
Quiet Year · The Quiet Year TTRPG
The Quiet Year
The Quiet Year is a tabletop story game about a community picking up the pieces after a collapse. Together, you draw a shared map, define landmarks, and watch the seasons change. Each scene poses human questions about scarcity, trust, and hope, building a town that feels real. People love its calm rhythm, the bittersweet ending, and the way every choice leaves a mark on the page. If you enjoy grounded Post-Apocalyptic tales focused on people rather than firefights, this will resonate.
A session feels thoughtful and hands-on. You talk, sketch, and discover surprises, with quiet tension rather than combat. A professional Game Master acts as facilitator, teaches the structure, keeps the pace, and ensures every voice is heard. It is welcoming to first-timers, great for mixed groups, writers, and teams who prefer collaboration over rules crunch. Perfect for one-shots at parties or offsites, in person on butcher paper or online with a shared whiteboard. 2 to 4 players, 2 to 4 hours.
How to play The Quiet Year
The Quiet Year uses a standard deck of cards, no dice. Each turn, someone draws a card that represents a week and reads a prompt. You add to the map, start or advance projects, hold brief discussions, or discover something new. As the weeks pass, tokens and notes track resources, tensions, and ongoing work. The year ends when a specific card appears, so decisions carry weight and time matters.
Players bring curiosity, questions, and a willingness to sketch simple shapes. You do not need to draw well. Our Game Masters provide the deck, large paper or a shared online board (see online options), markers, and tokens, explain the phases, handle timing, and keep everyone engaged with the game’s conversation tools. They also set the tone and ensure safety so the table feels supported, whether you prefer hopeful rebuilding, political debate, or grittier stakes.
It shines as a single sitting, usually 2 to 4 hours. For longer bookings, your facilitator can spread the year over two sessions, or host a short series of standalone communities set in the same region. Each session stands on its own, so people can drop in without feeling lost, while returning groups enjoy seeing themes echo across maps.




Common questions
Do we need to know the rules or be good at drawing?
No rulebook study is required. A professional Game Master will teach the flow in minutes and ensure turns are clear and fair. You will make simple marks and symbols on a shared map. Stick figures and boxes work perfectly. There are no character sheets, stats, or dice. Each card provides a prompt, then you add to the map, start a project, or hold a brief discussion. The focus is on ideas and conversation, not artistic skills. Curiosity is the only requirement.
How is The Quiet Year different from D&D?
You are building a community together, rather than controlling individual heroes. There is no combat system or tactical grid. The deck establishes the rhythm of weeks and seasons, and the map expands as you play. Decisions are made through brief discussions at the table and projects on the map, rather than through skill checks. Our Game Master facilitates and maintains the tone, but the group determines what the community does. It feels reflective and collaborative, with gentle tension instead of battles and treasure hunts.
What materials do we need, and how do you conduct it online?
In person, our Game Master brings a standard deck of cards, large paper, markers, and tokens for projects and notes. Online, you will use a shared whiteboard for drawing, digital tokens, and a virtual card deck. No special software is required beyond a voice or video call and a browser. The facilitator manages setup and teaches quick drawing conventions to ensure the map remains clear. If you prefer online tools, see options here: online play platforms.
What group size is ideal and how long does a session last?
It is designed for 2 to 4 players. The sweet spot is often 3 or 4, allowing ideas to flow without anyone waiting too long. Most sessions wrap up in about 2 to 4 hours, depending on how much discussion you prefer. For a longer booking, our Game Master can split the year across two sessions. Each session is self-contained, so a guest can join without any prior preparation. The deck determines when the year concludes, ensuring the pacing remains natural.
Is it suitable for kids? What age groups are best?
Yes, with the right tone. The themes revolve around scarcity, choices, and collaboration after hardship. There is no gore or tactical violence in the rules. With guidance, ages 10 and up generally do well, and teens often excel. Our Game Master assesses comfort levels and establishes boundaries before play, then tailors prompts to suit your group. You can maintain a hopeful and constructive atmosphere, or cautiously delve into more challenging questions. Families and classrooms often appreciate its gentle pace.
Can we replay it or use it as a mini series?
Absolutely. New maps, different starting assumptions, and shuffled cards create fresh outcomes each time. You can change the vibe, from cosy rebuilding to thornier politics, and watch entirely new landmarks and projects emerge. For a short series, your facilitator can run several standalone communities set in related locations. You will notice echoes and contrasts without needing strict continuity. It is satisfying as a one-off, and just as rewarding to revisit with a new perspective.
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