*comes up clapping*

Yeah! How you guys feeling out there? Feeling good!

*waits for crowd cheering response*

Feeling Great!

*crowd doesn’t respond as much but they still play along*

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and tonight, we’re honoring a group of moderators that have painted masterpieces with their words and sometimes with pictures as well. The moderators here run the gamut of storytellers merging multiple universes to construct their own unique mosaic, to one that have mined the greatest literary minds, characters, and historical figures of all time to expand our horizons and another that captured the universe of beloved characters and brought them to life.

Here are our nominees for Best Write-Ups

Mr. Stranger
Hybridity VI: Deadpoint
Skyrim Mafia
Hybridity VII: Island of Monsters
Hybridity VIII: Battle Planet
Hybridity IX: Bloodsuckers

Immortal_Raven
The Library Reboot
The Library Reboot II: Kindling the Flames
World History Volume I

Skullbrother47
Transformers: More than Meets The Eye Mafia

Make sure you take the time out to read these write-ups you will not regret it.

And the winner is…

*opens envelope and reads*

Hope you haven’t sat down yet.

Mr. Stranger

or in this case, his meth addicted stand in?

Actually, Weird Stain has been arrested on possession and exposure.

I'm his replacement, Mr Stranger's bodyguard and assistant, Sir. Punch.

Mr Stranger regrets that he could not be here today, but in the spirit of writing I wrote this original poem on his behalf. It is completely original and anyone who says otherwise will get punched.

Here we go, ahem...

...You know what, I don't need tiny cue cards.

I've realized, I'm not the only writer in the room tonight.
I'm not the only one writing.
So this goes out to them.


It may not feel like danger
Writing just to eat
But you know who does that? Stranger
And he never gets a treat
So you wonder what the point is
‘cause you’re homeless and half dead
But home is where the heart is
So your real home’s in your chest

Everyone’s a writer in their own way
Everyone’s got stories they must make
They’re not as cool as mine
But folks, you know it’s fine to know your place
Everyone’s a writer in their own way
In their own can't-afford-real-food way

So I thank my best friend, Sir. Punch
(yeah, he's totally the best)
He showed me there’s so many
Different muscles I can flex
There’s the deltoids of sarcasm
There’s the abs of eating ice
It’s not enough to bash in heads
you’ve got to bash in minds

Everyone’s a writer in their own way
Everyone’s got talent on their breath
Get up, go out and write
Especially that guy – he smells like meth
Everyone’s a writer in their own way
You and you and mostly me and you

I’m poverty’s new member
And I’m sleeping in the slums
A writer doesn’t care
If they sleep with a bunch of scary alcoholic bums

Everybody!

Everyone’s a writer in their own way
Everyone can write a hero’s quest
Don’t worry if it’s hard
If you’re not a friggin’ ‘tard you will prevail
Everyone’s a writer in their own way

Everyone's a writer in their - ohhhhhhh god I'm starving.

Screw this, there's a buffet right? I'm going there.

Can we take that stuff home? No? Better fill up now then.

*gets shoved onto the stage* I'm going, I'm going...

*ahem* Hello again, everybody! I know this show has hit a lull after that first award, but I'm back now!

*pauses for applause*

*silence*

Yes, thank you, thank you. Please, we need to get on with the show...

*more silence*

Ok, enough, please! Thank you. Now, I'm here to present the Community Choice Award! So named because all the other awards were actually decided by Girathon himself! The voting was all a sham.

Hah! That was, of course, just a little joke! They were really decided by a coin flip.

Anyway, this award is for the "community member that has most made the Mafia section of the forums a more fun place to be, the one who has gone the extra mile to add to the family that is the Made Members of HCRealms." The nominees, who I think we'll all agree were deserving, are: Girathon, Rokk_Krinn, and JackofHearts2005. And the Maffie goes to...

Girathon!

Fitting, as he's the one who brought this bit of levity to the boards in the first place. Let me be the first to say congratulations!

Wow. Words can't describe what it means to me to win this award. I wouldn't trade this award for any other award in this ceremony (other than perhaps Lifetime Achievement, but I am a LONG way from deserving that one).

The thing that is often said about the HCRealms Mafia Community is that we are like a family. And I definitely find that to be true. Although I have met very few of you in real life, I know that may of you are there to support me, or any one of us, if we are going through times of trouble. Our community is so amazing, it has resulted in at least one marriage that I know of, and that's just awesome.

I value this community. As such I do try to give it as much growth and love as my time allows. I may not be perfect, but I do try to arrange things like this that acknowledge achievements in the community, or send messages or notes to those who are feeling down. I know there is much more I could do though, and I strive to improve myself and make this community even better in the future.

I would like to thank my fellow nominees, as well as MSU, who I think all did a tremendous job for the community this past year. With everyone doing so much, sometimes the little things are easy to mis, and I think this award could have easilly gone to any of you.

*raises Maffie into the air as music starts to play*

Thank You!

What's that? Don't leave the stage?

Oh, that's right, I'm presenting. Here, catch this!

*tosses Community Choice Maffie off stage*

CRASH!

Oops.

Anyways, this next award brings us to the midway point of the awards ceremony. And this next award is very special.

This next award is the Lifetime Achievement award. Unlike the other awards which only take into account the past year, this award takes into account everything the member has done since Mafia was brought to the Realms. The winner will be immortalized in the HCRealms Mafia Hall of Fame, and the winner tonight will be the first of their class.

No one can discount the impact these nominees have made here. From the one who brought Mafia to the realms, to master players that still find time to make sure other players are doing OK, every nominee deserves to be here.

The Nominees are:

Peers

sstralkowski

Rokk_Krinn

MSU

Magnito

*takes envelope out of jacket pocket*

And the winner is...

*cracks seal on envelope*

It is my pleasure to present the first Lifetime Achievement Award to

Rokk_Krinn!

Thank you.

Compared to the competition, I don't know if I deserve this. I may spend a bunch of my life here but Peers created this life for us.

However, I would be lying if I didn't say I don't have a life here: I've made friends (and, sadly, a few foes and I dearly hope someday I can make a gathering so people can see Game Rokk isn't me ), spent many enjoyable hours, had support through times and been able to support people through theirs', found my best friend, got to know my true love, had many laughs and shed a few tears, tried to repay you all by bringing you "home a Lombardi", tried to honour you even more so by sharing love from our community to people in tragedies (I know those kids in Haiti needed the distraction of those toys brought over in your names), tried to retire but got pulled back in because not only was I sad things had gotten placid but because I missed many of you...

I think, typically, Lifetimes are given to people on their way out the door but I will hopefully be here for many more years, blessed to know all of you and those who are coming down the line. I'll even TAK-clause my devotion.

*Walks onto stage and waits patiently for the well-deserved standing ovation and thunderous applause for Rokk_Krinn to die down.

Moderator.

If you ask a regular Joe or Sally on the street to tell you what that word means to them, most of them will just look at you quizzically.

Some savvy internet goers will say that "Mods" are the people who take all the "fun" out of Internet message boards. Some may cringe as they think of divorce...or the political debates of 2016.

Here, in the Mafia Forum at HCRealms, that word means something different entirely.

A "Mod" here is a storyteller, a legislator, a sheriff, a dreamer, a custodian, and a God all rolled into one.

A mod is someone who weaves an incredible tale out of the changing fabric in their games. These games are the most exciting kinds of stories, because the ending is never written ahead of time. There is absolutely no way to know how these stories end when they begin.

Before plots like these can unfold an idea has to spark. A theme that separates itself from the rest. After that rules have to be put in place. Then come the roles and beings that will take part in this tale. Then the players have to be cast. Balance has to be achieved.

Only then, can the curtain can be drawn, and the games begin...

Then the thankless task of action gathering and vote tallying begins, and most players forget about all the wonder and hard work that went into a game as they tear each other apart...

Before we announce the nominees, we want to say "Thank You" to all of the Moderators this year. Every single one of you put your heart and soul into the amazing games that we keep coming back for. Give yourselves a round of applause!

Now, for three Mods that stood out for their contributions this year:

Girathon who entertained us with vivid re-imaginings of Dinosaurs and Monsters, as well as inventive game styles.

Mr. Stranger who's unique brand of storytelling has created a juggernaut in his Hybridity series.

Immortal_Raven who has made non-fiction and fiction alike come alive in ways only his games can.

And the winner of Mod of the Year is:

Immortal_Raven

*walks on stage with a shocked expression, looking over shoulder for reassurances

*thanks Iceman for the wonderful introduction

Wow. Just wow. A lot of the stuff I said in my first acceptance speech applies here. The range of emotions that anyone goes through as a player is probably 1/100th that of a mod. It's one thing to die as a player with a character you like. It's another entirely to build these characters from the ground up. We (Pax excluded) write flavor text, balance powers, assign alignments, write passages, and more knowing that most of our creations will fall by the wayside. While I admit that I have a blast coming up with some of this stuff, it truly is a taxing experience from start to finish.

So thank you, truly. I'm really having an awful case of writer's block right now trying to find the proper words to express my gratitude. It's downright gratifying and humbling all at once. Just to even be on the final ballot is truly an honor and Iceman said it, thank you to all the mods from the past year. So again, thank you from the bottom of my mostly cold and dead heart. This means a lot more than many people think it should. But to be honored like this in our small, common, obscure corner of the internet; I am truly touched.

I guess this means I should announce signups for another game. Which series/idea to run with though, that is the question.

The 2015 Maffie Awards are brought to you by Oh Henry! Chocolate Bars. More Of What You Like!

Ok, we are back! Sorry for that excessive commercial break. it seems our intended presenter had some sort of accident in the dressing room and ended up with a knife in the eye. i wonder how that happened...

Anyways, I don't really have anything prepared for this, but the next award is... The Serial Killer of the Year Award! (how ironic) Without further delay...

*Tears Open Envelope*

And the Maffie goes to...

Jackofhearts2005!

*Wipes off a bloody knife.*

Thanks, guys. I love being the serial killer because I get to scum hunt and skate at the same time. It's always been my favorite role so it's pretty cool to win an award for it. Thanks to Girathon and Mal for modding.

No, I haven't seen K-Ness. Why do you ask?

*the spotlight searches the empty stage, pans down to the audience, eventually finding its way to the bar landing on a rather intoxicated looking RenegadeRoy*

Oh, uh, yeah I already got my award.

*holds up bottle of half drank scotch*
*takes a drink from the Maffie*

Thanks again, gang... er-- what's that? I'm presenting an award? Uh, don't think I can, they already took my keys... what's that? They'll take my award too? No no, I've got this.

*clears throat*

Alrighty, so, uh, some might say that the most important part of any mafia game is the town. They've got the majority, the well balanced mix of powers, and a bunch of other things or whatever. But that's dumb, they aren't the most important--

*pops cocktail olive into mouth*

-- they're like the second or third most important. Sometimes they're aren't even important at all, think about it for a second... right? Of course, what I'm getting at here is that you can't have a mafia game without the titular made men, and women.. and occasionally cults too --sorry, Grinner, it's part of the award. While a mafia and/or cult typically work as a team there often times is that one member who really goes the extra mile and makes them a force to be reckoned with or something-- I'm spitballin' here folks. Can I edit these post or will Gira mod kill me? Nevermind.

Anyway, let's get to the whole envelope opening here before the bar closes.

*rips open envelope*

And the winner is $163.78-- wait, this is my tab...

*stuffs tab back in pocket*

And the winner for best Mafia/Cult member is:

Iceman425

Wow.

First off I'd like to thank whoever N1 Killed Rokk and Darq at the start of the Maffie's because, unless they were not able to attend these awards, I'm pretty sure one of them should've gotten this ... statue that looks oddly like an Oscar but with a huge knife in its back. I am not the most deserving and not nearly the best we have to offer, so I am truly honored.

Huge thanks to all those players that I shared proboards of seeeekrets with this year. Winning as Mafia isn't always easy on these boards, but I was lucky to be on some really scummy teams in 2015 and to all those players I am truly grateful!

Thanks to my parents who were the ultimate BS detectors. I mean, I really had to get elaborate to pull one over on them and I feel it really prepared me for success in the sport of Mafia. I bet they are so proud.

Big ups to all the moderators on this site for giving us players the chance to play out amazing stories while maniacally eliminating each other over and over again! I hope we do your games justice!

And to all the townies who fell for the lies and deceit...I'm so sorry.







Not really.

I love being a part of our little family that we have created here. It's always nice checking in on the boards and "coming home" to play a game or two. To those I've met in person, and to those I've yet to meet....I can't wait to kill you again.

Goodnight.

*zzzz* -huhwhat? Oh...time to go on. Wow, it seems like this ceremony's been going for a month or so now...

*enters stage* Hello, fellow Mafians! I'm here because Gira is cheap and had a last-minute slot open.

So, anyway....Town.

When you think of the Town, you think of a horde of disposable, generic people, most of whom will likely get killed...well, I do, at any rate.

But the Town is easily, say, the third most important group in the game. They find the Mafia and the serial killers wherever they lurk. They strategize and make deals to defeat those who would wipe them out. Sure, the majority of them die in forgettable ways, but those who survive are honored and congratulated for triumphing against the odds.

And who is the best of these tireless, indomitable souls? Well, that honor goes to....

...Truffle Shuffle!

*sashays up to the podium in her sleeveless plum colored Versace and black Louis Vuittons*

I despise the color red but these Louises are to die for. And we all know it's all about what I'm wearing; not the scum I've ferreted out.

Disposable.

Yes, quite often I feel disposable, in these games as town. But in all honestly I prefer to be town. Being mafia makes me anxious. All the lying and deceipt, potentially being caught at any moment. Letting your teammates down. All very stressful.

As town I feel ... free. I love trying to figure it all out. And brainiac is right. There isn't a lot of opportunity to win. I certainly haven't won many game, especially as town. But I see the town as it's own team. I don't play to win myself. I play for my team. It's actually pretty rewarding.

I don't know if I deserve this recognition. There are so many good players. But thank you very much.

And mafia...watch out. *winks and exits*

*Clears throat*

...


There have been many great mafia players that have played on our little site during the years. And while many come and go, and others of us stay for many moons, yet others move on if only to come back and say hi to us from time to time.

While anyone can play well at times, and get lucky at others, a truly great mafia player must be consistently versatile above all else. It must be a player who can excel at all roles, be it as town, mafia, cult, neutral survivor, SK, heck, even a jester role requires a unique set of skill to pull off.

And not just versatility based on role, but based on situations as well. Knowing when to stay quiet, when to push, when to fabricate the right amount of fiction, and when to take a game winning risk, are all traits of a great mafia player.

Today I have the honor to present to you the award for Player of the Year.

All three of these nominees are absolutely fantastic to play with, and no fun to play against, but very welcoming when on your side.


The nominees are:


Rokk_Krinn


Iceman425


JackofHearts2005



And the winner is…

...


Congratulations good sir!