THE TRUTH ARGUMENT SYSTEM

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The Truth Argument System Red Truth Blue Truth Gameplay Usage Misc. Tips General FAQ Round 3 FAQ Locations Navigation

The Truth Argument System In 'Umineko no naku koro ni', there is a magic system that entirely revolves around wordplay. Well, maybe 'wordplay' isn't the right term - it's a magic system that allows a Witch and a Human to stand on equal terms, that can let a Witch be killed by a Human or make a Human submit to a witch. Though it seems intimidating at first, this magic system called 'Truth' relies on very simple, straightforward rules. Red Truth The Red Truth (commonly just referred to as the Red) is a way for someone to state an Objective Truth - that is, something that is a fact, and cannot be denied. For example, say there is a murder in which 'John' dies. The Humans put forth the theory that John is alive and merely faked his death. The Witch can respond with a Red Truth and say that John is dead, and that statement is undeniably true for the case. The Red can be used by Witches, and not Humans - it's a tool that Witches can use to confuse and confound Humans. However, it can also give Humans ways to counterattack if a Witch isn't careful with their words. Next Note that the Red Truth is not an absolute truth - something can be true but also leave out things that make up a greater truth. If you're familiar with Murdergames and how they're played, think of the Red Truth like when a character goes to an NPC during a trial to clarify something regarding the case. Whatever the NPC says is taken as the truth of the case - thus you could say the NPC is using the Red Truth. However, that doesn't mean that it's the whole truth. Back Blue Truth The Blue Truth (commonly just referred to as the Blue) is able to be used by Humans to poke holes in the Red Truth, and is capable of killing a Witch. It is a Truth that is more like a 'Theory' - because use of the Blue is used to put forth a theory against the Red Truths and illusions a Witch shows. For example, if John was murdered and no murder weapon was found, a Human could state in Blue that 'John was murdered with an icicle, which then melted and left no trace' against a Witch's assertion that John was murdered by the Witch using magic, and that's why a murder weapon was never found. Next Since the Blue Truth isn't facts, but theories, the Human side may use as many of them as they wish without having to watch their words. As long as it is a full theory, or is building upon an already-stated theory, a Blue Truth can be used. However, careless usage might result in a Witch crushing a painstakingly raised Blue Truth with the Red. Take care to make sure your Blue Truths are solid! A strong Blue Truth can take a few hits from Red Truths, whereas a weaker one will shatter instantly. Back Next For example, a Blue Truth that says 'John entered the dining room, picked up a steak knife, and used that to stab the victim' would be countered by a Red Truth saying The victim was not killed by a steak knife. However, since there is more to that Blue Truth, someone can revise it by saying 'Then he used a different piece of cutlery from the dining room to commit the murder.' The original Blue Truth is thus modified to counter the Red Truth, so it can still be used. Back Next However, a Blue Truth that simply says 'John killed the victim with a steak knife' would be completely shattered by that same Red Truth, as the entire theory is countered by a Red Truth. So be careful when crafting Blue Truths! Single-line Blue Truths are easy to shatter, and when your Blue Truth is shattered it takes time to recover and try again. Back Gameplay Usage During a Trial, the Witch will show the players a fantasy version of the murder, in which the Witch or her Furniture kill the victim in a manner impossible for humans to do, yet leave the body in the state everyone found it in during investigation. This is known as the 'Illusion of the Witch' - because it is a fantasy hiding the true Culprit from being found. Next The players, who are on the side of Humans - or more accurately, mystery - have several options to chose from. They may submit to the Witch at any time, and say that this murder wasn't done by Human hands. Or they may use the Blue Truth to poke holes in the fantasy shown by the Witch, dodge the Witch's Red Truth, and create a Blue Truth that the majority of players on their side believe in. This Blue Truth doesn't have to be the way things went down, or even catch the actual culprit - as long as it is a theory that doesn't contradict most of the Red Truths and the Witch allows it to go through, then it's considered a win for the Human side. Back Next OOCly, this means that characters will be arguing against the Witch (a mod played NPC) back and forth. The Witch will be a top level in the trial, who can be asked questions or have Blue Truth used against them at any time and can use the Red Truth to their discretion. When the players have made a Blue Truth that the mods feel is thorough enough to end the trial and has the support of a majority of the characters behind it, the trial ends. The Trial can also end if characters outright Submit to the Witch, or merely run out of time oocly. In the case of two or more Blue Truths, an ooc vote will be made to see which one goes through. After that, the result will be announced, and the guilty (or innocent) party will be executed. Back MISCELLANEOUS TIPS A Witch may refuse to repeat something in Red - that is the privilege given to Witches. However, if something isn't denied or clarified in Red, then that means that while it can't be proven to be true, it also can't be proven to be false. The Red seems powerful, but can give the Humans a leg up if they notice what the Red allows. The Blue seems weaker, but can attack multiple points at once. To borrow an analogy from the game, the Red is a single-shot handgun, like a magnum, which you have to reload with every shot. The Blue, on the other hand, is like a shotgun loaded with scattershot bullets - you don't have to reload, and the chance of hitting something is much higher. Next Speaking of weapons, the Red and the Blue are able to show up as weapons to be used in a Witch or a Human's hands when aimed at each other. For example, in canon Erika wields a Blue Truth scythe, and Truths can become swords in which to have a duel with. ICly, a truth will become a weapon when used to injure either Fantasy or Mystery - so a Blue Truth about the Culprit yelled at the Witch could become a shot from a gun, a sword, an arrow - anything that can cause harm. Conversely, a Red Truth could also become a weapon to cause harm. 'Harm' in this case isn't something physical, but you will still experience the pain as the weapon attacks you - and it is possible to chain someone down or pin them to a wall with the Truths. Back Next You can duel with Truths during a trial, even against your fellow Humans - and feel free to make it dramatic. There are literal Truth swordfights in canon where two people square off against each other with their reasoning - think of it like arguing, but in an intensely flashy way. In addition to this, a Trial takes place in a higher realm - which means 'true' forms can be revealed. What this actually means is you're free to have your characters undergo a costume change, like Usagi becoming Sailor Moon, or a Phantom Thief from Persona 5 suddenly show up in their metaverse outfit. If they don't have something like that, feel free to make something up. Back Next Red Truths are subjective - A Red Truth can have multiple interpretations, and rely on the clever wordplay of the person using it. For example, the witch could state that the Murder weapon is not in this room. But that doesn't mean the weapon still exists - the weapon could be an icicle, and melted into a puddle. However, you cannot outright lie with the Red - you will choke on your words. On this gameboard, only Witches may use the Red. Any Human that is not the Culprit in a case cannot use the Red Truth, except to repeat statements already given or to point out rules. There are exceptions to this - but if they come up, we will let you know beforehand. Back Next Whatever is said in Red is the Truth. This statement covers the entire game. The Red Truth only works if the players have faith in the Author, and that they're not lying to them. By apping into the game, you're stating you have faith in us, the Mods, to not lead you astray. There is one other Truth - The Gold Truth - but it's a truth that can only be used by those that understand the entire gameboard and it's rules. For now, only a Mod may use the Gold Truth - but if you think hard enough and see through to the core of this game, you may become able to use it... ...But that will take a Miracle. And as we all know....There are no Miracles. Back