[ INTEREST CHECK ] Night Witches

TONIGHT WE FLY
There was a night bomber regiment in World War Two composed entirely of women. Natural-born Soviet airwomen. These 200 women and girls, flying outdated biplanes from open fields near the front lines, attacked the invading German forces every night for 1,100 consecutive nights. When they ran out of bombs they dropped railroad ties.

To each other they were sisters, with bonds forged in blood and terror.
To the Red Army Air Force they were an infuriating feminist sideshow.
To the Germans they were simply Nachthexen
- Night Witches -

What is this? Night Witches is a tabletop role-playing game about women at war. As a member of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, you’ll answer the call of your Motherland in her darkest hour. Can you do your duty and strike blow after blow against the Fascists? Can you overcome discrimination and outright sabotage and rise above your sexist comrades? Are there limits to patriotism—or endurance? Play Night Witches and find out!

How many players? Night Witches requires 3-5 players, who will take turns in the role of game master during the game. It can be played for a single two-hour session or expanded into a literal campaign following the Regiment across the entire Second World War. Either way, you’ll tell an epic tale of heroism and sacrifice that honors the women who did it for real.

What is the system? Powered by the Apocalypse

Controversial Themes. Casual war and sexism for sure. You'd also expect homophobia being present after reading the manual. You're between Stalin and Hitler, not the nicest people around. Lines and veils strongly recommended.

I came across this game recently and, given it's unusual and interesting topic, I thought it could be something interesting try. Since there's a good PbtA community around here and enough people interesting in character drama I thought why not on GP?

No start date yet, just checking if anyone would be interested in tying it after reading the back-cover info.

I own NW and I've played it before. It has some good stuff in it. But I'm afraid given the way things are in the world I really can't see myself playing a heroic soviet aviator fighting against the Nazis.

Oh yes, you're right... I can see the timing being an issue 😅 Though it wouldn't be too difficult to make them french and just make up a mission/war route. For example, the pace of the campaign as written would make the before/after d-day split very easy.

I was mostly curious how the day/night cycle would work in practice and the fact that all PCs are women. I have seen are a few games like that, but not in this sort of war setting.

The game is set in very specific circumstances for a very unique formation in the Soviet airforce. The game does a pretty good job of reflecting those very specific circumstances, and that makes it an odd fit for anything else.

- The pilots and navigators are all women
- The planes are two seaters
- The planes are completely outmatched by their opponents
- The NKVD are waiting for the players to slip up

Some of these can be changed, but the game will lose any impact and stop making sense if you change too much. I feel like you could adapt this to a science fiction setting by matching these circumstances, but I can't think of any other time where the moves and playbooks make much sense.

Another option is Flying Circus. I got this last year in a bundle and I've been itching to try it out (but I'm lacking the time at the moment).

It seems to have a fantastic, Porco Rosso like, setting, but I feel like it might do a good job of telling a different sort of story about pilots, and be a little more adaptable.

Ooh, Flying Circus I would be interested in trying out, despite having trouble understanding the flowchart of who does what when of PbtA, and despite not being familiar with the inspiration. It was a curious read. It also has a way less off-putting premise (in fact I would call say 'sanitised' is an accurate descriptor of the premise/setting of Flying Circus).

I don't think I have seen that one. I'll have a look to see who it works. The description look nice :)

I’d be interested in playing! Game has feminist, humanist themes.

I’d hope players wouldn’t make allusions to present day conflicts (USSR no longer exists as a nation). Surely a clear disclaimer would put fears to rest?

I’d be interested in playing! Game has feminist, humanist themes.

I’d hope players wouldn’t make allusions to present day conflicts (USSR no longer exists as a nation). Surely a clear disclaimer would put fears to rest?

Point one is USSR never existed as a nation. It was a multinational entity.

Point second is, if you think the present conflicts are not just a continuation of the tricentennial ones, fuelled by the largely same ideology, then perhaps we have a deep disagreement about a certain empire that keeps changing names but keeps existing.

Point third (that is very much a matter of personal tastes but which does apply to me, and is a reason why I second the thought that playing NW would be off-putting but FC would be fine): this is a game about fighting for one genocidal evil empire against another genocidal empire, which is a pretty much a thing not everyone would want to play.

I appreciate that the conversation in here is staying civil, but I think the arguments why people might not feel comfortable playing a game like this have been made. I think at this point, we should leave the thread to those who do want to express interest in playing in this.

I like the specficity of the setting, it's immediately evocative, and would make for good storytelling. I'm down to play, and to take turns to GM, but I'm also a bit burnt out on PbtA. That's on me, because I'm more stuck than usual on what kind of answer I'm thinking to have in response to the moves.

I have this book, but I have never read it. I'm also very poor at PbtA. But if you have a spot open and you're willing to accept someone like me, I'd be willing to give it a shot.

That's quite the ringing endorsement, isn't it?

I played in a short-lived game of NW on another platform and would like to try it again if you still have a spot open. I own a copy of the rules but do not have much experience with the PbtA system.

Ok, so looks like there's 4 players interested in trying this! I'll have to copy the playbooks and maybe a rule or two, but I'll send invites when it's ready!

Invites sent!
The game is still in preparation and, given there's 5 playbooks (classes) to pick from , there is so one free slot if anyone else wants to try this one.

We have one space open for this game. We're just a couple of post into the game in case anyone wants to try it

Oh, historical setting. Sounds interesting. I like to join.

Hey Shorty! Welcome to GP!
Invite sent now :)