Behind the Masks: Episode 12 - GAME OVER! Blackmailer Wins!

[destawaits]

What about the whole responding to a switch with a switch shenanigan

[Blackajack]

What about the whole responding to a switch with a switch shenanigan

That's just using a switch against a switch. You are using resources so in the end it's not a problem.

[Bluedetroyer]

I think if someone responds to your switch with a switch you shouldn't be able to revoke it

I wasn't, I just was saying I wouldn't redeem my GR for a switch to use

[Blackajack]

The Fairy guesses the Devil as the Knight (With her life!)

Spoiler: They are incorrect.

---

The Fairy's previous guess against the Direwolf had proven successful. Spurred on by confidence or perhaps by her growing importance, the Fairy decided to eliminate another from the show. Unfortunately, they would only eliminate themselves.

As the executioner once again readied his axe, the Fairy stopped him. "No need. Lead me down."

The executioner paused for a moment, before stowing his axe. He began making his way down, the Fairy following suit. Who knows what the Fairy was thinking as she was escorted to her private death. Who knows what she was thinking to consign herself in such a way. Who really knows?

After the departure of the Fairy both from the room and from reality, the 3 sat down. Perhaps it was the abundance of tension from the nights before, but today was remarkably relaxed. The thinned meal ended with little change to the players.

As the group left the hall and came to return to their beds, they walked in a small group towards the guest rooms. Walking past the gilded candles illuminating the darkening halls, the odd busy staff member moving around from station to station stopping to curtsy.

Now, treading through these seemingly infinite halls, a sense of perspective was gathered by the group. They knew the route back, but along the way watched tailored gardens and exotic rugs. The grand chandeliers but the simple corridors. There was many aspects to appreciate with Cradlebury Court. Many aspects that were now close and closer within the 3's grasp. Of course, only one of them would actually have the honour.

The Fairy has bet their life!

The Fairy: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve FAILED A DEATH STAKE GUESS
The Outlaw: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve MURDERED
The Vulpine: 0 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Husky: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Gorilla: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Devil: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve
The Mocking Bird: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Dragon: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve MAGICALLY KILLED
The Sheep: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Sturgeon: 2 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve
The Direwolf: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve GUESSED AS COURT JESTER
The Snake: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Goose: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Eagle: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve MURDERED
The Phoenix: 3 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve

And so, the final 3 remained. The illustrious halls and bellowing fountains had proven enough; this mansion was worth every drop of blood.

A new round has begun.

It is now the challenge phase.
48h remain. Timeframe may be skipped if everyone submits their actions.

[Technetium]

I get one post after death, technically I haven't used it so this is that post

Once it was determined that I was not going to win, I wanted Fairy to win. As I recall, I suggested that Devil was not Knight, but rather Blackmailer. It seems I was not believed.

Oh well.

honk

[dota2reporter]

oh god oh fuck

[JazzMusicStops]

Biiiiig death post

My original intention was to post my Peasant Notes once I died but there's really no need when it's the final 3

Musician and Blacksmith are, as you may have guessed, dead, as are the Thief and the Poisoner

The Blackmailer is still in the game and I suspect the Student is too

Peasant best role

It's been a fun game

*Death noises*

[dota2reporter]

/challenge the Devil to a duel

[destawaits]

/accept
/challenge the Sturgeon to a duel as well

[dota2reporter]

/accept
/challenge the Sturgeon to a duel as well

/accept

[Bluedetroyer]

/challenge the Sturgeon to a dance

[dota2reporter]

/deny

/challenge the Sturgeon to a dance

[Blackajack]

Pending:
None

Accepted:
The Sturgeon shall duel with the Devil.
The Devil shall duel with the Sturgeon.

Denied:
The Sturgeon has denied the dance request from the Phoenix.

Cowards:
None

Remaining:
All done!

The Fairy: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve FAILED A DEATH STAKE GUESS
The Outlaw: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve MURDERED
The Vulpine: 0 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Husky: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Gorilla: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Devil: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve
The Mocking Bird: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Dragon: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve MAGICALLY KILLED
The Sheep: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Sturgeon: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve
The Direwolf: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve GUESSED AS COURT JESTER
The Snake: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Goose: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Eagle: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve MURDERED
The Phoenix: 3 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve

It is now the action phase.
24h remain. As our players are so few you may vote to skip. I'll also accept any end-game 'plans' the players can agree on.

[dota2reporter]

/skip

[Bluedetroyer]

/skip

[destawaits]

/skip

[Blackajack]

A phase-skip has been declared. Stand by.

[Blackajack]

The Sturgeon has won the duel against the Devil
The Sturgeon has won the duel against the Devil

The Fairy: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve FAILED A DEATH STAKE GUESS
The Outlaw: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve MURDERED
The Vulpine: 0 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Husky: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Gorilla: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Devil: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve
The Mocking Bird: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Dragon: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve MAGICALLY KILLED
The Sheep: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Sturgeon: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve
The Direwolf: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve GUESSED AS COURT JESTER
The Snake: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Goose: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Eagle: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve MURDERED
The Phoenix: 3 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve

It is now the voting phase.
24h remain. No voting again as there is only one player.

[Bluedetroyer]

/skip

[dota2reporter]

/skip

[dota2reporter]

ohhhh man final 2

good luck blue!

[Bluedetroyer]

ohhhh man final 2

good luck blue!

yeah

[Bluedetroyer]

gl to you too

[destawaits]

Oh, it's all coming together

I simply don't have the denies to stall you guys out

How are you still alive, Sturgeon

/skip to my death, I should've died a long time ago

[Blackajack]

The Devil's Execution.

Spoiler: "It was close." the Devil remarked to himself. So very close. Within touching distance. Not now, however.

The three grouped together in the expansive hall. The large weight of the room in stark contrast to the remaining players. Each word echoed with vigor across the empty hall. Looking around, immediately noticed is the distinct lack of a certain element - the staff themselves. The staff has seemed to vacate the halls after the incident with the Goose. Good reason, I suppose. Across the hall only one other figure was in the room excluding the players - the executioner. He did not have his axe out; perhaps too early to assume he would not need it. Then again, enough points had been made. Loss equalled death. There was no alternative.

Soon after, the Devil exits the hall, the executioner acting as his guide. Perhaps with some sense of loss, the Devil's eyes wondered for the last time around the mansion. Staircases and tapestries with smooth oak finishes. On occasion, a few staff members gave their final bow to the Devil. The Devil perhaps returned the gratitude for their service. And as quickly as they each met, the nameless servants hailed goodbye. The Devil passes down the hallways, occasionally thanking each supposed 'doll'. Each of them might've had dreams too. At least they get to see their own.

As before, the executioner lead the Devil down the deceptively maze-like basement. A series of fine and final wine barrels and excess equipment was scene on the way down. Would've been great to live long enough to try it. Not to say the stay was regretful; but that it was sad it was over.

And so, the two reached the basement. The final stop. The crooked mechanisms and rash tools oddly accompanied the crafting equipment. What seemed to be fresh blood adorned an iron maiden in the corner. Crude and horrible perhaps. But the visage of, what can assume to be Eliza, gave it a sense of elegance with death. Questionably, should death be elegant? There are many instances which prove otherwise. Yet...

The two exchange little in terms of words. Silence is the best response to shame. Opens the mind. Escapes the heart. Purifies the bone. And so, from shame comes finality and then acceptance. However, the Executioner did motion forward. Perhaps the Devil may choose. Hmm.

The quickest death perhaps would be preferred, but there is a strange morbidity and fascination with the cruellest one. The iron maiden seems recently used, but the pulleys to the right of the room seems unused and unappreciated. Might as well make the rope work for the kill. The Devil refers to this device, which comes slowly to the executioner. Perhaps he's surprised he picked a crueller option for himself. Not that he'd refuse.

The Devil escapes his place in the world and takes off his mask. The sleek, red wood joined the vibrant colours of the wall. And so, the second stranger walk forward to his death.

But as the Devil's life ebbs while his screams rock the hall, let us pay attention to the masks themselves. For perhaps they were the true player.

What does a mask mean? A physical one? Mentally? Spiritually, perhaps? What is there to hide from nobility but the truth? Perhaps the truest and cruellest representation of society. Perhaps towards a self-acceptance. Ambiguous to dignity. Who is someone, but the mask they wear? Would someone discard themselves over and over just for a chance? Did they believe they might win? That their misfortune would lead to gamblers fallacy? Or did they just find it fun? A certain wolf would argue. Perhaps it's just for fun. Perhaps it's for someone's fun. Who's? Why not everyone? Everyone has fun.

Does this mean anything at all? Is the pursuit of fortune good enough for sacrificing truth? Is the world that cruel? Or is the world that honest? How open is reality? How open are we right now? Are we real? Do we think we are real? Do we think we exist? Or is it just the masks. The masks, which have no life of their own. The masks, that hold only memories and never of themselves. A mask which holds no meaning until observed. Or better yet, defined? Do we define this world? Or does the world define us? Is it both? Or curiously, is it neither? Can we no longer be defined? What is human, by that extent? Is human 'real'? Is human our 'definition'? But human has no definition.

Our arrogance asks us this question again and again. Reality within dis-reality. Mortality within immortality. But nothing lasts forever. Supposedly. But our own knowledge does not last forever. So is our concept of forever, 'forever'?

...Anyway. The masks. Yes.

They are nice, I suppose.

The Devil has been executed

The Fairy: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve FAILED A DEATH STAKE GUESS
The Outlaw: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve MURDERED
The Vulpine: 0 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Husky: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Gorilla: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Devil: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Mocking Bird: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Dragon: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve MAGICALLY KILLED
The Sheep: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Sturgeon: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve
The Direwolf: 0 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve GUESSED AS COURT JESTER
The Snake: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve POISONED
The Goose: 1 Deny/ 0 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve EXECUTED
The Eagle: 1 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 0/1 Reserve MURDERED
The Phoenix: 3 Deny/ 1 Switch/ 1/1 Reserve

Our doors close. A little closer, and they will shut.

It is now the dinner phase.
24h remain.