Let the Night One In A Brindlewood Bay sweeps week mystery by Alicia Furness
Complexity: 8
Presenting the Mystery
There was an influx of media requests when news broke
about how the Murder Mavens solved the last mystery, but
none so exciting as the one they got from Robin Masterson’s
agent. Robin heard about their exploits, and was hoping to
interview the Mavens for her next book. The Mavens were
invited to join Robin in her rustic winter home for a cozy
vacation in the remote Canadian north.
The Mavens had little interaction with Robin before arriving
in her cabin in one of Canada’s northernmost regions. All
communication went through her agent, a monotone man
named John Reginald IV. He assured the Mavens that Robin
was excited to have them, but that she simply couldn’t deal
with the “outside world,” so all arrangements would be made
through him. John explained that the trip was long, and that
the last leg would be completed on a small private plane
since the town of Asterton is a fly-in community.
Establishing Question: What happened on the long trip to
Canada that you believe to be a bad omen? What lingering
question did it leave in your mind?
Robin greets the Mavens at the tiny airport. She is bundled
up and welcomes the Mavens warmly. She apologizes for the
cold and the dark. She explains that sunlight is limited this
far north, averaging just four hours per day.
Note: darkness is the status quo in this mystery. It is always
considered to be night for purposes of triggering the Day or
Night Move when the Mavens are outdoors.
Paint the Scene: As you enter the room you’ve been assigned
in Robin’s home, what do you see that surprises you? What
does it reveal about Robin that you did not expect?
Once the Mavens are settled, Robin should escort them on a
tour of the town. This is a great opportunity to introduce a
few of the Side Characters. While touring the town, Robin
and the Side Characters will fill the Mavens in on what’s been
going on: over the past year, people have been going missing
in Asterton. They seem to disappear in the dark, never to be
seen again. It started with pets, but progressed to residents.
The mayor has been trying to keep people calm, reassuring
everyone that it’s most likely nothing more alarming than a
hungry bear.
At some point during the tour, a scream rings out in the
darkness. Large inhuman footprints have been found near a
pool of blood. The mayor begs everyone to return home, but
Robin turns to the Mavens, and encourages them to
investigate. She reassures them that after the case they
solved in Brindlewood Bay, this will be a walk in the park.
Solving the Mystery
Solving the mystery means identifying whatever is causing
the disappearances in Asterton. There could be an actual
monster, as hinted in the set-up, but the Mavens might also
discover it’s a serial killer spree designed to look supernatu-
ral, that the town has fallen to mass paranoia, or that some
other strange situation is at play, such as vengeful ghosts.
Note: one effective way of getting the players to consider a
range of supernatural and mundane explanations is to have a
Side Character opine about various theories. Robin
Masterson would be an excellent candidate.
Side Characters
Robin Masterson, the famous author
Eccentric. Well-groomed. Asks probing questions that make
you feel like she knows your darkest secrets. Robin moved to
Asterton to escape the public eye. She doesn’t participate
much in community events, and other residents describe her
as highly secretive. But she does spend a lot of money in the
community, especially at the cafe.
Quote: “I just love it here. No one is around to bother me.
Even the locals leave me alone. The quiet is great for writing,
and the darkness gives a great spooky atmosphere in the
winter. Perfect inspiration!”
George Kusugak, the mayor
Jovial. Welcoming. Invites you to dinner every time he sees
you. Often wears a sealskin vest. He cares very deeply for his
community, and wants everyone to feel like a big family, even
the people who aren’t from here originally. He is grateful for
the spotlight that having Robin Masterson in the community
brings, because he wants to leverage it for increased funding
from the higher levels of government.
Quote: “Hello! So lovely to see you again! A shame we haven’t
had you over for dinner yet. Oh, you must come soon. How
about tomorrow night?”
Rufus, the dog
Grey and shaggy. Striking blue eyes. Protective of the other
sled dogs. Despite her name, Rufus is actually female. She
has a special bond with Gary White. Rufus is the lead dog for
Gary’s sled dog team. She enjoys Milkbone dog treats and
pieces of dried meat.
Quote: “A-woof. Woof woof woof. Woof. Wooooooooof. Woof.”
Cindy Lou, the newcomer
Blonde hair. Wide eyes. Looks like she thinks she made a big
mistake moving here. Cindy Lou moved here when the
company she worked for told her that it would be good for
her career. She doesn't like it here, she’s from Toronto. She
hates the cold, the dark, and the lack of movie theatres.
Quote: “Did you know that in Toronto, or the Six, as we call
it, you could get shawarma any time of day? Also I could just
go shopping whenever I wanted. This desolate town doesn’t
even have a mall!”
Janet Brownwinkle, the scientist
Joyous. Tall and slender. Doesn’t understand that the locals
don’t really want her there colonizing the North. Janet is the
last remaining member of an arctic research team. No one
actually knows where the other scientists went. She spends
most of her time in a small facility near the frozen-over water.
Quote: “What do I do? Oh well it’s very simple you see. I am
taking readings of the geo-thermal nuclear… you know what,
nevermind, you wouldn’t understand. Just know that my work
is important. I am doing very important, life-saving work.”
Gary White, the loner
Large and round. Very serious. Prefers the sled dogs to
people. Gary is extremely intelligent, knows the land, and
sometimes acts as the town cab driver. He can usually be
found spending time with his sled dogs. Gary has had some
weird experiences in the wilderness around Asterton, and
he’s willing to divulge a tale or two if you offer him a warm
drink and a hot meal.
Quote: “I understand the dogs. It’s people I don’t get. Me and
Rufus, we’ve been through a lot. Saved my life more than once
that girl has.”
Nana Capchaw, the storyteller
Silver-haired by choice. Town Gossip. Not actually a grandmother.
Nana teaches middle school in Asterton. She knows everyone’s
business, and she is happy to tell you all about it. She also knows
all the best scary campfire stories. Nana is an aspiring writer, and
harbours some jealousy towards Robin Masterson.
Quote: “Did you hear about Robin’s last book? I heard that
sales are down. That’s why you’re here. She’s hoping to
capitalize on your fame! I would never do that, though. So tell
me about you…”
Arjun Laghari, the cafe owner
Early 30s. Handsome. Soft spoken. Arjun moved to the North
with his wife to be near her family, before she tragically passed
away a year ago. He now runs the cafe in her honour. The cafe
has become a melding of his Indian cuisine with his wife’s
traditional indigenous foods.
Quote: “You have to try the new curried moose dish on the
menu! Can I get you a hot drink as well—it’s so cold outside!”
Frank Anawak, the doctor
Calm. Studious. Enjoys a good game of Snakes and Ladders with
his grandchildren. Frank has been the doctor for as long as most
people can remember. He wants to open a medical school that caters
to students who would serve in remote northern parts of Canada.
Quote: “We need to nurture our own talent. We don’t need any
more outsiders coming in trying to save us. We’ve existed
here for centuries without help.”
Paint the Scene
The town hall
As you look around the town hall, how do you know that the
space is designed to be a community refuge from the
oppressive darkness of winter?
The medical office
What in the medical office tells you that this building serves a
secondary purpose? How is the history of the town reflected
in the space that Frank has decorated?
The dog house
What about this building indicates that the people of
Asterton often put the welfare of the dogs above themselves?
The ice fishing hut
What evidence is there that the fishing hut has been recently
vacated?
The cafe
What do you see in the cafe that Arjun has created as an
homage to his deceased wife?
Clues Crown of the Frozen Dark
 Animal footprints in the snow that slowly morph into  Frame a scene in which each Maven shares a memory of
human prints before suddenly disappearing. the first time they were truly terrified by something they
couldn’t name.
 The sound of claws, scraping rhythmically against the
window glass.  Each player must narrate a flashback to the first time their
Maven experienced the dangers of winter.
 A stolen artifact, recently returned to the land it was taken
from.  Each player must narrate a scene in the present day
 A Gold Crown Mysteries book, dog-eared, with all of the showing how they celebrate a winter holiday.
capital letters underlined.
 An old plane, recently discovered deep in the woods. Rewards
 Blueprints for a set of underground tunnels beneath the
town.
 A well-loved copy of a Golden Crown Mysteries novel,
signed by Robin Masterson.
 A child’s eerie laughter carried on the wind.
 A lucky rabbit’s foot.
 A sudden deep freeze, indoors.
 An adopted sled dog puppy.
 The outline of unfathomably large tentacles, pressed
beneath the ice, which fade away as soon as you look at
 One of Arjun’s fusion recipes.
them.  A long exposure photo of the northern lights.
 A piece of unidentifiable technology that looks strange and  A small piece of lichen taken from nature.
alien-like.
Additionally, the Mavens get access to the following move:
 An old tape recorder. When you play the tape inside, it
begins with static before repeating a garbled, indecipher-
able message. Arctic Air
 A vintage map of the town. The homes of people who have When you roll for the Night Move, narrate a moment
gone missing have been circled. from your time in Northern Canada where you pressed-on
One house is circled, but no one who lives there has gone in the darkness.

missing. Whose home is it? On a hit, you discover a Clue in addition to any other
The electricity suddenly goes out across town, plunging outcomes from the roll. Each Maven can only ever use this

everyone into complete darkness. move once.
 A small crawl space with no light, just big enough for one
person. Inside are empty chocolate bar wrappers, a horror
novel, and several dried rabbits feet.
 A small dead creature, frozen through, with a bite taken
out of it.
 A book of old photographs, at least fifty years old.
Someone in a photo looks identical to a current resident of
the town. Who is it?
 A sudden case of snow blindness that comes on while the
victim is indoors.
 Deep blue scratch marks that appear on skin instanta-
neously. They do not cause pain, but are ice cold to the
touch.
 A low smoking campfire, hurriedly extinguished.