*** RULES ***

- Your objective is to rule Whiterun; to do this, you must eliminate your opposing faction.

- Gray-Manes are allowed 1 kill each night; they will win if they kill all pro-town roles, citizens, and the Dark Brotherhood associate

- Town will win if they kill all Gray-Mane-aligned members and the Dark Brotherhood associate

- The Dark Brotherhood is allowed 1 kill each night; she wins if she kills everyone else and is the sole standing survivor

- Each day phase, every Skyrim citizen must vote for whoever they think should be executed that day; this person will die and no longer be a part of the game.

- In the event of a tie in the number of votes at the end of dayphase, there will be an extended period of 1 hour for players to change their votes, should they wish to do so; if at the end of the extended period the tie still persists, BOTH players will be lynched; if a player missed the original voting deadline he will NOT be able to cast his vote during the extended period.

- You cannot miss two vote; should this happen, you will be immediately removed from the game, and lynch will still commence based on voting.

- You are NOT allowed to make public the message sent you by the writers to tell you your role, either entirely or in part; should this happen you will be removed from the present game and possibly future editions as well. You can share what your information means, but you cannot share exact text.

- Once you're dead, you're dead. Do no talk about the game to still active players, or post in the forum thread. This will be considered an act of influence upon the remaining players, and will get you banned from future games. We all like to have fun, and play by the rules, so please keep that in mind.

***********

Order of Night Time Activities:

- Jarl Balgruuf
- Pro-Whiterun secret role 1
- Pro-Gray-Mane secret role 1
- Healing
- SK Kill
- Mafia Kill
- Pro-Whiterun secret role 2
- Investigation
- SK mind-controlling ability

In the year 201 of the 4th Era, the territory of Skyrim began a descent into political turmoil.  The High King of Skyrim, King Torygg, was killed in a duel with Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of the city of Windhelm.  Nord tradition holds that in the event that the title of High King is left unfilled, the Jarls from the nine Holds in Skyrim join in a gathering known as the Moot, in which they elect a new High King.

But these are not normal times, and the stakes in Skyrim's election have rarely been higher.  In 175, after a lengthy war, the Empire of Cyrodiil accepted surrender terms to the Elven Thalmor Dominion.  Among its terms for surrender, the Emperor of Cyrodiil agreed that the people in its nation would ban worship of the god Talos within the polytheist pantheon of Gods worshipped by its citizens, including the people of Skyrim.

Since then, many citizens of Skyrim, led by Ulfric Stormcloak, have begun to take arms in protest of the peace agreement.  Unwilling to accept the erasing of core religious beliefs, Ulfric began his push to replace High King Torygg as High King of Skyrim.  Following the duel with Torygg, Ulfric began vying for the position of High King.

Unwilling to accept allowing Skyrim to break its tenuous peace agreement with the Thalmor, Cyrodiil began its own political venturing into Skyrim.  Meanwhile, Cyrodiil pushed its support behind King Torygg's wife, Queen Elisif of Solitude, in an effort to rally the Nords behind a ruler who would be ameniable to the Empire's objectives.

Of the nine holds to vote in the Moot, both Jarl Elisif and Jarl Stormcloak have so far each received their pledged support from four holds.  Only one Jarl, Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun, has hesitated to voice his support for either side in the campaign.  As the time until the Moot draws near, both the Stormcloak rebels and the Imperial Legion have grown anxious and impatient to discover the fate of Skyrim.  Unless the scales are tipped toward one side, the fate of Skyrim may rest in the hands of one man.

************************

Meanwhile, the quaint Gray-Mane home was abuzz with activity, as the Gray-Mane family listen to another family squabble.  Eorlund Gray-Mane had long attempted to quell the Gray-Mane call for action against the Battle-Born clan.  Eorlund had already lost one son in the Stormcloak Rebellion.  He didn't want to risk losing another.

"We still aren't even sure who Balgruuf is supporting for High King.  He could still support Ulfric.  You could be risking the lives of your family members in vain!"

The Gray-Mane family had long felt shamed by the Empire's peace accord with the Thalmor Dominion.  When Ulfric Stormcloak first manifested, the Gray-Mane relations with their former Battle-Born comrades had long fallen apart.  Though not as rich a family as the Battle-Born clan, the Gray-Manes were still well-respected in Whiterun, despite their fervent support for the Stormcloaks.  Although they had never taken overt violent action within Whiterun in support of the Stormcloaks, the growing ferocity of violence outside Whiterun made the call for violence inside House Gray-Mane louder by the day.

"No, we know about it."  Avulstein Gray-mane, son of Eorlund Gray-Mane, retorted.  "I have... a contact... who's informed me that Balgruuf hasn't been completely honest.  He's playing us for fools, Father... biding his time so he can cast a vote for the Empire without having to answer to us.  Every other Jarl has voiced their support one way or another.  The fate of Skyrim rests in his hands, and he's holding off.  He's either a traitor or a coward."

"Or perhaps he simply hasn't decided yet.  The wise are sometimes not so quick to come to a conclusion."

"Then perhaps it's time to make him decide."

"We still have his ear.  Given enough talk and enough time-"

"No!  No more counsels, Father!  We've prayed and delayed long enough as it is!  The Empire's bound to bring more troops into Skyrim, not only to deal with Ulfric, but with the recent dragon attacks.  Every moment we wait is another moment the Empire can muster more troops, all the while Jarl Blagruuf plays us for fools!"

"Even if so... why like this?  This isn't our way.  This isn't the Nord way.  We're honorable warriors!"

"Is it the Nord way to reject Talos?  Is it the Nord way to bow to the whims of the Thalmor?  I don't like it as much as you do, father... but we're not exactly in a position to march into Dragonsreach and challenge Balgruuf to a duel.  Sitting in Whiterun waiting isn't going to help.  This is the only way."

Eorlund paused for a moment.  He knew his son had the right intentions at heart, though he was so head-strong in his ways.

However, the type of war they were about to endeavor in had been foreign to the Nords.  Nord warriors, incluing Ulfric himself, had long favored open, honorable combat.  Quiet elimination of enemies during their sleep wasn't simply wrong... it would forever be a stain on the honor of the Gray-Mane family, a family which had long been held in such high prestige throughout all of Skyrim.  He knew that crossing into this path may forever erase the image of the Gray-Manes as the crafters of the best steel in Skyrim, replaced only by the memories of the bloodshed caused here.  Even if they succeeded, Ulfric may still have found their activities reprehensible.  No matter who won... the Gray-Manes would lose.

Still, he thought... perhaps the Gray-Manes were insignificant in the greater good.  This conflict was more than simply a feud between two families.  The fate of Skyrim was in their hands.  A family name could be a small price to pay to save the Nord people from the Thalmor's subjugation.

"Fine... we will do what we must... for Skyrim.  May Talos protect us."

**********************

"My Jarl, I come to seek another audience with you."

As the head of the wealthy Battle-Born family, Olfrid's family had long been staunch supporters of Cyrodiil's empire.  With the Empire's dire needs in Skyrim, the Battle-Born family became anxious to ensure that the Empire remained unified, doing what they could to shore up support in its military endeavors against Ulfric Stormcloak and his rebels.  And that meant frequent consultations with their local ruler, Jarl Balgruff of Whiterun.

Jarl Balgruuf had long grown impatient with Olfrid.  "If you're here for what I think, you can save your breath, Olfrid."

"We're far past the time for indecision.  While you wait to come to a decision, Ulfric is preparing to take matters into his own hands."

"I've heard your pleas, Olfrid.  They don't fall on deaf ears.  But even if I agreed with you, publicly voicing my support would do nothing but force the losing faction into desperation."

"Ulfric only needs one more Jarl to be declared High King.  All he has to do is replace one Jarl, and Skyrim's fate will be sealed.  And it will be on your head."

"For the last time, I will not provoke a war that will plunge Skyrim into darkness.  When the Moot meets, my voice will be heard.  A new High King will be elected, and we will be able to move on.  Skyrim can wait until then."

"If you think Ulfric or the Empire will simply walk away because of some silly vote, you're as naive as the Gray-Manes!"

"Enough!  This audience is finished."

Olfrid bowed, then turned and left Dragonsreach.  As he left,  Balgruuf turned to his steward, Provencius.

"How long must we wait until the Moot finally convenes?  I can't hold this tide back forever."

"If we provoke Ulfric by announcing our position in advance, the Moot will make little difference."

Jarl Balgruuf let out a sigh as he continued to wait for the coming storm.

**********************

Deep in an underground cavern near the Hold of Falkreath, the Dark Brotherhood was quietly at work on their own machinations.  Having a time-honored tradition of performing contracted assassinations, the Dark Brotherhood could often be found somewhere when political turmoil existed in Tamriel.  Hundreds of years ago, the Dark Brotherhood was at the pinnacle of its fame, having formerly killed an Emperor.

Today, their call to shape the world comes once again, as a young woman in red and black leather passed through the doors barricading the cavern entrance, entering a large room surrounded with shelves, supplies, and uniforms.  In the center of the room, a small girl wearing a blue dress leaped from a chair, running toward her friend.

"Astrid!  Welcome back!  How was the meeting with the new client?"

"Very... interesting.  He had a rather... unique job for us.  Well paying, of course... but a challenge."

"Oh?  A challenge, you say?"

"You're aware that the Moot is meeting soon to elect the new High King, of course."

"Of course I'm aware... Does anyone in Skyrim talk of anything else?  Always politics... it's frankly all become a bit of a bore..."

"Yes, dear.  However, if we're successful in this job, this one may be slightly more interesting."

"Oh?"

"Skyrim has 9 holds voting in the Moot.  Currently, 4 votes are supporting Ulfric, and 4 supporting Elysif... leaving only Whiterun undecided.  Our client... doesn't want Whiterun voting."

"Oh?"

"If Whiterun has some recognized ruler to go to the Moot, somebody can be declared High King of Skyrim.  Our employers... don't want that.  Our employers like Skryim fighting amongst itself... so they don't have to march into Skyrim on their own."

"And how, exactly, did you suggest we proceed to wipe out a town's population without getting noticed?"

Astrid smiled coyly.  "Well, since you mention it... we do need someone who would be able to be in a town... possibly for a few days... in the open... without arousing suspicion."

The little girl batted her eyes a few times.  "Oh, but what could I possibly do to hurt any of those nice people in that town?  I'm just a little lost girl!"

Astrid smiled, and began to turn away.  "Enjoy yourself!"

The little girl briefly straightened her hair, then brushed off the dirt on her dress.  Relatively presentable, she then turned to the cavern entrance, and left where Astrid entered the chamber.

Oh, and that's it for sign-ups.  I'll get a final list set and we can start the setup.

Signups will be closed in 12 hours.

Okay.  It's half the size of the United States, a nation that's almost entirely inhabitable, aside from Flint's house.  Satisfied? 

... told you, Hydro

> BeoWolfe wrote:

> In other news, Saddam Hussien has weapons of mass destruction and North Korea too has nukes. 

Can I just flat out say, "Who gives a rip."  Honestly, whether they can make them or not they can certainly Fed-Ex one in from China or Russia.  How does them having home made nukes make them anymore dangerous they having bought nukes?  This is all just a pissing contest.  Everyone threatens military action if Iran pursues a nuclear program... they pursue a nuclear program.  So then everyone says... "erm ok, well if you are going to pursue nuke we really really mean we will do something if you show you can make nukes."  So Iran shows - hey we can make nukes.  So now everyone sits around and says "Well ok... although we haven't done anything, we really, really, really mean we will do something if you can come up with a delivery system."  This will go on forever until Iran actually nukes someone (which may never happen), but politicians will still try to make hay by doing nothing.

1: It's easy for an American or European not to notice... but if you were Iranian, you would never say that we haven't actually done anything to Iran.  Iran's oil exports have dropped in half.  It's currency is worth 1/5 of what it was before the oil sanctions took effect.  Long story short, Iran's buying power is significantly hampered, and the people (the same people that would be the sponsors of protests similar to those in Egypt, Libya, or Syria) are the exact same people who feeling the harm of the nuclear policy and the backlash resulting.

2: Yes, there are absolutely dangers from an Iranian nuclear weapon.  Let's assume for a moment that Iran is 100% truthful in stating it has no aggressive thoughts toward Israel (so, in short, remove the possibility that an Iranian nuke -> Iranian bombing of Israel).  There are larger consequences to consider.

First, there's the NPT.  The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is an effort to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation and, in the long run, move toward the significant reduction of their importance in international militaries.  And for good reason.  Remember, in a nuclear war, there are very rarely winners (unless one nation has an incredible technological and strategic edge over the other, particularly by being able to destroy the other's nuclear weapons preemptively).  Thus, the only defenses against a nuclear assault are deterrence (the threat that an attack on you will be met with overwhelming nuclear force) or preemption (a military strike against a target's nuclear facilities).  Deterrence is obviously the preferred method, but that requires one party have long-standing dealings with the other party, and slowly develop the trust that the other party has motivations which would make deterrence work.

That's easy to do for 9 nuclear nations.  It's easy to do for 10 nuclear nations.  However, as each new nuclear nation joins the nuclear weapons club, it is nearly impossible to get that nation to fully disarm their nuclear weapons (so far, only South Africa has ever de-nuclearized, and that was not really as a result of outside pressure on the nuclear issue). 

So why does that matter?  There are two independent reasons why an Iranian nuclear weapon would encourage other nations to build nuclear weapons.

First, there's the pragmatic justification.  Iran is the only Persian Shiite nation in a primarily Arab Sunni world.  And quite frankly, if you think the Protestant-Catholic animosity during the Reformation was tense... that has nothing on the Shiite-Sunni conflict.  Remember, Iraq's sectarian violence has largely been defined along the Shiite-Sunni religious lines.  There should be very little reason why, as a result of an Iranian nuclear weapon, other nations, such as Saudi Arabia or Jordan wouldn't feel the need to acquire a nuclear weapon.

From there, it's a simple chain.  Nations without enemies generally don't build nuclear weapons.  However, by merit of them having enemies, their enemies feel that to prevent the threat of annihilation, they MUST obtain nuclear weapons to counter the threat.  The USSR built them to counter us.  England and France to counter the USSR.  As Israel built its own, it's attacked potential proliferation threats from Syria, Iraq, and now Iran.  There's absolutely no reason that, following an Iranian development of a nuclear weapon, the enemies of Iran would not begin to worry about the threat of nuclear weapons, and respond in kind with their own proliferation.  Each added proliferation makes the art of international politics that much more delicate, until we're in the situation where every little dispute between nations has the potential to essentially be another Cuban Missile Crisis.

Second, and even more destabilizing than the first reason... letting new nations join the nuclear club generally destabilizes the legitimacy of the NPT.  Unless there is some significant threat or retaliation from any single nation joining the nuclear club, other nations considering joining would have little preventing them from doing so.  Seriously, if you were President of, say, Burma (a small East Asian government that the IAEA says did some early research into nuclear weapons), and you saw that the international regime set to prevent proliferation did absolutely nothing when faced with a nation that spent 10+ years developing their program with the international community well aware of the development... what's to prevent them from developing their own weapons?

I say this is a more destabilizing threat because, unlike the first scenario, this scenario can occur literally anywhere.  Through drastic efforts we may be able to prevent some regional nuclear wars from breaking out in particular areas.  However, nuclear weapons creeping up in more and more scenarios of the world just force such a delicacy in every single matter of foreign policy that, like with the alliances before WW1, a single spark could set off the chain.

linkie?

One problem with that, though: Since the federal budget comes from citizens of all 50 states, the economies of all 50 states support the federal budget anyway... so there's no basis to distinguish "this economy in the US is supporting military spending, that one isn't."

Still...

HOW COME ALL THESE GOOD DRAFT REQUESTS HAPPEN AFTER I ALREADY END UP IN A FAM?!?!?  BAH! 

> You_Fool wrote:

> Somehow I feel that these statistics are being used highly subjectively and with great bias.... I get the feeling I should look into it....

Also some quick questions, in general, how much of a state budget goes to defense/military? How much to Education and Healthcare? Do the different states vary with different parties in control?

State budgets to military spending?  Um... none.  The federal government pays for the US military.  The National Guard is also federally funded.  But yes, between states, there will be different funding for education/healthcare, along with local taxes.