2) "How does the referee decide whether I succeed or fail?"

Well, each referee has a bit of his own personal style in that regard, but there are several factors that all referees consider.

First, there's your experience on the board judged by how long you've been on the board and what your report card experience has been, and also the quality level of your past postings. A new unexperienced user is likely to have many more problems than someone who's called consistently in the past and consistently made high-quality postings.

Second, there's the quality of your plan. Ever play "Paranoia"? Well, this board uses a modified version of its Dramatic Tactical Combat System. (Modified in that you don't get six clones, that is.) In other words, if the plan behind your action is well-thought out, if it is detailed and comprehensive (allowing for success and failure), and above all, if it is *interesting*, you will have MUCH more luck than someone whose entire plan is "I fight him". To quote Paranoia, "Put on a good show, and Fate will smile on you. Be boring, and you're dead."

Finally there's always the element of blind luck. No matter how good you are or how well you play, things just don't work out once in a while. And even the worst plan carried out by the newest resident might just work out...