secrets_hostguide_printable - A Murder Among Us

HOST GUIDE

Thanks for choosing A Murder Among Us – The Secrets of Valley View!
As host, you have the special task of setting up the scenario and helping players with any questions they may run into. If you’re playing along, great – there are no spoilers here!
We’ve done our best to make the setup as simple as possible, but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I. PRE-PLANNING
II. QR CODE SETUP
III. STARTING THE MURDER MYSTERY
IV. INTERMISSION
V. END
VI. QUESTIONS PLAYERS MAY ASK
VII. WALKTHROUGH

I. PRE-PLANNING

In order to play you’re gonna need to invite some people over, and those people are gonna need to know what’s going on. They’ll also need to choose a character type. For The Secrets of Valley View, they can play as either an Athlete, an Art Student, a Troublemaker, or a Nerd.

There can be more than one of each type of character, but there must be *at least* one of each type.
This is because some character types will have access to information in the QR Clues that others do not.
If you’re playing as well, you’ll need to choose a character, too!

You can copy and send the following link:
PLAYER INSTRUCTIONS – THE SECRETS OF VALLEY VIEW to players.
(A printable version of the Player Instructions can be found by following the link as well.)
The Player Guide gives an introduction to the story and the four types of characters, as well as a general idea of what to expect.
As host, it’s your responsibility to make sure players choose a character type, and that at least one of each type is chosen.
Our QR codes will paint a vivid picture of the setting, Principal Roy’s home, but feel free to add any additional decorations as you see fit. When we host Murder Mystery parties with our friends, we always pick some thematic music to go along with our game, and provide a place for people to bring snacks/drinks. It’s your mystery though, so you get to choose what all goes along with the game!

II. QR CODE SETUP

The Secrets of Valley View PDF you received will contain 13 QR codes (not including the one for Host Instructions) that you’ll need to cut out and place around the room. If you opted for the Flavor Pack, you’ll have an additional 10 QR codes, totaling 23.

Each QR code will have a number followed by a name.
On the right you’ll also find the number and name, followed by a recommendation on where to place the object in your space.

Cut out the QR code portion, and tape it where it belongs in the room.

Once you’ve placed them all, you’re done with the setup!
NOTE: The QR Clues should be placed in plain sight, they should not be hidden from players.
While our murder mysteries can be setup in a single room, you’re encouraged to use as much space as you’d like!

Each QR code will prompt the scanner to select either PHASE I or PHASE II, followed by their character type, meaning each QR code contains 8 unique perspectives, totaling 104 for the standard mystery, and 184 with the flavor pack!

III. STARTING THE MURDER MYSTERY

Once all QR codes are placed and your guests have arrived, it’s time to start the Murder Mystery!
You’ll need to go over the rules and guidelines with everyone, but it’s all pretty straightforward:

Players will use their phones to scan the various QR codes placed around the room. Players can and should scan the QR codes in any order. However, this does not mean the QR codes can be solved in any order. Rather, it’s important to fan out and get an idea of what each QR code gives/needs and share the information with each other so that players can start making the necessary connections.

Players will need to work together in order to collect all of the information necessary to solve the puzzles, but they don’t have to (and shouldn’t) move as a single group. Players can explore in small groups, teams of two, or even individually – just so long as they share the information they collect with everyone else.

Upon scanning, players will need to select the correct phase – PHASE I or PHASE II.
PHASE I takes place up until the intermission.
PHASE II takes place after the intermission.
Once the phase is selected, players will need to select their CHARACTER TYPE.

Remember, the information gained from a QR code by one character type might be different than what is gained by a different character type.

TIP: Good note-taking will greatly enhance players’ chances of success!

Easy, right?
Once everyone is clear on how to play, read aloud the following prologue:

It’s been 10 years since you graduated from Valley View High. It was Principal Carlton Roy’s first year as principal, and you were his first graduating class! Principal Roy is known for hosting all sorts of events in his home, and he was quick to insist that your reunion be hosted here as well. Although uninvited, a troubling storm has been brewing since the early afternoon, getting worse by the hour, and several guests have needed to cancel as a result. You, the intrepid soul you are, have braved the storm and are delighted to arrive at the Principal’s home at the same time as a few of your old classmates. You recognize them instantly: the athlete, the art student, the troublemaker, and the nerd.

Thunder roars from above and heavy rain begins to pour. Together, your party enters the home of Principal Roy. Expecting champagne and some fancy finger foods, you’re instead confronted with a scene most disturbing. Principal Roy lies dead on the floor, a terrible headwound spilling his blood onto the floor. He’s surrounded by several members of faculty, all with horrified looks on their faces. The Coach, the Vice Principal, the Art Teacher, the Math Teacher, and the Counselor. These are the only other guests to have made it through the storm, and these are the last people to have seen Principal Roy alive. One of them must know what happened. One of them must have committed this dreadful murder. All of them are suspects.

The police are called, and you’re instructed to sequester the suspects into a separate room while they send out a unit to your location. You corral them all into the Principal’s bedroom and lock the door. A crash of thunder shakes the house, the lights all flicker and lightning flashes in the ever darkening sky outside. You look around at the scene before you, at the dead body of Principal Roy, and at the faces of your former classmates. If you can solve this mystery, it’ll be a reunion for the yearbooks!

Before starting, have your players introduce themselves if they haven’t done so already. It’s important to know who’s who in this game!

Once everyone is ready, they may begin!
Eventually, your players will reach a point instructing them to notify the HOST that they’ve reached the INTERMISSION.

IV. INTERMISSION

Once the INTERMISSION has been reached, everyone can take a break if they’d like. The mystery will only thicken from this point!
Once everyone is ready to continue, please read the following:

As you open the briefcase, a sharp bolt of lightning crackles in the distance, and as a thunderous drum bellows throughout the house the power goes out and you’re cast into darkness! A petrifying scream erupts from the Principal’s bedroom. You and your fellow classmates burst open the door to investigate, only to find the newly-deceased corpse of Vice Principal Alden lying in a pool of blood on the floor. A broken lamp lies stained with blood a few inches away.

Thunder booms continuously outside, its incessant drum only outpaced by the beating of your own heart.
The situation is dire. There is no telling when the police might arrive.
There is no escape, the murderer must be revealed!

Players, from here on you will need to select PHASE II when scanning QR codes.

You may now begin PHASE II of the Secrets of Valley View.

V. END

The host doesn’t have to do anything here! At the end of Phase II, players will be prompted to identify the murderer.
If they get it correct, they win!
If not… well, that’s up to you.

VI. QUESTIONS PLAYERS MAY ASK

How do I scan QR codes?
Open the camera on your smartphone and point it at a QR code, then click the link that’s displayed. Alternatively, you can download a free QR Code Scanning app.

Can’t I just cheat by selecting whatever character I want after scanning?
Sure, you could do that, but that would be cheating, and it’d ruin the fun for everyone.

How come my friend has access to information that I don’t?
Your friend is likely a different character type, and different character types see different things. The Athlete might see the simpler side of things, while the Nerd might be able to glean more technical info. In the end, it takes all four types to solve the mystery.

What’s the best way to beat my friends at this game?
Actually, it’s not about beating your friends. This is a cooperative murder mystery, you’ll need to work with your friends if you want to win!

VII. WALKTHROUGH

Just in case you get stuck, a full walkthrough of the Secrets of Valley View as well as the final solution can be found here:

THE SECRETS OF VALLEY VIEW WALKTHROUGH