Blades in the Dark is a tabletop role-playing game about a gang of daring rogues seeking their fortune in the haunted streets of an industrial fantasy city. There are robberies, chases, occult secrets, dangerous deals, bloody skirmishes, and above all, riches to be had—if you’re brave enough to take them.
You and your young gang must hold your own against rival gangs, powerful noble families, vengeful ghosts, the Bluecoats of the city guard, and the siren songs of your own vices. Will you rise to power in the criminal underworld? What are you willing to do to get to the top?
The peculiarities of the system (Forged in the Dark)
Blades in the Dark uses the Forged in the Dark rule system, which features several unique mechanisms that shape the feel of the game:
- The Score: Instead of playing out every detail of the plan, the game often begins directly with the score. The players briefly explain their intentions and plan, and the game master (GM) asks how they will get into the target location. Details of the plan are purchased as flashbacks during the score. This keeps the momentum high and avoids lengthy preliminary skirmishes.
- Position and Effect: A central dice mechanism. Before the roll, the GM and the player determine the position (safe, endangered, desperate) and the effect (low, normal, high) of the intended action. This immediately signals the risks and rewards associated with the roll, making the players’ decisions more profound.
- Stress and Resistance: Player characters (SCs) can take on stress to roll additional dice, cancel a bad roll, or buy a flashback. They can also use stress to resist and mitigate the consequences (damage, capture, etc.) of a bad roll with a resistance roll. Stress is a valuable but limited resource that encourages constant weighing of risk and reward.
- The Clan (The Crew): The gang itself is a character with its own abilities, strengths, and a stronghold (Lair). The clan’s progress in the criminal underworld is represented by influence (Reputation) and control over territories (Claims). The game is as much the story of the gang’s rise as it is that of the individual villains.
- Vices and Heat: To relieve stress, the PCs must indulge in their vices (e.g., gambling, drugs, romance), which often leads to new, unforeseen complications. Every criminal act generates heat (the attention of the city guard), which makes the consequences of the gang’s actions directly felt.
Registration: Are you interested? Then head over to our Discord-Server and register for the events there and check out the corresponding “System of the Month” post.
You can find all further information there and if you have any questions, they will be able to answer them.
Dates:
- 04.12.25 – English– Time: 18:00 to 22:00 – Mission: “A daring crew of Bravos brawl with a rival gang for control of the streets.”
- 09.12.25 – English– Time: 18:00 to 22:00 – Mission: “A coldblooded band of Assassins execute a hit on a noble target, at a masquerade ball.”
- 17.12.25 – English– Time: 18:00 to 22:00 – Mission: “The members of a strange Cult steal from a merchant conclave to… give gifts to the poor and appease their strange lord?”
