The Mansion II [on hiatus]

[Zain]

The Mansion II
Remake/Remastery of The Mansion (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?122806-The-Mansion-Concluded&highlight=http://) circa Autumn 2009

https://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w440/dustinderusha/Haunted-House-halloween-16050647-1280-800_zpsetvppf3u.jpg


You enter reality gradually...

Hearing unidentifiable murmurs and smelling that classic antique smell, you slowly open your eyes. The blur is nauseating, making you aware of your splitting headache.

You sit up, head spinning. Rubbing your eyes, hoping the blur will go away, you look up once again to a clearing view of the crowd whose murmur has become an angry discourse. The tone growing increasingly volatile.

Looking around, you observe a room with no windows and a single door. The furniture appears old, some covered in plastic, others just dust. Armchairs... bookshelves... some kind of Study.

You stand up fighting shakiness, the nausea fading away with the blur. Noticing the crowd had gathered in the center of the room, you approach them. One man in the middle held a note and beckoned everyone to be quiet. He read aloud, "Your predecessors were lucky, are you?".

The dead silence broke into confusion and anger, everyone asked their questions simultaneously. Accusations immediately sparked among them without cause.

Your mind reeled, no memory of how you got here or where "here" is. All the knowledge you have is scribbled on that note.

No one seemed to have answers, so you asked the question everyone was thinking, "What now?"


Rules:
1. There may or may not be special roles in this Non-Mafia Player vs. Player vs. Environment (PvPvE) game. So, no screenshots from PMs allowed.
2. All communication between players must take place in this thread.
3. All players must participate and be active. Any player who fails to post within a given 48 hour period will be killed in-game.

Within reason, anything can happen in this game. There are almost boundless possibilities.


Guidelines:
The one and only point of this game is to find out what is going on, and react. It is highly recommended you organize and elect a Leader or set of Leaders who are in charge of specific tasks. However, the people are not forced to follow. This is your game, you do as you will.

IF a leader is killed, a good recommendation is that another leader is elected.

Players do have responsibilities however, such as keeping yourself alive by eating and sleeping. The details will be covered in your Role PM.

Currently, you are locked in what appears to be a Study. The doors are locked and barred on your side, and you may leave if you choose to. More details on what lies outside the door will be revealed as it's discovered.

The game will be played in 24+ real-life hour phases. They will always end at 15:00 GMT. Unlike a traditional mafia game with Day and Night phases, this Non-Mafia game will be played in Discussion and Order phases. Also please allow up to 24 hours for optimal write-ups.

-Discussion Phase: An allotted time for players to discuss strategy and plans for travel/survival/combat/etc. IMPORTANT NOTE: The MORE discussion and teamwork observed by your GM, the LESS LIKELY mishaps will take place. In other words, in-thread ACTIVITY and TEAMWORK can equal SURVIVAL with good decision making.

-Order Phase: An allotted time for players to Private Message the GM with their orders of what they will do during that phase. Receiving no PM will result in no movement, and assuredly death. :skull:

You may travel anywhere in the Mansion per turn (once it is discovered), because in reality, that is realistic.

Good luck :bow:

Please refer to "Stats & Storyline (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?151297-The-Mansion-II-Stats-Storyline&p=2053679547#post2053679547)" thread for more information, summary, and write-ups.

[Beskar]

In.

[Jarema]

when the game will start?

[seireikhaan]

when the game will start?
Pretty much this- if the game starts after Christmas, I'll join, but I can't guarantee commitment if it starts during or shortly after the holiday.

[Zain]

when the game will start?

We will have a slow start and kick off on regular schedule after Christmas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GeneralHankerchief]

Would it be possible to be more specific than this? I'm going to be out of commission for around a week myself (doing a move in conjunction with the holidays) so I'd prefer to know the exact dates, etc. :yes:

[Zain]

Please tell me when you all can start, and I will go with the majority. The holiday season can be a dead downtime for some and extremely busy for others so I want to appeal to the most players. :yes:

[seireikhaan]

The 27th would be ideal for me.

[Jarema]

28 would be good, but 27 can work too.

or later

[Jarema]

and sign me in

[Montmorency]

Is this like a non-Mafia version of Pizza's Murder Manor series? Those were a nice bit of work.

[El Barto]

In.

[Golden1Knight]

In.

[Zain]

Is this like a non-Mafia version of Pizza's Murder Manor series? Those were a nice bit of work.

Sounds like a similar story, not sure how Pizza organized it, but read through the first Mansion (link in OP at the top), to get an idea of how this one will operate.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I would like to start soon but I am also hopeful for a 25+ player game. So, please join in anyway as the first few phases will likely be extended length. Guaranteed to start by the 28th :yes:

[Raith Kemmler]

In in in to the scary place.

Can't post much on the three days surrounding Christmas or New Year's but should be good besides that.

[Myrddraal]

In (second time lucky!)

[Zain]

No more takers eh? Come on! :deal:

[Jarema]

what is minimum number of players you want?

[Winston Hughes]

Go on, then. I'll play.

[Zain]

Welcome Winston!

Really I'd like 20 players, but we can make it work with less if we must. Trust me guys, it's gonna be fun! So much better than the restraints from a Mafia game!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[El Barto]

Update the signups list, man. Or else it looks to newcomers as if no one's joining.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Alright, let's do it.

[seireikhaan]

No restraints, you say?

Put me on the list.

:charge:

[Zain]

Will be sending out invitations tomorrow, we are still schedule to start the 27th/28th.

Looking forward to getting this thing going, it was a ton of fun the first time! :2thumbsup:

[Montmorency]

I'll play

[Zain]

Official Sign-up deadline, Sunday, December 27th, 23:59GMT, Role PM's to soon follow, game begins next day!

[El Barto]

'K.

vote:Zain

[Raith Kemmler]

20 players, but we can make it work with less if we must.

If we're stuck at 10 for this, will it be less lethal at the start? Or will the game just be much shorter?

[Zain]

I may nerf the evils slightly to ensure an epic experience.

[johnhughthom]

I'm in, so long as there is a Billiards Room.

[Winston Hughes]

*dons smoking jacket*

[Greyblades]

In.

[autolycus]

Sure, I'll play

[Zain]

:bow:

We have hit that lucky 13 mark, still a few days left until closing and roles assigned. Hoping for 25 still but happy with our numbers. Bring your friends on if you have any that may be interested, this is a great setup for a large crowd. :charge:

[Raith Kemmler]

Alright. Excited.

I am ready and completely focused. Except New Year's. I will not be focused on New Year's.

[Choxorn]

I'm In.

[Ironside]

Time to join the mansionfodder. In.

[Zain]

15 contenders! 2 days left until liftoff!

[El Barto]

Liftoff? So we're playing The Mansion in space (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RecycledINSPACE)?

[Raith Kemmler]

I've seen stranger scenarios in that Haunted House game from Avalon.

[Zain]

(Sign-ups Closed!)
Role PMs coming soon!

Good luck :bow:

[Zain]

Role PMs have been sent out!!! Discussion Phase 1 has begun and will end at...
Tuesday at 23:59 GMT

Please discuss your plans, or lack-thereof. :bow:

[Montmorency]

OOC: Do we get any more writeup describing initial conditions?


Players do have responsibilities however, such as keeping yourself alive by eating and sleeping. The details will be covered in your Role PM.

My PM contained no such details.

I have no idea what's going on, and I don't have any special skills outside of middle-management.

Elect: Montmorency

[Zain]

OOC: Do we get any more writeup describing initial conditions?



My PM contained no such details.

I have no idea what's going on, and I don't have any special skills outside of middle-management.

Elect: Montmorency

Thank you for the reminder, game mechanics PM on the way.

[Raith Kemmler]

My name is Corey. Dunno if we're sharing our occupations, I set up workshops and education strategies for your children's learning.

I would therefor, be neck and neck with the priest and motivational speaker for first person thrown out of the basket in the 'hot air balloon in the wilderness' thought experiment. (or whatever the survival prioritization by occupation is called now)

Editting: I do have Speech as a skill. Maybe I can talk the monsters to death?

[Montmorency]

For the sake of actions, we (besides establishing skill sets and special buffs/debuffs) need to search every nook and cranny of the room we are in.

Plausible categories: Furniture; Light Sources; Food; Weapons; Books; Utilities; Entrances (i.e. doors and windows)

Next, we set out divided into two or three groups to get a similar picture of the nearest partitions. After two complete rounds of Discussion/Action, we should at least have some idea of where food supplies are or might be, and where the best places to sleep are. Eventually, we would need to set up a rotation so people can get rest after participating in group actions to explore more-distant parts of the building.

[Jarema]

I think first thing to do is to look around and get hint of what the room we are in looks like. I also think that the best think to be searched (of course not counting kitchen) would be inside furnitures of desk kind, or behind pictures hanging on the walls

[Jarema]

by the way, my name is Jack Foster and I am digital imaging technician.

Welcome, guys

[Golden1Knight]

My name is Charlie Wallace, I am an architect and strong. If you want to stay alive, get me a hammer or something like that and I'll smash any monsters on our way :P

[Myrddraal]

Hi everyone, I'm Lola Richards (my friends call me Myrddraal for short). I'm an office machine operator, so if we find any photocopiers...
or perhaps a fax machine? I would know how to send a fax.

I also get weird deja vu sometimes. Like I feel I've been here before (i.e. I've read the Mansion I).

I've got this weird feeling that I've been injected with some kind of horrible virus. I'm definitely going to check myself for needle marks...

Also, last time (I mean, in my deja vu) there was almost a period of grace during which the horrible monsters out there were more passive. If that's the case this time, we should take advantage of it. Don't anger any creatures out there, if we encounter anything, just leave the room asap and get out of the way. We should also probably try to use any slow startup period to get to key locations.

There's no map is there? Will we get one as we explore new rooms?

If there's a garden / garden shed, we should try to reach it (I'm thinking of power tools).

[Winston Hughes]

Lieutentant-General The Right Honourable Sir Donald Smoking-Jacket reporting for duty.

Did somebody mention billiards?

[Beskar]

Well I say - hilleaoh, one is Leo Webb, and one is ah gentlemans Loan Consultant. One is guessing one is here because one of you, one's old bean, fancy to buy this property and one came to assess if one will mustah ah return for the investment. it seems that at the moment, unless things change, there will be noh return.

[Ironside]

Hi, I'm Kyle Bevan and is good at controlling and installing valves.

And every combat mech we encounter is totally mine. I'll be satisfied with a tool mech a la Alien 2 as well.

Best skill evar.

It is possible that it's a short form for mechanic.

[Winston Hughes]

Well I say - hilleaoh, one is Leo Webb, and one is ah rich mans Loan Consultant. One is guessing one is here because one of you, one's old bean, fancy to buy this property and one came to assess if one will mustah ah return for the investment. it seems that at the moment, unless things change, there will be noh return.

I'm terribly sorry, but I don't speak middle-class. Can anyone translate?


Within reason, anything can happen in this game. There are almost boundless possibilities.

Hmm... Having read this, my ultimate goal here is to transform myself into a monster truck. Or a T-Rex. Or a monster truck riding a T-Rex.

[seireikhaan]

Hi, I'm Leon Cartwright, and I'm an alcoholic a paratransit driver.

Anyways, I am curious as to what lay beyond this study. I am willing to head an exploratory committee to venturing out. That is to say, I am venturing out and if anyone wishes to follow, they may do so

[Zain]

I also get weird deja vu sometimes. Like I feel I've been here before (i.e. I've read the Mansion I).

There's no map is there? Will we get one as we explore new rooms?

Glad you read it! Good idea :yes:

Yes, as you explore, the "fog of war" will be removed from the map. I have yet to upload the initial map since all you have is the Study. :bow:

[Beskar]

I'm terribly sorry, but I don't speak middle-class. Can anyone translate?

You, one's old bean, should be able to speak it, especially as it looks like ah weasel has crawled upohn your uppah lip and died. Jolly good.

[Winston Hughes]

You, one's old bean, should be able to speak it, especially as it looks like ah weasel has crawled upohn your uppah lip and died. Jolly good.

Oh dear. I think I'm beginning to understand...

Oxford man, are you?

My condolences.

*shakes head in disgust*


Anyways, I am curious as to what lay beyond this study. I am willing to head an exploratory committee to venturing out. That is to say, I am venturing out and if anyone wishes to follow, they may do so

I am feeling a trifle peckish. Perhaps a sortie to the kitchens is in order. And the wine cellar, obviously.

Of course, I couldn't possibly venture below stairs myself. But if you'd be good enough to fetch a bottle of Chateau Lafite and some fois gras, caviar, truffles and such, that would certainly prove satisfactory.

[Raith Kemmler]

I also get weird deja vu sometimes. Like I feel I've been here before (i.e. I've read the Mansion I).

I've got this weird feeling that I've been injected with some kind of horrible virus. I'm definitely going to check myself for needle marks...

Also, last time (I mean, in my deja vu) there was almost a period of grace during which the horrible monsters out there were more passive. If that's the case this time, we should take advantage of it. Don't anger any creatures out there, if we encounter anything, just leave the room asap and get out of the way. We should also probably try to use any slow startup period to get to key locations.

There's no map is there? Will we get one as we explore new rooms?

If there's a garden / garden shed, we should try to reach it (I'm thinking of power tools).

Don't put a lot of stock in past experience with showman. You should check yourself, maybe another, but we probably aren't seeing much repeats on that front I'd wager.


Hi, I'm Leon Cartwright, and I'm an alcoholic a paratransit driver.

Anyways, I am curious as to what lay beyond this study. I am willing to head an exploratory committee to venturing out. That is to say, I am venturing out and if anyone wishes to follow, they may do so

I'll come. Maybe two teams of 5 to split up, pending on layout, and the remainder check out the study we're in?

We should check for secret passages too. The door being barred might be lulling us into thinking this room is safe.

[Myrddraal]

So... is there anything to indicate if this study is on the first or ground floor?

If my deja vu serves me right, the study in the last mansion contained clues as to a mad professor's plan to infect the world. I suggest that somebody have a thorough search of this room, then get some sleep. (We need to make sure we stagger our sleeping so that we don't all keel over with exhaustion at the same time).

Any volunteers?

Khaan, I'm keen to come with you exploring. I suggest we should submit orders to look out for anything that might indicate the way to a kitchen or to the garden. Depending on which we find, we could get food or power tools :yes:

[Winston Hughes]

Obviously, as an experienced military man of impeccable breeding, it's only natural for me to take up the mantle of leadership.

I will, of course, be needing some non-commissioned types to perform those tasks unbecoming of a gentleman - planning, organisation, that kind of thing - whilst I manage the more nuanced aspects of la stratégie grande (best accomplished at the billiards table, with a glass of red in hand).

Montmorency and Raith Kemmler seem suitably equipped for such donkey work, I'd say.


I'll come. Maybe two teams of 5 to split up, pending on layout, and the remainder check out the study we're in?

Capital notion, Sergeant. One group can seek out the billiards room, whilst the other fetches the wine. The remainder can search our present location for useful intelligence, so to inform my deliberations.

[Jarema]

I want to examine the Study. Maybe I can found something we could use?

[Beskar]

Oh dear. I think I'm beginning to understand...

Sir, I am greatly offended by your suggestion, I am a true bred St Andrews man myself.

[autolycus]

I'm just a simple rental clerk, but I'll go looking for the kitchen/pantry.

[Raith Kemmler]

Capital notion, Sergeant. One group can seek out the billiards room, whilst the other fetches the wine. The remainder can search our present location for useful intelligence, so to inform my deliberations.

Then for your consideration General, I present the following tentative listing:

Grand Strategy: Escape the Mansion
Strategic Initiatives: Survive and then Explore

From most to least important in terms of immediate resolution:

Secure immediate area
Find potential food sources
Find and secure fortifiable positions
Discover and Develop Weapons
Establish a sleep watch
Raconteur potential hostiles
Search for Clues
Look for a viable Exit
Optional: Vengeance on whatever SoB did this to us

I agree with Mont, but I'd like to take things farther. I say until we find a good food source, we should hold off on establishing a sleep schedule and indeed push the group until this has been resolved. If we can't find a good source of food, we can sleep when we're dead.

[Golden1Knight]

If you need some muscle in the expedition to the kitchen, I would be willing to help.

[El Barto]

Hi everyone, I'm Lola Richards (my friends call me Myrddraal for short)
I would have thought ‘Lola’ would be shorter than ‘Myrddraal’.

I'm terribly sorry, but I don't speak middle-class. Can anyone translate?
In confidence, I do tell you he's in the money markets, a fancy name bookkeepers, moneylenders, panwbrokers, bankers -that sort of ilk.

Oh dear. I think I'm beginning to understand...

Oxford man, are you?

My condolences.

*shakes head in disgust*
Ah, a fellow Cambridge man. Did you attend Snobbington College, by any chance?

I am feeling a trifle peckish. Perhaps a sortie to the kitchens is in order. And the wine cellar, obviously.

Of course, I couldn't possibly venture below stairs myself. But if you'd be good enough to fetch a bottle of Chateau Lafite and some fois gras, caviar, truffles and such, that would certainly prove satisfactory.
Good grief, old chap! In the spirit of Boxing Day, perhaps sir Donald could go and help himself? The servants appear to have left.

Capital notion, Sergeant. One group can seek out the billiards room, whilst the other fetches the wine. The remainder can search our present location for useful intelligence, so to inform my deliberations.
But how can you deliberate without any wine, Sir Donald?

[El Barto]

If you need some muscle in the expedition to the kitchen, I would be willing to help.
Well, I do believe Sir Donald has practised pugilism.

[seireikhaan]

Don't put a lot of stock in past experience with showman. You should check yourself, maybe another, but we probably aren't seeing much repeats on that front I'd wager.



I'll come. Maybe two teams of 5 to split up, pending on layout, and the remainder check out the study we're in?

We should check for secret passages too. The door being barred might be lulling us into thinking this room is safe.
Very well. I'll unbar the door myself and venture to the next room. We should also be wary of traps, both of the "door" variety as well as generally being wary of what we touch.

[Jarema]

It would be helpful if we can get at least the simplest description of the room we are in

[Ironside]

It would be helpful if we can get at least the simplest description of the room we are in

From the write up.


Looking around, you observe a room with no windows and a single door. The furniture appears old, some covered in plastic, others just dust. Armchairs... bookshelves... some kind of Study.



BTW, Zack what's in the note? Is that our role PM or something? Your mind reeled, no memory of how you got here or where "here" is. All the knowledge you have is scribbled on that note.

Based on that this is a room with a single door, I suggest a small team explore this room properly, while the rest move out. And since I doubt our imprisoner has a huge monster in the next room (for now atleast), we should do something like that team A go and get a quick view for the room behind the first door/window on the right, team B, first door on the left, team C first door on the opposite or opposite right if it exist (like in a hallway) or second right if it doesn't, team D do the same for the left etc.

I'll do some naming so if people agree to this, we can easily coordinate the groups together.

Team Study: Explores this room. The furniture, the walls and all possible supplies.
Team Scavenger: Explores the next room in the same way. I suspect it's a hallway or at least a room with a lot of entrances.
Team Right: Gets a sneak peek on the first room to the right. If the room looks empty of dangers, start explore it. Same for all room teams.
Team Left: As above for the left room.
Team S(econd) Right: Gets a sneak peek on the central opposite room if it exist, otherwise first opposite room on the right if it exist, otherwise the second room on the right.
Team S Left: Gets a sneak peek on the first opposite room on the left if it exist, otherwise the second room on the left.

How dangerous were the traps in the last game? I was thinking if we need some dedicated trap checker for each group.

[Jarema]

From the write up.


Thank you, I managed to miss it.

I would like to be in Team Study if others agree. I am not sure if having so much teams is benefitial though. I would say that we should have 3 persons per team, so 5 teams?

[Myrddraal]

I would have thought ‘Lola’ would be shorter than ‘Myrddraal’.
Yeah, but Lola is harder to pronounce.

Remember that a 'night' phase represents 4 in-game hours, so we can achieve quite a lot. I suggest that we should be reasonably ambitious in how far we want to explore - we shouldn't limit ourselves to neighbouring rooms.
Zain, I assume it's fair game to submit instructions like 'Try to make my way to the Garden'?

[Golden1Knight]

We should try to explore as much as possible while we are still in the beginning of the game. 3 in each team seems enough. And since our discussion time will soon end, I believe that we should follow Ironside's plan.

I'm willing to join one of the room exploration teams.

[Beskar]

Jolly good, I will lead Team Sleft then. With a name like that, what could possibly go wrong.

I will go with Team SLeft: sneak peek in the first opposite room on the left if it exist, otherwise the second room on the left.

[Myrddraal]

Could I suggest some alternative teams and actions?

Actions:
Search this room
Suggested instructions to host:


Search the room we are in for anything useful (read any papers and (skim-read) books, look for anything that could be a weapon or food, look for sources of light, search for secret passages)
If there is time, have a nap, leaving one person awake to guard and wake the others in the case of anything unexpected (this person might as well spend the whole phase searching)

Team members:

Jarema, Winston?


Search neighbouring rooms
Suggested instructions to host:

Moving carefully, un-bar the door. Check for traps.
If anything that could be considered a monster or 'hostile' is encountered, fall back and try not to disturb it.
If it is a corridor, give it a quick search before moving on.
Leave the door to the study open, and keep one person in this corridor / room at all times, trying to keep line of sight between those in the study and those that have gone ahead.
Explore rooms which lead immediately off the corridor / neighbouring room (again checking for traps and hostiles).
One person in this group should go slightly ahead (but within line of sight of the rest of the group) and keep an eye out for the kitchen search party.
This person should take a light but recognisable piece of furniture with them from the study (for e.g. a stool or a picture). If, for whatever reason, the group needs to fall back to the study whilst the kitchen search party are still out and about, the stool or picture should be dropped and left at the point closest to the direction the kitchen party left in (so that the returning party will immediately know that something has gone wrong).

Team members:

Ironside?, Monty?, Raith Kemmler?, Beskar


Search for the kitchen
Suggested instructions to host:

This party will go further afield than the 'neighbouring rooms' party in an attempt to find the kitchen.
We have four hours, so we can still be careful, take our time to check for traps etc.
Within this group,
If we spot anything hostile, we abort and fall back.
If we spot the garden, make a detour to check if there is a shed. If there is, grab anything that could be used as a weapon.
Keep a couple of people on rear-guard, keeping an eye out for anything behind us, and trailing slightly behind the main group (but always within sight) to try to make sure that we always have a clear escape route.
If we find the kitchen, load up with as much food as possible and head back. Also check for knifes or other things that could make good weapons.
If, for whatever reason, our escape route gets cut off, we should try to find a room which we can barricade ourselves into.

Team members:

Khaan, Myrddraal, Golden1Knight, Auto, El Barto?,


The following haven't posted yet. We could arbitrarily drag them along on a mission, but I suspect that would quickly lead to casualties...

GeneralHankerchief
johnhughthom
Greyblades
Choxorn

[seireikhaan]

Could I suggest some alternative teams and actions?

Actions:
Search this room
Suggested instructions to host:


Search the room we are in for anything useful (read any papers and (skim-read) books, look for anything that could be a weapon or food, look for sources of light, search for secret passages)
If there is time, have a nap, leaving one person awake to guard and wake the others in the case of anything unexpected (this person might as well spend the whole phase searching)

Team members:

Jarema, Winston?


Search neighbouring rooms
Suggested instructions to host:

Moving carefully, un-bar the door. Check for traps.
If anything that could be considered a monster or 'hostile' is encountered, fall back and try not to disturb it.
If it is a corridor, give it a quick search before moving on.
Leave the door to the study open, and keep one person in this corridor / room at all times, trying to keep line of sight between those in the study and those that have gone ahead.
Explore rooms which lead immediately off the corridor / neighbouring room (again checking for traps and hostiles).
One person in this group should go slightly ahead (but within line of sight of the rest of the group) and keep an eye out for the kitchen search party.
This person should take a light but recognisable piece of furniture with them from the study (for e.g. a stool or a picture). If, for whatever reason, the group needs to fall back to the study whilst the kitchen search party are still out and about, the stool or picture should be dropped and left at the point closest to the direction the kitchen party left in (so that the returning party will immediately know that something has gone wrong).

Team members:

Ironside?, Monty?, Raith Kemmler?, Beskar


Search for the kitchen
Suggested instructions to host:

This party will go further afield than the 'neighbouring rooms' party in an attempt to find the kitchen.
We have four hours, so we can still be careful, take our time to check for traps etc.
Within this group,
If we spot anything hostile, we abort and fall back.
If we spot the garden, make a detour to check if there is a shed. If there is, grab anything that could be used as a weapon.
Keep a couple of people on rear-guard, keeping an eye out for anything behind us, and trailing slightly behind the main group (but always within sight) to try to make sure that we always have a clear escape route.
If we find the kitchen, load up with as much food as possible and head back. Also check for knifes or other things that could make good weapons.
If, for whatever reason, our escape route gets cut off, we should try to find a room which we can barricade ourselves into.

Team members:

Khaan, Myrddraal, Golden1Knight, Auto, El Barto?,


The following haven't posted yet. We could arbitrarily drag them along on a mission, but I suspect that would quickly lead to casualties...

GeneralHankerchief
johnhughthom
Greyblades
Choxorn


I find this an agreeable course of action.

[Raith Kemmler]

Okay.

I'll explore the neighboring rooms.

[Jarema]

I agree with Myrdal and Khaan.

[Ironside]

I'll explore rooms starting from the right then.

Some tips. The roofs might contain hidden doors, so watch them if there's something weird looking at least.
And our architect should use his specialties to check get a good guess on where the kitchen should be. All I know is that the diner should be nearby. And see if he can spot odd things with room placements and room size. Significant rebuilding is usually done for a reason.

Edit: Oh and do a listening check before opening a new room. Non-mechanical sounds are bad.

[Winston Hughes]

Until such time as the scout parties have identified a more suitable accommodation, I shall remain in the Study as suggested.

Here, for my own entertainment as much as any material advantage, I shall apply the skills acquired in my stint with the Royal Engineers.

Any hidden artifices of a mechanical or technological nature should soon make themselves apparent.

[Golden1Knight]

Could I suggest some alternative teams and actions?

Actions:
Search this room
Suggested instructions to host:


Search the room we are in for anything useful (read any papers and (skim-read) books, look for anything that could be a weapon or food, look for sources of light, search for secret passages)
If there is time, have a nap, leaving one person awake to guard and wake the others in the case of anything unexpected (this person might as well spend the whole phase searching)

Team members:

Jarema, Winston?


Search neighbouring rooms
Suggested instructions to host:

Moving carefully, un-bar the door. Check for traps.
If anything that could be considered a monster or 'hostile' is encountered, fall back and try not to disturb it.
If it is a corridor, give it a quick search before moving on.
Leave the door to the study open, and keep one person in this corridor / room at all times, trying to keep line of sight between those in the study and those that have gone ahead.
Explore rooms which lead immediately off the corridor / neighbouring room (again checking for traps and hostiles).
One person in this group should go slightly ahead (but within line of sight of the rest of the group) and keep an eye out for the kitchen search party.
This person should take a light but recognisable piece of furniture with them from the study (for e.g. a stool or a picture). If, for whatever reason, the group needs to fall back to the study whilst the kitchen search party are still out and about, the stool or picture should be dropped and left at the point closest to the direction the kitchen party left in (so that the returning party will immediately know that something has gone wrong).

Team members:

Ironside?, Monty?, Raith Kemmler?, Beskar


Search for the kitchen
Suggested instructions to host:

This party will go further afield than the 'neighbouring rooms' party in an attempt to find the kitchen.
We have four hours, so we can still be careful, take our time to check for traps etc.
Within this group,
If we spot anything hostile, we abort and fall back.
If we spot the garden, make a detour to check if there is a shed. If there is, grab anything that could be used as a weapon.
Keep a couple of people on rear-guard, keeping an eye out for anything behind us, and trailing slightly behind the main group (but always within sight) to try to make sure that we always have a clear escape route.
If we find the kitchen, load up with as much food as possible and head back. Also check for knifes or other things that could make good weapons.
If, for whatever reason, our escape route gets cut off, we should try to find a room which we can barricade ourselves into.

Team members:

Khaan, Myrddraal, Golden1Knight, Auto, El Barto?,


The following haven't posted yet. We could arbitrarily drag them along on a mission, but I suspect that would quickly lead to casualties...

GeneralHankerchief
johnhughthom
Greyblades
Choxorn


Agreed.

[Montmorency]

Ugh, open-ended thinking and compromise. I'm management and what is this.

OOC: I've been watching Soviet sci-fi for the past day or 40. Give me some time.

[Winston Hughes]

Ugh, open-ended thinking and compromise. I'm management and what is this.

No compromise, Sergeant-Major. Your word is my word, and my word is law. If you have orders, give them.

ps. Ironside and Myrddraal are promoted to Corporal.

Our current command structure:

Lieutenant-General - Moi
Captain - johnhughthom (pending his appearance)
Sergeant-Major - Monty
Sergeant - Raith
Corporal - Ironside
Corporal - Myrddraal
Private - Everyone else
Oxford - Beskar

[Zain]

Discussion Phase 1 is over!
Please everyone send in order PMs for this Order Phase!
Ending officially in 24 hours at 23:59 GMT Wednesday

And please continue to discuss (There were 42 posts of discussion this Discussion Phase, pick up the pace or there will be a mishap :rtwno:) Also if you already sent in an order out of turn, please resend it or send a new and improved one.

Thank you :bow:

[Winston Hughes]

Ah, a fellow Cambridge man. Did you attend Snobbington College, by any chance?

No, I attended one of the non-imaginary ones. Peterhouse, to be exact.

[El Barto]

Good man, failing my shibboleth not! I am sorry for the subterfuge, but you might have been one of those substandard rowers Oxford people trying to infiltrate properly educated people.

[Myrddraal]

No compromise, Sergeant-Major. Your word is my word, and my word is law. If you have orders, give them.

OOC: You're really quite good at this aren't you?

I don't know much about corporaling now mind. I do know how to change the toner cartridges of a Multi-Function Device and I do the best tea round in the office. (Anyway, isn't corporal when you smack people? Cheeky! :wink:)

Now say Mr Sir Donald, you seem like a decent fella. You stay right here and work out what's going on whilst we fetch a little something to keep us ticking-over. Ta-ra pet.

Khaan, Golden, Auto, El Barto, for the sake of expediency I'll suggest roles for our little expedition, but please don't take them as given; feel free to suggest alternatives.

1st Rear-guard:
Keeping an eye out for anything behind us, and trailing slightly behind the main group (but always within sight) to try to make sure that we always have a clear escape route.

2nd Rear-guard:
Staying with the main group, but looking back, keeping an eye on the 1st rear-guard and making sure they don't get separated from the group

Door opener:
Before we enter any room or corridor this person listens at the door for any suspect sounds (as suggested by Ironside), this person then loosens the catch, pushes the door gently and takes a step back (we don't want to run into any nasty surprises on the other side). After the point-men have gone through the door this person follows closely, always looking for anything suspect and ready to support the point-men.

Point-men (or women, as appropriate) x2:
After the door has been opened, these go through first (carefully, as always!). Once the room is deemed clear, they call back to the rear-guard to follow.

Everyone should grab some kind of weapon, be it a chair leg or whatever, but we should only use these if we can't escape our potential aggressors.

Golden, as the strongest of us, should probably go point. I'm happy to volunteer to go with him (just look at those biceps!)

[Myrddraal]

And our architect should use his specialties to check get a good guess on where the kitchen should be

Do we know we have an architect?

[Greyblades]

Good thing I looked in when I did, might have missed the round altogether.

Apparantly I am a photographer, so I assume I am somewhat weak, thus I volunteer for the rearguard position.


Everyone should grab some kind of weapon, be it a chair leg or whatever, but we should only use these if we can't escape our potential aggressors.

I agree we should attempt to dismantle (smash) the furniture to make some makeshift clubs for the exploration teams.

In a house like this I'd assume the study would have a fireplace, we might get lucky and find an iron poker.

[Golden1Knight]

Golden, as the strongest of us, should probably go point. I'm happy to volunteer to go with him (just look at those biceps!)

You can count on me, just hope I don't have to rely solely on my fists to confront one of these creatures (although to punch them to death seems something interesting to do :P )

Recalling that in addition to strong I am also an architect, then keeping me alive should be among the priorities of this group :D

[Montmorency]

Alright then. Myrd, is your group all in order?

I'd like to lead the survey of the perimeter, but it doesn't seem the party can be arranged in time.

In the end, we will probably have to settle for the General and myself organizing the Home Base with the majority of the fellows. We have a couple hours to develop an alternative.

[Raith Kemmler]

And please continue to discuss (There were 42 posts of discussion this Discussion Phase, pick up the pace or there will be a mishap :rtwno:)

What would be a good target number? :hide:

[seireikhaan]

OOC: You're really quite good at this aren't you?

I don't know much about corporaling now mind. I do know how to change the toner cartridges of a Multi-Function Device and I do the best tea round in the office. (Anyway, isn't corporal when you smack people? Cheeky! :wink:)

Now say Mr Sir Donald, you seem like a decent fella. You stay right here and work out what's going on whilst we fetch a little something to keep us ticking-over. Ta-ra pet.

Khaan, Golden, Auto, El Barto, for the sake of expediency I'll suggest roles for our little expedition, but please don't take them as given; feel free to suggest alternatives.

1st Rear-guard:
Keeping an eye out for anything behind us, and trailing slightly behind the main group (but always within sight) to try to make sure that we always have a clear escape route.

2nd Rear-guard:
Staying with the main group, but looking back, keeping an eye on the 1st rear-guard and making sure they don't get separated from the group

Door opener:
Before we enter any room or corridor this person listens at the door for any suspect sounds (as suggested by Ironside), this person then loosens the catch, pushes the door gently and takes a step back (we don't want to run into any nasty surprises on the other side). After the point-men have gone through the door this person follows closely, always looking for anything suspect and ready to support the point-men.

Point-men (or women, as appropriate) x2:
After the door has been opened, these go through first (carefully, as always!). Once the room is deemed clear, they call back to the rear-guard to follow.

Everyone should grab some kind of weapon, be it a chair leg or whatever, but we should only use these if we can't escape our potential aggressors.

Golden, as the strongest of us, should probably go point. I'm happy to volunteer to go with him (just look at those biceps!)
I'll volunteer as door opener.

[GeneralHankerchief]

My apologies to everyone, this has been a hectic week for me RL-wise (holidays combined with a move). I'll be more active starting on January 2nd. Will be sure to get orders in before deadline this round though.

[El Barto]

So, does anyone want me to do anything?

[Zain]

I am missing orders from several players, and in light of the holiday, lets extend this Order phase until January 2nd at 23:59 GMT. That way, we all can focus on our time off :bow: sorry about the delay. Everyone enjoy your New Year's!

[Montmorency]

It's a Christmas miracle, or something.

Bart, talk to Myrddraal.

I'd like Jarema, Greyblades, Choxorn, Ironside, Kemmler, GH, and Beskar to report over the next day.

Once I have at least 4 of you, I'll begin assigning official missions and suggestions.

[Beskar]

(Yeah, I forgot to send in my night order, sorry, time flies and I was thinking public orders.)

Tally'ho, I shall go and make my assessments ol'boys to ascertain anything of value within this property we can put to our advantage.

[El Barto]

It's a Christmas miracle, or something.

Bart, talk to Myrddraal.

I'd like Jarema, Greyblades, Choxorn, Ironside, Kemmler, GH, and Beskar to report over the next day.

Once I have at least 4 of you, I'll begin assigning official missions and suggestions.
I'd be up for such a thing…

[Raith Kemmler]

I'm can do stuff.

[Ironside]

Do we know we have an architect?

*Points at Golden1Knight*

I might have spotty internet connection for the next few days. I'll update when I can, but in worst case I can't report in for a while.

I've sent in orders to watch the rooms surrounding the next major room we'll pass, starting from the right.

Edit: And if I run out of rooms to check, I'll check the walls for anything suspicious (like secret doors) of that major room.

[Jarema]

I'd like Jarema, Greyblades, Choxorn, Ironside, Kemmler, GH, and Beskar to report over the next day.


I dont know what you mean

[Myrddraal]

El Barto, could you go second rear guard on the kitchen expedition?

[Choxorn]

I can also do things!

[El Barto]

El Barto, could you go second rear guard on the kitchen expedition?
Erm, sure. btw does anyone have a camera? I might have a use for it.

I can also do things!
Such as…?

[Montmorency]

My apologies, I was coordinating a group order but failed to realize that CCed orders would violate game rules against OOT communication. The message is reposted below for the information and action of those whom it may concern (especially Greyblades, GH, Choxorn, Ironside, and Raith Kemmler):


OK: Jarema and Beskar should stay and help the General (Winston) explore the starting room and develop it as a base of operations. The General will be looking for traps and secret ways (he is a Royal Engineer), so check out everything else in the room including furniture, documents, tools, food, weapons, etc.Keep the door open with an eye out for cries of help, and get some heavy things ready early on in case it needs to be barricaded.

The other 5 will come with me to do the proximate exploration. I plan to take 5 in case one of you can't get orders in time, in which case he could be pressed into service by the fellows in the study.

Choxorn, Greyblades, GH: Do you have any special skills or traits?

Pending info on that end, my recommendation for the division of roles in the party:

Choxorn and Ironside take point, GH and I in the center, and Kaith + Greyblades taking rearguard; "point" and "rearguard" roles are to function as commonly understood for the purpose of exploration. For example, rearguard will focus some attention on monitoring room entrances and distant activity when the group is actively searching a room.

We will explore rooms around the starting area. A hallway counts as a room, and we should never venture further than 3 rooms away from the Study. We will all look to identify the character of the rooms we visit, the furniture, windows and doors, and so on. As for items, our priority should be to look for easily-portable documents or books, food, tools and equipment, weapons, and so on. What can be easily carried we will split between the group, while larger or surplus objects will be marked for future reference. Containers and furniture with drawers or other storage compartments should be checked for traps before searching them. We will all (though more so the rearguard) be listening for the activity of the vanguard/kitchen group, as well as the people in the Study. If there is screaming from the study, retreat there in good order and be ready for action. If we hear sustained screaming from more distant parts of the building, then we speed up our activities with higher alertness, and regroup in the study without exploring new rooms. If we hear unidentifiable sounds approaching our location, then we cease activity, check gathered or improvised weapons, keep alert, and call out a challenge. If we come across anything that seems like a mobile threat, we assemble in formation and evaluate it from a distance; if we are attacked, then we perform a fighting retreat attempting to put a door between ourselves and the threat. Once the group is carrying more than 150 lbs of new stuff, we will mark our progress and fall back to the study to look it over.

Ironside: Focus on searching for traps and evaluating discovered parts, weapons, and so on from a mechanical perspective. For each door we come across, he will briefly listen in to see if there is any activity on the other side.

Montmorency: Will monitor group morale and alertness, as well as use managerial experience to organize recovery efforts (i.e. looting) in the rooms.

GH: To some extent, he will be our packmule and the first to get wearable containers such as pouches or backpacks.


Offer suggestions, but for now confirm this plan with the host.

[El Barto]

What about Greyblades' suggestion that we dismantle furniture in order to make weapons out of it?

[Montmorency]

Only where necessary. Otherwise, we will have proper weapons later, yet lack furniture for barricades or sleeping areas.

[Myrddraal]

So just to be sure, my understanding is that the following should have submitted orders to go on the Kitchen Expedition:

Myrddraal and Golden1Knight: Point seireikhaan: Door opener autolycus: 1st Rear-guard El Barto: 2nd Rear-guard

Regarding a camera, Greyblades is a photographer. I don't suppose you've got a camera on you?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Okay, introduction time.

I'm Faith Faulkner and I'm an occupational therapist and thus have a rudimentary knowledge of medicine. I'm not a master surgeon or anything like that but I'd imagine I'm decent enough with any minor injuries that may occur.

Back when I thought I was under the deadline, I submitted orders to be a part of the kitchen expedition as part of the first rear guard. That said, I'm willing to go along with Monty's plan depending on consensus.

[Montmorency]

Keep in mind, GH, my team might be undermanned without you, and our orders take you into account.

On the other hand, the Kitchen team is complete and has mostly or entirely submitted orders; you may end up interfering.

We have only a couple hours to sort it out.

[Greyblades]

So just to be sure, my understanding is that the following should have submitted orders to go on the Kitchen Expedition:

Myrddraal and Golden1Knight: Point seireikhaan: Door opener autolycus: 1st Rear-guard El Barto: 2nd Rear-guard

Regarding a camera, Greyblades is a photographer. I don't suppose you've got a camera on you?

No i have no special items or abilities.
Photography requires a lot of knowledge about lighting including using and maintaining specialised equipment. I might be able to infer I have some experience with electrical systems, assuming this house isnt so old it is still using gas lighting it might have a use later on.

Beyond that i appear to be another set of hands.

[Montmorency]

Can you be more specific about your photography? Filming professionally on mounted camera isn't quite the same as snapping expert natural panoramas or artsy portraits.

[Choxorn]

I'm Callum Simmons, a Job Developer. I don't have any Special Skills.

[Greyblades]

Can you be more specific about your photography? Filming professionally on mounted camera isn't quite the same as snapping expert natural panoramas or artsy portraits.

I am a photographic spotter, which now that I have looked it up apparantly doesnt mean what I thought it meant. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotting_%28photography%29)
So yeah unless you find a damaged piece of photographic film that you need clearing up I am not gonna be doing much that cant be done by others.

So what do i need to do this turn?

[Zain]

Greetings all! This Order Phase has ended! Fortunately for you all, I'm out of town and will be heading home. Therefore, here is your final warning to get orders in, you all have 2 hours. See you very soon, good luck!

[Raith Kemmler]

Keep in mind, GH, my team might be undermanned without you, and our orders take you into account.

On the other hand, the Kitchen team is complete and has mostly or entirely submitted orders; you may end up interfering.

We have only a couple hours to sort it out.

Orders sent. Confirming in thread. I'm following you and acting as a rear guard.

How was everyone's New Year's?

[Montmorency]

So what do i need to do this turn?

See post #107.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Phew, made it back to a computer with ~20 minutes to spare. Adjusting orders now to be part of your group, Monty.

[El Barto]

Frack it! I mixed up the time-zones. Sorry, everyone.

[Zain]

Just made it home after having to make a stop, I can accept any late orders for the next few minutes. Hope everyone got their order in! :book2:

[Zain]

Actually received some orders late so good thing I was lenient :whip:

Order Phase is complete! Please allow a little time for the write-up, I would like to make it very clear, concise, and detailed but am traveling again early tomorrow morning. We leave in 7 hours and still have to sleep/pack.

Not going to rush, once this week is over it'll be very consistent. :book2:

That all being said, I'll be working on it for a bit before I sleep, maybe with a touch of luck I can get it to you all sooner than I expect.

edit:

Furthermore, I have not received orders from johnhughthom or autolycus, if either of you are alive please make it clear. PM me your orders as I will be working on the write-up and would gladly accept your input. You have a few hours.

[El Barto]

jht's still alive, he posted ~48 hours ago in Visor's game.

[Zain]

Disclosure: All orders sent via PM have been carefully examined and details were taken into account as best as possible, mind you there was some confusion (multiple PM's, group Pm's, etc) that may have confused your host. If your character goes against your will in the write-up, be more clear and concise in your orders. Recommendation: Give exploration teams unique names (Team Alpha, Team Gold, etc) that way the leader can send the details and the followers can say they are following the orders of Team Alpha. That is all, did my best to follow orders, hopes, and dreams within reason. Enjoy the write-up.


Phase 1
Introduction:
The murmur of discontent grew until the final word had been presented. Jake Kelly (Montmorency) a simple office worker began to make the most sense, presenting a calculated plan to explore their surroundings. Other plans were rejected, others adopted in.

"Jack (Jarema), Leo (Beskar), and Hollie (Winston Hughes) should stay here and search this room. It appears to be a study, make sure and check out behind the books and maybe even the bookshelves. We need to explore what's out there, Callum (Choxorn) and Kyle (Ironside) take point. Faith (GeneralHankerchief) and I will take center. She is in the medical field so she can help if one of us gets hurt. And Corey (Raith Kemmler) and Kieran (Greyblades) will take rear."

Another group had developed as well, Charlie (Golden1Knight) was an architect and believed he could tell where the kitchen and possible food supply would be based upon the layout. Leon (seireikhaan), Lola (Myrddraal), and Bradley (El Barto) volunteered to accompany him.

"What should I do?" Elizabeth (johnhughthom) asked. Eventually she agreed to stay in the study to search, in the event any technology was discovered, she would have time to investigate it.

"What about him?" the group's attention fell on Hayden (autolycus) who had yet to wake up ( No PM :stare:). He would have to stay there and be protected by the group staying behind to search the Study.

Growing impatient, Leo spoke up. "I'm going with Charlie, not staying. If I don't do something I'm going to go mad.

After a small argument between him and Jake who had volunteered him to stay, they agreed to disagree. The group of 11 left the room leaving Jack, Hollie, and Elizabeth to search the Study while looking after the unconscious Hayden.

The door closed behind them, and the three began searching...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Search
The Study was a rather small room, it seemed impossible that all fifteen of them had been lying unconscious in there at once. The decorations appeared old but not colonial, smelled of old leather and books, a thin layer of dust covered everything. Bookshelves covered every inch of wall space, and a few padded wooden chairs dotted the room next to small tables and electric lamps. It was cool but not cold, and no light shined in. The two windows in the room had been bricked, only the light bulbs illuminated the room.

Hollie spoke first, "I do declare that if some ninny is watching us, I will be very perturbed. I will look for cameras."

Jack and Elizabeth search the walls beginning at the door and going in opposite directions, pulling books out of their shelves, checking the shelves themselves. Nothing unusual until a small note was found on top of the one of the books from the top shelve. The note read, "Straight from the opening."

"What could that mean?" Elizabeth asked as Jack and Hollie read over her shoulder. Jack stated his theory tentatively, "Well, there's three openings. The door and two windows. Let's check in front of them."

So they searched in front of the door, the floor and ceiling, as well as by the windows. Nothing, then Hollie spoke up once more, "It is indubitably opposite the opening. Check the walls."

So they searched once more, and sure enough opposite door on the far wall the shelf opened up. A secret door! They elected Elizabeth to stay in back and Jack to be point as they slowly opened the door and peeped inside.

Flipping the light on timidly, they realized they discovered a small bathroom. "Coast is clear!" Jack said breathing a sigh of relief. The three walked in, a simple toilet and sink, mirror in front, small shower. Quite quaint. "Huh... didn't expect that!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Explorations

Outside the Study door the groups discovered a thin hallway, dim from a bulb hanging by a wire from the ceiling. To the immediate right, a spiral staircase going down, to the immediate left a series of 3 doors. One near them, the other two near the center of the hallway. At the end of the hallway, another door, and to it's right after the staircase, a final door.

The group led by Jake chose to go right while the other group who seemed to have no apparent leader, aside from some special knowledge from Charlie, chose to go left.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Right
The group of 6, led in the front by Callum and Kyle slowly crept past the creepy staircase and saw the two doors to their left. Avoiding them, they all agreed they would explore the first room on the right, which was near the end of the hallway. As they passed the rotunda and staircase, Corey thought he heard something from down below, and in fear pressed closer to the rest of the group. Pressing an ear to the door and hearing nothing, Kyle check the door for anything suspicious. After deducing it was just a simple door, he opened it and they crept in. Flipping on the light, they saw a large room with a bed. Another bookshelf and sitting place, and a cabinet. Two doors on the end indicated possibly a bathroom and a closet, as this was obviously a bedroom.

After determining no harm was to come of them in there, they split up to search the room looking for anything useful including clues as to where they were and what they were doing there.

They found some old clothing in the cabinet, appearing to have belonged to an older gentlemen of modest stature. Some scribbled notes in a notebook, and a book with no words in it were also some oddities found. The notes were extensive and also written in backwards script and would take some time to decipher. A hand mirror and brush made of what appeared to be silver, and some old-style makeup and powder were also found, possibly belonging to the gentleman's wife.

They chose to search the right once more and opened the door on the end of the room using the same method, ear to the door, no sound, checking the door for traps, and opening it slowly. Flipping the light on, seeing no hostiles, they analyzed the room. It was a wardrobe, men and women's clothing in two rows covered all four walls, as well as shoes and coats, even a cabinet full of undergarments. A door to their left indicated a second entrance into the possible bathroom. They chose to wait on exploring this room as the clothes were so vast and cluttered that it would take hours to sift through them all. They peeped into the other door and discovered a master bathroom with clawfoot tub, sink and mirror, and even medicine cabinet which unfortunately only contained some alcohol for sleeping and some bandages.

They returned to the Study before the other group grasping the cryptic notes, mysterious book, hand mirror, brush, bedding and warm clothing, alcohol and bandages, and more questions as to where they were...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Left
This group of five, with Charlie and Leon on point, entered the door on the left of the Study, using similar caution as the other group. They entered the room, flipped on the light, and after realizing no threat lie within, they looked around.

More books, book books everywhere! They were in another library, an expansion of the vast collection they had left in the Study. The library had two entrances, the one they came through and another further down the hall. Determined to explore they began searching the books and shelves, no chairs in this room. Not finding a secret room, they pulled together their oddities. Two books both missing titles and words on the pages, one small note with a series of symbols on it, and a magnifying glass with an interesting shade of red.

Furthermore they found an old revolver in the corner behind a few books, but no ammunition. "Curious...these finds..."

They returned to the Study as well, all relieved there were no incidents, but confused by their strange discoveries.

...

Lola stood aside the group as they looked over their findings, feeling as if she had been there before, feeling as if she had heard of such a story... she searched her body for needle marks... and found nothing.

Discussion Phase 2 has begun! And will end on Wednesday, January 6th at 23:59GMT



Recommendations:
1. Discuss possibilities, uses, and reasons behind the objects you found and brought back. Some may be linked, others may have no use.
2. Never assume you have found everything in a room, some objects, clues, etc MAY require multiple turns to find.
3. Visualize the layout until I get home from skiing, then I will be able to upload a map.
4. Ask questions, I can answer some and will never lie (though half-truths can sometimes be misleading)
5. Be very clear when PMing orders (next phase), a mistype could end your life.

Good luck, remember bountiful discussion curbs the evils of the Mansion :evil:

[GeneralHankerchief]

I've added a timer to the above post in order to provide clarity on when exactly the phase ends. I probably won't do this every time, but if you want to do so in the future, the instructions for such are here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?135992-Gameroom-Rules-and-Reference-READ-THIS-BEFORE-PLAYING&p=2053655063&viewfull=1#post2053655063).

Any questions, please feel free to PM me. :yes:

[Zain]

I've added a timer to the above post in order to provide clarity on when exactly the phase ends. I probably won't do this every time, but if you want to do so in the future, the instructions for such are here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?135992-Gameroom-Rules-and-Reference-READ-THIS-BEFORE-PLAYING&p=2053655063&viewfull=1#post2053655063).

Any questions, please feel free to PM me. :yes:

Thank you GH, I will include it on all official updates from now on. :bow:

[Jarema]

Needles?

Are we in a story involving Feys and changelings?

As for further course of action...
can we wake Autolycus? Maybe using some alcohol?
I think that newfound bathroom needs to be examined. Also, check the windows of the Study. Third thing here, we examined borders of the Study (walls, doors, and so on) but not its middle - chairs and tables.

[Beskar]

Are there individual results, or just the big one?

[Jarema]

I would forgot: I want to examine my body for any strange things. Maybe someone can help me?

[Montmorency]

"Alcohol for sleeping"?

Zain, can you clarify that?

I suppose the General (Donald? Hollie?) should examine the documents with the magnifying glass, as well as inspect the revolver. Clothes and bedding can obviously be laid out for makeshift sleeping areas.

We should be getting individual PMs, as those contain our stats for Sleep and Food. Probably no one needs to sleep yet, but we definitely need to find a kitchen or pantry soon.

We seem to be on a higher floor/story, and most of the rooms up here are still to be explored. Pantries and kitchens would usually be found on the ground floor or in the basement, meaning someone needs to follow that spiral staircase. Broadly speaking, we can follow the division set up for the first round, with my team continuing the search of the starting floor, and Ironside's team

I would be curious if Beskar could use his experience as a realtor or whatever to assess the furniture around here for incidental details, such as style, provenance, construction, etc. Maybe in conjunction with the document analysis we can figure out more about the building.


Good luck, remember bountiful discussion curbs the evils of the Mansion

So can someone just filibuster the Mansion while everyone else breaks out?

[Montmorency]

Broadly speaking, we can follow the division set up for the first round, with my team continuing the search of the starting floor, and Ironside's team

I meant the group with GK and Myrddraal - they can continue looking for foodstuffs, downstairs.

[Golden1Knight]

Well, next turn I will lead an expedition downstairs in search of the kitchen. Since our goal is probably distant, a group of larger size would be better.

Also I think it's a good idea to investigate again the room where we found the revolver, maybe there is some ammo hidden somewhere.

[El Barto]

So can someone just filibuster the Mansion while everyone else breaks out?
If you want me to make thirty posts, just tell me when to start.

[Ironside]

I'm curious about the sound Cory heard, if it's there for flair or is an indication that something is below close to the staircase. And if Cory got better hearing than the rest of us. The staircase is a nice chokepoint for now, so we might consider making it into a potential barrier.

The book with no words might be using invisible ink.

The hand mirror is useful looking around corners.

I'm not sure about the silver brush, do we have that sort of supernaturals in this game, or is it simply to sterilize water or something equally mundane?

[Ironside]

If you want me to make thirty posts, just tell me when to start.

Have you heard about Cox's Bazar Beach is located at Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, the longest unbroken sea beach in the world? At 125 km, it is...

Filibustering is easy with Wikipedia random.

[Jarema]

Silver brush, needles...
we have to be careful, especially when going to sleep

[Choxorn]

We could try to sleep in shifts, make sure there's always someone awake to make sure nothing attacks us while we're all asleep.

[Raith Kemmler]

I'm curious about the sound Cory heard, if it's there for flair or is an indication that something is below close to the staircase. And if Cory got better hearing than the rest of us. The staircase is a nice chokepoint for now, so we might consider making it into a potential barrier.

Sounds like foreshadowing. And getting a little breathing room before shit hits the fan. I don't have a perception bonus listed, but maybe? I was rear guard, so prolly just closest.

[Winston Hughes]

I suppose the General (Donald? Hollie?) should examine the documents with the magnifying glass, as well as inspect the revolver.

Eh, what's that? Holly, Polly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Polly_Oliver), Molly: nobody of that name here...

*adjusts fake moustache*

As for the revolver, you're right: it's best I look after it. Not safe in civilian hands.

[OOC: Busy time right now, very little spare for games. I'll be back before the phase ends, but maybe not for long. To help with planning: my skills are focused on the mechanical and technological.)

[Golden1Knight]

About searching the kitchen, I think we can keep the same team, but with some additions. For now we have:

-Golden1Knight
-seireikhaan
-Myrddraal
-El Barto
-?
-?

You guys agree? Who else volunteers to go downstairs?

[Greyblades]

Bricked up windows... any idea what nationalities we all are?

The bricked up windows might indicate the building's age. In England there was a practice of manor houses having bricked up windows to avoid a windows tax. If this is England that would indicate the house was built at least before 1851, though if it's France it could be newer

Not sure what knowing the house's age adds to our situation.

[El Barto]

I'm curious about the sound Cory heard, if it's there for flair or is an indication that something is below close to the staircase. And if Cory got better hearing than the rest of us. The staircase is a nice chokepoint for now, so we might consider making it into a potential barrier.

The book with no words might be using invisible ink.

The hand mirror is useful looking around corners.

I'm not sure about the silver brush, do we have that sort of supernaturals in this game, or is it simply to sterilize water or something equally mundane?
Maybe we could use some of the furniture laying around as a makeshift barricade. One weak enough for us to pull apart if we need to, but enough of a bother to make a racket if anyone comes, especially if we're sleeping and the watchers have to go around waking the rest up.

Have you heard about Cox's Bazar Beach is located at Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, the longest unbroken sea beach in the world? At 125 km, it is...

Filibustering is easy with Wikipedia random.
And a kilometre is one thousand metres, one after the other. Laid end-to-end, so to speak.

We could try to sleep in shifts, make sure there's always someone awake to make sure nothing attacks us while we're all asleep.
I heavily recommend this post.

Eh, what's that? Holly, Polly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Polly_Oliver), Molly: nobody of that name here...

*adjusts fake moustache*

As for the revolver, you're right: it's best I look after it. Not safe in civilian hands.

[OOC: Busy time right now, very little spare for games. I'll be back before the phase ends, but maybe not for long. To help with planning: my skills are focused on the mechanical and technological.)
Coudl you check the wiring then, Miss Oliver? Or perhaps check the book with apparently nothing written on it?

About searching the kitchen, I think we can keep the same team, but with some additions. For now we have:

-Golden1Knight
-seireikhaan
-Myrddraal
-El Barto
-?
-?

You guys agree? Who else volunteers to go downstairs?


Bricked up windows... any idea what nationalities we all are?

The bricked up windows might indicate the building's age. In England there was a practice of manor houses having bricked up windows to avoid a windows tax. If this is England that would indicate the house was built at least before 1851, though if it's France it could be newer

Not sure what knowing the house's age adds to our situation.
Or maybe someone really wants to keep us inside, given that our arrival here is a bit of an ontological mystery (tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OntologicalMystery).

[autolycus]

Sorry, I was traveling and thought I'd have more continuous access to internet than I did.

[El Barto]

We can use the revolver to club people to death, but we'd get better reach by disassembling one chair and leaving the nails in one end sticking out.

How's the food situation then?

About searching the kitchen, I think we can keep the same team, but with some additions. For now we have:

-Golden1Knight
-seireikhaan
-Myrddraal
-El Barto
-?
-?

You guys agree? Who else volunteers to go downstairs?
What are we expecting to find downstairs? If it's a camera or similar equipment I'm game for it.

[Beskar]

I would be curious if Beskar could use his experience as a realtor or whatever to assess the furniture around here for incidental details, such as style, provenance, construction, etc. Maybe in conjunction with the document analysis we can figure out more about the building.

No no, I am no realtor! I am a financial consultant, old boy, I am not a simple plebeian who bows to measly details such as that, I pay people to do that kind of work for me.

[Raith Kemmler]

I suppose the General (Donald? Hollie?) should examine the documents with the magnifying glass, as well as inspect the revolver.

Looking at all the items with the glass seems good. Especially the book with nothing written on it.

I want to check the back of the wardrobe. Maybe Narnia or something like it is hiding behind the coats.

[Myrddraal]

The book with no words might be using invisible ink.

"Alcohol for sleeping"?
Apparently there are four types of invisible ink - those revealed by heat, those revealed by chemical reaction, those visible under ultraviolet light and those which alter the surface of the paper (most of them do in some way).

I might be worth trying those things? A close examination of the pages should reveal the type of bulging left by ink. I don't know if there are any radiators in this room, but we could leave a book on one if there is. We might also want to try putting a drop of the alcohol on one page?


I'm curious about the sound Cory heard, if it's there for flair or is an indication that something is below close to the staircase. And if Cory got better hearing than the rest of us. The staircase is a nice chokepoint for now, so we might consider making it into a potential barrier.
I'm also concerned by that. If/when we go down those stairs we need to be ultra careful, and perhaps have a chair to push down at anything that might try to come up behind us.


The hand mirror is useful looking around corners.
:yes:
I assumed that the brush was a hair brush.


About searching the kitchen, I think we can keep the same team, but with some additions. For now we have:

-Golden1Knight
-seireikhaan
-Myrddraal
-El Barto
-?
-?
I'm in. To be honest, I'm a bit confused. I thought we were going for the kitchen this round... I certainly thought I submitted orders to that effect. Whatever the case, I'm keen to find food (and any garden shed, whilst we're at it...)


Lola stood aside the group as they looked over their findings, feeling as if she had been there before, feeling as if she had heard of such a story... she searched her body for needle marks... and found nothing.

I can explain this. No need to freak out, this isn't a message from our host. I specifically submitted orders to check for needle marks. (ooc: The Mansion I ended with all surviving players discovering that they had been injected with a drug that transformed them into monsters)


Bricked up windows... any idea what nationalities we all are?
In the last mansion, all the windows other than those overlooking the garden were bricked up as well. I think it is more a case of preventing us from exiting out of a window than anything else.


What are we expecting to find downstairs? If it's a camera or similar equipment I'm game for it.
What's up with the camera? I'm curious to know what you're thinking of.

[Ironside]

So what do we have? Team kitchen goes down. I say they get the mirror to be able to check more carefully.
Team explore scouts the remaining rooms on this floor.
Team study does the final exploring in the study, like the bathroom and starts deciphering what we got. There's a mirror in the bathroom here, so that mirror can be used to see if the coding is containing mirror-turned text.
Team search searches the rooms we already explored. The library probably contains more notes and possibly bullets for the gun for example.
Team barricade? Makes a makeshift barrier at the stairs. Nothing big, but enough to give some time and a defensive point if something moves up.
Team sleep. 1-2 members could get some sleep in the study.

[Myrddraal]

That sounds like a good plan Ironside. We definitely need to think about some people sleeping now.

[autolycus]

I'll go with team kitchen.

[Zain]

Discussion phase has ended! PM me your orders! You have 24 hours

[El Barto]

Just to clarify: are we allowed to include our supposed companions as recipients of our order PM?
And also, is any discussion allowed?

[Zain]

Only send orders to me, companions should know what to do via thread. And yes in-thread discussions allowed and even recommended.

[El Barto]

Only send orders to me, companions should know what to do via thread.
Oh… someone did, I hope they aren't punished.

And yes in-thread discussions allowed and even recommended.
Oh, goodie. You said ‘Discussion phase has ended’ so I thought we weren't allowed further discussion.

[Montmorency]

Zain: It's still not clear to me whether the Sleep and Food values for our characters have changed since the game started. And what about the map?

[Zain]

It is called Discussion Phase because that's really all you do during that time. However, discussion is allowed throughout the entire game. Also, sleep and food values have dropped one unit since the game started. I have been traveling so I haven't had the time to send individual pms. But everyone has the same values, whatever was in your PM, minus one. Lastly, if I didn't mention it in the write-up post, I will have a map for you all very soon once I get home. Should be the day after tomorrow.

[Choxorn]

I'll go with team explore.

[Montmorency]

So what do we have? Team kitchen goes down. I say they get the mirror to be able to check more carefully.
Team explore scouts the remaining rooms on this floor.
Team study does the final exploring in the study, like the bathroom and starts deciphering what we got. There's a mirror in the bathroom here, so that mirror can be used to see if the coding is containing mirror-turned text.
Team search searches the rooms we already explored. The library probably contains more notes and possibly bullets for the gun for example.
Team barricade? Makes a makeshift barrier at the stairs. Nothing big, but enough to give some time and a defensive point if something moves up.
Team sleep. 1-2 members could get some sleep in the study.

OK, good basic format. The broad template here is what we should do each Discussion Phase as we outline what basically needs to be done, create hierarchies of objectives, etc.

Also, so it gets noted again:


Each cycle of Discussion/Order phases covers 4 in-game hours. Each cycle will deplete characters Sleep and Food levels by 1.

All characters have these default statistics.

Sleep - 5
Food - 4

Once a player hits 0, they will enter sleep deprivation or starvation and their character's ability to function will suffer greatly. Characters can die randomly once in one of these states.

Sleep - 4 and Food - 3: those should be our current counts. Food is clearly the highest priority, even beyond weapons and tools.

No one really needs to sleep ATM; a nice thing would be if we could find a good administrative default for getting inactives to sleep during a given round.


----------------------

Below, I will provide an in-thread elaboration of team duties and dispositions to supplement individual orders and what has already been posted. Only a few people have offered solid commitments so far; bolded names are recommendations.


Team Kitchen (Myrddraal, Autolycus, Golden, Khaan, Bart): I won't involve myself with their planning and coordination, but we all seem to agree that they should get the hand mirror for looking around corners.

Team Study (Winston, Beskar): Thoroughly investigate the rest of the room, including the bathroom. Consolidate and organize all loot. Use the magnifying glass to aid in examining all the books and documents recovered. Test some alcohol on the blank book to see if any words appear. Inspect the revolver.

Team Explore (Choxorn, Greyblades, GH): Check out the two unexplored doors. Apply caution and trap-checking as per Round 1 (described in my long post that round). Find useful stuff. Once satisfied, check back on the library. Try not to get more than 2 rooms out from the hallway, if more doors are discovered.

Team Barricade (JHT, Jarema): Drag a bookshelf from the study and prop it on the wall adjacent to the stairwell, in case we need to block it off. Bring a couple of chairs from the study to sit on, and to use as weapons. Provide overwatch for the hallway and the stairs.

Team Search (Montmorency, Raith, Ironside): Go back to the first room explored on the right: the extensive master bedroom(s) and all connected rooms. Gather all items of use and bring them to the Study. Then move to the door across from the hall (opposite the study) and explore beyond it. Apply caution and trap-checking as per Round 1. Try not to get more than 2 rooms out from the hallway, if more doors are discovered.

[Winston Hughes]

[OOC: Okay, I'll go with that.]

[Myrddraal]

So, Team Kitchen:

Same structure as last time? I will submit orders with the following text, then if you could all submit a simple order saying that you will play your role in this plan?

I've underlined new things below.

The Kitchen team will head down the spiral staircase to attempt to find the kitchen. We will be particularly careful and quiet going down the stairs, listening for any signs of danger.

If, at the bottom of the stairs, we find ourselves in a basement / storage level, we will return up the spiral stair, and explore further afield on this level to attempt to find the kitchen - our architect will make the final decision about whether it is likely that the kitchen is on this floor.

We will explore following the roles set out below.

If we spot anything hostile, we abort and fall back.
If we spot the garden, make a detour to check if there is a shed. If there is, grab anything that could be used as a weapon.
If we find the kitchen, load up with as much food as possible and head back. Also check for knifes or other things that could make good weapons.
If, for whatever reason, our escape route gets cut off, we should try to find a room which we can barricade ourselves into.

1st Rear-guard: @autolycus
Keeping an eye out for anything behind us, and trailing slightly behind the main group (but always within sight) to try to make sure that we always have a clear escape route.

2nd Rear-guard: @El Barto
Staying with the main group, but looking back, keeping an eye on the 1st rear-guard and making sure they don't get separated from the group.

Door opener: @seireikhaan
Before we enter any room or corridor this person listens at the door for any suspect sounds (as suggested by Ironside), this person then loosens the catch, pushes the door gently and takes a step back (we don't want to run into any nasty surprises on the other side). After the point-men have gone through the door this person follows closely, always looking for anything suspect and ready to support the point-men.

When entering rooms, going down spiral stairs or when going around corners in corridors, the Door Opener will use the hand mirror to attempt to see around the corner for anything hostile.

Point-men (or women, as appropriate) x2: @Myrddraal, @Golden1Knight (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/member.php?u=99963)
After the door has been opened, these go through first (carefully, as always!). Once the room is deemed clear, they call back to the rear-guard to follow.

[Zain]

Also gentlemen, for the record, please do not refer me to the thread in your orders. If anything, quote it. Thank you much!

[GeneralHankerchief]

Team Explore checking in, orders noted.

[Beskar]

Deary me, looks like I am stuck with Cambridge.

[Ironside]

I've sent orders to search the cloth room and the bedroom. I'm not entirely sure if the cloth room is the one you meant as the second room Monty.

I've left the door in the library alone. It does feel to be more rooms behind that one, so we should have more coordination when opening that one I think.

[Jarema]

alright, I will go to the barricades

[seireikhaan]

Door opener reporting for duty.

[Zain]

A few hours past the 24 hour deadline! I've investigated and double-checked and sure enough I am missing some orders from a few players, two of which have posted very recently. If you are on this list, please pm immediately. You have 12 hours.
Beskar
Raith Kemmler
GeneralHankerchief
johnhughthom

[Beskar]

I pm'd you my orders at 19:36 GMT. (7 hours before your reply), it was the same as stated in thread with Winston.

[Raith Kemmler]

Sorry sorry, about checking in.

Roommate was very clueless downloading scripting programs. Wall to wall computer trouble the last week.

[Zain]

Just made the 10 hour drive home from the mountains, it's 4am now so going to get some sleep. Look forward to the write up in the "morning" whenever that may be haha let's hope we hear from johnhughthom

[Zain]

Good news! Found some lost PMs! Sorry Beskar, it appears Tapatalk has it's flaws. Working on write-up, map, and some extra secret information you all may enjoy!

Also, now that my vacation is over and real life begins again, things should get much more consistent and a little bit quicker paced. Be excited! ~D

[Zain]

First: Discussion was pitiful this turn, I have no choice but to punish you all.


Phase 2

Upon returning from their first searches, and inspecting their acquisitions, they determined a brand new plan. More knowledge leads to more questions, like the branches of a tree leading to more branches, leaves, and fruit. What they wanted was fruit, but they feared the thorns. Lola Richards (Myrddraal), continued feeling a sense of déjà vu she could not explain, "We have to be careful, I have a terrible feeling about this place... it's haunted. It's evil!"

Jake Kelly (Montmorency) continued with his planning, "We need four teams, one to find some food, I know I'm not the only person who's stomach is growling. Also a team to explore those other doors in the hallway, one to thoroughly check that bedroom complex, and another to check out that secret bathroom."

"Who has secret bathrooms, that's so odd." Bradley Palmer (El Barto) added plainly. Truly it is an interesting notion, privacy was clearly important to the original owner.

Lola spoke up again, "Okay, Charlie (Golden1Knight), you come with me, we're getting some food. Anybody else want to come?"

Bradley and Hayden Hicks (autolycus), who had woken up shortly after the original teams left, also volunteered.

Hollie Daniels (Winston Hughes) also had an idea, "We can try using the alcohol on the blank books to see if we can reveal the invisible ink too."

"Great, see what you can find!" Jake responded.

"Use the mirror to look around corners and under doors, if there's anything dangerous out there, we want to see them first!" Kyle Bevan (Ironside) added. He handed it to Leon Cartwright (seireikhaan), the designated "door opener" for the Kitchen Team.

Once they had convened, they departed once more, in hopes of learning more, escaping this mansion, and surviving. A tall order.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Team Bedroom

The team of 3, Corey, Jake, and Kyle chose to more thoroughly search the bedroom, closet, and bathroom that was discovered earlier. Upon entering the room, still using caution of course, they thoroughly checked the room again for useful items, clues, anything that could help them.

"Guys, look over here!" Corey said as he found a small tear in the carpet next to the bed. He folded it back as the others watched to reveal a small secret compartment. The wooden door opened to a small cache of .38 caliber ammunition and a small key.

"Goes to that revolver from the library?" Asked Jake.

"Maybe." Kyle answered, his knowledge in mechanics leaning him toward the obvious choice to handle the ammo.

"What about the key?" He asked as she stood up holding it.

The other two shrugged, and He pocketed it for later.

Upon further searching, they found nothing of note, the closet was just a closet, and the bathroom. Standard.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Team Explore

At the same time the three entered the bedroom, three others determined to search the doors opposite them. Faith Faulkner (GeneralHankerchief), Kieran Hurst (Greyblades), and Callum Simmons (Choxorn) composed this group.

Being the medical extraordinaire by comparison to the rest of the strangers, Faith remained in between the other two, and Kieran opened the door as Callum waited in the rear.

Using caution after hearing silence, Kieran snuck into the dark room and flipped on the light. Inside revealed a fairly decent sized room consisting of primarily similar padded leather chairs and small tables. At the end of the room, a small fireplace.

"A sitting room!" Faith said once she entered, followed by Callum. They fanned out, looking for oddities and anything of interest. Some lighter fluid sit in a blue bottle next to the fireplace, and some matches on the mantle. Disappointed after searching for several hours, they determined the room was just a bare shell used by the owner to rest and perhaps socialize.

"Let's go into the door on the end now, this place has nothing for us." Concluded Callum and the other two followed, one carrying the lighter fluid and matches. They approached the end of the hallway, hearing the team in the bedroom as they passed the door. "Okay, last door!" Callum whispered looking back at the other two. He opened the door, and the light from the hallway revealed a small broom closet. Inside lie an old broom, dust pan, strange patterned wallpaper uncharacteristic to the rest of the rooms, and the smell of dust compiling for years, maybe even decades.

They glanced in, saw nothing, looked at each other and grabbed the broom. Possible weapon? They made their way back down the hall...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

TeamStudy

Left behind to investigate the books, notes, etcetera were Leo Webb (Beskar), Hollie, and Jack Foster (Jarema). Also left behind was Elizabeth Banks (johnhughthom) who had fallen unconscious at the thought of there being monsters downstairs (inactive - no PM :stare:).

Firstly, Jack drug a bookshelf outside the door with the help of Leo and set it near the staircase in case of a pursuit. He also set himself up a chair to act as a watch for the groups.

Secondly, Leo and Hollie went to work on the oddities they had found.

"So, we have three books with no words, a note with some symbols on it, and these notes written backwards. Also interesting stuff, this reddish magnifying glass and that alcohol they found in the bathroom." Hollie analyzed.

Leo responded, "Easiest thing to start with is the backwards writing, let's go to the bathroom."

They stepped in with the notes and held them in front of the mirror. Suddenly the backwards writing was legible, "It's just notes for a business. Profit and loss, marketing schemes." Leo said. He shifted through the pages staring into the mirror, "Strange it would be backw.... wait."

He stopped, Hollie grew more attentive, "What?"

He started to read, "Finally a v.. vi... damn! Can't read this, it's smudged..."

Continuing, he read, "It will be... chaos... a pandemic! And only I will hold the cure..."

Leo stopped, looked at Hollie, eyes wide. "P... pandemic?" She asked.

"This is bad, we have to tell the others!" Leo said frantically, "But while we wait, we might as well check out the other stuff..."

They investigated the books, tried pouring the alcohol on several pages, which revealed nothing. Tried using the magnifying glass with and without the alcohol, still nothing. They looked closely, it appeared to have raises of invisible ink, and if there was, they didn't have the knowledge or the tools to read it.

Finally the note with symbols on it, a series of 3 symbols. The first, a circle with a horizontal line through it. The second, an eagle's head with a lightning bolt over it, and third a triangle missing one of its corners.

"This is odd..." Hollie said after glancing at it, "any ideas?"

Leo looked too, "Of course, first the sun is gonna be split in half, then a giant lightning bird is gonna come out of it and bite off the top of an Egyptian pyramid." he said with a smirk.

The sarcastic response was just what Hollie needed, her nerves were fried...

They chose to wait and see what the group thought, and continued searching the Study and Secret Bathroom. Hollie yelled for Leo, "Come quick!"

He came into the bathroom where she was searching and she revealed a slit in the wall that they had not seen before. Feeling around, he felt a keyhole beneath the wallpaper and ripped it off.

They had revealed a full sized door nearly invisible, locked and held only by a keyhole. "Guess we need to find a key..." Leo said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Team Kitchen

The five designated to find the food determined the kitchen must be downstairs, but fear of what Corey said he had heard before filled them with fear. As a team of unarmed men and women, they felt the need to be on their guard and use stealth as best as a team of 5 could.

"Charlie and I will lead, Leon will be the door opener. Bradley have our backs and Hayden hang back." Lola ordered, the office machine operator exercising her people skills.

They crept down the stairs, each step popping and cracking as most old stairways do. They attempted to be as quiet as they could, but five sets of feet on old wood can hardly travel silently.

Once they reached the bottom, they waited for sounds of movement. They heard light activity of the teams upstairs, and also the light buzz wings. They smelt something rancid, but also faint. The house was also unnaturally dark. They reached over and found a light switch. Holding their breath, on their guard, they flipped on the light. Only a brief moment of light existed before the bulb popped and burnt out, but what they saw terrified them.

About a dozen bodies lie on the floor in what appeared to be a very large room. The end of the room looked like a foyer for coats and hats and a large door. Also several smaller doors dotted each side of what appeared to be the Great Room. But the bodies were what caught their attention.

Not sure if what they saw were dead bodies or living, they waited for sounds once again. Five... ten... fifteen seconds went by, and still nothing. In near perfect darkness, Lola whispered, "Let's head back." They started creeping back up the stairs when a strong hand grabbed Leon's ankle causing him to trip.

He started yelling for help, attempting to get up. The others looked, unable to see his attacker in the darkness, and went to help him when he started screaming louder.

"It's biting me!!!" He screeched. The others frantically ripped him up and out of the hostile's grasp and they hurried up the stairs.

"Jack! Jack! Get ready!" Lola yelled, and once they had gotten up onto the floor Jack tipped the bookshelf over to barricade the stairwell. Without waiting to see if anything was pursuing, they all ran back into the Study, luckily the other teams had returned as well...

"Quick check his leg!" Lola barked, and Faith inspected the bite. "Bandages now! He's bleeding a lot, but I don't think the Achilles was severed!" They banded together as a team in hopes to save Leon's leg.

Lola stopped as Faith worked and stepped back, muttering something.

Leo and Hollie understood what she said, "The virus..."

Discussion Phase 3 has begun! And will end on Monday, January 11th at 23:59GMT



Notes:
All players have these stats.
Sleep - 3
Food - 2

These items added.
.38 ammo (box of 50)
Small key
Broom
Lighter Fluid

Also seireikhaan has been injured but can walk. His mobility is limited, though no other impediment will exist this next phase.

Expected Discussion equals at least 2-3 posts per day per player. More is recommended.

Here is the map of what has been currently discovered on the Study floor (also added to OP).
17206

Get creative, critical thinking is now required in order for survival. :bow:

[Montmorency]

Quick notes: One room on the floor remains to be explored?; Library not yet re-explored; documents indecipherable as of now.

So, key on the secret door in the secret bathroom, load up the revolver, kill Leon before he turns. That better be a passage to the pantry, or else starvation will set in soon enough. Also, we're gonna need a light source to explore further.

[El Barto]

We should consider restraining Leon somehow, but we should speak to him.

I say we freaking torch the place and use the furniture to batter our way out through one of the bricked-up windows.

What's this light we're seeing by? Electric? Fire? With either we can burn the bloody place.

[El Barto]

Hey, there's lighter fluid -that and the gunpowder from the cartridges should be enough.

(Or maybe we could try to burn the wound in Auto's foot Rambo-style, see if we can cleanse it)

[Beskar]

Heat would be good for invisible ink, it usually causes it to show.

[El Barto]

Yes, if we had a candle… Zain: what's the point of having a dark, apparently Gothic-style creepy haunted house with corpses and no candles? Seriously, man.

I'm still for burning everything, btw. Beavis and Butthead be my guides.

[Zain]

Yes, if we had a candle… Zain: what's the point of having a dark, apparently Gothic-style creepy haunted house with corpses and no candles? Seriously, man.

I'm still for burning everything, btw. Beavis and Butthead be my guides.

:evil:

More fun for me.

[El Barto]

Well, I've already made my three posts. :D

[GeneralHankerchief]

Regular bite, missed all the tendons, I could probably do something for. Virus bite... yeah, that's a whole different animal. And I'm not talking about what bit him in the first place. :sweatdrop:

[seireikhaan]

Hey guys, how's it goin?

[El Barto]

@ General Hankerchief: ‘Regular’ bite? You've seen one of these before?

@ seireikhaan: care to be a bit more constructive? I can make real posts now that I've made the mandatory three posts, but I should remark that everything I said related to or regarding the various possible uses of fire still stands and should be expanded on.

[seireikhaan]

Wish I could be, but I know as much as any of you do. Got bit, it hurts.

[Jarema]

I think we should use Leo for final time. Let him go on a search, slowly but bravely. He should trigger all nasty traps and found something. If anything eat him, we will not have to worry about him.

I would like to take the key and open secret doors we found.

[Jarema]

alternatively, and I think it is good idea, we could use Leo as a object for some experimments. Lets pour some of the lighter liquid on his wound and see what happens. Then, lets pour some more into his throat. We would gain some valuable informations.


Another thing: we should create torches. We have courtains, and furnitures, and alcohol. If only we could get some fire... maybe electricity could burn up torch made from table leg topped with courtain dipped into alcohol?

[seireikhaan]

alternatively, and I think it is good idea, we could use Leo as a object for some experimments. Lets pour some of the lighter liquid on his wound and see what happens. Then, lets pour some more into his throat. We would gain some valuable informations.
Wha-

Bu-


....Note to self, don't piss off Jarema

[Ironside]

So shoot them, put some lighter fluid on them burn them and get some barbecue to solve our food problem? Anybody agrees?

Have we found anything battery driven yet? We could make silver ion water with that and the silver brush, it's a sterilizer.

Team structure:

Unless our host has been very unfriendly with the room structure, we have to have food on this floor. If the ammo fits, this is the first realistically possible move to properly get downstairs, as we can shoot those zombies now.

So the room(s?) beyond the library should be very important.

Team Explore. Goes beyond the library. If it's a simple room, do a full search.
Team Secret. The secret door with the key obviously. If it's a simple room full search, then take a room from team search.
Team Search. The library, the rotunda (I don't think we've gotten a description of this room), the sitting room and the weird closet.

Team Assault. I don't think we use this team this turn, but they would go down with the gun and the broom and clear the room below.
If we don't use Team Assault, then we need
Team Stairs. Two people, one with the gun. The gunner might support any other group in crisis, but the other is always going to check for our virus zombies downstairs. They might also reinforce the barricade a bit. They need a signal for the rest if the zombies are coming.

Team Leo. Fix him up and make something into a quarantine room. I would prefer a bathroom with a single door, but we might need to use the double door bathroom. Barricade the doors, Leo might do something there and talk with any guards on the outside. Only open the door when we got several people there. If he is infected, we should be able to get an incubation time and know if it's easy to determine infection, or if we're dealing with infected capable of deception in the early stages.

Am I missing something?

[GeneralHankerchief]

I would actually not be averse to starting a sleep schedule. I volunteer to take first, uh, nap.

[Jarema]

I agree, some people should sleep now. I think 3 would be nice

[Golden1Knight]

We'll starve before we die of exhaustion.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Look, I'm an occupational therapist. Low-level healing is my skillset. Not detective work, not finding stuff in rooms, not checking for traps, and not dealing with what could potentially be Patient Zero of a zombie outbreak. The group will not miss me if I kip for a quick nap now. They could, on the other hand, miss me if we're all running for our lives and one of you gets caught and eaten because I wasn't able to provide assistance for a regular leg injury because I was sleeping later instead of now.

[Golden1Knight]

I am an architect. What can I do, build a house around the zombies? And my extra natural strength means I must punch these creatures, and smash their brains with my fists? Look, none of us are really qualified to survive. And since we're all hungry, I think we should try to get to the kitchen at all costs, before thinking about taking a nap. Similarly, we should let the investigation of documents and notes for later, now the priority is to survive.

A single armed person would be easily surrounded and massacred by whatever how many zombies are down there. We need something more, even if we have to throw the furniture down the stairs in the hope of crushing some of them, or beating them with sticks, or distract them in some way, so they get out of the way. Whatever the plan, we will need the support of most people here. Perhaps not all will survive, but at least the rest of us will not starve.

[Golden1Knight]

Also, we must consider the possibility of using Leon as a bait. Or lock him, he will not survive for much longer anyway.

[Jarema]

Also, we must consider the possibility of using Leon as a bait.

Now, you are talking :)

[Ironside]

Also, we must consider the possibility of using Leon as a bait. Or lock him, he will not survive for much longer anyway.

The bad news are that all of us might already be infected. There's a reason rabies haven't wiped out humanity. Biting is a very ineffective way of spreading a disease. We can't rule out that he got infected or that the infection is more aggressive now though.

We can use the clothes to create something like a gag or muzzle, to prevent biting, not speaking and rope. Then tie him to a chair or something, arms free. Basically enough that it'll take a while to get free as a thinking person and almost impossible to get loose as a zombie. That way he can still be useful, while we get info on if he's infected and incubation time and symptoms if he is.

Can we make a spear out from the broom? Or a mace.


Now, you are talking :)

Nah, pretty pointless at this point. Even if he would agree, he could be triggering more zombies or worse stuff and end up leading all of them into the kitchen.

[Beskar]

I am terribly sorry, but what did you do to provoke this creature? All I heard was an exasperated 'Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!' as it gnawed on Leon's flesh.

[Choxorn]

Hmm... there was a secret door behind one weird set of wallpaper, who wants to bet the wallpaper in the closet is also hiding something?

[Beskar]

Hmm... there was a secret door behind one weird set of wallpaper, who wants to bet the wallpaper in the closet is also hiding something?

Nardia?

[El Barto]

alternatively, and I think it is good idea, we could use Leo as a object for some experimments. Lets pour some of the lighter liquid on his wound and see what happens. Then, lets pour some more into his throat. We would gain some valuable informations.
Don't we have booze around this place? Once again, the GM is messing it up.

Another thing: we should create torches. We have courtains, and furnitures, and alcohol. If only we could get some fire... maybe electricity could burn up torch made from table leg topped with courtain dipped into alcohol?
Someone's paying attention to me. Fire cleanses. Maybe we can set the library on fire and bring down a wall, then escape.

I would actually not be averse to starting a sleep schedule. I volunteer to take first, uh, nap.
And someone has to stay with you to wake you up if there's any trouble…?

The bad news are that all of us might already be infected. There's a reason rabies haven't wiped out humanity. Biting is a very ineffective way of spreading a disease. We can't rule out that he got infected or that the infection is more aggressive now though.

We can use the clothes to create something like a gag or muzzle, to prevent biting, not speaking and rope. Then tie him to a chair or something, arms free. Basically enough that it'll take a while to get free as a thinking person and almost impossible to get loose as a zombie. That way he can still be useful, while we get info on if he's infected and incubation time and symptoms if he is.
I don't think we're all infected -I'm not sure even 'khaan is. If we had ebtter equipment we could just cut off the leg (assuming it was infected) and that's that. Hey, we'd even have some good meat for eating.

Can we make a spear out from the broom? Or a mace.
If we have a knife, yes.

Hmm... there was a secret door behind one weird set of wallpaper, who wants to bet the wallpaper in the closet is also hiding something?
Throw in one of Jarrema's lit torches ahead of us and then let's poke our way in. Hey, we can use the curtains' rails as ten-foot poles, as well as the broom.

[autolycus]

Why don't we lock Leon up in the Private Bath, since we've been using the study as the base anyway? Lola, what do you know about the virus? I'll volunteer to be part of team search.

[El Barto]

>Why don't we lock Leon up in the Private Bath, since we've been using the study as the base anyway?

Because we might need water… has anyone checked the taps?

[Myrddraal]

Hmm... there was a secret door behind one weird set of wallpaper, who wants to bet the wallpaper in the closet is also hiding something?

Almost certainly. Who puts wallpaper in a closet? There's definitely more to that closet than meets the eye.

We should use some of the alcohol to clean the wound. It certainly won't do any harm, and might well prevent or delay any infection.

[Myrddraal]

Why don't we lock Leon up in the Private Bath, since we've been using the study as the base anyway? Lola, what do you know about the virus? I'll volunteer to be part of team search.

I don't think this is the same virus as I was expecting... The virus I feel I know turned people into stangd pale skinned creatures that grew larger and glowed orange and turned translucent when angry.

(OOC: I may be misunderstanding, but that's what the hostiles were like in the last mansion.)

[Ironside]

Why don't we lock Leon up in the Private Bath, since we've been using the study as the base anyway? Lola, what do you know about the virus? I'll volunteer to be part of team search.

It's a secret door in that bathroom. The other bathroom works, but it got two doors.

[El Barto]

We should store some water in case it's needed.

[Montmorency]

Store in what?

Look, aside from Leon, we should focus this turn on exploring the closet, the secret room, and the library (and beyond). We need to move fast and cover as much ground as possible. We need light sources for it. We need makeshift weapons.

The overwatch at the rotunda/stairs don't need the gun; the broom is fine for them. Remember that they have the advantage of barricade and elevation, while the vanguard teams will be much more vulnerable (and mobile).

[Zain]

Wow over 12 hours and no posts..

The evils are getting hungry. :evil:

[GeneralHankerchief]

Well, I have to sleep IRL since I won't be getting any this phase...

[Ironside]

Wow over 12 hours and no posts..

The evils are getting hungry. :evil:

The evils never rest and never work like the rest of us.

[Raith Kemmler]

I say we freaking torch the place and use the furniture to batter our way out through one of the bricked-up windows.

What's this light we're seeing by? Electric? Fire? With either we can burn the bloody place.

We should burn the corpse room if we're burning anything. Who knows? Leaving the fire going in Mansions of Madness is a great strategy. Might be here to? Maybe?

What could go wrong?

[Raith Kemmler]

If we don't find food soon...

So you can boil a leather boot and eat it. It ain't great, but it's something.

There are leather chairs we've found. We have fire.

Desperate times people.

[Raith Kemmler]

I should be online finally today also for discussion-y stuff.

Also, my voice skill might act as a morale bonus for the group, so I volunteer to take a more dangerous exploratory assignment and sleep later.

[Jarema]

. We have fire.
.

we do??

[Golden1Knight]

I still think that the kitchen should be a priority and that therefore we need a plan to get through the zombies. We can sleep more easily than we can eat.

[Ironside]

Store in what?

Look, aside from Leon, we should focus this turn on exploring the closet, the secret room, and the library (and beyond). We need to move fast and cover as much ground as possible. We need light sources for it. We need makeshift weapons.

The overwatch at the rotunda/stairs don't need the gun; the broom is fine for them. Remember that they have the advantage of barricade and elevation, while the vanguard teams will be much more vulnerable (and mobile).

Fair enough. The gunner stays in the first room beyond the library and supports whatever group in the vanguard needing support in the case they need to split up? I'm not fond of room rushing, but we need to know if there's any food on this floor by this turn to have time to storm the zombie room in case we don't have any food on this floor.


I still think that the kitchen should be a priority and that therefore we need a plan to get through the zombies. We can sleep more easily than we can eat.

BANG, BANG, BANG (noisy is good right?) with the gun? That's the only decent weapon we got. The broom doesn't have proper killing powers without making it into a mace or spear. Thing is, if the house god known as Zain haven't left any food on this floor, he pretty much rigged the game for us to starve to death immediately. You can't expect the gun to be useful until this turn as a GM. Expecting your team to rush a difficult room immediately is not a good game plan.

It'll probably only be enough food for one meal each though.

[Greyblades]

Have we tried looking over the empty books and notes we've found with the red magnifying glass?

[Montmorency]

Have we tried looking over the empty books and notes we've found with the red magnifying glass?

Yes. We don't have the knowledge to decipher them, thought there seems to be trace of invisible ink. Clueless for the symbols note as well.


I still think that the kitchen should be a priority and that therefore we need a plan to get through the zombies. We can sleep more easily than we can eat.


Testing out the entire lower floor at this stage is a bad idea, and at the very least would require the commitment of every able-bodied player to storm through. Remember that in our brief glimpse before the light burned out we spotted around 12 bodies, at least one of which seems to be a zombie. Our characters only have as much skill and gusto as we put into them (i.e. roleplay filtered through the GM's luck-factor), and suddenly you expect one of us to headshot 12 zombies clean, plus any more threats beyond?

We should leave the lower floor for next turn, as a Hail Mary. If we don't find food during our upcoming search, then the smart thing to do would be to lure the zombies in single-file onto the stairs and ping them from the rotunda (pushing them back with the broom to create space when necessary). We have 38 bullets, right? After that, we spread out with light sources and do a pure recon job around the area - any mobile threat triggers a retreat to the main landing, where the gunner stands prepared at all times. If someone finds a kitchen or pantry at any point, bum-rush it and grab what you can, except for the gunner holding down our way out. We might consider making some kind of large sling or bindle out of some bedding so as to carry a large volume without occupying our hands or whatever pockets we may have.

Light sources: we have alcohol and some lighter fluid, but can we create stable torches? We would need a lot of cloth at least (preferably not from clothes and bedding, but from whatever we left in the master bedroom/wardrobe), and the wood we have on hand (besides what we need for improv weapons) is very old and dry. Furthermore, what if our torches are made such that they generate a great deal of smoke? Not a good thing in this bricked-up space.

[Ironside]

Can we rest at the same turn we're eating Zain?

Because if we can't, I think we need to have our guards sleeping this turn to avoid to have a 12 people sleeping move, but I don't have time to number crunch it today. We really need a full exploring team this turn, so it's really annoying if we have to.

[Raith Kemmler]

I still think that the kitchen should be a priority and that therefore we need a plan to get through the zombies. We can sleep more easily than we can eat.

Sounds good.


we do??

Matches, lighter fluid and furniture. Not much of a weapon though.

[Winston Hughes]

Does anybody know how one goes about getting ordained as a priest?

Also, everyone please keep an eye out for any pipes, pumps or hoses.

(Yes, I am indeed meditating on the construction of a Holy Water Cannon.)


Can we rest at the same turn we're eating Zain?

I like your thinking, but we'll need to find him before we can eat him.

[GeneralHankerchief]

I think you need another, higher-ranking priest (a bishop, at least) to be present. Which doesn't really help us out here.

Unless you want to do something besides the Catholic route, but whoever heard of Protestants battling against the supernatural? That's always been Catholic territory, even before The Exorcist came out.

[Winston Hughes]

Hang on, so we've got a Leo and a Leon? I see people are already getting mixed up. Let's make sure we get this right. When it comes to the crunch, it would be wise to know which one is the brainless, slavering creature devoid of reason, and driven only by the basest urges, and which one is the zombie.

[Greyblades]

We need to get our resident medic to the kitchen team asap, he should take some of the matches and the bottle of lighter fluid with him as we might have to cauterize the wound; for all we know the zombie bite has an anticollagulant feature.

Team explore should be fine going into the library without GH; chances are if we've already found zombies we wont find any more for a turn or two. Though to be sure we should take a smell check at the door.

[Winston Hughes]

What's this light we're seeing by?

There's a 'bulb hanging by a wire from the ceiling' in the hallway.

Maybe I should take a look at the electrics and plumbing here.

How do zombies respond to being electrocuted?

[GeneralHankerchief]

We need to get our resident medic to the kitchen team asap, he should take some of the matches and the bottle of lighter fluid with him as we might have to cauterize the wound; for all we know the zombie bite has an anticollagulant feature.

https://i.imgur.com/zm6Jxl3.jpg

I'm an occupational therapist, not a doctor!

[Greyblades]

Maybe I should take a look at the electrics and plumbing here.

How do zombies respond to being electrocuted?

Depends on the zombie; squishy movie zombies should end up spasming uncontrollably and classic Haitian zombi should just die like a human does.

The problems start if it's a call of cthulhu zombie; they'll just get pissed and eat you.

[Winston Hughes]

squishy movie zombies should end up spasming uncontrollably

Right, so we need a video camera and an internet connection. It may not get us out of here, but our youtube views will be off the scale.

[El Barto]

Store in what?
Good point. Let's find containers.

Wow over 12 hours and no posts..

The evils are getting hungry. :evil:
Hush! It's a weekday.

We should burn the corpse room if we're burning anything. Who knows? Leaving the fire going in Mansions of Madness is a great strategy. Might be here to? Maybe?

What could go wrong?
I've already stated that we should burn the place down and take this evil down with us, but you people insist on heroics.

Can we rest at the same turn we're eating Zain?

Because if we can't, I think we need to have our guards sleeping this turn to avoid to have a 12 people sleeping move, but I don't have time to number crunch it today. We really need a full exploring team this turn, so it's really annoying if we have to.
Yeap, let's arrange a sleeping schedule.

Does anybody know how one goes about getting ordained as a priest?

Also, everyone please keep an eye out for any pipes, pumps or hoses.

(Yes, I am indeed meditating on the construction of a Holy Water Cannon.)
You have to be ordained by another, already-invested, non-excommunicated priest.

There's a 'bulb hanging by a wire from the ceiling' in the hallway.

Maybe I should take a look at the electrics and plumbing here.

How do zombies respond to being electrocuted?
If done right it can ‘kill’ them, if they're dry enough we can set them on fire.

[Zain]

Discussion phase has ended, send in your orders!

24 hours. :bow:

[Montmorency]

Oh dear, so what's going on?

If half of us are set on going to the kitchen, then we need to support them with everything we have or risk defeat in detail. Can we please just focus on this floor? For all we know, the secret door leads through a secure passage downstairs.

I volunteer to handle the gun and bullets. I know what I'm doing, I squeeze gats til' my clips is spent.

[Zain]

I think it's important to make clear that the "Sleep" order will consume your entire turn. No other action may be taken during a sleep turn.

Also a single turn of sleep will replenish 3 Sleep units.

[Golden1Knight]

Oh dear, so what's going on?

If half of us are set on going to the kitchen, then we need to support them with everything we have or risk defeat in detail. Can we please just focus on this floor? For all we know, the secret door leads through a secure passage downstairs.

I volunteer to handle the gun and bullets. I know what I'm doing, I squeeze gats til' my clips is spent.

If this is true, then I'm ok about leaving the zombies alone. Otherwise, I don't think that we will find any food on this floor, plus, we saw lots of corpses but only a single zombie. An army of zombies at the beginning of the game would be kinda strange, so I think we should try to discover more about that room.

[Greyblades]

I think the explore group should keep doing what we were doing; go into the library in the same formation but taking a smell check before entering, leaving and returning with clubs if we smell rotting flesh. If there's just one zombie we mob it and beat it's skull in, if there's more we block the door off.

[Jarema]

If no one opposes, I would like to go to sleep now

[Montmorency]

I think the explore group should keep doing what we were doing; go into the library in the same formation but taking a smell check before entering, leaving and returning with clubs if we smell rotting flesh. If there's just one zombie we mob it and beat it's skull in, if there's more we block the door off.

We have no specific indication of zombies in or around the library.

Yeah we're screwed. Welp, time to get wacky. Pleasure working with you folks.

[Myrddraal]

@Zain (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/member.php?u=15332), a couple of questions:
- Would it be possible to get a sketch of the symbols seen?
- Have we read all of the backwards writing, or is there more to read?
- Is the bookshelf completely blocking off the stairs? Would the zombies need to break through it or physically lift it to get past?

Some general thoughts:
- I agree that we should focus on this floor. After all, for all we know we are on the ground floor, and the spiral stairs lead to a basement.
- I also agree about searching rooms fast. The :daisy: is going to hit the fan soon, and when it does we need to be ready. I think we also need to think about setting our own traps (putting bookcases near doors where they can easily be toppled to form barricades etc.
- Can we work out if there is any order to the the books in the Library? Are they categorised into certain topics? If so, it might give us an indication of the interests of whoever lived here.
- We have a key right? And a keyhole in the secret bathroom. Has to be worth a try.
- There is a lightbulb in the all (presumably an old filament bulb). Perhaps this would generate enough heat to reveal invisible ink? It might be worth trying to press a page against the bulb (with care).

I would like to be part of Team Broom Cupboard, with the following objectives:
- To boldly peel back the wallpaper.
- To seek new secret passages (try to break through plaster, lift floorboards etc if there's nothing obvious)

[Myrddraal]

I've been looking through the books in the study (read: Google) and I can't find references to an Eagle's with a lightning bolt. Eagles and lightning frequently come together, but I can't find that specific combination.

I had a look at some hieroglyphics but couldn't spot any matches either...

[Zain]

Zain, a couple of questions:
- Would it be possible to get a sketch of the symbols seen?
- Have we read all of the backwards writing, or is there more to read?
- Is the bookshelf completely blocking off the stairs? Would the zombies need to break through it or physically lift it to get past?

1. Yes, give me some time, I'll post it.

2. I'll post the letter as well.

3. Unfortunately I cannot comment on this at this time.

Extra: Don't worry, I won't let everybody die next turn. :no:

[Zain]

- I agree that we should focus on this floor. After all, for all we know we are on the ground floor, and the spiral stairs lead to a basement.


Please refer to the description of the room lit up momentarily before the light bulb burnt out. This should indicate which floor you were on.

[Myrddraal]

- Is the bookshelf completely blocking off the stairs? Would the zombies need to break through it or physically lift it to get past?

:daisy:

Well... Perhaps we should double the guard at the top the stairs?

[Myrddraal]

About a dozen bodies lie on the floor in what appeared to be a very large room. The end of the room looked like a foyer for coats and hats and a large door. Also several smaller doors dotted each side of what appeared to be the Great Room. But the bodies were what caught their attention.

For reference. It does appear that we are on the first floor.

I'm considerably worried about the possibility that the zombies might very shortly be trying to follow us up the stairs. The benefit of a spiral staircase is that it is likely to be narrow, and a few people with brooms and heavy things to throw could probably keep the zombies from ascending the stairs too quickly, whilst someone with a steady aim focuses on shooting them one by one.

I'd almost like this to happen. It would certainly be easier than trying to storm our way down the stairs. We could treat this as an opportunity?

Could I suggest the following:


Lets use some of the alcohol, sheets and furniture to put together some torches, as suggested. Swinging a burning torch at a zombie has got to be more effective than prodding it with a broom handle.
EDIT: Do we actually have the means of lighting a fire (without burning down the house)?
Lets move another bookcase from the study to the top of the stairs. If the zombies start to break through, we can topple a second bookcase on top of them. That has got to slow them down, at least.
If there any glass ornaments around (vases, picture frames etc) let smash one and throw the broken glass onto the steps. If anything tries to get up the stairs, this should make a nice loud crunching noise.
The person on watch should listen carefully. Any sign of zombie movement, alert the others, and it's all hands on deck.
Lets always keep plenty of people within dashing distance of the stairwell.



What are we going to do about Leon (seireikhaan)? I suggest at least he should have his arms and legs tied together. We can't have him suddenly decide that it's a good idea to go biting people. We should also wash his wound with alcohol.

[Montmorency]

Ironside, Myrddraal, Golden1Knight

Are we agreed on not storming down the stairs? I hope so...

If we let GH and Jarema sleep, and tie up Khaan, and JHT remains comatose, then we have only 11 effectives. The best plan so far is to have the three teams exploring:

1. Secret bathroom door.
2. Closet.
3. Library and beyond.

Meanwhile, 3 people watch over the rotunda with a couple more chairs, bookcases, and the broom. The gunner remains in the main library room as a reserve. I think that leaves the exploratory teams undermanned.

What I would prefer is that GH treat Khaan, tie him up near the guards at the rotunda, and then explore the wallpapered closet himself without venturing too far if there's any exits.

That way, we have Jarema and JHT sleeping in the study, Khaan and 3 people at the barricade (one of them should be strong, like Golden or Ironside), GH in the closet, 3 people working on the torches and the secret bathroom path, 1 gunner in the library, and 4 going beyond the library (using chairs from the library to improvise weapons). If either the library team or the secret door team quickly run into dead ends, then they should shift to assist the other team. If both those paths get played out with no easy results or indications, and GH finds another exit in the closet, then shift the explorers to the closet.

Of course, if Jarema steps up this turn that would be welcome as well. Personally, I wonder if there are any signs on the ceilings of doors to an attic or something.

[Jarema]

Of course, if Jarema steps up this turn that would be welcome as well. Personally, I wonder if there are any signs on the ceilings of doors to an attic or something.

I really think we will need few persons who have slept

[Beskar]

I got to admit, it feels that some people have information on stuff that was said in the write-ups. It is rather confusing.

[Montmorency]

I really think we will need few persons who have slept


Remember, one turn of sleeping restores 3 units of Sleep. Right now, we are at a critical juncture with regard to food and the possibility of hostile entities. That you are well-rested won't matter if you are facing down zombies with a large starvation penalty. At any rate, our collective Food rating is 1 lower than our Sleep rating...


I got to admit, it feels that some people have information on stuff that was said in the write-ups. It is rather confusing.

My impression from reading some comments today is that there has been an information degradation leading to confusion in some individuals over what the state of affairs is and what the received facts are.

[Zain]

My impression from reading some comments today is that there has been an information degradation leading to confusion in some individuals over what the state of affairs is and what the received facts are.

Hence my interference :bow:

[Ironside]

Ironside, Myrddraal, Golden1Knight

Are we agreed on not storming down the stairs? I hope so...

Yes, that's an emergency move next turn if we don't find food, but that's a really bad move.


I really think we will need few persons who have slept

Going to number crunch this now.

We should be at sleep 3 and food 2 atm. Next round is s2 f1. If we find food in that round, we have no real problem. If we need another turn, we have problem.

s0 or f0 equals need to recover that turn, or getting dangerous penalties.

f0 and s1 means two turns of recovery, even if I doubt eating takes 4 hours (=1 turn).

I'd said better to have a few sleepers that can stay guard for a massive sleep if we have to go down next turn. We do run a risk of too weak exploring teams, but I don't think finding any extra hidden rooms right now is of any value.

I'd say that the closet get two people, but that one is immediately running back to the barricade if the zombies are coming. Likewise with the gunner. It's possible that we have 1-2 zombies on this floor, but retreating and closing a door should be enough in that case, if we have a double attack, so the gunner is busy elsewhere.

Shame that we don't know if we got zombies or "zombies". The closet should be free from "zombies" since it's abandoned. An old zombie last longer unfortunately.

Getting durable clothes, like leather, should protect against bites.

If any team get spare time, explore the library and the rotary. The gunner should explore the library, since I expect the exploring (food) team(s) to make determinable noise if they encounter a hostile.

We have matches in the write up, but not in the list btw. That's part of the confusion. So we have fire!!!

[Raith Kemmler]

I would like to be part of Team Broom Cupboard, with the following objectives:
- To boldly peel back the wallpaper.
- To seek new secret passages (try to break through plaster, lift floorboards etc if there's nothing obvious)

I'll accompany you.

[Zain]

Yes you have matches, is the lighter fluid from the write up in the list?