Shadows

I swear, you two really are related. It's "you're", a contraction for "you are", not "your" ... AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! Oh, and you can't fire WhiteFang, he actually has a contract and gets paid.

You know... we could train him. I mean, you need an assistant, don't you? He could even be related with that spelling of his...

1. You don't get a vote. 2. You get double your EB News salary, which means you actually owe me twice as much as usual. 3. I assure you, we can throw you out. Now behave, before I take over hosting and have you fall off the building repeatedly like Fatdork / General Marcus / Batbrick! What exactly is the Friar doing? Oh dear... I guess that's some kind of ancient religious cult of draggy ceremonial thing. I'm not even asking about the potatoes. I always suspected he didn't wear pants under there.

The host of EB News Presents. STAUDIE? Oh, if you think the previous examples flew far, wait until you see how far an annoyed moderator can send a blockhead. Only funny half the time? Actually, that isn't my fault. I have to work with what the audience can understand. I'm lucky they get half my jokes. You know... I think I saw that bunny in the castle. I've been suspecting a bunny for a long time, and now one appears in your employ. Vote: Blockhead/Traitorpants Host of EB News Presents... I'll show you.

Beautiful, and it almost looks lighted inside, which I know isn't likely at all, but if it was... For my money, the next landmark should be Big Ben.

Very sorry to hear about that, Draggy. If you need a little time, we'll try to keep ourselves amused making baseless accusations and generally flailing about in the dark like we have been for days, it's perfectly fine. No, really, it is. That was in very poor taste. I'm disappointed in you. <whisper> Did he mention if she was a loyalist or a traitor? </whisper> You know, Staudie, it's an honour to be voted for. It means you're very popular and everyone agrees that you should be the star of the show. Early the next morning, we all get up to see you, right there in the middle of the courtyard, giving the performance of a lifetime. It's your shot at immortality! You should volunteer if we don't manage a vote. I don't know if we can assume anything that way, since dividing up the traitors by classes would be way too obvious. It's like saying, "ok, we caught the bad Lord, so we can figure the others are all good" and then finding out that Lady Suzanne was a traitor too. Admittedly, I think it was a little too obvious making her bad after her husband was, but I guess that's probably realistic. What am I saying here? Just that I wouldn't automatically assume that one guard is bad. They may all be bad, or they may all be loyal. If we find a bad one, it doesn't mean we've found them all. If we kill all of them and they were loyal, we've stepped in it. What we need is some kind of logic to apply to know before we vote instead of just poking randomly in the dark and losing more loyalists. Going back to previous clues, I do think that the carrot in the armour paintograph represented a giant face-eating bunny with slathering fangs and bad breath Lady Suzanne and her garden of doom, but what about the other figure? Does it most closely associate with any of our three guards, since it's clearly a military figure, or was it just General Marcus? For that matter, if we go by class, does he count as military, and potentially excuse the guards? I never was sure about his position in relation to others, I just figured he was an equal to General Spencer. Speaking of which... if Trexxen is an investigator, like Calvin was, he isn't really a loyalist, but a mercenary, which would mean that we have even one less loyalist than we think. Plus, I don't personally know where the loyalities of such a character would lie, since they aren't on either side. It might be possible for a mercenary to win just by surviving at all costs. That means he wouldn't care who he accused or voted for, as long as it stalled his own death. Pure speculation on that part, but it seems logical, otherwise Calvin would have simply been a traitor. Two of everything, that seems to be how the game ... of life ... is going.

EB News Studios Present Day As we join the scene, a pair of ninjas have arrived, having been dispatched by a mysterious international conglomerate for reasons unknown. Find his dressing room. He doesn't have one. He must get dressed somewhere. From the looks of this picture, I'd say in the dark. Check the closets then. That's about right. The ninjas split up, looking for their intended victim. Staudie enters the room a moment later, oblivious to everything going on around him, pretty much like always. Where is that Shadows? He's going to ruin the show worse than he-who-shall-not-be-spoken-of-aloud-without-fear-of-his-appearing-suddenly. You called? AAAAAAHHHHH! Don't sneak up on people! You barely qualify. Hey! Be nice to me and I might let you be on the show this week. What show? It's been weeks since he disappeared. Yeah, I know... At first I sort of thought it might be you. I haven't killed a show host in years. That's good to know. The ninjas, though a great distance away, were alerted by all of the conversation, not to mention the girly scream, and return to the studio where they finally catch up with Staudie. It is time to meet your maker. What??? I'm too young to die! Me too! You're not that young. Your face isn't that young! It's as young as the rest of me! Well why don't you shut it, then? Why don't you make me? You don't think I could? I'd like to see you try! Excuse me. Yes? Aren't you forgetting about us? Oh, right, sorry. I get confused sometimes. He does. I don't need your help right now! Actually, it looks like you do. Yeah... Please stop doing that. We have a very tight schedule. You're just going to kill me, I don't even get a last request? Who said anything about killing you? You said he was going to meet his maker, so unless he's some kind of robot, you're about to kill him. I think he's on to us. I'm gonna die! No, idiot, you're a robot. I can't believe that no one figured it out before. We're just here to pick you up for your 100,000,000 annoyance checkup. I've annoyed 100,000,000 in my short life? This is your 3rd checkup this year, we just wipe your memory when we're done and you don't remember a thing. People can't really tell the difference. That makes sense. Well... ok. But tell me something. Then we can go? Yeah. Ok, what? How did this relate to the story? What story? The one about the castles and the evil force and Aluvar and Shadows and the lovely Alyss and the plot to take over the world and the kidnapping and all of that... Looks like he might need more than just a quick checkup. He's clearly malfunctioning. Hey, look, a pirate in the control room! What? Where? Staudie runs like hell. That wasn't very nice. He played you like a cheap piano. Just because we were temporarily distracted by the mention of our mortal and sworn enemies, the pirates, doesn't mean he played us. You know, we're still ninjas. We could kill you, just for the heck of it. Hmmm... I guess so. HEY! LOOK! A PIRATE IN YOUR UNDERWEAR! What? Hinck tries to run, but his distraction wasn't particularly effective. The ninjas catch him quickly, but decide it isn't worth making a mess over, so they toss him out the studio door and begin looking for Staudie again. That was some weird story he was telling. Oh, it's just a malfunction, I'm sure. Castles and evil forces and taking over the world and kidnappings. Right. And what about those weird named people? Stuff like that doesn't really happen. True enough, Frabnitz. And now we're stuck reporting back to the boss that we couldn't find this stupid droid. He's not going to be pleased, the whole plan relies on him being here and annoying people effectively. What is the plan, anyway? I never have understood what he's doing here. All I know is that it has something to do with the missing show host...

If I had to review this, I'd say it definitely keeps improving. It's funny, the heckling is starting to look more and more like me, though still a bit too Staudie-random at times. The interview? Oh, I never read those things. As for you, Draggy, I'm locked in some damn castle while a mad scientist crazy wizard tries to poison all of us.

Outstanding set and review, thanks for presenting it! I've had this since it first came out, but didn't think it would be that impressive, so I didn't bother opening it. Now, I'm tempted. Aside from the slight size issue, I can't find anything here to gripe about, except for the limited availability. I want 5. I think that makes me a parts monkey. Eek eek. You're exactly right about this selling like mad. It's another one of those missed opportunities for TLG. Sure, it's nice to get people to subscribe by offering it as part of BrickMaster, but in the long run, put it in the stores for $6 and sell a million. Just give us Indy's manbag, we need it for postal employees and such. As is the running joke whenever I comment on one of your reviews, I'd give this a solid 985. Not out of anything, just 985. Or, in clearer terms: :thumbup: :thumbup: + 1/2 (though I voted 5)

Considering that we think the King was poisoned and Lady Suzanne committed suicide the night before her execution by using herbs from her own garden, I think we're pretty clear on that point. Did we ever clear up the one about traitorous Lords? Sure, the note says that one is, but how about more? Vote: Staudie Best suggestion all day.

Those are good points. I know that when I thought Calvin had tried to kill me, I wanted him dead, naturally. I wonder if Gary was the intended victim at all... what if it was Lord Savril and it just went wrong? That might explain why Gary didn't particularly care. Unvote: whoever the hell I voted for at the beginning. Oh, right, Kyle. Still don't think his story with the whole torture thing adds up either. I'm going to wait and see how this plays out.

I voted "above average" as well, but back in 1983, I would have probably gone much lower. Sadly, I wasn't as interested in minifigs at the time. I appreciated the ones I had, but I really just wanted ships or bases, and would have gladly passed this by for something with one or two figures and a small moon rover. I skipped all of the classic minifig sets, space, castle and town. It was only upon coming out of my dark ages that I went minifig crazy. For me, this is above average because of the accessories. Without them, it's an average set. With a small brick built droid or a rover, it would be outstanding. That said, I'd buy at least 10 copies now, though I'd rather have a 4 figure set with one of each colour including blue. I never had blue back then. I think Castle lured me away. Thanks for an interesting review! It gives me a chance to further explore why I changed from ship/set to minifig fan and bore all of EB with it.

Somehow, as I read this thread, I begin to believe that the entire MM line is intended as social commentary on the United States and the former Soviet Union, with the two groups representing the struggle inherent in the arms race. Each side feels that it is right and the other is evil. Each side contains a little of each part, but in the end, only you can decide how it will turn out. Or, it's just a kids toy and we're trying to turn it into something serious again! Unless they're Pirates.

He had a point? (OOC: Storms are really no laughing matter. It's been a weird year here too. It stayed nice longer than usual, then switched to furnace heat which is only stopped by heavy rain with some fairly violent electrical storms. That means random and pointless power outages, surges, and flickers. It's why I haven't been around much... My machine wasn't so much blasted by a single hit as just worn down by lots of fluctuations. It's like someone turned the weather knob to 11 and I'd be happy if it stopped soon)

I heard you the first time, Lord Staudielover! But actually, all I mean is that at first, there seemed to be more fun posts, silliness and general insanity. It isn't a reflection on the game as much as on the lack of time that some of us have had to invest recently, myself included. Now spin the little wheel and see where your car moves to in this game ... of life.

We're sorry too. Now go make an emoticon. You could make a little ImperialShadows.

I'll probably make several and add them to this post as I go, with a short explanation preceding each new entry. 1. I've always been a bit annoyed that the laughing emoticon is an islander. Islanders are fine, but I just never felt he captured the look clearly enough, partially because of the amount of red that obscures the detail. 2. Happy/Classic-face Swabbie 3. Unhappy Swabbie (no shore leave for him)

As this is titled and related to a licensed theme (two, actually), I'm going to move it over to the licensed themes forum. Please, feel free to continue your crazy conversation there. I'd put it in Star Wars, but KimT would pop a blood vessel.

Should I mention that the sample for this 35x20 contest is 21 pixels tall, as are most of our official icons?

Did our signals just get crossed with some kind of soap opera? What's a soap opera? Don't ask. Trying to make some sense out of your day 1 summary, I only come away with two things. 1. The game was more fun in the beginning... 2. Everyone was convinced that Martin was a traitor, but the real traitors seemed to want to point at the maid. Maybe they were trying to set up a future easy kill? One more thing. Even when we've been wrong, I think we tried. Lord Martin was suspicious, the Doctor was weird, General Spencer killed a loyalist in the night, Calvin was nearly a traitor and being used by one. Most of the rest were Draggy or General Marcus's doing, I think. We've actually done a pretty good job, all things considered.

I just got a note too... I have no idea what that means.

Have you ever noticed that it's hard to quote the quoted Lady Dolores? Whatever the case, I spent the night with Mary the first time as a random choice, just to see what would happen. Our esteemed host, Draggy, turned it into something cheap and tawdry, so I was forced to repeat it, of course. As you may recall, I also spent a night watching BlabbyByron until I nearly went mad, and you spent a night with Mary, which is very hard to explain since there isn't enough booze in the place to get you to do that normally. I also spent a night with the good Friar, and another with the treacherous Lady Suzanne (what a bore she was). Point being, don't try to make something out of nothing, or you just look suspicious. Especially since you're the one that tried to lie about your night actions when you forgot to kick the pigeon, which ultimately cost poor loyal Grim his life.

I can only do some much with the material I'm given. Further, I warned you about having the kid on. I am Rotrigous, the King's Advisor! I will not be threatened into making a quick decision, I don't care if that does put my life at risk... er... Still, I'm reasonable about these things, and you did say we have enough info to go on, so let's do a quick review. The survivors, in order of relative rank, based on standard medieval hierarchy, as best as I can estimate it. Lord Dragonator (non player) - Suspicious, but we aren't allowed to do anything about it. Kills more than we do. Majiko the Wizard (non player) - Don't get me started. Lord Savril and Lord Gary have motive as family members, but at this point, that's all there is pointing at them. They seem to share a fondness for pink dresses. Lord Savril was instrumental in taking down General Marcus. Friar Brown has offered some unfortunate advice along the way and belongs to a weird cult, but he was also the intended victim once and has some good booze. Rotrigous (king’s advisor). I still just want the traitors killed as revenge for stealing my power and killing our King. I've tried to find the guilty and managed to get us Lord Ash, our first traitor. My night moves have been well documented. Kyle (the castle torturer/executioner) has made some odd claims at times and in the last day or two has been pretty suspicious to the point of desperation, but we failed to confirm his execution when distracted by our next suspect ... Paul (the cellar keeper) might be the last remaining person who should have truly had access to the food/wine to poison it. Narrowly escaped execution yesterday, perhaps because of the situation with Kyle. Does someone have reason to save one of these two, and did so by splitting our votes between them? Lieutenant Byron, Michael and Fred of the Royal Guard. Moe, Larry, and Curly. These three stooges spend most of their time covered in poo or bumbling around, but that could be covering sinister motives. Still, no indication of anything... yet. Mary (the maid) is our lowest member of the staff left. If someone was stealing the silver, I'd probably check under her bed, but I can't come up with a motive for murder, or the opportunity to participate in it. At the very least, I can account for most of her night moves. So, out of all of that, the cellar keeper seems the most likely suspect, to me, and he is the one we almost executed yesterday, save for one more vote, which we would have had if things hadn't been split between him and Kyle. Seems like one of the two is a traitor and narrowly escaped death, perhaps through the help of his partner(s) in crime. At this point, that's good enough for me to cast a vote. Plus, I don't really want to die a random death. I'd look terrible covered in potatoes. Vote: Commanderbly42/Paul

Works perfectly! Excellent job, Admiral!

Ha. Night actions. Fine. At this point, it isn't worth the effort to close the thread and seperately pm you, so I'll do it here for the ultimate in open communications. Night Action: I've got a date with the maid, since we killed the other chick in the castle and I'm not spending the night alone with the pink dress bandit roaming the halls. *locks the door behind him*