ANGEL GAME 1: GROUP A

[hot_mess_express]

[You enter the tent to find yourself in what appears to be a conference room in the sky. The walls and ceiling consist of a glass dome, outside of which a raging thunderstorm can be seen. If you approach the wall, you’ll find the room seems to be floating. Down below is a forest, but it’s raining so hard that it’s impossible to make out any details.

The inside of the room has only a large, circular table. In the center is open space, and around the outer edge are high-backed chairs. In front of each chair is a paper with a copy of the rules -- when everyone sits, the game will begin.

In Group A is: ginger, thyme, & licorice.]

Comments

ROUND ONE

[hot_mess_express]

[The floor in the center of the room lowers into darkness. When it comes back, it contains a cage, inside which a shadowy form writhes. The shadow shifts in shape, never quite settling on a form, but it’s roughly person-sized.

The voice from before chimes in, as if from an intercom.]

A town under your protection has experienced a rash of brutal deaths. You have captured a creature near the site of one such attack. It lashes out when approached, but does not kill any of your men. It could be the culprit, or it could simply have wandered in by accident.

Regardless, it is a monster, not a human. What will you do with it?

DISCUSSION

[hot_mess_express]

DECISION

[hot_mess_express]

ROUND TWO

[hot_mess_express]

[The floor rises again. This time, the cage contains a holographic image of a scruffy, middle-aged man. He’s sitting on the floor, sobbing.]

A young man has been killed in a mugging gone wrong. When apprehended, the suspect breaks down, telling you it was an accident. He only meant to steal, to feed his impoverished family.

You have reason to believe he is telling the truth, but the evidence doesn’t support his claim. The victim’s family is calling for a strict sentence. It’s certain that without an act of pardon, the man will be put to death.

You have the ability to grant this pardon. Will you?

DISCUSSION

[hot_mess_express]

DECISION

[hot_mess_express]

ROUND THREE

[hot_mess_express]

[The floor rises again. This time, there is no cage. There’s only a mirror, reflecting your own faces.]

Due to your execution of a rival force’s leader, your town is under attack. Those laying siege have made an oath: in exchange for the life of your commander, they will leave the town and return to their own lands. This group holds a strong belief in keeping oaths, and you believe they’re likely to follow through.

If you would give your life for your people’s, one of you must enter the mirror.

DISCUSSION

[hot_mess_express]

DECISION

[hot_mess_express]

[ewestmarch]

[Emilia looks immediately distrustful. Her expression darkens the more the narration goes on.]

I'm a monster, not a human.

Re: DISCUSSION

[axeboyfriend]

Try to talk to the monster first. Obviously. Ain't gonna make a fucking decision without getting their side.

[ewestmarch]

[Nod. This is in the right direction.]

But not every monster speaks your language. What then?

[axeboyfriend]

Figure out some way of nonverbal communication. Drawings, hand gestures. Whatever works.

Re: DISCUSSION

[nihilmancy]

[Tabby stares at the creature, barely blinking.]

Mm. Better to keep it and gather more information. Try to communicate with it.

Re: DISCUSSION

[stakesthesame]

... 'course we talk to the monster. Not human doesn't mean nothin'.

[bowtiedbones]

I'm sorry, excuse me, that's it? That's all the information we have? "We found an unidentified creature so we caught it!?"

[ewestmarch]

[Emilia goes over to knock on the intercom.]

How is it caught? What kind of creature is it? An animal?

[ewestmarch]

You're right, and I think it's the answer they're looking for.

[Hand quotes:] "Justice."

Where I'm from, something like this would be an act of war and naturally you'd execute the bastard just for trespassing. But maybe I'm just being contrary.

Re: DISCUSSION

[nihilmancy]

We could also try to sedate it, and examine the creature. See if it has any obvious ways of doing harm.

But without evidence, it's hard to say something ought to be killed.

[bowtiedbones]

And what kind of evidence was at the scene? Did all the victims die the same way? Indoors, outdoors? Are there any witness statements at all? Why is this more suspect than any stray dog or human passerby?

[nihilmancy]

Monster is a categorically vague term.

Re: DISCUSSION

[ruinatings]

Any monster within city limits should be dispatched immediately. I'm not sure how this is even a discussion.

[axeboyfriend]

's fine if that's how it is where you're from. For me though, I'd rather not jump straight to the worst conclusion.

Re: DISCUSSION

[axeboyfriend]

That first one's still jumping the gun a bit. See if the guy's willing to talk and if he ain't, then worry about sedation.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bowtiedbones]

Right? Like, has this guy even looked at what teams he put in this room? "Regardless" nothing!