Death at the Hollowmoor Masquerade
Every year, the perfumer Vesper Hollowmoor throws the most talked-about Halloween masquerade in the county. This year, every guest received a black envelope with a handwritten note: "I know what you did. Come to the masquerade and find out what I intend to do about it." By half past ten, Vesper is dead in the glass conservatory, and every guest had a reason to want the midnight announcement silenced.
The suspects
No spoilers here. Every character has a secret, a costume and a reason to fear midnight.
Vesper's only living relative and, until recently, the presumed heir to the Hollowmoor fortune and the Nocturne perfume empire. Charming, restless, and famously bad at sitting still.
Vesper's personal physician and oldest friend. Calm, precise, and never seen without a battered black medical bag.
A celebrated spiritualist who claims to speak with the dead. Vesper hired Marlowe to read tarot at the masquerade, from the candlelit alcove beside the conservatory's ballroom door.
Has run Hollowmoor Hall for twenty-five years. Knows every creaking floorboard, every hidden door, and exactly how Vesper takes the tea: valerian, no sugar, at ten o'clock sharp.
Head of the small Ashby perfume house. For thirty years the Ashbys have claimed that Vesper's legendary scent, Nocturne, was stolen from their family's formula notebook.
Vesper's business partner and the money behind Hollowmoor Perfumes. Loud, generous, and always the last to leave the bar.
Writes the most feared society column in the country. If you have a secret, Frankie wants it.
Bestselling author of gothic horror. Avery's debut novel, The Night Garden, was set in a house suspiciously like Hollowmoor Hall.
Vesper's young apprentice perfumer, and the only person Vesper ever allowed into the scent laboratory.
Tends Vesper's famous Night Garden, a collection of poisonous plants in the glass conservatory.
The stage magician hired to perform at midnight, famous for making things vanish.
Sold Vesper most of the paintings in the Hollowmoor gallery. Impeccable taste, questionable ethics.
What is in the game
- A private invitation for every guest, with their character, personality tips and a costume idea.
- Three acts of secrets and clues that unlock on each guest's phone when you announce the password.
- A read-aloud host script, with an opening, the evidence for each act and the accusation round.
- A sealed solution that explains the murder, the clues that gave it away, and every guest's secret.
Costume guide
Guests do not need to match these exactly. A mask and one detail go a long way.
- Sloane Hollowmoor, The Heir: A midnight-blue domino mask and a cape embroidered with moths.
- Dr. Ellis Marrow, The Physician: A plague doctor: a long beaked mask, a wide-brimmed black hat and a long dark cloak. Carry a black bag if you have one.
- Marlowe Quill, The Medium: Layers of black lace and velvet, a veil, silver rings and a crystal pendant.
- Remy Graves, The Steward: A black tailcoat or waistcoat, white gloves and a simple silver half-mask.
- Rowan Ashby, The Rival Perfumer: A gold Venetian mask, something dramatic in deep green, and a sprig of rosemary on your chest.
- Jules Vance, The Business Partner: A raven: a black feathered half-mask with a SHORT beak, and a collar of black feathers. No hat.
- Frankie Delacroix, The Gossip Columnist: Sequins, feathers, a jeweled cat-eye mask, and a notebook you are always scribbling in.
- Avery Crane, The Horror Novelist: Tattered black evening wear, pale makeup, dark lipstick and a quill pen.
- Harper Vale, The Apprentice: A white porcelain mask, an apron stained with "perfume", and dried flowers in your hair.
- Sage Whitlock, The Keeper of the Night Garden: Earthy colors, a crown of dark leaves and berries, and gardening gloves.
- Kit Morrow, The Illusionist: A top hat, a cape, white gloves and a glittering domino mask. Bring a deck of cards.
- Blair Ashcombe, The Art Dealer: Sharp black tie, a silver mask and a monocle.
How many players?
The mystery needs at least 6 players, and the first 6 characters hold every clue needed to solve it. Characters 7 to 12 add more secrets, more red herrings and more witnesses. Characters work for anyone: any guest can play any role.