Blades in the Dark! A Swashbuckling TTRPG Where Your Crew Takes on the Criminal Underworld

Blades in the Dark! A Swashbuckling TTRPG Where Your Crew Takes on the Criminal Underworld

Imagine this: you and your companions are scoundrels, rogues, and masterminds lurking in the shadowed alleys of a city consumed by industrial gloom. The air hangs thick with smoke from coal-powered factories, casting an eerie pall over the cobblestone streets below. This is Doskvol, a fictional metropolis where cunning, brutality, and a healthy dose of luck are your only allies.

Welcome to Blades in the Dark, a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) designed by John Harper that plunges you into this gritty underworld. Forget heroic knights and epic quests; here, survival hinges on forging alliances with cutthroats, outsmarting corrupt authorities, and pulling off daring heists under the cloak of night.

A World Steeped in Darkness and Opportunity

Doskvol is a city perpetually shrouded in darkness, both literal and metaphorical. The constant industrial smog blocks out the sun, casting an ethereal glow over the sprawling cityscape. This perpetual twilight reflects the moral ambiguity that permeates every aspect of Doskvol’s society.

Here, power rests not with benevolent rulers but with ruthless factions vying for control:

  • The Patrician families: These are the city’s wealthiest and most influential, wielding their fortune to manipulate the laws and crush any opposition.

  • The underworld gangs: From the brutal Crows to the cunning Sphinxes, these organizations operate in the shadows, controlling everything from black markets to gambling dens.

  • The Imperial authorities: Though nominally in charge, the Empire’s grip on Doskvol is tenuous at best. Corrupt officials turn a blind eye to criminal activity as long as their pockets are lined with gold.

It’s into this complex web of intrigue and danger that your Blades in the Dark crew steps.

The Power of “Scores”

Forget traditional quests and dungeon crawls; in Blades in the Dark, your adventures revolve around pulling off daring heists known as “scores.” Each score is a carefully orchestrated plan, involving infiltration, manipulation, and often a healthy dose of violence.

Let’s break down how scores work:

  • Choosing a Target: Your crew will identify a wealthy target, whether it be a corrupt official, a rival gang leader, or even a heavily guarded vault.

  • Planning the Heist: This is where the game’s “fiction first” approach shines. Players collaborate to brainstorm their strategy, leveraging their unique skills and backgrounds.

  • Executing the Score: Roll dice to determine success or failure on each step of the plan. Tension mounts as unexpected complications arise, forcing your crew to adapt on the fly.

Character Creation: More Than Just Stats

In Blades in the Dark, character creation goes beyond simply assigning numbers to attributes. Each character is defined by their unique “Playbook,” which outlines their role within the crew and provides a set of specialized abilities, known as “Moves.”

For example, a player might choose the “Cutpurse” playbook, excelling at sleight of hand and pickpocketing, while another might opt for the “Hound” playbook, skilled in tracking and interrogation.

But character creation isn’t just about choosing a playbook; it’s about crafting a compelling backstory. Where did your character grow up? What drives them to join a life of crime? Answering these questions breathes depth into your character and helps you connect with their motivations.

A Tabletop Game Designed for Collaboration

Blades in the Dark stands out for its emphasis on collaborative storytelling. The Game Master (GM) acts more as a facilitator, guiding the narrative and presenting challenges, while players actively shape the direction of the story through their choices and actions.

Here are some key features that foster this collaborative spirit:

| Feature | Description |

|—|—| | Fiction First | The game prioritizes describing what happens in-game over simply rolling dice for every action.| | Shared Decision-Making | Players work together to brainstorm plans, resolve conflicts, and make choices that affect the entire crew.| | Consequences Matter | Every decision has potential repercussions, shaping the future of your crew and the city of Doskvol.

Embrace the Grit and Glamour of Blades in the Dark

If you’re seeking a TTRPG experience that dives deep into intrigue, moral ambiguity, and adrenaline-fueled heists, then Blades in the Dark is for you.

Prepare to forge unforgettable stories within the shadowed alleys and smoky taverns of Doskvol, where danger lurks around every corner and fortune favors the bold… and the cunning.