I love this time of year. Many people do and for many different reasons, but for me it's all about tradition and family (which you can be born into or find yourself). I think no other game in a long while has proved as well as this one has that this community is a found family that deeply cares for each other. Whatever circumstances that brought you to Smogon and then more specifically into Circus Maximus, you have joined in this family. Welcome to all those new and those old, it's good to see you.
Now each family has their own traditions, and they can range from any number of sources. We have many in Circus as well, but I don't think any of them is as sacred or time tested than the billyroll. It's not just a way of getting an easy scum out of the game (because whether billy is village or mafia or anything outside those, he's always scum), but a way to come together and celebrate this game and this community. It's a friendly wave as you walk down the street. It's a warm embrace that says "Everything is gonna be okay." It's a sign of respect to William Martin Ills himself. A salute to one of our own as he exits the game.
And while many of us are scrambling for teams and strategies and whatever else we might need for this game, I think we should start this game off right. Start it off with a moment together. Tell each other that we are here now as a family to play this game, but more to enjoy each other's company for however long we spend in it. Let us all join hands, take a moment with each other, and say lynch billymills.
Thank you all for your time and happy holidays.