EMERALD

[dramatispersonae]

[Unlike with previous games from Lancelot, the room today is sparse … and cold, as if this is a place where some of the remaining winter hasn’t left (though surely that has nothing to do with the Snow Queen …)

Instead of wine, bread, and meat, there is dirty water, some berries (that are safe to eat), and some other plants that clearly have been picked off a plant.

There is nowhere to really sit except the cold, hard ground.]

Comments

ROUND ONE

[dramatispersonae]

In the past, I betrayed my oath to my king. I was not truly loyal to him, not as I was meant to be. Did you know … we were friends when we were young, though perhaps not as young as many of you? We came to be brothers. And still, I hurt him. I broke that vow.

So I must ask you, Aather. What are the sins … or crimes … of your team? Please list three.

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DISCUSSION

[fraternalorders]

...Ah.

I suppose we'll need to decide what we're considering crimes.

Re: DISCUSSION

[itsalluseless]

I've got a pretty clear idea of what mine are.

Re: DISCUSSION

[makearushforit]

... Have we done any crimes?

Re: DISCUSSION

[itsalluseless]

I can't really think of any crimes we've done as a team.

Re: DISCUSSION

[itsalluseless]

...Well.

SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

Please list only three. No more, no less.

Re: SUBMIT

[fraternalorders]

1. Hurting or failing our siblings in spite of our intentions
2. Procrastination
3. Excessive intoxication

ROUND TWO

[dramatispersonae]

When Arthur learned of my betrayal, of what I had done—he did nothing. A strong king in every way, but in the face of betrayal from a loved one, he could only stand by and do nothing. His mercy led his realm to despair; many others thought him to be weak.

They weren’t right. But they were correct in another way: I was deserving of punishment. A crime is not a crime without the punishment that follows, some might say, but some crimes are worthy of punishment.

Today, list three suggested punishments for any crimes, worthy crimes, perhaps even your own crimes.

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DISCUSSION

[itsalluseless]

Well, if the punishments can be for any crimes at all, there's no need for them to be serious.

Re: DISCUSSION

[makearushforit]

Like no more alcohol for the night?

SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

Three punishments here. No more, no less. They can be anything.

Re: SUBMIT

[itsalluseless]

1. No more alcohol for the night
2. Drinking enough water
3. Making a schedule for oneself

ROUND THREE

[dramatispersonae]

Surely you have all witnessed the importance of being held accountable. Would Camelot have been so cold, so burdened, had Arthur punished me correctly? Would the Snow Queen have experienced such misery?

Now, hold your other Aatherites accountable in the same way. So many crimes have surely come to pass that it is time for them to face it.

Tell me one team you find guilty, and the reason for that guilt.

And … tell me one team you find to be innocent. This is according to your own understanding, of course.

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DISCUSSION

[fraternalorders]

I definitely don't like this.

SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

One innocent team, one guilty team and the reason for that guilt.

Re: SUBMIT

[fraternalorders]

All teams are equally guilty and innocent. We don't think any one team is better or worse than another.

ROUND FOUR

[dramatispersonae]

Today, you have been accused twice, for being not guilty and rudeness. However, you were protected from these crimes, and you do not have to do penance.

The choices for penances are here.

I have been found guilty for not listening to reason, and I will do the penances suggested by Jasper:

1. For the crime of running tiresome and intrusive games, to only run cheerful and pleasant games from now on.
2. For the crime of being obsessed with his own self-judgment, to tell the story of his supposed crime, and to hear and accept someone else's judgment of him.
3. For the crime of betraying his friend, to apologize sincerely and actually accept the judgment of his friend in this instance, since it seems to be harder for him than any self-flagellating punishment we could give him. And to apply the energies he's no longer using to mentally punish himself to something productive, to find his king and remedy the damage he's done.

BONUS

[dramatispersonae]

What are ways you have dealt with the guilt in your past, in your memories? What if you betrayed a friend and destroyed something very important? How would you recommend making up for it, if not through the means here in this game?

Also, would you like your crimes to be public knowledge?

Re: BONUS

[itsalluseless]

...In my memories, I did in fact betray someone, leading to a great deal of destruction. It took me a long time, but I managed to reach her and apologise and in turn forgive her for her crimes against me. Ultimately that's much more important than penance or punishment - no matter how much you pay for your sins, you can't undo them. You can only accept what has been done and keep going.

As for that last question, I don't think Emerald's crimes are much of a secret anyway.

Re: BONUS

[fraternalorders]

I made certain I was thoroughly hated, and then I died. This was not the wisest course of action, as it served only to make things worse and was a crime in its own right. In Aather I've learned to try and communicate with the person I wronged about how to do things differently, and I'm working on penance with him.

Our crimes can be public knowledge if the rest of the team agrees.

Re: BONUS

[dramatispersonae]

Thank you. Please go to endgame.