Masquerade Murder Mystery
As thieves in disguise attending a masquerade dinner auction for the elite, things go left as party guests begin dying in strange and unorthodox ways.
$25.00
/ Session
Details
1 player following this game
Once / Tuesday - 11:00 PM UTC
Oct 20
Session Duration / 3–3.5 hours
0 / 7 Seats Filled
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One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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About the adventure
On a dreary autumn night, an aristocratic member of the city is hosting a high-society masquerade dinner party for the rich and elite. All guests are asked to wear unique masks with exquisite costumes, and can expect dinner, dance, and a private auction of strange and bizarre artifacts. You are are Thieves Guild members who have been chosen due to sharing a likeness with certain powerful people in the city. While in disguise, it is your job to find the host’s hidden vault/ auction items and steal what you can. However, plans soon fall apart when party guests begin dropping like flies. Danger, traps, political intrigue, and the occult. Can you piece together the mystery before your secret thieving mission is discovered?
Game style
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Roleplay Heavy
Combat Lite
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(20)
1 year on StartPlaying
97 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, Creativity
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hello! I’m Matthew, and I have been a professional DM for 4 years, hosting game nights at local game stores, weaving long term campaigns, and running Dungeons and Dragons events for kids. I began playing D&D in 2017, which soon turned into recording content and later working alongside creators such as Beholder to No One and Awfully Queer Heroes. In 2022, I became very active at my local game store where I began hosting public D&D nights every week. In 2023, I became involved in a Dungeons & Dragons for Kids program and I had the wonderful opportunity to be a Game Master for children ages 11-16. I’ve since been building my online game running skills with complex maps, unique tokens, and dynamic combat. I have found a new love for running games where I can meet new players and see fresh and veteran players come out of their shells and find camaraderie in a story told together. The best Game Master feeling is always when you present your players a difficult choice with two solutions, and they throw all your plans out the window and make a third choice you never thought of yourself. I love it every time.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation will happen before the game. Players are expected to come with a level 3 character. Players may use the point buy system or roll for stats. Players may use the 5e 2014 or 2024 rule set to create their characters. Any official 5e content is okay to pull from. If you are interested in playing something homebrew or unofficial, please message me directly. Players should come with a level 3 character and know their race, class, and a reason for why they are working for the thieves guild. All players will be sent a Google form where they can share this information with the DM. Players will also be asked to share their character sheet with the DM. Players may use whatever method they prefer, whether that be a pdf, a Dnd Beyond digital character sheet, or a physical one. At the start of the session we will introduce characters, and create any bonds or connections if need be. If you’d prefer, or you sign up last minute, a 3rd level character can be provided to you.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Players will receive a link to a Google form where they can share information about their charcter and fill out the Lines and Veils checklist. Players will also be given a link to join the discord. This is where the game will be played. Players may use physical dice or roll digitally if they wish. If you show up in a costume for Halloween, you will start the game with a point of heroic inspiration.
What Matthew J Walsh brings to the table
I utilize ambient music through discord, so players may choose to allow it to play or not for them. I utilize rule of cool, but that goes both ways. I love to surprise players and introduce unexpected twists and strange creatures. You can expect character voices, or at the very least, changes in cadence and inflection. Combat will be theatre of the mind. I often like to keep combat fluid and dynamic. If needed, I will utilize free to use websites like Owlbear Rodeo to use a map if absolutely necessary.
Homebrew rules
Potions: To drink a potion is a Bonus Action, and to feed to another is an action. Flanking: Flanking does not grant you advantage, but instead +2 to your attack. Nat 1’s at a distance: If you are firing a ranged weapon at an enemy who is in melee with an ally, and you roll a 1, you hit your ally.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Matthew J Walsh creates a safe table
Every player will be sent a link to complete information about their character and to complete a Lines & Veils checklist. At any point during the game, players may feel free to utilize the Open Door method and request a break. Players may message me directly about anything at anytime. We will take a break half way through and check in on the players. If any subject at any point is too much, most content warnings below can be circumvented.
Content warnings
Safety tools used