122nd ♫ | phosphor burned a silent mayday, my hand slipped with a dirty splash

[phaiinein]

The Murder Game Meme



You know the script. You wake up in a place you've never seen before, with a whole bunch of complete strangers and there's a mysterious voice or a mascot or what have you ready to let you know how things are going to work around here.

The rules are simple: You're trapped here, with no hope of release or rescue. You've been provided with all the basic necessities you need to live comfortably, and all you have to do is settle down and live out the rest of your days here in peace. But if you can't do that -- if you're really so desperate to escape that you'll do anything -- then there's one teeny tiny thing you have to do first.

All you have to do is kill somebody.

But it's not quite that simple. Every death will be followed by a period of investigation, followed by a trial in which the survivors will attempt to solve the mystery and out the culprit. If the survivors guess correctly and out the culprit, the killer is executed and life goes on. But if the survivors guess wrong, then the culprit is free as a bird and everyone else is executed.

Even with the promise of freedom, can you really bring yourself to kill so many other people?

tl;dr: it's a murdergame meme. TIME TO HAVE A BIG OL' MURDERGAME BLAST.


Settings

1. High School A classic! Doesn't matter if you're too old or too young to be in high school -- you've been enrolled and the only way for you to graduate is to kill a fellow student. But hey, the faculties are nice!
2. Tropical Island Weren't you just hankering for a nice tropical vacation? No? Too bad! You're going to have a nice sunny vacation at the beach and if you don't like it, just kill someone and go home. Simple!
3. Prison It doesn't matter if you don't remember committing any crime; you've been tried and found guilty of something or other and now you can go ahead and rot away in jail. If you ever want to see the sunlight again, better put that criminal mind to good use and get rid of your inmates.
4. Mall A huge mall stuffed full of stores, places to eat and all the regular amenities like deadbolted doors and the threat of death. It's like Black Friday but even worse because you can't leave and all the rest of the shoppers might actually kill you for real this time.
5. City Holy shit, you've got the run of a whole city this time around! Maybe with all this room to keep out of each other's way, you'll be able to make sure no one starts killing people. But probably not.
6. Cruise Boat YOU'RE ON A BOAT, MOTHERFUCKER. The accommodation is all five star, even if there's no one around to act as wait staff. The only snag is that you still have this whole murder thing hanging over your head – but on the plus side, they have those little drinks with the umbrellas in, so...
7. Space Station THE FINAL FRONTIER... Maybe you're familiar with space stations like this or maybe all this future tech is fascinating to you. Not like it matters either way, of course, because you won't be getting out of here unless you lay down a murder on someone.
8. Wildcard! None of the above scratch your murder itch? Go wild and come up with your own setting!



Downtime

1. Excuse Me, Who Are You? You've just woken up in this weird place and you have no idea what's going on. But hey -- maybe this stranger's more informed than you. Or maybe you can put your heads together and investigate what's going on.
2. Social Link Go! Well, if you're going to be stuck in here for however long, you might as well get to know the people stuck in here with you. You've got plenty of rooms to explore together and there's enough to do to keep you occupied. How do you plan on passing time without killing each other?
3. Vending Machine Woes Somewhere in this place there's a mysterious vending machine that spits out all manner of bizarre items and occasionally dispenses items that belong to you and the other people trapped here. You've got a fat stack of tokens and nothing to lose.
4. The Corners of My Mind So as it turns out, your lovely hosts have been fiddling with your memories. Maybe you're just discovering this now or maybe you've had a particularly upsetting memory regain you're dealing with.
4. Wildcard! GO WILD AND BE FREE (or as free as you can be here, anyways)



PUTTING THE MURDER IN MURDER GAME

1. Motive Your mysterious overseer has decided there's not nearly enough murder going on and so they've ~helpfully~ given you a little push to do the deed. Maybe one of your loved ones is in danger, maybe they're offering more money than you could ever dream of or they're threatening to reveal your deepest darkest secrets. Whatever is it, would you kill for it?
2. Murder WELL APPARENTLY, YES. Are you a killer or are you being killed? Either way, someone's not walking away from this alive.
3. Body Discovery Rise and shine, murdergame! It's a brand new day and someone's dead. Better get investigating!
4. Trial You know how this one goes. Line up all your evidence and sniff out the killer -- or sit there and sweat and hope no one works out you're the murderer. Will they go down with a confession or put up a fight?
5. Afterparty You've survived another trial, but more of your friends have died. Even without the executions, trials are a stressful enough affair. It's time to destress and lick your wounds and support each other.
6. Mastermind It's the end. It's time to uncover all the mysteries behind this murder game -- and find out just who trapped you here. Are they really an unconnected party, or is the mastermind someone among you...?
7. Freedom Just as it says -- you're finally free, but at what cost? Have those you love been returned to you, or are you still reduced to just those who made it to the end? Are you on your own, or is anyone here to help you? And more importantly, how the hell are you going to get home?
8. Wildcard YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO


OPTIONAL FUN

Lots of murdergames have in-universe public profiles for other characters to get the skinny on yours. If you'd like to fill one out to post with your toplevel, peep at the code below!

<center><b>Name:</b> NAME | <b>TITLE (Super High School Level, Ultimate, Champion, etc)</b> <b>Age:</b> AGE | <b>Species:</b> SPECIES | <b>Occupation:</b> OCCUPATION <b>Likes:</b> LIKES <b>Dislikes:</b> DISLIKES <b>Traits:</b> A HANDFUL OF NOTABLE TRAITS <b>Trivia:</b> A PIECE OF TRIVIA</ul></center>

Comments

Silco |Arcane

[peaceinthewater]

Name: Silco | The Drowned / Super High School Level Drug Lord
Age: 46 | Species: Human | Occupation: Crime Lord
Likes: Zaun, shimmer, Jinx
Dislikes: Piltover, betrayal, polluted water
Traits: Determined, resourceful, ruthless
Trivia:Helped lead a failed revolution and all he got was this scar scar.

[If viewed from the right, Silco is almost handsome in that sort of odd way that is popular with certain demographics. His well tailored, gold-trimmed vest and coat hang in a way that makes his slim frame appear imposing rather than frail. The right side of his face is the exact opposite; scared and paralyzed from exposure to the most polluted river in Runeterra. Despite this, he carries himself with a sort of confidence that makes people stop, listen, and sometimes even obey.

While not the most social person, Silco is very likely to attempt to lead any meetings that occur and does make a point to learn about each of the other captives here. Outside of meetings it's unlikely that he will initiate social interactions unless he's deemed you 'useful' or if you're a mentally unstable teen who needs adopting.

It's very likely you will find him next to the gacha machine, fiddling with a vial of bright purple liquid or an oddly painted metal contraption.]

[hexcrafter]

[Fuck. Shit. Godsdammit. If Viktor could have overloaded every single device in this building, he would have in an instant just to prevent Silco reading his damn profile.]

[As it was, that was not happening. So, the 'Shadow of Progress'--who spoke in a rarely heard but not unusual accent for a particular part of the Fissures--made himself as scarce as humanly possible. Rapidly running calculations in his head, trying to determine just how this situation might unfold and how best to avoid catastrophe...most equations he came up with ended in critical failure one way or another. Several ended in Viktor bleeding out, which were the ones he particularly wanted to avoid.]

[Lucky enough to avoid death for another week, after a particularly long first trial Viktor moved to make a quick exit which was nothing but quick for the twinge in his leg--Janna forbid the mastermind give them any fucking chairs. He stumbled slightly, gripping his crutch and bracing his other hand on a wall with a curse in that same Zaunite dialect, hoping no one else noticed while alo being aware he was out of luck.]

[peaceinthewater]

[Even if a miraculous short of every device in the "school" had occured, it would not have saved Viktor. While he may be relatively unknown back in Piltover, Silco had taken an interest in the young inventor like one might a moderately famous author. Enough that he kept up on news from the Academy that bore Viktor's name (or a suspicious lack thereof), but not enough to really do anything. A hobby.

Still, it was enough for him to recognize his fellow Zaunite instantly during the first "meeting" with their captor. They hadn't had a chance to talk, what with Viktor's frankly hilarious attempts at avoiding Silco. After the first taste of the sick game they are trapped in, he supposes it's time to buckle down.]

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? [While Silco can't speak that particular dialect well, he worked alongside enough miners from the region to pick out the more colorful vocabulary.]

Awfully rude of our host to not provide appropriate accommodations.

[hexcrafter]

[Gods. Damn. It.]

I'm fine. [A little sharper than was perhaps wise, made even more irritable by pain.] I'm sure they will think it an appropriately dramatic development when I so impolitely interrupt our deductions by falling over and earning a concussion.

[peaceinthewater]

[If he's bothered by Viktor's short manner, it doesn't show. He simply stands there, observing him with his one good eye.]

Surly. They do seem to have a flair for the dramatics.

[The execution of the culprit had been almost as beautiful as it was cruel, clearly designed to illicit emotional responses from both the victim and those forced to watch.]

I wonder who would be found 'guilty' if you were to meet your demise in such a way? One could argue our captors would be to blame, but I doubt they would abide by such a ruling.

[Silco takes a casual step towards Viktor to gauge his reaction.]

[hexcrafter]

[Contrary to what most might have expected, Viktor tured to face Silco fully and held his ground, staring him down with sharp eyes. At this point, what did he really have to lose but the one thing he was already losing regardless?]

Who knows? If they wanted someone culpable, perhaps they would simply choose whoever they decided were close enough to miss catching me. Or they could just blame me for being foolish and force everyone to vote for the corpse.

[peaceinthewater]

An interesting conundrum.

[Silco files away the idea of voting for the dead for later consideration as he steps closer to offer a hand to Viktor.]

The library is just up the hall, if you need to rest. Or are you going to attempt to run away from me again? [Because of course he noticed Viktor's avoidance of him. He isn't nearly as sneaky as he might believe himself to be. That and the area of the school they are locked in is not large, so there aren't exactly many places to hide.]

[hexcrafter]

I'm flattered that you think me capable of running anywhere.

[Ignoring the hand offered to him, Viktor answered with a scowl that turned into an irritated sigh.]

But it would appear I can not avoid a troubling conversation any longer. The library will do well enough.

[peaceinthewater]

Lead the way.

[It's slow going, but Silco doesn't mind. He walks alongside Viktor in silence, keeping pace with whatever the younger man sets. Normally he would be uncomfortable keeping someone he doesn't know on his left, but he's reasonably sure the boy doesn't present a danger currently.

The library isn't far and offers two selections of seating: a table and some truly uncomfortable wooden chairs that are relatively close to the entrance, or more comfortable plush chairs and a couch a bit further in. Silco gestures forward.]

Dealer's choice.

[hexcrafter]

[The look on Viktor's face screamed Oh, you think you're fucking funny, but he took a slow breath that may have betrayed an attempt to keep some shred of patience and slid into the nearer wooden chair. His back would not thank him for it, but it was enough for now. Better that than let himself be seen as any weaker than he probably already looked.]

So. Let's not insult each other's intelligence and skip to the point. What is it you want, apart from the obvious goal of returning where we came from?

[peaceinthewater]

[The only response Viktor's withering look got was a small smirk. The boy is more prideful than he had anticipated, but he supposes he would have to be to survive in Piltover for as long as he has.

Silco sits opposite him at the table, as confident and relaxed as a king on a throne.]

Straight to the point. I like that. Our efforts to escape would be stronger should we join forces. I'm loathe to play anyone else's game, so I'm hoping you can find a way out of here that circumvents the conditions of release laid out for us.

[He will kill is necessary, but his pride would much rather see escape by other means. Especially if those means brought the downfall of the fool who thought they could hold him here in the first place.]

[hexcrafter]

[He seemed to weigh his options on that, silently and begrudgingly admitting Silco had a point. This was also within his calculations, albeit with a far lower probability of playing out.]

And if I were capable of doing such a thing? We all go our separate ways, you continue funneling Shimmer into the crime-riddled mess the Undercity has become, and I get the reward of having that on my conscience? I fail to see how that would be considered a worthwhile endeavor.

[peaceinthewater]

I don't see how your other options are any better. Option one: You kill me yourself, undoubtedly getting yourself caught and executed in the process. [He huffs out a short laugh.] That is if you're lucky enough to be successful. Though maybe I should say unlucky, judging by the execution we just witnessed.

Or option two: You wait for someone else to do it for you, which is not a guarantee and could still result in your death as well. Not to mention however many people die in the meantime as our fellow captive succumb to the motives we are given.

[He knows that will not be a one time thing. At most they will have one more week of silence before another meeting is called and they're all handed envelopes again. They were lucky enough to be given a potential carrot this time, Silco wonders how long it will take the stick to appear.]

i did warn you

[hexcrafter]

[In what was either concerning or unsurprising, Viktor was nowhere to be found at breakfast; but with the lack of blood and/or general foreboding, it was probably nothing. One or two mentioned seeing him around the first floor classrooms last night, apparently carrying a toolbox from the school's workshop.]

[This was a point that should have been terrifying, but they knew not what they dealt with. Finding the specific classroom Viktor had commandeered (following the sounds of a muttered train of thought and frantic chalk on slate) would be like finding where a bomb full of calculus textbooks went off. Every desk in the room was dismantled screw by screw, set aside against a wall in semi-organized piles of bolts, metal legs, and all other base components. In the center of the room, an elaborate arrangment of taped down notes forming some semblance of a magic circle, covered in assorted runes.]

[And then there was Viktor on a swivel chair, with a air of goggles on his forehead and rapidly writing out equations of runes, variables, and numbers on a board that was already covered in them. After a minute he realized someone else was in the room with him, and he looked up with a expression like this was the most normal situation imaginable.]

...What?

[peaceinthewater]

[They didn't so much part ways at dinner as Viktor left at some point while Silco was talking to someone. No matter, Silco thought, the boy needs good night sleep to begin work tomorrow. He was mildly worried when he didn't show up to breakfast, but word that others saw him was enough.

He's not sure what he was expecting from Singed former mentee, but this is...a lot. If he didn't know any better, the room would look like the ravings of a mad man.

...Okay, it could still be that.]

I'd ask if you already ate, but it looks like you haven't left this room since dinner last night. [He holds up a plate of pancakes before placing it on a table that is...less covered in arcane scribbles.]

[hexcrafter]

Mm--no. Not exactly, no.

[what does that EVEN mean. Viktor used his good leg to push against the floor, chair sliding over to the table.]

I thought it better to get started as soon as possible. This is not exactly a small undertaking.

[peaceinthewater]

[The dedication is impressive, even if the "Not exactly" raises a few concerns.]

Eat up, then. A mind need fuel and all that.

[Silco's eyes drift over the different equations scribbled on chalkboards and paper and maybe just a bit of wall. None of it makes sense to him, but there is a certain order to the chaos.]

Your methods are much more...chaotic than Singed.

[hexcrafter]

[Viktor shrugged, silently conceding that he was in fact hungry as he picked up a fork and took a bite.]

I have always found it easiest to not worry about strict organization while working; focusing on where everything should go interrupts my thought process.

[peaceinthewater]

Whatever works.

[Silco wonders if the Golden Boy Viktor was attached to had similar methods, or if this sort of unrestrained chaos throws him off.

Or if he truly does any work at all. There is a prevailing sentiment in the Undercity, that all the advancements are Viktor's alone, with Talis there to simply serve as the face for the Piltovians.]

The others are willing to help, though none share exactly your expertise. If you provide a list of materials we can begin gathering. A new section of the school has been opened to us, so there could be more than we first assumed.

[hexcrafter]

[Had Viktor known about that, he would have been equal parts flattered and blindingly furious. True enough that the initial concepts had nothing to do with him, but Hextech was and had been for years a joint effort. He simply knew damn well which of them looked better to topside.]

Working on initial concepts, I have determined our problems are twofold. The smaller of the two is that I do not have the experience with metalwork that Jayce does; by which I mean, designing the framework is a simple task, but building it proves far more difficult. On that front, whatever we can procure for metals and the means to assemble them would be useful--making this a patchwork job is dangerous, but if we end up with no other options we will have to make it work.

Second is the more difficult issue; I do not have any hex crystals, and without those, we may struggle to procure the power necessary for this endeavor.

[peaceinthewater]

So he does serve as more than a pretty face. [On the one hand, it's nice to know a fellow Zaunite isn't being completely taken advantage of Topside.

On the other it does poke a small hole in his general view of things. Not enough to shake things up, mind.]

[hexcrafter]

[Viktor raised an eyebrow, but didn't openly object.]

Hextech was built on Jayce's concepts, not mine. I simply refined that foundation into a workable energy source to form what we eventually created. He's smarter than he looks, and we couldn't exactly put a disabled Zaunite front and center if we hoped to accomplish anything.

[A shrug; of course it bothered him, but in the way of a fact that couldn't be changed. No point complaining.]

...I may be able to create a substitute; energy is energy, and tapping into the arcane without a crystal is not yet a proven lost cause.

[peaceinthewater]

A shame. There are many in Zaun who would have found hope seeing that.

[Silco goes oddly silent for a moment, lost in his own thoughts.

Two young, bright-eyed innovators. One with the base, the other the spark needed to push it to more than just a pipe dream. Working together to make that dream a reality. One of them more charismatic, better at selling the dream to everyone while the other sits in the shadows. Both still working, their own problems eating at them in different ways until...

It's familiar in a way that makes his scars ache.]

There are a few others who have mentioned using magic. I will send them here in case they have insight.

[hexcrafter]

I do not...necessarily disagree with that. [He huffed out a sigh before taking another bite of the pancakes in front of him.] But I had to approach the matter realistically given our audience. That, and I have no mind or personality for public speaking. [like really silco you've talked to viktor, how do you expect that would work.] I am content enough letting him be the forward-facing aspect of our work.

Either way, the runic system is not a difficult one to learn. I can show that much to anyone capable of manipulating magic, and if I can not construct a substitute for a crystal we may be able to work something out.

[peaceinthewater]

[Silco lets out a laugh at the mention of Viktor's...less than charismatic nature. An understatement from what he's experienced, but then again, the boy does have good reason to not like him. The logic makes sense, even if it still chafes knowing another Zaunite is being overlooked.]

Well, I do understand the importance of a good face. [An attempt at humor that probably sounds more sinister than he intended, but Viktor seems unaffected by his attempts at being imposing so far, so he's pretty sure it will land.]

I believe Gerta said something about runes the other day. I will send her to you first while the rest of us explore the newly opened portion of the school.