# Shakespeare Mafia-- Act I **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 12, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789 "2025-07-12T15:19:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/101 "2025-07-14T16:22:07Z")
> [@AngeloftheNorth](#): > > Rereading the rules and I see we are using the L-word here. That is not a complaint, I don’t want to start an argument, I just want to avoid confusing everyone. We had stopped using it elsewhere, hence my post explaining LTL. In case anyone is confused, the word she’s referring to is “lynch”. I don’t really like to use it in this context myself, but there’s no need to circumlocute. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/102 "2025-07-14T16:25:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I should mention, at this point, that a certain amount of vagueness was deliberate. But you’re all smart. Not sure what to make of this post. As an experienced player, the fact that we don’t know what power roles are in the game is perfectly obvious and shouldn’t need a cryptic post about “vagueness”. Maybe there is something else going on or maybe I am just overthinking this. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/103 "2025-07-14T16:27:58Z")
Another thing I should mention for the benefit of new players is that editing your posts is severely frowned upon; it makes people wonder if you’re trying to hide something more sinister than spelling errors. The convention, if you want to revise a post, is just to make a new post and preface the revised version with “NETA” – Not Edited To Add. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/104 "2025-07-14T16:35:47Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > In case anyone is confused, the word she’s referring to is “lynch”. I don’t really like to use it in this context myself, but there’s no need to circumlocute. Gotcha; I hadn’t really thought about that, but it makes sense. What do people usually call it now, banishment? Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death,” For exile hath more terror in his look, Much more than death. Do not say “banishment.” ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/105 "2025-07-14T16:46:25Z")
We were using Yeet the lurker on Giraffe, but i wasn’t fond of it. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/106 "2025-07-14T16:54:46Z")
I don’t think people have really settled on a satisfactory replacement in general. For this game, “banish” seems like it would fit. Or is there some more Shakespearey word? But I’m not planning to argue with anyone over their word choice. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/107 "2025-07-14T16:58:01Z")
An online Shakespeare thesaurus suggests “dispatch” or simply “rid”. (Other words Shakespeare used for “kill” include “fetch” and “stick”, but those seem more appropriate for Puppy Mafia). ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/108 "2025-07-14T17:32:36Z")
Shortly Angel will probably come along and accuse me of “lurking in plain sight”, because I’ve just made a lot of posts but haven’t really been commenting on anyone’s actions. In general, this is a suspicious pattern, but nobody has really said anything that’s struck me as worth commenting on so far, and we have a lot of new players so offering some advice seemed appropriate, despite the fact that being overly “friendly and helpful” can also be a sign of scum. (If Angel DOESN’T make such an accusation, it probably means she’s scum 🤪) ---
**Author:** ![AngeloftheNorth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelofthenorth/32/19559_2.png) [@AngeloftheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngeloftheNorth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/109 "2025-07-14T17:35:26Z")
A bit of advice- while it’s useful to guess the number of villains, don’t get stuck on a particular number (you’re right about the range). DizzyMrsLizzy and I once won as the scum team against two of the best players we know, and it was because they had decided that there could only possibly be 3 of us, when in fact there were 4. The Globe recreation is wonderful, isn’t it? That was one of my favorite things in London. ---
**Author:** ![AngeloftheNorth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelofthenorth/32/19559_2.png) [@AngeloftheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngeloftheNorth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/110 "2025-07-14T17:43:07Z")
LOL. You haven’t triggered me yet, which may mean you _are_ scum because usually I’m immediately suspicious of you and then you flip town, but no, I don’t think that’s suspicious under the current game circumstances. I agree with you that there’s not much of substance to comment on yet. I’m just wondering how we get to where there is. I’ve been commenting on minutae in the hopes of starting discussion, but there’s not really anything to hang on yet. ---
**Author:** ![AngeloftheNorth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelofthenorth/32/19559_2.png) [@AngeloftheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngeloftheNorth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/111 "2025-07-14T17:45:24Z")
I suppose we’ll find out soon enough, but @Thing.Fish (and anyone else who wants to answer) do you think this game is big enough to have a vig? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/112 "2025-07-14T17:47:07Z")
Just for the newbies: What is a vig? ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/113 "2025-07-14T17:47:16Z")
If it had been 16 players, then yes. Now, probably no, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/114 "2025-07-14T17:48:16Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Just for the newbies: What is a vig? Vig = vigilante. A “good” character who can kill someone during the Night, hoping to help Town and eliminate Scum. It often misfires. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/115 "2025-07-14T17:51:39Z")
Thanks. And as a general plea: don’t be afraid to spell four syllable words out, even if they are Spanish in origin. Verona’s Italian is not far from Spanish, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/116 "2025-07-14T17:53:20Z")
I doubt we have a vigilante with only 13 players (vigs are often seen in larger games, to increase the kill rate and keep the game from taking forever). It’s certainly possible, though. ---
**Author:** ![AngeloftheNorth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelofthenorth/32/19559_2.png) [@AngeloftheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngeloftheNorth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/117 "2025-07-14T18:41:08Z")
Will do. Sorry, force of habit but I will be more mindful. ---
**Author:** ![AngeloftheNorth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelofthenorth/32/19559_2.png) [@AngeloftheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngeloftheNorth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/118 "2025-07-14T19:18:38Z")
I just randomized the list of players to see who it suggested I vote (some players advocate a random vote on D1 being better for Town). Glee was the result I got. I don’t want to harass new players, so instead of voting you, I’ll question you. You made a post stating “How are we going to make progress?!” While I agree with your sentiment, the punctuation seems a bit dramatic given how early in the game we are, although this is probably the best game to be dramatic in if one is so inclined. Why were you feeling so strongly about that the day the game started? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/119 "2025-07-14T19:48:52Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Cop: Investigates target and learns their alignment. The most powerful role. > Doc: Protects target and prevents them from being killed. May or may not be able to protect self. > Vig: Kills target. > Roleblocker: Prevents other players from using their powers. Variation is Jailkeeper, which also prevents the target from being affected by the powers of others. > Watcher: Learns who else, if anyone, targeted their target with a power. > Tracker: Learns who, if anyone, their target targeted with a power. Those roles I assume can only be held by Townies, not Villains, right? > [@AngeloftheNorth](#): > > Why were you feeling so strongly about that the day the game started? Can there also be a Shrink role? Would (s)he be a Goodie or a Baddie? ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789/120 "2025-07-14T19:53:10Z")
There could certainly be scum power roles. The scum already know everyone’s alignment, but they might have a Role Cop that can check to see whether townies have power roles. A Doc probably wouldn’t do them much good, and a Vig would be very overpowered for scum. But roleblockers, watchers and trackers work well for both sides. There are also some scum-specific power roles such as the Godfather, who shows up as Town on Cop investigations (I would consider it borderline unfair for the Mod to put such a role in the game without warning us, though), or a Tough Guy, who can override Doc protection to kill a victim. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare-mafia-act-i/1020789.md?page=7)