A crunch, a thud, shouting and screaming. You wake in a panic, unsure if the sounds came from a nightmare or the ballroom. Wiping the sweat off your brow, you quickly dress and march out of your room. It seems like you weren't the only one unsure of what's going on, most of the other guests come storming out to investigate too. The sight before you is... unbelievable.

The whole corridor is painted in blood, blending sickeningly with the mansions crimson motif. Not even 3 paces from your door a body is slumped against the wall. You'd recognize his face anywhere, it carries the signature pained smile he must've developed over the course of his career.

@Taxes has been found dead, he was the Vile Faction Count Muscle!

In his final breath, he whispers his Last Will:

"I did not lie. I never lie. Pay your taxes."

You notice something sticking out of his pocket... Inspecting it further you see a Death Note:

Blood Tax is a Skill in Elden Ring. Blood Tax is a regular skill that can be found in Ashes of War, this can be used on armaments capable of thrusting (Colossal Weapons excepted). Updated to Patch 1.07.
HOW TO GET BLOOD TAX IN ELDEN RING
Found in the Mohgwyn Dynasty area in a small cave, at the eastern edge of the blood lake with four blood Albinaurics that appear after killing the beetle.
ELDEN RING BLOOD TAX GUIDE, NOTES & TIPS
This is an Ash of War Skill, associated with the Ash of War: Blood Tax.
FP Cost: 14 on use.
This Skill is not Chargeable
Upon activation, the user prepares their armament while performing a spin, before unleashing a quick flurry of thrusts in front of them.
Applies a 27% damage penalty to the initial hit of the combo compared to light attacks, an 85% damage penalty to the middle 2 hits, and deals 120% of light attack damage on the final hit, for a total of 223% of light attack damage when landing the full 4-hit combo.
Applies full status buildup on the initial hit of the combo, half status buildup on the subsequent 2 hits, and full status on the final hit, averaging out to 75% of normal status effect buildup compared to 4 light attacks, though at a much faster rate when used on heavier and slower weapons.
Restores 118 + Max HP * 0.1 HP when landing the full combo.
This weapon skill does not innately have any status buildup, but will apply respective buildup per hit if the weapon has it (either through weapon buffs, or innately).
Because of the possible stagger on light enemies pushing them backwards, it's suggested to perform the skill as closest to the enemy as possible to make all hits count.
NOTE: This skill was changed with Patch 1.07 as follows:
Increased motion speed and attack power.
Increased HP deprivation effect.
Reduced the delay between the end of various actions (such as using items or attack animations) and being able to perform the skill.

^ (Host Note: The Text is collapsed here)

But the blood doesn't end there... You follow the trail all the way to the ballroom doors and see another body pinned down to the floor by all of the ornamental swords which once hung on the corridor walls. Seems like they were genuine.

@Veteran has been found dead, he was the Vile Faction Count Manipulator!

Scrawled in his own blood on the floor next to him seems to be his Last Will:

Just so you know, if I die, I'm 90% certain that I know who the Countess faction is, it being poppy and taxes.

Now might I suggest an eye for an eye? My poor faction is down one member and you kinda need the two non-town factions to balance each other out, lest they go rampant onto town uncontested. So maybe kill the person I've suspected being from the Countess faction from the get-go, Poppy.

Also, if I'm right, then taxes can claim to vig all they like, but if their 'target' was me it was probably a factional kill that they're disguising as a vig. Which isn't a terrible plan, but sheesh, way to be transparent. For no good reason other than going after their fellow faction member with too much vigour, even without this will I doubt his excuses for shooting me would have held up.

Amateurs.

There was no Death Note.

You look around at the expressions of your companions. As you do, you only count 6 others... One of you is still missing. With some hesitation, you lay your hands on the ballroom doors. The moment you touch them, the organ on the other side flares to life playing a most ominous tune. Gathering your courage, you swing the doors open and are greeted with yet another body; however, this one is on display.

In the center of the ballroom a corpse is impaled 2 meteres off of the ground on a makeshift wooden cross. The wound pierces it straight through the heart.

@SpookyOugi has been found dead, they were the Vile Faction Count!

No Last Will was found.

The harrowing sound of the organ haunts you as you take in the sight, you have a feeling that this is the Death Note.
https://vimeo.com/763155459 [volume warning]

The organ finishes playing. Silence washes over you all. The spiked contraption slowly opens its maws once again, inviting someone to finally sate its hunger.

Although this game is a closed set-up, we still have available the Role Doc from the previously hosted game. Please keep in mind the current game setup might differ greatly since it's experimental. For more specific questions, please ask in your personal channels!

Rules/Mechanics

Day 2 will last 36 hours and will end early if a 51% majority is reached. Theres... More?

Currently Alive Players (7):
@glitch
@poppypants
@starpendle
@tiedyeMacaroni
@Kelsy
@Vampire_Serf_Lizzila
@Wazzi

Deceased Players (3):
@SpookyOugi, the Vile Faction Count
@Taxes, the Vile Faction Count Muscle
@Veteran, the Vile Faction Count Manipulator

Votes as of 97:
@Vampire_Serf_Lizzila 3
@glitch 2