Elbereth

Hey y’all! LotR is... one of my favorite books of all time. In fact, I love it so much that I’m running a RP/modified mafia game set there over in Sanderson Elimination starting this Friday. It’s super simple - so if you’ve ever wanted to RP being at the Council of Elrond and maybe even getting to be one of the Fellowship, sign up here!

@Alvron can I have a race for your character so I can use him in writeups? @Pejidot welcome! @Wonko the Sane I don’t know. Maybe the Fellowship takes turns bearing the Ring, and the Ringbearer just goes back home. There’s nothing that said Frodo had to be the one to do it, after all.

I can certainly do my best. I make no promises, but I’ll try to figure out something.

Welcome to SE! You're on the list; keep your eyes out for a PM in a week for game start. @Fifth Scholar Hush. Tolkien's winding way of telling stories is not conducive to a signup post.

MR38: The Council of Elrond The light of the clear autumn morning was now glowing in the valley. The noise of bubbling waters came up from the foaming river-bed. Birds were singing, and a wholesome peace lay on the land. Elrond rang the warning bell, announcing that the Council would be starting soon. The faces around him were grave, and right to be so. The situation was far more dire than he wished it to be, but it seemed that such was ever the fate of Middle-Earth. At last, the ring bearer arrived, and Elrond bade them sit on his right in a place of honor. With every seat now filled, he rose to his feet, and the chamber fell silent. `You have all done well to come,' said Elrond. `You will hear today all that you need in order to understand the purposes of the Enemy, and how he has brought about the troubles which called you here. There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it. But you do not stand alone. You will learn that your trouble is but part of the trouble of all the western world. The Ring! What shall we do with the Ring, the least of rings, the trifle that Sauron fancies? That is the doom that we must deem. `That is the purpose for which you are called hither. Called, I say. though I have not called you to me, strangers from distant lands. You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world. `Now, therefore, things shall be openly spoken that have been hidden from all but a few until this day. And first, so that all may understand what is the peril, the Tale of the Ring shall be told from the beginning even to this present. And I will begin that tale, though others shall end it.' Then all listened while Elrond in his clear voice spoke of Sauron and the Rings of Power, and their forging in the Second Age of the world long ago. A part of his tale was known to some there, but the full tale to none, and many eyes were turned Elrond in fear and wonder as he told of the Elven-smiths of Eregion and their friendship with Moria, and their eagerness for knowledge, by which Sauron ensnared them. For in that time he was not yet evil to behold, and they received his aid and grew mighty in craft, whereas he learned all their secrets, and betrayed them, and forged secretly in the Mountain of Fire the One Ring to be their master. But Celebrimbor was aware of him, and hid the Three which he had made; and there was war, and the land was laid waste, and the gate of Moria was shut. Then through all the years that followed he traced the Ring; but since that history is elsewhere recounted, even as Elrond himself set it down in his books of lore, it is not here recalled. For it is a long tale, full of deeds great and terrible, and briefly though Elrond spoke, the sun rode up the sky, and the morning was passing ere he ceased. Of Númenor he spoke, its glory and its fall, and the return of the Kings of Men to Middle-earth out of the deeps of the Sea, borne upon the wings of storm. Then Elendil the Tall and his mighty sons, Isildur and Anárion, became great lords; and the North-realm they made in Arnor, and the South-realm in Gondor above the mouths of Anduin. But Sauron of Mordor assailed them, and they made the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, and the hosts of Gil-galad and Elendil were mustered in Arnor. 'The Last Alliance was victorious, yet it did not achieve its end. Sauron was diminished, but not destroyed. His Ring was lost but not unmade. The Dark Tower was broken, but its foundations were not removed; for they were made with the power of the Ring, and while it remains they will endure. Many Elves and many mighty Men, and many of their friends. had perished in the war. Anárion was slain, and Isildur was slain; and Gil-galad and Elendil were no more. Never again shall there be any such league of Elves and Men; for Men multiply and the Firstborn decrease, and the two kindreds are estranged. And ever since that day the race of Númenor has decayed, and the span of their years has lessened. 'In the North after the war and the slaughter of the Gladden Fields the Men of Westernesse were diminished, and their city of Annúminas beside Lake Evendim fell into ruin; and the heirs of Valandil removed and dwelt at Fornost on the high North Downs, and that now too is desolate. Men call it Deadmen's Dike, and they fear to tread there. For the folk of Arnor dwindled, and their foes devoured them, and their lordship passed, leaving only green mounds in the grassy hills. 'In the South the realm of Gondor long endured; and for a while its splendour grew, recalling somewhat of the might of Númenor, ere it fell. High towers that people built, and strong places. and havens of many ships; and the winged crown of the Kings of Men was held in awe by folk of many tongues. Their chief city was Osgiliath, Citadel of the Stars. through the midst of which the River flowed. And Minas Ithil they built, Tower of the Rising Moon, eastward upon a shoulder of the Mountains of Shadow; and westward at the feet of the White Mountains Minas Anor they made, Tower of the Setting Sun. There in the courts of the King grew a white tree, from the seed of that tree which Isildur brought over the deep waters, and the seed of that tree before came from Eressëa, and before that out of the Uttermost West in the Day before days when the world was young. `But in the wearing of the swift years of Middle-earth the line of Meneldil son of Anárion failed, and the Tree withered, and the blood of the Númenoreans became mingled with that of lesser men. Then the watch upon the walls of Mordor slept, and dark things crept back to Gorgoroth. And on a time evil things came forth, and they took Minas Ithil and abode in it, and they made it into a place of dread; and it is called Minas Morgul, the Tower of Sorcery. Then Minas Anor was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; and these two cities were ever at war, but Osgiliath which lay between was deserted and in its ruins shadows walked. 'So it has been for many lives of men. But the Lords of Minas Tirith still fight on, defying our enemies, keeping the passage of the River from Argonath to the Sea. And now that part of the tale that I shall tell is drawn to its close. For in the days of Isildur the Ruling Ring passed out of all knowledge, and the Three were released from its dominion. But now in this latter day they are in peril once more, for to our sorrow the One has been found. Others shall speak of its finding, for in that I played small part.' Then he fell silent, and the others began to tell their tales. Welcome to MR38! Housekeeping The game will begin Friday, November 8, at 8:00am Eastern Time. Cycles will last 47 hours and end at 7am Eastern, with the new cycle posted at 8. PMs: You may PM other players one-on-one so long as you include me. Group PMs are not permitted. Secrets: None Impartial Moderator: Contact @little wilson if you have any issues with the game. Lynch Rather than death, lynches (or 'elections') in this game result in the player elected being added to the Fellowship of the Ring. Upon election, their alignment will be revealed and they will be removed from the game. The game will end when seven members have been elected. Two votes on a player are required for an election to occur. A tied vote will result in all tied candidates being elected. If there are more players tied than seats left, RNG will be used to determine who fills the last slot(s). Alignment Free People of Middle-Earth: You have come to the Council of Elrond to ask counsel in these trying times, and have been asked to choose a Fellowship of the Ring to go east and destroy it forever. You win if the Corrupted have fewer than three members in the Fellowship at the end of the game. Corrupted Servants of Sauron: Perhaps you came to this Council, but the sight of the ring made you lust for its power. Perhaps you were already Sauron's before you set foot in Rivendell. Either way, you want the Ring, and will not let it be destroyed. You win if there three or more of your members are elected to the Fellowship. You have a private doc in which to communicate, but no kill - instead, you may nullify one player's vote as a group action. (This will be revealed in the vote count, including their name missing.) (Numbers are subject to change based on player count.) Cosmetic Roles This game is intended to be focused on RP, so below are listed some possible roles to get you started. Please let me know if you know you won't RP at all - you're perfectly welcome, and I'll have free reign over those characters in writeups. (You RPing would be better if you can, though!) There is no prize for using these roles, but you are encouraged to do so! We aren't using strict LotR canon (obviously), so feel free to make up your own story as to why you're here. (Eg, if someone wants the Ringbearer to be a dwarf, go for it! I don't care. ) Ringbearer: The One Ring hangs heavy around your neck. Through great peril, you've brought it here at last. Now you have been granted a respite from your travel, and are enjoying the peace and beauty of Rivendell. The Ring tires you to keep, but you will go on if you must. (Note: Only one person may claim this role, for obvious reasons. ) Ringbearer's Companion: You came here with the Ringbearer, defended them against danger beyond your dreams, and you're incredibly relieved to be safe at last. You worry for the health of the Ringbearer if they keep the Ring, but will follow them to the ends of the world if you can. Clandestine Attendee: You aren't supposed to be in this Council. You're currently hiding and watching, hoping no one spots you, but the stories being told are too fascinating to keep away! (Note: this role can stack with most others.) Ranger: You protect the Northern lands from the evils that stir in the dark. You are here because wicked things have been growing more frequent and more deadly of late, and the Rangers may need help soon in stemming the tide. Heir Uncrowned: You are the descendant of Elendil, rightful heir to the throne of Gondor and Arnor. You bear Narsil which is broken, and fate has brought you here to play a role which you do not yet know. (Note: again, best that this is only one person.) Dwarf of Moria: You, somehow, managed to escape the terror that is in Moria. You have come to tell of how that terror has been awoken again, and because you did not know where else to go. Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain: You come from Dain who leads the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain. Life has become more troubled of late, with dark things happening - perhaps a messenger of Sauron appearing, even. Elrond's Council: You live here, in Imladris, and have proven your wisdom over the centuries to Elrond. You are here for your wisdom, for Elrond trusts you and values your counsel. Man of Gondor: Something compelled you to come here, perhaps a vision or a dream. All you know is that here your questions will be answered, and perhaps you can find help as well. Gondor has been attacked in greater numbers of late, and Mordor is active again. You hold for now, but you know you cannot last forever. First Finder: You don't hold the Ring at the moment, but you are the one who found it first, and held it for many years before passing it on and coming to live in Rivendell. You feel a bit of obligation, now - you started this, you ought to finish it. Elf of Lorien: You have come from Galadriel in Lothlorien, bearing a message from her of great import. In her wisdom, she sees many things, and her knowledge will be important to the Council. Elf of Mirkwood: You come from the Mirkwood, from Thranduil, with urgent tidings. Perhaps Gollum has escaped - perhaps something else! Elf from the Havens: You are from the far west, from Cirdan in the Grey Havens. You came to Imladris to talk with Elrond about sailing to the West, but are invited to this council for your wisdom. One of the Wise: You are a great being, long skilled in the arts of magic and power, and have fought Sauron since the dawn of time. You are the one who recognized the Ring for itself, and ensured it was brought here. Player List Quicklinks

That was also Wilson’s reaction. Yeah, so you know the post you made about Wilson not being the spy because she wouldn’t have called out two elims in one post? This was also my reasoning. >> Which is why I continued to think Elandera was village the entire time (although, had the game gone on past when it did, I’m reasonably sure I would’ve changed my mind and pegged Rae/Elandera as a team). Join my MR! It’ll go up next week sometime, will be LotR themed, and heavily RP focused!

Well. It depends on how clever soulforged!Joon is, then. How much does he know about Ellira? She’s got a sharp hairpin and sneaks out each night briefly, but is that enough for him to realize she’s an assassin and not just a flirty distractible girl?

....Now I’m picturing an AU where Ellira sees Joon killing Kavela, falls in “love” then and there, seduces him/lets him seduce her, and lovingly slides a dagger through his heart during a kiss.

I don’t think you’re allowed to vote on four people at once?

Well done. I enjoyed being back, but was very off, wow. Elandera having an extra life. >> No wonder no one defended her. And hey, Ellira survived! That makes me very happy. (I expect a stunning reveal RP, Rae. )

My suspicion of you and of Devotary weren’t reliant on each other - and the assumptions I was working under were primarily process of elimination. I think that my best guess was obviously wrong last cycle, but that doesn’t change that you’re now my new best guess - it’s possible that some of my assumptions (which were outlined in the very post you quoted, so I’m not sure how you missed them) are still wrong, but I don’t have anything better to go off of. And note that because those assumptions were process of elimination, Devotary’s alignment doesn’t necessarily prove them wrong - the assumptions left me with a pool of suspects which included her (and you), but it’s entirely possible (and probable, in my estimation) that I just picked the wrong person from that pool. Also, you didn’t answer my question - why those two elim team possibilities?

Yes. But after I died it did get a lot less likely, I think. Good game, all! That was fun.

Okay, why’s that? (Also, have I addressed your notes sufficiently? I certainly do not want to have been involved in two mislynches. ) Good point! Had not considered that, and means my vote is now even more firmly on you.

That’s one, yes. But you addressed every other player in that last post and yet didn’t seem to give your opinion on any of them. There are almost certainly at least two elims left if not three. If Elandera is one, who do you think the other is? Is there anyone you think is more than likely village? You said you felt like you were getting more of a read on things - so give me your reads!

Rath, I notice that that post includes exactly no indication of who you actually suspect and who you don’t. It includes possibilities, but if you think one of Rae and Burnt are evil, who do you think it is? Is the comment you put about Elandera something you think is actually suspicious? I would think so based on your vote, but nowhere in there do you say it seems like an evil thing to do - only different. Do you actually think I’m evil or not? Basically, that post is nice, but please actually express opinions?

Because there are five people left other than me? Because I trust Burnt and Bard the most, I think Elandera is good, and unlike Burnt and Bard I have not gotten a village tone from your posts at all. (And as I mentioned above, if Elandera is evil, your vote on Devotary following me makes me think you were planning on bussing her since there was so much suspicion on her, but switched over when there was a viable alternative.)

A pocket on who? Not Rae, given she’s second in my list of suspicions right now. (If Elandera is evil, my bet would be Rae/Elandera as a team. I think.) And I’m confused about that last bit? I want you to respond. If you vote on me for it, sure, I understand, but I care a whole lot more for the information of your response than for a vote on me.

I don’t know what I think now. Well, that’s not quite true. I still have village reads on Burnt and Bard in particular. And my gut keeps saying that Elandera is good - I could be catastrophically wrong there and have cost us the game last cycle, but I still don’t think she’s evil. >> I think my suspicions in order right now are Rath, Rae, Elandera, Bard, Burnt. I’m zero percent confident in that order, though. I will vote on Rath, though, especially for that last post. If I’m right that Elandera is good, that’s a vote which will cause a cycle of little discussion (since we’ve already tried it once), plus starts casting suspicion on me, which I don’t like given I know I’m village. The one bit I’m hesitant about here is that this lynch is the one which gives us the least information (except that Elandera is probably good). But I don’t want to lynch anyone I’m less suspicious of, not when this lynch will probably end the game if we’re wrong.

Ellira stared at Urskevan, listening absently to the chaos around her. His body was odd in several ways - not only the nakedness, but the arrows. They should’ve caused a massive stain of blood over his front, but there was almost nothing, like... like the arrows hadn’t been what killed him. Like that had been just for show. Interesting. She wished inwardly that she could examine the body more closely for the real cause, but this information was good enough for now. Footsteps approached from behind her. She didn’t tense, but let a hand fall near one of her hidden knives. Then she saw it was only Joon. Who looked... surprisingly contrite? He knelt in front of Ellira. "I am such an idiot. You never were interested in me, were you?" Joon said. "You're still mourning Hannul, and you were too polite to tell me otherwise.” Ellira blinked at him. Slowly. And tried very hard not to show how she was dying of laughter inside. “I’m not...” she started. “I didn’t know Hannul that long. I liked him, yes, but... I do like you, I promise. I’m just a little... confused, that’s all. Not to mention everything else going on now. I can use any friendly face I can find, really. So... how about if we survive, we’ll see how things go?” She smiled weakly at him and offered a hand, trying to look hopeful. This would be such a good story to tell her master, if she made it out. (note: this is all still the first night, I’ll timeskip whenever the conversation actually ends) Hi. I’m tired and I don’t really want to ask all my questions and whatnot but: DISCUSS!! Maybe that’ll work? Five posts is too small. >> I’m torn about Elandera’s lynch, because I think it’s valid but there’s been entirely no pushback on it - although there’s only been two posts since she accrued two votes, one of which was by one of the voters. So. Hard to tell. >> Still. Other than that, disagree with Stink on Burnt being suspicious - I actually read her as pretty genuinely good - and shadiness on me, well, sure if you want to. Would appreciate reasoning if you get a chance, though. Seven players left other than me. As mentioned, I think Burnt is village (that post at the start of the thread especially), Bard’s post last cycle was very villagey, and I like Rae’s irritation at the results. I also think none of those three would’ve killed Wilson so early, as mentioned yesterday. That leaves Elandera, Devotary, Stink, and Rath. It’s hard to tell on Rath - really too little activity to make much of a read, unfortunately. As mentioned above, Elandera has gotten almost no defence, which I really don’t like - the elims are doing well enough that I don’t think letting her be lynched is the right call. But there’s also been so little response that I can’t really tell. Stink’s post this cycle was a lot more direct / relevant than the past couple, which kind of makes me want to say he might be the EO, but that’s a pretty unfounded guess. And I’ve got no read on Devotary, as usual. So. If I had to guess, I’d say elim team of Devotary/Rath and Stink as the EO. But that’s based on a number of assumptions, so is unlikely to be spot on. Well, my vote is going on Devotary for now. Anyone care to join me? Even if you don’t, please respond! To my thoughts on you or anyone else. I should be around before turnover. Hopefully there are more posts by then.

I think Rath? He’s definitely the one who’s paying more attention to what’s going on - plus if the Founder dies he can still drive someone insane, which is nearly as bad as a moved vote. I dunno though. I can see an argument either way.

Hey, I’ll take it. EDIT: re the tags, if anything breaks this record for no deaths it’s probably LG26? Not sure though.

One, Tess is dead. She’s kind of hard cleared. Second, that bit about me is... really, really reading wrong for me. I can’t tell why, but it’s just not feeling like something a villager would say - and not because you’re suspicious of me; Elandera was suspicious of me C1 and that didn’t ring false to me at all. This does. I’m aware that doesn’t give you much to respond to, but then you didn’t exactly give much reason for your suspicion on me. Suffice to say my vote is very much staying put. EDIT: also the fact that you say none of Alv’s interactions are useful when people in this thread have already derived value from them? Nothing guaranteed, but I wouldn’t write them off as useless in the slightest.

About Alv? I responded to Wilson essentially saying “I don’t see anything off about him myself but if anyone can catch him it’s you and I’ll keep a closer eye out”. So... I don’t know where that puts me.

I mean, I would’ve been okay with you just saying that. But I appreciate your thoughts. @Arraenae, you missed me in C2. One thing that’s occurred to me is that killing Wilson could be indicative - not only for the reason Bard specified, but because there are certain players who would almost certainly not have killed her this early, even if she was calling out their teammates. (I’m surprised that Alv did, and would not be surprised if he was not around when that was decided.) Tess was one of those. I’m one. I would also guess that Burnt, Rae, and Stink would not have killed her, and would soft-clear them for that. (and Stink moreso for his vote on Alv, I think) Not sure on anyone else - I could see Bard / Elandera / Devotary not killing her either, but am not sure enough of their play styles to soft clear them. Note that that soft clearing doesn’t extend to them being EO, so it isn’t good for as much, but it’s still worth pointing out. I also get a very village read from Bard’s last post. Leaving me with: Itiah, Xino, Elandera, Venture, and Devotary. For now my vote is staying on Venture, but I’d be willing to switch to Elandera given Rae’s logic (plus the fact that Wilson was suspicious of her). @I think I am here., what do you think of Elandera? @xinoehp512, do you agree with Rae that Itiah is more likely to be village given last turn? @STINK, you caught someone last cycle despite no reasoning about anything alignment indicative. Vote again and maybe it’ll happen again? @Devotary of Spontaneity, what do you think of Rae? (questions are entirely random, anyone can respond to any of the above. Discuss!)

Why did you have to kill Wilson? All she wanted to do was find whoever threw glitter at her! I’m sad now... I’ll probably be going through the past two cycles to look at attitudes towards Alv (as will everyone else, I don’t doubt), but don’t have time to do so now - so off the top of my head, Venture, for jumping on Alv’s lynch very late, by which time the elims would almost certainly have decided to let his lynch go through. Was there any vote manipulation? EDIT: @Burnt Spaghetti you’ve followed the thread but not posted. Care to share your thoughts?