Or, how to stay alive in times of viral outbreak, mass hysteria and existential void.
One day in Germopolis…
A sudden and unexpected outbreak of the ‘Bat Virus’ – a hyper-transmittable flu - swiftly overtakes the city. Infection becomes fatal within 24 hours, except for small minority with a DNA defect that keeps them safe, but still infectious. Panic has broken out, streets are littered with bodybags, and chaos is reigning in the populous and cramped city. For the first time in its history, every civillian in Germopolis has been ordered to quarantine in their homes.
Will everyone die a horrible death, or will strict sanitary measures, imminent self-isolation and heroic medical action save the people of Germopolis? The faith is in your hands.. (better wash them well!!).
Every night it’s a gamble
In spite of the quarantine, there’s always a reason to go out: panic buying at the local store, lining up at the bank to withdraw your life’s savings, or walking your neighbors dog to get away from your nagging partner. But, no matter the excuse, the virus is lurking around every corner.
In the middle of the night, the [infected] wake up with with sordid memories from that day: who did they accidentally brushed up against in the store? Who did they sneeze upon in the line up? When did they forget to stay a safe distance? In other words, who else will not be waking up the next day?
Just like the original game
Quarantime is played just like the original ‘Werewolves’ game. Civilians take the role of villagers (trying to find out who is behind the killing), the [infected] the role of werewolves (trying to stay undetected), intertwined with other unique extra roles bringing their ‘twist’ to the game.
Roles
GAME MASTER
This individual will not participate as a player in the game and will instead be guiding the other players by telling the story of ‘Germopolis’ and dictating whose turn it is and the order of things. A good game master is firm, just and dedicated, but leaves space for the players to figure things out on their own during the day. It is essential that they use all the imagination they can muster to bring the game alive, while never giving away any clues to who is who!
During the night the game master calls out the:
(Ordinary) civilians
It is up to the ‘healthy’ inhabitants of Germopolis to stay alive and unmask the [infected] people so that city life can go back to normal.
The quarantine and continuous suspicion is taking its toll. Feeling helpless, stressed and annoyed by the new changes that have forced any sense of normality to come to a halt. They have ample energy and are ready to direct that anger at whoever is causing this ridiculous situation.
2. mayor
One of the first people to pass away was the Mayor of Germopolis, leaving the city utterly directionless. With the urgent need to take action and eradicate the virus, it is of utter importance to get a new Mayor elected ASAP.
Which player is trusted by most and granted the role of Mayor (on top of their original role) to guide the daily trials and hopefully help to expose the [infected]? In the case of even votes, their vote will count twice.
3. [infected]
They are the carriers of the Bat virus, the whole reason we are in this mess! Their DNA, special personalities or plain luck have made them somehow survive the effects of the virus. It is up to them to stay alive and avoid revealing themselves as sick, for being unmasked will mean brutal isolation or certain death.
Even though they harbour a lethal virus, they are still human beings and would like nothing more than intimate contact with others, at any cost…
Every night they decide together which healthy person is to pay the price for their recklessness.
4. MEDIC
As a medic you want nothing more than to solve this crisis, and keep as many people healthy as possible. Still, in these dire times you only carry two serums: one that will save someone from passing away during the night, the other will neutralize a person that could potentially be a risk for society. The medic can also cure themselves when necessary.
5. epidemiologist
If there is someone that has an edge over the rest, it is probably the epidemiologist, with his/her ability to check if people are infected. Much of the pressure to resolve this matter quickly lies in their hands. Let’s hope their ego is resistent to all the extra attention...
The epidemiologist can stealthily uncover the role of one player every night, starting from the second night.
6. senior civilian
Behaves like any ordinary civilian but due to their age they will instantly collapse and die whenever anybody next to them is taken by the virus (playing online? Count any player in an adjacent video-chat window to you).
7. silent carrier
This person has absolutely no clue they are spreading the virus. They feel perfectly fit and think this whole situation is blown out of proportion.
The silent carrier acts as [infected] but does not wake up with the others during the night to choose a victim. Only if he’s the last infected player left standing he becomes an active ’[infected]’.
8. Overworked ER Doctor
Working hours have never been easy on the committed emergency response doctor, but lately things have escalated quite a bit. With all this lack of sleep it is getting increasingly hard to keep in touch with reality. When this card is chosen by the [infected], the doctor loses it completely. He will survive the night and become one of the [infected].
9. Conspiracy Theorist
All this chaos is just what the conspiracy theorist has been waiting for. He’s been saying it all along! It’s hard for him to keep his nose out of other people’s business, and the current measures won’t keep him from doing that in a ‘social distancing’ manner. The player with this card can check one card every night (just like the epidemiologist) but if he strikes an [infected] card, he will instantly get infected himself.
10. HOARDER
Some inhabitants of Germopolis can’t stop taking more than they need. The hoarder is the epitome of that. During the night the hoarder can ‘take’ the card of any other player and switch it for their own. He or she will then continue playing as the role of that particular card. The player receiving the card from the hoarder will keep their original role, apart from any special powers such as peeking at cards.
11. OCD-er
While cleanliness is certainly extra important in these times, some take it to the extreme. The hyper-vigilance of the OCDer gives them a heightened sense of awareness at night. They never really let their guard down and this permits them to peek through their eyelids during a specific time at night: when the [infected] choose their next victim. Caution! If the OCDer is caught spying, he or she dies instantly of shock.
12. Online Matchmaker
Even in the face of an epic crisis, there is always… love. The online matchmaker plays the role of Cupid by choosing two players that will than fall hopelessly in love. Their hearts and destinies are forever interlocked so that if one dies, the other instantly follows. That is why after these lovers found each other, they try to keep their love hidden at al costs. The online matchmaker can also match themselves.
Ideas?
That’s the game folks!
If you have any questions, ideas or tips, feel free to leave a message.