The Cost of Vengeance (rough idea)

[ErosSense]

Just an idea I've been thinking of fleshing out for a while. It's inspired/has themes from media such as Danganronpa, Saw, Sherlock Holmes, and Death Note. This is a little more mechanic-heavy than any other ideas I've had and honestly this is probably to comp for my murder mystery idea I never started.

---

---

The Cost of Vengeance

Horror | Mystery | Thriller | Dark-Noir

Premise

A decade after the notorious "Cleanser Cleanings" ended in fire, ash, and blood, a copycat has emerged to recreate one of the most brutal strings of murder in human history -- only this time, it's become a game. It's not for fame, wealth, or power -- but for closure. One by one, individuals who were tied to the case -- detectives, journalists, relatives, and even the few and far between witnesses -- are abducted, exposed, and manipulated. Each "player" is faced with their personal moral trial, tailored to a sin they thought they buried.

The message is always the same:

You asked for justice. Now pay the cost of vengeance.

This isn't about punishment anymore. Whoever is behind this is forcing those previously involved to confront the twisted nature of their pasts -- and someone -- is pulling the strings from behind the veil.

Roles

New Detective - Newly assigned to the Copycat Cleanser Killings. Investigating the current murders -- and suspects everyone.

Former Detective - Disgraced or not, the detective was working on the original Cleanser Case; maybe buried evidence.

Journalist - Wrote about, and maybe even covered the old killings, spun stories, and covered truths.

Ex-Convict - Previously imprisoned wrongfully (or rightfully) for the original Cleanser Killings.

City official/lawyer/psychologist - Once involved, now trying to keep their hands clean.

(There are other alternative roles! I felt these were most important to start with. Feel free to ask about them.)

Mechanics

- GM-led "trails:" a private puzzle/trap/confession scene. Might remove this. Thoughts? A PM gimmick.

- Player-led "trails:" Segments of distrust, cooperation, and manipulation between players while clue-sharing.

- Player-led interrogations and clue-sharing.

- Journals, recordings, messages & tauntings from the killer at certain intervals.

(Iffy on these, honestly.)

Trail Examples

“The Informant’s Dilemma”
A character must choose: reveal the name of a corrupt cop who helped them years ago (putting that person in danger), or let someone die.

“Three Lies, One Truth”
Players are shown different conflicting flashbacks or evidence. They must vote on the truth -- but someone knows they’re wrong.

“What Did You Forget?”
A character is drugged and wakes up at an old crime scene. They must piece together a memory they’ve repressed—but the memory implicates them.

“Justice by Proxy”
A loved one is put in danger. The character can free them... but only by enacting the same cruelty they once condemned.

All roads lead back to the original Cleanser case. But what if the Cleanser Killer was never caught?

[Qia]

Waitttt this looks super interesting 🤔 👀

[AnakisutoYT]

I really like this!!

[ErosSense]

Should I add a CS template...