This book contains two games of belonging outside belonging. Dream Askew explores the story of a queer enclave amid the collapse of civilization. Dream Apart explores the story of a Jewish shtetl in a fantastical version of nineteenth-century Eastern Europe.
Both games are about a marginalized group of people living together in precarious community. They use a simple no dice, no masters system that puts the focus on relationships. community struggles, and player choice.
Build a community together, and then make trouble within it!
This book is organized into four chapters:
Playing the Dream
A thorough, beginner-friendly guide on how to play Dream Askew, Dream Apart, and other games of belonging outside belonging. Includes detailed running examples.
Dream Askew
Everything you need to play Dream Askew – the character roles, setting elements, enclave worksheet, design notes, a mediography, and a recipe to serve your friends before playing.
Dream Apart
Everything you need to play Dream Apart – the character roles, setting elements, shtetl worksheet, design notes, mediography, glossary, list of regional names, and a recipe for borsht.
Designing New Games
A step-by-step guide to designing your own games of belonging outside belonging, with wisdom on both the thematic and mechanical aspects of game design.