Sart

"Gentlemen, I am extremely hung over. Could someone please get me some water?" This was the problem of drinking to forget. The headaches only made him want more booze. Still, he had to refocus. "Right then. It's a bit of a shoddy method, but in situations like these, it's best to consider the powers of people. We've got some interesting deductions to make. First off, our Thief had no abilities. That certainly implies not everyone's been blessed by the mists this time around. We also had a vigilante go out at night. That means somebody is burning Steel. Furthermore, Rem survived an attack the same Night. I'd be willing to say he's a Thug, but it could be a lucky Lurch. Now, we've got two claims of Thuggery, but Onon has been holding out on who the second is. We've also got a Lurcher claim from Sono. That's a lot of protection claiming going round, and I'm not sure I buy it. We've even got a Tineye ferrying our messages about. Something ain't right here." "I'm placing a vote on Sonoluminescence. The claim is just too fishy with this much power going around."

Sirta stumbled into the meeting room. "I'm here.. I'm here... Can I have a drink?" Why had he said that? Another drink was not going to help matters. It would probably only make matters worse, and yet... "A beer! Or some whiskey! Where's the rusting service around here!" He wanted it. He needed it. He needed that holy flame in his gut to light up his body. It hadn't been like this before. Before the nights got long. Before the bodies started piling up. Before... He didn't want to remember that last part. Better to drown it in an amber haze. "Another beer! For the love of Preservation, what's a man got to do to get a drink around here?" No one appeared to hear his cries to action. He supposed he had to deal with the Spiked threat first. "Get Onon Khentii @Kasimir out here. He's jumping around more than a hare, and I want an explanation. I knew him as someone who would come up with an argument and follow it. Instead, he's balking at every opportunity, and trying whatever seems popular. That's not the man I knew."

"Rust and Ruin, man!" Sirta slammed his glass against the bar. "That is the problem! We will not know! We will be dead and buried before we know! We have only our hunches and instincts. We cannot wait for someone to save us, or for someone to reveal the path forward. There are no certainties in this business. We can only rely on ourselves."

Sirta grimaced. "Gentlemen, I have made a mistake. When I first accused Scarlet Octopus @Aeoryi, I did not recognize them, and took them for a stranger, merely observing rather than participating in this dreadful game. I thought that by accusing them, I could spur them to action, and learn more of their character. That was not necessary. They had already come out of their shell, and were even throwing their lot into the ring. It was a poor choice, and I retracted it as soon as I was able. Considering their continued interest and engagement, I consider them my most trusted Villager." "However, the same cannot be said of Jorrick. @JNV. I trusted that the old carpenter would do his part, and participate in this discussion. Instead, he has kept to his shop, and said very little. I expected better from him, and am sorely disappointed. I thought that I had no need to provoke him into action, but that was apparently foolish. I grow so frustrated with the fence sitters in the town. It is better to state your case and vote, than it is to sit idly by, and let your voice be swallowed by the crowd. "With that said, I am still displeased by Revir @TheRavenHasLanded, but he has allayed some of my fears. He has remained consistently vocal, although he has refused to share a definitive opinion. Caution is an attribute well suited to a thief, but it will not win the day in this case. We must act, and we must vote. There is no alternative. Perhaps this is the fear of a newcomer, but I implore him to make an argument. We will not win if we sit idly by." Sirta's hands shook as he considered his next words carefully. He could use a glass of brandy right about now. "If my reckoning is correct, I have put myself up for the chopping block. All other suspects have only amassed a single vote, while I have garnered two. I fear death, but have no proof to offer that my intentions are good. I have naught but words, and implore you to listen." "Karis, @Kasimir your voice carries throughout the entire valley. It is said that your fury has no bounds, and I fear making an enemy out of you. However, you are wrong about me, and I believe you are wrong about Scarlet. I do not think you are a Spiked though. Your thrust to suspect and propel the discussion is exactly what we need. I merely wish that your ire was directed somewhere else. "Wendawa @Archer, I grow more cold towards you. You say that I have not backed up my actions with a threat? What have I been doing? Yes, I neglected Jorrick, which I continue to regret. However, I propelled Revir into the lead, forcing a response. Is that not the most serious threat one can make? I have been imploring the town to take action. You have accused me and left." "As for the rest of you, I have not much to say. Dasenk @Ravenclawjedi42, while I commend you putting down a vote, your last words were complete hogwash. If you have an opinion, state it. Those waffles only show a lack of integrity. Violet @Violet, I find your focus on Wendawa slightly baffling, but I will take defenders when I get them. Upon re-examination, perhaps there is something there, but I'd like you to weigh in on the subject at hand." Sirta exhaled. After that speech, he certainly needed a drink. He just hoped it wouldn't be his last.

"Gah! The man's a recluse?" That would make him easy prey for the Spiked, or worse, he could be one of them skulking in the night. "Send a search party after him! If he's alive, we need an account of his movements. In the worst case, we'll find his corpse." Sirta turned towards his accuser. "Did you not see what Octopus was doing? He was sitting around, waiting for someone else to solve his problems. Gentlemen, we do not have that luxury. We are only seven strong, eight if Jorrick is found. We must have everyone actively participating, or we will be doomed. There can be no weak links among us. I have no fear that you will be participating, with your boisterous voice and aggressive opinions. I worry more about those who keep to the shadows, and let others debate themselves to death." "To that end. REVIR! @Ravenclawjedi42 I see you skulking in the shadows! If you try to leave us high and dry after stealing our coin, you'll be the one on the gallows."

Wendawa, please, stop your flapping! We are men, not birds! We cannot simply fly away from this trouble. We must act swiftly and decisively, if we are to have a chance at overcoming these Spiked. Now then, I believe everyone but Jorrick @JNV has arrived here. I believe he was working on the construction site, which means Scarlet Octopus, @Aeoryi should have been the last to see them. What do you have to say for yourself?

Gentlemen! This is what we've been waiting for! I am the boisterous gentleman Sirta. Together, we shall surely root out these fiendish Spiked. Under my leadership, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. But first, does anyone have a drink I can borrow? In times like these, a bit of liquid courage never goes amiss.

Huh. Didn't know that. Usually actions scanners can see who they targeted. @Kasimir can we get clarification on that? Unless... Are you the real Lookout? If you are, that's an easy Counter Claim. In a game with only 10 players, 5 of whom were vanilla, do you really believe there's two Scanners? That seems like a stretch to me. Edit: Also, I'm going to be really mad if on Day 2 the only people who voted were me and the two elims.

I'll be proven right when the game ends. Consider the facts. Why would I submit the kill while under the most suspicion? Why did Experience not identify who I shot? Why would the GM put a player with an extra life on the evil team when no other villager has had any special powers? Why is the lookout claiming now, even though I was already the most suspicious person? This doesn't make sense.

That's a blatant lie. I'm guessing this is LyLo. Experience. This probably means that the bad guys have the gun this round. In retrospect, I should have killed who I thought was evil instead of the person I thought was protecting them.

I thought the late vote on Wizard was odd, and thought it might be a protect on Experience.

Vote Count: Experience (1): Sart Sart (1): Matrim's Dice ... You guys going to do anything? Fine, let's make it interesting. I shot Violet. Do with that what you will.

Technically yes, but it's generally not a good strategy. It's a great way to get information, and more importantly, it's the only way for the town at large to influence the game. While we might mess up, it's worth it to eliminate the evil players.

Would anyone else like to vote please? I'm going to be busy this evening, so I won't be able to follow along.

Really? That seems a bit too clean. Your process of elimination seems off. I'm definitely not clearing Experience yet, and that post made you go up the suspect list.

Nope. This gets my vote moving. JNV. Experience. If you think someone's got village vibes, why keep your vote on them? That makes no sense.

I understand the sentiment, but I'll note that JNV has still not posted. One benefit of a Crusade is the Deer in the Headlights effect it can cause in evil players. Considering that JNV has been on the site, but hasn't posted yet, I'm keeping my vote where it's at. Consolidation is nice, but it depends on where it goes. I'd prefer not to get voted out on Cycle one. Any other suspects? I'm a little suspicious of Experience, but as I've said, my vote isn't moving yet.

Lark looked at the assembled ruffians and outlaws. He hadn't seen ol' JNV around, which was suspicious. Hollerin' to headquarters perhaps?

Yeehaw! Signing up.

Hmm... We might want to extend the list of pings for the MR then. @StrikerEZ is still the first choice, with two games stuck in the backlog. Fifth is passing. @Matrim's Dice Don't feel pressured to run a game if your schedule doesn't allow it. @Quirksliver aka Tani. Didn't recognize her at first, but she's more than welcome to run her game. She's already got one game under her belt, so it should be smooth sailing. Karn should be marked as inactive. He hasn't logged on in almost a year. @Ashbringer You'd be next. No idea what rule set you'd be running. @Steeldancer He hasn't been on since July, but I really want to play that ruleset again. @JNV A mafia game based on a Prog Rock album will definitely need a pass.

This was a lot of fun. I liked all the time shenanigans that ended up causing chaos. Although, I have to admit, I think this was a bit too complicated for a QF. This probably should have been a MR.

Experience

Ashbringer.

Wonko for spite.

Really? Then what this? Stick.