EXAMPLE FLOWCHART

The following flowchart shows the question/answer/action flows for Round 1 of "The Pungent Pumpkin Poisoner"

ROUND 1 - THE PUNGENT PUMPKIN POISONER

For maximum excitement and dramatic effect in merrymurder games, some items have to be performed in a certain order.  Instructions to ensure this happens have been written into the games.  For instance in Round 1 you will find the following question (5th item down in the red flow above):

So the Investigator would not ask this until Mavis has told about her previous jobs.

However if alcohol is flowing, people might miss their cues.  Having the flowchart to hand means that you can prompt people should they need it.

Also, to split the game into more manageable sections, the flowchart, investigator questions and character responses are all colour coded.  The above question is the fifth item on the red section of the flowchart.  The question therefore has a red border.  And if you were to look at Gigi's response in her character booklet, you would find her response is also encased with a red border.

This means that when the red flow begins, those investigators and suspects with red bordered items are forewarned that their turn to speak will be coming soon and they can watch out for their cue.  Likewise those players without red bordered items can sit back and concentrate on what is being revealed without having to worry that they might be about to miss their cue.

The first item in each coloured flow asks the player to announce that that particular coloured flow is starting.

If you print the files in black and white you can still use the colour coding as all items have the name of their colour printed in the right hand margin.

The flowcharts are an invaluable tool to ensure that your party goes smoothly.  As far as I am aware merrymurder games are the only ones that provide you with this safeguard.  If you want to know more, please download the free version of "The Pungent Pumpkin Poisoner" and take a look in more detail.