Mid-Range Game 4: The Alethi War of Unification

[Kasimir he/him]

I'm sure it will sound odd, because I did want to end with my last note, but if it's not clearly-phrased there, any attempt to shift a vote away from me to Odysa or anyone else will result in my putting my vote on the 2-person pile for Meller at the moment.

 

Sadly, I am very much into neutralisation, and I will gladly go to my death by lynch the next cycle (for the love of Gavilar, please do not Shardblade me, Luckat!) if I should turn out to be mistaken in this.

 

Edit: colour.

Edited December 6, 2014 by Kasimir

[Jo and the Bush all/any]

I'm quite Certain Wyrm is tearing his hair out at how much the writeup is changing in the last 20 minutes.

Edited December 6, 2014 by The Only Joe

[Metacognition he/him]

Well that ties it back up to 3 for both me and Odysa and that's no good, so I'll gladly take one for the team. 

[little wilson she/her]

Meta.  We need a lynch, I think.

[Wyrmhero he/him]

Last minute request from Mailliw73 as the forum is apparently playing up from him.

 

"I don't have much time, I just want to make sure I'm able to do this: Meta. Wilson has eased some of my suspicions about her and I am very much inclined to believe Kas about this.

I'm busy this weekend, but on Monday, I should be able to explain my opinion of hints more clearly. "

Thanks."

Edited December 6, 2014 by Wyrmhero

[Wyrmhero he/him]

I'm quite Certain Wyrm is tearing his hair out anh how much the writeup is changing in the last 20 minutes.

Nah, it's fine. With how I'm doing the writeup, it's okay.

 

Well that ties it back up to 3 for both me and Odysa and that's no good, so I'll gladly take one for the team.

Okay, still alright...

 

Meta.  We need a lynch, I think.

Well, that's settled then. The Cycle is now over.

Edited December 6, 2014 by Wyrmhero

[Metacognition he/him]

Good luck going forward everyone!

Edited December 6, 2014 by Metacognition

[Wyrmhero he/him]

Week 4

"Move your leg back slightly and raise your Shardblade slightly straighter," Dalinar instructed his newest Shardbearer. "Ironstance is about strength, and overwhelming your opponent with the force behind your attack. It's only really useful against other Shardbearers, but we could very well face another out there in the battle tomorrow. It's important that you're ready."

"Forgive me, sir..." Brightlord Tal said, relaxing very slightly and letting his arms drop down. He hadn't the strength to hold that pose for too long, not that rigid, even if a Shardblade was curiously light. "But I very much doubt that a week of training will be enough to let me face another Shardbearer."

"Perhaps not," Dalinar nodded. "But it will buy you time, time which I can use to come to your aid."

"Thank you, sir," Tal said, smiling a little. For all the rage and power he displayed on the battlefield, Dalinar wasn't as bad in moments like this as he had expected. Or perhaps he just didn't want to lose the Shardblade after getting it so recently. Either way though, it was good to know he wouldn't be abandoned and expected to face his betters alone.

"Sir?" Brightlord Jost entered the tent, not bothering to hide the scowl as his eyes met Tal's newly bright blue eyes.

"At ease," Dalinar nodded to Tal, who slid the Shardblade back in its sheath across his back. Just one more day and he wouldn't have to carry it around anymore. It wasn't as though it was particularly cumbersome, but he always worried that he'd trip and cut himself with it. "What is it, Brightlord Jost?"

"I have the reports from the Stormwardens. There is some... dissension."

"Dissension?"

"Yes sir," Jost nodded. "Apparently there is a disagreement within them about how the charts are to be interpreted."

Dalinar sighed. "Very well. I shall pay them a visit."

*

When Dalinar arrived at the Stormwarden tent with Jost in tow, the argument was evidently still going on. Indeed, it didn't even quieten down in his presence, but instead renewed it with greater vigour.

Dalinar did not shout for attention. To do so would be to make a mockery of himself, particularly to the Stormwardens, of whom a large number were in fact Darkeyed. His officers certainly wouldn't stand to see it.

"Quiet!" Jost shouted above the din, yelling himself hoarse in order to be heard. "Quiet for the Blackthorn!"

"Explain what the problem is," Dalinar commanded, wondering briefly to himself when his own troops had started calling him that. Well, as names went, it certainly wasn't one he disliked. "And quickly, before I grow more annoyed with you."

The Stormwardens jostled about, before sending one of their youngest forward to stand under Dalinar's gaze. Dalinar examined the Darkeyed man - no less a boy than his newest Shardbearer, if truth be told - and found him to appear rather nervous. The only one who disagreed, perhaps? "Name, boy? And why do you disagree?"

"Wurum, sir... We - that is to say, I - believe that there will be a Highstorm tomorrow, but my brethren disagree rather strongly."

Dalinar thought back to the charts that had been relayed to him recently. "It's meant to be in two days, yes?" So they would theoretically have enough time to mount a quick assault while their enemies were setting up their defences, and then hide themselves from the storm afterwards. "Why do you say differently?"

The man's eyes darted to the side, to the window. A few windspren floated around out there. A precursor to the Highstorm, perhaps? Was that it? When the answer was not forthcoming, Dalinar gave him a verbal nudge. "Well?"

His eyes snapped back to the Highprince. "My apologies, sir. My methods differ slightly to that of the other Stormwardens. I use less calculations, and instead look towards patterns. For instance... Outside, as you can see. We have far more Windspren than we would expect, on a day like today. Not only that, but the number has been building up these last few days, as well. While it may not be something obviously noticable, it could suggest that higher winds are on the way."

"But only suggest?" Dalinar pressed. "This is important. If there is one on the way, then my soldiers will die if they are not kept safe. If there is not one, then we will lose a valuable opportunity. How certain are you?"

"I am fairly certain, my lord."

"Would you stake your life on it?" Dalinar asked. One Stormwarden's dissidence might not be indicative of a Spy for another prince, but that didn't mean that it might not be.

"I..." The man paled and looked away from Dalinar's gaze, back outside. One of the windspren was floating by the window. He turned, and then nodded, surprisingly firmly. "Yes, sir."

*

The shelter was formed from the stone of the mountain they had their backs to, with Soulcasters working all night to form decently-sized caverns, and even fill them with some amenities for the more important members of the army (that is, the Lighteyes). The Highstorm hit mid-afternoon the next day with a fury that made Dalinar's own battle-rage seem timid in comparison, and the Stormwarden seemed rather relieved to keep his head.

Dalinar and his nobles sat in a room of their own, as they discussed more about the situation they found themselves in. Were there any more suspicions that they had uncovered? Who were they themselves suspicious of?

At one point, Brightlord Kaddar asked to be excused and left the room. Refreshments and wines of various colours were brought in, loosening tongues slightly as the evening went on. Suspicions turned towards Meller, the bridgebuilder. He'd been accusing Lighteyes, after all. Where did he get the idea that such a thing was acceptable?

They marched into the Darkeyes-part of the shelter, and found that he was already under fire already. Brightlord Kaddar and Meller were shouting at each other and accusing each other of treacherous deeds.

"I bet it was you who stabbed the Horneater girl, wasn't it?" Brightlord Kaddar asked, a rather evil smile on his face. "I'd be willing to bet an emerald broam it was you."

"What? How dare you accuse me of that!" Meller shouted back at his face, which only made Kaddar smile more.

"You'd probably be willing to sell Dalinar out for just a few dun spheres, wouldn't you? Of course, they'd probably cheat you out of it as well. You're not very bright, are you? How many fingers am I holding up?" He asked, raising three fingers. "Can you even count to four?"

Meller's response was to punch him right in Kaddar's smirk, the surprised noble falling to the ground before he could even respond. He held a hand to his nose, and then looked at it before replacing it quickly to stem the bloodflow. "You hit me!" he said, his voice muffled by his hand. He seemed surprised, as if he hadn't expected the Darkeyed man to actually do it.

Dalinar sighed. Kaddar had clearly provoked the man, but... This was a war. He couldn't simply let this happen. He looked to Kenara.

"Watchman Meller," she said quickly, having anticipated his needs and rifled through and found the appropriate paper for him.  

He nodded his thanks at her. "Watchman Meller, you know the penalty for striking a superior officer."

Meller spat on the ground at Kaddar's feet. "But what's the penalty for striking him?"

Dalinar managed to stop himself from cracking a smile somehow, and pointed out to the door of the shelter. "Someone escort this disgrace out of my army."

*

They found Meller's body battered against the Highstorm shelter the next morning. His possessions were claimed and stolen shortly afterwards by his former fellow soldiers, but after they were tracked down, there was no indication that he was anything more than he claimed to be.


Meller was a Darkeyed Watchman, loyal to Dalinar!

Meller (5): Aonar Faialen, Jost Joslin, Kaddar, Kenara, Marand
Odysa (2): Newan, Mek
Kaddar (2): Ace, Odysa
Newan (1): Reihmer

At the end of the week, there will be a Skirmish against Prince Roion.
 

 

Player List
Darkeyes:
Damon Shan, Worldhopper [Jasnah Damodred]
Norlav, a mercenary drafted by the Blackthorn [Alvron]
Wok, a Horneater princess serving the Blackthorn [Ashiok] - Messenger
Reihmer, a bad ketek poet [Renegade]
Newan, a failed (and failing) Envisager [Newan]
Odysa of Shao, a former-assassin turned mercenary [Winter Cloud]
Karlin, a Jah Keved Purelaker [surgebound Rainspren]
Aonaran Faialen, a wannabe musician [Aonar Faileas]
Marand, no further description [Mailliw73]
Mek, a defector from Highprince Yenev's army [mckeedee123]
Alinel Lenia, Horneater exile, second son [Araris Valerian]
Torwel, reluctant conscript, wants ale [twelfthrootoftwo]
Eoldren, guy with a sweet tooth and a grudge [Eolhondras]
Meller, a bridge builder for the Blackthorn [Metacognition] - Watchman

Lighteyes:
Kaddar, a one-eyed veteran spearman with a fondness for riddles. [Kasimir]
Kenara, a scribe for the Blackthorn [little wilson]
Jain, a possibly-resurrected Shin traveller with a panda [Lightsworn Panda] - Swordsman
Jost Joslin, a soldier who never had a Shardblade [The Only Joe]
Ace, a guy with an oversized mallet and a talisman [Macen]
Tal, an enthusiastic young recruit and Shardblade wielder [luckat]

Edited June 19, 2016 by Alvron

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Storm it! I thought Kas was on to Meta there. I had had my small suspicions about him, and the little points being brought up a bout him and then Kas's suspicions cemented it for me. But, apparently, we were wrong. I'm not sure where to go, but I do have some suggestions. Any messengers we may have left should contact Tal so that we set up a reliable base of communications. Wilson, I suggest you block Odysa again, just to be safe. Any scouts we have should leave camp again. Those are my suggestions to hopefully avoiding more deaths.

[Macen he/him]

Because he just died and we were told he wasn't?

[Macen he/him]

Haha. No worries. Yes, he was.

[little wilson she/her]

At least now we know for certain he was telling the truth about getting blocked in the first cycle. And since the other officer never stepped up, but everyone (including Jasnah) either posted or looked at the thread after both Kas and I asked for them to step up, it's pretty much a guarantee they're a spy.

 

I'm not sure about blocking Odysa, not that I don't think she's a spy because her behavior is definitely indicative of one. I just think that if she is one, it's supremely unlikely that her teammate would be having her submit the name for sabotage this cycle, because she could get blocked. And I really doubt that she's Jain's teammate. I'll probably do what I did first cycle: collect the names of the people who I'm suspicious of and then role dice. Leave it to chance. Unless something happens to turn a suspicion into an almost-guarantee.

 

EDIT: Also, since that was Jasnah's second cycle with no activity, isn't she dead now?

[Kasimir he/him]

"Well," Kaddar remarked, offhandedly. "That went well. That is to say, that went exceedingly badly." Nirn pecked at his ear, and he sighed. "I've written, for one, a terribly emotional letter to Gavilar, for which neither of us will forgive me. And of course, the matter of Meller..." He fell silent, for a few, long moments. "I told Gavilar I was willing to die to see his dream of Alethkar come to fruition. I walked into the storm shelter expecting never to depart a living man. I must say, this is...unexpected." Hulin chirped, inquiringly. Kaddar stretched, flexing tight muscles. Then he bent down and picked up his spear. "'Name that which afflicts all; from the lowliest darkeyes to the most noble of kings. Turns virtue to vice, cripples strength, blinds the clear-sighted. Ruins kingdoms, ruins towns; all around me I see it. Suspicion might be an answer. More appropriate, of course, is folly. All around me, I see nothing but fools.' I penned that for my death, thinking it was to come. Fools, both of us; the enemy was neither of us, and the task falls to me to be completed."

He swung the spear in the practised movements of a fighter, testing. "It may come to my death," Kaddar mused, aloud, "But I fear Gavilar will not be so understanding. That new Shardbearer--Tal--he's better off saving his Blade for someone else." He was quiet, for a time. And so were the chickens. "The spearman, if it comes to that. Torwel. He has nothing to lose should he land the first blow. Have him cast the first stone. This will ensure he is nothing more than he claims to be."

Eventually: "I never told you how I lost that eye, did I? I never told Gavilar, either. There is a story of a god who tore out an eye for a taste of wisdom. And then he realised he should not have given up his eye. The Nightwatcher. I spoke with her, you know. I was younger then, a different fool." He thrust savagely with his spear. "The price was one of my eyes. Half the light of the world."

He whispered, "I am so sorry."

[Renegade he/him]

At least now we know for certain he was telling the truth about getting blocked in the first cycle. And since the other officer never stepped up, but everyone (including Jasnah) either posted or looked at the thread after both Kas and I asked for them to step up, it's pretty much a guarantee they're a spy.

 

I'm not sure about blocking Odysa, not that I don't think she's a spy because her behavior is definitely indicative of one. I just think that if she is one, it's supremely unlikely that her teammate would be having her submit the name for sabotage this cycle, because she could get blocked. And I really doubt that she's Jain's teammate. I'll probably do what I did first cycle: collect the names of the people who I'm suspicious of and then role dice. Leave it to chance. Unless something happens to turn a suspicion into an almost-guarantee.

 

EDIT: Also, since that was Jasnah's second cycle with no activity, isn't she dead now?

 

Yes, assuming, of course, that you and Torwel are not on the same team; as unlikely as that may be, we should not discount the possibility.

 

But yes, why are we roleblocking Odysa?  While she isn’t the least suspicious person here, I don’t see a particular reason we should block her.  That “suggestion” seems to be something more so, Marand.  Almost the exact same thing that Wilson did in LG 9.  And you even criticized Wilson’s response to Odysa last cycle; have you suddenly changed your mind, for some reason?

 

Also, Jasnah did post once last cycle.

 

Meller:

Forger of bridges, the watcher.  He watches the bridges of forgers.

Battles of Wits, has he lost.  He has wits of battles.

Crumbled are our bridges now, and now bridges, ours, are crumbled.

(Rejoice, for Kaddar now owes you emerald broams!  Emeralds, you owe now Kaddar for rejoicing.)

 

Edit: Changed to the correct link.

Edited December 6, 2014 by Renegade

[Wyrmhero he/him]

EDIT: Also, since that was Jasnah's second cycle with no activity, isn't she dead now?

 

Jasnah posted in the last Cycle, therefore she is not dead.

[Kasimir he/him]

Wilson, Jasnah posted, somewhere in the last two pages of the previous cycle. I was the one to remind King of it, in fact.

[little wilson she/her]

....This is what I get for not keeping up with the post counts before the cycle ended. I just had to go back and figure out the numbers for everyone. Ugh.

[Aonar he/him]

Well. That went storming brilliantly, now did't it? I'm really starting to hate you guys for making all the important decisions while I'm not around to comment.

 

So, we're down both a strong player and a Watchman. That, put simply, is very bad. There's a decent chance there isn't another Watchman, (hope for the best, expect the worst, as they say) so now we have no way to find anyone aside from logic and intuition. Not impossible, but it was nice to have the Watchman to fall back on.

 

This time, I don't have a real strong suspicion to go off of. Lots of people voted for Meta, which is strange. I thought he defended himself quite well. Had I been around when everyone suddenly decided to vote for him, I would have removed my vote. However, I was suspicious of him at a point in the cycle (I did vote for him, after all) so it feels somewhat hypocritical to start accusing people for that.

 

I'm debating quite a bit between Odysa, Mail, Newan, Macen and Kas. I'm fair convinced Kas is the Wit, however, so I think not voting for him would be prudent, for the time being. Maill and Odysa seem like a good pair of candidates for another Spy Team, but I can't be certain. (And both of them already have votes, so I'll let things slide for now.) Newan and Macen are both suspicious for very similar reasons. They've been around, they've posted, occasionally commented on the discussion, but really contributed very little. I think I'll vote Newan for now, seeing how he's online at the moment, and he's probably been the less helpful of the two of them. 

 

By the way, why's the thread so dead all of the sudden? Has everybody given up? Or are you all waiting for midnight my time before you start discussing again?

 

​Edit: Hey, Wyrm, would you mind clarifying something for me? Is it possible for us to have a Skirmish/Battle against a Highprince to whom no Spies are loyal to?

 

Seeing how we've had confrontations with three different Highprinces now, it would be nice to know if that has any bearing on the number of Teams we're be facing. Three Spies left isn't bad. Five Spies, on the other hand... 

Edited December 8, 2014 by Aonar Faileas

[Kasimir he/him]

Twei had posted something here but it seems to have been eaten, possibly by the server transfer? Is that even possible? :S Is there anything we can do about this? :S

[Wyrmhero he/him]

Is it possible for us to have a Skirmish/Battle against a Highprince to whom no Spies are loyal to?

 

For the purposes of this game, no, there will never be a combat against a Highprince with no Spies (unless all his Spies are dead, of course).

Edited December 7, 2014 by Wyrmhero

[twelfthrootoftwo]

That's bizarre :/ I'll try to keep this as close as possible to what I said before.

 

"The spearman, if it comes to that. Torwel. He has nothing to lose should he land the first blow. Have him cast the first stone. This will ensure he is nothing more than he claims to be."

I'm happy to place the first vote, but only if there's a general consensus to lynch you. I agree you're most likely the Wit, and therefore I can't make the vote of my own accord.

 

This is the first game I know of where order of votes matters. What happens if you retract and then replace a vote on the same person? If it's in the same post?

 

---

 

I found the slew of votes for Meta to be a little strange. Aonar's vote was placed early in the cycle, but was never retracted (up to ~36 hours after Meta responded). This is interesting, but since that vote was completely unrelated to the turn at the end of the cycle, I doubt it was deliberate. Joe and Kas had substantial evidence/argument to back up their votes, which suggests they had been considering it for some time, and it seems Joe jumped on the opportunity from Kas. Wilson wanted a lynch, and Maill said he'd give his suspicions in two days' time. Of these, I find Maill's vote the mote suspicious, though that could be due to his technical problems.

 

I'd like to hear from Norlav, who saw (at least) the beginning of the Meta/Kas duel, but posted only to clarify the highstorm rules.

[Wyrmhero he/him]

This is the first game I know of where order of votes matters. What happens if you retract and then replace a vote on the same person? If it's in the same post?

 

Retracting and replacing a vote would 'reset' your place in the vote order, as you have technically removed your vote and made a new one, even if they happened simultaneously.

[Kasimir he/him]

I'm convinced that Kas is the Wit too. Although, he could just be a really smart spy.

 

"Mistress Odysa," said Kaddar, "You are entirely welcome to test the veracity of my claim. Or at least, I would say that if I wasn't wary of instigating a second Meller incident. The one has been quite excessive, wouldn't you say? You are welcome, therefore, to make what you will of it." He winked and strode off.

Newan. Can't deny that I'd like to hear more--especially considering you're sort of behaving as you did during LG7 and you were our House skaa then. You were more helpful during the first part of QF4, and it's not as if you'll be in danger of being converted, this time around.

I know a second vote may seem excessive--I'll definitely switch it out later, but I'm trying to get those Supreme Lynchmaster senses tingling, for the moment, as I work on something else.

[Mckeedee123 he/him]

I don't really have a good reason to change my mind, so I'll vote Odysa again this round.

[Kasimir he/him]

What are you convinced of? :S I'm not following.