Mystery of the Abbey

Overview

Mystery of the Abbey is a deduction game set in a medieval Templars’ Abbey where Brother Adelmo has been found dead. Players are investigators moving through the Abbey’s rooms, questioning each other, searching for clues, and making revelations about the culprit’s characteristics. Each of the 24 suspect monks has 5 traits (Order, Title, Hood, Facial Hair, Girth). One suspect card is hidden as the culprit; players deduce the culprit’s identity through questioning and room actions.

Components

• 1 board (Templars’ Abbey map)
• 6 monk miniatures (1 per player)
• 6 deduction notebooks
• 1 pad of 50 suspect sheets
• 90 illustrated cards (24 Suspect cards, Library books, Scriptorium books, Event cards, Crypt cards, Mass cards)
• 3 wooden monk dice
• 1 Mass bell

Setup

1. Place the board in the center. Each player chooses a monk and places it in the Chapel.
2. Give each player a deduction notebook with a suspect sheet.
3. Shuffle Library, Scriptorium, Event, and Crypt cards separately; place on designated board spots.
4. Shuffle 24 Suspect cards. Place 1 face down under the board (the culprit).
5. Place 5 (3 or 6 players) or 3 (4 or 5 players) Suspect cards face down on the board.
6. Deal remaining Suspect cards equally to players.
7. Roll a die to determine first player; give them the Mass bell and 8 Mass cards in order.

Monk Characteristics

Trait	Options
Order	Templar, Franciscan, Benedictine (8 each)
Title	Father (6), Brother (9), Novice (9)
Hood	Hooded (12), Unhooded (12)
Facial Hair	Bearded (12), Clean-shaven (12)
Girth	Fat (12), Thin (12)

Turn Structure

Each turn, a player:

1. Moves their monk (1-2 rooms).
2. Performs the action of the room they enter.
3. When two monks meet, they may ask each other questions (see Questioning).

Mass interrupts play periodically – all monks must return to the Chapel.

Actions

Room Actions

Room	Effect
Library	Draw a Library card (ongoing effects)
Scriptorium	Draw a Scriptorium card (immediate effects)
Crypt	Look at Crypt cards (face-down suspect cards on the board)
Chapter Hall	Make a Revelation about the culprit’s traits
Chapel	Required during Mass; may also visit voluntarily
Confessional	Look at another player’s cards
Parlour	Ask any question to any player
Cells	Various minor actions

Questioning

When two monks share a room, the active player may ask the other a question about their suspect cards. The asked player must answer truthfully but may ask a question in return. Questions can be about specific traits (“Do you have any Franciscans?”) or yes/no questions.

Revelations

In the Chapter Hall, announce one trait of the culprit (e.g., “The culprit is a Benedictine”). Score points if correct; lose points if wrong. You may also make a direct Accusation (name the specific suspect).

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Players score victory points:

Action	Points
Correct trait revelation	+4 points
Incorrect trait revelation	-1 point
Correct accusation (naming the culprit)	+4 points
Incorrect accusation	-2 points
Most suspect cards at game end	Bonus

The game ends after the final Mass (Compline) or when a player makes a correct accusation. The player with the most victory points wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Mass: Triggered by the Mass cards. All monks must return to the Chapel. The bell is passed after each Mass.
• Event cards: Drawn during gameplay with various effects (movement bonuses, forced card exchanges, etc.).
• Vow of Silence: Some cards or effects prevent questioning.
• Players may lie only when specifically allowed by certain card effects.
• The dice determine random monk interactions (confessional visits, etc.).

Player Reference

Phase	Action
Move	Move 1-2 rooms
Room	Perform room action (Library, Scriptorium, Crypt, etc.)
Question	When meeting another monk, ask questions
Reveal	In Chapter Hall, declare a culprit trait
Accuse	Name the specific culprit suspect
Mass	All return to Chapel when Mass is called
End	After final Mass or correct accusation; most VP wins