What Is Annalise? {About The Game}
Latest Updates
- The Wake of Zenas Quantum, the third Guided Play Scenario for Annalise, is now available. Click here to download the 2-page PDF, or see more details under the Reserves link. Written by Jared Axelrod.
About The Game
A dark-haired woman, staring out of stained glass, watching faces form in the rain. An ancient evil, unearthed for the first time since antiquity, re-learning the limits of its power. A hero, noble and pious, unable to accept the responsibility that is his birthright. A child, shedding a single tear while waiting for her mother to return. Two lovers, intertwined in a bower, each speckled with red, red blood.
The Vampire is out there. You are it’s enemies, its lovers and its servants. How will you confront the darkness awaiting you?
Annalise is a game about making Vampire stories. Each player takes on the role of a protagonist in the story you are about to create together, with the understanding that these characters are the victims, hunters and tools of the Vampire. The best example is that you are playing the story of Dracula with one person in the role of Mina Harker, one as Van Helsing, one as Renfield. The Vampire in your game, like Dracula, is what drives the plot, but it is not a protagonist. Every game of Annalise involves the characters discovering the influence of the Vampire in their lives, and builds up to a confrontation with the creature, for good or ill.
This is a game about pain, hunger and redemption. Pain, because the Vampire is only attracted to the vulnerable, those people who have experienced pain, suffering or loss in their lives. Hunger, because the Vampire hungers for that pain. Redemption, because there is always the possibility of redeeming your actions and desires – if you wish it.
Annalise is a game for two to four players, and can take a variable amount of time to play. A short, intense game can be played in four hours. A long, languid, slow-burning game can take up to 20 hours, broken into 3 or 4 hour sessions. The game is suited for people with no experience with this kind of game (often called a role-playing or story-game), as well as those who are familiar with the form.
Older Updates
- Dracula Reloaded, the second Guided Play Scenario for Annalise, is now available. Click here to download the 2-page PDF, or see more details under the Reserves link. Written by Kat Jones.
- There is a new sci-fi themed character sheet available for download. Thanks to Tazio Bettin for making it!
- The Voyage of the Auspicious, the first Guided Play Scenario for Annalise, is now available. Click here to download the 2-page PDF, or see more details under the Reserves link.
- There is an alternate character sheet now available. It is more of a nod towards a nineteenth century aesthetic, and I hope you enjoy it. Many thanks to Chuck Henebry for his design and support of the game!
- The Interim Edition Print Edition of Annalise is available for purchase. Four different versions of the book are available through lulu.com; each combination of black-and-white interior or color interior and red cover or the new white cover. Simply click on Play The Game to your lower left for details.
- Curious about the game? Actual play accounts are great examples of what happens during a game. You can find a very thorough one at this link. Many thanks to Rachel/Earthenforge for the writeup.
- The Eternal Tears PDF Edition of Annalise is available for purchase. Simply click on Play The Game to your lower left for details.
- Annalise’s Journal, with photographs and illustrations, is available for free download, also under the Play The Game link.