Battle School - The Mafia / Round One: OOC / Mai 18 years ago

Round One: OOC

Talk amongst yourselves here

Blackrabbit 18 years ago
Just as an aside for everyone saying "oh well it's the first day"...

The clues are there, for crying out loud... they're just well-hidden. Granted, it gets easier as we go along and patterns are established, but just because it's the first hit doesn't mean we should write it off as a loss.

Four mafia and a SK can completely devastate a group of townies. We're not so numerous that we can blow off a day. :P
lemmy101 18 years ago
For sure. My point is purely that we shouldn't be swayed by blindingly obvious clues that point to the SK as the SK is a one off character the mods are unlikely to expose so much on day 1 :) I suspect a coincidence, and if we act off one thing like that, then that's a surefire way to start hanging townies. As you say we need to look for stuff that's well hidden and more subtle, yet looks intentional...
CaptainBinky 18 years ago
Blackrabbit;86244
Four mafia and a SK can completely devastate a group of townies. We're not so numerous that we can blow off a day.


Call me horrendously cynical if you will, but I'm incredibly suspicious of the first person who's posted what is effectively "I'm a townie".

:D
Blackrabbit 18 years ago
Who in their right mind would post on this thread and say "Oh btw, I'm not a townie?" Take it as you will. I don't trust you any more than you trust me. But put suspicion aside for a moment and simply read my point, which was, "there ARE clues in the hit, it's just a matter of finding the right ones."

This is the first mafia I've played in about 9 months (since Hogwarts mafia), so i don't know how you play and you don't know how I play. All I can say is I hate when people go, "Blech it's Day 1."

Day one sucks, but it's still more than just a throwaway. And I am sick of reading back on the history and realizing we've lynched a townie. I'd really rather see a bad guy get tossed out on Day 1 (sorry bad guys, but you know...)

Shoot, I know we've lynched the doctor on day 1 before. :x
Den 18 years ago
Ok -- I'm a townie too...add me to the list ;)
SnowDragon 18 years ago
I would have to agree with Rabbit on this. There are clues that look obvious and may be there that make us think well that is to obvious and just over look it and then there are the hidden ones. This is my first Mafia game so I am still clueless in this.
MashPotato 18 years ago
He looked unduly frightened; this would be easier than the soldier had thought, and frankly they already thought it would be a fairly simple matter to push this kid over the edge. Pinual was a prime example of the way the adults mishandled their charges – he was too caught up in the fantasy game, it was just unhealthy. And what did the teachers do? They encouraged him. The kid clearly had problems, but did they give him the help he so desperately needed? Of course not – they relied on the genius that lay so close to the insanity that they dare not disturb it.

“Relax. I want to help you.”

“…help me?”

With a fixed smile, the figure tonelessly replied, “I think you have a problem. Don’t you?”

“What’s that in your hand?”

“There is a way out, Pinual.”


The SK seems quite... empathetic to me ;)... Teresa Sol is an expert at reading body language and understanding emotions, she might have realized the inner turmoil Pinual was going through and want to end his misery. In addition, she's also been used as a pawn of the teachers for unknown reasons (the SK's inner monologue seems to suggest past experience with that), and she's older.

Shepard--> little bo-peep--> female?
lemmy101 18 years ago
MashPotato;86250
The SK seems quite... empathetic to me ;)... Teresa Sol is an expert at reading body language and understanding emotions, she might have realized the inner turmoil Pinual was going through and want to end his misery. In addition, she's also been used as a pawn of the teachers for unknown reasons (the SK's inner monologue seems to suggest past experience with that), and she's older.

Shepard--> little bo-peep--> female?


I will say this. That's pretty damn good theory, and after reading it, I fear for my life a bit... but I will say this:

If I'm the SK. Why would I have spent the past few posts trying to debunk the theory that Domo is the SK due to that same word: Sheppard, paving the way for you to come up with a theory putting me in the firing line?:

Surely I should of backed that other theory up, just let her hang and go on my merry SK way?

Nice, but wrong. And I thought you were so sweet Mash! :p
FyreGarnett 18 years ago
for the same reason the rest of us do it - misdirection! one of the more entertaining aspects of this game is trying to figure out who is leading the townies along the merry path... the SK will do it just as much as the mafia will!! course, anyone who is the SK or Mafia will play as though they were a townie... does wonders for one's ability to trust a fellow Dragon, hmmm? (course, i know the mods are laughing their butts off at the clues we find versus the ones we miss - and the ones we think we find that are nothing more than red herrings... *sigh* i love this game!!)


Since in reality we're looking for multiple Mafia, and if I recall correctly, each Mafia hit will encompass that concept (clues for each Mafia, in other words), I'll throw this one in the pot:

Gwendal - These were simpletons / measly little brain (references to her fear that she’s not smart enough)

~ bullies out to steal his lunch money / something to scare him in line / menacing crack of knuckles (not sure, but other than being obvious mafia posturing, repeated references to bullying could be something to keep in mind for later)


As for the SK, have to admit, it don't look good for Eduardo. We haev the 23:00 (11) reference and the fantasy bit gong there.
pharren 18 years ago
on an unrelated note:

PLEASE STOP POSTING IN WHITE

thank you
pooka 18 years ago
Well, this may be my last chance to post today, so I guess I better vote.
pharren 18 years ago
btw, i knew someone was going to point out the foot reference. i almost mentioned it myself but hoped people would pass it by. it would be a pretty good clue, if it were true, and all i can say in my defense is that im a townie :P

i still think someone needs to think about the three "breath" references

ill come up with some more stuff once i get home. its hard to concentrate in a room full of rowdy, loud coworkers
Den 18 years ago
pharren;86256
on an unrelated note:

PLEASE STOP POSTING IN WHITE

thank you


Ditto that...in fact, I really wish people wouldn't change the font colors at all...even the yellows and other pale colors are impossible to read on the TAC Light theme :*(
pooka 18 years ago
Dantes Jean-Paul Valentino Villanova combines the marksman reference and the "Wrong. Answer." line. If I'm wrong, I'm really sorry. I'll go put it in the vote thread, but like I said, I won't probably be able to be on line the rest of the night.
Keera 18 years ago
lemmy101;86239
That Sheperd stuff, well very interesting. Seems pretty solid to me, though I'd probably be surprised if there were any words that *weren't* in that bio :D also seems a rather obvious clue for revealing the one and only SK not sure the mods would be that obvious on the opening night's SK...

Also, I do like the age angle CaptainBinky mentioned, I see Dantes name coming up a lot too...


The word "Shepard" was spelled that way intentionally although I will admit I am not that great at spelling! With creative writers as I am sure you all know names, people, or names of things that hold a symbolic meaning are always very closely attended to. In retrospect sorry for the awfully long bio but I blame Pharren.

I would have to agree with lemmy. I doubt they would make clues so easily connectable on the first hit to a single character but then again maybe that is what they want us to think? Seems like some strong evidence against poor Domo though. I think maybe he should skip town.

As long as Pharren assumes room temperature before me so I am able to punt his lifeless gnomish corpse around; I shall be happy.
Blackrabbit 18 years ago
Punting lifeless gnome corpses around is a worthy and honorable pastime. I salute you and commend you.

The only good gnome is a dead gnome.
The Azig 18 years ago
Ok, despite the fact that I'm being repeatedly pushed toward the chopping block here, I'm going to put forth some more of my thoughts before Pooka has me swinging from the rafters!

The Battle School Mafia appears to be a very military and school oriented group. IE: they don't think the buggers are teh bad guys, and don't seem to think the school or teachers are the bad guy. The system and the scores are what they are out to beat.

“Now. Pinual. What are we all doing here in Battle School? What is the –most important- reason we are here?”

Pinual hesitated for a long moment before mumbling an answer.

“…beat the buggers…”

A hand clapped down on his shoulders and the mafia crowded around him once more. The voice whispered dangerously low; Pinual felt hot breath on his face.

“Wrong. Answer.”

Looking down at the ground was no longer enough; Pinual closed his eyes, trying to shut them all out. He wished they would just leave him alone. The voice, however, went on.

“We are here for one reason, and one reason only. To –win-. Got that, Safety Pin? –Winning- is why we’re here. And to win, we all have to work together and not drag the team down, right?
Another thing, the comment
“So what do we know about these other guys? Anyone?”
would indicate to me that these guys folks might be launchies, OR veterans - but are in the same boat. We're all new to Dragon, as far as I know, so they appear to have some other commonality among them. My first instinct would be they are vets worried about the launchies they are stuck with this time around. But - Pinual isn't/wasn't a launchie, was he? So that might sink that theory.
But they move as a group, march as a group, and attack as a group - so I'm still thinking its a group of vets who are being 'pro-active' about maintaining their teams scoring.

And I'm not entirely sure how Pinual not giving the mafia the answer they were looking for, and the comment "wrong answer" points at me, but it keeps coming up. I had the right answer on the test. I knew what the instructors wanted me to say, so I gave them the answer they wanted so I could be here. I had the right answer, so, again, I'm missing the connection there.


As for the SK:
The empathy link was something I was going to point out today when I posted, I'm glad someone else sees it too. It seems almost like a mercy killing to him/her.

Pinual was a prime example of the way the adults mishandled their charges – he was too caught up in the fantasy game, it was just unhealthy. And what did the teachers do? They encouraged him. The kid clearly had problems, but did they give him the help he so desperately needed? Of course not – they relied on the genius that lay so close to the insanity that they dare not disturb it.

“Relax. I want to help you.”
The enemy to the SK seems to be the system and the teachers. The way the battle school kids are being treated. I'm guessing they think we are all poor victims up here, and they are trying to systematically 'save us' from the evil school.
The Azig 18 years ago
So looking over the bios, who has a problem with the school or authority?

Zenan - I wont quote here, but most of his bio seems to apply for the mafia angle.

Michael Andrews - has recently been traded and possibly humiliated by the system. it's no stretech to think he could step up and join the mafia ranks hoping to find the strength of the group without the actual burden of leadership/decision making that he fears.

Domo - Dont know where to start with Domo. Obviously there are some head troubles there.
Cold, dark, and brilliant are the only words Domo can call to mind as the black whole swirls before him. He looks on with fascination through the main viewing panel as the other children crowd around him. He understands the true nature of the universe that surrounds him. Call it intuition, call it a gift but to Domo it is an unwanted extravagance. The little he is able to recall about his earlier childhood is derived from his dreams. "Dreams", Domo whispers to himself, "dreams are not supposed to be drenched in death and then painted black to hide among the stars for eternity."

He is exhausted from the long day oiling, refueling, and repairing various equipment. Domo returns to his room and begins dreaming long before his subconscious mind seeks refuge into the deepest recesses of escape. The last vestiges of conscious thought slip away; Domo lives thoughts of universal domination as the chaos begins. A dark voice uses the vocal cords of a young child "Oh how the children will love a world of radiated candy and melted dreams." With this Domo has a strange image form before him, he sees Santa falling asleep on the execution table as millions of children cry blood red tears but at the same time he sees angels singing with joy over the fat bastard's death.
Clearly some detatched misconceptions about death as well.

Dantes (myself) - Can't over look myself. I know Parkour, but that's not an art of stealth - the SK clearly knows how to get around quietly. And the "wrong answer" thing keeps coming up with me, but my bio simply states that I knew the answer the Prof. was looking for, and I was sure of it.
“That was quick,” the man said looking down at the exam. “Are you sure of your answer?”
“Yes.”
And while I am a barrio kid from a rough neighborhood, this is a way to a new life for me. And opportunity, and as a launchie I'm out to prove myself not sabotage a good thing for me. Sure, we have to win for that to happen, but I'm not new to playing on a team, and murder isnt how you improve the team.

Janie Adams -
an intelligence far beyond her young years, and an uncanny ability to manipulate even the hardest person into doing what she wants.
That boads well for mafia, just like Zenan.

Splaz - and that's all I'm typing of it! :) Has a history of trying to escape, and stealth. And since his life's ambition seems to be becoming a gold-painted mime (???) he could very well be looking for a way to get out of Battle School. Not to mention he doesnt seem to be rooted very strongly in reality.

Theresa Sol - has the empathy and loner complex to very easily be the type to engage in mercy-killing style SK activity. The only thing poking a hole in that is her apparent timidness. But she might also be relying on her empathy and mysterious favoritism to get her out of trouble and beyond suspicion.

Grenn Rosby -
So far he has been found to have a strong sense of loyalty and an unfailing determination to do what needs to be done.
Doesnt seem to fit the SK profile i/we have going, but fits teh mafia mold.

Eduardo - his living in a fantasy world with unknown intentions is very bad, indeed. If he truly thought he was saving Pinual, he could easily be the SK in the scene we have.


Ok, so if we're going to retaliate for Pinual and lynch someone, who are we most afraid of? I think we can all handle the bullies, if we stick together. The murderer is the one that scares me. Threats aren't as dangerous as a killer. Delusional or malicious, its the killer I'm on the look out for.
Keera 18 years ago
If Sheppard does indeed have any religious meaning it could be a clue. I want to point towards Dantes Villanova. He hails from Mexico City. In Mexico religion is a very strong influence, especially of catholic origin. The "Sheppard" plays a large roll in Cathlolocism as the "Sheppard" is often described as the Catholic Church as it should be. Certain sects of this following put a strong emphasis on being at peace with your inner self above all things. Hence maybe he was helping him by killing the poor kid.

Also there is a story found mainly in Catholic religious texts that points to the "Sheppards" around Jesus Christ as being blamed for the masacres that occured along side the Prophecy of his birth. These masacres were done to try and kill the "Mesiah" that was spoken about in Prophecy in order to stop what he may become and teach. Pinual seems to have known some things about the "buggers" reading his dreams and of sorts could be seen as a fake "Mesiah" worthy of killing by a fanatical religious sect. This may be a stretch but then again thats how my mind works with stretches...

Another thing is that Dantes is a practicioner of Parkour which can be classified as a sort of meditation and to some extent martial arts. All of the great action packed killer movies use this to great effect. Such as The Bourne Series, Die Hard, etc.. In essence this form of art is most always used in correlation with killing on the run or killing and escaping with precision.

Just a few thoughts.
MEC 18 years ago
If I recall correctly, curfew is 22:30, unfortunately I do not have a copy of the book available at this point in time. This said, I believe the 23:00 meeting time being established is a result of meeting the requirements of having to have it sufficiently after curfew as too avoid any dawdlers, as well as sufficiently early to not arouse suspicion because of weariness in the morning, not any reference to age.

This quote caught me through a re-read though:

The students at Battle School weren’t given anything beyond the basic necessities – anything else they wanted, they had to imagine or steal. The rope that the figure carried under one arm was a little of both; stolen socks, tied fast together.


I feel that this is a reference to the character "Bean", because of his resourcefulness in using wire and his ability to sneak/steal. I think that Bean's notoriously small stature may be an analogy to the SK.

Here are some short characters:

Janie
Eduardo
Jacob
Gwendal
BizzBizz

It should be noted that Eduardo is the shortest compared to relative age, being the average height of a six year old when he is in fact eleven.