The Traitor Game: The Dark Reign of Kulan Gath

[OverMaster]

Gath lifts his hand and caresses the young woman's chin with his bony index finger. “Ah, Holocaust, you could learn from this one. I plan nothing against these lands, girl. I have plans for each of you.”

Instinctively, she pulled back with a violent jerking of her body, twirling her sword and ready to do battle.

"Don't touch me again, wizard!" she warned. "Young as I may be, I was trained to fight from the moment I could walk! A member of the Ostian Royal House must always be fit in the ways of the war!"

"Do tell me, what do you gain from bringing us here? Sick amusement? Political leverage? Rich ransoms? Or all of those and more? I see no pattern between all of us, so I am sure we share no link leading you to a single venue of gain!"

[Joe Acro]

Chapter Two

“Within several hours, he conquered the island of Manhattan. He demanded human sacrifices to increase his magical power. Sacrificing children yielded the greatest increase. As his power grew, so did the spell. City to city, territory to territory, country to country, the dark reign of Kulan Gath went unabated and came to encompass the planet.

“The world conquered and his seat of power cemented, Kulan Gath demanded the sacrifice all of those that he deemed a threat. Thus, children were replaced with anyone who had extraordinary abilities. Gath found that these sacrifices were even more lucrative than those before.

“The sword of Red Sonja was found and she appropriately reincarnated, reborn again to repel this evil. But such a revival came too late. His power had grown too far. E'en she was no match for such might. He slaughtered her, taking from the world its designed savior.”


Kulan Gath motions to his advisor. “Vammatar, enough time has passed.”

She nods and calls forth to all those gathered. “Hear ye, all who wish to understand why you have been brought here. Lord Kulan Gath speaks!”

Silence creeps over the nineteen participants. Gath rises from his throne. A flash of energy leaves his hand, its intent unknown at first. He then folds clasps his hands behind his back and explains the purpose of these events.

“Welcome to the Traitor Game, champions one and all. For champions you are, well-regarded by the people of each of your homes. Just now, I have cast a spell to allow those people to view these events. They shall watch their champions compete for a high honor.

“In order to expand the empire, I am in need of a servant, someone to use as a focal point for a spell that will expand our borders across more worlds. Many of you hold malice toward me and would not willingly hold such a position. I have designed this game to force a winner, to find the best candidate, and make certain my reign extends as far as possible.

“This contest is called a Traitor Game, for it involves three among you to betray all else. You will kill everyone, one at a time, until no one is left standing. Should all three Traitors last to the end, they then duel in a battle to the death to claim the prize.

“The Traitors shall not be the only ones who can act. They will be met with opposition. Each of you will play an important part. Each of you will have a role. Vammatar shall now explain the details of the game itself.”

So she does, providing the details about rules and roles, death and voting, actions and reactions.

[Joe Acro]

The Roles:

Good
Masons--a group of players with no special ability. Their advantage is that they know who each other are. (All Masons are informed who is a Mason.) They have free reign to privately the discuss the game with each other (and only each other).--Imagine in-game that they have a telepathic rapport.

Veteran Prefect--may investigate one player each round. They ask about a player and learn their role. Only they know the result of their investigation.

Rookie Prefect--may investigate just like a Prefect. But, being a rookie, they are more prone to mistakes. So, what they are told is always incorrect. Still, they keep this information to themselves.

The Enchanted--a player who has been enchanted with the phrase "Whosoever kills this person will themselves die soon thereafter." If someone kills this player, that player dies alongside the next kill.

Good Samaritan--protects another player from being killed once per round. If that player should be attacked, the Good Samaritan dies in their place.

Independent
Censor--chooses one vote to be canceled during a round's voting.

Jester--works to get themselves voted out. If they are voted out, no matter what happens in the game afterward, they are counted among the winners.

Priest--protects one player from being killed per round. Cannot protect oneself.

Magistrate--protects one player from being voted out the next round. Cannot protect oneself.

High Magistrate--determines no one is to be voted out in a round. This ability can only be used once during the entire game.

Maverick--kills once a round. Can only win the game if they are the last person standing.

Noble--allowed to vote for two different people, with one in-game and one via PM.

Bad:
Traitors--a group of players with the ability to kill once a round. Preforms the same as it always has.

Corrupt Prefect--may investigate one player each round. They ask about a player and learn their role. Only they know the result of their investigation. However, being corrupt, they wish for the Traitors to win, even though they do not initially know who the Traitors are.

[Joe Acro]

Gameplay

1) At the start of every round, the Traitors and the Maverick each select someone to kill and how. They inform the host via PM and that information is then posted in-thread. The success or failure of these kills may be affected by other roles.

2) After the Traitors and the Maverick have attempted their kills, a voting round commences. All remaining players will vote for someone among them to be eliminated.

3) During the voting round, all those with non-killing roles may act. For example, if you are a prefect, now is the time to investigate. For another example, if you are allowed to protect someone from killing or voting, now is the time to tell the host.

4) At the end of the voting portion, the person with the most votes is removed from the game. If there is a tie, I will randomly choose who is banished.

5) The process starts over.


Important Game Elements

Death/Banishment--When players die or are banished, they will be sent to another area. There, each of them will partake in an important sidequest. The dead and banished cannot communicate with the active players.

Inactivity--Inactivity will be punished with an iron fist. If you're going to be inactive for any period of time, let me know. If you don't, I can't make the assumption that you will return on your own. What is considered inactivity? If you don't post for two rounds, you are considered inactive. After that point, your character will be eliminated (unless you've given me a good reason for the inactivity ahead of time, of course).

Player Duels--Returning this game are duels, a system that encourages players to fight one another. Does your character have some hostility toward another? Now he can unleash it without penalty. Each round, every player has the chance to challenge another person to a duel. There will only be one duel per round, so challenge them quick. Once the host recognizes that a duel has been declared, the challenger and defender (or challengee, if you want) each send me a number in the range 1-100. Whichever party is closest to the correct number for that round wins. The characters in the game will fight and the conclusion of the fight will end with the winning player's character being victorious. The winner gets immunity from that round's vote and the subsequent kill. The loser has their role revealed to all.

[Joe Acro]

“On a whim, he visited parts of his realm, taking stock of this new world. On a chance encounter to the area the locals once labeled 'The Everglades' Kulan Gath happened upon The Nexus of All Realities. Mystical probing allowed him to determine that this was a portal to other worlds, other Earths that had never heard of Kulan Gath. Not content with the empire in his possession, he would use the nexus to extend his spell and conquer those other Earths. One by one they fell, until he had taken twenty additional worlds. One and twenty worlds in total, changed, twisted, and corrupted into his vision of a perfect Hyborian Age. In doing so, he unknowingly puts all reality on the verge of oblivion.”

Kulan Gath waves his hand and speaks again. “Now that you have learned of the game, its roles and its process, I have flooded your mind with the information about your specific role.”

Vammatar motions to giant doors at the back of the coliseum. “One more treat.”

Two slaves roll out crucifix and the man attached to it. He is dressed in a tattered red and blue outfit.

Kulan Gath laughs. “Slaves, let down the Man-Spider. He is to be the first target of the Traitors. Let him know his killers before they slay him.”

[Joe Acro]

In the next few moments, I'll hand out roles. Traitors, your kill is due Saturday, March 24 by 10 PM EST.


Also here a few guidelines for the game. You don't have to abide by them, but it'll make play a lot smoother if you do.

God-Moding--No god-moding. Can I really enforce that? Not really. But people will complain and you might be held in contempt. It is definitely not recommended to go against this guideline.

Communication--If you suspect you know what role someone has, do not contact them privately for any reason. Well, unless you're a Mason. Then feel free to discuss it with other Masons. Masons are exempt from this rule. Otherwise, you can hint toward such information in-game. You can talk to other players outside of the game for purposes of coordinating stories or story elements.

Quoting--Some people have complained in the past regarding people quoting whole posts when responded to just a portion of it. It unnecessarily clutters up the page and sometimes makes it difficult to follow your train of thought.

[The Purple Skull]

Chapter Two

“This contest is called a Traitor Game, for it involves three among you to betray all else. You will kill everyone, one at a time, until no one is left standing. Should all three Traitors last to the end, they then duel in a battle to the death to claim the prize.

“The Traitors shall not be the only ones who can act. They will be met with opposition. Each of you will play an important part. Each of you will have a role. Vammatar shall now explain the details of the game itself.”

"So this is why you summoned us, sorceror? To make us unwitting pawns in your twisted game? And here I thought the Skull King was maniacal. But you...you can give him a run for that title."

Two slaves roll out crucifix and the man attached to it. He is dressed in a tattered red and blue outfit.

Kulan Gath laughs. “Slaves, let down the Man-Spider. He is to be the first target of the Traitors. Let him know his killers before they slay him.”

"What has this man done to warrant such a fate!"

[Deadpooligan]

"Tales are of no use if you don't have the power to back them up."

"Perhaps for one such as you, but I am more then you can ever imagine, woman."

"Believe me, Jenna, the magics that were "forced" on me were strong. I can still feel it inside of me. Trying to corrupt me again. I deserve quite honestly. This is my penance."

"This creature says many things. Whether they are truthful or not remains to be seen."

Jenna spits on the ground. "A pox on Holocaust and his horrid voice. I've always been a wordsmith in my own right, but such a talent is wasted on his ears. ...if he even has them."

This weakling is an arch demon?" Cassius asks, double taking. "Then what are we waiting for my fellow warriors? let us bust open his skull and dance covered in his taint!" James pulls out his war hammer and charges towards Kulan."

The Warrior stops him.

"It's not that easy. Green Jenna had already attempted a direct assault towards Kulan and was stopped. Our best bet right now is to wait and see what he wants."

A smirk is her first response.

"Should I be given lashes for wishing to see the clod face Gath, embattled using only the tools of one who farms the Earth?"

The giant clay figure would simply stand among the others, towering over almost all of the other people or things, or whatevers, that were summoned here, the magical fire within him, slowly releasing black as night smoke into the clouds. He listened for a bit, simply taking in the situation, and learning just a bit more about his newly found "Friends."

He would speak, his voice deep, yet childish, directing his voice towards the Djinn in the suit of armor, and the green skinned woman,

"Why do you two fight, when we have barely learned why we are here?"

Green Jenna looks up in shock, seeing the massive construct stand and speak to her.



"BY BUSCEMA'S BIG JOHN! I've never seen a golem so large!"

She cups her hands and calls out to him.

"Ho! Giant! This fiery one is an aggressor, I was but defending myself!"

[Deadpooligan]

“Welcome to the Traitor Game, champions one and all. For champions you are, well-regarded by the people of each of your homes. Just now, I have cast a spell to allow those people to view these events. They shall watch their champions compete for a high honor.

“In order to expand the empire, I am in need of a servant, someone to use as a focal point for a spell that will expand our borders across more worlds. Many of you hold malice toward me and would not willingly hold such a position. I have designed this game to force a winner, to find the best candidate, and make certain my reign extends as far as possible.

“This contest is called a Traitor Game, for it involves three among you to betray all else. You will kill everyone, one at a time, until no one is left standing. Should all three Traitors last to the end, they then duel in a battle to the death to claim the prize.

“The Traitors shall not be the only ones who can act. They will be met with opposition. Each of you will play an important part. Each of you will have a role. Vammatar shall now explain the details of the game itself.”

Jenna dismissively shoos Vammatar away as she explains the roles in one-on-one secrecy. She points an accusing finger at the would-be ruler of a score worlds.

"Hear me, Kulan Gath! I am no pawn of yours-- I am a master of my own fate! As soon as your Traitors are found, I will slay them, I will free myself of this game, and though I know not how, I will find a way to turn your spell in on itself!"

Vammatar motions to giant doors at the back of the coliseum. “One more treat.”

Two slaves roll out crucifix and the man attached to it. He is dressed in a tattered red and blue outfit.

Kulan Gath laughs. “Slaves, let down the Man-Spider. He is to be the first target of the Traitors. Let him know his killers before they slay him.”

"Man-Spider?! NO!"

She rushes to him, shoving Gath's slaves aside, cradling the super-hero in her arms as he falls from his bonds.



"I had wondered if you would be here, seeing the summoned and knowing your distaste for the sorcerer is a near second to my own. By the Goddess... look at what he has done to you...!"

With the cloth of her glove, she wipes some blood away from his face.

[mailedbypostman1]

Two slaves roll out crucifix and the man attached to it. He is dressed in a tattered red and blue outfit.

Kulan Gath laughs. “Slaves, let down the Man-Spider. He is to be the first target of the Traitors. Let him know his killers before they slay him.”

The Midnight Predator's eyes narrowed as he beheld the battered man.

"I care nothing for this game of yours. But you will be a long time dying for this one, Gath."

[Jeremi]

"Don't touch me again, wizard!" she warned. "Young as I may be, I was trained to fight from the moment I could walk! A member of the Ostian Royal House must always be fit in the ways of the war!"

"Do tell me, what do you gain from bringing us here? Sick amusement? Political leverage? Rich ransoms? Or all of those and more? I see no pattern between all of us, so I am sure we share no link leading you to a single venue of gain!"

Holocaust would give the girl a look over before addressing Gtah. "She has some bite, wizard. Though i can not see how she can back up her claims of combat." He'd step over and tower over the girl. "Perhaps she could be used as pest control?"

“Welcome to the Traitor Game, champions one and all. For champions you are, well-regarded by the people of each of your homes. Just now, I have cast a spell to allow those people to view these events. They shall watch their champions compete for a high honor.”

"A Traitor Game?!" Holocaust spat in anger. "I took you for a fool, but did not expect such poor judgement on your part!"

[I][FONT=Century Gothic]Kulan Gath laughs. “Slaves, let down the Man-Spider. He is to be the first target of the Traitors. Let him know his killers before they slay him.”

Holocaust would raise his eyebrow(?) when the Man-Spider was brought before them. "So this is the fabled Man-Spider, the scourge of Kulan Gath!" Holocaust started to move towards him. "He is feeble and small, a perfect nemesis for our would be captor."

[Joe Acro]

"What has this man done to warrant such a fate!"

A scowl forms upon the sorcerer's face. “His crime is of the highest order. This is what becomes of my enemies.”

The Midnight Predator's eyes narrowed as he beheld the battered man.

"I care nothing for this game of yours. But you will be a long time dying for this one, Gath."

"A Traitor Game?!" Holocaust spat in anger. "I took you for a fool, but did not expect such poor judgement on your part!"

"Hear me, Kulan Gath! I am no pawn of yours-- I am a master of my own fate! As soon as your Traitors are found, I will slay them, I will free myself of this game, and though I know not how, I will find a way to turn your spell in on itself!"

Kulan Gath hears these and other such pleas of insolence, but says nothing in return.

"I had wondered if you would be here, seeing the summoned and knowing your distaste for the sorcerer is a near second to my own. By the Goddess... look at what he has done to you...!"

With the cloth of her glove, she wipes some blood away from his face.

The Man-Spider coughs and manages a reply. He speaks a modern language none of those gathered had encountered before. "<Thanks for the concern, Shulkie, but it's Spider-Man. You know, friendly neighborhood and all that. You knew that once. You'll know it again. Not sure why I'm talking though, because you can't understand me, can you?>"

[OverMaster]

The Man-Spider coughs and manages a reply. He speaks a modern language none of those gathered had encountered before. "<Thanks for the concern, Shulkie, but it's Spider-Man. You know, friendly neighborhood and all that. You knew that once. You'll know it again. Not sure why I'm talking though, because you can't understand me, can you?>"

Asuna approached the fallen man curiously.

"What manner of man is this, dressed in such a way? And what language is he talking? It reminds me of the useless foreign babble from the Gray Islands my young teacher Negius tried to teach me."

She crouched down next to him. "Alas, if Yue, my wizard advisor, were to be here, she could heal your injuries with her spells. However, there is little I can do for you. Can you understand me? Nod if you do, will you?"

[Jabare]

[FONT=Century Gothic][I]

She nods and calls forth to all those gathered. “Hear ye, all who wish to understand why you have been brought here. Lord Kulan Gath speaks!”

Silence creeps over the nineteen participants. Gath rises from his throne. A flash of energy leaves his hand, its intent unknown at first. He then folds clasps his hands behind his back and explains the purpose of these events.

“Welcome to the Traitor Game, champions one and all. For champions you are, well-regarded by the people of each of your homes. Just now, I have cast a spell to allow those people to view these events. They shall watch their champions compete for a high honor.

“In order to expand the empire, I am in need of a servant, someone to use as a focal point for a spell that will expand our borders across more worlds. Many of you hold malice toward me and would not willingly hold such a position. I have designed this game to force a winner, to find the best candidate, and make certain my reign extends as far as possible.

“This contest is called a Traitor Game, for it involves three among you to betray all else. You will kill everyone, one at a time, until no one is left standing. Should all three Traitors last to the end, they then duel in a battle to the death to claim the prize.

“The Traitors shall not be the only ones who can act. They will be met with opposition. Each of you will play an important part. Each of you will have a role. Vammatar shall now explain the details of the game itself.”

'Oh This does sound good at all,' thought Elias. 'Traitors huh, and 3 at that. I'm not familiar with any of these warriors. Are there really 3 traitors among us or is the sorcerer merely trying to divide us?' Elias pondered

Kulan Gath waves his hand and speaks again. “Now that you have learned of the game, its roles and its process, I have flooded your mind with the information about your specific role.”

Elias pauses as his mind is instantaneously flooded with information. The aim of this contest now clear he has no questions. None that he expected the sorcerer to give a straight answer to at least.

Vammatar motions to giant doors at the back of the coliseum. “One more treat.”

Two slaves roll out crucifix and the man attached to it. He is dressed in a tattered red and blue outfit. Elias can smell the blood of his wounds from here.

Kulan Gath laughs. “Slaves, let down the Man-Spider. He is to be the first target of the Traitors. Let him know his killers before they slay him.”

A scowl forms upon the sorcerer's face. “His crime is of the highest order. This is what becomes of my enemies.”

The Man-Spider coughs and manages a reply. He says a few brief words in an unknown tongue.

Elias slowly makes his way over to the others and this so called Man-Spider. He does not get too close, still keeping a few feet from the others. Elias is still wary of this group. Best to stay in ear shot for now, but not to get to close. Elias had a feeling things were only going to get worse from here. He was about to speak and ask the Sorcerer to release him from this twisted game, when he caught himself. 'No better to play it safe for now. I was brought her for a reason, so I'll keep my peace until I find a means to escape from here. Wherever here is.' thought Elias.

[Indigo Al]

"Kulan Gath?" The Damsel of Bats raised an eyebrow. "The dark sorcerer who controls the world? This cannot be for anything good. He is a friend to no one, an ally only to ancient dark gods."

She looked around. "I see no sign of anyone else from the Justicar's Legion. I see no one I recognize here ... so far."

"The....L'zorril preserve us! Your voice! It is like The Oracle's! I have fought alongside the Justicar's Legion, Damsel of Bats, although you and I may hail from slightly different planes. If only those powerful warriors were among us..."