Murder! At the Manor
Welcome to Aloysius “Al” Aldufarb’s 40th birthday party! It’s quite the spectacle – Al spares no expense when it comes to his personal festivities. The party is a flurry of food and fun, until a frantic scream fills the mansion and Wilbert Wilberton, Al’s butler and gardener, is found dead on the kitchen floor. His body is covered in bites, a stick of brand-new butter is in his pocket, and a strong odor of something vile and offensive is radiating off his corpse. The situation is very strange indeed, which is why you must determine the murderer quickly, and without incident. After all, who knows what other strange and bizarre occurrences await you?
The murderer can only be one of you.
Good luck.
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 Manor. 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 Manor can be played virtually, but it is better 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 1.5-2 hours.
- If you'd like to play music before, during, or after the game, Bearded Rat Mysteries has a Murder! At the Manor playlist on spotify. Just search for Bearded Rat Mysteries, or go here.
- This game comes with an optional script. Usually I would advise against using the script, but it might make things easier if you’re playing virtually. 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 Manor, and then you can play the game.
This download includes:
8 Essential character handbooks, containing character backgrounds, character quirks*, clues, and secrets
4 Optional character handbooks, containing character backgrounds, character quirks*, at least one secret, and at least one thing to say per round
1 Blank spectator character handbook so the host can create extra spectator characters, should more than 12 characters be needed
1 Host Guide, containing detailed instructions, tips, and hints
1 Optional script
6 certificates, including Best Improvisor, Best Liar, Best Dastardly Plan, Best Costume, Best Accusation, and Best Character Quirks
*Character quirks are things to say and/or do throughout the game
A NOTE ABOUT CREATING 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 handy – it gives the player an option to participate with no pressure.
Murder! At the Manor 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 Wilbert Wilberton. 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 more like games, and less like party kits. That’s why I do not have expansion packs. The storylines are a little too complicated to accommodate a plethora of extra characters. 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: INSPECTOR
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.CHARACTERS DESCRIPTIONS
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS:
Aloysius “Al” Aldufarb
Al is an eccentric billionaire living alone with his trusty butler and gardener, Wilbert Wilberton. He made his fortune by inventing many genius devices, one of which being the Mechanical Wiper, a “Hands Free Bathroom Experience!” He likes to spend his life alone, a recluse in his grand mansion, save for his butler and beloved herd of chickens.
Burt Billings
Burt is a run-of –the-mill rubber chicken salesman, just trying to make ends meet in this topsy turvy world.
Ralph Rathbone, King of the Squirrels
As King of the Squirrels, Ralph was born into a role that requires dignity, courage, and a strong sense of responsibility. His mother was a human and his father was a squirrel, so he experiences the best of both worlds: human height and strength, and squirrel-like speed and agility.
Gilbert Gilderoy
Gilbert is a great safari hunter, world renowned and world revered. He has hunted the giant man-eating tree frog in Laos; he has scaled the Great Wall of China to eliminate the rare and deadly red-eyed poisonous panda bear; and most recently, he has pursued every dangerous and majestic creature the vast continent of Africa has to offer. Now, he attends AL’s birthday party to relax and have a little fun.
General Emerald Emerson, Champion of Empolia, Land of Lollipops and Hand Grenades
As General and Champion of Empolia, Emerald is serious and powerful – and she’s on a mission to free Empolia, a land that is suffering under the leadership of a ruthless dictator.
Faye Florentine
Faye is an 80’s aerobics and dance routine teacher, and she’s passionate to share her dance with the world. She’s also Al Aldufarb’s longtime neighbor and was the best friend of his wife Alice, before Alice mysteriously disappeared.
Clarissa Classen
Clarissa is a coroner, hawk trainer, and nationally renowned collector of Amish zippers. Her many interests and eccentricities make her the ideal dinner party guest, and she’s always ready and willing to ask questions, dig for answers, and share her hobbies with others.
Zilla Zilch
Zilla is a sewer dweller who spends her days in the dark and disgusting tunnels underneath the neighborhood. Because of this lifestyle, Zilla is privy to all the deep, dark secrets of the surface-dwellers, yet she still manages to treat the surface-dwellers with something close to compassion.
OPTIONAL CHARACTERS:
Sparkle Gleam, Queen of the Fireflies
As Queen of the Fireflies, Sparkle Gleam is regal, demanding, and a little bit sparkly. She was not invited to the party, but she came anyway – because that’s the kind of person she is. Her number one goal is to get people to serve her. After all, there are so many things to do, how can she do them all herself?
The Great Rat Prometheus
The Great Rat Prometheus is a magical being whose domain is underground, but whose entertainment is above ground, among the humans. He loves to manipulate others, and to keep tabs on everyone and everything.
Henrietta the Backyard Chicken
Henrietta may just be a backyard chicken, but she’s a smart chicken, and everyone says she has the prettiest feathers. She can’t speak Human, but boy, does she have a lot to say! If only someone would listen.
Steven then Squirrel
Steven spends his days eating, sleeping, teasing the neighborhood dogs, and serving his mighty ruler The Majestic King Ralph. He’s excited to attend Aloysius Aldufarb’s birthday party – mostly for the snacks, but also because he loves to be at King Ralph’s beck and call.
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