The Quiet Apocalypse - Year 2

A series played using a mash-up of Apocalypse World Burned Over and The Quiet Year. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

The Cast

Lavender (Monarch) open, polite, and warm

Parson (Lawmaker) calculating, graceful, and regal

Peregrine (Harrier) brooding, predatory, and studious

Year 2

Cards: Five of Hearts, Queen of Diamonds, Ace of Clubs, King of Spades (end of game)

Parson runs the Silverlake Confines on the principles of trust, non-violence, and seething intrigue. All deals are final; no guns, no grudges. Outside the marker, Lavender runs the trade union made up of the settlement's labourers. The third power in the Confines is the Grey Wing, a biker gang and death cult hybrid. Peregrine leads them in their devotions.

Spring

Lavender's followers gather around her, one of their number had come of age and must be initiated into the deeper mysteries. They bring songs of praise, offerings to appease their great teacher, and promises to serve their community in her name.

Lavender: Devotion (10)

They ask for nothing more in return than the boy's initiation and Lavender gives them nothing more. Through unknown means word has reached Peregrine and they have returned to play their part. The boy is initiated into the mysteries of the faith; a life in service to the teacher, the cult, and the wider community. Then he is shown the outer truth of the Grey Wing, that those who reject the rules of the Confines are rewarded with death.

Summer

Parson decrees that the Time of Accounting will be coming; a time when the settlement's laws of not holding grudges are ceremonially relaxed. Citizens and merchants are allowed to petition Parson so that he can hear their cases and make rulings. He listens and makes his judgement.

Parson: Laws speaks to him (8)

The Law tells Parson that there can be no room for mercy in matters of justice. His rulings are surgical applications of Law with no compassion. It soon becomes apparent why the Grey Wing sent Peregrine back to the Confines; the Grey Wing shows mercy even when the Law will not.

Autumn

Following the events of this most recent Time of Accounting, Lavender reports that the populace are uneasy in light of the executions. Parson has always been firm but fair, this feels almost brutal. There are calls for the prohibition against grudges to be relaxed, if not repealed.

Lavender: Reads a situation (5)

She realises that this could have ramifications for her cult. Their membership is shielded by their status to some extent. Also, will her followers become more demanding of her? Do any harbour unspoken grievances?

The population's unrest grows. Parson is aware and stresses the need to balance changes in legislation with the integrity of the Law. He is reticent to act lest the Law enact further executions.

Parson: Act under fire (11)

Lavender: Act under fire (14)

Parson maintains his hold on the Confines. He delivers a speech in which he promises to consider the people's concerns carefully. This assuages them enough that the crowds of protestors disperse.

Lavender maintains her hold on her cult. She promises the even if the Laws of the Confines change, she has Parson's ear and will advocate for protections for her followers. They remain in line and continue to attend to her teachings and to her needs.

Winter

For an extended period of times there is peace in the Silverlake Confines.