In the Light of a Greenhead Moon

For a game of deduction, or two...

Under a Greenhead Moon is a deduction and elimination board game set in Ipswich Bay, where players must uncover the true identity of a sea creature returning to its natural form. The game is inspired by a tale recounted by Dr. Charles Wendell Townsend in 1608.

Board Game Objective:
Players move their pawns around the map, attempting to catch the person returning to their natural form. The suspects include various characters such as The Boater, The Clammer, and The Police Officer. The game involves deduction based on the phase of the moon, characters, and locations..

Note:
The game combines strategy, deduction, and a touch of mystery as players work to unravel the secrets hidden beneath the Greenhead Moon.

game design by Katherine DeSilva

In the Light of a Greenhead Moon

Years of stories have been put aside. Now, close to 400 years later descendants of that creature are being called home. Can you figure out who the monster is?

It's your goal to try to catch the person attempting to return to their natural form in the sea.   
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In both games, you must figure out not only the place and the suspect but also the phase of the moon that turns this seemingly normal human into a sea monster.
- For the board game version, you move a pawn around a game map using a color-coded die.
- For the card game version, you make accusations and deductions by using excursion cards to prompt you what you ask. For added diffuculty you must also figure out what watercraft was used to get to Ipswich Bay to transform... 

A game of deduction like no other! 'In the Light of a Greenhead Moon' challenges you to uncover suspects, locations, and the moon's secrets. Board game or card game - you choose where your journey begins

In the Light of a Greenhead Moon

Adventure of Ipswich Bay

Embark on a thrilling aquatic adventure with two games inspired by Katherine DeSilva's captivating books, "In the Light of a Greenhead Moon" and "The Great Neck Mermaid." Set to launch in the spring of 2024 at The Game Crafter, these games delve into the mysterious tales of Dr. Charles Wendell Townsend and the enigmatic creatures lurking beneath the waves.

Game One: Mapping the Suspect in the Light of a Greenhead Moon
This board game of deduction takes you through the haunting landscapes of Ipswich Bay, where mermaids, sea monsters, or misunderstood locals might be hiding in plain sight. With suspects like The Clammer, The Lifeguard, and The Boater, and locations including Parker River, Crane's Beach, and Eagle Hill River, you must navigate the game map using a color-coded die. Unravel the mystery by determining not just the suspect and location but also the phase of the moon that transforms a human into a sea monster.

Game Two: Excursions in the Light of a Greenhead Moon
In this card game of deduction, join the quest to deduce The Suspect, Location, Phase of the Moon, and the Watercraft. Engage in strategic gameplay using excursion cards that prompt you with essential questions. With suspects like The Environmentalist and The Sea Captain, and locations like Neck Creek and Plum Island Sound, the game offers a unique challenge. Expand the experience with the Card Game Expansion Pack, doubling the fun for larger groups.

Party Size Games for Your Summer 

Both Games Together

For a more extensive and immersive experience, combine the board and card games. Use the Board Game Expansion Pack or the Card Game Expansion Pack to increase the group size. Each version introduces its own set of suspects, locations, and watercraft, adding layers of complexity to the mystery.

Winning the Puzzle
To emerge victorious, players must unveil the identity of the human-turned-sea-creature. By making strategic accusations and deductions, players can solve the puzzle. A daring player can declare readiness to solve the mystery, presenting their solution based on gathered information. If correct, they triumph; if incorrect, they are silenced but remain in the game, maintaining the suspense until the final revelation.


Dive into the realm of "In the Light of a Greenhead Moon" and discover the secrets hidden beneath the waves.

Choose the card version or board version, or play them together with a larger group.
Each version of the game has it’s own set of suspects and locations.

Game Suspects

The Board Game Suspects:

  • The Clammer
  • The Lifeguard
  • The Fisherman
  • The Dog Walker
  • The Tourist
  • The Boater
  • The Sunbather
  • The Police Officer

The Card Game Suspects:

  • The Environmentalist
  • The Librarian
  • The Sea Captain
  • The Old Hippy
  • The Museum Docent
  • The Retired Banker
  • The Sailor
  • The Water Skier
Game Locations

The Board Game Locations:

  • Parker River
  • Plum Island
  • Middle Ground
  • Rowley River
  • Steep Hill
  • Ipswich River
  • Crane's Beach
  • Essex River
  • Pavilion Beach
  • Eagle Hill River

The Card Game Locations:

  • Neck Creek
  • Sandy Point
  • Heartbreak Hill
  • Ipswich Bay
  • Choate Island
  • Essex Bay
  • Plum Island Sound
  • Holy Island
  • Mill River
  • Ordways Point
In both games you must figure out not only the place and the suspect, but also the phase of the moon.
- For the board game version, you move a pawn around a game map using a color coded die.
- For the card game version, you make accusations and deductions by using excursion cards to prompt you what you ask.

In the card game and expansion pack version, you are trying to deduce: The Suspect, Location, Phase of the Moon, and the Watercraft.

The Phases of the Moon:

  • The New Moon
  • Waxing Crescent
  • The First Quarter
  • Waxing Gibbous
  • The Full Moon
  • Waning Gibbous
  • The Last Quarter
  • Waning Crescent.

The Watercraft:

  • The Dinghy (Pram)
  • The Houseboat
  • The Kayak
  • The Pontoon Boat
  • The Fishing Troller
  • The Motor Boat
  • The Tow Boat
  • The Cabin Cruiser
  • The Canoe
  • The Sailboat
Board Game in the light of a greenhead moon

We're Waiting for You.

A game of deduction like no other! 'In the Light of a Greenhead Moon' challenges you to uncover suspects, locations, and the moon's secrets. Board game or card game - you choose where your journey begins

Join the wacky adventure inspired by Dr. Charles Wendell Townsend's tale from 1608, where a scary-looking merman of Ipswich Bay are making a comeback close to four centuries later.

Are they mermaids, sea monsters, or just misunderstood locals in disguise? It's time to unveil the aquatic mystery in "In the Light of a Greenhead Moon!"

Could it be a merman? Or the Cape Ann sea serpent described in 1639: “They told me of a sea serpent or snake, that lay coiled up like a cable upon a rock at Cape Ann; a boat passed by with two English on board and two Indians. They would have shot the serpent, but the Indians dissuaded them, saying that if he were not killed outright, they would be in danger of their lives.” —John Jossellyn, 1638 

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Katherine DeSilva is 'Ipswich.Green'
Illustration, Stories, Games, Wearables & Household .

174 High Street
Ipswich Village, Suite 105

Ipswich, MA 01938

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