Welcome, everyone — to the official kickoff for this murder mystery, where the shadows of the past will converge with the creativity of the present.

Remember the choice you made between stepping into the shoes of a detective or embracing the role of a suspect when you signed up? That decision holds weight now, so let's hope it didn't come to stab you in the back.

Your quest begins with the foundational task of introducing your characters, laying the groundwork for the upcoming tasks and the unfolding storyline. Think of this round as the first brushstroke on a blank canvas or the first hundred pages of world building for a fantasy novel — while it may not be the most intricate, interesting or revolutionary, it sets the stage for everything that is yet to come.

As you dive into your character introductions, you'll have the opportunity to choose from a variety of specific detective roles or intriguing suspect characters. Each option adds its own flair to the mystery, so consider what story you want to tell and how you'd like to weave your character into this tangled web.

I'd also love to hear your thoughts on why you chose your respective detective role or suspect character, so feel share some of your secrets in the comments!

⤹ ## DETECTIVES

Our detectives will play a crucial role in solving the murder mystery and uncovering the ominous past surrounding the Crowford lineage. It is your turn to bring forth new figures into the world of Crowford Manor.

As you delve into crafting your characters, consider their name, age, gender and ethnicity — infusing them with diverse backgrounds, motivations, traits and qualities that will guide them through the maze of clues and deception. Do they embody the polished professionalism of neat uniforms and shiny badges, or bear the weight of dark under-eye circles and worn-out hopes? Are they seasoned sleuths, well-versed in the art of investigation, or newcomers eager to make their mark?

Furthermore, you'll get to choose between two intriguing job options for your detective, each offering unique opportunities and responsibilities for future tasks.

## Crime (Scene) Investigator:
The Crime (Scene) Investigator takes charge of overseeing the entire investigation at Crowford Manor. Their role involves conducting interviews and gathering witness statements, as well as meticulously examining the crime scene at Crowford Manor, collecting physical evidence, documenting crucial details and reconstruct the sequence of events. Their keen eye for detail and ability to piece together fragmented clues play a vital role in uncovering key evidence that sheds light on the circumstances surrounding the crime.

## Forensic Specialist (Pathologist or Ballistics Expert):
The Forensic Specialist, specializing in either pathology or ballistics, brings expertise in analyzing physical evidence related to the crime scene, victim's injuries, and potential murder weapons at Crowford Manor. A Pathologist examines the victim's body, conducts autopsies and determines the cause of death, providing crucial insights into the manner in which the victim met their demise. On the other hand, a Ballistics Expert focuses on analyzing firearms, bullets and trajectories to identify the murder weapon and link it to the crime. These expertises in forensic science provide valuable insights that support the investigation and help build a solid case against the perpetrator.

⤹ ## SUSPECTS

They hold knowledge that could unravel the mystery or shroud it further in darkness, so choose your suspect with care. It's your turn to breathe life into these enigmatic figures.

As you shape these characters, based on the provided options, remember: while you have freedom in choosing forenames, defining age, ethnicity and appearance — every suspect has a story and every story holds the key to the truth. So, be sure to pay attention to the details outlined below!

DISCLAIMER: Please avoid going into too much detail about the suspects' backstories, potential motives, alibis or similar. Details on these aspects will be provided at a later time.

## Mr. Crawford
The enigmatic heir of the Crowford lineage, carries with him a legacy shrouded in shadows and whispers of past crimes, that have haunted his family for generations. Once an avid wildlife hunter, Mr. Crowford's interest in the sport has waned — whether that may be due to an undisclosed injury or a shift in personal interests is a frequent topic of speculation among the townsfolk. Often seen adorned with exquisite canes, he invites further curiosity about potential physical ailments or whether they serve merely as a unique fashion statement. Each step he takes is a reminder of the mysteries that linger in his family's history, drawing both admiration and suspicion from those who cross his path.

## Ms. Ravenwood
A determined and resourceful journalist, who has recently transitioned from the medical field to pursue a career in the realm of investigative reporting. Driven by the unfinished legacy of her grandmother — a renowned journalist who once probed the mysteries surrounding the Crowford family — she is eager to continue the quest and pick up on what's been left behind. Despite the promise of a successful medical career, Ms. Ravenwood chose to forge a new path in journalism. The reasons behind her dramatic shift are cloaked in speculation; some whisper of an incident that barred her from practicing medicine, while others suggest it was merely a change of interests or perhaps an injury that redirected her journey. Whatever the truth may be, her tenacity and ambition set the stage for a compelling pursuit of the secrets hidden within Crowford Manor.

## Mr. Doe
Emerging from a lineage of gardeners, housekeepers, and caretakers who have served the Crowford family for generations, Mr. Doe occupies a humble position within the manor's walls. Yet beneath his modest exterior lies a tumult of deep suspicions and unresolved questions regarding his true origins and potential blood ties to the Crowfords. His mother, a longtime servant at Crowford Manor, met a tragic end under mysterious circumstances. Mr. Doe believes her death may be entwined with a clandestine affair involving a member of the Crowford family, hinting at a possible blood relation that has fostered a quiet resentment and hidden vendetta against those he feels are responsible. As he roams the maze-like halls and grounds of the Crowford estate, the stage is set for a confrontation that could unravel the secrets of both past and present.

⤹ ## TASK GUIDE

As you embark on this creative investigation, follow these essential guidelines to ensure your artistic case is airtight:

## DEADLINE
As noted in the "Blue Print" chapter and the calendar pages, the deadline to submit your entries for this round is August 31st, 2024, at 11:59 PM (GMT +2). I'll drop a link below and in the comments to a site that can help you navigate time zones and keep track of how much time you have left. Don't let the deadline sneak up on you!

Timestamp ➜ https://time.is/GMT+2

## Canvas Details
Make sure your work fits within a canvas size that adheres to a ratio of either 2:3 or 3:2. Generally, the larger the canvas, the better the quality — so a size of about 1000x1500 pixels will give you a clearer image than 100x150 pixels, for example.

## Editing Style
Whether you prefer simplified vector work, complex illustrations, realistic photo manipulation, creative collage or even a combination of multiple techniques — the choice is all yours. Just be sure to stay within the approaches mentioned. However, this task centers around characters, so be sure to include character/model features and make them the focal point of your work.

## Creative Choices
Colors, atmosphere and similar creative choices are your personal playground! Feel free to make it as vibrant or moody as it best suits your character. Just remember to keep things "mundane" and grounded in reality. While there's no specific time period established (e.g. the 1950s or early 2010s), the setting should remain "realistic" — so steer clear of cyberpunk, sci-fi or overly fantastical elements.

## Text Elements
You can include text for names, quotes or catchphrases for your characters and other introductory information directly on your design or submit it separately. Just remember to add your watermark or credit and "hosted by eggyeuls". If you have the space, you're also welcome to incorporate the phrase "a Murder of Crows".

## Introduction Concepts
You can introduce your character in a variety of ways. Consider using concept boards**, creating scenes that showcase them in their hobby or at their job, designing simple character posters or crafting simple case files and folders. However, don't jump the gun! Now isn't the time to depict the crime scene or create a "wanted person" poster that already labels someone as a convicted criminal. Additionally, you can include "decorative figures" (to create a crowd or similar stylistic choices) but please avoid including the other story characters.

**not to confuse with your typical Pinterest mood boards! Refer to "## Inspirational Examples" for more details.

## Choice of Models
While the final round(s) may revisit your character depictions, depending on how your team performs and decides to approach the teamwork, you won't have to stress about sticking to specific model resources throughout the entire event. If you'd like to play it extra safe, you can avoid showing faces directly by covering them with hair, masks, hats, turning them away or showing back views/side profiles — as long as you get any essential information about your characters across.

## Backstory Details
Any details from the provided character profiles that go along the lines of "it's either because of this or that, no one really knows" can be further elaborated by you, but don't necessarily need to be. While adding these nuances can enrich your characters, they won't affect the storyline or upcoming tasks. For instance, if Mr. Crowford chose to stop his hunting hobby, you can decide whether it was due to an injury or a change of interests — the "why" isn't crucial here, just that he stopped.

## Submission Process
Submit all visual and text entries via the Google Form linked below in this chapter and in the comment section. This form also contains all the nitty-gritty details about what needs to be submitted and how to package it neatly.

Google Form ➜ https://forms.gle/s6E7nLY9LcUycgQQ8

## Inspirational Examples
Looking for some examples? Check out the Pinterest board (the newly added folder is named after this round, "birds of a feather") mentioned in the previous promo for inspiration, but don't feel limited to it!

Pinterest ➜ https://pin.it/Ch2XTpahZ

Now, with your creative toolkit in hand, let your imagination take flight and bring your characters to life!

⤹ ## TEAM OVERVIEW

Each participant has been assigned to a team, consisting of one detective and one suspect. To ensure a fair and balanced experience, teammates were paired using a random number generator, followed by a quick check of each participant's experience, editing style preferences and other such details to ensure compatibility.

As you embark on this journey, you'll have the opportunity to explore the unique dynamics between your characters. While direct teamwork isn't in play just yet, consider how your characters might interact and influence one another as the story unfolds.

*If these are a bit tricky to decipher on the image, you can find them in good old text form as an in-line comment here.

Once you've submitted your work, drop a note in the comments section to share your insights.

And remember, if you have any questions, concerns or run into any hiccups along the way, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help you crack the case.. or cover it up for that matter!

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© eggyeuls, 2024