# Mafia: Not-so-simple-Simpletown **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 6, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592 "2009-03-06T22:58:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 57
**Author:** ![special\_ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@special\_ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/special_ed)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1121 "2009-04-22T21:09:08Z")
> [@pedescribe](#): > > Yes it does. Here’s my exact specifics in the win condition: > > You are not a threat to any faction. > > You win when all threats to any faction are eliminated. ha HA! You didn’t capitalize… never mind ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1122 "2009-04-23T17:59:11Z")
pedescribe - 2 (Almost Human, special ed) Almost Human - 2 (ok11, pedescribe) ---
**Author:** ![special\_ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@special\_ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/special_ed)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1123 "2009-04-23T19:56:23Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > pedescribe - 2 (Almost Human, special ed) > Almost Human - 2 (ok11, pedescribe) crap crap crap are we really going to go to a random decision here? ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1124 "2009-04-23T20:46:24Z")
> [@special\_ed](#): > > crap crap crap > > are we really going to go to a random decision here? You’re right. You should move your vote. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1125 "2009-04-23T20:58:23Z")
**Vote Almost Human** ---
**Author:** ![special\_ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@special\_ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/special_ed)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1126 "2009-04-23T21:02:18Z")
> [@pedescribe](#): > > Vote Almost Human You already voted for her. And the Day ended almost an hour before you posted anyway, didn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1127 "2009-04-23T21:45:30Z")
[RIGHT]I hate ties. Ties suck. What would be a good way to discourage ties? I know. I’ll threaten to kill one of the players creating the tie. That will discourage these jokers from leaving me in the position of deciding the game based on random chance. Good Idea! shit Okay, maybe not such a good idea. While the rule was a good mechanism when there are plenty of players milling about and a tie would require a dozen or so players cooperating to create a tie, now that there are only 4 players, a tie is much more likely. Inevitable even. Maybe I should just kill them all and be done with it. Tempting. Very, very tempting. Let’s see what [random.org](http://random.org) says. On April 20th the Boston Celtics (not that I pay attention to basketball, but I do live in the greater Boston area) played someone and had a score of 115 to 118 for a total of 233 points. [random.org](http://random.org) says\*: List Randomizer There were 4 items in your list. Here they are, randomized with pregenerated randomization based on persistent identifer 233: Almost Human pedescribe special ed ok11 Timestamp: 2009-04-23 21:33:35 UTC **Almost Human, an Assassin, is dead.** Wow. That’s so freaking unfair. In consolation for being the victim of a f-ed up ruling. **Almost Human** is awarded a special 🆒 smiley. \*n.b. the list was entered into [random.org](http://random.org) in the same order as the original sign-up list: pedescribe, special ed, Almost Human, ok11. [/RIGHT] ---
**Author:** ![Almost\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@Almost\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Almost_Human)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1128 "2009-04-23T22:20:10Z")
Bah! Damn [random.org](http://random.org) and damn basketball! ---
**Author:** ![special\_ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@special\_ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/special_ed)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1129 "2009-04-23T22:41:05Z")
and now there are 48 hours until we find out what happens. good luck, god bless, and may the best special educator win. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1130 "2009-04-24T15:16:20Z")
Hey Kittens! The results are in and finalized. When we last left our sleepy town of Simpletown, **Almost Human** 🆒 had been unceremoniously lynched. That left **pedescribe, ok11** , and **special ed** as the last three survivors of the once populous town. Which one was the **Assassin**? Which one was the **Cabalist**? and Which one was the **Werewolf**? Yes, as everyone had surmised, there were no more Townies left in Simpletown. All five Masons, **Sitnam, oredigger77, MentalGuy, [Undecided] Adrian**, and **Nanook of the North Shore** , were dead. Alas, there would be no **Town** win for not-so-simple Simpletown. The many mod-killed would not be winning anytime soon either. **Mr. Svinlesha** , a **Cabalist** , is not a winner for failure to participate. **paulwhoisaghost** , a **Werewolf** , is not a winner for failure to participate. **Hero from Sector 7G** , an **Assassin** , is not a winner for failure to participate. **Batman Jenkems** , a **Werewolf** , avoids further sanctions. So who is who? The **Cabalist** sat nervously as the fate of the Cabal is left to the action of others. The **Werewolf** pondered carefully the meaning of previous interactions and what they all mean for Furry-kind. The **Assassin** quickly dispatched of their enemies with a cold anger from letting their grip on the town slip through their fingers. **ok11** and \*\*special ed \*\*are both dead. **pedescribe, a Cabalist, is the sole survivor of not-so-simple Simpletown**. Congratulations to **pedescribe** , **Ichini Sanshigo** , **peekercpa** , **straggler** , and **willthekittensurvive?** for pulling a rabbit out of a hat and managing to get the last werewolf (ok11) to kill the last assassin (special ed) and vice versa. The Cabal Faction wins. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1131 "2009-04-24T15:21:34Z")
Spoiler Level 1: general comment not-so-simple Simpletown was created as a case study in how players interact (or don’t interact) with other players that they know are on the same team. not-so-simple Simpletown consists of 4 Teams, with 4-6 players on each team. Everyone knows who is on their Team (including Town). Spoiler Level 2: team composition [spoiler]The Teams are - Town 5 Masons - Cabal 6 Cabalists - Wolf 5 Werewolves - Scum 4 Assassins[/spoiler] Spoiler Level 3: team powers Masons are not lynchable Cabal cannot be killed during the night by Wolves Wolf gets one collective kill per night Scum gets one collective kill per night Spoiler Level 4: players and roles [spoiler]Town: Sitnam [Undecided] Adrian MentalGuy Oredigger77 Nanook of the North Shore Cabal: pedescribe Seeker of Truth and Beauty rexnervous willthekittensurvive peekercpa straggler Wolf: Natlaw BatmanJenkems Pleonast ok11 paulwhoisaghost Assassin: special ed Almost Human BillMC Hero From Sector 7G [/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![special\_ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@special\_ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/special_ed)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1132 "2009-04-24T15:22:20Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > Hey Kittens! > The results are in and finalized. > > When we last left our sleepy town of Simpletown, **Almost Human** 🆒 had been unceremoniously lynched. That left **pedescribe, ok11** , and **special ed** as the last three survivors of the once populous town. > Which one was the **Assassin**? > Which one was the **Cabalist**? > and Which one was the **Werewolf**? > > Yes, as everyone had surmised, there were no more Townies left in Simpletown. All five Masons, **Sitnam, oredigger77, MentalGuy, [Undecided] Adrian**, and **Nanook of the North Shore** , were dead. Alas, there would be no **Town** win for not-so-simple Simpletown. > > The many mod-killed would not be winning anytime soon either. > **Mr. Svinlesha** , a **Cabalist** , is not a winner for failure to participate. > **paulwhoisaghost** , a **Werewolf** , is not a winner for failure to participate. > **Hero from Sector 7G** , an **Assassin** , is not a winner for failure to participate. > > **Batman Jenkems** , a **Werewolf** , avoids further sanctions. > > So who is who? > The **Cabalist** sat nervously as the fate of the Cabal is left to the action of others. > The **Werewolf** pondered carefully the meaning of previous interactions and what they all mean for Furry-kind. > The **Assassin** quickly dispatched of their enemies with a cold anger from letting their grip on the town slip through their fingers. > > **ok11** and \*\*special ed \*\*are both dead. > > **pedescribe, a Cabalist, is the sole survivor of not-so-simple Simpletown**. > > Congratulations to **pedescribe** , **Ichini Sanshigo** , **peekercpa** , **straggler** , and **willthekittensurvive?** for pulling a rabbit out of a hat and managing to get the last werewolf (ok11) to kill the last assassin (special ed) and vice versa. The Cabal Faction wins. congratulations, pede It’s good to know that my final choice didn’t matter. I would have lost no matter who I decided to NK. So, why the variation in number in the factions? I can see the cabal having more, but more than the Masons? Did the Masons have power? And why more wolves than assassins? Where are the spoilers? ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1133 "2009-04-24T15:24:53Z")
Spoiled Discussion Thread: > **[Spoiled Simpletons | Message Board](https://scumboard.proboards.com/board/17)** > > Visit our forum at: scumboard.proboards.com Assassins Board (Night Talk): > **[Sachertorte's game | Message Board](https://scumboard.proboards.com/board/14)** > > for sach's game Wolf Board (Night Talk): > **[A place to Kill | Message Board](https://wolfmafia.proboards.com/board/4)** > > Visit our forum at: wolfmafia.proboards.com Cabal Board (Day Talk): > **[A place to Ponder | Message Board](https://wolfmafia.proboards.com/board/2)** > > Visit our forum at: wolfmafia.proboards.com ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1134 "2009-04-24T15:29:46Z")
Congrats to the Cabal! And boo to the two Wolves that were mod-killed. You really hurt our chances. But the remaining Wolves played well. You did a great job, despite the numbers handicap. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1135 "2009-04-24T15:48:59Z")
> [@special\_ed](#): > > congratulations, pede > > It’s good to know that my final choice didn’t matter. I would have lost no matter who I decided to NK. > > So, why the variation in number in the factions? > > I can see the cabal having more, but more than the Masons? Did the Masons have power? And why more wolves than assassins? > > Where are the spoilers? The masons had the advantage of always working for the town, and thus, being able to be out in the open. Oh, and YEEEESSSSS! That was exciting. Well played Ed. I genuinely thought you were town up until the very end. ---
**Author:** ![Almost\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@Almost\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Almost_Human)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1136 "2009-04-24T15:58:36Z")
Pede, well played. That was a great game. We were pretty sure the only town were the masons but there was always a tiny doubt. I thought we had this whole thing wrapped up till Hero was mod killed. _virtually kicks Hero in the butt_ ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1137 "2009-04-24T15:59:41Z")
Moderator Notes: I was drawn to this set-up because at its core it really was simple. Four roles all sent in such a way that everyone knew that everyone on their team got the same role. No crazy roles, no crazy powers; just basic stuff put in a non-basic setup. I liked the duality between Town and Cabal and between Wolf and Assassins. They are essentially the same, but very much not the same. I also liked the broken symmetry in how there are four factions, but each faction functions differently than the rest, necessitating different numbers for each Faction. That was the motivation for the design. I was also interested in seeing how everyone would behave when they knew who everyone on their team was at the very start. The weakest part of the design was the Masons. I knew going in that the “fun” factor was smallest for the masons since they are never able to lynch Town. There was no possibility of mislynch, so the motivation for the game is less direct for the masons. ---
**Author:** ![Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichini_Sanshigo)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1138 "2009-04-24T16:22:56Z")
Woo-hoo! I can’t believe we won! You Assassins were scarily good. Great game **sach**! ---
**Author:** ![special\_ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@special\_ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/special_ed)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1139 "2009-04-24T16:28:31Z")
> [@pedescribe](#): > > The masons had the advantage of always working for the town, and thus, being able to be out in the open. > > Oh, and YEEEESSSSS! > > That was exciting. > Well played Ed. I genuinely thought you were town up until the very end. If you read my Night 6 ramblings, you’ll see I was on to the set-up, though I wasn’t certain. I also knew my only chance was to kill ok11 and hope he killed you, not knowing he was incapable of killing you. ---
**Author:** ![Natlaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a88e57/32.png) [@Natlaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Natlaw)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592/1140 "2009-04-24T17:56:09Z")
Congratulations to the **Cabal**! Thanks **sachertorte** for moderating, I had fun! :). You almost won it for us **ok11** , if **special ed** had killed **pedescribe**. Most of the rest of my thoughts are in the Wolf/spoiled simpletons threads, but (besides the mod kills) I think we lost by killing a mason again on the third Night, which kept the assassin cloaked. Thanks everyone for playing, some ridiculous claims in the end ;). Signed, Koala. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592.md?page=56) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mafia-not-so-simple-simpletown/488592.md?page=58)