Midnight Melodies
A downloadable solo RPG
Midnight Melodies is a solo RPG in which you play as a jazz pianist who discovers they're immune to the touch of the Grim Reaper. Instead of claiming your life, the Reaper recruits you for the Department of Unauthorized Deaths. Each night, after your performance at the club, you find a scrap of paper in your tip jar - the name of someone taken without consent. You must unravel the mystery of these unauthorized deaths, using your newfound supernatural talents, and perform an eerie harmony to report your findings to the Reaper before sunrise.
- Rules-light. A single d6 roll for all your actions. Character creation takes no more than two minutes.
- Pick-up and play. No need to set up a story beforehand. An assortment of tables helps you create people, challenges, and entities you will face.
- A peculiar experience. Craft a mystery as you play it, and capture musical tones to form chords and play them to the Grim Reaper.
The game follows a clear structure: You've just finished a set at your jazz club. As you sift through your tips, a familiar sight catches your eye: a crumpled piece of paper bearing just a name. Another soul taken without the Reaper's approval.
This isn't the handiwork of your typical criminal. Even planned assassinations fall under the watchful gaze of the Grim Reaper. No, these deeds are the mark of supernatural entities, unseen by most, who flit between life and death.
But you've got a special knack: they leave a distinctive tone in their wake — a tone your perfect pitch can pick up. By following this ethereal resonance, you'll unravel the enigma surrounding this untimely end. Gather 9 of these unique tones, forming 3 Chords with 3 Tones each. Send these Chords to the Reaper, and your job is done.
Your purchase includes:
- 44-page, full-color, totally hyperlinked and bookmarked PDF
- At-cost print-on-demand coupon for the US Trade size book on Lulu (~$7+shipping)
- 10 random tables to inspire you and help you generate everything you need
- Every purchase adds +1 community copy!
► This game was made possible by the support of my amazing patrons. Join today and get all my future games for free!
Updated | 20 days ago |
Status | Released |
Category | Physical game |
Rating | Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars (26 total ratings) |
Author | Cezar Capacle |
Tags | Creepy, Detective, Noir, Singleplayer, Solo RPG, Tabletop role-playing game |
Purchase
In order to download this solo RPG you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $12.90 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Every purchase = a new community copy
Support this solo RPG at or above a special price point to receive something exclusive.
Community copies
If you're in need and can't afford a copy of the game, help yourself to a community copy.
Consider leaving a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review!
• Every PDF sale adds 1 extra community copy
Comments
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Looking forward to playing it, it looks great, but I may need assistance getting the PoD coupon to work, it does not appear to be working for me. Is there a good way to contact you on it
Absolutely. Shoot me an email at capacle@gmail.com
Will do! Thanks for the follow up
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A good reading. Text that speaks to the tone of the game, terms and mechanics that speak to music (jazz in specific). Evocative oracles and good suggestions for structuring the scenes. It's a solo game, right, and that's important.
Definitely worth playing!
Thank you so much, that’s very kind!
5 Star Review!
This Solo PRG is comes with simple rules and some alternative additions you can use. I like the inclusion of a link to a Jazz playlist for anyone new to the genre and I am especially happy with the inclusion of an actual instrument as additional tools to use - but I’m getting ahead of myself.
In Midnight Melodies, you play a Jazz pianist that finds themselve investigating Unauthorized Deaths for the Grim Reaper. Each night, you find a name in your tip jar and you go and investigate how this person died and report to Grim Reaper your findings.
I love this premise for the eerie atmosphere and for the humor in which it is delivered. It allows the player to find the right tone for their game. Speaking of Tones, while investigating you will collect 9 tones that form 3 chords. These are your findings you report to Grim Reaper.
The first chord is composed of a tone representing the victims identity (1st tone), their death scene (2nd tone) and a clue (3rd tone). The second chord explores the mysterious circumstances and uncovers supernatural influences. The third chord focuses on the supernatural foe.
Once you are finished investigating you report to Grim Reaper and play them your 3 chords. This is where you get to play your three chords. I love that this adds a tangible touch to this supernatural story.
I love this setup and how it guides you through an evocative story. The game comes with tables to roll on to and everything you need to make this a supernatural time. As most solo games, journaling down your story is part of the fun, but not necessarily required.
Easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Thank you for the very kind review!
Hi, there! Sorry about that, can you send me an email at capacle () gmail and I’ll send you a download link.
A new game from Cezar Capacle!!! 🤩 As a musician and jazz fan, I'm excited to dive into this one.
Thank you so much, I hope you have a good time with it!
Damn, I keep missing the comm copies. This game looks so beautiful. I have so many musician friends who’d die for this.
Just added some more!
After seeing this in my email, consider me intrigued... Especially coming from you, Mr. Cepachle. My funds are short for now, but I'll be waiting in the wings for a community copy.
Thank you! I have some more up, grab one!
Damn, missed them. 🤣 But thank you!
Some more up!
Lol keep missing them. But congratulations on reaching the game's payment goal and then some! You definitely deserve it, friend!
As a jazz musician myself I was so excited when I got an email about this game - it looks gorgeous and right up my alley. Can't wait to play it!!
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it! ^^
This game looks gorgeous!
Thank you so much!
Cezar, your games are getting prettier by the day!
Thank you, that is very kind ^^
¿Estará en español? Me gusta la idea.
I hope so, but cant say for sure :)
Hi, just FYI: I get an error from Lulu when clicking the POD link in my purchase.
Hello! Thanks for the heads-up
Just checked again and I think it should work now.
If you get any other errors, you can write me an email or something and I'll send you the link. :)
It works! Thank you
Great news! Thanks for reporting back!