Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The Assassins' Circle Returns!

UPDATE (2:46pm PT): New rule: no alliances/side-deals (i.e., agreeing with your stalker that he won't kill you if you protect him...or something thereof. I take nothing away from FB/rbnlaw for using that to their benefit last year...but not this year. We shall dub this the FBrbn (pronounced "Faberuben") rule.

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As many of you deduced, yesterday's "white space" post (select the whitespace to see the hidden image) marked the return of "The Assassins' Circle," one of SoSG's more popular competitions which turned normally gregarious, intelligent, fun-loving Dodger fans into cold-hearted killers gunning for one another.

Here are some of the comment highlights from last year:

  • "I hope you feel better :(" - karina, moments after killing Wicks
  • "The view from the bell tower is awesome" - rbnlaw
  • "I could kill you but i wouldn't hurt you" - karina, taunting her prey Paul
  • "Can I sprint from behind the UPS van to the industrial park while Quad is at lunch?" - Mr Customer
  • "I know what a French solider feels like now." - Dusty Baker
  • "My first kill made me nervous." - Dr. Geek.
  • "Do it, FB. DO IT NOW!!!!" - EK, long since out of the game but urging another to kill just so he can watch.

In the end, it was Fred's Brim emerging from the bloodshed as the last man standing. How long will he last this year?

Here's this year's starting circle:

(click image to enlarge)

For the newcomers to the game, or for those that need a refresher, here are the rules.

I think we closed most of the major loopholes last year (Dr Geek, anyone?), and if it still seems a bit hazy to the newcomers, it will become self-explanatory after the first round or two. Any questions let us know. FYI this thread will also serve as the safe harbor conversation thread once the game begins.

The game starts tomorrow with the first Kill Thread to be posted tomorrow, 9am PT!

230 comments:

1 – 200 of 230   Newer›   Newest»
Eric Karros said...

@DB - you gotta play. Even if you're totally smonked at work this week, it only takes a second per day. And remember: being eliminated the first day is no worse than not playing at all.

Greg Finley said...

And here I was, thinking that the skull represented your thoughts on the 2010 Dodgers season.

Count me in!

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Great I have the No. 1 killer stalking me from the get-go. Brings a whole new meaning to one and done.

Nostradamus said...

Karina's my assassin? It's going to be very perilous in the early going.

Eric Karros said...

Greg F: you have been added to the Assassins' Circle.

rbnlaw said...

In, baby. In.

Josh S. said...

Last year I drew Dusty Baker as a target (before I withdrew). This year I drew Dusto Magnifico. Next year Dusty Baker's Toothpick?

Steve Sax said...

Next year, Dusty Springfield.

Wicks said...

The circle returns????? I'm In!!!!

Loney Fan said...

I can't believe I get to start out with QuadSevens again.

Questo deve essere il destino!

rbnlaw said...

If DB isn't in, who buys the first round at the Assassins' Circle Bar and Laundromat?

In Vin Veritas said...

I'm a serial lurker, but this sounds like fun. I'm in EK.

Eric Karros said...

rbn, wicks, and OTB, you guys are in. Three more open spots...

Kyle Baker said...

*sacrificial lamb post*

Kyle Baker said...

@EK from 7.06AM

In other words: "Front line infantry"

Eric Karros said...

Does that mean you're in, DB?

Hundley grabs 3rd-to-last at-large spot.

Eric Karros said...

I'll go ahead and assume "yes". One more at-large spot!

Eric Karros said...

I hope Dr Geek comes out of the woodwork since he disqualified himself last year. It would make for a great redemption story.

rbnlaw said...

Dr(.)Geek, you are my foe!

Didn't I have Wicks in the first round last year? It should come down to me and FB, just for old time's sake.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Great. Not only do I have to kill a Son, a Son has to kill me. I'm already at a disadvantage.

Paul said...

I have a big assignment in the first round. I might just go in survival mode.

Gagne's lucky glasses said...

Thanks for the nod EK but I can't this time around, too much work going on. I will be quietly observing the slaughter though

karina said...

Do you remember we had a thread to discuss strategy and to plead graciously for our lives?

What thread are we going to use?

karina said...

@Mr C be afraid, I'll be watching you!. I know I don't want to get killed before I kill someone.

@Mr LASF I thought that in the case Mr F decides to "not hurt a fly", I'm gonna be murdered by you or by one of the Sons. No win situation unless I kill Mr C.

MeanieBreanie said...

@Betsy - even though I like you, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to KILL you.

@Neebs - will be covering my back the best I can. Somehow I think you would take perverse joy in my demise :D

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@MB: I only take such perverse joy at those who mispell the name.

KIIILLL

Kyle Baker said...

Or who misspell "misspell."

Eric Karros said...

Karina: yes, this thread will serve as the "side conversation" thread. There'll be link to it in each kill thread.

Mr F: please advise regarding how you prefer to die.

MeanieBreanie said...

Dusty to the defense!

@Neeebs - I stand corrected. I will play hard to get and keep you from your perverse pleasures. As a novice, I might be an easy target.

Eric Karros said...

Question for all participants: Should we allow alliances?

In other words, Player A makes an alliance with his stalker (Player B) in which A promises to provide cover for B (comment right after him) so long as B promises not to kill A?

This alliance helped take FB and rbn to the final 3 (and FB to victory).

I'm leaning towards prohibiting this, but shall open for discussion if anyone disagrees. I like the creativity and inventiveness, but feel it goes against the spirit of the game.

Nostradamus said...

@EK

Seems like that would an unenforceable rule.

Besides, all it would take is one opportunistic assassin...

Kyle Baker said...

I just like to KIIIIIILLLL!!!!

And be killed.

Eric Karros said...

Mr C - I think it would be reasonably enforceable through monitoring comments, though not completely if two participants communicated directly through email.

But I do think that simply stating it as a rule is enough to have most participants respect it, even if not totally enforceable.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

While I admit alliances do seem a tad unfair, it would add a splash of strategy to the whole game, as opposed to "FB COMMEMT, I KILL NOW!!!!!"

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

*COMMENT

spank said...

It does not matter to me cause I'm going rogue. Fair Warning

Eric Karros said...

The thing is, once one Stalker/Target pair makes an alliance, others will feel compelled to do the same, and nobody will ever kill anybody and the game will never end.

In fact, if full and perfect alliance symmetry is achieved, the circle will go clockwise from the point of the initiator, every round, forever.

Greg Finley said...

Yeah, EK, the last thing we would want is a contest that drags on forever. :P

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@DB: I should have thrown a flare to signify the irony of "mispell." I had my money that Sax would have picked up on that, but he's too busy trying to figure out what secret message I sent to him and his.

@MB: Don't worry. I suck as I have no patience with this game.

karina said...

Eric Karros,I don't think it's possible all pairs make alliances.

One reason is I find very unlikely all readers involved can communicate with each other outside SoSG.

Besides, there's something I learned in "Grosse Pointe Blank":even killers need outside resources.

Eric Karros said...

Karina - yes, it's merely a theoretical, which I actually posited as an argument for disallowing alliances, thus relegating planning of such to outside channels, undermining their propagation via the logic you mention.

By the way, I'll make quick work of Mr F, after which I'm coming after you.

So nobody's taking the last at-large spot?

QuadSevens said...

Damn! I wanted to hunt Loney Fan, not have him hunting me. This is going to be tricky.

Kyle Baker said...

I love how Karina gets an important life lesson from "Grosse Pointe Blank."

Watch out for her, new folks! She's a stone cold killah!

karina said...

@Eric Karros just like that?so cold blooded?even if you know I love you deeply?

karina said...

@Dusty Baker I've watched that film too many times.I'm also fond of films like "Snatch" and "Lock,Stock and two Smoking Barrels".

Make with that info whatever you want.However, I'm very afraid of Eric Karros, he's bullying me!

Eric Karros said...

Karina, your normally effective sweet-talking won't work this time.

But in the first round, I will be your savior by taking out your stalker, Mr F. After that, all bets are off.

Glg - let DB serve as your role model and take the last spot in spite of your busy-ness at work.

Fred's Brim said...

mmm Faberuben. It's just like a regular ruben, but with garlic fries in it. I heard it's a new item on the menu at The Assassins' Circle bar.

Kyle Baker said...

Yeah come on, GLG, don't pussy out on us. Wouldn't be the same without you taking me out at some point.

karina said...

@Eric Karros it's not sweet talking! I'm shocked how much you want to kill me.

MeanieBreanie said...

I'm ready to play. Betsy beware!

karina said...

@Meaniebreanie it didn't take long to put you in the mood!I'm afraid my killer instict is on vacation today.I'm very afraid

QuadSevens said...

The anticipation is killing me!!!!

MeanieBreanie said...

Karina - life is full of irony. Your killer instinct is on vacation which means you will probably be the last one standing. I'm ready to play and most likely will be the first one taken out.

spank said...

Wake Up! Time to die.

Matt said...

Damn it! I was in a day-long meeting in Palm Springs all day yesterday! I want it!

Does a pouting assassin still sound threatening?

Kyle Baker said...

What do I have to do to get a fuckin beer around here?

Eric Karros said...

Mr F: come out, come out wherever you are...

karina said...

@Eric Karros I'm terrified by you...if you keep this terror campaign I'm gonna have a breakdown.

With your last comment, I feel you want to kill Mr F quick so you can take care of me ASAP.

You also said we can sweet-talk on Assassins'Circle thread today and yesterday "your normally effective sweet-talking won't work this time".I suspect you need some sweet talk but you're afraid to ask for it. Baby, after all this time, that's what you inspire to me!

XO

Josh S. said...

I figure I'll hang out here instead of clogging the kill thread.

I'm watching the EK > Mr. F > karina > Mr. C chain with great interest, but I don't expect any movement there until just before the 3pm deadline.

Heh. "Dead"line.

Eric Karros said...

*lays out a piece of frosting-laden chocolate cake hoping to lure Mr F out from the woodwork*

Eric Karros said...

^of course I do that in the kill thread, not here.

Karina: Mr F's existence is the only thing that is keeping you alive for the moment.

Mr LASF: Worry not, I'll show my face as soon as Mr F shows his...

Eric Karros said...

Meanie - not sure if someone already answered your question in the kill thread, but after review it seems you did kill Betsy, as yours was the first comment from a 'living' commenter after hers.

Keven C said...

*swipes cake*
*goes back into hiding*

Eric Karros said...

*curses to self while watching Keven C demonstrate hole in strategy*

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

C'mon EK, just take your lumps and die.

Eric Karros said...

For clarification since I saw the issue in the kill thread, you have to comment by 3pm. 3:00pm is OK. 3:01 is too late.

Eric Karros said...

timecheck...

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

timecheck

Eric Karros said...

hey MLASF, look over there!

Eric Karros said...

d

MeanieBreanie said...

@Josh, Well I hadn't thought of it that way but I suppose it's in the realm of possibility. I plan to go in for a quick kill so hopefully Orel is oblivious to anything around him. Then I can devise my own special torture for him :D

Mr.C - if you cover my back hopefully we can both make it to the point where you become my target. I will be happy to spank you if that's what you desire before I have to kill you. Maybe I should be the catwoman assassin as I like to taunt and play with my prey before the kill.

MeanieBreanie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Josh S. said...

Psst. Meanie. You're in the other thread. :)

MeanieBreanie said...

Josh, duly noted. Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow.

MeanieBreanie said...

Spanky - I'm gunning for you!

MeanieBreanie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
spank said...

@ MB

So it begins. Better bring your A game cause your going to need it.

Same to you Orel. RUN....RUN

spank said...

Breanie is done for the day now you are all mine Orel. Find a good hiding spot cause I got all day.

MeanieBreanie said...

Zombie Josh, thanks for sparing my life one more day! Your bar tab is on me.

Kyle Baker said...

@MB

Zombie Josh can't influence anything according to the rules. People who are dead (e.g., the undead) or random commenters' comments are ignored. Hence, Neebs just took you out. Hope he spanked you first.

Eric Karros said...

That's correct, DB. Zombies are merely floating souls spouting witty meaningless snark with no tangible form. They cannot block/disrupt gunshots, knife attacks, strangulations (gloved or ungloved), cyanide-laced drinks, speeding vehicles, or pillow smothering.

MeanieBreanie said...

I'm shattered! Oh well live, learn and die. Spanked or not, it was a good death and I died with a smile on my face.

Kyle Baker said...

"floating souls spouting witty meaningless snark with no tangible form"

Just like in the regular GTs.

spank said...

I got Orel but I didn't get spanked.
Why does life have to be so difficult

MeanieBreanie said...

I meant to post in this thread, the two can be so confusing.

@Spank - sometimes the fantasy is much better than the reality.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I know Sax is waiting.

Nostradamus said...

Damn, missed my chance. There's only survival now.

Loney Fan said...

I was sure you were watching in hiding, Mr. C

Nostradamus said...

I was, but I got distracted cooking bacon. It's a weakness, I know.

Loney Fan said...

Any real assassin knows that bacon is the cornerstone of any good kill.

Nostradamus said...

Plus, it's delicious.

rbnlaw said...

Faberunben? Fahrfegnugen?
Fuckemallthen?

Eric Karros said...

"I got distracted cooking bacon."

Mr C, not sure you want that getting onto your assassins' linkedin profile - your client base would surely dwindle.

I do love bacon though.

Nostradamus said...

@EK

I think my clientele will understand that death can't come calling on an empty stomach.

MeanieBreanie said...

I've had enough of this week and heading out to happy hour with friends. Beware to anyone who gets in my way as they are likely to get spanked. DB if you hop over to Texas you, Mrs. Dusty and MDIL are welcome to join. In the interim, I will hoist a glass of Champagne/St-Germain in honor of my fallen comrades. May the body count continue to rise.

karina said...

100!

@Mr C did you know all the bad fat in bacon is clogging your arteries,guiding you to death?

Don't you rather allow me to kill you?.You can have bacon as last supper.

rbnlaw said...

Death by bacon. . .mmmmmmmm.

Loney Fan said...

Greg, you still had the chance to kill Sax but you blew it. As the initiator you are given a second kill comment, but I'm pretty sure you just used it up by posting about not killing Sax

spank said...

Plus you saved your Assassin

Josh S. said...

Whoops!

So, Sax can now safely stalk MLASF. Also Hundley has no one to kill, so Wicks could have to wait all day.

spank said...

I like how it is all quiet up in here as if no one is watching or think they are not being watched by not commenting anywheres

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's like the round has started over again, only nobody gets initiator's rights, one person has nobody to kill, and another can't be killed.

spank said...

Who's going to make the deadliest move?

Kyle Baker said...

I'm glad I popped in over here - hadn't realized some of these permutations.

Sorry Greg, that's what you deserve for going photoless.

Nostradamus said...

This year is way more fun, as we have the zombie comedy stylings of Josh S.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

There's no incentive for anybody to post.

The only way this thing gets started before the deadline is if someone wants to get it out of the way, T Hundley doesn't realize Dusty is safe, or someone pulls a Mr. F.

Kyle Baker said...

"Pulling a Mr F" is certain to become a new catchphrase that sweeps the nation, or at least the SoSGsphere.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Man accidently gets involved in argument between a couple.

"Uh oh, looks like I pulled a Mr. F."

Then I show up and kill him.

Because that's how I roll.

MR.F said...

How embarrassing. I bet "Pulling a Mr. F" will show up in dictionaries with a picture of my bear avatar thing next to it, a la http://bit.ly/bQo5Va

rbnlaw said...

Pulling a Mr. F outdoes the Faberuben.

rbnlaw said...

Things are quiet over yonder.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's kinda funny how one little innocuous comment by Greg has derailed the entire system.

rbnlaw said...

This is genius, whoever it is:
RT @DodgersGM
I don't have time to address phony @Ned_Colletti account. Too busy trying to remember who Lance Carter is. Pitcher or member of *NSync?

Nostradamus said...

@Mr. F

Wear it proudly. You're a modern day Major Shrapnel.

MR.F said...

Oh I'm not at all upset by this.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

You must embrace your identity, Mr. F. Like how I embraced being the guy who punches walls while shouting "DAMMIT."

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

GO WICKS SET OFF THE CHAIN

Kyle Baker said...

Some shit's about to go down.

This thread is like being on the front row of a hockey game right behind the glass.

spank said...

I'm willing to give up my life just to take part of a mass slaying.

Kyle Baker said...

Focus on Assassin's Circle for now, Spank.

spank said...

Thanx Dusty. I confuse myself sometimes living the life of a modern day Jeckyl and Hyde

Josh S. said...

Sax could feasibly shut it all down again.

It all depends how badly he wants to kill MLASF.

Josh S. said...

Your regularly scheduled mass murder and carnage will not be seen today, so we may bring you a special presentation of "Dusty and Josh Yuk It Up."

Kyle Baker said...

^ isn't that every day?

Kyle Baker said...

^ The dusty and Josh yukking it up part, not the mass carnage. Although that did happen in yesterday's game.

rbnlaw said...

Dammit Wicks, Hundley has stuck his neck out just waiting for your shot.

rbnlaw said...

Of course, I can feel the dot of a laser sight on my back as I sit waiting in the clock tower.

Waiting.


Waiting.

Nostradamus said...

This hired gun is perfectly happy to wait until 2:59. If that means two zombified goons get the run of the town, so be it. At least I'm entertained while I'm watch from somewhere that is almost certainly not the southwest corner of the abandoned Montgomery Ward parking structure

Josh S. said...

Uhhh...which way is that clock tower facing?

Nostradamus said...

Sic transit Hundley.

Will mayhem now ensue?

rbnlaw said...

@Josh,
The right way.

rbnlaw said...

Heh, heh, heh.

I know the Spankster is watching.

Josh S. said...

Ok, cool. I just hope you don't have to pee or anything.

rbnlaw said...

Where the hell is a living FB when I need him?

Kyle Baker said...

Wicks is in!

rbnlaw said...

Yes, but Spanky lurks.

As do I.

Josh S. said...

So, we're essentially back to this again.

Nostradamus said...

*cleans rifle scope*

Kyle Baker said...

At least that means I can get about an hour of work in today.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Great, now rbn is scared to come out. I have to wait until 3 again.

spank said...

Start making preparations for the cleanup crew cause there is going to be a bloodbafh in little over an hour

Nostradamus said...

@Spanky

If rbnlaw is the kwisatz haderach to your Feyd Rautha, that might be construed as and unfair advantage in the Assassin's Circle.

Kyle Baker said...

I'm picturing Spank now as Private Pyle from Full Metal Jacket right before he took himself out in the bathroom.

Nostradamus said...

Sorry everybody. I didn't realize that a bit of my geek was showing in the comment above.

spank said...

@ Mr.C

I'm hoping the spice has an effect on Moadib and since the earth equal of the spice on Dune is spilled in the gulf, He's Fucked.

Nostradamus said...

*daydreams about a bottle of Mescal large enough for Shai Hulud*

Kyle Baker said...

We ain't heard shit from Karina. But I know she's out there somewhere oiling her AK or sharpening her machete. Carnage awaits.

Nostradamus said...

I have a feeling that laying low isn't going to mean shit for those of us further down the chain. It'll just be a game of chicken.

karina said...

timecheck

spank said...

Say something NEEEBS I know you are there. Do you have the sand to take it down to the wire?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Where is Paul, anyway?

karina said...

Dusty,I'm afraid of machetes,so that's not a weapon I would use.

AK?lol those are my true initials though I pretend my middle name is my first name.

If you want to know my first name, I'd have to kill you, are you listening Mr C?

karina said...

@Spank if you hurt Neeebs,you'll have to deal with me!

Nostradamus said...

@Karina

*adjusts parabolic microphone*

Oh, I'm listening.

spank said...

@ Alejandra?

Sorry kiddo but that is the way the hand was dealt. Survival

spank said...

I better stop commenting cause I almost pulled a Mr.F

Kyle Baker said...

I know your last name(s) Karina...maybe I can triangulate and figure out your real first name.

spank said...

Bells are getting ready to toll
Heads are in position to roll
Wipe dem tears from your eyes
cause we all going to die

rbnlaw said...

Yoga relaxes the sole, energizes the body, and sharpens the killing instinct.

Kyle Baker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Josh S. said...

My money's on our old buddy Conflicting Edits killing all of you.

Kyle Baker said...

Take a look
To the sky
Just before you die
It's the last time you will

karina said...

@Dusty you won't guess anything from that info!

@Spank you are cold as the North Pole

rbnlaw said...

Synchro post

karina said...

Eating lunch in front of the computer, I cross fingers my next meal won't be brains

spank said...

"Disappears"

Loney Fan said...

time stamp

Kyle Baker said...

That was almost haiku, Karina.

Loney Fan said...

time stamp

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Time check

Kyle Baker said...

On my command, unleash hell!

karina said...

where are you,Mr C?

If you are going to kill me, Mr LASF, be gently

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

time check

karina said...

patience is our virtue

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

time check

karina said...

timecheck

Kyle Baker said...

For the record, patience is definitely not my virtue.

karina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kyle Baker said...

Isn't tomorrow just going to consist of everyone waiting until three then jumping in fairly randomly?

spank said...

Who will be first to take the dive

Kyle Baker said...

Jump in there, Spank. It's the movie equivalent of the main bad ass turning to his buddies and saying "Cover me!" then exposing himself to gunfire while running to the next mark, laying down random fire the whole way. Do it!

Kyle Baker said...

This is like watching Arsenal play.

spank said...

Countdown 45 minutes till blast-off

Josh S. said...

INITIATE, YOU PANSIES!

Josh S. said...

Heh. Nevermind.

spank said...

Mouse malfunction countdown delay due to repairs

Nostradamus said...

Spanky's drive-by made me miss wide right.

rbnlaw said...

Looks like I get a free shot at DB.

*waits until 3pm*

karina said...

I missed Mr C for seconds.My instinct told me to refresh, which I did.Probably I'd be sitting in the open defenseless.

Mr LASF said he wasn't going to be around but I know he was giving me a false security blanket

rbnlaw said...

Watch it, DB. An angry shooter is a deadly shooter, nonetheless.

And the passing/ball control game is how football is to be played. Just not against 10 men from Merseyside.

Nostradamus said...

@Rbn

Hey, at least my boys put the ball in the net.

Granted, one was in OUR net, but let's not get caught up in semantics.

Paul said...

Props to Mr. C for the attempted kill shot. I thought Karina had you on the run.

Nostradamus said...

@Paul

Predictability is death 'round here.

rbnlaw said...

Mr. C:
I am not anti-semantic.

With more time given to Van Persie and Cesc, I have a feeling the Gooners will be fine.

Josh S. said...

I'll admit I don't get rbnlaw's wait it out plan, but I am down to about half a skull at this point.

200

Kyle Baker said...

Ouch! Tennessee Titans released injured Stafon Johnson. Cruel.

Kyle Baker said...

^ I know MLASF wants to say something about this but can't because he's all I Am Legend right now.

karina said...

Mr LASF you're safe now!

Kyle Baker said...

Thanks for the idea, Mr. C!

karina said...

@Mr C are you so afraid of me?

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