T-I-G LV Sing when you're winning

[Mithalwen]

It was that difficult time after the Yuletide celebrations when even the most amicable families, rendered irritable by a surfeit of food and too little exercise during the short , bitterly cold days, could fall into arguing. The royal house of Dol Amroth was no exception. Imrahil, delighted though he was that the peaceful days since the Return of the King permitted his large and expanding extended family to spend the feast time together at his palace but even a palace could feel small when filled with grandchildren and great warriors who had not quite found a way as satisfactory as hewing orc necks to vent their spleen.

Of course the argument was trivial they always are and Imrahil to his regret had started it claiming that the finest singers came from his own land. He had stated it as a matter of common knowledge and had expected not contradiction - at least not from his nephew, Faramir. They normally were in accord but now he was making the claim of the people of his own princedom, saying that renewed contact with the Elves of the Greenwood had enriched their Musicmaking. Then his son in law spoke of the great tradition of his own people and the minstrels of the Rohirrim. Imrahil had looked to his wife for support but she had made a hasty exit claiming an urgent need to check that Alphros was not teasing his younger cousins too much.

Then his sister, inevitably, had had her say. Even venerable lords of noble house have at times to defer to their elder siblings.

"The elves I am sure would claim that even in these latter days that they have singers finer than any among us mortals" said Ivriniel. "But there is one way to decide this. We will hold a contest and invite lands to send us their finest singers that the greatest of them all may be found"

"I think that is a bit extreme", said Imrahil,"and sounds expensive" he thought, besides where would we hold it? - too cold in the amphitheatre at this time of the year - and who would judge - he remembered with horror the controversy that had surrounded the "Gondor's got talent" contest last summer. It had been held in the lovely amphitheatre carved in to the cliff face below the walls of Dol Amroth but when it emerged that the popular vote vould not always change the opinion of the professional judges there had been and outcry and indeed scuffles, not to say near riots. All in all he was glad that no lives had actually been lost and there had been only superficial damage to the stone work.

Ivriniel replied "We can use the old assembly rooms in Rath Lindain. They were used for music plays in the past"

"They were till people started saying the building was haunted - I doubt you will get much of an audience"


"Nonsense Imrahil, fancy you listening to old wives' tales," (Imrahil felt it wise not to point out that his siaster could be so categorised herself). "And my friend, Mithalwen will adjudicate for she is in past of the Teleri who are great musicians and she has lived long in Middle Earth and dwellt amongst
Elves and Men and will see that all is done fairly. But the matter of the contest shall be decided amongst the singers for the judgement of their fellows is superior to any other and they shall vote among them each day til one only remains. They will be deemed the greatest singer in Middle Earth."

"But won't the Music critics mind that they are overlooked?", asked the Prince, grateful at least that his sister's hare-brained scheme should avoid a repeat of the fiasco of the previous contest .

"They may mind, but who cares? A critic is someone who thinks he knows the way but can't drive the cart. We don't need them".

There was no point in arguing with Ivriniel when she was in such a mood - Imrahil had learnt that in the nursery and reasoned with himself that if she were occupied with this project she would have less time for interfering in other things.

So it was arranged and 18 singers were sent to represent their lands - from the cities and regions of Gondor they came and from further afield - from the vales of Anduin and the Riddermark, and elf there came from Eriador and a MPD sufferer from icy Forodwaith. From the south there came a woman of Harad, and someone from the Morgul vale who looked as if he might have been a Nazgul. Strangest of all came a Wose of Druadan Forest. And they were ready to sing and decide who was the greatest of them all in the newly renames Opera House at Dol Amroth.

Last came the elf Mithalwen who was to adjudiacte. Her face was graver than ever as she sought the Lady Ivriniel.

"I am afraid my lady that your plans have gone awry - I have learnt that the Critics have decided to sabotage the competition in revenge for being excluded. By enchantment they have stolen the voices and identities of three of our contestants another they have corrupted to be their spy and abettor."

"What shall we do! We cannot cancel! Imrahil you must intervene!"

"No, sister dear this is of your making. You said that the singers must decide for themselves and that holds - they are best able to judge who are the imposters in their ranks - they merely have to identify the ones who ..err..'cannot drive the cart'. We shall close off the backstage area to all non participants save the lady Mithalwen. The singers will be comfortably accomodated in their dressing rooms. And we may listen and observe their discussions and hear them sing. But as to finding the critics they are on their own."

"Not quite alone" said Mithalwen, "two there are I deem who know each other so truly that no imposter may deceive them and they may seek to revenge an attack on the other, to another night will bring the truth of a stranger's identity. A fourth is so strong in self belief that no critic may harm them....and "..something made the elf pause.... "and I know no more" She looked around the strange old building.

"Very well.. if the show must go on ..let us be on with the show."

[Mithalwen]

Precis

You are the reps competing at the Dol Amroth Opera house to be Singer of Middle Earth.

I, Mithalwen am the contest adjudicator.

Due to recent voting scandals in the recent "Gondor's got Talent" contest. The contest will be decided by the participants - the judgement of one's peers being beyond reproach.

Each day the singers will debate and choose one of their number to leave the competition for good.

Unfortunately the music critics of Middle Earth, furious that thier opinions have been bypassed by the voting system have by enchantment stolen the identities and voices of three of the contestants.

The 3 Critics (wolves) - Critics do all the off stage slaughtering in the opera! - PM at night only Each night they will attack a singer who will be so traumatised that they will leave the contest (unless they are the Diva/Divo). They win when their number equal the number of non-wolves.

The critics will be helped by Walter Plinge (cobbler/spy) - a bitter and twisted singer who is spying for them. (Walter Plinge - the name is a theatre joke and should not be taken as gender identification - opera is a gender bending environment - if Walter gets referred to as he it is because it is a male name) Walter gets to spy on one other player each night and learns their role. This information is passed to the critic by a dead drop at the beiginning of the next night before Walter goes spying again. So the critics and Walter are ignorant of each other's identities. If Walter is "lynched" the wolves will obviously not receive the previous nights info.


On the other hand there are a, 2 singers (Soulmates) opera throws up some great partnerships and these two know each other so well that they cannot be decieved as to the other's identity. The may PM during day phases only.If one dies the other lives but may try to avenge them by taking out one other singer. . If they choose to strike at night they will conceal their identity. If during the day they will be revealed. Because this would be a crime passionnel not a reaction to direct attack on self their attack is effective against hapless ordo or gifted as well as Critic. NB As I said, opera is a mixed up world for gender and no restriction was placed on gender combination when drawing for these role.

b, one Singer-seer - a dreamer of dreamswho will learn the truth of a player's identity each night.
c, one Diva/divo ,A singer so great that they are impervious to the attacks of the critics (unless they become an overwhelming force at endgame) . May be "lynched" or killed in error by the avenging soulmate.


You get retractable votes and may double lynch though this isn't encourages. More than 2 and the moddess will flip coins or something.

Voting in bold on a new line preceded by ++

eg

++ Mithalwen

retractions

-- Mithalwen

++ Erenor


You may start talking and I extend the dead line to 6.30 pm tomorrow. Unless you are Nogrod who must vote at least half an hour earlier if he doesn't want to be modfired.

You think I am joking?



I will allow retractable votes but they should not be used frivolously - offenders will be modfired.

Contestants.

Sally, soprano
Lariren , soprano, Ithilien
Feanor of the Peredhil, Belfalas (mezzo-)soprano
Ilya, mezzo-soprano, vales of Anduin.
Brinniel, mezzo-soprano, Harad
Kath contralto
Aganzir, Minas Tirith contralto
Gwathagor (Gwathagorio), lyric tenor/spinto Sindar of Eriador
Shastanis Althreduin (tenor leggierio / lyric tenor)
Nogrod (typically indicisive - anywhere between lyric and buffo - or baritone )Old Forest
The Phantom (typically versatile and with great range)
Meneltarmacil - baritone err Nazgul from Minal Morgul
Strongbow, Bowissimo of Lossarnach
Macalaure (Barney Broadbottle), a Bree-lander from Staddle, Baritone
Gollum the Great - bass-baritone
TGWBS - bass, woodwose,
Boromir 88 basso profundo, Rohan
Cailineomer, trouser role, Forodwaith

The moddess reserves the right to a few suprises and resolve unanticipated situation as she sees fit. However they may affect the dynamics of the game but will not affect the mechanics of the game (unless something really odd happens and it usually does when I am around...in this case there will probably be a consultation process.

any questions PM or admin thread .

[Boromir88]

Ahoy Smithees! I was about to vote for Mac and then frivolously recant, but if I have read the modesses' wishes correctly that would get me mod-fireds.

I'm here at the moment, but my activity on this day will be light. I've got lots of unspecified chores to do.

P.S. this is the first time I've ever been able to sneak in the first post - I feel honored

[Mithalwen]

Indeed it would.....

Perhaps the Rohirric contestant would like to sing for us?

[Boromir88]

Ahh so it's going to be one of those operas, eh?

[Mithalwen]

Well I had so much fun last time...

Gwath .. flippant use of retractable votes annoys the moddess. It is in the admin thread and will shortly be pasted above.

[Aganzir]

The first time I had the first post I got lynched immediately. Also, I voted Mac that time. So be careful Boro.

Mith you're making me laugh. Let's see if Nog shall obey you.

edit: xed with Boro. Ha I knew you'd like his sig!

[Gwathagor]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Ahoy Smithees! I was about to vote for Mac and then frivolously recant, but if I have read the modesses' wishes correctly that would get me mod-fireds.

Wait, what? How would that get you mod-fired?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I shall give meta-reasons for my suspicions and lack thereof.

Sally - Typically seems more innocent than she seems now. So while I don't suggest that she's evil, I do suggest that she might be hiding something.

Lariren - Newbie. She can live a good long while unless she does something that is so obviously wolf-like that it would be foolish not to lynch her.

Ilya - No idea.

Brinniel - My arch-nemesis in the last game I played. My utter downfall. And the sole wolf winner after a lupine massacre at the hands of Boroseer88 and the Opera Ghost. I'll never trust her again. That said, she seems genuinely innocent. However... she seemed innocent all the times she's not been too. Brinn meta-terrifies me.

Kath - I've seen her be a very sneaky wolf. In fact, I've been on her team when she was being a very sneaky wolf. But I don't think she's being particularly sneaky at the moment.

Aganzir - The first time I played with her, I thought she was a boy. My bad. I apologize.

Gwath - Was strangely knee-jerk about me not getting down to the point of the game. What he forgot was obviously that the point of the game isn't for villagers to kill wolves, or wolves to kill villagers, it's to entertain Mith. Which I was obviously concentrating on. Which means I should be applauded, and he should be lynched.

Shasta - Has meta-awesome intuition. He also bickers with the phantom. You just can't kill somebody who bickers with the phantom.

Nogrod - Whether evil or not, he tends to provide a voice of reason (except when he's a desperate wolf and his voice of reason starts to seriously lack any semblance of said reason).

The Phantom - is probably the seer.

Meneltarmacil - I don't know.

Strongbow - His nickname of Bowie makes me want to sing Space Oddity. Other than that, I've got nothin'.

Macalaure - A lover of epic proportion, he is willing to travel to the ends of the earth for his True Love. In game, though, he's probably not quite so cool.

Gollum the Great - Goll, correct me if I'm wrong, weren't you in the first ever game, back in the day? Gollum should talk more. I don't have enough meta-knowledge of him to pretend anything about him on Day One.

TGWBS - Fea think wild man talk good. Fea think wild man not wolf. Fea like whims. Fea also like xe. Wild man teach xe. Fea like wild man, subsequently.

Boromir 88 - is the divo, of course.

Cailineomer - has it lucky to be attached at the name to the man who first taught me that the magnetic status of the little fingers of Brits is different from that of Americans.

[Macalaure]

No wiser, but in more of a hurry:

++Meneltarmacil

[Boromir88]

I refuse to make any statements regarding Gwath. At the risk of unintentionally naming his exact role, and providing a perfect scenario that would lead to my instantaneous death. I will not give Gwath the benefits of another sig!

Fea is good in my books, for that list. I don't know how to say it, but tgwbs and Fea's lists make me feel differently than Brinn's list. Wolves have to be careful when making lists, and Brinn's looks like she doesn't want to step on anyone's toes yet.

This might sound hypocritical, but whatever, as far as Menel's carefulness - that doesn't make him look suspicious. Every single time I get a funny feeling early on about Menel, precisely because he is careful. But the one time Menel was a wolf, he was a bit more defensive. His two statements about having no humor because he's a Nazgul and:

Oh, and don't suspect me based on the fact that I'm a Nazgul. I just happened to find this ring in a Cracker Jack box. How was I supposed to know it was one of the Nine?

This just doesn't look like a Menel of any evil kind (critic or cobbler). He's cleared for today.

Edit: crossed with Mac

[Nogrod]

Less than three pages! Are you all having sore throats or something?

So it seems that Boro and tp are at it again. Or at least they're giving out the impression they are at it again. Jolly good. I'd leave them to try and survive a few Nights first eg. I'm not willing to lynch either of them at least without some very serious arguments.

As well I'd be keen to see all those returning to the game for some time in at least a few Days with the same reservations: a believable case makes me chnge my mind.

Blah, I need to vote in about an hour so I'll jump back and see if there's anything that could help.

[Boromir88]

Boromir 88 - is the divo, of course.~Fea

It's great to see you think that, quite an honor, seriously. However, I must say I'm not divo material, what is it that you, Mith, and Rikae likened to me as...oh that's right a whipping boy who had to cater to the Mods every whim. A divo would imply greatness, a certain air of quality - that's an aura I don't have. Or an aroma of arrogance, something else that I don't posess.

So, I would say either you or tp fit the diva/o description best. And if tp's the seer - well then, what are you?

[Shastanis Althreduin]

Originally Posted by Boro

I despise both of them, but that Sooner should have shut his mouth against UF, Tebow will show him a running QB I fear. I hope OU gets destroyed and Bradford has a horrible game, just so the Lions hopefully won't take him with the 1st pick.

I almost have to vote you for this, Boro. State pride and all that.

*still reading, but thinking of voting for Nogrod based on what he's read so far*

[Nogrod]

Okay. First a look at the one-posters...

Kath came early to say: "doesn't seem much to post about yet so I'll be lurking". I think I have said this about thousand times but I do still dislike the tactics of posting once (or not at all) on Day1 and getting through with it leaving the dirty work and especially the risk of a lynch to be carried by others. I could vote her on principle.

Gollum complained about there being three pages (sic!). Said he had a "horrible suspicion" on Bowie. Said: "Well, this is my daily post. Enjoy, everyone." Well, I didn't enjoy it and if he intends to post only once per Day with that quality I might be ready to make one shot in the dark into that direction.

Shasta lightly / half-banterishly threathened tp and Boro and promised to be more verbal later. I'm willing to give him a chance to prove his word.

Cailineomer. It's nice to see that double-person back in the games and they should stay. Although it must be said that even if their post was amusing it was totally devoid of any content, and the vote was if not pure evil then at least serving evil interests.

So from these four I could vote for Kath or Gollum. But I still hope to be able to find a bit more probable wolves...

[Nogrod]

Interestingly both Gwath and Sally who are pretty high on the post count have been careful enough not to voice a single suspicion against anyone. Their posting has been mainly banter or then in Sally's case saying why (pretty random reasons) she wants some to live and in Gwath's case defending himself from basically non-existent accusations.

References

"WW-manual", rule no.7 - the one I always manage not to obey - "be nice to many enough people or at least don't suspect too many at the same time if you wish to live long as people will feel bad when suspected and are thus more prone to vote for you".

"Ways to catch a werewolf", hint no.5: "a werewolf feels s/he is suspected and accused all the time - which is just natural as they live in a hostile environment anyway - so they tend to overreact to even small suspicions feeling the need to defend themselves - also they tend to be a wee bit grumpy when discussed".

[Lariren Shadow]

As for who I suspect, I’m going to try to do it sort of in song:

I have confidence in TGWBS
I have confidence in Sally
I have confidence the phantom is entertaining!
As you can see I have no confidence in my parody!

So that being said/sang. I’ll go through the rest:

Ilya – For some reason her post that was slightly confusing about the lovers made me a little suspicious. Of her being what, I’m not sure, but that she does have a more active roll.

Brinniel –Seems innocent to me.

Fea- Admitted to being a wolf, but then said that that would make her not a wolf. Pretty much keeping my eye on her. Could secretly be the diva.

Kath - Have no comment on therefore think is innocent.

Aganzir – No idea there.

Gwath – Is very vocal and slightly defensive about it. Leads me to be slightly suspicious of his intents.

Shasta – I will keep alive because he mentioned Movies in Fifteen Minutes. Therefore is awesome.

Nogrod – Seems to be very observant, gives me the idea that he could possibly be the seer.

Meneltarmacil – I’m suspicious about. For no other real reason than am.

Strongbow - Nothing.

Macalaure – No idea. But I have a feeling I should be suspicious(if only based on the conversations/sigs that I've seen).

Gollum the Great – I wish I could say something but got nothing.

Boro – In another canidate for the seer. But entertaining as well.

Cailineomer – Again no idea.

That’s what I have to say. I leaning towards voting for Ilya for just my suspicions.

[Gollum the Great]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Gollum complained about there being three pages (sic!). Said he had a "horrible suspicion" on Bowie. Said: "Well, this is my daily post. Enjoy, everyone." Well, I didn't enjoy it and if he intends to post only once per Day with that quality I might be ready to make one shot in the dark into that direction.

I do not intend to post only once a day this game. I mentioned in the admin thread that my first day or two would be full, and werewolf (as much as I would like it to be so) is not at the top of my priority list. My thought on Strongbow is nothing more than a nebulous idea. (I still haven't read the whole game)

[satansaloser2005]

Basically tick off the moddess and die.


*starts warming up*

[Boromir88]

Now, I must make my exit - stage right, but don't fear, I bet tp will be here - within 30 minutes of my departure to start where I've left off.

[satansaloser2005]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Now, I must make my exit - stage right, but don't fear, I bet tp will be here - within 30 minutes of my departure to start where I've left off.

You mean the Phantom of the opera will be here to drive us out of our minds?

[Mithalwen]

Sally, darling, youhave a wonderful understanding of the situation and a succinct mode of expression.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Hello, my darlings. I'm around.

Huggles to everybody.