Open 820: The Siege of Aurelia — Game Over!

[Dannflor]

Battle Phase
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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The Tides of War	Soldiers	Fallen in Battle
Pre-game...	1. ssbm_kyouko	The graveyard is empty...
Role PMs sent out...	2. skitter30
Preparation Phase begins...	3. Something_Smart
VC 1.01	4. catboi
	5. implosion
	6. unwnd
	7. T3
	8. PenguinPower
	9. Dunnstral

T

he granite and sandstone walls of Castle Aurelia loom over a dusky horizon. For centuries, the fortress has stood as a symbol of peace and prosperity, providing protection and safe refuge for anyone within the borders of the kingdom. Inside the great halls and grand concourses of the inner keep, peals of laughter ring out through the night. For the weary traveler or hungry peasant, Castle Aurelia has always been a beacon of hope; it is a place to escape the terrors of the broader world.

A shadow looms in the distance. In the coming days, trouble may be found from within as well as without the castle's once pristine walls. Now, it is the duty of nine brave soldiers to ensure that Castle Aurelia remains the sanctuary it once was. The allure of darkness is strong. Will you rise to the cause? Or will you succumb to shadow?

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Spoiler: Plain Text Version

Events:
n/a

Playerlist:
1. ssbm_kyouko
2. skitter30
3. Something_Smart
4. catboi
5. Implosion
6. unwnd
7. T3
8. PenguinPower
9. Dunnstral

Dead:
n/a

[Dannflor]

Game Rules

rules adapted form northsidegal, table color schemes also adapted from northsidegal

General

Spoiler:

-Adhere to all site rules.
-Always play to win.
-Remember that this is a game - heated discussion is allowed, but personal attacks are not. Comment on play, not player.
-Pretending to break the rules will be treated similarly as actually breaking the rules.
-Do not quote any private communication regarding this game—this includes your role PM, other mod communication, posts from private threads, etc. Paraphrasing is acceptable. If you're unsure, ask me first.
-If you need to get my attention, please include "

@mod

" in your post or PM me.
-

This

(#da6237) is my color. You can use it, just don't use it in an attempt to impersonate me.
-Do not use encryption, hidden text or excessively small text in your posts.
-Do not use any form of provable randomness. This includes dice tags, screenshots of random.org, etc. Saying you flipped a coin is okay, providing some sort of proof that you did isn’t.
-Each day phase will last for 10 days, with night phases lasting 48 hours.
-Do not post in the game thread or any private topics following your death, with the exception of the dead thread.
-If you have the ability to edit your posts, do not do so.
-My decisions are final. If I feel you are violating any of the rules, I will take the appropriate action.
-As a general principle, whenever moderator action is required I will attempt to make the decision that has the least impact on the natural flow of gameplay. For example, force replacing instead of modkilling whenever possible.
-Have fun!

Voting

Spoiler:

-All votes and unvotes must be in

bold

or in VOTE: tags, with vote tags being preferable.
-Votes in spoilers will not be counted.
-Abbreviations and nicknames are acceptable, as long as I can understand them.
-Eliminations will occur when a majority (>50%) is reached. If no majority is reached before deadline, the day will end in a no-elimination
-Voting to end the day in a no-elimination requires only 50% of players rather than >50%.
-Once a hammer has occurred, the game is in "twilight". Discussion may continue until I lock the thread but no further votes or unvotes will be counted.

Activity

Spoiler:

-You are expected to make at least one game-relevant post every 36 hours. Players who go 36 hours without posting will be prodded.
-If you are prodded, you have 24 hours to post in-thread. If you do not respond within 24 hours, you will be replaced. Additionally, if I have to prod you 3 or more times, I reserve the right to replace you at my own discretion.
-Abuse of prod dodges will result in you being replaced at my own discretion.
-If you are going to be V/LA, please announce it in thread or PM me. If your V/LA will last 7 days or longer I may be forced to replace you.

Setup

Spoiler:

Guardians of the Fortress Setup

Full set-up can be found here. Setup designed by Something_Smart. Setup writeup stolen from Marashu.

• 3
  Mafia Goons
• 6
  Vanilla Townies

Special Rules:

• Daystart
• Mafia have daytalk
• On Day 1, there is no elimination. Instead, at any time a player may sign up to guard the
  Gate
  , the
  Wall
  , or the
  Keep
  . You may sign up for a location by voting for it (ie VOTE: Gate). Each player may only sign up to guard one location, and players may not change their chosen location. The locations are first come, first served. At most three players can be signed up at any one location. Day 1 ends when all players except one have signed up for a location. The last player will be forced to the last location without three people at it. Then, if all three mafia members are at the same location, the town wins immediately.
• Night 1, the mafia team must choose two players and swap their locations such that exactly one Mafia Goon is at each location. Location assignments are public.
• Day 2 is played as 3 concurrent minigames at each location, although all nine players may still share the game thread and submit their votes there. It uses the following rules:
• At the
  Gate
  , one town player is chosen by the mafia to be confirmed as town, and town must eliminate the mafia member to win.
• At the
  Wall
  , there are no special rules. Town must eliminate the mafia member to win.
• At the
  Keep
  , town must vote on one player. If that player is town, town wins; otherwise, mafia wins.
• The side that wins more minigames than the other side wins the entire game.

Day 2 Clarifications:

• On D2, all players will post in the main game thread.
• The minigames will NOT happen in sub-threads or PTs
• Votes will be posted in the main thread.
• Votes will NOT happen in sub-threads or PTs
• Players may ONLY vote within their minigame.
• With 3 players in each minigame, majority vote in each minigame will be 2.
• Players MAY discuss other minigames to try to work together to win a side for their team
• Players may NOT vote for players in minigames they are not participating in.
• All minigames will share a deadline.
• When a minigame is resolved, all 3 players in that minigame flip. I may lock the thread briefly to resolve these flips. They may no longer post in the main thread or mafia PT.
  
• The exception to the above is the player confirmed as town at the
  Gate
  , they may continue posting throughout the game.

Role PMs

Spoiler:

Vanilla Townie:

You are a Vanilla Townie . For years you have patrolled the castle walls as a stalwart defender and guardian of the surrounding lands. An ancient force rises in the west, threatening all that stands in its path. Trouble is brewing within the walls too, as the darkness threatens to corrupt even those faithful compatriots and closest companions. Can you sniff out these traitors before the defenses you have sought to uphold crumble? You win when the town successfully holds two of the following three areas: the Gate, the Wall, the Keep. You may find the game thread here.

Mafia Goon:

You are a Mafia Goon . For years you have patrolled the castle walls as a stalwart defender and guardian of the surrounding lands. However, the ancient force rising in the west brings change with it — unavoidable change. You have accepted that no matter the valor which the hearts of your fellow soldiers may contain, the war is already lost. You began taking bribes. In exchange, a harmless bit of information. Now, you and two other moles have been tasked with the final betrayal: infiltrate Castle Aurelia's frontlines and ensure the defenses crumble. You win when the mafia successfully holds two of the following three areas: the Gate, the Wall, the Keep. You may find the mafia thread here. You may find the game thread here

[Dannflor]

Sending out role PMs. Game starts at 9/9 confirmations. 9/9 Starting game shortly.

[Dannflor]

Captain Dannflor stood on the western wall top, his brow furrowed as he strained his eyes against the horizon. To the oblivious onlooker it was merely a cloud, a roiling storm that obscured the far reaches of the land. But he knew better. The darkened mass was growing. Thousands of soldiers were marching east from lands untold, and Castle Aurelia was directly in their path. It would be a manner of days before they launched their assault on these once peaceful walls. Dannflor let out a long sigh before turning to his command, who stood dutifully on the battlements beside him. Some of them were green as could be. They might not survive the coming onslaught. Some of them were more familiar with the innerworkings of these walls than he. They were a slapdash team to be sure, but they were also all he had. The garrison of Aurelia had waned in recent years. For some reason, the king had not seen much use for trained soldiers. Now, the time had arrived for their need, and they were nowhere to be found. Dannflor painted what he hoped was a brave smile across his face as he addressed the soldiers in front of him. "Make your preparations. Choose your stations! I need three of you at each location." He paused, feeling as though he should add more. "I believe in you."

[Dannflor]

With 9 confirmations, the Preparation Phase begins.

VC 1.00

Aurelia: Main Theme

Preparation

[0] Gate

:

[0] Wall

:

[0] Keep

:

[9] Unassigned

:

ssbm_Kyouko, skitter30, Something_Smart, catboi, implosion, unwnd, T3, PenguinPower, Dunnstral

The Preparation Phase deadline is in

: (expired on 2021-07-25 11:27:06)

Mod Notes

:

[Dannflor]

VC 1.01

Calm Before the Storm

Preparation

[1] Gate

:

ssbm_Kyouko

[0] Wall

:

[0] Keep

:

[8] Unassigned

:

skitter30, Something_Smart, catboi, implosion, unwnd, T3, PenguinPower, Dunnstral

The Preparation Phase deadline is in

: (expired on 2021-07-25 11:27:06)

Mod Notes

: Something_Smart is V/LA until the 20th. skitter30 has regular V/LA on Fridays and Saturdays.

[Dannflor]

⠀

[Dannflor]

⠀

[Dannflor]

VC 1.02

Ready for Battle

Preparation

[1] Gate

:

ssbm_Kyouko

[0] Wall

:

[1] Keep

:

T3

[7] Unassigned

:

skitter30, Something_Smart, catboi, implosion, unwnd, PenguinPower, Dunnstral

The Preparation Phase deadline is in

: (expired on 2021-07-25 11:27:06)

Mod Notes

: Something_Smart and skitter30 are V/LA until the 20th.

[Dannflor]

⠀

[Dannflor]

⠀

[Dannflor]

⠀

[Dannflor]

VC 1.03

Fighting With All of Our Might

Preparation

[1] Gate

:

ssbm_Kyouko

[0] Wall

:

[2] Keep

:

T3, catboi

[6] Unassigned

:

skitter30, Something_Smart, implosion, unwnd, PenguinPower, Dunnstral

The Preparation Phase deadline is in

: (expired on 2021-07-25 11:27:06)

Mod Notes

: Something_Smart and skitter30 are V/LA until the 20th.

[Dannflor]

⠀

[Dannflor]

VC 1.04

... Steel For Humans

Preparation

[2] Gate

:

ssbm_Kyouko, unwnd

[0] Wall

:

[3] Keep

:

T3, catboi, Dunnstral

[4] Unassigned

:

skitter30, Something_Smart, implosion, PenguinPower

The Preparation Phase deadline is in

: (expired on 2021-07-25 11:27:06)

Mod Notes

: Something_Smart and skitter30 are V/LA until the 20th.

[Dannflor]

Fixed!

[Dannflor]

VC 1.05

First Steps

Preparation

[2] Gate

:

ssbm_Kyouko, unwnd

[0] Wall

:

[3] Keep

:

T3, catboi, Dunnstral

[4] Unassigned

:

skitter30, Something_Smart, implosion, PenguinPower

The Preparation Phase deadline is in

: (expired on 2021-07-25 11:27:06)

Mod Notes

:

[Dannflor]

VC 1.FINAL

Kaer Morhen

Preparation

[3] Gate

:

ssbm_Kyouko, unwnd, implosion

[3] Wall

:

Something_Smart, skitter30, PenguinPower

[3] Keep

:

T3, catboi, Dunnstral

[0] Unassigned

:

The Preparation Phase deadline is in

: (expired on 2021-07-25 11:27:06)

Mod Notes

:

[Dannflor]

Wrought iron greaves clanked against the flagstones as nine soldiers made their final preparations. On the battlements, the honorable Something_Smart assembled the ballistae, peering down the sights of each one in turn as he tried not to let the approaching shadow shake his resolve. Sergeant skitter30 ran back and forth across the ramparts, carrying rocks almost big enough to be called boulders. Setting one betwixt the crenellations of the northwestern tower, she stopped to look at the shadow. It had grown twice in size. Could the nine of them really hold the line against a force of that size? skitter30 shook her head, best to leave those thoughts behind, Something_Smart needed ammunition for the ballistae. Across from the Sergeant, Sir Penguin_Power stood atop the southwestern tower, his armor shining in the glimmering sunset. In the dust beneath his feet was scrawled a network of complex battleplans and tactics, arrows pointed this way and that in patterns only he could understand. In the keep, T3 and catboi visited the various entry and exit points into and out of the castle, making sure each was barred and secured. Meeting in the Great Hall, they greeted each other with a gaze of both fear and reassurance. They had done the best they could. Dunnstral barely noticed their presence as he directed a crew of spare guards to barricade the great doors. "More rubble. And more timber. Anything you can find in the grounds is fair game!" Dunnstral turned to his companions, raising an eyebrow. T3 and catboi merely nodded. Time was not in their favor. Elsewhere, the recently knighted ssbm_Kyouko yelped as she jumped back from a pot of boiling water. Cursing, she nudged the cauldron over the murder holes in the floor of the gatehouse, careful not to let the metal scald her skin. "You should be a bit more careful," rumbled unwnd, "it's a bit early to be sustaining injuries." ssbm_Kyouko just stuck out her tongue, ignoring the officer. unwnd sighed, and returned to methodically waxing his bowstring. The motion was therapeutic, and helped to take his mind off the coming battle. "Hey! Can you see me?" The excited voice of implosion sang out from beneath the gatehouse, within the archway that lead from the main road into Castle Aurelia proper. ssbm_Kyouko leaned over, squinting through one of the murder holes. She laughed, before shooing implosion away from the practice pot of boiling water. While spirits were not at an all time high, there was a sense of cheer around the castle. These comrades knew each other well. Together, even facing death could not be the worst fate, could it? But a shadow lurked, even within Castle Aurelia. Three of these soldiers were not what they seemed...

[Dannflor]

It is now Night 1 , it will conclude in (expired on 2021-07-22 23:51:02).

[Dannflor]

A glimmer of pink dawn was the only light that shone through the roiling cloud cover. A storm was brewing. Whether or not the elements were harnessed by the arriving forces, or were simply stirred up through some combination of fate or coincidence, no one knew. The mood was desolate. Sleep had not been found by many of the guard over nightfall. Each hearty soldier continued with their preparations, straining to forgo a sleep that would only carry them forward to death. For most, the castle was quiet, aside from the drizzling rainfall that clattered ceaselessly against the polished cobblestones. Three soldiers, however, were more active than the others. They found a quiet respite away from the others, chatting away into the long hours of the night. Returning to their posts, dawn was upon the castle, as was the invading army. From atop the wall, one could make out clearly the black cloaks and painted faces, the sign of the Tyrant. It was mere minutes until swords were drawn. A small messenger boy ran along the ramparts, struggling to keep his tote bag from flying away in the rain and wind. "Message from the Captain! Message! Message from the..." The page collapsed exhausted. A shuddering, rumbling sound emerged from the ground outside the castle. The troops were stomping. The boy picked himself off, brushing off his clothes as he bared his eyes against the rain. "skitter30, you're swapping posts with unwnd!"

[Dannflor]

skitter30 and unwnd have been swapped! ssbm_Kyouko is town .

[Dannflor]

VC 2.0

Song of Storms

Gate

[3] Not Voting

:

ssbm_Kyouko

, skitter30, implosion

Wall

[3] Not Voting

:

Something_Smart, unwnd, PenguinPower

Keep

[3] Not Voting

:

T3, catboi, Dunnstral

The Battle Phase deadline is in: (expired on 2021-08-01 23:53:26)

Mod Notes

:
[/color]

[Dannflor]

⠀

[Dannflor]

VC 2.1

Awakening

Gate

[1] skitter30

:

implosion

[2] Not Voting

:

ssbm_Kyouko

, skitter30

Wall

[1] Something_Smart

:

unwnd

[2] Not Voting

:

Something_Smart, PenguinPower

Keep

[3] Not Voting

:

T3, catboi, Dunnstral

The Battle Phase deadline is in: (expired on 2021-08-01 23:53:26)

Mod Notes

:
[/color]

[Dannflor]

VC 2.2

This is War

Gate

[1] skitter30

:

implosion

[2] Not Voting

:

ssbm_Kyouko

, skitter30

Wall

[1] Something_Smart

:

unwnd

[1] unwnd

:

Something_Smart

[1] Not Voting

:

PenguinPower

Keep

[3] Not Voting

:

T3, catboi, Dunnstral

The Battle Phase deadline is in: (expired on 2021-08-01 23:53:26)

Mod Notes

:
[/color]

[Dannflor]

VC 2.GATE

The Shepherd's Boy

Gate

[2] skitter30

:

implosion,

ssbm_Kyouko

<<< HAMMER

[1] Not Voting

:

skitter30

Wall

[1] Something_Smart

:

unwnd

[1] unwnd

:

Something_Smart

[1] Not Voting

:

PenguinPower

Keep

[3] Not Voting

:

T3, catboi, Dunnstral

The Battle Phase deadline is in: (expired on 2021-08-01 23:53:26)

Mod Notes

:
[/color]

[Dannflor]

The Gate has fallen! skitter30 was town and may no longer post. implosion was mafia and may no longer post. ssbm_Kyouko clambers out of the rubble... the fight goes on.

[Dannflor]

VC 2.04

The Fencer Theme

Wall

[1] Something_Smart

:

unwnd

[1] unwnd

:

Something_Smart

[1] Not Voting

:

PenguinPower

Keep

[3] Not Voting

:

T3, catboi, Dunnstral

The Battle Phase deadline is in: (expired on 2021-08-01 23:53:26)

Mod Notes

:
[/color]

[Dannflor]

VC 2.05

The Nightwatchman

Wall

[1] Something_Smart

:

unwnd

[1] unwnd

:

Something_Smart

[1] Not Voting

:

PenguinPower

Keep

[2] catboi

:

catboi, Dunnstral

<<< HAMMER

[1] Not Voting

:

T3

The Battle Phase deadline is in: (expired on 2021-08-01 23:53:26)

Mod Notes

:
[/color]

[Dannflor]

The Keep has been won! catboi was town and may no longer post. Dunnstral was town and may no longer post. T3 was mafia and may no longer post.

[Dannflor]

VC 2.AURELIA

How It Ends

Wall

[2] Something_Smart

:

unwnd, PenguinPower

<<< HAMMER

[1] unwnd

:

Something_Smart

The Battle Phase deadline is in: (expired on 2021-08-01 23:53:26)

Mod Notes

:
[/color]

[Dannflor]

Something_Smart let the rain and wind batter against his standing form. The knuckles on his right fist turned a bright white, the flickering oil-light he held revealed a deeply furrowed brow. It seemed impossible that in this moment, the stalwart defenses of Castle Aurelia depended entirely on the grip he had on this torch. The man leaned over the buttress, watching as shadowy figures installed the last barrel of explosive powder to the base of the outer wall. This was it. The moment of truth. "Something_Smart..." unwnd watched closely, forced to shout through the elements though he stood only meters away. "What are you doing?" Shaking, Something_Smart swung the torch over the edge of the wall top, locking eyes with the unwavering unwnd. "Did you really think we could hold the wall?" Splinters dug into Something_Smart's hand. "Look at this. How did we ever stand a chance?" "Don't do this." unwnd took another step closer, but stopped when Something_Smart thrust his arm out a little further. "I'm sorry, unwnd. It's too late." A barbed arrow head suddenly appeared, skewering Something_Smart's wrist. He gasped, dropping the torch as he recoiled towards the floor of the battlements. In one swift motion, unwnd tumbled forward, half-throwing himself over the wall, catching the torch as it tumbled from Something_Smart's grasp. PenguinPower stood, fifty meters away, another arrow nocked to his bow. unwnd gave the knight a solemn nod. "Sir PenguinPower," unwnd stifled the torch on the stonework, "escort this man to the dungeons."

[Dannflor]

The Wall has been won! Castle Aurelia has been held! unwnd was town and may no longer post. Penguin_Power was town and may no longer post. Something_Smart was mafia and may no longer post. The town of Open 820 has won!

[Dannflor]

✧ Dead Thread
✧ Mafia Thread
✧ Mod Thread

[Dannflor]

thanks for playing everyone!

I think this setup is interesting in that the order which each section flips can impact the game a lot, although I'm not sure how much of a difference the order would have had in this particular run