The Mastermind

Theodora Brathwaite
Theodora Brathwaite is a stately, middle-aged black woman, always impeccably dressed and never seen without her signature sapphire choker.
She is a native of Montserrat, and a completely self-made woman, having built her vast fortune first as a pirate queen and later as a legitimate
merchant. She arrived in London in her late-20s, already fabulously wealthy, and became a Madame du Pompadour-like figure in London society
—graceful, intellectual, beautiful—even developing a friendship with a young Queen Victoria. She has since retired to Brathwaite Hall, her
enormous manor house in the country, only returning to London when the need arises.
Quote: “They used to call me the Pirate Queen of Barbuda, but I preferred the Terror of Montserrat. In those days, the very mention of my name
inspired a sort of trembling excitement, and no one feared me more than the Royal Navy. But even back then it was just business. It’s always been
about business—every move I make, every palm I grease, every lord and lady I get on side, is about my commercial affairs. Unless it’s not: the
Queen is special. There has always been more to the story when it comes to her, our dear queen…”
Why she wants to bring the Crown to its knees: Theodora and the Queen had a falling out. Rumors abound that the two were lovers (and
that may well be the case) but Theodora’s principle motivation is that she simply disagrees with how the British Empire is being run. She rejects the
Queen’s stodgy morality and meddling with Parliament from behind the scenes. She is driven by a desire to best her—to humiliate her—and if
that means sowing chaos and terror throughout London, so be it.

The Mastermind Conspiracy

THE FIRST MASTERMIND CLUE… 1857: Theodora becomes famous (again) for the masquerade
…is always Theodora’s first appearance in the story. parties she throws at Brathwaite Hall—events that are now
It should be brief—perhaps the hunters see her watching them from legendary for the debauchery on offer. Queen Victoria, having
the passenger compartment of her elegant growler—and you should embraced a program of morality and piety for her subjects,
emphasize the dazzling sapphire on her neck. Sapphire, both the threatens to seize Brathwaite Hall if the gatherings continue,
gem and the color, should be prominent in scenes that include or angering Theodora and creating a schism between them.
allude to Theodora. 1861 (less than ten years ago): Theodora attempts to stop a
particular import tax from being set; the tax will cost her
END OF SESSION SCENE businesses a lot of money. She ably manipulates Parliament and
1 This layer is unlocked after the hunters discover the FIRST Mastermind Clue. is on the cusp of victory when Queen Victoria’s meddling
behind the scenes renews the vigor of those who support the
At the end of the session of play in which the first Mastermind Clue
tax, and it becomes law.
is discovered, narrate a scene showing Theodora in her gargantuan
study at Brathwaite Hall. She is lovingly waited on by her servant, Between sessions, write down the names of three Side Characters
Elmore, while she stares at an enormous map of London hanging on you’d like to see return during the Mastermind Threat.
the wall. She puts a pushpin in the location of Hargrave House, and
one or two more where Threats are known to be. Her sapphire
choker glimmers in the candlelight as the scene ends.
Between sessions, write down what you think Theodora’s ultimate
scheme for bringing down the Crown is on the lines below.

Take some time to revise your idea about what Theodora’s ultimate
scheme is. Take into consideration the roles that the above Side
Characters might play.

THE HISTORY BETWEEN THEODORA AND THE QUEEN

2 This layer is unlocked after the hunters discover THREE Mastermind Clues.
The following details can now be revealed whenever you wish—and
in any order—as a Keeper reaction:
A THREAT BECOMES A SERVANT
1834: Theodora is captured by the Royal Navy at age sixteen.
She is already known as the legendary Pirate Queen of Barbuda, 3 This layer is unlocked after the hunters discover FIVE Mastermind Clues.
and her capture is considered a significant victory for the Choose an active Threat and narrate a scene showing how the
British Empire. A young Princess Victoria, enchanted by stories Threat becomes a servant of the Mastermind. Note this in the
of the Pirate Queen, intercedes on Theodora’s behalf and wins Servants section and tell the hunters that the Threat can no longer
her freedom. Theodora turns her skills (and ships) to legitimate be resolved (it also ceases to be “active” for purposes of presenting
enterprise after that. new Threats, though it is still a danger in London).
1844: Theodora arrives in London at age twenty-six. She goes continued on next page…
on a buying spree, snapping up real estate and businesses that
will later be the foundation of her vast fortune. She is the toast
of London, and scandalous rumors suggest the young Queen
Victoria has taken her as a lover.
 The Mastermind Conspiracy
A THREAT BECOMES A SERVANT (CONT.) DIRECT ACTION AGAINST HARGRAVE HOUSE
3 Between sessions, write down the names of two more Side 4 This layer is unlocked after the hunters discover TEN Mastermind Clues.
Characters you’d like to see return during the Mastermind Threat. Theodora’s Servants can now take direct action against the hunters,
usually as the result of a Keeper reaction.
Make one final revision to your idea about what Theodora’s
ultimate scheme is. Take into consideration everything that has
happened in the story up to this point.
Revise your idea about what Theodora’s ultimate scheme is. Take
into consideration how the Threat that is now a Servant might fit
into that scheme, as well as any Side Characters you have written
down to this point.

THE MASTERMIND THREAT — This layer is unlocked after the hunters discover FIFTEEN Mastermind Clues.
5 You can now create the Mastermind Threat following the guidelines in the rulebook and your notes from this sheet. At this point, you may cease presenting
new Threats. Once all active Threats are resolved, you may present the Mastermind Threat. After the Mastermind Threat has been resolved, select a new
Mastermind to keep the story going, or end the game by asking each player to narrate a short epilogue for their character.

Servants Mastermind Clues

ELMORE A gift box tied with a sapphire blue ribbon; inside is (pick one:
Shriveled skin. Wisps of gray hair. Pressed butler’s uniform. Elmore has something sweet/something expensive/something bloody/something
worked for Theodora since she arrived in London, and is unshakably loyal shocking/something else).
to her. His advanced age prevents him from “fixing” problems for her like
A sapphire blue card with gold lettering: an invitation to a party at
he used to, but he has a small bottle of arsenic hidden in Brathwaite Hall
Brathwaite Hall, three nights hence.
in case one of her enemies needs to suddenly “fall ill.” He never consults
her when he takes such an action. A note that a “T. Brathwaite” called while someone was out.
Quote: “Mrs. Brathwaite trusts me to keep her secrets. What kind of servant A blue gem glimmering in a poorly lit place.
would I be if she couldn’t speak candidly in front of me? Now then, if there’s
A letter from Theodora Brathwaite indicating she is intrigued by
nothing else you need from me…”
someone’s recent business proposal and would like to discuss it further.
MR. HIGGINS
Tweed suit. Pale, oily flesh. Only speaks in questions. Mr. Higgins is A revelation that Theodora Brathwaite is a Side Character’s godmother.
Theodora’s man in London. He’s a cobbler, and spends most of his days at A story about Tati Brathwaite’s drunken night on the town with her mates.
his shop, but when Theodora needs some night work done, he can be
A rumor about one of Theodora Brathwaite’s social rivals “falling deathly
found creeping around in dark alleys, conferring with police and
ill” after taking tea with her.
prostitutes alike to find whatever—or whoever—she needs. He’s a crack
shot with a pistol and maintains a loose confederation of bullies and cat’s An order for an enormous amount of sapphire blue brocade fabric.
paws in case violence is the remedy called for. Theodora Brathwaite’s name turns up in a (pick one: ledger/social
Quote: “Are you going to continue being a thorn in my employer’s side? Do you register/guest list/deed/something else).
know what happens to people who cross her? What if I told you I happen when
Evidence that Brathwaite Hall has recently acquired an enormous
people cross her? Do you suppose I have a gun in my coat? Would you guess I’m
amount of (pick one: dynamite/guns/opium/gold/something else).
a very good shot?”
A portrait of Theodora Brathwaite in an unusual place.
TATIANA “TATI” BRATHWAITE
Riding togs. Perpetual sneer. Smells of leather and horse. Tati Brathwaite Rumors that Tati Brathwaite is hunting people at Brathwaite Hall.
is Theodora’s adopted daughter. She enjoys all manner of bloodsport, but
A pair of sapphire blue opera gloves in an unusual place.
is particularly fond of hosting lavish hunts at Brathwaite Hall. Theodora
considers her cruel and stupid, but loyal; she’s not an ideal heir, but she The discovery that Theodora Brathwaite owns a location that figures
cares deeply about Brathwaite Hall and is much more comfortable with prominently in a Threat.
the trappings of wealth than Theodora ever was. Tati will take direct A shower of sapphire rhinestones comes down on the hunters—a
action against Hargrave House by trying to capture one of the hunters message or a warning?
and making them the quarry for her next hunt.
The hunters suddenly find themselves in a room covered in sapphire
Quote: “Boxing, rats and dogs, bear-baiting—I love it all. But nothing gets my
blue: carpet, furnishings, drapery, artwork.
blood up like a hunt: hooves roaring through the glen, the thrill of leaping over
hedges… the feeling of so much power between your legs. And the fear, of course; The hunters suddenly find themselves in a place where everyone is
the fear of knowing that—in an instant—the horse can buck and send you wearing a Venetian mask in sapphire blue; no one will speak to them
crashing to your death, but also the fear that radiates from the prey. It’s a sort or explain themselves.
of pheromone, isn’t it?” A hunter with the Cosmic Passage marked has a dream: people
SERVANT FROM LAYER THREE & NOTES fleeing in terror and screaming in pain as Buckingham Palace is
consumed by sapphire blue flames.
The Morning Chronicle’s lead story: a pile of roses dyed sapphire blue
was left at the door to the Queen’s chambers in Buckingham Palace;
no one knows who left them there.