Werewolf General Guidelines--Read First Before Playing! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mormegil · 09-04-2010, 07:12 AM

The following post was a sticky thread submitted by Saucepan man, but in an effort to capture all pertinent posts into one thread I will merge his post into this thread.

I am becoming increasingly concerned over the amount of rancour that these games seem to be causing.

In particular, I think that some of the criticism of personal playing styles and the resulting disagreements are becoming rather out of hand.

It has been said many times, but it bears repeating. Tol-in-Gaurhoth is just a game - one that is intended to be played between any forum members who wish to join in the spirit of fun. It is not an examination or a professional project, upon which fellow players are to be judged. The only qualification to play in a Werewolf game is that you are prepared (unforeseen events apart) to make sufficient commitment to the game to post at least once per day and to see the game through to its end (or to your end, as the case may be). Beyond that, there is no obligation placed upon players, whether with regard to the number of posts, playing style or the quality of play.

As far as involvement is concerned, relative silence is perfectly valid, whether as a playing style or as a tactic.

As far as playing style is concerned, the interest of the game often lies in the variety of different playing styles. If we all played the same way, then it would be a dreadfully dull game, surely. And, where we are simply playing for the pure enjoyment of it, no one playing style is “better” than any other.

And as far as quality is concerned, I would reiterate that this is a recreational activity, played for fun, not a job or an examination. A certain degree of deconstruction and discussion following the game is fine, and has become standard. But problems can arise when this moves into the area of personal criticism. If you feel that other players “let you down” because they did not (in your subjective opinion) play well enough, then you are taking things far too seriously. That kind of an approach might be justified in some kind of professional Werewolf league, but it has no place in a simple internet activity which is intended purely for the enjoyment of those participating.

Accordingly, going forward, I reserve the right to delete any post, whether in whole or in part, which I consider is unduly critical of other players, or is becoming too personal or offensive, or where the debate is simply becoming too heated and so potentially spoiling the fun for others.

Furthermore, if the current trend of increasing rancour and disagreement continues, then I will consider the options of either calling a halt to Werewolf games in general or barring certain players from playing (and, believe me, I can enforce such measures if I have to). That may seem overly dictatorial by some, but my concern is to ensure that the game may be enjoyed by all able and willing to participate, not just by those with particularly strong or loud views. I hope and trust, however, that such draconian action will not become necessary.

This thread is closed to further posts. If, however, you wish to comment on anything that I have said above, please feel free to do so in the regular Tol-in-Gaurhoth admin thread.

mormegil · 09-09-2010, 05:40 PM

Glossary

General Terminology

Analysis: The systematic investigation of a player, kill, or voting. Differs from a summary by being rich in observations, opinions, and conclusions.

Bandwagon: A large number of votes for the same person.

Bolding of names: The practice of bolding player names occurring in your post. Usually required when casting a vote.

Bus: (Of a wolf) to betray your packmates or allies. (From "throw under the bus".) See also: Wolf-on-wolf.

Day: The phase during which players can post on the game thread, and at the end of which a lynch (q.v.) takes place. Usually lasts 24 hours.

Day One: First Day of the game. Lacking the information provided by previous kills and lynches, Day One is regarded by many as random and not very useful. This is debated, however.

Drive-by Fenris: A wolf who is Fenrissed (q.v.) seemingly by accident.

Endgame: The last stage of the game, in which most players have been eliminated and the outcome will soon be decided.

Fenris: A wolf who is lynched on Day One; (as a verb) the act of lynching such a wolf.

Gifted: A player with special abilities. The term is usually only applied to good-aligned players. The standard gifted roles are Ranger, Seer and Hunter (q.v.) but others are possible.

Kill: (also a noun) To eliminate a player directly through the use of a special ability. Roles with this ability include the Wolves, Hunter, Werebear, Assassin and (sometimes) the Lovers (q.v.)

Known innocent/wolf/etc.: A player whose role has been revealed, usually by a known seer. Players with known roles frequently have quite a limited life expectancy.

Legate-180: A sudden reversal of opinion about another player. (From Legate of Amon Lanc, d. 11-15-2006.)

Lynch: (also a noun) To eliminate a player from the game by general vote.

Meta-reasoning: The practice of trying to deduce roles from factors outside the current game. This tends to be frowned upon.

Modfire: Ejection of a player from a game, usually due to prolonged absence.

Multiple Lynching: Happens when the mod rules that a voting tie is not broken. All players (sometimes limited to two) that received the maximum number of votes die.

Night: The phase in which no one may post on the thread, but in which designated players (wolves and certain gifteds) can pm, and during which the wolves pick a player to kill. Usually lasts 24 hours.

Night One: The first Night phase of the game. Occurs before Day One. Generally, players with pm-ing abilities may use them on Night One, but no kill may take place.

Pack: The wolves.

Packmate: One's fellow-wolf.

Reveal: To openly claim a special role, such as the Seer.

Submarine: Quiet player who is overlooked by the majority.

Summary: Synopsis of information available about a certain player, kill, or voting. Differs from an analysis by missing the poster's individual opinions.

Tally: A list of votes cast on a Day up to the point of posting.

Throwaway: A vote which is highly unlikely to affect the outcome of the lynch.

ToDay/toNight: The current phase of the game. "YesterDay", "last Night" "toNight" and "toMorrow" are used to refer to past and future, to avoid confusion with day and night in the real world.

Turning: The transformation of a Cursed Villager (q.v.) into a wolf.

Under the radar: A player who has largely escaped another player's attention.

Under the reindeer: See "Under the radar".

Village: 1. The good-aligned players ("a village victory"). 2. The entire group of players ("there are three wolves in this village"). Comes from the fact that early games were always set in an actual village.

Villager: A player who counts for the village (in sense 1.) in the tally. 2. Any player. 3. An "Ordinary Villager" (q.v.).

Vote Count: See "Tally".

Wolf-on-wolf: A tactic in which members of the wolf-pack accuse and even vote for one another, in order to make the survivor(s) look good.

Roles

Basic Roles

Cobbler
Alignment: Evil. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if number of wolves becomes equal to that of villagers. Special abilities: appears as ordo to the Seer. Note: typically, cobblers do not know the identity of the wolves.

Hunter
Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: chooses a player to hunt each Night. If the Hunter is killed or lynched, this player will die also. Note: there are many versions of this role, however, the two standard ones are the Logical Hunter (kills target only if a wolf) and the Non-Logical Hunter (kills target regardless of role).

Ordinary Villager ("ordo")
Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: none.
Note: By default, all players are "supposed" to be ordinary villagers, though in reality some have other roles.

Ranger
Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: chooses a player to protect each Night– this player cannot be killed by the wolves. Note: typically, the Ranger may not protect the same person two Nights in a row.

Seer
Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: chooses a player to "Dream" each Night– this player's role is revealed to the Seer (with some exceptions).

Werewolf
Alignment: Evil. Counts for the wolf-pack in the tally. Wins if the number of wolves becomes equal to that of innocent villagers. Special abilities: may pm other wolves at Night. May choose one player to kill each Night.

Typical Special Roles
In theory, special roles can be almost anything, but in practice most fall broadly into one of the following categories.

Assassin
Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: can kill another player, typically either once a Night/Day or once during the game at a time of the assassin's choosing.

Cursed Villager
Alignment: Variable. The Cursed is an ordinary villager who becomes a wolf if "turned" (attacked by Night). Note: The Cursed may or may not be aware of his or her status from the start.

Lovers
Alignment: Neutral/Good (usually). Count for the village in the tally (usually– see note). Win if both survive the game. Special abilities: may pm each other. Often the death of one will kill the other, or the survivor may be allowed a "revenge-kill". Note: there are many possible variants of Lovers; sometimes one or both has another role, which may be evil. Otherwise Lovers are generally assumed to play for the village, but this is not always the case.

Werebear
Alignment: Evil. Counts for neither team in the tally. Wins when everyone else is dead. Special abilities: May choose one player to kill each Night. Often has one or more extra special abilities.
Note: typically, though not always, gifted abilities work on the werebear just as on the wolves. The presence of a werebear changes the victory conditions for the other players, as they now have to kill the bear as well as the wolves in order to win.

mormegil · 09-09-2010, 05:41 PM

Guide to Players' Nicknames

Agan– Aganzir
Alona– Alonariel
BeiGe, BeiGei– Blind Guardian
BG– Blind Guardian
Boro– Boromir88
Brinn– Brinniel
Cabbie– McCaber
Cel, Celly– Celuin
CoD– Captain of Despair
Cupcake, the– satansaloser2005
Di– Diamond18
Dun– Inziladun
Dure, Dury– Durelin
EW– The Elf Warrior
Fea– Feanor of the Peredhil
Foley– Folwren
Form– Formendacil
Glirdy– Glirdan
Glirdypie– Glirdan
Greenie– A Little Green
Gwath– Gwathagor
Kit– Kitanna
Kuru– Kuruharan
Inzil, Inzy– Inziladun
Izzy– Isabellkya
Lal– Lalaith; Lalwendë
Lari– Lariren Shadow
Leggy– Legate of Amon Lanc
Lhuna– Lhunardhwen
Lommie, Lommy– Thinlómien
Lottie– Loslote
Lottiepop– Loslote
Mac– Macalaure
McCobbler– McCaber
Menel– Meneltelmacil
Miggy– The Might
Mira– Mirandir
Mith– Mithalwen
Mnemo– Mnemosyne
Morm– mormegil
Mr Agreeable– Pitchwife
Mr 88– Boromir88
Muffin, the– wilwarin538
Ni– Nienna
Nilp– Nilpaurion Felagund
Nog, Noggins– Nogrod
Pitch– Pitchwife
Sally– satansaloser2005
Sallycakes– satansaloser2005
Sauce– The Saucepan Man
Shasta– Shastanis Althreduin
Steve– Eönwë
Stick– Mirandir
SPAM– The Saucepan Man
SpM– The Saucepan Man
tgwbs– The Guy Who Be Short
tp– the phantom
TORE– The Only Real Estel
tum– autume98
tummy– the phantom (mormegil only)
Vanilwa Muffin, Vanilwuffin etc.– wilwarin538
Wilwa– wilwarin538
Xed– Celuin
Zil– Inziladun

09-04-2010, 07:12 AM	#1
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	Notice toe all Werewolf Players The following post was a sticky thread submitted by Saucepan man, but in an effort to capture all pertinent posts into one thread I will merge his post into this thread. I am becoming increasingly concerned over the amount of rancour that these games seem to be causing. In particular, I think that some of the criticism of personal playing styles and the resulting disagreements are becoming rather out of hand. It has been said many times, but it bears repeating. Tol-in-Gaurhoth is just a game - one that is intended to be played between any forum members who wish to join in the spirit of fun. It is not an examination or a professional project, upon which fellow players are to be judged. The only qualification to play in a Werewolf game is that you are prepared (unforeseen events apart) to make sufficient commitment to the game to post at least once per day and to see the game through to its end (or to your end, as the case may be). Beyond that, there is no obligation placed upon players, whether with regard to the number of posts, playing style or the quality of play. As far as involvement is concerned, relative silence is perfectly valid, whether as a playing style or as a tactic. As far as playing style is concerned, the interest of the game often lies in the variety of different playing styles. If we all played the same way, then it would be a dreadfully dull game, surely. And, where we are simply playing for the pure enjoyment of it, no one playing style is “better” than any other. And as far as quality is concerned, I would reiterate that this is a recreational activity, played for fun, not a job or an examination. A certain degree of deconstruction and discussion following the game is fine, and has become standard. But problems can arise when this moves into the area of personal criticism. If you feel that other players “let you down” because they did not (in your subjective opinion) play well enough, then you are taking things far too seriously. That kind of an approach might be justified in some kind of professional Werewolf league, but it has no place in a simple internet activity which is intended purely for the enjoyment of those participating. Accordingly, going forward, I reserve the right to delete any post, whether in whole or in part, which I consider is unduly critical of other players, or is becoming too personal or offensive, or where the debate is simply becoming too heated and so potentially spoiling the fun for others. Furthermore, if the current trend of increasing rancour and disagreement continues, then I will consider the options of either calling a halt to Werewolf games in general or barring certain players from playing (and, believe me, I can enforce such measures if I have to). That may seem overly dictatorial by some, but my concern is to ensure that the game may be enjoyed by all able and willing to participate, not just by those with particularly strong or loud views. I hope and trust, however, that such draconian action will not become necessary. This thread is closed to further posts. If, however, you wish to comment on anything that I have said above, please feel free to do so in the regular Tol-in-Gaurhoth admin thread. __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

09-09-2010, 05:40 PM	#2
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	Helpful Glossary of Terms Glossary General Terminology Analysis: The systematic investigation of a player, kill, or voting. Differs from a summary by being rich in observations, opinions, and conclusions. Bandwagon: A large number of votes for the same person. Bolding of names: The practice of bolding player names occurring in your post. Usually required when casting a vote. Bus: (Of a wolf) to betray your packmates or allies. (From "throw under the bus".) See also: Wolf-on-wolf. Day: The phase during which players can post on the game thread, and at the end of which a lynch (q.v.) takes place. Usually lasts 24 hours. Day One: First Day of the game. Lacking the information provided by previous kills and lynches, Day One is regarded by many as random and not very useful. This is debated, however. Drive-by Fenris: A wolf who is Fenrissed (q.v.) seemingly by accident. Endgame: The last stage of the game, in which most players have been eliminated and the outcome will soon be decided. Fenris: A wolf who is lynched on Day One; (as a verb) the act of lynching such a wolf. Gifted: A player with special abilities. The term is usually only applied to good-aligned players. The standard gifted roles are Ranger, Seer and Hunter (q.v.) but others are possible. Kill: (also a noun) To eliminate a player directly through the use of a special ability. Roles with this ability include the Wolves, Hunter, Werebear, Assassin and (sometimes) the Lovers (q.v.) Known innocent/wolf/etc.: A player whose role has been revealed, usually by a known seer. Players with known roles frequently have quite a limited life expectancy. Legate-180: A sudden reversal of opinion about another player. (From Legate of Amon Lanc, d. 11-15-2006.) Lynch: (also a noun) To eliminate a player from the game by general vote. Meta-reasoning: The practice of trying to deduce roles from factors outside the current game. This tends to be frowned upon. Modfire: Ejection of a player from a game, usually due to prolonged absence. Multiple Lynching: Happens when the mod rules that a voting tie is not broken. All players (sometimes limited to two) that received the maximum number of votes die. Night: The phase in which no one may post on the thread, but in which designated players (wolves and certain gifteds) can pm, and during which the wolves pick a player to kill. Usually lasts 24 hours. Night One: The first Night phase of the game. Occurs before Day One. Generally, players with pm-ing abilities may use them on Night One, but no kill may take place. Pack: The wolves. Packmate: One's fellow-wolf. Reveal: To openly claim a special role, such as the Seer. Submarine: Quiet player who is overlooked by the majority. Summary: Synopsis of information available about a certain player, kill, or voting. Differs from an analysis by missing the poster's individual opinions. Tally: A list of votes cast on a Day up to the point of posting. Throwaway: A vote which is highly unlikely to affect the outcome of the lynch. ToDay/toNight: The current phase of the game. "YesterDay", "last Night" "toNight" and "toMorrow" are used to refer to past and future, to avoid confusion with day and night in the real world. Turning: The transformation of a Cursed Villager (q.v.) into a wolf. Under the radar: A player who has largely escaped another player's attention. Under the reindeer: See "Under the radar". Village: 1. The good-aligned players ("a village victory"). 2. The entire group of players ("there are three wolves in this village"). Comes from the fact that early games were always set in an actual village. Villager: A player who counts for the village (in sense 1.) in the tally. 2. Any player. 3. An "Ordinary Villager" (q.v.). Vote Count: See "Tally". Wolf-on-wolf: A tactic in which members of the wolf-pack accuse and even vote for one another, in order to make the survivor(s) look good. Roles Basic Roles Cobbler Alignment: Evil. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if number of wolves becomes equal to that of villagers. Special abilities: appears as ordo to the Seer. Note: typically, cobblers do not know the identity of the wolves. Hunter Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: chooses a player to hunt each Night. If the Hunter is killed or lynched, this player will die also. Note: there are many versions of this role, however, the two standard ones are the Logical Hunter (kills target only if a wolf) and the Non-Logical Hunter (kills target regardless of role). Ordinary Villager ("ordo") Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: none. Note: By default, all players are "supposed" to be ordinary villagers, though in reality some have other roles. Ranger Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: chooses a player to protect each Night– this player cannot be killed by the wolves. Note: typically, the Ranger may not protect the same person two Nights in a row. Seer Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: chooses a player to "Dream" each Night– this player's role is revealed to the Seer (with some exceptions). Werewolf Alignment: Evil. Counts for the wolf-pack in the tally. Wins if the number of wolves becomes equal to that of innocent villagers. Special abilities: may pm other wolves at Night. May choose one player to kill each Night. Typical Special Roles In theory, special roles can be almost anything, but in practice most fall broadly into one of the following categories. Assassin Alignment: Good. Counts for the village in the tally. Wins if wolves are eliminated. Special abilities: can kill another player, typically either once a Night/Day or once during the game at a time of the assassin's choosing. Cursed Villager Alignment: Variable. The Cursed is an ordinary villager who becomes a wolf if "turned" (attacked by Night). Note: The Cursed may or may not be aware of his or her status from the start. Lovers Alignment: Neutral/Good (usually). Count for the village in the tally (usually– see note). Win if both survive the game. Special abilities: may pm each other. Often the death of one will kill the other, or the survivor may be allowed a "revenge-kill". Note: there are many possible variants of Lovers; sometimes one or both has another role, which may be evil. Otherwise Lovers are generally assumed to play for the village, but this is not always the case. Werebear Alignment: Evil. Counts for neither team in the tally. Wins when everyone else is dead. Special abilities: May choose one player to kill each Night. Often has one or more extra special abilities. Note: typically, though not always, gifted abilities work on the werebear just as on the wolves. The presence of a werebear changes the victory conditions for the other players, as they now have to kill the bear as well as the wolves in order to win. __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

09-09-2010, 05:41 PM	#3
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	Guide to Nicknames Guide to Players' Nicknames Agan– Aganzir Alona– Alonariel BeiGe, BeiGei– Blind Guardian BG– Blind Guardian Boro– Boromir88 Brinn– Brinniel Cabbie– McCaber Cel, Celly– Celuin CoD– Captain of Despair Cupcake, the– satansaloser2005 Di– Diamond18 Dun– Inziladun Dure, Dury– Durelin EW– The Elf Warrior Fea– Feanor of the Peredhil Foley– Folwren Form– Formendacil Glirdy– Glirdan Glirdypie– Glirdan Greenie– A Little Green Gwath– Gwathagor Kit– Kitanna Kuru– Kuruharan Inzil, Inzy– Inziladun Izzy– Isabellkya Lal– Lalaith; Lalwendë Lari– Lariren Shadow Leggy– Legate of Amon Lanc Lhuna– Lhunardhwen Lommie, Lommy– Thinlómien Lottie– Loslote Lottiepop– Loslote Mac– Macalaure McCobbler– McCaber Menel– Meneltelmacil Miggy– The Might Mira– Mirandir Mith– Mithalwen Mnemo– Mnemosyne Morm– mormegil Mr Agreeable– Pitchwife Mr 88– Boromir88 Muffin, the– wilwarin538 Ni– Nienna Nilp– Nilpaurion Felagund Nog, Noggins– Nogrod Pitch– Pitchwife Sally– satansaloser2005 Sallycakes– satansaloser2005 Sauce– The Saucepan Man Shasta– Shastanis Althreduin Steve– Eönwë Stick– Mirandir SPAM– The Saucepan Man SpM– The Saucepan Man tgwbs– The Guy Who Be Short tp– the phantom TORE– The Only Real Estel tum– autume98 tummy– the phantom (mormegil only) Vanilwa Muffin, Vanilwuffin etc.– wilwarin538 Wilwa– wilwarin538 Xed– Celuin Zil– Inziladun __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

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