Murder! At the Castle
Pirates, Knights, Mercenaries, Sorcerers, power hungry archbishops – this game has it all!
The marriage feast of Prince Steven and Princess Anna is a jolly affair, filled with food and fun and frivolity, until Prince Steven is found dead in his bed, stabbed through the heart. Now you must forego frivolity and sleep to determine the murderer before the king awakes and in his anger, kills all his guests one by one. The stakes are high – may God be with you all.
This game has no fancy illustrations or design - so it's only $4.99!
Murder! At the Castle is best suited to playing in person.
For 11 - 30 Players. Playing time approximately 2 – 3 hours. Ages 12 and up.
This game is a digital file that you will download. This means as soon as your payment is confirmed, you will receive a link to download Murder! At the Castle. That link is good for 24 hours after the first download. After downloading, you can print the files and play the game.
*******PLEASE NOTE*******
This game has no fancy design or illustration – that’s why it’s a low price!
- Murder! At the Castle is best suited to playing in person.
- The host can play too! The host won’t know who the murderer is. That means you can pick a character and play along with everyone else!
- For ages 12 and up.
- Playing time approximately 2-3 hours.
- If you'd like to play music before, during, or after the game, Bearded Rat Mysteries has playlist for Murder! At the Castle on spotify. Just search for Bearded Rat Mysteries, or go here.
- This game comes with an optional script. Usually I advise against using the script, but some people prefer it. It’s up to you. The script only includes lines for the essential characters. If any optional characters are playing, they can interrupt the script to reveal their clues, or wait until the end of each round.
- Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram @beardedratmysteries, and sign up for my newsletter to keep up with new games, sales, and giveaways! Just go to https://www.emchaffin.com/newsletter
This game is a digital file that you will download. This means as soon as your payment is confirmed, you will have the option to download Murder! At the Castle, and then you can play the game.
This download includes:
11 Essential character handbooks, containing character backgrounds, clues, and secrets
9 Optional character handbooks, containing character backgrounds, at least one secret, and at least one thing to say per round
10 Spectator Character handbooks, containing character name, secret, and character quirks*
1 Blank spectator character handbook so the host can create extra spectator characters, should more than 30 characters be needed
1 Host Guide, containing detailed instructions, tips, hints, and an optional menu
1 List of optional costume and prop ideas
1 Optional script
6 certificates, including Best Improvisor, Best Liar, Best Dastardly Plan, Best Costume, Best Accusation, and Best Actor Overall
*Character quirks are things to repeatedly do and say throughout the game.
A NOTE ABOUT SPECTATOR CHARACTERS: Spectator characters are for the players who do not want to be front and center, but still want to be part of the game. Anytime I’ve hosted a murder mystery party, a significant portion of the players SAY they want to play, but when it comes down to it, they don’t want to actively participate. That’s why spectator characters are so handy – it gives the player an option to participate with no pressure.
Murder! At the Castle is divided into 4 rounds. During rounds 1, 2, and 3, each player will reveal the clues given to them in their handbook. At the end of round 3, each player will guess who they think killed Prince Steven. Once every player has made an accusation, the players will turn to round 4 to read their confessions, starting with confession #1.
***My games are conversation-based murder mystery games with elaborate storylines and characters. They’re not exactly party kits, and that’s why I do not have expansion packs. However, I do include a blank spectator character handbook in this game. If you have more players than characters, you are welcome to create your own spectator characters so that the extra players can be included. Please note that spectator characters are exactly as they sound: spectators. They have a name and optional things to say/do, but they are not active characters in the storyline.***
This game is LEVEL: INTRIGUE, and that means that it’s tons of fun, has lost if intertwining storylines, and is especially fun to play with people you know really well.
ANYONE, experienced murder mystery game players and novices alike, can enjoy all three levels of my mystery games. But in case you’re curious, here’s how I break down the three levels:
LEVEL: FLEXIBLE This level is super flexible and allows players to be involved as much or as little as they desire. It’s a great game to play as a first-time murder mystery player and can be a great get-to-know-you activity for groups of people that have yet to bond.
LEVEL: INSPECTOR The characters in this level tend to have more clues and secrets, so there’s a little more reading before each round. It’s a great game to play for everyone!
LEVEL: INTRIGUE The essential characters in this level tend to have a lot of secrets and clues. There’s more to keep track of, but that also means there’s more intrigue, more twists, and more laughs! It’s a great game to play with your friends and family, people you know really well and can really “vibe” off of, if you know what I mean.
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS:
SIR CONRAD, CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD
As Captain of the Guard, Sir Conrad is in charge of the safety of the castle, the castle grounds, and everyone within the castle walls. When the king wages war, he leads the army. He is proud, powerful, and a trusted friend of the king. Some would say he even plays the role of Chief Counselor.
SIR REGINALD, KNIGHT OF PYTHERIA
Sir Reginald is a young, brash knight, and he’s received many honors for his brave deeds. Some would say those deeds resemble reckless abandon and infantile stupidity, but hey, whatever gets the job done.
LADY HUMPHREY, BARONESS OF FERNVILLE
Lady Humphrey is a noble landowner, sly in business, and respected in court. As a woman born to leadership, she takes her birthright as seriously as the grave.
HIS EMINENCE GABRIEL ROSSI, ARCHBISHOP OF BETHUNA, “THE CARDINAL”
Gabriel Rossi, Archbishop of Pytheria and The Cardinal, is a self-righteous man who is disgusted to be stuck in a room with sinners. He’s worked hard and prayed hard to be where he’s at, and there’s no way he should be considered a suspect. He’ll excommunicate them all when this is over.
CYRUS THE HIGH SORCERER
Cyrus is a haughty and capable sorcerer for the king. He was born to servants and now works directly for the most powerful man in Bethuna: King Richard. What more could he want?
SEVERITY THE SORCERESS
Severity is the queen’s personal sorceress, a distinguished healer among her peers. She is independent and resourceful, as any sorceress should be. She came under the queen’s employ many years ago, and she’s been loyal to her majesty ever since.
JUDE DE’PLORE, GENERAL OF THE MERCENARIES
For a person of such debase morals, Jude is a strangely approachable man. He’s rather fond of strong drink, especially the wines of Renn, and he’s quick to do any friend a favor.
AVARICE “AVA” LE’FAUX, LIEUTENANT GENERAL OF THE MERCENARIES
Ava Le’Faux is a strong, independent woman who never gets the recognition she deserves in the mercenary business. And boy, does she deserve recognition – there’s not a lot she won’t do to achieve her goals. She’s worked her way to the top, and she now stands as a mercenary representative in royal courts. But she didn’t get here by playing by the rules.
CAPTAIN BLOODSTUMP THE PIRATE
Captain Bloodstump is the least qualified to be Captain of the pirate crew. His powers of persuasion are so strong, however, that he convinced the other pirates to make him Captain. He is (of course) persuasive, boisterous, and often obnoxious.
DARKBLADE THE PIRATE
Darkblade is, like her name suggests, the most sinister of the pirate crew. Famous for killing swiftly and efficiently on her pirate raids, she is logical, determined, and sinister.
RUTHLESS RUTH THE PIRATE
Ruthless Ruth is a pirate legacy. Her great-great grandfather was Captain Rutherford, one of the first men to embrace piracy as a profession. She inherited his ruthless streak, sparing no one, not even woman or child, who stands in her way.
OPTIONAL CHARACTERS:
THE REVEREND MOTHER SISTER MARY ABIGAIL, “MOTHER SUPERIOR”
Mother Superior is strict and orderly and demands the best of everyone around her – especially The Cardinal. She’s spent her life serving the church and devoted her existence to the faith and principles she holds so dear. It’s only fitting that others recognize her piety. The cloth demands due respect at all costs, right?
LADY TESSA WINTHROP, LADY IN WAITING
Lady Tessa Winthrop, Lady in waiting to Lady Humphrey, was born into the noble life, though a humble one. As the youngest daughter of eight siblings, her father sent her off to become a Lady in Waiting before she could become a burden. She’s grown accustomed to the life Lady Humphrey provides for her, and her loyalty to Lady Humphrey surpasses all other persons, identities, and ideals.
LADY EVANGELINE, COUNTESS OF WINDEMIRE
Lady Evangeline is a rich and powerful woman, personally invited to the wedding feast by the king himself. Because she is such a powerful figure, it is her right – nay, her DUTY – to know all the secrets of those present today. She loves nothing more than some good gossip.
SIR HECTOR, KNIGHT OF PYTHERIA
Sir Hector is a young knight, the same age and rank as Sir Reginald. He prefers the sidelines, however, and he is of the firm belief that an open discussion trumps a duel any day of the week.
SCARLETT LE’VANE THE MERCENARY
Who says girls can’t fight wars? Scarlett’s fought many a battle, not to mention she’s young and beautiful – and she uses those wiles every chance she gets. Her feminine charms haven’t let her down yet.
BRUCE LANGUOR THE MERCENARY
As a man of no family, no friends, and no homeland, the mercenary life is perfect for Bruce. Right now, he fights wars, but he’s saving up so he can quit this life, find a beach, and live out the rest of his days in idle paradise.
FANGSMIRK THE PIRATE
A lifelong criminal, Fangsmirk was on a ship of prisoners sailing to The Southern Isles when Captain Bloodstump captured the ship and freed the convicts. Forever grateful, he decided to live a life of piracy and joined Captain Bloodstump’s crew. He’s worked hard and climbed the ranks, and he’s now the quartermaster, which means he gets to dole out punishments – his favorite thing.
SCURVY STEVE THE PIRATE
As a descendant of many devoted pirates, Scurvy Steve has known nothing but life on the open sea. Unfortunately, his poor health inhibits his ability to advance in rank, so he is still only a common scallywag.
DESPICABLE DARLA THE PIRATE
A former sailor on a privateer ship under the banner of His Majesty’s Royal Fleet, Despicable Darla left a career of legitimacy to lead a life of piracy after a heated dispute with her former captain. Now, she serves Captain Bloodstump with humble loyalty as a common scallywag.
SPECTATOR CHARACTERS:
VOLUPTUOUS VINNY THE PIRATE
MERMAID JOE THE PIRATE
GENTLEMAN JONES THE PIRATE
THREE-EYED JOHNNY THE PIRATE
GROG BLOSSOM THE PIRATE (GENDER NEUTRAL)
PRETTY CAKES THE PIRATE (GENDER NEUTRAL)
STRAGGLE TOOTH THE PIRATE (GENDER NEUTRAL)
SEA WEASEL THE PIRATE (GENDER NEUTRAL)
DEATH BREATH THE PIRATE (GENDER NEUTRAL)
FEARLESS FRITZ THE PIRATE (GENDER NEUTRAL)
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