Similar to the party game of Werewolf, Murderer or Mafia, the objective is to find the Killer and execute him or her to prevent them from continuing their murderous rampage. The Game Master of the next round is whoever the Killer is in the current one. For new players, please join the Serial Killer usergroup and turn news notifications on to see announcements easier and be up-to-date with what's going on.
Part 1 - Preparation:
Before the game starts, everyone who wants to join will need to send a PM to the Game Master (GM) of the current round. The message doesn't have to include anything specific unless stated by the GM, but it should be obvious you are looking to join the game.
Part 2 - Dishing out the roles:
The Killer role is randomly determined first. The method is decided by the GM, whether it's using a list randomiser on a website or pulling names out of a hat. After a player is aware of their role as a Killer, they then choose another player(s) to help them as a Lawyer/Sleeper Agent. Once this has been done all the other roles are then randomly appointed, once again using whatever method the GM would like to use. More details on roles in the "Roles of the Game" section.
Part 3 - Murder Phase:
A round is made of multiple cycles. It begins with the Killer choosing who they want to murder. The Killer, Medic, Spy, and Lawyer roles activate durring this phase. Once a valid murder target has been selected an announcement will be made that someone has been murdered and the Spy and Lawyer role abilities will resolve.
Soon after the now deceased player will post in the thread detailing their death and mention if they had a role or not. Another announcement will be made on who died and voting for who everyone thinks committed the murder will begin.
Part 4 - Voting Phase:
All living players may vote by sending a PM indicating their target to the current GM. All participants have TWO DAYS to cast their votes. Multiple PMs can be sent as long as the two day time limit hasn't been reached but only the last sent vote will be tallied. If votes do not reach 65% in participation, the Killer will be spared, and a random player who didn't vote will be killed off instead.
The Arbiter, Priest, and Trickster abilities are activated during this phase.
Once voting is complete yet another announcement is made and the votes will be tallied. The person with the highest number of votes will be PMed that they have been executed and are expected to write a death post. Arbiter and Priest roles resolve at this time. If the Killer was executed the round ends. If the Killer is execute the current round ends. If not...
Part 5 - Rinse and Repeat:
After the execution death post, an announcement is made for the next cycle to begin and the Killer is able to murder another player, and so on. If the Killer is a new player who does not feel ready to be GM in the following round, or will not have the time to act as GM in the near future, he should feel free to opt out of becoming the GM. In this case, a volunteer will take their place.
Part 1 - Preparation:
Before the game starts, everyone who wants to join will need to send a PM to the Game Master (GM) of the current round. The message doesn't have to include anything specific unless stated by the GM, but it should be obvious you are looking to join the game.
Part 2 - Dishing out the roles:
The Killer role is randomly determined first. The method is decided by the GM, whether it's using a list randomiser on a website or pulling names out of a hat. After a player is aware of their role as a Killer, they then choose another player(s) to help them as a Lawyer/Sleeper Agent. Once this has been done all the other roles are then randomly appointed, once again using whatever method the GM would like to use. More details on roles in the "Roles of the Game" section.
Part 3 - Murder Phase:
A round is made of multiple cycles. It begins with the Killer choosing who they want to murder. The Killer, Medic, Spy, and Lawyer roles activate durring this phase. Once a valid murder target has been selected an announcement will be made that someone has been murdered and the Spy and Lawyer role abilities will resolve.
Soon after the now deceased player will post in the thread detailing their death and mention if they had a role or not. Another announcement will be made on who died and voting for who everyone thinks committed the murder will begin.
Part 4 - Voting Phase:
All living players may vote by sending a PM indicating their target to the current GM. All participants have TWO DAYS to cast their votes. Multiple PMs can be sent as long as the two day time limit hasn't been reached but only the last sent vote will be tallied. If votes do not reach 65% in participation, the Killer will be spared, and a random player who didn't vote will be killed off instead.
The Arbiter, Priest, and Trickster abilities are activated during this phase.
Once voting is complete yet another announcement is made and the votes will be tallied. The person with the highest number of votes will be PMed that they have been executed and are expected to write a death post. Arbiter and Priest roles resolve at this time. If the Killer was executed the round ends. If the Killer is execute the current round ends. If not...
Part 5 - Rinse and Repeat:
After the execution death post, an announcement is made for the next cycle to begin and the Killer is able to murder another player, and so on. If the Killer is a new player who does not feel ready to be GM in the following round, or will not have the time to act as GM in the near future, he should feel free to opt out of becoming the GM. In this case, a volunteer will take their place.
There are up to nine roles in this round of Serial Killer: the Killer
, the Medic
, the Spy
, the Arbiter
, the Priest
, the Lawyer
, the Trickster
, and the Doppelganger
/Slepper Agent
[HEADING=3]The Killer[/HEADING]
This is the primary focus of the game. The Killer PMs the GM who they wish to kill at the beginning of each cycle. He or she is still allowed to vote in executions and they can also be 'saved' by the Medic. Eliminating the Killer by execution or the use of the Arbiter ends the round.
[HEADING=3]The Medic[/HEADING]
The Medic has the power to save players from the Killer and gets a certain number of saves depending on the number of players in total.
>24 players = Five saves
20-24 players = Four saves
15-19 players = Three saves
10-14 players = Two saves
<10 players = One save
At the beginning of each cycle the Medic chooses who they wish to save by PMing a list of the appropriate usernames to the GM. They cannot save the same person twice in a row nor can they target themselves.
When someone is saved by the Medic, a public announcement will be made that this has happened. The identity and any role the saved person had will be shared with the Medic.
>24 players = Five saves
20-24 players = Four saves
15-19 players = Three saves
10-14 players = Two saves
<10 players = One save
At the beginning of each cycle the Medic chooses who they wish to save by PMing a list of the appropriate usernames to the GM. They cannot save the same person twice in a row nor can they target themselves.
When someone is saved by the Medic, a public announcement will be made that this has happened. The identity and any role the saved person had will be shared with the Medic.
[HEADING=3]The Spy[/HEADING]
The Spy is allowed to PM the GM up to three "yes or no" questions about the Killer's profile throughout the course of the game to attempt to determine their identity.
Example: "Does the Killer have a letter 'a' in their username?"
IF YES: The GM replies with a list of everyone who does have a letter 'a' in their username.
IF NO: The GM replies with a list of everyone who does not have a letter 'a' in their username.
A question is answered immediately after someone has been murdered as long as the Spy is not the one murdered.
The Spy is free to distribute the information however they wish - be it in full view of the public, in private, or otherwise until they are murdered or executed. Upon the GM messaging the Spy that they have been murdered or executed they can no longer inform any players of the questions asked, and their answers or who they have narrowed the possible suspects down to. This is extended to revealing the gathered information in the Spy's death post. If the Spy divulges any information in death, either true, untrue, or to confirm will result in the Killer getting two free kills, and each time there after will have as escalated punishment.
This ability can only be used every other cycle.
Example: "Does the Killer have a letter 'a' in their username?"
IF YES: The GM replies with a list of everyone who does have a letter 'a' in their username.
IF NO: The GM replies with a list of everyone who does not have a letter 'a' in their username.
A question is answered immediately after someone has been murdered as long as the Spy is not the one murdered.
The Spy is free to distribute the information however they wish - be it in full view of the public, in private, or otherwise until they are murdered or executed. Upon the GM messaging the Spy that they have been murdered or executed they can no longer inform any players of the questions asked, and their answers or who they have narrowed the possible suspects down to. This is extended to revealing the gathered information in the Spy's death post. If the Spy divulges any information in death, either true, untrue, or to confirm will result in the Killer getting two free kills, and each time there after will have as escalated punishment.
This ability can only be used every other cycle.
[HEADING=3]
The Arbiter[/HEADING]
This role has the power to instantly execute one other player without the need of a vote. The Arbiter may decide during the voting phase to include a name of someone they would like executed along with their vote. If after tallying votes both the Arbiter and the chosen target are alive, the Arbiter's ability is activated - the Arbiter sacrifices themselves to immediately execute their chosen target. If either the Arbiter or their target are not alive by the end of tallying votes this ability is not activated. People executed by the Arbiter are ineligible for revival by the Priest.
An arbiter who uses their ability and whoever is killed by it do not have to write a death post (although they are still encouraged to). This ability must be used before the seventh cycle of the game.
The Arbiter[/HEADING]
An arbiter who uses their ability and whoever is killed by it do not have to write a death post (although they are still encouraged to). This ability must be used before the seventh cycle of the game.
[HEADING=3]The Priest[/HEADING]
The Priest has the power to sacrifice themselves to resurrect someone who was murdered in a previous cycle. Those that have been executed are ineligible for revival by the Priest. When someone is resurrected everyone in the round becomes aware of any role that the resurrected player may have.
To activate their ability they may decide during the voting phase to include a name of someone they would like revived along with their vote. If after tallying votes the Priest is still alive, the Priest's ability is activated - the Priest sacrifices themselves to immediately revive their chosen target. If the Priest is not alive by the end of tallying votes this ability is not activated. This revived person is immune to being murdered in the cycle immediately following their revival.
A Priest who uses their ability does not have to write a death post (although they are still encouraged to). Whoever is revived by it does not have to write a second deathpost.
To activate their ability they may decide during the voting phase to include a name of someone they would like revived along with their vote. If after tallying votes the Priest is still alive, the Priest's ability is activated - the Priest sacrifices themselves to immediately revive their chosen target. If the Priest is not alive by the end of tallying votes this ability is not activated. This revived person is immune to being murdered in the cycle immediately following their revival.
A Priest who uses their ability does not have to write a death post (although they are still encouraged to). Whoever is revived by it does not have to write a second deathpost.
[HEADING=3]The Lawyer[/HEADING]
The Lawyer is the Killer's right-hand man/woman and its their job to gather intel for their murderous employer. Unlikely most roles the Lawyer is chosen by the Killer before the other roles are assigned. The identity of the Killer will only be revealed after the player accepts the role, otherwise the Killer must choose another player.
The Lawyer may ask the GM whether or not any individual has a role (yes or no question, without specifics). The question can be asked every cycle (5 times total), and if the Lawyer is killed then any information gained from the GM cannot be shared publicly, or privately if it hasn't been shared already. Sharing information in the death post is not allowed. Breaking of this rule will result in another role getting two free picks at an execution without the need of a vote. As with the Spy further breaking of this rule will result in escalated punishment.
This ability does not have to be used every cycle and entirely controlled by the Lawyer, not Killer.
The Lawyer may ask the GM whether or not any individual has a role (yes or no question, without specifics). The question can be asked every cycle (5 times total), and if the Lawyer is killed then any information gained from the GM cannot be shared publicly, or privately if it hasn't been shared already. Sharing information in the death post is not allowed. Breaking of this rule will result in another role getting two free picks at an execution without the need of a vote. As with the Spy further breaking of this rule will result in escalated punishment.
This ability does not have to be used every cycle and entirely controlled by the Lawyer, not Killer.
[HEADING=3]The Trickster[/HEADING]
Dying isn't much fun but the Trickster role allows then those no longer among the living to still cause mayhem. A player is awarded this role upon their death regardless of what caused it or any previous roles they may have had. If a player is revived they lose this role until they die again.
Once per game, during the voting phase a Trickster may designate two living players - one they would like to deduct a vote from and one they'd like to add a vote to. If their target for deduction has no votes this ability fails to activate and the Trickster is free to attempt to use this ability during another cycle.
To compensate for getting killed round one, the first person to be murdered gets the alternative role of α-Trickster and ability to swap the vote tally between two targets once per game. This ability can be used regardless of the tally total of either player. If a player is revived and killed again they receive a standard Trickster role upon their second death.
If multiple Tricksters would reduce a player's tally to 0 the abilities will activate in the order of when the Trickster roles were obtained. When a target of any Trickster is executed the execution announcement will indicate a Trickster was involved but not which Trickster or how many.
Once per game, during the voting phase a Trickster may designate two living players - one they would like to deduct a vote from and one they'd like to add a vote to. If their target for deduction has no votes this ability fails to activate and the Trickster is free to attempt to use this ability during another cycle.
To compensate for getting killed round one, the first person to be murdered gets the alternative role of α-Trickster and ability to swap the vote tally between two targets once per game. This ability can be used regardless of the tally total of either player. If a player is revived and killed again they receive a standard Trickster role upon their second death.
If multiple Tricksters would reduce a player's tally to 0 the abilities will activate in the order of when the Trickster roles were obtained. When a target of any Trickster is executed the execution announcement will indicate a Trickster was involved but not which Trickster or how many.
At the beginning of the round any number of the following roles may be assigned. Only the Killer is told by the GM which if any of the optional roles will be active this round.
[HEADING=3]The Doppelganger[/HEADING]
The role of the dopelganger is to misdirect and confuse the Spy from locating the Killer. The Doppelganger is aligned with the Killer but unlike the Lawyer they are assigned by the GM like other roles. As long as the Doppelganger is alive the GM replies to any answered Spy questions as if the Doppelganger was also the Killer.
Example:
If the Spy asked the question "Is the Killer an American?" and the Killer was American and the Doppelganger was British the GM would provide a list of both Americans and non-Americans. If the same question was asked and both the Killer and Doppelganger were Americans, the GM would provide a list of only Americans.
Example:
If the Spy asked the question "Is the Killer an American?" and the Killer was American and the Doppelganger was British the GM would provide a list of both Americans and non-Americans. If the same question was asked and both the Killer and Doppelganger were Americans, the GM would provide a list of only Americans.
[HEADING=3]The Sleeper Agent[/HEADING]
The Sleeper Agent role is meant to confuse and misdirect the survivors. The Sleeper Agent is chosen by the Killer in the same way as the Lawyer however whoever receives the Sleeper Agent role is not made aware of their role until their death. The Killer and/or Lawyer may approach the Sleeper Agent to side with them but the Sleeper Agent is under no obligation to join them.
If the player is murdered by the Killer at any point, the Killer may include with his killing PM a role they would like the Sleeper Agent to mimic. While informing the player of their death, the GM also tells them they were the Sleeper Agent and the role which they are to mimic. The player's death post must reveal them as the chosen role and all GM announcements will indicate they were the chosen role. Their true role as a Sleeper Agent will only be revealed at the end of the entire round.
If the Sleeper Agent is killed in any other way (either by execution or the Arbiter ability) the GM reveals to the player they were a Sleeper Agent. The player's death post and GM announcements indicate the player was the Sleeper Agent.
If the Sleeper Agent is ever revived and killed again (either by execution or being murdered) the role revealed upon their first death is maintained upon their second death.
If the player is murdered by the Killer at any point, the Killer may include with his killing PM a role they would like the Sleeper Agent to mimic. While informing the player of their death, the GM also tells them they were the Sleeper Agent and the role which they are to mimic. The player's death post must reveal them as the chosen role and all GM announcements will indicate they were the chosen role. Their true role as a Sleeper Agent will only be revealed at the end of the entire round.
If the Sleeper Agent is killed in any other way (either by execution or the Arbiter ability) the GM reveals to the player they were a Sleeper Agent. The player's death post and GM announcements indicate the player was the Sleeper Agent.
If the Sleeper Agent is ever revived and killed again (either by execution or being murdered) the role revealed upon their first death is maintained upon their second death.
After the Killer PMs the GM on who their victim is for the current cycle or once voting has been decided, the GM messages who will die. Once this has been done, the player (murdered or executed) has 48 hours to post their death or recruit someone else to write it in the case of bad Internet, a family emergency or another legitimate reason.
An amazing piece of literature is not necessary, but some level of effort is expect in your death post.
Dead players are still able to interact with others the same way when alive. They can still chat, give their own suspicions and such but are not allowed to provide any evidence. A dead Spy, Lawyer, or Medic should refrain from sharing additional information obtained from their role while alive even to other dead players. Dying awards a player the Trickster role and allows them to continue to influence the executions each round.
At the end of the round depending on the GM and the amount of entries, there may also be a Death Post award highlighting those deaths that the participants enjoyed the most. The GM also gets to choose one themselves.
An amazing piece of literature is not necessary, but some level of effort is expect in your death post.
Dead players are still able to interact with others the same way when alive. They can still chat, give their own suspicions and such but are not allowed to provide any evidence. A dead Spy, Lawyer, or Medic should refrain from sharing additional information obtained from their role while alive even to other dead players. Dying awards a player the Trickster role and allows them to continue to influence the executions each round.
At the end of the round depending on the GM and the amount of entries, there may also be a Death Post award highlighting those deaths that the participants enjoyed the most. The GM also gets to choose one themselves.
Anyone can leave the game at any point for whatever reason. If the Killer forfeits, this is will immediately end the round. If a player with a role leaves, their role will pass on to a random alive player (their role's availability remains the same). None of this counts as a murder nor execution so the round essentially carries on as normal. A player who does this does not have to write a death post but can if they want to. The GM can end the game whenever they wish also.
When a player fails to vote within the full 48 hour voting time in 3 cycles in a row, said player will be kicked from the game. If they had a role, it will be passed on to a random, alive player. This also does not count as an execution or murder.
Spreading a screencap of a PM such as the GM giving a role or a message from a user mentioning they are the Killer are allowed. However, fake messages are a possibility so be wary.
When a player fails to vote within the full 48 hour voting time in 3 cycles in a row, said player will be kicked from the game. If they had a role, it will be passed on to a random, alive player. This also does not count as an execution or murder.
Spreading a screencap of a PM such as the GM giving a role or a message from a user mentioning they are the Killer are allowed. However, fake messages are a possibility so be wary.
-Strength in numbers! The key to survival is to keep your friends close, so creating alliances would be advised.
-Be wary of betrayal! Even though this might be contradicting the previous point, don't be surprised if the friends you kept close turned out to be enemies.
-Image alteration is a thing! When someone "proves" they are to be trusted because of a screencap they gave, think again.
-Have fun! In the end, this is just a game. Don't take dying in it personally.
-Be wary of betrayal! Even though this might be contradicting the previous point, don't be surprised if the friends you kept close turned out to be enemies.
-Image alteration is a thing! When someone "proves" they are to be trusted because of a screencap they gave, think again.
-Have fun! In the end, this is just a game. Don't take dying in it personally.
