By John Rutherford
22 November 2008

A large adventure role-play game: crimefighting, villainy and mystery set predominantly in foggy, gaslit, poverty-stricken 1890s East London. This is the world of famous detectives and equally famous villains; extremes of wealth and poverty; adventure and dirty deeds in dark alleys.

Players will have various roles: ‘East End locals’ [some of whom will have villainous intent]; rich gentlemen visiting the area; the Constabulary; private investigators; foreign visitors to London and assorted mysterious strangers. The game will owe at least as much to literature and movies as to history!

Each player controls one character as a figure moving across the map [on foot, or by cab etc] and can talk and interact in various ways when co-located with other characters. Characters will have ‘abilities’ and there will be weapons and equipment to carry and use. Umpires will control non-player characters, monitor ‘lurking’ characters, and rule on character actions as necessary.

There will be a series of mysteries unfolding at the beginning of the game. It will be up to you and your fellow players which, if any, are solved…and whether you achieve your own objectives, whether noble… or nefarious.

Typical Mystery by Gaslight roles:
* LOCAL – HONEST TYPE
* LOCAL – VILLAIN
* POLICE
* INVESTIGATOR
* GENTLEMAN OF MEANS
* FOREIGN VISITOR
* UMPIRE