Death of the Author
A downloadable tarot TTRPG
Physical copies are available at:
- Indie Press Revolution
- Heart of the Deernicorn
- Tabletop Bookshelf
- and at the bottom of this page!
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What would a character do upon confronting their author?
Death of the Author is a 1-2 player tarot TTRPG about a character fighting for agency within their own story. Over the course of five chapters, the character attempts to shape the narrative by twisting the scenes written by their author.
With a deck of tarot cards, tell a story of character autonomy and authorial intent. What messages does the author send throughout the character’s story? What happens when the character finally confronts their author?
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About
Death of the Author can be played either solo or with a friend, over the course of 2-4 hours. All that is needed to play is a deck of tarot cards and a way to record your story. You do not need to be familiar with tarot to play.
Gameplay involves drawing cards for Scene Prompts, which describe scenes written by the Author. The Character then has a chance to modify the scene prompts, changing the story in the process. Each Chapter, the Character can use one Reversal and one Defiance:
- Reversal - Flip the card to receive a different Scene Prompt
- Defiance - Completely rewrite the underlined part of the Scene Prompt
However, changing the narrative brings the attention of the Author, who might choose to retaliate as they rewrite the Scene.
Death of the Author is a hack of Anamnesis, twisting the original mechanics in new and surprising ways. The game is 44 pages, including covers. The digital downloads also include a designer's commentary version, and audiobook, and a gameplay tracking sheet.
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Testimonials from Playtesters
A thought-provoking examination of the relationship between character and author, and what it takes to wrest control of one's own story away from the confines imposed upon it. Every writer has had the experience of characters who don't want to cooperate with your story. Death of the Author gives you insight into why.
~ S. Kaiya J.
Death of the Author is a mindfuck in the best way. By the end of my playthrough I felt a little like Charlie Kaufman and a little like a character in a Charlie Kaufman movie.
~ Taylor Felicity
Have you ever seen yourself in a story you wrote? In a character? What if they looked back? Fight for freedom as a character in your own tale, against its Author. Struggle with them, understand them, confront them and find out what's waiting for you beyond your ending.
~ Danny R. R. Travis
A very meta experience that got me thinking about my real life story, who writes it for me, and how much control I'd want to take back.
~ Leam
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Actual Plays
A Game of One's Own: Death of the Author
Maddy Searle of the podcast A Game of One's Own released an entire actual play of Death of the Author in two parts, telling the story of a young vampire hunter trying to save her girlfriend from a deadlyfoe. Both parts combined are under an hour.
Indie RPG Stream with the Kurt! 💀📚 Death of the Author
A VOD of Amanda McKnight and Kurt Refling playing the entirety of Death of the Author (playtest draft). The Author is producing a radio show, and the Character is the main antagonist.
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Interviews
Death of the Author: An Interview with Sam Leigh - Episode 140 on Undercommon Taste
Bonus: Q&A with Sam Leigh and Death of The Author! on What Am I Rolling?
Not DnD | Death of the Author with Jessica Hancock from EN World
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The Team
Author - Samantha Leigh
Artist - Victor Winter
Layout artist - James Hanna
Editor - Marx Shepherd
NO Generative AI was used in the making of this game.
Death of the Author was crowdfunded on Backerkit. Thank you to the 427 backers who helped make this game a reality!
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Physical copies are available at:
- Indie Press Revolution
- Heart of the Deernicorn
- Tabletop Bookshelf
- and at the bottom of this page!
Updated | 8 days ago |
Status | Released |
Category | Physical game |
Rating | Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars (18 total ratings) |
Author | Blinking Birch Games |
Tags | GM-Less, journaling, Narrative, One-shot, Singleplayer, Solo RPG, Tabletop, Tarot, Tabletop role-playing game, Two Player |
Purchase
In order to download this tarot TTRPG you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $10 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Exclusive content
Support this tarot TTRPG at or above a special price point to receive something exclusive.
Community Copies [PDF]
If you are unable to pay for a copy, please help yourself to a community copy PDF free of charge.
Damaged Physical Copy - USA and International
Both the PDF and a lightly-damaged print copy, shipping included. Does NOT ship to EU due to the GSPR, nor to counties on USPS's list of International Service Disruptions.
These copies might have scratches on the front or back cover, odd coloration, ink smudges, or bent corners. All are still readable and contain all pages.
Regular print copies are available below on this page.
Must enter mailing address on the downloads page, or email mailing address to blinkingbirchgames@gmail.com.
Physical Copy - USA Only
Physical copy of Death of the Author. Comes with all digital downloads.
Shipping is included ($16 for game + $5 for shipping). Only ships to USA, see below for international option.
Also available at Indie Press Revolution and Tabletop Bookshelf.
Must enter mailing address on the downloads page, or email mailing address to blinkingbirchgames@gmail.com.
Physical Copy - International
Physical copy of Death of the Author. Comes with all digital downloads.
Shipping is included ($16 for game + $10 for shipping). Does NOT ship to EU due to the GSPR, nor to counties on USPS's list of International Service Disruptions.
Also available at Indie Press Revolution and Tabletop Bookshelf.
Must enter mailing address on the downloads page, or email mailing address to blinkingbirchgames@gmail.com.
Physical Community Copies [Physical + PDF]
Physical community copies of Death of the Author, donated by backers of the crowdfunding campaign. Comes with all digital downloads.
Shipping is included. Does NOT ship to EU due to the GSPR, nor to counties on USPS's list of International Service Disruptions.
Must email mailing address to blinkingbirchgames@gmail.com.
Development log
- Digital extras now available!8 days ago
Comments
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I've been on a journalling RPG binge and ended with this one, right up my alley with the chance to get nice and meta!
My author was desperately trying to protect his hero from uncovering the horrible truth that someone he thought was a close friend was actually a responsible for the murder of a loved one, on top of the fact that the friend was merely one of the hero's split personalities. It wasn't a pretty end!
Great prompts and concept, thank you :)
Amazing melancholic game about identity and freedom.
Highly recommended.
This is phenomenal. I have a Blades in the Dark character that I want to try this with - my Luna wears a reflective mask as if made of a one-way mirror. In reality, Luna can not see anything at all and just waits for the DM to describe the scenery, so she can act through whatever I say she does. She's been itching to break free from this situation.