[Closed] The Last of Us (using Walking Dead rules)

Twenty years ago, the world ended. A mutated strain of Cordyceps caught hold in our world, hollowing people out and turning them into feral shadows of themselves. Cities fell in days, governments in weeks. What survived was a patchwork of zones, factions, and wandering survivors—all clinging to life in a world gone mad. Inside quarantine zones, FEDRA rules with a clenched fist. Outside the walls, the world belongs to the infected… and to desperate people.

Most survivors don’t think about rebuilding—they’re too busy fighting to see the next sunrise. Yet even in this broken world, people persist. Scavengers, smugglers, Firefly idealists, frightened families, and lone wanderers try to carve out something that resembles a life. Some cling to the remnants of the past; others use violence to make their way in the new world.

Every bullet matters. Every night spent under a dry roof is a victory. Every stranger could become an ally, a threat, or a ghost by morning. But survival isn’t just about danger. Sometimes it’s found in a shared fire, a quiet moment, or the rare spark of hope that something better might still be possible. It’s in those moments—small, fragile, defiant—that humanity endures.

This is a world where your choices matter. Who you trust. Where you go. What you’re willing to risk—and what you’re willing to sacrifice. In The Last of Us, survival is never guaranteed… but the story you carve out of the ruins will be unforgettable.

Please note that this is a horror game and will deal with uncomfortable topics - largely body horror and psychological horror. I try to avoid sexual violence or violence against kids/animals.

GAME DETAILS

System:
The Walking Dead Universe by Free League
I'll be adapting the WDU rules to run in the world of The Last of Us. I'm also looking to houserule a crafting system so we can include that in the narrative. My play style leans more heavily on tone and story, so powergamers might get frustrated.

Setting:
The world of the video game 'The Last of Us' and 'The Last of Us part II' by Naughty Dog. Oh, man! 'nuff said!

Characters:
The archetypes in the Core Rulebook are generic enough to cover most people in the world. Feel free to re-skin an archetype to fit your character concept. The characters should not be a member of any current faction (FEDRA, Fireflies, WLF, etc), but it's fine if they have some connection in their past.

Players:
Anyone is welcome. I’m looking for roleplayers who want to inhabit their character, explore their flaws, ambitions (and poor life choices), and engage with a long-term narrative. Two slots are already taken by members of my in-person group; I aim to recruit 2–3 more players.

HOW TO APPLY

Please post a character concept below — no stats needed yet. Tell me a bit about them - who they are, what they want, and what keeps them awake at night.

I will DM applicants once selections are made.

McButterpants! Great to see you around again. I'm not putting in for this, but just wanted to say hi and that I think this sounds awesome! I'm running TWD right now and I think it's one of Free League's very best YZE designs. Should work really well to model The Last of Us.

The Tunnel Runner
A young adult who grew up entirely post-outbreak in the subway systems beneath a collapsed city. Expert at navigating underground, claustrophobic spaces where infected nest. They're nearly feral in some ways—suspicious of open spaces and sunlight—but their ability to move unseen makes them an incredible scout. Struggling with whether to stay in their familiar darkness or learn to live above ground.

They've lived through enough encounters with the infected and lost everyone they've ever known.

Thanks Harrigan! I missed PbP. One of my in-person players suggested it and I was all over it. Looking forward to getting back into it.

I agree. YZE works really well in WDU.

That is awesome! I really like it! I’m going to give the game a few more days to allow others to apply. Thank you very much for putting your name in!

Hey! I'm brand new to play by post and the Walking Dead RPG but this sounds interesting to me!

Cedric
Mid 40s man, worked IT for a public library before the outbreak. The library was desperately underfunded so he had to be quite creative in order to solve problems caused by lack of funds. However he now survives by fixing machines/tech for his group. He is horribly afraid of being alone and this manifests as him coming across as a pushover. Cedric is able to recognize those who don't abuse this however and is fiercely loyal towards them. While not the most courageous man, when things get hairy he will do what he can to protect those around him.

I am unfamiliar with The Walking Dead Universe game rules, and I only know "The Last of Us" from season one of the TV show. But I like the idea of this game. Here's my character idea:

A woman who was 16 when the infection hit. Her parents were Christian end-times preppers, and at the time, she was all-in on that belief. When the apocalypse actually came, her parents were away taking her sibling to college - she never saw them again and doesn't know what happened to them. She survived the initial outbreak on her family stockpile and her learned skills, but the reality of the end of the world broke her faith. Now she's a competent survivalist from years of practicing the skills her parents drilled into her, as well as being motivated to learn other skills. She still has a strong moral center, but it isn't tied to faith anymore. She developed a sarcastic sense of humor that she uses to manage stress, but she also has an intense loyalty to those she trusts - even those she doesn't necessarily get along with.

Please post a character concept below — no stats needed yet. Tell me a bit about them - who they are, what they want, and what keeps them awake at night.


Sin is a 22 year old young Koren lady. She worked as a seamstress and no real survival skills. She has been moving from one group to another as each started failing. She is only interested in survival. Where her next meal is going to come from. She has seen the horrors upclose & personal.

Being a shorter slinder lady has been her means of survival as she doesn't eat much has been her sales pitch. She very good at fixing up clothing as her one good skill. Always seem to be a demand for repairs.

She has found that being small has let her hide well and slip to places that trouble can't. As of habit now she is always keeping track of a place to hide away at. She like to be good at shooting a bow or something like that to help to survive. Everyone has to learn to defend.

We've got some great interest in this game. Thank you all for submitting such great character options. I wish I could include everyone. I will send out invites tomorrow.

Good to see you Mc B!

Great to see you too KEG! I'm glad to be back on the boards. Hopefully your Masks game is still going strong.