Among the loud noises of unfounded accusations, panicked defences, and the calm arguments of evil masterminds, the sound of the timer ending was heard by all. The time had come to vote who among them was the werewolf. Discussion where shushed, fingers were pointed, and cards were flipped over to reveal an outcome that none had anticipated.
It was Friday, the 21st of August, and the designated hour had at last arrived. It was time for the first Game Night of the year. The fists to arrive at the designated location were Ms. Carin Loraine, the incredible staff sponsor and unofficial queen of Game Night, and Gabe Roylance, the veteran Game Knight and the undefeated champion. Over the course of an hour the remaining Knight would arrive. There was Nick the Grand, Giovanni the Joyful, Nathan the Stedfast, Karyme the Quiet, and myself, David the Eager.
As the other members of the Order gathered, discussions on what game should be played ensued. One of the Game Knights had brought his newest expansion of Root, a strategy war game in which you play as woodland critters fighting for control over the forest. As this game of woodland might and right was being displayed, the last of the knight arrived, and it was decided that, due to the number of players present, the game to be played wouldn’t be Root, but a mafia-like party game known as “One Night Werewolf.”
The game is simple: character cards are dealt out to each player and each character has a different role. There are the werewolves, who are trying to survive until the end, and there are the villagers, who are trying to find and cast out the werewolves. Each of the villagers have a different ability. For example the seer can look at one person’s card, the trouble maker swaps two players cards, and the doppelganger looks at another player’s card and becomes that role. The game is simple and easy to understand, but in practice, it is a game full of misdirection and trickery.
As the night progressed and more and more rounds were played, the situation became more and more chaotic. With Gabe’s clever strategies, Giovanni’s charismatic deceptions, and Nathan’s unfortunately suspicious demeanor, each game was ending in an unforeseen outcome, and the Knights became increasingly suspicious of each other.
But, at the same time, the Order of the Game Knights were becoming closer as well. Despite the constant deceptions and back-stabbings, the Knights were all chatting and shouting and laughing and learning more about each other. In my mind, it is the most enchanting part about Game Night. No matter who wins or loses, how malicious or dividing the game tends to be, or how chaotic the night becomes, everyone ends up having fun. That is the magic of Game Night, and it is one of the most incredible things in the world.
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