The Saga of the Summoner

Almanac · Marelyn C · 12 characters

Notes

After a little playtesting, I've decided to release an entirely new version of my old script, The Saga of the Slayer, to reflect the fact that in 9 out of 10 scenarios (and in all playthroughs I've run of this script), the Slayer has done nothing and does not merit the title of the script. This script looks a bit wonky at first, but in the end, it's intended to be run in one of two ways: A Zombuul and a Spy work together, or the Summoner chooses between summoning a Zombuul or a Spy to be the other holder of Lil Monsta. Lil Monsta cannot be a possibility at the outset due to the mechanics of the script, but it's entirely up to you to clue your players in on that fact... There is no droisoning in this script. While this may seem like a bad idea, the puzzle of finding the Summoner--or ruling them out--is enough of a challenge without adding poison into the mix. The only disinformation is the Fortune Teller's red herring and the evil team's cunning. The only real edit I made was to remove Legion (a fun idea, but not quite as balanced as Lil Monsta, especially as a Summoner summon), and replace the Mastermind with the Spy (to ensure quicker gameplay.) Enjoy!

Townsfolk

Investigator

You start knowing that 1 of 2 players is a particular Minion.

It is a fine night for a stroll, wouldn't you say, Mister Morozov? Or should I say... BARON Morozov?

"You start knowing that 1 of 2 players is a particular Minion." The Investigator learns that a particular Minion character is in play, but not exactly which player it is. During the first night, the Investigator learns that one of two players is a specific Minion. They learn this only once and then learn nothing more.

How to Run

While preparing the first night, put the Investigator's MINION reminder token by any Minion character token, and put the Investigator's WRONG reminder token by any other character token.
During the first night, wake the Investigator and point to the players marked MINION and WRONG. Show the character token marked MINION to the Investigator. Put the Investigator to sleep. Remove the Investigator's reminder tokens when convenient.

Townsfolk

Washerwoman

You start knowing that 1 of 2 players is a particular Townsfolk.

Bloodstains on a dinner jacket? No, this is cooking sherry. How careless.

"You start knowing that 1 of 2 players is a particular Townsfolk." The Washerwoman learns that a specific Townsfolk is in play, but not who is playing them. During the first night, the Washerwoman is woken, shown two players, and learns the character of one of them. They learn this only once and then learn nothing more.

How to Run

While preparing the first night, put the Washerwoman's TOWNSFOLK reminder token by any Townsfolk character token, and put the Washerwoman's WRONG reminder token by any other character token.
During the first night, wake the Washerwoman and point to the players marked TOWNSFOLK and WRONG. Show the character token marked TOWNSFOLK to the Washerwoman. Put the Washerwoman to sleep. Remove the Washerwoman's reminder tokens when convenient.

Townsfolk

Fortune Teller

Each night, choose 2 players: you learn if either is a Demon. There is a good player that registers as a Demon to you.

I sense great evil in your soul! But... that could just be your perfume. I am allergic to Elderberry.

"Each night, choose 2 players: you learn if either is a Demon. There is a good player that registers as a Demon to you." The Fortune Teller detects who the Demon is, but sometimes thinks good players are Demons. Each night, the Fortune Teller chooses two players and learns if at least one of them is a Demon. They do not learn which of them is a Demon, just that one of them is. If neither is the Demon, they learn this instead. Unfortunately, one player, called the Red Herring, will register as a Demon to the Fortune Teller if chosen. The Red Herring is the same player throughout the entire game. This player may be any good player, even the Fortune Teller themself, and the Fortune Teller does not know which player it is. The Fortune Teller may choose any two players—alive or dead, or even themself. If they choose a dead Demon, then the Fortune Teller still receives a nod.

How to Run

While preparing the first night, put the Fortune Teller's RED HERRING reminder token by any good character token, marking that player as the Red Herring.
Each night, wake the Fortune Teller. The Fortune Teller points at any two players. If either chosen player is a Demon or the Red Herring, nod your head yes. Otherwise, shake your head no. Put the Fortune Teller to sleep.
In smaller games, making the Fortune Teller their own Red Herring is sometimes advised, as the Fortune Teller gets more information that way.

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.

Townsfolk

Soldier

You are safe from the Demon.

As David said to Goliath, as Theseus said to the Minotaur, as Arjuna said to Bhagadatta... No.

"You are safe from the Demon." The Soldier can not be killed by the Demon. The Soldier cannot die from the Demon's ability. So, if the Imp attacks the Soldier at night, nothing happens. Nobody dies. The Imp does not get to choose another player to attack instead. The Soldier can still die by execution, even if the nominator was the Demon. The Soldier is protected from the Demon's ability to kill, not the actions of the Demon player.

How to Run

During the night, if the Demon attacks the Soldier, the Soldier remains alive. (At dawn, declare that no one died at night.)
In other editions, Demons may have abilities other than killing. The Soldier is also protected from all other harmful effects of the Demon's ability, such as poisoning or turning the Soldier evil.

Townsfolk

Mayor

If only 3 players live & no execution occurs, your team wins. If you die at night, another player might die instead.

We must put our differences aside, and cease this senseless killing. We are all taxpayers after all. Well, most of us.

"If only 3 players live & no execution occurs, your team wins. If you die at night, another player might die instead." The Mayor can win by peaceful means on the final day. To survive, the Mayor sometimes "accidentally" gets someone else killed. If the Mayor is attacked and would die, the Storyteller may choose that a different player dies. Nobody learns how they died at night, just that they died. If there are just three players alive at the end of the day, and no execution occurred that day, then the game ends and good wins. Travellers count as players for the Mayor's victory, so must be exiled first. Remember that exiles are not executions. Fabled don't count as players for the Mayor's victory, as the Storyteller isn't a player. If the Demon attacks the Mayor, and the Storyteller instead chooses a dead player, the Soldier, or a player protected by the Monk, that player does not die tonight.

How to Run

During the night, if the Mayor would die, you choose if the Mayor actually dies, or if the Mayor remains alive and another character dies instead—put the Demon's DEAD reminder token by that character token instead of the Mayor, and put a shroud on that character token instead of the Mayor.
At dawn, declare that the player marked DEAD died at night. (Do not say how they died.)
At dusk, if exactly three players are alive and no player was executed today, declare that the game ends and good wins.

Examples & Notes

We recommend you keep the Mayor alive until the final day, since it is most fun for the players that way. On rare occasions, if the group is overwhelmingly convinced early in the game that the Mayor is the Mayor, let the Mayor die so that evil has a chance to win.
In TROUBLE BREWING, the Mayor’s phrase “your team wins” will always mean “good wins” because the Mayor is always good. In other editions, an evil Mayor means “evil wins” instead.

Outsider

Butler

Each night, choose a player (not yourself): tomorrow, you may only vote if they are voting too.

Yes, sir... No, sir... Certainly, sir.

"Each night, choose a player (not yourself): tomorrow, you may only vote if they are voting too." The Butler may only vote when their Master (another player) votes. Each night, the Butler chooses a player to be their Master. This may be the same player as last night or a different one. If the Master has their hand raised to vote, or if the Master's vote has already been counted, the Butler may raise their hand to vote. If the Master has their hand down, signaling that they are not voting, or if the Master lowers their hand before their vote is tallied, the Butler must lower their hand too. It is not the Storyteller's responsibility to monitor the Butler. They're responsible for their own voting. Deliberately voting when they shouldn't is considered cheating. Because exiles are never affected by abilities, the Butler can vote freely for an exile. Dead players may only raise their hand to vote if they have a vote token. If the Butler chooses a dead player as their Master, this still applies. The Butler is never forced to vote. The Butler's vote may be tallied by the Storyteller before or after their Master's. Seating position is not important.

How to Run

Each night, wake the Butler. They point at any player. Mark this player with the MASTER reminder token. Put the Butler to sleep.
During a nomination, the Butler may only have their hand raised to vote if the Master has their hand raised to vote or if the Master's vote has already been counted.
If the Butler accidentally votes illegally, tally the Butler's vote anyway. If you don't, the total will be less than it should be, and all players will know which player is the Butler, which is unfair for the evil team. Mistakes happen. Just play on and have a private chat later.

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

Spy

Each night, you see the Grimoire. You might register as good & as a Townsfolk or Outsider, even if dead.

Any brewmaster worth their liquor, knows no concoction pours trouble quicker, than one where spies seem double.

"Each night, you see the Grimoire. You might register as good & as a Townsfolk or Outsider, even if dead." The Spy might appear to be a good character, but is actually evil. They also see the Grimoire, so they know the characters (and status) of all players. If any character has an ability that would detect or affect a good player, then the Spy might register as good to that character. If any character has an ability that detects Townsfolk or Outsiders, then the Spy might register as a specific Townsfolk or Outsider to that player. It is the Storyteller's choice as to what the Spy registers as, even as many characters or both alignments during the same night. A Spy that registers as a particular Townsfolk or Outsider does not have this character's ability. For example, a Spy that registers as a Slayer cannot slay the Demon.

How to Run

Each night, wake the Spy and show them the Grimoire for as long as they need. Put the Spy to sleep.
Each time the Spy is targeted by an ability that detects or affects good characters, choose what character and alignment the Spy registers as. (Do whatever is appropriate, such as showing a good character token, nodding, giving finger signals, or allowing an ability to work that would normally only affect good, Townsfolk, or Outsider players.)
Remember to keep your Grimoire tidy and show it to the Spy in the correct orientation, so the Spy can easily see who is who.

Minion

Summoner

You get 3 bluffs. On the 3rd night, choose a player: they become an evil Demon of your choice. [No Demon]

Hail the guardians of the north; by my intellect, thou art cut. Hail the guardians of the east; by my will, thou art dominated. Hail the guardians of the south; by that which lies beyond, the mystery is revealed. Hail the guardians of the west; a shield in the darkness.

"You get 3 bluffs. On the 3rd night, choose a player: they become an evil Demon of your choice. [No Demon]" The Summoner creates a Demon. The Summoner may choose any player to become the Demon, even themselves. The new Demon does not learn which players are Minions, or vice versa. The evil players will need to talk amongst themselves to figure this out. Even though there is no Demon in play for two days, the game does not end. However, if the Summoner becomes unable to create a Demon (due to dying, becoming drunk on night 3 etc.) good wins. The newly created Demon acts on the same night that it is created.

How to Run

During the setup phase, remove the Demon and add a Townsfolk.
When preparing the first night, put the Summoner’s NIGHT 1 reminder by the Summoner. When preparing the second night, put the Summoner’s NIGHT 2 reminder by the Summoner. When preparing the third night, put the Summoner’s NIGHT 3 reminder by the Summoner.
During the first night, show the Summoner 3 not-in-play characters as bluffs.
During the night, if the Summoner has a NIGHT 3 reminder, wake the Summoner. They point at a player, and to a Demon icon on the character sheet. Put the Summoner to sleep. Wake the chosen player. Show the YOU ARE info token, then the Demon token. Show the YOU ARE info token, then give a thumbs down. Replace their character token with the Demon token and put the new Demon to sleep.

Demon

Lil' Monsta

Each night, Minions choose who babysits Lil' Monsta & "is the Demon". Each night*, a player might die. [+1 Minion]

Step 1: Be cute. Step 2: World domination. Step 3: Bweakfast.

"Each night, Minions choose who babysits Lil' Monsta & "is the Demon". Each night*, a player might die. [+1 Minion]" Lil’ Monsta isn’t a player, and is instead babysat by a Minion. Each night, all Minions wake together and decide amongst themselves who babysits the Lil’ Monsta. The Minions decide by pointing to a player, or otherwise make it obvious they have reached a decision. If they can not reach a unanimous decision, the Storyteller decides. If the Storyteller thinks it is funny, they may give this player the Lil’ Monsta token, which they will need to hide in a pocket, under their hat, or somewhere appropriate. Players may not request that others empty their pockets. The player with the Lil’ Monsta token “is the Demon”. Good wins if they die. They register as a Demon for characters like the Fortune Teller etc. If a good player babysits Lil’ Monsta, they “are the Demon” but they remain good. A dead player babysitting Lil’ Monsta ends the game because the Demon “is dead”. Minions babysitting Lil’ Monsta keep their Minion ability. Lil’ Monsta isn’t a player, so can’t be drunk or poisoned.

How to Run

During setup, remove Lil’ Monsta and add a Minion token. On the first night, skip the MINION INFO and DEMON INFO steps.
Each night, wake all Minions. The majority will (eventually) point to one player. If they can’t decide, choose a player. (Give this player the Lil’ Monsta token and wait for them to hide it, if you want!) Mark them with the IS THE DEMON reminder token. Put all Minions to sleep. Then, if it is not the first night, a player might die – mark them with a DEAD reminder and a shroud.
The player marked IS THE DEMON registers as the Demon. If they die, declare that the game is over and good has won.

Examples & Notes

You may need to kill a Minion or two at night using the Lil’ Monsta’s ability. On the final day, it would be unfair for the good team to have 2 or more Minions alive, since either Minions could have been chosen to babysit Lil’ Monsta without any way for the good team to know which. Avoid this, and make the game fairer for the good team by killing Minions so that only 1 remains on the final day.

Demon

Zombuul

Each night*, if no-one died today, choose a player: they die. The 1st time you die, you live but register as dead.

I do not. Understand. Your ways. Fellow human. Show me. The dirt. Where the holy. Lay. Sleeping. I too. Must sleep. Soon.

"Each night*, if no-one died today, choose a player: they die. The 1st time you die, you live but register as dead." The Zombuul secretly remains alive while in the grave. When the Zombuul would die for any reason, they actually don’t die, but the Storyteller acts as if they died. The second time the Zombuul dies, they die for real and good wins. The seemingly dead Zombuul counts as a dead player in almost every way. The player’s life token on the Town Square flips to indicate their death. The next time they vote, they lose their vote token. They cannot nominate, they may vote with the Voudon, they’re not an alive neighbor for the Tea Lady, and so on. The only differences are that the game continues, the Zombuul still attacks, and the game continues if just two other players are alive. The Zombuul only wakes at night to attack if nobody died that day. If a dead player is executed, the player can’t die again, so the Zombuul would still wake. If a drunk or poisoned Zombuul dies, good wins. If a “dead” Zombuul becomes drunk or poisoned, do not announce that the player is alive.

How to Run

The first time the Zombuul would die, they remain alive. Declare that they died, but do not add a shroud to the Zombuul. (Flip the life token on the Town Square, as normal.) From now on, the Zombuul registers as dead.
Each day, if a player dies, mark them with the DIED TODAY reminder. (If the Zombuul “dies” by execution, they register as dead, so mark the Zombuul with the DIED TODAY reminder.)
Each night except the first, if any player is marked DIED TODAY, do not wake the Zombuul.
Each night except the first, if no player is marked DIED TODAY, wake the Zombuul. They point at any player. Put the Zombuul to sleep. The chosen player dies—mark them with the DEAD reminder.