Si Rutherford
@sirutherford.com
TTRPG & Actual Play composer, writer, producer, sound designer, GM.
AFTERLIGHT out now - a post-apocalyptic horror actual play podcast 🔦
UK he/him
https://sirutherford.com
AFTERLIGHT out now - a post-apocalyptic horror actual play podcast 🔦
UK he/him
https://sirutherford.com
HOLY CRAP WE'RE AT THE END ALREADY. WHAT IS LIFE AFTERAFTERLIGHT
Our final episode of Afterlight drops this Friday, January 23 at 12noon PST wherever pods are cast.
As always, please be mindful of the content warnings and listen responsibly 💡
You can catch up on episodes & view transcripts here: blackwaterdnd.transistor.fm/episodes/aft...
As always, please be mindful of the content warnings and listen responsibly 💡
You can catch up on episodes & view transcripts here: blackwaterdnd.transistor.fm/episodes/aft...
BlackwaterDnD | Afterlight - Chapter One: Lost & Found
Safety within the Safe Zone is arbitrary at best. If the power dies, so do we. Content warnings for this episode include: complex family dynamics & interpersonal conflict // apocalypse & societal ...
blackwaterdnd.transistor.fm
January 17, 2026 at 11:48 PM
HOLY CRAP WE'RE AT THE END ALREADY. WHAT IS LIFE AFTERAFTERLIGHT
This was such a beautiful thing to experience. To achieve such high quality storytelling, beauty, love and emotion on a livestream is unreal, and seeing just how much it meant to the cast was so moving. It felt like a privilege to be able to see it in real time. Congratulations to everyone involved.
"Don’t the great tales ever end?”
The war is over. The fellowship stands victorious. All there is left to tell is the ending of their tale...
The final chapter of The Fourth Age, our three season ode to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, airs on Tuesday 13th January, 12:30pm Pacific.
The war is over. The fellowship stands victorious. All there is left to tell is the ending of their tale...
The final chapter of The Fourth Age, our three season ode to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, airs on Tuesday 13th January, 12:30pm Pacific.
January 14, 2026 at 10:53 AM
This was such a beautiful thing to experience. To achieve such high quality storytelling, beauty, love and emotion on a livestream is unreal, and seeing just how much it meant to the cast was so moving. It felt like a privilege to be able to see it in real time. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Reposted by Si Rutherford
Holy shit the sound design in this is truly and indescribably next level. This is what I imagine it felt like in the 20s or whatever when people would gather to listen to radio plays. I can see everything so vividly without seeing anything at all and it's horrific and incredible @sirutherford.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Holy shit the sound design in this is truly and indescribably next level. This is what I imagine it felt like in the 20s or whatever when people would gather to listen to radio plays. I can see everything so vividly without seeing anything at all and it's horrific and incredible @sirutherford.com
Reposted by Si Rutherford
I love this series so much. So good it must be a SIOP.
You have to go. We have to go. At some point, everyone has to go.
We're back, survivors, and you better buckle yourself in for this episode. Afterlight: Chapter Five - Time to Go is live now wherever pods are cast, featuring a special guest appearance by @janneswessels.bsky.social
We're back, survivors, and you better buckle yourself in for this episode. Afterlight: Chapter Five - Time to Go is live now wherever pods are cast, featuring a special guest appearance by @janneswessels.bsky.social
January 9, 2026 at 10:56 PM
I love this series so much. So good it must be a SIOP.
This took me like 90 seconds to do. Click the thing if you've got 90 seconds, who knows they might even listen
Discord wants to know how you feel about AI.
Go tell them: discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Go tell them: discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
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discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:43 AM
This took me like 90 seconds to do. Click the thing if you've got 90 seconds, who knows they might even listen
Reposted by Si Rutherford
You have to go. We have to go. At some point, everyone has to go.
We're back, survivors, and you better buckle yourself in for this episode. Afterlight: Chapter Five - Time to Go is live now wherever pods are cast, featuring a special guest appearance by @janneswessels.bsky.social
We're back, survivors, and you better buckle yourself in for this episode. Afterlight: Chapter Five - Time to Go is live now wherever pods are cast, featuring a special guest appearance by @janneswessels.bsky.social
January 9, 2026 at 8:06 PM
You have to go. We have to go. At some point, everyone has to go.
We're back, survivors, and you better buckle yourself in for this episode. Afterlight: Chapter Five - Time to Go is live now wherever pods are cast, featuring a special guest appearance by @janneswessels.bsky.social
We're back, survivors, and you better buckle yourself in for this episode. Afterlight: Chapter Five - Time to Go is live now wherever pods are cast, featuring a special guest appearance by @janneswessels.bsky.social
Reposted by Si Rutherford
If everything around you is a lie, how do you trust yourself? 🔦
Only two days until our penultimate episode — Chapter Five: Time to Go — drops this Friday January 9th at 12noon PST, wherever pods are cast.
Until then, keep the lights on 💡
Evlan is played by @ameliasom.com
🎶: @sirutherford.com
Only two days until our penultimate episode — Chapter Five: Time to Go — drops this Friday January 9th at 12noon PST, wherever pods are cast.
Until then, keep the lights on 💡
Evlan is played by @ameliasom.com
🎶: @sirutherford.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:51 PM
If everything around you is a lie, how do you trust yourself? 🔦
Only two days until our penultimate episode — Chapter Five: Time to Go — drops this Friday January 9th at 12noon PST, wherever pods are cast.
Until then, keep the lights on 💡
Evlan is played by @ameliasom.com
🎶: @sirutherford.com
Only two days until our penultimate episode — Chapter Five: Time to Go — drops this Friday January 9th at 12noon PST, wherever pods are cast.
Until then, keep the lights on 💡
Evlan is played by @ameliasom.com
🎶: @sirutherford.com
Reposted by Si Rutherford
Sometimes the darkest places illuminate the deepest truths 💡
If you haven’t caught up on Afterlight yet now’s the time, as our penultimate episode drops this Friday Jan 9th at 12noon PST wherever pods are cast.
Until then, keep the lights on 🤞🏼
Pen: @ohheyitsgina.bsky.social
🎶: @sirutherford.com
If you haven’t caught up on Afterlight yet now’s the time, as our penultimate episode drops this Friday Jan 9th at 12noon PST wherever pods are cast.
Until then, keep the lights on 🤞🏼
Pen: @ohheyitsgina.bsky.social
🎶: @sirutherford.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Sometimes the darkest places illuminate the deepest truths 💡
If you haven’t caught up on Afterlight yet now’s the time, as our penultimate episode drops this Friday Jan 9th at 12noon PST wherever pods are cast.
Until then, keep the lights on 🤞🏼
Pen: @ohheyitsgina.bsky.social
🎶: @sirutherford.com
If you haven’t caught up on Afterlight yet now’s the time, as our penultimate episode drops this Friday Jan 9th at 12noon PST wherever pods are cast.
Until then, keep the lights on 🤞🏼
Pen: @ohheyitsgina.bsky.social
🎶: @sirutherford.com
Oh hey that's me! These final two episodes take our story to a whole new level and I truly believe we've made something very very special (but I'm also terrible at promotion stuff especially self promotion)!
So, I just listened to Afterlight: Chapter 5 (airing this Friday, Jan 09) and just need to say on the record -- @sirutherford.com is absolutely diabolical for this one.
January 4, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Oh hey that's me! These final two episodes take our story to a whole new level and I truly believe we've made something very very special (but I'm also terrible at promotion stuff especially self promotion)!
Reposted by Si Rutherford
SEASON PREMIERE!
My First Dungeon: Perils & Princesses
Listen to our interview with designer @outridercreative.bsky.social where we learn the rules to this gritty and pretty OSR game and discover some great tricks for running and playing Perils & Princesses.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
My First Dungeon: Perils & Princesses
Listen to our interview with designer @outridercreative.bsky.social where we learn the rules to this gritty and pretty OSR game and discover some great tricks for running and playing Perils & Princesses.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Perils & Princesses | Interview (ft. Ryan Lynch)
Podcast Episode · My First Dungeon · 01/01/2026 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:05 PM
SEASON PREMIERE!
My First Dungeon: Perils & Princesses
Listen to our interview with designer @outridercreative.bsky.social where we learn the rules to this gritty and pretty OSR game and discover some great tricks for running and playing Perils & Princesses.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
My First Dungeon: Perils & Princesses
Listen to our interview with designer @outridercreative.bsky.social where we learn the rules to this gritty and pretty OSR game and discover some great tricks for running and playing Perils & Princesses.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Obviously I paid RahRah to put me on this but it feels damn good to see it anyway. These are such awesome GMs to share a space with.
I don't consider my gming to be my main skill set. But the gms that I learned a ton from listening to this year would be:
@kendomakesfilms.bsky.social @navaarsnp.bsky.social @estelofimladris.bsky.social @emcarlson.bsky.social @sirutherford.com @edwardspence.bsky.social @grantorwhatever.bsky.social
@kendomakesfilms.bsky.social @navaarsnp.bsky.social @estelofimladris.bsky.social @emcarlson.bsky.social @sirutherford.com @edwardspence.bsky.social @grantorwhatever.bsky.social
GMing lessons learned 2025:
-Speak less.
-Don't be so intimidated running tables for good players, it's easier.
-Expose the coast let them fill the sea.
-Sometimes it takes half a lifetime to understand the silences of half a lifetime before.
-GMs make incredible players for high monologue games.
-Speak less.
-Don't be so intimidated running tables for good players, it's easier.
-Expose the coast let them fill the sea.
-Sometimes it takes half a lifetime to understand the silences of half a lifetime before.
-GMs make incredible players for high monologue games.
December 31, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Obviously I paid RahRah to put me on this but it feels damn good to see it anyway. These are such awesome GMs to share a space with.
Reposted by Si Rutherford
We are overjoyed to announce that yesterday, our Loremaster @edwardspence.bsky.social won the Hollywood Series Award for Best Game Master - Actual Play (Video).
Thank you to the judging panel, and to @tabletopartsfund.org for making our awards journey possible! What a perfect way to end the year.
Thank you to the judging panel, and to @tabletopartsfund.org for making our awards journey possible! What a perfect way to end the year.
December 31, 2025 at 2:39 PM
We are overjoyed to announce that yesterday, our Loremaster @edwardspence.bsky.social won the Hollywood Series Award for Best Game Master - Actual Play (Video).
Thank you to the judging panel, and to @tabletopartsfund.org for making our awards journey possible! What a perfect way to end the year.
Thank you to the judging panel, and to @tabletopartsfund.org for making our awards journey possible! What a perfect way to end the year.
I've been thinking about this last year as the lists roll in. I've spent most of it chasing a dream while keeping too many plates spinning. It's quite painful to think back on but I also feel lucky to be where I am, to have an amazing partner and to be able to create alongside such talented people
December 30, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I've been thinking about this last year as the lists roll in. I've spent most of it chasing a dream while keeping too many plates spinning. It's quite painful to think back on but I also feel lucky to be where I am, to have an amazing partner and to be able to create alongside such talented people
Reposted by Si Rutherford
In the darkest dark, what will you find?
Season's greetings, survivors. Episode 4: Leaving A Trail is out now, wherever pods are cast. We're over halfway now... but who knows what hides out beyond the library?
Our next episode drops January 9th, so stay safe til then, and keep the lights on.
Season's greetings, survivors. Episode 4: Leaving A Trail is out now, wherever pods are cast. We're over halfway now... but who knows what hides out beyond the library?
Our next episode drops January 9th, so stay safe til then, and keep the lights on.
December 26, 2025 at 8:29 PM
In the darkest dark, what will you find?
Season's greetings, survivors. Episode 4: Leaving A Trail is out now, wherever pods are cast. We're over halfway now... but who knows what hides out beyond the library?
Our next episode drops January 9th, so stay safe til then, and keep the lights on.
Season's greetings, survivors. Episode 4: Leaving A Trail is out now, wherever pods are cast. We're over halfway now... but who knows what hides out beyond the library?
Our next episode drops January 9th, so stay safe til then, and keep the lights on.
Reposted by Si Rutherford
The Dark Tree is defeated. Middle-earth has been saved. Our fellowship endures. And after two years and three seasons, the multi-award winning next chapter in Middle-earth's story has come to an end.
Our finale will air early 2026. Expect an announcement soon.
Our finale will air early 2026. Expect an announcement soon.
December 18, 2025 at 9:13 PM
The Dark Tree is defeated. Middle-earth has been saved. Our fellowship endures. And after two years and three seasons, the multi-award winning next chapter in Middle-earth's story has come to an end.
Our finale will air early 2026. Expect an announcement soon.
Our finale will air early 2026. Expect an announcement soon.
Reposted by Si Rutherford
This series is so gorgeous. The sound design, the gming, the players, the setting. Blackwater is in a league of its own with this story. Elegant & lush. Absolutely livid about how good this is. Probably gonna be sick.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the Horror of the shade.
Happy Afterlight day, survivors. We are thrilled to bring you the third episode of our Blades in the Dark series, sponsored by Evil Hat & @bookwyrm.games . When things get dark it’s comforting to know you’re not alone, right?
Happy Afterlight day, survivors. We are thrilled to bring you the third episode of our Blades in the Dark series, sponsored by Evil Hat & @bookwyrm.games . When things get dark it’s comforting to know you’re not alone, right?
December 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM
This series is so gorgeous. The sound design, the gming, the players, the setting. Blackwater is in a league of its own with this story. Elegant & lush. Absolutely livid about how good this is. Probably gonna be sick.
Reposted by Si Rutherford
Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the Horror of the shade.
Happy Afterlight day, survivors. We are thrilled to bring you the third episode of our Blades in the Dark series, sponsored by Evil Hat & @bookwyrm.games . When things get dark it’s comforting to know you’re not alone, right?
Happy Afterlight day, survivors. We are thrilled to bring you the third episode of our Blades in the Dark series, sponsored by Evil Hat & @bookwyrm.games . When things get dark it’s comforting to know you’re not alone, right?
December 12, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the Horror of the shade.
Happy Afterlight day, survivors. We are thrilled to bring you the third episode of our Blades in the Dark series, sponsored by Evil Hat & @bookwyrm.games . When things get dark it’s comforting to know you’re not alone, right?
Happy Afterlight day, survivors. We are thrilled to bring you the third episode of our Blades in the Dark series, sponsored by Evil Hat & @bookwyrm.games . When things get dark it’s comforting to know you’re not alone, right?
Reposted by Si Rutherford
Today marks two years since our first episode! Thank you so much for coming along with our sad sack cabin filled with stories for heroes and poets.
December 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Today marks two years since our first episode! Thank you so much for coming along with our sad sack cabin filled with stories for heroes and poets.
Reposted by Si Rutherford
A Shared World Through Play w/ @kendomakesfilms.bsky.social
We dig into how Kendo has used multiple seasons and TTRPG systems to create “The Sublime”, a shared universe built and refined through play. Plus we discuss intentional storytelling through AP and the motivations behind why we make art.
We dig into how Kendo has used multiple seasons and TTRPG systems to create “The Sublime”, a shared universe built and refined through play. Plus we discuss intentional storytelling through AP and the motivations behind why we make art.
A Shared World Through Play (w/ Kendrick Smith)
pca.st
December 8, 2025 at 7:47 PM
A Shared World Through Play w/ @kendomakesfilms.bsky.social
We dig into how Kendo has used multiple seasons and TTRPG systems to create “The Sublime”, a shared universe built and refined through play. Plus we discuss intentional storytelling through AP and the motivations behind why we make art.
We dig into how Kendo has used multiple seasons and TTRPG systems to create “The Sublime”, a shared universe built and refined through play. Plus we discuss intentional storytelling through AP and the motivations behind why we make art.
Grateful for the community on here that is really excellent at sharing information about stuff out in the world that people use/consume. I've been busy as hell for like 18 months straight and there's stuff I miss! The 'wrapped' trend brought information back to the surface. Anyway, Spotify cancelled
December 8, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Grateful for the community on here that is really excellent at sharing information about stuff out in the world that people use/consume. I've been busy as hell for like 18 months straight and there's stuff I miss! The 'wrapped' trend brought information back to the surface. Anyway, Spotify cancelled
Caring for and losing pets has shaped me in such monumental ways and this is such a beautiful way of honouring Belle. A wonderful idea.
✉️🐕 Free Dog Postcards! ✉️🐕
I've sent out hundreds of postcards over the years, but this one is special.
My goal is to send out 300 postcards in honor of my pup, Belle, sharing a piece of the joy she brought me.
bit.ly/4itkKgi
I've sent out hundreds of postcards over the years, but this one is special.
My goal is to send out 300 postcards in honor of my pup, Belle, sharing a piece of the joy she brought me.
bit.ly/4itkKgi
December 5, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Caring for and losing pets has shaped me in such monumental ways and this is such a beautiful way of honouring Belle. A wonderful idea.
See below. Will never not take the chance to praise the incredible talent of @edwardspence.bsky.social when offered. Very happy I get to exist in the same timeline as this creative powerhouse!
If you don't know who Edward Spence / @edwardspence.bsky.social is, you should.
That's it.
That's the tweet.
That's it.
That's the tweet.
December 4, 2025 at 10:31 AM
See below. Will never not take the chance to praise the incredible talent of @edwardspence.bsky.social when offered. Very happy I get to exist in the same timeline as this creative powerhouse!
Lexi is awesome and I don't have the words to express how much this means. Especially as the other shows on the list are so inspiring 🩶 Very grateful
Actual Plays I LOVED. There were so many I loved, this list could go on for AGES.
Blood in the Snow by @talesyettold.com
Afterlight by @blackwaterdnd.bsky.social
Shadows of Gotham hosted by @calltoadventure.bsky.social
The Chaos Protocol @transplanarrpg.bsky.social
Blood in the Snow by @talesyettold.com
Afterlight by @blackwaterdnd.bsky.social
Shadows of Gotham hosted by @calltoadventure.bsky.social
The Chaos Protocol @transplanarrpg.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Lexi is awesome and I don't have the words to express how much this means. Especially as the other shows on the list are so inspiring 🩶 Very grateful
Reposted by Si Rutherford
Between Godkiller: Balance, Sin Eater, and now Afterlight; Blackwater has been having one hell of a year telling stories
Brilliant cast, haunting sound design, @sirutherford.com’s GMing is infuriatingly fluid and terrifying
Another tent pole for a massive tent of fantastic AP
Brilliant cast, haunting sound design, @sirutherford.com’s GMing is infuriatingly fluid and terrifying
Another tent pole for a massive tent of fantastic AP
Once more, into the breach. Mind the mirrors, though.
It's Afterlight day, survivors. We are elated to bring you this second episode of our Blades in the Dark series, sponsored proudly by @evilhatofficial & @bookwyrm.games . Our cast is ready for things to get scary - are you? 💡
It's Afterlight day, survivors. We are elated to bring you this second episode of our Blades in the Dark series, sponsored proudly by @evilhatofficial & @bookwyrm.games . Our cast is ready for things to get scary - are you? 💡
November 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Between Godkiller: Balance, Sin Eater, and now Afterlight; Blackwater has been having one hell of a year telling stories
Brilliant cast, haunting sound design, @sirutherford.com’s GMing is infuriatingly fluid and terrifying
Another tent pole for a massive tent of fantastic AP
Brilliant cast, haunting sound design, @sirutherford.com’s GMing is infuriatingly fluid and terrifying
Another tent pole for a massive tent of fantastic AP
November 28, 2025 at 8:13 PM