Welcome to Indiana Jones and the Oracle's Secret, a mini themed around - three guesses? - Indiana Jones.
In the next post will be a flavor scene creating the setting for the game. Please note: I wrote the scene with a general idea of when in the overall Indiana Jones story this takes place, but the flavor of this game is not intended to accurately fit within the full cannon of the Indy universe. Feel free to heap praise upon me for my hastily-written-yet-captivating prose, though.
Temple-Raiding Crusaders:
Axelrod r. jordman
Calvin
MandersHex
TeknoLink
Doomed:
Infinis - Dr. Marcus Brody, Vanilla Town. Lynched Day 1.
Asian Invasion r. Archon Kamigawa - Major Arnold Toht, Mafia Redirector. Killed Night 1.
Wrath_of_DoG - Kazim, Vanilla Townie. Killed Night 1.
Cantripmancer - Willie Scott, Vanilla Town. Lynched Day 2.
Guardman - Dr. René Belloq, Serial Killer. Killed Night 2.
Silent Prophet r. Toastboy - Walter Donovan, Vanilla Town. Lynched Day 3.
red_0mega r. kpaca - Indiana Jones, Town Vigilante. Killed Night 3.
Jack squat happened Day 4.
Cyan - Dr. Elsa Schneider, Mafia Doctor. Killed Night 4.
Quote from Sample Townie Role PM: »
Name: Nameless Cairo Thug with a Huge Sword
Alignment: Town
Role: Vanilla
Abilities: None
Flavor: Some slimy Frenchman hired to you kill the guy in a cool hat. Seemed like an easy gig until he shot you. And you were just two weeks away from retirement...
Role PMs have been sent. Please confirm via PM, or here. I don't care which.
The town win condition is "Kill the Scum". No, it's not in the role PMs. Why does it need to be in the role PMs if I just put it here?
Game Rules:
Items:
This game contains items. Items are an effect that can move from player to player, basically an alignment-less role that exists independant of the player possessing the item.
Whenever a player in possession of an item is lynched, that item is removed from the game. This will be confirmed in the lynch scene.
Whenever a player in possession of an item is killed by an ability, that item will be transferred to the player who did the killing.
Any player in possession of an item at the start of the night may pass one item to another player of his or her choice during that night. This is a night action but can be used in addition to any other night actions that player may have. (In other words, you can use an ability and pass an item in the same night, and forcing a player to pass an item will not roleblock them.)
Passing an item resolves after all other abilities have resolved; if the receiving player would die that night, the item doesn't get passed. (For example, Xander has the TV Remote item and passes it to Ling-Ling, but Spanky kills Xander. Spanky has the TV Remote at the end of the night. If Spanky had killed Ling-Ling instead, Xander would have the TV Remote at the end of the night.)
Basically standard stuff, but that I want to stress:
Like most mods I hate chronic lurking, yadda yadda. Unlike most mods, though, I am more liberal about modkilling for it. If at any point I suspect you are replacing as a way to avoid being lynched, you will be modkilled. If I feel you've lurked to the point where modkilling you is better for the overall health of the game, I will do it.
If you have a night action but wish not to use it, please tell me so; don’t just let the deadline expire. I like nights to be as short as possible.
Whenever you PM me with an action, please indicate the game name and the day or night number in your subject line. This will be immensely helpful to me for keeping the game organized and mistake-free, so it's less of a "rule" and more of a "do this if you want a better game" agreement. If you are only asking a question or making a comment, using this format is not as necessary but is still helpful.
As is the general forum policy, do not propose a mass crypto-claim or any claims intended to function like crypto-claiming. But don't live in fear over whether a soft claim proposal is too close to cryptoing; if it is, I will tell you. If I don't say cut it out, then you're fine. No one will be modkilled over this without warning.
If you have a night choice to make, it is due by the posted deadline. If I don’t receive your choice, nothing will happen. If you wish to not use a night action, please tell me so; don’t just let the deadline expire. I like nights to be as short as possible.
Lynching will require a simple majority of votes. Once a lynch threshold has been reached nothing can undo it. You may continue to post until night.
You may Vote: No Lynch
If a deadline is reached with no majority, the day will end without a lynch. Deadlines will be set at moderator discretion.
Once your death scene has been posted, you’re dead. Stop typing. A simple “Bah” post containing no relevant information is acceptable.
Golden Rules (i.e., the things that apply to every game of mafia.)
Do not discuss this game outside the thread with anyone. Not your friends, not your mother, not another forum member who isn’t playing, not a dead player, not a living player while you’re dead. No one. The only exceptions are me and whatever is instructed in your role PM. This applies to any game in progress; don’t talk about other running games in this one, even if you aren’t playing in that one.
Do not quote any PMs from me, nor paraphrase too closely, lest I smite you.
Do not edit or delete your posts, lest I smite you.
Obey the Forum Rules. This especially includes flaming. Play nice, kids. The only exception being you may double post if necessary, but please make an effort to respond to things in one post. Use the multiquote button or copy/paste.
Do not lurk, lest I smite you. You must maintain a reasonable level of active participation in the game. We understand that life gets in the way of mafia. However, please respect the other players and I by keeping us informed. If you anticipate being unavailable for more than a 72-hour period, please post a notice to that effect in the thread or PM the mod. If you feel unable to continue to play the game at the commitment level expected, request to be replaced. Do not simply vanish, unless under life-threatening peril. If at any point I suspect you are replacing as a way to avoid being lynched, you will be modkilled.
Make your votes in bold. If you do not bold your vote, it may not be counted. Please be attentive and unvote (in bold), if necessary, before casting a new vote. If you do not unvote first, your new vote may not be counted.
Ask the moderator, me, if you are unsure about anything. If you post a request of the moderator in the thread, please bold it.
April 7 – Korinthiakos Kolpos, City of Corinth, Greece
Christos Petrou swore. Loudly.
Three weeks ago today he took charge of a dredging barge along the gulf coast, and that marks three weeks of nothing but stalled engines, clogged pumps, leaky hulls, and stuck pipes. Deadlines be damned, he just wanted something to go right. Petrou called down to his first mate, who was working with the crew to dislodge the pipe currently jammed between some newly uncovered rocks. The mate reported that the last 30 minutes’ effort had been futile and the pipe hadn’t budged. Petrou crushed out his cigarette and ordered a diver to suit up.
Another 30 minutes later, the diver surfaced. “It’s stuck in there but good, Captain. I think if we take on some ballast, though… maybe draw another half meter… it’ll slack the pipe enough to get her loose.” The captain agreed and set his crew into action. “One more thing, sir,” the diver said as Petrou began to turn away. “I don’t think those are just rocks we’re caught on.”
June 12 – Bedford, CT
A near-empty bottle of whisky clings to the fingers of the man slumped in the chair. The room is as disheveled as he. A tattered fedora had been indifferently tossed on the table near the chair.
He had drank before. Plenty.
He had shared toasts with dear friends, and dangerous adversaries. He had tasted the wine of seventy-three countries. He had dulled the pain of countless scrapes and bruises. He had dulled the memory of countless screams. He had escaped the burden of his few, but significant, failures. But he had never pitted alcohol against a pain like this before, and the merciful stupor of whiskey didn’t help him escape one bit this time. He’d failed her – in every way he possibly could.
The bottle dropped to the floor.
****
Morning. His head is ringing.
No, the phone is ringing. He ignores it.
No, his head and the phone are ringing. Maybe answering the phone will make the head better.
It doesn’t.
“Indy?”
“Marcus.”
“You need to come to the Museum, Indy. There’s something you need to see.”
****
“The ruins were uncovered by a dredging barge. A number of artifacts have been recovered so far, including an Omphalos Stone.”
“The hollow carved stones the Greeks used to mark where they believed the center of the world is. The most famous is located at Delphi.”
“Precisely, Indy. Now, you may recall there is a tiny bit of disagreement over whether the stone currently at Delphi is an original or a reproduction. Well, so far the experts who have examined the newfound stone believe it to be an original, probably taken to Corinth during the Ostrogoth invasion, but more important is what they found inside.”
Marcus opened a file containing photos of a stone tablet covered in writing. “Translators are working on it, but I was hoping you might have some insight into the process.” Dr. Jones began to read. His fluency in Greek and his experience with unique ancient artifacts gave him a significant edge over the average translator.
“It describes the procedures for consulting an oracle.” Indy began aloud as he puzzled through it. “Preparation rituals for visitors, forbidden places. Seems like run-of-the-mill temple talk. This reference to Pythos – here – and bathing in the Castalian Spring indicate this was probably written by or for a Pythia – the priestess who lead the Oracle at Delphi. Marcus, this is amazing!”
Marcus caught a glimmer of excitement in Indy’s eyes, something he hadn’t seen in a while. Not since…
“Marcus, look at this! This part here is actually describing the procedures the Pythia used for consulting the Oracle.”
“The leading theory is hallucinogens in the water, or volcanic vapors, right?”
Indy paused, and sat down stunned. “Marcus, I’m not positive about this. The writing here seems to stop abruptly, like there’s more but maybe written somewhere else. But Marcus, I think this tablet is intended to pass the secrets of the Delphi Oracle from one Pythia to her successor in case of untimely death. It describes the location of Dionysus’ Tomb, where the Oracle is located. Marcus… the Oracle wasn’t a woman in a temple channeling the Gods, it was some thing beneath the temple. Something I can find.”
June 23 – The Tomb of Dionysus
Indiana Jones carefully made his way down the mossy steps. The only light came from his torch, but so far the tunnel had been small and the torch was enough to see everything. This tunnel had clearly been built, carved through the bedrock and leading from the temple. There were no sconces on the walls to hold light sources; this was not a path meant to be often travelled. After nearly an hour, he came upon the dark at the end of the tunnel. Stepping through he could tell he was in a large chamber. The only visible walls where adjacent to the tunnel, near his torch. He examined them. They were somewhat smooth but irregular, not carved by men but by water; he could faintly hear it running. The tunnel had lead to a natural cave. He moved a little further from the door and quickly found a large pile of bones. He shuffled them around a bit with the toe of his boot, enough to also see tools and scraps of decayed tunic. It looks like someone wanted to keep the secret here badly enough to kill all the slaves when they finished the tunnel.
He turned his back to the tunnel and scanned the darkness, deciding which way to go, and then something caught his eye: a tiny point of light almost straight ahead from the tunnel. He walked towards it, and as he did it seemed to intensify. When he was mere feet from it, he realized the light was his torch reflecting off the cave wall. And also that the faint sound of water running wasn’t a far-off river, it was a thin waterfall that coated this wall as thinly and smoothly as glass. This wall – it was not an ordinary wall. It was pure white marble and was completely different than any of the surrounding cave rock, but was a natural part of the wall rather than a slab that was cut and placed there. It was perfectly smooth and brilliantly reflective. Markings in Greek as well as strange symbols he’d never seen before were carved into the stone along the border of where the water ran down. Indy brought the torch closer, and closer still, to the point where fire and water nearly mixed. The water and white marble must have reflected the light back and forth, because the entire slab seemed to glow. He saw his reflection so clearly it may as well have been a photograph.
Indy was captivated by the phenomenon. He fixated on his reflection, clear as day but quivering the tiniest bit from the movement of the water. The effect was hypnotic. He continued to stare, and as he did the reflection seemed to shimmer and shift more and more, until finally the image of Indiana was washed away by the water and new images appeared. Images of his past, like memories, built up and then washed away. He saw people he knew and places he had been. And then he saw people he didn’t know and places he hadn’t been. Sometimes he saw himself, older, in the images.
Slowly, he began to realize what was happening. Somehow, he was seeing what the Pythia saw. He was being shown the past, the present, and the future. Frightened but exhilarated, he continued to watch. He did not yet understand the danger.
A few moments later, he became aware of a strange sensation. A pulling feeling. It started from behind his eyes, and then it was his whole head. He began to feel the pulling in his fingertips and toes, which creeped its way up his arms and legs, until his entire body felt it. That’s when he realized he wasn’t just seeing images of the past and future, he was seeing the past and future. This was a gate, a portal, and he was going through it. That’s why prophecies always came as small bits and hints: the Pythia knew the danger of looking for too long at once. But why hadn’t the tablet warned him? Why couldn’t he stop looking at the wall? What is happening?
No-when – Nowhere
Indiana Jones opened his eyes, and nearly vomited. He could, once again, see the shimmering wall of the Oracle, but the world around him wouldn’t hold still. It was a swirling misty gray that seemed to move and change every time he moved his eyes. He looked left and suddenly he was in his living room. A look to the right and he was in the Well of Souls, surrounded by an oily mass of asps. He shrieked and stumbled, shutting his eyes as he hit the ground. He lay perfectly still and listened for angry hissing, then slowly opened his eyes. He was lying next to Elsa in Venice. Then Marion in Chicago.
He snapped back to himself and was again surrounded by the misty gray chamber. The images on the Oracle still built up and washed away as before, but now he was inside the Oracle. Without understand why, he knew the only way out was to wait for the Oracle to show him the cave again, in his own time. The cave with his lit torch lying on the ground, slowly extinguishing, his hope of finding the right moment to return home dying with the flame. Ironically, he might not have much time.
But then, he realized that maybe that’s not where he even wanted to go. If he can step through the gate at any time and place, then maybe he could wait for that one to show. Maybe he could fix it, make things right. Maybe he could save her...
I have an item that makes the holder investigate as the opposite of their alignments. This means I will investigate as scum so please don't investigate me.
I figured this was important to get out as soon as possible.
I have an item that makes the holder investigate as the opposite of their alignments. This means I will investigate as scum so please don't investigate me.
I figured this was important to get out as soon as possible.
Vote: Calvn
For claiming to have an item in the random voting phase, random voting phase kay?
I'm amused that [Shalako], of all people, are talking about terrible reasoning. "Hey, PF's RVS daykill must be serious, therefore I should shoot him to prove that I have a daykill!"
Girls don't exist on the internet, therefore you must be lying.
Uh, yeah, they do! *waves* hello, right here!
Anyway, if we know that his item produces the opposite read, why does he need to give it away? I understand why, if he does, we should know where it goes, but why? I'll probably agree once I know the reasoning behind it. However, I, too, would like to know what item it is. Just curious, really.
i think that we shuold go through day 1 and then at the end before we cast final vote like in oots mafia we should cast an unnoficial mini vote on who calvin gices the item to (whoever seems most town). then that person will a. confirm they got the item, and b. confirm what it does. They can then pass it back to calvin on N2 assuming they live that long. Seems good?
At least you remember who my character was! No clue who you were.
Uh, yeah, they do! *waves* hello, right here!
Anyway, if we know that his item produces the opposite read, why does he need to give it away? I understand why, if he does, we should know where it goes, but why? I'll probably agree once I know the reasoning behind it. However, I, too, would like to know what item it is. Just curious, really.
Ummmmmmmmmm, so we know he is telling the truth? You shouldn't get it either apparently.
i think that we shuold go through day 1 and then at the end before we cast final vote like in oots mafia we should cast an unnoficial mini vote on who calvin gices the item to (whoever seems most town). then that person will a. confirm they got the item, and b. confirm what it does. They can then pass it back to calvin on N2 assuming they live that long. Seems good?
Maybe. We might not need to give it back to him.
Consider formatting your sentences though please.
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Ummmmmmmmmm, so we know he is telling the truth? You shouldn't get it either apparently.
I'm just saying we could check him first, then have him give it away to know for sure. Either way, though. I don't really want it. I have nothing to hide.
The cop can investigate him tonight, and he can give it away. Then, the cop can investigate him again. Unless if I'm missing something, that seems the only way to be sure.
Um, why have the cop claim? Also, we don't even know if there is a cop. Cop is usually one of the better roles the town have, so there is no reason to just let it go like that.
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seems good to me i think for now i will unvote vote manders hex, your to good not to have seen that we can just have someone tell us about the item. Your blatant fishing annoys me.
I agree with passing the item to whoever we feel is most town and then having them comeback and confirm that is what the item does. Or if we feel that someone is a pretty strong lynch for tomorrow we can give it to him (or her... you know what I'll just start using the gender neutral pronoun, xim) and then when we lynch them the item will be removed from the game.
I'll second what everybody is saying about MH. She is new and item games are weird. I think her questions are not only reasonable, but expected.
At least you remember who my character was! No clue who you were.
Uh, yeah, they do! *waves* hello, right here!
Anyway, if we know that his item produces the opposite read, why does he need to give it away? I understand why, if he does, we should know where it goes, but why? I'll probably agree once I know the reasoning behind it. However, I, too, would like to know what item it is. Just curious, really.
i think that we shuold go through day 1 and then at the end before we cast final vote like in oots mafia we should cast an unnoficial mini vote on who calvin gices the item to (whoever seems most town). then that person will a. confirm they got the item, and b. confirm what it does. They can then pass it back to calvin on N2 assuming they live that long. Seems good?
seems good to me i think for now i will unvote vote manders hex, your to good not to have seen that we can just have someone tell us about the item. Your blatant fishing annoys me.
Jordman already strikes me as scum, and well, Mandershex is not yet scum.
Sounds like we've found our first one. Man, only 3 pages in and already found one.
Let's hear you claim, Jordman. Vote jordman
I'm not sure whether I like this post or not. On the one hand it seems unnaturally confident that Jordman is scum and asking for a claim with very little pressure but on the other hand it could just be an overeager townie.
Ahh, the item of Calvin's, something just hit me. Ouch.
What happens if in this game there is a nuetral role? And the item is passed to the nuetral role and the cop investigates them?
Kraj told me that a neutral with this item will investigate as town.
---------------
To be clear on where I stand with this item:
I plan on giving it away tonight.
I have no plans on letting the scum know beforehand who I am giving it to. If the item is succesfully passed, then I will obviously be around the next day to tell you who I gave it to. If I am killed before I can pass it, then it doesn't make a difference who I said I was giving it to; my killer would have it at that point. There is no gain to revealing my target beforehand and all it does is add to the chance of scum interfering (if I don't reveal, the only way scum can interfere is by killing me. If I do reveal, they can interfere by killing me or the intended reciepient).
Because of the this, I do not want there to be a vote and to formally decide who gets it. I am open to any suggestions as to who should get it but I'm not going to take an ironclad decision.
seems good to me i think for now i will unvote vote manders hex, your to good not to have seen that we can just have someone tell us about the item. Your blatant fishing annoys me.
Your logic seems flawed and WIFOM-filled. Where was MH fishing?
I can see several points, but I don't know that they're productive or town-beneficial ones. I think it's identity or nature should indeed remain shrouded for the time being.
Quote from Calvin »
To be clear on where I stand with this item:
I plan on giving it away tonight.
I have no plans on letting the scum know beforehand who I am giving it to. If the item is succesfully passed, then I will obviously be around the next day to tell you who I gave it to. If I am killed before I can pass it, then it doesn't make a difference who I said I was giving it to; my killer would have it at that point. There is no gain to revealing my target beforehand and all it does is add to the chance of scum interfering (if I don't reveal, the only way scum can interfere is by killing me. If I do reveal, they can interfere by killing me or the intended reciepient).
This actually makes the most sense to me. I firmly agree with this plan of action unless convincing reason otherwise can be identified.
@Calvin: The only effective way for that item to be managed is for us to know who has it. Especially if you get killed or something.
Cyan, while I recognize the value of tracking an item with this ability, I still think it's a worse idea for Calvin to divulge whom he will give it to. If the decision is announced, and the identified recipient is scum who happens to be playing well and looking like town, then the scum have options available to them that they wouldn't have if Calvin considered all our input and kept his decision to himself. Why does the knowledge of who has this item outweigh the shenanigans that could result if the mafia manipulate the item into their own hands?
its possible that i overreacted just a bit but seriously he just asked the cop to step forward for no reason is that not enough for a vote. Also i don't like fos's i used one i think once when i didn't have a second vote but.....Therefore i vote freely. Tekno, please do not discuss ongoing games :). Did i play with you in any that are over?
its possible that i overreacted just a bit but seriously he just asked the cop to step forward for no reason is that not enough for a vote.
Jordman, I apologize for the confusion I caused you. If you'll re-read the posts in question, you will see that I didn't ask the cop to step forward. I thought they were saying we'd have the cop step forward to confirm the item.
I haven't played as much as you seem to think I have, but I have played enough to know that a cop outing day one is not really a good idea.
.... i thought that mh was asking ht cop to step forward on day 1, seemed a little fishish to me..... tekno i was in superhero for all of two seconds... fail. I may have ovvereracted and the fishing may not have actually been there, i voted upon what i saw.
.... i thought that mh was asking ht cop to step forward on day 1, seemed a little fishish to me..... tekno i was in superhero for all of two seconds... fail. I may have ovvereracted and the fishing may not have actually been there, i voted upon what i saw.
If you are not going to follow grammatical principles, could you at least tell us all you don't plan on it so I will quit asking?
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If you are not going to follow grammatical principles, could you at least tell us all you don't plan on it so I will quit asking?
Come on, now, kpaca. You've been on here enough and surely have seen enough of his posts to know that he's NOT going to do any of that. I know it's annoying, but that's what we get for having Jordman in our game.
Come on, now, kpaca. You've been on here enough and surely have seen enough of his posts to know that he's NOT going to do any of that. I know it's annoying, but that's what we get for having Jordman in our game.
Well if he refuses to type posts people can read, then he needs to post somewhere else as far as I'm concerned. While I've managed to get the jist of what he's saying in the last two posts, not only is it annoying and detracting from playing a game based on textual analysis, but I have seen posts of his in other games that are downright indecipherable. I'd like to go ahead and nip that in the bud considering being able to analyze what people type is of major importance.
We also have a forum rule that says people should use some semblance of proper syntax. I'm not asking for MLA grammar, but some sort of speak that didn't appear to be mimmicking lolcats would be nice.
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In the next post will be a flavor scene creating the setting for the game. Please note: I wrote the scene with a general idea of when in the overall Indiana Jones story this takes place, but the flavor of this game is not intended to accurately fit within the full cannon of the Indy universe. Feel free to heap praise upon me for my hastily-written-yet-captivating prose, though.
Temple-Raiding Crusaders:
Axelrod r. jordman
Calvin
MandersHex
TeknoLink
Doomed:
Infinis - Dr. Marcus Brody, Vanilla Town. Lynched Day 1.
Asian Invasion r. Archon Kamigawa - Major Arnold Toht, Mafia Redirector. Killed Night 1.
Wrath_of_DoG - Kazim, Vanilla Townie. Killed Night 1.
Cantripmancer - Willie Scott, Vanilla Town. Lynched Day 2.
Guardman - Dr. René Belloq, Serial Killer. Killed Night 2.
Silent Prophet r. Toastboy - Walter Donovan, Vanilla Town. Lynched Day 3.
red_0mega r. kpaca - Indiana Jones, Town Vigilante. Killed Night 3.
Jack squat happened Day 4.
Cyan - Dr. Elsa Schneider, Mafia Doctor. Killed Night 4.
Role PMs have been sent. Please confirm via PM, or here. I don't care which.
The town win condition is "Kill the Scum". No, it's not in the role PMs. Why does it need to be in the role PMs if I just put it here?
Game Rules:
Items:
This game contains items. Items are an effect that can move from player to player, basically an alignment-less role that exists independant of the player possessing the item.
Basically standard stuff, but that I want to stress:
Like most mods I hate chronic lurking, yadda yadda. Unlike most mods, though, I am more liberal about modkilling for it. If at any point I suspect you are replacing as a way to avoid being lynched, you will be modkilled. If I feel you've lurked to the point where modkilling you is better for the overall health of the game, I will do it.
If you have a night action but wish not to use it, please tell me so; don’t just let the deadline expire. I like nights to be as short as possible.
Whenever you PM me with an action, please indicate the game name and the day or night number in your subject line. This will be immensely helpful to me for keeping the game organized and mistake-free, so it's less of a "rule" and more of a "do this if you want a better game" agreement. If you are only asking a question or making a comment, using this format is not as necessary but is still helpful.
As is the general forum policy, do not propose a mass crypto-claim or any claims intended to function like crypto-claiming. But don't live in fear over whether a soft claim proposal is too close to cryptoing; if it is, I will tell you. If I don't say cut it out, then you're fine. No one will be modkilled over this without warning.
If you have a night choice to make, it is due by the posted deadline. If I don’t receive your choice, nothing will happen. If you wish to not use a night action, please tell me so; don’t just let the deadline expire. I like nights to be as short as possible.
Lynching will require a simple majority of votes. Once a lynch threshold has been reached nothing can undo it. You may continue to post until night.
You may Vote: No Lynch
If a deadline is reached with no majority, the day will end without a lynch. Deadlines will be set at moderator discretion.
Once your death scene has been posted, you’re dead. Stop typing. A simple “Bah” post containing no relevant information is acceptable.
Golden Rules (i.e., the things that apply to every game of mafia.)
Do not discuss this game outside the thread with anyone. Not your friends, not your mother, not another forum member who isn’t playing, not a dead player, not a living player while you’re dead. No one. The only exceptions are me and whatever is instructed in your role PM. This applies to any game in progress; don’t talk about other running games in this one, even if you aren’t playing in that one.
Do not quote any PMs from me, nor paraphrase too closely, lest I smite you.
Do not edit or delete your posts, lest I smite you.
Obey the Forum Rules. This especially includes flaming. Play nice, kids. The only exception being you may double post if necessary, but please make an effort to respond to things in one post. Use the multiquote button or copy/paste.
Do not lurk, lest I smite you. You must maintain a reasonable level of active participation in the game. We understand that life gets in the way of mafia. However, please respect the other players and I by keeping us informed. If you anticipate being unavailable for more than a 72-hour period, please post a notice to that effect in the thread or PM the mod. If you feel unable to continue to play the game at the commitment level expected, request to be replaced. Do not simply vanish, unless under life-threatening peril. If at any point I suspect you are replacing as a way to avoid being lynched, you will be modkilled.
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Have fun! Otherwise, why play?
Current New Favorite Person™: Mallory Archer
She knows why.
Christos Petrou swore. Loudly.
Three weeks ago today he took charge of a dredging barge along the gulf coast, and that marks three weeks of nothing but stalled engines, clogged pumps, leaky hulls, and stuck pipes. Deadlines be damned, he just wanted something to go right. Petrou called down to his first mate, who was working with the crew to dislodge the pipe currently jammed between some newly uncovered rocks. The mate reported that the last 30 minutes’ effort had been futile and the pipe hadn’t budged. Petrou crushed out his cigarette and ordered a diver to suit up.
Another 30 minutes later, the diver surfaced. “It’s stuck in there but good, Captain. I think if we take on some ballast, though… maybe draw another half meter… it’ll slack the pipe enough to get her loose.” The captain agreed and set his crew into action. “One more thing, sir,” the diver said as Petrou began to turn away. “I don’t think those are just rocks we’re caught on.”
June 12 – Bedford, CT
A near-empty bottle of whisky clings to the fingers of the man slumped in the chair. The room is as disheveled as he. A tattered fedora had been indifferently tossed on the table near the chair.
He had drank before. Plenty.
He had shared toasts with dear friends, and dangerous adversaries. He had tasted the wine of seventy-three countries. He had dulled the pain of countless scrapes and bruises. He had dulled the memory of countless screams. He had escaped the burden of his few, but significant, failures. But he had never pitted alcohol against a pain like this before, and the merciful stupor of whiskey didn’t help him escape one bit this time. He’d failed her – in every way he possibly could.
The bottle dropped to the floor.
****
Morning. His head is ringing.
No, the phone is ringing. He ignores it.
No, his head and the phone are ringing. Maybe answering the phone will make the head better.
It doesn’t.
“Indy?”
“Marcus.”
“You need to come to the Museum, Indy. There’s something you need to see.”
****
“The ruins were uncovered by a dredging barge. A number of artifacts have been recovered so far, including an Omphalos Stone.”
“The hollow carved stones the Greeks used to mark where they believed the center of the world is. The most famous is located at Delphi.”
“Precisely, Indy. Now, you may recall there is a tiny bit of disagreement over whether the stone currently at Delphi is an original or a reproduction. Well, so far the experts who have examined the newfound stone believe it to be an original, probably taken to Corinth during the Ostrogoth invasion, but more important is what they found inside.”
Marcus opened a file containing photos of a stone tablet covered in writing. “Translators are working on it, but I was hoping you might have some insight into the process.” Dr. Jones began to read. His fluency in Greek and his experience with unique ancient artifacts gave him a significant edge over the average translator.
“It describes the procedures for consulting an oracle.” Indy began aloud as he puzzled through it. “Preparation rituals for visitors, forbidden places. Seems like run-of-the-mill temple talk. This reference to Pythos – here – and bathing in the Castalian Spring indicate this was probably written by or for a Pythia – the priestess who lead the Oracle at Delphi. Marcus, this is amazing!”
Marcus caught a glimmer of excitement in Indy’s eyes, something he hadn’t seen in a while. Not since…
“Marcus, look at this! This part here is actually describing the procedures the Pythia used for consulting the Oracle.”
“The leading theory is hallucinogens in the water, or volcanic vapors, right?”
Indy paused, and sat down stunned. “Marcus, I’m not positive about this. The writing here seems to stop abruptly, like there’s more but maybe written somewhere else. But Marcus, I think this tablet is intended to pass the secrets of the Delphi Oracle from one Pythia to her successor in case of untimely death. It describes the location of Dionysus’ Tomb, where the Oracle is located. Marcus… the Oracle wasn’t a woman in a temple channeling the Gods, it was some thing beneath the temple. Something I can find.”
June 23 – The Tomb of Dionysus
Indiana Jones carefully made his way down the mossy steps. The only light came from his torch, but so far the tunnel had been small and the torch was enough to see everything. This tunnel had clearly been built, carved through the bedrock and leading from the temple. There were no sconces on the walls to hold light sources; this was not a path meant to be often travelled. After nearly an hour, he came upon the dark at the end of the tunnel. Stepping through he could tell he was in a large chamber. The only visible walls where adjacent to the tunnel, near his torch. He examined them. They were somewhat smooth but irregular, not carved by men but by water; he could faintly hear it running. The tunnel had lead to a natural cave. He moved a little further from the door and quickly found a large pile of bones. He shuffled them around a bit with the toe of his boot, enough to also see tools and scraps of decayed tunic. It looks like someone wanted to keep the secret here badly enough to kill all the slaves when they finished the tunnel.
He turned his back to the tunnel and scanned the darkness, deciding which way to go, and then something caught his eye: a tiny point of light almost straight ahead from the tunnel. He walked towards it, and as he did it seemed to intensify. When he was mere feet from it, he realized the light was his torch reflecting off the cave wall. And also that the faint sound of water running wasn’t a far-off river, it was a thin waterfall that coated this wall as thinly and smoothly as glass. This wall – it was not an ordinary wall. It was pure white marble and was completely different than any of the surrounding cave rock, but was a natural part of the wall rather than a slab that was cut and placed there. It was perfectly smooth and brilliantly reflective. Markings in Greek as well as strange symbols he’d never seen before were carved into the stone along the border of where the water ran down. Indy brought the torch closer, and closer still, to the point where fire and water nearly mixed. The water and white marble must have reflected the light back and forth, because the entire slab seemed to glow. He saw his reflection so clearly it may as well have been a photograph.
Indy was captivated by the phenomenon. He fixated on his reflection, clear as day but quivering the tiniest bit from the movement of the water. The effect was hypnotic. He continued to stare, and as he did the reflection seemed to shimmer and shift more and more, until finally the image of Indiana was washed away by the water and new images appeared. Images of his past, like memories, built up and then washed away. He saw people he knew and places he had been. And then he saw people he didn’t know and places he hadn’t been. Sometimes he saw himself, older, in the images.
Slowly, he began to realize what was happening. Somehow, he was seeing what the Pythia saw. He was being shown the past, the present, and the future. Frightened but exhilarated, he continued to watch. He did not yet understand the danger.
A few moments later, he became aware of a strange sensation. A pulling feeling. It started from behind his eyes, and then it was his whole head. He began to feel the pulling in his fingertips and toes, which creeped its way up his arms and legs, until his entire body felt it. That’s when he realized he wasn’t just seeing images of the past and future, he was seeing the past and future. This was a gate, a portal, and he was going through it. That’s why prophecies always came as small bits and hints: the Pythia knew the danger of looking for too long at once. But why hadn’t the tablet warned him? Why couldn’t he stop looking at the wall? What is happening?
No-when – Nowhere
Indiana Jones opened his eyes, and nearly vomited. He could, once again, see the shimmering wall of the Oracle, but the world around him wouldn’t hold still. It was a swirling misty gray that seemed to move and change every time he moved his eyes. He looked left and suddenly he was in his living room. A look to the right and he was in the Well of Souls, surrounded by an oily mass of asps. He shrieked and stumbled, shutting his eyes as he hit the ground. He lay perfectly still and listened for angry hissing, then slowly opened his eyes. He was lying next to Elsa in Venice. Then Marion in Chicago.
He snapped back to himself and was again surrounded by the misty gray chamber. The images on the Oracle still built up and washed away as before, but now he was inside the Oracle. Without understand why, he knew the only way out was to wait for the Oracle to show him the cave again, in his own time. The cave with his lit torch lying on the ground, slowly extinguishing, his hope of finding the right moment to return home dying with the flame. Ironically, he might not have much time.
But then, he realized that maybe that’s not where he even wanted to go. If he can step through the gate at any time and place, then maybe he could wait for that one to show. Maybe he could fix it, make things right. Maybe he could save her...
Current New Favorite Person™: Mallory Archer
She knows why.
I AM TEH MASTAH O FAIL
ty spiderboys
Day 1 has begun!
Current New Favorite Person™: Mallory Archer
She knows why.
Vote kpaca
Buy spam!!!
Just kidding gay lover. lol
I wanted to show you guys something interesting.
1. Cyan
3. Guardman
5. kpaca
7. MandersHex
9. TeknoLink
11. Wrath_of_DoG
This is the list of people that played in superhero with the numbers Kraj assigned us that are also in this game. Notice a pattern?
That's right, we're the odd group. lol
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Come join ours!!
We even have Mafia!!
I figured this was important to get out as soon as possible.
Basic #10-Town-Win
Sword of Truth-Town-Loss
LOTR II - Town-Loss
Indiana Jones - Town-Win
Manipulator - Town-Win
The Asphodel Meadows - Town-Win
Highlander - Neutral Survivor - Win
I AM TEH MASTAH O FAIL
ty spiderboys
Yeah, millers usually claim pretty early, so this is pretty normal.
I AM TEH MASTAH O FAIL
ty spiderboys
Vote: Calvn
For claiming to have an item in the random voting phase, random voting phase kay?
That is a werid item.
Thanks To KrackShott
Old extendo moved
EBWODP
Unvote; Calvn
Vote: Calvin
sorry about the mistake.
Thanks To KrackShott
Old extendo moved
12-11? I'm losing track
At least you remember who my character was! No clue who you were.
Uh, yeah, they do! *waves* hello, right here!
Anyway, if we know that his item produces the opposite read, why does he need to give it away? I understand why, if he does, we should know where it goes, but why? I'll probably agree once I know the reasoning behind it. However, I, too, would like to know what item it is. Just curious, really.
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Come join ours!!
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I AM TEH MASTAH O FAIL
ty spiderboys
Was this vote serious?
What?
No. You are not getting it.
Ummmmmmmmmm, so we know he is telling the truth? You shouldn't get it either apparently.
Maybe. We might not need to give it back to him.
Consider formatting your sentences though please.
I'm just saying we could check him first, then have him give it away to know for sure. Either way, though. I don't really want it. I have nothing to hide.
Tired of corporate corruption ruining your favorite MtG site?
Come join ours!!
We even have Mafia!!
Tired of corporate corruption ruining your favorite MtG site?
Come join ours!!
We even have Mafia!!
Of course, this is assuming we have a cop.
Tired of corporate corruption ruining your favorite MtG site?
Come join ours!!
We even have Mafia!!
Tired of corporate corruption ruining your favorite MtG site?
Come join ours!!
We even have Mafia!!
Tired of corporate corruption ruining your favorite MtG site?
Come join ours!!
We even have Mafia!!
I AM TEH MASTAH O FAIL
ty spiderboys
What does this sentence even mean.
The person that recieves the item will need to verify that it works as Calvin stated, obviously.
I AM TEH MASTAH O FAIL
ty spiderboys
I think that is a ridiculously opportunistic vote. Vote Jordman
I'll second what everybody is saying about MH. She is new and item games are weird. I think her questions are not only reasonable, but expected.
Unvote kpaca
Why does the random phase always die so soon now?
Also, my vote on Calvin is not serious.
Thanks To KrackShott
Old extendo moved
What happens if in this game there is a nuetral role? And the item is passed to the nuetral role and the cop investigates them?
Um...I'm sorry, are you asking him/her to claim with 2 votes on him/her?
Are you serious?
Thanks To KrackShott
Old extendo moved
Indeed.
I don't like random voting phase :).
I have no plans on saying who gets it beforehand.
I see no point in revealing what the item is.
I would rather it not be a vote decision because that will be the same as me revealing beforehand who I give it to.
A little hasty to vote?
I'm not sure whether I like this post or not. On the one hand it seems unnaturally confident that Jordman is scum and asking for a claim with very little pressure but on the other hand it could just be an overeager townie.
Kraj told me that a neutral with this item will investigate as town.
---------------
To be clear on where I stand with this item:
I plan on giving it away tonight.
I have no plans on letting the scum know beforehand who I am giving it to. If the item is succesfully passed, then I will obviously be around the next day to tell you who I gave it to. If I am killed before I can pass it, then it doesn't make a difference who I said I was giving it to; my killer would have it at that point. There is no gain to revealing my target beforehand and all it does is add to the chance of scum interfering (if I don't reveal, the only way scum can interfere is by killing me. If I do reveal, they can interfere by killing me or the intended reciepient).
Because of the this, I do not want there to be a vote and to formally decide who gets it. I am open to any suggestions as to who should get it but I'm not going to take an ironclad decision.
Basic #10-Town-Win
Sword of Truth-Town-Loss
LOTR II - Town-Loss
Indiana Jones - Town-Win
Manipulator - Town-Win
The Asphodel Meadows - Town-Win
Highlander - Neutral Survivor - Win
Never played in a game with items before, so this could be fun.
Vote: Cyan For being Cyan.
This was my first response, but that does seem like idol-worship: exerting all efforts to identify the item, rather than focusing on the scum.
I don't see why we would need to do this, Doubting Thomas. A few--possibly one--good placements of the item in other hands should be sufficient.
Your logic seems flawed and WIFOM-filled. Where was MH fishing?
I can see several points, but I don't know that they're productive or town-beneficial ones. I think it's identity or nature should indeed remain shrouded for the time being.
This actually makes the most sense to me. I firmly agree with this plan of action unless convincing reason otherwise can be identified.
Cyan, while I recognize the value of tracking an item with this ability, I still think it's a worse idea for Calvin to divulge whom he will give it to. If the decision is announced, and the identified recipient is scum who happens to be playing well and looking like town, then the scum have options available to them that they wouldn't have if Calvin considered all our input and kept his decision to himself. Why does the knowledge of who has this item outweigh the shenanigans that could result if the mafia manipulate the item into their own hands?
I *never* miss the random stage. But since you're mostly right, unvote Cyan.
I AM TEH MASTAH O FAIL
ty spiderboys
Jordman, I apologize for the confusion I caused you. If you'll re-read the posts in question, you will see that I didn't ask the cop to step forward. I thought they were saying we'd have the cop step forward to confirm the item.
I haven't played as much as you seem to think I have, but I have played enough to know that a cop outing day one is not really a good idea.
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Come join ours!!
We even have Mafia!!
I AM TEH MASTAH O FAIL
ty spiderboys
Two words: Preview Post.
If you are not going to follow grammatical principles, could you at least tell us all you don't plan on it so I will quit asking?
Come on, now, kpaca. You've been on here enough and surely have seen enough of his posts to know that he's NOT going to do any of that. I know it's annoying, but that's what we get for having Jordman in our game.
Tired of corporate corruption ruining your favorite MtG site?
Come join ours!!
We even have Mafia!!
Well if he refuses to type posts people can read, then he needs to post somewhere else as far as I'm concerned. While I've managed to get the jist of what he's saying in the last two posts, not only is it annoying and detracting from playing a game based on textual analysis, but I have seen posts of his in other games that are downright indecipherable. I'd like to go ahead and nip that in the bud considering being able to analyze what people type is of major importance.
We also have a forum rule that says people should use some semblance of proper syntax. I'm not asking for MLA grammar, but some sort of speak that didn't appear to be mimmicking lolcats would be nice.
jordman - 2 (Cyan, TeknoLink)
Archon Kamigawa - 1 (Toastboy)
Calvin - 1 (Archon Kamigawa)
MandersHex - 1 (jordman)
Not Voting: Calvin, Cantripmancer, Guardman, Infinis, kpaca, MandersHex, Wrath_of_DoG)
With 12 alive, its 7 to lynch.
Current New Favorite Person™: Mallory Archer
She knows why.