Peanuts

Badboy, I'll be honest: As I pointed out shortly before my death, the Town was overpowered. They had so many investigative actions, which alone was enough to unbalance the game a lot. But then our scum team had only four members, none of them having a killing role. Sure, we could have doubled our numbers by investigating and then killing the Godfather, but that was pretty unlikely. And they still did. Of course it's not your fault you made a mistake of giving the wrong result, nobody's perfect. But you might have informed them after you realized your mistake (that is, if you realized it while one of us was still alive. If not, you of course didn't need to ). And the town had a mason, even though they already were pretty powerful. So, no offense intended, but I really think the game was very unbalanced. Another thing was the role cops learning about the affiliations, like we learning Cornelius was the vigilante and the Mutineers learning I was a Goon (I was the Godfather Lyncher anyway ). I'd prefer the role cops to be weaker than actual cops, as they simply get to know what someone does. Of course, that's a matter of the game mechanics which you, as a host, are free to design. Still, that's what I would have prefered. I myself have no problem with centering the game around the four brothers, is there really a rule against deciding which character gets which role? I only thought the players had to be assigned randomly to the roles, which is absolutely necessary, but also the roles and the characters? I don't mind it anyway, and I don't think it was obvious during the game. At least, I didn't see it. But what I really enjoyed was the Yakuza setting. Nice job on this, Badboy. I'd also like to thank def for his information on Japanese stuff in the discussion thread. And about the game, I still think you did a good job hosting. It wasn't great, but it wasn't a really bad first scum experience either. I'm looking forward to seeing you hosting again. Oh, and that thing with Zakura and VolcanicPanik was quite annoying at some point, too. And Panik, you shouldn't have claimed your role to def for no reason, when there was a Town blocker as well. And you should have told us before claiming, and not after they killed Legonator. But anyway, I'd like to congratulate to the Town, though. You managed to get organized pretty fast, which was another nail in our coffin. Regardless of the game mechanics and the balance, I think you did well and earned the win.

Well, you are a bit confusing, but I guess I get what you're saying. You think the plot should be elaborated, and then the author should decide wheter to make it a series or not, right? Kinda makes sence to me. But I myself actually prefer each book of a series to have its own plot, and if I'd write a series, I'd make sure that each book in itself is satisfactory, so that nobody is actually forced to read the next book just to make some sense out of the story. Doesn't mean book one ends all smiles and sunshines, and then suddenly it's all bad again. I almost always leave speace for a sequel, or even give hints, especially in aforementioned Cyberpunk story, in which things still aren't good, just slightly better. But still every book will have it's own arc, and not end in the middle of something.

I agree. I myself am also highly averse against cliffhangers. While they may be okay in a TV series and tolerable in movies, I definitely can't stand having them in a book, but I guess there are people who think otherwise. But I have nothing against sequels or series, if they are good. If you've got a good story, go for it. But don't make a sequel for the sake of having a sequel. On another note, why exactly is the protagonist deserting, and why exactly is she following him? I guess they are trying to avoid the war, but to me evacuating and even more being evacuated doesn't sound that bad, at least not worse than deserting in a battle zone. Just wondering, no critizism intended. Oh, and I myself am also thinking about writing a book, but the story still needs some work. I've got several ideas, right now I pursue a story in a Cyberpunk/Post-Cyberpunk setting, though it's rather down-to-earth regarding the technology. No spaceships, lasers or flying cars. Maybe not even airplanes, I think. The time is about 150 years after a world war and the breakdown of civilization and loss of most technology. The story is set in a country, which has been build mainly by few large Tech Companies, which adopt and improve the technologies used before the Breakdown, so that this country is far more advanced than other countries. These Tech Companies not only satisfy most demands, but also control the medical system and the board of education. Then there's the dictatorial government, which uses the Companies' technology to secure their power. They tolerate and even support the might of the Companies, as long as they don't oppose the government. The relationship between this country and their neighbor are very tense, and when the neighbor country's vice president is assassinated during a diplomatic visit, it's likely there will be war, which is obviously teh intention of the far superior dicatorship. Yet, they allow the other country to send in a single, unarmed agent (the protagonist), in order to solve the crime. Of course, the dictatorship has no intention of getting the crime solved, so they try to kill the agent, claim that he was sent as a spy, and invade the other country. The agent survives, but is trapped in the enemy's capital and has to evade the Ministry of Inner Order (the police/secret service/intelligence). It's a city full of social problems, criminality, a bit of jingoism, intrigues of the Companies against each other, competition of the various Ministries, an impending energy crisis, and the Minister of Propaganda has some plans of his own... And, by the way, all military technology is severely controlled by the government. While the government is using assult rifles, tanks, helicopters, railgun artillery and has all it's soldiers equipped with automatic targeting systems, the criminals and the few rebels barely have revolvers, makeshift rifles and few self-constructed gatling guns. And hardly any ammo. They barely play a major role in the plot. Don't expect a happy ending... What do you think?

Is this still the discuss-the-recent-MLP-epiosde thread? Anyway... Though I still liked last week's episode more. It had some really sweet moments, like this "I'm the monster" scene. And Iron Will's appearance and catchphrases were ingenious. And I liked those semi-intelligent goats. And Rarity. And more Economics.

I never said I didn't like the show. But there are episodes which are better than others. In my opinion, this episode was not one of the better ones. Because, IMO, it wasn't really good. If you think differently, you've got the consitutional right to do and say so. But me as well. Fair point. Okay, I'll disregard physical details. But I still there could have been better (less obviously physically faulty) reasons why they have to take the underground train. I never said that a biological weapon would improve the story. In fact, quite the opposite. The weapon was what I expected, and it's good to be surprised by a diffrent cargo. And you're right, dead girl would have been over the top. But there's no problem with a redshirt/traitorous platoon on board. Increases realism, action and maybe even storytelling, if done well. While there are some stupidities in Star Wars, and while these may stwo of them, those two are not as obvious as the Balugans' stupidity. I could argue why not blasting the escape pot might have made sense, and not attacking the fleet with the Destroyers was deliberately incorporated hubris of the emperor. Point is, characters behaving suddenly OOCly stupid just to enhance storytelling is usually a sign of bad writing. Especially if that could have been avoided. And if two thirds of the episode consist of action, and the rest is intro/outro, there is not much space for character development either. But as I said, there were some good points as well, but not as many as with some other episodes. I can tolerate stupidity to a certain extend, really. And I'm no scientist, so I don't care that much about physics (if they do it well, I won't even realize it). Regardless of how much I wrote before, my main problem was the missing plot. I really don't dislike the show. I liked all the Mandalore episodes. I loved the Umbara arc. A lot of the older episodes were really good as well. The episode before this one was also okay. But there are episodes I don't like as much, like the recent one.

Thanks for letting me play, Badboy It really was pretty fun, I loved the setting and the characters, as well as the narratives. Overall, it has been a great game so far And it was definitely a new experience for me. Go Secret Agents!

I finally came to watch the episode, and it wasn't really good. The setting was nothing original, I've seen similar at least 2-3 times before, can't remember which movies exactly. Doesn't matter anyway. There was a distinct lack of plot. It was only introduction, battle, end. The battle itself had no climax and no turning point, degrading it to a long action scene. The bounty hunters killed soem ninja while being taken out one by one. Then suddenly all the ninja save for the leader are dead, while the leader himself throws the last two bounty hunters off the train. Then Ventress defeats the last ninja. No real turning point. And they battle fails to build up tension, as it doesn't have a certain direction either. It's not like there's a certain amount of ninja shown, which would have to be defeated. No, the whole time more ninja show up, and then there's only one left. Nor is there a certain time until they'll finally reach their destination. So, teh battle has no direction where it's going. Nor is it a real stalemate situation, as the ninja keep making progress. It's simply a long action scene. And of course the logical flaws. The gravitation has already been pointed out, but what them walking on and outside the train? I mean, with all the technology, they should be able to build maglevs fast enough so you can't walk on them. And both the ninja and the others behave pretty stupid. Why not sabotage the rails? Or, after they've taken out Bossk in the engine room, sabotage the engine? And is the sister of the bandits' leader really worth the death of an army of ninja? And the government was even more stupid: If I'm a warlord ruling with iron fist and there's a train I don't want to be hijacked, do I leave the train to 6 hired mercs? No, I'd send a platoon of my best men (or any other number, but at least more than one moron). And propably fill the box with explosives which blow the girl up if someone unauthorized tries to open the box. And if I'm a warlord ruling with iron fist, I'd make sure any major who blabbers about it to strangers gets instantly executed. And if I'm a warlord ruling with iron fist in a galactic war and there's only one access to my planet, I'd have some men guarding it, as well as turrets, blast doors and antispacecraft defense, which also prevent that anyone who's conned me manages to get off my planet like that. Not that I'd let anyone leave without checking the package. On a positive note, I didn't expect that kind of package. The idea wasn't original, but I rather expected some biological weapon or something the likes of that. And Ventress got some character. Anyway, I hope the next episode gets better.

That's exactly why I wonder so much why the Mutineers would pull this off to get me killed. On day 3, that doesn't make any sence. I can't see why else anyone would be lying. Especially since I'm only a Vanilla Yakuza.

I'm glad to hear that, but I still wonder why the scum intends to get me vigilante-killed. I mean, it doesn't make any sence, does it?

Okay, that's really hilarious.

Yes, I already pointed that possibility out. I myself think it's more likely that Akira is scum, but I won't exclude that his contact is scum. Though I really think he should know what a goon is, which is why I tend to believe it's him who's lying.

Yes, that's exactly what I have been saying the whole time. That's why I called him a liar before, because I think he is one. No idea why the scum would be stupid enough to do that, but I can't see any reason at all why a Yakuza would be lying. And I know it's not true. And I consider balance in order to evaluate the likeliness of his claim.

The role itself is not as much implausible as more extremely strong, but the assumption that the Town has got so many roles which are that useful sounds highly unbalanced to me. And I know I am not a Goon, of course.

So, what is the chance of the scum having a role that might be town? There'd be blocker. There'd be Role Cop, but if a Role Cop gets Role Cop as result, he ought to realize that the other Role Cop is a scum Role Cop. There'd be protector, but just how likely is that? So, there are two roles which can be confused at worst. But if you get Goon or Godfather, the town has hit Jackpot as well, while with Vanilla you at least have a proven townie. So except for those two roles, pretty much every invetsigation results in either a confirmed townie or scum. Sounds a bit stronger for Town to me. And I'll say it again, in normal letters: If the nomenclature changes, what use is the role cop? If he can find definite town roles and definite scum roles, he simply is a less useful investigator. If not, he isn't even that. What would a role cop gain from his result?

You really believe this, don't you? Unfortunately I can't find my more detailed book called MafiaWiki, but I've got a similar book which reads: If this action actually gave you the ability to determine the target's allegiance, how could it possibly be more useful for scum? No, I am saying that this role is so overpowered it's impossible, so Akira is lying about that result, and he is lying about not knowing what a goon is. And if he is lying, he is scum. And if he is scum, this means I'm not. You are right. Good, so we don't have three ways to confirm townies, but four. Still too much to be true. The scum wouldn't have any chance against us. Okay, for starters I'm doubtful because I know it's wrong. But I see you can't know that. But it wouldn't make any sence if I didn't know I was Yakuza either. Do you really don't find it fishy that we are so strong? That's not past games, that's nomenclature in general. If nomenclature changes, tell me, what use does the role cop have? He wouldn't know much more after investigating. Except if he could precisely tell which role is scum and which is town, but in that case he'd be a less effective investigator. So, assuming I was a "goon", you'd now know I am scum. No matter which side I am on, Mutineer or possible third party, you'd still not what you need to know to lynch me. Anything else is details. See, that's what I am saying. What would the scum do if we've got four roles which can find them? Either you or whoever claimed to you. I'd guess you.

Was there anyone else in contact with that person at that time? And my other, more valid points still stand. How comes you only address the weakest point of my defense?

Well, if I was a goon, my action would be nothing, as well as the one of a vanilla townie, enabling me to claim vanilla townie. That's the problem with the role cop, you can't have a person clarified if they are vanilla, only if they've got an undoubtly townie role like investigator. That's why the investigator is usually assessed as more useful than the role cop, because of this very flaw. A role cop who also works as investigator would be overkill. And according to Norio we have already three investigators. I'm sure if one of Norio's investigators would have found this out, he'd have told us in the morning. Which means there'd be a fourth investigator, if Akira was right. Can you believe that? If so, you are most propably the most naive townie ever. Or scum. Whatever. And as for not looking a gift horse in the mouth: That's just another way of saying 'Why should I think, let that dragon do that.'

So you are saying there can't be an actionless scum member that is a townie as well? Thanks for pointing that out, never would have guessed that.

What? Okay, I don't get why everyone is falling for that. So you don't know what a goon is, Akira? I'd expect anyone who even has finished Mafia School Elementary School to know what a goon is. Don't play stupid. A goon is a member of the scum with no actions, you should know that. Which makes even less sence: We are meant to believe that there is a role cop who not only gets the role of the target, which would have been none, in case I had been a goon, but also the allegiance? That's just what, complete overkill? I know you are lying, but if I didn't, I wouldn't believe you a single word. And why exactly haven't you told us there was a role cop when Yasu claimed on day 1? We lynched her anyway, so there's nothing lost, but I expect that a loyal Yakuza would have told us, just to make sure we actually kill her. So either you are lying, or your role + allegiance cop is lying to you and you are incredibly stupid. I tend to the first one. But Minoru should be lying as well, this renegade story doesn't add up. I've never heard about it before, and ftom his statements it seems neither has Minoru. Propably some advice of a team member. So I'll go on and vote: Minoru (VolcanicPanik) I hope the vigilante cares for Akira. Honestly, I can't believe you fall for his weird story.

And he was suspicious of Akira and Momoe, and propably Shizuko. And the suspicion against Chieko was the first one he discarded. But of course it's possible that Tadao blocked Chieko.

I don't mind joking, as long as I get a serious answer as well. So, you have actually no reason to believe so, correct? Doesn't have to be concrete evidence. Just wanted to get that clarified anyway, since you might have seen something I didn't see.

That's ridiculous. Ichirou was the tracker, and the Mutineers knew he was, as they knew he was town and wouldn't lie about that. And investigations don't show if the person acted that night. And we can't have a Yakuza role cop, otherwise they would have spoken up after Yasu's claim on day one. And the Mutineers wouldn't refrain from killing based on the vague suspicion something like that might happen. Killing is the only thing they actually can do to outnumber us. We are getting more and more organized, and every night they don't kill someone their chance of eradicating us decreases distinctly. So either their target was protected, or the killer was blocked. I wonder who Tadao blocked, do you know something, Akira? That doesn't explain anything. How is that related to the question if Tadao or Muniko blocked your wife, Kumicho?

And what makes you think so? I just wondered, hadn't Minoru told Norio who he had targeted on night one before? I thought you had been working together? Yes, that renegade story is pretty hard to believe. I've never heard of such a role before. (But I've never heard of the Vigilante Jester before Why doesn't it surprise me Minoru claimed to Tamiko?)

I got that you didn't think there were three blockers, but I don't get how the existence of a third blocker would save Minoru. I realize I have next to no idea what's happening behind the scenes, so I don't know if Minoru's claim is consistent with your conversation. I don't have much time anyway, so I'll leave that to you, while I try to make sence out of this situation. For future references, you might not want to consult Webster, but another book called MafiaWiki instead in these situations. Though you might have problems doing so right now.

So, what exactly are you saying? That Norio-sama is propably scum himself and making up the whole story? That Norio's blocker is Yakuza too? I'm not sure I get what you mean. Could you please elaborate?