The Murder Game
The Murder Game, also known as the Killer Game, Killer in the House, or simply Killer, has been an extremely popular parlor game in Velandriault and the low countries since the late seventeenth century. Its popularity has spread in the twentieth century throughout northern Heremonia and Prydaena. In the Murder Game, one player, selected in secret, is able to eliminate other players by pointing at them with a pinky finger. At the same time, the other players try to identify the "murderer."
While the game can be played with as few as four players, as a practical matter it is much more enjoyable when eight or more players participate. The players are first handed a playing card, one player receiving the ace of moons. That player is the secret "murderer" and must eliminate as many players as possible before his identity is discovered. The "murderer" eliminates other players by gaining their attention and pointing a pinky finger at them, taking care not to be seen by other players, lest they find him out. A player who has been thusly "killed" must count silently to five (giving the "murderer" time to escape the area) and then drop to the floor, declaring "Je suis tué!" ("I am killed!").
A player who believes she knows the identity of the "murderer" may declare, "J'accuse!" ("I accuse!") and point to her suspect with her pinky finger. If the accuser is correct, she is declared the winner. If incorrect, the game continues, but she may make no further accusation, and must spend the remainder of the game avoiding the "murderer" by paying attention to no one. The "murderer" achieves victory when only one player remains in addition to himself.
In one popular variant of the game a player receives the ace of stars for his playing card, designating him as the "target." The "murderer" wins if he is able to eliminate the target. However, the "target" wins if he is the last player remaining in addition to the "murderer."
In another variant, a player receives the ace of orbs and is declared the "Detective." Only the "Detective" can make an accusation.
Gameplay
While the game can be played with as few as four players, as a practical matter it is much more enjoyable when eight or more players participate. The players are first handed a playing card, one player receiving the ace of moons. That player is the secret "murderer" and must eliminate as many players as possible before his identity is discovered. The "murderer" eliminates other players by gaining their attention and pointing a pinky finger at them, taking care not to be seen by other players, lest they find him out. A player who has been thusly "killed" must count silently to five (giving the "murderer" time to escape the area) and then drop to the floor, declaring "Je suis tué!" ("I am killed!").
A player who believes she knows the identity of the "murderer" may declare, "J'accuse!" ("I accuse!") and point to her suspect with her pinky finger. If the accuser is correct, she is declared the winner. If incorrect, the game continues, but she may make no further accusation, and must spend the remainder of the game avoiding the "murderer" by paying attention to no one. The "murderer" achieves victory when only one player remains in addition to himself.
Popular Variants
In one popular variant of the game a player receives the ace of stars for his playing card, designating him as the "target." The "murderer" wins if he is able to eliminate the target. However, the "target" wins if he is the last player remaining in addition to the "murderer."
In another variant, a player receives the ace of orbs and is declared the "Detective." Only the "Detective" can make an accusation.
PART OF A SERIES ON
Parlor Games
The Murder Game
Players:
4 or more
Setup time:
less than 5 minutes
Playing time:
unlimited
Random chance:
low
Age range:
children and adults
Skill(s) required:
stealth, bluffing, creativity
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