[center] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019befd4-b9c2-73ae-93c4-b68cdf8777a7.webp[/img] ╔══════════════╗ [h1] ⪼Inheritance - A Murder Mystery RP⪻ [/h1] ╚══════════════╝ ▌ [h2] ❝Blood is thicker than water, right?❞ [/h2] ▌ [h1] ⪼ Prologue ⪻ [/h1] [/center] [hider=Prologue] The Blackstone family legacy has spanned generations. Self-made men litter the bloodline; glorified racketeers turned legit. The Blackstones are infamously slippery nouveau riche types. Fingers in a plethora of pies: Real estate, shareholders, charity fundraising and so much more, the Blackstone name is one that is on the disgruntled lips of many. Keeping the bloodline going strong, the present-day head of the family Anthony Blackstone has blessed the world with 4 offspring. He and his wife Regina have dragged up their four beloved children abstaining the word “no” from their vocabulary. The children never wanted, never wished, never craved… The Blackstone fortune gave them anything they could ever dream of. Lacking a single maternal bone in her body, Regina plugged her children’s hearts with material things and starved their souls of true, gentle unconditional love. The 4 Blackstone children were wrapped up in a protective blanket made of 100 dollar bills… But money fails to protect from the inevitable. No bank balance can shelter those children from the tragedy of grief. Anthony Blackstone was found dead in his marital bed by the family’s housekeeper on 24.01.26. The King of Corruption himself had been snuffed out… And in his own home no less. The death of Anthony shocked a nation, stirring a strange mix of surprise and morbid relief. He was a man that possessed the charm of a true narcissist but had accumulated many enemies that saw through his irresistible enamour. There was no grief-stricken tribute online, no mourners gathering at the Blackstone Manor gates… Instead? Suspicion spread like an infection. Anthony’s death was ruled accidental at first. But the post mortem had revealed that Mr Blackstone had died of asphyxiation. This was no freak accident. Someone had taken it upon themselves to rid the world of one of the fattest cats. And with the purse strings firmly buried 6 feet under, the Blackstone family fortune could now be released to Anthony’s eagerly-awaiting children. There is far more to this story than what lies at the surface. As soon as someone starts digging, god knows what they may find. [/hider] [center] ╔══════════════╗ [h2]❝Someone is guilty of murder. Someone closer than you think.❞[/h2] ╚══════════════╝ [h1] ⪼ The Blackstone Family ⪻ [/h1] ⪼ [h2]Crispin & Juliette Blackstone[/h2] ⪻ [hider= Crispin & Juliette Blackstone] [i](Anthony’s Mother & Father) The “Clean-Up Generation” - Crispin, determined to clear the Blackstone name once and for all, spent his final “active” years working hard to “go legit.” Juliette had grown tired of the Upperclass Wives with their high teas and book clubs turning their nose up at Blackstone New Money. She begged Crispin to clean the fortune where he could. So with Juliette’s encouragement, the shadier sides of the Blackstone businesses were either legitimised or cut out like a cancer. In their 70s now, Crispin & Juliette have signed over their control of the Blackstone empire to their beloved only son Anthony.[/i] [/hider] ⪼ [h2] Anthony & Regina Blackstone[/h2]⪻ [hider=Anthony & Regina Blackstone] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019bf697-b1ef-77ff-965e-cb912e289518.webp[/img] [i]Anthony met Regina at Eton College when he was just 19 years old. Young, arrogant and of above-average intelligence, the handsome young Anthony soared to popularity like a rising star. Fellow student Regina, with a matching competitive streak, began as just a friend. But quickly the two fell in love and became one of the most popular couples on campus. Regina’s prestigious and pristine background as the daughter of 2 bureaucrats played a key part in young Blackstone’s pursuit. Anthony’s partnership with the “Old Money” in Regina’s family meant that the pairing was a strategic romance. Anthony & Regina followed the classic societal path carved out for 2 privileged trust fund babies; Higher education, travel the world, embark on a successful career, get married, buy property and have children. They got their “Happily Ever After”… Somewhat. Anthony steered the Blackstone empire with an insatiable appetite and unquenchable thirst for success. He single-handedly increased profits across the board and used his smart mouth and narcissistic charm to bleed the businesses dry. Against his father’s wishes, Anthony began to dabble in the less than palatable money-making methods in recent years. Regina, turning a blind eye to her husband’s ugly underbelly, focused on enjoying her extra allowance with designer clothes and more holidays in the Maldives. The Blackstone Boys are not known for their commitment and faithfulness; Regina knows her husband plays away. Their unspoken rule? Don’t let her find out because what she doesn’t know, won’t hurt her. [/i] [/hider] ⪼ [h2] Blackstone Manor [/h2] ⪻ [hider=Blackstone Manor Visuals] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019bf6aa-8ff1-735b-8cd2-69f356700383.webp[/img] [/hider] ⪼ [h2] The Blackstone Businesses [/h2]⪻ • The Blackstone Group - A security firm built by Katherine Blackstone. Funded by Anthony. • Blackstone Books - Publishing house chaired by Regina but operated by external employees. • Blackstone Giving - Charity chaired by Anthony & Regina, inherited from Crispin and Juliette Blackstone. Hosts various charity galas in aid of causes ranging from cancer research to battling homelessness. • Blackstone Advisory - Anthony birthed an Investment Company and employed the best in the biz. Whilst he doesn’t meddle in the day to day operations, it’s made in his image. • Core Hospitality - A restaurant group owned by the Blackstone family but run by hospitality professionals. It is at these establishments that the Blackstone family regulate. Namely a Michelin Started restaurant “Core” and a cocktail/wine bar “Roberta’s” [/center]