![[PbP] Blades in the Dark: Balancing Doskvol as a Nature’s Cult](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fspg-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com%2Fc907fc35-b4f8-4687-a175-16a2165cdb98&w=3840&q=75)
[PbP] Blades in the Dark: Balancing Doskvol as a Nature’s Cult
In the demon-lit streets of Doskvol, power is stolen, not given. Every job you take bleeds the city. Maybe your soul, too.
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Bi-weekly / Sunday - 12:00 PM UTC
Dec 28 / Session 11
Session Duration / 4–5 hours
4 / 5 Seats Filled
Report Adventure
StartPlaying Money Back Guarantee
If your game doesn't happen, we guarantee a refund. Just reach out to StartPlaying Support. Refund Policy
Schedule
Meet your party members
4/5
About the adventure
Note: This is an Asynchronous Play-by-Post game—no live sessions. You’ll participate by posting in Discord at your own pace (1–2 posts per day recommended). Doskvol is merciless. The weak never last here. Only monsters remain. Those with status squeeze every coin from the destitute. Vengeful spirits crave the warmth of the living. Demons whisper to the lost, seeking what was stolen from them. The only light in this eternal night comes from streetlamps powered by demon blood. The only way left to live is to do whatever it takes, hidden in the shadows. Blades in the Dark is a game about a crew of daring scoundrels trying to carve out one more day where they feel alive. To escape their predicament, they’ll plan heists, forge alliances, and navigate bloody betrayals. The cake’s already been sliced. Whatever you take, someone else goes hungry. There are no clean victories. Every score costs. When the stakes rise with your ambitions, the dice shape the outcome. But the consequences, the shape of things to come, flow from your choices. Every kill, every stolen item, every broken trust ripples outward. Power shifts. Factions move. Ghosts remember. Players who love flawed characters, high stakes, and messy consequences will feel right at home. If you enjoy drama, tragedy, and choices that twist your expectations, this is your sandbox. Shape the crew’s path—found a religion, topple a noble house, or just rob ghost-plagued convoys beneath the dead moon. 🗂️ Want to know how I run games? Check out my GM Portfolio — it’s got example scenes, tools I use, and what past scoundrels say about the ride. https://www.notion.so/MaxSoulGMz-s-Portfolio-21d77900be6f80678797c6989726bde0?source=copy_link If you’re ready to get your hands dirty, steal from the corrupt, and reshape Doskvol one score at a time—this crew needs you.
Game style
Theater of the Mind
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Roleplay Heavy
Play By Post
Sandbox / Open World
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(24)
1 year on StartPlaying
96 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, Knows the Rules
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hello, I'm MaxSoulGMz, aka Brian. I've been coordinating games, especially asynchronous play-by-post, for over five years, running many storygames from Blades in the Dark to Grimwild, with a focus on cinematic, character-first and character-driven campaigns. Let's connect, build friendships, and learn from each other! Exhibit your creativity and retain absolute player agency. Expect a collaborative, emotionally rich table where meaningful choices pave the story. Transparent metachannels so everyone’s expectations—including mine—are understood and respected. Your feedback will always be heard. I thrive on being adaptive and committed to growth, both as a GM and as someone who values strong, lasting connections in and out of the game. 🧭 Want a peek at how you will play? Check out my portfolio for scene examples, testimonials, tools we'll use, and system breakdowns: 👉 MaxSoulGMz’s Portfolio: https://www.notion.so/MaxSoulGMz-s-Portfolio-21d77900be6f80678797c6989726bde0?source=copy_link If you love deep character arcs, cooperative storytelling, and a drama-rich narrative pace, you’ll feel right at home.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We’ll build your scoundrel before Session 1. I’ll be on Discord for questions or feedback as you go. We use the Core Rulebook (materials provided after sign-up). You'll help shape Doskvol, its factions, allies and enemies. Your character should be flawed, hungry and ready to make hard choices. Power, revenge, redemption, make whatever drives them personal. We’ll use Lines & Veils to ensure the space stays safe for everyone. Full character & tone guide available after sign-up.
This is an Asynchronous Play-by-Post campaign hosted on Discord. Expect at least one narrative post per day, with extra activity when scenes demand it. I’m active from 7:00 AM to 11:59 PM (GMT+8) and committed to maintaining steady pacing without pressuring yours. Long-term players who help shape the crew’s story and leave a mark on Doskvol are gifted official PDFs as a thank-you—because your investment deserves to be honoured. Current Party Composition: The crew is a blooming cult carving out power in the name of natural order. One active player helms the strategy (Spider) and enforcement (Cutter), while a ghost-sensitive (Whisper) and a stealth operative (Lurk) lend chaos to the mix. The table is looking for the next spark to tip this balance and shape a new direction. Whether you’re drawn to high-stakes action, ghost-haunted mysteries, or clever social maneuvers, your presence will be felt. Let’s build a crew—and a legacy—worth remembering. We’re on the cusp of something major—perfect time to join and leave your mark.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You'll need a Discord account to join the game. StartPlaying will send the invite after you sign up. All play happens there. A Google account is also required to access character sheets and shared resources via Google Drive. We use “Roll’em” or “Mox” bots for dice rolls. Guides are pinned in the #bot-spam channel. Reading the full rulebook is optional, but a skim of your playbook and crew sheet helps. Before Session 0, make sure you: ✅ Joined the Discord server ✅ Filled out the Lines & Veils form ✅ Started your character—or pinged me for help ✅ Read the Blades in the Dark Onboarding Guide
What MaxSoulGMz brings to the table
I provide the Core Blades in the Dark rulebook, a detailed onboarding guide, and a shared Google Drive packed with tools to support your play. Cheat sheets, character generators, and a character keeper to track your scoundrels. The Discord server is fully set up for asynchronous play-by-post, complete with Mox and Roll’em bots. This is an emotion-forward, character-first campaign. You’ll play your scoundrel exactly how you envision them. High stakes bring hard consequences, and that makes every win hit harder. Introspective beats give your story weight. I’ll be on hand for feedback and support throughout, keeping the table safe, collaborative, and focused. Your choices will reshape the city. There won't be another Doskvol like this one.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Platforms used
Safety
How MaxSoulGMz creates a safe table
Lines and Veils are tracked on a shared editable Google Sheet. It must be filled out before Session 1. You are free to update anytime. Just ping me if you do. During Session 0, we'll go over safety tools, shared expectations, tone, and anything else the table wants to raise. If there are concerns later, we adapt. Player requests are always respected. I will check in via DM if you go quiet unexpectedly. If you need a break, take it. No judgment.
Content warnings
Safety tools used