Swords in the Moon [Concluded]

[Husar]

Amazing how fast someone can be condemned in this game!

So do you have a detailed analysis on all 65 or so people or should we just wait another 5 rounds and see if anything substantial comes up?
I mean yes, in some cases it all feels rushed etc. but when discussion levels are low, experienced players quiet, others lie etc. that's sometimes the only hints you have...

[TinCow]

The mat?
My first impression of the lynch write-up, including that of the mat, was that of someone who was very much inactive during the course of the game ...which would fit PeasantPhil's activity this game (5 posts by the end of Day 7, not including sign-up post), and the reason behind his lynch.



:edit: Time spent on the mat, compare it to say time spent on duty, contributing to the discussion (w/ Andres making use of a person's behavior to make the write-ups unique).

This makes a lot of sense and I am inclined to agree with it.

Turn the pressure back up on Seamus.

[CountArach]

I have had six shocking days straight... couldn't have been at a worse time... SORRY EVERYONE.

First off, I can confirm two things:
1) Everyone has sent me their duel ratings.
2) Sasaki is indeed telling the truth. I am merely his Kagemusha who takes his place in public.

Ummm... I don't think there's much more I really need to say at this point, except to apologise again to everyone and to say that I will answer any questions asked of me.

[Yaropolk]

1) Everyone has sent me their duel ratings.

Rhyfelwyr - sorry I've been trying to lynch you for 3 days due to not sending in rating, nothing personal.

[FactionHeir]

If you are his Kgemusha, who is Kagemusha then?
(oh yes, using this smiley guarantees a GH vote )

In any case, I am rather confused why you would admit to this publically, thus helping the mafia?

[Haudegen]

If you are his Kgemusha, who is Kagemusha then?
(oh yes, using this smiley guarantees a GH vote )

In any case, I am rather confused why you would admit to this publically, thus helping the mafia?

That´s what I was thinking. But on the positive side: the mafia probably finds this very confusing too.

[Gregoshi]

In any case, I am rather confused why you would admit to this publically, thus helping the mafia?

Like you and Haudegen, that was my first reaction, but getting into the mindset of this game, is that so? Or have things got more confusing for the ninja? With one swordmaster left, "Shingen"'s life was on the line. The Kagemusha Gambit opened up the possibilities that Shingen could be any of the townies. I say "any of the townies" because offering up a sacrifice (in this case Sasaki) seems to be a common tactic in these games. Am I thinking right or am I off the mark?

The lack of being able to obtain any physical evidence is maddening about this game - even then you can't trust the gatherer. I feel my soul corrupting day by day.

[Beskar]

Well, we know who the night kills are.

Gobbledygook
CountArch
Sasaki

I would be highly surprised if not.

[Gregoshi]

I guess it is foolishly hopeful that the ninja are down to one kill a night...

[TinCow]

Like you and Haudegen, that was my first reaction, but getting into the mindset of this game, is that so? Or have things got more confusing for the ninja? With one swordmaster left, "Shingen"'s life was on the line. The Kagemusha Gambit opened up the possibilities that Shingen could be any of the townies. I say "any of the townies" because offering up a sacrifice (in this case Sasaki) seems to be a common tactic in these games. Am I thinking right or am I off the mark?

The one thing that has never been in doubt is that Sasaki's reveal was not casual or ignorant. Sasaki's arguments can be playful and amorphous, but his actual in-game moves are always well thought out and well calculated. The danger is not that he will make a bad choice, but that he is not on your side and thus that his choices are not going to benefit you.

The point of this is that it's impossible to say whether Sasaki's reveal is true or not. However, we don't need to determine whether it's true or not, we only need to determine who's side he's on. If he is on the town's side, the best thing to do is simply to assume that he's doing the right thing and roll with the punches as they come. If he isn't on the town's side, letting him control the town in this manner is exceptionally dangerous and will likely lead to our defeat.

Based on CA (someone stated as pro-town in the rules) vouching for him, this is one of the few games in which Sasaki's allegiance points strongly in one direction. That said, he's still Sasaki. If anyone has ever discovered a reliable method of determining whose side he's on in mafia games, I haven't heard of it.

In summary: Don't worry about whether Sasaki is who he says he is or not. Go along with it, but keep your eyes open and be sure and point out any inconsistencies or errors you see in his behavior.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I won't be around for this next day phase.

Seamus should be looked at carefully, but there are many others who need attention as well (rhyfelwyr, chimpyang, dutch guy) so don't be too focused.

[Gregoshi]

Cheer up Sasaki! You know what they say...

[ULC]

Cheer up Sasaki! You know what they say...

Thanks Gregoshi, that was needed

[Beskar]

I think Sasaki confused people more, Ninja and Townies, rather than trying to rally the townies which BG at least seemed to have done to some degree.

But that is just me. I feel like some one wrapped up the game in a dirty newspaper, played basketball with it, made it sniff glue, then took it out binge-drinking and the game woke up with a suspicious body next to the in the bed which it is tied to with duct tape.

Then there are others which forgot to reattach their heads after the Mafia-roles killed them, jumping in the game and trying to get townies to kill each other for a laugh. (Don't worry Greg, nothing to do with you)

Then our samurai master being elusive as a silent fart and thus makes the game far more deadly.

[Gregoshi]

Then our samurai master being elusive as a silent fart and thus makes the game far more deadly.

An SBD...'tis a foul picture you paint Beskar.

Hurry up dawn.

[Andres]

~~~ Swords in the Moon ~~~

Night 8 - Conclusion

Hour of the Boar

Kato Danzo was meditating on his bamboo mat. He could sit on it for hours contemplating the meaning of power. Real power. Ultimate power. The power of life and death. Occasionally, he took a nibble from the bowl of rice in front of him.

A masked warrior entered his tent and fell prone on the floor.

“Sensei,” the warrior uttered, “the hour has come near. We seek your guidance.”

Kato paused for a second and replied, “A wise man once said, strength is not found in skill in battle, it is found in wisdom...”

He reached into the folds of his kimono, and pulled out a handful of dust. With a wave of his hand, he sprinkled it over the rice bowl and pushed the bowl towards his student. The student quickly snatched the bowl of rice, bowed, and began to retreat from the tent.

Kato held up his hand and said “I have one more gift for you, an old curio from Tanegashima…”

He reached into his black chest and pulled out a long object wrapped in cloth.

~~~

Hour of the Rat

Yamamoto Kansuke (Gobledeygook) was standing guard at the campfire outside his master’s tent. Despite the injury he was determined to defend Takeda to his last breath. He had been in his service for many years, following him into battle after battle. He felt regret and deep sorrow; the dead of his two fellow swordmaster was a huge blow, not just for the Takeda clan, but for him, personally. Through the years, they had become close friends, brothers. He would get his revenge. His facial expression became grim and determined.


As he was reflecting on the past days, something drew his attention. He thought he caught a glimpse of something moving on the other side of the fire. He peered intently through the flames.

He didn’t notice the hand holding a log coming down from the darkness and cracking his skull. Yamamoto slumped to the ground. The killer smashed his face with the log four times, grabbed him by the foot and dragged his dead body into the flames.

~~~

Hour of the Rat

Lord Takeda (CountArach) retreated to his room for some much needed rest. The last few weeks’ events had been stressful on him. Creature comforts like supper, a clean shave, and a good night’s sleep kept him from losing his mind. He called out to his attendant, asking for his supper and a cauldron of hot water.

The servant walked in with his head bowed and covered in a hood. No lowly servant dared to gaze directly into the face of this great daimyo. He wheeled in a cauldron of hot water, silently left the tent and returned with a silver platter with Lord Takeda’s supper.

The mighty Lord scarfed down the food in front of him and turned his attention to the cauldron behind him. Suddenly, the ground gave way under his feet. The peak of the tent looked like it was as tall as a mountain. He stumbled and caught his grip on the cauldron.

A pair of strong hands grabbed his neck from behind and forced his head underwater. Takeda Nobushige twitched for about a minute, and then entered eternal slumber.

~~~

Hour of the Tiger

The samurai known as Hamano Michiyo (Sasaki Kojiro) had a late night. He was getting ready for bed when he heard commotion outside his room.
Still wearing his armor and daisho, he charged outside and saw that the samurai who was supposed to be standing guard was missing.




Suddenly two explosions rang out from the darkness to his right. Splinters flew from his armor, and his chest felt like it was on fire. With pure determination and despite his injuries, he drew his Wakizashi and leapt on the man closest to him. The only way this brave man would die, would be in battle! In the clash both men lost their weapons. They rolled in the dirt twice, but the older samurai's experience won out. He managed to pin his assassin under him. With one hand he reached for his tanto, and with the other, pulled off the man’s mask. He was taken aback! He couldn’t believe this loyal samurai was actually an assassin sent to kill him. Still flabbergasted, he opened his mouth to scream the killer’s name. At that moment a second attacker swung his katana, and separated the victim’s head from his body. The assassin reached a hand to his accomplice and they disappeared into the darkness, taking with them the head of their victim.

Awakened by the shots of the arquebus and the ensuing tussle, the whole camp of sleepy samurai poured outside to investigate. When the crowd gathered in front of Lord Takeda’s room, a horrible
site befell them. Their master’s body lay dead on the ground, next to the body of his bodyguard. They also saw the beheaded body of one of their fellow samurai, still grasping a tanto in his hand. Who was he? They stood in a circle unsure of what to do next. Suspicious eyes darted around the
crowd. Who did this? Was it the man on my right, or him, or him, or him?

Before they knew it, it was dawn.

~~~

Day 8 - Disaster?

Hour of the Rabbit

One of the samurai standing on the courtyard mounted the platform. “It looks like our Lord died last night.” He picked up the scroll that was already placed there, ready for the usual proceedings.


“Our Lord has decided that the following duel should take place…” the samurai paused and looked surprised. He then looked up and nodded towards Shinohara Yuuko (Yaropolk) and Fujimoto Kazunari (atheotes). Both men stepped forward. The samurai standing on the platform opened his mouth to continue.


“Yeah, yeah, no armor, no hidden weapons, just katana and wakizashi. We know the drill,” Shinohara interrupted.

The samurai on the platform started shaking his head. “No,” he said, “our master has ordered both Shinohara Yuuko and Fujimoto Kazunari to commit seppuku without further hesitation.”

“What?” Fujimoto exclaimed. “This can’t be true! Let us see that scroll!” Both duelists mounted the platform and watched the scroll. Several others did the same.

“It’s true! Why would our master have taken such a decision?”

The samurai who got on the platform first shrugged. “We need to obey our master.”

“Now that he’s dead, shouldn’t we all commit seppuku?” another samurai asked.

“No,” the first one answered. “His son, Takeda Katsuyori, his now his heir. The young boy needs us. We need to dispose of the remaining ninja and return to our new lord as soon as possible.” He looked towards Shinohara Yuuko and Fujimoto Kazunari and continued: “Both of you, carry out our Lord’s last orders.”

Both samurai seemed to hesitate, but several others unsheated their swords, making it clear that, if they wouldn’t take their lives honorably, their comrades would kill them.

~~~

Shinohara and Fujimoto sat down and unsheated their wakizashi. Two samurai took positions behind them.

Both men opened the belt of their kimono’s. They knew that there was no time for a death poem or some dreaming; both felt the sense of urgency in the air. Almost simulteanously, they pierced their sharp short swords into their belly. The kaishakunin standing behind them ended their suffering very quick.

After the bodies were quickly put on burning woodpiles, the samurai started to gather, trying to find the killers of their Lord.

~~~

Alive (16):

GeneralHankerchief
FactionHeir
Caius
Ichigo
Wishazu
White_Eyes:D
Stephen Assen
Rhyfelwyr
Beskar
Kagemusha
Chimpyang
Yoyoma1910
Seamus Fermanagh
woad&fangs
ajaxfetish
Dutch_guy

Killed (27):
Khazaar
spL1tp3r50nal1ty
Lord Winter
The Spartan
Iskander III
Shinseikhaan
Olavi
Thermal Mercury
Chaotix27
pevergreen
Gregoshi

Reenk Roink
LittleGrizzly
Louis VI the Fat
Crazed Rabbit
A Very Super Market
Glenn
Husar
Death is yonder
Haudegen
Captain Blackadder
glyphz
Banquo's Ghost
Kukrikhan
Sasaki Kojiro
CountArach

Gobbledygook

Fallen in battle (8):
Northnovas
Ignoramus

El Diablo
YLC
Beefy187
AggonyDuck

Yaropolk
atheotes

Lynched (7):
Askthepizzaguy
Sigurd
shlin28

TosaInu
TinCow
Quintus.JC
Peasant Phill

WoG/Suicide (6):
Xehh II

Jolt
Beaver
Tristan de Castelreng
Psychonaut
taka

~~~

It's now day. You can start voting. Day will last 24 hours, that's until 22.30 (GMT+1)

[Gregoshi]

Wow. Interesting.

Takeda Nobutora took his pencil and started to write:



Quote:


Dear Nakayima,
Dear Watanabe,


Many years have passed since my ungrateful son has taken control over the Takeda clan.

...Bring me the head of the usurper, Takeda Shingen! Once he has been taken care of, I will take control over the Takeda clan and I will appoint the misguided Nobushige as my heir!

Keigu,


武田信虎.

Not anymore... Now that is a surprising twist.

[Yaropolk]

Wow. Interesting.


Not anymore... Now that is a surprising twist.

Wow good catch Gregoshi...i guess traitors really work for CA, and he was a counter-town role?

:bow from heaven to everyone else.

[TinCow]

Disaster indeed. It looks like we have lost all the pro-town roles and have at least 2 ninjas left including the master, probably more, though the traitors appear to be dead.

I recommend a focus on FactionHeir. On review, his posts seem to fit the pattern of being helpful, but not in any way that produces any results. He walks a very fine line doesn't push too heavily against any single person. He generally avoids making his own accusations and instead makes innocuous observations about the write-ups. When he does vote, his language isn't very inflammatory and he often plays the devil's advocate, which is an easy role for a mafioso and likely to win him friends. In addition, he made this post about BG shortly after the reveal, which strikes me as a possible attempt to lay some groundwork in case a future lynching of BG was necessary.

[Beskar]

Not to be funny, but could some one actually tell me what is going on now?

All I know is, the following alive people are innocent.

Beskar
Generalhankerchief
Seamus Fermanagh
Stephen Asen

[TinCow]

Not to be funny, but could some one actually tell me what is going on now?

All I know is, the following alive people are innocent.

Beskar
Generalhankerchief
Seamus Fermanagh
Stephen Asen

Correction, all you know is that the people on that list are almost certainly not regular ninjas. I think it's entirely possible that one of them could be the Ninja Master. The Ninja Master appears to be similar in nature to a Godfather role, and those commonly come up innocent on detective results.

Nice attempt at emphasizing your own innocence though.
FOS: Beskar

[Gregoshi]

Also note that there were four attackers - two on Sasaki. Does this mean a traitor is still alive?

Even death has not released me from the shame and dishonour at failing my Lord Shingen.

[Quintus.JC]

Wow. Interesting.

Not anymore... Now that is a surprising twist.

CA wasn't protown all along, he actually had other agenda...

[Gregoshi]

CA wasn't protown all along, he actually had other agenda...

Are we sure?

From his father's letter, it sounded like Nobushige was a fool to be manipulated. Maybe part of the traitors' goals was to protect CA, like we were to protect Sasaki.

I figured as the game went on the picture would get clearer. Silly me.

[Quintus.JC]

Are we sure?

From his father's letter, it sounded like Nobushige was a fool to be manipulated. Maybe part of the traitors' goals was to protect CA, like we were to protect Sasaki.

Hmm... possibly so. But the wiki description of Nobushige made him sound like an astute man, then again Andres doesn't have to follow and obey every aspect of history in this game.

[Quintus.JC]

Wait, wait a minute. Does Sasaki even knew who CA was?

From Sasaki's reveal:

Originally Posted by Andres
Sasaki Kojiro

Takeda Shingen – The Tiger of Kai

Konishiwa, Shingen-sama,


You are the REAL Takeda Shingen. The man leading the samurai during the day is one of your top generals, Tada Mitsuyori (CountArach), who serves as your Kagemusha.

To the public, your identity will remain hidden and you will pretend like you are one of the veteran samurai.

This is a bit strange.

[TinCow]

Not really. Sasaki's reveal was clearly fake and was an attempt to pull an attack away from CA. It failed, but was a valiant effort.

[atheotes]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

~~~ Swords in the Moon ~~~

Night 8 - Conclusion

Hour of the Boar

Kato Danzo was meditating on his bamboo mat. He could sit on it for hours contemplating the meaning of power. Real power. Ultimate power. The power of life and death. Occasionally, he took a nibble from the bowl of rice in front of him.

A masked warrior entered his tent and fell prone on the floor.

“Sensei,” the warrior uttered, “the hour has come near. We seek your guidance.”

Kato paused for a second and replied, “A wise man once said, strength is not found in skill in battle, it is found in wisdom...”

He reached into the folds of his kimono, and pulled out a handful of dust. With a wave of his hand, he sprinkled it over the rice bowl and pushed the bowl towards his student. The student quickly snatched the bowl of rice, bowed, and began to retreat from the tent.

Kato held up his hand and said “I have one more gift for you, an old curio from Tanegashima…”

He reached into his black chest and pulled out a long object wrapped in cloth.

~~~

Hour of the Rat

Yamamoto Kansuke (Gobledeygook) was standing guard at the campfire outside his master’s tent. Despite the injury he was determined to defend Takeda to his last breath. He had been in his service for many years, following him into battle after battle. He felt regret and deep sorrow; the dead of his two fellow swordmaster was a huge blow, not just for the Takeda clan, but for him, personally. Through the years, they had become close friends, brothers. He would get his revenge. His facial expression became grim and determined.


As he was reflecting on the past days, something drew his attention. He thought he caught a glimpse of something moving on the other side of the fire. He peered intently through the flames.

He didn’t notice the hand holding a log coming down from the darkness and cracking his skull. Yamamoto slumped to the ground. The killer smashed his face with the log four times, grabbed him by the foot and dragged his dead body into the flames.

~~~

Hour of the Rat

Lord Takeda (CountArach) retreated to his room for some much needed rest. The last few weeks’ events had been stressful on him. Creature comforts like supper, a clean shave, and a good night’s sleep kept him from losing his mind. He called out to his attendant, asking for his supper and a cauldron of hot water.

The servant walked in with his head bowed and covered in a hood. No lowly servant dared to gaze directly into the face of this great daimyo. He wheeled in a cauldron of hot water, silently left the tent and returned with a silver platter with Lord Takeda’s supper.

The mighty Lord scarfed down the food in front of him and turned his attention to the cauldron behind him. Suddenly, the ground gave way under his feet. The peak of the tent looked like it was as tall as a mountain. He stumbled and caught his grip on the cauldron.

A pair of strong hands grabbed his neck from behind and forced his head underwater. Takeda Nobushige twitched for about a minute, and then entered eternal slumber.

~~~

Hour of the Tiger

The samurai known as Hamano Michiyo (Sasaki Kojiro) had a late night. He was getting ready for bed when he heard commotion outside his room.
Still wearing his armor and daisho, he charged outside and saw that the samurai who was supposed to be standing guard was missing.




Suddenly two explosions rang out from the darkness to his right. Splinters flew from his armor, and his chest felt like it was on fire. With pure determination and despite his injuries, he drew his Wakizashi and leapt on the man closest to him. The only way this brave man would die, would be in battle! In the clash both men lost their weapons. They rolled in the dirt twice, but the older samurai's experience won out. He managed to pin his assassin under him. With one hand he reached for his tanto, and with the other, pulled off the man’s mask. He was taken aback! He couldn’t believe this loyal samurai was actually an assassin sent to kill him. Still flabbergasted, he opened his mouth to scream the killer’s name. At that moment a second attacker swung his katana, and separated the victim’s head from his body. The assassin reached a hand to his accomplice and they disappeared into the darkness, taking with them the head of their victim.

Awakened by the shots of the arquebus and the ensuing tussle, the whole camp of sleepy samurai poured outside to investigate. When the crowd gathered in front of Lord Takeda’s room, a horrible
site befell them. Their master’s body lay dead on the ground, next to the body of his bodyguard. They also saw the beheaded body of one of their fellow samurai, still grasping a tanto in his hand. Who was he? They stood in a circle unsure of what to do next. Suspicious eyes darted around the
crowd. Who did this? Was it the man on my right, or him, or him, or him?

Before they knew it, it was dawn.

~~~

Day 8 - Disaster?

Hour of the Rabbit

One of the samurai standing on the courtyard mounted the platform. “It looks like our Lord died last night.” He picked up the scroll that was already placed there, ready for the usual proceedings.


“Our Lord has decided that the following duel should take place…” the samurai paused and looked surprised. He then looked up and nodded towards Shinohara Yuuko (Yaropolk) and Fujimoto Kazunari (atheotes). Both men stepped forward. The samurai standing on the platform opened his mouth to continue.


“Yeah, yeah, no armor, no hidden weapons, just katana and wakizashi. We know the drill,” Shinohara interrupted.

The samurai on the platform started shaking his head. “No,” he said, “our master has ordered both Shinohara Yuuko and Fujimoto Kazunari to commit seppuku without further hesitation.”

“What?” Fujimoto exclaimed. “This can’t be true! Let us see that scroll!” Both duelists mounted the platform and watched the scroll. Several others did the same.

“It’s true! Why would our master have taken such a decision?”

The samurai who got on the platform first shrugged. “We need to obey our master.”

“Now that he’s dead, shouldn’t we all commit seppuku?” another samurai asked.

“No,” the first one answered. “His son, Takeda Katsuyori, his now his heir. The young boy needs us. We need to dispose of the remaining ninja and return to our new lord as soon as possible.” He looked towards Shinohara Yuuko and Fujimoto Kazunari and continued: “Both of you, carry out our Lord’s last orders.”

Both samurai seemed to hesitate, but several others unsheated their swords, making it clear that, if they wouldn’t take their lives honorably, their comrades would kill them.

~~~

Shinohara and Fujimoto sat down and unsheated their wakizashi. Two samurai took positions behind them.

Both men opened the belt of their kimono’s. They knew that there was no time for a death poem or some dreaming; both felt the sense of urgency in the air. Almost simulteanously, they pierced their sharp short swords into their belly. The kaishakunin standing behind them ended their suffering very quick.

After the bodies were quickly put on burning woodpiles, the samurai started to gather, trying to find the killers of their Lord.

~~~

Alive (16):

GeneralHankerchief
FactionHeir
Caius
Ichigo
Wishazu
White_Eyes:D
Stephen Assen
Rhyfelwyr
Beskar
Kagemusha
Chimpyang
Yoyoma1910
Seamus Fermanagh
woad&fangs
ajaxfetish
Dutch_guy

Killed (27):
Khazaar
spL1tp3r50nal1ty
Lord Winter
The Spartan
Iskander III
Shinseikhaan
Olavi
Thermal Mercury
Chaotix27
pevergreen
Gregoshi

Reenk Roink
LittleGrizzly
Louis VI the Fat
Crazed Rabbit
A Very Super Market
Glenn
Husar
Death is yonder
Haudegen
Captain Blackadder
glyphz
Banquo's Ghost
Kukrikhan
Sasaki Kojiro
CountArach

Gobbledygook

Fallen in battle (8):
Northnovas
Ignoramus

El Diablo
YLC
Beefy187
AggonyDuck

Yaropolk
atheotes

Lynched (7):
Askthepizzaguy
Sigurd
shlin28

TosaInu
TinCow
Quintus.JC
Peasant Phill

WoG/Suicide (6):
Xehh II

Jolt
Beaver
Tristan de Castelreng
Psychonaut
taka

~~~

It's now day. You can start voting. Day will last 24 hours, that's until 22.30 (GMT+1)

What the hell.... i cant believe what just happened....

excellent work Andres

[Quintus.JC]

Not really. Sasaki's reveal was clearly fake and was an attempt to pull an attack away from CA. It failed, but was a valiant effort.

But when CA died, Andres clearly said that it was Takada Nobushinge who was killed.

Edit: Setting Sasaki's reveal aside, CA still isn't Shingen.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Vote: Factionheir

Others have suggested that you are too much the "soul of reasonableness" here. What say you?


General Note:

Between computer problems, convention attendance, and a newly purchased copy of Empire, I have been lurking big time of late. I will probably continue to do so, scanning material and tossing off a point or two when I feel I've got something -- but lurking really does work. taka had it right all along (though he missed up in this game).