Blade Runner: 2040
Players portray Bladerunnners- members of the LAPD Replicant Detect Unit (RDU). The will solve cases as slow burn/ detective Future Noir Mysteries.
About the adventure
Los Angeles, 2040 – A city choked by rain, neon, and unanswered questions. You are a Blade Runner, part of the LAPD’s Replicant Detection Unit (RDU). The year is 2040. The streets are slick with acid rain and memory, and the line between synthetic and human has never been thinner. A new generation of Replicants walks the Earth—and not all of them stay within the lines. This is a campaign of slow-burning mystery, emotional tension, and existential questions. You won’t blast your way through problems. You’ll follow trails of ash and memory. You’ll interrogate suspects, examine forensics, and confront impossible choices. At the heart of every case lies the real question: What does it mean to be human? Expect: Atmospheric, noir-infused sessions with custom soundscapes: rain on rooftops, static-laced vidphone calls, the raucous cries of distant sirens. Heavily narrative play with blurred lines between law, justice, memory, and identity. Player-driven stories where choices matter, consequences echo, and silence often says more than words. Perfect for fans of Blade Runner, Investigative Cyberpunk, or Neuromancer—and for those who want to explore a future where humanity is manufactured, memory is suspect, and the truth comes at a price. New players welcome, but bring your empathy, your skepticism, and your badge. You’ll need all three. * * * This is one of the most thematic true to the source material role-playing games ever designed: An iconic and unforgiving playground of endless possibilities. Jockey to maintain your humanity within a super-detailed sandbox setting where your team races against time to complete cases involving offworld kick-murder squads, rogue replicants, dirty cops, and corporate mafeasance, amidst the collapse of the environment, and the omnipresent corporate meets down and out masses of humanity setting. Engage your imagination with an immersive future-noir storytelling narrative. A neon-noir wonderland that’ll amaze and delight you. JOIN NOW! This will be an Introductory / Teaching Campaign game for players new to Bladerunner®. CLICK THE BLUE 💙BUTTON ➡TO JOIN NOW!🦸♀️ DM_Shroud: Cartographer, AI Artist, Digital Space Artist, Illustrator. Roleplaying Referee since 1977.
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Theater of the Mind
Roleplay Heavy
Game themes
$10.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Thursday – 2:00 AM UTC
Aug 7 / Session 40
3 Hour Duration
3 / 4 Seats Filled
GAME MASTER
James (DM_Shroud)
he/him
5.0
(22)
Schedule
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Report Adventure
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(22)
3 years on StartPlaying
27 games hosted
Highly rated for: World Builder, Creativity, Storytelling
Average response time: 15 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
*** PLEASE NOTE - ALL GAMES I AM RUNNING CURRENTLY SUSPENDED TO DUE ONGOING MILITARY CONFLICT IN THAILAND (Where I live with my Family) *** Greetings! I am James, AKA DM_Shroud. With a rich experience of 48 years in nearly a hundred roleplaying games, starting from the days of Classic Traveller in 1977, I've crafted countless adventures across a myriad of genres of gaming. My gaming library boasts an extensive collection of systems, but I have a particular fondness for narrative-driven space operas like Traveller Mongoose (2e), Star Trek Adventures, and Star Wars Saga, and Fantasy Flight, as well as fantasy games like Over the Wall, Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, D&D 2024, Song of Ice and Fire, and One Ring. As a Professional Game Master, my mission is clear: to deliver an exciting, engaging, and memorable game experience that balances quality with affordability. This isn't just a hobby for me – it's a passion-turned-profession, fueled by my goal to better support my family and fund my children's college education. Versatile Gaming Schedule: I offer various gaming sessions, including introductory sessions. My schedule is flexible, accommodating different time zones and preferences, with prices listed with each game (Not including Stripe and SPG Fees) per player/ session (First Character Generation session, as well as 1st play session are FREE) , if it's a new game that I'm not familiar with or not set up for, $20 per player per session for a custom game setting or campaign. I'm NOT typically available on Friday evenings, or Saturdays, USA times, since I spend weekends in the Mountains with my family...but query me, maybe we can work something out. Custom World Design: Beyond guiding games, I'm also a skilled fantasy and sf cartographer. Whether you're an author needing a vivid setting or you run or have a playgroup desiring a unique world, I can craft detailed maps and worlds tailored to your specific imagination. Please contact me with your needs, I can work with you on developing a quote, and we can arrange payment through this site. We can also set up an interactive mapping session where you guide me as I work on your map in realtime, using any of a number of mapping software tools. A Bit More About Me: My journey into the fantastical began as a young sci-fi enthusiast, inspired by the likes of Joe Haldeman's "Forever War". When not orchestrating epic adventures, I'm often found designing fictional solar systems or mapping fantasy worlds at all scales, continuing to fuel my lifelong passion for science fiction and fantasy. Invitation to Adventure: I invite you to dive into the worlds I've created and join me in crafting unforgettable stories. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the realm of RPGs, there's a place at my table for you. Welcome to my mind – let's embark on an extraordinary journey together!
View Profile →Reviews (22)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
World Builder
Creativity
Storytelling
Brent
Played 6 sessions
I’m playing in this GM’s Blade Runner rpg game right now, and it feels like being in a movie every single time. The level of detail is astonishing. He does an excellent job of allowing people to develop their characters and also is especially skillful at incorporating music, sound effects, and visuals to deliver an immersive, meaningful experience. I’m having a great time.
Jesse
Played 6 sessions
DM Shroud is awesome, the story really has me engaged. I hope the campaign lasts a really long time.
Greymorn
Played 5 sessions
James runs a great BattleTech game. Our game was play-by-post and I was very impressed by how responsive he was whenever someone posted. We got more done than any PBP I've ever been in! His writing is excellent and he knows the setting and rules inside out.
Marcus Karaffa
Played 2 sessions
He is incredibly knowledgeable! DM Knows the game inside and out. A fantastic story teller, voice actor, and game generator. He makes maps and adds so many great details to the game. His facilitation is top notch! Highly highly recommend!
S MacTaggart
Solid story teller, allows for players to have the spotlight at times, immersive world and compelling lore. Highly entertaining and very friendly with his players.
Corpuscristo
I’ve played with several Game Masters over the years, but none have matched the level of depth, creativity, and flexibility that DM Shroud brings to the table. His worldbuilding is nothing short of spectacular. Every region, faction, and NPC feels like they have a life and history of their own. You don’t just play in his world, you live in it. His maps and cartography are stunning and incredibly useful, providing visual depth and spatial clarity that enhance immersion without ever becoming overwhelming. Whether it’s a hand-drawn town map or a sprawling continent, his attention to detail shows. What truly sets him apart, though, is the freedom he gives his players. He never railroads the party or forces outcomes. Instead, he sets the stage, fills it with believable characters and motivations, and lets us carve our own path. Choices matter in his world, and consequences feel earned—good or bad. If you’re looking for a GM who respects player agency, builds rich and believable worlds, and brings the game to life with real artistry, DM Shroud is the one.
Character creation
Creating your character
Players can select from a pool of pre generated characters that are GM approved. Or they can generate a character given 4 days advance notice with an outline to the GM before the start of the next scheduled scenario so that the GM has time to integrate their character and work with the potential player to develop a suitable character and equipment.
Current Player Characters: - Det. N1X-1.8 /Doxie/Lead Detective III, REPLICANT Now a Veteran of 5 Major Cases with over a year of active duty, He leads the RDU as Lead Detective. - Det. Nova Virella / Skimmer/Rookie Detective I, Human Nova is a lean, sharp-eyed woman in her mid-20s with olive skin and a growing-out undercut of black hair. A former Gang member turned cop, she just made the cut to become a Bladerunner. - A new rookie Character. (New player, Cityspeaker, still being created, just joined) If you wish to instantly book, it must be a minimum of 1 hour prior to the next session, join the discord, and we can help you to make a character. Who This Game Is For: This game welcomes both newcomers and veterans of the Blade Runner RPG. It is preferred if you know the movies, and setting, but that is not required. If you love story-driven games, roleplaying tense scenes, and exploring big questions about identity, memory, and humanity, you’re in the right place. No Experience Needed: I provide rules guidance, setting introductions, and onboarding support for new players. I’ll help you build your character and get you familiar with the RDU team dynamic. Play Style & Expectations: Live sessions on Roll20, with Discord for voice, as well as Syrinscape for Future-Noir soundscapes). You’ll play the role of a Bladerunner, working cases with other players, based on clues, police work, and best guesses... keeping the story moving with other players. Play includes character actions, dialogue, and inner thoughts—think of it like acting out a scene in a cyber-noir novel or TV Show. What You Need: A free Discord account. A willingness to immerse yourself in slow-burn, atmospheric mysteries. Most cases take about 6 sessions to solve. Respect for other players and a collaborative mindset. If that sounds like your kind of experience, I’d love to have you join us in the rain-soaked streets of Los Angeles, 2038.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
A working microphone is required, webcam is optional. Discord is required as well as creating a free account on roll20.net All dice rolled will be virtual dice.
What James (DM_Shroud) brings to the table
Virtual Tabletop on Roll20, Discord for audio. Tokens on a large map of Futuristic Los Angeles. Immersive audioscapes using roll20 and Syrinscape for future-noir / Cyberpunk sound effects, as well as background atmospherics like rain, storms, sirens, vehicles, tech workshop and coroner morgue tools and sounds crowds The referee will create non-player characters, images of scenes and props within the game, such as street scenes, a sidearm bought from a robotic vendor box, etc.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Platforms used
Safety
How James (DM_Shroud) creates a safe table
Immersive role-playing will be emphasized, and narrative choices will be given to the players with dice resolution outcomes leading to imaginative story changes. Some metagaming conversation is to be expected as the party narrates dice results, but it is hoped that this does not devolve into arguments with the GM having the final say in case of a situation where players cannot agree on a clear narrative. Combat is fast and easy and relatively simple to adjudicate once the players learn the system (which the GM will teach as we play.) Player characters will go into danger and combat is expected to be uncommon, and deadly, involving both tactical/ground combat and occassional aerial combat aboard LAPD Police gunships. The combat system is semi-realistic, as a gritty hit point system. Injuries will affect character skill use as wekk as psychic injuries from stress, exhaustion, mental stress, and trauma. Because the narrative supports these characters as Future Noir detectives as heroes, and anti-heroes,it will be uncommon for a player character to die, although characters will be operating under stress, and sometimes physical injury, this will be role-played. There will generally be clue and puzzles as "Case Evidence". The main focus will be detailed investigation of crimes scenes, interviewing of suspects, clue chains and other traditional police work as seen in the Bladerunner films. Players will start with base characters developed from broad "Character class" templates, with additional skills and equipment to fit with the current campaign which has been running for over a year. Players can select from a pool of GM pre-approved pre-generated characters before play, but if a player wishes they can generate a character by interacting with the Gamemaster and submitting an outline four days before the beginning of the next scheduled scenario to give the GM time to integrate them into the story at hand.
![Tournament of the Gods FAST PACED ACTION [1-20]🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fspg-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com%2F5c0d4908-d973-493f-ae8d-943a66191927&w=3840&q=75)
![In Nomine: The Angels & Demons of New York City [LBGTQ+]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fspg-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com%2F505806d6-2ce2-43c6-b6b5-be49bd6eb8d1&w=3840&q=75)
