"Survive The Tyrant" . . . RPG Style!

RPG settings that pit characters against an oppressive regime – a Galactic Empire, extraterrestrial invaders, a government bent on hunting down rogue psis or mutants – have been around for decades.

Recently I have (For Reasons) been looking into real-life popular resistance movements that fought back against authoritarian regimes in the 20th century. These were, by and large, not guerrilla groups or militias. They used people power: strikes, demonstrations, and sometimes absurd humor (like Poland's Orange Alternative, a delightfully nutty performance art group that matched wits with the late-80s martial law regime).

I just came across a document that nicely ties things together: Survive the Tyrant: An RPG-style guide to living under an oppressive regime. Using the terminology and tropes of roleplaying, it explains the challenges of living in, and resisting, an authoritarian regime. There are character classes (Agitator, Community Leader, Transport and Sanctuary specialists) and foes (Informants, Corrupt Bureaucrats, Quislings). Under "Skill and Ability Checks" are suggestions for staying safe, out of custody, and healthy. Treasure is defined as the community ties and activities (including creative pursuits and playing RPGs . . .) that help you stay sane and brave. Mind you, this isn't a game system! It's a lesson plan and an action plan. And I imagine a lot of people would find it relevant.

For Reasons.

You can read a bit more on the project's website, which has various versions available to download. The document is also available on a "pay what you will" basis from DriveThru RPG.

-- Stefan Jones