The Molag Bal Game XVIII

[Archer]

"My vote is for Drag Ond. Regardless that Breloth here thought you were a cultist, ya' seem to be the most eager to throw someone under th' bus." Ahchor spoke.

[Rachelsaurus]

"Ak'Ba can't be a worshipper...well, maybe. Right?" Ra-zuur once again surprised himself by speaking out. "I... maybe- I'm just wondering," Ra-zuur paused to breathe. He always felt nervous speaking to adults, and the situation didn't help. "If she was, why would she tell us that she knows who is innocent?"

[Argonanza]

"I do not believe Ak'ba to be a follower of Bal," Gonzai responded to Ra-zuur's nervous observation. "But she has yet to tell us who she has found to be innocent."

He turned his head to adress Ak'ba directly. "Is that not crucial information that should be shared among us?"

[AKB]

Ak'ba was shocked. "Three people... in a row... vote against me, the only person who has presented a plan to respond to the cult and that the cult could not kill during the night. There should be roughly three cultists, based on the information provided from survivors of other attacks. Three people voted in a row against me, perhaps with the intention of convincing everyone else that the consensus should be against me, perhaps with the hope that people will vote against me based on the way theirs are going. Rainbow, someone who supported the death of an innocent person yesterday, Bal, who supported the death of today's victim of the cult yesterday, and Hizz'i an, someone who did not even vote yesterday, making it easiest to avoid any clear suspicions. All three suddenly come together and one after another, accuse me of being a cultist. Do you see what that could mean? I resign my standing mark of Ytrid, because of the very real possibility the cultists are trying to convince you people to do what they cannot, kill me."

Turning to Ytrid, Ak'ba continued "I would have preferred to not reveal them yet, for their own sake..."

"I do not believe Ak'ba to be a follower of Bal," Gonzai responded to Ra-zuur's nervous observation. "But she has yet to tell us who she has found to be innocent."

He turned his head to adress Ak'ba directly. "Is that not crucial information that should be shared among us?"

"Oh, you don't care if I reveal it, then? Gonzai is innocent, as one of the two people I investigated yesterday. As is Vercel, the person I accused yesterday, and also investigated. "

Ak'ba addressed Ra-zuur next "I had considered suggesting we do not lynch anyone, although it would be risky. I would have supported it if more would go along with it. After the accusation against me though, I think there may be a good reason to lynch someone today, or perhaps a group of people, after all."

Addressing the crowd, Ak'ba finished "If you believe the accusations of those three, and support my death, you will instantly regret your decision. You will eliminate the one person who can defend against the cultists attacks at night, and determine who they are as well. It would not just be a mistake to eliminate me, but one that would doom you all."

Hidden:

If anyone really believes any cultist would so greatly put themselves in the spotlight, then you're just not very good at these games. I've gone all in. If you choose incorrectly today, well, hopefully the cultists don't live to enjoy their victory.

[Unionhack]

"I agree with Ahchor!" Ention proclaimed. "Why do we throw Ak'ba about when the innocence is so clear? Quite suspicious, Drag Ond... I vote for you, then! We should have listened to Breloth before the poor chap met his end!"

[Musicman247]

Hidden:

Votes against:
Ak'ba - 3
Drag Ond - 3
Ytrid - 3

I'm going to call the vote later tonight as I'm out with family. If you haven't voted yet, get them in!

[Rachelsaurus]

Ra-zuur remembered that Breloth had also been suspicious of Ention. How accurate could Breloth have been if Ention is now voting against Drag Ond?

"Was... does anyone think Breloth might have been wrong about one of his suspicions?" Ra-zuur paused. "If both Drag Ond and Ention are cultists like Breloth believed, Ention wouldn't vote against Drag Ond... right?"

Ra-zuur didn't know what conclusions to draw from this or why he even bothered to say it. He thought Breloth must have been wrong about one of them.

[The-Shadow-One]

"Or perhaps they both are one and one doesn't wish to seem suspicious by not voting for them.." The copyist murmured, turning his gaze to Drag Ond. "Blast it. I'll change my vote, Drag Ond. If he turns out innocent perhaps we can gain another chance upon something like this."

[AKB]

Ak'ba glared at Rainbow "And the moment the critical eye is turned at you, even just slightly, you cast your vote at the safest target. Taking a shot at me doesn't matter so much as your safety does, it seems. Know this, you have earned my attention, and for that, you are either a fool playing into the hands of our enemies, or you are the enemy. As for Drag Ond," Ak'ba said, changing subjects. "I cannot vouch for his innocence, nor even argue he has not acted suspiciously. I do not know if his death will be helpful, although I cannot blame you for targeting him."

[Argonanza]

"Maybe just be an inkling, but perhaps Breloth was right," Gonzai pondered, a faint gurgle of uncertainty emanating from his throat. "I vote for Drag Ond."

He turned to Drag Ond and managed to look at him in a way that was both accusing and apologetic.

[Rachelsaurus]

Ra-zuur's voice trembled slightly as he spoke. "But Breloth accused both Drag Ond and Ention... if... if what Rainbow said is true - that one is trying to avoid suspicion by voting for the other - what... what conclusion can be drawn from Ention's vote?"

Despite his nervousness, Ra-zuur felt it was his moral obligation to speak up. He didn't want to be responsible for the death of another innocent and others seemed to be casting their votes hastily, with little to no reasoning.

[Dragon53535]

"While I understand where you are coming from, why would I if I was a cultist decide to kill Breloth since he was my greatest opposition? Now it seems that the cultists have played you all by killing Breloth, since now you're voting for me. I did not kill Breloth, nor have any part in his death, and yet I do not have anything to say for my innocence." Drag Ond took a moment before continuing. "My votes have been based on gambling, and percent chances that you could be innocent. If someone who says they know some things accuses you, then you have a greater chance of being a cultist than someone who has done nothing suspicious."

"Yesterday I swapped my vote from Fin to Breloth, Fin was Mad yes, but his madness swayed me away from him due to his words, Breloth's on the other hand were loud and everchanging, so yes I voted for him, but Fin was the one who died due to YOUR votes, not mine." Drag explained to those around. "So now I'm doing what I've been doing for a while, gambling on the odds, view it as a deadly version of roulette. I do wish that you change your votes off of me, but if you don't and I die, I hope that you have better luck the next few days with killing cultists, because I'd like to be remembered a little bit by those who survive."

Drag Ond sighed. "If you want to kill me today, I will not fight you." He sat down on the ground, waiting for them to decide.

Hidden:

I took a little bit of a creative liberty I believe, since the games never show any gambling.

[Musicman247]

Hidden:

About to tally votes. There are still a couple people who haven't voted. One more hour, then no more time.

I'm going to go with AKB's suggestion and drop anyone who hasn't voted in the last vote and this one, because that's six days. Plenty of time to type one sentence in which your character accuses another.

[Rachelsaurus]

Perhaps Ra-zuur was too easily swayed, but he believed Drag Ond's proclamation of innocence. However, the majority seemed to be in favor of eliminating him. An all too familiar wave of nausea and homesickness once again washed over him. If he went with the majority, he'd be safe from his vote coming back to bite him. But, what if Drag Ond really was innocent?

"I... I guess... Drag Ond." Ra-zuur stared at the ground, his eyes tearing up. He was ashamed that he chose the coward's path.

[VirtualWeasel]

Vercel looked at Gonzai with an affirmed look, and carried it to glance at the rest of the crowd. "Drag-Ond seems like the only possible lead to me. I have nobody else to suspect."

[Rachelsaurus]

"I know... I know it's almost nightfall. But, and maybe I'm wrong, I just think maybe some of us may have... I don't know, voted too hastily? Do we really- Have we heard enough evidence to send Drag Ond to his death?"

Ra-zuur was sure the others were tired of his timid voice, and he was trembling quite a bit, so he stopped talking. He looked around at the others, studying their reactions.

[VirtualWeasel]

To avoid killing another innocent man, Vercel was of course immediately intrigued by Ra-zuur's statement. "Do you know anything to suggest he's not guilty?"

[Rachelsaurus]

"I... no. Just the fear of killing another innocent. And I- I find it suspicious... well, strange that Ention voted against him with such... excitement? After all, Breloth believed Ention to be guilty." Ra-zuur did not allow himself to look at Ention during this.

[Musicman247]

Hidden:

Votes against
Ahchor -
Ak'ba - 1 1
Bal Evey -
Drag Ond - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Emzaah -
Ention -
Gonzai -
Hizz'ian -
Ra-zuur -
Rainbow -
Nicolae -
Vercel -
Ytrid - 1 1

Voted for:
Ahchor - Drag Ond
Ak'ba - Ytrid
Bal Evey - Ak'ba
Drag Ond - Ytrid
Emzaah -
Ention - Drag Ond
Gonzai - Drag Ond
Hizz'ian - Ak'ba
Ra-zuur - Drag Ond
Rainbow - Drag Ond
Nicolae -
Vercel - Drag Ond
Ytrid - Drag Ond

I'm going to take Veet's post as a vote, but please be clear in the future. I need to see something to the effect of "I vote for ___" for your vote to count from here on out.

The townspeople were unmoved by Ra-zuur's words, and even he found himself helping to tie the noose that would go around Drag Ond's head. The poor Imperial was helpless against the will of the crowd. They threw the rope over a high branch on a tree in the center of town and together pulled the rope taught. Drag Ond gasped and sputtered and gurgled as his body convulsed, trying desperately to breathe through a crushed larynx. After nearly fifteen minutes he finally gave up fighting and gave in to death. During the commotion Nicolae somehow slipped away from the group, never to be seen or heard from again.

It was silent for one hopeful moment. Had they chosen correctly? Had they decreased the number of worshipers by one?

How unfortunate that my worshipers could not use their skills on this one. Although I must say, not a bad job. If you weren't all going to die, I might have been taking applications. HAHAHAHA!

Night 2 begins

Hidden:

You have successfully killed two normal villagers! Huzzah! ...oh, wait. Also, Nicolae has dropped out of the game.

If you have decisions to make, make them and let me know within the next 48 hours!

[Rachelsaurus]

Ra-zuur bowed his head in a moment of silence, then retreated to his place without a word.

[VirtualWeasel]

Vercel stood in the evening breeze, his heart sunken deep into the pit of his soul. What had these townspeople—the people I've loved and served for so long—become?

What have I become?

He sat down at the base of the tree, his back against its bark, and closed his eyes as he leaned his head back. With a squeeze of his eyelids, the Breton resisted tears, but two departed his eyes regardless. He stared up at the moon and the stars, their light percolating through the leaves of the giant oak. The grass felt cool on his hands as he gently brushed them against the blades.

Hidden:

I assume we can do stuff at night, right? We're not required to just go straight to bed?

[Musicman247]

Hidden:

Yeah, you can do stuff. As soon as the 48 hours are up you'll all wake up from sleep, though. ...well, hopefully, right?

[AKB]

The moment Drag Ond stopped moving, Ak'ba took him down. "Another wasted day, another wasted life..." She spoke, as she begin digging a grave for the fallen villager. "I'm sorry, I couldn't defend you from this, I swear I will see to this cult's destruction..."

As she finished burying the Imperial, Ak'ba collapsed to her knees. A scream broke her lips as she grabbed the spines on her head, closing her eyes to the world around her. Shaking and screaming in agony, the Argonian convulsed for but a few moments, but seemed to last ages. Then, she stopped, altogether. She raised herself from the ground, and with a dirt-encrusted claw, pointed at Ention Hackett. "You." She said, short on breath. "I see you... I see what you are. Make peace with Molag Bal, Breton. For tonight, shall be the last one you see... I name you a minion of Molag Bal, before all of the people of this town."

The increasingly energetic Argonian grimaced at Ention "And know this, the night is still young. I may very well discover another one of your kind to join you on the gallows, tomorrow." At last, she smiled wickedly at the cultist before her "I'll be seeing you tonight."

[Believe]

Bal Evey shook his head sadly as Molag Bals voice rang throughout the town.

He turned away and walked home, without saying a word to anyone.

[Argonanza]

After Ak'ba's accusation, Gonzai simply turned his gaze to Ention and gulped nervously. He then went on his way home, occationally looking over his shoulder to make sure he wasn't followed.

When he closed the door to his bakery, Gonzai made a barricade of barrels and left a plate of cookies on the kitchen table.

Hidden:

If I'm killed and those cookies have not been eaten by the attacker I'll be very disappointed.