StrikerEZ

“Oh wise, Aral,” Var said, “I believe you are missing Derrick’s vote cast for myself. Otherwise I believe this to be correct. Or…wait, is John another name for Derrick? ”Also, @Ashbringer Derrick, in response to your question…well I seem to have forgotten a quite thorough explanation [read: my post got deleted], but essentially I voted the way I did because I wanted to avoid a tie and prioritize keeping alive those villagers who are actively engaging with us, but when it was clear Lijal would be executed regardless wanted to move my vote to Lijal to ensure no last minute shenanigans. Call me crazy if you must, but it made sense to me at the time.”

“How is this me trying to get two kills for one? Ties specifically don’t kill anyone in this city,” Var said.

@Kasimir Var thought for a moment about Keldorn’s question. What did he think of his latrine partner, Madiane? “Well,” Var said, “she seems well enough. She has been more focused on cleaning latrines and her new duty as mayor instead of helping solve the murders. One would think, based on her disposition, that she would be more involved if she was a murderer. Those types always like to gloat or toe the line. For that reason, I’m leaning towards Madiane being innocent.”

Var had made a promise to give his thoughts. But had gotten very carried away with his latrine duty. He may hate it, but he was committed to working as much as he could. He needed to make money. He just…got a little carried away the first half of that day. @Ashbringer When Derrick questioned him on his choice of either letting everyone live that first day or executing someone, Var paused and pondered. Why had he done that? ”Well, my fine sir,” Var said, “I did it because someone had to die. I did not feel particularly strongly about either Lijal or Astrid, and figured if given the choice Lijal made more sense as Astrid had yet to show up. We could have executed Astrid, but I imagine Aral will have some words for her if she doesn’t show herself soon. Better to execute someone we had at least some interactions from. Even if Lijal turned out to be innocent.” ”Anyway, for now I shall place a vote on Derrick. I feel as if our options thus far have all been off base. And that Derrick pushing me for something as simple as ensuring we didn’t have a no execution day is reaching. As if he’s hoping to push an easy execution.”

Var felt guilty. When was the last time he had felt such guilt before? He had done horrible things before, all in name of self-preservation. Never had he spent time worrying over his actions on Nalthis. It had been necessary. So why now? Perhaps it was because Lijal had been but a child. Perhaps…perhaps it was because Lijal reminded him of a friend from a previous adventure. It did not help that he had half the town at his back now because of his involvement in Lijal’s demise. Var was sure of his innocence (surely the Sense would have warned him of someone attempting to spike him), but he could understand how others would view his actions. He would attempt to do better. He needed sleep, but he was already thinking about the implications of other villagers’ reactions. Tomorrow, he would come prepared with his thoughts.

"Ah, perhaps we do not have to execute the quiet one after all. Lijal, it is then."

"I must vote for Astrid," Var said. "We cannot go without information. I am sorry, oh quiet one."

"Most people do not blindly retaliate. Where someone else might look for a reason to vote on someone voting for themselves, you simply placed a retaliatory vote on Fox. Though with the little pushback the votes on you have received, I am beginning to wonder if you are even a killer at all. I could be convinced to switch my vote to Astrid to avoid a tie and no execution. We need information, fast."

"What was that?" Var asked. "Your life could be on the line here, there's no need to mince your words. We can all take whatever you might have to say, young one."

"I am unsure why Fox is voting for you," Var said, scrunching up his face in what he hoped looked disturbing. Best to keep up the charade as much as possible. "But, I am voting for you, Lijal, because of your reaction to Fox. It feels...suspicious at best."

Var had gotten very thoroughly invested in his latrine duty. It had been quite some time since he had been able to just pour himself into nice, physical labor like that. However, the voices of people from the market square had bothered him all day. And, despite his best efforts, he had listened to them. Somewhat. Poorly, but he had listened. It was hard not to, what with the Sense and all. So, steeling himself, he decided to walk straight to the market square and give his thoughts. "Hello, fellow citizens!" He proclaimed, hoping his dirty appearance would not scare away any listeners. "I have been listening to your noises all day, and there are some things I should set straight. I have been in many dire situations such as this one before. You can choose whether or not to believe a mad man, but know this: we need to execute someone today. That is a given. With the potential for secret killers amongst us, the longer we wait to act gives them more time to plot and kill us. Even if we sit on our hands and twiddle our thumbs, the killers will not be so kind. If we act now, we might get lucky and find a killer right away. Which would be an incredible boon. "So, having listened to the minimal conversation today, I think we should execute Lijal! Her reaction to Fox's accusation was to simply point a finger back at Fox, with no rebuttal. Lijal seems inexperienced and young, and a killer with those qualities would be prone to simple retaliations. Especially when there is little pressure on anyone right now and any accusations could lead to an execution. While I doubt I will convince all of you to vote for Lijal, I highly implore you to consider my arguments in light of her limited reactions and behavior. Your vote, especially when few have voted, is very impactful. And could be quite useful." Var paused to breathe and collect his thoughts. "Now, onto another point of order. There are almost certainly some of us among us who have allomantic abilities. Like Keldorn has said, anyone who can burn tin should make use of their ability at every single opportunity. If you are busy scrawling and scratching away during the night, you cannot be a killer. Anyone who can burn steel should make use of their abilities to their best judgment. The killers will not have mercy upon us, so why should we have mercy upon them? I would start with those who have been the most quiet this day. They likely felt safe to hide in the shadows this day since there was little discussion. Those who can burn iron should find a couple of fellow villagers they trust, whether that be because of their public opinions or because of private conversations, and protect those one or two people as much as possible. Those who can burn pewter should avoid being called for execution. We would hate to try executing you, wasting a day's worth of deliberations, only for it to fail. Those who can burn zinc should be extremely careful with their actions. You have the potential to inadvertently discover a killer, though you might also inadvertently cause someone else's death if you prevent a protection from taking place. Those who can burn brass should use their powers on whomever they find most suspicious. Those people will likely be killers. Copperclouds can be incredibly useful if they envelop a coinshot or lurcher. I would recommend smokers to use private conversation to build trust with and search out our most powerful allomancers. Those who can burn bronze...you might be our most valuable asset. I have a suspicion that our killers are...easy to discover with bronze. If you do discover a killer, make a trusted ally in private who can reveal your findings. We cannot lose you." With that, Var left to continue cleaning up human excrement.

Var almost didn’t make it to the gates in time. A very annoyed looking guard sized him up. “State your business, traveler,” the guard said. ”I’m here to eat shoes and have fun and I’m all out of fun!” Var said. “Do you happen to have any? I seem to have misplaced mine.” At this, Var made a show of searching his several pockets. Oh how he would miss Taldain clothing. They knew how to design clothes. ”Excuse me?” The guard said. “Are you daft?” ”Daft? No, I don’t think so,” Var said. “Just a little lost, very confused, and in need of a good whipping. I think that should jog my memory.” ”Great,” the guard muttered, “another crazy.” Var pretended not to hear the man. He bent down to take off his shoe. He said he would eat it, may as well make a good show of it. ”Okay, look,” the guard said. “I’ll let you in, just follow Geraln over there. He’ll get you working. If you’re going to be here, you’ve got to work just like everyone else.” ”On it, boss,” Var said, putting his shoe back on. ”What’s a boss?” The guard said. Unfortunately, Var left the man very confused, deigning Geraln with his presence instead. Geraln led Var through the city and tried talking to him, but Var ignored him. He instead listened to the people of Blackkeep that he passed. Things had changed quite a bit since Var was last on Scadrial. The Lord Ruler, dead? A new Emperor? Raving Koloss? The mists staying longer than they should? And on top of it, a looming presence the Sense told him was watching the town. Strange times indeed, but Var always found himself in strange times. Geraln finally stopped in front of an extreme foul-smelling building. Var knew what it was before Geraln said a word. The latrines. Well, Var thought, at least I’ll have plenty of time to think.

Var awoke in a pile of ash. He gasped, ash trying to fill his lungs, and flailed about until he found the top. He spat out a mouthful of ash as he took stock of his surroundings. Ash, ash, and more ash. Only disturbed by the occasional sad, lonely, half-dead tree. Of course it was Scadrial again. The Spirit could never make things easy for Var, could it? Var pulled himself out of the ash and began walking towards the nearest population center, about a mile away if the Sense was to be trusted. Never could trust it completely during his first day on a new world. He’d have to hope the inhabitants of that town wouldn’t kill a stranger covered in ash that towered over everyone else. Maybe he could act confused and out of his mind? Yes, that had seemed to work on Bjendal a couple centuries ago. Hopefully he’d be able to find a job quickly. He would need food eventually, despite the Spirit’s curse. Hunger didn’t look good on a fellow. [Var is gonna be playing a very confused, out-of-his-mind stranger to the town. @Araris Valerian do your worst with his occupation ]

Oh is Mat on mission?

Lmao, but I’m glad you got to play!

You know what, I’ll take it

It’s alright. Most of the time I tell myself I’ll RP more during the next game and never do lmao. I get too focused on trying to solve the game or trying to not get exed. You’re welcome for that by the way. I was hoping that would give me subconscious village points because why would an elim put all that effort in and help the village? I’m glad you love it! This was definitely a great game for your first one. I look forward to seeing you in future games! It was fun to play with you!

Congrats y’all! That was a really close game. There were several instances where I was sure we were screwed way earlier and several where I was sure we were destined to win. I’m really proud of my team here, even if we didn’t win. The fact we managed to get it down to just three villagers left without a night kill is impressive in its own right. Thanks to Jo for GMing my first game back! It was a lot of fun.

EDIT: @A Jo in the Bush Anyway, enough kitty talk, here's my farewell: TUO

My hope is to take the little gal to an animal shelter. It just sucks because they don't open for another 3.5 hours. Even accounting for the 2 hours spent driving to my wife's school and back, I don't know what to do with the cat for an hour or so. I don't want to take it inside and risk giving fleas to our kitties.

This is completely unrelated to the game, but my wife (Biplet) just found a tiny little cat in the middle of the road on her drive to work. It's pouring rain and the tiny little thing is sopping wet and dirty. She's got it in her office at work right now, and I'm gonna come pick it up later today and figure out what to do with it. Wish me luck, y'all. Hopefully this doesn't lead to us having a third cat because we really can't afford that right now lmao

But then I would be dead sooner. And where’s the fun in that?

Man the thread has been quiet today. Guess there's not much to talk about when I'm on the chopping block again. EDIT: No idea why there's a bunch of blank space

I am not long for this world, but that's okay. Nothing I can do about that now. The elim(s) already saved me once. This is some serious framing they're pulling. Honestly very impressive that they're willing to use their mercy on a villager. Wonder who that would leave as the last elim(s)....

Huh. I wonder why the elim(s) did that. But hey, I’m alive!