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 to help them as a Lawyer. 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 - Cycle Start:
A round is made of multiple cycles. It begins with the Killer choosing who they want to murder and the Medic choosing who they want to save. Provided the Killer chose to kill someone who isn't on the Medic's list of people to save, an announcement will be made that someone has been murdered.
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 - Cycle Vote:
The game's voting has a strictly enforced time limit. All participants have TWO DAYS at absolute most to cast their votes. 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.
Players who think they are not able to vote in time for future cycles are allowed to PM a list of players to the GM. The player who is on top of the list is who the vote will be for, if that player is dead it would go to the next person and so on.
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 soon they will write their death post in a manner of an execution instead of a murder. If the Killer was executed the round ends. But if the Killer did not get executed...
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 to help them as a Lawyer. 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 - Cycle Start:
A round is made of multiple cycles. It begins with the Killer choosing who they want to murder and the Medic choosing who they want to save. Provided the Killer chose to kill someone who isn't on the Medic's list of people to save, an announcement will be made that someone has been murdered.
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 - Cycle Vote:
The game's voting has a strictly enforced time limit. All participants have TWO DAYS at absolute most to cast their votes. 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.
Players who think they are not able to vote in time for future cycles are allowed to PM a list of players to the GM. The player who is on top of the list is who the vote will be for, if that player is dead it would go to the next person and so on.
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 soon they will write their death post in a manner of an execution instead of a murder. If the Killer was executed the round ends. But if the Killer did not get executed...
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 eight roles in Serial Killer:
The Killer
The Medic
The Spy
The Arbiter
The Priest
The Entwined
The Lawyer
The Trickster
The Necromancer
<spoiler=The Necromancer>[HEADING=2]The Necromancer[/HEADING]
The Necromancer (New Role) is similar to the Holy Spirit, for they may revive anyone who was executed by the players / murdered by the Homunculus. However, they cannot revive someone if they were killed by the Soul Reaper. Unlike the Holy Spirit that is killed when reviving someone, the Necromancer does not die. Instead, he or she can control the role said player had for one cycle only. For example, if the Necromancer revives the Soul Reaper- they may kill any player but carry the cons of a Soul Reaper too such as dying as a result. If the Necromancer revives the Vessel, he or she may ask the GM a question for that cycle only.
Once the Necromancer uses that person's ability, an announcement will be made and the Necromancer loses his / her power but will remain alive. If the Necromancer is killed by execution or murdered by the Homunculus before activating their power, they lose their power even if revived by the Holy Spirit. The Necromancer cannot use their power during cycle 1, but may do so any cycle afterwards. The person the Necromancer revived does not get their role back either.
The Killer
The Medic
The Spy
The Arbiter
The Priest
The Entwined
The Lawyer
The Trickster
The Necromancer
[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.
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
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, other than that it's fair game.
When someone is saved by the Medic, an announcement should be made that this has happened. The saved player is PMed by the GM that they were the ones who were targeted.
If the Medic saves the Killer's target, then they live to vote another day. The Killer, however, is free to pick a new victim, regardless of whether they are on the Medic's list for the current cycle. The Medic cannot save themselves.
This ability must be used every cycle while the Killer choosing their target.
>24 players = Five saves
20-24 players = Four saves
15-19 players = Three saves
10-14 players = Two saves
<10 players = One save
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, other than that it's fair game.
When someone is saved by the Medic, an announcement should be made that this has happened. The saved player is PMed by the GM that they were the ones who were targeted.
If the Medic saves the Killer's target, then they live to vote another day. The Killer, however, is free to pick a new victim, regardless of whether they are on the Medic's list for the current cycle. The Medic cannot save themselves.
This ability must be used every cycle while the Killer choosing their target.
[HEADING=3]The Spy[/HEADING]
The Spy is allowed to PM the GM up to three "yes or no" questions about the Killer's user 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.
This is to give a suspect list that the Spy can easily work on.
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.
A question is answered only when the Killer and the Medic have activated their roles. It will not be answered if the Spy is the Killer's target and is not saved by the Medic.
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 or untrue will result in penalisation.
This ability can only be used every other cycle while the Killer choosing their target.
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.
This is to give a suspect list that the Spy can easily work on.
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.
A question is answered only when the Killer and the Medic have activated their roles. It will not be answered if the Spy is the Killer's target and is not saved by the Medic.
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 or untrue will result in penalisation.
This ability can only be used every other cycle while the Killer choosing their target.
[HEADING=3]The Arbiter[/HEADING]
This role has the power to instantly kill one other player without the need of a vote. No player is immune to this role's ability, even if chosen by the Medic to be saved. People executed by the Arbiter are ineligible for revival by the Priest.
An arbiter can still use their ability after being revived by a Priest if they haven't used it yet. Whoever is killed by this ability do not have to write a death post (although they still can), same with the Arbiter themselves.
This ability can be used at any point in the game. More on this in the "Game Master's Decision" section.
An arbiter can still use their ability after being revived by a Priest if they haven't used it yet. Whoever is killed by this ability do not have to write a death post (although they still can), same with the Arbiter themselves.
This ability can be used at any point in the game. More on this in the "Game Master's Decision" section.
[HEADING=3]The Priest[/HEADING]
Has the power to sacrifice themselves to resurrect someone who was murdered in a previous cycle.
A revived player is immune to being murdered by the Killer as well as the Arbiter. This immunity ends after the next cycle's execution happens.
A Priest who uses their ability does not have to write a death post (although they still can). Whoever is revived by it does not have to write a second one.
This ability can be used at any point in the game. More on this in the "Game Master's Decision" section.
A revived player is immune to being murdered by the Killer as well as the Arbiter. This immunity ends after the next cycle's execution happens.
A Priest who uses their ability does not have to write a death post (although they still can). Whoever is revived by it does not have to write a second one.
This ability can be used at any point in the game. More on this in the "Game Master's Decision" section.
[HEADING=3]The Lawyer[/HEADING]
The Lawyer is the only other player who wants the Killer to succeed. Essentially they work for the Killer as an anti-role role.
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 once 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 penalisation.
This ability does not have to be used every cycle and entirely controlled by the Lawyer, not the Killer.
The Lawyer is chosen by the Killer before all the other roles. Only if the player accepts the Killer's offer will the identity of the Killer be revealed to them. If the offer is refused, 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 once 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 penalisation.
This ability does not have to be used every cycle and entirely controlled by the Lawyer, not the Killer.
The Lawyer is chosen by the Killer before all the other roles. Only if the player accepts the Killer's offer will the identity of the Killer be revealed to them. If the offer is refused, the Killer must choose another player.
[HEADING=2]The Trickster[/HEADING]
Dying isn't much fun for anyone, but the Trickster role allows those who are no longer among the living to still cause harmony or 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.
The first person to be murdered gets the alternative role of α-Trickster and ability to swap the vote tally between two living players 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.
After the votes from all living players have been tallied, modifiers from Tricksters are applied sequentially in the order the players became a Trickster. If a target for deduction has no votes this ability fails to activate and the player is free to attempt to use this ability during another cycle. When a target of any Trickster is executed the execution announcement will indicate Trickster was involved but not which Trickster or how many.
Once there are 10 or fewer living players at the beginning of a voting phase each Trickster deduction/addition will count as only half a vote.
The first person to be murdered gets the alternative role of α-Trickster and ability to swap the vote tally between two living players 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.
After the votes from all living players have been tallied, modifiers from Tricksters are applied sequentially in the order the players became a Trickster. If a target for deduction has no votes this ability fails to activate and the player is free to attempt to use this ability during another cycle. When a target of any Trickster is executed the execution announcement will indicate Trickster was involved but not which Trickster or how many.
Once there are 10 or fewer living players at the beginning of a voting phase each Trickster deduction/addition will count as only half a vote.
[HEADING=3]The Entwined[/HEADING]
This role is given to two players when there is an odd number of total players in the round. The Entwined share a special bond that gives them extra strengths and weaknesses. Once assigned, the GM informs each of the identity of their partner. As long as both Entwined vote for the same target, their pair of votes will count as 3 rather than 2.
However when one of the Entwined dies for whatever reason, the other automatically shares the same fate. They are both able to be revived by the Priest at once but their bond still applies after resurrection. If only one is chosen to be saved by the Medic the other is still vulnerable. If the unsaved Entwined individual is murdered the saved one still dies.
Upon the death of an Entwined, the GM informs both of their fate. Only one is required to post a deathpost but collaboration between both is encouraged.
However when one of the Entwined dies for whatever reason, the other automatically shares the same fate. They are both able to be revived by the Priest at once but their bond still applies after resurrection. If only one is chosen to be saved by the Medic the other is still vulnerable. If the unsaved Entwined individual is murdered the saved one still dies.
Upon the death of an Entwined, the GM informs both of their fate. Only one is required to post a deathpost but collaboration between both is encouraged.
<spoiler=The Necromancer>[HEADING=2]The Necromancer[/HEADING]
Once the Necromancer uses that person's ability, an announcement will be made and the Necromancer loses his / her power but will remain alive. If the Necromancer is killed by execution or murdered by the Homunculus before activating their power, they lose their power even if revived by the Holy Spirit. The Necromancer cannot use their power during cycle 1, but may do so any cycle afterwards. The person the Necromancer revived does not get their role back either.
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.
If the number of total players changes from even to odd and vice versa the Entwined role will activate/deactivate accordingly.
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.
If the number of total players changes from even to odd and vice versa the Entwined role will activate/deactivate accordingly.
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.
This is a list of things that may be different depending on who is the GM at the time. It would be helpful if the current GM clarifies on these things before the game starts.
-The ability for players to recast their vote. Players may want to do this because either they voted before new information is revealed or if the Arbiter or Priest activate their ability during the voting process.
-What punishments are enforced. At any opportunity for the GM to penalise a player, they must decide what they will do.
-If any new rules are present, or any alterations of current ones. For the sake of saving time, it might be a good idea to list the changes at a separate section of the thread instead of altering text already written so that players do not have to reread everything.
-The ability for players to recast their vote. Players may want to do this because either they voted before new information is revealed or if the Arbiter or Priest activate their ability during the voting process.
-What punishments are enforced. At any opportunity for the GM to penalise a player, they must decide what they will do.
-If any new rules are present, or any alterations of current ones. For the sake of saving time, it might be a good idea to list the changes at a separate section of the thread instead of altering text already written so that players do not have to reread everything.
-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.
