Tanuchan

What I know of them are that they're variations of the "core" game. We could try them sometime... but it's my opinion that we shouldn't use too many special roles. We need the plain villagers also I'd say that, maybe instead of the Baner, we can use the cupid or the witch. The thief one is a bit troublesome... because you could end up with no wolves or just one wolf, or no Seer... but it's just my opinion. I like the Cupid variation... hmm...

More special roles??? How about posting them here? I'm curious now! *hugs* ~Tanny

It sounds fun... we'll try it. Please, sign up Deggy and I as a team (and pray that our Muses don't abandon us halfway through... ) Team: Tanuchan & Degenero Angelus Edit: And I have a question... in case we decide to write a poem, can the phrase be split in two lines, like this... ... ? Though I can understand if you say 'no', as it would make it very difficult to find in the second part of the game

I enjoying reading this quite a lot... sorry for Lilah's lack of participation last days, but my Muse definitely didn't want to work in RP (that's the disadvantage of being an NPC, I can't make her work if she doesn't want to ). Congratulations to the Wolves -- and congratulation to the Mod for a great ending!! (Now... hm... who's next? Vahk, or... Katz... or Mynx... hmm... RL has been abducting the mods...

*blushes* Thanks, Zadown

Punctuation Ellipsis... and commas, semicolons; and periods. Should I use a question mark? or leave to the readers' imagination How about pauses do line breaks work or do they just confuse? And there are also the dashes - who should be commas, (or are they parentheses suffering from identity crisis?) At least the question mark is something that leaves no doubts it is a question, so it must be there though the verb placement should clarify that it is a question? ~~~~ Edit: spelling

Lilah looks at the body of the Commandant, and then to his frightened spirit, who cowers at seeing the Warriors advancing to him. He casts beseeching eyes towards her, an amorphous cloud that he senses he should know. Know? Yes, Ulster... you should know... you haven't learned to use your spirit's eyes yet... She assumes again her earthly shape, grinning as Ulster steps back. She then turns her back to him, not caring about what the Warrior spirits will do to him. You get what you paid for in life. You killed these people. You made life here unbearable for the living. I may not feel anymore, but I remember the feeling... enjoy your afterlife, Ulster. The scream, unheard by the living except the Shaman, who echoes it, pierces Lilah's soul. But she lets it pass through, not fighting, not challenging, and the pain and terror recede as she focus her attention on the Shaman. "Shaman... Shaman... you sense me, you know I'm here... " The whisper makes the Shaman tremble. Lilah senses his mind relaxing, his spirit looking for her. She reaches out a wispy hand. No, I don't know who. The Warrior Spirits are here... She glances behind, seeing them disappear. There's no sign of Ulster's spirit. ... They were here. They'll be back to their carnal hosts. You? I don't know. I can sense them, but I don't know who they possessed. I wouldn't, unless they call to me. Lilah starts to float away, but there's still a query from the Shaman. Me? You know me, Shaman... use your spirit's eyes. I'm here to find who killed me. I'm here to find out who betrayed us again. Who will cause my father and my brother to rot in prison, or die of despair. Corwin's thoughts again reach her, tugging at her, and she disappears through the wall. "Time... already a year, Corwin?" Her form sits at his side while he observes the prisoners with half his mind musing if Ulster's murderers had also killed Lilah. His feelings are like bright rays of mingled light and darkness, and she rests a hand on the almost invisible cord that links her to his spirit. "Corwin... forget Ulster's murderers... find who killed me. If the first anniversary is this near, with the strength your feelings give me I may be able to finish my mission on earth. Corwin... dear..." Her thoughts fail for a while, as she wonder about the meaning of the words that come to her lips from time to time, trying to connect them to feelings she once had. "... dear love..." ~~~~ Edit: typos & grammar

Sorry for intruding... I did this mainly to help me locate who's who, and need to put it somewhere... it may help others, also. Please don't forget that I am an NPC - no use voting for a spirit who's already dead, right??? Players Patrick => William of Humperton, republican Gryphon => Seth Millar, pirate Gnarlitch => William the Bloody, aka The Spike, innocent-turned-evil Ozy => Bartholomew Jamison, prison guard Venefyxatu => The Shaman, former slave Sweetcherrie => Aimo Fuad, Arab Dean => Alex "The Hammer" Landowne, murderer Akallabeth => Corwin Tremaine, prison guard NPCTanuchan => Lilah LeCureux, restless spirit of a dead prisoner

Lilah drifts with the breeze, not caring if some of the native's spirits looked angrily at her, though most of them showed a kind of pity. She lets herself be shaped as a cloud, slightly frayed at the edges because of the eddies created by trees and rocks. She floats almost lazily towards her target - there's no sense of urgency, as time doesn't have any meaning to her anymore. She hovers near her target - the Shaman. She knows he's aware of the spirits' presence - she can look and see his own spirit looking at her, questioning her silently. Shaman... Shaman... when will you pay enough attention to individual spirits to learn from them, instead of being wary of them? Lilah's voice isn't more than the whisper of a soft breeze, and the Shaman just turns and carries the log towards the construction. Lilah follows, for somewhere nearby she can sense the call of another living soul. Corwin... how I wish you had left... your gentle heart didn't deserve loving me. It didn't deserve finding me dead. Contrary to whatever a writer thought should happen, Lilah's growing love for Corwin had passed away with her body. What drew her to Corwin, not letting her go on her journey, was more the need to finish an unaccomplished mission than any lingering earthly emotion. However, Corwin's unabated love for her, and his constant thoughts about her, were also keeping her tied to this world. And so she always ended up drawn to his side, even when the stronger purpose of the natives' spirits struggled to keep her with them. It didn't deserve the change I caused upon you... There's a fleeting sensation of regret, that makes Lilah wonder - she couldn't recognize it anymore, half-detached from the world. But her memories supplied her with a name for the feeling. Regret... yes, regret. I regret driving you into such despair, Corwin. But I need you now, as you never thought I would while we were alive. With slight more willpower, Lilah changes her shape until a shadow of her living body stands right behind Corwin, though he can't see her. Tall, slim-waisted, with a proud bearing but gentle eyes, Lilah LeCureux lowers her head with a sigh. "Corwin... Corwin... " The guard raises his head, frowning, listening intently. But then, convincing himself he's letting his imagination rule his mind, he goes back to patroling the perimeter of the colony.

Tanny, on her way back to the clearing where they've camped, stops short as she glimpses a hint of metal gleaming in the sunlight that filters through the treetops. A head appears in the middle of the foliage, and she darts into the shadows. "A wolf!" "I saw it, dumbhead. Be quiet!" Grashk growls, irritated, while his eyes scan the spot where he saw the wolf disappear. And it seemed a fine wolf also... Ngaria would love me more for a good riding beast like that... Tanny keeps still, cursing the vines and underbrush that hamper a quick and silent retreat; without losing sight of the small band of orcs, she considers her options, soon recalling the inconvenient rocky wall that had made her come this way to start with. Accordingly, the tip of her tail brushes across scattered rocks behind her. I would hope they aren't interested in a wolf, as they're clearly in some sort of mission... but it seems that Grashk has other plans... She stifles an annoyed sigh, not liking at all Grashk's sudden grin. "Darreb, Hobrat!" Grashk hisses, finding at last the deeper shadow that marks Tanny's location. "Circle and use the nets. I want that wolf alive. Don't hurt it!" Tanny blinks, twitching her ears to follow the two quite noisy orcs. Net? Trap me? Nossir, no way, sir! Flashing her fangs in a deep growl, she sidesteps and jumps over a fallen boulder as soon as the noises tell her that the orcs are near enough. Darreb and Hobrat find themselves enmeshed in each other's nets, as another Orc throws a javelin towards Tanny. She jumps down, a telltale "thud" and shouting telling her that Grashk has used his iron-clad fist on the orc. "It's a beautiful black one to ride... alive, I want it ALIVE!" "But Captain... it's not big enough for riding..." "Shut up and catch it!" Grashk yells and shouts directions, keeping his eyes on Tanny as she jumps from rock to rock then to the ground, trying to evade them. He mutters, appreciating her suppleness, "If it's too weak... well, Ngaria will find a squashed wolf also gives beautiful fur. She'll love it. She may even agree to give me a special night..." While Grashk dreams of wolves for his beloved, Stephen takes some time to think about the band of orcs leaving the Grushkahn tribe. His conclusion doesn't please him at all and, hoping to prove himself wrong, he reaches out into the earth again, sensing in the direction from where Tanny should be coming back by now. It doesn't take long for him to find Tanny, but there's something else near her... Orcs! Stephen can sense their filthy touch on the ground, and also that they're drawing closer to Tanny, too close in fact. She probably had a reason for not running or fighting (yet?), but he doesn't want to take any risks. Quickly making sure he'll be able to find his way to their location, the ranger breaks his connection with the earth and starts packing. Several years of living outdoors have given Stephen enough experience to quickly wrap up a camp, and only moments later he is ready to leave. Trying to evade the orcs, Tanny tries to slip through the trees. However, a tricky tangle of vines catches her hind left paw, and she sees the orcs closing in on her with more nets and yells of triumph. Drat... sorry, Stephen... The yells turn into gasps of surprise as the nets fails to catch a wolf who seemed to shimmer out of focus and disappear. An uncanny silence falls among them as they stare at each other, then at their captain. Grashk blinks, his mind racing to a conclusion. Sorcery... a Nargrib trick? Are they betraying us? Or... Mutters start to replace the silence but Grashk ignores it as he narrows his eyes, focusing in the one thing he is sure he saw when the nets were thrown. "Got smaller and faded out..." He repeats that over and over, then looks at the tangled nets over a bush. "Sorcery, yes... human sorcery... they are trying to trick us. How convenient..." Grashk grins, almost rubbing his hands in glee. Keeping very still, almost not daring to breath, Tanny keeps her illusion over her small tanuki-shape as her mind frantically urges the orcs to go away. Come on... get your nets and leave... your wolf has run away... As the minutes pass, the expected hint of weariness tells Tanny that she doesn't have much time. Forcing herself to analyse her strength carefully, she decides to risk a bit more. Reaching delicately to earth, as to not unbalance the flow of illusion, she soon finds what she's looking for. A thread-like tangle of thin roots, spreading from the grass-like underbrush some feet away, serves to channel the energy. A rustle of leaves is heard not far away, and the orcs shout and point. "Get the nets! Let's go before someone finds us!" As the shouts retreat into distance, a tanuki is seen among the bushes the nets had entangled. Tanny rushes into deeper shadows before collapsing, breathing heavily. My head... this will give me a hangover worse than Stephen's over the Lemonoaid™... Stephen moves silently, and as quickly as he can, to the location where he last sensed Tanny. Suddenly, something hits his legs and he half sweeps his staff around, aiming low at the small creature. A startled squeak stops him, and something makes him realize it's Tanny - just not in one of the two shapes he knows. Hmm ... I never realized that someone's aura would change so little if they shapeshift. Even as the thought flashes through his mind, the tanuki staggers into Stephen's legs again, almost using him for support and so surprising him. Always aware of his surroundings, he makes an extra effort to make sure that there's no danger close by, and by the time he turns his attention to Tanny, she has taken back her human form. Her voice is strained, and he frowns as she swears hoarsely. "Curse all the orcs and scheming lizards in all planes above and under!" "Tanny! What happened, are you alright? I didn't know it was so bad you had to use your Tanuki shape, or I would've come faster." "I had no choice... it was either this, or they would have caught me as a wolf." So there was a reason why she wasn't running away yet ... the right moment. He sits down at her side. "It's good that you got away then - it's bad for an ordinary wolf to be captured by orcs, but it would've been much worse for you. Did they ... did they see you as a tanuki?" "I'm not sure whether they saw it or not." Tanny grimaces and groans softly, massaging her temples. "I went into tanuki form and casted an invisibility illusion... but it would be seen as sorcery in any way, as their wolf just vanished." Stephen catches Tanny's hand, and his fingers are surprisingly light and efficient when they take over the massage. "They didn't hit you." He says that as a fact - if they had hit her, a headache would've been last on her list of worries. "What's wrong?" She sighs, starting to relax while explaining, "My illusion spells are different from what a true mage does... they draw on my own energy. I can't keep them for long... straining it gives me a kind of backlash reaction. A hangover, if you want." "And on top of it, channeling energy isn't a good idea, is it?" Tanny blinks, surprised. Stephen grins at the silence, interpreting it correctly. "I found out that a band of orcs was leaving the Grushkahn camp, headed for the Nargribs. So when I reached out to see if you were still safe I felt you touching the earth. But if they saw you it's probably best if we don't delay too much anymore." "True - and I think that the Nargribs might even be expecting us ... at least I could hear them shouting about getting some of our "potion" as well." Stephen grins, "Good. Then we should be able to approach them, sell the second jug and get back to the Pen. Maybe this isn't going to be a disaster after all." While Tanny rests a bit, Stephen kneels down next to one of the trees, moving slowly and deliberately. Letting the leaves of several small plants go through his fingers, he uses both smell and touch as well as knowledge to try and identify some herbs that might help Tanny recover. He remembers smoking something once that made him feel as though he'd slept three days straight. It wouldn't be as strong if she drank it, but it would be strong enough. After gathering some of the leaves, he makes a small fire and brews them into a tea. "Before you drink this ... promise me you'll sleep next time we camp no matter how awake you feel. It restores your energy for about a day, but after that you're completely drained even though you don't feel it." After drinking, Tanny falls asleep almost immediately. Knowing that it won't last very long, Stephen sits quietly, his senses intent on his surroundings, wanting to detect the slightest hint of danger should any be near. Not much later, a soft hand touches his shoulder. "Thanks, Stephen... it worked... I guess we should get going?" As they walk to the Nargrib camp, both Tanny and Stephen stay on their guard for wandering orc bands, both wondering what Grashk is doing here, so close to the camp. Is he performing hit-and-run attacks on the Nargribs? It's not something they find out, because they arrive at the Nargrib camp without further events. "Haaaaalt! This is an orc camp! No humans allo ..." The orc suddenly stops shouting and looks at Tanny and Stephen more closely. His voice becomes sweeter than something that might've been honey once, and he gets a grin on his face that's so fake it looks painted on. "Ahhh, you're those humans ... do come in, Shaman Kahr is expecting you." Trying not to frown, they enter the camp, followed by a shout from the guard, "Durrghan, escort our guests to the Shaman!" A young orc quickly runs up to them and asks them to follow him, which they do. He stops in front of a tent and enters, and a few grunts later they're allowed to come in. "Welcome, brave adventurers. I have heard ... interesting things about you, and especially about the potion you carry." "Well, as a matter of fact ...", Tanny begins, but she is interrupted by Kahr. "One of the things I have heard is that you have sold this potion to the Grushkahn tribe already. One of the things I am convinced of is that you have more of this potion, and that you were heading for my camp, is this not so?" "You are obviously well-informed, Shaman. The reason is that we are merely trying to sell the potion, not trying to influence the w..." "And now you wish to sell your potion to my tribe?" There's a hint of poison in Kahr's oily voice, and she appears to think for a few moments before continuing, "Very well. But you must convince my warriors that they need it. The gold of the tribe is not my gold only, it belongs to the tribe. If the tribe wants the potion, then the potion is bought." With these words, Shaman Kahr leads them out of her tent and to the center of the encampment, where she has the entire tribe gathered in less time than it takes to convince yourself to take a sip of the Almost Dragonic Brand Semi-Sweet Lemonoaid™. Tanny looks over the crowd for a few moments before starting off, deciding that a long speech will be wasted on the Orcs. "WARRIORS!! You look mighty, but still you haven't destroyed your enemies, the Grushkahns!" Some of the Orcs grumble, about it being only a matter of time, about being able to crush the foul Grushkahns whenever they want to, but Tanny continues. "And now, the Grushkahns have a magic potion! But today is your lucky day, because we offer you this very same potion, to take away any advantage the Grushkahns might get over you! One sip of the Almost Dragonic Brand ..." A pathetic wail comes from an orc somewhere in the middle of the crowd when she pronounces the name. It's quickly silenced, however, by the other, more interested Orcs. Tanny makes a point of glaring at the direction of the wail before going on. "As I was saying, one sip of the Almost Dragonic Brand Semi-Sweet Lemonoaid™, and your strength, courage and determination will be doubled if not tripled!" Some commotion from the edge of the camp can be heard, but Tanny is determined not to be interrupted again and does her best to ignore it and keep on. "None of you have been able to kill Captain Grashk on the field of battle, yet Stephen, after drinking the potion, easily defeated him in single combat." In spite of her determination, she is interrupted once again, this time by a voice that sounds familiar, and not only because all Orcs seem to have similar voics. Grashk pushes his way through the crowd, evoking angry yells from the Nargribs, but almost as if by miracle they leave him alone. "Don't listen to these imposters! What are the chances of a blind man defeating a mighty Orc Captain?" There is some laughter and mocking howling at Grashk describing himself as mighty, but he continues. "I'll tell you what the chances are! Very big if that blind man and his companion are sorcerors, using their gifts to cheat Orc tribes out of their money! Don't think I didn't see that potion glowing green after your so-called secret ritual!" Although most of the Nargribs are still jeering and laughing, some mutters start spreading; Stephen can listen some of the words that come again and again. "Human... against an orc... impossible..." "Blind... Grashk is a strong orc, even if stupid... " "Trickery... even Grashk isn't that fool..." Tanny also picks the whispers and grumblings, and looks around to be sure she has space for moving if it comes to the worst. However, the orcs press nearer, and the mood of the crowd suddenly swings to Grashk's favour, in spite of him being a Grushkahn. After all, Ngaria liked him, and if they were honest he was a good Captain... Tanny's breath catches, and she steps back until she's beside Stephen. Both gulp as the now angry orcs reach for their weapons, and Stephen can sense the orcs coming closer and closer. He whispers to Tanny, "What was our plan B again?" "It depended on there being a clear path through the orcs, so it's out of the question. I suggest we use plan C." Stephen whispers a bit faster. "No, we can't... plan C depended on us being alone with the Shaman. Did we actually have a plan D?" "If you go on a mission for Wyvern, you make contingency plans until at least K ... plan D will work, though," hisses Tanny, quickly going over it in her mind.

So, I'm the spirit of the girl Akallabeth/Corwin Tremaine fell in love with. Lilah LeCureux Daughter of the Marquis of Normandy, Jon de Anglìs, a political refugee; helped her father to organize and implement a plan to destabilize the British government. When her father was caught, she confessed her participation and pointed out two of the (lesser) leaders in exchange for his life. Lilah met Corwin Tremaine in a masked ball, and made friends with him. Corwin fell in love with her almost immediately, but being the nephew of a duke who was then in disfavor, he never dared to propose to her. Once sent to Annisberg, Lilah found some solace and companionship in Corwin, and only then she understood some of his feelings. However, she could never love him as he would have liked, as she was still too worried about her father and also because she cared for him enough to not want him wasting his love on a convict for life. The reason for her murder was related to the plot her father directed, but no one knows about that. Aka, see if it's alright. If not, I'll edit accordingly

Probably an NPC... a spirit... if Kas doesn't mind

THE END Check the OOC thread to understand why 'the end' is here... but feel free to post small peeks into the future of the characters and show.

Tzim's PMs were sooo fun... I enjoyed her "if I die" instructions, and absolutely loved her posts Yeah, it was a shame it was such short game.. Maybe we need less efficient Seers... hehehe... Edit: Tzim's last post is really beautiful... it fits so well as the epilogue for the whole episode!! So, sorry if no one else has posted but... I'm addind a "the end" at that point. You can still post as small 'peeks into the future' after that, but I do think that the "present" situation has a beautiful end with her post. Thanks, Tzim . *hugs* ~Tanny

I really don't know if it was obvious... maybe Deggy can say what made him choose you *hugs* Nice game, and great RP, Venefyxatu!

Congratulations all for a great game, and great posts!! Shame it was such a short game... but maybe we can use the theme again in the future. Now, who's the next mod? I don't know if RL will leave Vahk enough time to mod... I'll be PMing him. If he can't... Kasmandre, would you be ready to mod? I can always mod another one - just need a good theme *hugs all* ~Tanny

As the shooting of the show proceeds smoothly, or as smoothly as possible with Seelvergh directing it, several of the actors drop by the room to fix up costumes or make up; most of them quickly retreat when they discover the only one available is Emmett, and the few unlucky ones who need some urgent fixing wish earnestly that some accident would happen, if just to give them a break from Emmett's talk. "Argh ... not me, too! C'mooooon, do I have a sign painted on my forehead or something? I mean, you'vegottabe telepaths or something! Or am I just that obvious and such a bad saboteur? I mean, hellooo? Like, c'moooooon, whattayamean calling me a saboteur? Why would I wanna ruin a show if I just loooove doing all these fancy alien-make-ups? Lizzie, you've gotta know better'n this! I've been doing your make-up forever, I couldn't see you get harmed! And you, Seelvergh, I mean, you were totally the only dude who didn't hafta be carried out of the room after my application! Nobody else even considered hiring me, but you completely sat through my talkin' and actually hired me! Kaz, what did I ever do ta you? Your light made my make-up always look even better, especially if Zeke could find the right angles! Maaaaan that always looked awesome! I mean, c'mooooooon, where would this show be without the three of us?? And.. " "SHUT UP!" Emmet gasps, turning and finding Kaz glaring at him. "Hey, that'snotfair... c'mooooooooon, you talk through your cameras butall I'vegottais my voice, how can you yellatmetoshuttup, and you accusingme... c'mooooooon, totally unfair... And you caneditstuff and make me appear where I wasn't... " Lizzie enters the room with a jar of water and a resolute look, walking straight to Emmett and dumping all the contents of the jar on him. Emmett spurts and gasps and coughs, and through all of it keeps talking. "Hey now, that's plain rude yaknow... my hair, lookatwha'ya'vedone... ruinedit, ya did... aaargh... doyaknow how long I'm gonna take to.. " "Enough, Emmett. You're done." The cool, calm voice has an effect that no one expected. Emmett does stop talking, and doesn't even try to restart. As other people peek in, noticing the eerie silence in a room that's never silent, they see Erwin Aylan, Zeke, and a third man. "Emmett, you have better come with us. I think you know this gentleman? He is an agent from Mendacious Studios." Emmett gasps, blanching. "This is a somewhat secret business, but in some days we will be signing up the contract that makes Mendacious a branch of our own studios, specialized in Fantasy shows. You will be all working for them, under the supervision of E.A. studios." There are several murmurs, and Seelvergh has to find some support as his greatest rival, Lucas Georgyu, is the main director of Mendacious Studios. He grits his teeth, trembling. "When we finally agreed on the conditions of the fusion, it was brought to my attention that Mendacious had two agents in the HMS Incorporated show. Mr. Raddenbarry here identified the agent in Zeke Thompson's video tape... Emmett, do you... " "NOOOOO.... you, you ruined my career! You put me into Lucas' hands!" growls Seelvergh, breathing hard. erry and Tim try to stop him, but he draws his brand-new handgun and shoots. ~~~~~~~~~~ OOC: Venefyxatu/Emmet was the second wolf. Congratulations, villagers!! A great work by the Seer, Deggy... and good intuition from the Baner, Cherrie, who protected Deggy the first night. You're free to post your character's reactions and, why not, future (Thanks, Venefyxatu, for Emmett's looong talk... I hope I did it right in the other ones )

*applauds the RP, delighted* You're great! Well, this is just to apologize in advance... I won't be able to end Day Phase on time, so the lynching results will be delayed by 2-3 hours (predicting the post to ~5 EST, or in about six hours). Sorry, and enjoy the small extension ~Tanny

Possibilities... * you're new in the show * you've been in the background and no one has paid attention to you

Scorecard On the Set... Sweetcherrie => Lizzie French, elder actress Deggy => Ezekiel "Zeke" Thompson, cameraman Kasmandre => "Creepy" Kas Johnson, gaffer Gryphon => Terry Walkworth, special fx Ozy => John Thessalonian, sound effects Lady Celes => Tim Price, voice-over Quincunx => Marisa Hawkins, stage mother Venefyxatu => Emmett, make-up Knight => Bernie Frankowitz, The Agent extraordinaire dragonqueen => Debra Thompson, budding actress Vahktang => Isaac Heinlein, head writer Gnarlitch => Buzz Beckenstien, actor ... and Haunting the set Akallabeth => Doug Matthews, stage carpenter/handyman and saboteur Dean => Don Cornelious, music director NPCs Wyvern => the Ghost of Paul Gotliebb Nipkow Stephen Seelvergh, the director => NPC available to be used by any player in their posts Erwin Aylan => the Executive Producer

After most people leave, there's still one light on somewhere in the set. Alone and in peace, one of the technicians works, putting together bits and pieces needed for the show. "Not here... I need something high-pitched... maybe if I use that one..." He mutters, intent on his work. It takes some time, but at last a sound penetrates his ears and he listens to a test recording being played. He frowns, annoyed both at being disturbed and at having someone meddling with testing material. Quite irritated, he enters the soundproof part of his small studio, heading straight up to the tape recorder. "I'm still working on the Death Scene... what is this doing here? The tape wasn't even supposed to be in the recorder!" He looks around, suddenly suspicious, at the same time reaching out a hand to switch off the tape recorder. "What the...!!" He pulls off his hand, finger starting to throb slightly from something that has pricked it and sticky with some substance. Carefully, he sniffs at his finger, smearing a bit the cold, sticky substance between thumb and index finger. He can't quite make it out, but he does listen to a soft thud and click. Turning sharply, he sees the door closed and the doorknob moving. "Closed!" He mutters, suddenly in panic. "Hey! Who are there?" He tests the door, then bangs at it, sweat starting to drop from his forehead. "Help! Help!!" Unfortunately, one of the few proper things in the set is the Soundproof Studio, as Don Cornelious has overseen its building himself. No sound would ever enter or leave once the door is closed. And so it is that Don's cries for help, and some minutes later, of pain, are never heard by the few other technicians still at the studio as the poison slowly spreads through his body. ~~~~~~~~ OOC: Don Cornelious/Dean was an innocent technician (villager). It's now Day Phase and you have 48 hours to find the remaining wolf. Scorecard at the OOC thread. The episode being filmed is the same posted for the 'night phase'. Good luck!

The shooting of the episode proceeds smoothly, or as smoothly as it can go with Seelvergh shouting and grumbling and changing his mind every other scene. But, used as they are to him, half the technicians ignore his yells and the other half nods while going around their duties as they see fit. Some days later, Seevelrgh seems to not notice that good results come from having his orders being ignored or twisted, and grins as he watches the edited episode with Mr. Aylen. "Good, good! You see, Mr. Aylen, the show this week will be a good one! See how perfect the orange skin appears on this set, how the lighting I instructed works perfectly for those scenes. And the effects of the explosion are simply amazing, don't you think so? Terry is a good technician, he just need adequate instructions. " Mr. Aylen nods absently, wondering how much he can take from the sponsors with a better audience rating. "What is that girl doing there... screaming all the time?" "Oh... Debra? She's trying to be rescued, of course." "I see..." To himself, the executive produce wonders if the other actor shouldn't let her die just to get rid of the screaming, but then he shrughs. If they like to see her in that scant clothing, and if it gives me ratings... whatever. While they watch and discuss the final cut of the episode, on stage there are more mutterings going on. Zeke, apparently intent on checking his cameras, pays close attention to the whisperings around his name. "As if I would ruin something that I can make just perfect through my work... now, that carpenter guy... he is always building strange stuff. Going out of his way to make things work... or is it?" He picks his cup of coffee, taking a sip then grimacing. "Ack... this is just horrible... don't they know how to brew proper coffee anymore? Such bitterness without any taste..." On the other side of the set, Buzz eyes Doug. While going over his scenes on the newly-received script, he also muses about the carpenter. "Carpenter and general handyman... so general that he seems able to build contraptions that would almost look better in the SFX team's hands... " And Terry frowns, overseeing carefully the work of his men. It wouldn't do losing another of them... his new assistant was a promising guy, and he is extra careful. And even if he doesn't appear so, Terry also keeps an eye on his set of tools, checking if someone gets near it - that someone being, at this moment, Doug, who crosses the set again and again carrying plywood and assorted pieces of wood and, strangely enough, metal and wires. In the backstage, Emmet keeps talking and not being listened to, commenting and gossiping about one and another, never stopping in one given person for long. Marisa, paying close attention to Benjamin's makeup, sighs in annoyance at having to listen to a guy that's actually on the other side of the make-up room. Debra, on the other hand, smiles and waves at Emmet in passing, more worried about her dress showing too much or too little of her cleavage - Marisa isn't sure which. Her eyes look for Lizzie, the old actress that eyes the coffee tray strangely then slips out, scripts in hand. Doug looks around, giving all the impression of looking for his tools while observing carefully, being sure that there's no one paying attention to him. Then, he quickly attaches something to the door of the ship, pulling from his pocked something and adjusting it quickly. Some lights blink, he adjusts better the wires, and finally nods, satisfied. Ever so carefully, he hides the contraption in a previously prepared niche right beside the real wiring of the door controls. So intent on his delicate work that he shuts out everything else, Doug doesn't notice one of the special effects guys standing some feet behind him, and making a sign to Terry. As Doug picks the covering of the niche, preparing to snap it closed, a heavy hand closes on his shoulder. "What's that, Matthews? It's not the detonator of a small bomb, is it?" Doug freezes, while Terry looks close enough to confirm that it is, indeed, a detonator. "And what are you doing messing with bombs, that should be just my crew's doing?" Doug turns suddenly, hitting Terry across his side with a metal bar and sweeping from his pocket a small handgun. But before he can do anything else, Zeke jumps from his hiding place, knocking him aside so that the shoot goes amiss. Terry, trying to recover his breath, kicks Doug, who stumbles. The gunshot and yells attract more and more people, and all of a sudden another shot comes, barely missing Buzz who is trying to tackle Doug down. Doug, free for some moments, runs for the exit, waving his gun to keep people away. All of a sudden, there's a loud creaking sound and a wall-sized panes comes loose, falling over Doug and bringing down part of the lighting. The live wires dangle dangerous close to Doug's immobilized body. Tim Price appears from behind the panels with some tools in hand, wearing a satisfied expression on his face. "Well, I would call this a very badly-set panel, Matthews... fortunately for us. I didn't expect it to fall so easily." Doug curses in rage, trying a sudden move to free himself and not noticing the dangling wire zapping less than an inch from his ear. There's a scream and the smell of burning hair that silences everybody, and it takes some seconds until someone - Tessalonian - has enough wits to grab a wooden pole and separate Doug from the wire. There's some quiet talk in Aylen's office after Doug's removed to a hospital. "Keep it going, Seelvergh. It was an accident, nothing else. Be sure that Terry and the others understand that, if it is known that Doug was sabotagins and actually causing deaths here, this show will be buried forever." "But... but... it's a crime!" "Yes, it is. Later, we'll find out evidences that Doug Matthews did indeed cause trouble, but not now. We have too much invested here, Seelvergh... I'm giving you a chance. If you don't care for it, go ahead. Tell everything to the police, and the show, and probably this studiou, will be ruined." ~~~~~~~ OOC: congratulations, you got a saboteur. Doug Matthews/Akallabeth was the first wolf. It's now Night Phase. Seer, Baner, Wolf, send me your targets within 24 hours. Meanwhile, it's another day at the set. The next episode is starting to be shot. Go ahead, keep your wonderful RP - just do not accuse or speculate!! I'll post a scorecard when next day phase starts. Episode: "Snow" A sudden cold front brings snow for the first time. However, unknown to the HMS Incorporated crew, the snow also brings the Snow Beasts at night. At first assumed to be just that, beasts, they prove to be intelligent and dangerous. The beasts are in reality aliens who crashed in the planed several hundreds years ago, and are usually in suspended animation (cold storage) until a temperature drop brings snow. At the end, the crew manages to rig a bomb that destroys the alien's refuge. Thanks to Vahk, who sent me both this and the previous episode

A black wolf dashes into Cabaret and helps Ayshela in her second tacklehug, resulting this time in a tangles of arms, legs, fur, and a tail. Happy Birthday!! *hugs* ~Tanny

Well, NPC kill is up. It's day phase. Accuse at will! Clarification about roles: If you didn't get a PM, you're a villager! And Katz is another official NPC... don't try to accuse her

"Now, this is important! Debra, dear, don't look so intensely at the camera. You're out for a stroll when you see ... yes, like that. Zeke, I want that boulder to appear in the scene, are you sure you got the right angle? Kas! Creepy Kas, where are you?" Seelvergh looks up at the catwalks, looking for the gaffer and mumbling, then shouting again, "Did you set the lights as I asked, Creepy?" Without waiting for an answer, the director turns his attention to the scene. After some reheasal of key scenes (in his opinion), he decides to start filiming the opening sequence. "Alright guys... let's shoot. First scene, the sound of explosion makes you all come out in a run. Benjamin, you've been awoken by the noise, so you should look sleepy, and be probably the last..." "He sleeps in the first bed and is a smart and active boy!" A voice booms from the ceiling, making Seelvergh jump. A couple of actors sigh and exchange a glance, recognizing at once Marisa's voice. "The noise will make him jump out, immediately awake, and so he would be the first to appear, calling his friends!' Some discussion ensues, being short due to the impracticality of really talking to someone who's somewhere way above you and concealed by shadows and catwalks. Grumbling, Seelvergh repositions the actors. "Alright..." Ligths are turned on and cameras trail into position. At a gesture from the director, everybody silences, and there's an expectant look from all stagehands, waiting for the explosion and smoke... that come choked and fizzling, more like a sick old man's breathing than the crashing of a spaceship. "Cut!" Sveelbergh storms out of his chair. "Walkworth! Walkworth, you incompetent! Where are you?!" The SFX specialist runs towards the back of the stage, where his assistants are looking in a puzzled way at a mess of wires and fuses. Wincing at the sight of Seelvergh coming towards him, Terry Walkworth gives quick instructions. "Clean the mess. Set it up again. I'll talk to him far from you." Saying that, Terry goes towards the fuming director and, with an arm around his shoulders, steers him away from the scared technicians. It takes some time for the scene to be all set again, but once more all actors, cameras, and lights are in position. Benjamin looks up at Debra, who smiles to him reassuringly and points out at the square of light. "It's alright, Ben. When the explosion comes, imagine your mom yelling at you like she does to Mr. Seelvergh and run. Your expression will come out about right." Ben giggles, but thinks to himself that Mr. Seelvergh's face wasn't as much scared as deeply annoyed. Shrugging, he waits. Five seconds after Seelvergh's signal to set off the smoke bomb, a big explosion rocks the stage, causing several props and fake rocks to tumble. A dense smoke billow out from the back of stage, bringing a happy grin to Seelvergh's face. "Yes, yes! Great effect!" he whispers, as Benjamin appears with a startled and annoyed face and Zeke focuses on him. However, yells and coughing intrude on the scene, as two of Walkworth's assistants rush mindlessly into the stage, crossing it just in front of Zeke's camera. "WALKWORTH!!!" Seelvergh roars, but he just sees the object of his wrath duck behind the painted panel representing far mountains. There are confusing shouts coming from him and assorted people nearby, and Seelvergh follows Walworth. He stops short, gasping in horror as he sees a gaping hole in a far wall, and the destroyed equipment surrounding the small space reserved for the creation of the special effects of the opening scene. Near the hole, half-buried by debris, there's a mangled body. Seelvergh rushes out, suddenly sick, trying to drown the urge to throw up. Later on that day, Mr. Aylan's cold eyes hold Seelvergh's. "I don't care if you think the explosion was caused by faulty wiring, careless handling, or clumsiness. What I care about is the cost of it for the show. It's the third such 'accident' in the last 5 shootings. Either we don't know how to choose competent people, or there's sabotage going on, Seelvergh. You are the responsible person on stage. I'm the responsible one behind it. And we know what is involved in this show, Seelvergh. If it goes down, we go with it. I told you this morning: if the show keeps its low ratings, it will be cancelled. But if it keeps killing people, it will be cancelled and the studio closed. I have men investigating. I am doing what I can. Your job it to get the shows done. And to be sure that no one else is killed. Do you know the cost of keeping these accidents out of the papers and news channels?" So, next morning, Seelvergh is again shouting and ranting at his crew and at the actors. He had found a way, together with Zeke, Walkworth, and Price, to use the material shot when the explosion had happened. All in all, he was pretty satisfied with the scared faces his actors showed, and Tessalonian and Cornelious' work with the music and soud had muffled enough of the cries and shouts. "Now, to work. We'll be filiming scenes 3, 8, 4 and 7 today, in this sequence. That should take just until mid-afternoon, and as yesterday you had half-day free, we'll work until evening to finish the other scenes, as annotated in your script." As in the previous day, everybody leaves to take care of their assigned tasks and to prepare for the filming. However, there's also tension and whispered words about the suspicious sequence of accidents and incidents involving the filming of this season's episodes. More than once a word is repeated in cautious tones: 'sabotage'. And much more than once, the listener laughs and dismisses it as the tradition of having ghost stories circulating in every TV set in town. "Heck, they even say this studio is haunted, but I have never seen the supposed ghost or heard of any pranks!" The stagehand laughs and hurries to attend to his duties, while his companion shakes his head and mutters, "But there *are* ghosts here!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~ OOC: First NPC kill was poor SFX assistant Peter Simpson. It's Day Phase. You can go about your tasks while filming the episode (same one described last post), while trying to find the saboteurs. You have 48 hours to accuse. I forgot to say: I won't be accepting tying votes to another's... so, if you have trouble to come back, vote early or PM me any instructions (that will be made public before the end of the phase). Good luck!!