Several years pass.
Finally, one day Gandalf returns to the Shire, and with much agitation asks to see the old ring of Bilbo's. To Frodo's surprise, he tosses it into the roaring fire in the fireplace.
When Frodo removes it from the flames, he can read an inscription on the ring.
One Ring to rule them all
One Ring to find them
One Ring to bring them all
And in the darkness bind them
Gandalf explains that this ring is the One Ring, that most sought after by the Dark Lord Sauron. He has spent the last few years investigating this, and he's learned that the creature Gollum, who was the prior owner of the One Ring, was taken captive by Sauron, and told him that it was taken by a Hobbit named Baggins.
Gandalf quickly enlists Sam to go with Frodo, and the two of them make plans to leave the Shire as soon as possible. The forces of Darkness are already on the move to locate them and recover the One Ring.
Gandalf tells Frodo that he will go to Isengard to consult with the head of his Order, the wizard Saruman, who is an expert on the lore of the One Ring. He will meet up with Frodo and Sam in the town of Bree in several days.
Frodo and Sam begin to make preparations to leave, under assumed names so Sauron's minions will have a hard time locating them, and the Ring.
---
Unless noted otherwise, "the first game night" is when masonries and the wolf team can begin chatting, and when powers kick in. That night is not now, but Thursday night, after the first game day has ended.
It is NIGHT.