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 “I'm not a psychopath, I'm a high-functioning sociopath. Do your research.” Welcome to Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective. How does the game work? The man Sherlock himself will be giving the players a case that he has no time for, leaving the players to find not only whodunit, but also howdunit and, occasionally, what have they dun. Then they get lectured by Holmes, who solves the case without leaving his sitting room, while the players feel stupid and hate the smug bastard. The game is a glorified mystery CYOA, with each “section” in the case book representing a witness, a location to investigate or what have you. The writing is generally good, and the cases are structured in a way that further investigation will make the players end with more suspects, more motives and more smoking guns, not less, so wandering around until you read the entire booklet isn’t going to work. You’re going to think, rather than stumble upon the answer. After the players decide that they have cracked the case (or given up in shame), we go to the parlor scene, where Sherlock explains the case and test the players not only in matters related directly to the case but in other interesting, but secondary, tidbits. Each correct answer raises the player’s score and each unnecessary location the players go to decreases it, so wandering around is necessary, but discouraged. 100 points is the gold standard of Sherlock-Level. I scored -50 on my first case Here, have a map of London to draw attention away from my shame. I'll be marking important locations on it as we progress. Who knows, maybe it will be useful.  No, how does the PbP work? I’ll write a section of the booklet (or Sherlock giving the intro of the case,if needed) and give the players 48-ish hours to discuss and decide what to do (interrogate the first on scene, go to the Morgue, contact the lover of the victim, whatever). If the players agree on a course of action early I’ll speed up the process. Once the players know (or think they know) what happened, I’ll post the testing questions (who, how, why? How did the criminal enter a perfectly sealed box in the depths of the Pacific ocean? Where did the monkey hide? ) and the players will give their answers. Then Sherlock will rate the players and be a dick about it.  If the players get stuck, they may request lurker collaboration, but otherwise DO NOT HELP THE PLAYERS IF YOU ARE LURKING, please.I want to play! I'm looking for 3 players to run the first case. I have the feeling that 2 may get stuck too often and are too few to get a conversation going. 4 may make the game too easy (the game box says "up to 7". Investigating by committee). The number will be revised on future cases, if there is enough interest to keep going. If you want to join, post ##Sherlock Holmes? Bit of a git, innit?. The Supreme Court kinda claimed a spot, so he's got one if he's still interested. Otherwise, random chance gets it. Probably unnecessary warning Playing or reading the thread will bloody ruin the game for you Do not read if you intend to buy the game afterwards, unless you want to cheat. Please do not cheat in order to make you seem smart, you lonely internet person.Also probably unnecessary, but if you'r lurking try not to give hints to the players. I'll happily discuss the current case by PM or gmail (safatsamurai) if you want. EDIT: Go me, great thread tag. Fat Samurai fucked around with this message at 10:50 on Mar 22, 2015 |
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Mar 22, 2015 10:43
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Holmes Lecture CASE 1: The Murdered Munitions Magnate The London Times Case introduction Investigatingthe crime scene Visiting the Morgue. LOCATIONS OF INTEREST FOR CASE 1  Usual contacts, in white:
Related to the case, in red:
Fat Samurai fucked around with this message at 22:05 on Mar 26, 2015 |
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Mar 22, 2015 10:52
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I'm keen.
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Mar 22, 2015 11:18
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##Sherlock Holmes? Bit of a git, innit?
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Mar 22, 2015 11:23
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Sherlock Holmes, Insulting Detective. I won't be playing along as I've done the first three cases already but good luck! It's totally worth it.
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Mar 22, 2015 11:47
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##Sherlock Holmes? Bit of a git, innit? I get bored at work easily and have never heard of this game, so why not? 
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Mar 22, 2015 12:50
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bobvonunheil posted:Sherlock Holmes, Insulting Detective. I've been watching Cumberbatch's series AND consistently accusing wrong people in the game. Sherlock is a jerk. 
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Mar 22, 2015 14:14
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If there is still an empty spot I'm game ##Sherlock Holmes? Bit of a git, innit?
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Mar 22, 2015 21:05
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I'd still like to give this a shot! ##Sherlock Holmes? Bit of a git, innit?
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Mar 22, 2015 22:54
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We have 4 now I think
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Mar 22, 2015 22:59
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bowmore posted:We have 4 now I think Bah, let's do it with 4. That will be my excuse when you guys crack the case in two seconds while I failed miserably. I have just noticed that the pdf scans of the day's newspaper that comes with every case are from the 1981 version, and are pretty different from what I have. I'll try to scan them tomorrow at the office, and hope people don't look at me weird. For now, have the introductory lesson from Sherlock. Both this and the introductions to the cases are pretty wordy, but the investigations sections are mostly 3-4 paragraphs long. The game starts in 24 hour-ishBaker Street Irregulars Bowmore zandert33 The Supreme Court Chekans 3 16 HOLMES LECTURE Found among Watson's papers were notes from an 1886 lecture given by Holmes to Wigins and other members of the Baker Street Irregulars. The lecture covers Holmes' view of London and the many personalities who were of help to Holmes and would be of help to the Baker Street Irregulars. We have reconstructed this lecture for your edification. When yo pick up a Case and try to solve one of the mysteries within, keep in mind Holmes' lecture which introduces many resources for you to use. Whenever Holmes mentions a set of coordinates (for example Bart's is 38 EC), it means that the players can turn to that section in the case book and read the outcome of their investigation. You can mostly ignore them, but I will post an updated map of London, because sometimes distance will be an important factor to prove an alibi. Holmes stood next to a map of London which hung on the wall of the sitting room at 221 B Baker Street. Watson intermittently surveyed the scene over the pages of his book, while Holmes paced back and forth in front of a group of attentive youths, his black brier in his right hand, his left in the pocket of his mouse-coloured dressing gown. "London is not a beautiful city,” began Holmes. "Under the soot that covers its buildings is the residue of the Empire, a teeming mass of four million souls trying to survive, mostly off of each other. Behind this assemblage is a force of evil, a legion of scoundrels weaving their web of iniquity over the city, and in the centre of the web is the master criminal himself, Professor James Moriarty, the greatest schemer of all time, the organizer of every deviltry, the controlling brain of the underworld—a brain which might have made or marred the destiny of nations. That’s the man! But so aloof is he from criticism, so admirable in his management and self-effacement that his true character is unknown to the public and police. This fact must be kept in mind in all your investigations.'' "How has he managed to stay so unknown, Mr. Holmes?” “That is a good question, Wiggins. Moriarty insulates himself from the crimes he controls and the public with an organization of underlings and thugs who make sure that no thread of evidence can be traced to Moriarty. So you can see that we are not dealing with the ordinary criminal mind and we will need all the help we can get. “Today we will discuss some of the people who will be of help to you in your investigations. At the start of any investigation you must keep in mind that it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. The people that I will introduce you to at this time will help you collect the facts. “Our first stop will be St. Batholomew’s Hospital or Bart’s." Holmes pointed to 38 EC on the map with the tip of his pipe. “Bart’s is one of the oldest and greatest of London’s hospitals and is one of the medical schools of the London University College. Located here is the office of the Coroner’s Chief Medical Examiner, Sir Jasper Meeks. He is London’s greatest forensic pathologist You can depend on him for all the technical details that can be obtained from a corpus delecti.” “Will the bodies of murder victims always be taken to Bart’s, Mr. Holmes?’’ “Yes, Wiggins. All deaths that have questionable causes must be examined by the Chief Medical Examiner. “Our next stop is the Scotland Yard Criminology Laboratory, located at 22 Regency-street, SW. Here we meet H.R. Murray, Head Chemist. It is rumoured that Murray lives in the lab; any time of day or night you will find him bent over one of his tables trying to extract the history of a crime from the physical evidence available to him. You can learn much from old H.R. if you can follow the twists and jumps of his thinking; there is no better mind when it comes to interpreting the physical evidence from a crime. "Wouldn’t it be easier just to go to Scotland Yard, Mr Holmes?” asked Wiggins. A smile came over Holmes’ face as he lowered himself into the wicker chair. “Yes, let’s talk about Scotland Yard. If the Yard would read the reports or knew how to look at the evidence, then there would be no need for our services. Yes, they will get the reports and sometimes they may even read them, but that doesn’t mean that they will know how to interpret them. Gregson and Lestrade are the pick of a bad lot, but you will find that they often twist the facts to fit their preconceived theories. But you are right, Wiggins, Scotland Yard, at 13 SW, is a very valuable source of information. The professional police have methods for gathering facts and information that are not open to us. “At this time I would like to mention another invaluable source of information, The Office of Records at number 14 Chancery-lane, WC. This huge fireproof Tudor-style edifice contains legal records, both criminal and civil, as well as state-papers. Your contact there is Disraeli O’Brian, Head Clerk of the Land Records Department, whom you will find a walking, or should I say sitting, encyclopaedia of the office’s affairs over the last thirty years. “Another records office you should know about is Somerset House on the south side of the Strand at 17 WC. The Office of the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths, and Marriages and the Probate Registry are located there. You will also find the Commons Will Office which is a great repository of testamentary writings of all kinds.” “Who should we contact at Somerset House?” asked Simpson. “The records are open to the public so you will need no special contact.” Holmes rose from his chair and stood facing the map while lighting his pipe. When it was started he turned again to his audience and resumed his lecture, “Let's talk a little about the courts. We will have little to do with the official law enforcement establishment, but it is a source of information. The Criminal Court, or “Old Bailey” is located at 36 Old Bailey, EC, and should be kept in mind when dealings with known criminals are concerned. You can pick up a lot of information hanging around Old Bailey. “When I was studying at Bart’s, I would run across to Old Bailey and watch the trials of the day in progress. It was seeing the unimaginative nature of our criminal and legal classes that made up my mind to become a consulting detective. Small cases that show some degree of imagination and challenge are more rewarding than the large crimes that lack anything new. “There is one young barrister, Edward Hall, whom you will find most days at Old Bailey, who is a cut above the other unimaginative members of his profession. You will find him of assistance.” “Mr. Holmes!” "Yes, Simpson?” "Could you tell me the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?” "Yes, of course. A solicitor handles the routine legal business of our society. If you do not have to go before a court, then you will have no need for a barrister. If you must go before a court, then your solicitor would engage the services of a barrister. A barrister is a member of the highest class of lawyers who have the exclusive right to plead in superior courts. The particular business of the barrister is the advocacy of causes in open court and, except in criminal cases, he may not undertake a case without the intervention of a solicitor who actually prepares the case for trial. "This would be a good time to talk about the Inns of Court. Here on the map you will see Grey's Inn, 10 WC, Lincoln's Inn, 13 WC and The Temple, 33 EC. These four great Inns of Court—the Temple is divided into two Inns, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple—are incorporations for the study of law possessing the exclusive privelege of calling barristers to the Bar. All barristers must belong to one of the four Inns. The Inns contain dining halls, libraries, offices and living quarters for barristers and law students. “Now that we have looked at the top of the legal society let’s lower our sights a little and look at some other resources available to us. The first is Porky Shinwell." “I must say, Holmes, you would have to lower your sights a great deal to find Porky Shinwell." Watson laid his book down on his lap and looked up at Holmes for the first time. “It all depends on where one keeps one’s eyes, my dear Watson. Porky is not a pillar of society, I dare say. But he is a man who has learned from his mistakes and is trying to start a new life on the right side of the law. He has been of great help to us in the past as I expect he will be again in the future. Shinwell Johnson, known as Porky, after two terms at Parkhurst has given up his life of crime for that of innkeeper. He is now the proprietor of the Raven and Rat Inn, 52 Hall-street, EC. “Whose patrons once filled Parkhurst, Millbank and every other prison in the Empire,” interjected Watson before returning to his book. “Right, Watson, But what better patrons could you have to keep an ear on the underworld of London. You can always get a case, or help on a case, from Porky Shinwell. “Speaking of the underworld we should mention Fred Porlock. ‘Fred Porlock’ is the assumed name of a member of Moriarty’s criminal organization who has been of immense help on a number of occasions, I don’t know who he is or why he informs on his master, it is enough to know that he does. He communicates with me by post or by leaving a message, usually in code, at Parsons and Sons Toy Shoppe, 18 Shaftesbury Avenue, NW.” "A toy shop?" "Yes, at times Porlock’s sense of humour shows through. "Now for one of the most valuable sources of information available to you, the newspapers. Approximately 570 newspapers are published in London and its environs. As you know, I have filled one of the upstairs lumber-rooms with back issues of newspapers and I consult them regularly. The press is a most valuable institution, if you only know how to use it. I read nothing but the criminal news and the agony column. You will find the agony columns are most instructive, and the private consulting detective will not want for work so long as they exist.” "But aren’t most of the things found in those columns insignificant, Mr. Holmes?” "Insignificant? Perhaps, Mr. Simpson, perhaps. But it has been more important to me to choose a case for its uniqueness and interest than for its significance. The strangest and most unique things are very often connected not with the larger but with the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is reason to doubt whether am positive crime has been committed. One of the reasons I am training you in the art of detection is to enable you to take over part of my case load. Remember, the more information you get out of the newspapers the more time you will save in solving your case. "I have also found two reporters to be of assistance from time to time. They are Henry Ellis of The Times and Quincin Hogg of the Police Gazette. "Mr. Ellis is the foreign news editor and is a great reservoir of information of what's happening on the continent. He also has an interest in crime news and is always happy to help when he can, but you must be careful of what you tell him or you might find what you confided to him in the next day’s Times. He can be found at his office at 30 EC. "Quintin Hogg is crime reporter for the Police Gazette. He is an ex-police inspector who found the environment of Scotland Yard less than stimulating. He is a good reporter with a strong deductive mind. A very good resource to keep in mind. His address is 35 EC. "Any questions?" “Don’t you think you should mention your brother Mycroft?" asked Watson. "After all, he has been of great help to you in the past, Holmes." “I would rather think that I have been of great help to him, my dear Watson. But you are right, I should tell them something of my brother. He is a great resource when it comes to information about the government.” “He is the government," said Watson, imitating Holmes’ manner of speaking, which presented the young men seated in front of Holmes the challenge of trying to conceal their mirth. "Yes, Watson, I have made that statement in regards to my brother,” answered Holmes, less than amused. "He has an extraordinary faculty for figures, and audits the books in some of the government departments. Mycroft lodges in Pall Mall, and he walks round the corner into Whitehall every morning and back every evening. From year’s end to year’s end he takes no other exercise and is seen nowhere else, except only in the Diogenes Club, which is just opposite his rooms. If you ever need his help, you will find him available at the Diogenes Club at 8 Pall Mall, SW. Another person I would like to mention is Langdale Pike, a person who usually gets in the last word. He’s a human reference work on social scandal, especially of the London scene. He contributes bits of gossip to the 'garbage papers' that cater to an inquisitive public. His working hours are spent at the Societies Club at 2 St James, SW. “What about the Central Carriage Stables, Mr. Holmes?” asked Wiggins. “I’ve always had good luck getting information there.” "That’s a good one, Wiggins. The Central Carriage Stables is located at 5 Grey's Inn-road, WC. It is at this location that all of London's cabs are stabled and despatched. I have gotten much valuable information on people's movements by talking to the cab drivers. A good one, Wiggins, a good one.” Holmes again set himself down in his wicker chair. “I guess that is enough for today. Can you think of anything I missed, Watson?” “What about Lomax at the London Library?” "Yes, he can be of value. Lomax is a wealth of information and can find anything you need on the full shelves of this great library. "I think that is enough for today, but I must tell you again that it is of the highest importance in the art of detection to be able to recognize, out of a number of facts, which are incidental and which are vital. Otherwise your energy and attention must be dissipated instead of being concentrated. "Well, gentlemen, if you will move over to the table, I will ring Mrs Hudson and have her bring up some tea and biscuits.” "Thank you, Mr. Holmes.” “My pleasure", responded Holmes. “I am sure we will soon be able to put your talents to work.” List of useful contacts The tl;dr of the lecture. Assume all these locations will be available to visit in any given case. Of course, that doesn't mean that they will all have interesting things to say. Asking a coroner in a case of theft without violence isn't going to help much. Here's a map with their locations, in case it ever becomes important: 
Fat Samurai fucked around with this message at 15:19 on Mar 23, 2015 |
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Mar 23, 2015 01:13
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Fat Samurai posted:
Obviously I meant "the game will start as soon as I get bored at work". There’s another wall of text incoming, but this one is important and doesn’t have a tl;dr. Get used to aliterations, by the way. CASE 1 THE CASE OF THE MURDERED MUNITIONS MAGNATE 12 March 1.888 Case introduction posted:Despite the lateness of the month, March is still roaring like a lion. In fact, just as we alight from our cab in front of 221B Baker, a derby hat skitters by propelled by the fierce wind. In close pursuit is none other than Wiggins, chief of the Baker Street Irregulars and. after Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes' most able assistant. Before we can join in the chase, Wiggins manages to halt the flying bit of finery with a deft stroke of his umbrella. Cramming it squarely on his head, he saunters back towards us. So, where do you want to go now? Obvious places to start would be the coroner or the scene of the crime, but you can go anywhere you drat well please. Remember that you're being graded not only on solving the case, but also on how many places you visit, and following false leads counts against your score. I'll add locations to the map as you go there or as you ask about them. Also, feel free to ignore Holmes' usual way of working and start crafting theories that you can bend the facts around. That has worked for me perfectly well in all the cases. No, I'm not bitter. Why do you say that? I'll get the newspaper sorted out later today. Fat Samurai fucked around with this message at 14:37 on Mar 24, 2015 |
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Mar 23, 2015 09:05
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Aaaannd triple posting to make sure people notice: Here's today's paper
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Mar 23, 2015 19:26
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I caught that Colonel Moran is taking part in the shooting competition. I didn't see any other Holmes Easter Eggs in the paper, but there could be more. The retraction at the bottom right of pg. 1 is also amusing.
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Mar 23, 2015 23:17
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We should probably go to the scene of the crime right? that's what most detectives do
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Mar 24, 2015 06:03
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Sounds good to me. Anyone notice anything in the newspaper?
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Mar 24, 2015 07:35
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Scene of the crime sounds like a good start.
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Mar 24, 2015 11:58
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Go to the scene of the crime
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Mar 24, 2015 12:00
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A minor point: During the presentation of the case, I shamelessly lifted the text from another PdP and didn't proofread it correctly. Here's the paragraph I edited into the post: Fat Samurai is a baddie posted:Holmes then empties the contents of the envelope onto the table. The inventory includes: spectacles and case, a ruby ring, a gold wedding band, a key chain with keys, an empty wallet, a small notebook and a note which reads: “SP 10: Spaniard. Tonight 10 PM" And it's signed A.M. As he takes the notebook, a small piece of paper falls out. It's a receipt from Clarcke&Sons, a hatter in Chelsea. It reads "1 Victoria hat. 10 pounds." I don't think it's going to change your plans much. I've placed the most current map with a legend in this post so you can check distances. At the bottom right, there is a bar that tells you how far you could go in 15 minutes. I'll clarify when needed. If you want to know where something is, just ask. Onwards, to the crime scene! Grant Arms Co posted:By prearrangement you meet Constable Beadle behind the Grant Arms Company in the alley parallel to Leonard street. Some new leads and motives here. Theft? Industrial espionage? Women? An enraged husband? The hunt is on! Fat Samurai fucked around with this message at 16:07 on Mar 24, 2015 |
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Mar 24, 2015 16:03
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My first thoughts are to get the cigarette checked out with the criminologist, or head to the coroner to check the body.
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Mar 24, 2015 23:21
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Just in case I hadn't made it clear, feel free to discuss whatever part of the case you want, besides where to go. The game comes with a pretty complete directory of London with hundreds of particular an business addresses, and it's very sandboxy. For example (and I'm not saying this is a good idea, or relevant to the case) if at any point you decide that the competitors of the Grants Arm Co are involved, there are no less than 6 in London, and you can check with most of them. Be creative, use the map and the newspapers, ask me questions. I'll try to answer what I can regarding what you can investigate about a particular topic, because not having the London Directory in front of you can be a handicap.
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Mar 25, 2015 00:00
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Chekans 3 16 posted:My first thoughts are to get the cigarette checked out with the criminologist, or head to the coroner to check the body. Bear in mind this isn't a computer game, and every single place you go is prewritten - so if there isn't a cigarette given in the original case description, going to the criminologist after seeing a cigarette at a location won't suddenly give an infodump on that cigarette.
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Mar 26, 2015 16:53
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bobvonunheil posted:Bear in mind this isn't a computer game, and every single place you go is prewritten - so if there isn't a cigarette given in the original case description, going to the criminologist after seeing a cigarette at a location won't suddenly give an infodump on that cigarette. Oh, I was assuming certain evidence had prewritten things about them too. Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
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Mar 26, 2015 20:53
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Well, I was giving some time to see if someone had anything to add, but it seems Chekans is the lead investigator. I'l l pick up the pace after the next clue if I see there is no input from other players.bobvonunheil posted:Bear in mind this isn't a computer game, and every single place you go is prewritten - so if there isn't a cigarette given in the original case description, going to the criminologist after seeing a cigarette at a location won't suddenly give an infodump on that cigarette. And as if to prove it: Sir Jasper Meeks posted:Sir Jasper Meeks explains that Allen was shot in the chest at close range. It seems that if you want to find out about the cigarette, you'll need other means. The man is a medical examiner, not CSI, after all.
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Mar 26, 2015 22:04
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Hey! Sorry I've not posted much; am intending to be a crazy investigative person, but Uni deadlines and work are kicking my arse the last few days. I'll have much more time as of tomorrow!
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Mar 28, 2015 00:08
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