VAU: The Tale of Ivana Hoompalotte - Game Thread

[Wolfen]

(To Frederick)
"Good sir, I have not lied. My words were saying that I may vote against him in the future and that I hadnt already voted against him out of retaliation. Not that I may retaliate with a vote. If thou hast misunderstood then I am sorry. So do not accuse me of not thinking. Thou may want to try thinking thyself at some point. In addition, thou hast not voiced why thou hast voted against me after clearing up your baseless idea. Which leadeth me to ask why art thou so quick to side with this arrogant youth?"

 

[Feast4Crows]

(To Erik) "You claim that trusting each other is key, yet you make the proclamation that if it were up to you we'd skip the voting process. Additionally, you made that comment down the barrel of a firearm. I would rather trust someone based on their actions, and what I am seeing is causing me concern."

(To Abel) "I wish I did know of some test that would prove who might be a vampire. Alas, all any of us has to go on is the actions of those around us."

 

[Zephyr]

Ysolda backed away from the group as weapons got pulled out.

She stands perfectly still nearby, listening to the conversations between the others.
When she hears Fredrick's response she blurts out angrily;

"So you admit that you will use a vote in retaliation? That is just monstrous. Though your words might seem to make sense and paint you as a noble person this is something I cannot abide. I will not stand for votes being used so callously.

Erik could have pulled the trigger easily yet he refrained from doing so. I am also content with the explanations both he and Abel have given.

I hereby grant my trust towards both Abel and Erik and ask forgiveness for my earlier assumptions though given the circumstances I am hopeful you will both understand."

She inclines her head slowly towards the two, almost making a bow.

 

[Malochai]

*To Abel*

"You ask why he is so quick to side with me? We still haven't heard sound reasoning for youu and Erik to side so easily ..."

 

[Feast4Crows]

(To Ysolda) "I don't believe Frederick said he would use his vote in retaliation. However, Abel had made the comment that he would not cast a vote in retaliation, at this time. It seems Frederick stated his vote, not in retaliation, but so the rest of us can see where he stands. I would suggest caution in whom you trust."

 

[Nikos]

"Are all men from Bretonnia loud mouthed braggarts?" snarled Wilhelmina before turnin to Erik "Has a little too much bilge water seeped into that hole in your face and addled your brain?" turning towards Alessandro "And you can stop yapping like an angry pup, aswell! Its not worth sinking to their level" she said a little less sternly.

"As nobody will be killing anyone, maybe you could do us all a favour and cut out the ridiculous posturing."

 

[Wolfen]

(To Alessandro)
"Men of action bond together in time of strife. It is that simple. He offered his friendship and I accepted, with one condition, as I have already explained."

(To Ysolda)
"My lady, I thank thee for thy trust and I do not judge thee for thy earlier remarks. If my recent actions have caused thee any discomfort I apologise."

 

[Chaos_Born]

Kristof had entered the room and walked down to the banquet table, read the note, then retreated to the edge of the room silently. He had knelt down and listened to proceedings whilst remaining in a position of prayer.

Now after several hours of simply listening, Kristof choses his course of action. He gets up stiffly, stumbling slightly as the blood flow returns to his legs, the purposefully strides over to the increasingly heated discussion.

He speeks loudly towards those arguing. 'These men have formed a bond of brotherhood through trying events as only those who have known dire circumstances and survived them can. In times of crisis, those who trust no one will end up succumbing to despair or paranoia. That you would attack a man based upon this shows either ignorance or malicious intent. Having cautiously held back my opinion to see how events would run their course, it seems to me that there is one here with little other purpose than to fire accusations and stoke the fire of hate before remaining quite to see the seeds of his deception take fruit. Although at the moment you may be at each other's throats (he looks in turn at Abel then Allessandro it is because of the serpent tonged words of this masquerading beast here.' He brings up his warhammer and points it at Dr. Viktor.

'It is my belief that the apparent doctor here is cunningly manipulating us into destroying ourselves. Be he vampiric fiend or twisted villain I will gladly cast my lot against him.'

Vote: Dr Viktor von Ungeheuer

 

[Johnny-Crass]

*To Ysolda* "Thank you m'lady for that vote of confidence. And I beleive it is I who owe an apologie, as my actions were not fitting with a lady present" Turning to make sure Wilhelmina had heard the jab.

*To Allessandro and Frederick* "You are right I do not value the lives of traitors and backstabbers, and if that is a character flaw then I am sorry."

Then turning to the room Erik continued "But you see a life at sea has taught me one thing. One or two bad apples can ruin an entire shipment or in my case "Tapping the eyepatch" Your entire life. I did not pull my firearm on this boy maliciously but in self defense! If he had killed Abel who is to say he would of stopped there? And if my suspicions are correct we may not have been able to stop him at all..."

Trailing off again Erik picked up a apple from the table "Both of these men have voted for someone due to that mans defensive reaction, so I ask you would you do the same if they came at you with this trick?"

 

[Cromenon]

Carlos, still as a stone in a corner, had his left hand resting on the grip of his left eperimental VA10 portable volley gun. When everyone calmed down, Erik seathed his handgun, he allowed himself to relax a bit and breathed again.

Somehing needed to be done. He addressed nobody in particular:

"We have two options. If we do not vote, we are going to be killed one by one, until only the vampires remain. This is our first option. This means certain death."

He then looked at Duality
"The other option is to vote. We may vote and cause the death of innocent people, of course..." He nodded slightly at Duality "... or we may kill the vampires. This means possible death."

He breathed deeply:

"The second option is by all means better. We have to admit it... life is hard and we must make tough decisions.

For this reason, and also because of the behavior shown moments ago... and knowing that I am putting my life at stake, I must vote against Erik." He gazed Erik intently with a half smile and nodded a bit. "I hope you understand, gentleman."

Vote: Erik Stoutberg

 

[Nikos]

To Carlos
Wilhelmina regarded the tall Estallian with an arched eyebrow "Erik was not the only one who lost his cool in that exchange. Do you have another reason to vote for him?"

 

[Harland]

To Abel
"I have sided with him because I believe he is right, instead of out of some misconstrued belief that trust will win the day. I have actually thought about my decision."

 

[Wolfen]

(To Federick)
"Then allow me to present my thoughts..."

(To all)
"When Gurter was the first to be condemned to death he told us all his story. He was blessed of Ulric to become a wolf. He hoped that we would be swayed by his placing trust in us. One man immediately turned on him, stirring up blind hate against Gurter's revalation. That same man hath recently stated that he believeth not in trust. Why did this man want Gurter dead so much? Gurter was confident that he could control the wolf yet this man of whom I speak would not give him the chance. It was postulated that perhaps the wolf would be strong enough to destroy the evil among us. I believe that the man who hounded Gurter was afraid to find out if the wolf had such strength because he himself is part of the vile conspiracy. During that conversation he also revealed that he has a great knowledge of how the undead operate, knowing of creatures such as dire wolves and varghulfs in detail. Now this man inserts himself into a situation seeking to destroy me when I have caused him no harm. I find no good reason for him to do so.
I am speaking of Frederick.

My lords and ladies, I am aware that my actions can be construed as a simple reaction to the votes cast against me. The trap laid by the nosferatu to do so was indeed elaborate and subtle and I have fallen into it. Yet if I am to die I will not go down without trying to take this evil with me. What I do now is not out of reaction or revenge, it is a decision based upon what I have observed. I urge you to judge me as ye see fit.

I vote Frederick."

Vote: Frederick - Harland

 

[Harland]

Frederik rolled his eyes.
to Abel
"If you were listening, I had voted against him long before the revelation, and had given plenty reason for my choice. The reason I know so much about the undead is that I served as ambassador for Sylvania for many years, and one does not survive there without knowing about the undead."

 

[Feast4Crows]

(To Kristof) "Actually, I have cast no accusations about. At the start of this discussion I stated my suspicion and sought the opinion of others. I feel an educated analysis of our situation, and the behavior of each of us, is key in determining who is in league with these fiends. If you feel that a desire to examine and evaluate the actions of our fellow guests makes one either a vampire or in league with them, then by that logic any of us who actually try to make an educated use of our vote is a fiendish conspirator. Vote against me if you wish, but I will hold my vote a while longer as I feel there is still evidence to be garnered."

 

[Wolfen]

(To Frederick)
"I know. I do not hold the mere fact that thou voted for him against thee. Thou hast the right to exercise thy vote. However, after the voting when he had revealed his secret thou didst turn particularly venomous. That is what raised my suspicions and why I did not mention thy voting for him first.
Thy post in Sylvania would also have given thee opportunity to become nosferatu. That does nothing to calm my suspicions."

 

[Cromenon]

Carlos eyed Dr. Viktor and acknowledged his words with a nod.
"I fully agree with you, Dr. von Ungeheuer. I have considered this. The thing is... we do not have much evidences, at least by now. Each vote has to be cast almost blindly... But you will agree with me in that we cannot simply sit down and wait to be killed."

He looked Wilhelmina into her green eyes and replied:
"That's why I have voted against Erik, señorita. I don't have much evidence, I admit it! That's why I just apologized before him..." He tilted his head in acknowledgement to Erik "... but, anyway, by now the one with most votes is Ser Abel, so..." he fell silent and looked down.

He turned on his heels and rubbed his temples furiously, his voice just a whisper...
"We're blind... blind..."

 

[Harland]

Frederik nodded.
to Abel
"I knew it would not. But I told you my reason nevertheless."

 

[Chaos_Born]

Speaking directly to Dr Viktor. 'My very point is that you haven't openly accused anyone, so as to shun the blame onto others. You have convinced one innocent man to accuse another, so that once one of them has been voted for death and found innocent, the other will be most suspected of ulterior motives.'

Now Kristof turns to those around and raises his voice slightly 'This is what I have gathered from my objective viewpoint outside of the realm of accusation, see through this guise and realize the truth. You have been deceived.' He once more brings up his warhammer and levels it to point at the Dr. 'And this is the one who has done it.'

 

[Nikos]

To Carlos
"Your vote is yours to do as you see fit and as you say it has to be used. I meant no offence, I was merely asking to see if there was some clue you have seen that may have eluded the rest of us." said Wilhelmina as she sat down in one of the great baroque chairs.

"Strange" she said softly "I dont recall seeing the dwarf today. I hope he is alright."

 

[Feast4Crows]

"Very well, Kristof, I will lay bare all of my suspicions and reasons behind them. Then, if any others agree with you, at least I have made some contribution.

My original suspicion was of Erik's offer to smoke his Nipponese herb. I still think that it was a ploy, much like how Kristof thinks I have manipulated everyone. I believe Erik is the vampire, knowing the herb would have no effect, he offered it up to all to smoke. If any declined, then they would be looked upon with suspicion. If everyone smoked and there was no effect, as he knew there wouldn't be, then he could claim that he at least had tried something to root out the fiends.

When I voiced my suspicions, Abel took offense and objected quite vehemently. This escalated to his threat of violence. I don't believe Abel to be a vampire. I doubt one of the cunning monsters would act violently and draw such attention to himself. I do think he has some tie to Erik though, perhaps as a thrall. Either that or his code of honor causes him to throw his loyalty around blindly.

Then we have Kristof, who rises from bed late and because I have voiced my opinion, sees me as a manipulative fiend. I wonder if he is trying to cover for his master, or perhaps he is the monster we seek and finds it easier to turn the group's eye toward me and away from him. If I were to vote for him in retaliation, he could simply claim that my vote was one of revenge and further discredit me.

There are my observations. Make of them what you will."

The doctor searches the tables for a fine bottle of wine. Finding one, he pours a glass and raises it to the group before downing its contents.

Vote: Erik Stoutberg (Johnny-Crass)

 

[Black Baron]

Fyodor walked out of his temporary room. Approaching the group with eyes wide upon seeing weapons drawn, "Leave the killings to the abominations"

 

[Wolfen]

(To Dr von H)
"I found thy reasoning flawed and voiced my opinion. I did not threaten violence against thee however. I did not even threaten the rash youth who had insulted my honour. I told him that in other circumstances I would challenge him as is the custom in my homeland. However, our current circumstances would make such a challenge foolish. I warned the boy that if we were to escape then he may not be so lucky. My sword did not leave my side, even when the boy's sword was at my throat. Yet I am the one accused of inciting violence."

 

[Feast4Crows]

(To Abel) "I concede that you did not draw your blade, even when Alessandro drew his. You claim that a challenge is custom in your land, but can that not be taken as a threat of violence, or aggression at the least? If I remember correctly, Erik did make a threat with a brandished weapon. In your defense, was it not? At the very least, there is some bond between the two of you that goes deeper than a friendship struck up while moving a corpse. I stand by my vote."

 

[Johnny-Crass]

Eriks one eyed gaze swept the room then he laughed hard, so hard that it boomed off the walls and echoed in the ears of all present "You seek to find the vampire amongst our ranks yet when you vote it is helter-skelter almost as if none of you are really sure who the vampire is! Almost as if you are condemning innocent men for no other reason than you had a small argument."

Then smile had vanished from Eriks face as he turned to Frederick "You sir have sent one of my friends to his death and now you seek to send yet another, it is as if you are trying to break the small band of HUMAN trust and resistance that resides in this room..." Erik paused letting his words sink in.

*To the Doctor and Carlos* "Gentlemen you may believe I am this horrid monster but think on this. If I really wanted to harm anyone in this room would I not do it in the dead of night like these creatures have shown? I hold no grudge against your hasty voting but know this, what ever way my innocence is proved I hope you will be alive to see it."

*To the room* "I will not yet cast my vote as of right now three of us have enough votes to die. And while it pains me to say it I will not vote in haste."