Blades in the Dark 🔪 | Build Your Criminal Empire

Creating your character

We'll create our characters and crew together during Session Zero. You don't need to prepare a character beforehand or know the rules. I'll guide you through choosing your playbook, background, heritage, abilities, friends, rivals, and everything else you need to bring your scoundrel to life. Just as importantly, we'll create your crew together. You'll decide what kind of criminals you want to become, establish your reputation and hunting grounds, make allies and enemies among Doskvol's factions, and begin shaping the corner of the city that will become your own. You're absolutely welcome to arrive with character ideas, concepts, or inspirations, but leave plenty of room for the other players. Blades in the Dark works best when the crew and its relationships emerge collaboratively at the table. No previous experience with Blades in the Dark is required, and you don't need to own or read the rulebook before we begin.

Preparing for the session

Very little preparation is required! • Join the Discord server using the link provided after booking. • Create a free Alchemy account and join the game using the campaign link. • Make sure you have a working microphone and a stable internet connection. • Bring any character or crew ideas you might have, but don't worry about creating anything beforehand. We'll do that together during Session Zero. You don't need to own Blades in the Dark or have any previous experience with the system. Everything you need to play will be explained at the table, so newcomers are absolutely welcome. Most importantly, come ready to collaborate, take risks, and get your crew into trouble. 🔪

What Babis brings to the table

I’ll provide a character-driven, cinematic game where your crew’s choices genuinely shape the story and the city around you. Expect memorable NPCs with distinct personalities and voices, rival gangs with their own ambitions, shifting alliances, dangerous enemies, and a living Doskvol that remembers what you’ve done. I’ll use Alchemy alongside atmospheric music, artwork, handouts, and other visual aids to bring the haunted streets of Doskvol to life without letting the tools get in the way of our imagination. Most importantly, I’ll embrace the collaborative, fiction-first spirit of Blades in the Dark. I won’t arrive with a predetermined story you’re expected to follow. Your scores, ambitions, successes, failures, and terrible decisions will create the campaign with me. Every character will have opportunities to take the spotlight, and failure will never mean the story stops. It simply means things just got more interesting. Expect consequences. Expect complications. Expect your plans to go spectacularly wrong, and somehow work anyway. 🔪

How Babis creates a safe table

Blades in the Dark can explore mature and sometimes dark themes, but everyone’s comfort at the table comes first. During Session Zero, we’ll discuss the tone of the campaign and establish Lines & Veils together, making sure everyone is comfortable with the themes that may appear in our story. We’ll also use the X-Card, and anyone can pause, skip, or redirect a scene at any time without needing to explain why. Communication is always welcome, both during and between sessions. I regularly check in with my players, and if something isn’t working for you, you’re always encouraged to let me know privately. Dark stories should be exciting because we choose to explore them together, never because someone feels uncomfortable or pressured at the table.