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Old 06-11-2007, 06:21 PM   #1
The Saucepan Man
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I was somewhat concerned about game balance, as there were so many variables, but had carried out some 'dry runs', which used the randomiser but also took account of intelligent choices by the hidden roles. The basic premise was that there were to be multiple Wolf packs. I had orginally planned on three ( ), but testing indicated that this would probably require at least 24 players to give the Villagers a decent chance. So I settled on two packs and testing indicated that, with the hidden roles we had, this would produce a Villager win approximately 50% of the time. In other words, it was 50:50 between the Villagers and the Wolves, but each individual Wolf pack had only a 25% (approx) chance of winning.

The Thief and the Priestess of Sauron obviously had a much lower chance of winning, since they needed to survive the bloodbath to the end, but the compensation for this was that they could win alone in particular circumstances. Their powers were also devised to give them a better shot at winning (ie, the Thief's hide ability and the Priestess' ability to survive Wolf attacks).

I must admit that I was rather annoyed that both died early on, as I was looking forward to seeing how they might use their powers in pursuit of the solo victory. If only Durelin had hidden on Night 1 although, with the chance of being killed at its lowest on Night 1, I can understand why she did not.

Despite the testing, I was still worried about game balance, but figured that the fact that there were six Wolves would be mitigated by the fact that the Wolf packs could very easily attack each other (and I was suprised that this did not happen until the fourth Night). Also, the likelihood of a Wolf being lynched early in the game (on pure chance alone) was greater than usual. And then there were, of course, the Shapeshifter's significant powers, which had the potential (and, given the bold way that Boro played it, the actuality) of creating havoc among the Wolves.

Still, given that it came down to three (well, two, really) Villagers and one Wolf and could have gone either way on the final Day, the balance looks to have been about right. I always knew it would be a bloodbath, though. Potentially, there could have been four kills in one Night (with the Thief's ability to Assassinate).

Obviously, this was a really fun game to mod, albeit somewhat demanding at first with all the Nightly activity going on and the need to bash out narratives as fast as I could (I would have liked to work a bit more on a few of them). And what a bunch of players!

Highlights include:

- Nogrod's first post, which was all over the place. I thought he was a dead cert for an early shower after this, but he recovered impressively.
- Legate's reference to white doves in his opening post - a clever signal to send out.
- Isabelkya's vote to unwittingly save Menel (a rival Wolf).
- Nogrod's last minute vote for Menel which nearly did for him (I was unaware of the history here).
- Boro's astoundingly aggressive (and largely successful) approach to the game, which was breathtaking. He didn't protect another villager once.
- Watching Boro trying to bait his trap on Day 2, in the full knowledge of what he was trying to do.
- Little Miss Aganzir's 'butter wouldn't melt in her mouth' performance.
- Realising that Night 3 really was going to be a slaughter of the innocents.
- Mith's eccentric Day 4 performance and her wonderful trickery, following her confession - I think that you might have survived the Day Mith, but it did look to be either you or Nogrod before you 'fessed up.
- Boro and Lommy's duel on Day 5. I felt sure that Boro would be lynched and that it would probably be game over. Noggie, was it your renowned sportsmanship which prevented you voting for him?
- The inexplicable abandonment of the 'two Wolf pack' theory on Day 5, just when it might have helped explain what had happened the previous Night.
- The tension on the final Day, when it could have gone either way.

I am sure that there are others that escape me now.

This game was an absolute joy to mod, and many thanks to all of you (Gil excepted, of course) for making it so.
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Old 06-11-2007, 06:45 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man
- Boro and Lommy's duel on Day 5. I felt sure that Boro would be lynched and that it would probably be game over. Noggie, was it your renowned sportsmanship which prevented you voting for him?
I must say it was partly that as I wished to see what Boro might have in store as yet. But partly also the fact that he might be even more lynchable the next Day as the "five wolf"-theory seemed to prevail... I mean why make a lynch of an innocent if only a few drive the lynch (and thence look suspicious to others - so I eased my pressure on Boro quite early letting Lommy to press him - and thence she would be looked at as the suspicious one...) while you have a chance to get all the remaining players to suspect Boro with some risk-taking? So the time was not ripe I would say.


Quote:
- The inexplicable abandonment of the 'two Wolf pack' theory on Day 5, just when it might have helped explain what had happened the previous Night.
I must say I'm as astonished as you are even though I did my best to promote the idea as well... I think it's a psychological thing: the idea that looks easier or less anguish-promising is more easily adopted as the right one.


Quote:
- The tension on the final Day, when it could have gone either way.
I still can't fathom how it went that way! It looked so certain that the Sixth would be lynched but...
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Old 06-11-2007, 07:12 PM   #3
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By the way, I think that it was Volo who noticed that, as far as the Wolf packs were concerned, there was a 'gentleman's team' and a 'ladies' team'. Naughty of me, I know. The hidden role choices were a combination of random selection and deliberate selection. As I said, I was unaware that Noggie and Menel had been Wolves together before, and Menel was only a Wolf because the randomiser insisted on it.

As to the great set of players that made up this game:

Mormegil - I am glad you made it, my friend. I rather forced you into the game, given that you had only expressed a tentative interest, but I wanted to get underway quickly and needed 20 players. You role was pivotal in the end, but don't be too hard on yourself. It was a tough choice. We've all been there.
Rikae - Sorry you couldn't have been around longer, but I enjoyed the forceful way that you played and, in particular, your spat with Boro.
Durelin - Really sorry about your early shower, as I was looking forward to seeing how you played this role. You were hand-picked for it (and ideally suited) after your comments about the Shade role in Volo's game.
Aganzir - I was interested to see how you would play as a Wolf, and I was not disappointed. Really, butter would not have melted in your mouth ...
Gil-Galad - A disappointment. I was really hoping that there would be no 'no shows' in this game. It clearly affected the game, but I suppose it added a different dimension.
Shastanis Althreduin - But for Boro's 'red mist' you may well have survived to the end, just as Sixth did. I loved the "Anyhoof!" and am indebted to you for giving me the opportunity to use the 'I'm a bit hoarse' gag. The old 'uns are the best.
Volo - I fully understood the strategy of going against your gut instinct, ad I have felt like doing that many a time. But, as it happens, your instincts were pretty good this game. You nearly died on Night 1, you know, courtesy of the Red Claw Mob. After a PM from Mith, I had your death written up, and then Aganzir notified Rune to me at the last moment.
Nogrod - That opening post! Really! I thought that you were done for. But you showed what a dangerous player you can be with your great recovery and subsequent performance.
Boromir88 - What can I say? Breathtaking! An absolutely bravura performance, taking down half of the Wolves (oh, and one innocent) single-handed. Bold, gutsy stuff and great fun to watch.
Meneltarmacil - In sooth, a shame it is that you were not arounde longere, to annoye ye othere Villagers with thine language. It looks like you provided Noggie with good cover though. Must have been a shock to see that Great Bear storming into your hut ...
The Sixth Wizard - A textbook 'fly under the radar' Wolf performance. And it worked. You held your nerve well on the final Day to take the victory.
Thinlómien - I think it was you, of the Villagers, who first spotted the possibility of two Wolf packs and your instincts on the role possibilities were generally good. What happened to the 'two Wolf pack' theory on Day 5, though? Still, your attack on Boro was fun to watch. And another role that gave me some fun in writing the narratives.
Legate of Amon Lanc - You could have been a contender, but for Noggie's seeming ability to sniff out a Seer. You never really had enough to work with, and it was a shame that your clue about Rikae was somewhat redundant by the time it was picked up. Liked the white doves though. Did you notice your central role in Isabellkya's death?
Kath - Again, you never really got a chance to get into your role. I would have liked to have seen what you made of it, having been a Goose to your Duck in a previous life. Strangely, it appears to have been Durelin's vote for you on Day 1 that mainly sealed your fate, although I never fully understood the reasoning on that one.
Isabellkya - Looks like you were lynched just as you were getting into your stride. It was probably your change of pace that did for you, but I liked the way that you were getting into it.
the guy who be short - Some good ideas on the possible roles, as I recall, but you were rather cut short in your prime ... (*groan*)
xyzzy - Just as you were getting more active, the Villagers go and lynch you on Day 1, the rotten lot. Don't let it put you off, though. I like the more talkative xyzzy.
Mithalwen - Another 'what can I say?' I was shocked and stunned by your confession, but it was great fun to watch it unfold. You make a great Wolf, and I was surprised that you were suspected at all.
Feanor of the Peredhil - Controversial and confusing, but a delight, as always. It would have been nice if you could have continued to create your unique form of chaos for a bit longer. You realise that you were killed because the 'Man-Wolves' thought you a Wolf ...
Rune Son of Bjarne - Didn't get much of a chance to get going in this one, I'm afraid. Nice to see that you (and TGWBS) made Durelin blush with your votes for her though ...

Oh, and as for that grammar debacle ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mith-nit-pick-alwen
When Sauce says : you must choose each day one of your number to face death and continue doing so until you have found all of the murderous fiends. Some among you who are innocent will die at the hands of their companions, I am not sure if he means that the innocent will be lynched by other innocents, and it should have read your companions (to my picky linguistician's brain) - or that the "their" does indeed refer to the "fiends" of the previous sentence" some innocents will be killed by associates of the wolves but not the wolves themselves.
Bah! The “their” referred to the “some”, ie those who would be lynched - only a proportion of those being addressed (the "you"). Perfectly good grammar! And what’s a linguistician anyway?

Looking forward to seeing some more of the Wolfish discussions ...
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Old 06-11-2007, 07:19 PM   #4
The Saucepan Man
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The Saucepan Man has been trapped in the Barrow!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nogrod
Did you forget something from here or am I confused about what happened? Like "the shapeshifter hunted Nogrod" as well going on during the Night5?
Yes, sorry. Somehow I forgot to include that. I've edited it into the post now.

I am glad that The Sixth Wizard did hunt Boro that Night as it finally gave me a chance to narrate the almighty Bear-Wolf slapdown. I was hoping for a fight between two opposing Wolves too, but that never happened, unfortunately.
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Old 06-11-2007, 07:19 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man
Feanor of the Peredhil - Controversial and confusing, but a delight, as always. It would have been nice if you could have continued to create your unique form of chaos for a bit longer. You realise that you were killed because the 'Man-Wolves' thought you a Wolf ...
Wish I could start the game over a few days later. I could have had a brilliant time messing with the world if I hadn't been so confoundedly busy.

And I desperately wanted B88 to be a bad guy lying through his teeth.
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Old 06-11-2007, 09:36 PM   #6
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What!? Are you telling me that Mormegil had nothing to do with my death? That is unusual. . .

Was it you, Aganzir that chose me as the kill alone? I need to know, so that I can decide how I am going to act towards Mith in the future


Anyways it was a good game. . .to follow, although I mostly stuck to just reading the narrarations and skimming a few posts.

Especially good to see Fea back.
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Old 06-12-2007, 12:53 AM   #7
The Sixth Wizard
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I assume that Boro really did go after Nogrod on the last Night, and that's why both were killed?

Sorry don't have time to write anything of substance right now...
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Old 06-12-2007, 03:57 AM   #8
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Was it you, Aganzir that chose me as the kill alone? I need to know, so that I can decide how I am going to act towards Mith in the future
I don't remember exactly, but I guess yes, it was me who decided it. As far as I remember you had been in our possible kills -list, though.
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Old 06-12-2007, 05:08 AM   #9
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Mormegil - I like the way you play. Not too much in your posts, but still the point, at least that was my impression. It's more exciting than analysing too much. If what people say is right and you are bold and scary as a wolf/gifted/whatever, I look forward to it!

Durelin - You were the kill we made to stay inconspicuous, although I wanted to be more direct, but Noggie wisely kept our heads down. Very good at this, isn't he?

Aganzir - Amazing! You were so good we wanted to kill you as an innocent!

Gil-Galad - Pardon?

Volo - You were right at the end, eh? Can't have a guilty conciensce/conscience/how the heck do you spell that?

Nogrod - You really are a good player. Though I'm sure my staying low tactic must have annoyed you! I especially like the way you put little rallying messages at the end of your PM's: Stay Cool!; Carry the flag!; Let's do this! Stuff like that.

Boromir88 - Let out your inner thirst for blood?

Meneltarmacil - Curse(e) the greate misfortune thate killeth thee!

Thinlómien - As great as always.

Legate of Amon Lanc - I still can't figure how Noggie knew you were a Seer... It's as if HE had super-powers...

Isabellkya - Voting for you was the scapegoat upon which people left me aside... And good game anyways!

the guy who be short - Had me scared for a second or three. Good game!

xyzzy - Dead early eh? Yeah, that reeks.

Mithalwen - I didn't know we had a king. I thought we were an autonomous collective ... Well, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you! I mean, if I went 'round saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away! (okay, rambling now)

Feanor of the Peredhil - I like your posts in the same way I like morm's.

Rune Son of Bjarne - We got you early I'm afraid.

The Sixth Wizard - Well, I am obviously a genius at this game, if I may say so myself...

Oh. Um, l-- look, i-- i-- if we built this large wooden badger--

Oh, all right. All right. All right. We'll kill him first and then have tea and biscuits.

O fair one, behold your humble servant, Sir Launcelot of Camelot. I have come to take y-- Oh, I'm terribly sorry.

There are some who call me ... Tim.

But then of course African swallows are non-migratory....
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Old 06-12-2007, 06:11 AM   #10
the guy who be short
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Bah! The “their” referred to the “some”, ie those who would be lynched - only a proportion of those being addressed (the "you"). Perfectly good grammar! And what’s a linguistician anyway?
Hmmm. But it should have been "your" as the sentence was in the second person. If you say "their" it becomes third person, meaning you're talking to everybody except those who will die at the hands of their companions.

I think.

Intentionally nitpicking,
TGWBS

P.S. I <3 WW + U all. Brilliant game!
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