Welcome to Labyrinth 2.5: Thou Shalt Not Kill.

In keeping with my ethos with games, Lab 2.5 is a completely original game idea loosely based on other types of games like mafia. It's very plot driven, but hopefully engaging as a game too.

As a result of the unique format, I need to post a disclaimer. This is a completely untested game formula. It might be a success or it might be a disaster. I know people are hyped for this game and I don't want to kill the hype but experimentation carries a certain danger. I want this to be remembered as a solid game, and I fully hope that it will be. I've worked very hard on the concept and design, and I'm hoping that work will pay off. Please note that whatever happens, Labyrinth 3 will follow the same tried and tested format of the previous labyrinth games.

Because of the game being entirely original, it's important to familiarise yourself with the rules beforehand. It may seem a little complicated at first, but hopefully once it gains momentum, that issue will be resolved. Let's get to it!

Gameplay:
Labyrinth 2.5 is a plot driven RPG style game. Taking a similar vein to mafia, it's about building a case on a day by day basis to vote out a "mafia". The town side wins the game once all members of the mafia have been voted out. However, unlike mafia the game has a few important differences.

Phases:
The game has a set duration, unlike mafia games. There are precisely 13 phases, leading up to the final phase (phase 14). A phase may last between 24-48 hours. Most will be 24 but there are exceptions. Check the individual phase thread for details.

Each phase will have a plot overview followed by a set of options or objectives to follow. These will vary from phase to phase.

Items:
Items can be obtained throughout the game by completing in-phase objectives. These will be posted in your journal, and may be used where specified. They generally assist your game or voting.

If an item is available to pick up during a phase, it will be posted in the phase thread. They work similarly to labyrinth in this regard. Items may be traded or dropped in your inventory thread.

Death:
Dying sucks, but it doesn't necessitate the end of the game. Please refrain from discussion just because you're dead. The mask setups will prevent you from posting in the game threads. You may still post in journals. Don't post anywhere else.

I'll post an update in your journal if you die in the game or something else comes up, please check these before you check the phase thread.

Voting:
Unlike conventional mafia, there are no lynches in this game. Votes are also made completely in private. Every phase, where applicable, players will create a bootlist inside a journal voting thread. This list must contain all players for that phase. Players at the top of the list are players who are believed to be the most suspicious. The list should be made in order of most, to least suspicious. An example of the bootlist format will be posted in your voting thread.

You may discuss the voting process inside the phase thread, publically. However your final bootlist must be made in private. A new list must be posted every phase. If you do not post a new list, your previous phase list will be used.

If you want to revise your bootlist for a phase, you may do so up until the end of the phase by making a separate post. Do not edit any bootlist post at any point.

The final showdown:
On phase 14, the final phase of the game, the "final showdown" will play out. All of the votes cast throughout the game will be collated, phase by phase.

Then one by one, the results of each phase's voting will be announced. The player who has the single most votes for that phase will be "killed". This will still play out even if the player has died during the course of the game. So if Paulus had the most votes on Phase 1, but died in the game on Phase 6, Paulus would still be the first player "killed" in the final showdown.

The showdown will then move onto the phase 2 votes. Whoever has majority for that phase will be "killed". This is where your bootlist will come in handy. Because although Paulus may have been "killed" by the phase 1 votes in the showdown, he may still have votes for Phase 2. If Paulus is at the top of any players phase 2 bootlist, the next name down will be used instead.

This plays out for all of the phases and the target for each phase will be posted. Once a player has been "killed" in the final showdown, their votes will no longer count. Vote carefully.

In the case of a tie, the tied player who appears highest on more people's lists will be "killed".

Winning the game:
Check your role threads in journals (which will be up shortly) to find out your specific win condition. In general though: Town will win the game if all mafia are "killed" in the final showdown. If not, mafia will win. Players win with their side, so dying in the game does not discount you from the win.

The game is more about building up a case. When you make your votes for a phase, make them wisely. They matter.

General Rules:
- Please do not edit your posts at any point. I'll notice, and you will be modkilled from the game. This includes your bootlist posts in your journal. You may edit any post made in your journal about the game.

- No external communication. I can't enforce it but if I find out you're doing it I will remove you. Anything you need to say, you can post in one of the designated areas inside the game forum. Nowhere else. Do not discuss the game on AIM or anywhere else.

- Activity is mandatory to a degree. I want every player to post in every phase thread unless otherwise told they can't. If you go two days without posting and you don't have a legitimate reason you've cleared with me (e.g. I'm away or whatever) you're out. The nature of this game will make it easy for parties to breeze through without posting a thing and it'll ruin the setup. No flying under the radar this time. If you come to me later with a very good reason ("I forgot this was happening" isn't one) for your absence it'll be fine.

- No direct quoting me, no copying and pasting screenshots of your journals or bootlists.

- If you die, you can't talk about the game anywhere else.

- Everything else goes.


Got it? Probably not tbh. I tried to present this in a way that wasn't confusing but it's a fairly confusing sounding setup. The first phase of the game will be a longer 48 hour phase to allow people the time to get established.

If you have any questions, I'll answer them on AIM. paulus2r is the screenname, hit me up. Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand. This is a new format and it'll take some getting used to.

Journals will be posted very shortly with your roles. You may use your journal to post anything related to the game. Phase 1 will be posted shortly after that.

I hope you enjoy the experience and this isn't too mind-blowing. Thanks for playing, I'll try to make it a good one.