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[Mephansteras]

The mindscape is cleaner now, but you are not safe yet.


Day six has started. It will go until ~4pm Pacific Friday.

[Jack A T]

No new corruption.  Actions basically as expected, though I didn't catch anything new from TDS.

BHK's the only remaining player not to have visibly acted at the same time as scum, but has town-resembling flavour (though it may be that the scum can have town roles, as is common w/ Meph and as he was convinced earlier in the game).

Deus only works as scum in one of the following cases:
*Each scum has two actions per night.
*Deus himself has two actions per night, or some equivalent (can separately decide to corrupt one post and purify one post, for instance).
*The scumteam as a whole gets a free corrupt action each night (very unusual practice.  Also, who carries it out?  We know that matters).

N1 Post Changes:
#28-29 by Jack A T are Tainted
#32 by Persus13 is Tainted
#33 by OSG is Tainted
#34 by Jack A T is Tainted
#35 by BhK is Corrupted
#36 by DA is Clear
#38 by flabort is some form of red shading

Let's look at N1, flabort's night, again.  38 was clearly the source post for the tainting.  It was the only post to cover all of the tainted posts and, now that we know that Deus fully purifies, it's obvious the merely-cleared 36 (also quoted in 38) was hit as well.
If the damage was done through corrupting and pouring 38, this would mean three scum tainting actions were taken by two scum.
The pouring theory, though, does not work.  Why?  38 was red.  Pours occur after aspect changes, meaning 38 would have been normal if poured.
What else does the red mean?  It means that 38 was itself tainted or corrupted when TDS hit it.  Taint emanated from 38, and 38 itself was tainted or corrupted.  Conclusion: flabort's power was most likely to taint (or move one step towards corruption) a post (of his?) and the posts quoted within.

N1's explained in two scum actions, and the main theory that would need three is impossible.

If Deus is scum, either he has multiple actions per night or scum gets a free action as a team.  Either seems an unlikely mechanic, and the former would require a custom purifying role for the scumteam (really odd flavour-wise).

Most likely scum at this point: BHK.

[TheDarkStar]

Post editing last night:

352 was purified.
35 and 36 are normal.

And that's everything as far as I can tell. I attemped to make post 35 firebrick, but someone else must have acted on it at the same time.

BHK does seem like the most likely suspect for the scum since he still has not acted visibly different from the scum, but I'm going to read through the thread again. It will take a while, though - I'll have no Internet access for ~36 hours.

[BlackHeartKabal]

Post editing last night:

352 was purified.
35 and 36 are normal.

And that's everything as far as I can tell. I attemped to make post 35 firebrick, but someone else must have acted on it at the same time.

BHK does seem like the most likely suspect for the scum since he still has not acted visibly different from the scum, but I'm going to read through the thread again. It will take a while, though - I'll have no Internet access for ~36 hours.

Now there's no feasible way out of this one, barring Deus gamethrowing, but no shame in losing with these roles in play. So I'm going to fold my deck.

BHK.
Good game.

[Jack A T]

Shorten.  Good game.

Never much liked winning this way, though.  Shouldn't be able to just procedurally slaughter the unconfirmed.

BHK: One question: You didn't really forget about scumchat all that time ago, right?

[BlackHeartKabal]

Shorten.  Good game.

Never much liked winning this way, though.  Shouldn't be able to just procedurally slaughter the unconfirmed.

BHK: One question: You didn't really forget about scumchat all that time ago, right?

I actually did forget.

[Deus Asmoth]

BHK, shorten.

I am a bit confused about you knowing the Flowing River's flavourtext though. Presumably the scum roles are altered town roles with similar flavour and actions?

[BlackHeartKabal]

I am a Flowing River. Never lied about that.
Shorten.

[Mephansteras]

The Vote Tally
BlackHeartKabal: BlackHeartKabal, Deus Asmoth, Jack A T, TheDarkStar


BlackHeartKabal gives up, and can only shake his head sadly as you prepare to bar him from the mindscape. "You don't understand. Enlightenment...you're on the wrong path to it. What you see as corruption is simply the distilled truth of the Universe, and you are just not prepared for it. You fear we would stop you from reaching enlightenment, but you were never going to attain it. The only ones being stopped from attaining it are us!"

And with that you shut him out.

So few of you left, now, and there is the question of just what TheDarkStar wants.

There is a shuddering of the Mindscape. And waves of change that make the ripples from earlier seem like nothing.

The Mindscape turns red, a saturation of other.

TheDarkStar grins in a way you can somehow see, despite the Mindscape having no physical forms.

"This is better. This is *spice*. You will *enjoy the spice*. We will bring in others to *enjoy the spice* as well. We will *meld*."

At first you are simply confused, but then you can feel your essence being drawn into...whatever it is.

"All will be *one*"




And that's game! TheDarkStar wins!


I have to admit, this did not go at all how I thought it would when I planned it out. I figured there would be a ton of corruption flooding the game starting around day 3 or so, but that just didn't happen. But we can discuss that more once I've got everything laid out for you.



Corrupter Chat   
Dead Chat   

Here are the role PMs. Night Pms to follow in the next post.

Spoiler: Role PMs (click to show/hide)

===============================
Corrupters

There are more aspects of the Mindscape than the others realize. There are deeper paths, hidden paths to enlightenment. But they are toxic to most. But not to you. You have found  how to bend your mind to accept these paths. You embrace the ideas. And you will spread them, for all must follow this path, or none. You are the Corrupters, and you shall reach enlightenment, no matter the cost.

BlackHeartKabal you are a Disciple of the Flowing River, skilled in disseminating information and the flow of ideas. Each night you can take any one post and pour its aspect (Pure, or Corrupt) from it to the first 7 posts quoted in it. Each will get but a part of the aspect, but ideas grow stronger when spread and reinforced.

Flabort you are a Gnawer of Roots, a deep, dark path that lets you remove the anchors of an idea. Each night you can gnaw any one post and remove all quotes within it.

In addition to your individual abilities, you share the abilities of the Deep Path. Each night one of you may use one of the following abilities instead of your normal ability.
Well of Corruption - each night you may completely Corrupt one of your own posts.
Rain of Corruption - each night you may take one of your posts and spread Minor Corruption to the first 7 posts quoted in it.

The two of you are immune to Corruption and may endure any number of completely corrupted posts.

You also have the means to communicate in secret using the dark channels of the Mindscape.

====================================

TheDarkStar  Outsider   Outsider
This Mindscape is an interesting place. It is *smooth* and sometimes *creamy*. But it is *bland*. It needs *spice*. You will add it, and you will *enjoy the flavor* of this new place.

Others are adding *sour* flavors to it. This is no good. You cannot *enjoy the flavor* of too much sour. Add *spice* to *sour* and you get *tangy*. *tangy* is ok.

Each night you may Add Spice to a post to make it *spicy* or *tangy*. Or, you can pour a post to spread the flavors to the first 7 posts quoted within it.

If the Mindscape is more *Spicy* and *Tangy* than *Sour* at the end, you will stay and *enjoy the flavor*. If not, you will leave and be *sad*.

(Yes, I was inspired to make you kind of like the Orz. You are 3rd party and need to have more posts that you have added spice to then corrupted posts at the end of the game to win. Your victory will negate any victory by either Town or Scum, though they don’t know that)

=======

Town

Jack A T              Town    Disciple of the Flowing River
You are a Disciple of the Flowing River, skilled in disseminating information and the flow of ideas. Each night you can take any one post and pour its aspect (Pure, or Corrupt) from it to the first 7 posts quoted in it. Each will get but a part of the aspect, but ideas grow stronger when spread and reinforced.

You are Town

--

Deus Asmoth               Town    Disciple of the Wellspring
You are a Disciple of the Wellspring, keyed into the purity of the Mindscape. Each night you can select one of your posts and add full Purity to its aspect and shifting it two place towards Pure on the Pure/Corrupt scale.

You are Town

--



O.Wilde              Town    Disciple of the Mindscape
You are a Disciple of the Mindscape, someone who has spent years honing your connection to it. Each night you can take one of your posts and Purge all effects on it.


You are Town

--

Persus13              Town    Disciple of the Third Eye
You are a Disciple of the Third Eye. Your self awareness is extremely high, and you pay close attention to everything that happens to you. You will be aware of who effects your posts during the night, though not which ones or why.


You are Town

--

fillipk              Town    Disciple of the Open Mind
You are a Disciple of the Open Mind, eager to exchange ideas with other. You magnify the effects of all aspect changes to your posts by one step on the scale.


You are Town

--

origamiscienceguy    Town    Disciple of Iron Will
You are a Disciple of Iron Will. You are more resistant to corruption than most, and require 4 corrupted posts to be removed instead of 3.


You are Town

[Mephansteras]

Spoiler: Night 1 (click to show/hide)

BlackHeartKabal   
  You pull deep from the Well of Corruption and infuse one of your ideas with Corruption.

Deus Asmoth   
  You pull deep from the Wellspring and infuse one of your ideas with Purity of thought.

flabort             
  You pull deep from the Well of Corruption and cast it as rain over the minds of those you have touched.

TheDarkStar   
  Too bland here. But many minds touch this idea. It will be *spicy* and add to the *flavor* of the whole.


Persus13   
  You sense ripples of change throughout the Mindscape. You feel the touch of flabort upon your mind during the night.

Spoiler: Night 2 (click to show/hide)

BlackHeartKabal   
You pull deep from the Well of Corruption and infuse one of your ideas with Corruption.

Deus Asmoth   
You pull deep from the Wellspring and infuse one of your ideas with Purity of thought.

   
Jack A T   
You reach forth with your mind and spread the ideas presented out to the touching thoughts. Hopefully you can help forestall the spread of corruption.             
           
Persus13       
 More ripples of change throughout the Mindscape. This time you feel both Jack A T and TheDarkStar's influence upon your mind during the Night.


       
TheDarkStar   
The Spice is ready, time to pour! The spice flows and mixes.

And what is this?

Interesting. Things are now Creamy. That is fine. That is acceptable. Better than bland. Better than Sour.

Spoiler: Night 3 (click to show/hide)

BlackHeartKabal               
You reach forth with your mind and spread the Corruption out and away from you.

Deus Asmoth               
You pull deep from the Wellspring and infuse one of your ideas with Purity of thought.

       
TheDarkStar             
More Spice! This place shapes up nicely. You should be comfortable here, should you manage to avoid getting locked out.

Spoiler: Night 4 (click to show/hide)

BlackHeartKabal           
You reach forth with your mind and spread the Ideas far and wide. Not enough corruption right now, but you are making progress nonetheless.

Deus Asmoth             
You pull deep from the Wellspring and infuse another of your ideas with Purity of thought. So much of that strange tinge to everything, though. You do hope that it won’t be a problem.

Jack A T           
You reach forth with your mind and spread the ideas presented out to the touching thoughts. So much of that strange tinge to everything. You do hope that it won’t be a problem.
       
TheDarkStar           
You pour and pour, and the Mindscape is very Creamy now!  That is fine, that is fine.

Spoiler: Night 5 (click to show/hide)

BlackHeartKabal                 
You reach forth with your mind and pour the idea forth, although there is too little to really spread.

Deus Asmoth                 
You pull deep from the Wellspring and infuse another of your ideas with Purity of thought.

Jack A T             
You reach forth with your mind and pour the idea forth, although with nowhere to go the aspects are simply lost to the ether.
       
TheDarkStar           
You add more *spice* to the Mindscape. Shouldn’t be too much longer now, although the remaining inhabitants seem a bit suspicious of you.

[Mephansteras]

So, my thoughts on the game.

Overall, it was interesting but disappointing. Partially because the corruption aspect didn't go as I thought it would, which made for a duller game that dragged on for a while. Also because the color spreading mechanic was interesting but ultimately made for a ton of work and pretty much no flavor to write, so it wasn't as much fun for me to run.

I'm not sure how much of the balance of the game is simply off, due to it being a new mechanic, and how much was due to the scum team not really putting in a bunch of work day 1 to figure out how the mechanics worked and how to best use them. BlackHeartCabal, for instance, decided to corrupt a post of his that wasn't full of quotes for him to pour into later. Nor did he ever use the Rain of Corruption ability. I'm not sure if he forgot about it or thought for some reason that was flabort's ability. Either way, I expected a few town to die starting day 3 when I was doing my test runs of the system, where the reality in this game was that only a few posts ever got past lightly corrupted.

Town did a very good job of piecing together the clues to how the mechanics worked and using that to their advantage. A bit faster than I expected, but you never really know how that is going to go.

TheDarkStar's Outsider role ended up OP. 3rd parties have a hard time winning games, so I had made it a bit easier on him. With almost no corruption at the end, I obviously made it too easy. I really should have had the coral and purple posts not count towards his victory but not count against him, rather than having everything with spice count as a victory. That probably would have been more interesting, since he'd then have been struggling to end up with the firebrick posts at the end instead of everything diluted with Purity the way it was.

[BlackHeartKabal]

I'm not sure how much of the balance of the game is simply off, due to it being a new mechanic, and how much was due to the scum team not really putting in a bunch of work day 1 to figure out how the mechanics worked and how to best use them. BlackHeartCabal, for instance, decided to corrupt a post of his that wasn't full of quotes for him to pour into later. Nor did he ever use the Rain of Corruption ability. I'm not sure if he forgot about it or thought for some reason that was flabort's ability. Either way, I expected a few town to die starting day 3 when I was doing my test runs of the system, where the reality in this game was that only a few posts ever got past lightly corrupted.

Claiming Flowing River effectively ended my game, putting me between the choice of either not claiming and losing sooner, or claiming and being unable to operate as scum without raising an alarm. Deus and Jack were perfectly able to nullify my kills before I could pull them off, since pouring happens simultaneously and posts only kill at day start. I also couldn't quote en masse and create a feasible excuse. My last plan to force a joint with TDS was discarded after I realized that Deus and Jack could nullify my kill in one night.

[Mephansteras]

Yeah, after a while your hands were kind of tied. I was looking more into your day 1 and 2 actions, where you and flabort hadn't been really coordinating your actions very much. Even with falbort getting lynched day 2 you should have been in a position to kill off at least one of the town that night, but you weren't. You simply didn't have things set up to get any momentum, which let the town have enough time to figure out what to do.

If you'd been able to kill Jack, Deus, or Persus13 off Night 2 the game would have gone very differently, I think.

[Jack A T]

Huh.  Didn't expect that.  Meh.

I'm not sure how much of the balance of the game is simply off, due to it being a new mechanic, and how much was due to the scum team not really putting in a bunch of work day 1 to figure out how the mechanics worked and how to best use them.

Suboptimal scum play did not help, but the balance was way off anyway.
The new mechanic brought us a self-confirming self-protecting townie by D2, and we immediately started coordinating to prevent deaths at that point.

Even with falbort getting lynched day 2 you should have been in a position to kill off at least one of the town that night, but you weren't.

I can't see that.  At most, I can see them possibly being in a position where they could likely (but not surely) kill one townie.

Let's say the scum optimized N1, giving us 14 tainted posts D2.  Then flabort is lynched, removing much of the scum's ability to kill (ah, death spiral mechanics...).  Assume an optimizing wellspring/river combo, as we had D2.
*Spread among 5 players (3, 3, 3, 3, 2): nobody dies.  Town can prevent corruption of enough posts to ensure nobody hits three corrupted posts.
*Spread among 4 (4, 4, 3, 3): nobody dies.  Town can prevent corruption of enough posts to ensure nobody can hit three corrupted.
*3 (5, 5, 4): 1 death at most.  Town can prevent only two players from reaching three corrupted.  If BHK has the right post to hit three unguarded posts on the underprotected player, he gets a kill.
*2 (7, 7): 1 death at most, but more likely.  Town can protect one player, and BHK is more likely to have the right post to hit the unprotected.
*1 (14): Unless BHK's ridiculously unlucky and manages to not have sufficient unprotected posts quoted, there will be one death.
Pooling firepower to corrupt a few posts N1 would, up to the point of corrupting three of a player's posts N1, only make it easier to save players: less posts to protect.

With these assumptions, to guarantee hitting the right unprotected quotes, if not already possible, would require a quite suspicious looking (in D3 hindsight) post of quotes.
Now add TDS's active anti-corruption work, and the scum's chance of killing N2 drops again.  BHK could have guaranteed against wellspring/river protection.  He couldn't have guaranteed against the unknown anti-corruption threat as well.  Add OSG, and the chance drops more.

Now, if the rain of corruption worked as I'm guessing it did, they could have killed a couple players N1 by awkwardly quoting and raining the same posts.  That would have looked quite odd, and the ability would disappear with flabort's death.

[Mephansteras]

True, it probably wouldn't have worked out great, but I still expected to see an attempt for it. There was also fillipk's magnification effect, which could have killed him off early perhaps.

Flabort dying was the biggest problem, since the Gnawer of Roots was a hard counter to the Purify/Pour ability of the town. You guys are going to Pour out post #x? Oh, look, all the quotes have been deleted, it goes nowhere.

So there was a bit too much of a lynchpin effect on Flabort.

Would have been better as a 12/13 player game, I think. 3 Scum could do a lot more and be less vulnerable than a 2 man scum team to an early lynch.

Well of Corruption could also stand a buff. Rain of Corruption was hands down the more useful ability. I think having Well of Corruption be able to be used on any Quoted post instead would have made it more useful. That way you could hit someone with a full corruption post to finish them off and have it less obvious how it happened.