Townsfolk
Chef
You start knowing how many pairs of evil players there are.
This evening's reservations seem odd. Never before has Mrs. Mayweather kept company with that scamp from Hudson Lane. Yet, tonight, they have a table for two. Strange.
"You start knowing how many pairs of evil players there are." The Chef knows if evil players are sitting next to each other. On the first night, the Chef learns exactly how many pairs of evil players there are in total. A pair is two players, but one player may be a part of two pairs. So, two players sitting next to each other is one pair. Three players sitting next to each other is two pairs. Four players sitting next to each other is three pairs. And so on. The Chef detects evil Travellers just like other character types, but only if those Travellers joined the game before the Chef acts.
How to Run
- During the first night, wake the Chef. Show the Chef fingers (0, 1, 2, etc.) equaling the number of pairs of neighboring evil players. Put the Chef to sleep.
Townsfolk
Empath
Each night, you learn how many of your 2 alive neighbors are evil.
My skin prickles. Something is not right here. I can feel it.
"Each night, you learn how many of your 2 alive neighbors are evil." The Empath keeps learning if their living neighbours are good or evil. The Empath only learns how many of their neighbours are evil, not which one is evil. The Empath does not detect dead players. So, if the Empath is sitting next to a dead player, they do not get info about that dead player. Instead, they get info about the closest alive player in that direction. The Empath acts after the Demon, so if the Demon kills one of the Empath's alive neighbours, the Empath does not learn about the now-dead player. The Empath's information is accurate at dawn, not at dusk.
How to Run
- Each night, wake the Empath. Show them fingers (0, 1, or 2) equaling the number of evil players neighbouring the Empath. Put the Empath to sleep.
Townsfolk
Balloonist
Each night, you learn a player of a different character type than last night. [+0 or +1 Outsider]
More heat! Higher! Higher! Più alto! Ahhh... it is so beautiful from up here, don't you agree? Can you see the children fishing by the river, under the willow? Can you see the glint of the sun on the circus tent-poles? What's this? An old man, alone, passed out in the vineyard? Less heat! Lower! Lower! Vai più in basso!
"Each night, you learn a player of a different character type than last night. [+0 or +1 Outsider]" The Balloonist learns players of different character types. Each time the Balloonist learns a player, the player must have a different character type to the previously shown player. The Balloonist does not learn the character type of the player they learn. The shown player can be alive or dead. The shown player can be good or evil. If the Balloonist is drunk or poisoned, they may learn a character of the same type as the previously shown player. When the Balloonist becomes sober and healthy, they must learn a player of a different character type to the previously shown player. During setup, the Storyteller may choose to add an Outsider due to the Balloonist’s ability.
How to Run
- During setup, you may add an Outsider.
- When preparing the first night, mark any player with the KNOW reminder. When preparing each night afterwards, mark a character of a different type than the current with the KNOW reminder.
- Each night, wake the Balloonist. Point to the player marked KNOW. Put the Balloonist to sleep.
Townsfolk
Seamstress
Once per game, at night, choose 2 players (not yourself): you learn if they are the same alignment.
Did you hear that stranger in the cashmere coat put the word on our young Belle? And she said yes? Well, that's nothing compared to what Harry and that juggler got up to at the fair! The things I could say if I was a tattletale... my, yes.
"Once per game, at night, choose 2 players (not yourself): you learn if they are the same alignment." The Seamstress learns whether 2 players are on the same team as each other. They only get this information once per game, so they had best choose wisely when and who. They may choose alive or dead players or even Travellers.
How to Run
- Each night, wake the Seamstress. They either shake their head no or point at any two players except themself.
- If they shake their head no, nothing happens. Put the Seamstress to sleep.
- If they point at two players, either nod your head yes (to indicate these players have the same alignment) or shake your head no (to indicate these players do not have the same alignment). Put the Seamstress to sleep. The Seamstress loses their ability - mark them with the NO ABILITY reminder and remove their night token from the night sheet.
Townsfolk
Artist
Once per game, during the day, privately ask the Storyteller any yes/no question.
Mon Dieu! C'est lumineux! My work, she is... how you say... Magnifique! Dieu est révélé! Oui.
"Once per game, during the day, privately ask the Storyteller any yes/no question." The Artist may ask any 1 question, and get an honest answer. The question may deal with anything at all, phrased in any way they want. The Storyteller honestly answers “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t know.” It is up to the Artist to talk with the Storyteller, not the other way around. This isn’t a public conversation, and the group can’t listen in. It’s private.
How to Run
- During any day, the Artist can request a private chat with you. Take them away from the circle so you cannot be overheard. They will ask you a question. Whisper “Yes,” “No,” or “I don’t know,” to them, or if you cannot answer in one of these ways, prompt the Artist to ask again in a different way. The Artist loses their ability - mark them with the NO ABILITY reminder.
Examples & Notes
- Like the Savant, evil players bluffing as the Artist may request a private chat with you and pretend to ask a question. To help them bluff, you can pretend to give an answer by nodding or shaking your head.
Townsfolk
Slayer
Once per game, during the day, publicly choose a player: if they are the Demon, they die.
Die.
"Once per game, during the day, publicly choose a player: if they are the Demon, they die." The Slayer can kill the Demon by guessing who they are. The Slayer can choose to use their ability at any time during the day, and must declare to everyone when they're using it. If the Slayer chooses the Demon, the Demon dies immediately. Otherwise, nothing happens. The players do not learn the identity of the dead player. After all, it may have been the Recluse! A Slayer that uses their ability while poisoned or drunk may not use it again. The Slayer will want to choose an alive player. Even if the Slayer chooses a dead Imp, nothing happens, because a dead player can't die again. Players may say whatever they want at any time, so a player who's pretending to be the Slayer may pretend to use the Slayer ability.
How to Run
- During the day, the Slayer can declare that they wish to use their ability. If so, the Slayer points at any player. If the chosen player is an alive Demon, declare that the chosen player dies—put a shroud on their character token in the Grimoire. If the chosen player is not an alive Demon, say "Nothing happens." Either way, the Slayer loses their ability—put the Slayer's NO ABILITY reminder token by the Slayer token.
- If a player is bluffing as the Slayer and declares they wish to use their ability, act as if they were indeed the Slayer—allow time for discussion, let them make the decision, and act like you're fiddling with tokens in your Grimoire, then say "Nothing happens."
- When the Slayer declares that they wish to use their ability, give the group a minute or two to discuss who the Slayer should choose. This allows the group to feel responsible for the win (or the loss!), but the Slayer always makes the final choice.
Outsider
Drunk
You do not know you are the Drunk. You think you are a Townsfolk character, but you are not.
I’m only a hic social drinker, my dear. Admittedly, I am a heavy burp socializer.
"You do not know you are the Drunk. You think you are a Townsfolk character, but you are not." The Drunk player thinks that they are a Townsfolk, and has no idea that they are actually the Drunk. During setup, the Drunk's token does not go in the bag. Instead, a Townsfolk character token goes in the bag, and the player who draws that token is secretly the Drunk for the whole game. The Storyteller knows. The player does not. The Drunk has no ability. Whenever their Townsfolk ability would affect the game in some way, it doesn't. However, the Storyteller pretends that the player is the Townsfolk they think they are. If that character would wake at night, the Drunk wakes to act as if they are that Townsfolk. If that Townsfolk would gain information, the Storyteller may give them false information instead—and the Storyteller is encouraged to do so.
How to Run
- While setting up the game, before putting character tokens in the bag, remove the Drunk token and add a Townsfolk character token. Add the Drunk's IS THE DRUNK reminder token to the Grimoire. Put the swapped Townsfolk character token in the bag, not the Drunk character token.
- While preparing the first night, put the Drunk's IS THE DRUNK reminder token by any Townsfolk character token, changing that player's character to the Drunk. They are now an Outsider, and do not have the ability of this Townsfolk character. (But they think they do.)
- During the game, act as if the Drunk is actually this Townsfolk character. (If that character would wake to act at night, the Drunk wakes to act. If their ability would give them information, you can give false information to them if you wish. See "Drunkenness and Poisoning" in the rulebook.)
Outsider
Recluse
You might register as evil & as a Minion or Demon, even if dead.
Garn git ya darn grub ya mitts ofma lorn yasee. Grr. Natsy pikkins yonder southwise ye begittin afta ya! Git! Me harvy no so widda licks and demmons no be fightin' hadsup ne'er ma kin. Git, assay!
"You might register as evil & as a Minion or Demon, even if dead." The Recluse might appear to be an evil character, but is actually good. Whenever the Recluse's alignment is detected, the Storyteller chooses whether the Recluse registers as good or evil. Whenever the Recluse is targeted by an ability that affects specific Minions or Demons, the Storyteller chooses whether the Recluse registers as that specific Minion or Demon. The Recluse may register as either good or evil, or as an Outsider, Minion, or Demon, at different parts of the same night. The Storyteller chooses whatever is most interesting. A Recluse that registers as a particular Minion or Demon does not have this character's ability. For example, a Recluse that registers as a Poisoner does not wake at night and cannot poison a player.
How to Run
- Each time the Recluse is targeted by an ability that detects or affects evil characters, choose which character and alignment the Recluse registers as. (Do whatever is appropriate, such as showing an evil character token, nodding, giving finger signals, or allowing an ability to work that would normally only affect evil, Minion, or Demon players.)
Minion
Wizard
Once per game, choose to make a wish. If granted, it might have a price & leave a clue as to its nature.
Every man and every woman is a star. Love is the law, love under will.
"Once per game, choose to make a wish. If granted, it might have a price & leave a clue as to its nature." The Wizard makes a wish. This wish is limited only by the player’s imagination. It can be anything at all. The Wizard can write their wish on their phone and wake at night to show the Storyteller, or talk with the Storyteller in private during the day. The Wizard could even make a wish publicly if they are feeling foolish. If the Storyteller tells the group that the Wizard has made a wish, they need not do so immediately, and can do so at any point later on. Many wishes have a price. The price changes the game in some way, or changes the wish in some way. It can be anything at all, and is decided by the Storyteller. The Storyteller may or may not tell the Wizard what the price is. The purpose of the price is to rebalance a wish that is unfair for the good team on a mechanical level. Many wishes leave a clue. The clue can be anything at all, is decided by the Storyteller, and is declared publicly. The purpose of a clue is to rebalance a wish that is unfair to the good team on an informational level. When the Wizard dies, the wish may or may not still be in effect, depending on the nature of the wish and the nature of the price. If the Wizard makes a wish that the Storyteller doesn’t understand, or feels like it would be impossible to implement, the Storyteller may ask the Wizard to wish again, or cancel the wish.
How to Run
- When the Wizard makes a wish, either verbally or via text, decide whether to accept or decline the wish. If the wish is declined, prompt the Wizard to wish again, or tell them that they have no more wishes.
- If the wish is granted, say “Your wish is granted.” or “Your wish is my command”, or nod, or otherwise signal that their wish is accepted. Now or later, you may make a price: make whatever mechanical adjustments to the game you feel are necessary for the wish to be balanced. Now or later, you may declare publicly that the Wizard has made a wish, then give the good team a clue about what was wished.
Examples & Notes
- Storytelling the Wizard can be tricky. The Wizard is the most fun for everybody when all wishes are granted, all wishes leave a clue, and all wishes have a price. However...
- If you feel that by granting a wish, the evil team has benefitted a small amount but the good team still has all they need to figure out who the Demon is and to win the game, you may apply no clue and no price. You may even skip telling the good team that the Wizard has made a wish, or tell them but give no clue.
- If you feel that by granting the wish, the good team is at a severe disadvantage in terms of balance - the game rules have changed so that it is impossible for the good team to win even if they learn who the Demon is - then change the game rules or change the wish so that it is still fair for the good team.
- If you feel that by granting the wish, the good team is at a severe disadvantage in terms of knowledge - they lack the needed information to reasonably win the game - then give them a helpful clue to find out what the wish was.
- If you feel that the wish is so extreme and convoluted that you can think of no clue or price to balance it, or that it would just make the game unfun, then decline the wish completely.
- Overall, the wish should tip the scales in favour of the Wizard, but still allow the good team a reasonable chance of winning. Take your time in deciding how to do this.
Minion
Boffin
The Demon (even if drunk or poisoned) has a not-in-play good character’s ability. You both know which.
Stellar hydrogen, vast, inert; carbon, oxygen, neon gases, all ruined. Molecular chaos, entropy, yields new cosmic phenomena, rebirth from atomic chaos, dense matter collapsing. All in a teeny little bottle.
"The Demon (even if drunk or poisoned) has a not-in-play good character's ability. You both know which." The Boffin replicates a good ability. While the Boffin is alive, the Demon has a single Townsfolk ability or Outsider ability. If the Demon is drunk or poisoned, the Demon keeps this good ability. If the Boffin is drunk or poisoned, the Demon temporarily loses this good ability. If the Demon dies and has an ability that functions while dead, such as the Sweetheart, the Demon keeps this ability. If a new Demon is created, such as via a Scarlet Woman or a Barber, this new Demon has an ability from the Boffin. This ability may be different to the previous Demon's ability. If there are multiple Demons alive, only one alive Demon has an ability from the Boffin. If the Demon has an ability that modifies the setup, such as a Choirboy, these changes are made during setup, as normal. Both the Demon and the Boffin learn which good ability the Demon has. The Storyteller may wake these players independently, or together. The not-in-play character may be 1 of the Demon's 3 bluffs. The Demon also wakes at night at the time that the good character would normally wake.
How to Run
- While setting up the game, before putting character tokens in the bag, make any changes that are indicated in brackets on the Demon's two character abilities. Afterwards, place this second character token by the Demon character token.
- During the 1st night, wake the Boffin and the Demon. Show the THIS CHARACTER SELECTED YOU info token, then the Boffin token, then the good character token. Place this second character token by the Demon character token.
- Treat the Demon player as if they had this character ability, as well as their own Demon ability.
Examples & Notes
- Good abilities that would drunk/poison themselves, such as the Sailor, only drunk/poison the Demon's good ability.
Demon
Riot
On day 3, Minions become Riot & nominees die but nominate an alive player immediately. This must happen.
Larga vida a la revolución! Mi revolucion!
"On day 3, Minions become Riot & nominees die but nominate an alive player immediately. This must happen." Riot kills everybody in a panic. On the 3rd day, each player that is nominated dies immediately. Even though they are dead, they nominate again. The player that was nominated must nominate again immediately or lose their chance to do so. The Storyteller counts down “3... 2... 1...” to let the player know how long they have to nominate, should they wish to. If they don’t, the Storyteller nominates instead. The good team wins if all Riot players are dead. If the last Riot dies and only two players are alive, they do not nominate, and the good team wins. If nobody nominates on the 3rd day, the Storyteller makes the 1st nomination instead. Minions may change into Riot as the nomination phase begins on the 3rd day.
How to Run
- On the 1st day, add the DAY 1 reminder to the Grimoire. On the 2nd day, add the DAY 2 reminder to the Grimoire. On the 3rd day, add the DAY 3 reminder to the Grimoire.
- On the 3rd night, wake each Minion. Show the YOU ARE info token, then the Riot token, then put each Minion to sleep. Either now, or later during the 3rd day, replace all Minion tokens with Riot tokens.
- During the 3rd day, each time a player is nominated, they die. Declare that they are dead, and add a shroud immediately. Tell them to nominate again and publicly count down “3... 2... 1...” After they nominate, repeat this process until all Riot are dead, or just 2 players are alive. Declare which team has won.
- If the players do not nominate at all on the 3rd day, or if a nominated player does not nominate before their time runs out, nominate a player – they die and must then nominate again.