Pirate murder mystery party game: Murder Among The Mateys Murder Mystery Party Game
After a plunder-filled voyage, the pirate ship Jaded Jewel docks near Port Royal as its rowdy crew storms ashore to celebrate with gold, grog, and mischief. In a harbor buzzing with buccaneers, rivalries flare and loyalties shift as secrets surface among a crew where betrayal is never far behind.
When a guest is murdered, the night descends into chaos. Was it the mutiny-minded pirate, the cunning sea mistress, or the treasure-hungry rogue? Step into this pirate murder mystery party game, uncover hidden motives, and bring the killer to justice before they vanish into the tide.
Want a sneak peek? Download our intro file to learn more about this mystery game!
Download Intro File
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An instant-download murder mystery game kit that gives you everything you need to host an unforgettable, laugh-filled murder mystery party. No experience required!
- Host Guide: Easy, step-by-step instructions to run the show like a pro.
- Character Sheets: Juicy secrets, wild motives, and unique roles for every guest.
- Game Materials: Clues, evidence, and everything to solve the case.
- Party Extras: Printable decor, props, and other materials to really wow your guests.
Setting the Scene
Well, shiver me timbers and sharpen me sword!
After a voyage filled with pillaging and plundering, the Jaded Jewel–a pirate ship captained by Redbeard, an old but dangerous pirate–is docked in a cove near Port Royal. As the pirates head into town to celebrate their homecoming and spend their gold and goods, a night of turmoil and trouble is sure to transpire in this pirate murder mystery.
As the night quickly steers out of control, one guest meets a tragic demise and ends up in Davy Jones’ Locker leaving the rest of the party goers to bring the guilty to the gallows.
Is the culprit the profiteering pirate organizing a mutiny?
Or, the saucy sea mistress who wanted more than a casual commitment?
The perpetrator could be the swashbuckling swordsman desperate to win the love of the governor’s daughter, or possibly the treasure seeking seaperson incapable of sharing.
In a harbor village filled with backstabbers and buccaneers looking to get ahead, there is little reward for honesty and a high price to pay for deceit.
Cap’n Goldhook – Pirate Captain. A fearsome yet fair buccaneer, Cap’n Goldhook commands the ship with an iron hook, making sure no scurvy dog dares mutiny under his watch! Either.
Sharktooth Brandy – Sea Maiden. Sister to the Cap’n, Brandy’s been navigating the treacherous seas her whole life. But her latest adventure pulls her far from the salty waves and into new waters. Female.
Merciless Morgan – First Mate. Plucked from a desolate island, Morgan swiftly became the backbone of The Jaded Jewel’s crew and a trusted matey to Cap’n Goldhook. Male.
One-Eyed Wynn – Gunner. Raised from a wee nipper on The Jaded Jewel, Wynn’s loyalty to Goldhook is as solid as an anchor, but their patience with being overlooked for promotion is wearing thin. Either.
Thumbless Jacky – Crewmate. A veteran seadog, Thumbless Jacky’s stint aboard The Jaded Jewel has been brief, despite a long and swashbuckling history across the high seas. Either.
Cutthroat McPhearson – Powder Monkey. A fierce and feisty pirate, McPhearson’s got the ambition of a captain but finds little room for advancement on the crowded deck. Either.
Gurglin’ Charlie Scarr – Galley Wench. Known for slingin’ the finest slop on the seven seas, Charlie’s a wizard in the galley but must learn to speak their mind if they want to rise in the ranks. Either.
Royal Ryanne – Their Majesty. Hearing tales of this lawless port, the monarch has sailed in to bring order to the chaos, whether by guidin’ the current leaders or appointing new ones. Either.
Governor Napier – Governor of Port Royal. Charged with safeguarding this seaside haven from the grasp of piracy, Governor Napier will defend it with all his might! Male.
Lady Napier – Governor’s Wife. Tired of living in the shadow of fear, Juliana is ready to take the helm and ensure her family’s safety by any means necessary. Female.
Antonia Napier – Governor’s Daughter. Smitten with a merchant sailor, Antonia dreams of a joyous married life, so long as no misfortune crosses her path! Female.
Breathless Betty Napier – Governor’s Daughter. Set for an arranged marriage, this rebellious daughter is learning just how far she can push her limits before she sails too close to danger. Female.
Commodore Clearing – Commodore. Tasked with defending Port Royal’s waters, the commodore risks losing his command and his betrothal if he fails to capture a pirate. Male.
Buccaneer Bradshaw – Privateer. Ready to take over where the commodore falls short, Buccaneer Bradshaw is eager to prove he’s got the mettle to rule the waves. Male.
Shoutin’ Robin Dagger – Innkeeper. Rumors swirl that Robin is a secret vigilante set on bringing justice to this unruly town. Either.
Mad Rose – Serving Wench. A fiery spirit, Rose serves more than just grog at the inn and ensures any swabbie who crosses her will regret it dearly. Female.
Blackspot Bailey – Pirate’s Widow. Left widowed and vengeful, Bailey is desperate to find someone to blame for their sorrow. Either.
Sealegs Sam – Merchant Sailor. A lowly seafarer, Sam must climb the social rigging if he aims to secure the future he dreams of. Male.
Rovin’ Reynolds – Treasure Hunter. Hot on the trail of Toothless Willie’s buried plunder, Reynolds is obsessed with gold but might lack the wits to claim it. Either.
Jean Golddust – Gold Dealer. Keen to trade gold with any soul in the port, Jean’s dealings not only fill their pockets but also keep them well-informed of pirate escapades. Either.
For 20-80 guests: at least males, 5 females, 10 gender-neutral.
For 15-20 guests: 5 males, 4-5 females, 10 gender-neutral.
For 10-15 guests: 3-4 males, 1-3 females, 6-8 gender-neutral.
For 8-12 guests: 4 males, 1-2 females, 3-6 gender-neutral.
* The upgrade is only able to upgrade the 15-20 guest version to the 20-80 guest version of this pirate murder mystery. The upgrade DOES NOT work with any other size of party.
For 20-80 guests: at least males, 5 females, 10 gender-neutral.
For 15-20 guests: 5 males, 4-5 females, 10 gender-neutral.
For 10-15 guests: 3-4 males, 1-3 females, 6-8 gender-neutral.
For 8-12 guests: 4 males, 1-2 females, 3-6 gender-neutral.
Clean versions are void of references to extra-marital affairs, alcohol and/or illegal drugs. Teens and/or conservative groups often use clean versions for their mystery of choice.
* The upgrade is only able to upgrade the 15-20 guest version to the 20-80 guest version. The upgrade DOES NOT work with any other size of party.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the pirate theme of this party, even the clean versions contain references to violent behavior in the past (such as pirates being hung, flogged and marooned). Please see the introduction file to get a sense of what to expect.
Purchase, Download & Prepare
Instantly download everything you need, with a simple step-by-step guide that walks you through setup. No experience required!
Set The Scene
Send invitations, hand out character packets, and use the included tips to create a fun, immersive atmosphere in minutes.
Throw the Most Memorable Party Ever!
Relax and enjoy as the game guides your guests through laughter, surprises, and a thrilling mystery from start to finish.
See how a typical Night of Mystery party unfolds.
No experience? No problem. Night of Mystery parties are specifically designed with first-time hosts in mind. Everything is laid out step-by-step—from invitations to party flow—so you’ll always know exactly what to do next.
Most hosts are surprised by how easy it is to run—and how quickly guests get into character and take over the fun. You can even play along as a character if you’d like! Just review the host guide ahead of time, follow the simple instructions, and then sit back and enjoy watching the mystery unfold.
Excellent Question! And one that needs more explaining, please see the “How to Play” Page of our site and/or download a preview file to get a complete understanding of how our mysteries are run!
Absolutely. We make it easy with two types of downloadable invites:
Before you purchase:
Use our RSVP invitations to invite guests and confirm your headcount (we highly recommend this step!)
After you purchase:
You’ll receive email-ready invitations that include each guest’s character description, so you can assign roles and send everything out in just a few clicks.
YES! As host, you get to decide how much or little you know about the murder.
If you want to play along, you will want to read the host’s guide in full to ensure that you are setting the game up correctly WITHOUT letting you know who the murderer is in this murder mystery party game!
In most Night of Mystery parties, the victim doesn’t sit out—they become the investigator for the second half of the game!
Since the victim doesn’t know who killed them, they can jump right back into the action—questioning suspects, gathering clues, and trying to solve their own murder.
Murder Among The Mateys Murder Mystery Party Game
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Testimonials
Jessie Bauer
Murder Among the Mateys was really fun and perfect for Halloween. Pirate costumes are easy to throw together and it was fun to decorate with a pirate theme, as well as make pirate-y foods! The characters were also unique enough that people got really into their character personalities. I love all of the planning help Night of Mystery provides on their website and on their Pinterest boards. We had 12 for this event and while on the smaller side, it was do-able. I think it would have been better with 14 or 15 people, as there was a little too much down time in between plot elements. But it also depends on the type of people you have at your event; if guests are really into it, it works great with a smaller group!
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