The Wake

by Travis Hall

The Nyngan region of central New South Wales has seen hard times in recent years. Though some other areas have fared worse, Australia’s worst drought in living memory has devastated many farms here.

In amongst the barren fields, though, remains one farm where the wheat still grows healthy and golden. A house too empty for too long is filled with people. Owner Trevor Sheppard had looked forward to seeing scattered family and friends again. He just wishes this reunion could have been under better circumstances.

The Sheppard family have gathered to say farewell to a loved one, lost far too soon. It isn’t the first such gathering in recent days. They know it won’t be the last either. But this is the one when nobody can tell them why.

A murder mystery with a supernatural twist for 15 relatives, friends and unexpected visitors.

Phenomenon Ratings

Characterisation:

4

Genre:

1

Story/Plot:

4

Rules Knowledge:

0

Seriousness:

4

Adult Content:

M

Gen Con Oz Ratings

Duration:

3 hours

Age Requirement:

Mature (15+)

Experience Required:

Newcomers (maturity preferred)

Character List

• Trevor Sheppard, 49, owner of the most prosperous farm of the Nyngan region.
• Kathleen Sheppard, 51, Trevor’s wife, a woman of strong convictions and uncommon beliefs.
• Marcus Sheppard, 51, Trevor’s older brother, black sheep of the Sheppard family.
• Timothy Sheppard, 24, eldest son of Trevor and Kathleen, hardworking heir apparent to the farm.
• Michael Sheppard, 22, second son of Trevor and Kathleen, an agricultural sciences graduate with new ideas for the farm.
• Alicia Sheppard, 18, youngest of the Sheppard family, returned home for the holiday after a year studying in Sydney.
• Helen Webber, 25, Timothy’s girlfriend, born a city girl and transplanted to the country.
• Janet McCarthy, 21, Michael’s girlfriend, the daughter of another farming family who are doing it tough in the drought.
• Marian Doolan, 22, Michael’s closest friend, who has maintained close ties with the Sheppards despite the difficulties of her own parents’ divorce.
• Daniel Finch, 37, son of Trevor’s eldest sister Caroline, grieving for a mother not yet dead.
• Tomas Calder, 43, Kathleen’s step-brother, a country cop.
• Kev Pearson, 27, a distant cousin, well-known local tough-guy and larrikin.
• Reverend Lillian Cartwright, 50, Anglican priest for the parish of Nyngan.
• Wu Meili, 28, a recent immigrant hired to help around the house and farm.
• Uncle Murray Davis, 55, an elder of the Wiradjuri aboriginal people, an unexpected visitor.