Totem of Cowardice

This totem will bring even the most resolute of heart to their knees in a trembling, creeping terror. Rather than face death with nobility and serenity, those cowed by this yellow totem will give anything to avoid lynching, even their most precious of secrets. Forever shamed by their willingness to expose themselves, one must wonder if death was perhaps the better option. Like all totems, this enchantment is potent yet short-lived; its power exhausted, the totem mysteriously vanishes as night falls.

How to GM

If the person who has the Totem of Cowardice is lynched, reveal both the Totem and the owner's role card. Ensure that no further discussion occurs as the Day Phase has ended. Send the village to sleep, collecting all Totems as normal.

Alternate Rules

Stronger Totem of Cowardice
After someone with the Totem of Cowardice is unsuccessfully lynched and has their role revealed, allow the village to carry out another lynching instead of ending the Day Phase. This increases the chance of lynching an evil character and also gives the player that would have been lynched a chance to sweet-talk the village out of getting killed somehow. If you happened to be lucky enough to reveal a Werewolf, you get the added bonus of being able to lynch them right then. How embarassing.

Even stronger Totem of Cowardice
If you find the Totem of Cowardice not accomplishing anything, you can apply its effect to the Night Phase as well. If the owner of the Totem of Cowardice was supposed to die that night, reveal both the Totem and their role instead of killing them. When this happens, they are not shown to the Mortician or Scryer as being set to die that night. For a list of Totems and how they work, please go to the Totems page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tell people I have the Totem of Cowardice?
You can tell the other players anything you want, but you may not look at or reveal the card.

I'm the Fool, and I was just lynched while I had the Totem of Cowardice. Does the game end?
Ouch. No, the lynching was prevented by the Totem of Cowardice, and you've now had your role revealed. The game continues on like normal. At this point, the village knows you're the Fool and will probably not try to lynch you again. The Werewolves may not bother killing you as you're not a danger to them, either.

I'm the Mystic, and someone was just lynched while I had the Totem of Cowardice. Did I copy their role?
No. As with above, the lynching did not actually happen. You're still a Mystic, and you are still able to say yes to using your power.

I'm a Werewolf, and I was just lynched while I had the the Totem of Cowardice. Why am I still alive??
Maybe, maybe not. You've proven yourself to be such a coward that they think they can get more use out of you by keeping you alive. You first prove to them that you're a Werewolf and then... you either 'give them information', or you get lynched. Anything can happen, even when you're a revealed Werewolf!

What happens when a Totem expires?
The Totem cards are shuffled back together at the beginning of the next Night Phase so the Shaman always has a full set of 7 Totems to work from.

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Strategies and Tips

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