Songs For The Dusk
A downloadable game
We have no idea how long it's been since the fall.
Once, we lived at the peak of an era of unbridled human Radiance. Then, everything came crashing down. The cataclysm tore down our cities, broke our machines, and rearranged the very continents beneath our feet. The societies of old Earth are gone. This is a new world, littered with the wreckage of what came before and run through with a strange new physics that feels almost like magic.
The world is littered with ancient machines running haywire, strange and exotic new life forms, and petty tyrants big and small vying for power. But for once we have a chance here: a chance, for once, to build something good, something better than all the human flaws and oppressive structures of the old world. And this is how we do it.
In this Forged in the Dark tabletop RPG, you'll assemble a crew of brave and compassionate adventurers who explore this strange new world, find out how to help people among the teeming threats that dot its landscape, and figure out what it looks like to build a better future.
This game is in development! The currently-available version, 0.4, is a playtest edition for a discounted price. If you buy the digital playtest version, you'll receive every future update to the digital edition of the game without having to pay again. If you're trans and can't afford it, DM either of us on Twitter (@yrgirlkv or @mx_quinn) and we'll give you a free copy.
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $15 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Download demo
Comments
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Every game of SftD I've played in or watched has been loaded with style! This game is full of colour and life and love and I highly recommend it.
Uh, pretty sure I made a comment a not-too-long while back about the Witch playbook; namely the note attached to it.
Specifically how the gender essentialist elements in that note have some unfortunate implications, and are alienating to transmasculine and non-binary players.
Did that point of criticism get deleted?
If so, why?
(Without context, that is deeply concerning.)
Hello! I apologize for the error; the comment was deleted by mistake, and I couldn't find a way to restore it. That said, I'll do my best to address those concerns now.
I don't believe the Witch's note encourages gender essentialism at all; I made a point of being very clear that the feminine traits I encourage players to express in their Witches are socially determined, not biologically determined. (This is to say, the traits I list as examples are considered feminine in many specific societies, but are not biologically feminine in any sense.) The transmasculine and nonbinary people I've encountered so far haven't expressed any discomfort with the note or what it's intended to communicate, but if the topic does come up from such a person, I'll be happy to clarify.
I also vaguely remember your comment expressing surprise that Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts wasn't cited as a touchstone; Kipo was released after the v0.4 edition of this game, and its genre, while close, is slightly orthogonal to what Songs is intended to be.
Ugh, I just typed up a whole response and lost it to a misclick, so I guess I'm going to try and summarise what I recall.
Apologies if bullet-pointing it comes off as harsh or curt as a result; not at all my intent, and I appreciate the response.
Fair enough on the error. Itchio could perhaps use an 'undo' function there.
The only comment on societal aspects is that they are traditionally devalued. Maybe a phrasing issue?
I'd also question the association of witches with "concern with appearance", but that's a bit of an aside. Unless it's meant to include those whose concern for appearance may be less conventional beauty and more other concerns.
I know that historical fact and the narrative tropes do diverge, but it stills a little off to have such a strong focus on 'Witch = woman'.
Especially with the mention of the 21st century also, in which witchcraft now very much has a strong Queer element to it.
It comes off a bit "You don't have to, but-"; as though the people at the table shouldn't because the book's already on it.
(I know part of the point may be to challenge preconceptions and get people to think about such things, but... I wonder if perhaps that might work even better separated from the Witch playbook as a sort of general blurb on roleplaying and how one might approach the setting?)
It's mentioned briefly in the description with the "on the edge of society" element but overwhelmed and left aside by the note, which seems such a shame because that is where a lot of interesting material and characterisation can arise.
(I may be somewhat biased by Pratchett here admittedly, but it definitely feels like a recurring role and definition of witches and witchcraft that crops up a lot elsewhere. The subversive aspect has a lot of room to play.)
I know I'm missing one or more things that I definitely typed up before, but I can't recall right now so I guess that's the best I can do.
Sorry again if the readability and tone has suffered in the retype, and thanks again for the time and effort you've taken.
I'll take your feedback into consideration!
Hi! Bought the game and am wondering if there's a google sheet for online play?
there will be in the v0.5 release! the hope is we can get that out by january.
Perfect! I'm excited!
Having just recently finished the first full read through, the setting and tone of Songs for the Dusk is absolutely enrapturing. The departure from heavy grit and seemingly insurmountable odds to something that is intentionally challenging but meant to grow is a refreshing change for Forged in the Dark games. Particularly the dedication to crafting systems, prevalence of magic that is ubiquitous but difficult, and the introduction of the Harmony system (with focus to teamwork) makes the mechanics fresh.
But it is the setting that has caught me the most. I, personally, tend to bounce off the settings presented with Forged in the Dark games, but Tamaris is full of potential. The level of detail behind factions is just perfect enough to give a place to start, thanks especially to the Situation and Clock sections of the faction detailing. Capturing the feeling of a seeming post-utopia that has changed the world but only exists as myth is difficult but done well here.
I eagerly await any further updates and look forward to getting to play some Songs for the Dusk!
I got to be a catgirl Guardian and punch racist arms dealers and then go home to my catgirl wife 5 stars
While still under development, Songs for the Dusk is already chock full of inspiration!
It catapults Forged in the Dark games into an entirely new direction of community building and exploring and struggling for a future with a hopeful outlook.
The Playbooks are full of contacts you want to meet, stuff you want to come into play and prompts and abilities you to see in action! And their implementation, printed, for Roll20, or as Character Keepers/formatted spreadsheets do a great job of making play with them easy.
Hi - Do I need a copy of Blades to play this?
Nope! The game is pretty self-sufficient!