The Quiet Year: An Actual Play featuring creator Avery Alder and Dr. Emily Friedman
Summary
In this season finale, the Ludonarrative Dissidents play Avery Alder’s *The Quiet Year* with special guest Dr. Emily Friedman. The group collaboratively builds a post-apocalyptic community, managing scarce resources like rabbits and trust while navigating internal conflicts over rabbit-centric culture. They undertake projects such as building a "shit wall" dam and exploring a haunted castle, all while drawing cards to interpret the changing seasons. The episode highlights the game’s unique mechanics for community storytelling and conflict resolution.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest welcome
Game setup and virtual tabletop introduction
Explaining game mechanics and weekly actions
Opening fiction and game end conditions
Spring: Mapping the environment and resources
Spring: Establishing community status and culture
Spring: First actions and rabbit tending
Spring: Rabbit skin debate and castle exploration
Spring: Stranger arrival and haunted ruins
Spring: Castle loot and boat discovery
Summer: Wildlife return and dam completion
Summer: Writing supplies and community tension
Summer: Lila's death and stranger integration
Summer: Rabbit hide clothing and ink production
Summer: Cougar hunt and outsider arrival
Summer: Wedding plans and castle rebellion
Summer: Unknown creature and cougar trophy
Autumn: Project failure and dietary shift
Autumn: Fishing nets and religious conflict
Autumn: Siege on the castle and mushroom trade
Autumn: New community discovery and diplomacy
Winter: Faith restoration and winter shelter
Winter: Giant wooden cougar and defense prep
Game end: Frost shepherds arrive
Post-game discussion and design reflections
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