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[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.))
((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.))
I'm thinking of a number between one and a hundred. ONE of you, try and guess it.
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.
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.
...
[Looks at Robin. Looks back at the dragon.]
That's not a game!
[Looks at Robin. Looks back at the dragon.]
That's not a game!
The other team was closer. You'll have to wait for their message.
What-- what does he think we are, some kind of guinea pigs to be used for his own amusement?!
Usually he thinks of us as dinner so this might actually be a step up.
Or down, I can't decide.
[shrugs and takes a seat in his nice 'cage']
Or down, I can't decide.
[shrugs and takes a seat in his nice 'cage']
... How can you be so calm ... you're the one who's in danger, you know!
Cuz last time I freaked out a bunch of people got murdered TRYING TO PROTECT ME!
I'll be alright no matter what happens.
It's just pain.
It's just pain.
"Just" pain...
You've got to be either some kind of hard-boiled guy or lying through your teeth to say something like that.
You've got to be either some kind of hard-boiled guy or lying through your teeth to say something like that.
Well what choice do I have here?
I'm sure I'll freak out plenty when we get to the pain part if that makes you feel better.
I'm sure I'll freak out plenty when we get to the pain part if that makes you feel better.
Why would that make me feel better...
Whatever the case.... All we can do for now is wait.
No matter which way we go, someone's going to get screwed.
We have to pick trust. I can take a burn.
I don't wanna lose a limb.
I don't wanna lose a limb.
Yeah, how about that.
It'll be fine. At worse, he dies. That, we know is fixable.
It'll be fine. At worse, he dies. That, we know is fixable.
Solid plan, except for the part where "a team that trusts a betrayer will lose its prisoner entirely". Are you ok playing the extremes?
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