Tol-in-Gaurhoth LXIII: The Cottage of Lost Play

[Shastanis Althreduin]

I have a headache, and I can't find any aspirin anywhere. Typical.

In any case, there are three (four?) people I'm looking at very hard today, and I'll give my reasons a bit later - Inziladun, Nogrod, Lalaith (and possibly Pitchwife, although he's new).

And yes, I realize I'm poking at everyone who poked at me yesterday. But really, Nogrod, your usual pontification on people who hide behind "in-character content" is not going to fly this time, I won't have it.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Shastanis Althreduin

And yes, I realize I'm poking at everyone who poked at me yesterday.

A fruitful approach to be sure... Must be the best way to pick the baddies.

But for an odd reason speaks good about you.

Originally Posted by Shasta

But really, Nogrod, your usual pontification on people who hide behind "in-character content" is not going to fly this time, I won't have it.

This time? Like you'd been in this kind of situation before? Now where?

But seriously, you're clearly not getting what I said. If you just spend a whole Day saying "I'm going here, I'm going there, I'm doing this nice thing, I'm doing this good thing"... well surely you're not giving us a clue of what you actually think - or who would you vote - if you'd care to do that in the first place. And who would have reasons to hide their ideas? You can't claim easily you're the seer who might have reason for that as you're a bit to late for that now.

Sorry, no pontification, just notifying the fact that I suspect the way you come and go.

But I do have better candidates to suspect right now if that makes you feel any easier. I'm just sad you haven't made an effort thus far if you're an innocent.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by autume98

I agree that McAbre is who he claims to be. I'm going to believe that he is the seer for now. I'll give my thoughts on others after I look at things more closely.

McAbre? Are you insinuating he's gruesome, or 'produces horror'? (sorry, couldn't resist.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Inzil voted for McCaber tying him with 2 votes with Fea.

Now this is an interesting one. Now let's recall what he said back then: It is indeed interesting how strongly he feels for Fea's innocence to come up with that kind of thoughts... not the least as he had just a little earlier said that Fea looked like too eager to please and that he'd suspect such persons by default.

I did say I found her a bit unnerving, but I didn't think it enough to induce me to vote for her. I certainly never said she was innocent.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Bah, I'm totally mixed up with Inzil. He seems to make fair points and have a good eye on things but then he happens to be there where the baddies most need him - and his overwhelming trust for me indeed makes me feel a bit uneasy...

'Overwhelming trust for you'? I'm afraid not, good sir. You've been making sense, and I don't see in you anything in particular at the moment that gives me chills, but you are certainly not beyond suspicion.

Originally Posted by Pitchwife

Shasta popped up very briefly and disappeared again, almost immediately; later offered an explanation for his absence that sounded plausible [OOC: story-wise I mean], but didn't really satisfy me; rebuked Inzil for twisting his words (and rightly so, I think); but all in all I had the impression he just made an appearance for appearance's sake without offering anything substantial - which I thought suspicious.

Forgive me, but I still don't see how I 'twisted his words'. I didn't think his explanation made much sense and I made a comment about it. If I just missed something, fair enough, but I thought it a valid statement at the time.

x/d with many

[Nogrod]

While grinding the coffee beans Nogrod heard what Pitchwife and Inziladun were saying. He smiled and turned towards them.

"Good! Keep on at it! Answer the questions and suspicions I made concerning you! That's the way we can progress..." Suddenly he straightened himself and yelled so loud everyone could hear it.

"Now everyone do it! Answer my suspicions - or what could be even better, make your own suspicions and make others to answer them! The more suspicions, the more answers to them, the better we're off. Only those cursed ones would love silence and randomness. That's pure mathematics. So let's start some real discussion now! Only that way we can assess if we can think someone is more reliable than not."

[Rikae]

Well, I still don't trust Pitchwife. His words seem... too calculated. And why is he so quick to defend Eonwe (who I also don't trust) against Lalaith?

I also have to disagree with our esteemed, if macabre, seer: Nogrod is most certainly still a possible suspect as far as I'm concerned (in fact, he is decidedly suspicious). I've known him for quite a while on the 'downs, and he certainly has the sense it takes to jump in and help lynch a doomed packmate, making himself look innocent. He's just the type to do exactly that, even, and lately - ah, I'll probably have to mull over his words to figure out exactly why, but he doesn't look honest.

[Inziladun]

Well, it's good to see Rikae around. More, please.
I'd also like to hear more from autume98, Lalaith, and definitely Nerwen.
And Shasta, I'm eagerly awaiting your case against me. But not so much that I can hang around here indefinitely. Indeed, the time has come for me to retire to my quarters for a bit for some relaxation and slumber.
As some reputedly great man or other once said, 'I shall return'.

[Nerwen]

Nerwen spoke up from the corner where she had been sitting quietly, watching the others.

"Well, what did I say? She was trying to dispose of the evidence!

'...Now, I notice that Nessa Telrunya was rather eager to point out that the people who voted Fea were unlikely to be wolves. I'm not so sure. Nessa and Fea's voting each other is something that could have been staged, I think. After all, Nessa's vote was only the first cast on Fea, and it seems to me that the wolves might vote each other, to throw us off the track.

'Then McCaber– who claims to be the Seer– cast the second vote on Fea. I don't see any reason to doubt him. But then we have Nogrod sealing Fea's fate by giving her the third vote... and I don't think we can say whether that's innocent or not– given that the Seer had just denounced her, I think it's possible that a Nogwolf would decide to throw her under the bus.

'I don't, mind you, see any particular reason to suspect Nogrod. He doesn't strike me as behaving in a guilty manner or anything. I'm just saying, it could be a mistake to treat him and Nessa as confirmed innocents– particularlyNessa. Her relations with Fea yesterday looked a little, I don't know, artificial."

[autume98]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

McAbre? Are you insinuating he's gruesome, or 'produces horror'? (sorry, couldn't resist.

Funny Inzil!

I'd like to address me being quiet. I'm just a quiet person by nature. I tend to take things in. However I see that I'm going to have to speak up more and let my thoughts be known. I appreciate what you have to say Nogrod. Your thoughts help me out quite a bit.

I also had some doubts about Inzil for the reasons you listed Nogrod, however I'm not sure where I stand with him now.

I really haven't heard enough from some to know enough about them.

I'm looking forward to read what Shasta has to say about Inzil, Nogrod, Lalaith, and Pitchwife.

I'm not sure where I stand with Nessa. Was the vote a knee-jerk reaction?

[Lalaith]

Well, this has been an interesting morning so far, but before I talk about my impressions of my fellow houseguests, I will share my day's work with you all, for I have done is to look more closely at our known wolf, Fea. Of course, we all know from the Downs that this is a lady of quicksilver wit and high intelligence, and it is not likely that she would leave clumsy clues. But still...

The interaction with Boro, and McCaber's intervention - well that was fascinating in retrospect. I saw something was going on, but I was looking at it from the wrong angle, and suspected McCaber. Classic murder mystery stuff..but of little practical use to us now, as we know the status of all concerned in that triangle.

The other interesting interaction was with Nessa. She votes for her, having already said that she will vote for either Nessa and Nerwen. Then, when Nessa immediately retaliates with a vote, she responds by telling the rest of us that Nessa is clearly not a wolf.
Now, at this point, of course, Fea-wolf does not know she has been scried. Why does she make this defence of Nessa? My first thought was that such a comment was primarily intended to make her (Fea) look good...proclaiming someone else's innocence like that is not a wolfish thing to do. Could Fea also be defending a fellow-wolf? It is certainly a high-risk strategy for two wolves to vote for each other like this on the first day...but not inconceivable, particularly when followed up by Fea's comment, which could have been expert damage limitation.
Well, that's my Fea analysis. More soon.

[Rikae]

Well, I think we'd benefit from recalling yesterday's votes. I'm surprised no one has done so yet.

1. Boro (known innocent) voted for Inzil, apparently because of his response to Eonwe's (very silly, in my opinion) talk of werewolves pretending to dislike blood, and for lack of participation.

1. Fea (known wolf) voted for Nessa, “because when I have nothing better to go on, I revert to the ones who leave me no trail to follow later.” An easy vote, but of the sort an innocent might make – however, it is not one that others would tend to follow, and for that reason, could be wolf-on-wolf. Fea hasn't made any argument why Nessa should be lynched, just justified her own vote.
2. Nessa for Fea "I think Fea was very quick to start cleaning up the body earlier today, and she seemed quite sure of everything she said." Fea later said: “And all I can say, really, is retaliatory votes amuse me. Don't vote Nessa. No wolf would do something as silly as that.”
3. Eonwe voted for McCaber, based on a “hunch”.
4. Autume voted for Eonwe, based on “gut feeling”.
5. McCaber votes for Fea.
6. Inzil voted for McCaber “Because he's been so unobtrusive and is now backing up Nessa's strange vote, for unknown reasons. A railroad begun by one wolf and continued by their fellow?” Others have called this suspicious, but it seems to me something an innocent could come up with, observing that voting.
7. Lalaith for Shasta “Ok, I'm going to spread the votes rather than join a bandwaggon.
   I'm torn between Nerwen and Shasta, but Nogrod's last post has persuaded me” This seems a little odd, and I don't really see why Nogrod's ranting about lack of participation should be so persuasive – maybe I'm missing something, though.
8. Pitchwife voted for Shasta, crossing with Lalaith's vote and McCaber's reveal. Doesn't give any reasons in the posts, and, thinking back, the only things I can recall him saying about Shasta are that he would like to hear more from him and that he “disappeared quickly, for what may be a good reason;”
9. Nogrod voted for Fea, which is about the only thing he could do at this point, whatever his role.

Nerwen and I, and, it seems, Shasta, didn't vote. I don't find any of our non-votes particularly suspicious. The people who come out of yesterday's voting looking most dubious are, in my opinion, Eonwe, Pitchwife, Lalaith and Nessa.

[Nessa Telrunya]

"Well, up to now, I don't have clear views on everybody, but can assess based on what's happened.

Inziladun I'm not sure about. He seemed to be there where Fea needed it when he tied her vote for McCaber But it doesn't really seem to me that he's dodging everyone, so I don't know.

Shasta I have my suspicions about, but I don't think it's anything that would require me to vote for him just yet.

Pitchwife I have a feeling about. Sure he clearly states his thoughts about everyone, but something just doesn't sit right. He voted for Shasta, who didn't have anything clear against him, because he said he didn't like bandwagoning. That's hardly a reason.

McCaber we've already dissected. Now, we can assume he's the seer. If he lives for long, he probably isn't, since the wolves would go for him. I have to watch him.

Nogrod seems fairly stout for the moment. He gives you his views flat out, but no one is truly safe from all suspicion, so I can't count him out just yet.

autume98, frankly, I can't see as a wolf. She isn't trying to outmanuever anyone enough for that, and she reasoned her vote for Eonwe as a gut feeling.

Lalaith hasn't given much to go on. She just seems to be giving her ideas without really throwing herself out there.

Nerwen I'm still not sure. Her situation is about the same as Lalaith.

Rikae didn't vote. There could be an innocent explanation, but no one is counted as a sure innocent yet.

Eonwe seems wholesome. Nothing she's said or done so far looks off to me.

But those are just my views. I could be totally wrong.

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Nessa Telrunya

Nothing she's said or done so far looks off to me.

She?

[Lalaith]

So, here's my impression of my fellow houseguests.

Nessa Well, I have already discussed her as part of my Fea analysis. Her comments today are disingenuous – particularly that people voting for wolves can’t be wolves, and this of course includes her.
Pitchwife/Eonwe
I will analyse these two together as today they seem to be twins.. First, the two of them have (to me at least) fairly protracted and pointless conversation about McCaber possibly not being the seer – particularly as Eonwe eventually answers his own question (that a false seer claim actually gives us two wolves).
Then there is their mutual defence system. I make a sympathetic comment to Pitchwife about his error over McCaber, and Eonwe answers with a defence of his own actions, even though no-one (as far as I can make out) has questioned them. Then Pitchwife steps in to question my comments about Eonwe. I answer them, and he defends Eonwe once again. This is all really suspicious, to my mind.
Rikae – participating more, and her analysis just now was good. She has also picked up on the Pitchwife/Eonwe bond. I am inclined to trust her for now.
Inziladun – active, raising good points – dismissing the ‘McCaber is a fake’ argument briskly - so again, inclined to trust for now.
Shastanis Athreduin – spent yesterday being very ‘busy’, but not, to my mind, helpful, which is why I voted for him. This busy unhelpfulness is further underlined by his failure to vote. Has been arguing with Nogrod today – although this is at least more ‘substantial’ behaviour it is also overly defensive so I am still feeling anxious about him.
McCaber- Known innocent so has no agenda – we need to remember this.
Nogrod – I trust him for now as he appears to be working hard using evidence and analysis to get solutions; only flaw is that he does not always take the differing personalities of others into account. Actually, my chief worry about you, my friend, is that this strange house has played such tricks on your mind that you are claiming Sancerre as a pinot noir.
autume98 – we’ve had very little but uncertainty from her. Understandable, perhaps, but still, clouds of confusion are useful things to hide in.
Nerwen – I agree with what little she’s said so far, but I am getting impatient with her lack of participation.

[McCaber]

All right, I'm back functioning again. Probably around until the end of the day.

So far I think what has been said so far toDay is helpful. Now we need people to talk about each other's analyses and what they think about them. (Taking a cue from Nogrod's book here, because that's at the core of finding suspects.)

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Lalaith

Nerwen – I agree with what little she’s said so far, but I am getting impatient with her lack of participation.

"All right, all right, I'm participating!" said Nerwen hurriedly.

"One thing I had forgotten was that everyone in a tie gets double-lynched (for now). That makes it a good deal less likely that Nogrod is a wolf, unless Shasta is too– for would a wolf be able to resist letting the Seer and an innocent die, just by "forgetting" to vote?

'Now Shasta I think is indeed rather suspicious– he persists treating our horrifying predicament as though it's just... oh... I don't know," she frowned, "some kind of game.

'But then Nogrod has been going after him for this, which looks pretty innocent." Nerwen shrugged. "I don't know... I suppose it could be a wolf trying to drop a hint to his packmate.

'The more actually suspicious votes were from Inzi– tying McCaber with Fea– and Pitchwife– creating the three-way tie. However, I believe Pitchwife says he missed Lal's vote.

'I think we should remember, also, that the total number of votes cast was small, so ties were almost bound to happen at some point."

EDIT: X'd since Lalaith at #176. (I was called away, came back and posted without refreshing. Silly of me.)

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Rikae

Well, I think we'd benefit from recalling yesterday's votes. I'm surprised no one has done so yet.

"It's always nice to see how one is listened to - and how one's efforts are appreciated.

But if you Rikae - or anyone else - think you might learn something from a quite thorough reading & analysis of yesterDay's voting you might wish to check back #144 and #157 (previous page). It took me two hours to make them...

But yes, it was good you Rikae took the time to make a few comments on those votes as well. Different accounts of the same events tend to give one a bit larger view."

Nogrod Thought for a moment and then poured himself one more glass of wine.

"Okay, by yesterDay's voting I'd say I'd tend to trust the following eg. not wishing to see any of them lynched:

McCaber of course. No reason to doubt him right now.

Lalaith: If she was a wolf she could have easily voted for McCaber to save Fea - or give a second vote to Inzil, Nessa or Eönwë. So giving Shasta a first vote at that point would have been totally leaving her mate alone when she could have helped her quite discreetly as well.

The same goes for Pitchwife if he really didn't know what had happened two minutes before his vote. And on these things I guess we just have to trust.

Inziladun: Has been very considerate and reasonable all the time - making some very good points every now and then.

Nerwen and Rikae should take part more. You two are intelligent people and could help. I do hope your wish is to aid us and not those cursed werewolves..."

With that Nogrod left the room with the glass in his hand.

"Back soon, soonish..."

[autume98]

As people have been making their cases, I'm taking it all in. I've been quietly sipping my coffee and enjoying my muffin. I put my coffee mug on the table and decide to throw in my two cents worth.
Nessa voted for Fea. Could be a wolf on wolf vote. If that were the case it would be pretty risky. So for now I'm going to go with a knee jerk reaction. The vote also did help us get rid of one werewolf.
Inzil voted for McCaber when Fea needed it. Nessa brought this point up. Does seem a little suspicous. I'm keeping it in mind.
Shasta didn't vote on yesterDay.
Not sure what to think of Pitchwife at the moment. It seems that people are finding Pitchwife suspicious.
Nogrod seems ok so far. Great insight and good commentary. However no one is beyond suspicion. Could be good cover. At this time though I'm good with Nogrod.
Lalaith voted for Shasta. However there's not much to go on with Lalaith at the moment. I did find her findings about Pitchwife and Eonwe interesting.
Nerwen makes a good point that Inzil did vote for McCaber which tied the votes withFea.
I don't know enough about Rikae.
I'm not sure what to make of Eonwe. Eonwe voted for McCaber however at the time McCaber was coming across as suspicious. So could be genuine. At this time I'm ok with Eonwe.
I pick up my coffee once again and observe what is going around me.

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

But if you Rikae - or anyone else - think you might learn something from a quite thorough reading & analysis of yesterDay's voting you might wish to check back #144 and #157 (previous page). It took me two hours to make them...

Hmmm... what is this "page" you speak of? It's almost as if this whole thing was one big book...

[Pitchwife]

Nog -

Pitchwife voted for Shasta. (Fea2, McCaber2, Shasta2)
He's the hardest one for me to assess.

If my last post doesn't satisfy you, let me elaborate.
1) Look closely at my voting post, especially the EDIT. I cross-posted with Lalaith and McCaber's reveal. If I'd realized in time that Lalaith had already voted for Shasta, I would have reconsidered instead of creating a possible three-way tie.
2) I did suspect Fea, but found it hard to distinguish between suspicious behaviour and her regular style (you might say it's in character for her to behave suspiciously, regardless of her role). Same, mutatis mutandis, for the late Boro. Also, I wasn't entirely sure of Inzil - maybe the two of them were watching him for a sound reason? So I decided to give them more time and concentrate on the other two suspects.
Between McCaber and Shasta, I couldn't really make up my mind and decided to vote for the one who hadn't been voted yet. Hard to understand, maybe, but that's the way I make decisions at times - go against the current. I realized too late Lalaith had got ahead of me.
3) My lack of response to McCaber's reveal. Well, honestly, I was gobsmacked. Struck dumb by surprise. Believe it or not.

[Shastanis Althreduin]

Excuse me? "Haven't made an effort"? I believe I laid out a pretty clear suspicion of Inzil yesterday (which I plan to expound on - why continue to dispute what I said when it's easy enough for anyone to go back and check?)

Maybe you should look at our dear departed hostess's secondary aim.

[Shastanis Althreduin]

Annoyed (and still rubbing sleep out of his eyes), Shasta glares at Nogrod for a moment before turning on his heel and stalking into the kitchen for a pick-me-up of the caffeinated variety.

[Pitchwife]

PS to my last: Add that Rikae, Nerwen and (I just noticed) Shasta himself hadn't voted yet, so the outcome was still pretty much uncertain.

Shasta, I've no problem with you acting...er... let's say, according to the circumstances of our situation - we all did the same to some degree - , but I at least was left with the impression that you did little else. True, you poked at Inzil for twisting your words - and I've already said I think you justified in this - , but that is not quite what I would call voicing a pretty clear suspicion. If you're going to expound, I'm all ears. I'd also very much like to know why you didn't vote.
And you're cordially invited to look at me as hard as you like.

For now, excuse me, everybody, I haven't had breakfast yet; and I'm tired of sleeping on a couch, so I'd better spend some hours getting some order into my room and clearing enough space to assemble the bed. See you all in the evening!

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Shastanis Althreduin

Excuse me? "Haven't made an effort"? I believe I laid out a pretty clear suspicion of Inzil yesterday (which I plan to expound on - why continue to dispute what I said when it's easy enough for anyone to go back and check?)

"Maybe just because of this..." Nogrod said and stood up from his chair and followed Shasta to the kitchen.

"Now hark your own words and what were they a response into":

Originally Posted by Shasta

I came back in time to hear this statement. Inzil, I find this rather... strange. I rather clearly stated that I went upstairs to see if I could find any evidence on bedroom doors - scratches, hairs, and the like - that would point to the wolves having had to get out of their rooms to attack our hostess, so either you misheard, or you're deliberately twisting what I said.

Nogrod looked at Shasta quizzically. "So "laying out a clear suspicion" you call that? "An effort" you call that?" Nogrod was shaking his head.

"I think we speak a different language my friend but I just don't buy what you say. And before you claim you have said more than that let me recite all you have sais thus far (that one not included) before you started bringing this latest issue of going after those who don't trust you:

Originally Posted by #15

I feel bad for her, but... to be quite honest, she brought this end upon herself. Yes, she apparently created this... Land of Tolkien, for lack of a better, term, and yes, she was kind enough to invite us all here... but she did turn three of us into slavering beasts and she did trap us here with them, all on the pretext of some "quest". Am I going to be glad it was her and not me? You bet.

Thank you for volunteering to clean this up, ladies. Some of the men want to volunteer for gravedigger detail? No, wait - we can't get out of this house, can we? I don't suppose there's a cellar or something... I'd volunteer myself, but... I have an idea...

-vanishes upstairs-

Originally Posted by #29

-comes back down the stairs dejectedly-

Well... I had hoped that perhaps the werewolves had been caught in transformiata in their bedrooms, with the doors shut... and since presumably werewolves have claws, not hands, I figured it would be rather hard to open said doors... but no dice. I didn't find any evidence of forced exit on the bedroom doors.

Originally Posted by #34

Please, no. Dining rooms make for stilted conversation and they tend to be quite uncomfortable otherwise. May I suggest the parlor?

-suits actions to words, striding into the parlor and poking up the fire to drive off an unnatural chill-

"An effort? A contribution to save our lives? A helping hand to us? Well, that's a lot of help, thank you sir!"

Originally Posted by Shasta

Maybe you should look at our dear departed hostess's secondary aim.

I can't see it anywhere but I remember what was told to us. But if you remember it as well, then you should see it for yourself. There are primary goals and secondary goals my friend. And primaries are primaries. And don't say I'm not working with the secondaries as well..."

With that Nogrod spat on the floor and elbowed Shasta from the fridge finally picking the Pinot Noir out from there. "Sorry mate", he murmured and went to search for the corkscrew.

"And really Shasta, I'm not liking this row at all. You're digging our mutual grave here if you're an innocent. Just concentrate, be serious, try to think and act - and be creative as well. But do contribute more than you have done, please. Try at least. That one speech about Inzil is not worth the cork I have just pulled out from this bottle. Give us something real to chew!"

Nogrood looked at Shasta for a moment - and the cup he had in hand.

"Really mate, you should drink the real stuff one day... freshly grounded dark capuccino, Café Parisien, something real..."

[Nogrod]

"'nuff said... bring that kettle on would you?" Nogrod said to Shasta now in a more comforting way and went to the mortar picking the package of dark coffee beans with him.

"You'd like a good Java? I'll grind that in a minute."