WW LXXXVIII: What Lies in the Dark (Game Thread) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

satansaloser2005 · 05-09-2011, 03:07 PM

Lottie and Dun backed away from the rest of the group, their hands joined as they tried to avoid the accusations being hurled at them.

“You did it!” someone cried. “It was her! Send her!”

“I didn’t do anything,” Lottie persisted, and squeezed Dun’s hand. “Tell them!”

Inziladun considered it for a moment, turning to see the dim figure of the woman holding his hand. Then he shook his head, tightening his grip on her and pulling her toward the voices. “It was her!” he shouted suddenly. “It was her, I heard it. She’s making bargains with that....thing.”

“No!” Lottie struggled for a moment then shoved her body into Dun’s, the unexpected force making him release her hand. She ran a few feet away then cleared her throat, making her voice as low as possible. “It was him, the one making accusations! Send him off, and our troubles will be over!”

Dun tried to silence her but he couldn’t find her, so he felt along the wall, trying to make out the position of her voice. However, the next words made him stop in his tracks.

“Let’s just send them both. Perhaps it will satiate her appetite, and she’ll not attack anyone tonight.”

“Whose bright idea was that?” a new (and strangely commanding) voice demanded.

Phantom, for once, was silent.

“Take her!” Dun shouted. “It’s not me you want! Take the girl!”

“If you try to take me I’ll sing!”

“Lies! We’ve never heard singing in here!”

Lottie huffed. “Because I didn’t have a good reason.” She felt Dun’s hand on her shoulder, gripping her arm tightly and pulling her toward the crack in the wall. “Take him,” she told the others. “We’ll be safe if he’s gone. Please,” she sobbed, “don’t take me....”

“It’s too late for you,” Dun hissed. He heard someone else shout for him to go as well, but their voice was quickly silenced by the strange one he had heard a moment ago. As they reached the entrance to Shelob’s lair there was a sharp gust of wind and they both fell back just in time to see a blue box materialize before them.

“What the-”

Out stepped Boro, the light coming from his box revealing a bow tie and spiky hair. He started toward Dun and Lottie but suddenly tripped on the large scarf hanging from his neck. “Arms, legs, neck, head, nose....I’m fine,” he assured them as he righted himself, dusting off his striped trousers. “And what’s going on here? I’m sorry I had to take off, but....duty calls, you know.”

“Take us out of here!” several of the others cried. “Help us escape!”

“Can’t,” he replied reluctantly. “I’m a part of events now. I have to leave you here.”

“Excuse me,” Lottie said softly, stepping closer to Boro and his box, “but what is....”

“Yes, go on, spit it out. I can’t stay long.”

Dun joined her at his side, his eyes wide. “What in the name of sanity have you got on your head?”

“Oh,” Boro replied simply, “that. It’s a clown mask.” He frowned. “Don’t ask. Just....don’t.”

“So why did you come back, if you’re not going to help us?”

“You were about to make a very stupid mistake. Erm....I think. You can’t send off two people at once. If you do, Shelob will overpower you even easier.”

“But one of them could be working for her!” someone shouted.

“Or both!” another joined in.

“Yes, but do you know for sure?” When no one could reply Boro snapped his fingers, the doors of his box closing and leaving them in darkness again. “No one is dying today,” he told them. “I have gone, and that’s enough for you to lose in one day. Be more careful. And besides,” he added sharply, “are you trying to fight Shelob or become like her?”

Lottie and Dun stood still for a moment, then they both slowly walked back toward the center of the tunnel, putting distance between them and Shelob’s lair.

“Goodie,” Boro said brightly. “Well, best be off. I’m late for an appointment with the quarterback of the-”

The doors to the box suddenly opened again, revealing laurab2333 standing impatiently inside. “Hurry up, will you?” she demanded. “Some of us have a rehearsal to get to.”

“All right, all right,” Boro sighed, I’m coming.” He joined laurab2333 in the box, snapped his fingers again, and as everyone stood waiting in the dark they heard a terrible wheezing, even the dim light from the box’s top dissipating.

“So,” Lottie and Dun said together, “what do we do now?”

Here
Lottie
Dun
Phantom
Wilwa
Nog
Nerwen
Shasta
Lhuna
Fea

Gone
Glirdan (ordo, lynched Day 1)
Nienna (ordo, withdrew Day 2)
Bom Tombadillo (ordo, lynched Day 2)
Boro (the Doctor, withdrew Day 3)

satansaloser2005 · 05-10-2011, 03:01 PM

Shelob retreated further into her cavern, listening closely to the whispering of the innocents through the small opening in the wall. She settled into her corner, reveling in the fear she detected in their voices. The tension was reaching an unexpected high, especially after the fiasco yesterday with the man who called himself a doctor. But they were few now, even if they hadn’t dismissed someone into her chambers to become a snack. All she had to do was wait.

“Ssssssssssssssss....”

Shelob could make out a small shape coming toward her, its eyes reflecting the glow coming from her. It approached, its smile wide and its pearly teeth glistening maliciously.

“Psssssst,” it said again.

“Not yet,” Shelob whispered soothingly. “Go back with the others. Your time will come.”

“But....”

“Back with the others,” Shelob repeated shrilly. “Go. I have work to do.”

“But what shall I do? I’m all alone.”

“Play with the others,” Shelob replied simply. She lowered one of her pincers and stroked her child’s cheek tenderly. “You’re not alone. You know that.”

The child nodded, grasping Shelob’s pincer tightly. “I won’t disappoint you,” it promised.

“I know you won’t. Now go on,” she insisted gently. “I will soon approach again, and this time not all of them will escape so easily. Remember what I’ve taught you, and we will succeed.”

With that the child turned back, its feet scuffing the floor as it scratched absently at the still fresh sting on its neck. It crawled back through crevice, keeping quiet as it rejoined the others in the darkness. It could almost make out faces now, its eyes more attuned to the dark, but it still was unable to tell if any of the others had also been recruited into Shelob’s brood.

Perhaps, if it only looked harder, it could- what was that?

There was a sharp scream, a quick burst of light immediately blocked out as a large shape thrust itself into the small entrance of their hideaway.

They tried to escape, but it was too late. In the split second that there had been light, they saw one of their comrades impaled, his face still shrouded in darkness as his body was pierced by the sharp stinger that had penetrated their sanctuary. He let out a wordless cry, his voice also unrecognizable as he slumped to the ground, dragging his wounded body further into the dark.

Toward the back of the group, someone felt his cheeks growing as hot as the weapon at his side. He had failed to protect his friend, and it was so dark he likely would not find him in time to reverse the effects of the poison now coursing through his friend’s body.

It was going to be a long day, and for one of the group, it would be his last.

Alive
Phantom
Dun
Nog
Fea
Lottie
Lhuna
Nerwen
Shasta
Wilwa

Dead
Glirdan (ordo, lynched Day 1)
Nienna (ordo, withdrew Day 2)
Bom (ordo, lynched Day 2)
Boro (the Doctor, withdrew Day 3)

the phantom · 05-10-2011, 03:09 PM

So Boro was Doc, eh? Yeah... figures. I'm just hoping he was a sting victim as well.

Anyway, I hear that Nog would prefer that we wait until 20 minutes before the deadline to discuss everything, so I'm shutting up now.

*waits for today's narration*

Inziladun · 05-10-2011, 03:15 PM

From the narration, it looks like Frodo got it. Not good. Doesn't that mean unless a spawn of Shelob, or the fiend herself goes down toDay, it's over?

the phantom · 05-10-2011, 03:34 PM

Okay, first, I wonder what this is-

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sally

“But what shall I do? I’m all alone.”

“Play with the others,” Shelob replied simply. She lowered one of her pincers and stroked her child’s cheek tenderly. “You’re not alone. You know that.”

So... um.... is there only one Spiderling, like the Spiderling thinks? Or is there more than one according to Shelob. HUGE difference.

And of course we'll be losing two people this cycle, as there will be a lynch plus a Frodo exit. On the bright side Shelob doesn't get another minion tomorrow night and also won't get to sting anyone tonight if Sammy chooses Frodo correctly, so let's hope for that.

Also, I just (thankfully) realized my numbers from yesterday were off by one because our dear Moddess left Wilwa off her day-opening post yesterday.

So, here's what I believe to be a corrected version of where we stand.

(Shelob-Spiderling-BeenStung-Innocent)
If Boro was NOT a sting victim, we're possibly-
1-2-0-6
If Boro was a sting victim, we're possibly-
1-1-0-7
If Boro was NOT a sting victim but Sam cured someone Day 1, then-
1-1-0-7

So first- any theories on whether there are two Spiderlings or just one?

Loslote · 05-10-2011, 04:34 PM

At this point, I'd be surprised if there weren't two Spiderlings already...the fact that Shelob missed one Sting was lucky enough. I think we should work with the assumption that we probably have two Spiderlings. Even if we're wrong, it'd be more harmful for people to assume we've got time than for people to assume we have to get this lynch right toDay.

Shastanis Althreduin · 05-10-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loslote

At this point, I'd be surprised if there weren't two Spiderlings already...the fact that Shelob missed one Sting was lucky enough. I think we should work with the assumption that we probably have two Spiderlings. Even if we're wrong, it'd be more harmful for people to assume we've got time than for people to assume we have to get this lynch right toDay.

I agree with Lottie. It's better to assume the worst and hope for the best than the opposite.

Again, sorry for not being around yesterday. As Sally said, my internet was knocked out because of the storm. I'll vote today, promise.

Inziladun · 05-10-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loslote

At this point, I'd be surprised if there weren't two Spiderlings already...the fact that Shelob missed one Sting was lucky enough. I think we should work with the assumption that we probably have two Spiderlings. Even if we're wrong, it'd be more harmful for people to assume we've got time than for people to assume we have to get this lynch right toDay.

Surprisingly enough, I totally agree with this. The potential number of baddies ought to not be a concern, though. Getting them is the focus.

I wish there was a way to pinpoint Shelob. I still think she's likely to be one of the non-controversial ones, with the spiderlings doing the heavy lifting in getting rid of innocents.

05-09-2011, 03:07 PM	#1
satansaloser2005 The Sweetest Spoiler Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: from beneath you it giggles incessantly Posts: 5,789	Lottie and Dun backed away from the rest of the group, their hands joined as they tried to avoid the accusations being hurled at them. “You did it!” someone cried. “It was her! Send her!” “I didn’t do anything,” Lottie persisted, and squeezed Dun’s hand. “Tell them!” Inziladun considered it for a moment, turning to see the dim figure of the woman holding his hand. Then he shook his head, tightening his grip on her and pulling her toward the voices. “It was her!” he shouted suddenly. “It was her, I heard it. She’s making bargains with that....thing.” “No!” Lottie struggled for a moment then shoved her body into Dun’s, the unexpected force making him release her hand. She ran a few feet away then cleared her throat, making her voice as low as possible. “It was him, the one making accusations! Send him off, and our troubles will be over!” Dun tried to silence her but he couldn’t find her, so he felt along the wall, trying to make out the position of her voice. However, the next words made him stop in his tracks. “Let’s just send them both. Perhaps it will satiate her appetite, and she’ll not attack anyone tonight.” “Whose bright idea was that?” a new (and strangely commanding) voice demanded. Phantom, for once, was silent. “Take her!” Dun shouted. “It’s not me you want! Take the girl!” “If you try to take me I’ll sing!” “Lies! We’ve never heard singing in here!” Lottie huffed. “Because I didn’t have a good reason.” She felt Dun’s hand on her shoulder, gripping her arm tightly and pulling her toward the crack in the wall. “Take him,” she told the others. “We’ll be safe if he’s gone. Please,” she sobbed, “don’t take me....” “It’s too late for you,” Dun hissed. He heard someone else shout for him to go as well, but their voice was quickly silenced by the strange one he had heard a moment ago. As they reached the entrance to Shelob’s lair there was a sharp gust of wind and they both fell back just in time to see a blue box materialize before them. “What the-” Out stepped Boro, the light coming from his box revealing a bow tie and spiky hair. He started toward Dun and Lottie but suddenly tripped on the large scarf hanging from his neck. “Arms, legs, neck, head, nose....I’m fine,” he assured them as he righted himself, dusting off his striped trousers. “And what’s going on here? I’m sorry I had to take off, but....duty calls, you know.” “Take us out of here!” several of the others cried. “Help us escape!” “Can’t,” he replied reluctantly. “I’m a part of events now. I have to leave you here.” “Excuse me,” Lottie said softly, stepping closer to Boro and his box, “but what is....” “Yes, go on, spit it out. I can’t stay long.” Dun joined her at his side, his eyes wide. “What in the name of sanity have you got on your head?” “Oh,” Boro replied simply, “that. It’s a clown mask.” He frowned. “Don’t ask. Just....don’t.” “So why did you come back, if you’re not going to help us?” “You were about to make a very stupid mistake. Erm....I think. You can’t send off two people at once. If you do, Shelob will overpower you even easier.” “But one of them could be working for her!” someone shouted. “Or both!” another joined in. “Yes, but do you know for sure?” When no one could reply Boro snapped his fingers, the doors of his box closing and leaving them in darkness again. “No one is dying today,” he told them. “I have gone, and that’s enough for you to lose in one day. Be more careful. And besides,” he added sharply, “are you trying to fight Shelob or become like her?” Lottie and Dun stood still for a moment, then they both slowly walked back toward the center of the tunnel, putting distance between them and Shelob’s lair. “Goodie,” Boro said brightly. “Well, best be off. I’m late for an appointment with the quarterback of the-” The doors to the box suddenly opened again, revealing laurab2333 standing impatiently inside. “Hurry up, will you?” she demanded. “Some of us have a rehearsal to get to.” “All right, all right,” Boro sighed, I’m coming.” He joined laurab2333 in the box, snapped his fingers again, and as everyone stood waiting in the dark they heard a terrible wheezing, even the dim light from the box’s top dissipating. “So,” Lottie and Dun said together, “what do we do now?” Here Lottie Dun Phantom Wilwa Nog Nerwen Shasta Lhuna Fea Gone Glirdan (ordo, lynched Day 1) Nienna (ordo, withdrew Day 2) Bom Tombadillo (ordo, lynched Day 2) Boro (the Doctor, withdrew Day 3) __________________ "My heart always cowers behind the defense of my wit." Friendship is two pals munching on a well-cooked face together. Fenris bookworm. Last edited by satansaloser2005; 05-11-2011 at 07:56 AM.

05-10-2011, 03:01 PM	#2
satansaloser2005 The Sweetest Spoiler Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: from beneath you it giggles incessantly Posts: 5,789	Shelob retreated further into her cavern, listening closely to the whispering of the innocents through the small opening in the wall. She settled into her corner, reveling in the fear she detected in their voices. The tension was reaching an unexpected high, especially after the fiasco yesterday with the man who called himself a doctor. But they were few now, even if they hadn’t dismissed someone into her chambers to become a snack. All she had to do was wait. “Ssssssssssssssss....” Shelob could make out a small shape coming toward her, its eyes reflecting the glow coming from her. It approached, its smile wide and its pearly teeth glistening maliciously. “Psssssst,” it said again. “Not yet,” Shelob whispered soothingly. “Go back with the others. Your time will come.” “But....” “Back with the others,” Shelob repeated shrilly. “Go. I have work to do.” “But what shall I do? I’m all alone.” “Play with the others,” Shelob replied simply. She lowered one of her pincers and stroked her child’s cheek tenderly. “You’re not alone. You know that.” The child nodded, grasping Shelob’s pincer tightly. “I won’t disappoint you,” it promised. “I know you won’t. Now go on,” she insisted gently. “I will soon approach again, and this time not all of them will escape so easily. Remember what I’ve taught you, and we will succeed.” With that the child turned back, its feet scuffing the floor as it scratched absently at the still fresh sting on its neck. It crawled back through crevice, keeping quiet as it rejoined the others in the darkness. It could almost make out faces now, its eyes more attuned to the dark, but it still was unable to tell if any of the others had also been recruited into Shelob’s brood. Perhaps, if it only looked harder, it could- what was that? There was a sharp scream, a quick burst of light immediately blocked out as a large shape thrust itself into the small entrance of their hideaway. They tried to escape, but it was too late. In the split second that there had been light, they saw one of their comrades impaled, his face still shrouded in darkness as his body was pierced by the sharp stinger that had penetrated their sanctuary. He let out a wordless cry, his voice also unrecognizable as he slumped to the ground, dragging his wounded body further into the dark. Toward the back of the group, someone felt his cheeks growing as hot as the weapon at his side. He had failed to protect his friend, and it was so dark he likely would not find him in time to reverse the effects of the poison now coursing through his friend’s body. It was going to be a long day, and for one of the group, it would be his last. Alive Phantom Dun Nog Fea Lottie Lhuna Nerwen Shasta Wilwa Dead Glirdan (ordo, lynched Day 1) Nienna (ordo, withdrew Day 2) Bom (ordo, lynched Day 2) Boro (the Doctor, withdrew Day 3) __________________ "My heart always cowers behind the defense of my wit." Friendship is two pals munching on a well-cooked face together. Fenris bookworm. Last edited by satansaloser2005; 05-10-2011 at 03:25 PM.

05-10-2011, 03:09 PM	#3
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 5,971	So Boro was Doc, eh? Yeah... figures. I'm just hoping he was a sting victim as well. Anyway, I hear that Nog would prefer that we wait until 20 minutes before the deadline to discuss everything, so I'm shutting up now. waits for today's narration __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.

05-10-2011, 03:15 PM	#4
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	From the narration, it looks like Frodo got it. Not good. Doesn't that mean unless a spawn of Shelob, or the fiend herself goes down toDay, it's over? __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

05-10-2011, 04:34 PM	#6
Loslote The Werewolf's Companion Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Moon Posts: 3,021	At this point, I'd be surprised if there weren't two Spiderlings already...the fact that Shelob missed one Sting was lucky enough. I think we should work with the assumption that we probably have two Spiderlings. Even if we're wrong, it'd be more harmful for people to assume we've got time than for people to assume we have to get this lynch right toDay. __________________ I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. Double Fenris