[The Saucepan Man]

Wow! This is going to be a big game. I count 18 definates and 2 possibles already. Firefoot's game had 18 players and lasted 2 weeks!

With so many players (and more likely to want to enroll), I think that some thought needs to be given to the balance of the game. The Wolves prevailed in the last game, but it was a close run thing resulting from (I thought) some excellent play from the Wolves and the Cobbler. Many more than 18 players and consideration ought to be given to starting with 4 Wolves or cutting down the number of 'gifted' villagers.

On another note, I don't want to deter anyone, but I do think that everyone who agrees to play should be sure that they can guarantee being available (barring unforeseen consequences) for at least two weeks. A day's absence here and there on the part of one or two players is OK, but much more than that and I think it affects the balance of the game.

Also, I do think that OOC comments concerning absences and the like should be kept out of the game and posted either on this thread or a separate "admin" thread for the game. Otherwise, they can influence the game and this, I think, should be avoided as far as possible.

Finally, I have been wondering about the shirriff role. Lmp noted on the Werewolf VII thread that, being unable to declare themselves while both were still alive, they had little influence on the game. I agree to an extent, although they can come into their own (albeit probably for no more than one day) when one is killed by the Wolves and the other therefore becomes a known innocent. I do think it somewhat artificial if they are unable to declare themselves while they are both alive but the survivor is able to do so when the other dies. On the other hand, allowing them to declare while alive does make them very powerful.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this or on the other roles or game balance generally?