From Wiki - UK Role Players

Contents 1 Preparation 1.1 Assigning Roles 1.2 The Interrogation 2 The Detective 3 The Suspect 4 The Officer 5 The Lawyer 5.1 Design Thoughts

Preparation

• 3 - 4 players, preferably who have gamed together before, or know each other at least vaguely.
• Print or reproduce the roles, the Detective, the Suspect, the Officer and the Lawyer, on to index cards of some kind. If there are only 3 players then skip the Lawyer.

Assigning Roles

• First, offer the Detective role to the group. The person who volunteers to take it is a proactive player. If no one volunteers, that means it's you.
• Secondly, ask a specific random player if they would like to play the Suspect. If they respond quickly, especially if they say no, then give it to them, because they're a reactive player. Otherwise ask someone else. If two people don't respond quickly, then that means it's you.
• Then say that we need someone to play the the Officer as well, or we can't start. The person who offers first is the most supporting player. If no one responds, that means you.
• Then, assign the Lawyer to the only player remaining, who is the passive player. Obviously if it's you who doesn't have a character yet, then that's you. In a three player game, just skip the lawyer out.
• This test is not entirely scientific.

• HOWEVER! Now finally, each player must pass their role to someone else! Specifically, they must pass the role to someone whose usual playstyle does not suit it. Go with first instincts!

• Players may now take a little time to read their role card.

The Interrogation

• The Interrogation begins when the Detective describes the Crime the Suspect is being charged with.

• So now during the Interrogation, each player should have a role that they might not be suited to, but they may take inspiration from the usual playstyle of person who gave it to them.

For example, if proactive Pete gave non-proactive me the Detective to play, I will try to play the Detective using some of the techniques and style that Pete would. Preferably without just doing a caricature.

• The game ends when, after 15 minutes, the Lawyer (or the Officer, if the Lawyer isn't present) says that the time is up.

The Detective

• You must try to get the Suspect to confess to the worst extent of the Crime.
• You may declare facts about the Crime.
• You may describe things, people and places related to the Crime.
• You may describe a series of events and speculate on cause and effect, related to the Crime.
• You may accuse the Suspect of doing something specific relating to the Crime. Phrase as a statement, not a question.
• You may contradict any statement made by the Suspect, if you provide another explanation ('No, but...')

• You must agree with the Officer and Lawyer.
• You may not state a direct agreement with anything the Suspect says about the Crime.

The Suspect

• You must try to convince the Officer and Detective that you are as innocent as possible of the Crime.
• You must answer all questions related to the Crime.
• You may avoid any question not related to the Crime.
• You may not ask questions related to the Crime.
• You may ask questions not related to the Crime, but only of the Lawyer (or Officer, if the Lawyer isn't present).

The Officer

• You must try to get to the most compelling and reasonable account of events related to the Crime.
• You may add further details to any statement made by the Suspect. ('Yes, and...')
• You may speculate about motives for the Crime.
• You may ask questions either related or unrelated to the Crime.
• You may comfort the Suspect.
• You must agree with the Lawyer.
• You may not state a direct disagreement with anything the Detective says about the Crime.

• If the Lawyer isn't present, then after 15 minutes of play, you must call the interrogation to a close.

The Lawyer

• You must try to ensure everything happens fairly and to the rules. To help with this, you may look at anyone's role card at any time.
• You may not declare facts or describe things, people or places related to the Crime.
• You may not agree or disagree with any statements about events related to the Crime.
• After 15 minutes of play, you must call the interrogation to a close.

Design Thoughts

This game is meant to challenge players into taking on a role they aren't used to and being forced to focus on it. But ya know, in a fun way for just 15 minutes.

Interrogations are some of my most favourite scenes to play in. The atmosphere of Tales of Dread was meant to be similar, but that just doesn't work to make it interesting over a long-form game in a traditional 1 GM vs many players setup. It's just too exhausting for the person GMing and too boring for the players who have to wait their turn to be abused. Many GMs vs 1 player seems far more intense for the player, and far less draining for the GMs.