Swords in the Moon [Concluded]

[Andres]

~~~ Swords in the Moon ~~~

Night 6 - Conclusion.

Hour of the Rat

Miyamoto Musashi (Husar) was standing guard at the front door of his masters’ room. 6 nights of guard duty had taken the best of the swordmaster. If it weren’t for the pain in his shoulder, he would probably fall asleep.

Miyamoto grinned uneasily. He should thank the scumbag who had wounded him, since he saved him from the shame of being found sleeping on guard duty.

Nature called and Miyamoto stood up. This moment was exactly what the man hiding in the shadows was waiting for. He sneaked up on Miyamoto and planted his wakizashi in his back. Miyamoto looked down and saw the point of the sharp sword sticking out of his chest.

“For a samurai, there’s no greater honor than to die in the service of his master,” were his last thoughts, before he died and dropped on the floor.

The killer nodded respectfully towards his famous victim and left the scene unnoticed.

~~~

Hour of the Rat

Oota Taiki (Death is yonder) was standing guard at the outside gate. He had been given the questionable honour of being responsible for any outside attacks.

Oota knew for sure nobody was watching him so he could freely shake his head and curse at the stupidity of the idiot who had given him the order to stand guard outside the yashiki.

The mountain passes were blocked with snow and all killers were inside. He sighed. What could he do about it? He was just a young samurai who had to obey orders. Would he become as big an idiot as the veteran samurai once he grew older, he wondered. He sighed.

The wind started to blow again, dampening the sounds of the shady figure behind him.

Oota would never become an idiot, a poisoned shuriken in his neck ended his life in seconds...

~~~

Hour of the Rat

Fujiwara Taiki (Haudegen) quickly went inside after sunset. The events of the last days and nights had exhausted the young samurai and he decided to go to bed early. He took off his soaked through kimono and hung it on a laundry pole, to dry it out overnight.

He decided to skip the regular bath and simply washed his hands and face with ice cold water. Afterwards he went immediately to sleep.

While he was dreaming of better days, a shadow sneaked its’ way into his room, in his hands Fujiwara’s kimono and the laundry pole. With a sickening “thwack” sound, the thick pole came down on Fujiwara’s neck. The killer then jumped on top of his victim and, using all his mass, he drove the staked end of the pole straight through Fujiwara’s eyeball and out the other side of his skull. The killer then hung the kimono, soaked through with blood, back on the laundry pole and left the room.

~~~

Hour of the Ox

Saruwatari Kenta (Captain Blackadder) came back to his room. He calmly put down his swords and grabbed a piece of cloth.

With experienced hands, he started cleaning his short sword. As a samurai who had seen quite a few battles, he knew that you had to take care of your weapons and armor, no matter what the circumstances were. Not only was it a matter of honor and avoiding the shame, it could also well mean the difference between life and death in combat.

Ironically, due to being busy cleaning, he didn’t notice the man entering his room. Two strong, dark gloved hands grabbed the head of Saruwatari and with tremendous force, twisted it into an unnatural direction, breaking his neck and ending his life instantly.

The man quickly left the room unnoticed.

~~~

Day 6 - Things started to look grim

Hour of the Rabbit

The Tiger felt clean after his hot bath. He put on a freshly washed kimono and started to eat breakfeast. From the sounds on the courtyard, he understood that this nightmare wasn’t over yet. Within the privacy of his room, he sighed. Of course, he would never show his true feelings to his mean, but here, he could, for a brief moment, feel the weight of being the leader of one of Japan’s mightiest clan.

The samurai on the courtyard were silent and bowed deeply when Lord Takeda came outside. Cold as ice and with no expression on his face, Lord Takeda mounted the platform.

He looked at the familiar sight of dead bodies in the morning, picked up the scroll next to him, paused for a brief moment and then nodded towards Iino Miki (Beefy187) and Omura Sumitada (GeneralHankerchief). Both men stepped forward and bowed for their Lord. A senior officer nodded to both men. “No armor, no hidden weapons, just katana and wakizashi.” Both samurai bowed to the officer. They looked at each other and the attentive observant would see that these two men held no love for each other. Indeed, they had been at each other’s throats for days now, throwing challenge after challenge at each other and everybody knew Lord Takeda had made a wise decision by letting them battling it out.

Iino Miki wanted to end this soon. He didn’t like Omura, he didn’t like him at all and finally he could use steel to tell that idiot how he felt about him. He ran forwards, unsheeting his katana and aimed for the neck of his opponent. Omura stepped aside, blocked the attack and kicked his opponent in the groin. Iino was out of balance and the pain made him crumble. Omura swung his katana at his opponent, who was out of balance. Somehow Iino blocked the blow and stepped backwards. The pain and the bickering that had been going on for days, brought him in a fury and screaming profanities at his opponent, he attacked again. Omura ducked away and his katana pierced through Iino’s belly.

Iino stared in disbelief at his deadly wound. Omura stared at his victim, rage and hatred for this man clearly visible on his face. He waited until Iino started to moan, thus losing honor and shaming himself, before he beheaded him.

Lord Takeda nodded respectfully to the victorious warrior.

~~~

Alive (30):

Quintus.JC
GeneralHankerchief
FactionHeir
Caius
Ichigo
Wishazu
White_Eyes:D
Sasaki Kojiro
Stephen Assen
Peasant Phill
Kukrikhan
Gobbledygook
Psychonaut
taka
Rhyfelwyr
AggonyDuck
Beskar
atheotes
Kagemusha
CountArach
Tristan de Castelreng
Chimpyang
Yoyoma1910
Seamus Fermanagh
Banquo's Ghost
woad&fangs
ajaxfetish
glyphz
Dutch_guy
Yaropolk

Killed (21):
Khazaar
spL1tp3r50nal1ty
Lord Winter
The Spartan
Iskander III
Shinseikhaan
Olavi
Thermal Mercury
Chaotix27
pevergreen
Gregoshi

Reenk Roink
LittleGrizzly
Louis VI the Fat
Crazed Rabbit
A Very Super Market
Glenn
Husar
Death is yonder
Haudegen
Captain Blackadder

Fallen in battle (5):
Northnovas
Ignoramus

El Diablo
YLC
Beefy187

Lynched (5):
Askthepizzaguy
Sigurd
shlin28

TosaInu
TinCow

WoG/Suicide (3):
Xehh II

Jolt
Beaver

~~~

It's now day, you can start voting. Due to RL, it'll be an extended day phase which will last until Saturday, the 2nd of May, 10.00 pm (GMT+1), which is +/- 35 hours from this post.

EDIT: sorry for the delay guys; it's splendid weather outside and didn't notice I had been sitting at the breakfeast table, enjoying the sun, for more than an hour. Life is beautiful

[Death is yonder]

At least I didn't die a idiot

[Prince Cobra]

This starts to get on my nerves.

Vote: Beskar

[Death is yonder]

I just realized... we lost a swordsmaster. Husar is dead

[Beskar]

They went for Husar again, that is a surprise. Must have been that injury. Still, the kills aren't really ringing any bells.

Have we actually even touched a traitor or a ninja yet?

Also, no offence Stephen Asen, if I was actually a mafia-role, I would have gone for you a while ago. :p

[Death is yonder]

Well I'm kinda happy I died, was contemplating WoG due to imminent exams. A mercy killing
Good luck to the remaining townies, this game was fun while it lasted, great write ups Andres

[Prince Cobra]

They went for Husar again, that is a surprise. Must have been that injury. Still, the kills aren't really ringing any bells.

Have we actually even touched a traitor or a ninja yet?

Also, no offence Stephen Asen, if I was actually a mafia-role, I would have gone for you a while ago. :p

Not if you are a ninja, dear Beskar, not in this scenario. It would have been equal to suicide.

[Beskar]

Not if you are a ninja, dear Beskar, not in this scenario. It would have been equal to suicide.

Why so? Because some one could obviously pretend to be me and kill you, then again, that is the whole WIFOM scenario.

[Haudegen]

Hmm, looks like i´m dead. I guess i have to live with that

A shame that we lost Husar. If YLC was a swordsmaster too, we have only one left. It doesn´t look too good for the town.

One thing i noticed in the write-up:

The winner of this day´s duel (GH) did not bow respectfully to Lord Takeda after the fight. That´s clearly different from all the other duel descriptions we´ve had so far.

Might be a hidden clue. Who knows ... ?

[Beskar]

"Omura stared at his victim, rage and hatred for this man clearly visible on his face. He waited until Iino started to moan, thus losing honor and shaming himself, before he beheaded him."

Along with your statement, that could be the case, Haudegen.

FOS: GeneralHankerchief

[TinCow]

I am shamed; I am not even worthy of a kill drop to frame.

I agree, GH's actions in the duel do not look right.

[KukriKhan]

Hmm, looks like i´m dead. I guess i have to live with that

A shame that we lost Husar. If YLC was a swordsmaster too, we have only one left. It doesn´t look too good for the town.

One thing i noticed in the write-up:

The winner of this day´s duel (GH) did not bow respectfully to Lord Takeda after the fight. That´s clearly different from all the other duel descriptions we´ve had so far.

Might be a hidden clue. Who knows ... ?

Good observation, Haudegen. That DOES smell of "traitor".

FOS: General Hankerchief.

Sixteen hours ago, he (GH) "explained" thus:

A thousand pardons, RL and other .Org duties are taking up most of my time at the moment.

I wonder who else he killed overnight?

[AggonyDuck]

What I find very strange is that, if we have some sort of guardian among us, who stopped the attack against Sasaki, why did he not protect Husar after it became apparent that he was a known swordmaster. So either we have an incompetent guardian or Sasaki's protection is a bit different than what we assumed.

[Andres]

~~~ Swords in the Moon ~~~

Day 6 - Conclusion

Hour of the Monkey

The man known as Fujimoto Kumiko (Quintus.JC) looked around him. They had accused him of being the notorious ninja, Hisao Majurama.

He simply smiled. At this moment, it didn't matter. He had failed his master and he would now die. He was at peace with himself. There was no dishonor nor shame in dying in the service of your Lord. Only regret.

He looked up and watched the darkening sky. The clear sky showed a full moon. He heard a crow caw. He looked into the direction of the sound to see the bird fly away. For a moment, it seemed like its' silhouette was drawn on the moon cirkle.

The condemned watched how the bird disappeared into the dark winter evening. Calmly, he picked up the clean, sharp knife in front of him. He opened the belt of his clean white kimono and pointed the knife at his belly.

With a strong push, he pierced the knife through skin, flesh and organs.

Before he could lose his selfcontrol, the blade of his kaishakunin struck quick and mercifully.

Lord Takeda nodded to the body of the condemned, stood up and left the platform in silence.

The samurai bowed deeply when their Lord went inside and then prepared for the night.

~~~

Yoshikuni Takumi (Tristan de Castelreng) tried to get up again, but his back blocked. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get up. His superior officer ordered him to get up and stand guard, because it was Yoshikuni's turn. Yoshikuni started to explain that his back hurt too much and he couldn't get up, let alone go stand guard. The officer yelled at the man, clearly displeased. He accused Yoshikuni of laziness and not wanting to fullfil his duties. Yoshikuni explained to the older samurai that he really couldn't get up, he was in real pain. The older samurai said that only a lazy samurai would claim that he got pain. He unsheeted his katana and chopped off the unfortunate Yoshikuni's head, yelling that there would be no place for laziness in Lord Takeda's winter residence.

~~~

Tally:

Quintus.JC: 18 (Stephen Asen, atheotes, Sasaki Kojiro, Kagemusha, woad&fangs, Beskar, Yaropolk, AggonyDuck, Kukrikhan, Rhyfelwyr, White_Eyes:D, ajaxfetish, Peasant Phill, GeneralHankerchief, Banquo's Ghost, Yoyoma1910, glyphz, Dutch_guy)

GeneralHankerchief: 2 (Wishazu, Quintus.JC)
Beskar: 1 (Ichigo)

not voting: 9 (FactionHeir, Chimpyang, CountArach, Tristan de Castelreng, taka, Caius, Psychonaut, Seamus Fermanagh, Gobbledygook)

~~~

Challenges:

1. Sasaki Kojiro vs. Seamus Fermanagh
2. Yoyoma1910 vs. Yaropolk
3. Stephen Asen vs. Beskar
4. White_Eyes:D vs. AggonyDuck

~~~

Alive (28):

GeneralHankerchief
FactionHeir
Caius
Ichigo
Wishazu
White_Eyes:D
Sasaki Kojiro
Stephen Assen
Peasant Phill
Kukrikhan
Gobbledygook
Psychonaut
taka
Rhyfelwyr
AggonyDuck
Beskar
atheotes
Kagemusha
CountArach
Chimpyang
Yoyoma1910
Seamus Fermanagh
Banquo's Ghost
woad&fangs
ajaxfetish
glyphz
Dutch_guy
Yaropolk

Killed (21):
Khazaar
spL1tp3r50nal1ty
Lord Winter
The Spartan
Iskander III
Shinseikhaan
Olavi
Thermal Mercury
Chaotix27
pevergreen
Gregoshi

Reenk Roink
LittleGrizzly
Louis VI the Fat
Crazed Rabbit
A Very Super Market
Glenn
Husar
Death is yonder
Haudegen
Captain Blackadder

Fallen in battle (5):
Northnovas
Ignoramus

El Diablo
YLC
Beefy187

Lynched (5):
Askthepizzaguy
Sigurd
shlin28

TosaInu
TinCow
Quintus.JC

WoG/Suicide (4):
Xehh II

Jolt
Beaver
Tristan de Castelreng

~~~

It's now night; PM's please. Night will last until 21.00 (GMT+1), that's until +/- 23 hours after this post.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Well, I think Andres made it pretty clear that we got one. Let's hope Banquo lives through the night.

[Caius]

Sorry people, but I could not follow this game as I was expected to do. Uni takes me a lot of time which I don't have, I think if I can't keep the game I'll give the place to other.

By the way, people, can someone explain to me why Beskar has not been lynched yet? He gives us problems, even he tried to lead the bandwagon against SA. Was him right? What happened there?

[Beskar]

1) I thought SA was a mafia member at that time.
2) I am innocent town role.
3) I don't cause problems.
4) All of the above.

[TinCow]

By the way, people, can someone explain to me why Beskar has not been lynched yet? He gives us problems, even he tried to lead the bandwagon against SA. Was him right? What happened there?

Two days ago, I looked more guilty. In the last day phase, BG revealed as an investigator of some kind and fingered Quintus and Kukrikhan. Quintus was thus lynched. At the moment, it appears that Kukrikhan will be tomorrow's lynch. In summary, Beskar has not been lynched as he has never been the top suspect during a particular day phase.

[Reenk Roink]

Beskar should be lynched before Kukri.

[Beskar]

That is stupid.

[KukriKhan]

Well, I think Andres made it pretty clear that we got one.

I'd like to agree with that, but: in what way do you think Andres "made it pretty clear"? I've re-read the death scene several times, looking for "pretty clear", and I don't see that. Do you mean the imagery of the crow against the moon? Or the crow cawing, therefore imitating Peter's cock-crow vis-a-vis Jesus?

Let's hope Banquo lives through the night.

That I agree with 100%. I'm anxious to see another night or two's investigative results from him.

[Quintus.JC]

Well, I think Andres made it pretty clear that we got one. Let's hope Banquo lives through the night.

How? Where? I don't see anything.

Banquo's Ghost and Generalhankerchief both needs to be lynched.

[Andres]

~~~ Swords in the Moon ~~~

Night 7 - Conclusion

Hour of the Rat

Yamamoto Kansuke (Gobbledygook) was guarding the room of his master, as he had done so many times.

While time was passing, he examined his armor. It was perfectly clean, as it should be. The swordmaster was very proud of his clean armor. He looked at the naginata he held in his hands and examined it as well. It was in a perfect condition and, just like his armor, it was clean. While he was busy enjoying the beauty of his weapon and watching it a bit closer, he saw a black mark on it. He started shaking his head in disbelief. He looked again and then realized that it wasn't a mark, but a shadow. Fast as lightning, he turned around and struck at something behind him. He wasn't fast enough to hit his target. The ninja managed to throw a knife at his opponent, causing a severe injury at his left arm.

When the attacker heard the running footsteps of another guard, he quickly disappeared without being recognised.

~~~

Hour of the Rat

Kago Junichiro (glyphz) was guarding the main entrance to the room of his Lord. While he was wiping off some imaginary dust on his armor, he heard sounds of a struggle at the opposite side of the room.

The swordmaster unsheeted his katana, yelled a battlecry and ran towards the noise.

While he was running towards the skirmish, he didn't notice the dark shadow hiding in a corner.

Kago saw his comrade reaching for his upper left arm, an expression of pain visible on his face. He also saw a man dressed in black running away. What he didn't notice, was the sharp katana of the other attacker striking for his neck.

The dark shadow quickly ran away. Yamamoto watched the head of his fallen comrade rolling on the floor, but he was too slow to catch the killer of his fellow swordmaster.

~~~

Hour of the Ox

Matsuura Asuma (Banquo's Ghost) went to his room. He took off his kimono and reached for his chest. He had heard some strange sounds earlier that night and they bothered him. He wondered what had happened.

He calmly prepared himself for the night, his body and spirit in perfect balance and harmony.

While he was reaching for his inner peace, his senses detected that someone was standing behind the door of his room. He quickly unsheeted his wakizashi and jumped forwards, aiming for where he suspected a killer to hide. His blow only destroyed paper and wood.

Matsuura looked puzzled. "I must be getting paranoid," he said to himself. Just as he was about to turn around, a man jumped at him and two strong, dark gloved hands were at his throat. It didn't take too long before Matsuura died. The killer pierced a dagger through his right eyeball, right into his brains, for good measure.

He left the scene unnoticed.

~~~

Day 7 - May the gods be with us.

Hour of the Rabbit

Lord Shingen was thinking about the past. Under his leadership, his clan had fought and won many battles. A lot men had died under his command and many, many others had been slain by his troops. He laughed softly. To think that criminals who murdered one human being got executed while he, being responsable for the death of thousands, got worshipped. Maybe the events of this winter were a punishment of the gods. Or a joke? Would the gods have a sense of humor?

He shaked his head. He shouldn't be thinking like that. The battles and the killings weren't meaningless, they served a purpose. If the gods would allow it, he would one day unite the Empire and become shogun. He would bring peace and the killings would stop. The battles served a higher purpose! Criminals were just criminals, killing for their own personal gain. A daimyo served the noble cause.

With this in mind, he finished his breakfeast and prepared for another exhausting day.

The men standing outside were restless. It was only when Lord Takeda entered the courtyard that they became quiet. The Tiger didn't pay attention to the dead bodies, it was becoming a familiar sight.

Sitting at his platform, he picked up a scroll. He nodded towards Nakamura Kinji (White_Eyes:D) and Midorikawa Kaito (AggonyDuck). Both men bowed for each other and their Lord. A senior officer stepped forward: "No armor, no hidden weapons. Just katana and wakizashi." Both men nodded again.

Nakamura stepped forward; his katana ready in his hand. His opponent unsheeted his sword. Nakamura dealt out the first blow which was blocked by Midorikawa, who immediately counter attacked.

Nakamura stepped aside, avoiding the deadly katana, but not without having it making a cut in his right arm. He quickly pierced his katana forward and allthough Midorikawa managed to avoid it, he twisted his ankle.

Both lightly injured men cirkled around each other, looking for an opening. A drip of sweat fell into Midorikawa's eye and he wiped it away with his left hand. Nakamura took the opportunity and jumped forward, his katana coming down for a fatal blow. Midorikawa looked up, but got blinded by the sun. He couldn't avoid the katana and the dead that it brought with it.

Sitting on his knees, looking at the blood flowing out of his body, he didn't notice the merciful blow which seperated his head from his body.

Nakamura bowed at his master, who nodded back.

Four samurai stepped forward to pick up the body of the fallen warrior. One of them, Gamo Ujisato (Kukrikhan) suddenly reached for his stomach. He fell on his knees and started to throw up. Apparently, he was in pain. Years of training and fighting battles couldn't prevent him from screaming it out in aggony. His comrades kneeled next to him, not knowing what to do. A few minutes later, Gamo Ujisato was dead. He died from an unknown cause...

~~~

Alive (24):

GeneralHankerchief
FactionHeir
Caius
Ichigo
Wishazu
White_Eyes:D
Sasaki Kojiro
Stephen Assen
Peasant Phill
Gobbledygook
Psychonaut
taka
Rhyfelwyr
Beskar
atheotes
Kagemusha
CountArach
Chimpyang
Yoyoma1910
Seamus Fermanagh
woad&fangs
ajaxfetish
Dutch_guy
Yaropolk

Killed (24):
Khazaar
spL1tp3r50nal1ty
Lord Winter
The Spartan
Iskander III
Shinseikhaan
Olavi
Thermal Mercury
Chaotix27
pevergreen
Gregoshi

Reenk Roink
LittleGrizzly
Louis VI the Fat
Crazed Rabbit
A Very Super Market
Glenn
Husar
Death is yonder
Haudegen
Captain Blackadder
glyphz
Banquo's Ghost
Kukrikhan

Fallen in battle (6):
Northnovas
Ignoramus

El Diablo
YLC
Beefy187
AggonyDuck

Lynched (6):
Askthepizzaguy
Sigurd
shlin28

TosaInu
TinCow
Quintus.JC

WoG/Suicide (4):
Xehh II

Jolt
Beaver
Tristan de Castelreng

~~~

It's now day, you can start voting. Day will last until 21.45 (GMT +1); that's +/- 24 hours.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Well, looks like the mafia cut their losses.

Vote: Kukri

[atheotes]

Well, looks like the mafia cut their losses.

Vote: Kukri

I believe Kukri is dead

unknown cause...heh... the plot thickens...

i am absolutely stumped...not sure who to vote...

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Vote:Atheotes

and fos:Yaropolk while I'm throwing my gut suspicions out there.

[Gregoshi]

Well, looks like the mafia cut their losses.

Vote: Kukri

Deja vu? I don't have time to look back right now, but why do I get the impression GH tends to challenge/vote for someone who just died? Or am I confusing him with someone else? Seems like this has happened before. or

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Dead from an unknown cause...interesting.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I feel like Seamus has been far to quiet.

[KukriKhan]

H1N1, I guess.

Dang, I'd only gotten the first 2 verses done.

Old samurai sleeps
his duties discharged
.......................

Maybe I'll leave it that way.

Heh. What "Andres has made pretty clear" this time is BG really was a detective, and I was just a townie.

So, 24 remain breathing, of whom about 18 are town. Best of luck, fellas. I'll try to help you smoke out the bad guys.