Tol-in-Gaurhoth revisited (aka Werewolf 2)

[Holbytlass]

Originally Posted by Son of Númenor

...but Encaitare defending Fea seems strange, for insooth none of us should be defending anyone based solely on character.

I'm going to stick my neck out a little on this one. SoN, I think you do right in reminding us all not to base our defending someone on character alone. But I think Enca's defence of Fea is not suspect (at this time) but just Enca being a product of her time. When women were women and men were MEN. And she might not have known that when a person transforms into a werewolf they become very strong, even women.
I'm sure your own dear mother might have sayings or ideals that do not happen at this time. How is she doing?

[Son of Númenor]

She is not well.

A word of advice, if I may: Don't stick your neck out too far with werewolves about.

I am anxious to here more from The Barrow-Wight, and from Eomer of the Rohirrim. The latter has been awfully silent, a trait I have not known him for before.

[Ainaserkewen]

Aina looked up from her corner where she'd been crying, her eyes red with tears, staining her dress.

"Nim! Oh, Nim you've heard then, about poor Oddwen. There's werewolves! And they've attacked a villager! Oh, I'm so scared. Now everyone is pointing fingers, starting to accuse people who might be werewolves in guises. I don't know what to do!"

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Encai m'love, how are you? That cough that's been ailing you... has it cleared up since I've seen you last? I thank you dearly for speaking in my favor, but I'm afraid for you if you do again. You may cause suspicion that I'd hate for you to have. Not on my part, m'dear, never, but these villagers... That Fordim Hedgethistle... he's been pointing his fingers and I wouldn't doubt it, his toes, for as long as we've been standing here, and for less reason than lies in the head of a newt.

I pray you all, do not be so quick to suspect Encaitare... our long friendship may cloud her thoughts, but she is more honorable than even I... not a tricksy bone in her, while I am quite fond of causing a wee bit of mischief. Not that I've done any recently... Except, of course, for a bit of teasing now and then... And I've heard rumors that she who shares my name in the village not far from here played a mighty game with her peers...

I suspect at the time only those who have gone out of their way to give me reason to. Yes, Mister Hedgethistle, I speak of you. While you may be emulating my namesake (and doing a mighty job of it, I should add), I shouldn't wonder if you have an ulterior motive.

Much as I hate to say it, I do not currently mistrust... no, I'll rephrase, since I mistrust him greatly. I do not, at this very second in time, think that Fordim Hedgethistle is a direct threat to us. He is quite bright enough to realize the dangers of the position that he's placed himself in, and... well... Actually, I'm not sure.

Allow me to think aloud, if you please.

Fordim could be doing one of many things.

Let us proceed under the assumption that he secretly is a furry vicious beast: Fordim kept close tabs on the situation in the other village, and has seen the way that minds work. That he has chosen to emulate the most highly suspected, and ironically, nearly longest-lived villager (a very lovely lady, I might add... I'd met her several times) fascinates me. He knows well that her purpose for naming names so early on was to get a jump start on the action. He knows well that a person's reaction well reveals their thoughts, especially under extreme pressure. He knows, most especially, that the lass was pure and innocent as the wind driven snow. As a wolf, he sees this as the safest persona to adopt. The villagers would see that if she was innocent, than so might be he. There would be no long hours of dissecting motives, as hers have already been [at least partially] revealed. Mister Hedgethistle's extreme boldness and, to be quite honest, prickliness, can be seen as innocence. Why on Middle Earth, after all, would a true werewolf be so darned obvious.

Or 'tis even simpler... He's a werewolf and wants us to lynch an innocent. Any innocent will do, but he drew our Innkeeper's name out of a hat, and so that is why he is doing his best to lynch him.

Now we proceed under the idea that Mister Hedgethistle is an innocent, although rather pushy, villager. He could simply not fear for his life, as he knows that he is innocent, and so begins to cry wolf, if you'll pardon the pun, just to see what happens.

Or, even better, he's the seer, and dreamt about the phantom last night. It would certainly explain his um... fervor... in the phantom's guilt. As well as his hastily gathered, and not particularly convincing, bit of evidence.

Frankly, I'm leaning towards him being a werewolf trying to hide in the open, but I'm not positive yet. I certainly don't think he's a seer, because no seer is that stupid.

[Son of Númenor]

he secretly is a furry vicious beast

That is no secret.

*murmurs from the crowd*

Oh, you were talking about him being a werewolf. Apologies.

[The Barrow-Wight]

The mason returned to the inn sometime after midday to announce that a functional gallows had been constructed and was ready to use should a consensus be reached on a victim. While sitting near the window ,enjoying a mug of Phantom Ale, he listened attentively to the arguments of his fellow villagers. As he had expected, no one had confessed to the crime, and people were wagging fingers and tongues. He smiled when he heard that phantom had imagined natural wolves to possess knot tying abilities, but he frowned greatly when he heard of the accusations that had been made. Feanor had the right of it by saying they were working on almost no information, but BW knew he must eventually vote for someone.

He noted the different methods that people were using, and wondered if they were tactics or simply personalities. Silence could indicate secret thoughts, but more likely it revealed indecision. Garrolous assertions could like wise show that a person was extremely defensive or at the end of their nerves. With little to nothing to go on, this day’s vote would be the most difficult. He suddenly wished he had an 11-sided coin.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Fea walked over to the Barro-Ight () and slipped him a single coin.

The triick to it, m'lad, is to pick two names at a time and flip several times. Or there is the time-honored spell, chanted most easily to the beat of a drum, but in this case, I quite think that the rhythm of arguing voices may suffice. It goes much like this:

Eeny meeny miny moe,

Catch a werewolf by its toe.

If he attacks, kill him slow,

Eeny meeny miny moe.

The healer told me

To pick the very best one

And you... are it.

Or of course there is the hat trick. That is where you put all the names into a hat, and if you pick accurately thrice, everyone throws their hats at you.

[the phantom]

He smiled when he heard that phantom had imagined natural wolves to possess knot tying abilities

Actually, at the time I said that I figured everyone was just exaggerating the killing and that Oddwen was probably just chewed up and left on the table or something. I didn't really believe that every last chicken was dead and that Oddwen was tied up- perhaps I didn't want to believe it. I wasn't with the group of villagers that went to Oddwen's this morning, you remember, I was here cooking up that nice breakfast you had. It wasn't until Fea and I took our walk that I got to look for myself.

I pray you all, do not be so quick to suspect Encaitare...

Indeed. I can hardly imagine her commiting a violent murder with weak knees and hardly any teeth. I mean- no one found gum marks on Oddwen, did they?

"Ready to turn in already?" Phantom asked Fea.

"Yes, I could really use some sleep after today."

"I somehow doubt that you, or anyone, will get much sleep tonight. I'd turn in for the night too, but I've got to stay up as long as people are here. I'd better nip back and tuck the kids into bed, though."

"What about me?"

Phantom grinned. "Anything for my queen."

He turned to the guests. "That big cauldron of stew is about done- everyone just help yourself to it when it's ready- but don't let any fights break out while I'm gone. Last time a brawl happened here half of my dishes ended up broken."

With that he turned and followed Fea through the doorway.

[Son of Númenor]

On this day we must regrettably use only our suspicions to convict someone of an unspeakably heinous crime. The decision seems one that we are unworthy to make. Yet we must take action with what little knowledge we have. There is one I have felt more uneasy with as the day has worn on: his calm demeanor has felt artificial, his allegiances suspicious. I think that his death will lend us more insight than the execution of any other villager on this night. I now solemnly cast my vote for ++The Phantom.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

To Sono and Fea and anyone else who thinks that my posting habits are suspicious: I sleep at nite, and the Atlantic Ocean is rather wide.

And I stand by my claim that Fordim was highly unlikely to be a werewolf. So he made the first accusation. That only means that he was trying to get the ball rolling, so to speak. I am, quite frankly, amazed at the villagers' poor lack of judgment regarding Master Hedgethistle.

I am also wary of Encaitare. And one especial other who I shall not yet name. The accusations made against Fordim offer much, in my mind...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

*smiles at the phantom*

I'll be very put out if you're truly a werewolf. You're just so darned charming, I'd hate to have to kill you.

All right Eomer... the time zone difference has me a little messed up with posting at the moment. With most other circumstances, individual times mean nothing. You're currently off my list. Well, not really... but you are a few steps lower.

SoNo, you are really just intent on my guilt, aren't you? I guess my if/then statement turned out to be true. I would hate it for you to be guilty as well, but if it's a choice between your death and mine, my friend, then I am reasonably sure that you can guess who my vote is.

*Fea turns to the mason*

Mister Wight... I'd love to hear all your thoughts on this. You've been quite silent and observative through all of this, and I'd love to know what your thoughts are.

[Ainaserkewen]

All this deceit has me cowering my friends. Your suspicions and accusations of everyone are dangerous. We must watch who is banding together and who is being forced apart. I think that is the way we will distinguish the real wolves. Will not the wolves try and save each other? Or worse, try and fool us by accusing each other to make themselves out as innocent? And what of this seer? If only we had a sign secret only to real humans who's judgement to trust!

I cannot weep any longer, I've wept for so long. I'm scared for my life by the hands of werewolves and now by the hands of my own friends. Can not a system of harder evidence be used to truly distinguish who is who?

[Nimrodel_9]

Nimrodel looked up to see Ainaserkewen coming toward her. Wiping away her own tears, she started to rise. Then she remembered. She wanted so badly to go put her arms around her friend. But she could be a werewolf. Or not. Nervously she twisted her fingers and looked away. I can't say anything. I will not! If I open my big mouth and someone hears... they might hear something to make them think Aina did it! Nim had a way of speaking her mind... accidentally. Instead she said, "Yes. I heard." She couldn't bring herself to look Aina in the eyes. Foolish! You suspect your own friend! But of course she didn't do it. Not Aina. Never Aina. But what if she is? It's possible. She looked toward the crowd and heard murmurs of phantom and Fordim's name. She couldn't believe they were werewolves either. Well, someone is! If I have to vote for someone to die, I don't know what I will do!

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Now we proceed under the idea that Mister Hedgethistle is an innocent, although rather pushy, villager. He could simply not fear for his life, as he knows that he is innocent, and so begins to cry wolf, if you'll pardon the pun, just to see what happens.

Or he's an innocent villager as has been meaning everything he says all day without a whisper of dishonesty, gamesmanship or prevarication -- his only interest being the well-fare of the village.

As it looks as though this might come down to a vote betwixt meself and that Phantom fellow I'd just ask as you all consider this: which of the two of us would you rather have around come the next day? If it does come down to this, I accept the judgement of the village, and no hard feelings...

I'm tired and I'm off to bed. If you decide to lynch me, try not to wake me up before a-putting the noose about me neck...

[Son of Númenor]

I must be off as well. Good evening.

[Nimrodel_9]

Finally Nimrodel decided to put a word in. It was getting late and she knew she had to vote for someone. But not Aina, she decided. She couldn't bring herself to betray her friend. After all, phantom was right. She had no evidence. It was just her imagination getting the better of her. Slowly she walked toward the crowd. She fought back tears and said, "Why would you accuse me, Phantom? I'm just thinking what most other people are probably thinking about their friends. I'm no werewolf! But I agree with you and Fea that Fordim has been the meanest so far, and that it might be a trick. I'll vote for him. If he turns out to be a villager, think better of me. + + Fordim" I only hope I have chosen wisely! With that she walked away. "Let us see what the night shall bring," she whispered to herself, and shuddered.

[Encaitare]

Aye, me, it's gettin' late. Time fer me to turn in, I think. Oh, but a vote first, ye say? Kills me to do it, really -- though p'raps it'll end up killin' someone else a bit more. Let's see, now. A lot of ye seem right 'bout Mr. Hedgethistle. He's been actin' strangely. But then, I don' like what Mr. Son of Numenor was sayin' about me before. 'Tain't strange that I'd defend someone who's made me old age a little easier, not strange at all.

Now, I hate bandwagonin', but I agree that Mr. Hedgethistle has been actin' mighty odd. I hope you'll all forgive an old lady if I'm wrong, but it also seems a lot of ye all will need forgivin' as well if he turns out innocent. I'm off te bed now -- an' don' ferget what I said about lockin' yer doors tonight. Windows, too.

++Fordim Hedgethistle

[Ainaserkewen]

Aina watched her friend leave. This was maddening, everyone having to decide. But no one had said they were a werewolf, not the innkeeper, nor Fordim as Nim had suggested. How did Nim know that he was a werewolf? Maybe she was only guessing. Perhaps I must make a guess to? But what if who I guess is not a werewolf and I have lied? I don't want to lie, or to have any part in slaying a friend or a villager. But the werewolves must be stopped, because they slay friends and villagers. How am I supposed to choose? If the innkeeper is hanged, then who will look after his poor wife? And what of Fordim? Surely he can't be a werewolf, he looks like a villager! But wait, werewolves transform from humans to monsters.

Aina was very confused indeed. She looked around frantically for some kind of guidance, some logic that would bring light and truth and safety.

[The Barrow-Wight]

The mason emptied his umpteenth mug and mumbled blearily, “It is late, and there is no way I will be up early enough to cast a last-minute vote, so I will vote now. Please do not use me as an example of leadership. My vote, like all others here tonight, is completely uneducated and ultimately random in nature.”

He slammed his mug down onto the dirty table. “ Well, not totally random. My vote is actually based almost entirely upon my dislike of long expositions built upon shoddy evidence. It is additionally affected by my desire to avoid reading long passages of convoluted accusations.”

He raised his ale and shouted, “++ the phantom seems pretty sneaky to me! Somebody prove me wrong!”