Tol-in-Gaurhoth LXIII: The Cottage of Lost Play - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Inziladun · 07-20-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nogrod

"Without getting yourself involved or actually doing anything but just saying something should be done?"

Nogrod shook his head from the top of the stairs and vanished from sight.

It's rather hard to 'get involved' when others won't.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 07-20-2009, 07:54 PM

"Hard to get involved," I return with a mop and jug of bleach, "when nobody's got anything to go on."

After making sure plenty of crime scene photos are taken, I liberally pour the bleach over the blood and start scrubbing at it, hands gloved, taking care not to step in the sticky evidence.

"But it's an old argument. I'd make a terrible criminal investigator. Too many gut reactions, too little listening. All that stuff Nog said? I somehow managed to retain none of it."

I scrub away, a macabre Cinderella cleaning up the house, trying not to whistle or hum as I work. It's a built in mechanism: I tend to hum during tedious work, like cutting hair or organizing things. The rhythm of the mop, push, pull, scrub smush, slap into the water bucket, slosh push pull push simply demands that I whistle a happy working song.

I quash the idea, feeling that it's far too twisted to play Disney princess just now: I shan't hum, I tell myself. I will not!

Yet I find myself humming as I mop, morbidly fascinated with the parts of our moddess that leaked when they dismembered her for better storage.

"There's no proof," I repeat, squishing reddish water out of the mop and into the soapy bucket. I need a new bucket, I realize, since the mop is now just spreading around dirty water instead of cleaning. I pour the rest of the jug of bleach onto the stained and sopping floor, just to be sure, and set up a bright yellow sign cautioning 'Cuidado!' before heading back in search of refreshed supplies.

Inziladun · 07-20-2009, 08:24 PM

If anyone's listening, I'll offer a few preliminary thoughts about the situation.
Our hostess brought us all here for what we believed to be a fun, innocent gathering where we could all discuss one of our favourite subjects in a comfortable atmosphere. She then revealed a more sinister motive for it all, claimed to have made three of us into killers, and was apparently killed herself in an unpleasant manner. I say 'apparently' because she obviously intended to sit back and watch the mayhem she'd created. With the amount of planning she'd put into this, I find it most difficult to believe that her 'death' is as it appears. But what is really going on?
Fea and Pitchwife immediately got to work on cleaning the crime scene. Did anyone look for any clues? autume98 said she would help, but did not follow up. Lalaith suggested taking photos, and Fea says she did.
Boro mentioned an aversion to the blood of others, but not his own.
Shasta disappeared and explained himself by saying he went upstairs in the hope of catching one of the wolves in the midst of transformation. I found that statement rather odd.
Eönwë was giving suggestions of body disposal, and said Shasta could be afraid of the blood when he left, or was pretending to be.
McCaber has said only that we must discuss the matter. I agree, but no one seems inclined to do so at the moment.
Nogrod has been offering some quiet, carefully considered remarks while smoking a pipe. Interesting tobacco blend. Had a bit of a Turkish aroma.
It would be nice to have some more information before we have to make our decision. Perhaps some others will speak up soon.

Inziladun · 07-20-2009, 08:49 PM

Sleep is beginning to overpower me. As someone said in one of my favourite books, 'If I yawn anymore, I shall split at the ears'.
I'm going to retire to my room for a while. Perhaps a bit of sleep will help.

autume98 · 07-20-2009, 09:51 PM

I was looking for some cleaning supplies. By the time I get back Fea is almost done with the cleaning.

This is definitely most interesting. Very interesting points have been made. I'm going to take a little nap and think digest all this information in.

Shastanis Althreduin · 07-20-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Shasta disappeared and explained himself by saying he went upstairs in the hope of catching one of the wolves in the midst of transformation. I found that statement rather odd.

I came back in time to hear this statement. Inzil, I find this rather... strange. I rather clearly stated that I went upstairs to see if I could find any evidence on bedroom doors - scratches, hairs, and the like - that would point to the wolves having had to get out of their rooms to attack our hostess, so either you misheard, or you're deliberately twisting what I said.

McCaber · 07-20-2009, 10:51 PM

Shasta, if it helps I was about to accuse you of rushing off by yourself when you came back with a good reason for your departure.

And now to business. Some people are beginning to take the initiative with first forays towards, how shall I put it, "execution" of one of us. As amusing as it would be to test our dearly departed host, I would counsel against it. So let me gather my thoughts and I will talk about my opinions soon.

Boromir88 · 07-20-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Boro also looks promising in the sense meant above, even if I kind of disliked his happy jump to Fea's "dislike of blood" -thingy which he apparently dropped as soon as Inzy made a remark of the problematics with it... Well, early hours, early hours and not lot to say.~Nogrod

Sorry Noggers this makes absolutely no sense. What did I drop? Unless you would like to continue hearing me talk about my nausea of seeing other people's blood? I could go on more, but figured a simple statement would suffice and that would be the end...didn't think you would be interested in hearing more.

But I have figured it out (told you I was a great detective). Notice how our rooms here look exactly like our ones at home, not only the same stuff, but I mean everything is in the exact same spot. This can only mean the house we are currently occupying doesn't exist. The lady in the back dress, with no heart, is therefor Miss Zarves, who also does not exist.

Now how do we get out of a place that we see, but one that does not exist? We should be as disobedient to the rules as is possible. I say trash 'em, go rebel. I'm talking sitting on the floor with no socks, type of thing. None of this sit at the table, being gentlemanly and ladylike, having happy conversations bilge.

Lalaith · 07-21-2009, 05:39 AM

*returns with a crate and a smile*
Well, people, the good news is that despite our hostess being a)probably evil and b)now a dismembered corpse, she did keep an excellent cellar. I've found a great selection to keep us going - Sancerre, Mouton Rothschild, and some stronger stuff if you prefer...Nogs, you're a red wine man if I remember correctly - here you go....Pitchwife, what can I do you for? Anyone else? Boro, are you actually legal yet? It's so hard to keep track. I'm for a lively G&T, myself...
There, that's better.

Now, who's still not surfaced? Nerwen, Rikae and Nessa? Could be a perfectly innocent explanation I suppose.

As for the rest of you: I tend to be better and quicker at finding people to trust than people to suspect. From what I've seen so far, Nogrod and Inzil seem fairly wholesome. Pitchwife, McCaber...possibly ok too. Boro talks a lot... socks and movies, computer games and deja vu...Fea seems to be talking to herself rather than to the rest of us. Shasta seems rather fey and skittish, but that might mean nothing. Eonwe is being energetic, almost febrile, wanting to cut up bodies. Autume is the quietest of us so far but then she doesn't know many of us so well.

Quote:

start this hideous killing with those who decide to stay silent or try to be especially careful

There's something in this, I think. And in this:

Quote:

It's easy to show a considerate face saying "let's discuss this", but it is quite nasty to then fall silent without contributing anything to the discussion one calls for.

autume98 · 07-21-2009, 06:36 AM

I'm definitely thinking that some choices are going to have to be made soon. I haven't really seen any evidence as to who the killer would be. There's been some good speculation and reasonings.

I did find this interesting though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalaith

Now, who's still not surfaced? Nerwen, Rikae and Nessa? Could be a perfectly innocent explanation I suppose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalaith

Autume is the quietest of us so far but then she doesn't know many of us so well.

No I don't know you all that well, and in return you don't know me all that well. I didn't even think about that until now...

There doesn't happen to be any rootbeer around here?

Rikae · 07-21-2009, 06:36 AM

Wait just a minute here, people. I, for one, refuse to cooperate with that woman's sick fantasy. We'll all have a pleasant night/all die, have a pleasant night? Lies, obviously. I'm not going to participate in "executing" people who, at this point, are only guilty of killing the person who cursed them! If we die, we die, but I'm not eager to become a murderer.
*helps herself to some rum*
We should be focusing our attention on getting out of here - if that's still even possible with the host dead (did any of you think of that? We play her little game, kill the cursed ones, and can never get out anyway?) If that door is, as it seems, the exit, we should be looking for ways to break it down. Perhaps the chainsaw you were just using to destroy a crime scene?
*refills her glass*
And why are you cutting up bodies, anyway? Didn't that tour tell you anything? There's the dead marshes, for one thing. Actually, I wouldn't mind being trapped in a place like this so much - since it seems to contain much of middle earth - but I have to get back to Mac & the kids.. At least they're safe....
*pours another drink*
...at least they're safe... So, who's up to trying the chainsaw on the door? If that doesn't work, then we ought to make plenty of coffee and spend the night in this room. Those who transform will be outnumbered - we can tie them up and be safe for the night. Um... perhaps they won't die without blood after all, or if they do, at least we're not directly responsible for killing them.
*pours the last of the rum*
So... whaddya say? Surely you're not....... not going to just.... go along with this? Although.....
although.... what was I saying?
....if I had to guess now.... I would say... I mean say....
Pitchwife looks nervous... and, um, whathisname... Steve? He's quick to accuse.... you know, my sixth sense is.... sixth sense is pretty good.... Shasta's too.... probably find the killers....suggest we tie them up.... put in cages.... see what happens.....
*looks at bottle*
Why is... nah, not gonna say that here.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 07-21-2009, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalaith

Fea seems to be talking to herself rather than to the rest of us.

I grin, eating a bowl of organic knock-off Fruit Loops instead of drinking, still a little leary after the champagne bash of Saturday night and the emotional and physical detox of Sunday.

"Don't mind me at all," I wink, "As usual, I've gone and found the smartest person in the room and concentrated all of my attention on them. Once all y'all start talking about something worth addressing, be sure I'll join in the party."

I sit back, digging into my cereal with verve, wondering if I can find any Lapsang Souchong in this place.

"The first day is a crap shoot," I add, a little sketched out by the experiment that was rice milk, "so I suggest we kill off somebody who isn't here. It's no fun at all to lose your life to a person that doesn't participate. Nessa or Nerwen are solid options."

Quote:

Originally Posted by McCaber

Fea: I don't know. Something about her throws me off. Maybe it's the attempted stab at leadership, maybe it's her black humour at the situation. It's probably nothing, but I'll take another look at her.

On this note: my sole purpose in werewolf games is to entertain my mod or moddess. If she's giggling in her chair reading about my attempts at a happy working song (brownie points if people can figure out the references in my posts, by the way), I've done my job.

Eönwë · 07-21-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalaith

Eonwe is being energetic, almost febrile, wanting to cut up bodies.

Bodies? Pitchwife wanted to get red of it, and who can blame him? It's hard to concentrate with that... thing... there. I was just to help...

But why would she do this? Maybe it's just a replica or a clone, as I'm sure she wouldn't let herself be killed. after all, I'm sure OF this game, but not IN it. And does she have wings?

Also, McCaber seems a bit suspicious to me. It seems like he's trying to tick in all the boxes- A few mild suspicions thrown around and then a list. He's not really getting involved in this. He seems a bit too calculating and detached for my liking.

edit: x-ed with Inzil and Fea

McCaber · 07-21-2009, 07:28 AM

So without (much) further ado, my thoughts. Remember that this is only the first day we are here, so most of these are subject to change. And in no particular order:

I'll start with Rikae, since she just stopped by. Not too bad for her first speech of the day, so I'll give her a Neutral for now. Although, drunk already? Bad form.
Boro is looking decent here. Sound words, sensible advice, that sort of thing.
autume I don't know very well, and I haven't heard a lot from her yet. Undecided until further notice.
Fea: I don't know. Something about her throws me off. Maybe it's the attempted stab at leadership, maybe it's her black humour at the situation. It's probably nothing, but I'll take another look at her.
Lal: Not a lot of posts, but at least it's content. Some things don't please me much at all, but it's probably just a lack of other things to think.
Shasta started the day looking rather fishy to me, but he came back and not only explained himself, but had a pretty good idea. And since then
Inzil started the analysis almost by himself, and was one of the first to realize that blood must be shed here. I like it, but I can see where a lot of people wouldn't.
Pitchwife spake but little, and disappeared before I fully awoke. Ah well.
Nogrod has been consistent so far. I do like his insisting on actual hard statements, but it seemed a bit too early for me yet.
Eonwe hasn't said enough to do anything yet, and Nessa and Nerwen haven't even woken up yet.

At this rate, nothing will get done. But I suppose that's the risk we face here.

07-20-2009, 07:54 PM	#2
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	"Hard to get involved," I return with a mop and jug of bleach, "when nobody's got anything to go on." After making sure plenty of crime scene photos are taken, I liberally pour the bleach over the blood and start scrubbing at it, hands gloved, taking care not to step in the sticky evidence. "But it's an old argument. I'd make a terrible criminal investigator. Too many gut reactions, too little listening. All that stuff Nog said? I somehow managed to retain none of it." I scrub away, a macabre Cinderella cleaning up the house, trying not to whistle or hum as I work. It's a built in mechanism: I tend to hum during tedious work, like cutting hair or organizing things. The rhythm of the mop, push, pull, scrub smush, slap into the water bucket, slosh push pull push simply demands that I whistle a happy working song. I quash the idea, feeling that it's far too twisted to play Disney princess just now: I shan't hum, I tell myself. I will not! Yet I find myself humming as I mop, morbidly fascinated with the parts of our moddess that leaked when they dismembered her for better storage. "There's no proof," I repeat, squishing reddish water out of the mop and into the soapy bucket. I need a new bucket, I realize, since the mop is now just spreading around dirty water instead of cleaning. I pour the rest of the jug of bleach onto the stained and sopping floor, just to be sure, and set up a bright yellow sign cautioning 'Cuidado!' before heading back in search of refreshed supplies. __________________ peace

07-20-2009, 08:24 PM	#3
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	If anyone's listening, I'll offer a few preliminary thoughts about the situation. Our hostess brought us all here for what we believed to be a fun, innocent gathering where we could all discuss one of our favourite subjects in a comfortable atmosphere. She then revealed a more sinister motive for it all, claimed to have made three of us into killers, and was apparently killed herself in an unpleasant manner. I say 'apparently' because she obviously intended to sit back and watch the mayhem she'd created. With the amount of planning she'd put into this, I find it most difficult to believe that her 'death' is as it appears. But what is really going on? Fea and Pitchwife immediately got to work on cleaning the crime scene. Did anyone look for any clues? autume98 said she would help, but did not follow up. Lalaith suggested taking photos, and Fea says she did. Boro mentioned an aversion to the blood of others, but not his own. Shasta disappeared and explained himself by saying he went upstairs in the hope of catching one of the wolves in the midst of transformation. I found that statement rather odd. Eönwë was giving suggestions of body disposal, and said Shasta could be afraid of the blood when he left, or was pretending to be. McCaber has said only that we must discuss the matter. I agree, but no one seems inclined to do so at the moment. Nogrod has been offering some quiet, carefully considered remarks while smoking a pipe. Interesting tobacco blend. Had a bit of a Turkish aroma. It would be nice to have some more information before we have to make our decision. Perhaps some others will speak up soon. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

07-20-2009, 08:49 PM	#4
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	Sleep is beginning to overpower me. As someone said in one of my favourite books, 'If I yawn anymore, I shall split at the ears'. I'm going to retire to my room for a while. Perhaps a bit of sleep will help. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

07-20-2009, 09:51 PM	#5
autume98 Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The other side of the fish bowl Posts: 267	I was looking for some cleaning supplies. By the time I get back Fea is almost done with the cleaning. This is definitely most interesting. Very interesting points have been made. I'm going to take a little nap and think digest all this information in. __________________ The only thing to expect is the unexpected.

07-20-2009, 10:51 PM	#7
McCaber Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Skyrim, again. Posts: 820	Shasta, if it helps I was about to accuse you of rushing off by yourself when you came back with a good reason for your departure. And now to business. Some people are beginning to take the initiative with first forays towards, how shall I put it, "execution" of one of us. As amusing as it would be to test our dearly departed host, I would counsel against it. So let me gather my thoughts and I will talk about my opinions soon. __________________ Werewolves vs. Fishmen. The battle of the century.

07-21-2009, 06:36 AM	#11
Rikae Mellifluous Maia Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A glade open to the stars, deep in Nan Elmoth Posts: 3,489	Wait just a minute here, people. I, for one, refuse to cooperate with that woman's sick fantasy. We'll all have a pleasant night/all die, have a pleasant night? Lies, obviously. I'm not going to participate in "executing" people who, at this point, are only guilty of killing the person who cursed them! If we die, we die, but I'm not eager to become a murderer. helps herself to some rum We should be focusing our attention on getting out of here - if that's still even possible with the host dead (did any of you think of that? We play her little game, kill the cursed ones, and can never get out anyway?) If that door is, as it seems, the exit, we should be looking for ways to break it down. Perhaps the chainsaw you were just using to destroy a crime scene? refills her glass And why are you cutting up bodies, anyway? Didn't that tour tell you anything? There's the dead marshes, for one thing. Actually, I wouldn't mind being trapped in a place like this so much - since it seems to contain much of middle earth - but I have to get back to Mac & the kids.. At least they're safe.... pours another drink ...at least they're safe... So, who's up to trying the chainsaw on the door? If that doesn't work, then we ought to make plenty of coffee and spend the night in this room. Those who transform will be outnumbered - we can tie them up and be safe for the night. Um... perhaps they won't die without blood after all, or if they do, at least we're not directly responsible for killing them. pours the last of the rum So... whaddya say? Surely you're not....... not going to just.... go along with this? Although..... although.... what was I saying? ....if I had to guess now.... I would say... I mean say.... Pitchwife looks nervous... and, um, whathisname... Steve? He's quick to accuse.... you know, my sixth sense is.... sixth sense is pretty good.... Shasta's too.... probably find the killers....suggest we tie them up.... put in cages.... see what happens..... looks at bottle Why is... nah, not gonna say that here. Last edited by Rikae; 07-21-2009 at 06:38 AM. Reason: crossed with autumne

07-21-2009, 07:28 AM	#14
McCaber Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Skyrim, again. Posts: 820	So without (much) further ado, my thoughts. Remember that this is only the first day we are here, so most of these are subject to change. And in no particular order: I'll start with Rikae, since she just stopped by. Not too bad for her first speech of the day, so I'll give her a Neutral for now. Although, drunk already? Bad form. Boro is looking decent here. Sound words, sensible advice, that sort of thing. autume I don't know very well, and I haven't heard a lot from her yet. Undecided until further notice. Fea: I don't know. Something about her throws me off. Maybe it's the attempted stab at leadership, maybe it's her black humour at the situation. It's probably nothing, but I'll take another look at her. Lal: Not a lot of posts, but at least it's content. Some things don't please me much at all, but it's probably just a lack of other things to think. Shasta started the day looking rather fishy to me, but he came back and not only explained himself, but had a pretty good idea. And since then Inzil started the analysis almost by himself, and was one of the first to realize that blood must be shed here. I like it, but I can see where a lot of people wouldn't. Pitchwife spake but little, and disappeared before I fully awoke. Ah well. Nogrod has been consistent so far. I do like his insisting on actual hard statements, but it seemed a bit too early for me yet. Eonwe hasn't said enough to do anything yet, and Nessa and Nerwen haven't even woken up yet. At this rate, nothing will get done. But I suppose that's the risk we face here. __________________ Werewolves vs. Fishmen. The battle of the century.