if the host is impartial, how does the planned murder go down without the host knowing who the murderer is?
The first murder is planned out. For example our Four Deuces game, the planned victim is Don Ravioli. When he has completed his tasks he will let the host know. At that time the host will turn out the lights (or if in daylight tell everyone to close their eyes) make sure a gunshot sound is heard (popping a balloon works well) and then cut on the light. At this time the Don is laying 'dead'.
As the host you set up the circumstances that allows the planned murder to occur, but you still do not know who committed this murder. The person that is the murderer knows they are the murderer, but they do not actually do anything to bring it about.
What happens when you do not have an impartial host and someone commits a non-planned murder (like by poisoning somone)? Who do they tell? Is the murder then responsible of making sure the body is found?
The host can play a character, but they still have game duties. One of these is making sure bodies are found when any other murders are comitted. The host also needs to know who did these killings for many reasons. They need to make sure someone doesn't get out of hand, they need to know at the end in case someone guesses the killer of other murders. The host cannot be completely impartial. This is a murder mystery party and someone has to have control over what is happening. You will still be able to play a character and try to solve the original murder, which is more than most murder mystery games allow. Most of them don't allow hosts to play characters as they have too many duties. It is impossible to throw a murder mystery party without a host.
Hope this helps.
Mary Lee
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Dinner and a Murder Mystery Games
For murder, intrigue, extortion & back stabbing with no scripts to read!
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