Don't Rest Your Head | The Restless City

About the adventure

You can't remember the last time you saw the sun. You can't remember when you came to the City. You can't remember the last time you slept. But you can remember there's a reason... just not exactly what it is. Don't Rest Your Head is a game about insomniacs in a city of dreams and nightmares. A city where anything is possible, and anything available... for a price. Maybe even redemption. But is the price one you're willing to pay?

Additional Details

How to prepare

A mic/headset will be needed, and players should consider what it is that keeps their character up at night. You don't need an entire story arc planned out, but some idea of what you want to explore in the game would be useful. The game will be played over Discord, so that software will be necessary as well. If you'd like to watch some films that might help get you in the mood, I would recommend The Machinist and Dark City as primary influences.

What I provide

I will bring the rules set, and teach players how the game plays. I have the entire collection of Don't Rest Your Head books and supplements, and they will be available for player use where necessary.

Gameplay details

Players can expect a role-playing heavy experience with free-flowing combat and narrative-focused gameplay. Characters are insomniacs who have Awakened into the City, a fantastical environment somewhere between Alice's Wonderland, The Machinist, and Dark City. A bit more Dark City. Each character has a reason to be there, something in their past that brought them to this bizarre new world, something that keeps them up at night. Every night. While Lines and Veils will be discussed, the listed content warnings should be read as a minimum, not a maximum - it's impossible to tell exactly what each character might have lurking in their past. Mental illness and psychological trauma are major elements of the game, and drive significant portions of the rules and narrative.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

Lines and Veils
X, N, and O Cards

How will character creation work

Characters will be created at the game, and starting out as relatively new additions to the City and its madness. This game is not particularly focused on character advancement and development, so most character growth will be narrative, rather than through levels or improved skills.

Players can expect

What's StartPlaying?

Tabletop Roleplaying Games Run by Game Masters