Generator - Murder Mystery

The Victim

1. Body of victim not found, only clues or eye witnesses point out there was a murder
2. Actor, playwright, or theatre impresario
3. Alchemist, potion-wright, or glass-blower of philters
4. Artificer, clockmaker, or gnomish inventor
5. Butler, house-steward, or majordomo
6. Caravan master, spice factor, or desert guide
7. Cartographer, surveyor, or relic-hunting antiquarian
8. Duckfolk explorer
9. Esteemed mage, scholar of the arcane, or wizard
10. Estranged noble kin or banished clan member
11. Falconer, stablemaster, or gamekeeper of a great estate
12. Fence, blackmailer, or underworld fixer
13. Harbourmaster, river pilot, or ship's captain
14. Healer, herbalist, or apothecary
15. Heir to a noble estate or princely domain
16. High priest, abbess, or temple hierophant
17. Innocent village commoner or wandering traveller
18. Lady's maid, valet, or discreet manservant
19. Magistrate, judge, or city bailiff
20. Minstrel, bard, or court musician
21. Moneylender, banker, or guild treasurer
22. Monk, archivist-scribe, or cloistered illuminator
23. Necromancer, warlock, or forbidden-arts scholar
24. Outcast hermit, exiled druid, or lone mercenary
25. Reformed brigand, ex-bandit, or outlaw
26. Regent, lord, or member of the royal court
27. Renowned knight, royal favourite, or celebrated adventurer
28. Retired knight, war veteran, or former commander
29. Royal cook, poison-taster, or master of the kitchens
30. Sculptor, painter, or court portraitist
31. Secretive guild partner or shadowy trade merchant
32. Spouse of a noble, betrothed, or court consort
33. Spy, royal courier, or masked informant
34. Street urchin, chimney-sweep, or quick-fingered pickpocket
35. Tax collector, excise officer, or tithe reeve
36. Town crier, scribe, or chronicler
37. Town guard, city watchman, or castle sentinel
38. Unknown wanderer, mysterious ranger or shadowy stranger
39. Village merchant, innkeeper, or blacksmith
40. Wealthy patron, landholding noble, or prominent lord
41. Young page, apprentice squire, or novice mage
42. Zealous faith preacher or temple advocate

Cause of Death

1. "Hunting accident" concealing deliberate murder
2. Asphyxiation in a collapsed tunnel, cellar, or crypt
3. Battlefield casualty during siege, war, or skirmish
4. Buried alive under cairn, rubble, or quicklime
5. Burned by dragon's breath, salamander, or fire elemental
6. Clandestine political assassination disguised as an accident
7. Crushed by falling chandelier, portcullis, or cargo net
8. Death by duel of wits turned lethal through enchantment
9. Death caused by attack from wild beast or supernatural creature
10. Death caused by catastrophic failure of magical or alchemical experiments
11. Death during heist or burglary gone awry
12. Death in self-defence during violent confrontation
13. Death inflicted by a malevolent curse or dark sorcery
14. Death resulting from torture or prolonged suffering
15. Death through a trial by ordeal, witch test, or divine judgement
16. Deliberate and premeditated assassination
17. Drowned in a barrel, vat, or cistern (no river required)
18. Execution by royal decree, vigilante justice, religious tribunal, or lynch mob
19. Exsanguination for blood-magic, leechcraft, or vampiric feeding
20. Failed assassination: assassin perishes and intended victim escapes
21. Fatal accident or unintended mishap (eg. victim may have been clumsy, drugged, drunk, misguided, performing a dare)
22. Fatal illness, plague, or contamination of water supplies or food
23. Fatal outcome of a judicial duel or trial by combat
24. Frozen solid by winter sorcery or rime-spirit
25. Heart stopped by banshee wail, killing song, or fear-hex
26. Lethal miscast backlash from a stolen spell or wand
27. Petrified to stone (gorgon, basilisk, or curse)
28. Poisoning disguised as fever or "bad shellfish"
29. Premeditated assassination resulting in the wrong target's death
30. Pushed from a high stair, gallery, or clock-tower
31. Ritualistic or honourable suicide
32. Soul torn free by pact, wraith, or cursed mirror
33. Starvation or death by thirst
34. Suffocation by smoke during a conveniently timed blaze
35. Trampled in festival crush, riot, or panic at a spectacle
36. Victim didn't die, but is enchanted, cursed, or drugged
37. Victim didn't die, it is a doppelganger or a fake body with false evidence (eg. cover-up to flee with a beloved, from prosecution, or debt)
38. Victim sacrificed in occult ritual or by secret cult
39. Victim slain elsewhere and body moved via teleport, portal, or cart
40. Victim slain long ago; body animated to obscure true time and cause

Suspect(s) / Perpetrator

1. Alchemist, artificer, or gnomish inventor with volatile means
2. Bitter rival knight or duelling adversary
3. Bodyguard, man-at-arms, or mercenary sworn to the wrong oath
4. Butler, steward, or estate factor with keys to every door
5. Corrupt magistrate or city official
6. Court jester, actor, or impresario masking malice as mirth
7. Debt-ridden gambler or tavern frequenter
8. Disgruntled bard or artisan
9. Disgruntled servant or squire
10. Estranged sibling from rival noble house
11. Experienced con artist or trickster
12. Former betrothed or jilted lover
13. Former outlaw or bandit recently released
14. Fortune-teller, witch, or hedge-magus selling “advice”
15. Friend coerced by dark magic or magical threat
16. Greedy heir to a fiefdom or estate
17. Guild enforcer, teamster boss, or strikebreaker with a cudgel
18. Harbourmaster, pilot, or ship's master entangled in tariffs
19. High priest, zealot acolyte, or temple inquisitor
20. Illegitimate heir, foundling, or adopted child with a claim
21. Innkeeper, tavern host, or vintner who overhears too much
22. Jealous noble spouse or betrothed
23. Lady's maid, valet, or dresser guarding lethal confidences
24. Local thief, highwayman, or brigand
25. Moneylender, banker, or guild treasurer with silent ledgers
26. Mysterious wanderer, mercenary, or exiled mage
27. Necromancer, warlock, or cult adherent cloaked in piety
28. Overprotective parent of a noble offspring
29. Physician, barber-surgeon, apothecary, or chirurgeon
30. Rival guild master or merchant competitor
31. Rival investigator, town watch captain, or inquisitor
32. Rival suitor, jealous patron, or patroness spurned
33. Royal spymaster, informer, or black-hood agent
34. Secret lover from a forbidden class or rival house
35. Shady duckfolk wizard
36. Shape-shifter, glamour-caster, or illusionist wearing a face
37. Smuggler, fence, or dock foreman with cargo to hide
38. Tax collector, excise man, or tithe reeve with many enemies
39. Troubled apprentice or young page
40. Tutor, archivist, or librarian privy to forbidden texts

Motive

1. Accident concealed to protect reputation or office
2. Ancient family feud reigniting
3. Attempt to get the investigator into trouble
4. Blackmail involving magical or political secrets
5. Breaking an oath or forbidden love
6. Cover-up of scandalous parentage, affair, or heirship
7. Covering dark secrets or forbidden magic
8. Desperation caused by famine or war
9. Escaping crushing debt, usury, or guild penalties
10. Extortion or blackmail spiralling into murder
11. Fear of prophecy naming the victim a future tyrant
12. Financial gain through usury or theft
13. Gaining inheritance or rising social class
14. Greed for a rare artefact, spellbook, or relic
15. Greed for land, titles, or treasure
16. Greed masked as charity - killing to redirect endowments
17. Hatred fuelled by clan or guild rivalries
18. Jealousy over a noble or romantic favour
19. Mental instability or cursed madness
20. Misguided "mercy killing" prompted by false diagnosis
21. Mistaken identity in feuding factions
22. Obedience to patron demon, fae, or capricious deity
23. Political framing to topple a rival house or official
24. Political power struggles between houses
25. Possession by spirit, artefact, or curse twisting will
26. Preventing a peace treaty, merger, or marriage alliance
27. Preventing exposure of magic or betrayal
28. Preventing exposure of treason, heresy, or forbidden rituals
29. Professional jealousy in the arts or crafts
30. Professional rivalry over commission, stage, or discovery
31. Protecting lineage or heirs
32. Protecting personal or family honour
33. Protection of secret identity (spy, cultist, or royal bastard)
34. Religious zeal, prophecy, or fanatic interpretation of doctrine
35. Revenge for a dishonoured family
36. Revenge for a past war, crusade, or fight
37. Revenge for abuse, exploitation, or broken apprenticeship
38. Securing silence about illegal trade, smuggling, or slavery
39. Self-defence against a dangerous foe
40. Silencing a whistle-blower or troublesome witness
41. To inherit a curse into a hated rival's line

Means

1. "Accidental" push into kiln, glassworks, or lime pit
2. Arrow or crossbow bolt
3. Attack by trained war animal or beast
4. Bewitched food at feast, wake, or holy day
5. Blowpipe dart, thorn, or spine tipped with paralytic
6. Blunt trauma from mace or club
7. Booby trap in castle or dungeon
8. Clockwork device set to strike at the hour
9. Collapsing ceiling, chandelier, or stage rigging
10. Dagger or short sword stabbing
11. Dismemberment after ritual sacrifice
12. Dosed incense, brazier fumes, or censer smoke
13. Drowning in well, river, or moat
14. Drug overdose through magical potions
15. Electrocution via enchanted artifacts
16. Enchanted music (heart-stopping chord, siren lullaby)
17. Explosion of alchemical concoctions or magical blast
18. Exposure to curses or dark magic
19. Exposure to freezing elements or cold magic
20. Falling from castle battlements or cliffs
21. Fire or torch arson
22. Freezing charm, rime-blade, or ice-slicked step
23. Garrotte, silk sash, or rosary cord
24. Hexed coin, letter, or book that curses on touch
25. Horse riding accident or fall from tower
26. Medical malpractice by inexperienced healer
27. Mirror, portrait, or lens that drinks the soul
28. Petrifying gaze redirected by polished shield or glass
29. Pierced by a frozen duck
30. Poison from rare herbs or alchemical mixtures
31. Poisoned ring, needle, hairpin, or cuff-stud
32. Runic trap etched on threshold, chest, or handrail
33. Sabotaged carriage, harness, or stair baluster
34. Starvation or sabotage of food supply
35. Strangulation with cord or bare hands
36. Suffocation in confined space
37. Summoned elemental, bound demon, or animated statue
38. Tainted wine, sugared fruits, or doctored communion cup
39. Tampered armour buckle, saddle girth, or lifeline
40. Tethered war-beast slipped at a signal
41. Trap door, oubliette, or secret chute to water

Opportunity

1. Attempting to retrieve stolen goods or valuable item
2. Attending a social event or gathering (feast, festival, market)
3. Bath-house, steam-rooms, or healing wards with privacy
4. Being forcibly brought or kidnapped by others
5. Blackout: lanterns doused, wards falter, or fog rolls in
6. Busy market day, livestock fair, or harvest moot
7. Carriage ride, canal barge, or ferry crossing
8. Changing of the watch, bell-ringing, or curfew confusion
9. Changing rooms, armoury, or wardrobe confusion
10. Conducting secret or clandestine meeting
11. Confessional, seance, or divination sitting
12. Court hearing, proclamation, or tax inspection
13. Delivering or receiving a message or parcel
14. Engaging in an argument or dispute with the victim
15. Errand to fetch medicine, relic, or charter seal
16. Fireworks, parade, or tourney noise covering the deed
17. Following or spying on another character
18. Harbour fog, spring tide, or lock rotation
19. Hiding from an enemy or bounty hunters
20. Hunt in the royal preserve or boar-drive
21. Hunting or trapping in nearby woods or fields
22. Investigating a previous crime or strange occurrence
23. Investigating suspicious sounds or rumours
24. Library, archives, or scriptorium after hours
25. Masked ball, masquerade, or costume fête
26. Meeting a secret lover or forbidden acquaintance
27. Night of eclipse, comet, or auspicious star
28. Overnight vigil for the dead or relic-watch
29. Participating in religious rites or ceremonies nearby
30. Passing through while travelling or on a journey
31. Performing their duties as a guard, servant, or official
32. Procession, pilgrimage, or holy fast with strict routines
33. Refuge taken during siege drill or fire alarm
34. Searching for evidence or clues themselves
35. Secret tryst at folly, grotto, or hedge-maze
36. Seeking private audience with victim or noble
37. Seeking shelter or refuge during a storm or attack
38. Trading or negotiating business deals
39. Visiting someone for healing or spiritual counsel
40. Workshop din (forge, loom, mill) masking struggle

Clues and Evidence

1. Animal hair, scale, or feather: points to familiar, beast, or shape-shifter presence
2. Arcane ward scored or inverted: suggests knowledgeable tampering rather than wild magic
3. Bits of torn clothing or armour: fragments of fabric or chain-mail indicating a struggle or escape
4. Blood spatter directionality: indicates position, handedness, or post-mortem staging
5. Blood-stained weapon or dagger: a weapon marked with fresh or dried blood, possibly the murder weapon
6. Boot-nail pattern or horse-shoe stamp: distinctive tread known to local farriers or guards
7. Broken weapon or armour pieces: shattered swords, bent arrows, or damaged shields suggest violent combat
8. Confession notes or coded messages: secret writings revealing guilt, intentions, or hidden alliances
9. Duck Feathers: a handful of duck feathers
10. Footprints in dust/dirt/mud/blood: tracks leading to or from the scene, including unusual or partial prints
11. Foreign coin, token, or ferry chit: places a traveller at a dock or city gate at a precise hour
12. Hair braid cut cleanly: trophy taking or ritual marker
13. Half-eaten food, wine tally, or menu card: narrows timing and points to poison vector
14. Hidden passageways or secret doors: concealed entries that indicate stealthy movement or escape routes
15. Ink on sleeve, lime on boots, or resin on palms: trade stains giving away recent labour
16. Key missing from ring: one ward opened whilst others remain locked
17. Ledger anomalies or duplicate invoices: money trails exposing motive, bribe, or hush payment
18. Missing family heirloom or relic: stolen valuables that might provide motives or clues to the crime
19. Monogrammed glove, kerchief, or ribbon: an owner too careful to lose - unless in struggle
20. Needle prick or bruised welt: tiny puncture in fingertip, throat, or wrist suggests toxins or darts
21. Parchment ash and wax fragments: a letter burned in haste; seal imprint recoverable in the dross
22. Poisoned cup, vial, or wine-sediment: trace alkaloids, bitters, or glittering crystals in residue or teeth of the cork
23. Pollen, spores, or unusual sawdust: botanical traces placing suspect at grove, loft, or workshop
24. Rope fibres or knots: remnants of bindings or strangulation, possibly magical cords or common hemp
25. Royal decree or forbidden document: official papers that could implicate or protect suspects or victims
26. Scrying echo or mirror-ghost: faint replay of the last moments caught in reflective magic
27. Secret letters or scrolls: clandestine correspondence that discloses relationships, threats, or plans
28. Security guards' reports or logs: official accounts noting unusual activity or suspicious visitors
29. Signs of magical disturbance: glowing runes, disturbed magical wards, or residue from spells cast
30. Soil, clay, or brick dust: local strata tying a suspect to tunnel, quarry, or cellar
31. Soot or ashes from a recent fire: evidence of arson, ritual burning, or accidental blaze
32. Stopped timepiece or sand-glass overturned: fixes the moment of death with fair precision
33. Strange herbs or magical residue: traces of exotic plants or enchanted substances not native to the area
34. Strange smells of decay, poison, incense etc.: odours that suggest toxins or ritualistic incense used in magic or suggest undead, aberrations etc.
35. Tallow drips of uncommon colour: candle from temple, lodge, or cult site
36. Unexplained arcane symbols: mysterious sigils or glyphs that may be warnings or part of a ritual
37. Unreliable witness contradictions: conflicting statements from those near the scene, sowing confusion
38. Unsent letter or draft apology: reveals victim's planned meet or confession
39. Unusual footprints from magical creatures: tracks belonging to beasts or spirits, not ordinary humans or animals
40. Witness testimony from nearby people: folk knowledge or eyewitness accounts shedding light on suspicious happenings

Red Herrings

1. "Werewolf" prints belonging to a very ordinary mastiff
2. A "haunted" painting whose whispers are draughts in the frame
3. A forged map leading investigators to an empty warehouse
4. A staged "beast attack" to mask a very human stabbing
5. Anonymous threats sent to many households by a bored student
6. Anonymous warnings or threats sent to multiple parties that sow distrust but have no direct link to the murder
7. Bloodied apron from a butcher or chirurgeon unrelated to the crime
8. Coincidental arrival of strangers - travelling merchants, pilgrims, or adventurers - around the time of the crime raising suspicion
9. Confusing or contradictory directions given about someone's path near the crime scene
10. Court jester's trick dagger swapped back before the show
11. Crime staged as a beast attack or natural disaster, invoking fear of supernatural creatures etc. to cover human motives
12. Cult symbols chalked by children playing at secrets
13. Disguised noble or covert spy blending in with common folk, leading to mistaken identity and misplaced blame
14. Doppelganger or shapeshifter sighting reported, stirring rumours and fear but ultimately proven false or misleading
15. Elaborate fake suicide note designed to misdirect suspicion and confuse investigators
16. Escaped prisoner nearby whose offence is petty and unrelated
17. False alibi provided by a fiercely loyal servant or companion aiming to protect their master regardless of truth
18. False eyewitness testimony from terrified villagers or servants who misinterpret innocent actions as suspicious (eg. witch hunt)
19. Foreign coin or token dropped by a tourist, not the killer
20. Forged magical evidence or falsified spellcraft residues deliberately planted to implicate an innocent party
21. Framed suicide note copied from a chapbook template
22. Glamour or disguise misleads about height, sex, or gait
23. Innocent passerby caught near the crime unintentionally, such as a traveller or messenger on official business
24. Kingdom messenger or herald delivering false news or misleading orders that disrupt the investigation or frame a suspect
25. Love letters planted to suggest an affair that never was
26. Misleading arcane fingerprints or magical residue left by unrelated spellcasting or common enchantments
27. Mysterious enchanted message or cryptic rune that seems threatening but is actually a benign communication or prank
28. Noble in disguise performing charity rounds at night
29. Ominous prophecy mistranslated to implicate the innocent
30. Red-stained hands from beetroot, madder, or dye mistaken for gore
31. Secret affair or clandestine meeting with a rival lord or noble that appears scandalous but is unrelated to the crime
32. Smashed scrying glass staged after the fact to imply magic
33. Suspicious but entirely innocent peasant found near the scene, possibly carrying tools or goods that look incriminating but are unrelated
34. Tampered enchanted surveillance, such as broken scrying mirrors or disrupted magical wards, creating false impressions of guilt
35. Threatening rune stones, curses, or warding symbols placed nearby that hint at dark magic but serve as mere superstition
36. Torn button traced to a rag-seller's barrel, not a suspect's coat
37. Twin, double, or look-alike sighting muddling witness statements
38. Vanishing family heirloom that surfaces mysteriously, distracting investigators with false leads about theft or motive
39. Voodoo doll, poppet, or curse token used as a cruel prank
40. Wrong motive suspected by guards or witnesses, such as jealousy or greed, that draws attention away from the real cause

Suspicious items in a suspect's pockets

1. A bloodstained lace handkerchief
2. A brass bell clapper, missing the bell itself
3. A broken cufflink
4. A broken locket with no picture
5. A candle stub chewed at one end
6. A folded love letter with no signature
7. A folded map with one route marked in red ink
8. A foreign coin with a hole pierced through
9. A key-shaped pendant but made of wood
10. A knife hilt, blade missing
11. A page torn from a diary
12. A pastry crust wrapped in cloth (with a hidden note baked inside)
13. A pawn chess piece cut from ivory
14. A pebble carved into the shape of an eye
15. A playing card with a crude drawing on the back
16. A quill nib bent as if used violently
17. A rolled-up sketch of the murder victim
18. A rosary or prayer beads missing one piece
19. A scented note sealed but unopened
20. A scrap of scorched parchment with runic symbols
21. A set of tiny brass keys on a chain
22. A sharpened quill soaked in ink-stains
23. A short length of green ribbon tied around a twig
24. A signet ring not belonging to them
25. A silver coin sharpened on one edge
26. A single raven feather tied with thread
27. A small vial of dark powder (poison or medicine?)
28. A smudged charcoal sketch of a hidden alley
29. A strange brass gear (part of a clockwork?)
30. A theatre token or ticket
31. A tiny bone charm carved with runes
32. A tiny glass vial of dried blood
33. A tiny vial of perfume with unfamiliar fragrance
34. A torn button covered in bloodstains
35. A torn page from a psalm book
36. A torn strip of silk ribbon
37. A wax tablet smudged with faint writings
38. An earthenware bead coated in ash
39. Crumpled tavern receipt with torn edges
40. Crystals wrapped in leather cord
41. Deed to a disused piece of property
42. Dried herbs bundled with twine (healing… or poison?)
43. Folded pouch of salt (warding charm?)
44. Miniature portrait of an unknown woman/man
45. Oyster shell with something carved inside
46. Playing dice weighted slightly on one side
47. Shards of broken mirror
48. Strange tally marks scratched into thin slate
49. Strip of red cloth resembling part of a uniform
50. Wax seal stamp carrying another family's crest

Random other items in a suspect's pockets

1. A bit of string or twine knotted in odd fashion
2. A carved bone needle case
3. A child's marble or clay bead
4. A child's toy soldier (pewter, wood, or rag)
5. A copper hairpin or simple brooch
6. A crumbling piece of bread or hard biscuit
7. A dog-eared prayer pamphlet
8. A dried flower pressed flat
9. A folded paper fan (Regency fashion)
10. A folded scrap of parchment with shopping notes
11. A folded scrap of sheet music (without notes written in)
12. A half-finished crochet or knitting sample
13. A half-smoked twist of pipe tobacco
14. A handbill from a town crier or theatre troupe
15. A homely knitted coin purse with a hole in it
16. A jar stopper with no jar
17. A knotted string used for tallying debts or prayers
18. A leather strap fragment with worn stitching
19. A lock of hair tied with string (keepsake, not sinister)
20. A lucky rabbit's foot or animal tooth on a cord
21. A lump of beeswax for sealing or mending
22. A pair of dull scissors wrapped in cloth
23. A pebble smoothed by the river (pocket worry stone)
24. A piece of chalked slate for notes or accounts
25. A polished wooden spoon
26. A rolled-up strip of oiled cloth (for protecting steel)
27. A seashell from a distant shore
28. A simple clay pipe
29. A simple wax candle stub
30. A single chestnut or walnut
31. A small brass thimble
32. A small comb of carved wood
33. A small devotional medal or trinket
34. A small pouch of bread crumbs kept for feeding ducks or pigeons
35. A small pouch of common coins (coppers, farthings, or pennies)
36. A smooth bit of broken pottery
37. A sprig of holly or ivy for good luck
38. A sprig of lavender or rosemary
39. A square of soft linen used as a handkerchief
40. A string of dried apple slices
41. A stub of chalk or charcoal
42. A tangle of sewing thread and a bent needle
43. A tiny dice pouch with plain bone dice
44. A tiny wooden whistle
45. A twist of paper containing sugar crystals
46. A wooden button saved for mending
47. A woolen glove missing its partner
48. A worn bootlace, saved "just in case"
49. An empty tiny inkwell with a cork stopper
50. Worn rosary beads or prayer token

Rumours about the Victim

1. A charm-seller says the victim's aura turned "grey as rain".
2. A courier delivered a black-sealed letter; they burned it unread.
3. A fortune-teller told them to avoid mirrors this week.
4. A healer warned them that continued indulgence would be the end of them.
5. A rival swore in the tavern, "One more slight and I'll end them."
6. A sailor claims the victim prayed at the wrong shrine the night before.
7. A secret meeting was held after curfew in the cloister garden - voices were raised.
8. I saw them slip a parcel to a hooded figure by the quay.
9. Someone switched their cup at the feast - two servants swear it.
10. Someone tampered with their saddle last week, but they noticed in time.
11. The temple warned them publicly about "indecent dealings".
12. The victim blackmailed a noble over an old campaign atrocity.
13. The victim had a second life under another name.
14. The victim mocked a zealot preacher who then cursed them in public.
15. The victim was gifting coin to a hidden heir no one acknowledges.
16. The victim was heard arguing with a lover behind the playhouse.
17. The victim's signet ring is a fake - pawned the real one months ago.
18. Their best friend was secretly paid to watch them.
19. Their familiar vanished two days before - bad omen, folk say.
20. They boasted at the auctions they could "sink a house with a sentence".
21. They carried a vial of antidote at all times - "occupational habit".
22. They changed their will the night before their death, cutting out a close relation.
23. They cheated at cards and were caught.
24. They drank only from sealed bottles, yet one arrived already opened.
25. They had an appointment with a magistrate to "set the record straight".
26. They meant to expose high-ranking officials participating in a smuggling ring and wanted to deliver the evidence the next day.
27. They offered to sell a relic to two buyers at once.
28. They owed a lot of money to someone.
29. They planned to flee the city on the morning tide.
30. They planned to publish a list of names in the morning edition.
31. They purchased a map of the city's catacombs.
32. They quarrelled with an apprentice about missing pages from a ledger.
33. They tested a spell on the roof at midnight.
34. They were promised a seat on the guild council if they kept quiet.
35. They were seen rehearsing a duel in the practice yard.

Rumours about the Suspect(s) / Perpetrator

1. A child saw them drop a coin into the wishing well and whisper the victim's name.
2. A fortune-teller warned them "beware a mirror" and they smashed one that night.
3. A guard saw them near the archive door when the wards flickered.
4. A maid found dried blood on their cuff; they said it was pheasant.
5. A pawnbroker says they redeemed a heirloom <murder weapon> the day of the killing.
6. A stable-hand swears they changed horses at midnight to avoid notice.
7. A stevedore says they bribed him to look the other way at Pier Five.
8. Someone saw them exchanging ribbons with a known assassin.
9. The baker says they bought two cakes - one "without the bitter almonds".
10. The harbourmaster's ledger shows them renting a skiff at an odd hour.
11. The hounds would not go near them after the deed.
12. The tax reeve claims they offered him "a generous forgetfulness".
13. The temple scribe claims they sought a "general absolution" in haste.
14. Their blade shows nicks from parrying, not practice.
15. Their cloak reeked of incense not used by any local shrine.
16. Their familiar - if that raven is theirs - mimics the victim's voice eerily well.
17. Their ring bears a sigil known to a secret lodge; the victim loathed that lodge.
18. They asked a printer how to remove ink from skin "in a hurry".
19. They bought rare herbs from an apothecary who asks no questions.
20. They can pick a knot one-handed - a sailor's boast that now sounds ill.
21. They have a cousin in the lighthouse - dark nights come cheap.
22. They keep company with a fence who moves things nobody should own.
23. They lost heavily at cards to the victim last week.
24. They once boasted they could "move unseen through any masquerade".
25. They once served in the victim's household and left without references.
26. They practised left-handed fencing though they sign their name right-handed.
27. They quietly asked a locksmith to copy a key they did not own.
28. They suddenly paid off all debts in crisp coin the next morning.
29. They were first to "discover" the body and somehow already knew where to look.
30. They were seen arguing with the victim two nights before the murder.
31. They were seen burning letters.
32. They were struck from their guild roll for "conduct unbecoming" last winter.
33. They wore mourning-black before the death was public.

(Eccentric) Quirks a Suspect may have

1. Always counts stairs, steps, or doorways out loud.
2. Always tastes unfamiliar objects, plants, or powders.
3. Believes knocking on wood prevents bad luck.
4. Carries scraps of paper and doodles obsessively.
5. Catalogs smells of every place they visit.
6. Closes doors twice "just to be sure."
7. Collects small pebbles and carries them.
8. Collects the feathers of random birds.
9. Collects unusual buttons or scraps of ribbon.
10. Collects words/phrases they overhear, repeating them.
11. Constantly compares strangers to animals ("You look like a hawk...").
12. Declares every coin they find "lucky."
13. Gives everyone unusual nicknames.
14. Insists on drinking from a particular mug/cup.
15. Insists on sitting facing the door in any room.
16. Invents "home rules" no one else understands.
17. Keeps belongings arranged in perfect symmetry.
18. Laughs at inappropriate or grim moments.
19. Laughs too loudly at minor jokes.
20. Memorizes gossip and recites it word-for-word.
21. Mimics accents after only a few minutes of hearing them.
22. Narrates their actions aloud as if speaking to an audience.
23. Reacts with fascination to broken or ruined objects.
24. Records random numbers or tallies on paper/walls.
25. Refuses to walk on cracks or uneven stones.
26. Reorganizes objects on tables into neat lines.
27. Rubs a lucky charm before answering questions.
28. Sniffs flowers (or herbs) constantly, even fake ones.
29. Speaks in rhyme when excited.
30. Speaks in riddles or metaphors.
31. Speaks in whispers, even when not needed.
32. Sprinkles foreign words into everyday speech.
33. Squints dramatically when someone mentions secrets.
34. Stares too intently at other people’s belongings.
35. Starts humming old folk songs absentmindedly.
36. Talks to themself under their breath.
37. Tilts their head strangely when listening.
38. Uses exaggerated, theatrical hand gestures.
39. Wears mismatched socks or gloves on purpose.
40. Winks frequently, for no apparent reason.

(Behavioural) Habits a Suspect may have

1. Adjusts belts, straps, or sashes constantly.
2. Always clears their throat before speaking.
3. Always sniffs food before eating.
4. Always touches doorframes when passing through.
5. Avoids eye contact, preferring to look downward.
6. Bites their nails or chews writing quills.
7. Blinks slowly when asked direct questions.
8. Bounces legs while sitting.
9. Checks their pockets nervously and often.
10. Constantly cleans dirt from fingernails.
11. Constantly fiddles with rings/jewelry.
12. Counts change or beads repeatedly even if nothing has changed.
13. Cradles cups, mugs, or tankards when not drinking.
14. Flips or rolls coins, tokens, or buttons.
15. Folds and unfolds scraps of paper or cloth when waiting.
16. Forgets names, replacing them with nicknames.
17. Has a sudden, odd laugh or snort.
18. Hums while pacing.
19. Laughs nervously in tense silence.
20. Licks their lips before speaking.
21. Mutters quick prayers before tasks.
22. Nail taps on tabletops or glasses rhythmically.
23. Picks loose threads at sleeves or clothing.
24. Picks teeth with small tools or fingernails after meals.
25. Pulls at their earlobe absentmindedly.
26. Rarely finishes drinks or meals.
27. Recites the same phrase before making decisions ("Well then, here we go…").
28. Rubs coins or medallions smooth in their pockets.
29. Rubs their temples when frustrated.
30. Runs fingers through their hair when thinking.
31. Scratches head or chin thoughtfully—even without an itch.
32. Shuffles feet loudly instead of stepping lightly.
33. Sighs heavily or dramatically.
34. Smells their own hands or wrists absentmindedly.
35. Snaps or cracks knuckles often.
36. Straightens their clothing and cuffs repeatedly.
37. Sways side to side when standing still.
38. Taps their foot when nervous.
39. Whistles tunelessly without noticing.
40. Yawns at inappropriate times.

Conflict

1. A key suspect claims sanctuary; breaching it makes enemies
2. A prime suspect exploits a royal pardon or loophole to evade capture, slipping from justice's grasp
3. A relentless assassin stalks the investigator, threatening their life and forcing caution at every turn
4. A rival sleuth publishes reckless accusations
5. An uneasy alliance is forced between the investigator and a prime suspect, fraught with distrust and tension
6. Betrayal from within the investigator's own circle of allies threatens to unravel the investigation
7. Bribed gaolers "lose" prisoners or swap cell assignments
8. Buried family grudges and ancient vendettas resurface, shaping motives and deepening tensions
9. Competing investigators or agents from different factions clash, vying for control of the case
10. Couriers and informants spread misinformation, muddying facts with rumours and false leads
11. Enemy agents intercept critical messengers or letters, obstructing communication and spreading falsehoods
12. Ethical dilemmas arise over using magical justice or forbidden spells to solve the crime at a cost
13. Evidence ordered destroyed by a patron - obey, defy, or leak?
14. Guild strike halts ferries, presses, or morgue services
15. Hostages taken in chapel or guildhall to halt the inquiry
16. Informant network compromised; double agents everywhere
17. Jurisdiction tug-of-war: city watch vs. temple vs. guild magistracy
18. Magic ban in effect; using sorcery risks arrest
19. Magical evidence is sabotaged by rival spellcasters or conspirators seeking to derail the case
20. Noble house feud threatens open violence in the streets
21. Nobles and courtiers openly mistrust the investigator due to class prejudice or political rivalries
22. Oath to a deity forbids certain spells the case seems to require
23. Plague quarantine seals the district, stranding suspects and clues
24. Press censorship and broadsides muddy public sentiment
25. Royal progress arrives; courtiers bury evidence for "decorum"
26. Siege or storm traps everyone in a keep with a killer
27. Street mob demands instant justice; the lock-up is besieged
28. Suspects hurl accusations at rival noble houses, igniting old animosities and complicating the investigation
29. Suspects scheme to frame each other, weaving layers of deception and betrayal
30. The accused wields a royal pardon that may be counterfeit
31. The investigator confronts corruption within the royal guard, struggling against those sworn to uphold the law
32. The investigator faces a dark sorcerer wielding forbidden magic, challenging their skills and resolve
33. The investigator wrestles with personal vows or religious oaths that conflict with their pursuit of truth
34. The investigator's patron demands a convenient culprit
35. The victim's faction offers bounty for vengeance, not truth
36. Trial by combat invoked; a champion must be found by dawn
37. Unexpected royal interference disrupts the investigation, forcing political considerations over justice
38. Witnesses are silenced or coerced by secret cults or shadowy cabals afraid of exposure

Suspense and Tension

1. A beloved NPC turns up with the murder weapon - planted
2. A courier bearing exonerating proof vanishes between gate and inn
3. A desperate soul confesses falsely, confusing the investigation and diverting attention
4. A false warrant names the investigators; flight or courtroom gambit?
5. A familiar (cat, raven, homunculus) shadows the party with stolen clues
6. A key ally collapses from a slow poison; time for the antidote runs short
7. A key witness is poisoned, either fatally or to silence their testimony, escalating the stakes
8. A last-minute prophecy or spell foretells the fate of suspects or the outcome of the case
9. A looming deadline before the king's tribunal demands swift justice, putting pressure on investigators
10. A message in blood fades from enchantment at sunrise
11. A precious magical relic crucial to the investigation goes missing or is stolen at a critical moment
12. A sealed letter reveals a different crime that must be solved first
13. A suspect flees on horseback under cover of darkness, triggering a tense chase or manhunt
14. A trusted ally unexpectedly betrays the investigator, switching loyalties or revealing secrets to enemies
15. An innocent noble is wrongfully arrested, sparking political tension and urgency to find the real culprit
16. Classic locked-room: wards intact, no ingress, yet a corpse within
17. Deadly traps are uncovered within the castle or estate, designed to kill or delay investigators
18. Hidden secrets or revelations emerge during a rare eclipse or mystical celestial event
19. Magical traces or enchantments inexplicably point suspicion toward the investigator themselves
20. Masquerade identities tangle alibis; masks must come off before the bell
21. Midnight ritual deadline - fail to name the killer and a curse completes
22. Ominous threatening messages appear inscribed in ancient runes, hinting at dark magic or curses
23. Rooftop, ship's rigging, or bell-tower finale with perilous footing
24. Suspects erupt into violence, threatening chaos in court or interrogation chambers
25. Tempest, blizzard, or flood cuts roads and ferries; the killer is among you
26. The court demands a verdict before the eclipse ends
27. The evidence vault is compromised by mimic, ooze, or tunnelling thieves
28. The final suspect offers a confession if granted five minutes alone with a relic
29. The investigator is ambushed in a dark forest or shadowed alley by unknown assailants aiming to stop the inquiry
30. The investigator is haunted by visions, curses, or demons linked to the crime or victim
31. The killer strikes again, accelerating the timetable
32. The killer taunts investigators by leaving enchanted tokens, arcane markers, cryptic messages, or "business cards" at key locations
33. The killer taunts via street-ballads, riddles, or carved tokens
34. The last witness can only speak via séance or dream-walk
35. The party must choose: save the next target or secure the proof to convict
36. The true motive is too scandalous to print; justice vs. stability
37. Time runs out before a final verdict or royal decree, heightening tension and urgency
38. Vital evidence inexplicably vanishes from the crime scene or evidence chamber, throwing the case into chaos
39. Vital evidence inexplicably vanishes from the crime scene or evidence chamber, throwing the case into chaos

Crime Location Ideas

1. Alchemist's Workshop: Filled with strange potions and volatile chemicals, possible source of poison
2. Ancient Ruins: Crumbling relics of the past, hiding forgotten clues or dangers
3. Artisan's Workshop: Place of craft and art, concealing motives or hidden clues in tools and materials
4. Battlefield Remnants: Ground scattered with bones and weapons, site of old grudges and new violence
5. Blacksmith's Forge: Hot and noisy workspace, clearing for heated disputes or hidden weapons
6. Bridge Over River: Site of accidents, secret exchanges, or ambushes
7. Caravanserai: Traveler's rest filled with strangers and potential witnesses or threats
8. Castle Battlements: Open-air fortifications where sudden confrontations can turn deadly
9. Castle Dungeon: Dark, damp prison where secrets and suffering abound
10. Castle Great Hall: Central gathering place for nobles and guests, often the scene of political intrigue
11. Chapel Bell Tower: Overlooks village, place of lookout or secret signals
12. Chapel Crypts: Underground burial chambers holding more than just bones
13. Commoner's Cottage: Humble home revealing hidden connections or illicit activities
14. Courtyard Fountain: Social crossroads, often a discreet meeting place for whispered conversations
15. Farmer's Field: Open land hiding footprints or abandoned weapons
16. Fisherman's Dock: Waterfront location prone to smuggling or secretive rendezvous
17. Forest Clearing: Isolated spot where illicit meetings or ambushes can occur
18. Forest Path: Dangerous and winding, where ambushes and suspicious meetings happen
19. Granary: Food stores potentially sabotaged to starve or poison victims
20. Graveyard Mossy Tomb: Neglected resting place, site of desecration or secret messages
21. Guildhall Meeting Room: Center of political power for merchant or craft guilds, tensions run high
22. Herbalist's Garden: Full of healing and deadly plants, clues hidden among the foliage
23. Hermit's Cave: Hidden refuge for outcasts or spies, holding secrets or threats
24. Hidden Passageway: Secret tunnels allowing stealthy movements and escapes
25. Hill Fort: Defensive position with strategic importance and political secrets
26. Hilltop Shrine: Sacred site overlooking the land, home to rituals and divine secrets
27. Mage's Tower: Arcane laboratory filled with magical instruments and experiments - dangerous secrets abound
28. Market Square: Bustling hub of commerce and gossip, witness to many confrontations
29. Marketplace Stalls: Crowded and chaotic, with plenty of opportunities for spying or theft
30. Merchant Caravan Camp: Temporary location with many transient characters and shifting alliances
31. Noble's Private Chamber: Personal quarters potentially filled with hidden evidence or secrets
32. Noble's Private Library: Filled with forbidden knowledge and secret correspondences
33. Old Mill by River: Isolated working place, site of accidental or deliberate death
34. Prison Guard's Quarters: Place of power abuse or betrayal
35. Prisoner's Cell: Contains suspects or victims' secrets hidden behind bars
36. Royal Chapel: Sacred space for worship and rituals, hidden motives may surface here
37. Royal Gardens: Beautiful but dangerous, hiding secret meetings or poisons among flowers
38. Royal Stables: Home to prized horses, site of sabotage or hidden violence
39. Royal Treasury: Guarded vault of wealth and treasures, tempting target for thieves or murderers
40. Ship's Cabins: Confined spaces on water, breeding grounds for conspiracy or murder
41. Stone Circle: Ancient and mystical, often associated with pagan rites or gatherings
42. Tavern Common Room: Loud and chaotic, perfect for overheard secrets or secret meetings
43. Town Square: Center of civic life, where public accusations or beatings might occur
44. Village Blacksmith's Hammering Grounds: Loud place, where accidents or violent disputes might occur
45. Village Cemetery: Quiet resting place for the dead, sometimes the site of eerie discoveries
46. Village Well: A source of life and potential poison, central to many conflicts
47. Watchtower: A vantage point with sweeping views, often the place for solitary vigil or hidden observations
48. Witch's Hut: Isolated and eerie, a place of magic and mistrust

Murder Weapon Examples

1. Ancient long-sword with runic inscriptions: A broad steel blade etched with glowing symbols, wielded in a powerful downward strike
2. Barbed trident spear: With wicked barbs designed to inflict agonizing wounds, weaponized for close combat
3. Blowgun with poisoned darts: Used to discharge small, lethal projectiles from a distance
4. Blunted spear tip, bent and bloodstained: Detached from a larger shaft, repurposed as a stabbing implement
5. Bone-handled sickle stained with rust: An agricultural blade sharpened to a deadly edge, used to slash a throat in a swift, covert attack
6. Broken glass vial with dried residue: Shattered remnants of a dead man's potion, spilled near the victim's body
7. Broken spear shaft sharpened at an angle: Modified piece used for stabbing in tight quarters
8. Ceramic shard from broken chalice: Sharp fragment used unexpectedly to slash victim
9. Ceremonial dagger with jeweled pommel: Ornate blade associated with dark rituals, found embedded in the victim
10. Chainmail fragment with jagged edge: Broken piece wielded as an impromptu stabbing weapon
11. Charred torch club: A thick wooden torch blackened by flame, wielded to deliver devastating blunt force
12. Crossbow quarrel tipped with poison: A sleek bolt coated in deadly venom, silently fired into the victim's back
13. Cursed bone charm imbued with necromantic magic: Used to curse or poison the victim indirectly
14. Curved bone-handled throwing knife: Small and balanced, ideal for a quick fatal toss that pierces deep
15. Enchanted crystal shard emitting eerie glow: A jagged fragment harnessing dangerous magic, plunged into the victim to disrupt their life force
16. Heavy boulder wedged atop victim: Used in staged accident or intentional crushing death
17. Heavy double-headed battle axe: A fearsome weapon with twin crescent blades and a shaft wrapped in bloodstained cloth, capable of devastating blows
18. Heavy iron chain snapped and coiled: Used to strangle or bludgeon, marked with fresh blood and broken links
19. Heavy iron studded gauntlet with blood smears: Used to punch or crush in close combat
20. Heavy leather belt with large iron buckle: Used to throttle or bludgeon, found wrapped around the victim
21. Heavy stone from a broken statue: Round and smooth, thrown or dropped to inflict fatal blows
22. Heavy velvet-wrapped book used as a bludgeon: Tome struck with force, leaving bruises and broken bones beneath its weight
23. Iron war-hammer with spikes: A brutal weapon featuring a heavy, spiked head perfect for crushing bone and armour through sheer force
24. Iron-shod war mace with flanged head: A crushing weapon built to puncture and dent armour, swung with lethal intent
25. Jagged obsidian dagger: A razor-sharp black blade with a serrated edge, its handle wrapped in worn leather - used to silently strike vital arteries
26. Jewelled rapier with a poison-filled hollow tip: A slender, elegant blade concealing deadly toxins for precise strikes
27. Knotted hemp rope, frayed and stained: Used for strangulation, tight around the victim's neck with telltale abrasions
28. Mace with twisted flanges that pierce armor: A brutal weapon designed to crush and puncture simultaneously
29. Magical firebomb (small vial of volatile oil): Thrown to ignite curtains or cause a deadly blaze
30. Molten lead poured down chimney flue: Death caused by suffocation and burns from hot metal
31. Poison-laced bread or fruit: Mundane item used to disguise lethal intent
32. Poisoned quill pen dipped in venom: Used for covert stamping or stabbing, leaving damaging toxins on tiny wounds
33. Ritual athame with obsidian blade: A ceremonial knife associated with cult sacrifices
34. Rust-covered iron claw grappling hook: Repurposed as a brutal weapon to scratch and tear flesh
35. Sharpened bone shard: Jagged prehistoric fragment used in a desperate, savage attack
36. Shattered lantern glass, its frame twisted: Thrown or used in hand-to-hand combat to cause fatal injuries
37. Shattered mirror splinter with sharp edges: Broken glass used as a slashing tool in panic or desperation
38. Silvered dagger designed to pierce enchanted armour: Thin and lightweight, engraved with protective glyphs
39. Silvered hunting spear: A gleaming, slender spear designed for penetrating both flesh and magical protections
40. Slingshot with sharply jagged stones: Used to strike from a distance lethally
41. Spiked wooden cudgel: Club embedded with nails or spikes, inflicting gruesome wounds
42. Splintered wooden plank: A shard from a broken beam, wielded as a makeshift club to bash in the victim's head
43. Throwing axe with blood on the haft: Small yet deadly, with a worn wooden handle and chipped blade
44. Vial of shimmering alchemical poison: Contained in a delicate crystal bottle, dropped discreetly into a cup of wine to silently end life
45. Warped and sharpened farming hoe: Agricultural tool repurposed as a deadly weapon in desperation
46. Warped iron poker, scorched and misshapen: Found near a hearth, used in a violent fit of rage
47. Wooden flail with iron ball: A farmer's tool transformed into a fearsome weapon, its spiked metal ball swung viciously to crush skulls

Clue Examples

1. Bent arrow lodged in nearby wood: Shows signs of recent use but not involved in the killing
2. Bent iron key: May open a locked door or chest near the crime scene
3. Blood-stained handkerchief: A finely embroidered cloth soaked with fresh blood, hinting at a struggle or injury
4. Broken fence board or gate latch: Shows forced entry or escape path
5. Broken quill pen: A shattered feather pen lying beside spilled ink, possibly used to write a secret note
6. Broken spectacle lens: Possibly dropped by an old witness or scholar in shock
7. Charcoal drawing on wall: A crude pictograph or message left as a clue or threat
8. Chipped piece of pottery or glass: Belongs to a broken vessel possibly used as weapon or container
9. Cracked gemstone pendant: Possibly stolen or dropped in panic at the scene
10. Crumpled letter: A hastily discarded note with illegible but urgent writing
11. Discarded gloves: Found near doorway, possibly left by suspect in haste
12. Disturbed dust or soil: Uneven ground suggesting someone crouched or was dragged through the area
13. Disturbed flower bed or garden patch: Suggests hidden objects or secret meetings
14. Dried blood splatter pattern: Forensic clue for direction and nature of attack
15. Drop of poison residue on cup rim: Faint traces detected by herbalists or alchemists
16. Faint footprints leading to secret passage: Seems inconspicuous to untrained eye
17. Faint magical aura: A barely perceptible shimmer in the air, evidence of recent spell-casting nearby
18. Faint scent of rare herb or incense: A lingering aroma that might indicate poison or ritual use
19. Footprints in soft earth: Partial boot prints leading to or from the scene, some unusually small or large
20. Footprints of mythical creatures: Unusual tracks resembling hoof or claw marks that don't match any known animal
21. Freshly dug earth or overturned soil: Sign of a hidden object or hastily concealed body part
22. Hairpin with bloodstain: Ornate accessory dropped during sudden attack
23. Half-burned candle: Flickering wax remnants still warm, indicating recent presence
24. Hand-drawn map with marked locations: A guide to hidden places or intended routes
25. Hidden compartment door slightly ajar: Suggests secret concealment or hurried escape
26. Loose chain or broken shackle: Implies struggle or escape of a prisoner
27. Loose coins spilled near victim: Possible bribe, theft distraction, or hasty payment
28. Marks of bootlaces on soft ground: Helps identify type of footwear or social status
29. Parchment with coded symbols: Confusing message or cipher related to investigation
30. Recent footprints alongside animal tracks: Shows presence of a companion animal or familiar
31. Rope fibres caught in the bushes: Signs of binding or strangulation nearby
32. Ruined letter worn by rain or flame: Alters original message but hints at secret communication
33. Scorch marks on fabric or parchment: Evidence of a magical or incendiary attack
34. Scratch marks on victim's nails: Defensive wounds implying a fight with the assailant
35. Scratched rune on wood or stone: A hastily carved symbol, potentially a warning or magical ward
36. Smouldering incense stick: Used in rituals, possibly to mask scent or as a distraction
37. Smudged fingerprints on a door handle: Partial prints hinting at who may have entered or fled
38. Soot smudges on wall or floor: Scattered black marks from a recent fire or torched object
39. Spilled ink on the floor: Suggests hurried note-taking or a sudden struggle
40. Stray lock of hair: Golden or dark, found caught in the victim's grasp or on nearby branches
41. Streak of blood on a door frame: Indicates victim or suspect moved through in haste
42. Threads of expensive fabric caught on barbs: Indicates clothing torn during pursuit or fight
43. Tobacco pipe with ashes: Still warm, belonging to a suspect who smokes illicit substances
44. Torn letter seal fragment: Part of a noble's wax seal suggesting political intrigue
45. Torn page from a forbidden book: Fragment containing arcane or secret knowledge, torn to hide evidence
46. Torn sleeve fabric: Ragged cloth caught on a nail or thorn, suggesting a hurried escape or scuffle
47. Unusual feathers scattered on ground: Possibly from a rare or magical bird passing through
48. Upturned chair or furniture: Suggests a violent struggle took place in the room
49. Whispered rumours or fearful notes found nearby: Indirect clues when documented

Red Herrings: Item Examples

1. Animal bone fragment: Found outdoors, unrelated to human harm
2. Animal tracks: From a stray dog frequenting the area, unrelated to crime
3. Black feather: From a pet raven, not a sign of dark magic
4. Bloodstained glove: Actually belongs to a healer who treated victim after accident earlier
5. Broken chain-mail link: Left behind by a guard on patrol, unrelated to struggle
6. Broken lute string: From a bard performing nearby, not connected
7. Broken magical amulet: Belongs to a bystander, no connection to the crime
8. Broken quill pen: Fell during writing, not linked to secret documents
9. Broken wax seal: Seal of a distant lord, no ties to local disputes
10. Candle wax drippings: Form shapes mistaken for coded messages
11. Charcoal sketch of victim: An artist's unrelated work found on floor
12. Clay pipe with unusual tobacco: Hinting at a merchant, but unrelated to murder
13. Colourful bent pin: Used by a court seamstress, no malicious purpose
14. Crumpled map of forest paths: Found on victim but unrelated to murder
15. Dagger sheath with distinctive engraving: Owned by unrelated mercenary
16. Discarded glove: Once belonging to a noble, lost days prior in market
17. Dried blood of unknown origin: Belonged to messenger with nose bleed, unrelated to murder
18. Dried flower petals: Remnants from a wedding altar, not a clue
19. Empty perfume bottle: Gift given earlier, no relevance to death
20. Empty vial of poison: Actually harmless potion used for better sleep
21. Faded family seal ring: Lost earlier during a gathering, creating false suspicion
22. Fake note warning of plot: Planted to mislead investigators deliberately
23. Folded cloak hidden in bushes: Left by a passerby to dry, no sinister intent
24. Glowing crystal shard: Common light source, mistaken for magical residue
25. Gold earring: Common style worn by many, no link to suspects
26. Locket with no portrait: Gift for a servant, unrelated to victim
27. Loose page from book on herbs: Left by scholar, unrelated to poisoning
28. Mask discarded near scene: Used for a festival, not by the killer
29. Mirror shard: Fell from decorative frame, unrelated to crime scene
30. Odd-shaped stone talisman: A souvenir from a travelling fair unrelated to crime
31. Oil lamp knocked over: Accidentally spilled, causing confusion about timing
32. Old coin pouch: Lost during a robbery days earlier, creating false trail
33. Personal diary with torn pages: Missing pages unrelated to investigation
34. Ripped pouch with no contents: Left from a pickpocket unrelated to murder
35. Rope remnants: Tied up provisions, not used for violence
36. Rusted key: Lost by a blacksmith, not connected to secret chambers
37. Rusty dagger: Common weapon found but unrelated to the murder
38. Scrawled threatening note: Forged to mislead about suspect's intent
39. Shattered glass vial: Contents long evaporated, no implication
40. Smudged footprint: Caused by spilled water, not from suspect's boots
41. Snapped arrow shaft: Part of routine training nearby, no signs of combat
42. Snuffed candle: Used during nightly prayers, misleading about timing
43. Soot smudges on wall: From a hearth fire, misread as signs of arson
44. Stained handkerchief: Belonged to a drunken guest at the feast nearby
45. Strange rune stone: A gaming token mistakenly seen as a magical symbol
46. Torn banner piece: From local militia, no connection to victim
47. Torn parchment scroll: Part of a discarded story, mistaken for important letter
48. Torn piece of noble's cloak: Could imply presence but results from earlier unrelated event
49. Torn sleeve fabric: Flung aside in a tavern brawl hours before murder
50. Unfinished love letter: Might distract investigators with suspected romance motive
51. Velvet pouch with herbs: Common medicinal mix with no poisonous intent

Red Herrings: Witness Testimony Examples

1. "I heard shouting and the sound of a fight coming from the upper chambers late at night."
2. "A cloaked figure with green skin was sneaking around the east wing just before dawn."
3. "There was a strange scent of burning herbs drifting through the hall right before the scream."
4. "I saw a tall man in a hooded cloak vanish into the secret passage behind the bookcase."
5. "Footsteps echoed rapidly down the corridor, but when I looked, no one was there."
6. "A group of ragged strangers were seen arguing loudly near the stables well past curfew."
7. "I swear I saw a pale woman with glowing eyes standing by the chapel ruins at midnight."
8. "Someone was fiddling with the alchemist's vials just hours before the body was found."
9. "A servant covered in dirt and blood raced past me towards the courtyard in the dead of night."
10. "I overheard a heated dispute about a hidden treasure in the gallery before the disaster."
11. "There was the faint sound of chanting coming from the forest glade near the village."
12. "An armored knight rode through the village square, his horse rearing as if frightened."
13. "I found strange footprints leading from the riverbank to the castle gate."
14. "A thick fog rolled in suddenly, hiding what looked like shadowy figures moving silently."
15. "The candle flames flickered wildly as if disturbed by a ghostly presence."
16. "A merchant with a heavily bandaged hand was acting suspiciously near the market stalls."
17. "A mysterious note sealed with a black wax crest was slipped under the lord's door."
18. "I saw a shadow dart across the courtyard, but no one was visible when I turned."
19. "The village blacksmith was seen arguing with the victim over a cursed blade days before."
20. "A cloaked figure was spotted burying something near the old mill at dusk."

The Frozen Feather

• Lysa Bramble (innkeeper) - over-taxed and furious
• Master Quill (moneylender) - owed arrears
• Quorix Puddlenote (duckfolk wizard) - seen casting frost spells