NOTE: This free game is the official prologue to our main game Inspector Schmidt - The Ebbing. You will solve a tricky case that takes place right before the main storyline of The Ebbing. This case is not part of the main game but serves as the narrative link between Part 1 and Part 2 of the Inspector Schmidt series. Valentin Schmidt, a Bavarian civil servant with truly bad timing, actually just wants to go on a well-deserved vacation to the North Sea. But right from the start, this is overshadowed by a drama: The captain of the steamship that is bringing Valentin and the other passengers to an idyllic North Sea island suddenly collapses during lunch and struggles for his life. Was the captain poisoned? Valentin is tasked with finding out what happened – and discovers a web of relationships, dependencies, and motives among the ship's crew and passengers that he must unravel to find the true culprit. Gameplay Explore the Open World: Move freely on the North Sea steamship in 1870 and search for clues. Initiate a Confrontation: Question the suspects and convict the perpetrators. Engage in Exciting Dialogues: Use the dialogue mechanic to interview passengers, gather intriguing information, and find out who is hiding something. Go on a Trail Hunt: Use your detective instinct to find hidden clues. Combine the Clues: Link information and findings to solve the case. Level Up: Develop your character and decide which skills you want to improve. Pass the Skill Checks: Use your skills in classic pen and paper skill checks (dice rolls). Craft Useful Items: Gather resources and build items and consumables to improve your skills. Make Difficult Decisions: Your actions affect the course of the story. Decide for yourself how you want to solve the tasks—through charisma, diplomacy, etc.—but the mission is clear: Solve the case! Setting The year is 1870. The first functioning transatlantic telegraph cable has been put into operation. It creates hope for a communication-rich and peaceful time between the USA and Germany. The world is coming closer together, and industrialization is also advancing by large steps. However, these changes are not only met with supporters among the population. And then there is also the Franco-Prussian War, which is causing unrest among the people, who are being conscripted out of fear. Valentin Schmidt, a young official from Bavaria, has just solved a tricky murder case in Wolpertshofen, Bavaria. As a thank you, Mr. Haller, the chief commissioner, sends him to the North Sea for rest. After the eventful crossing to Havstedt, Valentin is immediately confronted with the next mysterious death that needs to be cracked... Supported by funds from nordmedia – Film and Media Company Lower Saxony/Bremen Ltd.