96 [Preview inside] It's more complex that I imagined.

My apologies for this delay... Yet another one. This time it's because the Werewolf Party game as I modified it to be, with so many players, made writing out how the gameplay would turn out through the phases. I did this because the game itself is fun, but depending on the version, is either too slow and predictable or over too fast and limited to the number of players.

Example 1. One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Example 2. Werewolf Party Game [The one I played]
There are others, and other versions with very different character roles.

Who lives, who dies, where, when, why, and who really is the werewolf? How do you stop a werewolf? How do you kill them? What happens to the players when they die?

All of these things became a bit of a problem when writing because just saying who the werewolf is kind of ruined the whole point of writing a "Who done it?" kind of story/chapter. Instead, the chapter changes the perspective a few times, focusing on different groups that ban together to try and win the game.

One big problem was having characters play their roles consistently. Hunters, a seamstress, villagers, a bum, and some who might die too quickly to even find out. That, and when I originally got to a key portion of the game where a character is announced dead and who they think the werewolf is, I remembered I had them killed off earlier and had to rewrite a large portion of it. Then, of course, some roles introduced might have other ways of winning and their deception could be just as dangerous as the werewolves.

Also, this chapter will have art to accompany it, so there is the added bonus of finally getting to see Chris properly illustrated for you to see.

Preview!!!

The groups of delegates were excited to play this new game. They were playing roles as characters in a contest of strategy and deception. Young and old, ponies, dragons, griffons, humans, guards, nobles, royalty, and plenty of others who had been initially invited all would put their skills to the test.

The goal was to rid themselves of werewolves or use their skills of misdirection to survive as the werewolves. 

Certainly a sharp contrast from the many games each species was more accustomed to.

Starting off the game, Starlight stepped forward, playing into her role as well.

"Welcome to the small town of Garden. You all have come a long way on the train to venture off to the Kingdom of Canterlot. Unfortunately, the train needs repairs and you'll have to hold up in Garden, which seems to have been mysteriously abandoned. Feel free to spend time gathering the supplies and food you may need. However, beware of werewolves that are rumored to live in the surrounding area. Also, be sure to show Chris and I your cards as you enter, so we know who is entering and what to expect from you."

Eager to get started, the assumed group of humans and creatures began to walk in, Starlight giving them one last reminder. 

"Remember, if you perform a job, return to me or Chris to be paid. Doing your job will help ensure you survive, and whoever survives wins a bottle of your choice from the human delegate’s selection of alcohols. Of course, you can also save up enough money or supplies to buy our emergency hand-slash-hoofcart to return to the last station for only five pieces of gold or equal value. Also, there are special skills that we can perform for you to keep your true identity a secret."

It was going to be more of a surprise, but Chris knew it was going to be confusing. A little more clarification was needed.

“Some skills require us to act out of character and inform you of a change in the game that has occurred. Not all of them will be good, so be careful of who you trust. You can also ask us how much your potions and supplies are worth.”

Thunder, having completed her daily watch, quickly trotted up to Starlight. 

"Sorry, I missed some of the instructions. My card says I'm a seamstress and I make clothes for other players to travel outside at night. So I need to do a job to get paid so I can buy the materials, and who has them?"

Chris till the card and examined it with Starlight, verifying the content. Not a daunting task for him, thankfully. 

"Ah. Nope. In the garden will be baskets labeled Raw Goods. Grab any card that says cotton, then take it to a general goods store. There will be another basket with cards that say what types of clothes you can make. Make as much as you can, you get paid everyday you make clothes or sell them to others. You can use cotton players bring to you and make clothes for them."

Thunder took her card back, and after a moment of rereading, nodded and grinned.

"Oh, okay. I get it now. Thanks."

Starlight watched the other mare flutter off to catch up with the rest, then gave a happy sigh.

"When you explained this game earlier, it sounded really simple. Why did you change and add so many rules and cards?"

Mulling slightly over the rules Chris turned and started into the garden, a little doubtful of the end product. 

"When we played the game, it was only made for about six or twelve players, way less than how many we have now. Plus, Celestia wanted to show off her garden, so this way players get to move around and see the sights… That and normally after the first round the game becomes a little predictable and you get bored of just sitting around pointing at each other."