Early Twentieth Century
Murder Mysteries
Inspired by historical figures from Bellingham’s past — though the story, events, and dialogue are purely fictional.
Beneath the veneer of prosperity, tensions simmered. Business partnerships dissolved in bitter rivalries, secret deals were struck in smoke-filled backrooms, and more than one prominent citizen harbored dark secrets that could destroy reputations – or lives. It was in this atmosphere of ambition and dangerous secrets that tragedy would strike…
This immersive murder mystery experience takes place in the historic setting of early 1900s Bellingham at the Roeder residence. Guests will investigate clues, question suspects, and work to solve the mystery before the evening concludes.
A sharp-witted writer and cultural advocate who serves as the artistic conscience in a world of industrial moguls. This character wields words as weapons, reading people better than they realize and using poetic insight to cut through pretense and reveal uncomfortable truths.
Arrive in character, but feel free to ask any questions about the game to the host. Here are some character attributes to help you get into character:
During the introductions phase, give this introduction about yourself. Feel free to paraphrase, but don't stray from the core concepts:
Split into small groups and spread this gossip about the other character that are not in earshot:
I've heard the Banker has been quietly buying up waterfront properties under false names, possibly to corner the market before some big announcement.
Workers at the cannery whisper that the Cannery Executive has been cutting corners on safety to boost profits — there was an accident last month they tried to cover up.
The Landowner has been seen meeting with a lawyer from Seattle — supposedly about challenging some old timber claims that could affect several people's properties.
People say the Lumberman has been illegally cutting timber on disputed land, and there's a federal investigation brewing that could ruin them.
The Magnate's copper mine investments are failing — I heard they've been borrowing heavily to cover losses and might be facing bankruptcy.
The Partner seems unusually worried lately — I've seen them arguing with their spouse about business matters, saying some dealings have 'gone too far.'
The Railroad Baron has been spotted meeting with out-of-town investors — word is they're planning to bypass Fairhaven entirely and build a competing rail line.
Ask each person a question about where they were on the night of the murder:
Your financial dealings seem rather... creative. Do they make good material for satire?
The workers' stories I hear from your cannery would make tragic poetry. Care to comment?
Your family's connection to the land inspires beautiful verse. How do you preserve it?
The environmental cost of logging provides rich metaphors. Do you see the irony?
Power and corruption make compelling themes. Any personal experience you'd share?
Your charitable mask is admirable, but what truths hide beneath such gracious appearances?
The railroad cuts through everything — landscape, communities, relationships. Poetic, isn't it?
Answers to give:
Innocent: Poetry and finance rarely intersect, though both deal in the currency of human nature.
Guilty: The Magnate discovered my articles exposing their corruption were funded by rival businesses. I couldn't let them reveal my bias.
Innocent: Art should illuminate truth, including the dignity of honest labor and fair treatment of workers.
Guilty: They threatened to silence my exposé of working conditions by cutting funding to literary publications.
Innocent: The tension between tradition and progress provides endless inspiration for those who observe carefully.
Guilty: The Magnate was going to destroy the historic sites that inspire my best work. I had to preserve them.
Innocent: Environmental themes in poetry reflect legitimate concerns about our relationship with the natural world.
Guilty: They planned to suppress my articles about illegal logging by threatening my publisher with lawsuits.
Innocent: Great literature has always examined the corrupting influence of power and wealth on the human soul.
Guilty: You threatened to destroy my reputation unless I stopped writing about industrial corruption. I chose truth over safety.
Innocent: Behind every public figure lies a private story worth examining with both compassion and honesty.
Guilty: The Magnate was going to expose how I've been embellishing stories to make industrial leaders look worse.
Innocent: Transportation brings both connection and disruption — fertile ground for literary exploration of human progress.
Guilty: They were going to reveal that my 'investigative journalism' was actually paid propaganda from competing rail companies.
Questions to ask:
Your financial dealings seem rather... creative. Do they make good material for satire?
The workers' stories I hear from your cannery would make tragic poetry. Care to comment?
Your family's connection to the land inspires beautiful verse. How do you preserve it?
The environmental cost of logging provides rich metaphors. Do you see the irony?
Power and corruption make compelling themes. Any personal experience you'd share?
Your charitable mask is admirable, but what truths hide beneath such gracious appearances?
The railroad cuts through everything — landscape, communities, relationships. Poetic, isn't it?
Answers to give:
Innocent: Poetry and finance rarely intersect, though both deal in the currency of human nature.
Guilty: The Magnate discovered my articles exposing their corruption were funded by rival businesses. I couldn't let them reveal my bias.
Innocent: Art should illuminate truth, including the dignity of honest labor and fair treatment of workers.
Guilty: They threatened to silence my exposé of working conditions by cutting funding to literary publications.
Innocent: The tension between tradition and progress provides endless inspiration for those who observe carefully.
Guilty: The Magnate was going to destroy the historic sites that inspire my best work. I had to preserve them.
Innocent: Environmental themes in poetry reflect legitimate concerns about our relationship with the natural world.
Guilty: They planned to suppress my articles about illegal logging by threatening my publisher with lawsuits.
Innocent: Great literature has always examined the corrupting influence of power and wealth on the human soul.
Guilty: You threatened to destroy my reputation unless I stopped writing about industrial corruption. I chose truth over safety.
Innocent: Behind every public figure lies a private story worth examining with both compassion and honesty.
Guilty: The Magnate was going to expose how I've been embellishing stories to make industrial leaders look worse.
Innocent: Transportation brings both connection and disruption — fertile ground for literary exploration of human progress.
Guilty: They were going to reveal that my 'investigative journalism' was actually paid propaganda from competing rail companies.
Talk amongst yourselves to try and gather theories. This is unstructured time.
Once you have your theory, vote.
If called upon, give your final statement:
Innocent: Words are my weapons, not poison. I've dedicated my life to truth through art and literature. While I may have written critically about industrial excess, I would never resort to murder. My pen is mightier than any sword.
Guilty: I confess with poetic justice — I killed the Magnate. They threatened to silence my voice and destroy the truth I've worked to expose. When corruption tries to murder free speech, sometimes speech must murder corruption first.