OPENING RITUAL — Read this aloud as you begin
"The Shah family gathered tonight for what should have been a routine evening. Tomorrow, the patriarch was going to revise his will. He will not get that chance. Ramesh Shah is dead — found by the safe that holds everything the family has spent 40 years building."
Gujarati heritage evening — classical ragas, or the stillness of a large family home at night. Think Surat old city.
Spotify: "Gujarati Folk & Classical" or "Late Night Ragas"
Food: Gujarati snacks — fafda, gathiya, jalebi. Sweet and salty — like family dynamics.
Drink: Chaas (buttermilk) or masala chai. Traditional family home evening.
Warm and domestic — like a living room at 11 PM. Then gradually dim as the investigation deepens.
Traditional or smart-casual. Family gathering energy — kurta pajama, comfortable but respectable.
Optional — but it transforms the vibe.
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SETUP RITUAL — Do This Before Players Arrive
1
Arrange evidence packs face-down on the table. Don't mix Pack A and Pack B.
2
Open the Auto-Host page on a shared screen and load the first phase. Don't start the timer yet.
3
Set the lighting and start the music playlist at low volume.
4
Have Role Cards and Investigation Worksheets open on separate devices or printed.
5
When everyone is seated, read the Opening Ritual above. Then start the Auto-Host timer.
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SETTING THE SCENE — Surat
Shah Haveli, Surat
20 May 2025
Ramesh Shah, 74 — patriarch, Shah Diamond Trading
Murder Window: 10:30 PM – midnight
Difficulty: ★★★★★ · 5/5
💡 Host tip: Print this page and keep it near you during setup. The Opening Ritual sets the tone — don't skip it.