Elbereth

LG33: Term 5, Month 1 - Insanity! Aodhan Breacadh walked into town as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He noticed the passing stares of the students and waved gaily to them, for all the world like it was a summer’s day and he was out on a picnic. He gathered students, trailing him. Maybe it was Glamour, maybe it was simple curiosity, but for whatever reason, he soon turned into the Pied Piper and the students were his to control, dancing to his tune. He walked into the square, cobblestones rough under his feet, Wind enhancing his senses. Students followed him like sheep, until quite a sizable crowd were gathered before him when he stood on the lip of the fountain. “Friends, students, countrymen,” Aodhan said, rich voice amplified so that every person in the square heard it easily and clearly, with just a touch of glamour added in for persuasion. “Lend me your ears.” He smiled, watching the enraptured crowd. They were so easy to play with like this. Such amusing little toys... “I am not your enemy,” he said. “I never have been.” He gestured, blowing the water in the fountain behind him into a spray that sparkled in the sunlight. “I am your ruler. I, and my compatriots, by rights should be Masters of this University and the world. Can you deny our superiority?” He smiled confidently, though privately he felt more like a craftsman delicately carving the final touches into a gem that could break at any second more than a charismatic leader. “I am your leader. I am your commander.” He smiled, grasping Wind before him to refract light and make him nearly glow in the sunlight, unearthly in beauty and power. “I am-” Aodhan Breacadh toppled back into the water. He sat up, quickly, and finished his sentence. “I am a banana!” The students blinked. Then, no longer captivated, a number of yells came from different places, and a sword embedded itself in Aodhan’s chest, wielded by a particularly angry-looking warrior. It was shortly followed by a blowdart in the neck, causing Aodhan’s eyes to roll back into his head as the poison took root, and a knife thrown into one of those eyes from a distance while another arrow took his other eye. The students, meanwhile, mostly ran screaming. “Nah, I was just having a bit of fun,” said STINK. “‘A bit of fun’ is not the same thing as driving students insane,” Varda pointed out. “Isn’t it?” he said, then shrugged. “Alright then. Fun by my standards, at least.” “Unfortunately, such fun isn’t allowed at this University. You are expelled and may never set foot on the grounds of the University again.” “But... I’m still standing here...?” STINK said. Varda grinned. Most people didn’t ask that, and simply walked out of campus the normal way. But the snarky ones got special treatment. She snapped her fingers, and two guards came forward. “This student has been expelled and may not set foot on our grounds,” she said. The guards bodily picked STINK up despite his flailing. “Hey! You can’t-” “And whyever not?” Varda said, as sweetly as she knew how. “You have been expelled. Do not set foot in my presence again.” No one would take STINK. Everyone was too afraid to go near, after what had happened with Aodhan, but he couldn’t exactly find lodging, either, and switching to a new body was difficult when no one useful would venture near. He lived in scrapings on the street, slowly growing hungrier and more desperate. He stumbled into a mercenary one day by accident, and his heart leaped in hope. Not the perfect candidate, since she wasn’t a student, but a sword and a new body would do him some good. He’d take anything, at this point. He latched onto her right hand, starting the process of draining her body. “What in Tehlu-” she yelped. Then she drew her sword - on her right hip, he noticed belatedly - and thrust it into his gut. Thus ended STINK the Skindancer. Aonar went insane and then was killed! A lot! He was a Skindancer who had studied in Naming! Stink was expelled and then killed! He was a Skindancer who had studied in Linguistics! Steph and Stick were elevated! STINK was brought on the Horns and expelled! Stick and Steph were elevated! Term 5 has begun. You have 42 hours to send in any and all actions. Player List 1. Queensteph - Vintish Noblewoman 2. Randuir (Telar Pike) - Yllish Commoner Student 3. Hemalurgic Headshot (Noremac Quwester) - Aturan Nobleman 4. Aonar (Aodhan Breacadh) - Edema Ruh Skindancer in Naming 5. Wilson (Sloan Walker) - Cealdish Commoner Student 6. Straw (Medicus Novis) - Yllish Commoner 7. Paranoid King (William Opuscule) - Yllish Commoner 8. Ornstein (John Springer) - Aturan Nobleman Student in Physicking 9. Jondesu (Vell) - Yllish Commoner 10. Drake Marshall (Greyson) - Cealdish Commoner Student in Physicking 11. Assassin in Burgundy (Jurdaan Longfell) - Yllish Commoner Student 12. Burnt Spaghetti (Dele Fajro) - Vintish Noblewoman 13. Orlok (Locke Alveron) - Cealdish Commoner Insane 14. Magestar (Magestar) - Vintish Nobleman Insane 15. Alvron (Stryker Nox) - Cealdish Commoner 16. Arinian (Darian) - Aturan Nobleman 17. Stick (Stick) - Aturan NobleStick 18. Darkness Ascendant (Balthazar Myrrh) - Yllish Commoner Student 19. Cluny the Scourge (Cluny) - Aturan Nobleman 20. Silverblade (Ryth) - Cealdish Commoner 21. Amanuensis (Esuan) - Yllish Commoner 22. BrightnessRadiant (Amelia) - Aturan Noblewoman 23. Eolhondras (Eolah) - Yllish Commoner 24. STINK - Yllish Commoner Skindancer in Linguistics 25. Hael (Glavion) - Edema Ruh Insane 26. Sart (Titud) - Edema Ruh Insane 27. Joe (Chalks) - Yllish Commoner Insane

Uh. One, are you saying you're not evil because you didn't lie about editing your post? Because eliminators generally don't lie about such things. Most don't lie unless they're forced to. So it strikes me as odd that you'd be so defensive of that? Also, even though no one had posted, I'd still almost prefer a double-post at that point. Edits are meant to be grammar or an immediate afterthought at most. A vote or retraction in them is content that needs to be seen by everyone, not just people who get there later and don't see the post until after the edit. I don't like this. >> I'm happy that it'll be posted next cycle, and don't think it's an eliminator tell, but I do not like lynching people based on trust of information of others. It's really close to mayoring. So... Yitzi, as I'm curious, but I will not be joining the Ecth bandwagon. (Also, at this point I don't think Ecth is evil just because of the sheer number of votes on him without anyone but himself fighting back. It's possible that he has eliminators bussing him, but it reminds me more of the eliminators just letting us lynch our own.) One, expecting Rand to "pull of something that could win the game for us" takes all the pressure off of everyone else? Which is not how the game should be? This is a team effort, not one person's. He may be able to, sure. So? Don't sit around waiting for him to. Save it first. Second, though, just because Rand turns out wrong doesn't mean you should automatically not trust anything else he does for the rest of the game - that doesn't mean he couldn't still be a villager, and implies that you trust him absolutely now. Do this in moderation - listen to him but think critically now, and listen to him but think critically regardless of the outcome of this lynch. That's how the game works, after all. Also, this post strikes me as off. The other reason I'm quoting it is so that if Ecth turns out good, I can come back to it easily. (Putting suspicion on a good player while remaining clear of suspicion yourself by defending Ecth, specifically.) And innoocient is a beautiful spelling choice. This! This. So much this. That's what the Spartans were for in the first place - who says there isn't a glory in death for your team? Dying is not a bad thing in this game. The point is to win, not to survive. Uh. Disagree? There's plenty of reasons not to share something this cycle, and I can understand perfectly that he'd be unwilling. (Again, I don't like it, but I can understand it.) What's less good is asking us to lynch someone based on that information. Which brings me back towards leaning elim on you... mm. Leaving my vote off anyway. I really do think there'd bave been more opposition to the lynch if you were evil. May or may not be able to post again today. We'll see.

Term 4 is over. Term 5 will be posted in 6 hours. Please do not post or PM.

This... unless I'm wrong, since I didn't see it, you edited that retraction two hours after the initial post. When others had posted after you. Please don't do that? It's annoying both for GMs and players. Even an edit a minute late can be annoying for someoen who's currently in the thread. You should most definitely be making a new post if you're editing it out that late. Also, you don't provide reasoning for your vote or your retraction? You imply that you had an actual idea for what Ecth had been doing/for his interactions that fit into him being evil, with your retraction, but you never clarify what that theory is. Other than that, the game's even closer now. >> No Knight kill, which helps a bit, but we're still 5:8 at this point. And Ornstein, Orlok, and Jedal are close to inactive, and Unodus hasn't been saying much. If none of those are evil, in theory the eliminators could control the lynch. We need to lynch an elim this cycle. I'm not terribly capable of forming coherent suspicions right now, though. >> I've a headache and have been reading about too many atrocities today. I'll post and vote tomorrow morning sometime. Night, all. Uh, temporary vote on Yitzi, both to drive discussion and because I'd like a bit more of an explanation than that.

Really not a great idea. It's been done. It didn't really end well then. I'd rather not have this game end through everyone exploding, etc? This is a slightly more interesting turn now. I... gah. I'd prefer lynching Ecth over Mage somewhat, but don't want to tie the vote particularly. Though I suppose as is both (or Ornstein and Mage, instead) could die to vote manipulation, which isn't ideal either. Though... no. I was tempted for a minute to leave things as they are and look to see if vote manip happens, but we can't guarantee that'd be the eliminators and we wouldn't learn much except that someone more is dead because we didn't have a strong enough lynch. So... Mage. >> Ninja'd by Steph. *sigh* And Lopen. He's right, it doesn't matter terribly much, and I realized I never greened my vote on Ornstein in the first place. >> Mage. Joe, what happens if you make two votes? Which is counted, first or last?

Well... yeah, actually. A little bit of logic is not the same thing as a little bit of illogic. I could say, for instance, (and truthfully) that I'm suspicious of you for your illogic. That's only a little bit of logic, but it is still logic. Your accusation wasn't. I'm not saying that you shouldn't provide logic if you have it, and a vote with logic is still significantly better. But voting at all is better than no vote, because it informs us of your opinions. I'll note that was mainly me poking him about being old. It seems entirely reasonable to me that it's still recent within his memory, given previous comments and how he rarely plays games. It's just that outside the games, it was quite a long time ago. You just reminded me that someone, and I can't remember who (maybe it was Yitzi?) because apparently it didn't get into the multiquote, mentioned lynching everyone or nearly everyone. Which is why Joe has that mechanic in the first place and has for practically every game he's run in the past... while. So it's a terrible idea, but I'm almost down for it anyway because it'd be hilarious. Point, and one I hadn't thought of. But I'm also not actually trying to lynch him. I'm making a point with my vote. It's just that no one else voted for a really long time. >> Regarding that vote, I'm keeping it on for now - both because I'd like Ornstein to respond and because it'd be more interesting to watch what others do with a completely undecided lynch than a situation in which someone (bar vote manipulation) is already set to die. I will be around today, though, and switch over in the last couple of hours of the turn if no one else does, though, because I don't really view anyone else as more suspicious than Ecth and not lynching this cycle is not really a good idea at all.

I know that you said you were going to make a more substantial post later, but even so this feels off to me. (Yes, yes, there's an odd feeling about you every game. Sorry.) You don't actually say anything here. QFs are fast, marriage could be either evil or good, you have reads but don't care to share. That's it. Also, why wouldn't you share those reads? I mean, there are reasons, but them not being solid doesn't exactly cut it for me. This is a QF in the third cycle, and one vote has been cast. Mine, for something that isn't even an evil read but a dislike of an attitude. Any reads would be welcome. Why don't you want to put yourself out there and say who you suspect? Saying that you don't have any reads to share isn't going to generate discussion, and we need that right now. Are you referring to Rand and myself calling you out, or another time? Because if it's the former, that definitely doesn't mean you shouldn't vote. It isn't because you didn't have perfect evidence that I had a problem with it. If no one voted without perfect evidence, no one would ever vote. It was the illogic of the accusation that struck me. So please, vote on Lopen or whomever else you desire. Doing so on a gut read without providing any reasoning is something I don't like terribly much because the person can't defend, which lessens the discussion that can come out of it, but any voting is better than nothing.

LG33: Term 4, Month 2 - Silence It was night. The inn lay in silence, and it was a silence of three parts. The most obvious part was a hollow, echoing quiet, made by things that were lacking. If there had been a wind it would have rustled through the University, set student robes flapping, and brushed the silence across the bridge to Imre like dust from a broom. If there had been many students, even a few more inside the inn, they would have filled the silence with conversation and laughter, the rustling paper and nights of drinking one expects from a place full of young people studying the arcane. If there had been peace… but no, of course there was no peace, not now. In fact there were none of these things, and so the silence remained. Inside the inn a figure clad in black crept through the dark, towards Greyson. Another stepped out to meet it, and they met in perfect silence. In clashing they added a small, vicious silence to the larger, hollow one. It made an alloy of sorts, a counterpoint. The third silence was not an easy thing to notice. If you listened for an hour, you might begin to feel it growing from the wooden floor underfoot and the twisting metal of the headboard of the bed. It was in the heaviness of the air and the prickling of hair on the back of the neck that says you’re being watched. It was in the imperceptible stroke down the man’s temple, gentle and cold, and it was in the man who lay there, face grotesque and horrified, skin already paling with death. The man had a book still in his hands, pulled from the Archives and never returned. His eyes were wild and frightened, and he was still with the utter certainty that life had gone. The room was his, just as the third silence was now his. This was appropriate, as it was the greatest silence of the three, wrapping the others inside itself. It was deep and dark as winter’s night. It was heavy as water in the depths of the ocean. It was the final, cut-flower sound of a man who had died. Varda sighed. “No, Amelia. You are not allowed to do such things on this campus. Ever.” “I didn’t mean anything by it!” Amelia protested. “I just wanted to see what else was in there, and maybe try a few things… um. On other students….” Varda looked at her. “I’m sorry?” she squeaked. “If you cannot be trusted with what is given to you on this campus, you are unsafe and should not be allowed to come,” Varda said. She knew the girl probably hadn’t meant anything by it, but they really didn’t need any more liabilities, not now of all times. This was necessary. “You are henceforth expelled from the University and may never set foot on its grounds again. You will have an escort to collect your things, and then you will leave.” Varda looked down, so she didn’t have to see Amelia’s face. I’m sorry, she added silently. BrightnessRadiant was expelled! Drake died! He was a Student who had studied in Artificery! Brightness Radiant and Hemalurgic Headshot were elevated! Term 4, Month 2 has begun. You have 42 hours to send in actions. Do not forget to submit lodging orders. Player List 1. Queensteph - Vintish Noblewoman 2. Randuir (Telar Pike) - Yllish Commoner Student 3. Hemalurgic Headshot (Noremac Quwester) - Aturan Nobleman 4. Aonar (Aodhan Breacadh) - Edema Ruh 5. Wilson (Sloan Walker) - Cealdish Commoner Student 6. Straw (Medicus Novis) - Yllish Commoner 7. Paranoid King (William Opuscule) - Yllish Commoner 8. Ornstein (John Springer) - Aturan Nobleman Student in Physicking 9. Jondesu (Vell) - Yllish Commoner 10. Drake Marshall (Greyson) - Cealdish Commoner Student in Physicking 11. Assassin in Burgundy (Jurdaan Longfell) - Yllish Commoner Student 12. Burnt Spaghetti (Dele Fajro) - Vintish Noblewoman 13. Orlok (Locke Alveron) - Cealdish Commoner Insane 14. Magestar (Magestar) - Vintish Nobleman Insane 15. Alvron (Stryker Nox) - Cealdish Commoner 16. Arinian (Darian) - Aturan Nobleman 17. Stick (Stick) - Aturan NobleStick 18. Darkness Ascendant (Balthazar Myrrh) - Yllish Commoner Student 19. Cluny the Scourge (Cluny) - Aturan Nobleman 20. Silverblade (Ryth) - Cealdish Commoner 21. Amanuensis (Esuan) - Yllish Commoner 22. BrightnessRadiant (Amelia) - Aturan Noblewoman 23. Eolhondras (Eolah) - Yllish Commoner 24. STINK - Yllish Commoner 25. Hael (Glavion) - Edema Ruh Insane 26. Sart (Titud) - Edema Ruh Insane 27. Joe (Chalks) - Yllish Commoner Insane

Ah. Interesting. I would note that village!Orlok also didn't really have time, given health concerns that he clearly stated. That does make significantly more sense as reasoning, though, so for the moment my vote will go on Ornstein.

...I am confused about how killing people is usually romantic? Also confused at the use of the words 'librarian control' here, rather than 'Hushlander control'. I particularly don't know what to think of it given that Drought's revealed he is a librarian. I don't think I read any more evil on him for it, but it's interesting? People already covered Randuir's comment about GM PMs at length, so skipping that. (Yay for community people calling out things we don't like! I approve!) The difference - though it no longer makes a difference, obviously - is that in that game, 'skaa' was usually the name of the village in previous games, and she messed up because here it was the eliminators. Whereas here there isn't a precedent of either side being village, and Freeworlders being village makes significantly more sense. *claps* These are from the end of C1, after the turn ended so I had to c-p them into a doc. Brightness: Correct, not much time, as covered above. And don't feel bad about lynching villagers, honestly. It's not fun, particularly D1, but it's part of life and someone has to die. A lot of the time that's a villager, unfortunately. Hopefully, interactions based on those lynches can lead us to eliminators faster than they can kill us off. Seonid: Seonid... you do realise that was a year and a half ago, right? Ecth: ...Why is that suspicious? Seriously, why. I would think that if you're an eliminator you'd be more likely to cast suspicion on the person who has more votes than you in hopes that you don't get any more. Not less. Unless you're insinuating they're teammates, but Orlok defending him... isn't really a reason for that. I'm confused. @Ecthelion III what is suspicious about this interaction, exactly? ....That is not a thing to be proud of, you're aware? I'm minded to vote on you just for that attitude, because it's really not helpful to anyone. Sorry. Didn't quite have time to post before turnover happened, unfortunately. >> I will be. Though Drought is correct that I said I'd be active starting today (or more specifically, last cycle), so shame on me. This. Out of the 20 people in this game, it's only Cycle 3 and a quarter are now dead. None of whom are evil. Assuming 4-5 elims, (4 starting, given they have a convert, so 5 now?), that puts us in an already unfomcortable position. Three deaths a cycle... if we mislynch (or the Knights miskill) two more cycles, the game will be over. Though... I suppose the village could still win with fewer players, since the Knights still exist. Regardless, though, the elims controlling 2/3 of the kills at least at that point would mean the game is very, very close to over. Waiting is not a good idea in this game. I had this thought as well, and actually intended to bring it up in a similar manner. Mostly to cause discussion, though, as I don't particularly like it. It reminds me of QF16, I think, when all the information (in that case, items) were on the table and things were arranged so that the elims were somewhat screwed and kind of went insane (sorry Joe ) because there was nothing they could do about it. That said, it's not nearly so extreme a case as that one was, and could much more easily be countered. I'm perfectly willing to reveal my contacts (everyone can probably guess at least the C1 PM I made , and C2 I honestly just forgot), but I do not think that pressure should be put on anyone who doesn't. I'd just point out that neither of those players are actually new. Queensteph played in my first game, a year and a half ago, and Cloud joined in... MR13? QF15, sorry. Since this is QF23, that makes that 8 months ago now. Just saying. It depends? A lot of times I do players first, and then a distribution of roles based on player. (LG31, for instance, I picked the evil team first and then what roles should go on it.) I'm a bit confused about this - Cloud hasn't posted at all. The only piece of evidence we have is Hero's word that he's lurked (which... honestly, given his previous behavior, I don't think it's terribly alignment-indicative, although irritating >>). So you can say that you aren't reading evil on Cluny, sure, but I'm not sure Cloud has done enough to warrant being called 'more suspicious' than someone else. Right. So those are my past thoughts. As for the present... As covered above, we're already getting tight for time, which isn't good. Right now, I'm tempted to vote for either Ecthelion (due to illogically casting suspicion, particularly on a good player - it's a stretch to think he's doing so in order to cast suspicion on Orlok and get him lynched, but everything I have right now is a stretch), or Ornstein (as covered above, due to the unhelpful attitude). I'll withhold my vote for a few hours and see if either respond or if anything else sticks out to me, but will vote on one or the other (or someone else if I find someone else worth voting for) by the time I go to sleep tonight.

Term 4, Month 1 is over. New cycle will be posted in 6 hours. Do not post or PM.

Drought and whoever else have poked me - I will post properly this cycle. I also have 9 posts in multiquote and am about to go to a Latin final, so that will be in roughly two hours, I expect. But I do intend to post.

Names can do anything your heart desires, within a certain amount of balance. Complaints do not count as actions taken on you for purposes of Pickpocket, unless those complaints are done through Proficient in Hyperbole.

You cannot learn Names while expelled. (Doesn't make sense flavorwise, I'm aware, but mechanics-wise it'd make Naming even more OP. Which it does not need to be.)

LG33: Term 4, Month 1 - Dance Sloan stood before the mercenary, glaring at him despite the ragged state of her clothes and the dirtied dance shoes which were all she had left. She couldn’t bear to part with them, and her normal shoes sold a little better anyway. “Why’re you glaring, sweetheart? I just asked for a little something nice,” the mercenary said, leering. “Come on now, you can’t refuse an old warrior his due.” Sloan clenched her fists. “You are the most disgusting man I’ve ever met!” she burst out. “Now, now. That’s going a bit far,” the man said, eyes darkening. He put a hand to his sword. “Behave, now, or bad things start happening.” Sloan felt at the wall behind her, hoping in vain for some little crevice or something. She grimaced. Nowhere to go. She looked up at the mercenary. “Never.” He drew his sword, advancing slowly, toying with his victim. “Come here, little girl,” he crooned. “Say that again, and you’re losing a limb.” She grinned fiercely. “Never,” she repeated, louder, crying it out as if she wanted the world to hear. “I will never submit to men like you!” He roared and swung and- missed. She’d taken a single graceful step to the side, swaying for all the world as if in a dance studio, and not some dirty alley with a mercenary trying to kill her or worse. The dodge only made him angrier, and he swung at her leg. She leaped over it, fluttering her legs in midair to show how unimpressed she was. She smiled a little, and began to hope. Maybe, just maybe, she’d make it out alive. She ducked and wove and danced, dodging stroke after stroke, smiling. This, Sloan thought. For me? This is life. This is what it means, right here. To dance with death and dance with joy anyway, because this is what makes life worth living. She became too absorbed in the thought, and didn’t notice until he nicked her, finally. She gasped at the pain. He grinned in victory. “You will die for your refusal, little girl.” I refuse to die here, now. I have so many more dances yet to come, Sloan thought with determination. She leapt and kicked the mercenary in the face. He staggered back, but she was equally thrown off balance and slammed backwards into the wall from the force of the kick. “You’re a pretty dancer, but dancing is no match for a sword,” the man groaned. He recovered quickly and swung just as Sloan leapt forward. "Maybe, but you're still not going to have me, and that broken nose is going to hurt for a while," she replied. "What broken- uuuuungh." "Told ya so," she said, then faltered. She looked down at the sword embedded in her chest, hand raising up gracefully one last time. So ends my dance, I suppose… A cloaked figure slid over the cobblestones of the courtyard slowly. It could have walked, of course. It still had a human body. But it was more comfortable sliding, and after all, that was far more ominous. So it slid. It reached the doorway to the inn, weaving through the inn’s patrons with a ducked head and hood thrown back to show its perfectly ordinary face. It made its way up the stairs, still walking like any other student, but slowed when it reached the hallway. A decidedly nonhuman tongue flicked out to taste the air. As quietly as it could, it slipped to Eolah’s door. It tilted its head, considering bashing the door down. Eh. How conventional. It raised its hand and knocked. And waited. It knocked again. After five minutes had passed, it wanted to knock the door down anyway. But instead, it reached into its robe and found a pair of lockpicks. Eolah, of course, wasn’t inside. The Skindancer waited there all night for her, in fact. But he was nowhere to be seen. (Nowhere to be seen by the Skindancers, anyway. The reader happens to have the privilege of knowing that Eolah was laid out in an alley where she’d been knocked by a brawler over the matter of his girlfriend’s beauty and a fruit basket. [And yes, the fruit basket is by far the more important argument. Obviously.]) “Chancellor Varda.” Aodhan Breacadh stood before the Horns, arrogant and fearless before the assembled students and Masters. Shadows danced and flickered about the edges of the room, as a chill breeze blew from nowhere. While knowledge of the magic involved spoiled some of the effect, she had to admit that Naming and Glamourie could generate a bit of an atmosphere. “Re’lar Breacadh. It has come to my attention that you have been accused of plotting to destroy the University.” “So the wind has told me, Chancellor. It’s all but buzzing with rumour these days.” “It has also come to me attention that you refuse to defend yourself from these claims.” He inclined his head, an acknowledgement. “I believe to do otherwise would be an insult to the intelligence of all involved.” “Fair enough. I am afraid, then, that I have no choice but to expel you from the University.” Another small nod. “And I assume you will not willingly submit yourself to imprisonment and punishment for your crimes?” Aodhan bowed deeply, the perfect picture of formal respect. Something about the movement, however, its fluidity, its uncaring ease given the context, somehow turned it into a mockery, a jeer. “You would assume correctly.” “Begone, then. The other Masters and I will not bother to try and stop you. I cannot say the same of our students, however.” “I understand.” He turned and left, passing through the doors without another word. The cold and darkness faded, eventually. When they did, the gathered students began to file out, intent, almost somehow hungry. She wouldn’t have been surprised if there was a lynch mob before the day was out. She would be surprised, however, if said mob managed to find Breacadh. Why is it, that of all the students I have dealt with thus far, the one intent on destruction seems the most sane? As if to prove her point, the next to enter was Dele Fajro. “What this time...” Varda sighed. Dele bit her lip, looking down to hide shame or amusement. Varda wasn’t certain which. “I, um. May have injured someone, maybe, while I was experimenting with plushies, Chancellor?” “....right.” At least the girl’s original, I suppose. “Dele. This is the third time you’ve been on the Horns. I’d thought you knew better by now!” “But... plushies,” Dele mumbled, ducking her head again. “If this keeps up, I’ll have to expel you,” Varda warned. “This kind of behavior is not acceptable.” Dele looked up at that, her bright blue eyes meeting Varda’s grey ones. “Then expel me, Chancellor,” she said. “I’ve learned all I need to know, here. And I’m definitely not going to stop experimenting.” Varda raised an eyebrow. “Very well. Dele Fajro, you are now expelled...” she continued the speech without even thinking. The fact that it was so routine was frightening. They’d expelled so many students, already... “Amelia,” Varda called. “Amelia?” Amelia took a moment more to steel herself, then came forward, ducking her head. “Chancellor?” “It says here that there have been several complaints about you causing noise?” Varda wasn’t certain how such a quiet girl would result in such things, but stranger complaints had happened. (At least the fruit had stopped, for the moment.) “Um. I, um. I’m sorry, Chancellor,” the girl stuttered out. “What exactly is the noise you’ve been making, student?” Varda asked curiously. “Do I have to say?” Amelia said pleadingly. “If it’s a reasonable excuse, your punishment will be reduced.” The girl blushed and looked down. “I, uh, would rather not say, if that’s okay with you, Chancellor? Please?” Varda raised an eyebrow, but didn’t press. “Very well. For disturbing other students and Masters at work, you’ll be lashed tomorrow. Desist whatever you’re doing to create these noises, or your next punishment will be significantly more severe.” Eol was attacked, but didn’t go insane! Silverblade broke out of the Crockery! Wilson died! She was a Student! Aonar and Burnt were expelled! BrightnessRadiant was brought on the Horns and charged with Reckless Use of Sympathy! Alvron, Burnt, Brightness, Cluny, and Hemalurgic Headshot were elevated! Names were used. Term 4 has begun. You have 42 hours to send in actions. Player List 1. Queensteph - Vintish Noblewoman 2. Randuir (Telar Pike) - Yllish Commoner Student 3. Hemalurgic Headshot (Noremac Quwester) - Aturan Nobleman 4. Aonar (Aodhan Breacadh) - Edema Ruh 5. Wilson (Sloan Walker) - Cealdish Commoner Student 6. Straw (Medicus Novis) - Yllish Commoner 7. Paranoid King (William Opuscule) - Yllish Commoner 8. Ornstein (John Springer) - Aturan Nobleman Student in Physicking 9. Jondesu (Vell) - Yllish Commoner 10. Drake Marshall (Greyson) - Cealdish Commoner 11. Assassin in Burgundy (Jurdaan Longfell) - Yllish Commoner Student 12. Burnt Spaghetti (Dele Fajro) - Vintish Noblewoman 13. Orlok (Locke Alveron) - Cealdish Commoner Insane 14. Magestar (Magestar) - Vintish Nobleman Insane 15. Alvron (Stryker Nox) - Cealdish Commoner 16. Arinian (Darian) - Aturan Nobleman 17. Stick (Stick) - Aturan NobleStick 18. Darkness Ascendant (Balthazar Myrrh) - Yllish Commoner Student 19. Cluny the Scourge (Cluny) - Aturan Nobleman 20. Silverblade (Ryth) - Cealdish Commoner 21. Amanuensis (Esuan) - Yllish Commoner 22. BrightnessRadiant (Amelia) - Aturan Noblewoman 23. Eolhondras (Eolah) - Yllish Commoner 24. STINK - Yllish Commoner 25. Hael (Glavion) - Edema Ruh Insane 26. Sart (Titud) - Edema Ruh Insane 27. Joe (Chalks) - Yllish Commoner Insane

Term 3 is over. Do not post or PM. Term 4 will be posted in 6 hours.

The Skindancers were picked by RNG. (The answer to the question you're trying to ask is that social classes are balanced.)

I... probably shouldn't be doing this, but I do have, as of tomorrow, only one assignment left in the entirety of high school and half a final (which is Friday). So I should be able to make time to play. That said, I doubt I'll be active for most of the first cycle, since the reason I have nothing due after tomorrow is that everything is due tomorrow. >> I'll be Ella, I think.

Also from the rules:

To be clear - Orlok's insanity was merely a play on both himself and the insanity of his character, and nothing more was meant by it. (Should be more clear once I get the writeup in, apologies.)

LG33: Term 3, Month 2 - Meaning, Work, Power, and Death Chalks was writing on his blackboard, hung up in his room like it was whenever he was there. It had math equations on it, at the moment, with a few scribbles on the outside. Growing bored of the basic arithmetic, Chalks looked at the edges. Reminders, thoughts, musings that stayed on there until he grew tired of them. ‘Life’ was circled in one corner. He tapped it, thoughtfully, then looked back at his board. The elementary maths were simple and boring, but they represented something more. He erased a part he’d already worked and wrote something else - ‘Making a difference? - children’. “Interesting,” said a voice behind him. Chalks jumped. He was mute, but he wasn’t deaf. “You want to make a difference with your life, do you?” He whirled around to see the Skindancer there, unclothed in its true form. “How utterly adorable.” Chalks tried to raise a hand to the chalkboard, to make one last difference, but he couldn’t stop staring at the - thing - in front of him. “Pity you won’t get the chance,” it said smugly. He was frozen in place, staring after it long after it had left. When they found him, he was lying on the floor, asleep, with writing scribbled on every possible surface in the room in a script unknown to the Master Linguist. Only a tiny stub of chalk was left in his hand, and whatever he was asked he could respond in nothing but that same script. Eventually, they took him to the Crockery. There wasn’t much else that could be done, after all. Titud rubbed at his beard, perpetually ragged now. It didn’t matter, though. Nothing mattered but his work. He was so, so close, he knew. Nothing was more important than his work, the product of his hands, the glory of his own creation. That was what the University had allowed him access to, wasn’t it? The ability to create perfections in his chosen field. Nothing was more beautiful than a carefully constructed turn of phrase, or a sympathy lamp painstakingly constructed to mirroring form and function by a master sympathist, or a system for the Archives so that every book was in its place and matched its surroundings. This was what he saw in the University, that perfection of hands coming together to build something wonderful. He was getting closer to that perfection, every day. So very nearly a Re’lar, so very close to mastery of his field. A knock came at the door. “For Student Titud?” “Come,” Titud answered. The courier brought in a sealed scroll and left quietly. Titud stared down at it. He’d only gotten one of these once before, when… when… With trembling hands, he opened it. Congratulations, Student Titud. You have been recently recommended by a Master with such high praise that the council of Masters thinks it proper to elevate you to Re’lar… The letter continued, but Titud couldn’t read it anymore. He started laughing, and laughing, and laughing, and couldn’t seem to stop himself. He had done it. Showed them all, finally made it, managed to continue his work… He was still laughing hours later as they carried him to the Crockery, his eyes wild with mixed hysteria and panic. He couldn’t stop. He wouldn’t, for many weeks still… Jurdaan Longfell and John Springer were huddled together against the cold, sitting as far back from the street as they could. It was going to be another long, cold night, they knew. Sloan sat across from them. “John, do you think… do you think we’ll survive another month?” Jurdaan said, voice cracked from disuse and dehydration. A cheerful voice loomed out of the darkness. “Nope!” A flash of steel. “Agh!” yelped John. “Nope!” A second flash. Sloan quietly got up and tried to run. “Nop-” Clang! She stuck her tongue out, though she didn’t look back, leaping through the streets as gracefully as any stage. “Nope!” she whispered quietly. Varda rubbed her head in her hands, not even bothering to hide her irritation and lack of composure. “STINK. No. Definitely not.” “Why not? :P” “You… gah… just RP an apology tomorrow, okay? Noon tomorrow. You know the drill.” “Eh, fine, whatever.” “Locke Alveron,” Varda said. She wasn’t sitting on the Horns, for once. This time, Locke had requested a private meeting. “Chancellor,” he said, with that same almost-improper bow. “How are you this fine day?” “Busy,” she said dryly. “Why did you request this meeting?” “Well, you see. You will recall that I was speaking to my fellow students about the glory of the University and how our generation will rise up to triumph?” “I recall.” Though I don’t happen to recall anything about students rising up, she added to herself. “I’ve now managed to organise a group of such students, and would like permission to form a Union. I will fund it, of course, as a Vintish nobleman.” “A union for-” Varda stopped in the middle of the question and tilted her head. “You’re not Vintish.” He drew himself up. “Excuse you? I am a prince of Vint. Through my veins runs royal blood, and someday I will rule!” “Which, of course, explains your Cealdish complexion and rather less-than-noble clothes,” Varda noted. If possible, Locke became even more angrily dignified. “How dare you insult your future sovereign! I will have you hanged for that!” ...right. “And I am your Chancellor,” she responded carefully. “For now,” he said. “You’ll see. My father in Vint-” “Locke. You do not have a father in Vint. You are not from Vint.” “I AM from Vint!” he practically screamed. That was all Varda needed. She stood up, walking around her desk and knocking on the door to the outside. As it opened and the guard behind it looked in, she flicked her fingers at Locke and said a word which neither of the others processed. Stars flickered in El’the Alveron’s eyes, and he slowly collapsed to the floor, lying on his back with his eyes still open, staring at something only he could see. Varda nodded in satisfaction. “Take him to the Crockery,” she directed the guard. “Why someone didn’t take him there long ago, I haven’t the faintest idea.” The Horns this term were... decidedly odd. “Titud,” she called, and waited. And waited. Finally, Queensteph came forward from the back of the room where she was waiting for her turn. “Chancellor?” she said timidly, barely even able to speak audibly. “Spit it out, child.” “u-um, Titud went insane last night. I don’t know if you heard?” Of course. Varda had heard, she’d just forgotten. She hadn’t been getting much sleep yesterday, and apparently her memory showed it. “Thank you, student,” she said. Queensteph bobbed a curtsey and rushed out before Varda could even remember that she’d been brought on the Horns for other reasons. Varda shook her head, but let her go. If she hadn’t been there, the Masters might’ve wasted hours trying to find Titud until Varda remembered where he’d gone. Eolah was next. She was actually present, happily. “The complaint filed against you was that you were using Sympathy for some sort of... devil’s rite?” “No, Chancellor! That’s not it at all! I was just practicing lighting candles,” she said. “Which became a devil’s rite how, exactly?” She described her experiment quite thoroughly. It seemed she’d put candles in a circle surrounding her, trying to light each in turn without moving her head to look at those she couldn’t see. Varda raised an eye at the Master Sympathist, who was frowning. “Did you tie your hair back, girl?” he barked. “Um.” She touched her bushy black hair unconsciously. “No, sir...” “Has this University taught you nothing? You could have burned the place down!” he exclaimed. Varda sighed. “You are charged with Reckless Use of Sympathy,” she said wearily. “You’ll be lashed tomorrow at noon. Try not to burn anything down, please.” “Yes, Chancellor,” Eolah said, sighing. Joe and Sart went insane! Orlok’s insanity was recognised! Assassin and Ornstein died! They were Students, and Ornstein had studied in Physicking! Wilson was attacked, but didn’t die! Queensteph and Sart went on the Horns, but charges were dropped! STINK was brought on the Horns and charged with Undignified Mischief! He must RP an apology! Eolhondras was brought on the Horns and charged with Reckless Use of Sympathy! Alvron, Burnt, Cluny, Hemalurgic, Sart, Stick, and STINK were elevated! EDIT: A name was used. Term 3, Month 2 has begun. You have 42 hours to send in all actions. Do not forget to submit lodging orders. Player List 1. Queensteph - Vintish Noblewoman 2. Randuir (Telar Pike) - Yllish Commoner Student 3. Hemalurgic Headshot (Noremac Quwester) - Aturan Nobleman 4. Aonar (Aodhan Breacadh) - Edema Ruh 5. Wilson (Sloan Walker) - Cealdish Commoner 6. Straw (Medicus Novis) - Yllish Commoner 7. Paranoid King (William Opuscule) - Yllish Commoner 8. Ornstein (John Springer) - Aturan Nobleman Student in Physicking 9. Jondesu (Vell) - Yllish Commoner 10. Drake Marshall (Greyson) - Cealdish Commoner 11. Assassin in Burgundy (Jurdaan Longfell) - Yllish Commoner Student 12. Burnt Spaghetti (Dele Fajro) - Vintish Noblewoman 13. Orlok (Locke Alveron) - Cealdish Commoner Insane 14. Magestar (Magestar) - Vintish Nobleman Insane 15. Alvron (Stryker Nox) - Cealdish Commoner 16. Arinian (Darian) - Aturan Nobleman 17. Stick (Stick) - Aturan NobleStick 18. Darkness Ascendant (Balthazar Myrrh) - Yllish Commoner Student 19. Cluny the Scourge (Cluny) - Aturan Nobleman 20. Silverblade (Ryth) - Cealdish Commoner Insane 21. Amanuensis (Esuan) - Yllish Commoner 22. BrightnessRadiant (Amelia) - Aturan Noblewoman 23. Eolhondras (Eolah) - Yllish Commoner 24. STINK - Yllish Commoner 25. Hael (Glavion) - Edema Ruh Insane 26. Sart (Titud) - Edema Ruh Insane 27. Joe (Chalks) - Yllish Commoner Insane

Turn is closed! New turn will be posted in 6 hours. Do not post or PM.

LG33: Term 3, Month 1 - Work Telar stood in the dark and cold, looking around him. He wasn’t even sure where he was now, and probably wouldn’t be able to do anything until morning. All he knew is that he’d followed… something… here, and then it had vanished without warning. He walked over to the nearest wall and slid down it. Seemed he had a lot of waiting to do… He slipped into thoughts of the past. The Chancellor’s speech, his work, the meaning of life. Perhaps his work, that which he created which no one else had thought of before - perhaps that was the meaning. He wasn’t sure. He’d have to consider it at length later, when he wasn’t freezing cold in a strange alley at night. He tried to doze off, but something more than the cold kept him awake. A sense of being watched. He suddenly started to full wakefulness and looked around. That was his last movement, but for falling to the ground. He gave a gasp, and then silence filled the night again. Varda was angry. “What did you boys think you were doing?” Medicus Novis, Greyson, and Darian looked at her with the same guilt. “We didn’t mean to, Chancellor, honestly,” Greyson said. “You didn’t mean to cause a student to die? You were the ones who led him down into the streets and left him there.” “It was just teasing him and making him a little scared,” Darian protested. “That may be true. I, unfortunately, can’t afford to believe that. Telar was found dead the next morning. There is absolutely no proof you didn’t have foreknowledge of what would happen. “I’m sorry, if you’re innocent. You are henceforth expelled from the University, and may never set foot on its grounds again after today.” William Opuscule glared at the bars. They were the obvious way to escape. Too obvious. No doubt they had been reinforced in some way. The walls and floor would be the same. The door? Well, maybe. He’d check that out later. It would have to be clear enough that the warden, as he’d taken to calling him, could get in with the food. Of course, he’d been told not to escape. But he figured that didn’t apply to him. That instruction really only applied to insane people. “And I’m not insane, right, Bart?” Yep. Well then. Out the ceiling he’d go. He grabbed the wooden spoon provided with his meal. “Care to give me a lift, Bart?” Yep. They’d told him that nobody had escaped from the crockery in over 20 years. That suited him just fine. It would mean that he’d be the first. *** William stumbled out onto the roof of the crockery. Hah! He raised a triumphal arm weakly. That’d show them. It had taken him over a month of scraping, but they didn’t pay attention to the ceiling as they had the walls. Once he’d gotten the rhythm down, it was easy enough. Now he just had to escape to… Hmm. The university suited him like nowhere else he’d known. “And plus,” he reasoned, “There’s things going on here. Real interesting things. No need to leave just yet. Maybe when things cool down, eh, Bart?” Yep. Randuir was killed! He was a Student! Arinian, Drake Marshall, and Straw were expelled! PK has broken out of the Crockery! (All credit goes to him with his writeup.) A name was used. Arinian, Aonar, BrightnessRadiant, Eolhondras, Joe, Jondesu, Orlok, and Ornstein were elevated! Term 3 has begun. You have 42 hours to submit all orders (actions, Imre, elevation points, etc). Player List 1. Queensteph - Vintish Noblewoman 2. Randuir (Telar Pike) - Yllish Commoner Student 3. Hemalurgic Headshot (Noremac Quwester) - Aturan Nobleman 4. Aonar (Aodhan Breacadh) - Edema Ruh 5. Wilson (Sloan Walker) - Cealdish Commoner 6. Straw (Medicus Novis) - Yllish Commoner 7. Paranoid King (William Opuscule) - Yllish Commoner 8. Ornstein (John Springer) - Aturan Nobleman 9. Jondesu (Vell) - Yllish Commoner 10. Drake Marshall (Greyson) - Cealdish Commoner 11. Assassin in Burgundy (Jurdaan Longfell) - Yllish Commoner 12. Burnt Spaghetti (Dele Fajro) - Vintish Noblewoman 13. Orlok (Locke Alveron) - Cealdish Commoner 14. Magestar (Magestar) - Vintish Nobleman Insane 15. Alvron (Stryker Nox) - Cealdish Commoner 16. Arinian (Darian) - Aturan Nobleman 17. Stick (Stick) - Aturan NobleStick 18. Darkness Ascendant (Balthazar Myrrh) - Yllish Commoner Student 19. Cluny the Scourge (Cluny) - Aturan Nobleman 20. Silverblade (Ryth) - Cealdish Commoner Insane 21. Amanuensis (Esuan) - Yllish Commoner 22. BrightnessRadiant (Amelia) - Aturan Noblewoman 23. Eolhondras (Eolah) - Yllish Commoner 24. STINK - Yllish Commoner 25. Hael (Glavion) - Edema Ruh Insane 26. Sart (Titud) - Edema Ruh 27. Joe (Chalks) - Yllish Commoner

The Term is over. Term 3 will be posted in 6 hours.

Elevation is an action that the Master takes, not that you take, so no. You can be elevated while in Imre or while not attending.