The Girls of the Genziana Hotel [ashcan]
A downloadable mystery rpg
She only left behind a bloodstained stocking...
The Girls of the Genziana Hotel is a roleplaying game about chambermaids investigating the disappearance of one of their own: Marga, the boyish girl with the wild curls. It is the nineteenth century and all the girls work at the Genziana, an alpine hotel at the edge of the German territories. The Napoleonic wars have come to an end and Germany is changing—but you don't care about that, you just need to know what happened to her.
During the day, the girls will have to balance their work as maids and the investigation. During the night, they will brave the dark hallways into which their friend has disappeared. The girls will deal with the strict head of staff, the entitled guests, the rest of the employees, and, eventually, the person responsible for Marga's fate.
You might be into this game if you are into murder mysteries and gothic horror stories. As young women and maids, the girls are at the bottom of the patriarchal hierarchy of the hotel, but this game is about subverting that position by working together. So if you're into female rebellion, this is also for you.
This game is Powered by the Apocalypse, getting some of its best parts from Night Witches and The Warren.
This game is also Carved from Brindlewood, and uses its mystery system to facilitate player-driven investigation.
Ashcan out now.
An ashcan is like early access. The game has gone through preliminary playtesting and is ready to go. Art, layout, and even some of the rules will be updated in the time for the official release.
As the game is finished, going through more tests, its price will also increase. Anyone who buys the ashcan will also receive the full game, but you can grab all the play materials for free.
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Listen to the playlist to get in the mood:
Updated | 20 days ago |
Status | In development |
Category | Physical game |
Rating | Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars (7 total ratings) |
Author | Hendrik ten Napel |
Tags | carved-from-brindlewood, Horror, Indie, Mystery, PbtA, Tabletop role-playing game |
Average session | A few hours |
Languages | English |
Purchase
In order to download this mystery rpg you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $4 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Community Copies
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Download demo
Development log
- Play online using the character keeper20 days ago
- Next step in the ashcan43 days ago
- Twiligh phase description corrected56 days ago
- Quotes and Paint the Scene Questions78 days ago
- Four new Dreams80 days ago
- More on resolving the mystery and some changes to moves83 days ago
- Some small changes86 days ago
- Export error fixed87 days ago
Comments
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I've not even finished reading the book, and this looks like a masterful synthesis of a ton of disparate PbtA ideas: not only Carved from Brindlewood stuff, but also (my beloved!!) Night Witches, a Stress track, and an inspired take on something akin to a Darkest Self from Monsterhearts. You've made something really brilliant here! I hope I can get it to the table someday <3
I did want to note a pair of minor errors I spotted:
O, especially that last one is an error I'd rather correct sooner than later! Thanks.
Those are such lovely words to read this Friday morning. I really appreciatie you taking the time to tell me, and I, of course, also hope you can get to play the game!
This sounds really cool!
Thank you!
Very very excited for this!
Thanks! I'd love to hear your thoughts once the ashcan hits the web