The Syndicate

How do I choose? Alchemy is cool. Divination is cool. Natural magic sounds cool. Magic in general is pretty damn cool.
OK I'm going with divination

Vompatti wrote:

Mongoose wrote:

Vompatti wrote:The phrase “mad as a hatter” comes from the use of mercury in 19th-century hat-making.

OI! It's not time yet for Felt Mafia, k! Don't be giving away secrets and such, you rogue carpetbagger.

I only mentioned it because it was mercury/alchemy-related and thus on topic. Also I can hardly wait for felt mafia k

Awww, thanks, sug!!

I wish History of the Occult was an option.

Epignosis, you be sure to tell us if your wife is evil once again with those spouse tingling skills of yours, okay? Lol

Boogs wrote:Yay Dom is playing! Hiya Blooper Scooper also

Hiya back!

Theosophy!

My second choice was Natural Magic and no one else has voted for that either yet. For shame!

3 And lo, on the Day before the Dawn, the Knowledge-Seeker surveyed the Seven, and in his wisdom, raised up that which was arcane above the others. Let it be known.

Since it is Day 0 and people are still checking in, there is no penalty for missed votes today. In the future, however, missed votes will have consequences that may not be readily apparent.

With the students equally split between wanting to study Alchemy and Divination, and only Keterman voting alone as a non-conformist, alphabetical order was allowed to prevail.



Arguably the most obscure of all occult areas of study, alchemists could rarely agree even with each other over what it was they were up to. For some, alchemy was the antecedent to chemistry, a way of exploring the natural sciences and an understanding of physical laws. Isaac Newton was passionate about his study of alchemy, although this is mostly forgotten in favor of his contributions to gravitational theory, laws of motion and optics.

Most people are familiar with alchemy’s promise to transmute lead into gold using the fabled “philosopher’s stone”, but this was only one of several goals, the others being the creation of an elixir of eternal life, and the age old problem of “squaring the circle,” a mathematical impossibility.

The transmutation of metals required the combination of sulfur, mercury, and salt, each representing one of the classical elements. Naturally, it was not as simple as this, with alchemists being careful to stress that these were not the ordinary forms of mercury, sulfur, and salt, but an ever-unspecified archetype of these elements.

Alchemical texts were written as purposely obscure and metaphorical to prevent “the unworthy” from diving their secrets. Unfortunately, this also prevented “the worthy” from learning much either, and the alchemists frequently misunderstood one another. The extensive use of metaphorical language led many to believe that these writings were not about chemical processes at all, but rather spiritual ones.

The transmutation of lead into gold can be reimagined as the elevation of a base, unenlightened mind to the lofty realms of spiritual perfection through study, prayer, and meditation.

Later scholars have also theorized that alchemical texts were actually sex manuals in disguise. SInce the topic was taboo to talk about in plain language, alchemists used metaphor to describe the sexual act, with substances like sulfur and mercury representing bodily fluids, combined in the sublime act of procreation. The references to eternal life could be allusions to the creation of children to perpetuate one’s bloodline. But this is all conjecture.

Although alchemy is today scorned as a pseudoscience, its influence on modern chemistry has been profound, with its chief exponents like Nicholas Flamel, Theophrastus Paracelsus, and Cornelius Agrippa all making important contributions to medicine and science in general.

For further reading, see A. E. Waite’s translation of a large number of impenetrable alchemical tracts under the collected title “The Hermetic Museum.”



Having heard all this, the group felt somewhat disappointed and no more enlightened. They had hoped to at least walk away with some gold. Now they were just as confused as when they came in. Frustrated, someone suggested they have a good old fashioned lynching to make themselves feel better, and this was generally agreed to be a sensible idea.

But whom to lynch? Whom, indeed?

Boogs wrote:Epignosis, you be sure to tell us if your wife is evil once again with those spouse tingling skills of yours, okay? Lol

Epi's opinions are not flawless.

Has everyone checked in yet or not?

thellama73 wrote:


Later scholars have also theorized that alchemical texts were actually sex manuals in disguise. SInce the topic was taboo to talk about in plain language, alchemists used metaphor to describe the sexual act, with substances like sulfur and mercury representing bodily fluids, combined in the sublime act of procreation. The references to eternal life could be allusions to the creation of children to perpetuate one’s bloodline. But this is all conjecture.

That must be a fun class in Hogwarts.

Seeing as how successful my top posters strategy was that one time, I checked the rankings. Vomps is currently our top poster this game.

Hedgeowl wrote:Seeing as how successful my top posters strategy was that one time, I checked the rankings. Vomps is currently our top poster this game.

That's rare.

Woudl you believe me if I todl you I'm highly enjoying this game so far and will most likely voluntarily be reading the thread, q.m.

Vompatti wrote:

Hedgeowl wrote:Seeing as how successful my top posters strategy was that one time, I checked the rankings. Vomps is currently our top poster this game.

That's rare.

Woudl you believe me if I todl you I'm highly enjoying this game so far and will most likely voluntarily be reading the thread, q.m.

I would because I know how much the occult means to you

even though we argue about alchemy often

I wonder, if divination had won out, could we have divined who the baddies are?

Yesterday I learned that Pompeii is the ancient ruins and Pompei is the modern city.

I've learned all kinds of things this week.

Alchemy can be dirty and nefarious, but I'm not certain those voters had info.

@Host - Did anyone have info?

Mongoose wrote: @Host - Did anyone have info?

What kind of info?

thellama73 wrote:

Mongoose wrote: @Host - Did anyone have info?

What kind of info?

That selecting a particular option would behoove (or alternatively harm) them.

OR that someone else selecting a certain option would behoove or harm that other person.

I love the word behoove.

Mongoose wrote:

thellama73 wrote:

Mongoose wrote: @Host - Did anyone have info?

What kind of info?

That selecting a particular option would behoove (or alternatively harm) them.

OR that someone else selecting a certain option would behoove or harm that other person.

No one (at least to my knowledge) has that kind of info. Players do, however, have info about their own roles and those of their BTSC partners, where applicable, if that helps.

I got the impression that this was a directional poll, not a rewarding poll. I could be wrong about that, but it was the impression I got. I am unlikely to vote for someone based on their vote in that poll.

At this point, only one thing is sticking out to me, and that is Hedgie implying she would consider voting for Vomps based solely on the number of his posts. That does not sit well with me, tbh. If i had to vote this second, i might vote there, but i don't so I won't. Maybe she was just joking?

S~V~S wrote:I got the impression that this was a directional poll, not a rewarding poll. I could be wrong about that, but it was the impression I got. I am unlikely to vote for someone based on their vote in that poll.

At this point, only one thing is sticking out to me, and that is Hedgie implying she would consider voting for Vomps based solely on the number of his posts. That does not sit well with me, tbh. If i had to vote this second, i might vote there, but i don't so I won't. Maybe she was just joking?

She said something similar at the start of last game (I think it was the one you modded), so it's at least consistent.

Did she? I followed the game in general, but don't recall specific posts, or keep track of affiliation. It just seems, like low poster talk, to be an easy way to not be accountable for your vote.

Did she vote based on that? And what was her affiliation?

Hedge was civ in that game, Sherry.

OK, thanks

Dom wrote:Hedge was civ in that game, Sherry.

SVS - ask Dom how he remembers so clearly.

But yes, I tried the top poster theory in wwe and it was mildly successful, but in the Hobbit, MP was the top poster Day 1 and I went with it and we got him, followed by 2 more of his teammates, so it felt like a successful start. That said, I don't know who I will vote for now, but couldn't resist teasing Vomps.

I still might vote a top poster k.

Hedgeowl wrote: SVS - ask Dom how he remembers so clearly.

4 And it came to pass that the Tilded One spake ignorance of the goings and comings of the Hedgeowl, even though, on the Third Day of WWE (cf., The Twenty-third of December in the Year of our Lord 2013), the Hedgeowl announced its intentions to search for evil among those who had oft spoken.

5 And in those days, the Tilded One had walked in the ways of evil (cf., The Fifteenth of December, in the Year of our Lord 2013, being a strong and mighty Big Show, working for the worshipers of Mammon.

Day 1 is always a poop shoot, and no one has raised either of my two lovely kitty eyebrows yet. I don't agree top posters always mean they are bad even if that ended up coincidently working in Hobbit for whatever reason.
Also I agree that I don't think it was a reward poll per se, but probably just where are we going type of thing like when Epignosis did X Men.

Epignosis wrote:4 And it came to pass that the Tilded One spake ignorance of the goings and comings of the Hedgeowl, even though, on the Third Day of WWE (cf., The Twenty-third of December in the Year of our Lord 2013), the Hedgeowl announced its intentions to search for evil among those who had oft spoken.

5 And in those days, the Tilded One had walked in the ways of evil (cf., The Fifteenth of December, in the Year of our Lord 2013, being a strong and mighty Big Show, working for the worshipers of Mammon.

Does SVS's alignment in that game have any meaning in this game?

Boogs wrote:Day 1 is always a poop shoot, and no one has raised either of my two lovely kitty eyebrows yet. I don't agree top posters always mean they are bad even if that ended up coincidently working in Hobbit for whatever reason.
Also I agree that I don't think it was a reward poll per se, but probably just where are we going type of thing like when Epignosis did X Men.

Boogs, I never said hello back to you! So, hello! <3


Why "probably"?

Dom wrote:

Epignosis wrote:4 And it came to pass that the Tilded One spake ignorance of the goings and comings of the Hedgeowl, even though, on the Third Day of WWE (cf., The Twenty-third of December in the Year of our Lord 2013), the Hedgeowl announced its intentions to search for evil among those who had oft spoken.

5 And in those days, the Tilded One had walked in the ways of evil (cf., The Fifteenth of December, in the Year of our Lord 2013, being a strong and mighty Big Show, working for the worshipers of Mammon.

Does SVS's alignment in that game have any meaning in this game?

Boogs wrote:Day 1 is always a poop shoot, and no one has raised either of my two lovely kitty eyebrows yet. I don't agree top posters always mean they are bad even if that ended up coincidently working in Hobbit for whatever reason.
Also I agree that I don't think it was a reward poll per se, but probably just where are we going type of thing like when Epignosis did X Men.

Boogs, I never said hello back to you! So, hello! <3


Why "probably"?

Hello Dom! Nice to see you not being devoured by the Negaverse

Probably because it seems most games I have played that is how it goes. But, I haven't played a Llama game so just assuming SVS was correct and agreeing.

Hm..

Well....I have to be the first to vote I guess. I will be working in the morning and won't have time for Mafia. Curse me if you want..I randomized . Lizzy.

Elohcin, do no doubt the great teacher one's sense of evil

Boogs wrote:Elohcin, do no doubt the great teacher one's sense of evil

Hm???

I was referencing this:

Elohcin wrote:

Boogs wrote:Epignosis, you be sure to tell us if your wife is evil once again with those spouse tingling skills of yours, okay? Lol

Epi's opinions are not flawless.

Boogs wrote:I was referencing this:

Elohcin wrote:

Boogs wrote:Epignosis, you be sure to tell us if your wife is evil once again with those spouse tingling skills of yours, okay? Lol

Epi's opinions are not flawless.

I understand.

Why the fixation on Elo?

Dom wrote:

Boogs wrote:I was referencing this:

Elohcin wrote:

Boogs wrote:Epignosis, you be sure to tell us if your wife is evil once again with those spouse tingling skills of yours, okay? Lol

Epi's opinions are not flawless.

I understand.

Why the fixation on Elo?

Just making a joke was all

Boogs wrote:

Dom wrote:

Boogs wrote:I was referencing this:

Elohcin wrote:

Boogs wrote:Epignosis, you be sure to tell us if your wife is evil once again with those spouse tingling skills of yours, okay? Lol

Epi's opinions are not flawless.

I understand.

Why the fixation on Elo?

Just making a joke was all

Now, just curious... what if Elo was lynched today...

how would you react?

Dom wrote:

Hedgeowl wrote: SVS - ask Dom how he remembers so clearly.

Epignosis wrote:4 And it came to pass that the Tilded One spake ignorance of the goings and comings of the Hedgeowl, even though, on the Third Day of WWE (cf., The Twenty-third of December in the Year of our Lord 2013), the Hedgeowl announced its intentions to search for evil among those who had oft spoken.

5 And in those days, the Tilded One had walked in the ways of evil (cf., The Fifteenth of December, in the Year of our Lord 2013, being a strong and mighty Big Show, working for the worshipers of Mammon.

^ whs

Also, while I think Epi has a great read on Elo in many games, I would be real impressed if he felt this early on that he could already tell.

Epignosis wrote:4 And it came to pass that the Tilded One spake ignorance of the goings and comings of the Hedgeowl, even though, on the Third Day of WWE (cf., The Twenty-third of December in the Year of our Lord 2013), the Hedgeowl announced its intentions to search for evil among those who had oft spoken.

5 And in those days, the Tilded One had walked in the ways of evil (cf., The Fifteenth of December, in the Year of our Lord 2013, being a strong and mighty Big Show, working for the worshipers of Mammon.

I feel like I'm at Mass. A much more amusing Mass that involves killing. Preacher Epi, why has our Lord and Savior suddenly enlightened you with this elevated speech, out of curiosity? It amuses and intrigues me so.

Also Great and Powerful Host, I just got Epi's first post about me. I am, in fact, a Lady Blooper

6 What speak you of a savior, when I spake only of a Lord? For our Lord is cruel and punishes those who walk in the paths of unrighteousness, stringing such a one up by his neck until the body be dead, dead, dead and then returning it to the red clay from whence it was drawn.

Epignosis wrote:4 And it came to pass that the Tilded One spake ignorance of the goings and comings of the Hedgeowl, even though, on the Third Day of WWE (cf., The Twenty-third of December in the Year of our Lord 2013), the Hedgeowl announced its intentions to search for evil among those who had oft spoken.

5 And in those days, the Tilded One had walked in the ways of evil (cf., The Fifteenth of December, in the Year of our Lord 2013, being a strong and mighty Big Show, working for the worshipers of Mammon.

I don't spend a lot of brain cells remembering everything everyone else does in a game if it does not impact me much. And that obviously did not. Unless I directly engage them, I don't carry baggage from game to game. Everyone evolves.

Was the person she killed via her high poster theory on my team?

And I believe badness/civvieness is to be determined by content, not post count. So I distrust anyone who bases votes on that alone. Pretty much always, and I can say this with firm conviction and without need of *not this game* linkis.

Also, I was having too much fun in that game sitting in a chatroom with Bass howling over some of the antics of the civvies.

That is what I mainly recall from that game. That and me & MP getting pissy with each other over distancing.

Epignosis wrote:6 What speak you of a savior, when I spake only of a Lord? For our Lord is cruel and punishes those who walk in the paths of unrighteousness, stringing such a one up by his neck until the body be dead, dead, dead and then returning it to the red clay from whence it was drawn.

Good ol' Old Testament!

I need to vote soon as well because I don't get up until 10, since I work late. I'm not inclined to vote Vomps, since he's active and contributing and I want to reward good behavior.

Gonna mull this over a bit and hope someone else posts.

I have to agree re Vomps, I will read back before work, and see who posted actual content, and who did not. I will probably vote based on that.

Other than Hedgie, did anyone actually recommend a Vomps vote?

I also don't want to vote for someone based on number of posts, but for their content. Unfortunately, upon re-reading the thread, there isn't much content to work with. Such is the course of Day 1, I suppose.

@S~V~S Not that I saw. It seems the people who actually responded to her did not want to swing that way vote-wise.

7 MovingPictures07 was on a journey to the temple, as was his custom. A shepherd observed him, saying "Traveler, the means of sending forth your seed has been severed."