Ingilstadt's page

In preparation for the next, here is my alternative ending to this one...

Unbeknownst to the party goes, as Ingilstadt performed the ‘life saving’ work on Taraz, it also provided the opportunity to infiltrate the serv-bot master control system. The virus.blackhat code was inserted, the access passwords changed to time synchronized OTA with M86 hashing algorithms, and the logic bomb set to detonate before the end of the next hour.

In the moments before the ‘event’, Wowbagger and Ingilstadt hastily gather up the Star Wars chess set and flee the party, the pilfered keys to the space yacht in Ingilstadt’s pocket. Laughing manically, they pile into the stolen ship and blast off the island like the Millennium Falcon out of Mos Eisley.

As the logic bomb detonates, the serv-bots all stop their activities, a glowing red beacon of light wells up inside them, and they turn on their masters. Operating under the new code snipet, assassinate.aristocrats(all), the blood bath is awful and Baron Von Ryuko cackles in glee.

Meanwhile, aboard the space yacht, Wowbagger instructs his new student, the apprentice assassin Ingilstadt, in the finer points of assassination. ”Now, insult them to death if possible, this is the cleanest method, but if that doesn’t work...”

"Then you should have voted against Jin with us, Vorian, as we had requested, and an assassin would have gone to his grave instead."

"Well, this seems like a good time for the party to get started."

Ingilstadt votes for Meows

Simon was an aristocrat in the wolves game and I didn't have a single PM until the very last round, and that game was infinitely better in terms of gameplay. Please don't mistake that with the RP aspect, which I always enjoy with this group and it was great in this game, but the actual gameplay of a Murder Mystery Tour felt completely absent this time around and it was for half of us because the assassins essentially didn't exist. It was like putting a video game on the easy setting and plowing through the realm, sure you dominate, but was that really satisfying?

As an aristocrat, I don't feel like it was a victory at all.

How about this approach to the end of the game, everybody post their own version of how it finished?

Does anyone remember the movie "Clue" from 1985, there were multiple versions, each with a different ending, and it was fun seeing how they all took the same story to start and then wrapped up in a different manner.

The assassins are deadlocked and cannot strike, because their chief has opted to live past this night with the one they love.

This right here is why the lovers role should not be included in these games. Game balance was destroyed from the beginning, made even worse by the head assassin neutralizing the other two players with the role of assassin.

Being a militant is a government job, so to fire the Wastrel you'll need form 86-A filled out in triplicate and signatures from at least three directors, one of which is on vacation for the next two weeks...

"You're welcome, Taraz. To be fair, I was a bit into my cups and picked a fight with you, as well as others, so your uncharitable behavior may have been warranted."

With a glance towards the helmet cat, "It seems I've displayed that behavior a few times."

"Just a turkey sandwich, Taraz? I would think a man of your tastes would have Wild Grain Ricron with Camigo Sauce or Roast Shnootallen in Azure Wine Cream Sauce.”

I need to be fair here and drop some criticism on myself, I've been meta-gaming the numbers based on roles, and not just a little bit, I've been doing it badly and IC. In the Mutants game we had the space station monitor telling us the numbers of the roles, so there was a vehicle for that knowledge, but here there isn't and it's bad game play for me to be doing that, sorry!

Fingers still petting the helmet cat, Ingilstadt summarizes the scrying results again.

"So, Leto was investigated twice, Zombi investigated twice, Vorian investigated twice, Meows investigated, and Bors investigated. The only ones left to investigate are myself, Wowbagger, and Kimefe. So we have exposed most of those with abilities then, assuming this is correct:

The Masons are Alessandra, Gorski, and Andrezi.

The Banners are Taraz and Cassie.

The investigator is Rashida.

"Then I can't help but notice that Jin is not among those being investigated. Why was he omitted Cassie?"

"I don't understand why any of you would lynch Vorian when you know an investigation against him failed? You truly have the same odds if you just lynched an unknown person like myself. This is exactly contrary to everything you have advocated for thus far. Please, if you are dead set on lynching an unknown person, then lynch me, I'd rather face my murderers than be stabbed in the back like Taraz was."

Ingilstadt continues to stay silent, but drops a hand down towards the floor, fingers outstretched, just in case the little helmet cat wanted some pets.

thank god for that!

"A date! Well, I couldn't...I mean...it just wouldn't...(hurmph)..."

Ingilstadt goes quiet, chin slightly raised, and gives a long sideways look towards the helmet cat.

...super...profiling...

"Yes, thank you, I'm glad that we can agree that it was superb profiling."

"Since we are recounting past events, Meows, did I not just rescind my vote for you and still not cast it back in your direction after the Vorian accusation was proven false? An accusation that would have stood had I not questioned the so called authority figures among us and voiced my concerns based on suspicions. If anything, I just potentially saved an innocent from being lynched and based on your pleas for everyone to live you should be thanking me for my fortitude to stand up for Vorian."

"And assuming that all cats are stalkers is not racist, it's profiling."

I keep imagining Meows as the cat from Shrek with the Big Pleading Eyes, you just want to give it treats all the time.

"Clearly the helmet affects your memory, or perhaps you have the same condition as the late Baron. As I've stated already..."

Meows wrote: I only played one game

"HA, that is further dishonesty from the cat, let us recount:

First, the cat originally called for people to reveal their roles to her. It was I who spoke up to say that it should be a Mason that people revealed roles to, otherwise things could be much worse.

Then, the cat says she did the Devil gambit without Alessandra's approval.

After that, the cat calls for the lovers to out themselves.

That is NOT one game!"

"It was your manipulations of others and your requests for everyone to reveal their roles to you and your deception in regards to the devil that made me suspicious of your behavior. I've raised my concerns for all to hear, there is no need for me to recount them further, draw on your own memory banks if you're interested."

"Plus, everyone knows that Cats are Stalkers by nature."

"Yes, it is as Rashida says, paw forward now, Meows, and we promise to use the proper helmet cat disposal procedure."

"Funny you should say that now, Meows, because you were the very first one to cast a vote for Vorian after Cassie's initial outburst."

"I see," says Meowselsworth softly, "Well. I trust Ms. DuSollier."

Meowselsworth votes for Vorian.

"Vorian, I've no desire to see you killed needlessly, there is one single questions that matters in this hour, did Cassie stop your assassination attempt as she has claimed? Come clean if so, perhaps Rashida, Wowbagger, and myself can undertake the task of returning the historical artifacts you have gathered, the space yacht would be a suitable ship for such a mission, don't you think Sir Wowbagger?"

"Ahh, Cassie, Professor, this is the kind of honesty and information that makes for a sound argument. I especially appreciate your words on the matter, Cassie, for you take direct responsibility. Vorian, what have you to say to these claims?"

Ingilstadt changes vote to Null, for now...

To all the guests at the party, Ingilstadt makes a plea, thread and needle still in hand from trying to save the life of Taraz.

"If you want to trust the cat and her alliance then do so, but please promise me this, when Vorian is lynched and found to be an aristocrat then stop trusting their words and trust my assertions that their alliance is compromised."

"The words of Vorian have the sound of truth about them, I do prefer this type of logic to following the words of those who's tally of events does not add up properly. The Professor has been correct thus far, but I do believe their alliance is compromised and now a third member has stepped forward to cast accusations. I must say, that my suspicions still remain on the helmet cat, for she seems to have played everyone in this room, then claimed it for the good of the group. It is too convenient an excuse, I will trust my instinct and not the alliance."

Ingilstadt votes for Meowselsworth

Ingilstadt sets to work, starting with a thin slit to expand the surface of the wound, allowing access to the damaged tissue beneath. Working quickly to staunch the flow, the severed vessels are clamped then stitched closed, the wound sponged and observed to be sure nothing was missed. It's difficult to say if the procedure was successful and performed soon enough after the stabbing, only time will tell...

Returning from the restroom, hands wrapped in a clean towel, Ingilstadt approaches the body of Taraz where Meows and Rashida are gathered.

"The first step is having clean hands, no need to get any infection in that wound and I believe you use your paws for burying your own feces Meowselsworth."

Ingilstadt crouches down next to the body of Taraz. "Now, let's see here, the blood appears to still be lightly flowing, which is a good sign as that means the heart is still beating, but it's very faint, and that's not good at all. Rashida, do you still have that sewing kit you used to attach the Baron's fingers?"

"Well, all this excitement is certainly too much for my bladder."

Ingilstadt retreats to the restrooms, entering the Ladies room.

They can even dream, on a related note I-Robot is a great movie if you haven't seen it. Of course, Blade Runner is a classic movie on the robot personality development, I think the original story by Phillip Dick was "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep".

No need to rob graves, there are at least two fresh corpses and should be more soon, I look forward to seeing the conglomerate beast, TaraLetoZombisque, in the next game.

Ingilstadt weaves over to the wailing group.

"Are you sure he's dead? Maybe he just drank too much wine like I did, then fell on a butter knife from the table, how deep is that wound?"

I vote that Taraz gets in his PM.

We're in the same time zone and I was also surprised when I logged in this morning and saw that voting had closed. For a Saturday morning, the close warning went up at 8am our time, and then closed by 10am. For a game where rounds don't already have a set ending point, it just happened a bit too quickly for a morning that people are likely to be sleeping in, or doing something with the family like going to the farmers market or out to breakfast.

do we get to know if the assassin had a special role, such as the stalker or head assassin, or is it always just listed as simply an assassin for the lynchings?

"Can anyone explain how the Devil was scanned twice, the Baron scanned twice, Meows was scanned, and the militants still protected the Masons during three rounds, all with only a single investigator?"

Ingilstadt counts the fingers on one hand repeatedly, the tally never seeming to add up correctly.

"I think I understand why all of us have ended up in a situation where we're short of money and desperate for land to restore our family fortunes, for not one among us can apparently count past 5."

I only played one game

"HA, that is further dishonesty from the cat, let us recount:

First, the cat originally called for people to reveal their roles to her. It was I who spoke up to say that it should be a Mason that people revealed roles to, otherwise things could be much worse.

Then, the cat says she did the Devil gambit without Alessandra's approval.

After that, the cat calls for the lovers to out themselves.

That is NOT one game!"

"As much as I hate to say it, I fear Taraz was correct from the very beginning, that we should not trust the cat and professor's alliance as it will be too easy for them to lead us blindly. My apologies to you Taraz." Ingilstadt nods formally in the wastrels direction.

"Meows, did he claim to be an assassin or claim to be despondent in the face of what seemed hopeless based on the helmet cat's information? There is a big difference between those two."

"Even the Professor can be deceived, if her basis for the votes is Meows information then we must consider that fact. Every professor I've known has not been a perfect person, they are fallible like the rest of us."

"Dear Cassie, have you no Sympathy for the Devil?"

"No Baron, I'll not abandon you to this fate, nor you Wowbagger, condemned simply for playing the same game the helmet cat started. If anyone should suffer a lynching as a result it should be the instigator."

Ingilstadt votes for Meowselsworth

Ingilstadt rises for the first time since the earlier purging and moves slowly to take a seat near the forlorn Zombi.

"I believe you Baron and I'll not cast a vote your way. In fact, no one should be lynched simply for playing along with the ruse of Meows deception. I was initially inclined to do so as well, but refrained when I considered the likelihood of it not being legitimate. It is a poor way to decide who gets lynched, unless the Professor can tell us exactly why the Baron was chosen, then I suggest no one blindly votes for him."

At the crack of the pistol shot, Ingilstadt bolts upright, startled from the languishing stupor.

Pointing at the Star Wars Chess Set, "Blitzkrieg maneuver I see, never works."

that festival looks great, Billy Bragg was essential college tunes, I still play 'Life with the Lions' and 'The Great Leap Forward' on a regular basis in my iTunes cycle

Clearly unsure on what's occurring, forehead still resting on the table, Ingilstadt adds a vote.

"I vote he moves on to the choreography round."

Hilarious! Seriously, those are without trying? Man, there's a job at Harlequin Novels just waiting for you.

How did I end up in So You Think You Can Dance: The RPG, I thought this was a Murder Mystery Tour?

Forehead still pressed against the edge of the table, garbled words echo up from Ingilstadt's vomit bucket.

"Celebrated.....Bootlicking.....Chimps"

"Your accusation that the Professor and Meows were conspiring against us from the beginning," Ingilstadt waggles the wineglass in Taraz's direction, "was a complete failure of logic. If they had an alliance it would have been that of Masons, not assassins, a point you still fail to comprehend with your so called insight. If there were not a Mason requesting that we hold our votes, I would certainly cast mine for you, wastrel."

Ingilstadt finishes another glass of wine in a single long gulp, then wavers with uncertain balance before striding towards Taraz, the lumbering steps bespeaking violence. And it is a violent reaction, as the strides carry on past the wastrel to the far end of the table where the wine glass goes clattering down and, in a moment of irony, a serv-bot rushes to the rescue from under the table with a bucket that Ingilstadt promptly fills with vomit. Dropping into a seat at the far end of table away from everyone, the violent purging continues for minute, then subsides. Forehead resting on the edge of the table, Ingilstadt breaths heavily while still clutching the bucket as serv-bots scurry about cleaning the errant splatter.

Ingilstadt walks slowly to the tables, breathing heavily after the dance with Cassie. That woman's endurance is amazing, and she still dances, what fortitude!

Retrieving another glass of wine, Ingilsatdt approaches Rashida. "You speak with wisdom holy one, for history often shows us the solution to our current problems. I will consent to this plan of no lynching and allow the detectives among us to do their work." Raising a glass in toast to Rashida, Ingilstadt drains it completely and then refills with the closest bottle on the table.

Turning to Taraz, Ingilstadt is glad for the mask that hides the smirk. "Wastrel, let me summarize you statements; you are active in these discussions because you been slapped multilple times, you are attentive according to a zombie, and you display your courtly education by insulting others and leering after any woman that jiggles. It is no wonder that your father wants you assassinated, in less than two hours you've tarnished the Wastrel family name, I hate to image what a disgrace you've been over the years."

Taking another long sip from the wine, Ingilstadt walks closer to the Wastrel, clearly willingly to ignore civility in regards to the lout.

"I find it curious that in my home country your name spelled backwards would be a perfect description for you, Za Rat, I can hear my country folk calling you that now, framed by the sound of another slapping, which appears to be the only actual contact that you have with women."

Another long sip from the wine glass, as the wine continues to flow the civility flows away from Ingilstadt and a mean side pushes its way to the surface.

This game has gone crazy! In the Wolves game Simon had 56 posts total, Sir Jiminy in the Mutants game had 40 posts total, Ingilstadt is already at 24 posts and we haven't lynched the first person yet! I don't have the freedom to post during work hours, so I'll fall behind somewhat at this current pace, but by all means keep it up folks, it's been great fun so far.

"Taraz, if you were paying more attention to all the guests, instead of just focusing on certain jiggly parts, then you would know that I, the General, the Duke, Fireshadow, and Andrezi have all been engaged in conversations and dancing with the group."

Ingilstadt accepts Cassie's offer to dance. "Thank you, Cassie, I would be honored." Taking her hand, they make their way to the dance floor where begins a strange dance with no clear lead. Ingilstadt twirls Cassie about, only to attempt to twirl as well a moment later. It's a wonder that no feet get stepped upon.

Thank you, Baron, for your explanation. I know it is difficult to be called out in such a manner." Ingilstadt nods in appreciation at Von Zombie.

Ingilstadt takes a deep breath, followed by another, then refills the glass of wine and fills a small saucer of cream. The saucer is placed before Meows and Ingilstadt sits gracefully on the floor beside the small helmeted one.

"Forgive the harshness of my words Duchess. I promise to follow the proper helmet cat disposal procedures, if ever required, and hopefully that is not at this party."

Ingilstadt gives pets to the small feline while sipping from the glass of wine.

"Passing your information to the Professor is a good plan, we must trust in her guidance and the Mason's Alliance, it is our best hope to advert the anguish of a false lynching."