Murder - A Twisted Game of Tag

A Twisted Game of Tag

Murder is similar to the game of "tag" except that when you get tagged you're not "it"; you're dead. The game is played in a dark, abandoned house and only the use of flashlights gets you from room to room. Before each game, one of the players is picked at random to be the "murderer". Only the murderer and the game master know who the murderer is. During the game the murderer tries to "murder" all of the other players by tapping them on the shoulder and whispering "you're dead." The game is won when the murderer successfully murders all of the other players, or when one of the players correctly identifies the murderer.

How to Play

Before the games begin:
- Choose an item to be the Grail
  - The grail is a small item that is hidden by the game master at the start of each game. When players locate it, they are allowed to use the safe area for the remainder of the game.
  - The grail should be something small and easily moveable, yet large enough to be found hidden in the house.
  - Usually the same item is used as the grail for all games played on the same night. However, each game master may choose a different item for his/her game.
  - The grail must be shown to all players, prior to the beginning of the game.
- Pick a room to be the Graveyard
  - The graveyard is where a player goes once he/she has been murdered.
  - When choosing this room, it is best to use a room that all of the players can comfortably fit into and still allow the "living" players to utilize the room for play.
  - All victims in the graveyard must be seated so make sure there is enough seating available for everyone.
  - The game master sits in the graveyard throughout the game so that the players know where to locate him/her at all times.
- Designate the Safe Area
  - Once a player has successfully located the Grail they may use the safe area.
  - Only two players may use the safe area at any one time, so it doesn't need to be an entire room. Usually a bench or couch is used.
  - The safe area should be within view of the game master so that he/she can ensure only the "safe" players use it.

At the beginning of each game:
- Chose a Game Master:
  - For the first game it is usually best to pick someone who has played the game before.
  - In all successive games, the murderer from the previous game becomes the game master for the next game.
- Prepare the deck of cards:
  - The game master counts the number of players, not including him/her self, subtracts one and uses that number of black cards from the deck. Then he/she takes one red card and adds it to the stack.
  - The game master then shuffles this stack of cards.
- View the cards:
  - All of the players line up, single file, facing the game master.
  - As each player steps up, he/she must say his/her name loudly so all of the other players hear.
  - The game master lifts the top card of the stack and both he/she and the player look at it. Only the player who is shown the red card is the murderer. After the card has been shown, it is placed at the bottom of the stack.
- Prepare the house:
  - After everyone has seen their card, all of the players exit the house and wait outside for the game master to prepare the house.
  - The game master hides the grail somewhere in the house. It should be placed somewhere that may be difficult to locate, but it must be in clear view and can not be hidden in or behind another object.
  - The game master then turns off all of the lights and tells the players that they may enter the house and begin the game.

During the game:
- Commands:
  - During the game, the game master may shout out any reasonable command for all players to hear and obey.
  - The murderer may choose whether or not to follow the commands depending on his/her situation and visibility.
  - Several commonly-used commands, that all players must be familiar with, are listed later in this document.
  - After all of the players have entered the house, the game master gives everyone some time to spread out before giving the command "Murderer may murder!" The murderer is not permitted to murder anyone until this command is given.
- Committing the crime:
  - Once the command is given, the murderer should begin murdering other players while being very careful not to get caught in the act.
  - A "murder" is committed when the murderer taps a victim on the shoulder and whispers to him/her "you're dead."
- Becoming a victim:
  - In order to make the game more enjoyable for everyone, the victim must follow these guidelines when he/she has been murdered.
    - Do not scream, swear, or otherwise let it be known that you have just been murdered. There may be other players nearby and if they know you've just been murdered, it is likely that they will see the murderer near you and will be able to identify him/her and win the game.
    - Proceed quietly to the graveyard. Once you have arrived in the graveyard you must make it known to the rest of the players that you have been murdered. This is done by shouting out "I'm dead!" loud enough to be heard throughout the house.
    - Once in the graveyard, the victims must not talk, use his/her light, or assist any of the remaining players.
- Finding the Grail:
  - Never move or touch the grail. Only the game master is permitted to do this.
  - Once a player has located the grail he/she should go to the game master and tell him/her where it is.
  - If the player is correct, the game master will tell them "you're safe" and that player may use the safe area at any time for the rest of the current game.
  - If the player is incorrect, the game master will tell them "you're wrong" and the player continues his/her game.
- Winning:
  - The game ends when a player correctly identifies the murderer, or when the murderer is successful in murdering all of the other players. If the murderer succeeds, it is called a "perfect murder."
  - Once a player thinks he/she knows who the murderer is, he/she should go to the game master and identify the murderer.
  - The player must identify the murderer by name and not by any other description.
  - If the player is correct, the game master will tell the player "you're correct" and will inform the other players by saying loudly "the game is over!"
  - If the player is incorrect, the game master will tell the player "you're dead" and the player must go immediately to the graveyard.
  - Each player only gets one guess; make sure you use it wisely.
- The end of the game:
  - At the end of the game all players return to the graveyard.
  - The game master then retrieves the grail and gives it to that game's murderer. The murderer then becomes the game master for the next game.
  - The new game master shuffles the cards, the players line up, and a new game begins.

Tips & Tricks:
- Game Master:
  - Keep the game interesting by giving commands frequently.
  - Don't forget the murderer's name. Players must identify him/her by name, and if you've forgotten you won't know if he/she is correct.
- Murderer:
  - Don't chase your victims, other players will see you and figure out you're the murderer.
  - When there are two players in the safe area try to get in between them. Being the third person makes the area unsafe and they will have to leave. You can try to murder them as they do. If you miss though, it's likely that they will go to the game master and identify you.
  - Blend in and try to remain as inconspicuous as you can. If a player comes near you and it's not a convenient time to murder him/her, move away and act as if you think he/she might be the murderer.
  - After you murder a player, move away from the area as quickly as possible without drawing attention. Once the victim gets to the graveyard and announces their death, some of the remaining players will go to the room the victim was last in and look for you.
- Players:
  - Only use your light for necessary purposes like finding the Grail, navigating the house, or identifying another player. Remember that the less you use your light, the less likely you are to be seen and caught by the murderer.
  - Try to remember each players name when they are in line to look at their card, you need to know the murderer by name in order to identify him/her and win the game.
  - Try to move toward other players and judge their reaction. The murderer will be less likely to run from you because he/she knows that you're not the murderer. Also, if you approach someone and he/she thinks you might be the murderer, they might go and identify you to the game master. If they do, you will know that he/she is not the murderer.

The ideal number of players, for a game of murder, is about fifteen to twenty people. This varies based on the size and layout of the house used for playing. Too few players make it easy to determine who the murderer is. Too many, and the murderer will not be able to murder anyone without being seen.

Commands
These are a few of the more common commands used by the game master. The game master may use these and any other "reasonable" commands.

Murderer may murder: Called only once, at the beginning of the game. The murderer may not begin murdering until this command has been called.

Lights off: All flashlights must be turned off until the command "lights on" or "ultra light" is given.

Lights on: "Lights on" is the standard playing mode of the game. This command is usually only given after the command "Lights Off" or "Ultra Light" to inform the players that they may return to standard use of their lights. During the game, while in "Lights on" mode, the player may choose whether or not to use their light.

Ultra light: All players must turn their lights on, and keep them on, until the command "lights on" or "lights off" is given.

Change rooms: All players must move to a different room.

Stomp your feet: All players must stomp their feet.

Glossary

Game Master: This person controls the game from start to finish. At the start of the game, he/she shows players their cards to determine who the murderer will be, and he/she hides the grail. During the game he/she will yell out commands that all players (except the murderer) must follow. Except for the first game, the murderer from the previous game becomes the game master for the next.

Grail: This is a small object chosen prior to the game that players must locate in order to be able to go to the safe area. Any item can be used as long as it is easily moved, and is shown to all players prior to the beginning of the game.

Graveyard: One room of the house is designated as the "graveyard." Once a victim has been murdered he/she must go immediately to the graveyard and yell out "I'm Dead!" loud enough for everyone in the house to hear. Players still "living" may come to the graveyard to see who has been murdered so that they can be eliminated from the list of suspects. All victims in the graveyard must be seated so the remaining players can easily see who is dead. Only victims may sit in the graveyard, living players (including the murderer) may not "play dead."

Murder: The name of the game. A "murder" is successfully committed when the murderer taps a player on the shoulder and whispers to them "you're dead." Both actions must be completed for it to be a proper murder. Once murdered, the player becomes a victim. Only the murderer may murder other players.

Murderer: This person is chosen at the beginning of the game by a draw of cards. There is only one murderer in each game. The objective of the murderer is to successfully "murder" all of the players without his/her identity being discovered.

Perfect Murder: When the murderer successfully murders all of the other players, without his/her identity being discovered, it is called a "perfect murder."

Safe Area: A designated area of the house where players who have correctly located the grail may go in order to be "safe" from the murderer. This is usually a couch or a bench but anything could be used. The one limitation of the safe area is that no more than two people can use it at any one time. If a third person attempts to use it, the area is no longer safe. Only the murderer and players who have located the grail are allowed to use the safe area.

Victim: Once a player has been murdered he/she becomes a victim. Victims must go to the graveyard, yell out "I'm dead!" so that the remaining players can hear him/her, and sit quietly until the end of the game. Do not talk with the other victims or with the "living" players.

Send email to Murder (( at )) Sum1.com if you have any questions or comments.