DESCRIPTION

Death of the Author is a 1-2 player tarot TTRPG about a character fighting for agency within their own story. Over the course of five chapters, the character attempts to shape the narrative by twisting the scenes written by their author.

With a deck of tarot cards, tell a story of character autonomy and authorial intent. What messages does the author send throughout the character’s story? What happens when the character finally confronts their author?

Death of the Author is a hack of Anamnesis, twisting the original mechanics in new and surprising ways. You do not need to be familiar with Anamnesis, or with tarot, to play. The game is 44 pages and can be played in approximately 2-4 hours.

Materials needed to play:
A deck of tarot cards
A way to record your story

Digital files included:
PDF of Death of the Author
Designer's commentary version
Audiobook narrated by the designer
Optional gameplay tracker

Digital files will automatically be sent via email. If you do not receive a download link in your email within 24 hours, please check your spam folder, then email [email protected].

Death of the Author was nominated for a CRIT Award (2025) for Best GMless TTRPG.

No generative AI was used in the making of this game.

TESTIMONIALS

A thought-provoking examination of the relationship between character and author, and what it takes to wrest control of one's own story away from the confines imposed upon it. Every writer has had the experience of characters who don't want to cooperate with your story. Death of the Author gives you insight into why.
S. Kaiya J., Galatea, Her Odyssey

Have you ever seen yourself in a story you wrote? In a character? What if they looked back? Fight for freedom as a character in your own tale, against its Author. Struggle with them, understand them, confront them and find out what's waiting for you beyond your ending.
Danny R. R. Travis, Out RPG

FEATURED IN

Polygon - Anamnesis designer Sam Leigh dropped two highly anticipated games — and they both deliver by Rowan Zeoli

A Game of One's Own - Death of the Author

Roll by Myself - Death of the Author

CREDITS

Editing: Marx Shepherd

Layout: James Hanna

Art: Victor Winter

DISCOUNTED DAMAGED COPIES

Damaged copies are available at a discount. These copies might have bent corners, scratches on the front or back cover, odd coloration, and/or ink smudges. All are still readable and contain all pages.

PDF-ONLY

If you do not want a physical copy of Death of the Author and only want the PDF ($10), you can pick it up at itch.io.

FROM THE EU?

We currently do not ship directly to the EU. If you are from the EU, please instead order through The Lost Bay.