L O K I

A Party Game by Brandon Taylor

PLAYERS

At least 4.

WHAT YOU NEED

Senses of stealth, secrecy, discretion, deception, misdirection, and deduction.

OBJECT

• For Loki, the object of the game is to remain undetected for the duration of the game.
• For the other players, the object of the game is to try to determine who Loki is.

PREGAME

Make as many slips of paper as there are players. On one slip of paper, print the name "LOKI." Distribute one slip of paper to each player. The player whose slip of paper says "LOKI" is Loki for the duration of the game. AT NO TIME DURING THE COURSE OF THE GAME MAY LOKI REVEAL THAT HE/SHE IS LOKI.

HOW TO PLAY

During the game, Loki may eliminate another player by winking his/her /right/ eye at the latter. Any player who is eliminated in this manner may not take any further part in the current game and must make no attempt to assist in revealing Loki's identity.

THE APPRENTICE

At the beginning of the game, it is a clever idea for Loki to appoint an Apprentice (if he/she so wishes) by winking his/her /left/ eye at another player. That player now has the same elimination power as Loki for the rest of the game, BUT MAY NOT REVEAL LOKI'S IDENTITY. (And don't try to eliminate Loki by winking at him or her -- that won't work on the Norse God of Mischief!)

STRATEGY TIPS

If a player who is neither Loki nor his/her Apprentice (if any) feels that another player is getting too close to identifying Loki, he/she may wink either eye to draw suspicion away from Loki. However, if such a player winks in this way, no elimination takes place -- only Loki and his/her Apprentice (if any) can eliminate players.

HOW TO WIN

• At any time before the game reaches 2 players, if a player who has not been eliminated by either Loki or his/her Apprentice (if any) can identify Loki by pointing at the suspect and shouting "LOKI!", that player wins the game.
• Careful! If a player is wrong in pointing out Loki -- e.g., by accusing the Apprentice -- the accusing player is eliminated from the game in the same manner as if either Loki or the Apprentice (if any) had winked at him/her!
• If Loki and his/her Apprentice (if any) are the last players remaining, THEY win the game.