I had never run a murder mystery before, but I knew that I wanted to do one. It required a lot of preparation, and more improvisation than I had done up to that point, but it really helped me learn how to run a roleplay-based town adventure that wasn't 'on rails'. Essentially, I created a small village and everyone who inhabited it. I gave them names and personalities, suspicions and secrets. I made up rumors about them and gave some of them motives for the murder. I made sure to throw in plenty of false leads, red herrings, and unrelated secrets. I tried to make the village feel alive, and part of that was making sure there was plenty of small-town drama.
The adventurers were told by the authorities of a nearby city that they were needed to investigate some killings performed by an unknown monster in the small village of Moulle. When they arrived at Moulle's only tavern and inn (The Giant's Bag), they were to learn that, although belief in the 'Monster in the Woods' was widespread, there was rumor going around that these killings were being performed by a townsperson.
Here is the info I have written up for the town:
Murders in the small farming thorpe of Moulle
Buildings
The Giant’s Bag Inn and Tavern
The Mill
The general store and smithy
Church of Aerina (NG Goddess of Rebirth, Harvest, Bounty)
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| A quick outline of the town for the players' reference. Everybody gets a house! |
People
Victims
Teresa
Marc Millner’s daughter. Barmaid at the Giant’s Bag.
RUMORS: loved Charles. Put cow pies in Lereanna’s bed while she was sleeping the night before she was murdered. Turned down Hugo’s romantic advances.
Charles
Farmhand. Son of Yorvald One-Eye
RUMORS: hates Hugo for his careless womanizing. Secret crossdresser (scraps of a dress were found by his body). Raped Lereanna (another explanation for the dress scraps). Lost his virginity to Aegbreth (this rumor was started by Hugo)
Mayor Hubert Godefelloe
RUMORS: spent a little too much time eyeing the barmaids. Loved Teresa. Loved Lereanna.
Law
Shirrif Jacot
LG Expert 2/Warrior 2
A plump man who obviously lives well and disdains country life. He is well-dressed and well-fed and mustachioed. Wears a breastplate and carries a halberd.
OCCUPATION: Shirrif (Shire-Reeve. Traveling justiciary for the whole shire)
INFO: He’s lazy and doesn’t want to do any of the investigative work himself. He just stays in the inn, eating and drinking. He will latch onto any theory presented to him about whodunit as the easy way out.
Town Councilmembers
Shellie Godewife
A plump, self-important looking woman dressed in fine clothes.
INFO: Mayor’s wife, and de facto acting mayor since his death.
SUSPICIONS:
SECRET: Once carried on an affair with Furro the smith.
Ylleriss, Priestess of Aerina
A middle-aged though comely woman with her long golden-brown tresses in a braid. She wears a simple but elegant dress and carries herself with authority. As it is still the harvest season, though just the tail end of it, she carries an intricately carved staff adorned with sprigs of holly and topped with a scythe blade.
OCCUPATION: Priestess of Aerina, the goddess of Rebirth, Harvest, and Bounty. Town healer and midwife.
SUSPICIONS: “As the town priestess, I examined the bodies and prepared them for burial. I’ll admit I didn’t look too closely at young Teresa’s wounds, as they were so gruesome and I, like many others, assumed she was killed by a wild beast of some sort. But when Charles was killed within the same week I became suspicious. Close inspection of the wounds revealed the claw marks were not consistently spaced like one would expect from most animals, and scratches on the bones seemed to have been made by a metal tool or weapon. I believe that someone in this town must be responsible, though I cannot speculate as to who it may be.”
SECRET: Loves Jacque
BLUFF: +3
Jacque Broumesser
NG Expert 4
A middle-aged man whose body is obviously worn from years of busy work, but there is a youthful exuberance in his face.
OCCUPATION: Barkeep, innkeep, and brewmaster of the Giant’s Bag
INFO: wants to become an exporter of craft beers. If asked about Marius, he will mention that he suspected him of infatuation with Laerina, but never Teresa.
SUSPICIONS: Suspects that someone in town is using the story of the Creature to cover up murders. Heard from Ylleriss that the claw marks on the body were suspicious.
SECRET: loves Ylleriss
BLUFF: +2
Marc Millner
NG Expert 3
Haggard and grief-stricken, with heavy stubble.
OCCUPATION: Miller
INFO: father of Teresa, the first victim.
SUSPICIONS: You know, at first I thought it might be Lereanna. She hated Teresa. She and Teresa were rivals over Charles. There’s rumors Charles raped her the night he was killed. And it’s common knowledge that Mayor Godefellowe often tried to get handsy with her. But now I’m not so sure. I’m leaning towards that Hugo boy. Maybe he’s eliminating rivals and enemies in a bid for Lereanna’s affection. I’d watch some of the other bar rats… If Hugo’s eliminating romantic rivals, Louis or Marius might be next. But of course… (*sigh*) I could be wrong. Lots o' stuff goes on in this town. F’r instance, the mayor’s wife used to sleep with Furro the Smith. Mayor and Furro had a big fight about it, and Furro got kicked off the town council. And of course there’s all sorts of rumors about Bercath, the strange old guy who lives out on the edge of the woods, where all of the murders took place.
Bar Rats
Roger the Little
CN Warrior 1/Expert 1
Short, sharp-eyed man with a short but thick beard
OCCUPATION: game warden (only legal hunter in town), gambler
INFO: Marius’ gambling rival (it is a relatively friendly rivalry)
SUSPICIONS: The Creature in the Woods. As game warden, he has seen evidence of the Creature: tracks, fur, scratched trees, sheep carcasses. He thinks it is some kind of monstrous bear.
SECRET: Knows Marius sometimes hunts in the woods. Has seen his boot marks.
BLUFF: +2
Roger the Stout
CG Warrior 1/Commoner 1
6’1” man with a very thick body.
OCCUPATION: farmer, militia, drunkard, gambler
SUSPICIONS: “It may be the Creature, but [he leans in conspiratorially and says more quietly] Lereanna is suspicious.” At this point Marius slaps him in the back of the head and laughs “Haha, that’s just 'cause she won’t sleep with you, ya old lecher!” But Roger continues, “No, I heard she was romantic rivals with Teresa, an’ that Teresa put cow shit in her bed. And I heard the mayor was always trying to get up her skirt. And I heard she was raped by Charles the night he was murdered. She gets real quiet-like whenever someone talks about that night.”
BLUFF: +3
Marius
CE Warrior 1/Expert 1
Clever looking middle-aged man with a constant five-o’clock shadow and a significant beer-gut. He has confident eyes.
OCCUPATION: Militia drill instructor, professional gambler, drunkard
INFO: best gambler in town.
RUMORS: His father was an adventurer and left him a huge treasure. He illegally hunts in the woods.
SUSPICIONS: The Creature in the Woods
SECRET: He is infatuated with Lereanna. Secretly illegally hunts in the woods. He is the murderer. He killed Teresa because of the cow-poop incident, killed Charles because he was 'involved' with Lereanna, and killed Mayor Hubert because he was making passes at Leranna. He has a secret dugout in the woods where he stores his poached animals and where he keeps the knives he uses to kill and to make his kills look like a beast attack.
BLUFF: +7
STATS: STR 13 DEX 14 CON 10 INT 13 WIS 11 CHA 15
HP: 13
Attack: Dagger +2 (1d4+1)
Louis
N Warrior 1/Commoner 2
OCCUPATION: militiaman, farmer, drunkard, gambler
INFO: worst gambler in town
SUSPICIONS: Bercath. He just hangs around in his shack at the edge of the woods. Hardly ever comes round to drink with us normal social people. Used to be an adventurer, but I heard he cracked and killed his whole party. Now he just raises sheep. I bet ‘e fucks ‘em too. Something’s not right about him. He’s plain weird, is all.
SECRET: I’m pretty much the worst gambler, so Marius don’t really put much effort into hiding things from me. Maybe no one else knows it, but I do: Marius is plain in love with Lereanna.
BLUFF: +1
Barmaids
Lereanna
CN Commoner 1
Long, strawberry-blonde hair, freckles, and a moderately-sized bosom she almost instinctively seems to be trying to emphasize and amplify with her posture and body language.
RUMORS: raped by Charles. Loved Charles. Loves Hugo. Hates Hugo. Hated the Mayor. Slept with the Mayor. Slept with Oki the Fool. Is the murderer.
SUSPICIONS: The Creature.
SECRET: She indicates to the party that she wishes to speak with them in private, if possible. “I… I was with Charles the night we was… he died. We were nicking off into the woods for a shag, see? And when we were in the bushes, I heard a loud roar in the woods and a rustle in the bushes, so I just took off running. I was halfway to town before I remembered I was na… that I left my dress behind. I looked back and I didn’t see Charles. I could only think of the stories I grew up with about the Creature in the Woods, and I was so scared I ran the rest of the way home, all naked. No one saw me though. I didn’t want to tell the Shirrif, because he looks at me funny and I’m worried he’d think I was guilty.”
BLUFF: +3
Jolie
NE Commoner 1
Long black hair, pale face, striking eyes.
SUSPICIONS: Definitely Hugo. He is an evil soul and he just wants to sleep with all the girls. He never got along with Charles. He killed Teresa because she turned him down. He hit me once when I wouldn’t blow him.
SECRET: kills small animals.
BLUFF: +2
Fleur
CG Commoner 1
Long red curly hair, large bosoms, short, strong for a girl her size.
INFO: The Giant’s Bag’s newest and youngest barmaid.
SUSPICIONS: Bercath. I’ve been talking to Wil, who works for Bercath, and Wil says Bercath keeps odd hours, acts weird sometimes, and doesn’t seem to care that much when the Creature kills one of his sheep. Heck, he doesn’t even believe in the Creature in the Woods, and he lives right by the woods. Of course, Wil doesn’t think Bercath is the murderer, but he wouldn’t, because he’s like a father to him. I dunno, I just worry about Wil sometimes.
Aegbreth
LG Commoner 1
A stout girl with curly brown hair. She obviously takes too much advantage of Jacque’s excellent pies.
INFO: Currently dating Umber. Hangs on the every word of the other barmaids.
SUSPICIONS: Oh, probably Hugo. Jolie says Hugo beat her for not sucking his prick.
Town Youths
Hugo
NE Commoner 1
Classically handsome, clean-shaven, strong.
INFO: notorious womanizer. Never got along with Charles.
SUSPICIONS: I dunno. Could be Furro: he’s got anger issues. Could be that bitch Jolie: she’s fucked up. I mean, she’s crazy in the sack, but she’s also crazy in the head. Could be that old creep who lives by the woods, or his retarded little orphan friend Wil. Heck, it could even be that fuckin’ “Creature in the Woods”
BLUFF: +2
Umber
N Commoner 1
A bumbling, short, tubby teen.
INFO: Hugo’s minion. Aegbreth’s boyfriend.
SUSPICIONS: Oh I dunno. Ask Hugo.
Oki the Fool
CN Commoner 1
Oki is a skinny teen covered in dirt and rags. There is a dent in his forehead. He mumbles to himself constantly, and smells awful.
INFO: Oki is the Town Fool. No one talks to him if they can help it, and no one takes him seriously.
SECRET: Did you know I saw Lereanna’s tits? She was runnin through town the night Charlie got killed. Saw her butt too. She was all naked. I’m glad Charlie go killed cuz then I got to see Lereanna’s tits. Saw her butt too.
Wil
NG Commoner 1
A gangly youth who hasn’t yet grown into his 6’2" body. He has a well-worn sling at his side.
OCCUPATION: shepherd working for Bercath Brumbar.
INFO: orphaned at the age of 3, taken in by Bercath after his parents died in a goblin attack a few towns over.
SUSPICIONS: Believes the Creature in the Woods is the murderer. Bercath’s property is adjacent to the woods, and sheep will go missing on a regular basis.
Other Notable Townsfolk
Bercath Brumbar
CG Fighter 7
An old man who looks even older, with grey hair, a full beard, and well-developed bags under his eyes. His build is that of a fighter and he looks like he might still have some strength about him, despite his age. His bare arms are covered with scars which match the long one running down the side of his face.
OCCUPATION: sheep rancher
INFO: used to be an adventurer but retired long ago.
SECRET: He is a were-bear.
SUSPICIONS: doesn't believe in the Creature in the Woods. Thinks someone in town did it, but doesn't spend enough time in town to know who.
BLUFF: +6
Furro the Smith
CN Expert 3/Warrior 1
A strong, dark-haired man wearing a thick leather apron. He heartily shakes your hand with his huge, hairy mitts in a friendly greeting.
OCCUPATION: Storekeep and smith
INFO: Kicked off the town council for fighting with the mayor (“Fighting? It’s only a fight if the other guy can hurt you too. One punch I knocked him out cold.”)
SECRET: the fight with the mayor was because Furro slept with the mayor’s wife.
SUSPICIONS: I don’t know and I don’t care.
BLUFF: +2
Farmers
Bartolo, Eunice, Timeon, Witson, Yorvald One-Eye, Unric, Sean
SUSPICIONS: The Creature in the Woods
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With all the character motivations planned out beforehand, the PCs were able to wander around town and interact with people quite naturally.
Worldbuilding-wise, I wanted to emphasize what life is like for common folk in this world, and how non-adventurers conceive of the monsters that inhabit the wilderness. Bercath the were-bear was the real 'Monster in the Woods' that the townsfolk feared and suspected, but Bercath himself was not a bad guy - he lived out on the outskirts of town and owned a flock of sheep so that he could feed on them during his transformations instead of raiding the village. The villagers, superstitious and with little knowledge of the adventuring world, had no idea what the monster in the woods was, so they could call it anything or attribute to it any trait they feared. A few of the villagers, with more worldly experience, are cleverer. Marius, for instance, knew enough to use the tale of the Monster as cover for his killings. The priestess Ylleriss was also knowledgeable enough to determine that the wounds on the victims were not caused by a monster.
Having the real culprit be a normal townsperson rather than, say, an evil cult, a demon, a shapeshifting murderbeast, or any of the other sort of things an adventuring party would expect to go up against was fun too. In the end, once the party chased the murderer back to his hidey-hole in the woods, they killed him before he could even attack. He was, after all, just a common villager. His murderous power and the threat he posed came solely from the fact that he was just another commoner.
Man is the real monster! *Twilight Zone music*
Also, it is always nice to break the mold and run a session without dungeon-delving or hacking-and-slashing. In fact, one of the players (a friend who we roped into playing D&D) even said something like, "That was a cool episode of Law & Order. I never knew D&D could be like that. I thought it was just sitting around in a basement talking in accents and killing orcs." Mission accomplished.
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-your shapeshifting murderbeast Halloweenie d20 despot
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