[IC] The Echo Game! Something Different! Always Recruiting! Exclamation Marks!

[Aphelion]

Player #9- Nana
The man on the orange team was advancing rapidly towards the goal. He reared back his leg ready to shoot into the goal, when suddenly a whistle sounded. The officials said something that Nana couldn't hear and suddenly, the crowd went crazy. People were picking Nana up and cheering, calling her a hero! A man asked her to autograph his forehead...But what exactly had she done...?

@SpookySquid

Nana beamed with excitement as she was picked up and tossed about on the crowd's outstretched arms, but something made her stomach churn. Why was she a hero? What had she done? Where was she? She wrote her name in Kanji across the stranger's forehead when the crowd settled down enough to hold her still for more than a moment, but when they showed no signs of stopping their cheering and whooping, she became somewhat irritated. And afraid. This was supposed to be fun, but why did it feel so weird?

"Pa-pa-puh-please p-p-pa-put me da-da-da-down!" Nana stuttered as she was jostled this way and that. She hadn't even had a moment to check her backpack, or find out where she was! When she realized her message hadn't gotten relayed in the slightest bit, she inhaled deeply and then held her breath, waiting for her face to go flushed. "I'M GONNA PUKE!" She screamed over the crowd, her cheeks dappled with red blotches. After a few moments, she was set down onto the ground while the crowd formed a loose circle around her. She took this opportunity to search for her backpack, surely she was wearing it still. Oh please let me be wearing it still! She desperately called out to whatever gods existed in this realm.

[SpookySquid]

(Disregard the previous post about Jac) @Willow Breeze

(Working on the others)

Player #11- Jac

Jac was on a little row boat. It rocked gently from side to side giving her a wonderful view of the sunset. A tired looking seagull sat near Jac's feet. A small sailboat could be seen very far off in the distance, barely visible. In addition, there was a large wooden vessel to Jac's left, just within shouting distance. It had a large black flag with a scull and crossbones flapping in the wind, along with two dozen cannons lining the side of the vessel. To Jac's right sat a smaller white boat about half of the size of the pirate ship. It looked poorly equipped for battle and was clearly trying to avoid the incoming pirate ship. Even thought the white ship was motorized, it sputtered loudly and moved slower than the masted pirate ship. Jac realized the ship had a few different flags on it. Two oars sat next to Jac. If she didn't act fast, the pirate ship would catch up to her.

Player #13- CC

The package was barely torn open by CC before dark green fabric sprung out of the small shoe box sized package and onto the grass. Moments later, a tent with colors matching her charred backpack sprung from the box. The tent was more modernized then the circus tents that were designed to be changing rooms. However, nothing seemed particularly special about it, at least from the outside. It was barely taller than CC and the floor was about seven meters/ seven feet wide (it doesn't really matter which. They're basically the same thing. Not even important. Sorry my international friends; we United Statesians love to make things difficult for you.)

[SpookySquid]

(Disregard the previous post about Jac) @Willow Breeze

Player #11- Jac

Jac was on a little row boat. It rocked gently from side to side giving her a wonderful view of the sunset. A tired looking seagull sat near Jac's feet. A small sailboat could be seen very far off in the distance, barely visible. In addition, there was a large wooden vessel to Jac's left, just within shouting distance. It had a large black flag with a scull and crossbones flapping in the wind, along with two dozen cannons lining the side of the vessel. To Jac's right sat a smaller white boat about half of the size of the pirate ship. It looked poorly equipped for battle and was clearly trying to avoid the incoming pirate ship. Even thought the white ship was motorized, it sputtered loudly and moved slower than the masted pirate ship. Jac realized the ship had a few different flags on it. Two oars sat next to Jac. If she didn't act fast, the pirate ship would catch up to her.

Player #13- CC

The package was barely torn open by CC before dark green fabric sprung out of the small shoe box sized package and onto the grass. Moments later, a tent with colors matching her charred backpack sprung from the box. The tent was more modernized then the circus tents that were designed to be changing rooms. However, nothing seemed particularly special about it, at least from the outside. It was barely taller than CC and the floor was about seven meters/ seven feet wide (it doesn't really matter which. They're basically the same thing. Not even important. Sorry my international friends; we United Statesians love to make things difficult for you.)

Player #16- Jack

Al smiled and nodded happily at Jack. "Of course! Of course! Anything good sir! Anything you would like! You saved my life! I am forever in your debt. You may stay in a private room within my yacht. Don't worry, It's stable and you won't get seasick," Al said, "allow me to get dressed and call my chauffeur." Al left with the women, giving time for Jack to inspect the backpack. However, before he could open it, the mother rushed up to Jack.

"Oh thank you so much! Oh goodness are you hurt? How can I ever repay you for saving me! I should have been more alert! Oh bless you! Thank you so much!" she blurted. Suddenly, the woman did something very peculiar. She called out suddenly, "Peter! Calla! Sam! Come here!" the children obediently ran to her. "I know it's not much," said the women, "but I want you to have them. It's the least I could do, really," the women turned away and left... wait... had she just given her children to Jack?

Player #4- Chuck

The elf's smile didn't waver as he listened to Chuck. When Chuck placed the glass eye down, Mateel picked it up carefully. "Aaahhhh interesting..." he said as he scraped his finger along the top of the glass eye. "Aaahhhh... you are clearly lying to me. I doubt any Zambian envoy would be trusted with this in their backpack..." said Mateel, his voice filled more with awe than anger. "One of the eyes. I never thought I would see one in my life...Aaahhhh... Yes..." Suddenly, the man tapped the glass lightly on his desk, causing a thin layer of glass... no... ice... to fall from it. Suddenly, the pupil began to move around.

"From the Great Wizard of the Ring... Aaahhhh..." suddenly, as if waking from a dream, Mateel snapped his focus back to Chuck and said sharply: "You have two choices... Aaahhhh... either leave this instant without your backpack, or allow Craleeti to escort you outside without your backpack. In short, we can do this the easy way or the hard way."

Player #9- Nana

"Give the poor girl some room!" someone said. A few people backed away as Nana felt behind her for her backpack, which had stayed on and intact. From the chatter of the crowd, Nana was able to figure out the vague details of what had happened. It seemed that it had been a rough game with lots of red cards (people being kicked out of the game) and penalties. The score was 8-6 (I don't watch soccer/ football much, but I've seen enough to know that any game with more than four goals is more rare than finding a good place to leave your wallet in a saw blade factory) when Nana entered and there were only two minutes on the clock, not nearly enough time for the pink team to score enough goals.

When Nana had fallen over, many thought that she had been tripped. So the ref had given the other player a red card. However, now that this man had been eliminated, the other team did not have enough players to continue to player. The other team had also received a penalty shot because Nana had interfered, however this was insignificant. Yes, these rules didn't seem to make sense, but perhaps the Echo World had different rules for Soccer (or football).

[Genni]

@SpookySquid

Quickly glancing round to see if any of the others had seen what she was doing CC slipped inside her new tent and looked around to see what she might find hidden inside...

[SimplyJohn]

"Aaahhhh interesting... Aaahhhh... you are clearly lying to me. I doubt any Zambian envoy would be trusted with this in their backpack... One of the eyes. I never thought I would see one in my life...Aaahhhh... Yes... From the Great Wizard of the Ring... Aaahhhh... You have two choices... Aaahhhh... either leave this instant without your backpack, or allow Craleeti to escort you outside without your backpack. In short, we can do this the easy way or the hard way."

@SpookySquid

"As I said, that object was meant to serve as my credentials for your brother. I am no mere envoy, only using that as a cover to gain entry to your country without raising any undue suspicion. My talents are many and varied, I am what you would call a 'fixer of problems', and right now your country seems to have many... problems." As he spoke Chuck held his respectful pose, bowed almost as low as Mateel's desk and keeping his face towards the floor. With his gaze lowered Chuck could see the floor clear behind him, the only feet other than his own the ones belonging to Craleeti.

"And as for my choices..." With a flick of his wrist Chuck sent his arm flying across the room, where it quickly wrapped itself around Craleeti's neck, the knife blade poised at the guard's throat. "I think perhaps you may have underestimated my resources."

Rising to his feet Chuck stepped towards Mateel his manner just as subservient and respectful as it had been before. "Perhaps you could also make use of them? I'm sure there's some little problem you could use my help in... fixing."

[Aphelion]

@SpookySquid

Perplexed or puzzled won't be accurate to describe her feelings regarding the rules of soccer/football inside the Echo Game, but she did understand one thing: She could have severely screwed up the entire match without knowing anything about this world, and had scraped by with luck and not much else. With shaky hands she opened her backpack to carefully look around to see what was inside. She desperately wanted to know where she was, and what she had been given to survive. Everything felt so real that it was hard to believe it was just a game. Looking around inside the pink backpack, she saw....

[Eklispe]

Jack smiled, good, he already had a rich person indebted to him, that was certainly a good start. Now was as good a time as any so Jack slung off his backpack to take a look but was interrupted by the woman he saw earlier with the kids. He waved off her concerns "No I'm fine really." Then she gathered her children and left... without them. Did she just... pay him in children? Was that legal? "Umm you three just wait here a second," he told the assembled children. What in the nine was he going to do with three kids? He doubted they would be helpful at all, if anything just another burden, whatever he would cross that bridge when he came to it. Al was going for his chauffer, so now was a good a time as any to find out just what was in this rainbow backpack of his. Jack opened it and peered into the contents dubiously...

@SpookySquid

[SpookySquid]

Player #13- CC

Suddenly, CC was looking down a long brick hallway. The hallway was empty except for four signs and some amusing graffiti at the far end. The leftmost sign had a large arrow pointing to the left, and a list of letters from A-M. The rightmost sign had a list of letters from N-Z. The lowermost sign said "English" however, someone had made a thick black line that crossed over the word with some spray paint and the words "CANADIANISH" underneath. The uppermost sign was the largest and had seven large letters displayed on it- "TEMPIRE"

Next to where someone had spray painted the words "Platform nine and three quarters!" with a colorful arrow, there was a large green door, the only visible door in the hallway. Above it were the words "Control Room."

Player #4- Chuck

"Aaahhhh... a Detattler... you work for the Wizard of the Ring, don't you? How else could you be a Detattler and have that eye? Now please, I know nothing of what the Wizard wants with be, but I insist you release my friend. Killing him will do no good. Aaahhhh... and do you really think I have just the two bodyguards? Why else would there be security cameras?" he then pointed to one of the security cameras mounted on the wall.

While the elf spoke, there was a faint scratching noise came from a metal cabinet in the corner of the room. It had been there faintly at first, but now its volume had intensified to the point where Chuck may be able to hear it.

Player #9- Nana

The backpack included:

-A set of car keys.
-An bulging envelope addressed to Nana
-A slingshot and some colorful stones
-Five rolls of duct tape
-A GPS (batteries not included D:)
-A rubber duck
-A book titled "Smokey's Spells 4 Dummies: Five Shocking Ways to Use Lightning!"
-A book titled "Russia: A History"

After she finished looking through her backpack, a young player approached her. "Hey! Thanks for helping us out. I'm the captain, Luke," he said, stretching out his had for her to shake, "we wouldn't have been able to win the tournament without you. Is there anything you need? We owe you; big time!"

Player #16-

Jack looked through his backpack to find:

-A tie dye sword hilt
-A twenty dollar coupon to "Phil and Donald's Signature Cole Slaw- Just Like Momma makes it!"
-A lime green sweater with Jack's name knitted on it
-An envelope addressed to Jack
-A laptop
-A golden stopwatch
-A book titled "Five Spiders and Where to Find Them"

Suddenly, Al came back wearing a suit, tie, and a fedora on his short black hair. "Hey! Ready to go? I see that the women gave those kids to you by the way, no problem, I'll let 'em stay with you. Let's go ahead and hop in the limo."

[Genni]

@SpookySquid

Looking back towards the family CC saw they were still in the process of setting themselves up, even the beautiful blonde was still bent over sorting clothes out in the back of the car and CC let her eyes linger on the way the tight denim stretched over the woman's well shaped ass for a moment before glancing over the rest of the field.

The younger blonde was nowhere to be seen, but CC assumed she'd already retreated into the changing tent with the twins as her cat lay next to the entrance flap, seemingly enjoying the warm sunlight on its dark fur. Considering what had happened to her so far, and what the family had told her, CC eyed the cat suspiciously for a few moments, but since it seemed to be acting perfectly normal, for a cat at least, she soon moved her attention elsewhere.

Linus and the bearded man were busily placing small hoops around the field in what looked like an entirely random pattern, while the old woman was busily unpacking a large hamper out onto a sheet which had been lain down over a patch of grass across on the other side of the field from where the car had been parked.

After a moment's thought CC turned away from the tent and headed back to the car. Reaching up she quickly unfastened her surfboard from the roof and dropped it back into her backpack, marvelling at the way it managed to slip inside so easily despite the notable difference in size.

Turning to the blonde CC reached out and gently tapped her on the perfectly poised posterior, letting her hand linger for a moment before the woman turned to look at her with a smile. "Do you have anything I could wear?" CC asked with a smile, striking a pose which made the most of her skimpy jungle outfit.

The blonde eyed her thoughtfully for a second, in a way which CC hoped was appreciative before nodding her head and turning into the back of the car for a second, returning with a bundle of what CC presumed were clothes a moment later. Taking the bundle CC thanked the woman with a nod and a smile before pointing back towards her new tent.

"Would you mind coming with me for a moment? I have something I'd like to show you, something you might be able to help me with." Turning away from the car CC headed back to her new tent, stopping at the doorway to wait and see if the beautiful blonde would follow.

[SimplyJohn]

"Aaahhhh... a Detattler... you work for the Wizard of the Ring, don't you? How else could you be a Detattler and have that eye? Now please, I know nothing of what the Wizard wants with be, but I insist you release my friend. Killing him will do no good. Aaahhhh... and do you really think I have just the two bodyguards? Why else would there be security cameras?"

@SpookySquid

Dipping his head respectfully Chuck smiled at Mateel, "I assure you I meant no disrespect," As he spoke Chuck twitched his shoulder, causing his arm to drop to the ground where it quickly crawled back over to him and began making its way up his body, "I merely wished to impress on you the extent of my abilities.

"As for my patron, as I said he does not wish to be named, and as for your guess all I can say is that while you may believe that I could not possibly comment." Chuck's smile widened as he winked his eye over at Mateel conspiratorially. Having reached the front of his robes Chuck's arm quickly wriggled its way inside, the hand soon appearing from the cuff, but the dagger now concealed once more.

Waving the newly returned hand at the glass eye Chuck tilted his head quizzically, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to return my little bauble, unless that is you intend to make our association a more permanent one?"

[Eklispe]

Jack looked up from his backpack for the greater part totally mystified by its contents. How very strange. Regardless Al seemed to think that receiving children was normal so there apparently it was. "Thanks, let's go." Jack said to Al quickly following him to the Limo. "Um kids just follow us alright?" he shook his head and kept moving, three children, well he would find SOMETHING for them to do. Trained assassins or something, this place was weird. As soon as he got into the limo he would take out the letter and start reading it for clues about, well anything really.@SpookySquid

[SpookySquid]

Player #13- CC

The women was clearly a little puzzled, even before CC showed her the tent that came completely out of nowhere. Perhaps it was the way CC was behaving? However, she did obediently follow CC to the entrance of the tent.

Player #4- Chuck

"Aaahhhh... you may keep this... however, it would be... Aaahhhh interesting to have an associate such as yourself," the elf said. The bodyguard seemed ready to tackle Chuck, but a raised hand from Mateel held him back. "Aaahhhh... I hate to admit it, but I have absolutely no clue who this patron of yours is. But I admit, you certainly are resourceful. I normally wouldn't even stand in the same room as a Detattler..." the elf gave a small chuckle "...but oh, how times have changed."

"Aaahhh...Now, what exactly do you think you could help me with? I doubt it has anything to do with the casino..."

[SimplyJohn]

"Aaahhh...Now, what exactly do you think you could help me with? I doubt it has anything to do with the casino..."

@SpookySquid

Reaching out slowly and calmly, not wanting to give Craleeti any reason to assume hostile intent, or get a reason to get any payback for Chuck's humiliating assault, Chuck plucked the glass eye... 'one of the eyes from the Great Wizard of the Ring', he recalled Mateel having said, wondering why the goblin hadn't mentioned a figure held in such reverence by the posturing nobleman sitting before him. It may have been because this 'Great Wizard' was not in the country at all, which would make him someone important somewhere out in the world. Chuck made a quick mental note to find out more about the mysterious Wizard as soon as he could, but now was not the best time for that.

"In my line of work I rarely run into people who couldn't make use of my talents in one form or another. I'm sure there's someone who owes you something or holds something which should by all rights belong to you; someone who has upset you, either professionally or personally; or someone who stands in your path to greater things. Any of these people could be... dealt with for you." Chuck smiled broadly, letting Mateel catch a glimpse of his sharp teeth for a moment before concluding, "With the utmost discretion, of course."

It was a risky maneuver, but one worth making. Hopefully Mateel would fall for the bait and name his older brother, the favoured son of the family, in which case arrangements could be made for Chuck to meet the great noble, placing him one step closer to the reins of leadership in this country. If not, any other contacts Mateel might provide would only help Chuck gain a power base from which to act, a network of colleagues, accomplices and dupes who could provide him with information and resources for the right price, even if that meant turning on his new friend and sacrificing their burgeoning relationship in order to secure a more favourable position.

[Genni]

@SpookySquid

As they stood inside the tent together CC carefully took the beautiful blonde's hand in hers, stroking her fingers over the back of it for a moment before looking up into the woman's eyes with a soft, gentle smile. "You're very beautiful," she said shyly, blushing slightly. This was always the hardest part of any relationship, especially when you never knew whether the other person was even attracted to other women or not. "I'd really like to get to know you a little better."

As she spoke CC gently stroked her fingers up the blonde's arm, trying to signal exactly what she meant as she fluttered her eyelashes at the beautiful woman, keeping eye contact with her despite the urge to gaze down as her wonderful breasts. "Can you tell me your name, at least?"

[Aphelion]

@SpookySquid

Nana looked at everything assembled in her backpack incredulously. The book, “Russia: A History” was the most informative thing in there so far, but her hands itched to open the bulging envelope with her name on it. She resisted as the young player came up and introduced himself to her, and she tentatively put her hand in his to shake. “A-anything I need?” She mimicked his question, and pondered inwardly. Her thoughts immediately went to Hideyaki, her butler, but she shrugged them off. She had to learn how to survive without him, at least for the duration of the game. She wondered if it was okay for her to have played in their tournament match, but decided against voicing that question. If their captain, Luke, was okay with her doing it, then it must be alright in this world – which she knew very little of.

Her eyebrows shut up and she gave Luke a big grin. “Yes, actually. Sorry for not introducing myself sooner, I'm Nana. I would like to know more about this tournament and what kind of place we're in, maybe you could show me around a little? I don't really have a place to stay right now either...” She added the last part softly with a hint of embarrassment, hoping that Luke was the gentleman he seemed to be.

[Willow Breeze]

Player #11- Jac

Jac was on a little row boat. It rocked gently from side to side giving her a wonderful view of the sunset. A tired looking seagull sat near Jac's feet. A small sailboat could be seen very far off in the distance, barely visible. In addition, there was a large wooden vessel to Jac's left, just within shouting distance. It had a large black flag with a scull and crossbones flapping in the wind, along with two dozen cannons lining the side of the vessel. To Jac's right sat a smaller white boat about half of the size of the pirate ship. It looked poorly equipped for battle and was clearly trying to avoid the incoming pirate ship. Even thought the white ship was motorized, it sputtered loudly and moved slower than the masted pirate ship. Jac realized the ship had a few different flags on it. Two oars sat next to Jac. If she didn't act fast, the pirate ship would catch up to her.

@SpookySquid

Jac finds herself sitting in a small row boat. She can see two boats very close to her, one, a small, slow white boat that was trying to go somewhere quickly, but utterly failing. They must be trying to get away from something... But what? Jac looks to her left, and sees a huge wooden ship about twice the size of the white boat on her right. Shifting uncomfortably in her seat as she notices cannons lining the side of the ship, and a large black flag with a scull and crossbones. She decides she isn't going to wait for the ship to come to her, she's going to go up to them. Stupid decision Jac... I bet you're gonna regret this. Jac grabs the oars and starts paddling towards the ship. Once she's almost to the side Jac reaches for her backpack, There's got to be something to help me in here...

[SpookySquid]

Player #16- Jack (Sorry for the slight delay)

As they approached the door, a bored looking gnome opened the door for Jack, Al, and the three children. Jack opened the envelope and found not only a letter, but a few other pieces of paperwork.

The letter read:

Jack,

I hope that you can manage with the contents of your backpack. I've added a little something special for you. My father's stopwatch. It doesn't work very well, but perhaps you can sell it or find some use for it. Remember, if you ever need me again, feel free to stop by. It's always nice to speak with you, old friend.

Sincerely, Ryan

The letter also contained:

150 ICPs
Paperwork claiming that Jack owned some sort of property in Japan, along with a phone number scrawled at the bottom
I sticky note with three phone numbers written on it
An picture of a hotel in Bangladesh with and address and room number written next to it.
A picture of a toucan and the words "Big-18-23?-Albany, New York-Sydney?-New Mexico

Player #4- Chuck

"Aaahhhh... Craleeti please lock the doors," said Mateel. Mateel reached behind his cabinet and tapped a few buttons on a control panel. "I have enemies, yes. But I don't have any that I wish to eliminate," said Mateel. "However, perhaps there is something else you could do for me. Aaahhhh... the goblins are strong and powerful. I am beginning to doubt our ability to win should these gang activities evolve into a war. Yes, we have the money and an upper hand in international support. But the goblins have a stronger sense of unity. Most of my kin have shaky alliances and plan to turn on each other for economic gain once things have cleaned up," Mateel paused and ran a hand through his hair. "In addition, the goblins have... Aaahhhh... "Fe elawee ot sorporeech" or the element of surprise; we have been completely underestimated them."

"This is where you come into play... Aaahhhh... my brother. He is one of those who underestimates them. I fear for his safety. I don't want him to be involved in this conflict. I hate to say this, but I would like you to warn or perhaps intimidate Macheel and find a way to convince him that the goblins are dangerous. In return, I will grant you a reward."

Player #13- CC

The blonde didn't seem to notice CC's fingers on her arm. She nodded after CC asked for her name, but instead of answering, the blonde pointed to her necklace. At the end of the golden chain was a familiar looking emblem with a rabbit.

Player #9- Nana (Working on it and Jac's)

[Genni]

@SpookySquid

As BB (Beautiful Blonde) gestured to her necklace CC couldn't help but notice the way her damp yellow top clung against her breasts. The woman was obviously cold it the wet clothing, very obviously, or else she was enjoying CC's company a lot more than she was letting on. Glancing down at her own outfit, CC realised she looked like a drowned rat with her furry bikini soaked through from the rain shower.

"Before we go any further I think we should do something about the way we look," CC said with a smile as she reached around and untied the furry bikini top, peeling it away from her skin carefully before dropping it into her backpack for safe keeping. For a moment she stood in front of BB, her breasts on full display as she tried to decide whether it would be better to use the clothes she'd been given in her backpack or the ones received from her new friend.

Shivering slightly CC realised her own chilliness was just as obvious as BB's, and rubbing her hand over the damp skin she realised just how wet her body was. Coming to a decision CC reached into her backpack and quickly pulled out the dark green t-shirt before wiping herself down with it, drying herself off. Bending over CC pulled her bikini bottoms off as well before wiping her legs dry too. FInally, still bent over and peering past her own thigh to look to see what BB was doing, CC reached up and dried off the last wet place on her body, rubbing the dark green t-shirt hard against herself until she felt nice and clean, or dirty, I always get those two confused.

Picking up the clothes BB had handed her CC quickly sorted through them and found some white cotton panties, a plain off-white sundress and some sandals. Quickly pulling them on she turned to where BB was holding her own bundle of fresh clothes with a look of expectation. "Well? Are you going to change too?" CC asked, licking her lips, eager to see more of her new friend's beautiful body.

CC's new look

[Eklispe]

Jack as he looked over the missive, which was growing to be quite interesting indeed. It was far better than a boring day at home or school to be certain. A short stubby looking creature had let them, a gnome or a dwarf or some such. Jack wasn't up to date with fantasy lore but it confirmed that there were multiple races of humanoids. The letter was from someone named Ryan who referred to Jack as an old friend, his best guess as to his "friend’s” location would be at the hotel picture and address. There were several phone numbers, one of which appeared to be linked to some sort of property that Jack owned. Well that could wait until later, right now he was more interested in the phone numbers that didn't appear to be linked to anything. He grabbed a phone and quickly dialed the first number eager to get what information he could. While waiting for the dial tone he idly slipped the golden stopwatch onto his wrist.
@SpookySquid

[SimplyJohn]

"I hate to say this, but I would like you to warn or perhaps intimidate Macheel and find a way to convince him that the goblins are dangerous. In return, I will grant you a reward."

@SpookySquid

For a moment Chuck simply stood there, his chin resting on his hand as he considered what he already knew of the country and other details he'd managed to pick up during the conversations he'd had since the Game began. Finally he looked back over at Mateel with a smile.

"From what I can see there are four possible approaches which could be made to the problem, each with their own setbacks and difficulties to overcome, and each with a differing chance of success." As he spoke Chuck waved his hands either side of his body, imitating a set of weighing scales as he indicated the pros and cons of the situation.

"The first, and most obvious, is also the most stupid. This would be to mount an attack on your brother, framing the goblins and making it seem as though they were capable of placing him in personal danger. The biggest setbacks for such a plan would be finding adequate scapegoats, preferably goblins with known ties to... political enemies. We'd need to provide the goblins with enough credible intelligence, and possibly even supplies to make them believe their plan would succeed, while at the same time leaving a hole which your own forces could use to prevent such an outcome.

"The problems would be firstly that the intelligence would have to be genuine, or as close to genuine to be verifiable, and that may leave a trail back to you, especially so if supplies were also required. Secondly, the goblins would most likely need to be eliminated once the attack occurred, should any of them survive the event. This would raise a great many questions, especially if any of the goblins be captured by your brother's people before your own could get to them. Thirdly, the goblins may actually succeed, leading to a general revolt amongst their kind which would make your own position extremely volatile.

"As I said, a stupid plan." Chuck concluded with a smile.

"The second plan would be to simply talk to your brother about the dangers, raising his own awareness of the problem and allowing him to reach the proper conclusion himself." Holding both hands up in front of him Chuck bowed his head respectfully, "I only mention this for the sake of completeness in my assessment however, as I am sure one as wise as yourself would already have taken such steps, making any repetition a pointless waste of both time and resources.

"While it may be possible to falsify reports which would exaggerate the dangers, such an act would require too many accomplices to be feasible, relying on others to maintain your lies for you and placing yourself in danger of being discovered in your falsehoods. An unwise choice." Shaking his head Chuck placed his hands together as if at prayer, being at once respectful to Mateel while at the same time impressing subconsciously on the man the sanctity of Chuck's words.

"A third choice would be to try and provoke the goblins into acting in a way which would expose their hostility to your brother, forcing him to reconsider his opinions on the matter and bringing him more in-line with your own point of view." Chuck smiled as he said this, tilting his head forwards, not quite bowing but at the same time moving his head as if to nod, impressing a positive mindset onto his words, to help steer Mateel's decision in its favour. "This plan would be most successful if you could engender a rift between the goblins themselves, encouraging them to fight amongst themselves. Not only would this alarm the civilian population, but it would also weaken the goblins own organisation, making it easier to act against them when the time came to do so."

Chuck smiled to himself as he watched Mateel's reactions change, moved by the tide of his words as he wished the man to be. This may be easier than I'd thought, the Detattler hoped. "Finally, you could prove the goblins were being supplier by forces outside your own nation, which would also raise the stakes of the situation, forcing your brother's hand in the matter. I understand Zimbabwe, Angola, and Madagascar have all voiced their opinions against the current state of affairs, and while I have heard my own country's reports on the matter, it would be useful if you could tell me about your own opinions on those countries, so I may give a fully informed opinion on which would best serve our purposes?"

@SpookySquid Country cards, please?