Tanuchan

"Now, now, you... eehm... two..." Tanny looks at Vahktang with a stern face, then at Cryp's shadow with a more dubious one. "Stop bickering.... hm... well, disagreeing. I think we'd better try to find what this place is? Salinye would surely ask us to do it; after all, that tunnel there does end under her Manor. If something creepy is going to crawl on her guests, it's better to find out soon." Glad for having some excuse, Vakhtang nods heartily and gets quickly away from Cryp and his shadow. "Dear sirs, I believe we should organize parties..." A high-picthed whistling noise comes suddenly from the upper gallery, and a door slams somewhere. Papa Smurf exclaims something that sounds like 'smurf-fantastic' when another door creaks open near him. A loud cursing is heard, and suddenly a figure all in white stumbles out from one of the doors. "A ghoooost!" shrieks CheerMynx, promptly pushing Cryp in front of her. "Looks more like a... rabbit ghost... " mutters Ayshela, not avoiding a chuckle as she recognizes Leif. The bunny curses again. "That mead was from a special reserve, curse them! I want the responsible for this!" He shakes himself, patting his fur and raising a cloud of white dust. "Flour," grins Tanny, going over to him and helping him. "I found the kitchen," grumbles Leif. "When I opened what seemed the door to the pantry, a sack of this stuff feel on me. Heavy. Almost knocked me out. Lucky me for having quick reflexes." "Classic..." YanYan looks around. "Listen, better to not go around all by ourselves. Let's organize groups." Cryp turns to each one. "I'm going to the gallery upstairs. Who's with me?" "Me." Merelas draws Brillemire again. "I was already following you, anyway." "And me." YanYan steps ahead, turning to Ayshela. "I won't be near that kitchen so soon." Leif draws Jorgen's Blade. "Well, so let's go..." the group starts for the great staircase, CheerMynx still glued to Cryp's back and clearly not intending to go anywhere without him. Cryp sighs, but his shadow trembles as if laughing. Vahktang, feeling more like himself after the weapon-loaded shadow is gone, also looks around him. "*I* said that before him! Who's with me?" Lady Celes and Itchy answer at once, Celes adding, "But I want to find the Library" while Gnarlitch snorts, "Anywhere far from that big guy. I want to explore." Pushed by Phil, Dean stumbles into Vahk. "Heh... I'm with you, too." Ayshela shrugs, looking at Finnius. "How about some exploring of our own? That door we were going to try...?" The little blue man nods. "Gwaihir? Elwen?" asks again Ayshela. Gwaihir sighs, but joins them silently. HappyBuddha fixes his eyes upon another door, pensive, and Dragonqueen looks at him curiously. Papa Smurf has already decided to explore that room, looking curiously into the fireplace and up the chimney. Transe leaves the shadows, silent. ~~~~~~ OOC I'm extending day phase for another 40 hours, due to the number of votes. Currently, we have Cryp, Finn, and YanYan with one vote each... and Itchy with two. You are currently divided into four groups. Check the OOC thread for more info, please. Day phase ends on Saturday morning, around noon EST. ~~ edit: correcting vote count until this post

"It's confirmed. IRA bombs. With all respect, m'lady..." "No." Saria frowns, looking at Mariah from behind a desk covered with reports. "What decent Irish terrorist would be foolish enough to use materials traceable to him? I smell a very clever set up in all this." "Why not a trap within a trap... no one would believer he would do it, so he does it anyway," says Paolo. "I have to agree with you, Paolo... this is full of traps within traps within traps. A seemingly endless chain of them. However, Shamus Heartbreaker would never use a bomb in my territory. But others can be trying to make me think he dared it." "So we have the X, the Skin, and the Gator." Mariah picks another report, handing it in to Saria. "Two allies, and an unknown piece." "Former allies," interrupts Paolo. "There are rumors they're currently on opposite sides." "Backstabbing... " mutters Saria. "Mickey has always given me shudders. I wouldn't condemn Vinnie for wanting distance from him." "But for trying to take over?" "If it was him. I'm not convinced. There are too many coincidences. Traps within traps, Paolo. All the recent attacks can be traced to any of us. And all of us. Very clever. What do you have on the others, Mariah?" "The Gator is an unknown piece. He may have been allied to the Skin once, but there's nothing on that recently. The Lotus and the Sakura have a somewhat uneasy deal. " Saria looks at the reports already over her table. She discards some of them, and turns a critical eye on the remaining ones.

*huge hugs* Good luck, Mynx... hope things go well for you and you can get the necessary grades. And whatever happens, you'll always have a special place here! Come back when you can ~Tanny

Finally able to spend her time out of bed, Saria sits gazing out of her window. "Lotus and the Sakurazukamori seem to agree... a most interesting development... and the Skin ... bombs... poison... it could be. " She mutters to herself. "X, then? Are we showing our claws now...?" She waves Mariah out. "Thanks, Mariah. I need some time alone. See that I'm not disturbed."

I would say that's a *great* idea, as we've had some unexpected trouble lately and RL does have a tendency to intrude when we are completely unprepared! Just a point, though: I think it should be given to the first person to be out of the game that actually can help if something happens, i.e., someone who has a predictable (within limits) online time and is usually seen around the boards with frequency. In this way, s/he will be able to pick up quickly if there's any trouble. Also, my suggestion is that Katz would be an excellent backup when she's not playing; I know she's busy in RL, but maybe she can help from time to time

It depends on the kind of RP... the safest way to know is to PM the person who started the thread and ask. Two current RPs at the Conservatory are the Party and the Halloween Werewolf... you can't enter the game part, but you can haunt there as a ghost PM either me or Katz if you're interested

Pssst... why don't you post this at the Cabaret? Maybe you catch someone there...

The guests react in several ways to the eerie environment they are in; some seem to ponder where to go, while others decide to start by examining the different objects spread around the big room. Cryptomancer arrives at the upstairs gallery with CheerMynx almost glued into his shoulder, his shadow looking back at the staircases with weapons ready for any attack. Merelas follows him, stopping at the landing where the staircase branches to survey once more the room and try to note what the others are doing. Celes soon joins Merelas. There's a creaking noise at the end of the gallery, and all three look at the same direction while CheerMynx jumps and screams. Ayshela picks one of the doors, walking purposefully towards it and being joined by Tanny and Finnius. Tanny-wolf sniffs at the door carefully, when it slowly opens as if by itself and she steps back hastily, bumping into Finnius. Gwaihir kneels near the fireplace, apparently having found some kind of growth in there; Vahktang peeks in, seeing just something that appears to be a moving yelowish-red blob with tiny tentacles looking at him with baleful eyes... he blinks, and it goes back to being just a weird-looking round patch of yelowish-red lychen. Meanhile, Leif pokes his head into a room, still looking for the kitchen, and a sudden 'whooosh' above his head greets him. Ducking and examinng the tips of his ears, he curses as he discovers that the bottle that was in his hand is now floating away from him. Not very far from him, Gnarlitch grunts in surprise as the newly-taken pouch starts squirming in his belt, then suddenly disappears. They all look around, checking where everybody else is, when a surprised yelp comes from a corner then turns into a painful scream. "Salinye!" shouts Ayshela, running to her friend but being beaten in reaching her by Tanny~wolf. They find the elf maiden almost unconcious, writhing on the floor, a hand clutched around a small statue that glows a baleful red. Reddish streaks of light wrap themselves around her arm, advancing slowly upwards. "Mer!" calls Tanny urgently, changing back into human and grounding herself. The flow... it is weird here..., she registers while grasping the twisting earth energy with her mind. I have to check it later... "Shield her!" urges Merelas, reaching for Chrissiania's Jewel in case it is needed. "Already did," answers Tanny, "Someone take away that statue! Don't touch it!" Cryptomancer gets free for a moment from the shrieking CheerMynx's paws, and mutters something softly. The statue seems to slip away from Salinye's grip. Her arm, however, is covered with strands of light that seem to dig into her flesh, and a green soft glow that Merelas recognizes as Tanny's shielding. "There are Healers at the Manor," says Ayshela. Merelas quickly assesses the situation and, confirming that Gyr is at the party, he calls a flame and disappears into it. He returns in a few moments, slipping a ring into Salinye's finger then taking her in his arms and disappearing again into the flames. Vahktang reaches a fingertip towards the discarded statue, curious, and feels an immediate shock. He jumps back hurriedly, helped by Dean who shouts, "Don't be a fool!" A piece of paper floats to the ground, no one noticing where it came from. Curious fingers touch everything catlings meowl and prod the unknown a little shock is good to teach to keep fingers back into pockets... Have fun around, catlings but beware the cat-hunters... Trick or Treat! Merelas reappears among the debating guests, delivering his news. "Salinye is okay. Katz said that she will send help our way as soon as she can round up some sober people... What's this about?" "A sick Halloween Trick... " mutters Celes. Tanny approaches the statue carefully. Lifepattern... but unknown. No work of spirits, here. Angry voices serve as counterpoint for CheerMynx's wimpers and sobs, and soon everybody agrees that any prankster that has had the cheek to play such dirty trick on their gentle host must be found. ~~~~~~ OOC So, Salinye (NPC) was the first victim of the pranksters. It's Day Phase, and you have 48 hours from this time stamp to accuse (state vote clearly in an OOC line, please). Due to the size of the group, I'll possibly wait until 2/3 of the players have posted a vote. Any ties will be dealt with by rolling dice. The first post of the thread brings the list of players. Good hunting! Note: if I described something contrary to the characteristics of your Personas, please PM me. I'll be more than glad in correcting any mistake. And never take the mod's posts as meaning anything concerning the roles (Edit: adjusting Merelas's scene)

Dead I sit at this desk where the lamp's long gone out, wondering at myself, tired as I am where has gone all light, all brightness when did darkness fall, and this cold around me. I stare into the shadows, looking for any light, my fingers tap a forgotten rhythm that fills my ears; closing my eyes, diving into true blackness there's nothing to see, nothing to feel, just emptiness. I talk to myself, to listen to any sound other than silence reaching hands to touch the lamp, small sign of reality lost feeling the touch of tears on my own cheeks, soft oh so soft tasting the salty bitter flavor of memories gone mad. My fingers find that wrinkled paper, a letter so old I don't need a light to read what ink scrawled on yellowed paper; a ghostly voice comes from a past I thought so long lost cold hands closing over my heart, taking it to where it belongs. Buried. *** A new line: Bright ice comes, cold to the touch

Hi Black You have to be at least an Initiate to be able to post at the Piazza of Portraits, although you can see all the posts there. Why don't you apply? I see you're known around here, I'm sure people would be glad if you did. Welcome, by the way .... *grin* ~Tanny

A continuous string of curses can be heard coming from Saria's bedroom, and a man is seen leaving hurriedly, escorted by Terane. "And do not dare coming back with that kind of talk!" She gasps, breathing heavily and biting back a wimper. Mariah approaches, but Saria shakes her head. "No... it's okay... tell Paolo that... next time he calls in ... a doctor who wants.... to drug me... I'll have his hide." Pale, she proceeds. "Anything about Leif?" "No, m'lady." Saria closes her eyes, furious at her present invalid state. "Bring anything you get, Mariah. I have to think about this. Almost everybody got targeted..." She waves her away.

WW MODDING POST Love the posts! You're great! Sign up is officially closed, and I'm sending the roles in the next couple of hours. So that people have more time to drop a first post, I'll be posting the first "death" (NPC) tomorrow afternoon, when first day phase starts. Until there, have fun! You can create anything in the house, from props to whole rooms. To the poets there, feel free to find scary verses scrabbled somewhere... Any doubt, please either PM me or post here. To those who aren't playing the ww game, an invitation: would you like to come over with a Ghost character? So, post your "ghost character" here (though not necessary) and go on to haunt the daring guests who are at the Haunted House! The rules are below: Ghost Character's Rules you can interact with any player as you want: touching, sounds, pranks, even spooky speech; don't injure/kill the guests, though however, you cannot in any way give your opinions as to the identity of the "wolves", nor try to influence the votes in any way; not even speculations; if you wish, you can PM players to set some special prank/reaction, copied to the mod (aka me ) if you plan to be a "regular" ghost, it would be nice if you can post a small description at this thread; otherwise, for "once-timers", just have fun; Have fun! ~Tanny

Oh no you won't you big awkward scheming liz... At the last second, Tanny changes into her tanuki shape, quikly trying to avoid the looming mountainous disaster called Wyvern. She succeeds... or, quite succeds... *whines* ... the tangle is one of Wyvern's and Drummondo's arms and legs, and Tanny's tail - who got firmly grasped by Drummondo in his flailing attempt to avoid falling. And also Gryphon feathers, as Tanny's paws instinctively grabbed him when her tail was pulled. She sighs, closing her eyes. ~~~~ lol Welcome, Drummondo! Hope you enjoy our (crazy) company!

*Hah! You say that because it wasn't you!*, answers her, mindspeaking to Merelas. *I remember how you almost skewered me, and I wasn't even trying to scare you!* She finally backs from YanYan -- not that she has much choice, with CheerMynx spread all over her and hugging her as if she were her teddy bear. *Now, Mynx... let me go? I can't breathe...* As CheerMynx completely ignores her and keeps screaming in her ears, Tanny sighs. Her form shimmers, and a tanuki quickly escapes from her arms. The feline falls down with a yelp of surprise, knocking YanYan down again. Tanny-tanuki grins, winking mischievously, then joins Cryptomancer. "I heard about the spiders... " she grimaces, shimmering back to human form. "It gave me a headache, to tell you the truth. Are the others here yet?" She turns to Merelas, who nods. "I guess so. Most of them, anyway. " Slowly the others arrive, some curious and others wary, taking in the dusty, dark room. Most of the fighters have some weapon drawn, while the mages clearly have some spell ready if need comes. (Though it seems that Phil is readier than Dean...) All of a sudden, there's a rattling sound coming from somewhere up. As several of the mages conjure some kind of light and Gwaihir sends some fireflies ahead, the now dimly lit room reveals its features. Besides the grand piano, there can be seen couches and side tables around a stone fireplace; several objetcts are seen on the mantelpiece, and a coat of arms is hung over it. Several paintings and tapetries hang from the walls between the curtained windows, the lights making shadows dance eerily over them. There seems to be doors, also, and several other features quite undistinguishable in the shadows. In the center of the room, right under a big chandelier, an imposing staircase leads to an upper floor. Midway up, it branches in two, going to each side of what seems to be a gallery or a corridor. The rattling sound is heard again, fainter, followed by a soft rustle, and then silence. Dragonqueen screams suddenly, stumbling back and bumping into Gnarlitch. "Hey!" grunts him. "I... I felt something touching me!" gasps her, looking wildly around. A cold touch startles also Leif, and Vahktang suddenly notices a curtain moving. There's no open windows, though. Tanny, again as a wolf, wonders for a second what mage has lit the candles around the room. ~~~~ Edit: typo

Celes is suddenly thrown to the ground by YanYan, who crashes into her. He tries to crawl back onto his feet frantically, but a growling ball of black fur hits him and tackles him to the ground. Sharp teeth flash, but they don't do more than scratch YanYan's arms and legs, as Tanny doesn't really want to hurt him. *So you like pranks, right? How do you like this one?*

Loved it, Finn As Cryp said, well-caught imagery and a very smooth flow. *hugs* ~Tanny (and I just saw Tanny the wolf there... really fits )

A wolf enters the room, nudging Drummondo softly. Never worry, dear friend, anyone who has ever been here knows what it feels like to wait for our scheming Elder lizard... (eh... to wait for our respected Elder of Initiates) ... anyway... It's not a dreary place though waiting makes it so, trust your skills with word and rhyme what keeps Wivern away will soon send him in. He'll come barging in at any moment... *looks around carefully, then relaxes and sits down*

The loud shrieking and crashing noises soon echo through the passage. Tanny, who had used her tanuki form for its agility and small size (always better in crowds), shimmers into her wolf form and quickens her pace. Darkness is not a problem to her, and she can see ahead a faint glimmer. In no time she catches up with Merelas, who's peering ahead. She nudges him gently but steps quickly back as she senses the blade. Brillemire stops inches from her nose. *Gosh, you're a nervous elf!* she mutters, looking at him. "Tanny! Don't you ever come that softly from behind, please!" He looks farther behind, noticing the others approaching. *Never when you have Brillemire drawn, for sure.* snorts her, perking her ears on hearing some softer crashing and a mutter oddly resembling a "I'm sorry". *What was that?* Tanny nudges Merelas again, and he nods, "Yes, I heard something... " Gwaihir, not too far ahead of them, mutters absent-minded apologies to a stalagmite while bending to examine some strange glowing fungi that grow in a corner of the roughly-hewn tunnel. ~~~~ Edit: typo

Monday

"Don't you talk to me in that voice, missy!" replies Saria sharply. "I would think Heartbreaker smarter than that! How don't you... okay, go and call her. I'm tired of your whining!" Underlings... I would think also that Shamus had better ones... "Molly? Good to talk to you. What nonsense did that half-brother of yours... mm? Not you? I know how hot Irish blood is, lass! And besides, that stubborn... ... yes, okay. Yes, you have a point there. ... No, don't. No, it's okay then. Yes, I will wait a contact." She hangs up, a glint of irritation clear in her eyes although her voice is calm. "So do you think now that the Irish is...." "It's the Heartbreaker for you, Nime." "Sorry, ma'am... I thought..." "You don't have to think. Go and find Paolo." As the girl leaves, Saria sighs. And it seems it's not just Shamus that needs better underlings.

Halloween Werewolf game has started! Check the new thread! This thread will be used as OOC for both the party and the game. Have fun!

The party goes on, people having fun in one way or another. Ayshela dances with Xaious, finding it somewhat trying as her partner is almost exactly five minutes and half slower in following the rhythm. YanYan surrenders the DJ position to Dean for a quick turn at dancing, grabbing Celes' on his way to the dancing floor. Katz, bowing to Tanny, invites her to dance also. A loud crash, followed by acute yerfing, freezes both of them on their way to the dance floor. Other eyes fly into the direction of the noise, the rare sober people hearing also giggling mixing to the yerfs. "Daryl!" cries Salinye, darting into the corridor that leads to the basement. "Mynx...?" wonders Cryptomancer, gesturing his bar away and joining the growing line of people going after Salinye, Tanny, and Katz. Daryl meets Salinye at the door to the basement, having broken free of Mynx and yerfing indignantly. She removes the colar and the pink bow, what calms the grinning fox somewhat, then he yerfs some more, poining at the open door. "A what? Cave in? In my basement?!?" Wondering, the group enters carefully. Someone brings light, and at the center of the basement a large hole can be seen. Kneeling by it, Merelas is shouting at Mynx. "Hey, are you alright?" "Merelas?" Tanny joins him, "I haven't seen you enter... " "I was grabbed by that... hm... CheerMynx... as soon as I entered... she was babbling something about shiny and pretty stuff... then entered the basement. We heard a noise, rushed in... found the hole... she's down there..." Katz peers down curiously, poking first with her spear. Then she nods, "It seems there's a tunnel in here. I believe CheerMynx is following it... I think I can hear her giggling... " Salinye looks as surprised as everyone else. "A tunnel? Under Custos Manor? But I never..." "Sure not, Sal." Ayshela opens her way to the group peering down the tunnel. "But I guess we should find CheerMynx... before she gets into more trouble." Some sighs are heard, but mostly there are happy cheers at the prospect of investigating a mysterious tunnel that has just appeared under Custos Manor -- and just at Halloween!! ~~~~~~ From this point on, this thread will branch into the werewolf game. For the ww players, please see the new thread. This thread will keep being the Party Thread, and just at Custos Manor. The tunnel and Haunted House are exclusively at the game thread. Anyone from the ww thread can interact back into this thread (aka Party Thread); those who are not playing are welcome to post at the game thread, but please do not interfere with the game (no voicing of opinions or suggestions). If anyone is interested in being a Ghost at the Haunted House, please PM me

The party goes on, people having fun in one way or another. Ayshela dances with Xaious, finding it somewhat trying as her partner is almost exactly five minutes and half slower in following the rhythm. YanYan surrenders the DJ position to Dean for a quick turn at dancing, grabbing Celes' on his way to the dancing floor. Katz, bowing to Tanny, invites her to dance also. A loud crash, followed by acute yerfing, freezes both of them on their way to the dance floor. Other eyes fly into the direction of the noise, the rare sober people hearing also giggling mixing to the yerfs. "Daryl!" cries Salinye, darting into the corridor that leads to the basement. "Mynx...?" wonders Cryptomancer, gesturing his bar away and joining the growing line of people going after Salinye, Tanny, and Katz. Daryl meets Salinye at the door to the basement, having broken free of Mynx and yerfing indignantly. She removes the colar and the pink bow, what calms the grinning fox somewhat, then he yerfs some more, poining at the open door. "A what? Cave in? In my basement?!?" Wondering, the group enters carefully. Someone brings light, and at the center of the basement a large hole can be seen. Kneeling by it, Merelas' is shouting at Mynx. "Hey, are you alright?" "Merelas?" Tanny joins him, "I haven't seen you enter... " "I was grabbed by that... hm... CheerMynx... as soon as I entered... she was babbling something about shiny and pretty stuff... then entered the basement. We heard a noise, rushed in... found the hole... she's down there..." Katz peers down curiously, poking first with her spear. Then she nods, "It seems there's a tunnel in here. I believe CheerMynx is following it... I think I can hear her giggling... " Salinye looks as surprised as everyone else. "A tunnel? Under Custos Manor? But I never..." "Sure not, Sal." Ayshela opens her way to the group peering down the tunnel. "But I guess we should find CheerMynx... before she gets into more trouble." Some sighs are heard, but mostly there are happy cheers at the prospect of investigating a mysterious tunnel that has just appeared under Custos Manor -- and just at Halloween!! ~~~~~~ The tunnel opens into a Haunted House. Feel free to RP all the way through the tunnel and the first exploration of the House - both inside and outside. Roles will be sent on Monday, when game starts. Until then, sign-up is still open. Have fun!

Welcome to Werewolf XIII - Halloween '04 edition!! For this game, this is the setting: a tunnel is discovered under Custos Manor during the Halloween Party, and several of the guests decide to follow it to the end. It opens in a Haunted House! Feel free to create the whole setting... Important Notes the poll/sign-up thread will be used as OOC thread: any OOC and mod comments will be there, except for the accusations; PM alliances allowed; however, all PMs must be IC and copied to your friendly mod (aka me ) when accusing, please add an OOC line clarifying your vote; day phases last 48 hours; night phases, 24 hours. RP is free during night phases, however no accusation/speculation whatsoever; "dead" players: feel free to creat a ghost and post... see rules below! wolves: guests who have been cursed (a drunk mage... heh) and become incorrigible pranksters; there will be 3 wolves; Seer: someone who has a Scrying Mirror; no stating of role OOC; Baner: depends on who gets the role, but either has an amulet or magical power that can protect one person; no stating of role OOC; effects of baning: Baned Result wolves' victim no kill wolf if more than one wolf = normal kill; if one wolf = no kill anyone but wolves' victim normal kill Official list of player Leif => Piazza of Portraits Mynx => Piazza of Portraits; however, she has just got Intoxicated by cryptomancer's magic drink, so she's stuck with CheerMynx for the durations of the game... Lady Celes => Piazza of Portraits Dragonqueen => there's a nice description on her profile Elwen => description Cryptomancer => Piazza of Portraits Vahktang => Mr. Vahktang, Presidential Candidate Nave => Papa Smurf Gwaihir => a story; YanYan => story Ayshela => Poetic Portrait Dean => mage, a little over protective of booze; has a familiar (Phil D. Cat); HappyBuddha => at another party Merelas => at Hostel Fox Finnius => a story Gnarlitch => Dwarf tales Degenero Angelus => Transe, the KindaVampire; he's tall and pale. He has no lower jaw, so he has learned to feed on the souls of victims. He's a very cheesy, old horror movie style vampire. NPC/mod: Tanny => Piazza of Portraits Katzaniel => Piazza of Portraits To those who aren't playing the ww game, an invitation: would you like to come over with a Ghost character? So, post your "ghost character" here (though not necessary) and go on to haunt the daring guests who are at the Haunted House! The rules are below: Ghost Character's Rules you can interact with any player as you want: touching, sounds, pranks, even spooky speech; don't injure/kill the guests, though however, you cannot in any way give your opinions as to the identity of the "wolves", nor try to influence the votes in any way; not even speculations; if you wish, you can PM players to set some special prank/reaction, copied to the mod (aka me ) if you plan to be a "regular" ghost, it would be nice if you can post a small description at this thread; otherwise, for "once-timers", just have fun; Have fun! ~~~~ Edit: Updating list of players, rules, and adding Ghost characters.

OOC: a vote against Max Gutterball/Katz