Elbereth

Day 5: A Blaze of Fire The night was still and quiet. In the main chamber, Radiants and scribes slept everywhere, with barely room to walk between bedrolls at times. The only sounds were snoring and the occasional shift of movement from a restless sleeper. Jashi had fallen asleep notes still in hand, trying to recalculate the storm schedule. It might have been a habit for her - her ink was stoppered up, so that she couldn’t knock it over in her sleep. Beside her, Germaine snored lightly. Jashi had taken a bit of a liking to the old man that most of the Radiants hadn’t. His habit of cryptically quoting scripture in response to questions was a bit difficult to deal with at times. Nearby, Tnaidar was sprawled out, exhausted from days of scouting. He was determined to get this over as soon as possible - and if long days mapping meant less time spent around Sympathisers, all the better. A few people were still awake, of course. Kareana had set guards in case anyone tried anything at night. Jonan was tossing and turning not far from Tnaidar, trying his best to sleep and not imagine Gren alone and hungry... And Max Mercury was awake, of course. He crouched a little ways away from Jashi, and quietly struck sparks from his flint, which floated down to land on a string that stretched away from him into the space between Germaine and Tnaidar, where it ended in a small package Max had bought on another world. He knew he needed to leave soon, before anyone noticed, but he hesitated for a moment, watching the flames burn along the string. He hated not to see the product of his work up close. Sighing, he rose to his feet and began backing away as quietly as he could, keeping one eye on the string. He was only a few feet away when bang! The package exploded into a storm of fire, hot enough that Max could feel the heat on his face from here, and the blankets and bedrolls were the perfect fodder for it to grow. Max grinned. Perfect. Jonan wasted no time as the flames began to soar high, hearing the screams of several Radiants caught within their grasp slowly fading as they choked or burned. He rolled away from the consuming blaze, putting out several of the smaller fires that had caught in his cloak, and drew his sword. A conventional blade, but a good one, made of tempered steel which had stood the test of twenty years at his side. Plucking an unlit torch from the wall beside him and lighting it on the steadily advancing tongues of flame, he whirled to face the man who he had seen start the fire: Max Mercury, who appeared to be trying to escape from both the flames and detection. Already he was a silhouetted figure, and in the turmoil of the burning level he seemed to be making a dash for the door. Jonan sprinted to catch up, but Max was easily outstripping him. Where did that man get his speed to outstrip Jonan? It seemed preposterous. A blurred figure suddenly sprang out of the shadows of the room and turned to face Max as he made his way towards the door. The baying of an axehound came to his ears, and the creature sprang, knocking Mercury down in what it thought was a game, and enthusiastically tugging on his cloak. Mercury swore, unable to escape without being detected, and tried to pry his cloak free. The creature hung on gamely, its eyes bulging as it tugged on the cloak. Jonan felt a surge of hope. It was Gren! He redoubled his pace, breathing raggedly. He had to reach Mercury, kill him, and rescue Gren. But twenty paces was still a wide gap, and with horror he saw Mercury draw his sword and tense, preparing to kill Gren. In a stroke of the Almighty’s own luck, his pet saw the blade come out, and abruptly retreated, whimpering as it scampered out the door and into the staircase between levels. Mercury turned to follow, but now Jonan was there. Tears running down his face from the fire and from having Gren slip his grasp another time, he dove at Mercury, tackling him to the ground. They rolled in a heap away from the doorway, towards the spreading blaze, and Jonan felt the heat getting more intense. He couldn’t pin Mercury to him forever, or both of them would die; besides, the man had drawn a dagger from within his belt and would kill him easily with it, even if he was grappled. Letting go, he changed the direction of his roll, managing to avoid being plunged into the flames themselves, instead rising with a cough from behind a nearby outcropping of rock which had been allowed to remain in its natural form. He could see the twisted red veins running through it, and shuddered. Evil was everywhere these days, it seemed. He took a quick self-diagnostic as he peered into the bright and raging inferno, looking for signs of Mercury. His skin felt singed at the very least, and the air, already thin, was filled with smoke, but he would live yet. Mercury appeared, and looked to be in worse condition; his cloak was nearly gone, and not just because of Gren, and his face was burnt with a large mark on its side. But he was not dead, and the sheer resolve in his posture made Jonan subconsciously retreat, stepping backwards slowly as he approached with a thin sword in one hand and a dagger in the other. Then he remembered who he was facing, and gritted his teeth. He held his sword in front of him, the shadows from the torch he held illuminating Mercury’s snarl of hatred and casting shadows on his face, from which his eyes, reddened and piercing, leapt out. Then Mercury himself leapt, spinning at Jonan with almost superhuman speed and lunging with sword and dagger. It truly had begun, then. Catching the dagger between the metal tines of the torch he bore in his right hand, Jonan twisted, feeling a surge of pleasure as the heat and pressure forced Mercury to drop the dagger, and withdraw his hand sharply before it was badly burnt. Then the man’s sword came crashing down on top of his with overwhelming force, sending a shock through Jonan’s entire frame and bringing him to his knees. He was wielding his own sword with the wrong hand because of the torch, and Mercury took full advantage, quickly darting at the kneeling man with his own blade. One, two, three jabs, and Jonan was on the floor, disarmed with blood flowing from his arm and side. Mercury clearly has no intentions of letting this go any longer than it had to. He panicked. He was dying, and Mercury would still get away with the murders! Throwing the torch with the strength left in his injured arm, he watched in satisfaction as it struck Mercury fully as he tried to approach further, setting the already dried and burnt frame of the man ablaze once more. He shrieked in pain, desperately shedding his burning cloak and coat, but dropping his sword to do so. Jonan saw his last chance here. Grabbing the torch from where it had fallen, though it was now unlit, he set the prongs in Mercury’s chest and shoved. There was one last gibbering shriek as his adversary lost balance, toppling backwards into the inferno, then a new blossom of purple flame sprang up where he had fallen. It would be the only gravestone for the four slain that lay within the blaze’s grasp. Scarlet Octopus (Max Mercury) was a Odium Sympathiser Worldhopper! Amber Vulture (Jashi) was a Loyal Knight Radiant Worldhopper! Coral Swan (Germaine) was a Loyal Knight Radiant Worldhopper! Opal Lion (Tnaidar) was a Loyal Knight Radiant Worldhopper! Magenta Albatross (Jonan) was attacked, but didn’t die! PMs are open. GM PMs are being sent out, please be patient. All credit to Fifth for the latter half of the writeup, which is amazing. Day 5 has begun, and will end in 46-ish hours on January 9th at 1am Eastern. Player List 1. Amber Vulture: Jashi, Stormwarden Radiant Worldhopper 2. Amethyst Scorpion: Jesh, Lost Axehound 3. Chartreuse Penguin: Taladir, Gambler Radiant Worldhopper 4. Coral Swan: Germaine, Scholar Radiant Worldhopper 5. Cream Tuatara: Dfyan, Scholar Radiant Worldhopper 6. Emerald Falcon: Sein, Inquisitive 7. Indigo Weasel: Adhom Inem, Ardent 8. Ivory Dragonfly: Krask, Conspiracy Theorist Sympathizer Worldhopper 9. Magenta Albatross: Jonan Wikim, Lost Axehound (Gren) 10. Mauve Crocodile: Sernes, Paranoid Scout 11. Mint Heron: Sam, Once a Darkeyes 12. Onyx Flamingo: Kir, Kleptomaniac Scout 13. Opal Lion: Tnaidar, Scout Radiant Worldhopper 14. Pearl Chameleon: Purrl, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend Radiant Worldhopper 15. Plum Rhinoceros: Logalog, Scholar Sympathizer Worldhopper 16. Quartz Zebra: Arauna Khadal, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend Sympathizer Worldhopper 17. Saffron Iguana: Merinira, Scout 18. Sage Kangaroo: Gilglin, Ardent (Devotary of the Mind) 19. Salmon Meerkat: Cadamum, Ghostblood Recruit 20. Scarlet Octopus: Max Mercury, Past Lives Sympathizer Worldhopper 21. Sunburst Toucan: Tafud, Slightly Crazy 22. Taupe Gecko: Brana, Scholar Radiant Worldhopper 23. Turquoise Gorilla: Bomer, Gambler Radiant Worldhopper 24. Violet Axolotl: Adi, Anxious

Fourth try is an improvement, but I still do not need to deal with this at 3am. One more message to be added (and a lot of spacing to fix) and I'm off to bed. Remember, folks, PMs are closed!

I am aware; this is my third try of fixing it.

Day 4: A Dangerous Blade When Logalog disappeared, the Radiants scattered in dismay. “Where’d he go?” “What the storms...?” But a few recognized what happened - those who had gone for Tnaidar the day before, for instance, quickly realized that it was exactly the same phenomenon. But even fewer knew what to do about that - even if he was in the Cognitive Realm, how were they supposed to find him? But one girl smiled. She had a plan. Logalog couldn’t go nearly as far as he’d wanted to before he had to drop back into the city. Landing hard in a corridor that looked... well, the same as any other corridor in this city. Boring. He sniffed the air, and coughed at the amount of dust he’d stirred up in his landing. Still, no immediate dangers was a start. Now he just had to figure out how to get back to Mossflower... The scary shadow lady had said Odium could send him back, but he was beginning to wonder if this Odium person even would. Still. He didn’t see many other options at this point. Maybe he’d at least go back to the lady and ask her for a concrete number - how many of these Radiants exactly did he have to kill for his side of the bargain filled? He hoped not too many more. They were quite pesky, honestly. For now, though, Logalog settled down with his rapier beside him. No one knew where he was, and he was tired - shame on him, getting tired after only a bit of rowing! His tribe would laugh for days when he got back. Purrl crept through the corridors. She knew the... shrew, he’d said he was? Strange word, that... couldn’t have gotten far. The Cognitive Realm was taxing even with preparation, and she somehow doubted he’d prepared in advance for the event of being chased by a dozen (rightfully) murderous Radiants. So, he wasn’t far. And if she was lucky, he’d landed - deliberately or not - in a vacant area, which meant he was the only lifeform for a ways. Which itself meant... She pulled out another vial of Bronze and downed it. Seeking wasn’t quite the same here, but she’d had plenty of practice. She couldn’t do anything as fine as distinguishing Radiant orders yet - she could barely determine planet if she tried - but just sensing the presence of some kind of magic? Simple. And given how Logalog had disappeared, he definitely had some kind of magic. All she had to do was keep walking until something... She stopped and closed her eyes, concentrating. One floor up - maybe two? And a little... she walked forward with her eyes still closed, hands in front of her to make sure she didn’t hit anything too hard. Forward, a bit left, a bit further... there. One floor up, definitely. She grinned, marking the place mentally - one of the advantage of so much scouting was that she was learning the layout of Urithiru like the back of her hand. Then she turned, running lightly for the nearest stairwell. Logalog was hers. Logalog stirred from his sleep earlier than a human could’ve, his ears picking up light footsteps - trying to be quiet, clearly, but their lack of furred paws made it a doomed attempt. Why don’t they just put fur on their shoes? he wondered briefly, before dismissing the thought and grabbing his rapier. Only one person, though, just around the next bed. And they’d clearly found him despite the fact that he was in a completely vacant and uninteresting section of Urithiru, meaning they probably could again. No point in running, then. He grinned. A fight, then. Fantastic. On feet far quieter than his assailant’s, he padded forward, then lunged forward around the corner of the hallway, rapier out in front of him. Purrl yelped at the sudden pain in her arm and hurriedly backed away from the giant furred animal. She’d been so focused on approaching quietly that she hadn’t heard or sensed him coming nearer. At least it had been her safehand arm. The things were really quite impractical, she thought for the hundredth time. She could fix that, but she hadn’t realized she was so close - she’d been waiting to down her vials until truly necessary, since getting them on Roshar was annoyingly difficult. She’d hoped, really, that she’d be able to catch the shrew sleeping. Ah well. She fumbled for her belt, keeping her eyes on the shrew, and grabbed a vial as he lunged at her. Logalog chortled in delight. Not only was his attacker all alone, she was Purrl! The one who’d gone after Arauna a couple of days ago! Perhaps that’d count extra with Re-Shephir. And she didn’t even seem armed - she tried to grab something from her belt, so he lunged at her to throw her off. She managed anyway, but all that was in her hand was... a little bottle of some sort? She downed it in a practiced motion, without even taking her eyes off him, then frowned and tried to reach for her belt again. This time, he lunged close in enough to nearly nick her wrist before she drew it back. He grinned, darting his rapier closer and closer to her. She really was unarmed, wasn’t she? She wasn’t even showing any of that weird magic or anything. He lunged in for the kill. Purrl swore mentally. She’d intended to grab pewter, to stave off the pain from her arm and give her enough speed to grab a few other vials as well, but he’d thrown off her hand. She’d ended up with iron, which was decidedly less useful. At least it wasn’t gold, she chided herself. This will have to do. She went for another vial, but he was too fast. Lord Ruler, how is he so fast? She hadn’t been trained for this, she reflected bitterly. She was supposed to be an informant, not a rusting warrior! But she knew enough to know when he stopped toying and went for her. Panicked, she Pulled his rapier towards her, trying to at least throw off his aim. She was only partly successful. The rapier flew past and clattered to the ground far behind her, but it sliced into the side of her neck as it did. Rusts, rusts, rusts! Purrl pressed her safehand against the side of her neck, trying to stem the flow of blood, but she knew she didn’t have long. She’d have to make this count. She closed her eyes and focused. Then she flared iron, Pulling the rapier behind her as hard as she could, and immediately fell to the side. Laying down really felt nice, she thought groggily, her left hand slackening as she lost the ability to press it tight. But she smiled, because her last sight was the rapier embedding itself deep in Logalog’s chest. In the city of legends where Radiants go, The paths are fraught with danger. Its ways are long and hard and slow, Through foe and hostile stranger. A Radiant’s heart must never fail, Or falter in his oaths. But those who live to tell the tale, Have strength and Honour both. Twixt sky and sky where few birds fly I look above to see A city set above the clouds— Impossibility! Within it as the dawn breaks clear Its sleepers come awake, See red blood flow, a shrew lies dead, An oath-destroying snake. So fly and sing, the Almighty is King. In stony levels high above, The blade struck well and true. But still deep-set, see lurking yet Another snake or two. Below, the earth is changing shape: Red storms of colour deep Threaten the lifted teeth of land Into the sea to sweep. So fly and sing, the Almighty is King. Beyond this, much is lost to mist, But here and there I see A treachery of shadowed men— ‘Tis no rest for the free. O fellow Radiants of the land, Swear true and do not fall. So onward search the caverns deep, E’en where the Unmade calls. So fly and sing, the Almighty is King. The days are growing darker, see The beacon shining bright Of you, O Radiants, men of old, The guardians in the night. Men leave you as you journey on, But your Oaths fulfilled be Till sky and water clash in might, And sun drown in the sea. So fly and sing, the Almighty is King. Pearl Chameleon (Purrl) was a Loyal Knight Radiant Worldhopper! Plum Rhinoceros (Logalog) was a Odium Sympathizer Worldhopper! PMs are CLOSED. Edgedancer Messages Day 3 has begun and will end in 47 hours at 1am Pacific Time on January 6th. Credit to Fifth for the poems, which are fantastic. Player List 1. Amber Vulture: Jashi, Stormwarden 2. Amethyst Scorpion: Jesh, Lost Axehound 3. Chartreuse Penguin: Taladir, Gambler Radiant Worldhopper 4. Coral Swan: Germaine, Scholar 5. Cream Tuatara: Dfyan, Scholar Radiant Worldhopper 6. Emerald Falcon: Sein, Inquisitive 7. Indigo Weasel: Adhom Inem, Ardent 8. Ivory Dragonfly: Krask, Conspiracy Theorist Sympathizer Worldhopper 9. Magenta Albatross: Jonan Wikim, Lost Axehound (Gren) 10. Mauve Crocodile: Sernes, Paranoid Scout 11. Mint Heron: Sam, Once a Darkeyes 12. Onyx Flamingo: Kir, Kleptomaniac Scout 13. Opal Lion: Tnaidar, Scout 14. Pearl Chameleon: Purrl, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend Radiant Worldhopper 15. Plum Rhinoceros: Logalog, Scholar Sympathizer Worldhopper 16. Quartz Zebra: Arauna Khadal, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend Sympathizer Worldhopper 17. Saffron Iguana: Merinira, Scout 18. Sage Kangaroo: Gilglin, Ardent (Devotary of the Mind) 19. Salmon Meerkat: Cadamum, Ghostblood Recruit 20. Scarlet Octopus: Max Mercury, Past Lives 21. Sunburst Toucan: Tafud, Slightly Crazy 22. Taupe Gecko: Brana, Scholar 23. Turquoise Gorilla: Bomer, Gambler Radiant Worldhopper 24. Violet Axolotl: Adi, Anxious

Yes. Bold words when you're about to be lynched.

Day 3: Chances Ellira ran as fast as her feet could take her. She didn’t know what that thing was, and at present she didn’t care. Her focus was on not dying to it. Eventually, her steps slowed as it became clear that nothing was following. She wasn’t sure where Errdal had gone - he must have diverged at some point during their run. So. There was something inside Urithiru that was essentially darkness incarnate, and killing or helping to kill Radiants at the direction of something called Odium. The question was, she supposed, its criteria for doing so. She pulled out the spanreed and parchment she kept on her at all times, and began to make her report. It wasn’t at the normal time, but the situation wasn’t precisely normal either. Soon enough, the spanreed began blinking, and wrote a few simple words on the paper. She frowned in thought for a few seconds, stroking the hilt of her dagger, then smiled. Understood, she wrote back. The next few days would be... interesting, at the very least. Dfyan was a scholar, a scientist. He knew how to account for evidence, and the evidence right now was... not good. So many deaths in only a couple of days, with Odium to blame? He had to get out. Now. During the usual evening bustle, he packed up his bedroll, claiming to anyone who asked that he was just moving it because he didn’t like his spot. Then, while everyone was getting dinner and discussing the news of the day - apparently someone had disappeared, though it wasn’t clear how or why - he slipped out into Urithiru. He couldn’t afford to take the lifts, as they’d attract too much attention, but at least he was away from the murders now. What didn’t occur to him is that he was also far away from safety in numbers. At least, not until the Shardblade sliced through his chest - and even then, the realization was a bit too slow to fully form before he died. Bomer shuffled his deck of cards, the fingers of one hand deftly moving to randomise the order effectively, while in the other he flipped a coin, recording its result each time it landed and going at it again. Rare commodities, indeed, especially on Roshar. He had never understood how they had decided on those foolish spheres as currency. There was no way to bring random chance into an object which was identical on every side. At least the boxings he’d brought from Scadrial hadn’t all been lost, yet. Now that was a far more civilised country. Plenty of taverns to gamble in, and people to gamble with. But up here in the cold of Urithiru, there was nobody except Taladir, and he was dead. A shame too, as he had never lost to the man. He had been accused of counting cards, using too much statistical knowledge, and even of hiding cards up his sleeve. Absurd allegations, with only the first two being true. He was an honest gambler, but the best risk to take was a calculated one. So in his spare time, naturally, he did calculations. Some people thought coinflips were a fair game, with the coin having equal odds of landing on either side. Bomer knew it was a lie; besides weighted coins, which could be easily discovered, even fair coins had slight biases, if you wanted to figure them out. Of course, that would take thousands and thousands of flips. Impractical on Scadrial, where clips were scattered like candy by Mistborn and Coinshots, and people always had several on them. In Roshar, when he had complete control of the supply, which was limited to about a dozen? Not impractical at all. So he kept flipping throughout the Night. 2500 trials on this coin so far, 1237 heads and 1263 tails. Approximately fair, probably, with perhaps a bias towards tails; the coin would need about 20000 flips before Bomer could be completely sure. He’d gotten 9 of his coins done in this way so far; at his current rate, he could probably finish with this one by the time they were all dead or all the agents of Odium had been neutralised. A cheering thought, so he refocused on his cards. Cards were a different matter—it all came down to who shuffled, and how good you were at tracking specific cards through the shuffled deck. Bomer had gotten these skills unconsciously after thirty years of handling cards, and knew that any fair card game involving him would require another person shuffling with his eyes disfocused, at the very least. Even with a one-handed shuffle like he used, and with his mind wandering, it was still too easy for him to track; the Highprince of Swords was on top. Bomer sighed. He replaced the cards in his bag—still nobody wanted to gamble—and resolved to make double time with his coin tests. He flipped his coin of choice furiously, recording its result every time. He was on track for 6,000 more flips by the end of the Night, a respectable number. On his 3,646th flip, the coin took a sudden tumble, skirting along its edge away from him as if running, and kept rolling, into the spiral staircase, where Bomer could heat it clashing and rattling. He winced—had he woken everyone up?—but most of the Radiants, including Kareana, were sleeping and remained still. That said, he was prohibited from venturing outside the chamber. It was just a quick trip down a few stairs to find a lost coin, though, and the Brightness was still sleeping. Nobody cared if he went down half a flight of stairs and went back up quickly. He set out, tiptoeing around the sleeping Radiants. Quickly dropping to a hunched position after leaving the sleeping area, he ran his hands along the ground, looking for the coin, to no avail. It was in the stairwell, then. He ventured downward step by step. Still no coin. Then, he spotted it—on the landing in between where the stairs turned around. With a wordless cry of triumph, he pivoted, bending down and retrieving the coin. He unbent, standing up to return to the common area. And saw a man facing him, hooded, with his hands in the air. A flash of fire, a burning smell in his nostrils, a brief agony, and Bomer collapsed, falling forward as he died, and the corpse, tumbling down the steps, would not be discovered until the next morning. Cream Tuatara (Dfyan) was a Loyal Knight Radiant Worldhopper! Turquoise Gorilla (Bomer) was a Loyal Knight Radiant Worldhopper! PMs are open. Day 3 has begun and will end in 47 hours at 1am Pacific time on the 3rd of January. Player List Amber Vulture: Jashi, Stormwarden 2. Amethyst Scorpion: Jesh, Lost Axehound 3. Chartreuse Penguin: Taladir, Gambler Radiant Worldhopper 4. Coral Swan: Germaine, Scholar 5. Cream Tuatara: Dfyan, Scholar Radiant Worldhopper 6. Emerald Falcon: Sein, Inquisitive 7. Indigo Weasel: Adhom Inem, Ardent 8. Ivory Dragonfly: Krask, Conspiracy Theorist Sympathizer Worldhopper 9. Magenta Albatross: Jonan Wikim, Lost Axehound (Gren) 10. Mauve Crocodile: Sernes, Paranoid Scout 11. Mint Heron: Sam, Once a Darkeyes 12. Onyx Flamingo: Kir, Kleptomaniac Scout 13. Opal Lion: Tnaidar, Scout 14. Pearl Chameleon: Purrl, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend 15. Plum Rhinoceros: Logalog, Scholar 16. Quartz Zebra: Arauna Khadal, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend Sympathizer Worldhopper 17. Saffron Iguana: Merinira, Scout 18. Sage Kangaroo: Gilglin, Ardent (Devotary of the Mind) 19. Salmon Meerkat: Cadamum, Ghostblood Recruit 20. Scarlet Octopus: Max Mercury, Past Lives 21. Sunburst Toucan: Tafud, Slightly Crazy 22. Taupe Gecko: Brana, Scholar 23. Turquoise Gorilla: Bomer, Gambler Radiant Worldhopper 24. Violet Axolotl: Adi, Anxious Edgedancer Messages

Night 2: A Need for Exploration Right, left, right, left, rightleftrightleftrightleft... Someone was in the hallway with him. At least one person. There had been a red X a ways back, and then he’d glimpsed a shadowy figure, and now he was... running after them. Like an idiot. He had no idea where he was going, he’d probably get lost, and yet. He couldn’t just not know. That was why he was a Scout - exploring. Discovering new things. Running after them at high speed, even. Tnaidar could see the figure ahead of him a little more clearly - a long grayish cloak and dark hair was all he could make out, but he was catching up. He silently thanked all his long, tedious hours of exercising. That fitness could prove vital now. Speaking of vital... he grabbed a pouch on his belt as he ran. His escape plan - just in case. He’d nearly caught up when he found himself running into a round chamber - with each door blocked. On one side was a man and what looked like... some kind of strange spren that he didn’t recognize. Another, two women looking at him grimly. He recognized both from the camps, but he’d dismissed them as scholarly types. As he skidded to a halt, trying to understand what was going on, he heard Max Mercury’s voice from behind him, crying “Now!” Something went over his head, and his last glimpse was of the two women coming towards him. He wasn’t sticking around to find out any more. He broke the item inside the pouch he was still holding - And just like that, he was in Shadesmar. Thankfully. Still best to leave the area for a bit, in case anyone could travel here like he could, but... he sighed. He’d return eventually. He had to - surely just given a little time, they’d explain what was going on! And besides, his curiosity compelled him. He could always escape again, and until then... he needed to know. To learn. To understand. Tnaidar the Scout smiled. Someday, perhaps, he would understand every mystery in the Cosmere. “...with all due respect, Brightness, I will not allow this matter to rest. Nolan was killed by those...creatures...and even if you did not care for him personally (though that scarcely seems possible), you will surely recognise the wisdom of attempting to discover and neutralise a definite threat to our safety. I propose a thorough search of the thirty-eighth floor with enough Radiants that we can deal with the shadows if they show up. Perhaps Nolan was taken by surprise, but confronting these things head-on is far simpler—I was able to destroy their essence in the Cognitive Realm when they attacked. Give me a team of Elsecallers and we’ll return here with a far safer Urithiru.” Radler looked down at Kareana, who was sketching a glyphward in the accumulated dust underneath her. She looked up, feigning surprise. “Oh, are you done?” Radler sighed. “Brightness—” Kareana cut in. “I understand your arguments, Radler, as you’re quite fond of repeating them. I’m sorry about your friend, and understand that you want to avenge his death. It’s a noble sentiment. But you are letting your grief cloud your better judgement here. Answer me this: Why should I send a squad of Radiants whose loyalties are still untested (and which we can ill afford to lose) on a mission against a foe we know next to nothing of how to defeat? A foe, moreover, aligned with Odium?” “I could have been mistaken about—” “You’re fooling nobody; I trust your initial report of the events, and you said that these shadows were extensions of something whose Investiture is tied to Odium. Unless you want to tell me you lied about that?” He sighed again. “No.” “In that case, among a party we know has been infiltrated by those loyal to the Lord of Hate, you would have me bring some of its members into contact with one of his minions, that they might more efficiently coordinate to slaughter the rest of us? No, for the final time, Radler. I will not allow it until at least the reinforcing party has been sent up by Brightlord Kholin, and we are sure that this group remains uncompromised.” “Very well,” Radler acquiesced. “But I do hope you are aware that you cannot stop me from venturing there alone.” “I would call it folly of the highest order,” Kareana replied grimly, “but I indeed will not stop you, if only because you would rather martyr yourself than chafe under my restriction. You may go, but I will forbid the other Radiants from joining you, and I do not wish you luck, for it will not help you where you go. Return alive, if you can.” Radler inclined his head. “I will certainly try, Brightness.” Turning suddenly, he strode off, leaving Kareana with a crudely sketched glyphward in the sand. Mercy. It would be needed in the coming days, for all of them to live. She held out a finger, from which a spark flew, and the flame slowly kindled, spreading along the prayer like a snake and sending it up to the Almighty. He who has ears, let him hear. Radler narrowed his lips into a thin line, careful not to let Kareana see his fury. That cremling! Why was it so hard to see that shadowy creatures killing in the night were a danger? If he was a gambling man, like the dead Taladir, he would pin responsibility for Locke’s death on the odd shadows as well—it was a carbon copy of Naihar’s execution, the throat slit perfectly in the victim’s sleep, and Nolan had taken a knife to the back in the same manner as Aruana. If there were imitation murders, though, why hadn’t Taladir’s death inspired a copycat, or Krask? So much didn’t add up about the shadows, yet something needed to be done. He strode over to his satchel, heavy with fully lit spheres and cut gemstones, along with other, smaller quantities of foreign Investiture. He hadn’t had occasion to use it yet, but if anything was going to demand that he be a one-man Radiant army, this was it. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he turned, avoiding Kareana’s gaze by keeping his eyes downcast as he walked. He strode quickly through the meeting ground, keeping to the sides of the wall, when he felt a small tap on his shoulder. Radler kept walking. He was not about to start chatting with Errdal about this decision, or anyone else, for that matter. “Oi!” came the reply, and the sound of jogging footsteps hurrying to catch up to him. “You’re not just ignoring me like that.” “Actually, I am, Errdal,” Radler said hotly, “and for once I’d like you to not intrude on what I’m doing. Your help has been invaluable, but this mission has to be undertaken alone.” “The same mission which earlier called for a team of Elsecallers to help you? You’re going to need every man you can against those shadows, Radler, and I’m also not going to stand by and let the leading member of the Council go on a suicide mission without at least being able to report your death with a clean conscience.” Radler suddenly smiled. “You know, Errdal, I’ve really had my share of arguing for this morning with Kareana. Fine, and your help will be appreciated. But I have one condition of us going together: if anyone’s not getting out of that floor alive, it’s me. Not you, not the person who’s been watching us while pretending to read who clearly wants to join, me. Clear?” Errdal nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. “You’re observant as always, Radler, and clear enough, though I wish it were otherwise.” He turned to the young woman who had strode up to them. “Who are you?” “Ellira,” she said, with no small degree of haughtiness, “and I’m not helping for your friend who got killed. But I do agree that those things up there need to be observed, at the very least, and I’m generally good at staying hidden.” She turned to Radler. “Using Tin to watch my eye movements is downright cheating, by the way.” Radler grinned. “I suppose it is, at that. Your safety isn’t guaranteed, though, and I hope you have a plan for fighting off those shadowed creatures.” Ellira rolled her eyes. “I’m aware.” “Good.” He paused awkwardly, surveying the small team. “Well, best not to waste any more time than we have to.” He turned and set off at a brisk walk to the intact eastern lift system, and the others tailed him, making their way down the tower. “No, I cannot open this door without using Stormlight, and I’m not announcing our presence boldly to whatever’s in there,” Errdal hissed. “If whatever you did with your Scadrian Investiture earlier didn’t work, I’m not sure anything is unjamming it.” “It’s not jammed, it’s locked, and has two thousand years of crem buildup to boot.” Radler kept his voice down, with some effort. “I’ve removed that, but unlike you seem to think, my line of work never involved lockpicking, and from the sound of it, neither did yours. We’re stuck, as your Shardblade is also, incidentally, a dead giveaway.” “Well, we aren’t giving up on secrecy now, or you wouldn’t have been so adamant about us entering from the thirty-ninth floor instead of the lift system directly. Is there another door?” “None that go into this side room, which is the only place on this floor not visible from the central chamber. The lift system would put us too close to the shadows, and the other lift is broken.” Radler threw his hands up, turning to Ellira. “Any insights?” “I don’t know about insights,” she replied, “but this door is magically locked?” “Not magically, no,” Radler said with a frown. “If that were the case, we’d have opened it already.” “So the lock is conventional?” she said with mock patience. “In that case—” she strode up to the door, thrusting a small, thin object into the keyhole and twisting it—“you really should have made that clearer ten minutes ago.” The door opened slowly under her watch, but surprisingly noiselessly. She bowed. “After you, of course.” Errdal shook his head, entering the room with the stealth he could manage. Radler did the same, but was surprised and impressed by Ellira, who was actually noiseless as she crept through the door into the musty chamber. “Now what?” Ellira breathed. “We observe,” Radler replied equally quietly, “and don’t move or make noise. I’m not rushing in.” Falling silent, he took his own advice, casting his eyes around. They looked to be in a closet or storeroom of sorts, which was not occupied by any inky shadows he could immediately see, thankfully. Or was it a mere storeroom? He almost fancied he could see, through the light filtering in from an open window, the outlines of decaying shelves around him—were those heaps of rot and decay old books? It was a library, or at least it had been one—Nolan would have gone insane thinking about all the knowledge that had been lost to time. Considering it, Radler wasn’t sure that he wasn’t going insane too. Another door to the library led out, presumably to the main structure or chamber—what that was, he still had no idea. It was fashioned almost purely of metal, and Ellira was already oiling its hinges. He took the liberty of trying the handle, and to his surprise found it unlocked. He hesitated for a brief moment. “Are we sure that we’re ready?” Two grim nods of assent. There was nothing more to be gained by staying still. Radler breathed deeply, and turned the handle, bracing for a rush of shadows at the very least. Nothing. Perhaps their secrecy had paid off, or the figures somehow needed rest? Either way, he was not about to complain. He motioned Errdal and Ellira to remain silent as they emerged into a...hallway? It was not the enormous round chamber he had expected from his initial glance into the structure when he had grabbed Krask’s bag down by the broken lift next to the main door and ran back to help Nolan—there, the shadows had barred his progress. But they were not down by the main door either. Radler felt his skin crawl. He felt something here, which was choosing to stay unseen. His heart throbbed, but he would not pass up the chance to look around while he could. Glancing left, the hallway continued for a while, and there looked to be tile mosaics of the ten Radiant spren as decoration, with more abstract images closer to a round, bowl-shaped chamber at the end of the hall. The broken lift system was more or less right in front of him, between him and another metal door which he assumed was the other library. So much for secrecy, though we did make less noise than just waltzing in the door. And how many times when going to another level did we pass through this very room quickly, without thinking, when danger lurked here all along? The thought made his skin crawl even more. Looking right, he saw little but the main set of gates he had tried to enter earlier, and another door which led to the other rooms on the level. He assumed the working lift was somewhere in them. The floor was of stone blocks, and the ceiling was far up and poorly lit, though he fancied there were designs painted on it. With no other choice, he looked left again, and swallowed. A Shadow was spreading from out of the chamber, splitting and coalescing into the humanoid figures which had attacked him and Nolan earlier. They were indeed not allowed to go further, it seemed. Beside him, Ellira gripped her daggers, and Errdal summoned his Blade, drawing an eyebrow from the young woman. For his own part, Radler drew his conventional sword and charged, though it was not ordinary steel he would fight with. The groups clashed, shadowed figures dissipating as Radler Lightwove challengers for them or destroyed them in the Cognitive Realm. They seemed more...potent...here, but were still defeatable. Errdal’s Shardblade clove a swath around him and Ellira, who he was essentially defending. The girl was quick with her daggers, though, Radler mused, even if they did little damage to the shadowed figures—she saved her own life, and Errdal’s, several times with her defences, though Radler suspected she only did the latter out of necessity; should Errdal fall, she would also in short order. For his own part, he was busy not dying, and quickly returned his focus to the shadows. He blocked a shadowed figure’s sword with his own, then Soulcast its essence—what little it had—out of existence. As he did so, he noticed the crowd of shadowed figures thinning, or perhaps consolidating, as he approached the chamber. He drove his sword into another figure, watching it writhe and fade away, and quickly ducked as Errdal’s Shardblade swung around, taking out a figure who had crept behind him. He nodded thanks, and decided it was high time to get at the heart of what was in the chamber. Drawing in about a quarter of his remaining Stormlight, he sent out a pulse of pure light and energy. Strangely, the shadows dissipated, melting away as they touched the blast of Investiture. In the Cognitive Realm, though, Radler saw them retreat instead, fusing with something much larger. He stepped into the bowl-shaped chamber with trepidation, the wrongness he felt in Shadesmar not gone. The shadows, after the initial assault, had not meant to kill them. Then what would? A twenty-foot column of oily black essence greeted him as he entered, seemingly rising out of the stones. WORLDHOPPER, a voice came. GHOSTBLOOD, SHARDBEARER. WELCOME TO MY CHAMBER. A pause. THOUGH YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE DISTURBED MY REST. NONE OF YOU MAY ESCAPE. The essence split, and the shadowy figures resurged, Errdal frantically throwing himself in front of Ellira to protect her. Radler stood dumb, feeling a great weight press down upon his mind. At last, however, he recognised his foe: Re-Shephir the Unmade, servant of Odium. Had he been alone, he could perhaps have dealt with her, defending himself while warring in the Cognitive Realm. But with her threatening his friends, he had no choice. He would hold to his word from before. “Errdal, Ellira, flee this spawn of Damnation! I will hold the exit by the stairs.” Errdal looked at him aghast, lowering his guard for a brief instant, through which a figure slipped, stabbing him in the side. He swore, chopping it in half with his Blade. “But we came here to—” “You’re being overwhelmed, you fool! Get out of here, take that fool girl, and let me hold the exit!” He speared another Shadow, desperately trying to keep the hostile presence away from his mind while retaliating against the figures. It was exhausting, and he could only keep it up for so long. “Remember what I told you earlier? What I made you swear?” Errdal nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks. “Then run!” Radler yelled, doing the same, throwing the Midnight Mother’s pressure off him at last and resuming engagement with her shadows. This time, there really seemed no end to them. Ellira and Errdal were sprinting for the metal door to the library, cutting down everything in their way. Radler back-pedalled slowly, careful not to let any shadows slip past him. His Stormlight was dangerously low, but if he was correct about the shadows being confined mostly to the chamber, there would be no need to save any—Ellira had made it through the door, and Errdal stood at the entrance, vaporising the last oiled black figure which had crept past Radler. Two other emaciated creatures crept past him, which he let by without thinking. Axehounds? He couldn’t waste time thinking about that. Errdal still held the door open, though, peering anxiously out at him. The sound of running footsteps told him Ellira had kept sprinting—she was clearly the one with more brains, out of the two. “Close the storming door!” Radler gasped. “I’ll make it out by the front, or not at all!” His last Lightweavings collapsed. He was out of Stormlight. “GO!” Drawing his sword, whose aluminum coating would still kill anything that went near him, he continued backing towards the front door. The shadows refused to engage, instead circling and advancing slowly. Radler gritted his teeth. He would just have to keep retreating towards the door, face towards his assailants. He stepped backwards one foot at a time, and still the shadows did not engage. But why? They could have easily rushed him by now. Suddenly his back foot stepped on nothing. The empty shaft, of course, how Krask died! He overbalanced, teetering forward, and now the shadows rushed. He tried to hold them back, but without Stormlight it was hopeless. Two of the figures locked swords with him, shoved, and he was weightless, falling into the abyss. A long fall, and a short ending, unless he broke it. Reaching into his belt, he downed the last vial of metals, then dropped his sword, Pushing it past him. He felt it hit ground below, falling through the rapidly growing square at the bottom of the shaft. Before he landed, he Pushed on it with all his might, slowing his descent to a manageable speed. He hit, cracking ribs against the rocky mountaintops. But he was alive—the corpse of Krask next to him wasn’t—and presumed dead. That could prove useful, if he survived the coming days. For now, though, he was without food in the barren mountaintops, and it was a long way down to find humanity. He would make it, though. He had to warn Darrel at the very least of the fresh danger which Odium posed to Roshar’s peace. Opal Lion (Tnaidar) was lynched, but survived! Radler is presumed dead! He was a Loyal Knight Radiant! Vote Count Opal Lion (6): Amber Vulture, Emerald Falcon, Magenta Albatross, Scarlet Octopus, Taupe Gecko Magenta Albatross (2): Coral Swan, Mauve Crocodile, Violet Axolotl Saffron Iguana (1): Amethyst Scorpion, Plum Rhinoceros Sunburst Toucan (0): Saffron Iguana Night 2 has begun and will end in 23 hours, at 1am Pacific on the first day of 2020. Player List 1. Amber Vulture: Jashi, Stormwarden 2. Amethyst Scorpion: Jesh, Lost Axehound 3. Chartreuse Penguin: Taladir, Gambler Radiant Worldhopper 4. Coral Swan: Germaine, Scholar 5. Cream Tuatara: Dfyan, Scholar 6. Emerald Falcon: Sein, Inquisitive 7. Indigo Weasel: Adhom Inem, Ardent 8. Ivory Dragonfly: Krask, Conspiracy Theorist Sympathizer Worldhopper 9. Magenta Albatross: Jonan Wikim, Lost Axehound (Gren) 10. Mauve Crocodile: Sernes, Paranoid Scout 11. Mint Heron: Sam, Once a Darkeyes 12. Onyx Flamingo: Kir, Kleptomaniac Scout 13. Opal Lion: Tnaidar, Scout 14. Pearl Chameleon: Purrl, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend 15. Plum Rhinoceros: Logalog, Scholar 16. Quartz Zebra: Arauna Khadal, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend Sympathizer Worldhopper 17. Saffron Iguana: Merinira, Scout 18. Sage Kangaroo: Gilglin, Ardent (Devotary of the Mind) 19. Salmon Meerkat: Cadamum, Ghostblood Recruit 20. Scarlet Octopus: Max Mercury, Past Lives 21. Sunburst Toucan: Tafud, Slightly Crazy 22. Taupe Gecko: Brana, Scholar 23. Turqoise Gorilla: Bomer, Gambler 24. Violet Axolotl: Adi, Anxious

Night 1: Revenge Much of the morning was spent in chaos and wild accusations, but eventually the fuss was squashed by a bit of firm yelling and everyone got down to business - in pairs or more, just in case. Arauna and Merinira walked together down a winding corridor where the veins of Urithiru swirled in a spiral, one color looping in a continuous line from the floor to the ceiling and back. Walking through it was frankly a little dizzying, if fascinating. Arauna was quiet, no matter what conversation Merinira tried to coax out of her. She wouldn’t even say what she thought of Naihar’s death, though she nodded ever so slightly when Merinira asked if she’d known him. Strange, and somewhat unsettling. As afternoon turned late, and they ought to be heading back soon, they heard voices distantly, and some laughter. Ahead of them, the hallway opened up into a larger room whose purpose seemed to be to serve as a pretty intersection for this hallway and another even larger one. And coming down that hallway, not far away, they could see Taladir and Purrl, conversing happily. Merinira waved and called out to the pair, grateful not to be alone with Arauna. “Hey, how’s it going?” “Going swell, Meri!” Taladir called back. “Just about finished up for the day, how ‘bout you?” “Us too,” Merinira replied. “Want to head back together? Arauna’s a bit quiet for my taste - no offense intended,” she added hastily to the girl. Purrl narrowed her eyes. “Wait, Arauna? Isn’t she the one you werre telling me about, Taladir? That you’d seen with- with Adolin?” Arauna noticeably stiffened at that, but still didn’t say anything. “Yeah,” Taladir said with a frown. “Having quite the good time with our prince, if I do say so meself.” Purrl dove for Arauna without warning, yelling incoherently about revenge. Merinira lunged for them- And a blast of darkness sent Purrl flying. Arauna dusted off her hands calmly, but her eyes were full of anger. “Do not speak to me of revenge. I will have my revenge on him for how he has wronged me. His life is mine.” Merinira stared at her, blood running cold. She’d been walking with a, a servant of Odium - or at least someone who very much wanted Adolin dead - for hours. She could’ve died! Arauna’s face resumed its usual calm expression, and she turned to walk away as if the interaction had been entirely normal. She was... not quite right in the head, Merinira suspected. She waved at Purrl and Taladir for quiet - she didn’t know what else Arauna could do, and didn’t want to find out. Surprise was their only shot. Merinira took out a dagger and weighed it in her hand for a moment, then threw. The dagger twirled through the air for a nerve-wracking moment - and then it landed point first in Arauna’s back. She’d only meant to stun the girl with the hilt, but she’d misjudged how fast Arauna had been walking. Quickly, Merinira ran up and pulled out the dagger, then hit her over the head a few times for safe keeping. The wound on her back hadn’t been immediately fatal, but she was bleeding fast. If nothing were done, she’d be dead in a matter of minutes. Merinira looked up at the other two, who stood there in shock. “Well. Now what?” Ellira and Brana walked together through the hallways back towards their main camp. It had been an uneventful day, all told - mapping veins in the rock, talking about light subjects. The girl was extremely interested in the theory behind Radiants - which made her of great use as an information mine to Ellira, of course. Halfway through an interesting discussion on what might cause Nahel bonds, Ellira smelled something familiar. Blood. Quite fresh, too. Then they rounded a corner, and slumped on the floor was a body. After a moment, she recognized it as Locke, a Knight Radiant she didn’t know much about but had seemed rather powerful. He was lying on his front, blood spilling out in a pool around him. Someone had cut his throat efficiently - and deeply, too. In fact... Her train of thought was interrupted by Brana’s gasp of horror, and she remembered to put on a mask of shock. “We, we have to tell the captain about this. Now.” Her worries would have to come later. Quartz Zebra (Arauna) was lynched! They were a Odium Sympathizer Worldhopper! Orlok (Locke) was a Loyal Knight Radiant! Vote Count Quartz Zebra (3): Chartreuse Penguin, Pearl Chameleon, Saffron Iguana Pearl Chameleon (2): Coral Swan Chartreuse Penguin (1): Sunburst Toucan Mint Heron (1): Violet Axolotl Onyx Flamingo (1): Mauve Crocodile Saffron Iguana (1): Scarlet Octopus Sunburst Toucan (0): Cream Tuatara, Magenta Albatross Turquoise Gorilla (0): Turquoise Gorilla Night 1 has begun and will last 24 hours until 1am PT on the 29th of December. Please remember to submit your action, preferably early if you can so your GMs remain sane. Player List Amber Vulture: Jashi, Stormwarden 2. Amethyst Scorpion: Jesh, Lost Axehound 3. Chartreuse Penguin: Taladir, Gambler 4. Coral Swan: Germaine, Scholar 5. Cream Tuatara: Dfyan, Scholar 6. Emerald Falcon: Sein, Inquisitive 7. Indigo Weasel: Adhom Inem, Ardent 8. Ivory Dragonfly: Krask, Conspiracy Theorist 9. Magenta Albatross: Jonan Wikim, Lost Axehound (Gren) 10. Mauve Crocodile: Sernes, Paranoid Scout 11. Mint Heron: Sam, Once a Darkeyes 12. Onyx Flamingo: Kir, Kleptomaniac Scout 13. Opal Lion: Tnaidar, Scout 14. Pearl Chameleon: Purrl, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend 15. Plum Rhinoceros: Logalog, Scholar 16. Quartz Zebra: Arauna Khadal, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend Sympathizer Worldhopper 17. Saffron Iguana: Merinira, Scout 18. Sage Kangaroo: Gilglin, Ardent (Devotary of the Mind) 19. Salmon Meerkat: Cadamum, Ghostblood Recruit 20. Scarlet Octopus: Max Mercury, Past Lives 21. Sunburst Toucan: Tafud, Slightly Crazy 22. Taupe Gecko: Brana, Scholar 23. Turqoise Gorilla: Bomer, Gambler 24. Violet Axolotl: Adi, Anxious

The Day is over. Night will be up within the hour. Please do not PM during rollover.

We presently have one pinchhitter; there is no official inactivity filter, but they will be on hand should anyone request them or in a case of excessive inactivity (perhaps no posts for two cycles without warning, but it’ll depend on circumstance). In a tied lynch, a coin is flipped to decide who dies. There is not a two-vote minimum this game, so a single vote is enough to guarantee that someone dies.

All PMs should be sent. If you don't have one, bother Fifth about it. I'm going to bed.

Day 1: A Shadow in the Night The stone along the walls of Urithiru swirled in strange patterns under the lantern light, veins of stone twirling into shapes without meaning. The chamber in which they stood was high-ceilinged, some kind of atrium long unused but still beautiful. "This will be where we'll stay at night, for now," one of the co-captains announced over the chatter of the room. "Find a spot to sleep and make sure it's comfortable - the real work starts tomorrow, and you'll want to be awake for that!" A round of scattered chuckles followed, and then rising conversational murmurs as the group began to spread out. The "real work" was mapping this floor's veins of stone, since apparently only Knights Radiant or their squires could see the colors there. There were scribes along to mark down their findings, but only the Knights could describe the stone accurately. For some of them, that was laughably easy work compared to the life before they became Radiant, but for others it would be hard indeed. And for one of them, it would not happen at all. Ellira set up her bedroll in a corner, near the man with eyes of two colors - some strange quirk of proto-Radiancy, she thought, or perhaps he was just born with it. She'd been watching Naihar for a while now - but then, she'd been watching them all for a while. With a man like him, any special attention would be noticed. She smiled as she curled into her blankets. It had been a while since she'd been given such an interesting assignment. Not only was she becoming a Lightweaver, she had a dangerous assassination target and a few fellow Ghostbloods along and under her command should she need them later on. She didn't know what 'later on' meant - she'd be told by Spanreed later - but the whole scenario gave her the thrill of the deadly dance she loved. She'd placed her bed such that she had to pass by his to visit the designated latrine area, and did so once early in the night to check on the guard situation. There was only one, and he looked bored - she toyed with the idea of a little flirting with him, but decided against it for tonight. Better if no one remembered her being around at all. Much later, when the atrium was quiet but for the occasional snore, Ellira rose again whisper-quiet. Her dagger was already drawn at her side, so that it wouldn't make any noise sliding out of its sheath. Her Lightweaving wasn't skilled yet, but she had practiced a few basic things over and over - like mimicking the sound of a light snore from her own bed, masking any tiny sound she made as she walked lightly over to him. His head was turned such that as little of his neck was available as possible, and even that was under his blanket. She suspected he was probably wearing some kind of lightweight armor anywhere it didn't show, too. That seemed his style. But Ellira had not been given this mission for no reason, and she struck without hesitation before he could sense her presence. Her knife plunged into his neck, and she made sure his vocal chords were cut before he could make a sound. She smiled softly as blood began to pour from his wound and soak into his blanket, dark in the dim light. Not her preferred kind of kill - she liked the intimate touch of a passionate kiss combined with a knife to the heart - but a well-executed one nonetheless. Then something even darker than blood emerged from under the blanket, spilling out and then coalescing as she watched. Ellira frowned, and backed away towards her bed. She wasn't completely familiar with Roshar yet. Whatever that was, she didn't want to go anywhere near it. Naihar was dead, and if he somehow wasn't, she could kill him again easily enough. She wiped off her dagger with a practiced motion, slid it back into its sheath on her thigh, and settled back into her bedroll. Her sleep was light, as always, but uninterrupted - that is, until morning. Morning was when someone found Naihar. Morning is when the shouting started. From a letter found in Naihar's belongings: Join the Radiants. Keep them away from Her. Kill them where possible. Be wary. Give this letter to Her on your successful return. She will grant you the power you desire so long as you serve Odium well. May the Everstorm come again. Alvron (Naihar) was an Odium Sympathizer! The game has begun! Day 1 will end in 48 hours, at 1am Pacific Time on December 28th. PMs should be sent within the next ten minutes; PM me if yours goes missing. @little wilson is the Impartial Moderator for this game. Remember to use your anonymous accounts, and your CRs! PMs are open. Please include myself, @Fifth Scholar, and @little wilson in any PM. Group PMs are allowed, and may have as many as half of the living players (so, 12 presently) in them. Player List 1. Amber Vulture: Jashi, Stormwarden 2. Amethyst Scorpion: Jesh, Lost Axehound 3. Chartreuse Penguin: Taladir, Gambler 4. Coral Swan: Germaine, Scholar 5. Cream Tuatara: Dfyan, Scholar 6. Emerald Falcon: Sein, Inquisitive 7. Indigo Weasel: Adhom Inem, Ardent 8. Ivory Dragonfly: Krask, Conspiracy Theorist 9. Magenta Albatross: Jonan Wikim, Lost Axehound (Gren) 10. Mauve Crocodile: Sernes, Paranoid Scout 11. Mint Heron: Sam, Once a Darkeyes 12. Onyx Flamingo: Kir, Kleptomaniac Scout 13. Opal Lion: Tnaidar, Scout 14. Pearl Chameleon: Purrl, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend 15. Plum Rhinoceros: Logalog, Scholar 16. Quartz Zebra: Arauna Khadal, Adolin’s Former Girlfriend 17. Saffron Iguana: Merinira, Scout 18. Sage Kangaroo: Gilglin, Ardent (Devotary of the Mind) 19. Salmon Meerkat: Cadamum, Ghostblood Recruit 20. Scarlet Octopus: Max Mercury, Past Lives 21. Sunburst Toucan: Tafud, Slightly Crazy 22. Taupe Gecko: Brana, Scholar 23. Turqoise Gorilla: Bomer, Gambler 24. Violet Axolotl: Adi, Anxious

@Araris Valerian as noted in the doc, I am sorry about that - I tried to ensure that the people I was protecting didn’t die, and for some reason didn’t avert that one. I think this was definitely the better version in terms of what was done with winners; I think one cycle remaining would be a good compromise as well. Striker, not sorry. At least you won! I tried to keep my allies alive for as long as I could, I just also wanted to win for myself in the end, not as a kandra.

Lady Celeste Tekiel smiled as the doors opened and guests began to pour in. The ballroom was perfect. Stained glass windows gleamed in the light of several chandeliers hung with thousands of glittering crystals, and beneath them Tekiel's finest banners and tapestries hung from the balconies. Tables and chairs were scattered elegantly along the edges of the room, with the middle space left for a dance floor. Light music was already playing, from a band of musicians in the corner obscured so the sight of skaa didn't detract from the experience. Servants had been kept to a minimum - only those she trusted, and they would all be reporting back to her of their findings by the end of the night. But for now, she was determined to enjoy the ball. The doors were filled with swirls of colors and finery that could not be seen anywhere but Luthadel, silks and satin and sparkles everywhere. Celeste couldn't greet everyone individual, but she waved or called greetings to those she recognized as they flowed past her into the ballroom. Her gaze drifted back to the high table for a moment, where she and the other Tekiels would be sitting. Someday, she would sit at the head of the table, in the iron chair that symbolized the iron will of the Tekiel House. Someday. She returned focus to her guests, though, every inch the charming hostess. Idly, she wondered where the other Tekiels were, but they'd show up at some point. Their lateness only emphasized her in the minds of the others, after all. She adjusted her midnight blue gown, smiled, and went to begin her diplomacy. Welcome to House Tekiel! Enjoy your stay, try not to murder too many people while you're here. I welcome RP partners if anyone wants to approach Celeste at any point.

Lady Celeste Tekiel strode through the halls of Keep Tekiel, examining the decorations critically. She was already dressed for the evening, in a dark blue gown that sparkled silver and was cut at the back from the knees down almost like a mistcloak, so that strips of the fabric trailed on the ground and flared when she turned. She'd also taken the liberty of using some of the family diamonds to make her hair sparkle like a circlet of stars - she was sure no one would mind. She entered the great ballroom and nodded appreciatively at the work being done there. No matter that her family-in-law was shirking their duties, she would ensure that Tekiel balls remained the best in the city if she had anything to say about it. And besides, it would provide a rather convenient excuse to see if she could get any of said family... discreetly removed. Celeste smiled, watching servants hoist a banner in Tekiel's colors to its proper place. She had been looking forward to the Season for ages, it felt like. Scheming and plotting was where she was in her element, and recently she'd begun to dream of bigger ambitions than just being a pretty widow. She'd married into Tekiel, and now she was stuck there even if her husband was dead - she might as well make the most of it. Celeste turned on her heel and left the ballroom, briskly walking toward her study. She had a few important letters to pen before the ball. Due to wanting as much RP as possible, House Tekiel will be hosting a ball tonight! No, I haven't discussed this with my housemates, but neither has Celeste. That way we can RP something a little more interesting than 'X curled up in their stronghold and worried about everyone who wanted to kill him'.

Yes, I did, but you told me to tell you I didn’t.

I didn’t receive a PM.

I wasn’t fooled. Just listen to me next time! I’m always more trustworthy than Aman is and should never ever be doubted. More seriously, I had an absolute blast this game. Thanks to Fifth, Devotary, and Snipexe for running it, and for rambling with me in the spec doc! And much thanks for the Shardblade. It was very fun to have. Speaking of which, @STINK could I have that Shardblade back, pretty please? I grew rather attached to it.

Oy! I didn’t put Sandhya in. She’s dead and all. Celeste was married into her current house to cement an alliance between it and House Seidel. No betrayal involved! Also, the point of the game is to betray your own House. Just saying.

Signing up as Lady Celeste, formerly of House Seidel.

@Abstrusity the next game is up! Have fun in QF41!

Spec doc, please!

MR38: Aftermath - A Ring Unmade The man in the black hat sighed in disappointment. He’d gone along with this whole scheme specifically for the interesting consequences, and it was already falling apart. Unfortunate. The next time the Fellowship crossed a stream, Ulmo noticed with surprise that his Chosen weren’t with them. That would make things... difficult. But no matter - they would set out on their own, and somehow they would succeed. He was sure of it. And until they got to Mordor, he would protect them as much as he could. And, when they got to Mordor, he would have to join them in physical form. There was no water to connect with, there; but they would need his power. Peji watched her compatriots setting off on their foolish journey. She shook her head - she’d done her part. They had all the mithril they might need, and she’d managed to procure it without even raising too many eyebrows (well, until she stole that shipment, but by that point she was gone and no one knew it’d been her). But she had entirely no interest in going with them. Compared to the Fellowship, this scheme was far more doomed to fail even with the might of a Vala (if a slightly erratic one) on their side. So she would return to Moria, and hope for the best. The fate of the world would be in their hands, now. She just hoped her mithril would do the trick. Robin Smallburrow slogged through the swamp beside his companions, grimacing. Everything hurt. There were insects stinging him left and right, he’d walked non-stop for weeks on end, and they wouldn’t even let him stop for lunch, let alone second breakfast! Ulmo had only joined them recently, as he claimed this was the last water he’d be able to access before they got to Morder itself. Robin wasn’t so sure - it didn’t feel like this journey could ever end. Not that he’d been very helpful thus far. He didn’t even need to eat or sleep, and was so eager for them to go on that he tried to push them well past what people were supposed to be doing in a day’s work. Robin caught sight of dark mountains ahead, through a gap in the fog. Maybe... maybe they were close. Maybe he’d finally be able to wear this Ring like they’d been wanting him to. Might even be fun, who knew? Gwen, Robin, and Ulmo approached the base of Mount Doom. They were so close now! It almost made up for all of the disorder around her, and on this whole trip. More than ever, she missed the weight of the One Ring around her neck. Not being able to study it on the trip might have made this a fatally flawed mission - and beyond that, its powers would be incredibly useful right now. She growled in frustration. Why hadn’t the council seen that she should be the one to go? She’d held out against the Ring! She’d studied it, she knew it best of anyone, and yet they’d taken it away from her for that... that Striker, of all people. Why, he had no memory at all! Robin made a quiet questioning noise, and she whipped around to face him. “I told you, no noises,” she whispered harshly. She’d only emphasized that six different times on their way here! Why couldn’t people just listen? He nodded meekly at the expression on her face. Satisfied, she turned and continued leading them up Mount Doom. Soon they would be there. Soon, she would forge a new Ring with Peji’s mithril, more powerful than even the One Ring, and use its powers as she wished! Saving Middle Earth, yes, that was important, but she had other ideas as well. That much of a piece of Ulmo’s power had... interesting possibilities. Then the mountain beneath them began to shake. Striker was so tired. Tired of bearing this burden, feeling its whispers in his mind. He couldn’t remember anything before this journey, and that helped - but it didn’t help completely. They’d tried to take turns at first, of course. And it worked for a while, but then they’d had to go their separate ways - Aranmir to Gondor, Yuriel to ask for Lothlorien’s help, and the rest to their errands until on Striker and Rath were left in the end. Striker didn’t even trust Rath to take the Ring, anymore. Last time he had, Striker had nearly had to force it out of his hands, and the look in Rath’s eyes... But they were here now. Finally. They snuck together into the opening near the top of Mount Doom, looking around warily - and it was clear that this had once been a forge, but it was long abandoned now. Only the lava running through the room remained. Striker hesitated. Was this really such a good idea? He took off the chain holding the Ring, dangling it between his fingers and watching how the red glow reflected it into bizarre gold-red shapes. I can’t do this, he thought. I’m too weak. Mesmerized, his hand rose towards the Ring without him even noticing. So Rath snatched the chain from his hands and, without giving himself a moment to consider, tossed it into the Fire. The ground began to shake. They scrambled out of the forge, running away, away - and stumbled headlong into Gwen, Robin, and... Ulmo? running up the mountain towards them. “What are you doing here?” Striker gasped. “We’ve got this - the Ring is gone and everything!” Gwen sat down, hard. “But - I was supposed to be the one. You don’t understand - I wasn’t just going to save the world, I was going to change it. You’ve ruined everything!” She lunged at Striker, but Robin and Rath held her back. “Well,” Ulmo said into the silence. “I guess my power won’t be needed after all. Well done, mortals. I suppose it’s back to Valinor for me...” Within moments, he’d disappeared into mist and was gone. Gwen sagged. “No...” “So... why exactly were you here again?” asked Striker, lost as ever. And thus was Middle Earth saved. The End. Striker was one of the Free People of Middle Earth! The Free People have won! Striker (4): Bard, Fifth, Straw, Wibble Player List Docs Master Spreadsheet Corrupted Confederacy The Valar, Again Congratulations to the village for their win! Post mortem thoughts will be up later. And don’t forget to join the next game, which should go up within a couple days!

I, unfortunately, made the poor choice of falling asleep until now instead of doing the writeup (or anything else...). As such, it'll be put up when turnover would usually occur tomorrow. Sorry for the delay. >>

I apologize for sleeping for fourteen hours until literally five minutes ago. >> No, I absolutely do not think that. First off, if the elims kill you, you won't actually get to make that item because OoA has Artifabrian items made after kills. Secondly, I don't believe the elims would kill you - I think they'd leave you alive, leaving this whole mess to fester and presumably you to lynch HH tomorrow, who I'm nearly certain is good. Thirdly, a chance isn't enough. I put maybe a 30% of you being village right now - which is incredibly low compared to my 100% chance for myself. I would need at least a 95% chance to think that a single temporary item would be worth more than a guaranteed villager's death. I just hope the elims don't use their Pain Knife, I guess. Pity that Drake and Bard didn't get on. EDIT: Also, this is why I don't put much stock in the 'I wouldn't vote on myself and put myself in danger if I were evil' argument, because look, you didn't end up voting on yourself. And gave a perfectly legitimate (if wrong) reason for it. EDIT 2: and I am mildly frustrated that by falling back asleep before I could respond that OoA says you're wrong, I gave you the excuse to switch to me while still appearing village in doing so. >>