TYPES OF MURDER MYSTERY PARTY CHARACTERS

EXAMPLE LOOKS OF CREATIVE ROLE COSTUMES.

You're likely to have been assigned one of the following character roles to play:

• Biker Gang Member – Leather, patches, chain-smoker energy. Loud laugh, louder bike.

• Tattoo Artist – Ink-streaked sleeves, surgical gloves, and a worn sketchbook filled with skulls and serpents.

• Piercing Specialist – Precision tools, many holes, very chill until they’re not.

• Tattoo Apprentice – Covered in regrettable early work, eager to prove themselves, maybe hiding something...

• Motorcycle Mechanic – Grease-stained and suspiciously quiet. Fixes bikes, but breaks secrets.

• Alt Model or Influencer – Head-to-toe aesthetic perfection: fishnets, colored contacts, and curated chaos.

• Custom Bike Builder – Obsessed with details, tools, and control. Might murder over a scratch in chrome.

Classic Aesthetic

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THE COSTUME: Closet Staples You Might Already Have

• Leather. Denim. Black everything. Start with the base of a band tee, ripped jeans, or a tank top, and build up from there. Add a studded belt, combat boots, or biker boots. An oversized flannel or worn leather jacket adds authority. 

• Bonus: If you don’t own leather, fake it with matte black jackets and dark denim. Torn leggings, fishnets, and a tight crop top or mesh shirt can evoke the alt vibe.

HAIR & MAKEUP:

This group never apologizes for making a statement.

• Hair might be dyed, spiked, undercut, or slicked back. Or all four.

• You can fake dyed hair with colored temporary spray or wigs—think neon green, white-blonde, jet black, or firetruck red.

• Makeup: go heavy. Thick liner, dark lipstick, smudged shadow. Face piercings? Use stick-on gems or safe faux rings.

• For guys: dark under-eye liner, messy facial hair, and the “just got off the bike” look is perfect. Grease up a bit. Literally.

• Black or dark blue fingernail polish. 

ACCESSORIES: 

• Temporary tattoos (sleeves, neck pieces, or hand ink).  If you have tats - you're adequately assigned - should be easy for ya - but take it a step further than your current look (if you can)! 

• Fingerless gloves

• Fake piercings (ear cuffs, septum clips, magnetic studs)

• Chain necklaces, wallet chains, or actual chains for drama

• Goggles or riding glasses perched on a hat or forehead

• A sketchbook filled with tattoo flash (real or fake)

• A piercing clamp or tattoo machine prop

• Bandanas—on the head, neck, or even tied to the belt

• Motorcycle helmet (but like… don’t wear it all night unless you’re committing that hard)

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GENERAL CHARACTER & ROLEPLAYING TIPS

Voice & Speech

• Deep, rough, or casual tones. Swear creatively (but maybe not excessively, depending on the party/group - but you can also make up swear words). Use nicknames for everyone—“Kid,” “Angel,” “Boss,” “Doc.” Refer to people by appearance, not name: “Yeah, Tall Red Lipstick lied about the alibi.”

• Throw in phrases like: “I’ve seen uglier things walk out of my shop alive.”  “Chrome doesn’t lie. People do.”  “You ever try scrubbing blood off of denim? Just sayin’.”

Behavioral Quirks

• Fiddle with a toothpick, lighter, or ring.

• Constantly assess other people’s tattoos—or judge them for having none.

• Recount violent-sounding stories that end innocently (“…and that’s how I rescued the parrot.”)

• Be weirdly tender about your tools (helmet for a biker). Refer to your tattoo gun (or helmet) as “she” and refuse to let anyone touch it.

• Squint suspiciously at everyone. Even friends.

Bonus Touches​

• Smear a little fake grease or ink on your hands and forearms.

• Offer to give someone a piercing with alarming confidence (don’t follow through).

• Make up wild tattoo backstories:  “This one’s for the goat I met once.”  “This one? Commemorates the time I lost a finger. Grew back. Long story.”

• Have a fake business card for your parlor: “Sacred Iron: Custom Ink & Dangerous Art” or “Needles & Knuckles Studio."  Or, if your character has a tattoo shop name - use it. 

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🏍️ Leather, Ink & Alibis: A Character Guide for the Cool, the Creative, and the Questionably CalmBecause in this crowd, “under pressure” just means “engine’s running.”

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🏍️ Biker Gang Member – The Ride-or-Die Rebel

Vibe: Bold, loyal, and louder than the engine. Fierce exterior, loyal heart, and possibly the best person to have in your corner (unless you’re guilty).

Costume (from your closet):

• Leather or denim jacket, dark jeans, boots.

• Bandana, fingerless gloves, or sunglasses.

• Optional: patches, chains, or a “club” name on a shirt.

Easy to Buy / DIY:

• Temporary tattoos, toy helmet, fake biker patches.

Props & Accessories:

• Sunglasses, motorcycle gloves, wrench, or keychain.

• Water bottle labeled “Motor Oil (Not Really).”

How to Act:

• Laugh big. Speak confidently.

• Cross your arms like you mean business.

• Say everything like it’s the final word in a movie trailer.

Quirks:

• Calls everyone “kid” or “pal.”

• Talks about “the open road” like it’s a religion.

• Taps a beat on the table with their rings.

Sayings:

“The road tells the truth — people don’t.”
“Trust is earned, not given… especially in this crowd.”
“Engines don’t lie. People do.”

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🖋️ Tattoo Artist – The Inked Visionary

Vibe: Focused, creative, and detail-obsessed. Can tell your personality from your font choice.

Costume (from your closet):

• Black shirt or tank, jeans, boots or sneakers.

• Add fake ink sleeves (drawn on with eyeliner if needed).

• Apron or utility belt optional.

Easy to Buy / DIY:

• Temporary tattoos, latex gloves, pen behind ear.

Props & Accessories:

• Sketchbook, fake tattoo gun (toy prop), or pen set.

How to Act:

• Always sketching or planning.

• Squint like you’re mentally redesigning everything.

• Compliment people’s “canvas” (even if they look confused).

Quirks:

• Talks about ink like it’s poetry.

• Stares at people’s arms while thinking about design ideas.

• Constantly wipes hands, even when clean.

Sayings:

“Art doesn’t fade — it just tells a new story.”
“Everyone wears their past. Some of us make it look good.”
“You’d be surprised what people confess mid-needle.”

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💎 Piercing Specialist – The Steady Hand

Vibe: Calm, precise, and surprisingly nurturing. Knows how to handle nerves — and secrets.

Costume (from your closet):

• All black, sleek and simple.

• Add silver jewelry, chain belt, or studded accessories.

• Optional: fake gloves or apron.

Easy to Buy / DIY:

• Clip-on earrings, safety pin accessories, or costume pliers.

Props & Accessories:

• Tweezers, penlight, small mirror, clipboard labeled “Client Waivers.”

How to Act:

• Speak gently but directly.

• Lean in when you talk, like you’re checking alignment.

• Stay calm even in chaos — until someone lies.

Quirks:

• Clicks tongue when thinking.

• Refers to people as “clients” even off-duty.

• Always looking for symmetry.

Sayings:

“Steady hands, steady mind.”
“Everyone flinches at first.”
“Trust the process — and don’t move.”

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✍️ Tattoo Apprentice – The Eager Artist

Vibe: Young, excitable, and just a little jumpy. Big dreams, small mistakes, and maybe a few suspicious stains on their sketchpad.

Costume (from your closet):

• Hoodie or apron, jeans, and sneakers.

• Add fake tattoos drawn with marker.

• Messy hair = bonus points.

Easy to Buy / DIY:

• Temporary tattoos, fake ink bottle (food coloring & water).

Props & Accessories:

• Sketchbook, practice skin (or notepad), pencil behind ear.

How to Act:

• Talk too fast. Try to impress everyone.

• Ask too many questions.

• Apologize even when you’re not guilty (suspiciously so).

Quirks:

• Bites pencil when nervous.

• Accidentally smudges everything.

• Keeps muttering, “One day, they’ll see…”

Sayings:

“Okay, yes, I messed up — but in an artistic way.”
“The lines were clean until someone screamed.”
“I’m still learning. Please don’t tell my mentor.”

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🔧 Motorcycle Mechanic – The Grease Guru

Vibe: Smart, grounded, and quiet — the kind of person who notices everything but says nothing until it matters.

Costume (from your closet):

• Coveralls or jeans, plain tee, work boots.

• Add a bandana or baseball cap.

• Smudge a little “grease” (eyeliner works).

Easy to Buy / DIY:

• Rag, wrench, gloves, or clipboard labeled “Repairs: Confidential.”

Props & Accessories:

• Toy wrench or screwdriver, oily rag, notebook of “maintenance notes.”

How to Act:

• Speak sparingly but directly.

• Keep your hands busy (tightening bolts, checking parts).

• Lean on things a lot.

Quirks:

• Fixes squeaky chairs instinctively.

• Uses mechanical metaphors for everything.

• Always “tuning up” something invisible.

Sayings:

“Everything breaks eventually — it’s how you fix it that counts.”
“Engines talk. You just gotta listen.”
“Someone’s lying… and it’s not the motor.”

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📸 Alt Model or Influencer – The Aesthetic Authority

Vibe: Effortlessly cool, trend-obsessed, and always camera-ready. Lives life in snapshots and perfectly timed reactions.

Costume (from your closet):

• Stylish outfit: fishnets, leather, or bold jacket.

• Boots, platform shoes, or dramatic makeup.

• Add color streaks in hair or unique accessories.

Easy to Buy / DIY:

• Sunglasses, phone, fake “followers” badge, ring light prop.

Props & Accessories:

• Phone, selfie stick, fake camera, or notebook labeled “Content Ideas.”

How to Act:

• Narrate your life like a vlog.

• Pose mid-scene, even during chaos.

• Say “for the aesthetic” often.

Quirks:

• Always fixing their hair.

• Says “mood” like it’s punctuation.

• Captions moments aloud.

Sayings:

“Murder, but make it fashion.”
“If I don’t post it, did it even happen?”
“This outfit deserves justice.”

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🛠️ Custom Bike Builder – The Perfectionist

Vibe: Focused, creative, and detail-driven. Can spot a scratch from across the room — and will fix it before you blink.

Costume (from your closet):

• Fitted work shirt, rolled sleeves, jeans or overalls.

• Gloves tucked in pocket, boots on.

• Safety glasses optional for style points.

Easy to Buy / DIY:

• Wrench, screwdriver, gloves, tape measure.

Props & Accessories:

• Toy wrench, small tool pouch, sketchbook labeled “Custom Build Designs.”

How to Act:

• Stay calm until something’s imperfect.

• Talk about “craftsmanship” like it’s sacred.

• Inspect things (and people) like they’re parts to repair.

Quirks:

• Constantly polishing something.

• Adjusts things no one asked them to.

• Gets quiet when angry — too quiet.

Sayings:

“Precision saves lives… or hides them.”
“A perfect finish takes patience — and payback.”
“I don’t make mistakes. I make upgrades.”

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🧰 Bonus Suggestions to Round Out the Crew:

• Garage Owner – The boss with a soft spot for their crew (and no patience for nonsense).

• Stunt Rider – Fearless, flashy, and maybe too confident.

• Motorcycle Journalist – Knows everyone’s business and writes fast.

• Merch Vendor – Friendly but somehow always in the right place at the wrong time.

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🕶️ Quick “From Your Closet” Recap:

You probably already own half a biker-bar ensemble:

• Leather or denim jacket

• Black or gray shirt

• Jeans or cargo pants

• Boots or sneakers

• Sunglasses or gloves

• A confident stance and a mysterious smirk

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🔩 Acting Tips for the Biker & Tattoo Crew:

• Talk with conviction — these are people who mean what they say.

• Move like you belong anywhere — because you do.

• Give side-eyes like you’re always aware of danger.

• Add a “found family” vibe — they may clash, but they’ve got each other’s backs.

• When in doubt, cross your arms and say: “Yeah? Prove it.”