MAY MURDER MYSTERY PARTY

[stgermaine]

MAY MURDER MYSTERY PARTY

Starting at 7:00 PM, a room in the rec center is opened to the guests. Isaiah's done his best to evoke something like a nice, 60's sitting room, completely with dramatic lighting. Maddox has been provided with a bar cart and bottles of liquor so he can mix drinks for the guests. There are also snacks available, which look a bit like rearranged cafeteria charcuterie boards. Candles have been lit, and the atmosphere isn't too bad for Isaiahls first attempt at hosting a themed party.

There's a table as well as arm chairs for seating, and the music is largely jazz instrumentals. Isaiah won't fuss too much if people want to take over the playlist as long as they don't kill the mood. Only Jack is allowed to get murdered tonight.

HOW THIS WORKS

✎ The party begins at 7:00 PM, the murder is scheduled for 8:00 PM, and the investigation will last until 10:00 PM where everyone will need to state their case.
✎ Phones and other internet-connected devices are collected at the door and kept in a little box. They can be accessed if there's an emergency, but not to help them win the game.
✎ To accuse someone, you must provide a name, murder weapon, motivation, and opportunity. Whoever gets the most right win. (OOC: I will largely be using RNG and observing your characters for this, because we as players will know who the killer is. I might attempt something more ambitious next month, but for now it's just a roleplaying opportunity!)
✎ The winner gets to choose who next month's murder victim is.
✎ Feel free to make up details and just have fun in the space. This isn't supposed to be too serious! The assigned roles are just prompts!
✎ Characters may use their powers, but only if they disclose exactly what they can do to the entire group before the game begins.

ROLES

Right before Jack is found with his head splattered across the walls of the back room, everyone is handed an envelope containing their role, general information about the case, and their unique clue. They're asked to open them after the murder is revealed.

Jack is welcome to mill about with the guests as a "ghost" if he'd like, but he can also just take a nap in the back room.

GENERAL INFORMATION:You all know one another from an elite club you were part of in university, where you would try to solve cold cases. You even found brief fame when you solved a cold case together as a group. However, it's been many years since you've last seen one another, and old scandals and secrets may come to light now that you're together again.

When Jack Jung, a movie star, is found murdered in the middle of a the reunion, the armchair detectives have to suspect one another. A snowstorm rages outside, ensuring that no one can leave or call for help until morning.

ISAIAH, MADDOX, JACK

These three characters are playing special roles, and do not get any envelopes.

✎ Isaiah is the host, and is running the game. He can only be asked questions about technicalities and rules.
✎ Maddox has recused himself from participating because of his powers, but he's mixing drinks and can socialize at his leisure.
✎ Jack is the murder victim, and although he knows who killed him, he can't share anything he knows with the players because he's a corpse.

SUSPECTS

✎ Raine - Artist - When Jack arrived, he warned you to be careful around Enoch. You think he knew a terrible secret about Enoch. You discovered the body first, and now you have blood on you.
✎ Vidalia - Doctor - With your medical training you have a lot of insight into how Jack died, and can tell his head exploded unnaturally. You’re close friends with Jack’s wife, who is also Minty’s cousin.
✎ Minty - Butcher - You heard gossip that Jack was never actually going to leave your cousin for his mystery mistress, and was just leading her on. You also know he recently inherited a lot of money. [MINTY IS THE MURDERER]
✎ Eden - Author - This scenario is playing out exactly like a novel you wrote two years ago, and in your book the killer got away with it. You know Annie and Jack were having an affair.
✎ Crysta - Florist - The flowers, orange lilies, left on Jack’s body symbolize pride, hatred and humiliation. They’re the exact same as the ones you brought to the party. You were accused of killing your late husband after he cheated on you.
✎ Annie - Singer/songwriter - Before Jack left the party, he played an obscure song foreshadowing his death. You were having an affair with him, he said he’d leave his wife for you.
✎ Wren - Accountant - Jack contacted you out of the blue three months ago about how he just inherited a great deal of money, and you helped him invest it in a way that also benefited you.
✎ Enoch - Politician - You’ve read Eden’s book, where someone dies in an eerily similar way. Jack was once your best friend, until you had a well-known falling out.
✎ Taby - Actor - Lost the leading role in a critically acclaimed film to none other than Jack, and hasn't found much work since then. You've heard rumors Jack also had an affair with his costar.
✎ Lenz - Museum Curator - Jack was your first love during university, but it didn't last. However, while doing research for his upcoming role as Napoleon Bonaparte, Jack contacted you. It required a lot of late nights and long phone conversations.
✎ Noah - Hollywood Agent - You've been representing Jack for the past several years, but he's become a difficult client and it's impacting your reputation. If Jack does actually leave his wife for that singer, it'd be a disaster.

SCHEDULE

» VIBE CHECK: What's your character feeling as they join the party? What are they wearing? How are they behaving and who are they hanging out with? (optional)

» 7 PM - COCKTAIL HOUR: Before the murder is revealed, there's time to socialize and enjoy some drinks mixed up by Maddox. Near the end of cocktail hour, everyone is handed an envelope containing their role and clues.

» 8 PM - A MURDER!: The host, Isaiah, announces that one of the guests has been murdered. Gasp! No one saw this coming! Jack has been brutally dispatched via an exploded head. (Enoch's illusions assist with the visuals. There is a short, semi-ironic photoshoot.)

» 8-10 PM - INVESTIGATION: Now that everyone has their roles, their clues, and the murder scene, the investigation may begin.

» PERFORMANCES: Please fill out and post the following form under this header so I can get an idea of how your character performed at their assigned role. I'll be using this information as well as their activities during the event to RNG who solved the murder! (The winner will be announced on Monday or Tuesday so everyone has a chance to participate.)

<B>Name</b>: <B>Detective Skills</b>: 1-10, describe and rate how good they are at interpreting the clues and avoiding suspicion. <B>Commitment</b>: 1-10, how hard are they committing to the bit? <B>Effort</b>: 1-10, are they invested in winning? <B>Allies</b>: Do they team up with anyone? <B>Anything else?</b>:

(CODE)

Comments

VIBE CHECK

[stgermaine]

VIBE CHECK: Taby

[misapplied]

Taby is here, committed to their role and to winning, and acting like they’re already best friends with everyone in attendance. Sorry to all the grumpy types!

VIBE CHECK: Vidalia

[mxpotatohead]

Vidalia arrives just buzzing with energy, because this is already the most exciting murder mystery party she has ever been to. She has her own magnifying glass (stuck onto her left wrist) and she's examining everything for fingerprints and clues, even before the murder takes place.

VIBE CHECK: Lenz

[lenzpolzin]

Lenz arrives in good spirits, visibly amused by this entire event (who knew that Isaiah St. Germaine had it in him to be fun?) and curious to see how the night will unfold. He doesn't care about winning necessarily, but he's keen to go along for the ride and unravel the mystery. He spends the early part of the evening indulging in drinks, making small talk, and occasionally casting dramatic glances at his 'first love'. Is this dedicated play acting or does he really just want to catch the moment of Jack's murder? Who knows.

He shows up dressed in a dark suit with an untucked shirt and an obnoxiously bright and patterned pocket square. After learning his role, he repeatedly tries to abscond with Isaiah's glasses; he needs them to get in character. Don't you want this to be authentic?

VIBE CHECK: Raine

[rainbowfish]

Raine, who never takes anything very seriously, is in fine form tonight. His general strategy is to behave suspiciously and slip out of character during conversations to see what kind of info he can get from people that way, but he’s not very invested in winning.

He did also adhere to the dress code, more or less, and is wearing a gaudy printed button down under a mustard yellow corduroy blazer… this is semi formal… right?

VIBE CHECK: Minty

[exacutus]

Minty is... approachable as ever, but after the stupid leadership trials she just needs a win. Being the murderer might seem like a roadblock to victory, but it's just a bigger challenge and she leans into it. Time to lie, act, and be a horrible little rat!

VIBE CHECK: Noah

[bubble_boy]

Noah shows up in a sharp navy three-piece suit that's immaculately pressed and that he, maybe, is lint-rolling throughout the evening to keep it perfect, but that's about as serious as he's being about the whole thing. If someone comes up to him and is very in-character he'll go along with it, but otherwise he's mostly here to be social and watch his coworkers, especially new ones, be weirdos. He's clearly having fun, at least.

VIBE CHECK: Enoch

[imaginist]

In the space of 48 hours, Enoch went from not caring about Isaiah's little theatre show to obsessing over the details of Jack's macabre death. It's better for him (and everyone) when Enoch has a project to occupy himself with, and building a convincing illusion of a man's head exploding has kept him quiet and out of anyone's hair for the past day.

He arrives at this gathering in an all-black assemble (tailored black suit, black shirt, black tie, polished black shoes), and is in just the right mood to play the politician and suss out a murderer.

VIBE CHECK: Isaiah

[stgermaine]

Isaiah is dressed predictably in a button down shirt, knit tie and cardigan. He looks slightly more polished than normal, aside from his perpetually messy hair. Since this is his first event, he's noticeably high strung. He's micromanaging every last second, presenting Jack with his script, adjusting the décor, etc. but once things get moving he calms down.

For most of the evening he sits back in one of the armchairs looking very entertained as all of his toys argue over who the killer is.

VIBE CHECK: Crysta

[beautyfull]

Crysta is here in a little mod-style vintage fuchsia minidress, intent especially after getting her role to absolutely not look like a wife or a florist. She's a little allergic to lilies and keeps wiggling her nose but she will just take a zyrtec at some point that part is not important. Her strategy, not foolproof, is to first of all invent a million subplots (sorry isaiah but she has a secret first and more profitable husband and is also sleeping with the mistress now,) and make herself a sort of red herring which will clear out the playing field of guesses so she'll be more likely to get it right.

VIBE CHECK: Jack

[nolitangere]

Jack was ready to have a blast getting murdered tonight, but an unexpected blast was rendered upon him. Or rather, he blasted himself by making Annie mad two days before. He has been politely avoiding her since, but how's he supposed to keep politely avoiding her here?

Whatever. He's wearing his sole Express slim-fit suit, the only semi-formal/formal thing he owns, and he's styled his hair in his best guestimation of "philandering movie star." Speaking of, Jack feels like he's been handed a subtle L with this persona—how many people is he supposed to be sleeping with? And why was he, Fake Movie Star Jack, cast as Napoleon Bonaparte when he's six feet tall? Are you calling him short, Isaiah? Ls within Ls within Ls.

Regardless, Jack will be doing his best to be FUN and POSITIVE, because he gets the sense Isaiah wants tonight to be a success. He may be a cheating scumbag movie star whose head will surely explode, but Jack WILL NOT be bringing the vibes down! Or at least he will not be trying to bring them down. He will be trying to drink, though. Help.

Re: VIBE CHECK

[eightball]

Maddox is here to people-watch... and more importantly, mix you some drinks!

VIBE CHECK: Eden

[littlehurry]

Shy but excited, Eden looks dolled to the nines in a little pink silk dress. She's bubbly. And determined. Interesting people will make friends with her!!

I must also mention that she has a fairly noticeable black eye from her misadventure a few days ago.

VIBE CHECK: Annie Song

[philomathean]

Since this is Isaiah's first foray into murder mystery planning, Annie arrives on time and brings the party with her. She is flanked by two beautiful women in color-coordinating outfits (Annie is rocking a magenta mini-skirt suit set) and that's exactly how she likes to arrive to parties.

Overall, she's in good spirits. She enjoyed getting ready with Crysta and Eden, and is dedicated to making sure Isaiah and Enoch's hard work is given the respect and appreciation it deserves. Her recent spat with Jack does trip her up a little, but she's playing his mistress, so logically she should be keeping her distance anyway. And then he'll be dead.

The mistress story line does give Annie pause but she doesn't let it stop her from committing to the role. Isaiah would have no way of knowing that her own father is being a regular Napoleon Bonaparte vis-a-vis her mother, and she recognizes that this is Isaiah's attempt to give her a juicy bit to have fun with. So, she'll have fun!

7 PM - COCKTAIL HOUR

[stgermaine]

7 PM - COCKTAIL HOUR w/ Vidalia (OPEN)

[mxpotatohead]

"Why I do declare," Vidalia says to the group at large in a valiant attempt at a transatlantic accent. With her already thick southern accent it just sounds like Scarlett O'Hara had a mild stroke, but maybe that's a part of her mysterious charm that she'll have to work into her character tonight. Look at her, so intriguing!!!! "It's been a dog's age since I saw all y'all last. I truly thought the next time'd be a funeral."

7 PM - COCKTAIL HOUR w/ Isaiah (open++)

[stgermaine]

Isaiah's been spending the last twenty minutes ensuring the absolute perfection of the space. Certain items are arranged in a way that is strangely symmetrical. Others are artfully moved to just be slightly off. He's most recently been preoccupied with the candles at the large table, having changed their arrangement at least three times. He can feel everyone moving around behind him, and even though he knows how many envelopes he has, he's recounted them multiple times in his head.

But there's nothing else to do. Reluctantly, he sits down in one of the chairs with a cocktail mixed by Maddox. He lifts up the drink as a tired cheers to whoever is sitting nearest to him.

7 PM - COCKTAIL HOUR w/ Jack (open)

[nolitangere]

Jack is drinking. Quite a bit. If you ask why he's going to tell you it's because this is part of his character, but really he's kind of stressed for a variety of reasons (including a TASK he must accomplish??? he has to warn Raine about Enoch??? what if he laughs???). Jack thinks he'll be more fun and successful if he's buzzed.

He's making rounds of the room with a drink in his hand and a persona-appropriate song in his head in case of accidental touches (this is Jack accepting the subtle L of being a philanderer).

7 PM - COCKTAIL HOUR - Jack gives Raine some BRAND NEW INFORMATION

[nolitangere]

Jack is single-minded. He's focused. His entire being is attuned to completing the task Isaiah has entrusted to him before he gets murdered: find Raine, hunt him down, seize him (don't seize him). He has to warn Raine about Enoch.

Luckily, Raine is easy to find because—"Oh, cool blazer, man." It's bright. The color plus the fact that it's Raine he's talking to (already Jack feels preemptively awkward) puts Jack in less of a 'serious warning' mood and more of a 'this is kind of funny' mood.

Still, he soldiers on. "Can I say something to you in private?"

7 PM - COCKTAIL HOUR

[eightball]

COME HITHER for your 60s (..ish) MOCK AND COCKTAILS! Maddox got a little overexcited about the warring themes of swinging sixties and murder mystery, so you're getting a little bit of everything! He's prepared a big jug of Negroni punch for those of you who want quick, dramatically crimson refills. He's got a little cocktail menu for the event and can mix you a Vampiro (it's got BITE), a Satan’s Whisker (to inject PEP back into your step), or a groovy Grasshopper (for that quintessential 60s drink) in no time. The Short Sharp Prick is a mix of tequila, chilli liqueur, and grapefruit soda, with pear purée, fresh lime juice and agave syrup.

If you're going alcohol-free, he can make you his Final Offer, which is a non-alcoholic Martini Vibrante aperitif with camomile tea syrup and Crodino non-alcoholic aperitif (citrusy!).

He will gamely try to make you anything you request, but that might take more time!

7 PM - COCKTAIL HOUR w/ Minty (open)

[exacutus]

Minty decided hours earlier that she wasn't going to drink—she wants to be at her sharpest, after all—but there's no way in hell she's passing on trying a Satan's Whisker. Her fondness towards both cats and being the literal devil won't allow it!

"Shit, that's good," she murmurs to herself after taking a sip. As she's effectively surveilling her peers over the rim of her glass, Minty senses shade entering her shadowless space.

"Can I help you?" She doesn't so much as turn her head to see who she's talking to.

8 PM - A MURDER!

[stgermaine]

8 PM - A MURDER!

[nolitangere]

At 7:58:55 sharp, Jack gives a big ol’ wink to Isaiah, an even bigger, older wink to Enoch, and heads to the back of the room. Like Enoch (although not as much as Enoch), Jack got very into the mechanics of his death and decided his tableau unvivant would look most striking if it appeared he was blown backward by the force of his head exploding. So at 7:59:36 sharp, Jack sits down in a chair and leans all the way back in it until he falls down.

Oof. The resulting murder scene is Jack very awkwardly on his back with his legs still on the chair, partially in the air.

Woah! Jack just died!

8-10 PM - INVESTIGATION

[stgermaine]

8-10 PM - INVESTIGATION w/ a Ghost

[nolitangere]

Jack is drunk and is soo0oo soooo sooo soo so excited to be dead!!! He's switched up his brainworm song to be more appropriate for his present situation. One might say he's swept up in something of a Bieber Fever today. You can't judge him because he just got murdered, btw.

Jack is going to try to be helpful while NOT revealing anything (he won't, don't worry, Isaiah), but probably he is not going to be helpful. In fact, he will likely be the opposite of helpful. I am just going to throw him around randomly, I apologize in advance.

PERFORMANCES

[stgermaine]

PERFORMANCES: Minty

[exacutus]

Okay. I know she can't actually win so this is just for fun, but the people deserve to see her process.

Name: Minty Payne
Detective Criminal Skills: 9.7. She's a very skilled liar (just ask Jack!) and is going to do her best to throw everyone off her scent.
Commitment: 10.
Effort: 10.
Allies: She will if it seems beneficial to her at any point!
Anything else?: At some point she's going to complain about how the least they could've done was make her the murderer so more people would pay attention to her because CLEARLY she's not getting enough of it. Poor Me Minty having a strop 2nite :( (>:))

OOC 🔪 DISCUSSION

[stgermaine]

This is very silly so don't take it too seriously! Mess around and have fun! Make shit up!

If I missed a participant, let me know and I'll add them ASAP. ♥

Re: OOC 🔪 DISCUSSION

[misapplied]

Heyo all I’m mobile for a few hours as I’m at a family barbecue but I will be around later!! Love this it’s so good lmao