

"Well," said Lhunardawen, her voice growing weaker as her blood poured out. "If we're just going to sit here, can you tell me who the Werewolves are?"



Dawn came to the village, and the villagers gathered again in their village square. But Lhunardawen was not among them. When they made their way to her shop, and discovered her broken body, they were amazed to see that it was neatly arranged, as if death had come slowly, with time to reflect. And there was no explaining the exasperated and annoyed- but loving- smile on her face.

"So she is dead then," said Cailin. "I feared it was so."

Night 7 is over, Day 7 is begun.

You may begin posting.

Lhunardawen your seer has been killed.

Those alive:

Cailin - Noble Kleptomaniac
Azaelia - Town Drunk
Farael - Worm Hunter
Rune – Misplaced Hobbit Peace Activist
Amanaduial - Northman Travel Guide
Naria - Store Proprietor
Malkatoj – Philosophy Professor

Those dead:

Formendacil - Moderator - Killed by Werewolves, Night 1
Gil-Galad - Shrubber - Ordo - Lynched by Village, Day 1
Kath - Gongfarmer - Cobbler - Killed by Werewolves, Night 2
Garin - Horse Loaner - Werewolf - Killed by Vilager, Day 2
Eluchil - Mild-Mannered Innkeeper - Ordo - Killed "Accidentally" by Werewolf, Day 2
NIGHT 3 - NO DEATH
Nilpaurion Felagund - Suspicious Carnivore - Ordo - Lynched by Village, Day 3
Valier - Brewmaster - Ordo - Killed by Werewolves, Night 4
TGWBS - Hat Maker - Ordo - Shot by the Village, Day 4
Gurthang - Rancher - Ordo- Killed by Werewolves, Night 5
Kuruharan - Dwarven Alcohol and Weapons Merchant - Cursed (Ordo) - Lynched by Village, Day 5
Alcarillo - Moneylender - Ranger - Killed by Werewolves, Night 6[/QUOTE]
Meneltarmacil - Creepy Guy on the Edge of Town - Apprentice Ranger - Executed by the Village, Day 6
Lhunardawen - Potion-Pizza Person - Seer - Killed by Werewolves, Night 7

[Cailín]

I knew it, but it still hurts. Lhuna, rest easy. I know what this game must have cost you (judging by what it is still costing me – my sanity) and though I feel rather lost without you, I am glad you can finally be at peace.

Okay. Menel was the Ranger. The key is to keep breathing. I feel endlessly stupid and dungheaded of course, but I thought Menel was a safe choice, also because he once explicitly stated to be simply an innocent villager. And yesterDay I got this strange feeling that Amanaduial might have been the Apprentice. Besides, I was reluctant to let go of one of the few very vocal players left. But not anymore.

I was rather torn this morning, whether I should completely change my views or whether I should stick with the old ones. Thinking rationally, the choice was easy. I am not swaying. There is little chance we can build a convincing case against one of the silent ones who have not yet been under much suspicion. If the wolf pair is Rune and Farael, we shall not find out anymore. It’s too risky and they have played too well. However, if Amanaduial or Malkatoj does turn out to be a wolf and we let them slip now, I think we shall forever hate ourselves. Surely even these two must understand this, if not of herself, if they are innocent, I’m sure they feel the same way about the other.

I have seen this happening before. I have read about it. A 180-degree turn just as you are starting to get to the bottom of it, is never a good idea. Just read some of the older legends – especially with the name sounding similar to my own -, and you will see what I am talking about. And yesterDay and the Day before that, I changed my mind right before voting each time. Bad plan. So I’m not going to change my mind anymore. In my view, Amanaduial and Malkatoj must die before the end.

Starting with Malkatoj. Of the two, she seems the most wolvish and is besides the least interesting to keep around, seeing that Amanaduial contributes far more to the general discussion. Whatever happens, whether she claims to be Eru himself or whatever, my vote is for Malkatoj toDay and I shall not let myself be deluded again. What say you?

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Damn I killed our Apprentice Ranger and thereby our seer. Well you helped, but I feel like I did it my self.

If this makes people look at me as a wolf I would normaly say: fine kill me, but we really cannot afford to kill any innocents.

What do we do now, I don't know.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

"have just read Cailín's post"

I will support voting for Malkatoj or we could do something completley wack.

[Farael]

Are we going to hesitate any longer? last day I came back in time for the voting (pretty much at the alst minute) but it would have been impossible for me to save Menel and while I hesitated I guess we all lost our temper and got rid of the wrong person but... are we going to wait any longer to rid ourselves of Amanduial? Menel voted for her even before she could vote for him... I don't care what happens today, she has to go. I say

++Amanduial so that nothing can sway my vote otherwise.

[Amanaduial the archer]

but... are we going to wait any longer to rid ourselves of Amanduial

Oh, nice phrasing there, Farael. But please, come on, at least qualify your vote - give some sort of explained reason for attempting to kill me!

If this makes people look at me as a wolf I would normaly say: fine kill me, but we really cannot afford to kill any innocents.

Ok, the previous phrase didn't, but that sure did, Rune. As for killing me...come on, haven't we all killed enough innocents already? You want to kill another?

I haven't time to make a full post - I'm all sicky and have just come back from singing in a concert (I can actually now taste blood in my mouth when I cough...), and now intend to sleeeep. But when I come back...well, Farael frankly your vote disappoints me, not because it is for me, of course, but because of the way it is phrased without any actual reasoning. Please, come on, if you're going to vote for anyone, myself included, please, at least reason it out - and don't just give a reason as 'because someone else did'!

No time. Sleep calls. Shall muse on this all tomorrow...

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Ok, the previous phrase didn't, but that sure did, Rune

The phrase was the result of a anger/Full of the sense of approaching death/fustration mixture, it was not very well put together at all.

What I was saying was that if people at some point finds me wolfish because of the result of a lynching wich I played a significant part in. I would say finish me off so that you will not be troubled by me in the final stages. The problem right now is that we are at the final stages. . .

In fact I am suprised about you putting so much into this phrase Amanaduial. . . It seemed pretty much as a stupid, but innocent thing.

I guess it is not up to me to judge these things.

[Farael]

See Amanduial, you keep trying to raise suspicions about one of the lest suspected villagers (Rune) and most people are right on thinking I'm innocent as well.... your behaviour was been suspicious all the way through. You take accusations so personal it almost seems you have a "cola de paja" as my grandfather used to say... that means that you are guilty of something and you jump every time someone mentions you because you are concerned that if you let even one comment go unanswered the truth will come out.

I think more than an excelent case has been done against you and I have nothing to add to it. I stand by my vote, if you don't like it, lynch me.

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

Last Night's events were unfortunate, but not entirely unexpected.

My voting record has been quite unfortunate over the past few Days...so here's to hoping that we catch ourselves a wolf.

Farael is sounding reasonable, and I agree with his statements made in the previous post.

Unless something changes, I'll be sticking with my suspicion of Aman toDay...But it's after 11:00 pm here and I am getting really sleepy. I can't think clearly on no sleep, so it's off to bed for me... Don't expect anything out of me for the rest of the night here. I'll try to get on again first thing after I wake up.

[Cailín]

Farael, indeed you are even more strong-willed than I am toDay. I will likely stick with my vote for Malkatoj, still, because even though I believe the case against Amanaduial is strong (and getting repetitive after three Days - don't know why she'd want more reasons), Malkatoj's silence is more disturbing and at least Amanaduial has made an attempt to defend herself in a admittedly suspicious manner. Besides, if one of them turns out to be innocent, I suppose the voting would be more telling if we spread the votes instead of all going for one person.

But I still think you are making sense and I will certainly pay attention to what you're saying.

Rune, I know how you feel. I also cannot avoid feeling a little responsible for Lhuna and Menel's death, but Menel has failed to reveal himself even though Lhuna and I both insisted the new Ranger should reveal himself if it were likely he would be lynched. We would then possibly have been able to lynch Wolf-Aman yesterDay and allow Lhuna one more dream. But tis no good dwelling on the past and we have all made mistakes these past few days - doubtless Menel believed himself safe for the moment, especially since I stated I'd vote for Aman or Malkatoj.

I think we may now be sure Naria gets attacked toNight - being the last known innocent in the village and so I propose that we lynch Amanaduial and shoot Malkatoj or the other way around. Naria, what do you think? Seeing you're the last known innocent, I'd respect your opinion the most.

[Cailín]

I have to leave now and I may or may not be home before the deadline. Anyway - I shall vote now.

++MALKATOJ

I am sure this needs no further explanation, see my previous posts for reasons / speculations and theories. Good luck, villagers.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

My god this is a slow day! I don't think I have ever seen anything like this before.

I have been going thru the case against Amanaduial and I actually have come to agree with it more or less. Farael comments about your accusations against me made me realise, that it was indeed a strange thing to do. You seem to be desperate to get you self of the hook by accusing people whenever you get the chance.

I think I will Malkatoj again, but I am not completley sure. I will give her (and you) half an hour to change my mind then I will vote.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

++Malkatoj

First we take Malkatoj then we take Amanaduial. (It does not sound as good as Manhattan and Berlin)

[Farael]

Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne

I have been going thru the case against Amanaduial and I actually have come to agree with it more or less. Farael comments about your accusations against me made me realise, that it was indeed a strange thing to do. You seem to be desperate to get you self of the hook by accusing people whenever you get the chance.

Rune, I have not accused you at all. I'm trying to raise the town against Amanduial, I think you Innocent... please do tell me where you thought I was accusing YOU

[Naria]

I will once again be voting for Aman for reason's that I have stated before and reason's other people have stated, I feel no need to go into any of them again.

++Amanaduial

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

It''s rather quiet around here... I expect that as we get closer, more people will show up...

I'd prefer to vote Aman today, because, as I have said several times before, mere lack of participation is not necessarily a valid way to pick someone to lynch...there are more factors to take into account. I'm not trying to defend Malka here since at this point, she's even quieter than I am, and that is definitely an accomplishment, and I agree that her lack of participation has arrived at the point of suspicion.

Aman, on the other hand, each time I review her posts, I get more suspicious. I've said before that seeing something from all sides is important when used to clarify, but her use of it seems to me more in the direction of muddying the waters and causing confusion. So I guess I'd rather lynch her today and go for Malka as a hunter victim...Though either way it amounts to the same thing.

But I just had a thought: If the wolves feel that they're in danger because we've found both of them, the remaining one (Or both if today's lynchee is innocent) won't kill Naria because though she's known, she's dangerous to kill. If that makes sense. I know there's a better way to put it, but it's not coming to mind.

So today, I'll vote

++Aman

Because she seems more suspicious of the two suspicious ones, at least to me. Here's to hoping we catch a wolf today, and, if our hunter is lost, another tonight!

ETA: I was right about others showing up--Cross-posted with Farael, and cross-voted with Naria.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Aman, on the other hand, each time I review her posts, I get more suspicious. I've said before that seeing something from all sides is important when used to clarify, but her use of it seems to me more in the direction of muddying the waters and causing confusion.

Seems my efforts to be less well-rounded in my approach didn't work And it seems it may get me lynched before the Day is up, in...goodness, less than 20 minutes...

I'm not sure a defence is much good now except to say how surprised I am that I'm being chosen over Malkatoj, when, from her posts, I was fairly sure I wasn't alone in picking up danger signs about her - and plus that constant creepy absence... 3-2 in favour (ha!) of my being lynched, and I come to a strange pass of who to actually vote for...

I have a quarter of an hour left in this village, and as this is certainly not time to form any sort of reasonably argument in my defence (I apologise for my absence today, by the way: concerts and rehersals today and yesterday...), all I can say is...well, you're making a mistake. Cliched it may be, but what can I do? Argue in my defence I get persecuted, argue in someone else's defence and I get persecuted...

Still, I'll drink to that: cheers, and may you have a happy last few days hunting as the wolves narrow the odds and you choose to kill yet another innocent villager toDay!

[Formendacil]

The village was sullen, and silent following Lhunardawen's death. Bereft of a leader, the villagers were hesitant to attract any attention to themselves, and remained subdued and quiet. Naria, the only seemingly sure innocent in the village seemed unwilling or unable to fill in as the village leader.

The voting was quiet, although those voting were convinced that what they were doing was correct. And it was Amanaduial who got the death sentence that day.

"What you're up to is wrong," she warned them. "You'll regret it!"

"Why?" said Rune, a smouldering antipathy towards Amanaduial burning after a week of dispute. "Are you a Werewolf?"

"Actually," said Amanaduial, lunging for him, "I am!"

Amanaduial's long hunting knife flashed in her hand, but it wasn't at Rune that she lunged, but at the village protector, Naria. Naria was knocked to the ground, winded and wounded, Amanaduial's knife stuck in her right shoulder. Amanaduial took flight.

"Get her!" cried Farael. And the remaining villagers took off- except for Rune. The short fellow calmly bent down, grabbed one of the smaller stones out of the ground, and hurled it after the fugitive. It struck her hard in the back of her head. She collapsed, stunned.

Cailin was the first to reach Amanaduial.

"Quick!" she cried. "A sword!"

"Here!" Malkatoj handed her Formendacil's blade. Not waiting for the rest to veto her act or approve it, Cailin made a swift chop with the sword, severing head from body. Amanaduial's head rolled away from the body, and began to change, as did the body itself. Soon the severed form of a dead wolf lay before them.

"Hurray!" cried Rune. "We finally got another one!"

"Yes, the village is saved!" cried Malkatoj.

"Not yet," said Farael. "Those notes said 'the Werewolves - plural- in your midst', even after Garin's death."

But even this solemn pronouncement did not dampen their spirits.

Day 7 is over, Night 8 is begun.

Posting is over.

I need the nightly names from the last Werewolf, and from the Hunter.

~Michael A. Joosten - WW XVI Moderator~

[Formendacil]

It was a week since the village had discovered the dead body of Formendacil, the eighth day of deliberating, of trying to find the Werewolves. And yet again, they awoke to find one of their number missing. This time, it was Rune.

What had happened to the short, shoeless, little man, none of them knew- except one, of course- but they all guessed. And when they came to Rune's home on the east end of the village, they were proven right. Rune, Son of Bjarne, lay dead on his floor, the taletell marks of his Wolvish killers marring his body.

"Did he leave any instructions about what to do with his body?" said Malkatoj, with a sniffle.

"No," said Farael. "He always spoke of other things: peace, prosperity, a new world order, the importance of community, of living in a commune of peace. That commune-ism was his chief interest."

"Wasn't there a connection to a Dwarf?" asked Cailin. "I seem to recall some bearded dwarf creature figuring into all that commune stuff."

"No, it wasn't a Dwarf," said Naria. "I think it was a comedian. Markes, or something like that."

"He looked like a Groucho, anyway," said Cailin.

"We'll bury him with the others, then," said Azaelia. "With all his talk of community, it only seems appropriate. Such a pity that someone so devoted to peace had to die so violently."

"That's why the sword can never be laid down," said Naria. "Be as pacifistic as you like, the other side can never be guaranteed to do the same. 'tis better to keep your trust in arms."

"Which reminds me," said Malkatoj, "though I doubt that any of us could really have forgotten it, but we still need to hunt out at least one more Werewolf."

"Hunt it out, and kill it," said Naria, coldly.

Night 8 is over, Day 8 is begun.

You may begin posting.

Those alive:

Cailin - Noble Kleptomaniac
Azaelia - Town Drunk
Farael - Worm Hunter
Naria - Store Proprietor
Malkatoj – Philosophy Professor

Those dead:

Formendacil - Moderator - Killed by Werewolves, Night 1
Gil-Galad - Shrubber - Ordo - Lynched by Village, Day 1
Kath - Gongfarmer - Cobbler - Killed by Werewolves, Night 2
Garin - Horse Loaner - Werewolf - Killed by Vilager, Day 2
Eluchil - Mild-Mannered Innkeeper - Ordo - Killed "Accidentally" by Werewolf, Day 2
NIGHT 3 - NO DEATH
Nilpaurion Felagund - Suspicious Carnivore - Ordo - Lynched by Village, Day 3
Valier - Brewmaster - Ordo - Killed by Werewolves, Night 4
TGWBS - Hat Maker - Ordo - Shot by the Village, Day 4
Gurthang - Rancher - Ordo- Killed by Werewolves, Night 5
Kuruharan - Dwarven Alcohol and Weapons Merchant - Cursed (Ordo) - Lynched by Village, Day 5
Alcarillo - Moneylender - Ranger - Killed by Werewolves, Night 6[/QUOTE]
Meneltarmacil - Creepy Guy on the Edge of Town - Apprentice Ranger - Executed by the Village, Day 6
Lhunardawen - Potion-Pizza Person - Seer - Killed by Werewolves, Night 7
Amanaduial - Northman Travel Guide - Werewolf - Killed by the Village, Day 7
Rune – Misplaced Hobbit Peace Activist - Ordo - Killed by Werewolves, Night 8

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

Of course, we do not know who Naria's hunt-ee was this past Night, but I find it suspicious that after all our talk of lynching either Aman or Malka and hunting the other, that Malka is still alive.

Though perhaps it was too obvious, and Malka is a frame-up. I'll have to review carefully.

[Cailín]

Poor Rune. Such a kind little fella.

But yay, we finally managed to lynch a wolf yesterDay - and what a traitor Aman turned out to be! Now I have a few theories why Naria was not killed last night, seeing that she is the official last know innocent.

1) Malkatoj is the final wolf and decided to drag it on for another Day.
2) Malkatoj is not the final wolf. We lynch her toDay and the wolf hopes Naria takes down an innocent with her toNight, ergo, a wolvish victory. It is likely Naria would choose me as a secondary victim, so that would be rather convenient.

However, if Malkatoj is indeed innocent and the wolf had killed Naria and indirectly Malkatoj toNight, we'd still have only one day left to find the wolf and chances would be considerable I'd be the one lynched if Malka is proven innocent.

Either way, if we don't catch a wolf toDay, it is over. Unless Naria would choose not to hunt anyone. And therefore I'd ask Naria to seriously consider that if we don't manage to find a wolf toDay and finds herself clueless. If we lynch an innocent, would we leave it up to Naria to make the right decision or would we rather argue over it another Day? I'm not sure, whatever the majority prefers, I suppose.

I still think option 1 provided above is the most likely - this might be just an attempt to sow discord for another Day. However, I shall decide on my vote tomorrow when I am a little more clearheaded. Sleep well, dolls.

[Farael]

You know Cailin, I was remembering last night's voting and well.... you are the only one who did NOT vote for Amanduial and is still alive.

Don't you think it's quite convenient? you convince us to vote Malka today and Naria not to hunt anyone tonight... that way you ensure your survival for another night to eat us all, eh

There have been suspicions against you but the biggest clue against you is that Azaelia voted for Amanduial yesterday, so did I and Naria... I'd say that gets us of the hook as a wolf would know that with so few of us left a vote could make the whole difference.

Malkaltoj did not vote last night but I'm willing to give her another night's grace. I think you are too dangerous Cailin, the only experienced unknown. And so far two of the wolves were inexperienced... I think that Sauron would have been smarter than to choose three inexperienced wolves. I think tonight you shall be our lynching pray and we will let Naria decide what to do.

And before you start spreading misinformation about me, try to see who lead the votes against Garin and Amanduial. I am innocent. You are not.

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

Interesting points, Farael...

I'm going to have to vote within the next hour and a half or so, because I have work.

It's a shame not to have more to go on, because these early votes of mine invariably go wrong.

I'm at a point where a lot of people are looking suspicious, so I must review.

[malkatoj]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry. I disappeared to another state to visit my boyfriend and didn't have access to a computer. I thought I would. Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry.

On the other hand, WOOHOO a wolf is gone! One left, and I'm definitely agreeing with Farael after reading the posts over. Cailin's recent voting record looks extremely suspicious. Her most recent post about also seems very confusing and self-defeating--she seems to be assuming that the remaining wolf will go for Naria if not lynched today. How would a non-wolf know wolfish plans?

I would like to see what else comes up during the DAY but I unfortunately have to go to sleep since I'm at school more than usual tomorrow. (I hate senior year.) So, since I won't be back on to my knowledge and even if I am, better safe than sorry:

++CAILIN

(sorrysorrysorrysorrysorry)

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

If you had not just posted, Malka, you would have gotten my vote this evening.

As it is, Farael's and Malka's reasoning has drawn me to the conclusion that perhaps our wolf is trickier than we thought...Cailin has always been reasonable, perhaps too reasonable.

Though the suggestion of Naria not choosing if she doesn't have a sure target and our lynch-ee today is innocent does make sense if I think about it...because we're a village of 5, 4 of us innocent. If our lynch-victim is innocent, we're down to 4, and 3 innocents. And then, if Naria is eaten toNight, and she picks an innocent victim, that's another two down. One wolf and one innocent. We lose. Which may be why Naria is still alive...because the wolf was hiding behind a hope that she would become confused and take an innocent out tonight.

However, I do not know about Farael, either...he also is very reasonable, or at least reasonable-seeming. But I've harbored some degree of suspicion against him for a long time. His idea of letting someone suspicious (Malka) slide for another night could be letting a wolf get away. And he did bring up an argument against Cailin first. (And to really beat the dead horse, he was the one to call for Lhuna to reveal herself.)

And Malka's previous lack of participation is also suspicious, though that alone should not condemn her, and she was absent yesterDay.

Naria is the only one I know for sure is innocent.

And my schedule demands that I have to vote now or not at all. eek.

My mind says Cailin. My gut says Farael. And Malka lurks around the edge of it all (I, too, have a sense of melodrama).

But my time is up. I've convinced myself. I am going to vote for

++Farael

But my gut instincts have been very, very wrong before. So wrong that I don't know why I bother to listen to them anymore. I just know that Cailin and Malka both feel wrong. I would urge all those who have not voted yet to please withold and use all time available to vote, to gather all facts that you can because this could just be our last day to catch a wolf. I'm not saying vote for Farael. I'm saying look around, post a lot, weigh your options carefully.

If this is putting pressure on anyone, I apologize.

If Cailin is innocent (stranger things have certainly happened) I would recommend looking at Farael because he sounded off with a lot of force against her, and was the first to do so.

Well. I hope we all survive this coming Night. And I hope to "see" this village alive and kicking when I return from work on Wednesday night in time to see the events of the rest of today, and to see if we survived.

[Farael]

Originally Posted by Azaelia of Willowbottom

However, I do not know about Farael, either...he also is very reasonable, or at least reasonable-seeming. But I've harbored some degree of suspicion against him for a long time. His idea of letting someone suspicious (Malka) slide for another night could be letting a wolf get away.

you kidding my friend? if I wasn't almost convinced of Cailin's guilt I'd be voting for you!!! you say you don't want to let a suspect get away yet... you vote for me rather than the suspect?

And he did bring up an argument against Cailin first. (And to really beat the dead horse, he was the one to call for Lhuna to reveal herself.)

You know as well as I do that it was the right call to make at the time. There is no way Lhuna would have survived this far and she would have gathered no new information. At least we knew of a few innocents for a while.

If Cailin is innocent (stranger things have certainly happened) I would recommend looking at Farael because he sounded off with a lot of force against her, and was the first to do so.

Please, review yesterday's posting to see who sounded off with a lot of force against Amanduial the Wolf!!

Well. I hope we all survive this coming Night. And I hope to "see" this village alive and kicking when I return from work on Wednesday night in time to see the events of the rest of today, and to see if we survived.

Mark my words... not only you will find the village alive and kicking, but it will be wolf free.

We know that Naria is innocent and unless Malka has lied to us by saying she did not have Internet until just a while ago today (which would not qualify as "fair game") it would have meant that she could have not chosen the wolve's kill for the night. That leaves Azaelia, Cailin and Me. If my voting record does not speak for itself (Fangarin and Amanduial the wolf) then I say you should kill me now and rid yourselves of the doubt. But you will be voting towards your own destruction.

That leaves Azaelia and Cailin. I'm willing to spare Azaelia for the time being as Cailin has been much more suspicious than her. I will cast an early vote because I can't be certain I will be around tomorrow, but I trully believe

++Cailin
Is the wolf.

[Cailín]

I feared this might happen. This sudden voting for me is unreasoned, not very bright and probably the result of our longstanding weariness. Believe me, I wish I were a wolf. If I was, I would have played a brilliant game, and I have not. I said yesterDay how dangerous it would be to change strategy just before the end and obviously, no one really paid attention or thought I was just being wolvish.

I don´t think Farael is guilty. If I am lynched and found innocent toDay Naria is likely going to hunt you and the wolves lose. I think you just took too big a risk for a wolf, but I am not too certain. If I vote for you now, and you are innocent - as I believe you are - I shall be the one hunted toNight and we lose too. So I will definitely not to do that. Anyway, I hope you will soon regret your decision Farael, or prove to be the final wolf for your own sake. I was not against the lynching of Amanaduial, and have always argued for it, even though I never actually voted for her, which - I grant - must seem a little suspicious. However, Malkatoj is still the important suspicious one. Her votes were more off than mine and her enthusiasm to start the upcoming bandwagon against me shows.

Huhm, but anyway:

++CAILIN

Naria - I leave it up to you and if you are not killed toNight, I leave it up to the remaining villagers tomorrow. I can't get Malkatoj lynched anymore toDay. And if I have to die, I shall go on my own terms and I shall not be disgracefully shot in the Night. Besides, I have always wanted to vote for myself once. Nilp has it right, tis quite fun. I will be around later on to provide you with my final thoughts.

[Cailín]

I actually have classes to attend but I feel I have to share my thoughts with you right now.

I am sorry Farael is so convinced of my guilt, for the longer I think about it, the more I think he´s innocent. Imagine Farael being the last wolf. Naria was set to kill Malkatoj or possibly –but not probably- me last night. Farael could have just killed Naria & Malka and try framing me or Malka for it toDay. This scheme would likely have succeeded, for I am the most suspicious character after Malkatoj. Bút, the wolf chose to kill Rune, an ordinary instead. Wolf-Farael has nothing to gain and everything to lose if he followed this strategy. Accusing me during the Day and me an innocent being lynched, plus no more suspicious Malkatoj to fall back on, Farael would be in serious danger. Therefore I can only conclude Farael is a slightly deluded innocent.

Because of the reasoning above, I could never have voted for Farael. Even if I would have been able to convince Naria of my innocence, that would quickly have changed toNight and Naria would very likely have hunted me – seeing as she was suspicious of me since the beginning.

If Azaelia is the final wolf, kudos to her. Well done. But I’m still 90% certain the final wolf is Malkatoj. Remember - she was the only one who clearly had anything to gain by toNight's events. So consider it my dying wish that she is hunted toNight and if it comes to that, lynched tomorrow. And also – ironically enough – I am pleading for Farael’s life. He is simply a little foolish, but I highly doubt he’s a wolf.

[Formendacil]

Another day had passed. The last of the villagers were quiet and wary. They no longer trusted any of their companions. All that they wished to know was who was guilty. But no one, naturally, was exactly forthcoming in answering that question.

The votes for the day were tallied, each of the villagers stonily counting over each other's shoulders. Cailín had drawn the short straw.

"I won't put up a fuss," she said. "I must have done something to deserve this- unless you're ALL werewolves.

They went to the hanging tree.

"Erm... any last words?" asked Farael, uncomfortably conscious of some of the death speeches they had already heard.

"No, I don't think so," said Cailín. "I'm ready to go. This almost feels like a Numenorean release..."

"Then our apologies if you're innocent, and our hatred if you're not," said Naria, and soon Cailín hung from the tree- dead.

"Not a single sign of wolfishness," said Azaelia, drawing away from Farael and Malkatoj, as if one of them would eat her.

"This is getting frustrating," said Naria, irritably.

"Come on," said Malkatoj. "Let's all go to bed. By this time tomorrow, it should all be over."

DAY 8 is over, NIGHT 9 is begun. Please cease posting- not that you have done any of that for the last twelve hours...

Due to the number of villagers remaining, tomorrow will be the last day. Due to the lack of a Night therefollowing, and due to my annoying worklife, I'll probably let the day end slide for a few hours.

Werewolf, Hunter... the last night comes. Names please.

~Michael A. Joosten - WW XVI Moderator~

[Formendacil]

I appear to have been rather wool-headed yesterday... and probably still am, mind you. I blame it on the pizzas...

Anyway, when I said that the DAY END would be delaying for Day 9 (the final day...), I should have said the DAY START would be delayed.

Anyone calling me a "fool of a Took" would be quite justified, right now.

[Formendacil]

Okay, Night 9 is- belatedly- over. Day 9 is begun.

Naria has given me notice that she will not be voting today. By special act of the Moderating Power, I herewith consign victory to whomever shall vote for the other first: Villager or Werewolf.

[Formendacil]

And...

I am really stupid today, for some reason...

I should perhaps have mentioned that Farael is dead.

That leaves Malkatoj and Azaelia.

And yes, Farael, I'll give you a death- just give me time to collect my wits, go to choir practice, and hopefully regain my sense.

[Formendacil]

The ninth morning after Formendacil's death, the last villagers of Dol-in-Gaurhoth rose.

Malkatoj and Azaelia met each other in the square. No one else appeared.

"What happened?" asked Azaelia. "Surely the Werewolf didn't get Naria."

"I don't know," said Malkatoj, baffled. "Let's go check."

They came to Naria's home, and discovered that the Huntress was gone. Only a parchment note- so terribly similar to those of the Werewolves- remained on her doorstep.

"Dear Villager," it began.

"For there is only one of you left. By now, Farael is dead. And I was unable to stop the Wolf. It was foolish of me, perhaps, to claim to be the Huntress. Not that I am not a Huntress, but that I have been unable thus far to save anyone. At least Alcarillo died honourably. The fact that I am still alive speaks of nothing but contempt for me by the Wolves.

I am leaving- this village, this land, this world.

Good-bye."

And it was signed:

~Naria~

"Oh dear..." said Azaelia.

"Umm... yeah...." said Malkatoj. "What about Farael?"

Standing a safe distance away from each other, and eyeing each other suspiciously, the two women made their way to Farael's home. The last man in the village lay bloodied, but neat, on his bed, hands folded over his chest.

"Naria must have been here," said Malkatoj. She turned to Azaelia.

"Okay, Werewolf, it's you and me. Let's have this out now- once and for all."

Fear in her eyes, Azaelia fled the house, certain a Werewolf was behind her....

[malkatoj]

++Azaelia

(Unless this means the game is over? It should, but you didn't say that, so just in case.)

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

++ Malkatoj.

Is the Wolf.

It's too late but whatever.

Here's hoping my death is good. Goodbye cruel world

School was my downfall.

[Formendacil]

Malkatoj tore after Azaelia, sword in hand. Azaelia, terrified, made it out of the village, and onto the rolling plains, hoping to escape the Werewolf that was surely pursuing her, and maybe make it back to civilization.

Such was not to be the case. Nightfall came, and although Azaelia still eluded her, it was only a matter of time before Malkatoj transformed, and had her faster, lupine form with which to pursue her. A lupine form with no tail.

And so it came to pass that the last, brave villager of Dol-in-Gaurhoth was felled by a Werewolf. Falling dead upon the tall, wavy grasses of Rhovannion, there was no one to see her die or to mark where she lay.

What befell the Werewolf Malkatoj, none could say. It was assumed that she joined the forces of evil in Mordor or Angmar. When she came at last to her end, no one knows.

The final episode in the life of the cursed village of Dol-in-Gaurhoth came less than a month after Formendacil's death, a fortnight after Azaelia's slaying. A company of Gondorian Rangers, and an old man in grey came to wooden palisade, hoping to find shelter for the night, only to find the burned home of Gurthang, the fresh graves, and the rope dangling off the great tree the villagers had used for hanging.

"What befell these people, Incánus?" asked the captain, bewildered. "You said that there were twenty people in this village, but verily, I see a good dozen graves, and there is not a sign that anyone lives here."

Incánus looked over the scene before them.

"I know not, Ingold," he replied. "But it was not a pestilence, else the last few bodies would remain."

"I'll have my men search the village," said Ingold. "Whatever befell them, it bodes ill."

Ingold and his men searched the village from top to bottom, and what they saw was disquieting, but what had happened remained uncertain, until they made camp in the village that night and Ingold fell asleep.

In his dreams, the figure of a tall Dúnadan of later middle age appeared to him, a bloodied sword in hand.

"I am Formendacil," said he. "For my sake, the inhabitants of this town remained to confront the evil in their midst. For I was slain by Werewolves of Sauron- people in Wolvish form whom I had otherwise counted as friends. Now all the villagers have joined me in death. Sleep in peace, Man of Gondor, for the servants of evil will avoid this place."

The figure faded. The next morning, Ingold sought out Incánus, and told him of his dream.

"Dol-in-Gaurhoth," murmured Incánus. "The Hill of Werewolves. That is disquieting, indeed, for I had not thought that such servants of Sauron remained still."

"Can we hunt down these foul beasts?" asked Ingold.

"I think that some of them are dead already," said Incánus. "These villagers caught a couple of them. But no, I don't think we can hunt them. All we can do is watch, and wait. It is only a matter of time before another village suffers the legacy of TOL-IN-GAURHOTH."

~Finis~

~Michael A. Joosten - WW XVI Moderator~

I'll have my Moderator's Analysis and Comments up sometime over the weekend.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I cannot belive that you let Malkatoj live!

well I guess she played her cards right at the end.

It has was fun not to be killed on day 2 for once, I was kind of shocked when I was not lynched. All in all it was a good game, allthoug kind of quiet in the end.

Lhuna you just have to accept that I know when your innocent.

actually I will save further comments to another time. . .

Great Moderating by the way

[the guy who be short]

That was foreseeable.

[Kuruharan]

I’m claiming a moral victory for myself. Not only did I completely peg two wolves but I was thoroughly suspicious of the third. If only certain people had listened.

Actually, after I was lynched I was convinced that Cailín was the werewolves mastermind who had done the whole thing. As it turned out, I was right the first time. On the whole it is probably better that I died when I did (for any number of reasons).

However, I do hope in the future that people will first look and act on the evidence before they start flying off the handle on gut instinct.