Gangs of Doskvol | Learn to Play | Gritty Crime Fantasy | 🏳️🌈
About the adventure
Blades in the Dark is a game about a crew of daring scoundrels seeking their fortunes on the haunted streets of a post-apocalyptic industrial gothic victorian city called Doskvol. It is here that you will either meet your demise or finally make your big break with the rest of your crew of scoundrels. Whether you decide to smuggle some demon blood past the city watch, steal from the coffers of a rival gang, engage in a bit of occult activity, or take a job as killers-for-hire, your reputation will rise or fall. Word gets around, lovies. Tonight, it's the holiday, which means there's plenty of nobles piss drunk in their cups, and plenty of coin to be had. Assassins: Perhaps you seek the bloody demise of a high-profile target-- a noble, a commander of the Bluecoats, a leader in a rival gang-- and have decided to use the holiday as your moment to strike. Bravos: Perhaps you've taken a job as security at a holiday gala for the most prominent gang in town. Trouble strikes at the most unlikely hour. Cult: Perhaps, while the rest of the city prays in somber reflection, you have devoted yourselves to the dark task of unleashing the otherworldly force of a Forgotten God this night. Hawkers: Perhaps a new drug has hit the streets, and you need to sell the lot before you get caught red handed.
Game themes
$18.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Thursday – 1:00 AM UTC
Aug 22
3–3.5 Hour Duration
4 / 6 Seats Filled
GAME MASTER
Isaac
he/him
4.9
(73)
Schedule
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Meet the Game Master
4.9
(73)
2 years on StartPlaying
312 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Sets the Mood
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hello! Pull up a chair, friend. This world is sorely in need of stories worth telling. A bit of lightness, a bit of courage, a bit of clever wordplay. There's nothing like a roleplaying game to draw out the best in us, and also to let us explore parts of ourselves that rarely see the light. That's why I play. I hope you'll join me! I’m always learning and growing, and I try to read as much as I can about D&D, game design, history, politics, and storytelling. I am a big fan of podcasts by Brennan Lee Mulligan (Dimension20) and Matt Colville (MCDM). ______________________________________ See what others have to say about playing with me! 💯 "Having played a number of games through Startplaying, I have to say this is probably the best experience I’ve had. Isaac is a great storyteller! He really gets into character and brings everything alive, from NPC to environmental effects. He is very much a GM who facilitates a story centered on his players." - Alan 💯 "I've been playing with Isaac for a bit now. He is now my go to DM for campaigns and one-shots. He is always trying to learn and also willing to try any RPG that we throw at him. His one-shots are some of the best sessions of DnD I have ever played. I HIGHLY recommend Isaac for new and experienced players." - Dustin 💯 "What a phenomenal GM. Isaac does an incredible job of filling his world with delightful characters and genuinely compelling stories that make it easy and enjoyable to explore and interact with. He also takes care to engage with player character's backstories, investing time to insert each character into the world he is building. Play at the table truly feels collaborative between the players and GM. It's clear that Isaac is rooting for the players to succeed, and celebrates big moments along with the players." - Nick
View Profile →Reviews (73)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Inclusive
Sets the Mood
Joshua Calverley
Played 173 sessions
Honestly, StartPlaying needs to allow more tags, or at least put an "all of the above" button. Isaac does his best to fit all of the tags you can pick when writing a review and succeeds! The Discord he set up is well organized and invites you to join him in building a world around your character. Isaac also has session zeros to help players get comfortable with each other. He is patient and sensitive to the needs of his players. As an update, tonight is my 90th session with Isaac and I still highly recommend joining. I hope to see you there!
Mo
Played 123 sessions
Three tags are not close to enough. I shall add: all of the above. Isaac is fantastic. Many sessions in and I am still totally invested in my character/s and in the party. Great voice acting, flexibility, inclusivity and ENDLESS patience with my continuing blunders. Knows how to put a party together, and understands the fact that humor is essential, even in serious situations. Allows story to develop and takes “yes, and” to a highly satisfying level. Backstory and strategy are fostered and allowed to grow. He’s the gold standard on this platform, bar none. 10/10.
Dustin
Played 97 sessions
I've been playing with Isaac for a bit now. He is now my go to DM for campaigns and one-shots. He is always trying to learn and also willing to try any RPG that we throw at him. His one-shots are some of the best sessions of DnD I have ever played. I HIGHLY recommend Isaac for new and experienced players.
Nicholas
Played 70 sessions
What a phenomenal GM. Isaac does an incredible job of filling his world with delightful characters and genuinely compelling stories that make it easy and enjoyable to explore and interact with. He also takes care to engage with player character's backstories, investing time to insert each character into the world he is building. Play at the table truly feels collaborative between the players and GM. It's clear that Isaac is rooting for the players to succeed, and celebrates big moments along with the players.
Caleb
Played 68 sessions
Isaac does a wonderful job creating fun characters, going with whatever crazy ideas you have, and making sure everyone is heard. He is good for beginners, as he is very patient and gentle, as well as knowledgeable about the games you play with him. He will take you on an adventure, perfectly crafted for who is in the group, what level you are at, and in the style that the group wants to play. Highly recommend, 5 stars.
Tony
Played 62 sessions
Isaac does a great job at story telling and bringing in a lot of elements that create a fun immersive dynamic to the game. He is very begineer friendly and reads the room well, helping those who need it but not making it uncomfortable or putting people on the spot. Highly recommend if your wanting to try a new game, give him a shot!
Character creation
Creating your character
We'll work on character creation together during the first part of the game! Similar to the Powered by the Apocalypse system, players get a "playbook" instead of a character class. You're all Scoundrels/rogues. You have different specialties and sets of actions you can take. You also choose a heritage, a background, a special ability, a rival and a friend, and a vice.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Required: ✅ Discord account ✅ Roll20 account ✅ Microphone (headset recommended) Encouraged, for best experience: 🙏 Webcam // I don't require anyone to use a webcam if they don't want to, but it will absolutely enhance the experience of the game if we are all visible to each other. Faces are great for improv! Please familiarize yourself with the basic rules before we play: 👉 https://bladesinthedark.com/basics Check out this video for a brief intro to the game: https://youtu.be/-paftFbNEUw?si=6MyiqZ0PICuT1B51
What Isaac brings to the table
No matter your experience level, I set a welcoming, inviting tone at my games. Your questions are good, your baggage from your last game is not too much, your experience matters to me! Pull up a chair, friend. I’m a musician and an artist at heart, so I love incorporating graphic design elements, musical soundtracks and ambient noise, beautiful maps, and character art to enhance the experience of the game. I think the biggest thing I bring to the table is a flair for the dramatic. I was a musical theater kid in high school. Character voices. Storytelling. High drama. Heartrending conflict. This is the stuff I like. Very much. The Rule of Cool is a very important part of my style. If something will move the story forward in a cool way, I may not even have you roll for it. I’ve been learning that rolling too much can be a real barrier to more important things, like the narrative and the dramatic moment.
Platforms used
Safety
How Isaac creates a safe table
- I have a digital RPG consent form I will distribute before the game so you can let me know what lines and veils you have before we begin. I will not share your responses with anyone. - We use a digital X-card system. If you are ever uncomfortable with the content, click the X-card, and we will pivot, no questions asked! - We will take a 10 minute break about halfway through the session.
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