Herowannabe

The cycle is over. Writeup coming as soon as we can get to it, but it may be delayed a bit. I just barely walked in the door and need to help put the kids to bed.

+1 for Night Circus. Phenomenal book. 5 Stars. Can’t recommend enough.

Agreed about Hrathen. Such a cool name, too. As for me, my single favorite Sanderson book is Warbreaker (even if we include Mistborn and SA). Part of that is because the Graphic Audio version of it (the only version I have ever felt the need to partake of) is phenomenal. But is also such a refreshing take on fantasy novels. The magic is there and is fascinating as all Sanderson magics are, but I actually really love that the magic doesn’t have any direct combat abilities (Nightblood excluded). Vasher has figured a few tricks that indirectly aid his fighting, but it’s not like most of Brandon’s other books where you swallow a bit of metal or summon your magic sword and instantly become an unstoppable warrior. For the most part, Awakening is for things like convenience or enhancing your ability to enjoy/produce works of art or music. That’s really cool. The cast of characters is fantastic, the humor is top notch (or maybe I’m just really drawn to Lightsong’s witty sarcasms), and the twists and turns of the story are lots of fun. I really love the reversals and contrasting character role that Brandon plays around with in this book, too. I won’t go into details just in case of spoilers, but if you’ve read the book (and preferably the annotations, too) then you know what I’m talking about.

Now when a player is Poisoned they are quarantine to Elantris so that their strange disease can be treated and studied. In game terms, Poison vials still work exactly the same now as they did before, and Poisoned players are under all the same restrictions that they were under before (including not being able to post in the main thread), except now it is obvious to everybody that they have been poisoned instead of taken by the Shaod.

Day 7 - Rao The Jeskeri stood in the dark streets- the moon was not out tonight, so only the stars lit their way. No lanterns were on in the boarded-up windows of the small chapel, where the priest, Sheon Idris, slept. Fanning out in a circle that surrounded the chapel, each Cultist stood near a boarded window. The leader’s hand rose into the air, two fingers pointing skyward in a wordless command, and with the silence and precision of professional killers, the boards came off the windows one by one. Sheon still slept, unaware of the robed figures surrounding him, his sword loose in his drowsy grip while boards were silently removed, all around him. However, one Jeskeri’s hand slipped as he cut a board, and it clattered to the ground with a dull clangor. Swearing as Sheon began to stir, the leader angrily urged his men forward with a muffled cry, and the Jeskeri burst through the windows at Sheon. The bleary-eyed priest attempted to fight, catching one Jeskeri in the elbow with his sword, but the sheer weight of numbers facing him was too much, and his sword fell to the ground, along with the hand that wielded it. Gasping in pain, Sheon attempted to speak to the leader of the Cultists. “Why are you doing this?” he choked between short, shuddering breaths. “I’ve taught nothing but peace...unity...joy...how am I a threat? Why do you sacrifice me on a pagan altar?” The leader glanced down at the priest’s wretched state. “Because you have found two of my comrades, and led men to kill them. That is why you must die. You are too perceptive for your own good, priest. And tonight, there is no Jindo who can help you.” Spinning to his companions, the leader made a slight motion, and two men sprang forward, dragging Sheon to his own altar and tying him there with ropes, ignoring his squirming and struggling. Sheon looked up with terrified eyes as the leader raised his knife and gazed heavenward. “At long last...to Dominion, the Fifth Scholar.” The knife descended. Dominion looked from his heavenly perch, pleased with the offering he had been sent. The cultists took their time, reveling in the bloody sacrifice, until one of the lookouts came rushing into the chapel, looking like she had seen a ghost. She said, “You better come see this.” The Odiv strode about the chapel, his anger kindled against his congregation after the death of his Hroden. He paced across the room, speaking with a fiery air about repentance in Jaddeth for killing one of His holy Gyorns. These people would come to true belief. That way, Jaddeth could return to the world, and he, the Odiv of Bob, would be the one who reaped the largest reward. Suddenly, the Odiv’s sermon cut off mid-sentence. His eyes were fixed, staring at the large window that hung over the heads of the parishioners. “Jaddeth send that it be not so…” he muttered. All across the city, people stumbled out into the streets, woken from their sleep by the cries of their neighbors. All eyes turned to the west, fixed on the towering walls and buildings of Elantris, which now glowed like a beacon in the night. Somehow, miraculously, Elantris had been restored to its former glory. Aladdin looked at his skin, which was beginning to glow the same color as Elantris. He marveled, amazed at his good fortune. Will I really become an Elantrian on the day of its restoration? he wondered with joy. Suddenly, his skin stopped glowing. Aladdin’s jaw dropped as his body began to develop black splotches, and his hair began dropping to the ground. Oh, Merciful Domi, he thought. What have I gotten myself into now? Sheon Idris (Seonid) was killed! He was an Arelish Priest with a Seon! His Seon has passed to an heir. He was also a convert to Shu-Dereth. Aladdin (The Young Pyromancer) was poisoned! Elantris has been restored! The Elantrian players are now allowed to post and vote in the main thread. They will fill you in on any other details, if they wish to. Convert Tally: 10/16 Updated Player List

Actually I just noticed one mistake and fixed it. See the original post for the corrected vote tally.

Night 6: Reo "They're coming, my Hroden." I sat at my giant desk in my chapel. I had known they were coming for me. Such as it was. "Leave me, and do not engage them." My Odiv left. I pulled out my Seon, and opened a communication with the Wyrn. "My lord, my greatest fear has occurred. They have discovered my identity, most likely because of a meddling priest." "You know what to do. Take the pill, and leave your Odiv to continue the work. If they fail, all of Arelon will burn and worship Jaddeth." "Yes." I closed communication. I went over to my inventory of items, and found the pill that the Wyrn had spoke of. I would do my best to stay alive, but given a horrible death, I would take this pill to die painlessly. I headed outside, suddenly realizing I was still wearing my "Bob" hat. I really did like that hat too much. That was what probably had given me away. Leaving the hat behind, resplendent in red armor, I exited the chapel to face a massive mob. Torches, the whole array of mob weapons. I was absolutely not going to die impaled on a pitchfork of all things. "I see you have come to kill me. I NAME YOU HYPOCRITES! Many of you have come to me in the night, begging to become worshipers of Jaddeth, and now you show such fear and so little ambition and drive that you reject your conversion! You! Priest! I see you there. You're probably responsible for this whole thing. And yet YOU CAME TO ME, to worship Jaddeth. Your devotion to your Gods is so weak. You barely took a moment for Domi, and now you do not care about Jaddeth. Unlike miserable Domi, Jaddeth will NOT excuse this. I came to this nation to save you! The Wyrn would have simply destroyed you all, but I represent your one chance to worship Jaddeth and not be destroyed. But it seems your lack of devotion will get you destroyed anyway." The crowd seemed pacified. I turned, but then was assaulted by one man from the front. One elbow and one punch, and he went down. But that was all it took for the mob to be unleashed. I threw the pill into my mouth and bit down. No death by pitchfork today, thank Jaddeth. I was punched, but all feeling began to leave, as I was knocked down. My vision went black, and I thanked Jaddeth for what work I had done.” Steeldancer was lynched! He was the Gyorn and held a Seon which was passed on to an heir! Please give him many upvotes for this death writeup, which he wrote. Vote Count: Bob (Steeldancer) (10): Aladdin (The Young Pyromancer), Amati (Kidpen), Bill (King Cole), Enelan (Elenion), Imperial Mint (STINK), Nigel (TheMightyLopen), Sheodan (Devotary of Spontaneity), Sheon Idris (Seonid), Straw (Straw) Eoni (Walin) (1): Eoni (Walin) Imperial Mint (STINK) (1): Bob (Steeldancer) Updated Player List

I cannot recommend Graphic Audio enough. I love them. I own GA renditions of Elantris, Warbreaker, and all the Mistborn books. The only reason I haven't picked up any of the Alcatraz or Stormlight Graphic Audios is because of budget restraints. But they are at the top of my birthday/christmas/free-spending wishlists! Also, I really hope they do the Reckoners someday. The Reckoners would make sweet GAs. (As a side note, does anyone know if they used the same voice actors for the Warbreaker characters that have cameos in SA? I hope so. One of my greatest fears with these is that they will miss the cameos and use different voice actors)

Our impartial moderator, @Orlok Tsubodai, has requested that we extend this cycle an extra *24 hours so that he has time to review something, so carry on. *(I'm extending it by 23 hours because it was already extended by 1 extra hour today because of my schedule. I hope that's alright).

Ah yes, thanks. Fixed.

Day 5 - Ashe Kainae stood in her house again, nervously awaiting the coming of night. She knew she had been targeted for her artwork before, and the Jeskeri were said to leave no known witness to their crimes alive. But her resolve was unswerving. She would find the meaning of these strange symbols. Kainae frowned at her easel. She had been working on a small section of the rune painted in blood outside her house, yet even that much was immensely complex. The rune seemed to swirl, shift, and change color even as she drew it, the layers of black and rust orange and red mixing hopelessly together, forming gray where they touched. Kainae looked at her work, and frowned. For all her effort, she had only created what appeared to be a swirling mess. As she contemplated her work, a voice spoke from behind her. "You’re closer than you think.” Kainae whipped her head around. The same men in robes that had come for her last night were there, prepared to finish their horrific task they had left incomplete last night. They paced towards her, not her artwork. They had learned their lesson. Kill the artist, and the artwork would be defenseless. The man in the front began to speak again. "The rune you created is close to the actual symbol- the symbol for death, which Ateshao had drawn,” the man continued. Kainae felt an involuntary shudder work its way through her body. “The true symbol can only be drawn in the blood of the deceased, and you, of course, do not work with such materials.” The man smiled, his lips pale in the moonlight. “But we do.” Kainae didn’t waste her breath screaming. She left her easel and sprinted, out of her broken door and into the street. Though she had a reasonable head start, she was out of condition, and the Cultists were gaining step by step. Summoning one last burst of desperate energy, Kainae increased her pace, rounding a sharp corner with dexterity she didn’t know she possessed. And ran into the bulk of an armored man. A Jindo Warrior. Spinning, the Warrior caught the dagger of the first Cultist, flicking it into the air behind him with a graceful twist of his sword. He rounded to engage the second Cultist, but they had already taken flight down the alleyway, running away into the distance. The disarmed Cultist took one terrified glance at the Warrior before following his companion. The Warrior turned to Kainae, his hand outstretched. She took it, hauling herself to her feet. “I think I need a more secure home,” she mused, too tired to think of much more. "That would be wise, my lady,” the Warrior replied. Credit goes to Fifth Scholar for the write-up and the drawing. Please go give him upvotes. And @Fifth Scholar, please post something so that everyone can upvote you. Little Wilson was attacked, but was saved! Nobody was taken by the Shaod! Convert Tally: 8 / 19 Updated Player List

The cycle is now closed. Writeup coming soon.

Fixed the countdown timer. Apologies for not doing it sooner, I was on mobile and didn't have a lot of free time until now. As a reminder, the cycle ends in a little over 1 hour

Storm it all, you are right. The cycle ends in 3 hours, not 27 hours. Rollover might be delayed a little bit tonight but it will still be happening tonight.

Convert tallies are posted at the beginning of each Day turn.

The votes of players who get lynched still get counted. It is not a GM error. EDIT: Although technically, his name should still appear there. One second and I'll edit it in.

Night 4 - Shao The people of Arelon stood outdoors at dawn, most bleary-eyed and still half asleep. Roused from their beds by the guards, who had told them that potential heretics and Cultists had been cornered in their square, they monitored the exiting alleyways with a tired yet fierce determination, their eyes roving for a telltale movement that would betray one of the killers. Kainae stood with them, her countenance grim as she looked at the top of her house, which lay two blocks inside the section of the city that had been cordoned off. I need to return there, she thought angrily. If I can salvage or recreate my artwork, I might unlock the key to the killings and sacrifices. Hours wore on, and Kainae stood, her lips growing thinner and thinner. Finally, her patience snapped. “Let me through,” she muttered, shoving her way to the front of the crowd of people. Caught unawares, a guard tried to restrain her, but she slipped through his arms and into the restricted area, which members of the King’s Guard were still checking. The guard swore, but didn’t abandon his post. “Come back, you foolish girl!” he shouted. Kainae ignored him. Cautiously advancing, she peered around a building down the street that led to her home. The killer was there. Surrounded by a small force of guards, he stood, still muttering to himself. A figure had been traced in blood on the street- a similar pattern, though not the exact one, that she had used in her painting. As Kainae watched, the Cultist muttered to himself, undoubtedly saying some last prayer to whatever primitive god he believed in. The way Shu-Jesker had been adulterated was reprehensible to Kainae, even if she didn’t practice it herself. Then his voice rang out one last time, loud and clear, his lips uttering “Praise the Ja!” even as he stabbed himself, and disintegrated into a mound of black dust. Kainae stumbled back, grateful yet horrified, the muttered wards against evil made by the guards a backdrop to her own confused thoughts. She walked into her house solemnly, taking her easel, and began to sketch the figure traced in blood... EDIT: Thanks to @Fifth Scholar for doing the writeup today! Drake Marshall was lynched! He was a Jeskeri Cultist. Please go upvote his post with his death writeup if you haven’t done so already. A Shu-Dereth Pendant was used! Vote count: Ateshao (Drake Marshall) (13): Aladdin (The Young Pyromancer), Amati (Kidpen), Bob (Steeldancer), Enelan (Elenion), Kainae (Little Wilson), Nigel (TheMightyLopen), Sahin Arehe (Mraize), Sheodan (Devotary of Spontaneity), Sheon Idris (Seonid), Soren Porfiry (Dalinar Kholin), Straw (Straw) Fenot (Coop772) (1): Fenot (Coop772) Sheodan (Devotary of Spontaneity) (0): Ateshao (Drake Marshall) Updated Player List

I've thought about this, and in the case of Jeskeri Pendants being blocked by a Jindo the attacked player's name would not show up. The reason for this is because its already been established that when a J-Pendant is used on a Cultist the cultist's name does not appear. Thus, if the victim's name appeared it would be possible to essentially orchestrate a scenario where you have a GM-confirmed non-cultist player. (In hindsight I wish I had never announced anything about pendants being used in the writeups, but the precedence has already been established so I don't want to break that now. Ah well) You know, you could have PM'd it to the GM's so that they could incorporate it in their writeup. Just saying. (Note to everyone else: This is neither confirmation or denial of Drake's role- you'll have to wait for rollover for that. I'm just simply pointing out that GMs typically like it when players provide them free material to use in their writeups. )

I just discovered this discussion and thought I should reply. Honestly, I think the best idea we have for welcoming new and old players alike is one that we just tried and was (IMO) incredibly successful: Anonymous games. In Anonymous games (what did we abbreviate that too again? AG=Anniversary Game, so it wasn’t that) everybody is on the same level whether new, old, regular, or returning after a long absence. So my advice would be allow more anon games. Now obviously there is a lot more to Anon games than just this one issue, so this is something the mods and/or site admins would have to discuss whether or not adding more anon games would be worthwhile.

LG44: Day 4 - Edo Kainae stayed up late that evening. After the disturbing reports of the murder of Enerin, which left strange patterned wounds under his clothing, Kainae was determined to see if any of the intricate patterns the Jeskeri used could be replicated. She painted, her normally cheerful greens and blues replaced by sinister reds, subdued greys, and the true black of evil, winding its way through the painting like a coiled, venomous snake, ready to strike. Kainae shuddered as she observed her work. Certainly not her cheeriest piece, nor her best, but somehow it seemed to fit the times like none of the others had. The patterns seen on the patriarch’s body were evident here, and Kainae nodded, satisfied with her work. She glanced over, looking at the window where her curtains hung, still undrawn. And saw shadowy forms on the other side of them. Kainae screamed as several men in masks, impossible to tell who from the veils obscuring their faces, burst through the window and shattered the glass. They rushed in unison, not at Kainae, but at her painting, their knives that worked so well at carving up men doing the same to the painting, reducing it to thousands of tattered scraps at the foot of the easel, floating gently to the wooden floor. They then rounded on Kainae. “Shame to kill her, but she’s a bit nosy for her own good,” the leader’s muffled voice said. “Plus, we can’t be leaving any witnesses, now.” The Cultists slowly turned to Kainae, their poniards gleaming in the light of the solitary lantern above the easel. A tremendous report suddenly came to Kainae’s ears, and she instinctively ducked, a large peice of wood from the kicked-down doorframe sailing through the space her head had occupied a moment previously. A Jindo Warrior stood in the doorway, his sword drawn and pointing directly at the Cultists. Caught between the choice of potential death, or leaving a witness alive, the Jeskeri chose the latter, the assassins darting through the window with near-superhuman speed. The Jindo extended a hand to Kainae, helping her to her feet. “Are you all right, my lady?” he asked graciously. Kainae grimaced. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “My painting… not so much.” (EDIT: Oh, and special thanks to @Fifth Scholar for doing the writeup today) Kainae (Little Wilson) was attacked but was protected by a Jindo Warrior! Nobody was taken by the Shaod! Convert Tally: 5 / 20 Updated Player List

The Cycle is now over. Bear with me, my co-GMs are busy so it looks like I'm on my own for the moment.

If a player was poisoned twice at the same time it would look the same as if they were poisoned once. If a player was poisoned and then poisoned again a cycle or two later, nothing would be indicated in the writeup, but it would reset the time they have to spend in Elantris.

My bad, I must have selected the wrong day of the week. Fixed in the original post. Thanks @Elbereth

A Korathi Pendant was also used last night. In hindsight I probably didn't need to announce when any of the pendants were used but I've already started so it's only fair to continue doing so. I have edited that into the first post, which also has the write up and player list and everything now.

Day 3 - Dio Hreo strolled along his patrol route across the wall of Elantris, bored as always. Being an Elantris city guard was usually boring, but it paid well and didn’t actually require you to do much. Tonight, however, ended up being different. Up ahead, Hreo made out several figures huddled together on the wall up ahead. “Hey!” Hreo called out, raising his torch up high. “You there! What business do you have atop these walls in the middle of the night?” Citizens were allowed on the walls, of course, but you usually didn’t find them there in the wee hours of morning. As he approached he saw that the figures were each clad in dark robes with strange red markings on them. They carried no light, but they did bear weapons- daggers and swords strapped to their waists. A rope ladder hung down into the forbidden city. Apparently he had caught them right as they were about to climb down into the city. Hreo warily put his hand on his own sword. “At ease, my good guardsman.” One of the figures said, stepping forward. “We just have a little matter of… unfinished business, inside Elantris. We will be about our work quickly, and then be on our way. There is no need for you to be concerned, and we would of course reward you for your… willingness to stay quiet.” The robed figure tossed a bag at Hreo’s feet. It clinked with coins as it struck the stone. Hreo cocked an eyebrow, eyeing the figures. The robes didn’t allow them to make out their faces very well, but it was obvious that none of them bore the corruption of the Shaod. Hreo glanced at the bag. Being an Elantris guard paid well, but it didn’t pay that well. He shrugged, and picked up the bag of coins. “Just make sure none of the wretches in there climb out, okay?” The robed figure who had addressed him before nodded and said, “Of course not. Thank you, guardsman.” But Hreo had already turned away from them, continuing on his patrol. ***To be continued in the Elantris PM *** Enerin stumbled, clutching at his chest. He was in an alleyway, alone. Nobody was in sight. He gasped in pain as twisting lines of red began cutting their way across his chest, wetting his shirt and hands with blood. “Help!” He screamed. “Somebody, please! Help me! I- I’m-” He collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony and screaming wordlessly. Gradually, his screams died off, leaving Enerin’s corpse behind. Elsewhere, a strange pendant carved with Jeskeri symbols cracked and crumbled to dust in its owner’s hands. The Gyorn looked over the congregation. It was still small, but growing steadily. Like the dawning of a new day. The rising of the brilliant illumination of Jaddeth over the land. The priest smiled. Amanuenis has died! He was an Arelish Priest with no items who had been poisoned. Eternum has died! He was a Arelish citizen who knew the passphrase and who had a Seon (The Seon has passed to an heir) A Jeskeri Pendant and a Korathi Pendant were used! Nobody was taken by the Shaod Convert Tally: 4 / 21 players are converts Updated Player List