Dream Askew

Dream Askew is a tabletop roleplaying game set in a post-apocalyptic queer enclave. Players take on roles within a community that has formed in the aftermath of societal collapse, creating stories of survival, identity, and connection. The game uses a diceless system where players navigate scenarios through choices and collaborative storytelling. Characters belong to archetypal roles like The Iris, The Torch, or The Beast, each offering different perspectives on life in the enclave and different ways to influence the narrative. Players explore relationships and power dynamics while dealing with external threats and internal conflicts that challenge their community. The setting blends elements of scarcity and abundance, mixing the harsh realities of a collapsed world with the possibilities that emerge when people build something new together. Dream Askew examines themes of community resilience, gender expression, and the tension between individual desires and collective needs. The game serves as a platform for exploring how marginalized groups might navigate both crisis and opportunity in reimagined social structures.

Most readers found Dream Askew offers an innovative take on diceless roleplaying, with its focus on queer communities in a post-apocalyptic setting. Readers praised: - The token exchange system that replaces dice rolls - Character options that center marginalized identities - Clear layout and organization - Collaborative storytelling mechanics Common criticisms: - Some found the rules too loose/freeform - Limited replay value noted by several groups - Game structure requires specific player counts A player on RPG.net wrote: "The weak/strong move dynamic creates natural narrative tension without complex rules overhead." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.32/5 (44 ratings) DriveThruRPG: 4.5/5 (12 reviews) Itch.io: 5/5 (8 reviews) No Amazon reviews available as the book is primarily sold through indie game channels. (Note: This book gets significantly fewer reviews than most RPGs due to its indie/niche nature)

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🎲 Dream Askew is part of a larger movement called "Belonging Outside Belonging" games, which intentionally removes dice and traditional game mechanics in favor of narrative-driven roleplay. 🏳️‍🌈 The game explores queer community building in a post-apocalyptic setting, reflecting author Avery Alder's commitment to creating inclusive gaming spaces. 🎭 Players take turns between portraying their main character and taking on the role of various antagonistic forces, creating a unique collaborative storytelling dynamic. 📚 The game is actually two games in one book - Dream Askew and Dream Apart (by Benjamin Rosenbaum), with Dream Apart focusing on a Jewish shtetl with mystical elements. 🔄 The game's innovative "token economy" system has players alternating between moments of vulnerability and power, rather than using traditional success/failure mechanics.