HOW IT WORKS
Each Cipher & Clue case gives you access to the documents surrounding an incident in Saint Cloud City. Your job is to read closely, compare accounts, and uncover what the official reports missed.
STEP INTO THE INVESTIGATION
When a case goes cold in Saint Cloud City, Sterling Investigations steps in — and Peggy Hanson, Max Sterling’s trusted assistant, reaches out to you. She’s your guide, your contact, and the person who brings you into the investigation.
Your mission is simple:
Follow the evidence. Cross‑reference the truth. Identify the one suspect with Means, Motive, and Opportunity.
OPEN THE CASE FILE
Every Cipher & Clue mystery begins with two things:
-
The Onboarding Packet — Peggy’s welcome, the case briefing, and a quick guide to the investigation
-
The Original SCPD Case File — the police’s reports, statements, and early evidence
Your job is to figure out what the SCPD missed.
CHECK IN WITH PEGGY
At key moments, you’ll log into the Sterling Investigations Portal — a secure, in‑universe communication system.
Peggy will ask you a few conversational multiple‑choice questions about your findings. Answer correctly, and she’ll “pull” the next envelope of evidence for you.
This creates the feeling that you’re directing the investigation, not just opening envelopes.
UNLOCK NEW EVIDENCE
As you progress, you’ll receive additional packets of documents — each one revealing more of the truth:
-
suspects emerge
-
motives sharpen
-
contradictions surface
-
buried clues snap into place
The deeper you go, the more the case opens up.
FOLLOW THE THREE PILLARS
Every Cipher & Clue case is solved through:
MEANS
Could they have done it
MOTIVE
Why would they do it
OPPORTUNITY
Where were they when it happened
Only one suspect has all three.
OPEN THE FINAL ENVELOPE
Once you’ve formed your final theory and checked in with Peggy one last time, you’ll open the Solution Packet — the complete breakdown of the case, the real timeline, and the truth the SCPD missed.
CASE CLOSED
You’ve solved the mystery.
Another case closed in Saint Cloud City — thanks to you.
