Townsfolk
Amnesiac
You do not know what your ability is. Each day, privately guess what it is: you learn how accurate you are.
Wait. What. Who? Oh, ok. Wait. What?
"You do not know what your ability is. Each day, privately guess what it is: you learn how accurate you are." The Amnesiac doesn’t know their own ability. The Storyteller decides what the Amnesiac’s ability is. It may be the same ability as another character in Blood On The Clocktower, something similar, or something original. The Amnesiac may wake at any time during the night to learn information or to choose a player, or their ability may be passive—not requiring action from the Amnesiac player. Each day, the Amnesiac talks to the Storyteller in private, and makes a guess as to what their ability is. The Storyteller answers “cold” if the guess is very wrong, “warm” if the guess is on the right track, “hot” if the guess is very close, and “bingo” if the guess is spot on. Their guess may be specific, such as “Am I learning two players each night that are the same alignment?”, or vague, such as “Is my ability something to do with dead players?”
How to Run
- During setup, decide what ability the Amnesiac player has. During the game, treat that player as if they had that ability, waking them when needed, prompting them to choose players when needed, or whatever else is appropriate. Use the Amnesiac’s ? reminders if you need to.
- Each day, the Amnesiac makes a guess about their ability in private. Answer “Cold”, “Warm”, “Hot", or “Bingo”.
Examples & Notes
- Make the Amnesiac’s ability guessable, so that the Amnesiac can figure out what their ability is over time. Learning a piece of information each night, or a power that affects the game in a way that the Amnesiac notices, are both good ideas.
- If the Amnesiac guesses their ability, but the wording is different, still tell them they guessed correctly.
- You can make the Amnesiac’s ability slightly better than a normal Townsfolk’s ability. Not knowing what it is, the player will need to work harder to receive its full benefit.
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
Fisherman
Once per game, during the day, visit the Storyteller for some advice to help your team win.
This was my favourite part of the river... see how the sunlight makes a rainbow from the monastery to the market? This was the best place for big fish. And the older I get, the bigger they were.
"Once per game, during the day, visit the Storyteller for some advice to help your team win." The Fisherman knows something that nobody else can know: what should be done. The Fisherman player chooses when to use their ability. When they visit the Storyteller, the Storyteller chooses what piece of advice to give the Fisherman. The Storyteller’s pieces of advice are not necessarily “facts”. They are strategy tips that the Storyteller believes will help the Fisherman win, if they are followed. If the Fisherman is drunk or poisoned, the Storyteller may give the Fisherman bad advice.
How to Run
- Once per game, the Fisherman will ask to use their ability. In private, give them once piece of advice to help them win. Then, put the No ability reminder by the Fisherman token.
Examples & Notes
- It is best to give the Fisherman advice on what to DO, not just information about what IS. This makes the Fisherman more fun and unique.
- Eg. Saying “You should execute that player” or “Keep this player alive” or “find out who is drunk” or “change your thinking entirely” or “ignore the Minions” or “trust this player” are much more interesting than saying “this player is evil” or “the Demon is a No Dashii”.
Townsfolk
Pixie
You start knowing 1 in-play Townsfolk. If you were mad that you were this character, you gain their ability when they die.
Round and round the garden, go. Little girls run to and fro. Little boys climb up the tree. Which of these should Pixie be? Ladies smile and go to town. Lords with axe chop forest down. What’s yours is mine. What’s mine, divine. Silly little Pixie, me.
"You start knowing 1 in-play Townsfolk. If you were mad that you were this character, you gain their ability when they die." The Pixie pretends to be the same character as someone else. On the first night, the Pixie learns an in-play Townsfolk. The Storyteller chooses which Townsfolk this is. The Pixie does not learn which player is this character. If the Pixie player pretends that they are this Townsfolk, they gain the ability of this Townsfolk when the Townsfolk dies. They could have spoken loudly about being the character for one day, or pretended to be the character each day this game, or accused the Townsfolk of being a liar—the Storyteller is the judge of whether or not the player was convincing, by “being mad that they are this character”. When the Townsfolk player dies, the Pixie does not learn this, and is not told that they have gained a new ability. They may learn this has happened if they wake at night and start gaining information, or are prompted to choose players. If the player the Pixie learns about changes character then dies, the Pixie gains the ability of the Townsfolk the Pixie learnt about, not the new character.
How to Run
- During the first night, mark a Townsfolk character token with the Pixie’s MAD reminder. Wake the Pixie. Show the Pixie this Townsfolk character token. Put the Pixie to sleep.
- If the Townsfolk marked MAD dies, and you feel that the Pixie player has been sufficiently mad that they were this character, replace the MAD reminder with the HAS ABILITY reminder. The Pixie now has this Townsfolk’s ability, and will wake at night when this Townsfolk would normally wake.
Townsfolk
Savant
Each day, you may visit the Storyteller to learn 2 things in private: 1 is true & 1 is false.
Seventy-two matchsticks on the floor... the sun sets early but the moon is unchanged... a torn piece of cloth... evil in the manor house... three by three... the one we trusted is not what he seems... green light means magnesium... residue, but the pattern is wrong... Seventy-two matchsticks on the floor...
"Each day, you may visit the Storyteller to learn 2 things in private: 1 is true & 1 is false." The Savant gets crazy, amazing information that is different every day and every game, but exactly half of it is completely false. Each day, the Storyteller chooses two pieces of information to give the Savant... so get creative! One must be true, and one must be false, and the Savant won’t know which is which. It is up to the Savant 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. The Savant can choose to not visit the Storyteller if they wish. A drunk or poisoned Savant might get two pieces of true information or two pieces of false information.
How to Run
- Once per day, if the Savant requests a private chat with you, take them away from the circle so you cannot be overheard. Whisper two pieces of information, one true and one false, to the Savant. (If you cannot think of two straight away, either take your time or ask them to come back in a few minutes.)
Examples & Notes
- Keep the information you give helpful and related to the game. Avoid saying who exactly the Demon is, or it could be a very short game. If you need help on choosing what to say, give information similar to what Townsfolk abilities would provide.
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
Acrobat
Each night*, choose a player: if they are or become drunk or poisoned tonight, you die.
Welcome, one and all, to the greatest show on earth.
"Each night*, choose a player: if they are or become drunk or poisoned tonight, you die." The Acrobat dies when they find a drunk or poisoned player. Each night except the first, the Acrobat chooses a player. If the chosen player is sober and healthy, nothing happens. If the player is drunk or poisoned, the Acrobat dies. If the Acrobat is drunk or poisoned, they cannot die to their own ability. The Acrobat may choose any player, dead or alive, even themself. If the chosen player is sober and healthy at the time the Acrobat picks, but becomes drunk or poisoned later in the night, the Acrobat dies. The Acrobat does not learn if the player they selected was drunk, or poisoned, or both. The Drunk registers as drunk to the Acrobat.
How to Run
- Each night except the first, wake the Acrobat. They point to a player. Put the Acrobat to sleep.
- If the player the Acrobat pointed to is drunk or poisoned, or becomes drunk or poisoned at any time tonight, the Acrobat dies.
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
Cerenovus
Each night, choose a player & a good character: they are “mad” they are this character tomorrow, or might be executed.
Reality is merely an opinion. Specifically, my opinion.
"Each night, choose a player & a good character: they are "mad" they are this character tomorrow, or might be executed." The Cerenovus encourages players to pretend to be different characters than they actually are. The Cerenovus chooses Townsfolk or Outsiders that players are mad about being. They must try to convince the group that they actually are this character tomorrow, or else die. Simply hinting is not enough to avoid death. The player must make a decent effort to convince the group. Mad players are never literally forced to say things they don’t want to—but if the Storyteller doesn’t hear them make an effort, they pay the price. Mad evil players might be executed this way, but “might” means you can choose not to, to prevent evil from winning by this strategy. Like the Mutant, an execution penalty counts as the one execution allowed per day.
How to Run
- Each night, wake the Cerenovus. They point at any player and at any Townsfolk or Outsider icon on their character sheet. Put the Cerenovus to sleep. Mark the chosen player with the MAD reminder. Wake this player, show them the THIS CHARACTER SELECTED YOU info token, then the Cerenovus token, then the character token of the character they are mad about being. Put that player to sleep.
- During the next day or night, if you feel that the mad player has not done their best to convince the group they are this character, you can decide to execute them. Declare this to the group. They die. If you execute them during the day before the normal execution happens, go to the night phase. (There is a maximum of one execution per day.)
Minion
Fearmonger
Each night, choose a player: if you nominate & execute them, their team loses. All players know if you choose a new player.
Beware of gazing long into the Abyss, lest the Abyss also gaze into you.
"Each night, choose a player: if you nominate & execute them, their team loses. All players know if you choose a new player." The Fearmonger creates paranoia about who nominates whom. During the first night, when the Fearmonger selects a player, all players learn this. During other nights, each time the Fearmonger selects a new player, all players learn this. If the Fearmonger selects the same player as previously, the players learn nothing. The players only learn that the Fearmonger has acted, not which player was selected. If the Fearmonger nominates their chosen player, and that nomination results in their execution, the chosen player loses, their team loses, and the game ends. Only the currently chosen player is susceptible to the Fearmonger’s ability. Previously chosen players don’t count. If the chosen player is executed but does not die, the chosen player’s team still loses.
How to Run
- Each night, wake the Fearmonger. They point at any player. Put the Fearmonger to sleep. Mark the chosen player with the FEAR reminder. If the Fearmonger chose a player who wasn’t already marked with the FEAR reminder, declare that “The Fearmonger has chosen a player.” (This informs the group that the Fearmonger is alive and has chosen a new player.)
- If the Fearmonger nominates the player marked FEAR, and that nomination results in their execution, declare that the game is over and which team has won.
Demon
Lleech
Each night*, choose a player: they die. You start by choosing a player: they are poisoned. You die if & only if they are dead.
Tasty, tasty, tasty, tasty, tasty, tasty, tasty, tasty brai- I mean pie! Yes. Tasty pie. That’s what I meant to say.
"Each night*, choose a player: they die. You start by choosing a player: they are poisoned. You die if & only if they are dead." The Lleech lives if their host lives, and dies if their host dies. On the first night, the Lleech chooses a player, who is poisoned for the rest of the game. If this player is alive, the Lleech cannot die. If the Lleech is executed, the Storyteller tells the group that the player lives, but not why. If the player that the Lleech chose dies, the Lleech dies as well. If this means that only one or two players are left alive, good still wins, because the Demon is dead. From the second night onwards, players that the Lleech attacks die but are not poisoned. If a Lleech is created mid-game, they poison a player that night. They must choose an alive player.
How to Run
- During the first night, wake the Lleech. They point at any player. That player is poisoned—mark them with the POISONED reminder. Put the Lleech to sleep.
- Each night except the first, wake the Lleech. They point at any player. That player dies—mark them with the DEAD reminder. Put the Lleech to sleep.
- If the Lleech would die but the player marked with the Lleech’s POISONED reminder is alive, the Lleech does not die. If the player marked with the Lleech’s POISONED reminder is dead, the Lleech dies and the good team wins.
Examples & Notes
- When giving false information to a good player poisoned by the Lleech, make sure this information seems true. If the good player believes it to be false, they will quickly execute themselves and win the game.
Fabled
Toymaker
The Demon may choose not to attack & must do this at least once per game. Evil players get normal starting info.
It buzzes! It walks down stairs! It keeps you warm at night! It tastes like sugar! The kiddies love it! Introducing... the brand new... Warm'o-buzzy-wuzzy-walk'a'bot-thingy-contraption! Fun for all ages!
"The Demon may choose not to attack & must do this at least once per game. Evil players get normal starting info." Use the Toymaker to make small games take more time. If you created a character list using the Teensyville option in the Script Tool, then you may want to use the Toymaker. Games set in Teensyville have only six Townsfolk, two Outsiders, two Minions, and two Demons on the list, and they specifically cater to five or six players. With the Toymaker in play, the Demon learns three not-in-play characters at the start of the game, and the Minion(s) and Demon learn who each other are. Once per game, the Demon must voluntarily choose to attack nobody tonight. If the Demon is about wake to attack a player and this would end the game, but the Demon has not yet chosen to attack nobody, then the Storyteller does not wake the Demon—they are forced to attack nobody tonight. You may use the Toymaker in games of Trouble Brewing with five or six players, but it is not necessary.
How to Run
- At the start of the game, declare that the Toymaker is in play. Add the Toymaker token to the Grimoire, and mark the Demon with the Toymaker’s FINAL NIGHT: NO ATTACK reminder.
- On the first night, resolve the "Minion info" and "Demon info” steps on the night sheet even though there are fewer than seven players.
- Each night the Demon wakes, they may choose not to attack by shaking their head no. If they choose not to attack, remove the FINAL NIGHT: NO ATTACK reminder.
- During any night, if the Demon would wake and their attack could end the game, but the Demon is marked FINAL NIGHT: NO ATTACK, the Demon does not wake or act tonight.