Hi everyone!

I hope to host a murder mystery contest sometime in the close future, and I would love to have a casting (claim) set up soon. Right now, it's imagined to be a very straightforward whodunnit one-shot contest, a murder mystery set in a splendid English countryside mansion, without supernatural elements to it.

Pre-set relationships, and character sheets delivered to be expanded by you. I'll borrow from Dare's playbook to set it up so it's episodic and follows a specific timeline.

So, if you're interested, let me know - post, message, whatever - so I can get an estimate of the number of people that might join.

Thanks,
S

As always whether or not I can actually play along will be dependent on work but this sounds like a good time to me; count me in.

Happy to hear it, Dare!

I'm toying with some ideas and versions, but right now I aim to host in April.

Another note I was curious to see if anyone (I am not already chatting with) had an opinion on was: would you be open to being the killer(s)?

Setting the logistics aside for a wild moment (possible people dropping out), it might be fun being the culprit here. At least, to me, but I would like to hear other opinions.

EDIT: whoever might be interested in participating, check this for a short second & give me your opinion!

Last edited by Zaralee (08/03/2022 at 16:38)

Hi! Been a bit since I've poked my head into this thread.

I wanted to do a quick interest check so I can adjust properly: I know I usually do urban fantasy things, but would anyone be interested in a spot of high-fantasy romp? I'm setting this in a weird mash-up world of Art Deco, magic, and steampunk(?) mixed through with a healthy dose of winter and glamour. Yes, I'm planning ball gowns. No, I don't plan on having eldritch beings trying to get through and drive people mad, I promise.

I'm not going to do a casting either: the plan is to get stuck in through all five rounds in one go, and with luck the story will get to its end. This will likely take place... eventually. Definitely after Sanja's Wolf of Winterbrook. So let me know, or if it's a terrible idea also let me know.

Jadis wrote

Hi! Been a bit since I've poked my head into this thread.

I wanted to do a quick interest check so I can adjust properly: I know I usually do urban fantasy things, but would anyone be interested in a spot of high-fantasy romp? I'm setting this in a weird mash-up world of Art Deco, magic, and steampunk(?) mixed through with a healthy dose of winter and glamour. Yes, I'm planning ball gowns. No, I don't plan on having eldritch beings trying to get through and drive people mad, I promise.

I'm not going to do a casting either: the plan is to get stuck in through all five rounds in one go, and with luck the story will get to its end. This will likely take place... eventually. Definitely after Sanja's Wolf of Winterbrook. So let me know, or if it's a terrible idea also let me know.

Seems interesting to me!

Jadis wrote

Hi! Been a bit since I've poked my head into this thread.

I wanted to do a quick interest check so I can adjust properly: I know I usually do urban fantasy things, but would anyone be interested in a spot of high-fantasy romp? I'm setting this in a weird mash-up world of Art Deco, magic, and steampunk(?) mixed through with a healthy dose of winter and glamour. Yes, I'm planning ball gowns. No, I don't plan on having eldritch beings trying to get through and drive people mad, I promise.

I'm not going to do a casting either: the plan is to get stuck in through all five rounds in one go, and with luck the story will get to its end. This will likely take place... eventually. Definitely after Sanja's Wolf of Winterbrook. So let me know, or if it's a terrible idea also let me know.

My schedule has been hectic, I completely missed this!

Yes, as you already know, I am interested

Also, gonna take this occasion to announce I will most likely open the contest tomorrow or on Wednesday (when I return from another business trip).

Once VanDrake Academy wraps I won't be able to host or join any contests for a while (my niece is coming to stay with me for the summer and in limiting her screen time I need to limit mine as well) but I wanted to toss out a couple of ideas for when I'm back in the swing of things so here goes:

Regarding general game mechanics:
How would you feel about "hints" for how to interact with extras being provided. These would be provided in spoiler boxes  so they'd be available for those who wanted them and avoidable for those who didn't.

Example:

If you want to get to know X better

If you want to get to know X better share something personal with them; they'll respond favorably to a display of genuine vulnerability and it will deepen your connection.

If you want to antagonize X

If you want to antagoinize X the quickest way to do that is to cozy up to Z, even the rumor of a budding friendship or romance with Z will annoy X.

Regarding contest ideas:
This may be controversial because I know how much time you put into your characters but would any of you be open to a "Freaky Friday" type contest where, for reasons, a pair of writers would need to swap characters for a portion of a round in order to do a small task or have an interaction? I just think it could be interesting to see the ways different contestants played off of each others characters.

Dare wrote

Once VanDrake Academy wraps I won't be able to host or join any contests for a while (my niece is coming to stay with me for the summer and in limiting her screen time I need to limit mine as well) but I wanted to toss out a couple of ideas for when I'm back in the swing of things so here goes:

Regarding general game mechanics:
How would you feel about "hints" for how to interact with extras being provided. These would be provided in spoiler boxes  so they'd be available for those who wanted them and avoidable for those who didn't.

Example:

If you want to get to know X better

If you want to get to know X better share something personal with them; they'll respond favorably to a display of genuine vulnerability and it will deepen your connection.

If you want to antagonize X

If you want to antagoinize X the quickest way to do that is to cozy up to Z, even the rumor of a budding friendship or romance with Z will annoy X.

Regarding contest ideas:
This may be controversial because I know how much time you put into your characters but would any of you be open to a "Freaky Friday" type contest where, for reasons, a pair of writers would need to swap characters for a portion of a round in order to do a small task or have an interaction? I just think it could be interesting to see the ways different contestants played off of each others characters.

Hi!

Have fun during nice time!

And, of course - I like the contest idea a lot, it could be a great challenge, sort of like a writing exercise (and I say this in the best possible way)!

Count me in (of course, if my timeline works out)

Dare wrote

Once VanDrake Academy wraps I won't be able to host or join any contests for a while (my niece is coming to stay with me for the summer and in limiting her screen time I need to limit mine as well) but I wanted to toss out a couple of ideas for when I'm back in the swing of things so here goes:

Regarding general game mechanics:
How would you feel about "hints" for how to interact with extras being provided. These would be provided in spoiler boxes  so they'd be available for those who wanted them and avoidable for those who didn't.

Example:

If you want to get to know X better

If you want to get to know X better share something personal with them; they'll respond favorably to a display of genuine vulnerability and it will deepen your connection.

If you want to antagonize X

If you want to antagoinize X the quickest way to do that is to cozy up to Z, even the rumor of a budding friendship or romance with Z will annoy X.

Regarding contest ideas:
This may be controversial because I know how much time you put into your characters but would any of you be open to a "Freaky Friday" type contest where, for reasons, a pair of writers would need to swap characters for a portion of a round in order to do a small task or have an interaction? I just think it could be interesting to see the ways different contestants played off of each others characters.

Always interested in interesting new concepts. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.

The logistics of the Freaky Friday idea sound quite daunting but I'd love to see how you'd try to make it work.

Piggybacking on Zara - "count me in"

Dare wrote

Once VanDrake Academy wraps I won't be able to host or join any contests for a while (my niece is coming to stay with me for the summer and in limiting her screen time I need to limit mine as well) but I wanted to toss out a couple of ideas for when I'm back in the swing of things so here goes:

Regarding general game mechanics:
How would you feel about "hints" for how to interact with extras being provided. These would be provided in spoiler boxes  so they'd be available for those who wanted them and avoidable for those who didn't.

Example:

If you want to get to know X better

If you want to get to know X better share something personal with them; they'll respond favorably to a display of genuine vulnerability and it will deepen your connection.

If you want to antagonize X

If you want to antagoinize X the quickest way to do that is to cozy up to Z, even the rumor of a budding friendship or romance with Z will annoy X.

Regarding contest ideas:
This may be controversial because I know how much time you put into your characters but would any of you be open to a "Freaky Friday" type contest where, for reasons, a pair of writers would need to swap characters for a portion of a round in order to do a small task or have an interaction? I just think it could be interesting to see the ways different contestants played off of each others characters.

As for the first, I'm sure that could be cool.

As for the second, swapping whole characters, I'll be honest, would be a bit of a nightmarish prospect to me and not really the kind of challenge I'd be excited for. Now, something more freaky friday like body swapping, writing my character in the body of another writer, having to deal with their shit etc. that is something I would be down for.

Hava great summer!

Hi! Since there are some gaps in the calendar, I wanted to host something fun based on this old idea I had written down like pre-covid times.

The premise is:

A Game of Honey & Ruins wrote

It’s the middle of 2048, the riot-ridden planet is about to get into the apocalyptic mode, and the best way to earn money and get access to those safest areas, water, food and wealth is the dirty work for the elite - and the elite has gotten as dirty, corrupt and foul as it can get. Even though assassins aren’t at the top of this chain, they are a valued part of this order.

In your world, security is a rare commodity & ongoing contracts for any jobs are not given easily. However, if you’re good enough, you might get invited to compete in Talon’s Loot, a competition that happens every three years, a prestigious competition for the best assassins of their time. Summer is almost over and the TL should begin, but the invitations are not sent out & the reigning winner is nowhere to be found.

The idea started simple enough: you're an assassin competing at the TL, more or less. So, I'm curious to see if anyone is interested in participating before I dive deeper into this pit (to comfort myself after I finish writing Carmen).

I imagine having time to host casting next week, and then the contest after 18th.

Zaralee wrote

Hi! Since there are some gaps in the calendar, I wanted to host something fun based on this old idea I had written down like pre-covid times.

The premise is:

A Game of Honey & Ruins wrote

It’s the middle of 2048, the riot-ridden planet is about to get into the apocalyptic mode, and the best way to earn money and get access to those safest areas, water, food and wealth is the dirty work for the elite - and the elite has gotten as dirty, corrupt and foul as it can get. Even though assassins aren’t at the top of this chain, they are a valued part of this order.

In your world, security is a rare commodity & ongoing contracts for any jobs are not given easily. However, if you’re good enough, you might get invited to compete in Talon’s Loot, a competition that happens every three years, a prestigious competition for the best assassins of their time. Summer is almost over and the TL should begin, but the invitations are not sent out & the reigning winner is nowhere to be found.

The idea started simple enough: you're an assassin competing at the TL, more or less. So, I'm curious to see if anyone is interested in participating before I dive deeper into this pit (to comfort myself after I finish writing Carmen).

I imagine having time to host casting next week, and then the contest after 18th.

I'd 11/10 read this book so my interest is definitely piqued; I have a small human I'm caring for on top of regular work so I may not be able to write as much as I'd like but I'm in.

Zaralee wrote

Hi! Since there are some gaps in the calendar, I wanted to host something fun based on this old idea I had written down like pre-covid times.

The premise is:

A Game of Honey & Ruins wrote

It’s the middle of 2048, the riot-ridden planet is about to get into the apocalyptic mode, and the best way to earn money and get access to those safest areas, water, food and wealth is the dirty work for the elite - and the elite has gotten as dirty, corrupt and foul as it can get. Even though assassins aren’t at the top of this chain, they are a valued part of this order.

In your world, security is a rare commodity & ongoing contracts for any jobs are not given easily. However, if you’re good enough, you might get invited to compete in Talon’s Loot, a competition that happens every three years, a prestigious competition for the best assassins of their time. Summer is almost over and the TL should begin, but the invitations are not sent out & the reigning winner is nowhere to be found.

The idea started simple enough: you're an assassin competing at the TL, more or less. So, I'm curious to see if anyone is interested in participating before I dive deeper into this pit (to comfort myself after I finish writing Carmen).

I imagine having time to host casting next week, and then the contest after 18th.

I'm certainly in, look forward to what this all entails.

Yesterday I saw a video of Mario Sunshine and it made me very nostalgic :´)

Thank you for the feedback - I'll try to get the casting up next week, and hopefully host it

Until then  - and totally inspired by some questions, I'm leaving an inspiration board for the neon-noir universe  here.

Last edited by Zaralee (03/06/2022 at 23:14)

KinnPorsche la Forte

Hello nistas !

I wondered if there are other fans of the series in this thread, and if
it would be a good suggestion for a Multi Round Contest or a Story Writing ( though I haven't read the novel in English yet. There are also hundreds of fan fics online).

I'm currently celebrating the World press event of June the 7th by wearing an outfit and hairstyle  that's a direct hommage to Apo -Nattawin.

Last edited by Sapho (09/06/2022 at 18:34)

Sapho wrote

KinnPorsche la Forte

Hello nistas !

I wondered if there are other fans of the series in this thread, and if
it would be a good suggestion for a Multi Round Contest or a Story Writing ( though I haven't read the novel in English yet. There are also hundreds of fan fics online).

I'm currently celebrating the World press event of June the 7th by wearing an outfit and hairstyle  that's a direct hommage to Apo -Nattawin.

I've never heard of the series BUT that personally isn't a deterrent for me in terms of a contest as long as when you're hosting you're willing to provide some background so I'd be interested in seeing what you come up with.

Sapho wrote

KinnPorsche la Forte

Hello nistas !

I wondered if there are other fans of the series in this thread, and if
it would be a good suggestion for a Multi Round Contest or a Story Writing ( though I haven't read the novel in English yet. There are also hundreds of fan fics online).

I'm currently celebrating the World press event of June the 7th by wearing an outfit and hairstyle  that's a direct hommage to Apo -Nattawin.

Hiya Sapho,

I personally had never heard of the series before your post but took a peek at the plot and am interested & curious about how you would arrange it for a SWC. Were you thinking of making something bodyguard-related or mafia-related or both?

Creating a themed outfit contest in the MRC thread could be interesting as well but a completely different job to tackle versus the story writing format.

**Moriarty Society Update**

For those of you who've been inducted into the Moriarty Society (as well as those who may be seeking a place once the contest opens) I wanted to provide an update because the parameters for this one are slightly different than the contests we normally have in the SWC forum.

First, while the contest will be moving in a linear fashion in a single world every round will be its own mystery.

Second, you'll all be working on the same mystery each round but you'll each have your own portion of the mystery to solve based on individual riddles or logic puzzles. Whether or not you all solve your individual portions will impact the impressions moving forward.

Third, there will be two sets of impressions per round. There will be a group impression and impressions for each of your characters and they will either reward you (if the mystery was solved) or provide an obstacle (if the mystery wasn't solved).

Fourth, you will not always have the opportunity to choose which of the extras you receive impressions from, instead these impressions will be based on 1) who inducted you into the Moriarty society in the first place and 2) how you personally performed in the round.

COMING SOON



You are cordially (or insistently as it might be) invited to make your presence seen at the Court of Versailles circa 1672, the grand residence of The Sun King himself, Louis XIV. Because let’s face it… if you don’t live inside the gilded cage, you don’t count. Be prepared for a whirlwind of extravagant parties, luxurious balls, games of chance, and a world of court intrigue (should you like). Where etiquette reigns supreme and affairs of the flesh are spectator sports. Come for the marriage market, royal favors, and prestige, or to experience the entertainment capital of aristocratic Europe. It is a world of splendor and magnificence… destine to establish his reign as one of the greatest generations of cultural and industrial advancements; among them being our obsession with fashion.

(This contest will be based on an Alternate Reality as many of the people, places, and events will be fabricated and/or occur outside of the natural timeline. There are no restrictions to adhere to known history such as relationships & events, only that you adhere to the 17th-century theme and what may have been natural behaviors of that time)

Estimated to begin at the end of July-August following the completion of A Game of Honey & Ruin

A Game of Honey & Ruins update

Given the contest was cut short and never finished, I am hoping to give you the chance to wrap up your storylines in the last two rounds. I aim to open the last two rounds on August 25th, before the Moriarty Society starts.

UPDATED Update about "The Moriarty Society"

"The Moriarty Society" will be coming after "A Game of Honey & Ruins"

1.You may use the character you created for the character claim or create a new one This contest has undergone a lot of changes since it was initially conceptualized and it's been ages since the character claim so I don't want anyone to feel like they have to hold onto a previously constructed character.

2.This contest is both episodic and cooperative If you've played in my worlds before you know what I mean by episodic; this is a another one of those contests where if you don't keep up your character will be left behind as the story moves on. The cooperative bit is new though. As your characters are all members of the same clandestine organize you'll need to work together in ways you haven't been required to before. You'll all be given a part of the round mystery to solve and your collective answers will determine how much information you have moving forward. The more information you're able to gather in the first four rounds the better change you'll have in round 5.

3.The extras are basically NPCs This is something I've gone back and forth on because I know that a big part of these contests is relationship building but I also firmly believe that for this particular contest to work as intended with the contestants having the best chance of solving the final mystery that it makes more sense for my paper people to take a more reduced role. To be clear your character WILL be able to interact with the extras and those interactions WILL lead to consequences or rewards BUT those interactions will be much more strictly guided AND you'd be advised to pay attention to any hints provided. For example rather than placing your characters in an open environment where mingling is encouraged (something that's commonplace in swc's and works amazingly well for romance and drama), your character may be instructed to go to a particular location and decide which of 2-3 extras to approach for more information about the round mystery or something similar (think of this a similar to a CYOA set up in that you'll be given an option in terms of the extras and then options about how to engage). These extras may or may not be honest with you, they may double cross you, or they may provide you with clues you didn't have before (and in some cases you won't be informed until the start of the next round) and while such interactions are brief they're designed to propel the story forward (even in instances where they knock your contestants backwards). Also because this isn't a romance per see you're not going to be selecting interests, various members of the Moriarty society will reveal themselves each round with some recurring and others showing up once and never again.

4.Even with the extras being NPCs and showing up as needed writing a story is still possible Your character will (hopefully) still have emotions and ideas, there will still be in world things that have to be accomplished, and there will be mini mysteries to work on each round. Maybe this won't lend itself to novellas of content but I think it can still work.

5. Every round you'll be given the option of what type of puzzle you want to solve as an individual This will be on a first come, first served basis so I'm not designing and redesigning puzzles but in general you'll be asked to solve riddles or logic puzzles or find differences in what at first glace may appear to be the same scene or solve cyphers.

If you have questions please ask.

Hi, quickly jumping in with a few ideas and seeking your opinion.

Here are a few things I would like to host, and would like to hear if any of these might be a good form of escapism for the upcoming months

All The Violent Delights

murder mystery, mystery, plot-driven, historical fiction, 1930’s
   
The GH Riva is being used as a set for an anticipated movie, called “All These Violent Delights”, the first venture of the famous Starlight Pictures Studio. Approved by the executives as a sure Oscar contender and blockbuster, the movie is also a true one-in-a-million occurrence in Hollywood as it’s based on a bestselling book by Lady Vita St.Clair, who just happened to be brought into the project to turn her own work into a screenplay.

The movie is directed by the notoriously creative, stubborn and, yet celebrated Raymond Reed and produced by the so-called star-maker, Thomas L. Bradbury, who has the power to recognise a success before even finishing the screenplay. “All The Violent Delights,” tells a story about a love triangle and a murder conspiracy, and it has everything one might look for in a movie: star-crossed lovers, betrayal, twists and turns to spin you around, and the cast to carry all of it perfectly!
“All The Violent Delights” stars Alaia Montague, Tilly van der Moor, and Felix LaRue in titular roles - just to have them all participate in a project such as this is enough to make people curious. Now, add to this the fact the Grand Hotel Riva, a legendary and newly refurbished hotel set in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the elegant peninsula of French Riviera, is the set of the movie…it makes for the best publicity for everyone included.

That definitely means Mme. Eleanor Ella Janvier, owner of the hotel and a few more properties has decided to spend the time there during the shoot, assuring everything went well, despite Arlene Plamondon, the hotel manager having everything under control. The hotel staff is on top of everything and even assigned the talented young concierge to serve as the liaison between the movie crew and the hotel, ensuring everyone is happy and the guests do not get their plans spoilt.

And speaking of guests, plenty of interesting faces take their time to rest and rejuvenate there, too. From shady art dealers with noble backgrounds to famous architects and even a controversial member of the clergy - the Grand Hotel Riva is not missing its colourful characters at all!
   
My second attempt at a murder mystery, having paid attention to the comments after the last one. You get to play out a character with a secret, navigating through the murder mystery - and even attempting to solve this one with the help of detective Bancroft. There will be 14 characters in a claim and perhaps some pointers as to the role of a certain role before you claim it.

   

Sons of the Twice Born

adventure, quest, mystery, (dark) fantasy, mythology, the 1890s or 1950s
   
Travelling back in past to revisit the universe of the Ageless! You will take part in a little quest, a play into the powers and nature of your character a bit more than we did the last time. At the time, I have three ideas on how this can play out, mainly because it would depend on the number of people who join - but the premise is the same. You will come together and apart by a common goal, and (hopefully) have some fun while doing it!
   
Another continuation in a known universe, cannot even deny I enjoyed your stories the last time, and I would like to attempt something a bit more dynamic this time. There will be some things to discover, mysteries to solve, relationships to build, and more.

   

Diamonds, Ballrooms, Scandals and Rakes

romance, character-driven, Regency period London, Bridgerton-inspired
   
Debutants are coming out in a season! And you might be one of them, with a mind full of dreams, hopefully. What that dream might be is entirely up to you - meet a charming duke and lead the lavish London society life, tame a rake to call your own, seduce a viscount for a few delightful evenings and marry a rich man instead, or try to avoid the trap of marriage for a chance of another season? The sky is the limit!
   
Light and fluffy, romance-type contest with some fun goals in mind, and flirting to write, inspired by the charming scenography of the Bridgerton series.

   

(unnamed contest)

drama, politics, fantasy, plot-driven, character-driven, based in GoT universe, magic
   
After the arrival of the Targareyan dragon-riders to Westeros, all the noble houses eventually bent the knee to the conquerers…except for Dorne made of skilled warriors and strategists. The most open-minded of the kingdoms, with a long tradition of equality and love of pleasure, Dorne is almost like an oasis in the middle of the desert in which the kingdom is set. After years of bloodshed, the Targareyan ruler and the Prince of Dorne meet at Sunspear, to finally bring peace to the Seven Kingdoms. Engagement should turn into marriage, a tourney will be held, and everyone who is someone will attend the historic event. Will it go without a hitch? Let’s find out!
   
My love for the GoT universe, especially the houses of Martell and Targareyan makes me want to host this. I’m yet to decide on some details regarding the mechanics, but it’d be something I would love to dig into should the interest exists.

Overwhelming amount of stuff, I know, I was in a mood for it.

Last edited by Zaralee (11/09/2022 at 14:04)

Zaralee, can we have all? XD

Seriously, I love all four contest ideas but if I really had to choose, I would love to either see Sons of the Twice Born or Diamonds, Ballrooms, Scandals and Rakes.

All good ideas and will definitely work to find the time to join any of them if you decide to go ahead with any.

In order of preference:
GoT themed
Diamonds, Ballrooms, Scandals, and Rakes | Sons of the Twice Born
All the Violent Delights