GAME 22 - CARDINAL

[teamposts]

Comments

HOSTAGE

[virgitarian]

[One corner of this small cave room is separated by stalagmite bars. Your hostage is dropped into this corner by Dragon. If they have powers, they are depowered.]

((Hostages comment here so I know who you are! The hostage risks death and dismemberment. They can still speak to their team, but Dragon will act as though they are not there.))

Re: HOSTAGE

[brokenbird]

Seriously?!

PICK A NUMBER

[virgitarian]

I'm thinking of a number between one and a hundred. ONE of you, try and guess it.

Re: PICK A NUMBER

[protagerrant]

Six.

Re: PICK A NUMBER

[virgitarian]

The other team was closer. You'll have to wait for their message.

HOW TO PLAY

[virgitarian]

Today we'll be playing a simple game - one of the most simple games of all, known as the Prisoner's Dilemma, albeit slightly modified. Here's how to play:

Each team has one prisoner. I shall not acknowledge the prisoner during play.

Each team has been also matched against another. You'll be allowed to exchange a short correspondence with your opposing team. The team whose number is closer to the one I was thinking of goes first, then the other team, and then the first team again. At that point, both teams will decide whether to trust or betray one another.

Should both teams trust one another, their prisoners will each receive a burn.
Should both teams betray one another, their prisoners will each lose a limb.
A team that trusts a betrayer will lose its prisoner entirely.
But a team that betrays the trusting will not receive any punishment.

Re: HOW TO PLAY

[pitterpatteroftinyfists]

...

[Looks at Robin. Looks back at the dragon.]

That's not a game!

Re: HOW TO PLAY

[brokenbird]

Is to him.

Re: HOW TO PLAY

[protagerrant]

No matter which way we go, someone's going to get screwed.

A MESSAGE

[virgitarian]

"Purple flowers trust you. Answer back."

Re: A MESSAGE

[brokenbird]

Iris, huh.

Re: A MESSAGE

[brokenbird]

Or is it lilac.

Re: A MESSAGE

[pitterpatteroftinyfists]

Does it actually make a difference?

Re: A MESSAGE

[protagerrant]

... I kind of believe them. You want to risk it?

YOUR REPLY

[virgitarian]

I'll pass along a reply of up to six words.

Re: YOUR REPLY

[protagerrant]

'These birds trust you, too."

THE LAST MESSAGE

[virgitarian]

"If lying, will punch."

Re: THE LAST MESSAGE

[pitterpatteroftinyfists]

...

Re: THE LAST MESSAGE

[brokenbird]

[laughs~~]

Well, that seals it for me.

Re: THE LAST MESSAGE

[protagerrant]

I think I like these guys.

DECISION

[virgitarian]

Trust or betray?

Re: DECISION

[pitterpatteroftinyfists]

... Trust.

OUTCOME

[virgitarian]

[A small burst of dragonfire enters the cage. It seems the other team trusted you. Afterward, the bars lower and the hostage is free to rejoin the team.]

((Burn can be wherever you want it. It's painful and is going to leave a large, nasty scar, but it's certainly not fatal.))

Re: OUTCOME

[virgitarian]

One last thing.

Ask me politely and I'll confirm which the other team was.

Re: OUTCOME

[brokenbird]

[OW OW OW OW MY BACK curls in on himself, hissing in pain]