Pam Gutermuth, Ashley Collinson, and Alex Henning were just three of the 22 "sisters" - nearly half the field - who played in the event.	Jordan Halberstadt failed to advance this year but either he or his brother have won the last three years.

Many novices chose to join in the search for Adelmo's murderer as the monks packed into the crypt deep in the bowels of the abbey (otherwise known as Host B in the Lancaster Host). Throughout the abbey, their voices rang out in harmony and plainsong as they began the search. During the preliminary sleuthing, Sisters Reiko, Alice and Rebecca, along with Brothers Tim and Jonathon had several false leads and an incredible SIX incorrect accusations before they finally settled on a guilty party! Never has there been a jumpier, more finger-pointing group of monks.

As the pool of suspects narrowed, so too did the investigators as the Abbess determined those worthy of a second round of questioning. Sister Alex proved herself most certainly worthy of this selection when she made a startlingly early (and correct) accusation. With some deft questioning and surely some act of providence, she made a gutsy move to accuse soon after the parlatorium had emptied. This, of course, allowed her to pass to the final investigation.

Four monks continued in tireless pursuit of the murderer in the final round of investigation. Benedictine novices were highly suspect during Matins. During this same Mass, Brother Josh was the lucky monk to first gain access to the forbidden library, where he discovered demons and cleared the Franciscans from suspicion. During Lauds, Brother Gene managed to trade information and documents with Sister Alex then, absorbed in a fit of fervor, rummaged in her cell only to retrieve the very documents he had just given to her. It was also in Lauds that Brother Chuck, veteran sleuth, made his first ever willing revelation. This uncharacteristic move must have caused a stir, for shortly afterward, the venerable father Greenwood visited the abbey to check on the progress of the monks.

All the hubbub catalyzed the monks to more vigorous investigations. As soon as Brother Gene tried to make his move to accuse the culprit, Brothers Josh and Chuck sent him to penance for foregoing his brotherly duties in keeping track of the Mass. All the monks were feeling the pressure to make an accusation. In Prime, Brother Chuck made a gutsy move to the Capitulum to make his own accusation. He had narrowed his choice to two suspects and flipped a coin. Not happy with the result of the coin flip, he made the opposite accusation and gained the title of top sleuth. Brother Josh made second place due to his great piety and dutiful attitude (he was the ONLY monk to remain penance free). Third and Fourth place were determined by a roll-off, since Brother Gene and Sister Alex were tied with zero points and both had served penance.

The Abbess heard later that there was some rumbling about Brother Chuck's success. He later disappeared and clues were found pointing to foul play. Perhaps a look into the journals kept by the final four will prove useful in discovering what happened. Brother Chuck solved the mystery of Adelmo's death -- next time, we will be investigating his!

Thanks to all the players who came out for Mystery of the Abbey. I am looking forward to GMing for you in 2009!

GM Ellen Hoam does a terrific job of preparing a fun event with a lot of period atmosphere, including dressing the part and providing special manuals for the inquisition.	Abbess Hoam watches over her charges lest the finalists stray from the path of wisdom. This year her flock of little monks were not present to promote the event.