WWJ XII: "Oh the tangled web we weave..."

[Valier]

Valier walked steadily and confidently towards a small group of houses. She carried two large milk jugs upon her withered shoulders as if they weighed nothing. She breathed deeply of the cool, crispy winter air and stepped up to a door that the light inside was still on. *Knock* Knock* The door opens slightly, but whoever answers is unseen. "Oh hello Valier. A little late for a delivery, don't you think?....Valier? Oh dear god!!!! NO!!!!!!!! DARKNESS, DEATH

Valier moves more slowly towards a second house, this body can not take much more... On she goes till she reaches another house with lights alit. *Knock* Knock* The door creaks open. "Well Valier!! What a surprise! Is something wrong?...." Valier reaches once more for her pocket... Dread, fear....DARKNESS,DEATH


It begins to snow harder as the long night moves on. The body is spent. She sits in the ever rising snow and waits. Not long, for up the road comes a trotting of hooves as a carriage nears. It nearly passes her by, but at the last minute it stops and someone jumps out, someone younger and stronger.... "Madame are you alright? Do you need assistance?" The woman whispered something the kind stranger could not hear, so they bent closer. They would never get a chance to rue that moment...... DARKNESS, DEATH

The village grew quiet. The dawn rose with hoarfrost covering everything. The villagers awoke and went about their daily duties, but something was different, something was going to happen, the air was filled with static.

A horrible scream rang out breaking whatever peace there was to be left of the day.
" Valier!!! Oh Valier!!!! What in dear god has happened!???" There sprawled out in the snow lay Valier, her body shrivelled and dry, she looked as if every last bit of life was drained from her body. "What is going on here?" Shrieked Thinlomien, running towards the scream "I cannot see!! Please what has happened to Valier?" " You do not want to know I am sure" remarked Jack the blacksmith. " Something strange is going on here and we need to find out!" Said someone in the back. " My dogs were going nuts last night!" yelled out Volo "Something is here and it means us all harm, No amount of charm will help us get through this. " "That is just crazy talk!! Crazy old Loon!!" Shouted Briseis in disgusted.

Voices grew louder and the tension rose, but this was and is, only the beginning.


Dead villagers

Valier- Milkmaid- Killed by Thing- Mod



Live villagers

Gil-Galad- Friendly neighborhood window cleaner
JennyHallu- Prophetess
Volo- Village loony/Poet
Kitanna- Hermit
Naria- Herbalist
Glirdan- Town musician
Briseis- Seamstress
Rikae- Cheesemaker
Macalaure- Village Doomsayer
Folwren- Jack the Blacksmith
Rune son of Bjarne- Weaver (not the actual one)
Thinlomien- Blind gardener maid
Nogrod- GoatHerder
Meneltarmacil- Former pirate
Eonwe- Miller


Day 1 has now begun. Things stop pming. Day ends at 10:00pm CST (GMT-6) Tomorrow. You may now post on this thread.

Let the paranoia begin.

[Gil-Galad]

"oooh...well thats going to leave a mark" Gil casually remarked

"but i guess assumptions are going to have to wait till later today people, we must wait for the comments... such a shame...poor Valier, it has to be our village out of hundreds, waiting to be populated by unearthly creatures, for her blood to paint its simple walls..."

[Rikae]

Oh my sweet Mozzarella! This is terrible. Who could have done such a thing to poor, dear Valier (and how will I make this month's batch of gorgonzola without milk?). I can't believe such a thing would happen here, in our quiet little village!
Now, nobody panic. It will be all right, if we remain calm and keep our wits about us. When I was at the cheesemaker's convention in Bree last year, I was able to hear the news from all over Middle Earth. One story I heard was of two villages beset by werewolves hidden in their midst. Every night the wolves killed a villager, but this was not the only danger - many innocent villagers were lynched by their neighbors before the horrible business finally came to an end. Some died because they spoke too soon, or made baseless accusations; others, because they tried to keep a low profile. Often, those that spoke first were wolves; I trust you will understand that I speak first now so that others may have the courage to speak their minds also, and if I go to my death today or tonight at least I will have had my say.

We have among us, if I read the narrative rightly, three "things". One young and strong, one who was up late last night, and one who expected a delivery of milk. I am aware all three of these statements apply to me, and therefore my chances of seeing sunset are quite slim already. I will then try to be as helpful as I can in what little time I have, for my allegiance lies with the villagers, as my death will confirm.

The only ones among you who truly know anything are the things. They are the only ones now with knowledge to condemn or absolve anybody. They are bound to each other. Look for those who speak quickly, those who wish to lead. Beware of those who are certain. Admittedly random accusations have meant innocence in other villages, for the innocent know they know nothing. Beware of those who collaborate to defend anyone also, for only the things and the seer know who is who. Demand explanations, and avoid bandwagons.

I am aware that according to my own advice, I am the logical choice for today's lynching - but so be it. The chances are, to-day, that a villager will die - if I can speak plainly for one day, and thereby save my village, it has been worth this miserable cheesemaker's life.

[Thinlómien]

Poor Valier. What evil did she ever do to anyone? She was a gentle spirit, may she rest in peace and find a better place where grass is greener, flowers blossom and no werewolves roam.

Gil is the incarnation of the-start-of-day1-ishness.

Rikae speaks sense, I grant her that. Her words are wise (yet obvious, but what else than obvious or nonsense you can talk on Day1?), but her manner bugs me a bit. I mean, she continuosly presents an assumption of the things and adds "of course, that applies to me" or something of the sort. That makes me uneasy. Why to do this? She seems to have acquinted herself with past villages (thus she has knowledge) and maybe she has noticed that adding oneself to one's own lists of possible baddies based on evidence is usually regarded as an innocentish thing? I mean, she's kind of lifting the suspicion of herself by herself, if you follow my meaning. I can't help getting the feeling that she tries to underline her innocence. You can't condemn anyone based on one single post, but I'll be watching Rikae.

I'm telling this now already; I unfortunately must vote quite early. (Check the TiG-junior thread.)

[Macalaure]

Originally Posted by Thiñlómien

Rikae speaks sense, I grant her that. Her words are wise (yet obvious, but what else than obvious or nonsense you can talk on Day1?), but her manner bugs me a bit. I mean, she continuosly presents an assumption of the things and adds "of course, that applies to me" or something of the sort. That makes me uneasy. Why to do this? She seems to have acquinted herself with past villages (thus she has knowledge) and maybe she has noticed that adding oneself to one's own lists of possible baddies based on evidence is usually regarded as an innocentish thing? I mean, she's kind of lifting the suspicion of herself by herself, if you follow my meaning. I can't help getting the feeling that she tries to underline her innocence. You can't condemn anyone based on one single post, but I'll be watching Rikae.

Interesting that you say she speaks sense, which, pardon me, she doesn't all the way through, but then pick on her because of her manner. Yes, she does some nilpish self-accusation, but everytime she does it's clearly in-character.
Do I have to worry about you, Lommy?

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Mac

triple post - urks

Haha, Mac, you're taking after me then.

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Interesting that you say she speaks sense, which, pardon me, she doesn't all the way through, . . .

You pointed out some "flaws" or maybe "not thought-out-to-the-end" -things, that I did not notice or consider that important and helped me see her "reasonableness" partly in other light. Yet, I'd still say she makes sense (generally speaking, of course, I don't necessarily agree with her about everything, for example "being certain"; that varies too much from one baddie to another).

Originally Posted by Mac

. . . but then pick on her because of her manner. Yes, she does some nilpish self-accusation, but everytime she does it's clearly in-character.

I disagree about being in-character all the time. But let's not argue about that, the manner bugs me regardless of if it's in-character or not. Besides, I wouldn't compare her manner with Nilp's; Nilp says he's a wolf and Rikae just says that certain facts hint to her possible guilt. It is her manner that makes me wary of her, not her suggestions or something else. If she didn't have that self-accusing habit, she wouldn't probably seem suspicious to me. The points you, Mac, think make her wolvish-looking (or thingish-looking) I think could be interpreted in two ways; suspicious or not-considered-all-the-sides-of-the-matter. Without that "self-suspecting manner" I'd lean the later mentioned possibility, now I'm not sure.

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Random accusations are a curse, I tell you, even if admitted. They usually give the accuser a sure raise on everybody's suspicion list. Demanding explanation is a good counsel. Look for crooked explanations!

Sorry, but I don't see your point here. Could you elaborate? Why are those statements contradicting? Am I stupid or are you not making sense?

[Macalaure]

If random accusations aren't a bad thing, then why demand explanations for them? I see a contradiction in that.

I'm not saying Rikae is thingish-looking. She's on the not-considered-all-the-sides-of-the-matter -side, as you say it. If a more experienced werewolfer said the same I would've been wary. But that is not the case. It remembers me of my first game. I followed some games before and thought I quite got the hang of it and vocally said so, but it wasn't the case on all occasions.

Good you explained yourself, Lommy. Your other post looked surprisingly thingish to me: Calling sense what wasn't entirely sense (and probably hoping other innocents would fall for it) to me, but calling her suspicious anyway.

[Glirdan]

Ah! Valier is dead!? How tragic!! I would discuss more but I must depart (OOC - school). I shall be back later on in the day.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Actuallt to me Rikae is the most non-thingish of those who has posted. Mac, you know that almost everything in this game is dubble edged, the same argument can be used to prove both innocens and guilt.

I for one like Rikae's style

I don't understand why you use so much time to attack her arguments, if you knew all along that you were not going to act on it

Originally Posted by Mac

Hmmm. I have to admit that your post would usually make me very, very suspicious of you. But this is your first game, so I'll be nice.

I AM THE WEAVER

(it is true look at my ocupation)


I will now go over Thinny's posts and see if I can make anything of them.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Calling sense what wasn't entirely sense (and probably hoping other innocents would fall for it) to me, but calling her suspicious anyway.

Can't a suspicious person make sense?

If random accusations aren't a bad thing, then why demand explanations for them? I see a contradiction in that.

If that was your point, I see your logic.

Jenny, you're probably right assuming that at least one of those who have posted is a thing, but I must say I personally dislike making a list that doesn't have anything to do with anything (suspicious behaviour, suspects etc.) and drawing mathemathical conclusions from it. The only thing that can be achieved from that is confusion. (If you used that as a prettier way to say who the posters this far is the most suspicious in your opinion, then I understand it, but would prefer it in a clearer form. Thank you.)

I must vote soon. I'm off to read through the thread and decide who I will vote. Today I won't be voting anyone who's not have a word, but the deadline being what it is (not meant as criticism) I can't afford that mercy in the days to come (assuming, of course, that I'm alive). Besides, I shouldn't have any reason to vote anyone who has not yet spoken...

EDIT: xed with Volo and Rikae

[Macalaure]

DOOM IS UPON US!

Flee! Hide!

The Things are after us! They will kill us if they can! They will turn us into one of their own kind!

Run! Hide!

Wait, better: Don't run! Don't hide! Better to die earlier than later! There's nowhere to run and nowhere to hide anyway.

[Macalaure]

*ahem*

Three things that go hunting for us in the night while we try to lynch them at day? Sounds strangely familiar. A dark doom has been laid upon me and my ancestors that we always get caught up in villages like that. So, let us try to save our skin, however futile the effort may seem.

How do we proceed?

Nice suggestions you gave there, Rikae.
Well, in a way...

Look for those who speak quickly, those who wish to lead.

Some innocents will try to lead us out of this misery, too. But you're right in part. Since a thing will die earlier than a wolf, they can lead us without worry. A wolf that leads us wrong will meet the vengeance of the innocents before the end, while a thing dies before that can happen.

Beware of those who are certain.

My lorebook tells me that this is exactly the image most things try to avoid. May not count for each of them, though.

Admittedly random accusations have meant innocence in other villages, for the innocent know they know nothing.
...
Demand explanations,

Isn't this a bit contradicting?
Random accusations are a curse, I tell you, even if admitted. They usually give the accuser a sure raise on everybody's suspicion list. Demanding explanation is a good counsel. Look for crooked explanations!

Beware of those who collaborate to defend anyone also, for only the things and the seer know who is who.

The weaver also knows a bit. And the wolves don't know the gifted villagers. Again, obvious collaboration is something things tend to avoid, at least usually. And if nobody dares to defend another, even if s/he does not know of the other's innocence, this village will turn into a mad chicken house.

and avoid bandwagons.

Be careful! The opposite often is even worse. If the votes are spread all over the village, then the few votes of the things will carry a heavier weight. It's best to first discuss whom to vote for and then build a well-reasoned bandwaggon. Bandwaggons are only really dangerous if they get out of control early in the day.

I will then try to be as helpful as I can in what little time I have, for my allegiance lies with the villagers, as my death will confirm.

Ai! But, unless you're the seer or weaver, it won't. You'll just be turned into one of them, and nobody will notice.


Hmmm. I have to admit that your post would usually make me very, very suspicious of you. But this is your first game, so I'll be nice.
For now...


It'll be interesting to see some new wolf/thing tactics this game. The things don't only have to think about whom they want out of the game, but also whom they want on their side.

edit:x-ed with Lommy

[Kitanna]

Originally Posted by Rikae

Often, those that spoke first were wolves; I trust you will understand that I speak first now so that others may have the courage to speak their minds also, and if I go to my death today or tonight at least I will have had my say.

I am aware all three of these statements apply to me, and therefore my chances of seeing sunset are quite slim already. I will then try to be as helpful as I can in what little time I have, for my allegiance lies with the villagers, as my death will confirm.

I am aware that according to my own advice, I am the logical choice for today's lynching - but so be it.

Your constant return to the idea of being lynched is not instilling much confidence within me. It seems each time you bring it up in this first post you are trying to play the innocent and gain our pity by "admitting" you are a likely canidate for the noose. I find what you say sense, so I can't see why you would claim it would be the death of you. If anything ends your life today it will be the references to how your life will end today.

Some innocents will try to lead us out of this misery, too. But you're right in part. Since a thing will die earlier than a wolf, they can lead us without worry. A wolf that leads us wrong will meet the vengeance of the innocents before the end, while a thing dies before that can happen.

Keep in mind the Weaver, the Seer, and the Ranger (more than just innocents, super innocents if you will) are probably going to be trying to lead as well as the Things. It's hard to be rational Day One, but don't be rash and jump immediately on the leaders. Think before acting.

Random accusations are a curse, I tell you, even if admitted. They usually give the accuser a sure raise on everybody's suspicion list. Demanding explanation is a good counsel. Look for crooked explanations!

I say I'd rather see a random vote than no vote though. Because most times even the most random vote has some sort of reasoning behind it. Even with flimsy reasoning it is better to give a reason than simply vote and hope for the best.

Because if I don't point it out, someone else will

[sarcasm]And thus the point of the game was realized...[/sarcasm]
Someone is going to suspect you and often times due to posts that state "I know I look guilty and I'll probably be lynched, but..."

Which will expose the things. Bandwagons are easy to hide in!

Lone votes are equally as easy to hide in. Safe votes are common, so while one Thing might jump on a bandwagon the other two could just do little safe votes to cover their tracks. Much can be taken from bandwagon votes.

I think Mac and Rikae are the most suspicious so far (for me at least) and Lommy comes in a distant third.

Rikae's first vote makes me feel very uneasy. Her constant return to the fact "I'll probably be lynched" and "My death will prove my innocence" is unnerving. Also I'm a bit suspcious of the comparsions of other games, when comparing this villages to other villages could have no real bearing in the end. Her points in the first post state the obvious and though she hasn't taken all sides into consideration I think she is thinking logically. I was extremely worried about her after reading her first posts, but my susipicions have lessened a bit after reading further.

Mac on the other hand. I am far more worried about him. Some have commented on his attack of Rikae and of him showing her in a bad light. He has said he wasn't and he didn't mean too. This is what worries me. He went through her post, picked it apart, threw a lot of attention in her direction and then says "no, no, I was just pointing this out...". I worry because commenting on one or two points is nothing serious, but he did more than one or two points. And he keeps returning to his defense of "not attacking Rikae" causing her to remain in the spotlight. Rikae was already in the spotlight because of Lommy, but Mac continued to keep her there. He states he "defended" Rikae against Lommy and that screams guilty in my mind. He's making sure we notice Rikae and if she dies innocent in the next day or two we'll remember Mac was saying so all along. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it seems a bit foul to me.

[Macalaure]

First off, I agree with what Folwren states about Lommy. I'm quite uneasy about her, for the same reasons.


The first time I played with Kitanna I was suspicious about her very early on - and she turned out to be the ranger. Now, again, I feel very suspicious about her because of her last post. I don't know what to make of this.

Originally Posted by Kitanna, about Rikae

Her constant return to the fact "I'll probably be lynched" and "My death will prove my innocence" is unnerving.Also I'm a bit suspcious of the comparsions of other games, when comparing this villages to other villages could have no real bearing in the end. Her points in the first post state the obvious and though she hasn't taken all sides into consideration I think she is thinking logically.

Constant return? She only returned to it because other people talked about it. And if you say Rikae just stated the obvious, then why did you comment on the obvious just before?

Originally Posted by Kitanna, about me

And he keeps returning to his defense of "not attacking Rikae" causing her to remain in the spotlight. Rikae was already in the spotlight because of Lommy, but Mac continued to keep her there. He states he "defended" Rikae against Lommy and that screams guilty in my mind. He's making sure we notice Rikae and if she dies innocent in the next day or two we'll remember Mac was saying so all along.

I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. Many have said I attacked Rikae, and I agree that it might have looked like it, but I don't feel her guilty (not in the beginning and even less now), so I'm making exactly that clear to everybody who asks. Even though Lommy voted for her, I don't think she'll be lynched today, so I don't think that the plan you think I'm having would even work.

I was extremely worried about her after reading her first posts, but my susipicions have lessened a bit after reading further.
...
Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it seems a bit foul to me.

Do I see a pattern behind that?
I've seen that kind of relativising of suspicion before, but mostly from wolves.

[Kitanna]

Constant return? She only returned to it because other people talked about it.

In her first post she brought it up about four times right after making a point. I'd call that a constant return.

[Macalaure]

No, it's this:

Originally Posted by me

First off, I agree with what Folwren states about Lommy. I'm quite uneasy about her, for the same reasons.

I know what you will say, that these were not my own thoughts and it's easy to just agree. You would be right about that. But Folwren, whom I feel very innocent at the moment by the way, exactly said what I thought and I didn't feel like repeating.