[Play-by-Post] Lady Blackbird: Tales from the Wild Blue Yonder

How to prepare

You will need a Discord account. A roll20 account will be a good idea to keep a character sheet and use the virtual tabletop if we need to. Come with an open mind, willing to contribute to the creation of the world and narrative Willingness to embrace the unpredictable and actively contribute to the narrative Since this is a play-by-post game, consistency is key. You don't need to post daily, but aim to check in regularly – ideally at least 3-4 times per week. Familiarize yourself with the basic Lady Blackbird rules (a short 15-page document I'll provide), but don't worry about mastering them. The system is designed to be learned through play. Consider what aspects of steampunk sky-sailing adventures excite you most, as this will help shape our collective focus. Are you interested in the political intrigue of the Remnants? The thrill of outwitting Imperial ships? The wonder of discovering strange sky islands? Your interests will help guide our shared story. Most importantly, bring your creativity. Lady Blackbird thrives on collaborative world-building and player initiative. This isn't a game where you wait for the GM to tell you what happens next – it's one where we all contribute to a living, breathing world that responds to your choices and ideas.

What I provide

We will play over Discord and/or rolegate game. I also have Foundry and roll20 if needed. I will be checking the game multiple times per day. Complete virtual tabletop with maps and character tokens if needed. Visual references for NPCs and important locations. Digital tools for tracking resources and character states. Thematic ambient music and sound effects for different scenarios and settings. Experience facilitating emergent and non-linear narratives where your decisions have real and lasting impact. Willingness to improvise in response to your unexpected actions, embracing the unpredictable. Commitment to narrative depth and creative freedom. Some custom rules optimized for the play-by-post format may be needed for smooth gameplay. As your GM, I facilitate rather than dictate. Lady Blackbird's system naturally supports player agency, and I lean into that strength. You'll find I'm quick to say "yes, and..." to your creative approaches rather than limiting options. The game's mechanics serve the fiction we create together – when you describe something interesting, the system will adapt to accommodate your creativity, not restrict it. I don't believe in artificial balance – some characters will naturally excel in different situations, and that asymmetry creates interesting dynamics. I am open to requests for other play-by-post games (you can see all the games I have GMed over 29 years in my profile).

Gameplay details

We will use the first week as our session 0. During Session 0 we will talk about any specifics of the game, express and clarify safety tools and answer any questions about the game. The game will be asynchronous, play-by-post. This format allows us to explore narrative depth while accommodating different schedules. I check for updates multiple times daily and commit to responding within 24 hours. Players can expect a game that moves at a steady pace with posts that drive the action forward. I value meaningful advancement over lengthy exposition, ensuring our limited playtime remains engaging and impactful. The Lady Blackbird system naturally supports this with its elegant mechanics that trigger directly from narrative choices.

Content warnings

Safety tools used

How will character creation work

Lady Blackbird comes with pre-generated characters, each with their own motivations, traits, and keys. Before our first session, you'll select one of these characters: Lady Blackbird herself, her bodyguard Naomi Bishop, the captain Cyrus Vance, or his crew members Kale, sorcerer and mechanic of the Owl, and Snargle, the goblin pilot of the Owl.

Combat / Tactics

Medium

Roleplay

High

Puzzles

Low

Experience level

Open to all