Blades in the Dark is about a crew of daring scoundrels who seek their fortunes on the haunted streets of an industrial-fantasy city. There are heists, chases, occult mysteries, dangerous bargains, bloody skirmishes, and, above all, riches to be had – if you're bold enough to seize them. You and your fledgling crew must face rival gangs, powerful noble families, vengeful ghosts, the Bluecoats of the city watch, and the siren song of your scoundrel's own vices. Will you rise to power in the criminal underworld? What are you willing to do to reach the top?
A robust core mechanic, inspired by the Apocalypse Engine, puts the fiction first; the strength of a character's position (desperate, risky, or controlled) matters just as much as the character's ability scores. A lightning-fast mechanic for planning criminal operations cuts through the usual slog of planning at the game table. Character archetypes include the Cutter, the Hound, the Leech, the Lurk, the Slide, the Spider, and the Whisper, as well as Ghosts and other strange beings. Crews can be Assassins, Bravos, a Cult, Hawkers, Shadows, or Smugglers. The 336-page rulebook also covers alchemical experiments, gadget tinkering, weird occult powers, and the haunted city of Doskvol, with all the maps, factions, NPCs, schemes, and opportunities you need to run an exciting sandbox game.
Learn more and get free downloads at BladesInTheDark.com and Sean Nittner's downloads page. If you can spare a day or three, check Rob Donoghue's deeeep dives into the game at The Walking Mind.
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