The Hour Between Dog and Wolf

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Historically, the hour between dog and wolf is a phrase referencing the moment between day and night when it becomes difficult to distinguish a dog from a wolf. The expression represents a time of day known for uncertainty and danger, a threshold where the familiar can suddenly appear menacing and unpredictable.

Step into “The Hour Between Dog and Wolf,” a narrative two-player role-playing game where the struggle between good and evil unfolds through the actions and evolving traits of a flawed hero and the vile killer they are hunting. This game intricately links each character’s personal journey with the societal and environmental dynamics of the world they inhabit. Essentially, the characters are metaphors that reflect and influence the physical, moral and psychological landscape of the setting.

As the game progresses, the traits of the Hero—Obsession, Stability, and Conscience—and those of the Killer—Compulsion, Cunning, and Control—do more than define their personalities; they shape the world around them. Through each scene these traits dynamically alter the setting, mimicking how shifts in character can ripple through society, subtly changing its tone and emotional climate. This living, reactive world evolves dramatically as traits intensify or diminish, highlighting the profound impact of personal transformation on the broader environment.

The Hour Between Dog and Wolf invites players to navigate a world that evolves with them, challenging them to confront the blurred lines between heroism and villainy, all while engaging in a collaborative storytelling experience. Whether you’re drawn to the shadows or seek the light, this game offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness.

"It's a quiet intensity that grows. You maybe don't know how intense it'll be when you first sit down and say "Okay, let's be killers today."

- Kate Bullock, Bluestocking’s Organic Gaming

“If you’re looking for a rock solid game that expertly ties theme to mechanics, go for Dog & Wolf. It’s worth it.”

- Tim Koppang - TCK Roleplaying

“Edgier than a tumbleweed made of razorblades”

- Zoran Dobrijevic, 401 Games

“I can't think of another indie RPG that's as tight and strategic across so many different scene types, and it really works to keep things tense. You really can't predict the outcome until the final moments.”

- Paul Czege, Half Meme Press

Sample Characters

The Hero
Players can choose from a variety of hero archetypes, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Whether you want to be a police detective, a psychic, or a crime buff who likes solving crimes from the comfort of their sofa, THBDaW has something for you. But always remember, hunting killers always has a price. Will your hero be forced to sacrifice their home life? Their integrity? Or perhaps their entire being.

The Framing Table
Players include aspects of their characters that they want to explore on the Framing Table. A roll of the dice, directly onto the Framing Table, awards players with plot points they can use to manipulate scenes, and determines what the upcoming scene should include or explore based on where the dice fall. Players then strategically choose the best type of scene to help them do that, while navigating the deadly game of cat and mouse between the two opposed protagonists.

The Killer
Killers come in all forms, and THBDaW provides endless possibilities based on real FBI studies and experience. Whether you want to be a 19th century black widow living the high life with the a trail of dead husbands behind her, or a rabid cannibal that lacks self control, you can play it. Build your killer from the inside out, establishing their motives, signature and deepest darkest fantasies.

Characters and Setting

Characters in The Hour Between Dog and Wolf are directly linked to the setting and society through their traits. In essence, the characters are the looking glass through which we see the The Hour Between Dog and Wolf world. Each character trait is essentially a metaphor for a different aspect of the setting.

As the characters’ traits change throughout the game, so too does the world they inhabit. As the hero becomes more and more obsessed, the scenes the characters explore become darker and more horrific. As the Killer's control grows stronger the structure of the society around him begins to crumble into chaos.

Each character trait represents a different aspect of the world, allowing players to not only pit themselves agains one another, but the setting as well. By strengthening the hero's conscience and stability the killer can be defeated not just by the hero's resolve, but by the goodness and lawfulness the hero represents. Likewise, the killer's dark power can overwhelm the setting, pitting the world itself again the hero's attempts to bring the killer to justice.