A Small Wager – A Practical Guide to Evil

[Book Wombat]

"In the beginning, there were only the Gods.

Aeons untold passed as they drifted aimlessly through the Void, until they grew bored with this state of affairs. In their infinite wisdom they brought into existence Creation, but with Creation came discord. The Gods disagreed on the nature of things: some believed their children should be guided to greater things, while others believed that they must rule over the creatures they had made.”

“So, we are told, were born Good and Evil.”

“Ages passed in fruitless argument between them until finally a wager was agreed on: it would be the mortals that settled the matter, for strife between the gods would only result in the destruction of all. We know this wager as Fate, and thus Creation came to know war. Through the passing of the years grooves appeared in the workings of Fate, patterns repeated until they came into existence easier than not, and those grooves came to be called Roles. The Gods gifted these Roles with Names, and with those came power. We are all born free, but for every man and woman comes a time where a Choice must be made.”

“It is, we are told, the only choice that ever really matters.”

— The first page of the Book of All Things —
(The prologue of A Practical Guide to Evil.)

And so you too have become a part of this wager between the gods Above and Below, seeking to make your mark upon the world. Will you make your story known to the whole of Creation, or will it flicker out like a candle in the storm?

Spoiler: Recruitment

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Spoiler: Basic Concept and Rules

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I'll be narrating a game of Mafia/Werewolf with custom rules based on the web serial "A Practical Guide to Evil" (one of my favourites, would definitely recommend reading). Whether you are new or old, all are welcome to play! No prior knowledge of the serial or the general gameplay is needed.

Werewolf / Mafia at its core is rather simple, with two factions fighting to win. Town (henceforth called the Heroes) do not start in contact with each other, clueless to the identities of their allies, while the Wolves / Mafia (Villains, the minority) do start with in contact with each other.

The game cycles through two phases, Day and Night, with different actions being possible in each phase.The Day phase will normally last around 48 hours, after a certain number of players are left it will decrease to 24 hours, and the Night phase will last around 24 hours. During the Day players can choose someone to lynch by voting, this is done by marking a player's name in bold red. Nicknames also count as long as they are recognizable. Examples:

I don't like Book Wombat.

Wombat seems suspicious.

Votes are not set in stone and may be changed at any time before the end of day by crossing out the previous vote like this. If multiples votes are cast without old ones being struck-through, the latest one will still count, however will make my job harder.
At the end of the day I will declare the result of the vote. Whoever has the most votes in the end will be lynched, revealing their role and alignment. Ties will be resolved by a certain method, not randomly.
After day has passed it becomes night, in which active powers may be used.
Then the cycle starts anew.

The game ends once either all the Villains have been lynched or the Heroes' defeat is inevitable.


Notes:

• Narrator and private communication will be done over Discord while the game itself will be played over the forum.
• I, the Narrator, will not lie. However, there may be powers which interfere with the veracity of the narration.
• No private communication is allowed other than what is set up by myself.
  
  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Spoiler: Variant-specific Rules

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The web serial has the concept of the narrative being an actual force in the world and its happenings. Heroes thrown over cliffs will likely survive no matter how unlikely, and a villain claiming invincibility will almost certainly soon face an untimely demise. This shall also play a role in this game, along with a few other changes.

• Roles will be called Names.
• Powers will be called Aspects.
• Along with the two main factions, Heroes (Town) and Villains (Wolves), there will likely be a few Neutrals with their own goals.
• Names aren't set in stone, and can change throughout the game depending on the circumstances as well as your own actions.
• Not all Names will start with limit of three Aspects, similar to Names they can be cgained throughout the game.
• Minor and major injuries will be possible rather than just being either alive or dead. Both types can affect Names and Aspects, and two major injuries will lead to death barring other factors.
• There will be a few bastardy mechanics under the name of Namelore, the general term for the effect stories have on the Named (Heroes and Villains both), such as the Rule of Three and Providence.

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Player List:

• Caedorus
• AvatarVecna
• Snowblaze
• flat_footed
• Xihirli
• Persolus
• Dakrsidder
• Let'sGetKraken
• 3SecondCultist
• Cazero
• MerelBlackbird
• Athedia
• CaoimhinTheCape

Spectators:

• Illven
• Rogan
• Taffimai
• Xumtiil
• Batcathat

Please do not post until Day One begins.

[Book Wombat]

What choices shall you make in a world of black and white?

Day One starts now, and will end in ~53 hours.

[3SecondCultist]

So it begins…

My d13 randvote goes to flat_footed.

[Snowblaze]

"Yes," the grey-cloaked woman whispered. "So it begins."

She was a poet, a woman of stories, and had lived through more than a few herself besides. She knew what the beginning of a new tale looked like, and it was this. The fingers of Providence on the scales, the whispers in the wind, the shapes of things to come in her mind's eye.

And with such a cast of characters as had been gathered together by fate, she knew that whatever the outcome, this story would be remembered for years to come.

Because I'm not writing enough words already. Obligatory reminder that my RP says nothing about my alignment, Role or Name, except when it does.

Anyway, we all know Xihirli is a villain, don't we?

[3SecondCultist]

"Yes," the grey-cloaked woman whispered. "So it begins."

She was a poet, a woman of stories, and had lived through more than a few herself besides. She knew what the beginning of a new tale looked like, and it was this. The fingers of Providence on the scales, the whispers in the wind, the shapes of things to come in her mind's eye.

And with such a cast of characters as had been gathered together by fate, she knew that whatever the outcome, this story would be remembered for years to come.

Because I'm not writing enough words already. Obligatory reminder that my RP says nothing about my alignment, Role or Name, except when it does.

Anyway, we all know Xihirli is a villain, don't we?

Okay, if you’ve got a Bardic role or are some offshoot Grey Pilgrim, I will laugh. You’re one of the folks here who has actually read Guide though, so I don’t trust it enough not to be a misdirect.

Snow, everybody: throwing up WIFOM with her RP posts!

[Dakrsidder]

As per usual whoever smelt it dealt it, so that’s awfully suspicious, but I’m not going to do anything about it

[flat_footed]

"Good morning everyone, what a beautiful day!"

Sees a letter nailed to his front door.

Dear flat_footed,

Please die at your earliest possible convenience. Your continued existence is no longer needed or required.

Love, 3Sec

sigh "And all because I said I microwave my tea, instead of wasting time on a kettle!"

[Snowblaze]

Okay, if you’ve got a Bardic role or are some offshoot Grey Pilgrim, I will laugh. You’re one of the folks here who has actually read Guide though, so I don’t trust it enough not to be a misdirect.

Snow, everybody: throwing up WIFOM with her RP posts!

It would be in character for me to do something like that either honestly or as misdirection, but this is neither. Actually the Thing I'm doing is significantly less clear than I thought to non-me people now I think about it.

...eh, probably don't want to reveal it yet, but it's something I've been planning to do in this game for a long time and would do regardless of role or alignment.

[AvatarVecna]

Memetic complex.

Containment class: uncontained.

Ontokinetic.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Well, people sure are saying words that I already don't understand.

Vote: Kraken

[Cazero]

Athedia. That's how the dice rolled.

[Persolus]

Hello everyone! I'm Persolus and think that you shouldn't kill me first round.

Because I'm not writing enough words already. Obligatory reminder that my RP says nothing about my alignment, Role or Name, except when it does.

That statement is logically incohesive.

As per usual whoever smelt it dealt it, so that’s awfully suspicious, but I’m not going to do anything about it

But... there is no dealing going on in this game, no? I believe you must be thinking of last game, when ... Athedia was it? hosted a round of poker.

"Good morning everyone, what a beautiful day!"

Sees a letter nailed to his front door.



sigh "And all because I said I microwave my tea, instead of wasting time on a kettle!"

Death threats over tea are most ridiculous, microwaving is far more efficient.

Memetic complex.

Containment class: uncontained.

Ontokinetic.

Peers over spectacles I am intrigued.


I believe this is where I am supposed to make a big ploy out of not know who the Villains are, correct? I don't really see the point of pretending, as of course i know, but I might as well roll the dice for formalities' sake.
Ah yes, a 10. Cazero is where i put my vote, then.

[AvatarVecna]

Hello everyone! I'm Persolus and think that you shouldn't kill me first round.

Might instead injure?

A death by a thousand cuts.

The rope might not kill.

[Xihirli]

"Yes," the grey-cloaked woman whispered. "So it begins."

She was a poet, a woman of stories, and had lived through more than a few herself besides. She knew what the beginning of a new tale looked like, and it was this. The fingers of Providence on the scales, the whispers in the wind, the shapes of things to come in her mind's eye.

And with such a cast of characters as had been gathered together by fate, she knew that whatever the outcome, this story would be remembered for years to come.

Because I'm not writing enough words already. Obligatory reminder that my RP says nothing about my alignment, Role or Name, except when it does.

Anyway, we all know Xihirli is a villain, don't we?

A cackling cultist, bloody knife in hand and an altar with various human sacrifices that most would consider Too Innocent to Kill – let’s just say blind orphans and their goldfish –looks up from her work.
"Who, me? I’m not evil."

In all seriousness, If you recall from the last Trope game all of my tropes were redemption arc tropes. I’m on my journey to heroism now!
So let’s kill someone with little too no examination! Like heroes!

Eenie Meenie Miney Caedorus

[flat_footed]

Trust not the elf's words

Blood stains her past and future

The silence of death

[Persolus]

Intriguing. It would seem that the Haikus have spread.

[Dakrsidder]

But... there is no dealing going on in this game, no? I believe you must be thinking of last game, when ... Athedia was it? hosted a round of poker.

There was poker? Dam
I’m not sure one can smell poker though, unless one can smell sin

[AvatarVecna]

Trust not the elf's words

Blood stains her past and future

The silence of death

One can only hope

Amusement outweighs boredom.

By all means! Proceed.

[flat_footed]

But... there is no dealing going on in this game, no? I believe you must be thinking of last game, when ... Athedia was it? hosted a round of poker.

A game was dealt, true

Alas no fire was kindled

Stand on twenty one

[Persolus]

A game was dealt, true

But no fire was kindled

Stand on twenty one

I am sorry, but i believe "fire" has only one syllable. I have studied it quite exhaustively.
Fire, that is, not poetry.

[flat_footed]

I am sorry, but i believe "fire" has only one syllable. I have studied it quite exhaustively.
Fire, that is, not poetry.

Counting can be hard

Let's all count to three, ready?

1, 2, Persolus

[Snowblaze]

That statement is logically incohesive.

Look, there's nothing wrong with stating tautologies occasionally.

A cackling cultist, bloody knife in hand and an altar with various human sacrifices that most would consider Too Innocent to Kill – let’s just say blind orphans and their goldfish –looks up from her work.
"Who, me? I’m not evil."

In all seriousness, If you recall from the last Trope game all of my tropes were redemption arc tropes. I’m on my journey to heroism now!
So let’s kill someone with little too no examination! Like heroes!

Eenie Meenie Miney Caedorus

The woman studied the elf and the corpses lying at her sacrificial altar. It did not suggest that she wasn't sworn to Below, and yet she claimed - the shape of this story was an unclear one. It was too crude a deception - if it could even be called deception - for it to be a trial, an illusion. Or was deception part of her very nature?

Either way, this was a dangerous - and then she said the word. Redemption.

It could be a cheap trick, and in that case her inevitable betrayal could ruin carefully-laid plans at the worst moment. But if it were real, and she rejected it, then by turning away she'd only create a worse monster, one with a story of vengeance it could wield against them to bitter ends.

And if it were real, and she accepted the elf? Well, then this was the beginning of a redemption story. And there was only one ending to such a story.

Trust not the elf's words

Blood stains her past and future

The silence of death

So, though in her heart she agreed with the flat-footed man's words, she had to speak against them. "No. No, we cannot turn her away. All who seek redemption and the Light must have the chance to find it."

(Oh, this is fun. Not quite as fun as being a card-carrying treacherous monologuing Dread Empress, but pretty close.)

Anyway, Let'sGetKraken. Because a) if I'm suiting my actions to my RP I need to unvote Xihirli, b) he is one of my nemeses and c) having actual wagons might make stuff happen.

[AvatarVecna]

I am sorry, but i believe "fire" has only one syllable. I have studied it quite exhaustively.
Fire, that is, not poetry.

This is a matter

Of academic debate.

Is it one or two?

A quick search reveals

That britannica-dot-com

Says either is fine.

In fact, their answer

Was specifically about

Fire in haikus.

[3SecondCultist]

The man at the bar took a long sip of Iserran brandy as he listened to what might charitably be called poetry. Gods, the stuff burned his throat like goblinfire but at least with enough he might be able to forget the atrocities visited to rhyme scheme here today.

But what was that about redemption, now? Only Villains needed redeeming… but let it not be said that Above had no fair share of reprobates. Still, best not to get involved there, lest he be bent to the shape of collateral in someone else’s rise to grace.

No, he reasoned. He would have to sit in and listen to more verse. Such was his punishment.

Say, flat and AV: do either of you play any fun RPGs?

[AvatarVecna]

The man at the bar took a long sip of Iserran brandy as he listened to what might charitably be called poetry. Gods, the stuff burned his throat like goblinfire but at least with enough he might be able to forget the atrocities visited to rhyme scheme here today.

But what was that about redemption, now? Only Villains needed redeeming… but let it not be said that Above had no fair share of reprobates. Still, best not to get involved there, lest he be bent to the shape of collateral in someone else’s rise to grace.

No, he reasoned. He would have to sit in and listen to more verse. Such was his punishment.

Say, flat and AV: do either of you play any fun RPGs?

I've played stupid games

And I've won stupid prizes.

No more games for me.

[Let'sGetKraken]

So, I had not realized this game had started. I was waiting for a post in the recruitment thread. Good thing I was already in Book's discord server.

While I am flattered that Snow thinks I'm important enough to be a nemesis, I love A Practical Guide to Evil and I am very excited to be playing in this game. I have been looking forward to this for months, please do not kill me Day One.

For now, let's poke MerelBlackbird into activity.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, if any of you like APGtE and have not read Pale Lights, the author's newer work which is currently ongoing, please do so. It is delightful and you can tell EE has grown as a writer. https://palelights.com/2022/08/17/chapter-1/

[Snowblaze]

So, I had not realized this game had started. I was waiting for a post in the recruitment thread. Good thing I was already in Book's discord server.

While I am flattered that Snow thinks I'm important enough to be a nemesis, I love A Practical Guide to Evil and I am very excited to be playing in this game. I have been looking forward to this for months, please do not kill me Day One.

For now, let's poke MerelBlackbird into activity.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, if any of you like APGtE and have not read Pale Lights, the author's newer work which is currently ongoing, please do so. It is delightful and you can tell EE has grown as a writer. https://palelights.com/2022/08/17/chapter-1/

ftr I am extremely unlikely to leave my vote on you. Assuming this game actually gets moving at some point you'll be fine. My vote is just an attempt to create that motion.

And yes, Pale Lights is amazing, go read it!

[Athedia]

[COLOR=#333333]
But... there is no dealing going on in this game, no? I believe you must be thinking of last game, when ... Athedia was it? hosted a round of poker.

There was poker? Dam
I’m not sure one can smell poker though, unless one can smell sin

A game was dealt, true

Alas no fire was kindled

Stand on twenty one

"I told you, twas Blackjack and not poker! Same tools, different game. Would you have the Surgeon build your house or the Carpenter remove a gangrenous limb simply because both use the saw?"

The figure that spoke up was young and tired looking, a youth still eager to impress. The idea of her running any games in a den of vice was laughable, though her running something for those around her far past the hour of curfew was much more likely.

"And we can see that dice isn't my game either, no luck there. I prefer the rewards of hard work though, it is only through training that I can prove myself!"

The figure taps on 3SecondCultist's shoulder, borrowing his strange die to roll for herself.

"Ah, Persolus."

[Dakrsidder]

Haikus and rp

Quite the predicament here

Look at what you’ve done

I just realized the thread is called a small wager, so pokerjack is fitting anyway

[Caedorus]

A cackling cultist, bloody knife in hand and an altar with various human sacrifices that most would consider Too Innocent to Kill – let’s just say blind orphans and their goldfish –looks up from her work.
"Who, me? I’m not evil."

In all seriousness, If you recall from the last Trope game all of my tropes were redemption arc tropes. I’m on my journey to heroism now!
So let’s kill someone with little too no examination! Like heroes!

Eenie Meenie Miney Caedorus

“Ah, I have been seen through! Time to reveal all my plans!”

The Fool grinned, and stayed quiet.

“Get it? Cos I don't have plans?
You people are boring. Xihirli”

- - - Updated - - -

I sure love haikus
Don't know how to make them though
Can anyone help me?