TMF: Fate of the Shadow - Day Two

[Joosbawx]

Game Began: May 9th, 2011

This game was originally born out of Joosbawx' love of Film Noir, hard-boiled detective stories, and the genre films and novels like The Maltese Falcon and The Dresden Files exemplify. The rules are close to Classic Werewolf, but I've decided to put in a bit of a twist, so please familiarize yourself with the following and come back as often as you need for reference sake. The object of the game, beyond simple survival, is to obtain the Maltese Falcon for yourself or benefit of your faction. Therefore, there are multiple ways to win the game, depending upon which faction the player belongs.


The Rules and Roles:

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Gameplay Notes

Since the individual object of the game is to obtain the Maltese Falcon, this means that one Citizen cannot implicitly trust another Citizen as s/he may have an ulterior motive in targeting another individual with a lynching vote. At the beginning of the game the Maltese Falcon is randomly given to one player. If and when that player is killed, the Maltese Falcon moves to the individual or group responsible for that players death.

• Example 1: 'Player A', a Citizen, has the Maltese Falcon. S/he is killed by the Shadow Agents or Templar Knights during the night. The Maltese Falcon is then randomly assigned to one of the members of the faction responsible for that death. There will usually be some evidence left behind that would indicate that the deceased was in possession of the Maltese Falcon at time of their demise.
  
• Example 2: 'Player A', belonging to any faction, has the Maltese Falcon. S/he is voted against and lynched by 'popular vote'. At time of death, the Maltese Falcon will be obtained by the player that started the bandwagon against 'Player A'.

Anytime the person holding the Maltese Falcon is killed the Maltese Falcon is transferred to the person or group responsible for their death. Killing the player holding the Maltese Falcon is the only way to transfer ownership. 'Popular Vote' is defined as at least a 1/3 majority of surviving players, rounded up, voting for an individual. Anything less than the required 1/3 majority vote results in nobody being lynched that day.


Day Phase Actions:

• finding out who was killed
• the District Attorney protecting someone from lynching (via PM to narrator)
• finger pointing by general population for a lynching

Night Phase Actions:

• District Attorney - protecting someone from night kills
• Templar Knights - faction kill
• Templar Knights - scry attempt or recruitment attempt
• Shadow Agents - faction kill
• Shadow Agents - scry attempt or recruitment attempt
• The Mole - hiding true identity of one player
• The Shadow - scry or kill or protect a player
• The Fanboy - scry or kill or protection attempt
• Private Eye - scry attempt
• The Patsy - scry attempt

Recruitment

When one of the two factions with recruiting ability attempts to recruit a player, that player is sent a PM from the narrator and given the choice to join or refuse the organizations offer. If the player accepts the offer they join the Knights Templar or Shadow Agents as a 'Neonate/Recruit' for the remainder of the game. A player may only be recruited once per game. If a player refuses a recruitment offer by either faction they can still accept an offer made at a later date; however, the faction attempting the recruitment loses the ability to scry that night in lieu of their recruitment attempt, just as if they had recruited successfully.

• Characters Exempt from Recruitment: The Shadow, any member of Templar Knights, any member of Shadow Agents, the Private "Eye", and The Patsy. If one of these characters is approached for recruitment the faction making the attempt will simply be informed the player refused, and the player will be informed they were approached with a recruitment offer.

Knights Templar

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The "Cult" returns, this time wearing the vestments of the Knights Templar. The Holy Order of Knights...or Un-Holy, depending on whom you believe...are not extinct. Their goal is to increase their numbers, and, most importantly, recover the gift they intended for the King of Spain before it disappears again...The Maltese Falcon. They are led and recruited by the Templar Marshall who is identified (at death) by the signet ring s/he wears. Templar Knights carry nothing to betray their faction when killed. Templar Neonates, or those recruited during the course of the game by Templars, are not as indoctrinated as the older members and may reveal the name of one other Templar when threatened with death...so be careful whom you recruit. The Knights are aided in their quest by the Templar Oracle who has the ability (75% chance) to divine the role of anyone else; however, due to the extensive indoctrination rituals, the Oracle cannot scry on any night the Knights indoctrinate a Neonate.

• Winning the game: The Knight Templar win if they successfully eliminate the entire Shadow Agency and obtain the Maltese Falcon.
  
• Templar Marshall - "Master/Alpha Mason". Gives Templars ability to recruit Neonates. Scries as: Templar - Evil.
  
• Templar Oracle - "Mason Seer". Able to scry and discern role of anyone each night, except on night when Templar Knights recruit Neonate. Can see if target currently holds Maltese Falcon. Scries as: Oracle - Evil.
  
• Templar Knight - "Mason". Scries as: Templar - Evil.
  
• Templar Neonate - "Mason Recruit". May reveal name of one other Templar if put to death. Scries as: Templar - Evil.

Shadow Agents

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This extensive network of Agents hold allegiance to no one but themselves and their leader, known only as The Fat Man. Each member of the Shadow Agents is hand-picked by The Fat Man, who has the ability to bring in Shadow Recruits; however, like the Templar Neonates, they are not as seasoned as their Agent counterparts and may fold under pressure if threatened with death. The Brain works hand-in-hand with The Fat Man and has the ability (75% chance) to perceive the role of anyone else; however, due to the extensive background checks that must be performed on any Recruit, The Brain cannot scry on any night the Shadow Agents recruit.

• Winning the Game: The Shadow Agents win if they successfully eliminate the entire Order of the Knights Templar and obtain the Maltese Falcon.
  
• The Fat Man - "Mafia Don/Alpha". Gives Shadow Agents ability to obtain new Recruits. Scries as: Agent - Evil.
  
• The Brain - "Mafia Seer". Able to scry and discern role of anyone each night, except on night when Agents recruit. Can see if target currently holds the Maltese Falcon. Scries as: The Brain - Evil.
  
• Shadow Agent - "Mafia". Scries as: Agent - Evil.
  
• Shadow Recruit - "Mafia Recruit". May reveal name of one other Agent if put to death. Scries as: Agent - Evil.

The Citizens

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These are the everyday members of society. They usually play by the rules and follow the law; however, that isn't to say that when an opportunity comes along to get a leg up they wouldn't take advantage. The goal of the Citizenry is to get rid of the Shadow Agents and Knights Templar...if, you know, you actually believe in that sort of myth and legend. The Citizens are the pool of potential members the Shadow Agents and Knights Templar may recruit...unless, of course, the Templars or Agents accidentally try to recruit each other. The citizens are really in the game for themselves to survive, and score the Maltese Falcon for themselves if possible, or align themselves with an underground faction if they are approached and choose to join.

• Winning the Game: The Citizens win if they successfully eliminate both the Knights Templar and the Shadow Agency. Additionally, a citizen can score a personal win (and a cool signature award!!!) if s/he survives holding the Maltese Falcon at the end of the game.
  
• The Private "Eye" - "Seer". Has completely accurate ability to discern the role of anyone in the game. Scries as: Private "Eye" - Good. Cannot be recruited.
  
• The Patsy - "Fool". Has 25% chance of accurately discerning the role of anyone in the game. Scries as: Private "Eye" - Good. Cannot be recruited.
  
• District Attorney - "Baner". Has ability to us her/his influence to protect any player each day and night from lynching or attack. This role has to send in a PM to the narrator for each day phase and night phase; however, s/he must choose a different player to protect for the day and night phases...never the same person twice in a row. This role can be recruited by the Templars or Agents. Scries as: District Attorney - Good/Evil (if recruited successfully).
  
• The Mole - "Illusionist/Witch". Has the ability to alter the perceived role of any player when investigated by the Oracle, The Brian, The Patsy, or the Private "Eye". If target is scried, the role defined by The Mole will be the role perceived. Scries as: The Mole - Good/Evil (if recruited successfully).
  
• Citizen - "Villager". Scries as: Citizen - Good.
  
• Sam Spade & Effie - "The Lovers". The Lovers play together and win if they survive the game. If either lover is lynched or attacked, the other Lover is killed also, regardless of faction membership. Lovers are recruited independently, but still remain Lovers. Scries as: Lover - Good.

The Shadow

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Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows. This role is special, and stands for Truth, Justice, and the Citizen Way. In this character's eyes anyone can be corrupted...except The Shadow. Therefore, nobody is to be trusted...except The Shadow. Nobody can bring the wrongdoers to justice...except The Shadow. This character acts outside the law in order to destroy all Evil, and cannot be recruited. The Shadow has three special abilities, and may choose to use either one on any night s/he chooses.

Six times during the game The Shadow may use her/his super-sleuth ability with 100% accuracy to determine any player's alignment...Good or Evil. Secondly, The Shadow has six bullets with which to dispense Justice to those s/he deems as Evil. Thirdly, The Shadow has the ability to protect someone from from attack during the night...much the same as the District Attorney. The Shadow may choose to investigate, kill, protect, or do nothing, and must send PM to the narrator each game night.

Alternatively, The Fanboy believe s/he is The Shadow and has all the same abilities, but simply isn't and doesn't. The Fan Boy acts as though s/he is The Shadow, but, due to the lack of super-sleuth ability and training of any (real) kind, The Fan Boy has only a nominal chance of doing any real good at all...except for helping to hide the real Shadow, perhaps. Due to the obsessive nature of this character, s/he, when scried, shows as The Shadow, also.

• Winning the Game: The Shadow wins if s/he survives the game and both the Templar Knights and Shadow Agency are eliminated.
  
• The Shadow - May choose to scry or kill a player up to six time each per game. Alternatively, The Shadow may choose to protect a player during the night to prevent their assassination. Scries as: The Shadow.
  
• FanBoy - Has a very small chance to successfully mimic any of the abilities of The Shadow. Scries as: The Shadow.

A Few Notes About Collusion

This game has been written with three clearly defined factions opposing each other and doing their best to win the game. In response to the concern over the letter of the rules surrounding intentionally revealing a players assigned role being exploited to "break" the game I have removed the wording in the role descriptions to be replaced entirely by the following rule, which I will enforce without exception:

Collusion of any sort with a player of an opposing faction will result in immediate removal from the The Maltese Falcon. "Collusion" may include, but is not limited to:

• intentionally revealing your role to any member(s) of an opposing faction. This includes PMs or in the game thread.
  
• OOC (Out of Character) communication, including private messages, with any member(s) of an opposing faction in order to coordinate efforts that would adversely affect any of the factions in the game.
  
• Any other action not described here that can reasonably fall under the definition of collusion that has been made to create an unfair or exploitative advantage.

All of that being said, remember that this game is supposed to be fun, for crying out loud...why else would you want to play? All characters are encouraged, though not required, to post in the same noir-esque genre in which the game is narrated. This game is just as much about the story that we will all weave together as it is about who wins and loses in the end. Remember that this is still a "werewolf" game, and not everyone will be completely honest from beginning to end. Be careful who you trust because they just may be trying to put you between themselves and that shadowy figure standing just outside your peripheral vision. Thank you, and I sincerely hope you enjoy the game as much as I enjoy narrating!

Game Began: May 9th, 2011

Player List

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Cast - In Order of Appearance
Alarra
billtodamax
Reinholdt
Lex-Kat
BobTheFerret

ThePhantom
Malmagor Andrigal
Helgraf
Murska
Saposhiente

Zar Peter
Lemonus
Fleeing Coward
Shadowcaller
Smellie hippie

cd4
Eldritch Knight
sparkyinbozo
Hyozo
banjo1985

rakkoon
Supagoof
Shadow
Irbis
Zanshin (TMF)

bladescape
Deathslayer7
Trixie
Bobby Archer
Internet Flea

spacebic
Orangeban
Orzel

Scenes:

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Game Opens
Joosbawx killed. The Falcon is in the wind.

Day One
No Day One lynching

Night One
Khal, a citizen, was found murdered outside his store.
Grey Mage was found beaten to death in an alley. He was wearing a mask and carrying a revolver w/ six bullets in it. A note found on the corpse reads: "HD ARGD KS NGOCW VSRG SEMUKOCD".
Lord Loss, a citizen, was found dead on the docks with a single bullet wound to the head.

Day Two
TheLaughingMan, a citizen, was lynched.

Night Two
Arden, a citizen, was blown to pieces.
Ramsus, aka Sam Spade, was murdered.
GrlumpTheElder, who was Sam Spade's lover, Effie, was found dead.

[Alarra]

I would like to play.

[billtodamax]

I'll join.

[Reinholdt]

I'll play this.

[Lex-Kat]

I'm in.

[Gray Mage]

I'll join as well.

[BobTheFerret]

I'd like to be in.

[Ramsus]

Sign me up too.

[Joosbawx]

wow...crazy response already.

soooooo excited!!!

[ThePhantom]

In, oh so very in.

[Madmal]

Definately in.

[Saposhiente]

Wait, what's to prevent the District Attorney from just baning himself every phase for the entire game and being untouchable?

[Joosbawx]

Wait, what's to prevent the District Attorney from just baning himself every phase for the entire game and being untouchable?

nothing; however, this won't necessarily allow that player, or his/her faction, to win the game since victory requirements are based on the ratios of factions. Same goes for The Shadow, who can protect another player of his/her choosing in lieu of using the other abilities The Shadow character possesses...but survival isn't necessarily a win at the end of the game if the other factions accomplish their goals.

[Castaras]

Inininininininininininin.

[Helgraf]

Joo put me in dis game now, capice?

[Joosbawx]

djoo got it, Helgraf. fuhgeddabowdit.

[Murska]

I'm in!

[Lord Loss]

Sign me up please!

[Saposhiente]

I'm still kinda ehh about the recruitable day+night baner (If he ever gets the Falcon, he has already won), but in.
Also, what happens if it comes down to 50/50 split between the factions, fulfilling both's victory conditions?

[Gray Mage]

Maybe a quick fix would be that the DA must chose different players for the day and night?

[Joosbawx]

...Also, what happens if it comes down to 50/50 split between the factions, fulfilling both's victory conditions?

as the rules state, the Shadow Agents and the Templar Knights cannot win if the other faction has any surviving members. like other WW flavors, if the "wolf" faction has equal numbers to the "villager" faction the wolves win the game. basically, this game replaces the "mason" group with a second competing group of "wolves"...wolves vs. wolves vs. villagers, with a bonus personal win for the one with the Maltese Falcon at the end.

Maybe a quick fix would be that the DA must chose different players for the day and night?

good idea. I will edit the rules above to reflect this suggestion.

[Zar Peter]

There's nothing that could stop me from signing up!

[Lex-Kat]

*Tries to stop Zar Peter from signing up*

[Mordokai]

Nononono... this is how you do it right.

*punts the gnome*

[Lemonus]

I'll join if there's still room.

@\/ Awesome!

[Joosbawx]

absolutely...tons of room left! the more the Merrier in this game!

[Saposhiente]

as the rules state, the Shadow Agents and the Templar Knights cannot win if the other faction has any surviving members.

The condition is, eliminate the other faction and get the maltese falcon OR be ≥50% of players. Nowhere does this second condition mention eliminating the other faction.

[Joosbawx]

Consider me lawyered. Play if you like. this exact set of rules has been playtested with great success once already...with the minor exception of the change to the DA that I made earlier today.

[Saposhiente]

I'm still in, I'm just inquiring about an obscure edge case that the rules don't cover. (You could just have victory for have > 50% rather than ≥ 50%)

[Gray Mage]

Or you could say that the Maltese Falcon breaks such a tie, since >50% wouldn't help in that case anyway?