The Hex Files
A Brindlewood Bay sweeps week mystery by Donna Giltrap
Complexity: 7
Presenting the Mystery
The Mavens are on a road trip to another town. Ask the
players where they’re going and why. Possibilities include
travelling to a convention related to someone’s cozy activity,
attending a family event, or simply getting out of town for a
holiday.
On a lonely stretch of road the Mavens see skid marks
leading to an overturned car on the road ahead of them. It
will be necessary for the Mavens to stop and clear the road of
broken glass and debris. Of course, they should also see if
anyone needs assistance...
Paint the Scene: What suggests that unnatural forces were
involved in this crash?
The car has two occupants, neither of whom survived the
crash. The bodies both have badges that identify them as FBI
agents. If the Mavens take the badges, they can be added to
the Cozy Little Place. The car also contains a case file
detailing a number of travelers who have gone missing over
the past decade. In all cases, the travelers’ last known
location is the town of Devilwood.
Establishing Question: What dark legend surrounds the
town of Devilwood?
The town of Devilwood is only a few miles down the road.
Solving the Mystery
To solve this mystery the Mavens will need to discover what
has been happening to the missing travelers and (ideally) put
a stop to it.
Side Characters
Milicent Osbourne, guest house manager
Suspicious glower. Faded house dress. Calloused hands.
Milicent runs the only guest house in Devilwood, but is
clearly not used to dealing with customers. She is surly and
seems to be in a hurry to get rid of her guests.
Quote: “I lock the door at 9 PM sharp every night, so don’t be
staying out late. I hope you’re not going to be trouble like the
last lot.”
Walter Ephraim, town drunk
Tattered raincoat. Slurred speech. Slightly translucent.
Walter Ephraim died in mysterious circumstances 50 years
ago. However, he is unaware of this fact. His ghost haunts the
streets of Devilwood, seeking sympathetic listeners to hear
tales of the dark conspiracy he believes is out to get him.
Quote: “Get out while you can. If they discover you’ve been
talking to me you’re doomed.”
Elsie Simons, diner owner
Graying hair. Stained apron. Pencil behind her ear. Elsie does
good business with the locals, but sees out-of-towners as a
welcome revenue boost. She likes to talk up the virtues of
Devilwood and is dismissive of the possibility that anything
sinister could happen there.
Quote: “Devilwood is a quiet and peaceful town. We don’t
have any crime here. Why people don’t even bother to lock
their doors when they go out!”
Luther Montgomery, wealthy local
Immaculate suit. Walking cane. Predatory grin. Montgomery
is the wealthiest man in Devilwood and was the owner of the
sawmill before it closed down. He is most anxious that
Devilwood does not become the centre of media or police
attention. If the Mavens have been asking a lot of questions
around town he is likely to approach them in his limousine
and request that they come in and have a chat with him.
Quote: “Sometimes unfortunate rumours get started, and it’s
most distressing for all involved—especially those who pass
on such unfounded rumours.”
Courtney Simons, bored teen
Distracted expression. Freckles. Untied shoelaces. Courtney
helps her mother Elsie at the diner. She despairs of ever
getting out of this small town and will be eager to talk to
outsiders. She’s not above inventing outlandish stories to
maintain the Mavens’ attention. On the other hand, perhaps
there is an element of truth in them?
Quote: “Everyone knows the woods are haunted. When I was
a kid we used to dare each other to go into the woods on the
night of the full moon. No one ever did, though.”
Jack Wolfe, local sheriff
Athletic build. Scarred face. Speaks with a snarl. Sheriff
Wolfe has little concern for the welfare of outsiders, but is
prepared to throw the book at anyone he perceives as
trespassing against a local. He is always accompanied by two
large dogs and he is not above using them to intimidate those
who displease him.
Quote: “The way I see it, them that goes looking for trouble
deserve everything they get. Devilwood ain’t got the resources
to go chasing after those who don’t have the good sense to
keep their noses out of places they don’t belong.”
Bessie Johnson, wise woman
Dramatic gestures. Covered in jewelry. Surprisingly strong
for her size. Bessie is arguably the oldest inhabitant of
Devilwood and is rumoured to have second sight. If the
Mavens befriend Bessie she may offer a fortune-telling.
Bessie will not accept mere money for her services. Any
Maven who wants their fortune read will need to trade an
item of sentimental significance, share an occult secret, or
perform a service for Bessie.
If Bessie performs a fortune-telling she will foresee ill omens
surrounding the Mavens. Have the player to the left of the
Maven having her fortune told describe a circumstance that
will be particularly ill-fated. Should that circumstance arise,
the Maven whose fortune was told will be at Disadvantage
for the remainder of the mystery, but marks XP at the end of
each session the mystery is active.
Quote: “I see a dark street lit only by moonlight. I feel a sense
of deep foreboding… No, it can’t be—you must BEWARE...”
Doctor Henrietta West, researcher
Smugly superior. Outdated glasses. Always checking
instruments. Dr. West has been hired by Luther Montgomery
to work on a secret research project. No one is quite sure
what it is, but rumour has it she was fired from her last job
for conducting unethical experiments. She can sometimes be
seen around town taking measurements with an assortment
of outlandish instruments.
Quote: “Will you please get out of my way? I’ve just spent five
hours calibrating this and the last thing I need is for some
clumsy oaf to knock it out of alignment!”
The Devilwood Raven, bird of omen
Glossy plumage. Judgmental gaze. Sharp beak. The
Devilwood raven is a particularly large example of its species.
It sees much of what goes on in Devilwood, but it has its own
agenda. It is cunning and may help or hinder the Mavens
according to its whims. Having the Raven show up and steal
an item, or make other mischief is a good option to keep in
mind for a Keeper reaction.
Quote: “Nevermore!”
Paint the Scene
Elsie’s Diner
The diner seems to be doing good business, although the
conversation stops as you enter. The table tops are chipped
and the vinyl seat covers have split with age. What item on
the menu seems particularly unappetizing?
Abandoned sawmill
This mill was once the centre of Devilwood’s economy but
now lies abandoned. Some of the machinery still remains,
but it clearly hasn’t been used for many years. What
clandestine activity has been conducted at this site in the
intervening years?
Devilwood Guest House
This was a once grand home that has been converted into a
guest house. The walls are covered in dark wood panelling
which the light from the single bulb barely illuminates. What
shocking scene is depicted in the carved panelling?
Montgomery Manor
The Montgomery Manor is the oldest building in town, dating
from the founding of Devilwood. The Manor has been added
to over the years and is an eccentric collection of architectur-
al styles. The building lurks behind a high wall, like a
predator in its lair. What feature makes it clear that guests
are not welcome?
The woods
Rewards
There are many ancient trees around Devilwood, and in
places the forest canopy is so dense that only a small amount SeekerNet username and password
of light filters through to the ground. There is a trail through
The Mavens locate a sticky note in the belongings of the FBI
the woods, but it is so overgrown that it is easy to lose sight
agents. The note has the address of the SeekerNet website
of it. What unusual item has been left as an offering in the
along with a username and password. SeekerNet is a hub for
forest?
occult investigators and conspiracy theorists to swap notes.
While the site is awash with misinformation, there are some
Clues knowledgeable users. Each Maven adds “SeekerNet
username and password” to their Cozy Little Place.
 A backpack containing the belongings of one of the
missing travelers. Expensive or luxurious item
 An advertisement for black magic for hire. The family of one of the missing travelers have offered a
reward for information on the whereabouts of their loved
 A disturbed grave.
one. Depending on the outcome of this mystery, the Mavens
 A poisonous herb. might be in a position to claim this reward. If they do, each
 Evidence of a secret government research program. gets to add an expensive or luxurious item to their Cozy
Little Place.
 A spell transcribed in blood.
 A revolver loaded with silver bullets.
 A death certificate for someone who is apparently still
living in town.
 An idol of an ancient god.
 A rat with a human face.
 Claw marks from an abnormally large creature.
 A corn doll holding a lock of human hair.
 Rumours of buried gold.
 Medical records that reveal someone is not fully human.
 A beating heart in a jar.
 A photograph of one of the missing travelers.
 An unexplained fire.
 A ritual chamber.
 A bloodstained altar.
 A diary with the last page ripped out.
Crown of the Woods
 Each Maven describes a disturbing dream they had the
previous night.
 Each player narrates a flashback in which their Maven
faced a natural hazard.
 Each player narrates a flashback in which their Maven
acted on instinct rather than reason.