Carisbrooke Revisited: The Siege Continues [Complete]

[Valerian]

A generation ago, Carisbrooke Castle was the site of a great betrayal.  A group of rebels, unhappy with their young, inexperienced Queen, dethroned her and replaced her with a young man, who they felt would be both more pliable and more acceptable to those who still preferred a King on the throne.

To everyone's surprise, the new King, who was well-known as a rake and a hedonist, settled down after a few years and tried to rule on his own, rather than letting those who had given him his throne guide his every move, as they had at first.  This new ambition displeased many, though for several years, he actually managed the kingdom quite well.

Then his luck changed, and he was no longer ruling a relatively peaceful and prosperous kingdom.  Weather turned, and crops failed.  Neighborhing lands grew restless.  Powerful nobles began to speak openly against the King, unfairly blaming him for everything from the frost to the neighboring rulers' ineffectiveness.  The last decade has been one of unrest and fear, in spite of the King's best efforts.

Now, the King has died, victim of his earlier debauchery, if the whispers are to be believed, leaving a young half-brother as his heir.  This brother has always stayed away from public life, preferring to live as a scholar, and is almost unknown to the kingdom at large.  Some are uncertain as to the wisdom of having this man on the throne, when a strong ruler is needed.

Known only to a few, the deposed Queen, who has been in quiet exile ever since, has married and had a son.  That son, now a man, has made contact with those who had always supported his mother's claim -- or rather, the children of those people, who are now mostly dead or retired from public life -- and seeks to reclaim his birthright.

Will these new Rebels again succeed in taking the throne?  Or will the former usurpers stay in power for another generation?

• Amberghylles
• country
• Imogen
• LadySky
• Mithlomwen
• Moirae
• Remiel
• Ryven
• sinera
• Xandi

[Valerian]

Councilors (5) - A group of important nobles who have banded together in a time of political crisis.  The king has just died, leaving a half-brother as the new King; but he is inexperienced and unfamiliar with the ways of the court.  The councilors (led by an elected Regent) have gathered to protect and advise their new ruler... but they soon learn that there is a rebel faction that hopes to seize the throne.

Rebels (3) - Though the world thinks they are loyal subjects, they know the hazards of having a ruler with little skill in either diplomacy or warfare, and would prefer to have someone of their choosing on the throne.  They have a new ruler in mind, the son of the previously deposed Queen; and they believe that he will richly reward their loyalty.  Each night, they may vote to remove one other player.

Weaponsmaster (1) - This person's skill with weapons is matched only by their loyalty to the new King.  Once each night, this person may protect one fellow player from harm at the rebels' hands.  The Weaponsmaster can protect him/herself once per game.  They may not protect the same person two nights in a row.

Historian (1) - No ordinary academic, this person's knowledge of noble geneaologies and history is second to none -- and there is a good deal of useful information to be found in the pages of some books.  Once each night, this person may request to learn one other player's role from the Chatelaine (Valerian).

Regent (1) - An elected role.  In the case of a tie in the lynch votes, this person will decide who shall be escorted to Tower Green to meet the headsman's sword.

The Laws of the Land:

~Do not vote to lynch yourself.  You may vote for yourself as Regent, however, if you truly don't know who else to trust.

~Do not directly quote any PM secrets you might exchange with other players.  You may repeat them in your own words all you like, however.

~If you will be unavailable for a day or two, or need to leave the game (though we hope you won't!), please let Val, the Chatelaine of the castle, know as soon as possible.

~Until the last lynch vote has been tallied, you are free to change your vote, should you learn new information, be otherwise persuaded to switch, or simply receive a better bribe from someone else.

~Have fun!

[Valerian]

As the group gathered for their morning meal, no doubt some recalled the day, almost exactly twenty years ago now, when a similar group had gathered here, for a similar reason.  None spoke of that, however, preferring to think to the future.

Then, terrible news arrived, throwing everyone into turmoil. A young knight was dead, one Sir Richard, foully slain as he slept, given no honorable chance to defend himself.  The first planned business of the day had already been to choose a Regent.  Once that task was finished, it seemed that they would next have to seek out the Rebels in their midst, in an unsettling echo of the days two decades past...

• Amberghylles
• country
• Imogen
• LadySky
• Mithlomwen
• Moirae
• Remiel
• Ryven
• sinera
• Xandi

There are 5 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

Note:  This first vote is for a Regent, not a lynching.  Everyone should have received the PM containing their assigned role.  Let the suspicion and finger-pointing begin!  :)

[Ryven]

He set his wine cup atop the table before a half eaten plate of food.  After a moment of pause, Lord Ryven spoke up to nominate a regent and get their first order of business underway.

"I believe good Lady Mithlomwen should be our regent.  I believe her to be a trustworthy soul who will lead us well."

[LadySky]

She was the niece of a known killer, LadySky was even named after her infamous aunt, the Regent who had helped to bring death to her enemies. She paced the shadows of the great hall, always keeping her distance out of habit. Her eyes flickered over the faces of those whom she would either trust or not, the task ahead seemed a daunting one and LadySky was not ashamed to admit she feared for her own safety. Would she be murdered by one of these faces?

Quietly she took her seat nodding toward Lady Mithlomwen. "For the time being I place my vote for Regent upon the Lady, she has always felt to me to be an honest soul."

[Valerian]

Current Voting (Regent):

Mithlomwen (3) - Ryven, LadySky, Amberghylles
Ryven (3) - Xandi, Mith, Imogen
Xandi (2) - Moirae, Remiel
sinera (1) - country
Amberghylles (0)
country (0)
Imogen (0)
LadySky (0)
Moirae (0)
Remiel (0)

Yet to vote: sinera

There are 5 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Autumn52]

Lady Xandi sat her goblet down and thought for a moment before placing her vote for "Lord Ryven". I believe that Lord Ryven would make an excellent Regent, he is trustworthy I feel.

[desert ashes]

Moirae let out a soft sigh as she lifted her gaze, swept it across those seated at the table.  "I place my vote with Lady Xandi."

[country]

As Country drained his mug of ale and licked the last of the cold porridge from his bowl he could but reflect on how dour everyone was.  Mornings were bad enough in this cold, damp castle, with the smell of the chamber pots drifting down the corridors, to say nothing of the odours coming from behind the wall hangings. 

Now food was scarce, rumours were rife; did no one learn from history?  A sage once said, 'History repeats itself as no one was listening the first time.'  That seemed so true today with the death of Sir Richard.  Evil was once again afoot in the kingdom. 

A new Regent to elect.  Who to trust?  It was time to form allegiances, share secrets and swap lies.  It was also time to see to your weapons.  For now Country would look to  Sinera. 

[Remiel]

Remiel, the young lord of Farthinghamcocklebury, nervously inspected his leg of lamb for traces of arsenic.  He sniffed his chalice, and then stared at it, almost as if daring the liquid inside it to do something suspicious, like fizz or bubble ominously.  When the time came to cast his vote for Regent, he squirmed in his seat, unhappy to be put on the spot.

"Er...I think you, Lady Xandi, would be a responsible Regent," he said, before checking the shadows behind the gallery for lurking assassins.

[Mithlomwen]

Glancing around the room, Mith was rather surprised to garner two votes for herself as Regent.  She smiled at both people and nodded in thanks.  "I shall cast my vote for Lord Ryven.: 

[Amberghylles]

Lord Amberghylles sat sipping his drink and looking around the room.  His father had been one of the ones who'd put his loyalty to the kingdom above that of the young queen to be.  And thus some felt that choice of his son as the crown's champion was biased.  But most dropped such thoughts upon seeing the tall muscular knight in the flesh.  Not to mention the many, especially in the recent troubled times, challenges to the crown that he had met without a single defeat on the field of honor.

With the news of poor Sir Richard, it seemed the rumors of that the exiled queen had born a child were true.  It was troublesome business to say the least.  Whatever qualifications this half-breed might or might not have as a ruler, his supporters were prepared to move in secret with dishonorable murders in the night.  It made the noble warrior growl as he cast his gaze about the assembled nobles.  After a time his gaze settled upon the Lady Mithlomwen.

"I cast my vote for Lady Mithlomwen," he said firmly as he lifted and emptied his cup.  Poison or not, living in fear wasn't living.  Likewise, his vote might be a mistake, but he would stand with it until proof to the contrary was brought forth. 

[Imogen]

Lady Imogen the Second, named after her aunt Imogen the Chaste, studiously diced the tender lamb steak but when the meal was prepared proper, she seemed to lose her appetite and raised her coy gaze to the gathering. "It is a sad loss we have suffered." She pushed her plate away and rose. "I hope that our new regent shall hold a memorial for Sir Richard, so his deeds will not be forgotten."

"As it stands both the Lady Mithlomwen an the Lady Xandi are highly recommend for this position, but I do know which to choose. And so, I shall follow both their advice and join my vote with theirs for Lord Ryven."

[sinera]

Sinera sat quietly in her chair, listening intently to the debate. It was with some surprise that she heard her own name thrown into the mix, for she had never dabbled in politics, keeping to her own council.  It was even more a surprise when all eyes turned to her. It appeared her vote would be crucial - she could vote for Xandi, causing a 3-way tie, or cast her lot in with either Mith or Ryven.

She smiled at country gently, "I appreciate your confidence in me, Country, but I must protest that I know little of politics; I find it amusing that Ryven and Mithlomwen, our top two choices, have voted for one another. However, I must choose between them, I suppose...."

She steepled her fingers over her lips, then lowered them and spoke but one word, "Mithlomwen."

[Valerian]

Final Voting (Regent):

Mithlomwen* (4) - Ryven, LadySky, Amberghylles, sinera
Ryven (3) - Xandi, Mith, Imogen
Xandi (2) - Moirae, Remiel
sinera (1) - country
Amberghylles (0)
country (0)
Imogen (0)
LadySky (0)
Moirae (0)
Remiel (0)

With the Regent in place, it was now time to move on to darker subjects.  If the lessons of the past were anything to go by, Sir Richard's death would hardly be the last, and the best thing the innocent could do would be to try to root out the rebels as quickly as possible.  With luck, perhaps they could find their first rebel today, at the edge of the headsman's sword, and sleep that much easier in their beds tonight.

There are 5 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Amberghylles]

Lord Amberghylles looked about at his fellows.  "Treason," he growled, "Murder in the night.  We must ferret out the rebels among us unless we wish to join Sir Richard."

[Imogen]

Imogen nodded solemnly in response to Amberghylles' statement. "Sir Richard was a good and loyal man. His death must be avenged. The guilty shall be found and put to justice." She declared vehemently. Her gaze found Mithlomwen. "Unfortunately, I do not know who to suspect of this foul deed. My lady Regent, we have placed our trust in you, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

[desert ashes]

It was difficult to imagine who among them would be the Rebels.  How many hours had they spent working together on different matters in this very room?  Granted, they may not all share the same politics, as it had been reflected throughout time, but this... this was different altogether.  Slowly she looked to each of the fellow Councilors, briefly rested on the Regent.  It was a shame her mother's alchemy lab had been permanently closed with her passing, a little extra back up would have been nice -- just in case the past repeated itself.

"How can any of us tell?" she asked quietly.  "Unfortunately I'll rely on history for this decision and say LadySky.  I am sorry, my dear, but one cannot help but wonder how far the apple fell from the tree."

[Valerian]

Current Voting (Lynch):

LadySky (2) - Moirae, country
Remiel (2) - Ryven, LadySky
Amberghylles (0)
country (0)
Imogen (0)
Mithlomwen* (0)
Moirae (0)
Ryven (0)
sinera (0)
Xandi (0)

Yet to vote: Amberghylles, Imogen, Mithlomwen, Remiel, sinera, Xandi

There are 5 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Ryven]

"You do have a good point, Lady Moirae, but let's not pass judgment too harshly on those for the mere fact that they share blood with previous traitors.  I do see your point, but I think that there is more than just one of the disloyal among us.  That is why I put my vote on Lord Remiel."

[LadySky]

A shiver of dread raced up her spine, she stilled in her seat and kept her eyes locked on the table before her. This moment had been inevitable, how could they see anything other than her Aunt when looking upon her. She had never known the woman however, LadySky was loyal to a fault and hated the stench her rebel Aunts past forced upon her own present. With a long sigh she quietly replied, "I am loyal to my King, I will go to my grave for him. In the interest of saving my own life I place my vote upon Lord Remiel as well. May God have mercy on all our souls."

[Amberghylles]

"The only ones who know the traitors are the villains themselves," he growled, "And their foul deeds leave us divided and fearful.  I do not know who among you are loyal and who are rebels.  I swear to being loyal, but so do these fiends who hold sedition in their hearts.  They have no honor.  I would welcome a fair challenge by this alleged royal in exile, but his supporters have chosen skulduggery.  I will see their heads on pikes or die trying."

He frowned then and looked to the accused.  "Sadly I do not know who I can trust in these uncertain times nor do I know who should be condemned.  I beseech whomever among you has the means to discern loyalties to act swiftly and well for the sake of our young king.  For now, I refrain from casting a vote as I know not who is guilty."

[Remiel]

Remiel dropped his spoon into his soup as he heard his name echoing about the hall.  His complexion turned even paler and more haunted than usual, and he shrunk back into his chair, as if trying to disappear into it.

"Not I! Not I!" he cried out, grasping ahold of his fork and holding it in front of him, as if to ward off evil.  "I-it is t-true that m-my uncle, Lord F-f-farthinghamhamham, was m-m-murdered by the K-king's s-supporters, but I have s-sworn an oath of l-l-loyalty! I d-do not care who s-s-sits upon the throne, I just want to live to s-s-see my s-seventeenth b-birthday!"

He turned his wide eyes upon Ryven.  "P-please think again, Lord Ryven.  You're m-making a mistake.  A b-big mistake!"

[country]

As Country gazes about the hall he realizes that something is gravely amiss – not only within the kingdom but also within the kitchen.  Why were others breaking fast on lamb and wine while he made do with pease porridge and thin beer?

Looking at the group who had replaced their ancestors as the nobility of this realm, he could but wonder where their loyalties lay.  While it was true that his sire had assisted in replacing the queen who was suspect in an attempt to replace the current order.   Had anyone shown where their allegiances lay?

Uncertain, with hesitation and trepidation Country whispered “LadySky has your allegience changed from that of your aunt?”

[Valerian]

[Votes in as soon as possible, please, everyone.  :)  Let's not keep our victim, whoever that might be, waiting...]

[Imogen]

Lady Imogen sighed and pressed her fingertips against her brow. "I cannot tell who is guilty or not and I'm reluctant to voice any suspicion. The ladysky and Lord Ryven voted for Mithlomwen as our Regent. Our majority agreed with them and thus I shall extend my trust one more time. I too believe that Remiel's behaviour might have been suspect."

[Valerian]

Current Voting (Lynch):

LadySky (3) - Moirae, country, sinera
Remiel (3) - Ryven, LadySky, Imogen
sinera (1) - Mithlomwen
Amberghylles (0)
country (0)
Imogen (0)
Mithlomwen* (0)
Moirae (0)
Ryven (0)
Xandi (0)

Yet to vote: Amberghylles, Remiel, Xandi

There are 5 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Mithlomwen]

Mith looked around, her gaze falling on Sinera.  "I wonder if perhaps you are in league with the Rebels as your relatives were."  Her gaze was suspicious remembering the story of how the relative she was named after, was sent to the gallows being innocent of the crimes charged, partly because of Sinera's relatives being part of the Rebel party. 

[sinera]

"Oh yes," sinera sneered at Mithlomwen. "It was my vote that put you in your position as Regent. Now we see how you repay loyalty."

She cast her eyes around the room. "Now you all see how loyal our great regent is. I see now that my confidence was misplaced." She laughed deprecatingly. "Am I the only one who sees the irony of our situation?"

"However, I wonder that my mother was drawn into the conspiracy by LadySky's aunt, whom she admired greatly."

[LadySky]

LadySky glared over to Lady Sinera. "How could I have admired one who I never met? I was born after her death if you will recall. The only thing I admired about her in the stories told to me by my family were the choices she made in who to trust as our ruler. My Aunt was very very wrong in her methods but she worked to see our current government in place to rule, she gave her life for our Kingdom and yes, that I admire. I am loyal to the crown, to my dying breath."

With that she stalked away, unwilling to sit quietly and wait while others judged her based on past prejudice.

[Amberghylles]

Lord Amberghylles sighed.  The others were looking to him expectantly, waiting for his vote. 

"I do not know who is innocent or guilty," he said, "But I have placed my trust with Mithlomwen as regent and so I shall follow her instinct and place my vote for Sinera as well."

[Remiel]

Remiel flinched a bit as accusations were thrown back and forth.  Who was to say who was innocent and who wasn't?  Whether or not they believed that the king had a God-given mandate to rule, or whether they questioned his lineage, they had all taken oaths of loyalty.  Someone here was an oath-breaker, history or no history.

"I'm sorry, Ladysky," he said, avoiding meeting her gaze.  "For what it's worth, I think you are innocent.   But I have no choice.  It looks like it falls to either you or me, and I'm rather attached to m-my head."

[Autumn52]

Lady Xandi unable to make a decision finally decided to go with her gut feeling. I don't know why but Lady Sinera seems a bit hostile and I am not sure I don't disagree with her loyalty issues but I also am afraid that she could be a risk.

[Valerian]

Final Voting (Lynch):

LadySky (4) - Moirae, country, sinera, Remiel
Remiel (3) - Ryven, LadySky, Imogen
sinera (3) - Mithlomwen, Amberghylles, Xandi
Amberghylles (0)
country (0)
Imogen (0)
Mithlomwen* (0)
Moirae (0)
Ryven (0)
Xandi (0)

By the narrowest of votes, and after much painful discussion, it was decided that Lady Sky must pay the penalty.  The sun shone brightly and the weather was fine; but none could enjoy it.  LadySky was led out to the green, there to meet the executioner's axe.  The only mercy was that her death was swift, for today the group had taken the life of an innocent Councilor.  Only the rebels would rest more easily tonight.

• Amberghylles
• country
• Imogen
• LadySky - Councilor, lynched
• Mithlomwen*
• Moirae
• Remiel
• Ryven
• sinera
• Xandi

There are 4 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Valerian]

That night, few slept well, no matter how well their doors were barricaded.  The loss of a loyal councilor worried many, aware that if history was truly repeating itself, then the rebels would be victorious and everything would change once more.

Several people heard furtive movement in the darkness, as though the rebels were on the prowl; and those who heard were convinced that they would discover another death with the dawn.  But to the surprise of everyone -- perhaps most particularly the rebels -- the next day all the inhabitants of the castle were alive and well.  It seemed that these councilors, like their forebears, also had a Weaponsmaster protecting them.

• Amberghylles
• country
• Imogen
• LadySky - Councilor, lynched
• Mithlomwen*
• Moirae
• Remiel
• Ryven
• sinera
• Xandi

There are 4 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[country]

Country cast about the hall, examining the others' countenances.  Picking LadySky had been but a stab in the dark - an ill fated one.  Who now to suspect.  Lady Sinera.  Can you explain your activities last evening?

[Valerian]

Current Voting (Lynch):

sinera (1) - country
Amberghylles (0)
country (0)
Imogen (0)
Mithlomwen* (0)
Moirae (0)
Remiel (0)
Ryven (0)
Xandi (0)

Yet to vote: Amberghylles, Imogen, Mithlomwen, Moirae, Remiel, Ryven, sinera, Xandi

There are 4 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Valerian]

The French attacked Carisbrooke Castle in 1377 and laid siege to it; but their efforts came to nothing when their commander was killed and the remaining troops were forced to withdraw.  Legend has it that this was the result of an arrow fired from the castle walls by a man named Peter Heynoe, a mighty shot that not only deprived the attackers of their commander, but also of their morale, and they paid a large tribute in exchange for safe passage home.  The money was used mainly to repair the town of Yarmouth, which the French had sacked earlier.

This was the only time the castle was truly besieged, and dizzying climbs such as the one pictured above may have been part of the reason why.

[Remiel]

"Who w-would have the m-most to gain by falsely accusing Lady Sky?" thought Remiel aloud.  "Only a r-real consp-pirator, of course.  I, too, suspect Lady Sinera."

[sinera]

"Country, for your information, I was alone last night, in my room. If you doubt that, then your word is suspect. Remiel, do grow up and stop being a sheep. I wasn't the first to accuse LadySky;  in fact, I was one of the last to vote. I note that you also accused LadySky - does that automatically make you a rebel?" She shrugged.

"Again, I consider the fidelity of Mithlomwen. If she insists on sending me to the noose, then those of you who also voted for her and are not one of her fellow rebels will be at risk once I have been removed - for I warn you, if you send me to the gallows, then the rebels will take another tonight, and the balance will begin to sway in their favor!"  sinera rubbed her temples. All this intrigue was giving her a headache. She almost wished she would be the next murdered, by the rebels or by her fellow courtiers, just so she wouldn't be forced to try to figure out who the rebels really were.

[Autumn52]

As Country has always been my friend and he seems to believe Lady Sinera is guilty I will vote with my friend.

[Imogen]

Imogen templed her fingers and looked pensively to the ones accusing lady Sinera. "My Lord Remiel, my lord Country, I would believe a little modesty would suit you after yesterday. Your voting has done us ill service and I for one shall not cast my votes with you again. Lady Moirae was quick to point out past deeds, not done by herself or the one she accused but performed by those who have long since gone to their grave. Much has changed since then."

She sighed and her eyes settled on one. "I have also noticed that none of these three voted for the lady Mithlomwen as regent. If we review their behaviour in public, there seem to be grounds for suspicion. I look towards Lord Country who: 1. voted for the Lady Sky's death, did not vote for Lady Mithlomwen's regency like several others who voted for Lady Sky's death, and thirdly who now turns against the one he deemed fit for regent without apparent reason?"

"My Lord, can you explain your reasoning and ease our doubts?"

[Ryven]

Lord country is where my vote will lie for the time being.

[Valerian]

Current Voting (Lynch):

country (5) - Imogen, Ryven, Amberghylles, Xandi, Mithlomwen
sinera (2) - country, Remiel
Mithlomwen* (1) - sinera
Amberghylles (0)
Imogen (0)
Moirae (0)
Remiel (0)
Ryven (0)
Xandi (0)

Yet to vote: Moirae

There are 4 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Amberghylles]

Lord Amberghylles sat quietly sipping a mug of watered ale and frowning as accusations and insinuations flew about the room.  Not that this was truly different from the court's usual behaviour, only now lives were at stake.  For a long moment he weighed the arguments to discern the logic in them until at last he reached his decision.

"I would much prefer an open battle to all of this skulking," he said with a sigh, "But it is the rebels who have chosen the battlefield.   I find Lady Imogen's reasoning sound and so I look to Lord Country as well for answers."

[Autumn52]

As I deeply respect the opinion of Lord Ryven I think I should change my vote to my friend, who might well be an enemy. Lord Country

[country]

Well argued my dear Lady Sin.  While Lady Imogen's argument seems no more than a tactic to eliminate a loyal subject. Look how well others have fallen in with her.  She has misguided to perfection. 

While my earlier votes had no foundation and were mere stabs in the dark - bad ones perhaps -  this day, as yet, does not seem to be clarifying positions.   Yet, there seems to be some cohesion appearing.  Would the rebels align themselves so soon? 

I will change my vote to Lady Mith

[Mithlomwen]

"I can assure you that I am no rebel, just as my aunt before me who was wrongly accused.  I can promise each of you with honesty and the swearing upon what ever item you wish that I am NOT one of the rebels.  You can either believe me or not, I can only give you my word."  Looking around she looked at Sinera and bowed slightly.  "Though this move ended up costing my aunt her life, I will once again offer you a show of good faith and cast my vote for Lord Country.  You can either believe I am innocent or not, but should you send me to my death, that will only give the Rebels yet another foot in the door." 

[desert ashes]

Softly Moire sighed as she lifted her gaze over the fellow Councilors and said, "Although it makes little difference with the vote, my suspicions are with Remiel."

[Valerian]

Final Voting (Lynch):

country (5) - Imogen, Ryven, Amberghylles, Xandi, Mithlomwen
sinera (2) - country, Remiel
Mithlomwen* (1) - sinera
Remiel (1) - Moirae
Amberghylles (0)
Imogen (0)
Moirae (0)
Ryven (0)
Xandi (0)

Though Lord country protested his innocence, it was to no avail.  The others had had their say, and he must pay the price.  But once again, the headsman took the life of a loyal Councilor, and no one but the rebels felt any safer.  The worried councilors took to their beds, hoping that the Weaponsmaster might once again spare them further losses that night.

• Amberghylles
• country - Councilor, lynched
• Imogen
• LadySky - Councilor, lynched
• Mithlomwen*
• Moirae
• Remiel
• Ryven
• sinera
• Xandi

There are 3 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Autumn52]

As her friend country lost his head to the headsman Lady Xandi hung her head in shame. She was sorry she had not trusted her friend and now he was gone. Feeling terribly lonely now she looked for comfort returning to her room in hopes that all would fair well through the night.

Tears streaming down her face Lady Xandi held a mourning ceremony for Country and all were invited to pay their respects.

[Valerian]

The next day dawned worse than the last.  This time the rebels had succeeded during the night, and taken the life of another innocent Councilor, Lord Ryven.  The situation was growing dire.  Would the remaining innocents be able to find each other in time to stop the slaughter?

• Amberghylles
• country - Councilor, lynched
• Imogen
• LadySky - Councilor, lynched
• Mithlomwen*
• Moirae
• Remiel
• Ryven - Councilor, killed by rebels
• sinera
• Xandi

There are 2 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Mithlomwen]

The lady Mith glanced around, in shock to see yet another loyal subject slain by the Rebels.  Pointing her finger at lady Sinera and sighed sadly.  "I still have suspicion you are in league with the Rebels." 

[Remiel]

Remiel awoke with some trepidation, relieved to find himself still alive.  He released his grip on the dirk underneath his pillow, and on the crossbow on the bed beside him beneath the sheets.  He rose and dressed, careful to peer into every shadowy alcove and darkened corner for possible assassins. 

He arrived at the lord's hall, groaning aloud when he heard of Ryven's untimely demise.  The innocent councilors were dropping like flies, and they had yet to identify a single conspirator.

He listened to Mithlomwen's accusation, his eyes narrowing.  "There m-may be truth in what you s-say, Lady Regent," he said, as boldly as he dared.  "Or maybe it is you who p-plots and s-schemes.  After all, you were among those who v-voted for Lord Country."

He shook his head.  Either Lady Mithlomwen or Lady Sinera was a rebel, he was sure of it.  Sinera voted for the innocent Lady Sky initially before accusing Mithlomwen.  Mithlomwen, on the other hand, had voted for Sinera before accusing the innocent Lord Country.  And now, it seemed, she was voting for Sinera again.  Both were suspicious, but one was clearly innocent and the other guilty. 

The only question was whom to believe?

He sighed.  "I'm s-sorry, Lady Mithlomwen," he said, "but Lady S-Sinera has a p-point.  It does seem like you're trying to pick us off, one by one."

[Mithlomwen]

"I am doing no such thing.  But I warn you, if you send me to the gallows you will be sending another innocent to their death, and the rebels will have won."  It was a simple statement, not meant to sway his vote one way or the other, only stating the simple truth of the matter that she was in fact no rebel.  Just as her aunt before her.  She found it eerie that things were playing out the same way once more, and wondering if she too would share the same fate as her relative, being sent to her death innocent of the crimes she was accused of. 

[Valerian]

Current Voting (Lynch):

sinera (4) - Mithlomwen, Amberghylles, Moirae, Xandi
Mithlomwen* (1) - Remiel
Remiel (0)
Amberghylles (0)
Imogen (0)
Moirae (0)
Xandi (0)

Yet to vote:  Imogen, sinera

There are 2 Councilors, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Amberghylles]

"I pray that your suspicious are true Lady Mithlomwen.  I tire of seeing us doing the rebels work for them.  But I have no better suspect to put forth and thus I shall place my vote with you for now.  Unless you can present something compelling in regards to your innocence Lady Sinera, I fear you shall see the headsman next."

[desert ashes]

"I'll lay trust with our Regent and also vote for Lady Sinera."

[Autumn52]

I will lay my trust with our Regent as well. I think Lady Sinera might well be in league with the rebel forces.

[sinera]

"I still have suspicion you are in league with the Rebels."

"And I still believe you're a backstabbing slitch," sinera sneered. She paled slightly when other councilors added their votes to Mithlomwen's.

"Amberghylles, what evidence can I produce? None. The fact that I haven't some elaborate alibi in and of itself should tell you I haven't any agenda. All I can do is protest my innocence and wonder why you all are intent on persecuting the innocent. Do you not realize that by sending me to the gallows-tree, you'll sentence all of those loyal to His Majesty to death?"

She narrowed her eyes, "Or is that your intent? Are you in league with Mithlomwen and the rest of the rebels?"

[Imogen]

Imogen sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Lady Sinera, I cannot prove your guilt but I trust our regent and my vote lies with hers."

[Valerian]

Final Voting (Lynch):

sinera (5) - Mithlomwen, Amberghylles, Moirae, Xandi, Imogen
Mithlomwen* (2) - Remiel, sinera
Remiel (0)
Amberghylles (0)
Imogen (0)
Moirae (0)
Xandi (0)

The tide turned inexorably against sinera, all her arguments swept aside by her fellow councilors.  For she was in truth a Councilor, loyal to the King; but as her head rolled, those few innocents left knew they could not stand against the rebels -- unless, against all the odds, they could all survive the night, thanks to their Weaponsmaster...

There are 1 Councilor, 1 Weaponsmaster, 1 Historian, and 3 Rebels.

[Valerian]

That night, the fate of the kingdom was sealed.  The next morning, the little group discovered that Lord Amberghylles, the Weaponsmaster, had been slain by the rebels, killed while guarding the regent, Mithlomwen.  From that moment, none could stand against the rebels, who quickly placed the former Queen's son upon the throne.  Now, only time would tell if this particular revolution had been for good or for ill -- and perhaps once more, the next generation would regret the actions of their forebears....


This time I have a bit of a recap ready:

Day 1:

By a narrow margin, LadySky, a Councilor, is lynched.

Night 1:

Imogen, the Historian, researches Ryven, a Councilor.
Amberghylles, the Weaponsmaster, guards Ryven.
The Rebels target Ryven, the center of attention.


Day 2:

Country, a Councilor, is lynched.

Night 2:

Imogen researches Mithlomwen, a Councilor
Amberghylles guards Imogen.
The Rebels target Ryven.


Day 3:

Sinera, a Councilor, is lynched.

Night 3:

Amberghylles guards Mithlomwen.
The rebels target Amberghylles.

[Remiel]

Remiel wiped his bloodstained hands, his foul deeds at last fulfilled, and nodded to his fellow co-conspirators, Xandi and Moirae.  "At last!" he exulted. "The rightful K-King s-sits upon the throne once m-more!   B-but even m-more importantly, I have wreaked m-my vengeance upon the m-murderers of m-my uncle, Lord F-Farthinghamhamham!"