Board Thread:What happens in Salem/@comment-25375217-20180222044803

My most recent game as Transporter reminded me a lot of a certain scene from The Princess Bride.

For most of the game, I switched myself with people who I suspected of being mafia members. This didn't accomplish much, but I said multiple times the day after that I had been trans'd, so it kept the mafia's attention away from me long enough for us to reach the end of the game. Interestingly, we also had a Serial Killer in the game, although he didn't kill anyone until right up at the end.

As the "endgame" started, the last men standing were myself, the Lookout, the Serial Killer, two Mediums, the Jester, the Forger, the Janitor, and the Godfather. The Mediums accuse each other of being evil, but before either can rally enough votes, they are killed by the Godfather and the Serial Killer, respectively, this being the Serial Killer's first kill of the game. In his death note, he reveals that one person is supposedly immune. This person claims to have never been attacked and that he was the Spy. The Jester accuses him of being Serial Killer, but I determine that he must be the Godfather. The person who eventually turned out to be the Forger states that another person is the Serial Killer; however, they whisper to me and claim Lookout. I don't believe them at first.

The following morning, the mafia has killed the Jester and the Serial Killer has killed the Forger. I switched myself with the person I thought was the Janitor, but we both survived. The Lookout whispers to me again, asking why I keep visiting myself. Since I had not claimed Transporter yet, I figure this is enough evidence that he really is the Lookout and tell him that I am Transporter. The person I think is Godfather, who still claims Spy, accuses me of being the Serial Killer, so I out myself as Transporter, and we work together to lynch the last silent person, who we deduce must be Serial Killer, which, in turn, leaves two people as mafia. As the Serial Killer dies, he repeats that the one is immune, so the other must be Janitor.

That night begins my The Princess Bride-themed dilemma: who should I switch with the Janitor? The Mafia had attacked someone in targeting me before, so they know that I have been transporting myself and would likely not attack me. However, they could also be expecting me to assume they'll think I'll transport myself, and therefore go after me. With four seconds left on the clock, I make the decision to switch the Lookout with the "Janitor"... and receive the notification that I've unlocked an achievement: "Stop Hitting Yourself - as Transporter, have someone attack themselves."

As it turns out, the Serial Killer was wrong. The "Janitor" was, in fact, the Godfather, and vice versa. The mafia briefly mocks me and the Lookout. The next night, I'm faced with the same dilemma, and once again choose to switch the Lookout and the person I now know for a fact is the Janitor. The next morning, no one is dead. The Godfather announces his intentions to bring the game to a draw.

Which adds another wrinkle to the battle of wits: is he telling the truth? Or is he trying to throw me off? I decide to continue switching the Janitor with one of the townies despite his claims, just in case. Two nights pass and he does, in fact, not attack anyone. The game notifies us that if no one dies, a draw will be declared.

I figure this is the night he likely plans to strike -- once I'm firmly secure that he won't. But now that it's been three nights since he last attacked the Lookout, I have no idea who he will expect me to switch. Once again, with around four seconds on the clock, I make my decision... and switch myself with the Janitor. The next morning...

...

(pause for dramatic effect, of course)

...

...

...

...the Janitor is dead.

The Lookout and I cheer as the Godfather laughs, declares it a good game... and then leaves before we can properly execute him.

Probably the most stressful Town of Salem game I've ever been a part of. 