A downloadable mystery rpg

Get this mystery rpg and 313 more for $10.00 USD
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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
StatusIn development
CategoryPhysical game
Rating
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
(7 total ratings)
AuthorHendrik ten Napel
Tagscarved-from-brindlewood, Horror, Indie, Mystery, PbtA, Tabletop role-playing game
Average sessionA few hours
LanguagesEnglish

Purchase

Get this mystery rpg and 313 more for $10.00 USD
View bundle
Buy Now$4.00 USD or more

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:

The Girls of the Genziana Hotel v0.8-ashcan.pdf 3.1 MB

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Download demo

Download
Girl Character Sheet v1.9.pdf 81 kB
Download
Mistress Handouts v1.5.pdf 220 kB
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Grief Moves v1.2.pdf 51 kB
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Dreams v1.2.pdf 64 kB

Development log

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Comments

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(+1)

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

(+1)

I did want to note a pair of minor errors I spotted:

  • p.21, "To start toe conversation" should probably be "the conversation"
  • p.21, the Twilight Phase is mentioned as being "after breakfast," seemingly repeated from the Dawn Phase
(+1)

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!

(+1)

This sounds really cool!

Thank you!

(+1)

Very very excited for this!

Thanks! I'd love to hear your thoughts once the ashcan hits the web