The Quiet Work of Revolution: Blades in the Dark

Creating your character

For anyone new to the system, I'll teach it as we play. Characters will be created during a Session Zero [Proceeds Donated], which will take about 90-120 minutes. This collaborative session ensures everyone understands the Blades in the Dark system and creates a cohesive crew. I'll provide all the necessary playbooks and reference materials. We'll be using the core Blades in the Dark character playbooks (Cutter, Hound, Leech, Lurk, Slide, Spider, Whisper) along with the custom Vigilantes crew sheet (Sean Nittner). The process: Within the Roll20 setting, we'll establish your vigilante crew: choosing an origin (gargoyles, wolves, or shields) your reputation, protected grounds, faction friends/enemies, and starting resources. Each player can select a playbook that represents their role in the crew (the smooth-talking Slide, the intimidating Cutter, the watchtower-lookout-Hound, etc.). I don't mind duplicate playbooks, but no more than two ghost-wrangling Whispers. Then we'll select action ratings for skills. We'll create relationships between characters and NPCs in Doskvol's denizen underworld. Finally, we'll discuss lines & veils and establish our table's tone. Starting level: Characters will begin as a Tier 0 crew, a small group of friends who've united to do some illegal things for a good purpose. No additional prep is required. Just come ready to collaborate and create!

Preparing for the session

1. Create an account on Roll20 and join the game - You'll recieve a Roll20 game invite link once you're registered for the campaign. 2. Create an account on Discord and join the server - You'll receive the Discord Invitation once you're registered for the campaign. 3. Conduct a Voice and Video test in Discord leading up to game to make sure your microphone is working. 4. Fill out the lines,veils, and consent in gaming survey. Optional but helpful: Check out the "simple rules overview" handout in the Roll20 game, and anything else in the "Read Me" section that interests you.

What Bluebird brings to the table

1. [Proceeds Donated] Session 0 - clear onboarding where we discuss crew concept, tone, safety tools, and how Blades works. 2. Player agency first: you choose what “revolution” looks like — mutual aid, sabotage, information warfare, community protection, or all of the above. 3. Immersive music and sound and evocative description. 4. Between-game ephemera so you know the rumors swirling around your crew, what's happening in the city, and what the world's factions are up to. 5. Interesting, differentiated NPCs to flesh out your world.

Homebrew rules

This crew may argue, but they are loyal to each other, and PvP will not be part of this game. Heat and Wanted levels are real: consequences matter, but we’ll calibrate to the tone we agree on (gritty, not hopeless). If stakes are involved, I'll have you roll during the roleplay portions prior to the start of the official heists. I use the threat roll mechanic from Deep Cuts (telling you a potential complication prior to the roll instead of introducting it after the roll) If I allow you to use an atypical or unlikely skill for a roll, the effect will be "lesser," meaning wins will be smaller and losses will be bigger. We'll use the updated Downtime process from Deep Cuts instead of core BitD (the part of game play that happens after the official heist) If you roll double 6s, you get to remove a stress box in addition to whatever advantage you get. I plan to be on camera, but will not require others to do so.

How Bluebird creates a safe table

This game will include police violence and content connected to the real life current political climate. However, we will still make sure to keep ourselves emotionally safe. Your characters will be able to take action against any feelings of powerlessness. Prior to Session 0, I require players to fill out a Safety/Consent Checklist. This anonymously lets me know what triggers have to be left out of game. Session 0 safety check-in: tone agreement, boundaries, and what themes we’re excited about exploring. Lines & Veils document shared before play (anonymized) X-card macro in game so any player can quickly stop play for safety check-ins Extra breaks: the content of this game may require more breaks Open door: step away anytime, no explanation needed. Just drop a "brb" and a "back" in the chat so I know when to not call on your character. Aftercare: a short debrief at the end of each session to wind down and give you a chance to tell me (live or in writing) what landed well, what to adjust, and anything to avoid next time.