Blades in the Dark: TTRPG Emphasizes Collaborative Storytelling

Blades in the Dark offers a unique tabletop role playing experience with unique mechanics and collaborative stortytelling in a Lovecraft-inspired Victorian setting

Role Playing as Scoundrels in Steampunk Horror

Blades in the Dark is a Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) created by John Harper which immerses players in the steampunk-inspired, crime-riddled streets of an industrial city known as Duskvol. Players take on the role of a crew of criminals, each with their own unique abilities and motivations, who are trying to make a name for themselves in this dangerous city. The game’s setting is rich and diverse, and it provides endless opportunities for players to explore and discover new things. The game has gained a dedicated following since its initial release in 2015 and features a unique system of mechanics with strong emphasis on player choice and consequence.

Doskvol Setting

Blades is notable for its unique setting, which combines elements of fantasy, steampunk, and horror to create a rich and immersive world for players to explore. The city of Doskvol is plagued by supernatural threats, powerful criminal factions, and corrupt officials, providing plenty of opportunities for players to get into trouble and make a name for themselves. This Victorian setting takes notes from Lovecraft’s supernatural themes and feels reminiscent of Sunless Sea’s “Fallen London.”

Powered by the Apocalypse

Blades in the Dark uses a modified version of the Apocalypse World system, which provides a solid foundation for the game’s mechanics. But what sets it apart from other TTRPGs is its emphasis on player collaboration and storytelling. The game’s mechanics encourage players to work together to achieve their goals, and they also allow players to shape the story in unique and unexpected ways.

Blades in the Dark Game Mechanics

Players roll a number of six-sided dice to determine the outcome of their actions, and they can also choose to push their luck and roll more dice to increase the chances of success.  The game also features a unique “Clock” mechanic, which tracks the passage of time and the progress of the scoundrels’ criminal enterprise, adding a sense of urgency and tension to the game.

Player Choice and Agency

Blades in the Dark sets itself apart by emphasizing player choice and agency. The game’s mechanics allow players to make meaningful decisions that have real consequences on the story and the world around them. This gives players a sense of ownership over their characters and the story, and it makes the game feel much more personal and impactful.

Character Creation System

In this TTRPG you play as scoundrels with a set of pre-created characters to choose from with different backgrounds, specialties, and drives. These choices not only affect the character’s abilities but also their motivations and goals. The game also features a “faction” system, where players can ally themselves with various groups within Duskvol, such as the criminal syndicates or the supernatural entities known as “ghosts.”

Flashbacks

One unique aspect of Blades in the Dark is the use of Flashbacks to develop a character backstory on-the-fly. During a flashback, a player can describe a past event or memory that is relevant to their character’s backstory or current situation. This can include events such as a traumatic experience, a formative moment in their criminal career, or a significant relationship. Flashbacks can be used to reveal information about a character’s past or to establish their motivations and goals. They can also be used to add tension or drama to a scene by revealing unexpected information or to provide context for the characters’ current actions and decisions.

Collaborative Storytelling

Perhaps the most divisive aspect of Blades in the Dark is its focus on player collaboration and storytelling. Depending on players’ interest in improvisation and creativity, the game could hit or miss depending on your group. The game encourages players to work together to create a shared story, and it also allows players to take on different roles within the crew. This allows players to have a lot of control over the direction of the story and the actions of the crew. This also allows opportunities to go off the rails with your story.

Community Support

It’s worth mentioning the community and fan-made content surrounding Blades in the Dark. John Harper has done an excellent job of fostering a community of enthusiastic players and fans who are constantly creating new content for the game. From custom playbooks to fan fiction, the community has added so much to the game and has made it even more enjoyable for players.

A Brief History of Blades in the Dark

It all started with Harper’s love for the Apocalypse World roleplaying game system. He appreciated the Apocalypse World system as a great set of mechanics and guidelines for creating roleplaying games and wanted to use it to create a game set in a city full of crime and supernatural elements. He reworked the mechanics to suit his vision of a world that was dark and gritty, but also had a sense of wonder and mystery to it.

After self-publishing the game in 2013, Harper continued to develop and refine it over the years, releasing several updates and expansions. In 2016, he launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a new edition of the game, which was released in 2017. This edition included several new mechanics, expanded on the game’s setting and lore, and included new art, layout, and graphic design to improve the game’s presentation. The Kickstarter campaign was a huge success and allowed him to fund the new edition of the game.

Since the release of the latest edition of Blades in the Dark, the game has continued to grow in popularity and has received critical acclaim from the gaming community, winning several awards and nominations. Harper has also continued to develop new games and supplements for the game, and has created a community of enthusiastic players and fan-made content.

Blades in the Dark is available from Evil Hat Productions. You can read more about the game at bladesinthedark.com.

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