Trainer's Manual Mafia IV

Trainer's Manual Mafia IV
Forgotten District Mafia
Game information
Host	Araver & Aaryan
Link	Trainer's Manual Mafia IV
Size	10 Players (Small)
Start Date	17.06.2011
Winning Faction	Baddies
Roster	1) Hidden G 2) flamebirde 3) EDM (JaneDoe23) 4) good22 5) TheCube 6) Petrus 7) YoDell (KlueMaster) 8) Anon26 9) Auramyna 10) RainThinker
First to Die	RainThinker
Last Remaining	1) Hidden G 2) flamebirde 3) EDM 8) Anon26 9) Auramyna
MVP	-
Awards	-

Trainer's Manual Mafia IV was a game designed and hosted by Araver & Aaryan as a newbie training game, continuing the training Mafias series. Rebranded as Forgotten District I as part of the series.

It began on June 17th, 2011 and ended in a Baddie win in D3 (June 23rd, 2011).

Game Mechanics

Rules

• Any given day, if the vote is tied, 1 random player from those tied is lynched.
• Order of actions: Save >> Night Kill >> Block >> Spy. Use of ">>" means all actions happen chronologically in that order.

Role Description

Baddies (Mafia): Shady characters, trying to make an extra buck by circumventing the rules and of course. Have BTSC and a NightKill. WinCon: Removing those who oppose their business.

• The Loan Shark: He has made enough money offering unsecured loans to the nice people in the neighborhood. Wants to expand his business while maintaing a front cover. Ability: When spied, he appears as a random living Goodie.
• John "Muscles": Former linebacker, career terminated by a knee injury. Very good at getting loans back, not so good with strategy. Ability: Each night, can make someone dream of a better world (Block)
• The Dealer: Moving in on a seemingly open market, he struck a bargain with local "enforcement" to deliver his product. Will stop at nothing. Ability: Each day, can bribe his way into stopping a vote (Vote Manip - Can make one vote count x0).

Goodies (Innocents): Peaceful taxpayers trying to keep a clean neighborhood. WinCon: To get rid of the Baddies by lynching them all during the day.

• The "Doctor": Former Med student, did not finish his studies due to money problems and a recurring addiction. Knows enough to help a player survive minor injuries. Ability: Can save a player each night. Can save self. (Save)
• The Tracker: Former soldier, advanced training as a tracker. Knows his way around and can help, but prefers to be left alone. Ability: Each night can spy on a player (Spy)
• The Baker: Scarred by Muscles in a barfight when he refused to pay, bankrupte. He has sworn to get revenge, but still can't tackle Muscles at night. Ability: His vote counts x2 only if placed on Muscles (Self vote manip).
• The Soldier: Just came back from a tour of duty, still amazed and happy that birds still want to sing for him. However, if the Tracker dies, he gets to play the hero. Ability: No action (Vanilla). Will know if the Tracker dies, but cannot out this to the rest of players (Eliminated from game if he outs it).
• The Shopowner: Still owns huge debts and his business barely covers the vig. Wants a clean way out of the mess he got himself into. Ability: No action (Vanilla)
• The Dock Worker: Worked in the docks for a while, got a job from his childhood friend (the Baker) for a while and now has to sweep the floor for the Shopowner. Ability: No action (Vanilla)
• The Bartender: Knows much, says very little, tries to keep out of fights. But he would like a safe neighborhood for his little boy. Ability: No action (Vanilla)

Host's Summary

Game Idea and Expectations

• I've stated while designing the roles (on MM), that I really wished for a Goodie win in this TMM, so most of the design decisions went against the baddies (relaxing the doctor's conditions) , in the attempt to fix balance issues which are predictable in newbie Mafias (inherent inactivity from at least 1-2 players during first cycles). With the exception of the vote manip, which proved to be the last drop in the actual game.
• I've also tried to give all vanilla Goodies a developed role and a place inside the story. Petrus used that information for a great hint, and I was more than happy with the outcome.
• Last and not least, I've also tried another style of story-posting (Day 2/Day 3) less oriented on actions, and more on the general mood in the story. Feedback was positive.

Game

Despite what the end-roster looks like, this was (or at least as I felt it) a much closer battle between Goodies and Baddies, with a very good amount of activity on both sides (with a plus for the winning side, random org selected a very active Baddie BTSC).

• The Goodie spy (TheCube) was on target with both of his spies, but did not push for a baddie lynch D1 which could have been a game changer.
• The Goodie save (KlueMaster) identified all the baddies at the end of D1. However his targets for the save did not help, as he had not identified the goodie spy (which the baddies killed N2).
• Inactivity from 2 goodies (one did not vote, one did not vote with the clear baddie option) had resulted in yet another Goodie lynch in D2 - after flash-voting from 2 baddies.
• The replacement player (YoDell) was capable of saving the Baker in N3, the only goodie vote manip hope to win.
• However, the baddies correctly identified the Baker and manipulated their lynch in their favor.

Turns out that a few minor loose ends in the beginning (D1/N2) have added this TMM to same streak of Baddie-won Mafia (as the predecessors, TMM I, II and III).

Special commendations

I certainly saw some very nice Mafia moves from all, first-timers or not

• Congratulations to Anon26 and Auramyna for a very intense Baddie BTSC - their efforts were responsible for this win
• Congratulations to Petrus (for great hinting, too bad his teammates did not pick it up) and to YoDell (for a great save choice, the Baker, in N3)
• Congratulations to all (active) players. And congratulations to Aaryan, for his first time hosting, which he pulled through with honors, despite running a fever during this

Host disappointments

• The baddies still won in a TMM, despite making their block work only on spy, and despite giving complete flexibility to the doctor role (no restrictions on target, no blocking)
• Inactivity is well, predictable in a newbie Mafia. We've had enough backups on stand-by.

Alternate endings

• Goodies missed 2 key turning points: D1 a lynch of flamebirde + N2 saving The Cube from NK. Either of those would have given them an extra chance.

By Araver

Winning Faction

Baddies

• flamebirde - The Dealer
• Anon26 - John "Muscles"
• Auramyna - The Loan Shark

MVP: -

Day and Night Posts

Prologue

City 17, forgotten district, known as "The Neighborhood" "This is a nice neighborhood to do business", the Loan Shark said to himself. "What's that Boss?", asked Muscle. "Nothing for you to worry about, Muscle. I'll let you know.". "Sure thing, Boss." said Muscles, stepping back into the shadows near the door. A knock. Pause. Then two more. Muscle's eyes peered though the small opening. A strange man all dressed in orange was standing in the alley, cigarette in his mouth. Door opened. "Your boss?", "Upstairs", mumbled Muscle as he checked the orange guy for a gun. "Ah, I see you've found our ... office.", a wide grin on the Loan Shark's face. "I'm not the only one. You have a car outside, two civies in. Yours?". "Nah, that must be the Civil Guard. They are harmless. One had a scar right?". "Yup". "That would be the former baker. Unfortunately, he went bankrupt a while ago. Muscle tried to reason with him, but ... he just did not want to listen to reason. Unfortunate business. Now, about your proposal ..." "Fifty-fifty. Product ships first thing tomorrow. I deal with you alone.", the Dealer took a sit on the only chair and crossed his legs. "Seventy-thirty. You see, we have a tough neighborhood here, tough to keep the others from interfering. You know how this works ... I can get you into places, make sure no one disturbs you". "Sixty-forty. Final. Take it or leave it.", the Dealer stood up, preparing to leave. "Hmm, you drive a hard bargain. Fine. Let Muscle know where he can find you. Oh, and ... welcome to the neighborhood!" Meanwhile outside in their car, the Baker and the Docker were still puzzled by the brief appearance of the Dealer. "Who is that orange guy? He asked the Bartender for directions then came straight here... he must be in with them. But he does not know the place...", pondered the Baker. "Business maaan. Suit and ... all.", blurped the Docker. "No business is done at night. On dark alleys.", nodded the Baker in disapproval. "Who cares. If he's new, we'll see him around. Let's go get a drink, I'm out.". "You ..... Meh. It was a hot day", the Baker shrugged and started the car. After the two left, the orange suit went out, loooked around, then rushed to the end of the block to get a taxi. He missed the Soldier who was staying in the shadows, in the alley opposite to the one with the entrance to the Loan Shark's place. The Soldier grinned and stepped out of the shadows to follow the orange suit, missing the Tracker up on the rooftop watching all of them. He too was moving to pack his gear and go home.

Night 1: "And the Games Begin"

City 17, forgotten district, known as "The Neighborhood" The “Doctor” walked home tired after his long shift. Frying burgers was not his idea of a dream job and the conditions he worked in were sub-standard to say the least. He was sure glad he wasn’t eating the one eating there. He walked up to the 2nd floor and got his key out. A sudden noise behind him made his heart rush. “Just that damned kid from 14B again. One day ...” He finished unlocking and creaked the door open. As he dropped his jacket on the chair, he remembered to check his answering machine. Surprisingly, a message was there, relaying an urgent message from one of his buddies. Somewhere, the Mafia were acting. He needed the money, so there was no question, he would accept this job. He checked the time of the call, then rushed back out. He bought the supplies on the corner and rushed towards KlueMaster’s apartment. Alas, his services were not needed that night, so this double shift left him sleeping exhausted by day break. RainThinker was also returning home from a long shift, but he had previously stopped in bar and … well, he came out even more exhausted then he had went in. He should have taken a cab that night, but none was in sight. As he was running a minor fever, coupled with the effect of the beers, his vision was blurry. He had managed to make it two blocks towards his destination when a voice called him by name from a barely lit side-street. Setting any precaution aside, he approached that strangely dressed figure which held a couple of bucks in his hand. As he struggled to understand that man’s words, he was completely oblivious to the other one sneaking up behind him. A short blow to his head, and he collapsed to his knees. His body was found in a large garbage can in the back of that alley. The Tracker finished buying the necessary materials from the corner store. He would have to install the necessary equipment today, right above his apartment, on the roof. Simple precaution measures. Nothing fancy. As he walked towards the abandoned fire escape stair that was conveniently accessible, he heard some noises from a trash bin. All senses alert, he doubled back and considered abandoning his current plans. He hid behind another bin and threw a pebble out in the back of the alley. A skinny cat scurried out of the bin and ran towards cover. Heart still beating normally as usual, the Tracker went up the stairs. He unfolded his package and was about to beginning arranging his home-made surveillance device when he heard a noise in the street. He glanced down and saw flamebirde on the street below, walking and staring at the accident that had caused the noise . The Tracker quickly finished setting up his gear, then followed flamebirde for the rest of the night to see what that man was doing. As daybreak came, the Tracker returned home convinced he had that man figured out.

Day 1: “Trouble in Paradise”

City 17, forgotten district, known as "The Neighborhood" The citizens of the Neighborhood went along with their business. Some stopped on their way to work to see the long yellow ribbon that surrounded a chalk figure on the sidewalk. Some needed to cross the street to avoid that area. Conversation ensued naturally. People stopped to drink their coffee on the other side of the street. There were voices that claimed the Police really did not care anymore about protecting their neighborhood as they should. After all, all they did was pick up the body, lay some yellow ribbon and disappear. Some remembered there were better times, when no one dared commit a robbery, let alone a murder in that neighborhood. There were times when one could safely let a 5-year old run free till dark without having to worry about anything. Not so long ago. And while some still found it confusing or just plain wrong, more voices called for the Civil Guard to intervene. A crowd formed, right there in the street. Shady characters were stopped and pushed around. No one had a clear idea of what was happening anymore, but each had the urge to do something about it. Anything. As the day came to an end, their focus turned on good22 who was unable to come up with a defense, nor with another suspect to divert their attention. Ancient saying says that when in Rome, one should do as the Romans do. Or face the consequences. Typical wrong place at the wrong time for poor good22 . A momentary loss of balance and he fell down. Then one muffled voice cried “Knife!” and they were all over him. The ambulance came too late, as usual. And the police found no one left around to question. The shop was obviously closed for the next days.

Night 2: "The Riddle Continues"

City 17, forgotten district, known as “The Neighborhood” The “Doctor” decided to take another route tonight, away from the scene of the previous day mob lynch. His new route was a strain for his already tired muscles, but he carried on. One block away from his apartment he noticed a young woman coughing heavily while trying to open the door. He could see she was trembling. He approached her slowly, calling out so as not to startle her: “Miss! Do you need help? I’m a doctor!”. EDM looked frightened and doubled her efforts to open the lock, but her hand was shaking so badly. The keys fell to the floor. The “Doctor” went up the stairs, still talking in a calm voice “Miss, you should get that coughing checked. It may be just a simple allergy that any decent hospital can treat. But left untreated, this would get worse soon.” As he arrived next to the door, she finally collapsed crying, still coughing. He called an ambulance to check her in the hospital for the night. Tonight, the Loan Shark had it all set. He was going to take over the city, by hook or by crook. His latest meeting with the Dealer had gone well. They had figured out who stood in the way of their expansion, and how that problem could be solved. “Muscles” had two jobs to do that night. TheCube was unlucky. He never even knew what hit him. The last thing he ever saw was a metal bar in front of his face as he was walking home that night. His body was not discovered till morning, when the garbage truck went in that dark alley. EDM was trying to get out of there when she saw a movement on the hallway to the left. She started to turn around but something fast bruised past her shoulder and went on for her head. The IV metal support she was carrying around had lessened the blow. She collapsed and the sound of the metal IV support hitting the floor alerted the nurse at the end of the hallway. As “Muscles” retreated through the stairs, EDM was carried back to her bed. She awoke the next day with no coughing, a bad headache and no recollection of what happened to her.

Day 2: “Turmoil”

City 17, forgotten district, known as "The Neighborhood" The citizens of the Neighborhood were shocked after the previous night’s attacks. Fearful glances were thrown at strangers in the street. Rumors spread like wildfire among those buying groceries or coffee in the morning. Yesterday’s lynch had brought no sense of victory, as sought by the angry mob and in the still morning, fear of being wrong was in everyone’s heart. The Police was no where to be seen, only a yellow, half torn ribbon surrounded the two figures drawn on the alleys and the sidewalk. Rain would wash them away, at some point. Until then, viewing those symbols constantly fueled a paralyzing fear in their minds. Their neighborhood was undergoing a brutal change. Dark clouds instead of the forecasted shiny day gave the Neighborhood a grim, almost medieval look. Slowly, the citizens gathered in the front of the now abandoned Shop and started talking about the events. There was no doubt in their mind that change came from within the neighborhood’s darkest corners. Some debated on taking actions, some recollected bits of previous events. At the end of the day, they came upon Petrus who had been deemed as a likely cause of all the bad changes. They intended to banish him from the city, but they chose the wrong approach. A large mob of people running angrily towards you is not a view for the faint-hearted. Petrus collapsed in the middle of the street and as they hesitated to approach him, precious moments passed. The ambulance arrived too late for anything but taking the corpse away. Only note found in an inside pocket revealed the true colors of the deceased, but nothing of his intentions or deeds.

Night 3: “Not Quite Over”

City 17, forgotten district, known as “The Neighborhood” Tonight, the Doctor knew that his help was necessary in order to keep himself alive. He needed someone to stay alive with him. So tonight, he showed up at the apartment of the person who he trusted; Hidden G. When he found no answer to his knock, he broke down the door. There, with a bullet in his chest, lay Hidden G. The Doctor was at his side in a flash. He quickly set about to removing the bullet. For this night, Hidden G would live. “Muscles” went to YoDell’s house that night. That pesky neighbor had to be “watched closely”, or at least that was what he understood from the Loan Shark’s words. He broke into her apartment at 3 in the morning and found YoDell half-asleep in front of the TV. A quick struggle and chloroform worked it’s magic. He left her there on the floor, but closed the TV. Not to alert any neighbors in the morning.

Day 3: “Raising Hope”

City 17, forgotten district, known as "The Neighborhood" The events of the last night coupled with the warm fuzzy effect of a mid-summer day had almost washed away the grayness. A chilling adrenaline rush had brought them in the street, minds alike set on a goal. For the first time, coffee came second. Rumor had it that the "Doctor" was back in town. And it was indeed a wonderful feeling to know one can depend on others late at night, when nightmares haunt the neighborhood. One little show was all it took to spark up that energy. They never quite thought they had it in them all along. The energy to share a mutual feeling of safety and protection. The energy to resist despair and bend the odds. To secure a future of their own. Perhaps all it took was one single leap of faith. Or perhaps all it took was to lose all hope first. The odds were stacked against them now, as they acknowledged bitterly. Opportunities had been lost before bridges were built. The price of suspicion and raised eyebrows. No more. There was a glimpse of a plan, an enticement of better days. It could be theirs for the taking. Signals were dropped, handshakes followed. Out in the open, there was a battle of both wits and determination. Steel-cold determination may still succeed where all else failed. Yet, the sun shines for all. Scurrying out from the cloak of shadows, the masters of the night arose to claim the day. For they had paid the price for that day. Among the few remaining, their mind was one, their will not scattered. Shifty eyes had searched around, quick smiles had been thrown behind their cups of coffee as exhaustion took its toll. Planting their weakness in plain sight had paid off. Who would have thought that muscles were easier to hide than brains? No outside intervention was possible today. The pieces had been set in play, their motion pushed them in a single direction. Some had found and claimed the Hidden Prize. No matter how hard she tried, YoDell was defeated by sleight of hand tricks and impossible to refuse bribes. The tribute was paid that day. ... City 17, twice-forgotten district, once known as "the Neighboorhood".

End of Game Roster

Hosts: Aaryan and Araver

1. Hidden G - The Baker
2. flamebirde - The Dealer
3. EDM - The Soldier
4. good22 - The Shopowner - Lynched D1
5. TheCube - The Tracker - killed N2 by the Baddies
6. Petrus - The Bartender - Lynched D2
7. YoDell - The "Doctor" - Lynched D3
8. Anon26 - John "Muscles"
9. Auramyna - The Loan Shark
10. RainThinker - The Dock Worker - killed N1 by the Baddies

Actions

List of actions

Night 1/Day 1 Baddies Auramyna - The Loan Shark - Kill RainThinker - successful Anon26 - John "Muscles" - No block flamebirde - The Dealer - (During D1) Make Anon's vote x0 Goodies KlueMaster - The "Doctor" - Save KlueMaster - not needed TheCube - The Tracker - Spy Flamebirder - Flamebirde is the Dealer Hidden G - The Baker - vote not on Muscles - x1 Night 2/Day 2 Baddies Auramyna - The Loan Shark - Kill TheCube - successful Anon26 - John "Muscles" - Block EDM - successful flamebirde - The Dealer - (During D1) Make KM's vote x0 Goodies KlueMaster - The "Doctor" - Save EDM - not needed TheCube - The Tracker - Spy Auramyna - failed - dead Hidden G - The Baker - vote not on Muscles - x1 Night 3/Day 3 Baddies Auramyna - The Loan Shark - Kill HiddenG - failed Anon26 - John "Muscles" - Block YoDell - successful (yet nothing to prevent) flamebirde - The Dealer - (During D1) Make HiddenG's vote x0 Goodies YoDell - The "Doctor" - Save HiddenG - successful Hidden G - The Baker - vote not on Muscles - x1