Ritual

An entity that offers many offerings is called: a monster, a demon, or they offer. The villagers don't know the monster's real name or its origins, nor do they care about it. They knew this even if they had a bountiful harvest in the fall.

They are sacrificed deep in the forest, or sometimes on a nearby island. Sometimes they are drugged, sometimes they are sedentary, and sometimes they simply accept their grim fate.

The village elder draws a symbol in the dirt and shouts strange words in the night sky. Finishing, the elder quickly leaves, being devoured by the beast with its quarry.

The monster chases the sacrifices of others and you, as a hero, support others.

Like what is required for a jam game 😅😅

You over-described the game 😄