Setting:
A luxurious cruise ship, the SS Oceanic Dream, is on a two-week voyage through the Caribbean. On the fifth night of the journey, Richard Davenport, a wealthy tech entrepreneur, mysteriously disappears. The ship is en route to its next destination, and when Davenport doesn’t show up for dinner, his absence raises alarms.
After a search of the ship, it’s clear: Richard Davenport is missing, and the possibility that he was thrown overboard looms large. The captain orders a lockdown—no one can leave the ship until the case is solved. But was it an accident, or is there foul play involved?
Objective:
The players are passengers and crew members aboard the cruise. They must investigate the clues and determine what happened to Richard Davenport—did someone throw him overboard, or is something else at play?
Characters:
- Veronica Davenport – Richard’s glamorous and much younger wife.
- Steven Cross – Richard’s business partner and old college friend.
- Julia Price – A well-known celebrity travel blogger on the cruise to cover its exclusivity.
- Captain Andrew Moreau – The experienced captain of the SS Oceanic Dream.
- Lucia Marino – A cruise staff member who was working the night Richard disappeared.
- Henry Whitman – A retired judge and frequent cruiser with a sharp eye for detail.
- Katarina Popov – A mysterious Russian socialite traveling alone.
- Javier Ortega – The ship’s security officer, known for being strict.
- Dr. Evelyn Patel – The ship’s doctor, who treated Richard for seasickness earlier in the trip.
- Brian Kelly – A young bartender who served Richard his last drink.
Your task:
In a small group, open each clue one at a time starting with clue #1 and discuss its meaning and the possibilities it offers. As the clues unfold in numerical order, try to piece together what happened and eventually identify the murderer. The idea is to exchange ideas and speculate in order to finally being able to solve the crime.
Clue 1: The Unlocked Balcony Door
Richard’s cabin is found with the balcony door wide open. The sea breeze is coming in, and the lock is broken.
Clue 2: Missing Lifeboat
One of the ship’s small lifeboats is missing. Could Richard have taken it, or was he forced into it?
Clue 3: Veronica’s Calm Demeanour
Veronica Davenport, Richard’s wife, seems unusually composed given her husband’s disappearance. She claims to have been at the spa during the time he went missing.
Clue 4: Business Documents
A pile of business documents found in Richard’s cabin reveals he was about to sell his company to a rival, without Steven Cross’s knowledge.
Clue 5: A Torn Jacket
Richard’s jacket is found torn on the railing of the ship’s observation deck, as if he had been in a struggle.
Clue 6: Julia Price’s Vlog
Julia Price, the travel blogger, captured footage of Richard talking to someone on the deck the night he disappeared, but the other person’s face is hidden.
Clue 7: The Captain’s Logs
The ship’s logs show that the boat slowed down for several minutes around the time Richard disappeared, but there was no official reason for this on record.
Clue 8: Dr. Patel’s Observation
Dr. Evelyn Patel treated Richard for seasickness, but noticed he seemed unusually anxious and distracted. She also noticed scratches on his arm the day before he disappeared.
Clue 9: Blood on the Rail
Faint traces of blood are found on the railing outside Richard’s cabin, suggesting a possible altercation near the balcony.
Clue 10: Steven’s Gambling Debt
Steven Cross has been seen spending a lot of time in the ship’s casino. Rumors circulate that he owes large sums to some unsavory figures.
Clue 11: The Bartender’s Report
Brian Kelly, the bartender, says Richard ordered a strong drink the night he disappeared and looked tense. He also noticed Veronica leaving the bar shortly after Richard.
Clue 12: Katarina’s Involvement
Katarina Popov, the Russian socialite, was seen speaking with Richard in the lounge earlier that evening. She claims they were discussing business, but refuses to provide details.
Clue 13: Lucia’s Fear
Lucia Marino, the cruise staff member, confesses that she saw someone sneaking into Richard’s cabin, but is afraid to say more. She fears for her safety.
Clue 14: A Large Insurance Policy
It is revealed that Richard took out a massive life insurance policy shortly before the cruise. Veronica is the sole beneficiary.
Clue 15: The Security Footage
The ship’s security cameras malfunctioned for 20 minutes during the time Richard disappeared, leaving a critical gap in the timeline.
Clue 16: The Captain’s Confession
Captain Moreau admits that he slowed the ship down intentionally, but claims it was due to concerns about mechanical issues—though no issues were ever officially logged.
Clue 17: Steven’s Confrontation
Several passengers heard Steven Cross and Richard arguing earlier in the day, with Steven accusing Richard of betraying him over the business deal.
Clue 18: The Missing Passport
Richard’s passport is missing from his cabin, even though all other belongings are intact.
Clue 19: Veronica’s Spa Appointment
Veronica’s alibi falls apart when it is revealed she never showed up for the spa appointment she claims she was at during the time Richard went missing.
Clue 20: Katarina’s Secret
A search of Katarina Popov’s cabin reveals forged business documents linking her to the same company Richard was negotiating with to sell his business. She is not who she claims to be.
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Solution:
The murderer is Veronica Davenport, in collaboration with Katarina Popov. Veronica and Richard’s marriage had soured, and she was having an affair with Steven Cross. Learning of Richard’s plan to sell the company and leave her with nothing, she conspired with Katarina, a corporate spy, to stage Richard’s disappearance and cash in on the life insurance.
They planned to make it look like Richard had fallen overboard in an accident. Veronica tampered with the balcony door and broke the railing during a staged struggle. Katarina disabled the security cameras and manipulated the business deal behind the scenes. However, the missing lifeboat and the inconsistencies in their alibis gave them away.