The Auction

Murder Mystery Games

THE AUCTION

Following the suspicious death of Baroness Audry von Munchen, the fabulous von Munchen relics are to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. In the absence of a legal heir, it looks like all the proceeds will go to her favorite charity – unless a claimant comes forward at the last moment. What is the truth behind the Baroness’s death? There’s only one way to find out!

An auction as important as this one is bound to attract a wide range of guests. Apart from antique dealers and private collectors, you may also find prominent members of the Church, political activists, spies, assassins, and even the occasional drug dealer – as well as all of the Baroness’s “loyal” staff. Take nothing for granted, however: not everyone is who they appear to be…

Al those invited to this murder mystery are given a character in the plot. Although only one of them is the actual murderer, nearly everyone is a prime suspect. As guests arrive, they are greeted by the Baroness’s lawyer, Freddie Farr. They get the chance to view her splendid relics, investigate her murder, bid in the auction and do whatever wheeling and dealing is required to achieve their character’s other main objective: to end up the richest person in the room!

Murder isn’t the only crime guests are likely to encounter. Blackmail, bribery, theft, fraud and extortion also lurk not far beneath the surface. Why has the Brooch of Salaar gone missing? Whatever happened to the Baroness’s husband? And why are some guests so keen to bid for the Japanese sword? Come to the auction to find out…

WELCOME TO THE AUCTION

Thank you for taking the time to download this document. You could use it as a basis for writing your own murder mystery, but it is really designed to enable you to run our “Auction” plot.

Most of the information you need to put an Auction together is contained in the main document, for which you will have to pay. Before you do that, check that your software and hardware are compatible with ours by printing out this whole document.

♡ WHAT IS IN THIS SECTION?

❥ A summary of how our murder mystery works

❥ An invitation to send once you know who will be attending. (This tells everyone which character you want them to be.)

❥ A list of all the character parts

❥ A copy of the antique dealers’ magazine “Yesterday’s News”, which gives guests some background on the plot.

❥ A booking form

♡ WHAT IS INCLUDED WHEN YOU ACTUALLY BUY IT?

❥ Character sheets, one for each guest

❥ A chart which shows how to allocate the character parts

❥ A step-by-step guide on how to run the game

❥ Paper money

❥ All the other essential paper props: Wills, Birth Certificates, Pathologist’s Reports, etc.

❥ The solution!

♡ HOW DOES THE AUCTION WORK?

Designed for groups of 12-40 people, the Auction lasts from 2 to 4 hours and works particularly well over dinner. One person will need to act as coordinator, responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly and that guests receive all the information they need. Everyone is given a character in the plot, with the coordinator assuming the role of a lawyer. One of the guests will be the murderer. If people play the game well, they will have more than enough information to identify the murderer. Nothing is as it seems, however, and every character will also have objectives of their own to pursue. These will sidetrack them into making deals, bribing people, and getting involved in plenty of fun and games along the way.

As proceedings draw to a close, everyone will be given the opportunity to make their accusations, before the correct solution is revealed and the murderer is unmasked.

♡ WHO HAS TAKEN PART IN THE AUCTION BEFORE?

We have been running the Auction for ten years in the UK. Hundreds of companies have booked it, and a list of satisfied customers is provided on our sister company’s website. This is the first time it has become available in a form you can run, without us being there to help you. Please do not think, however, that you can just download the game and let it run itself. By getting it at a fraction of the price that we usually sell it for, your coordinator will obviously have to put in some work to make it a real success.

We make our living running games like these. If you want us to organize it all for you, please let us know and we will tell you what we charge.

You are cordially invited to take part in a murder mystery called “The Auction.”

Following the tragic death of Baroness Audry from Munchen, her famous artifacts are being sold to the highest bidder. We would welcome your presence at this auction and to the reading of her will. This will take place:

Please let me know if you are unable to come as your part may have to be reallocated.

GUEST LIST FOR THE AUCTION OF THE VON MUNCHEN RELICS

❥ F.F Farr: The Baroness’s lawyer, and also a personal friend for many years. Freddie will decide who inherits the money raised by the auction.

❥ Cardinal Bowden: Once the Baroness’s local priest, the Cardinal is here on behalf of the Vatican. Rumor suggests that he may be the next Pope.

❥ Glenda Goodheart: Still an assistant librarian at the age of thirty-four, Glenda must be here out of curiosity as she surely can’t afford to buy anything.

❥ John Dunn: President of CONS (Care of Newborns Society): a charity which looks after unwanted children from rich backgrounds. It seems CONS will inherit most of Audry’s fortune.

❥ Sir John Bates: A wealthy banker and good friend of the Baroness. Sir John is expected to bid highly in the auction.

❥ Jay da Silva: A rich South American, Jay often travels to Britain on business, and used to visit Audry von Munchen regularly.

❥ Simmie Shade: T.J.’s adopted child, Simmie used to be quite a tearaway but, at the age of thirty, has now settled into a promising career in home security.

❥ Inspector Clu d’Eau: The detective, who is investigating the death of the Baroness, has never get over the embarrassment of having such a silly name.

❥ Jeeves: The Baroness’s long-suffering butler, Jeeves will be attending the auction as a mark of respect for his late employer.

❥ Alison Williams: Alison owns a small shop in a neighboring village. She is unlikely to be able to afford anything here.

❥ Linda Lovelace: The Baroness’s maid for the past three years. She is out of a job now, as well as being heavily pregnant.

❥ Lionel Big: The owner of “Wartime Antiques”, Lionel has a most unpleasant manner. He is T.J. Shade’s main business rival.

❥ J.J. Sly: This surly, aggressive man is not known in the antiques trade, and no one can think of a reason why he should be at the auction.

❥ Ari Salom: A money-lender of a great repute. It is always wise to make repayments to Salom Enterprises on time…

❥ Pat Gaffney: This Irish property owner is in the money and is rumored to be the new owner of Audry’s estate. Pat’s strong accent and sense of humor add life to any party.

❥ Sterling Saunders: An entrepreneur from Soho whose millions were made from the proceeds of an unusual publication called “LOVE”…

❥ T.J. Shade: Shade runs the famous Shady Regalia Antiques shop in London, which specializes in military artifacts.

❥ Father O’Leary: Now the local priest, who took over from Cardinal Bowden twenty-five years ago. He conducted private services for the Baroness regularly.

❥ John Doe: After spending several years in South America John is now a journalist for Yesterday’s News, the magazine for antique dealers.

❥ Ginger Bloomfield: An antiques dealer from London, Ginger has an eye for a bargain, and is looking for one at the auction.

❥ Sue Bromley: A young and promising archaeologist who was on the expedition with the Baroness when the artifacts were discovered.

❥ Lady Miriam Bates: Sir John’s charming wife, Lady Miriam looks down on all those she believes lack her wealth and breeding.

❥ Sam Snoop: Wherever there’s money, you will also find the gutter press. Sam is the News of the People’s foremost “investigator journalist.”

❥ Kim Chapman: Chapman is here on behalf of Lloyds Insurance, which is offering a £20,000 reward for the return of the missing brooch.

❥ Ringwald Crump: Crump is a talented but struggling artist whose main role model is Vincent Van Gogh.

❥ A.B. Burns: Recruited by Freddie Farr to run the auction, A.B. has worked for the family firm of Burns, Burns & Burns for many years.

❥ Elsie Earnapenny: A keen member of her local girl guides group, Elsie is often seen raising money for good causes.

❥ Dan, the gardener: Dan has been Audry’s gardener for the last fifteen years. A cheerful old soul, he is very proud of his cabbages, raspberries and parsnips.

❥ Jeff Williamson: Jeff is a local lad whose mischievous nature frequently gets him into trouble with the police.

❥ Ann Smith: Ann guarded the relics for the Baroness when they were abroad. She is responsible for ensuring no one tries to steal or damage them at the auction.

❥ Jules Bond: Bond doesn’t talk much about work, except to say that it involves plenty of travel and meeting new people.

❥ Mrs. Muhammed: Here on behalf of the Turkish government, Mrs. Muhammed believes the relics are the property of her country and should not be auctioned at all.

❥ Solo Humarn: Solo works for a national newspaper in Israel and is here to do a follow-up, after reporting on the original discovery of the relics.

❥ Satsumo Mitsuyo: Despite a shaky grasp of language, Satsumo is keen to come away from the auction with at least one genuine artifact.

❥ Karla Herbflauer: A student who comes from Eastern Europe, Karla is here to see for herself the wonderful treasures Audry found on her expedition.

❥ Jack Chancer: An international businessman, Jack takes an interest in many different money-making schemes. It’s no surprise to see him where so much wealth is gathered.

❥ Feng Caratacas: Feng is a mercenary and political activist who offers a service “you would kill for.”

❥ Dennis Short: Nicknamed “Dodgy Den”, Mr. Short is never short of bargains to sell and unpleasant stories to spread.

❥ Arshaad Kaghi: The leader of an extremist religious sect, Arshaad objects strongly to the selling of “stolen holy relics.”

❥ G.D. Lettemov: An entrepreneur from the Central Asian Republic of Krackastan, famed for its exotic teas and dangerous roads.

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

BARONESS DEAD! POLICE SUSPECT FOUL PLAY

Baroness Audry von Munchen died in very peculiar circumstances last week. Police revealed today that the Baroness was found dead in her bed by her maid, Miss Linda Lovelace, at breakfast one morning. An enquiry into the death has been set up and is being led by Inspector Clu d’Eau – a bumbling idiot who, it has been suggested, could not organize a drinks party in a brewery. It is believed the Baroness did not die from natural causes, and the police are already describing the incident as a “suspicious death.”

AUCTION OF THE YEAR

Following the death of the Baroness Audry von Munchen, three glorious relics are to be auctioned.

A fourth relic, the “Brooch of Salaar”, was stolen on the night that she died. Her lawyer, Freddie Farr, has put up a reward of thirty thousand pounds for information leading to the arrest of the murderer. Additionally, the insurance brokers, Lloyds of London, are offering a twenty thousand pound reward for the return of the missing brooch. The auction is expected to attract interest from a wide variety of people, including at least one Cardinal and plenty of antique dealers.

The relics have recently been exhibited in the Middle and Far East. They date from the first Crusade of 1099, from a battle against Salaar, Sultan of the Turkish armies at that time. The Crusaders were victorious, and went on to sack Jerusalem, and found the Christian kingdom of Antioch.

The von Munchen Relics:

THE CROSS OF UNITY

The Cross was given to the Crusaders by Pope Urban II to bring them together under the banner of Christianity. Its value is not certain, but should prove to be in excess of one hundred thousand pounds.

Π THE JAPANESE SWORD

A magnificent find, there is a legend attached to this weapon. It once belonged to an aide to the Emperor of Japan. After a breach of Bushido, the Samurai code, the aide was banished from Japan. He then fought as a mercenary for the Crusaders.

Z THE CROWN OF SALAAR

Salaar, Sultan of the Seljuk Turks, died in battle, wearing this crown. It was unearthed at a dig on the battleground site.

Z THE BROOCH OF SALAAR

The Brooch is believed to have belonged to Salaar. As it has gone missing, it will only be sold at the auction if someone returns it.

OBITUARY: BARONESS AUDRY VON MUNCHEN

The Baroness died at the age of sixty-seven after leading a most extraordinary life. She moved to England from Germany in the 1940s, and soon became known as an accomplished historian and archaeologist. Her fame in the antiques world was accentuated last year after her extremely successful expedition to the Middle East, where she discovered and excavated the site of the most famous battle of the First Crusade in 1099 A.D.

The Baroness did once marry, but it is believed her husband died very soon after her marriage. She rarely talked about him. There are no known heirs to her fortune, and it is believed that all the money raised by the sale of her relics will go to her favorite charity, CONS (the Care of Newborns Society).

On behalf of us all at Yesterday’s News, may I say that she will bee sorely missed.

By John Doe