Pandora

Denis, it wasn't my intention to get you so worked up, but it is very good to see you more involved in the last day or so, now that you've put down the cough syrup. I didn't say that much about you, but you have replied most verbosely. I will agree, you haven't ignored Stan's last message, but there was no further discussion after that. People focused on whether Stan could have been "sure" or not, and didn't further explore the names that were brought up. That worried me, so I have mentioned it, glad you got that and sorry for saying you ignored it when you haven't. Who knows what Stan was thinking when he sent out those messages, and I agree, his gut-feeling was been proved wrong on one occasion with Petr, but it sounds now like you'd prefer to ignore all of that information based on his poor judgement in that paricular instance. I have not said that the three people jumping to lynch Stan haven't roused any suspicion in me (obviously Petr has now been shown to be town), do not be so quick to put words in my mouth. However you had already been extremly keen to find any possible reason to paint Stanislav as scum before you voted. Maybe you just didn't like the guy? So I'm glad you've "got" so many things, and that you're taking notes just like I am. I'm just surprised it took only a sentence or two from me for you to point out the holes in my logic, but thank you for that. This is news to me. And slightly disturbing at the same time. It's a bit of an odd role for a Peeping Tom to see both what their target does, and whether it's successful, and who targets their target. So the Peeping Tom watched Petr on the first night and he was nowhere to be found, the morning after he woke up with a headache, that would make sense, after all we all knew Petr woke up with a headache, he was very clear about it. Night Two the Peeping Tom is both able to track and watch Elena, and even receive something of Elena's night action results. Something about this doesn't add up.

And I'm a Mage not a Witch. There will be an advanced class called Witch, which is why I'm being specific.

Things have happened apace today. Firstly, Boris, I'm very sorry for your loss, and it worries me greatly that our numbers are dwindling so. The bandwagon has formed and Ruxana, as it stands, will be voted out tonight. The bandwagon formed a little quickly, no? There was no unvoting (yet) or splitting of the votes, just a landslide conviction. I have no idea if Ruxana is scum or not. She certainly hasn't done herself any favours, however I do believe her when she says Stanislav asked her to follow Petr, as I do believe Stanislav didn't trust Petr. And while we're talking about Stanislav, a confirmed townie, we seem to have dismissed our concerns regarding the messages he sent out. I was somewhat under the impression that Stanislav trusted Dmitri, and given Stanislav's role as an inventor, I don't understand how he could be certain about anyone being scum or town, unless he had a strong belief in his own gut feeling. Mind you some gut feelings are better than others. Stanislav seems to have sent a message out regarding his suspicions to an awful lot of people, including some I believed he suspected, however I don't doubt that those messages were sent (although I know nothing of their contents). As has been noted earlier, why did Stanislav trust Dmitri to confirm Samuel as Town but yet accuse Dmitri himself of being scum? As to Denis, he seems happy to ignore the fact that a once vocal townie, Stanislav, pointed quite clearly to him being scum in these last-breath messages. Even after he spent a good while trying to get Stanislav lynched for trying to convict a scum in Donil. We all seem to be happy to ignore that too. So onto our successful conviction of Donil yesterday, resisted by some - those in fact still pushing for Ruxana's death, but it now appears that Donil was merely coincidentally targeting Yuri when Yuri was killed by the (presumed) other mafia. There are a lot of coincidences, really. That Ruxana should be targeting Petr the night he dies too, and not forgetting that Dmitri was targeting Stan the night he died as well. All these night actions buzzing around each other, and there are reports of ?watchers seeing Ruxana go about her business. It's almost as if the scum have this beautifully coordinated - pulling our strings and laughing at how stupid we look when we dance. I'm still not completely convinced Ruxana is scum, and it doesn't matter now really as I don't imagine anyone will unvote (and re-vote for another suspect) after a conviction has been reached. There is always the possibility that people may unvote to leave us convictionless, but I doubt that very much too. I don't have another target for my vote in mind, at least not one that isn't backed up by gut-feelingTM alone, so in order to use my vote and to ensure some sort of conviction I will: Vote: Ruxana (Roncanator)

Well, I guess he didn't want to talk to us anymore, and I suppose someone had to think of the children. As usual, Cronk, you're very sensible, we should move on to another room and be prepared to do battle with an occasional table, or umbrella stand.

Ooooh! Shiny! Now I can kill things in even more interesting ways! Nyx can feel the power of the gems and knows it will be difficult for her to part with them again, however she swore she'd do her duty for Heroica, and just having the opportunity to feel their magic is enough, for now... I think Cronk is very wise, we should focus on the matter in hand, and it would be useful to know more of this voice from your childhood, High Conjurator, and perhaps understand if there is some sort of curse upon this great family. Having said that, I am quite keen to try out these new gems...

High Conjurator, I agree, and if we all agree, please may I have the Topaz (Lightning), Emerald (Wood) and Diamond (Light) Gems please? Nyx smiles sweetly at the High Conjurator.

Hmmm, OK I'll give the Grand Tonic to Althior - use it wisely! Yes Namyrra, I rather suspect that we should help the High Conjurator. Of course, High Conjurator! We'd love to help! Nyx's eyes glisten with the prospect of fighting more furniture. I wonder if the other red artefacts in here have anything to do with this, though? Saying this, she wanders over to examine the fine red phoenix.

Not Stanislav! I'm going to miss him, in fact we're all going to miss him, especially as he was so reasonable, and evidently useful. Similarly with Petr, even if he wasn't actually all that reasonable. I'm relieved we caught a scum in Donil, though, that helps a little and makes me think back to those people who were just so keen to try to talk us out of voting for him. Samuel, like my lovely Falicia I'd like to hear more about what Stanislav told you before his untimely death; it has already be made clear that his insights are valuable so any further information would be useful, I'm sure. As Raya has pointed out, a new MO has come into play, further increasing my worry over conversions and multiple Mafia families. I'm glad the discussion is well under way as it is clear we have a lot to talk about.

Oooh! We have to defeat a comfy chair! So High Conjurator Altair's now a mechanical monster, good thing Althior has his lightning gem (and that no-one's using wind magic as their main attack). Party order: Cronk Althior Bacari Nyx Namyrra Sylph I would suggest the magic users are in the back row to aid magic use, and the physical attackers are in the front row. I would also suggest, Sylph, that you aim to hit rather than heal this round. I myself will cast fire upon this upholstered abomination, from the back row, of course.

Right back atcha mate! Happy Birthday, def. Hope you have/are having/ had a wonderful day with your family.

Nyx slides gracefully over to the blue hatted wizard, and once again curtseys respectfully. If I may be so bold ma'am, I would appreciate it greatly if you would tell us what you remember of the Grand Wizardine's disappearance.

Nyx curtseys once more, keen not to upset this venerable Great House. She hopes to lead by example, and not infuriate those with great power and the means to give her something shiny. High Conjurator Altair, the picture looks as though it was painted whilst the Grand Wizardine was sat in front of the fireplace. Can you tell me more about the items which adorn the fireplace, please? And if you would be so kind, could you also tell me if there is anything special about this particular chair? Although I do agree, it is most beautifully crafted.

Well the High Conjurator did say we were free to ask any questions we think are necessary from any of them. There is always the possibility that talking to the wrong wizard may cause bad things to happen, but there's only one way to find out, and we are Heroes after all. I'd like to talk to the cheery gentleman in the green hat, I think. Nyx wanders over to the wizard in the green hat, curtseys once more and smiles sweetly at him. Good sir, do you have any idea as to the last known whereabouts of your Matriarch? I mean, I know you don't know where she is now, but when and where was she last seen? Please?

Is he? Is it obvious? He's argued quite a bit in my opinion. And the last things you were saying were that you thought they were both scum, but you were worried about the unblockable nature of Ruxana's night action. Of the two choices we have, I still think that Donil is the best choice for lynching. My vote stands.

Nyx curtseys respectfully at the gentleman that she has an overwhelming urge to call "Bossk", and seems uncharacteristically serious as she does so. We are Heroes, or at least wish to prove ourselves to be, sent from Heroica Hall. We present ourselves at this beautiful Manor to offer our assistance to the Great Family, the Ziegfrieds. We hear you are searching for the Grand Wizardine Zelda, Matriarch of this Great House and pledge our skills to you to help seek her out. With her head still bowed she looks round at the group, and wonders whether Cronk's diplomacy skill will be required with such a revered Great Family.

For clarity, I bolded the starting phrase of the third commandment myself.

I think the day will now always last 72 hours, no matter how many votes there are or when a conviction is reached.

Nyx glances over from her cushioned chair at Bartholomew Docken excitedly discussing tactics with Jess Islanti, and an expression of mild amusement flashes across her face. You know, who knows what you're going to meet out there, and you'd have to do an awful lot of talking to cover every eventuality. I know the fates allow time for discussing strategy while you're on your quest, or even in the heat of battle. Don't get yourself too worked up about it, and chill out while you can. She then turns back at her drink and delicately drops the cherry garnish from the top into her mouth.

Hey no worries, it happens, thanks for sorting it out. The quest doesn't start until tomorrow anyway, and I'm still trying to talk Quarryman into buying a bedroll.

Hi Namyyrra! Wow I love what you've done with your.... uhm.... face? Whatever. Are you sure you don't want to head over to the marketplace? Maybe get yourself a bedroll? You know for restoring Health and Ether while on our travels? And while we're talking about inventories, I've noticed a discrepancy: We all start with a Potion (a POTION not just any old potion, but the one called Potion ), a weapon, our class specific item and 10 Gold. Sylph, Cronk, Bacari and Namyrra, your inventories seem in order, wonderful! However, Althior, as I see it you start with: Potion, Dragoro, Topaz (lightning), 10 Gold Your current inventory doesn't add up at all; I don't understand how you swapped a potion (resale 2 Gold) and 10 Gold for both a shovel and a bedroll worth 15 Gold. Please could you rectify this before we set off? That would be awesome! And you can only imagine what Scheherezade will do if you don't. Now, who wants to join me in a Flaming Gumball? Hmm?

So this came on today, and I was reminded just what an awesome track it is. So yet again, I thought I'd share: Prodigy - Omen.

Hi Portia! I'd like to buy a Tonic please, I have 32 Gold, so that should leave me with 17 Gold, right? See ya! Nyx skips off and bumps into Rufindel, to whom she starts chattering ten-to-the-dozen about all the nasty baddies they slaughtered mercilessly together in Draida Bay not that long ago, while they amble back to Heroica hall to start their respective quests.

Yes, I'm thinking this is strange too. I actually believe that Stanislav has made some sensible points, but that Denis has been keen to drive us all in a direction of his choosing. But today isn't so much about Stan and Den, it's more about Ruxana and Donil. I'm ready to vote and I don't think we can pass up the opportunity to get rid of a potential scum killer. Even if you're a weak tracker, as you claim Donil, that's more of a scum role - one that would be easy to claim if another in your cabal had a similar role and they could coach you on it. Vote: Donil (Waterbrick Down) We really should be focussed on the matter in hand.

Aaand we already have an Avengers thread that this will fit in nicely with. And merged!

Nyx spins round as En Sabah Nur passes Well, it's completely natural for people to gaze at me adoringly , but I'd just had my hair done and now you've messed it all up! If you think I didn't notice, you're sadly mistaken, and if you pull a stunt like that again I'll swap you knee-caps with your eyeballs. And set you on fire. The air around Nyx crackles with Darkness and Fire. She glares at En Sabah Nur so hard he feels as though his head might melt, but quickly turns on her finely-turned heels and dances over to Cronk, whom she greets with a charming and delightful grin. I'm glad to see another member of the party ready to go, Cronk I've been watching you across the hall and you seem like a sweetie, so I'm glad to have you in the team, but yes you will be a bit of a meatshield, sorry. Hey-ho, I'm sure you'll do fine but, y'know I wouldn't want to break a nail or anything. Now, have you been to the bathroom? I'll wait here while we wait for the rest of the team. And with that Nyx sinks elegantly into a cushioned chair and continues slurping on her flaming gumball with the crazy-straw.