Long Game 10: A Game of Shards

[Araris Valerian he/him]

I spent 3 cycles trying to get people to work with me on this. Sarc was cool and I was working with Feligon. If I posted at the end of the cycle and some eliminators saw it, this had a really good shot at working. But alas, Maill died and he was the only eliminator that could really vote without giving away info, and Sarc backed out the next cycle. That was basically when I gave up influencing this game very much.

[Guest]

Whoa whoa whoa. When have I not told you anything? Ask Meta if you have questions. He'll probably answer them, but we can't just trust you because you say you're innocent.

[leiftinspace he/him]

Unfortunately Araris, that sounds like something either Maw or Viney said earlier.

Edited February 24, 2015 by leiftinspace

[Lord Pifferdoo he/him]

“Villagers of all types, I call you to join with me! We may be about to win this game, but we will not truly have gained a victory, for our very lives and actions are being controlled by the shards! While the shards may be acting in our own best interests, they have not shared any relevant information with the worldhoppers except when one of us intrudes upon their inner circle, only to be met with a fierce response of harsh votes. In order to force the shards to include us in the workings of this game, I call for a lynch on Cultivation! Now, based upon the first PM that I was placed in very early into the game, before much coordination could have taken place, which was between myself and Sarcomere, I am strongly suspicious of Pifferdoo as Cultivation, since he was in a PM group with Sarc and myself last game, and we were a fairly effective team. It would make sense for him to reestablish similar connections this game. While I feel no animosity towards the dear Baron, this game belongs to the village, and we should strive to take it into our own hands!”

 

*ahem* I am Marquis de Piffletiff. The late Baron was my ancestor. 

And if I wanted to establish connections, why wouldn't I put myself in the group?

[Araris Valerian he/him]

That, leftinspace, is because they were revealed to be eliminators. At which point they tried to cause the village to revolt against the shards. If Cultivation didn't exist in this game then I would probably be enjoying myself a bit more, which was the basis behind this plan, regardless of whether it helps the eliminators. "Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination." Now that it is apparent that I am going to die, there is no harm in showing a plan that would have gotten me lynched by the shards on the next cycle.

 

Snoopy, I wrote that post around cycle 3 and didn't mess with it at all. Just curious, if 6 votes got placed in the last 5 minutes pf a cycle would it have been able to kill Piff?

 

Piff, it wasn't 100% for sure, but common sense would be to not put yourself in PMs to prevent eliminators from finding who you are.

 

I'm going to try and do some math here: there are 16 players and 6 good shards. That doesn't really work for powering through a player list, since Odium kills all the shards before all he villagers die. Especially since there is an OC left, if the lynch hits Odium first then the whole investiture confirmation thing resets with even fewer shards left. Additionally, the OCs could be saving a protection role to give Odium one extra kill when he is discovered.

 

I don't expect this to change the lynch, since the Shardic Coalition has decided that a power lynch is the way to go and we can't really influence that. But I figure that since my time is almost at an end, I might as well put all my thoughts down for everyone else to see.

 

And Piff, I really liked working with you, and I bet the shards feel the same way, but I really wish the OCs had used the shardic kill on you night 1. 

[Lord Pifferdoo he/him]

Wow, Araris. I am hurt by that. 

[Lightsworn Panda he/him]

*ahem* I am Marquis de Piffletiff. The late Baron was my ancestor. 

And if I wanted to establish connections, why wouldn't I put myself in the group?

 

Generally, doing that is like signing your own death warrant. All I can say is that you must have been very fortunate (or the Eliminators strangely short-sighted) to not accidentally contact an Eliminator.

 

Araris, your logic is starting to reflect Malliw and Vine too much. 

[Jo and the Bush all/any]

Night 7: Unanswered Questions

 

Aranard Longbeard watched Eol’s from the shade of a distant tree. He hadn’t none the man very well, but he didn’t need to know anything other than the fact that he was a Shard to know he was crem. He had been one of Hoid’s shadow Council, the one that was controlling everything. In fact, from the looks He was getting, Gerard was probably keen to lynch him next. Well, he wouldn’t let that happen. He hated Odium just as much as the next guy, But what was the point in killing him if doing so put The Cosmere in the Control of a small group of 7 people.

 

He needed to do something. He needed to rouse the Worldhoppers to action, lest the end in a tyranny worse than being killed by Odium. He started walking towards the platform above the grave, where The good captain was speaking about honour in these dark times.

 

Captain Junglewood was just finishing his speech when he was shoved away from the platform. Longbeard took his place and addressed the assembled Worldhoppers.

 

“Worldhoppers of all types, I call you to join with me! We may be about to win this war, but we will not truly have gained a victory, for our very lives and actions are being controlled by the Shards! While the shards may be acting in our own best interests, they have not shared anything with the worldhoppers except when one of us intrudes upon their inner circle, only to be met with a fierce response of harsh votes. In order to force the shards to include us in the workings of this war, I call for a lynch on Cultivation!” The stunned crowd looked on as he he ranted, pitching his voice to make everything sound believable.

 

“Now, based upon the first contact that I was placed in very early into the game, before much coordination could have taken place, which was between myself and Scree, I am strongly suspicious of Pifferdoo as Cultivation, since he was in a contact group with Scree and myself last war, and we were a fairly effective team. It would make sense for him to reestablish similar connections this game. While I feel no animosity towards the dear Baron, this game belongs to the village, and we should strive to take it into our own hands!” Again, he pitched his voice, this time indicating the Audience should cheer. A few of them did, rather half-heartedly. Many of them looked towards Hobbes for what they should do. Looks like he was too late, they were all firmly in The hands of the Shards.

 

The Baron himself stepped forward and cleared his throat. “Ahem* I am Marquis de Piffletiff. The late Baron was my ancestor.” Everyone ignored him as usual.

 

Hobbes didn’t even say anything in reply, just lifted his arm and made a gesture. Junglewood and Raiki both jumped up and grabbed his arms, holding him on the platform as Hobbes approached, unsheathing his sword on the way. Longbeard didn’t struggle. what was the point? Instead, he sucked in his cheeks, turned, and spat on Junglewood’s Face. “Hypocrite. So much for Honour”. He glared at the captain, who refused to meet his eyes, before looking back to Hobbes. The man, no, the Thing was grinning happily at the chance to kill another person.

 

The crowd was silent as they watched Him step onto the platform, they remained so as He raised his sword, and without passing any judgement, or giving Evidence, ran the man through.

 

Aranard fell to his knees. the two men letting him go. He clutched at the open wound on his belly, trying to keep as much violet blood inside him as he could. The three men stepped back in surprise, realizing for the first time that he wasn’t human. He looked up at Hobbes, spitting more violet blood onto the man’s boots.

 

Then, he forced himself to let go of his abdomen, and raised one leg, resting his arm on top of it. He forced himself to his feet, meeting Hobbes awestruck eyes. He turned to the crowd, and whispered. “To think, I had so much faith in you.” Then he turned and walked away, leaving a trail of violet blood to mark his path.

 

Votes:

Araris(7): Splinter, Twelfthroot, Bort, Snoopy, Leiftinspace, Pifferdoo, Panda

Pifferdoo(1): Araris

 

Araris is a Voidbringer! He will die at the end of Day 8. He cannot be saved.

The night will end on Tuesday the 24th, at 10pm PST.

[Lord Pifferdoo he/him]

Araris, why? I thought we had something special! If you hadn't been so foolish, you might still be alive! (well, I guess you're alive now, but you know what I mean)

[Bort he/him]

Was he a friendly Voidbringer or an OC?

[Jo and the Bush all/any]

The Alignment of A Voidbirnger is revealed when they die.

[Guest]

Wow. Thanks for making me look horrible, Joe. He was intentionally trying to lynch someone he thought was Shard! What was I supposed to do? That's suspicious.

[Bort he/him]

But, but... Snoopy, you are horrible, aren't you? Or are you just misunderstood?

[Guest]

But, but... Snoopy, you are horrible, aren't you? Or are you just misunderstood?

*sobs*

You people are just not seeming to understand that we can't just GIVE YOU THE IDENTITIES OF THE SHARDS!!! I'VE DONE MY BEST TO ANSWER YOU! ASK A QUESTION IF YOU WANT!!

*sobs turn to weeping*

[Bort he/him]

Ah, so just misunderstood then

[Guest]

Yes. Any questions?

Edit: I'd like to point out that according to the write-up, Araris previously lied about his role to the Shard Party...

Edited February 24, 2015 by Snoopy

[Araris Valerian he/him]

Why would I let the shards know who I really am? My whole point that I've been trying to make is for the village to become independent of the shards.

[Jo and the Bush all/any]

Wow. Thanks for making me look horrible, Joe. He was intentionally trying to lynch someone he thought was Shard! What was I supposed to do? That's suspicious.

Last cycle you were really hoping to be the one to kill Peng. Are you telling me that doesn't make your character horrible? 

Edited February 24, 2015 by The Only Joe

[Jo and the Bush all/any]

On identities of Shards. The Shardic Coalition desires identities to remain unknown for the current time. I really wish this game hadn't became so pointless for vanilla players and pointless Shards. That really sucks, doesn't it? Of course, even pointless Shards are allowed in the Shardic Coalition, so at least pointless Shards are allowed to actually make decisions. Game Creators should talk about if their games have a point where it is somewhat useless for vanillas. Sorry Joe if that seemed rude towards you.

 

It's not rude. I completely agree with this. I messed up rather badly in the balancing of roles.

[Guest]

Last cycle you were really hoping to be the one to kill Peng. Are you telling me that doesn't make your character horrible? 

Okay, I'm horrible. Just a teeny bit, though.

[Jo and the Bush all/any]

Day 8: A Noticeable lack of Puns.

 

Preservation floated in the endless space wherein his planet used to be. Had Ruin still been alive, he might have been able to rebuild it, but he alone could not. All he could do was preserve the wreckage as a gave to those whom he’d tries to save. But Odium had taken them. If only he had been able to take up Ati’s Shard, so that he could slaughter Odium himself. But no matter, he had business to be about tonight. He flowed through the barrier into Shadesmar, coming out in the same forest where Ruin had died. His power would be too easily sensed here, so he formed his Physical Body, the one the Worldhoppers knew..

 

He walked through the forest, intending to visit the clearing where Ruin had died. He had preserved that too, as a final resting place for the man who was once his friend. As he got closer to the clearing, he could Hear voices, two of them, lamenting for their fallen friend. Some of the Shards must have come to visit as well. But which ones? Endowment maybe? or Cultivation?

 

He pushed through the last of the branches, entering the clearing and raising his hand. “Hello brothers, how are you today?” The two froze, then turned around slowly. They were not Shards, nor were they lamenting over Ruin’s Body, but that of Vineyerian. Odium’s new Shardholder.

 

The three of them stared at eachother, none of them quite knowing what to do, before the taller of the two spoke up. “So, kill him instead?”

 

“Yeah, that’d be smart.”

 

Preservation shot backwards through the trees as Odium and the Champion began to give Pursuit. He didn’t get very far before tripping over a root, falling hard. He scrambled to his feet and tried to continue running, but the Champion tackled him from behind. The smoke blurred man pulled out a Short sword, and stabbed him through the heart. Preservation cried out in pain, and dropped his physical body. Leaving Raiki’s corpse on the floor of the forest as he continued to flee.

 

A fire bloomed within him, and he was pulled to a halt by Odium’s power. The Shard was too strong for Him to break free. The Broken one expanded, surrounding him with Red Smoke.

 

SO BROTHER. IT DOESN’T APPEAR YOU’LL BE PRESERVED.

 

Preservation blinked. That pun was awful. “You haven’t been doing this for very long, have you?

 

SHUT UP.

 

“No seriously, I won’t be Preserved? That’s just, stupid. Say, is that how you managed to kill Dominion? Just got him laughing at your stupidity so he wasn’t paying attention?”

 

OH STORM OFF. LIKE YOU COULD DO BETTER.

 

“It appears you will be Ruined as well? Duh.” The weight of Odium’s hatred and now, annoyance, was palpable. But hey, if he was going to die, he should get his kicks in while he could. The Sphere of Smoke surrounding him shrunk, forcing him to burn power away to stay alive. He couldn’t hold it for long, Odium was much more experienced in this style of combat. The power began to slip away, as his consciousness faded, until finally he felt it leave entirely, leaving him empty. He could feel his mind being pulled away as well. His last sight was of Odium’s angry eyes.

 

Twelfthrootoftwo was Preservation! Preservation was Shattered!

 

The Day will end on Thursday the 24th, at 10pm PST.

Edited February 25, 2015 by The Only Joe

[Bort he/him]

Winter Cloud, on 24 Feb 2015 - 11:23 PM, said:

On identities of Shards. The Shardic Coalition desires identities to remain unknown for the current time. I really wish this game hadn't became so pointless for vanilla players and pointless Shards. That really sucks, doesn't it? Of course, even pointless Shards are allowed in the Shardic Coalition, so at least pointless Shards are allowed to actually make decisions. Game Creators should talk about if their games have a point where it is somewhat useless for vanillas. Sorry Joe if that seemed rude towards you.

 

Shard identities and plans should remain secret, although speaking for the rest of us plebs, it would be nice to get some direction once in a while. As it is, we're flailing about and having more success in lynching our own than the enemy, and given how quiet these threads are, we don't have much to go on when selecting a target.

 

The amount of information the Shards have is, I expect, a hell of a lot more than the information we get as non-Shards. There are 14 players left. 5 of those are friendly Shards, one is Odium, one is Hoid, leaving 7 possibilities (myself included) who may or may not be Odium's Champions.

 

So, who has suspicions they would like to share?

[Guest]

First of all,

Araris (and Winter, to a degree), I’m trying to see your point of view, and I understand that the power of certain roles compared to villagers is irritating, but please understand that all I’m (and the Shards) trying to do is win. That’s really all that matters. Honestly, if I was in your place, I would probably be cheering away for the Shards, and trying to help out as best I could. I hope you realize how extremely suspicious it seems to pretty much say, “I’m trying to lynch one of the most powerful Shards because I don’t like the current strategy.” That’s what it looks like to me. An OC might possibly say that. An OC (Odium actually) already lied to us about his role, thus people who do the same are suspicious to us. Again, we are not malicious. We are trying to win, the best way we know how. You say that we are not giving enough information, but how are we to know who is trustworthy? We are currently trying to figure that out ourselves. Until we do, the flat-out proclamation of your intention to lynch a Shard (even if you don’t really know if a particular person is a Shard or not) is not the right way to take the game back for the villagers.

Now that that's out of the way, Sarcomere is not currently Odium. I will check and come back with more.

Edit: Ashiok, Meta, Feligon, and Sarcomere are currently clean (from being Odium. One of them could be an OC though). I'm not sure where that leaves the player list...

Edited February 25, 2015 by Snoopy

[Bort he/him]

1. Living Players:

   1. Second of Sky (Alvron)

   2. Jain (Lightsworn Panda)

2. Bortin (Bort)

Cleo and Kae(Winter Cloud)

Gerald Hobbes (Snoopy)

Frank (Feligon) - Not Odium

Captain Qayshar Junglewood (swalji09 - Now known as Splinter)

Leif Erikson (Leiftinspace)

Animus (Tulir)

KaanDra (Ashiok) - Not Odium

Scree (Sarcomere) - Not Odium

Cognition (Metacognition) - Not Odium

Baron Von Piff (Pifferdoo)

Lu (Luckat)

The Dead:

 

1. Satrams - A Normal Worldhopper mistaken for Hoid

2. Clink - A Village Poisoner whose wares were too costly.

Mek - A Normal Worldhopper who lost a swordfight.

Aonar Izenry - Ruin's original Shardholder

Maw - Odium's original Holder.

Grarmps - Holder of the Unmade

Lady Otrisce - Awakener

Derushe - Worldhopper

Martin - A Witness

Vineyerian - A Poisoner

Dorin - A Champion

Eolhondras - Dominion

JasonPenguin - Lifeless operator

Araris - Voidbringer (alignment as yet unknown).

Twelthrootoftwo - Preservation

Voila. One up-to-date list (I think).

 

Mostly because he has been so quiet throughout the game, my vote this cycle is for Tulir.

 

Edit: I was tempted to add my name to the list of players confirmed as not being Odium, but thought better of it. That is probably a sure fire way to get myself lynched

 

Edit 2: Is there a maximum of one of each minor role per side, or can each side have multiple of each?

 

Edit 3: What happens when Odium's Shard is passed on? As in, say it went to a Witness. Would they retain the Witness abilities, or would they be overwritten by the Shardic abilities?

Edited February 25, 2015 by Bort

[Araris Valerian he/him]

Well, whether I'm an OC doesn't really matter at this point. I can't really contribute much more except to explain that I was a bit bored and tried to figure out a better way to get involved. One way was to fake being an awakener, which was fun. If I had successfully overthrown the shardic coalition before Snoopy got invested by Cultivation that would also have been pretty cool. I would like to point out that Odium hasn't missed a single shard kill yet, which implies that the village is the only group that doesn't know who all the shards are.