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Aug-16-2016 23:07

There will be 4 activities this week. All events start on Thursday, August 18, at 12:00 AM, SST. Three of the four events are continued from last week. Good luck. ;-)

1. Treasure Hunts - Week 2
This event lasts two weeks. You were given the instructions for this last week, so if you need to review them, please read the Second Week's Activities' thread. The scoring system HAS BEEN REVAMPED. All hunts are now worth 10 points, not 100. Teams receive 3 participation points for the FIRST six hunts they open and do one favor for in the correct categories. Once you have completed six hunts in the same categories as before, YOU ARE DONE. This activity ends on Wednesday, August 24th.

2. Scavenger Hunt - Week 2
This is the SECOND part of this event. You have one week to complete this activity. Please send a screenshot of your locker to Riza Hawkeye for verification purposes by Thursday, August 18, 12:00 AM, SST. All items on List #1 are INVALID after Wednesday, August 17, 11:59 PM, SST. You will be given a second list on the Sleuth Talk board. All items MUST BE COLLECTED IN ORDER, and screenshots must be sent to Riza as you collect each item. You have until Wednesday, August 24, 11:59 PM, SST, to complete this list.

3. Role Playing Essay Contest - Week 2
This event lasts two weeks. You were given the instructions for this last week, so if you need to review them, please read the Second Week's Activities' thread. Essays are due Wednesday, August 24, 11:59 PM, SST.

4. Twist/Closer Contest
This is a *TEAM* writing contest. One writer for your team is already assuming most of the responsibility for the Role Playing Essay, so DO NOT BUG THEM about this. The other 3 members of the team will submit ONE entry. Together, you will submit the idea and writing for ONE complete twist (and accompanying closer). Ideas and writing must be as fully detailed as possible. You must include descriptions of the twist's effects if necessary (gain faction standing, trigger Larry the Toe, etc).

Aug-25-2016 00:55

The other suspect had been the victim's fiance until two months before. She had lived with the fiance and his family on an estate until she had called off the wedding. He had said that the fiance had kept some of her belongings, including a cherished teddy bear. He claimed that she had kept his own prized sheepdog. They had arranged to meet in the hotel's bar to work things out. "Did he actually arrive at the bar?"

"He did," Sophie nodded, "and he stayed there for more than three hours, until the ruckus of her death caused him to flee the premises."

"You don't think it was the fiance?" Sindy asked.

"Not if the bartender puts him there all three hours," I looked to Sophie to confirm and Sophie nodded in consent. "So if my fiance turned up dead, I'd run like a coyote with my tail between my legs too. No, I'm much more interested in the owners of the horse."

"That would be the Swiss," Sindy chimed in.

"The Swiss? Really?," I asked dubiously.

"Yes, they wanted more practice time and thus moved the horse of their rivals, the British, into their own suite."

"Did you find out who volunteered to move it?"

"Yes, Otto Pfister and Georges Miez."

"Only 2?"

"Yes, apparently they are quite strong."

"Hmm, and it took 4 of the lieu's men to even lift it. But that explains the banana peel."

"The banana peel?" Alex asked, confused.

"Yes," I turned back to Sindy, "Did they say anything about bumping into someone?," I asked her.

"As a matter of fact, one of them did mention bumping into a waiter coming down the stairs as they were coming up."

"That's how it happened," I cut in. "They were bringing it up the stairs; one bumps into a waiter bringing a tray downstairs, he suddenly can't find his footing, trips over a lady also coming down the stairs, drops the horse, and the unfortunate lady is underneath. He tries to regain his footing and his grip and drops it a second time, breaking the unfortunate lady's neck. All from one banana peel," I finished.

Aug-25-2016 00:56

Three days later, the martinet lieu hadn't found bupkus. I related the story to him in his office as he knocked back whiskey after whiskey, none of which he shared with me. “A banana?!” he said aghast. “the Swiss team?!!” he was incredulous. But this is 1924. We have LAWS!!” he thundered.

“It was an accident,” I cut him off. “Something you normally see on stage or from Charlie Chaplin.''

"Oooh, we love him," the lieu swung his arms expansively.

"Great, but it means my client is off the hook."

"Yes, yes, but I want you and your team out Paris by the end of the week."

"Great, because we're heading to Yugoslavia. Something about a mime convention."

Aug-25-2016 01:03

(By the way, Judges, please excuse Luc's tardiness and any typographical errors you may find. I'm serving as his secretary, and my stenography is not always the best. Thank you. ;-)
Breit

Aug-25-2016 01:27

(And P.S. -- Devi asked to resubmit her entry on behalf of Chariots. I said sure. Thank you. ;-)

B.

Aug-25-2016 02:04

I think everyone has done a great job with all the writing. However I was under the impression that RP could only be 2000 characters, in other words one message board post? Sorry if I misunderstood :)

Aug-25-2016 03:08

I think the restriction was 2000 characters indeed - but maybe the judges could make an exception or take into consideration that even the best RP-ers have trouble with a 2000 word limit :)

Aug-25-2016 03:27

The judges could also take into consideration that other teams probably had to cut quite a bit of good material to adhere to the 2000 CHARACTER limit. Two thousand WORDS would have been a breeze. But hard on the judges' eyes.

I know we had to edit out quite a bit of good stuff and I'm sure the other team did as well. A few lines over? Sure. A few paragraphs? Maybe not.

But all we can do is voice our opinions and leave it to the judges to make their decisions. I wish them luck as this will be a very hard one to judge.

Thank you for taking on the challenge. I hope you enjoy the stories. :)

Aug-25-2016 03:28

Also, my compliments to the Twists and Closers. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them, but I think Autumn and Sleuth Sindy did an excellent job on them. No matter what, you've all shown some great writing skills and that's what's important!

I do hope you keep this level up for the upcoming intro contest - can't wait to read those as well!

Aug-25-2016 04:15

Congratulations to ALL of the teams for their hard work in the Role Playing and Twist/Closer Contests!! Fantastic job, everyone!! ;-D

Breit

Aug-25-2016 04:36

I messaged Breit about whether 2000 was a limit and she said it wasn't. She didn't want people to submit 5000 character pieces, but over 2000 was ok. But she should be the one to clear things up about this.