A collection of new mysteries for

Created by Jason Cordova.

Written by Jason Cordova, Chris Bissette, Sharang Biswas, Alicia Furness,

Donna Giltrap, Calvin Johns, and Petra Volkhausen.

Art by Cecilia Ferri and layout by Jesse Ross.

 BRINDLEWOOD
BAY
Nephews in Peril

Introduction 4
Revised Rules 5
Mysteries 7
Dead Man’s Hand 7
Lies and Dolls, or A Very Brief Tenure 12
Deadly Silent Auction 17
Homecoming at Bonfire Cliff 23
Carnival Carnage 29
Fudge, Jury, and Executioner 36
About the Authors 45
 Introduction

Welcome to Nephews in Peril!

Nephews in Peril is a collection of six new mysteries for Brindlewood Bay,
as well as some revised rules and new play advice for the core game. The
title refers to the cozy murder mystery trope of the protagonist having a
seemingly-endless series of nephews and nieces who always need to be
bailed out of trouble.
I’m really excited to be able to present this collection to you. The con-
tributing authors have come up with some deliciously wicked (and down-
right fun) challenges for the Murder Mavens. These mysteries greatly ex-
pand the possibility of what a Brindlewood Bay mystery can be in terms
of theme, setting, structure, and mechanics, and I hope you find them as
inspirational as I have.
Brindlewood Bay has received a very positive and enthusiastic recep-
tion ever since it came out in early 2020, and I couldn’t be more thrilled
to continue building on this cozy, creepy world the Mavens and Midwives
inhabit.

Enjoy!

— Jason Cordova

4
 Revised Rules

Revised Rules
by Jason Cordova

I’ve run approximately fifty sessions of Brindlewood Bay over the past year,
with dozens of different players. Because of that, I’ve been able to reflect
on the original rules and revise my thinking about how certain parts of the
game should work. The core rules will eventually have these revisions put
in, but in the meantime, I thought I’d share them with you here. I’ll note
that if you’ve been having great success with the original rules as written,
then you should keep playing the game that way. With that said, I’ve been
getting great results with these changes and so you may want to consider
them for your next campaign.

Theorize
This is the most consequential adjustment I’ve made to the original rules.
Here is the new text of Theorize:

When the Mavens have an open, freewheeling discussion about the

solution to a mystery based on the clues they have uncovered—and
reach a consensus—roll plus the number of Clues incorporated into the
theory or otherwise explained away, minus the mystery’s complexity.

On a 10+, it’s the correct solution. The Keeper will present an opportunity
to take down the culprit or otherwise save the day.

On a 7–9, it’s the correct solution, but the Keeper will either add an un-
welcome complication to the solution itself, or present a complicated or
dangerous opportunity to take down the culprit or save the day.

On a 6-, the solution is incorrect, and the Keeper reacts.

On a 12+, a person involved in the dark conspiracy of Brindlewood Bay

also reveals themselves to the Mavens.

The key difference is that, for a Clue to count against the complexity, it has
to be accounted for in the theory, either by connecting it directly or actively
explaining it away. This has a profound impact on the Theorize conversa-
tion at the table—the players have to think a little harder and they have to
be a little more engaged. And the result is terrific: the sense that the group
is actually solving a mystery is greatly enhanced.

5
 Revised Rules

Cozy Move
I have greatly simplified the Cozy Move. It now reads:

When you have an intimate moment with another Maven while one of
you is engaged in your cozy activity, you may each clear an appropriate
condition. If it’s your cozy activity, you can also stumble on a Clue relevant
to an active mystery. Tell the Keeper what it is. The Clue cannot conclusive-
ly solve the mystery by itself.

I found that, in practice, the extra options in the original Cozy Move were
rarely chosen. This new version limits the amount of conditions that can
be cleared to one per Maven (rather than the potential two before) and
guarantees a Clue can be found whenever the move is engaged. In addition
to being a much simpler, more accessible move, it achieves two import-
ant things: 1) it keeps conditions a little more dangerous and 2) it slightly
speeds up the collection of Clues. This leads to an overall more punchy
play experience.

Presenting a New Mystery

According to the rules, the Keeper is to introduce a new mystery at the top
of each new session, provided all cliffhangers from the previous session
have been resolved. You can definitely still run the game this way, but I
have changed that portion of the Structure of Play (Session 2 and Onward)
to read:

The Keeper May Present a New Mystery

The Keeper might present a new mystery to the players. If there are no ac-
tive mysteries, the Keeper must present a new mystery. If there are already
one or two active mysteries, the Keeper can choose whether to introduce a
new mystery or not. If there are already three active mysteries, the Keeper
cannot present a new mystery. If the Keeper presents a new mystery, they
will first inform the players of the mystery’s complexity rating, from 6 to 8.
The presentation will always include an establishing question that closely
ties one or more Mavens to the mystery.

This formulation gives the Keeper more discretion in deciding when to

present new mysteries. It’s frequently inconvenient to introduce a new
mystery because of the particular fictional circumstances of the previous
session. Because of that, my new thinking is that the Keeper should be
able to use their judgment when it comes to having more than one active
mystery at a time. This approach also feels more natural in practice.

6
 Mysteries: Dead Man’s Hand

Dead Man’s Hand

by Donna Giltrap
Complexity: 6
Presenting the Mystery
The Brindlewood County Charity Poker Tournament is a popular annual
event on the Brindlewood Bay calendar. Members of the community are
sponsored to play poker, with the winnings going to the charity of their
choice. The tournament is played over several rounds with the winners
from each table proceeding to the next round.
The Mavens are all competing in the tournament tonight at the town
hall. Ask each Maven which charity she is playing for.

Paint the Scene: The atmosphere in the old town hall is one of bustling
excitement as everyone who’s anyone in Brindlewood Bay gathers for the
tournament. What unusual objects have the organising committee used to
decorate the town hall for the event?

During the preliminary rounds of the tournament, the Mavens should have
the opportunity to meet with the Suspects. As this is a major social event,
suitable characters from earlier mysteries might also be present. Several
people will comment on the fact that Charles “Ace” Rogers, a professional
poker player from Vegas, has been recruited to compete on behalf of The
Society of the Kindly Ones. However, no one has ever heard of this organ-
isation.
Mavens can make the Brindlewood County Charity Poker Tournament
move to see how well they fare. Those whose cozy activity is poker or an-
other game of skill (e.g. bridge, Mahjong) roll with Advantage. The Keeper
may wish to determine who is at each Maven’s table before the roll. It may
be simplest to not have Rogers competing against any of the Mavens in the
initial rounds to ensure that he makes it to the final round (although this
is not essential).

Brindlewood County Charity Poker Tournament

When you compete in the Brindlewood County Charity Poker Tour-
nament, roll with Composure or Reason:
On a hit, choose one:
• You make a significant amount of money for your charity.
• You learn something about one of the competitors at your table.
• You ensure that one of the competitors at your table loses.

7
 Mysteries: Dead Man’s Hand
On a 12+, you also make it through to the final round.

The competitors in the final round will be Ace Rogers, any of the Mavens
who got a 12+ on the custom roll, plus enough additional Suspects to bring
the total number of finalists to at least four.
The finalists are announced and take their place at the front of the
hall for the final round. Just as the round is about to start, the lights go out.
Amidst the confusion, two shots ring out. Eventually, the lights come back
on to reveal that Ace Rogers has been shot dead.

Establishing Question: What scandal rocked last year’s poker tourna-

ment? How were you involved?

Suspects
Jeff Simons, the mayor
Smarmy grin. Expensive suit. Bone-crushing handshake. Promises a lot,
but never delivers. Mayor Simons is the official emcee for the tournament.
His primary goal is to ensure that nothing damages his future re-election
chances; he tends to be evasive about any potentially controversial subject.
Quote: “Lovely to see you this evening, ladies. I can see that the charities
of Brindlewood Bay are in good hands tonight. If you could just smile for
the camera please...”

Amelia Emerson, a newt fancier

Tall and lanky. Intense stare. Well-worn clothes. Amelia is an amateur newt
enthusiast. She is competing to support the Brindlewood Fen Newt Sanc-
tuary. This is a relatively new charity that was established when the rare
Eastern Speckled Newt was discovered in Brindlewood Fen.
Quote: “Did you know that the Eastern Speckled Newt is one of the few
newt species that give birth to live young?”

Mike Taylor, the caterer

Chef’s whites. Imposing build. Tattooed hands. Mike was a career criminal
until the Fresh Start Foundation helped him to get chef’s training and es-
tablish his own catering company. The organising committee asked him to
provide the refreshments for tonight’s event, otherwise he’d be competing
in support of the Fresh Start Foundation himself.
Quote: “I just hope that whichever charity wins is one that will give back
to the Brindlewood Bay community. The gluten-free cupcakes are on the
blue plates.”

8
 Mysteries: Dead Man’s Hand
Mariah Prescott, old money
Twinset and pearls. Condescending gaze. Copious perfume. Mariah is the
matriarch of one of Brindlewood Bay’s oldest families and she believes
this entitles her to have a say in how everything should be run. She is
competing in the tournament in support of the Brindlewood Bay Historical
Society.
Quote: “I can’t believe the organising committee agreed to allow an outsid-
er to compete in the tournament. No good will come of it, mark my words.”

Tony Martinez, the reigning champion

Tweed jacket. Unkempt hair. Nervous demeanor. Tony is a math teacher at
the local high school and the winner of last year’s tournament. Tony is sup-
porting the Fresh Start Foundation, a group that helps ex-convicts gain job
skills. He is under a lot of pressure to perform well this year, which makes
him rather snappish.
Quote: “I’m not intimidated by Ace and his flashy Vegas style. A calm, ana-
lytical mind is what makes a great poker player. Stop fidgeting!”

Danielle “Dani” Walsh, a reporter for the Brindlewood Beacon

Sharp eyes. Charming smile. Constantly taking notes. Dani dreams of be-
ing a Pulitzer prize winning investigative journalist, which is difficult to
achieve working for a small community newspaper like the Brindlewood
Beacon. She bides her time writing feel-good human interest stories for
the Beacon, but she’s always on the lookout for a big scandal or scoop atop
which she can build her career. If the Mavens have a reputation for solving
murders, Dani will be sure to request an interview to get the inside story.
Quote: “Do you have any idea what the Society of the Kindly Ones actually
does? And how were they able to entice a big-name Vegas player to Brin-
dlewood Bay?”

Dan Gardner, a property developer

Well-dressed. Balding. Always checking his phone. Dan is a property de-
veloper with big dreams of modernising Brindlewood Bay. This frequently
brings him into conflict with the Brindlewood Bay Historical Society. He
is competing in support of the Foundation for the Improvement of Brindle-
wood County, a registered charity that is little more than a lobbying group
for his development plans.
Quote: “Have you seen all these dilapidated old houses on prime coastal
real estate? They ought to be declared a safety hazard and razed to flat
earth!’

9
 Mysteries: Dead Man’s Hand

Paint the Scene

The kitchen
Mike, the caterer and recently reformed criminal, has set up a prep area
for the evening’s refreshments. What do you see that is a hint of his former
life?

The basement
The basement is damp and gloomy. What hazard has developed here
through neglect? For Mavens with the Pomegranate Kernel marked:
Why do you find this space so comforting?

The Mayor’s Office

The Mayor’s Office was tightly secured, but what makes you believe some-
one was here before you? For Mavens with A Shadow in the Garden
marked: Something in here gives you an uneasy feeling about Mayor
Simons. What is it?

Clues
c A deck of marked cards with all the Jacks missing.
c A briefcase full of cash.
c A hidden camera.

c A secret passage.

c A stolen gun.

c A pair of gloves covered in gunshot residue.

c A gambling addiction.

c A large bequest to charity.

c Evidence that Ace Rogers had previously fleeced a Suspect.

c Plans to drain the Brindlewood Fen.

c Evidence of financial improprieties that reach all the way to the top.

c A false identity.

c Connections to organized crime in Boston.

c A dodgy gambling website.

c Evidence that a Suspect has been taking bribes.

c A bullet hole in an unexpected location.

c A compromising photo.

c An offshore bank account.

c A bullet with someone’s name on it.

c A lawsuit between one or more Suspects.

10
 Mysteries: Dead Man’s Hand

Void Clues
c A mummified hand covered in runes.
c A Tarot deck with the faces of the contestants.
c An old acquaintance who hasn’t aged a day since high school.

c The walls start bleeding.

c A face card that screams when touched.

c Accelerated decay of Ace’s corpse.

11
 Mysteries: Lies and Dolls, or A Very Brief Tenure

Lies and Dolls, or A Very Brief Tenure

by Sharang Biswas
Complexity: 6
Presenting the Mystery
The Mavens are at the Sunday fish market when they hear some strange
gossip: the owners of the Seaside Bed & Breakfast, who always come to
buy shrimp, are missing today because they’re being detained at their place
of business! (“What a charming little place it is, to be sure!”)
Further probing reveals that a corpse was found this morning at the
Museum of Brindle-Dolls, a tiny place that houses a collection of historic,
locally-made dolls. (“One of my great-grandmother’s handmaid dolls is dis-
played at that museum, you know!”)
Apparently, a Professor James Edwards arrived in town with a handful
of students a few days ago, to study some local history. This morning, the
museum’s curator, Dr. Shanelle Brown and a visiting scholar, Dr. Manmo-
han Subramanyam, discovered the poor professor lying lifeless in the main
gallery! (“How horrid! I hope that handsome Dr. Subramanyam wasn’t too
distressed?”)
The professor and his students were staying at the Seaside Bed &
Breakfast, so that’s where the local sheriff’s deputies have begun their in-
vestigations. (“At least the deputies will have that lovely view to admire!”)
This might be something the Mavens would take an interest in. (“Oh,
don’t you have that little club?”)

If the Mavens investigate:

• The students have been asked not to leave town for the time being. They’re
being questioned by the authorities right now, but will be free to wander
the town after that. They don’t really know how to feel: obviously some-
one has died, but they weren’t super close with their professor. They just
want to get back home.
• Dr. Shanelle Brown is very upset and has holed herself up in the museum.
• Dr. Subramanyam will be spending today and the next few days avoiding
the museum and Dr. Brown, despite his research there.
• Lilian Atherton can pop in at any time, at any location, with choice com-
ments about the museum and the visiting academic group.
• Fimbly the security guard will pop up creepily at the museum or at the
gift-shop, with opinions and superstitions of his own.

12
 Mysteries: Lies and Dolls, or A Very Brief Tenure
Establishing Question: What weird rumour, folk tale, or ghost-story have
you heard about the Museum of Brindle-Dolls, or its curator?

Suspects
Lilian Atherton, a local history buff
Loud. Very proper. Old fashioned or “grandmotherly” look, in a floral dress
and shawl. Loves the museum and anything to do with local history and
folklore. Respects Dr. Brown, the curator, but is worried that the two in-
coming scholars (Subramanyam and Edwards) mean to sully the town’s
history. Wants to make sure the students learn a proper history of the town.
Quote: “Of course, I respect men of learning, but their books are quite,
quite scandalous. We don’t need that kind of thinking in this town, espe-
cially not in this museum!”

Mary Boateng, a chill student

Easygoing. Talkative. Casual look, in jeans and hoodie. International stu-
dent from Ghana, and wants to learn all about American culture and his-
tory. Ambitions of becoming a Professor of American Studies. Thinks An-
gela is far too intense. Has a crush on David. Is weirded out by Lilian, the
local history buff.
Quote: “I’m just here to learn, you know?”

David Anthony III, the rich kid

Bored. Expensive, preppy clothes, and too much cologne. Descended from
a university founder. David has been doing badly at school, and came on
this weekend trip as a last-ditch effort to pull up his grades. David dis-
likes Professor Edwards for not caving and granting him an A-grade based
on name recognition. Intimidated by Fimbly, the security guard. Wants to
sleep with Mary, the chill student.
Quote: “Is it just me, or is this museum ridiculously weird and creepy?
Stands to reason Edwards would like this place.”

Angela Kim, wannabe valedictorian

Anxious. Impatient. Pretty, and favors Goth attire, complete with dark eye-
liner, black nail polish, and deep purple lipstick. Doesn’t really care about
the course but thought the field-trip would lead to an easy A. Despises Da-
vid, partly because she’s attracted to him and can’t let herself be distracted
by such an obvious jerk. Admires Dr. Brown, the curator.
Quote: “I don’t really have time for any of this. I need to get back to prep-
ping for my case interviews!”

13
 Mysteries: Lies and Dolls, or A Very Brief Tenure
Dr. Manmohan Subramanyam, visiting scholar of history
Imperious. Posh accent. Handsome, in a neat, cream suit. Famous for (and
defensive about) his book, A Rural History of America. Academic rival-
ry with Professor Edwards (they have very different pictures of Historical
America). Few people know that while they were undergraduates at the
University of Singapore, Subramanyam and Edwards had a brief but pas-
sionate love affair. He’s currently doing a research project connected to the
museum’s collection.
Quote: “I’m a man of reason and learning. I deal with dead bodies and
mysteries in a purely theoretical sense. I assure you, all this nonsense has
nothing to do with me.”

Dr. Shanelle Brown Willoughby, curator of the museum

Thoughtful. Soft Spoken. Navy pantsuit with a colorful, patterned tie and
prominent afro. Lavishly decorated nails. Brown is desperate to get more
people to pay attention to the museum and insists that it’s a “scholarly” in-
stitution. Has an academic crush on Dr. Subramanyam, the visiting schol-
ar. Finds Lilian, the local history buff, to be annoying.
Quote: “The artistic value of our collection here is priceless. Woven into
these dolls are a thousand stories, a rich tapestry of joy and tragedy, of
industry and inventiveness! I just wish more folks would listen!”

Bill Fimbly, security guard

Gruff. Squinty eyes. Old flannel shirt and worn pants, wearing a brass
museum-badge. Superstitious. Loves the museum collection and hates it
when students come to “ruin” the atmosphere for the dolls. Dislikes his
boss, Dr. Brown, because she’s newer to the museum and hasn’t “grown
up” with the dolls. Thinks her campaign to bring in more visitors is terrible.
Quote: “This isn’t just a museum—no, siree. It’s a living thing, with blood
made of old memories and flesh made of dolls. And its bones are my
bones!”

Paint the Scene

The Museum of Brindle-Dolls
“Creepy” is an understatement for the lone gallery in this out-of-the-way
museum: the walls are lined with dolls of all shapes, sizes and materials,
their blank stares judging you silently. Which doll do you remember from
your childhood?

14
 Mysteries: Lies and Dolls, or A Very Brief Tenure
The museum gift shop
The museum gift-shop, by contrast, is warm and cozy, filled with all sorts of
tchotchkes and the smell of vanilla. It’s a separate building from the main
gallery. How can you tell this is also Dr. Brown’s office?

The Seaside Bed & Breakfast

A little cottage with a wonderful view and lovely shrimp croissants. Profes-
sor Edwards has rented out all the rooms for his class. What evidence do
you see here to suggest that the students recently had an illicit little party?

Clues
c An erotic, handwritten love-poem, written on old paper.
c An opinion piece in the newspaper decrying the modernization of the
Museum of Brindle-Dolls.
c A roll of sturdy wire for doll-making in an unusual place.

c An antique doll, with its head broken open.

c An essay covered in red marks and a failing grade.

c A racy photo or video of one of the students.

c The word “faker” spray-painted onto a wall.

c A brass museum-badge, its pin broken.

c A copy of Professor Edwards’ latest book The Modernization of

Pastoral America, with its cover ripped off.

c A letter of rejection from an important institution.

c A bicycle with its tires slashed.

c Footprints in the mud near a window.

c A bottle of sleeping pills hidden in a hollowed-out book.

c A ream of colorful ribbon, made of a strong, synthetic material.

c The sound of two people laughing conspiratorially.

c Overheard gossip about the museum going out of business.

c A locally-published pamphlet about the “true” history of Brindlewood

Bay’s doll collection.

c Shards of a broken teapot.

c A receipt from the gift store for a very expensive item.

c A hip-flask full of whisky disguised as a tube of sunscreen.

15
 Mysteries: Lies and Dolls, or A Very Brief Tenure

Void Clues
c A painting of woodland critters frolicking in a forest clearing, though
every time you look at it, another creature in it lies dead.
c A dictionary that includes a single page covered in illegible symbols that

you can’t always find.

c A baked good that slices open with difficulty to reveal several fresh

insect pupae inside.

c A radio show from a date that’s years in the future.

c A bunch of pretty, artificial flowers that smell of rotting meat, but only to

you.
c A limited-edition, small-batch tea whose flavor you can only describe as

“despair.”
c A ticket in the style of one from the Museum of Brindle-Dolls, but the

text indicates another museum that doesn’t actually exist.

c A snatch of music that you’re sure you’ve only ever heard in a dream.

c A flightless insect repeatedly crawling in a strange pattern that could

almost be letters.
c A piece of clear hard candy in a colorful, unlabelled wrapper with a

human fingernail embedded inside.

16
 Mysteries: Deadly Silent Auction

Deadly Silent Auction

by Petra Volkhausen
Complexity: 7
Note: This mystery can only be played after the Mavens have learned about
the Deep Reaver crew and their unusual catch.

Presenting the Mystery

The Mavens visit a silent auction at Aubertin’s Antiques, a place of com-
mon rarities and odd finds alike. It is owned and run by the eccentric twins
Pierre and Pauline Aubertin, who share an apartment right above the
store. The auction involves items from the estate of the late Captain Solo-
mon Heimwinkel, a Brindlewood Bay native, who spent his last years as a
recluse. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Brindlewood
Bay Whaling Museum and Education Center, as decreed in the captain’s
will. Begin the mystery with the Mavens entering the antique store.

Paint the Scene: Aside from a shared love for extravagant clothing, the
twins are like day and night. How so? And which sibling do you like better?

Continue with Pierre and Pauline welcoming the Mavens and then hand-
ing them a brochure detailing all auction items. Afterward, the Mavens are
offered drinks and hors d ‘oeuvres and may walk around the showroom. In-
troduce a few Suspects while everyone is waiting for the auction to begin.
Add a few short scenes during the silent auction, as one item after an-
other is put on display for the bidders. Introduce the remaining Suspects.
Have one of them inquire which objects the Mavens are going to bid on.

Establishing Question: Which auction item calls to you even though you
have no need for it?

Eventually, Pierre announces that his sister is going to bring out the last
item: the Elderwing. It is a framed moth that looks rather ordinary in the
brochure but is, for some obscure reason, extremely valuable. When Pau-
line does not return to the showroom, people begin looking for her. Leigh,
the assistant, finds Pauline dead in the alleyway behind the antique store,
sprawled out next to a dumpster. Her body shows signs of strangulation as
well as defensive wounds.
A call to the sheriff’s office is placed, and the Mavens will have about
half an hour before they won’t be the only ones investigating.

17
 Mysteries: Deadly Silent Auction

Suspects
Pierre Aubertin, the brother
Graceful. The kindest eyes. Silken dressing gown. Pierre loves nothing
more than to listen to the stories attached to each piece his customers
bring to him. He will freely admit, however, that he understands very little
of the business side of things. Outside the store, he has never been seen
without Pauline by his side.
Quote: “How should I go on without her? I can’t. It doesn’t...make sense.”

Leigh Landsburgh, the assistant

Lanky. Nervous laugh. Round glasses. They study art history at the BBCC
(Brindlewood Bay Community College) and work part-time at Aubertin’s
Antiques. Rumor has it that Pauline hired Leigh to keep Pierre from pur-
chasing every damn item that comes with a fascinating story.
Quote: “It’s true, Ms. Aubertin doesn’t appreciate antiques the way her
brother does. But she is a fierce businesswoman, and I admire that about
her.”

George Miller, the lost fisherman

Hesitant. Mumbling. Working clothes. George Miller worked in Brindle-
wood Bay’s fishing industry until symptoms of dementia put an end to that.
George still spends most of his time at the pier, mending the same net over
and over again.
Quote: “You mustn’t sell it. It is cursed! Solomon knew. The Captain knew!”

Alma Heimwinkel, the Captain’s granddaughter

Aimless. Distracted. Blood-red lipstick. Alma Heimwinkel has been taking
care of her grandfather’s estate since his recent passing. She and Pauline
were close friends. Alma’s style has changed a lot since the two got to know
each other.
Quote: “Huh? Yeah, Pauline organized the auction... What? Yes, she really
is a good fr--could you excuse me for a second?”

Margery Buttons, a collector

Intrusive. Ends most of her sentences with: “I suppose...” Dress that does
not fit the occasion. At least once a week, Margery carries some random,
gaudy figurine or a half-broken music box to Aubertin’s Antiques so she
can spend time with Pierre.
Quote: “Pierre deserved so much better than that money whore of a sister.
But that’s no reason to want her dead, I suppose…”

19
 Mysteries: Deadly Silent Auction
Nigel Potter, the caterer
Stoic. Monotone voice. T-shirt with the logo for his catering business. Nigel
has a grand idea for a new start-up every few months and very little enthu-
siasm to actually see it through. Right now, he is trying to make a living
with overpriced party food.
Quote: “Well, that’s a tragedy. I’ll still be paid, though, right?”

Hazeem Mashwani, a fashion designer

Nonchalant. Listens more than he talks. Pristine suit. Mashwani is a de-
cently known fashion designer from Boston. He has been in a secret on-
again, off-again relationship with Pauline.
Quote: “I wanted her to get out of this stuffy town—but not like this… not
like this.”

Lilly Jacobs, a bidder

Shy. Speaks so quietly it’s hard to understand her. Homely attire. Lilly is not
from Brindlewood Bay. In fact, no one here knows her, but Pierre swears
she seems familiar. She is anxious to obtain one of the auction items.
Quote: “It’s important to my family, you see?”

Paint the Scene

Pauline’s room
Looking around, how do you know that Pauline’s thoughts have been filled
with darkness?

Pierre’s room
What here tells you that this man lives in the past?

The storage room

Something in here is giving you the creeps. You feel watched. Why? For
Mavens with the Pallid Mask marked: You can see whatever is watching
you. What is it?

The alleyway
You find something in the dumpster that doesn’t belong there. What is it?

20
 Mysteries: Deadly Silent Auction

Clues
c The Elderwing moth removed from the wooden frame.
c The wooden frame in a suspicious place.
c A photo onto which someone collaged their own face.

c Someone accepted a job offer elsewhere.

c The business card of a rival antique dealer.

c A wad of cash in a tea tin.

c Silent tears.

c A newspaper article detailing the death of the twins’ parents.

c An appraisal stating the true value of an auction item.

c A hypodermic needle.

c A recording of Pauline in which she expresses her worry about “him”

finding out she lied.

c Muddy footprints in an unusual place.

c Two Suspects are having an intimate conversation and then get very

quiet when they think they’re being watched.

c An unpaid invoice for a very large sum.

c A napkin with the message “I can help you,” followed by a telephone

number.
c A bid sheet that was tampered with.

c A piece of silken rope, stained with dried blood.

c A lock of hair in a very disturbing place.

c A crumpled piece of paper with hastily scribbled occult symbols.

c A brochure of the whaling museum that shows a strategically-placed

cigarette burn.

Void Clues
c An auction item the Mavens bid on shows a dark childhood memory
when touched. Have the player describe the memory if their Maven
touches it.
c The pattern on the moth’s wings turn into oily, black eyes.

c The drinks smell and taste of fish, though no one else seems to notice.

c Someone opens their mouth to speak, but all that comes out is the

sound of an unearthly creature’s death throes.

c Slithering tentacles appear just inside your peripheral vision.

c Touching the moth’s frame triggers a vision of the Deep Reaver and its

crew. Even if this vision is frightening, the person holding the frame is
overcome by a sense of heroic calm. They will dream of the ship the fol-
lowing night, coming to realize that the frame is made from the whaling

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 Mysteries: Deadly Silent Auction
ship’s planks. If the Mavens manage to obtain the frame at any point
during the campaign, one of them can use the following move once
during the Void Mystery:

I Will Go Down With This Ship
When you channel the ghost of Rudyard Bigham, captain of the
Deep Reaver, in order to save your friends from mortal or spiritual
danger, give a speech about how you will go down with this ship. Your
friends’ lives are miraculously spared—but you begin to lose your mind
to the Void. Take -2 to all rolls for the remainder of the session, then
retire.

22
 Mysteries: Homecoming at Bonfire Cliff

Homecoming at Bonfire Cliff

by Calvin Johns
Complexity: 7
Presenting the Mystery
Bonfire Cliff is a hangout site above the defunct Bay Quarry where cliques
of Brindlewood High meet for sneaking cigarettes, sharing booze, and
hooking up. But there’s more to the Cliff than just teenage misbehavior;
it’s a communal place where nature and local industry meet, where no
one group of students claims ownership, an understood neutral territory
respected by most. At certain times of the year, Bonfire Cliff attracts older
locals as well, especially around homecoming. They too are expected to
keep the peace and look the other way.
The site is dominated by a 60' granite cliff and a reservoir that used
to be the quarry’s source. In summer months, younger teens can be found
swimming in the pond at the base of the cliff, while older teens and nos-
talgic adults hang out on the top of the cliff, where a large fire pit was con-
structed long before the Mavens’ time. The unofficial swimming hole and
the vast woods above garner renewed attention and vitriol every few years
when a child is injured or goes missing. Nothing permanent ever seems to
be done about the broken gate.
While different cliques make use of Bonfire Cliff, only friends of the
Hapsbury family have access to the gravel parking lot at the back of the
family estate. It’s not too long a walk through the woods to the cliff, and
there’s no hiking up the winding trails to reach the clifftop from the quarry.
While the Mavens are making a personal visit to the quarry reservoir
in mid-afternoon on homecoming Friday (See Establishing Question, be-
low), they hear a terrible scream from atop the cliff.
Mark Harrison (class of 1995), a biology teacher at Brindlewood High,
is found dead next to a tree at the edge of the clearing, his mouth filled with
poison sumac. It appears he was allergic to the vine—he shows signs of
anaphylaxis—though choking on the mess of leaves likely didn’t help. One
of the Hapsbury Suspects (you choose) found his body just moments ago
while collecting kindling for a bonfire planned for later that night.
The trails up from the pond are overgrown, but not too steep or treach-
erous for a feisty spirit while the sun is still out. The Mavens reach the bon-
fire pit with all the Suspects present. The Hapsbury family came to the site
together but split up throughout the day preparing for the night’s festivities.
Everyone else claims to have come to Bonfire Cliff separately.

23
 Mysteries: Homecoming at Bonfire Cliff
Establishing Question: An old ritual in Brindlewood Bay entails teenag-
ers making wishes about their futures and throwing a stone into the quarry
every year on the anniversary of the wish until it comes true. You made a
wish one homecoming night many years ago. What did she wish for, and
what chance does it still have of coming true?

Suspects
Thomas Hapsbury, class of 1995
Fit and handsome. Button-up shirt and trendy joggers. Most likely to be
your boss. Ashley’s husband and Madison’s brother. Even though Thomas
is a successful businessman in town with a life many envy, he falls easily
into boasting of his glory days in high school as though he’s accomplished
nothing since. His focus is always on himself, and he rarely picks up on
subtlety.
Quote: “Tonight’s the anniversary of my big game in ‘95, and I’ll spend it
up here on the Cliff like I do every year... How much you wanna bet I could
throw a football over those mountains?”

Ashley Hapsbury (née Cobb), class of 1995

Natural beauty. High ponytail and fair-trade yoga pants. Most likely to still
be carded at 40. Thomas’s wife. Ashley runs a software business out of the
home while being mom to three foster children not yet old enough for high
school. She recently became the top bread-winner of the family, though
she hides it from Thomas. She dreads the annual homecoming visit to
Bonfire Cliff with Thomas.
Quote: “This back-up battery better not be dead. If I have to walk back to
the house to use my charger, I’m not coming back out here. How did you all
get up here? You did not take the trails?”

Madison Hapsbury, class of 2003

Flat, sarcastic monotone. Heavy eyeliner and black hair to her waist. Most
likely to haunt you after death. Thomas’s sister and Hannah’s wife. Madi-
son has moved on from the goth fashion she sported in high school, but
she still inhabits the darker side of life and entertains all things occult.
She rarely comes to Bonfire Cliff and tagged along with her brother this
year only because it’s the night of the autumnal equinox and she wanted to
spend it outdoors.
Quote: “I myself am the strange and unusual.”

24
 Mysteries: Homecoming at Bonfire Cliff
Hannah Turley, class of 2003
The hip teacher. Loose cardigan over tight turtleneck. Best personal-
ity. Madison’s wife. Hannah was an exchange student from Ireland who
spent her senior year in Brindlewood Bay. After ten years of friend-
ship-turned-courtship with Madison as pen pals, she moved back to town.
Hannah is quick with a comeback or zinger—often laden with Irish slang—
but naturally warm and welcoming. She works at the school as a science
teacher and buddied up with Mark Harrison at the high school.
Quote: “I just had lunch with him yesterday. This is... I can’t believe... It’s
terrible. The right bastard. How could he?”

Carolyn Greenleaf, class of 1971

Pointed nose and bony, angular features. Plain, homespun clothes. Most
likely to deface school property. Carolyn found her own personal religion
when she turned twelve and hasn’t doubted it once since. She carries at
all times one of various signs denouncing the latest sin, her hands red
and raw from constant washing. Carolyn lives nearby and often combs the
quarry yard and the Cliff, rooting out sinners.
Quote: “These children have always been wicked to the core. I know it’s all
online nowadays, but I still catch ‘em up here. Smoking. Sipping. Sinning.
Young Mark Harrison knew it too; I’d see him out here shooing kids away
every summer.”

Paul Ludlow, class of 1995

Anxious and self-effacing. Wrinkled button-up, his tie a gift from his moth-
er. Cleanest locker. Paul graduated the same year as Mark and Thomas,
but neither of them would remember that. He left Brindlewood Bay after
high school and became an engineer, but moved back to town after his
divorce a few years ago. Paul works for the county utilities office and lives
alone.
Quote: “I was here throwing my stone in the quarry. You saw me, right?
I kept it up all through college, but once I got married I couldn’t always
fly home, you know? I mean... it’s just a superstition, but maybe it’s true.
Right? What if....”

Brad Allstrom, class of 2020

Arrogant and curt. Square glasses and cropped hair. Healthiest lunch.
Brad considers himself a bit of an all-natural eco-terrorist and likes to
quote YouTube videos without citation. His Internet-spun ideology doesn’t
mind pushing the limits of legality. Brad claims he is taking a gap year to
try freelance writing before college, but he hasn’t left yet.

25
 Mysteries: Homecoming at Bonfire Cliff
Quote: “This place is a stain, a scar. Do you see how the machines of man
have defiled this natural hill? I’ve been saying it for years. Mr. Harrison
helped me with my senior project, but he sure didn’t see the light even
when it was right in front of him. I spelled it all out, but he just couldn’t see
the connections.”

Petra Posey, class of 2021

Quiet but sharp. Oversized glasses and pink jeans. Best group project lead-
er. Petra has just started her senior year at Brindlewood High and is an ex-
ceptional student, known throughout the community. She is quirky without
being flashy and enjoys time alone with books and her camera as much as
socializing. Petra is applying to art schools to pursue her photography and
has been taking pictures at the quarry.
Quote: “Mr. Harrison is—err, was—the best teacher at school. Everyone
knows he’s the only teacher who really listens and cares about us. Even
when it’s something that doesn’t have to do with school.”

Paint the Scene

Quarry trails
A system of trails winding up through the woods that lead from the pond
below to Bonfire Cliff. What can be seen from the trails that isn’t visible
from the quarry or the clifftop? If a Maven has the Pallid Mask marked:
What unseen signs of death are all around you?

Bonfire Cliff
A large clearing among the firs and maples at the top of the quarry cliff,
where the body of Mark Harrison was found. What evidence of prior class-
es meeting and partying here can you see on the site itself? How does it
make you feel nostalgic about your own high school days?

County water station

A small metal shed in the woods, halfway between the road and the clifftop,
surrounded by a chain-link fence long since toppled. What signs do you see
that the shed has been used for… unsavory business over the years? If a
Maven with A Shadow in the Garden marked enters the shed, they will
have a distorted sense of time and place for the remainder of the mystery,
and may even stop responding to those around them; give them the condi-
tion Unstuck.

26
 Mysteries: Homecoming at Bonfire Cliff
Old quarry machinery
Remnants of the abandoned Bay Quarry Co. from the 1950s: a couple der-
elict office trailers, moldy pallets, oxidized barrels, a 50' crane rusted in
place whose hook-arm hangs high over the pond. What out-of-place objects
are present that let you know the quarry has been used as a dump site by
other local enterprises over the years?

27
 Mysteries: Homecoming at Bonfire Cliff

Clues
c Pages of senior portraits torn from a yearbook.
c Clothes covered in ashes from a fire, still smelling of smoke.
c A stash of fireworks that have been tampered with.

c A college entrance essay covered in red ink corrections.

c Explicit text messages sent to Mark Harrison.

c Two envelopes of financial records.

c Love notes addressed to several different people.

c A water quality testing kit with several colored chemical reagents and a

sample vial already filled.

c Half-destroyed Polaroids saved in a sandwich bag.

c A set of car keys to an unknown vehicle.

c A broken lens from a phone or camera.

c One part of a broken school trophy, the plaque snapped off and missing.

c Half of a golden locket shaped like the Brindlewood High “Whalers”

mascot.
c A dirty cigar box containing two Brindlewood High class rings.

c Heavy, black robes wrapped in brown paper.

c A list of several names and numbers carved into a tree.

c A small campsite with torn sleeping bags.

c A cooler filled with fresh soil.

c Handfuls of poison sumac stuffed into a brand new backpack.

c A bottle of prescription medication with the label missing.

Void Clues
c A maple tree growing inside of a small clearing with blood oozing from
several holes in its trunk, spaced like the holes along a flute.
c Several pockets of white ash with orange embers that won’t stop glow-

ing no matter how wet they get.

c A place in the forest from which every single tree within sight shows a

carved glyph facing towards this one, singular spot.

c An idol carved of bone whose face always points towards the quarry

reservoir, as a compass always points North.

c A scrapbook that moans and whines when it is opened, depending on

the pictures in view.

c An unknown aquatic species living inside a glass, one-gallon jar.

28
 Mysteries: Carnival Carnage

Carnival Carnage
by Alicia Furness
Complexity: 8
Note: The carnival is an absurd place, steeped in mystery and the super-
natural. Only play this mystery if Layer 2 of the Dark Conspiracy has been
unlocked.

Presenting the Mystery

Summer has arrived in Brindlewood Bay, bringing with it the hum of cica-
das, the sticky heat, and the summer carnival. Our Murder Mavens have
a standing date every year to attend the carnival, visiting their favourite
booths, delighting in deep-fried confections, and relishing in the rides. This
year a new company, Very Good Carnival Co., has taken on responsibility
for the carnival and rebranded it with a retro twist like the dust bowl era
carnivals of old, calling it Carnivale Noctis.

Paint the Scene: As you enter the carnival, what retro throwback reminds
you of the summer carnivals you attended as a young girl? What stands out
as anachronistic with the retro theme? For Mavens who have marked A
Shadow in The Garden: What shape do the moving shadows between the
booths take on the periphery of your vision?

The first scene depicts the Mavens enjoying the day at the carnival. Go
around the table and ask each player to describe what their Maven’s fa-
vourite carnival booth is. Then, ask the player to their left what the best
prize the Maven has won at her favourite booth is. Each player can note
the prize in the Cozy Little Place section of their character sheet. Then, the
other players and the Keeper each describe one detail about the booth that
is different this year. For the Keeper, this is a good time to emphasize the
mysterious and supernatural elements of the carnival. During this scene,
introduce the Suspects as the Mavens move through the carnival grounds.
While the Mavens are enjoying the day, a flurry of activity draws their
attention. Sheriff Wyman Dalrymple (or another official, if you have played
Dad Overboard and the Sheriff was implicated in the murder) is making
his way through the crowd, towards the Funhouse. He gestures for the
Murder Mavens to follow him, and asks if they have seen anything sus-
picious. He reveals that Samson Anderson, the carnival barker, has been
found dead in the Funhouse. The Sheriff suspects foul play, but can’t get
the carnival employees to open up. Knowing that the Muder Mavens are

29
 Mysteries: Carnival Carnage
regulars at the summer carnival, he asks them to keep their eyes and ears
open.

Establishing Question: You see that Very Good Carnival Co. has hired
some local teens to work the ticket gate and a few of the concession
stands. You have a special connection with one of the teenagers. Who is
it, and why?

Suspects
Hans Anderson, carnival owner
Boisterous. Drunk. Prone to telling tall tales. Hans is the owner of Very
Good Carnival Co, and stepfather of Samson. He promoted Samson to car-
nival barker when his company took over and rebranded Carnivale Noctis.
Quote: “I am an expert at this weird shit. My great, great, great, great, great,
great grandfather was Hans Christian Anderson you know. That’s where I
got my name. Spooky faeries and shit? It’s in my blood.”

Birk Anderson, the owner’s husband

Quiet. Reserved. Good with numbers. Actually responsible for the daily
running of the carnival. Father to Samson, and strangely cold in the face
of his death. Birk was in charge of hiring for Carnivale Noctis, including
decisions on who to keep from previous years, and who to let go in the
rebranding.
Quote: “I never should have promoted Samson to carnival barker. People
were so angry. I knew there would be a price to pay.”

Angelica Darkmoon, the fortune teller

Witchy. Mysterious. Soft spoken. Uses an array of tools for divination, but
prefers the tarot cards. Angelica is the real deal, but puts on an act so that
people think she’s a fake. She despises the racist fortune teller trope and
subverts it wherever she can. Angelica believes her purpose is to travel
with the carnival.
Quote: “Dark stars align. Tides rise. Midwives chant. The time arrives.”

If the Murder Mavens seek Angelica’s assistance, and indicate that they
believe in her talents, she gifts them with a tarot deck and a piece of her
divine sight. The Murder Mavens gain access to the following move, once
per mystery, so long as they have the tarot deck in their possession:

30
 Mysteries: Carnival Carnage

See Beyond the Void

When you see beyond the Void and try to gain insight using the su-
pernatural, work with the other players to determine what you hope to
learn in your vision. Tell the Keeper what information you seek and roll
with Sensitivity.

On a 10+, you learn the information you seek. You gain 1 Clue and 1
Void Clue. The Keeper reveals these clues through the description of the
vision. You also add 1 to the next Theorize roll.

On a 7–9, you receive a vision, but the Midwives peer into your soul. You
gain 1 Void Clue and must mark The Crown of the Void.

On a miss, the information you learn is a lie. Erase 1 Clue or 1 Void Clue
(Keeper’s choice) and you must also mark The Crown of the Void.

Monique Stout, the strongwoman

Large. Brawny. Could break a man in half. Shy when she isn’t actually per-
forming. Monique Stout had recently started a torrid love affair with Sam-
son, after a very public break up with Gareth Snare.
Quote: “Gareth never treated me well. He loves those animals more than
any human. You can see it in his eyes. He has wild eyes.”

Tobias Phantome, the sword swallower

Gruff but kind. Covered in tentacle tattoos. Tobias is the newest member
of the carnival, joining up just a few weeks after the mysterious disappear-
ance of the previous sword swallower. Tobias only has kind things to say
about every member of the carnival. Perhaps too kind.
Quote: “People here’ve been so welcoming and kind. Hard to believe any-
one here could do anything like that. Must’ve been a local. I hear this town
has a lot o’ murders.”

Ana Fontaine, the contortionist

Unusually long-limbed. Serious-looking. Young. Dresses only in black. Ana
Fontaine is a kind but no-nonsense performer. She takes her career seri-
ously, and has been pushing to be featured as a headlining act. Underneath
her long sleeves, she has the same tentacle tattoos as Tobias.
Quote: “Hans doesn’t take me seriously because of my age, but I’ll show
him. I’ll be a headliner sooner than he knows it.”

31
 Mysteries: Carnival Carnage
Jake Karns, the head ride operator
Energetic. Vivacious. Always smiling. Jake Karns is the life of the party, and
it’s always a party where Jake is. Jake takes the safety of the rides seriously,
but not much else. He had an unrequited crush on Samson.
Quote: “Samson was the best of us. The very best. Too good for Monqiue.
She didn’t appreciate him.”

Gareth Snare, the animal handler

Prefers animals to people. Rude with guests and staff. Gareth has been
caring for the carnival animals for years. He is devastated that the rebrand-
ing has put less focus on the animals, and believes that the Andersons
caved to pressure from animal rights activists.
Quote: “It’s all those damn animal liberationists! They think I treat my
creatures badly. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were behind this.”

Hannah Howler, the ticket master

Brooding. Angry. Loud voice. Hannah is the former carnival barker, holding
the job for fifteen years before she was replaced with Samson when Very
Good Carnival Co. took over. Hannah was one of very few women carnival
barkers, and likes to remind people of her struggle as often as she can.
Quote: “I had to claw my way to the top you know! I was the best barker on
the East Coast, not that the men will admit it. And for what? To be replaced
by a young man who couldn’t care less? Not that he deserved to die. Damn
shame that.”

Paint the Scene

Funhouse
For the duration of the game, the Funhouse is considered to always be
Night. As you enter the Funhouse, what are the strange symbols you see
written in the darkest corners? Describe them. Where have you seen them
before? What feeling overwhelms you as you draw nearer to them?

Tent of Oddities
Very Good Carnival Co. wants to avoid negative associations with the odd-
ities tents of old. What is the first oddity that draws your eye? What detail
stands out that reassures you all the items in this tent are fake? For Ma-
vens who have marked The Chariot: What item calls to you? When you
touch it, what does the voice that whispers to you sound like?

33
 Mysteries: Carnival Carnage
Admin office
This office is shared by both Hans and Birk. How can you tell which desk
belongs to whom?

Fortune teller’s booth

This dark tent is awash in mystical symbols, and witchy accoutrement; a
large altar commands attention. Which goddesses are represented on the
altar?

Main stage tent

The main stage tent was once home to a tragic accident. What ghost sto-
ries are whispered around the carnival regarding the tent? Do you believe
the stories are true?

Clues
c A hastily written love letter.
c A threatening note with letters cut out of a magazine.
c A file full of documents listing the health and safety violations at the

carnival over the years.

c A spreadsheet depicting the falling revenue numbers of Carnivale Noctis.

c Flyers from a local animal rights group, speckled with blood.

c Safety override lever, removed from an attraction and abandoned.

c A loud lovers’ quarrel.

c A shattered crystal ball found where it doesn’t belong.

c A disciplinary note that contains a final warning before dismissal.

c A carnival barker’s handbook, with several pages torn out.

c A bottle of expired prescription stimulants tucked into someone’s bag.

c Staff photos with someone’s face scratched out.

c A loaded shotgun abandoned behind a tent.

c Money missing from a carnival booth cash box.

c A torn piece of a spandex costume unknowingly left behind.

c A book entitled Winning the Giant Bear: A Carnie’s Guide to Career

Advancement, with several highlighted paragraphs and a note in the

margin that reads “confront Samson.”
c A paternity test that reads false.

c A large sword, broken in two pieces behind the Funhouse.

c A technical document showing a failing grade for safety on one of the

rides.
c A video exposing unsafe working conditions for carnival employees in a

separate carnival run by Very Good Carnival Co.

34
 Mysteries: Carnival Carnage

Void Clues
c A carousel horse opens its gaping maw and releases a swarm of bats.
c A clown mask that contorts from a broad smile to a twisted grin.
c Whispers emanating from the preserved tentacle of a sea creature in

the Tent of Oddities.

c Shadows shaped like tentacled beasts creeping between the carnival

tents.
c Melted ice cream, turned to swirling black and purple ooze.

c A child dressed all in black, who gestures to you to follow, then disap-

pears before your eyes.

35
 Mysteries: Fudge, Jury, and Executioner

Fudge, Jury, and Executioner

by Chris Bissette
Complexity: 8
Note: Faversham is a bustling market town in the heart of Brindlewood
County. It is quite a bit larger than Brindlewood Bay, and most traffic be-
tween Brindlewood Bay and the outside world passes through Faversham.
The Midwives of the Fragrant Void have plenty of links here. Only play this
mystery if Layer 2 of the Dark Conspiracy has been unlocked.

Presenting the Mystery

The Mavens have been asked to judge the annual Faversham’s Favourite
Fudge competition at the farmer’s market in Faversham, a town a few
miles inland from Brindlewood Bay. If you played the mystery The Great
Brindlewood Bay Bake-Off, the Mavens were asked to be judges as a result
of their success on the Jolly Good Baking Show. If you have not played that
mystery, ask the players to decide why the Mavens were approached to act
as judges this year.

Paint the Scene: As the camera follows the Mavens down the high street
in Faversham, what do we see that shows how excited this community is
for the annual Favourite Fudge competition? What small hints are there
that all is not right in Faversham? For Mavens who have marked A Shad-
ow in The Garden: What symbol do you keep seeing in the windows of the
shops on the high street that disappears when you try to look at it directly?

The first scene depicts the Mavens wandering between the stalls at the
market. They can visit anyone and try anything—sampling jam, taking tast-
ers of cheese, stopping to look at handmade ornaments and small idols—
but their main focus is on trying all the different fudges on offer and mak-
ing their decisions for the competition. Go around the table and ask each
player to describe their Maven’s favourite fudge. Then, ask the player to
their left to describe that fudge with three adjectives. Once each Maven
has described their favourite fudge and the others have offered further ad-
jectives, the players should begin ranking the fudges they have tried and
start to determine which fudges will take third, second, and first place in
the competition. During this process, the entire cast of Suspects should be
introduced as the Mavens move through the market, as well as the organ-
iser of the competition, Nell Quince.

36
 Mysteries: Fudge, Jury, and Executioner
As the day begins to draw to a close and the Mavens are gathering to
discuss their judgment of the fudges, one of the Suspects (your choice)
finds Nell Quince dead behind the stage that has been erected at the top
end of the high street. She has been tied to one of the stage supports with
bakers twine and asphyxiated with a sheet of heavy plastic, the inside of
which bears traces of sticky sugar. A local police officer informs the Ma-
vens that they are on the list of official Persons of Interest, and that they
are not to leave Faversham until the investigation is concluded. Rooms
have been found for them at the Quiet Crow Bed & Breakfast, and they
should expect to make themselves available to police for questioning at a
moment’s notice. She has spoken to Sheriff Wyman Dalrymple (or another
police officer from Brindlewood Bay, if you have played Dad Overboard and
the Sheriff was implicated in the murder) and knows that the Mavens are
useful in these kinds of situations, and while she cannot make an official
request for help with an investigation that the Mavens are potentially sus-
pects in, she makes it clear that she would be grateful for their help—and
that this is a chance for them to clear their name, since the Mavens are the
outsiders in town.

Establishing Question: What is your connection to Nell Quince outside

the fudge competition, and why does it mean the police suspect you might
be involved in her death?

Suspects
Lorraine Billingsley, a librarian and contestant
Fluttering. Inattentive. Has an unusually long neck. Capable of pinning you
in place with her eyes, if she pays attention long enough to notice you. Ms.
Billingsley runs the children’s library in Faversham and is a keen home
baker. She has entered the competition every year for the past five years,
but has never won a prize.
Quote: “That Quince woman? Ran a book club I think—genre fiction, ap-
parently. Romances and all that nonsense. Never seen her up the library
myself, but we don’t keep much of that sort of thing on hand.”

Frank Gartner, a bricklayer and contestant

Burly. Big but harmless. Tanned on the forearms and neck, pasty white
everywhere else. Frank has been a lifelong resident of Faversham. He was
born here, schooled here, works here, and will probably die here. Has built
or renovated half of the buildings in town, and can tell you all about them.

37
 Mysteries: Fudge, Jury, and Executioner
He took up baking as a way to keep the memory of his late wife alive, and
discovered he actually quite enjoys it—even when the lads at the pub give
him a hard time about it.
Quote: “I’m just happy people are enjoying what I’m making, honestly.
There’s not a day goes by I don’t miss my Ellie, but she loved cooking and
stuff like that and I know she’d be proper happy I’ve taken to it now. I reck-
on she’d be proud, and that’s all I ever wanted.”

Eva Stamps, a bus driver and contestant

Shaved head. Purple lipstick. Multiple piercings in each ear and one eye-
brow. A solid black bar tattooed on her upper bicep—presumably covering
an older, unwanted tattoo. When Eva isn’t driving the number 53 Faver-
sham Circular, she’s knitting, visiting the old folks at the nursing home,
and cooking up sweet treats in her kitchen. She knows nearly everyone,
because nearly everyone gets on her bus at some point during the day, and
she has nary a bad word to say about anyone.
Quote: “Some people look at me and get a bit intimidated I think, but I’m
just a big friendly bear when you get to know me. Seeing people laugh and
smile is what gets me through the day, and I try to bring a bit of that to
everyone I meet.”

Joan Flory, a local hotelier and contestant

Ebullient. Exacting. Expertly put together. Joan is never seen with a hair
out of place. She likes everything spic and span and is fastidiuous when it
comes to the cleanliness and presentation of the Quiet Crow, the bed and
breakfast she runs with her daughters. She is happy to offer a room to the
Mavens once the police order them to stay in Faversham.
Quote: “Quite awful, isn’t it? Quite horrible, and I hope whoever did it is
found immediately. Now, breakfast is served in the lounge at nine—con-
tinental style, you know the thing, just help yourself—and we leave fresh
towels outside your door every day. And please don’t tell anybody you’re
staying here. I wouldn’t want people crying favoritism if I do well in the
contest!”

Janet Mashburn, a pastry chef and contestant

Tall. Gaunt. Penetrating blue eyes. Janet runs the local bakery and patis-
serie, Risk It For A Biscuit, where she specialises in pastries and sweets.
Her creations are decadent, beautiful works of art that are renowned
throughout Faversham. She has won the Faversham’s Favourite Fudge
competition for the past three years, and has appeared on previous sea-
sons of The Jolly Good Baking Show.

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 Mysteries: Fudge, Jury, and Executioner
Quote: “Thornton? You won’t catch me eating any of that muck. Full of veg-
etable oil and other rubbish—not quality sweets like mine. He’s just good
at branding, but the proof is in the pudding—and his pudding is rancid.”

Charlotte Webber, a local historian and contest judge

Wispy. Shrewd. Of indeterminate age. Mrs. Webber retired years ago and
now spends her time split between the library and the pub, where she can
be found spinning stories of old Faversham in exchange for a gin and tonic.
She claims to be over a hundred years old, and it’s hard to tell by looking at
her how much she’s exaggerating. If you want to know anything about the
history of the town, you go to Mrs. Webber.
Quote: “I remember when the only way to get from here to Brindlewood
Bay was to walk the old coast road. Took the best part of a day, and weren’t
nobody going that way on a cart who you could hitch a ride from. Always
been weird, them Brindlewood folk. I reckon yous’re from up that way
yoursen, aren’t you?”

Roland Thornton, a local chocolatier and contest judge

Rotund. Hairy. Grumpy but has a heart of gold. Roland moved to Faversh-
am about a year ago for reasons he has always been reluctant to discuss.
He has few deep ties to the community, but his hand-made truffles proved
immediately popular, and his shop, The Honey Pot, is always busy. He is a
sponsor of the contest, putting up the money for the prizes, and is one of
the other judges in the competition.
Quote: “Harrumph! People take this bloody competition far too seriously if
you ask me. Fudge is for eating, not fighting over. Don’t know why anybody
would want to hurt old Nellie. She’s a gem, that woman. This town’ll be
sad to lose her.”

Jeffrey Cleary, publican

Quiffed hair. Neat beard. Tattoos of anchors, straight razors, and stars.
Flannel shirts with suspenders, sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Jeffrey
runs The Hammered Dulcimer, a pub known for its live folk music and
excellent cask ales. He has the weary nihilism of a man in his mid-thirties
stuck working behind a bar, able to switch from everyone’s friendly best
friend to hauling you out the door with an arm pinned behind your back in
a split second.
Quote: “Frank’s alright, y’know, but I keep an eye on him and his lot when
they come in. And they come in most days—prop up the bar, always drink
the same piss, think they own the place, expect me to know they want
another round without asking, you know the sort. He’s always passing his

39
 Mysteries: Fudge, Jury, and Executioner
fudges and sweets that he’s made around, but I don’t eat them. They’re a bit
shit, and he doesn’t react well to criticism.”

Darlene Tweedy, a dairy farmer

Broad-shouldered. Grey hair in a tight bun. Carries the aroma of dung.
Darlene Tweedy lives on her farm outside Faversham, but travels in every
week for the market to sell milk, cream, cheese, and eggs. She supplies
many of the local businesses, and Tweedy Dairies is one of the sponsors of
the competition. It’s rumoured that she has been having a torrid affair with
Janet Mashburn, but it’s rumoured very quietly.
Quote: “It’s revoltin’, what’s ‘appened. Can’t imagine why anyone’d want to
do Quince like tha’. Never met ‘er myself but I hear she was well liked, even
if she were always poking her nose into everyone’s business along with the
rest of that book club of hers.”

Megan Swan, a cafe owner

Brusque. Observant. Long red hair held back with a wide ivory barrette.
Megan Swan runs The Express, a chintzy cafe situated in a set of decom-
missioned train carriages that stand on an orphaned section of railtrack
near the centre of Faversham. The cafe is known for its cosy, intimate at-
mosphere and its excellent afternoon tea, which is always in high demand
(customers are required to book at least two weeks in advance during the
busy season). Nell Quince’s book club met in a private booth in The Ex-
press once a week.
Quote: “Look, as long as the rest of them keep coming in I’m not overly
concerned, right? It’s tragic, yes, it’s upsetting, but for the rest of us life
goes on and I’ve still got a business to run. Now are you sitting down and
ordering or can I be about my work?”

Bella Brown, a retiree

Curious. Hale. Wears a large paisley overcoat and a blue hair net at all
times, even in the height of summer. Bella Brown is in her late 80s but still
sharp as a tack. She is a member of Nell Quince’s book club, the Ladies of
Liberty, who meet once a week in a carriage of The Express to discuss the
romance novels of Vivian le Fay. Much like the Mavens, the Ladies have
been known to involve themselves in local goings-on—though they’re less
successful than the Mavens, since romance novels don’t teach quite the
same mystery solving skill-set as the works of Robin Masterson.
Quote: “Oh we’ve heard of you, of course. The Murder Mavens, here in
Faversham! Nell was made up when you said you’d come! Of course, we

40
 Mysteries: Fudge, Jury, and Executioner
should have known that something bad would happen. Not blaming you of
course, loves, but trouble does seem to follow where you go.”

If she feels it is safe and the Mavens earn her trust, Bella may reveal that
there has also been a series of strange events occurring in Faversham
which the Ladies of Liberty have been investigating. She is aware of the
Midwives of the Fragrant Void, though knows no more about them than the
Mavens do. (If the Mavens have not yet learned the name of the Midwives
and roll 12+ on the Meddling Move, Bella could serve as your opportunity
to introduce the Midwives to your game).

Paint the Scene

The Children’s Library
As you step into the children’s library—a riot of colour, stuffed animals, and
garish mosaics on the walls—what book does Lorraine Billingsley shuffle
hurriedly off the front desk that seems inappropriate for a place meant for
children?

The Quiet Crow

As you find your appointed rooms in the Quiet Crow, what evidence do you
see that suggests the previous occupants left in a hurry?

Risk It For a Biscuit

The walls behind the counter in Risk It For a Biscuit are covered with
certificates, medals, and press clippings that tell a story of a successful,
award-winning business. What do you see that tells you that all may not
be as it seems?

The Hammered Dulcimer

Before this building was a pub it was the original jail in Faversham. What
about the place tells you that terrible violence was once done in the main
room of the pub?

The Honey Pot

The Honey Pot is packed with customers brought to Faversham high street
by the farmer’s market. While Roland seems happy behind the counter,
chatting to people and wrapping up sweets for them, what do you notice
about him that says he wishes everybody would go away and leave him
alone?

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 Mysteries: Fudge, Jury, and Executioner
The Express
The old train carriages that make up The Express seem a little sad and
reduced somehow now that they have been converted into a cafe. For Ma-
vens who have marked A Shadow In The Garden: What glimpse of the
train’s past do you see passing outside a window for a moment? What does
it tell you about the darker history of Faversham? For everyone else: How
long do you think it has been since this train rolled freely along tracks, and
what tells you that?

Clues
c A flyer advertising the Faversham’s Favourite Fudge competition, torn
down from where it was posted and stained with a sweet, sticky sub-
stance.
c Five O’Clock Stranger, a romance novel by Vivian le Fay, containing a

handwritten note.
c A library card holding one bloody fingerprint.

c An historical map of Faversham, dated 1877.

c Four empty bottles of milk, tied together with twine.

c A box of fudge, discarded and trampled into the ground.

c A whispered conversation, abruptly ended.

c A dog pulling at its lead, barking into the mouth of an alley near the

stage.
c Sheets of heavy plastic in a cardboard box, addressed to a local busi-

ness but torn open and discarded outside.

c A rosette, Gold Award - Best Handmade Confection, somewhere it

shouldn’t be.
c A letter declining an offer to be a judge in Faversham’s Favourite Fudge.

c A photograph of a group of elderly women, their eyes furiously scribbled

out with charcoal.

c A chintzy tea cosy.

c A pair of newspaper clippings about strange murders in the local area—

one solved by the Murder Mavens, the other by the Ladies of Liberty.
c A letter professing love, with an invitation to meet at a specific time and

place.
c A phone book with Nell Quince’s name and number circled in red ink.

c An old brass key with a wooden tag embossed with a bird in flight.

c A typewritten note found on Nell’s body that says, “Stay away.”

c The recipe for last year’s winning fudge, torn out of a book and hidden

somewhere.
c An envelope containing a pair of train tickets to somewhere far away,

dated tomorrow.
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 Mysteries: Fudge, Jury, and Executioner

Void Clues
c A piece of fudge is riddled with maggots, which spill out when it is
bitten into.
c A vendor at the market sells drinks of thick black liquid in glass flasks

that spew smoke. She is seen once, then her stall vanishes.
c The clock on the town hall strikes thirteen.

c A fishmonger is seen to hurriedly tuck a waving tentacle back into his

coat as he packs up his stall.

c A tray of clotted cream fudge, coloured claret with chunks of an un-

known brown substance that tastes like copper.

c Thick tendrils of fog that are in on the breeze, coil around the market,

then burn away in the sun after a few minutes.

44
 About the Authors

About the Authors

Chris Bissette
Chris Bissette is a musician and ENnie-nominated designer from the UK
best known for The Wretched. They make games about powerless people
facing off against overwhelming odds, and are starting to worry what this
might say about them personally.

Sharang Biswas
Sharang Biswas has won IndieCade and IGDN awards for roleplaying
games, and has showcased interactive works at institutions such as The
Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, Pioneer Works in Brook-
lyn, and The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens. He has written for
games such as Spire, Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall, Into the Moth-
erlands, and Dungeons & Dragons Live. He is the co-editor of Honey &
Hot Wax: An Anthology of Erotic Art Games (Pelgrane Press), and Strange
Lusts / Strange Loves: An Anthology of Erotic Interactive Fiction (Strange
Horizons).

Jason Cordova
Jason Cordova is the author of Brindlewood Bay and founder of The Gauntlet
Gaming Community. He is co-host of the ENnie-winning podcast, Fear of
a Black Dragon, is the Editor in Chief of the Codex gaming magazine, has
numerous developmental editing credits, and is the publisher of several
games, including Trophy.

Alicia Furness
Alicia Furness is a queer working-class game designer from rural Canada.
Apparently the common theme in their games is “who’s the REAL monster?”
She is known for her work on eating the rich, empowering young people,
and making everything really gay. They currently live in Ottawa with their
partner and two cats. Find her shouting on twitter at aliciafurness.

Donna Giltrap
Donna Giltrap is a New Zealand based Maven-in-training. Her cozy activi-
ties include tabletop and live-action rpgs along with being a faithful minion
to her cat.

45
 About the Authors

Calvin Johns
Calvin Johns makes and writes about games from a sage-colored apart-
ment in Austin, Texas. His tabletop designs are often influenced by aca-
demic research in alternate reality games and other large-scale forms of
play. Deep down inside, he wishes jrpgs didn’t give him fomo. Calvin lights
up a mean freestyle Frisbee.

Petra Volkhausen
Petra Volkhausen is a language teacher, writer, and game designer from
Germany. Her go-to genre is supernatural horror. All of her games are nar-
rative-centered and explore topics such as emotional intimacy and finding
closure through the lens of the dark unknown. Petra’s most recent title is
Stille Nacht, a one-shot role-playing game set in 1720 Germany, in which a
ghost wants to find out who murdered them and why. Find her games at
petrav.itch.io.

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