#BlackwaterDnD
The six-part series from BlackwaterDnD takes an unflinching look at mortality, hope and grief amidst a desperate fight for survival
Post-apocalyptic horror actual play podcast tries to hold back humanity's extinction
<div class="kg-card kg-callout-card kg-callout-card-purple"><div class="kg-callout-text"><i><em class="italic" style="white-space:pre-wrap">This is a community submitted press release. Our Announcements section is free to post to and free to submit too, please help us keep this valuable industry resource available by </em></i><a href="https://www.rascal.news/your-newest-d-d-stationery-set-is-now-on-kickstarter/#/portal/"><i><em class="italic" style="white-space:pre-wrap">subscribing to Rascal</em></i></a><i><em class="italic" style="white-space:pre-wrap">.</em></i></div></div><p>Afterlight is an actual play podcast series using a mechanics-light version of the Blades in the Dark TTRPG, and features a full original score, detailed and immersive sound design and compelling and devastating performances from its cast of Amelia Som (<em>Unprepared Casters</em>, <em>One Shot Network</em>, '<em>Beyond the Tavern'</em> TTRPG Book), Em Carlson (<em>BlackwaterDnD</em>, <em>Godkiller: Balance / Oblivion</em>), Gina Susanna (<em>Godkiller: Balance</em>, <em>The Heart is a Dungeon</em>, <em>The Panic Table</em>) and Sean Depner (<em>Riverdale</em>, <em>Billy The Kid</em>, <em>BlackwaterDnD</em>). The series is helmed by Si Rutherford as Game Master, who also composed a full original soundtrack for the show.</p><h2 id="into-the-dark">Into The Dark</h2><p>Afterlight focuses on the last vestige of human civilization on the brink of extinction as it desperately seeks to survive following a cataclysmic event: a dimensional rift that scorched the sky and let loose terrifying monsters upon the earth. What’s left of a city is surviving under the protection of the only thing that seems to keep the terrors at bay: light. Lots of light. But the tenuous balance of survival is not sustainable, and the rest of the world is swallowed in darkness. The series follows the group tasked with restoring power to the city, as they step out into the dark and do their best not to lose their sanity along the way.</p><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://www.rascal.news/content/images/2026/01/Characters1.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1122" height="1244" srcset="https://www.rascal.news/content/images/size/w600/2026/01/Characters1.png 600w, https://www.rascal.news/content/images/size/w1000/2026/01/Characters1.png 1000w, https://www.rascal.news/content/images/2026/01/Characters1.png 1122w" /><figcaption><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Afterlight follows Luce, Evlan, Pen and Danny (clockwise from top left) as they step out into the dark in a desperate bid to save humanity</span></figcaption></figure><p>Fresh from concluding the award-winning actual play series <em>Godkiller: Balance</em> in 2025, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackwaterdnd/" rel="noreferrer">BlackwaterDnD</a> are back to dive deep below the surface and explore themes of life and death once more. Afterlight keeps the dice rolls light to tell a narrative-heavy tale as the characters stray further and further from the safe zone and find out what they are willing to sacrifice to save others, and what they are willing to do for the ones they love. The cast take big swings and lay everything on the line, telling a beautiful and moving story about hope and survival at the end of the world.</p><p>The full six-part series is now available to listen to in its entirety wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are tightly edited and produced, and average a run time of around 1 hr 40 mins (after a longer Episode 1 introduces the listener to the world and the terrors that await).</p><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://www.rascal.news/content/images/2026/01/Afterlight-Logo.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="551" srcset="https://www.rascal.news/content/images/size/w600/2026/01/Afterlight-Logo.png 600w, https://www.rascal.news/content/images/size/w1000/2026/01/Afterlight-Logo.png 1000w, https://www.rascal.news/content/images/size/w1600/2026/01/Afterlight-Logo.png 1600w, https://www.rascal.news/content/images/size/w2400/2026/01/Afterlight-Logo.png 2400w" /></figure><p>Afterlight is sponsored by Evil Hat Productions and Bookwyrm Games. Cover art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sciotomuv/" rel="noreferrer">Hannah Harder</a> and character art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lesly.oh/" rel="noreferrer">Lesly Oh</a>.</p><div class="kg-card kg-callout-card kg-callout-card-blue"><div class="kg-callout-text">Listen to Afterlight wherever you get your podcasts, or visit the <a href="https://blackwaterdnd.transistor.fm/episodes" rel="noreferrer">BlackwaterDnD Transistor page</a> for links to your favourite platform.</div></div><div class="kg-card kg-signup-card kg-width-wide " style="background-color:#F0F0F0;display:none"> <div class="kg-signup-card-content"> <div class="kg-signup-card-text "> <h2 class="kg-signup-card-heading" style="color:#000000"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Sign up for Rascal News</span></h2> <p class="kg-signup-card-subheading" style="color:#000000"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Rascal is a tabletop roleplaying game and culture outlet striving to sustainably publish voicey journalism that is compelling, deeply-reported, and fearlessly honest. We’re also a little cheeky.</span></p> <div class="kg-signup-card-fields"> <input class="kg-signup-card-input" id="email" type="email" required="true" placeholder="Your email" /> <button class="kg-signup-card-button kg-style-accent" style="color:#FFFFFF" type="submit"> <span class="kg-signup-card-button-default">Subscribe</span> <span class="kg-signup-card-button-loading"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" width="24" viewbox="0 0 24 24"> <circle cx="4" cy="12" r="3"></circle> <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3"></circle> <circle cx="20" cy="12" r="3"></circle> </svg></span> </button> </div> <div class="kg-signup-card-success" style="color:#000000"> Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. </div> <div class="kg-signup-card-error" style="color:#000000"></div> <p class="kg-signup-card-disclaimer" style="color:#000000"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.</span></p> </div> </div> </div>
www.rascal.news
January 28, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Tonight! 7 pm! I answer the age-old question:
What does @blackwaterdnd.bsky.social taste like????????

youtube.com/@opentablead...
December 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
My final YY video of the year is coming out this Sunday! I got to sit down and talk with Em from @blackwaterdnd.bsky.social about all things Blackwater, past, present, and future! Then I make some amazing Peppermint Mocha Cookies (that some of you may recognize from Pax!) youtube.com/@opentablead...
December 11, 2025 at 5:58 PM
A new episode of After the Table is now available. This week we have @blackwaterdnd.bsky.social to talk about how it started and what the future holds including a Canadian TTRPG group.

Episode is live now and don't forget to subscribe:
www.linktr.ee/afterthetable
November 25, 2025 at 11:28 PM
It's only the beginning.

Join us in the Safe Zone, won't you?

Afterlight is out now, wherever pods are cast. Catch more BTS over on the Blackwater Patreon!

www.patreon.com/blackwaterdnd
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Ep 17 with @blackwaterdnd.bsky.social

Early Access - 11/22 on Patreon & Fourthwall
Public Access - 11/24
Table Sets - 11/26 on Patreon & Fourthwall
November 16, 2025 at 8:04 PM
New episodes drop every other week at 12noon PST wherever pods are cast. And come check out behind the scenes, including exclusive clips, character creation sessions, and transcripts over at patreon.com/blackwaterdnd.

Until then, keep the lights on 💡
BlackwaterDnD | Patreon
Rolling Dice and Playing Nice, North of the 49th.
patreon.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Heretics, and voyagers of the dark waters between, we missed you.

So hoist the sails, grab your shards, and don't forget your shadow. Come join us as we dive deep into this series. You won't want to miss it.

Join us on Patreon for behind the scenes content at patreon.com/blackwaterdnd!
BlackwaterDnD | Patreon
Rolling Dice and Playing Nice, North of the 49th.
patreon.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Best Wishes explores one of the last strongholds to fall in the Divide, and braces themselves for a journey into the Famished Lands...

Our last Main Campaign episode of the year! Join us tonight at 8pm PST at twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd!
October 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Best Wishes makes their way to the Shield, where someone knew they were coming...

Join us tonight at 8pm PST at twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd for Episode 111: The Hawk's Hunter, sponsored by @yaniir.bsky.social and the Kickstarter for The Monolith Collection, dropping October 21st!
October 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Best Wishes learns more about this history of Hammerhill and finally touches the goo in the basin below...

Ep. 110: Malevolent Memory is LIVE tonight at 8pm PST at twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd! Be there!
October 13, 2025 at 7:25 PM
We are BACK tonight as a long awaited party member rejoins the table...

@janneswessels makes a triumphant return as Thistle in tonight's episode. Join us at 8pm PST at twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd for Episode 109: Bone & Ash!

Be there!
October 6, 2025 at 7:06 PM
In need of a panelist or player for your event at PAX U? We are thrilled to say that some of the BW crew will be in attendance!

Feel free to reach out over DM or email ([email protected]) with details!
September 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
It's that time again! Let's work together!

If you are the creator of an amazing TTRPG product, supplement, game or... even if it's not TTRPG related! we are thrilled to open our sponsorship spots for the remaining months of 2025, and extending into 2026!

[email protected]
September 23, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Best Wishes lays a trap, and then walks into one thousands of years in the making...

We are back with our Main Campaign tonight at 8pm PST! Join us for Episode 108: Something in the Water.

twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd - be there!
September 22, 2025 at 10:28 PM
What's this? A sneaky little stream tonight with Em?

Come join faer for worldbuilding, lore, answers to your burning questions, and so more much! Get ready to dish!

8pm PST tonight at twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd!
September 15, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Here is my latest miniature set for @blackwaterdnd.bsky.social. The party journeyed to a stronghold in The Divide that was under siege by ghouls. Check it out in action here: youtu.be/YM3b7ZPGFPc?... #BlackwaterDnD #miniatures #miniaturepainting #terrain #dungeonsanddragons #wargaming #DnD5e #TTRPG
September 10, 2025 at 8:38 PM
What's this? A Patreon update? Who us?

It's been long overdue... but if you've ever been wanting to get involved, now is the time.

Head on over to patreon.com/blackwaterdnd for all the details. And thank you so much for your support. It means the world.
September 8, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Best Wishes finds the last light as the world gets darker as they continue their push through the Divide...

Ep. 107: The Last of the Light is LIVE tonight at 8pm PST at twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd! Be there!
September 8, 2025 at 6:27 PM
We are back tonight with an oldie, but a goodie! Join us for the Wayback Machine with Ep. 11: The Red Door Heist! 8pm PST at twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd! Be there!
August 28, 2025 at 2:40 AM
We are BACK tonight with Best Wishes making the trek towards The Larder in The Divide... Come watch Em crash the heck out about LORE!

8PM PST at twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd - be there!!
August 25, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Want to know how I made my rainforest temple terrain? I have a full tutorial available at the @blackwaterdnd.bsky.social Patreon page! www.patreon.com/posts/temple... #BlackwaterDnD #miniatures #miniaturepainting #terrain #dungeonsanddragons #wargaming #DnD5e #TTRPG
August 19, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Trying out a new lighting setup for my #BlackwaterDnD mini sets. Here’s the results for my rainforest temple.
August 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Best Wishes tries to get a good night's rest in an unsettling land as they plot their course across The Divide...

Join us for Ep. 105: Locked in, LIVE tonight at 8pm PST at twitch.tv/blackwaterdnd! Be there!
August 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Here is my latest miniature set for @blackwaterdnd.bsky.social. The party journeyed into The Divide, a region overrun with ghouls and the undead. Check it out in action here: youtu.be/VOxiRA3cndE?... #BlackwaterDnD #wargaming #miniatures #miniaturepainting #terrain #dungeonsanddragons #DnD5e #TTRPG
August 15, 2025 at 10:41 PM