Quick Fix Game 8: The Steelway Express

[Zas678 he/him]

Zane could hear the others talking, but he was having a hard time paying attention with the blood leaving his knee. Kneecaps weren't essential, were they? They're not vital organs. Hopefully, with a doctor on board, the blood flow would be able to stop, and he'd be able to be glad to have survived this overall bloody trip home.

 

Zane heard Old Wolf address him. "What? Yes, yes. Tell me your story. I am quite curious to see where all your coins went. Even though Gavin is rusting bloodthirsty, he does seem rather free with his wealth. How is it that your coinpurse is so light? Then Doctor, if you really are one, I'm pretty sure that leg wounds aren't supposed to kill. You better save me, or you won't hear the last of it from my family!"

[Aanwolf]

Old Wolf gave a deep sigh of relief.  "Thank you.  The first thing you should know is that I am not a member of the Coinshot Clan.  However, I believe that I am the one Gavin Gardre is looking for.  Part of me finds it incredible that he would go to such lengths to find and kill me, but I know enough about him to realize that this is simply one of many demonstrations of his willingness to destroy others for his own selfish ends."

 

Old Wolf looked at the doctor-lawman and then slowly and carefully removed a small photograph from his coat's breast pocket.  He looked at it for a moment, then placed it face-up on the table.  It was a portrait of a young girl, perhaps five or six years old.  She wore a nice dress and had the kind of smile that lit up her eyes and made others remark at how adorable she was.

 

"This is... was... my grand-daughter Anna.  Around the time she was born, I retired from teaching logic and philosophy at the school in Elendel a short walk from my home.  I soon found myself spending most of my time watching her, caring for her, spoiling her.  Those were some of the happiest days in my life, the first true joy I had felt since my dear wife had passed away some years before."  The half-smile that had formed on his face faded.  Wolf's eyes grew hooded and his lower jaw slid sideways.

 

"Two years ago, we were on an outing when a large carriage came thundering down the street.  I had turned my back for a moment to look in a shop window and hadn't seen Anna step into the road.  I watched in horror as the carriage continued on, without slowing, running her over, killing her.  I still remember the glimpse I caught of the man inside the carriage, the look of utter disdain on his face for a child who had carelessly stood in his way.  As I held my dying grand-daughter in my arms, I vowed to  learn the man's identity and seek justice."  A coldness entered Wolf's gaze.  "That man was Gavin Gardre."

 

"Once I learned who he was, I went to the law and reported the crime.  They seemed intent on pursuing the matter until I mentioned the Gardre name.  I was given a half-hearted assurance that they would look into the matter, then dismissed.  I waited one week then returned to follow up.  I was sent away with more placating words, but I refused to give up. My continued visits were met with annoyance, then anger, then with a warning that if I knew what was good for me, I would leave the matter alone."

 

"A few days after I my sixth attempt to seek redress, Anna's parents were shot and killed during what the law determined to be a typical burglary.  But I knew better.  House Gardre had sent me a message that I could not miss.  I began to see subtle evidence that I was being watched. They wanted me to suffer as an example to others who would cross them, but they wanted to ensure that I had finally learned to give up.  I had not, but I played the part, growing despondant, turning to drink and spending my days alone."

 

"As their guard relaxed, I found ways to quietly seek help from outside the law.  At great personal expense, I hired an investigator to obtain sensitive information about House Gardre.  I had learned to be careful, so I did so through two layers of third parties. They were carefully selected to lend credence to the implication that the information was for a rival house of some influence, with the purpose of obtaining an advantage in business ventures."

 

"I learned that House Gardre was developing a new steam train to transport valuable goods.  I also learned that Gavin Gardre would be entrusted with the valued position as conductor of the new train, and by extension, as steward over the precious cargo.  I knew of the animosity between the Coinshot Clan and House Gardre, but had determined to keep my distance from common thugs.  When I happened to come across evidence that the Coinshot Clan also knew of the train and were planning to steal the cargo, things began to come together. I decided to board the train to see how things developed and to look for an opportunity to ensure that the coinshots succeeded in their theft and with the hope that Gavin Gardre could become an unfortunate casualty in the process.  I had no idea that this would turn into the mess it has become."

 

Wolf paused and looked back and forth between his two companions, gauging their reaction before attempting to continue. He didn't know if they believed his story or not, but as long as they let him finish, it didn't really matter anyway...

 

OOC: Pausing for your reactions.  The next part is written and ready to go when you respond...

Edited July 1, 2015 by Aanwolf

[Zas678 he/him]

Zane was astonished. "So you're saying that Gavin killed your daughter? Why, that man has killed more people than all of the Coinshot Clan combined!"

[Aanwolf]

Old Wolf shook his head and sighed.  "If only those were his only crimes...." he trailed off before continuing.

 

"In the intervening months, I learned that the heavy drinking I had engaged in while waiting for House Gardre to grow lax had taken its toll on my aging body.  I obtained assistance from a very good doctor, who did much to help me, but ultimately was forced to conclude that I had less than a year to live.  There were methods to ease my suffering, but he warned me that they would only accelerate my condition.  I gladly accepted the medications, the true reasons behind my decision unknown to that good man."

 

"I had a revolver, the information I needed, and the means to survive and be functional long enough to carry out my plan.  Unfortunately, I miscalculated.  I underestimated House Gardre's caution and determination, and I overestimated the competency of the Coinshot Clan to pull off the theft and follow the orders of their leaders to do so quickly and in stealth.  When the leader of their mission was caught, I realized I would have to think quickly to ensure this would end well.  A combination of my advancing condition and the fact that House Gardre would certainly mark my identity as a passenger after the robbery led me to conclude that I would not get another chance to seek justice."

 

Wolf paused again, and it became clear for the first time that beneath his act of confidence and strength was evidence of the chronic pain he was suffering.  He gritted his teeth and composed himself.  He stared down at the photograph on the table with an almost vacant expression as he continued in a slower, quieter tone.

 

"During those first tense moments, I managed to quietly make contact with the members of the Coinshot Clan and indicate my willingness to help them succeed.  I knew who they were thanks to the extensive research I had done on the clan and this particular operation.  I was able to provide convincing evidence that I was a hidden member of the clan and one of sufficient influence that they should be willing to take my direction. They believed me, but it quickly became clear that they were determined to murder as many people as necessary in order to escape."

 

A look of disgust entered Wolf's expression. "They suggested that I make the first kill.  I tried to wiggle out of it, but that only made them suspicious.  It was either kill an innocent passenger, or be killed myself.  I may not have been a coinshot myself, but fate would see me in that role regardless of what I wanted.  I wasn't even sure I could do it, as my hatred was only for House Gardre, but I am ashamed to admit that my will for self-preservation and my desire for vengence combined to motivate me to shoot an innocent man."  Wolf raised his head and made eye contact again.  The haunted look he gave them was accompanied by a barely audible whisper.  "I killed The Silent Man."  He grew silent and stared off into the distance.  It became apparent that he would need prodding to continue.

[Zas678 he/him]

Zane looked on in disbelief. And pain.

[Aanwolf]

Old Wolf looked toward the doctor without seeming to recognize him.  Suddenly, he doubled over, clutching his stomach with a half-groan half-hiss.  The pain grew in intensity and a stray, almost disembodied part of him assumed that he had died and was now suffering for his crimes.

 

Then he found himself gasping for air as the moment passed.  He quickly retrieved a clear flask of dark, foul smelling liquid from his pocket and took a deep drink.  He slumped a bit in his seat and looked at the doctor once more, a wry smile on his lips.  "It's getting worse.  I suppose it's no more than I deserve."

 

"The time since then is fuzzy in my mind.  I managed to revert to my role as a professor and continue as if I were an innocent passenger.  Sometimes I think I half believed it.  Then there were dark moments, whispered words as we passed one another making suggestions and planning for the worst. I managed to avoid the chaos of the caboose, wandering among the other cars."

 

"We did our best to find an opportunity to catch Gavin off guard and allow us to escape.  At first it seemed like we might pull it off and they might even complete the theft after all.  But Gavin was too careful, and he was relentless in his efforts to hunt us down."

 

"As time passed, I began to think more clearly. I was relieved when, during my next assignment, Nails was clever enough to escape by hiding in the vault car. I'm sure the others were not happy with me, but at least I avoided getting more blood on my hands.  I was caught between two threats.  I had to appear innocent to the passengers on the one hand, but cooperative to the Coinshots on the other.  If either group grew too suspicious, I would be dead before I could get to Gavin.  I avoided hiring the assassin, saving my coins to try to protect myself. I was forced to cast suspicion on innocent people in order to survive. I think it was only due to the luck of the Survivor that I lasted so long."

 

Wolf fought off another wave of pain.  Then he shook his head and gave a bitter laugh.  "Or maybe the Survivor didn't want me to have the luxury of a quick and painless death." He took a few deep breaths. "It appears the stress of this nightmare is bringing me to the end sooner than I expected. At least the physical pain is an effective distraction from the memories of what I have done.... Some of the time, anyway."

 

"Well, you know most of it.  The true Coinshots were found and killed.  Fortunately, you managed to get them to Gavin before they could kill innocent passengers themselves. Unfortunately, Bridge's last words revealed that he believed there was still another clan member alive. In all honesty, I'm not sure it would have made any difference.  I have become convinced that Gavin recognizes me.  We never met, but the way he has looked at me the last couple of times we saw him... he knows more than he lets on."

 

"After Bridge was... executed... I figured I wouldn't have to kill anyone else but Gavin.  I was wrong.  In a chance moment, Locke stumbled across me and something in my reaction made him suspicious enough to confront me then and there.  I panicked and shot him.  He had only stepped out of his car for a moment, so I was fortunate that suspicion fell on Nails instead of on me.  It was then that I realized what I was becoming... what we all were becoming, but me most of all.  If I didn't get to Gavin soon, I would be forced to kill again.  I decided that the next time Gavin confronted to us, I would kill him or die trying..."

 

Wolf turned to Zane with tears in his eyes.  "I tried. But at the last moment, a twinge of pain caused me to flinch, and I missed.  I'm sorry, Zane.  I didn't mean for you to get hurt.  It was an accident, I swear."

 

Olf Wolf frantically searched Zane's eyes for some sign of forgiveness, or at least acceptance.  He doubted Zane had the strength to kill him now in revenge, but Wolf desperately needed to know if Zane understood. If not, they would die as enemies.  Either way they were both dead, but perhaps they could die... well not friends, but... allies, maybe?

 

OOC: Last part of my story coming in an hour or two. Oh, and thanks Zas and Clanky for playing along.

Edited July 1, 2015 by Aanwolf

[Zas678 he/him]

"So let's see if I got this right. Gavin "accidentally" kills your sister, so you plot your revenge and ally with his enemies and kill a bunch of innocent people, then, when he's right in front of you, you not only miss the wrong person, but you hit them in the knee!?" Zane was clearly very upset. "I mean, I understand the urge, but Rust and Ruin, couldn't you have had better aim!?"

 

Zane breathed in and out in an attempt to calm himself. He didn't know why "Doctor" McNinja was being so quiet. "But. Hopefully this is just a flesh wound. Legs aren't vital organs, and I shouldn't die from this. Gavin's going to be here in 2 hours. At that time, you're going to die for you crimes, and I'm going to be able to leave and get to a Rusting hospital."

 

"But that's me. The question is, what are you going to do? You have one last chance with Gavin. What's your plan? Depending on what it is, I may be willing to help."

[Aanwolf]

OOC: Bonus post to respond to Zas.  Last one coming shortly.

 

Wolf sneered at his injured companion. "He may not have targeted my grand-daughter, but he clearly had no regard for the life of an innocent child who stood in his way.  At first, I just wanted to report it, but when his house (I don't know if it was him directly) killed her parents... My son and his wife were my only surviving family.  Everything I cared about had been taken from me!  Everything!"

 

Wolf calmed himself and shook his head.  "I had no intention of killing anyone, other than Gavin, before I boarded this train.  When the Coinshots botched the job, it was Gavin who insisted that people would die, innocent or not, until he was satisfied.  As much as I do not like the Coinshot Clan, it was Gavin Gardre who backed them into a corner and pushed them to start killing people in a job that was never meant to have resulted in any deaths."

 

"Yes, I killed.  Twice.  Both times to try to save my own neck.  Yes, I argued that people should die, again to save myself.  We. All. Did.  And you and I both feel sick knowing that we did it.  But if you are looking for who is most to blame for all the bodies on this train, then (as you pointed out yourself) Gavin has killed far more than anyone. If he hadn't locked us all up and turned us on each other, none of us would have died."

 

Wolf sighed.  "I'm sorry.  You're right that I am at least partially to blame for this mess.  I should have tried harder to stop the others from killing innocent people.  And," he added, looking again at Zane's knee with sympathy, "perhaps if I had ever been trained to shoot a gun, a little pain wouldn't have caused me to miss.  I don't blame you for being upset - you have every right to be.  If it makes you feel better, know that I will have suffered even more."

 

Wolf turned to the doctor-lawman.  He stared at the badge, then looked the doctor in the eye with an intensity that surprised himself.  "It was a good doctor who helped me when I needed it. I want you to live.  You must survive if you can.  You are a good man.  I will take comfort knowing that you will survive, and that someone out there will remember my precious Anna and know the truth about what happened. I'm willing to die to make that possible."

 

Almost as an after-thought, Wolf turned to Zane. "I want both of you to survive.  I want both of you to remember." Wolf said it with sincerity, though he couldn't help but wince as he glanced once more at Zane's knee.  He just hoped that the truth of his wish for Zane to survive would hide the fact that he knew the poor man wasn't going to make it.  Perhaps if he played along with Zane's delusion, it would help.

 

EDIT: Last words...

 

Wolf sat back. "As for my plan? If giving you... er... both of you... the means to survive this massacre costs me the chance to kill Gavin... Well, maybe, perhaps, it will buy me a little mercy after death." Old Wolf gave a predatory smile, and the resemblence to the creature for whom he was named was uncanny.  "Besides," he said softly, "I suspect that even if he lives, the attention House Gardre will receive due to Gavin's handling of this situation will not be pleasant for them.  I don't imagine they will make life easier for him as a result."

 

"In fact, the more I think about it, the more I wonder if House Gardre knew what I was doing all along.  I wouldn't be surprised if they have other hidden means in place to deal with a Coinshot Clan plan that wasn't as secret as the clan thought it was. I don't think that Gavin knew about it, unless he is a far better actor than I imagined.  It's possible that someone else in House Gardre set him up to fail.  I'll probably never know.  But I choose to die with the hope that he will soon face the ire of someone with the means to inflict greater punishment than I ever could."

 

Wolf trailed off for a moment before another wave of pain hit him.  He took another drink and wiped the perspiration from his forehead. "You are still in great danger.  If Gavin simply wants me to die and hasn't considered the consequences of his actions, then he will likely kill me quickly to avoid making you suspicious, and you will be allowed to walk away.  If that looks likely, I encourage you to leave quietly. However, I suspect that he understands the predicament his house faces and the implications of the fact that he didn't catch me until the very end.  In that case, he will make sure there are no survivors to hinder his efforts to cover up the incident and preserve House Gardre's reputation.  It might not restore the confidence of the public in taking this train in the future, but as long as they avoid the worst of it, Gavin may hope that even with the loss of passenger business, the continued utility of this train to his house could help him survive the situation.  Besides, I've learned not to understimate the ability of a wealthy house to manage the reaction of the public and ride out any scandals."

 

Wolf looked at the gun he had passed to Dr. McNinja.  "There are two bullets left.  Use them to survive.  Do what you need to do.  Don't try to save me - you would only lose the chance to escape without incident by turning away any suspicions Gavin might otherwise develop.  Besides, I may have a couple of days left, but I'd rather not spend them like this.  Dying will be a relief."

 

Wolf looked off into the distance. "I must hope that my recent actions will not condemn my soul. Perhaps the survivor has given me this long so that I might tell my story, and that Gavin would face justice."  Wolf turned back to the doctor. "Good luck."

 

Old Wolf prepared himself for what was coming.  He had to appear strong when Gavin returned.  He refused to let Gavin see any sign of weakness in him.  Let Gavin see him die with a smile on his face...

 

OOC: Alvron, I really liked your idea about how it could end with us all dead.  Unfortunately, with no assassin this turn, I couldn't make it turn out that way.  I would have tried to win this last round, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I couldn't pull it off.  Zas and Clanky were already very suspicious of me, and nothing I could think of would be very convincing to either of them, regardless of who I had targeted last round.  The best I could do was see if I could make it to the last round.  So, it was essentially a coin-flip on who to kill.

 

Zas, as for the coin count, since I promised I would explain... Your math was good, though you guessed higher than my starting coin count (I was officially a poor coinshot with 1 coin) and I actually had a bit more than I had claimed.  I was prepared to confess to spending 2 coins near the beginning to go to the passenger car as it sounded from others' posts like that could still net you a small amount if everyone cooperated.  I would have also claimed to have used a med-kit on Alvron during a cycle when he got some attention and I was "worried" that the CC would kill him.  I had checked with Ren earlier and confirmed that you wouldn't know a med-kit was used on you unless it was needed.  I would have feigned ignorance on that, saying that I assumed Alvron was keeping it secret to avoid tipping off the CC, but that now that I suspected him, he may have withheld the info to retain the option of casting suspicion on me.  In reality, there were a couple more times I had used the option to go to a non-caboose car.  Finally, it left 6 coins unaccounted for, which I had used the turn before to go to the vault car (for the very reasons I tried to use to make my argument against Alvron more convincing).  If forced to, I would have left it ambiguous about whether I was there then, had been there another turn, or there were some other explanation, claiming I didn't want the CC to have any clues as to where I was.

 

It was a very close game.  Again, congratulations to the passengers on the win.  I had some great teammates in my fellow Coinshots, and I got crazy lucky. (The living through 50-50 rolls twice in a row was just one example of that luck.) I hope you all enjoy the ending.  I'm curious to see what Renegade will do with this.  So many possibilities, including the option that Old Wolf is lying yet again...  Whatever Ren decides, I know it will be good.  His writeups have been excellent.  Thanks for a great game!

 

Edited July 2, 2015 by Aanwolf

[Renegade he/him]

The cycle is over!  Write-up coming whenever it ends up getting done.

[Clanky he/him]

Doctor McNinja looked down at the gun in his hands. Old Wolf had said he was a good man and that he of all people should survive this. If only he knew the things Doctor McNinja had done. He looked back at Old Wolf and could clearly see the signs that he didn't have long to live. He didn't know how he had missed the signs before. 

 

The story he had told was ridiculous. So ridiculous that he wouldn't have believed a word of it had he not seen the things that Gavin Gardre had done himself. 

 

A good man, huh that may have been true once but not anymore. Still he could still do good things. He could help people that were actually good men. He would help Old Wolf get his revenge no matter the personal cost.

[Renegade he/him]

Aftermath: Gunpoint

For Gavin, time seemed to slow down.  The world around him suddenly seemed very distant.  His mind wavered, shaking, until it came onto one specific thought.  A single word, at that.  It was one that always seemed to permeate his thoughts, but this time it seemed true.

Gunpoint.

He opened the door into the passenger car, and blearily looked onto the three surviving passengers, who had been talking.  So Old Wolf was the last of the Coinshots, was he?  Or at least he’d helped them.  The fool.  He had no idea what he had brought unto him.  Unto all of them.  If anything, many of these deaths were on the hands of that old fool, even if he’d only directly killed a few of them.

Gunpoint.

The Coinshot Clan.  He’d recognized that name as soon as he killed Heatherlocke.  But once he’d remembered it, it had terrified him, turning him into that monster again.  Why had he tried so desperately to see them dead?  It was their plan all along, most likely.  They knew he was paranoid.  Of course they knew.  The Coinshot Clan had spent years studying the prominent members of House Gardre.  And for whatever reason, the Coinshot Clan wanted to see the House destroyed, completely and utterly.

“Congratulations, Old Wolf,” Gavin said, passionless.  He’d listened to the whole conversation that he, Zane, and McNinja had, of course.  “You’ve managed to help one of the most secretive groups in the Elendel Basin destroy my House.  Absolutely great.”  Gavin shook his head silently, then scowled.

“You really think that, just because they claimed to be a group of thieves, that they really were?  Do you think that you could really just trust those who work in the shadows like that?” Gavin slammed a fist against the wall.  “You think that I’m a murderer.  That I don’t care about the lives of others.  The truth is, everything you think you know about me… which is very little, mind you, is true… and false.”  Gavin began to weep, slumping down against the floor.  “My life has been a lie.  A folly thing, manipulated by the likes of monsters that don’t deserve to live in this world.  The Coinshot Clan has forced me to do things that I would’ve never done on my own.”  Gavin took out his gun, and pointed it at Old Wolf.

Gunpoint.

“When you’re held at gunpoint for the first time,” Gavin said, his eyes wet with tears, “you’ll see.  Just how much of a coward you are, and how willing you are to bend to the whims of others.  Some people think that they’re heroic, that they’d never kill their friends, or others, if their own life was on the line.”  Gavin shook his head, sighing.  “What terrible liars they are.”

Gavin slowly put his gun down from Old Wolf’s head.  Old Wolf’s eyes widened.  Whatever he had been expecting from Gavin, this wasn’t it.  “You came here for vengeance.  I did not expect it, but it turns out that I ended up seeking vengeance as well.  The Coinshot Clan… they’re the ones who have forced me to do what I’ve done.  And, honestly, I don’t care if you believe me or not.  It doesn’t matter at this point.  All that mattered to me was to see them dead, even if I had to go through twenty people to do it.  And I did so.  All except for you,” Gavin pointed at Old Wolf.  “I know you’ve claimed to not be a Coinshot Clan member, but, unfortunately, I can’t take any chances.  I’m sorry.”

Old Wolf nodded, and Doctor McNinja extended the gun that had been given to him, pointing it at Gavin’s skull.  Two bullets, Old Wolf had said.  Two.  “Drop the gun,” McNinja said.

Gavin glared at McNinja, but complied, dropping his weapon onto the carpeted floor.  “You aren’t making this easy,” Gavin sighed.  He leapt on top of McNinja and wrenched the revolver straight out of his hand, the gun almost flying through the air.  Then, closing his eyes, Gavin shot Old Wolf straight in the heart.  The old man fell.

Zane Tevison’s eyes were wide, his mouth agape, as it had been for the majority of the time since Gavin entered the car.  Though, whether that was from surprise or blood loss, Gavin couldn’t tell.  “Doctor!” he yelled out, before collapsing to the floor right next to Old Wolf.  “Why didn’t you--” Zane’s speech slurred, and his eyes closed.

So many dead, Gavin thought, and then collapsed to the floor as well.  “What have I done?” Gavin whispered to myself.  “What have I done?  Why was I never strong enough?  Oh Harmony, why did you make me so weak?” Gavin laid out on the floor, moaning, the gun still in his hand.

I’ve taken too many lives, Gavin thought to himself.  The Coinshot Clan forced me to… no, no, I am the murderer.  It was my decision to go after them.  I’m… I’m crazy… I can’t… Gavin raised the gun, but for the first time, it was pointing at his own heart.  Doctor McNinja leaned from his seat, watching Gavin with concern.

“I’m a fool,” Gavin cried.  “Look… look what I’ve done!  A massacre, to get back at those who ruined my life.  If I’m a man who takes people’s lives for his own petty self-interest, then I’m not fit to live.”

“Gavin, no,” Doctor McNinja said, standing up.  “You… just made a mistake.  A big mistake, maybe, but everyone makes mistakes.”

“Well, I only know one way to fix this mistake,” Gavin sighed, and lowered the gun towards his chest.

“No!” McNinja shouted, slapping the gun, but it wouldn’t budge from Gavin’s grip.  “Please!  You’ve said you’ve done some terrible things, but what could you have done about it?  It’s not your fault!”

Gavin trembled, but slowly released his grip on the gun.  “I… I’ve done so many… they’ll lock me up for eternity,” Gavin sniffed.  “The Coinshot Clan set this up.  They knew I was this paranoid of them, that I’d tear this train apart to find and kill them, even if it meant killing everyone.  I was a fool.”

“You couldn’t have known,” McNinja frowned.  “You can’t know everything.”

“I should’ve known,” Gavin grumbled.  “And now my House’s reputation will be ruined, just as they planned.  There’s no escaping this, I’m afraid.”

“I could vouch for you,” McNinja said.

“One person who could’ve easily been bribed, against the testimonies of dozens of trusted men and women?  I have no doubt that the Coinshot Clan had people set up at each of the stations, gathering other witnesses so they could see the killings that I made.” Gavin shook his head.  “Why was I so blinded by paranoia?  I should’ve seen it…”

“I’m sure that there’s a way out,” McNinja said, helping Gavin up, and leading him down the stairs of the passenger car.  “Even when the future looks bleak, it always ends up fine.  This… might take a little more effort, but I’m sure that someday, we’ll reveal the atrocities of the Coinshot Clan.”

Sighing, Gavin followed Doctor McNinja out of The Steelway Express for the final time.  Gavin took one last look back at the train.  Cursed vehicle, he thought.  Might make a piece of fine modern art someday.  Gavin sighed heavily again, then turned his back to the infernal train.  Whatever happened next, he would not be like the man that had killed so many on that train.  He'd found a new strength, somehow.  Gavin smiled wanly in the dim light.  "A lot of work to do," he muttered.  "A lot of work..."

---

Doctor McNinja survived the onslaught!  Congratulations to the Passengers for winning, and very well played by both sides!  I hope everyone had as much fun playing this game as I had running it!

Player List

 

Zane Tevison (zas678)
Jain (Lightsworn Panda)
Symmer Ghetti (Burnt Spaghetti)
Miss Evyn (Lady Eowyn)
Grind (Gamma Fiend)
Senn Conrad-Tekiel (Seonid)
The Pooh with a Name (Araris Valerian)
Locke (OrlokTsubodai)
Seixa (phattemer)
Bortholemew the Blind (Bort)
Vindication (Shallan)
Everton Slade (Bridge Boy)
Doctor McNinja (Clanky)
Nails (Alvron)
Neo (Neodymium)
Penga (jasonpenguin)
Mennet Farrsolin (Adamir)
Leif Erikeller (leiftinspace)
Silent Man (The Only Joe)
Old Wolf (Aanwolf)
Dow (dowanx)
Met-al (Metacognition)

As usual, here are the game docs:
Game Spreadsheet (Two pages; one for player actions and one for train car actions)
Dead Doc
Spectators Doc

Edited October 13, 2016 by Alvron

[Clanky he/him]

Apparently a Doctor/Ninja is a good combo for surviving these QF games. Who woulda thought.

 

Great game Ren, I always appreciate your write-ups and I think this game was very well balanced. Aanwolf you did amazing for your first game. You managed to get me to switch my suspicions to Alvron even though I had been basing most of my analysis on the fact that he was innocent. That's what I get for over thinking things I suppose.

 

Also Ren when saying that I doubted you would put two first time players on the CC team I knew you randomized your teams but I figured you might re-randomize them if you got a team with two new players.

[emilylime she/her]

Thanks for the game Renegade, and for the crazy awesome write-ups!! This was an amazing first game. (Even if I spent most of it in the dead doc, lol.) Shoutout to you, Clanky, for being the sole survivor.

 

...That spec doc though... whew. Interesting stuff.

Edited July 2, 2015 by Spooky Eowyn

[Haelbarde he/him]

Not only did you play great, Aanwolf, but you were extremely lucky. Both my dice and Rens favored you the 2-3 times you times it was necessary.

Great game Ren. It was lots of fun to watch, and I'd have loved to have played it.

[dowanx]

Amazing game!  I had a lot of fun playing it and I gotta say great game coinshot clan.  Gotta love close games

[Bort he/him]

Thanks Renegade. That was a fun game, even if I died yet again. Hey, Phattemer, you're not the only one who hasn't yet survived a game.

 

Also, Aanwolf, that was really well played. When I joined the dead doc and found out you were the last CC, my reaction was 'wait, what???' You did a great job of playing up to the innocents. I never suspected, not even for a second.

[Adamir he/him]

That was... an interesting game. I did not expect Aanwolf's ending confession.

[Seonid he/him]

A game well played, by everyone concerned. CC's, that was masterfully played. Especially kudos to Aanwolf and Bridge Boy for their first time round!

[Lightsworn Panda he/him]

GG all! Thank you Ren for GMing.

 

After examining Aaonwolf near the end, I realized that he was probably a lurker, considering how he never actually contributed any discussion of import or use. Sadly, i ran out of time near the end, too. 

[Jo and the Bush all/any]

Aanwolf, You played a great game, I'd just like to know, why did you kill me on cycle one? (I'm flattered by the way) 

[phattemer]

Now that QF8 is finally over, with I think a record for least survivors(1), I can post this! Credit to Shallan for suggesting a parody/theme song.

 

 

On The Forums Again

Wiz Khalifa and phattemer

 

I'm in the dead doc without you my friend

And I'll tell you all about it on the forums again

You made a mislynch without me my friend

Oh I’ll tell you the right target on the forums again

On the forums again

Well who knew that her post was true

She could have pulled through

I guess all the votes on her

just were too much for her to survive I

thought she’d get a roleblock on someone

But something told me that it couldn’t be done

Had to switch up vote on players different select a new target

You thought it was the day suspicion from buffet but they weren’t a Coinshot

How can you not talk about voting when votes are all you got?

Every lynch that went through I critiqued it from behind

And now you’re joining me here for the final write

You made a mistake without me my friend

And I’ll rant about it here until I see you again

I know the Coinshots but you don’t my friend

And I’ll tell you all their names back on the forums again

On the forums again

*instrumental bridge*

First one vote as a poke

You get a reply but leave the vote on

And it turns into two, and those two

becomes three and those three will never leave

and then you get supporters that help with the lynch

and when there’s five votes on someone they are

going to be lynched regardless of their faction

Well that lynch had to be done and the lynch is what

you reached so remember them when they’re gone

How can you not suspect them when they are all you got?

Every post that they made has reeked of Coinshot

But still you couldn’t see it not even second thoughts

Let their posts guide your vote hold every suspicion

as you read and every vote you make will always lead you right

Another mislynch without me my friend

And I’m ranting on and on inside the dead doc again

You target a villager for lynching again

And I’ll yell at you about it on the forums again

On the forums again.  

lyrics video

[Guest]

Now that QF8 is finally over, with I think a record for least survivors(1), I can post this! Credit to Shallan for suggesting a parody/theme song.

 

 

On The Forums Again

Wiz Khalifa and phattemer

 

I'm in the dead doc without you my friend[/size]

And I'll tell you all about it on the forums again[/size]

You made a mislynch without me my friend[/size]

Oh I’ll tell you the right target on the forums again[/size]

On the forums again[/size]

Well who knew that her post was true[/size]

She could have pulled through[/size]

I guess all the votes on her[/size]

just were too much for her to survive I[/size]

thought she’d get a roleblock on someone[/size]

But something told me that it couldn’t be done[/size]

Had to switch up vote on players different select a new target[/size]

You thought it was the day suspicion from buffet but they weren’t a Coinshot[/size]

How can you not talk about voting when votes are all you got?[/size]

Every lynch that went through I critiqued it from behind[/size]

And now you’re joining me here for the final write[/size]

You made a mistake without me my friend[/size]

And I’ll rant about it here until I see you again[/size]

I know the Coinshots but you don’t my friend[/size]

And I’ll tell you all their names back on the forums again[/size]

On the forums again[/size]

*instrumental bridge*[/size]

First one vote as a poke[/size]

You get a reply but leave the vote on[/size]

And it turns into two, and those two[/size]

becomes three and those three will never leave[/size]

and then you get supporters that help with the lynch[/size]

and when there’s five votes on someone they are[/size]

going to be lynched regardless of their faction[/size]

Well that lynch had to be done and the lynch is what[/size]

you reached so remember them when they’re gone[/size]

How can you not suspect them when they are all you got?[/size]

Every post that they made has reeked of Coinshot[/size]

But still you couldn’t see it not even second thoughts[/size]

Let their posts guide your vote hold every suspicion[/size]

as you read and every vote you make will always lead you right[/size]

Another mislynch without me my friend[/size]

And I’m ranting on and on inside the dead doc again[/size]

You target a villager for lynching again[/size]

And I’ll yell at you about it on the forums again[/size]

On the forums again.  [/size]

lyrics[/size] [/size]

Make a topic on this song. You will get all the upvotes.

[Shallan she/her]

It is really good!

Not saying that because you mention me, of course.

Edited July 9, 2015 by Shallan

[Burnt Spaghetti she/her]

So I decided to draw a few things that my character Symmer would have drawn. So here it is:

 

 

The events drawn are the initial write up, the buffet car conversation with Bort, and the ninja is in reference to one of the times I was in caboose (I decided to vote for Clanky- McNinja).

 

[Bort he/him]

Very nice Burnt.

 

Did you see the scene in MR7 with Wilson being maple syruped, glittered, and showered in beardnuts? Kasamir did us proud