The Hour of Chains: An Introduction to Blades in the Dark

Blades in the Dark on Roll20, Discord

About the adventure

The sun has exploded. The seas have turned to ink, lit from within by strange and alien stars. The gates of death are closed, and all who die now are cursed to roam the world as hungry, murderous ghosts. Much of the world is covered by a noxious miasma, leaving only pockets of civilization standing. Welcome to Doskvol, Scoundrel. Life goes on. Behind the lightning barrier which holds the hungry ghosts at bay, the city is a pressure cooker. The haves live garishly opulent lives, and the have-nots scrabble for a living. Gangs vie for territory, and the Bluecoats who are supposed to keep the peace are little more than an officially sanctioned contingent of bullies and thugs. There ain't no justice. But that doesn't mean you don't have to make a living. Here's to crime, Scoundrel! In this dim, dirty, dangerous, ghost-punk Victorian city, it's the only way that you might be able to scrape together the coin to retire in style. You'll have to watch your step as you expand your turf, court dangerous factions, and pull off brilliant heists in a city of perpetual night. But you're a clever sort, and you're just scrappy enough to pull it off. This is an introductory one-shot to Blades in the Dark, John Harper's masterpiece love-letter to Peaky Blinders, the Lies of Locke Lamora, and heist fiction of all kinds. With fun, punchy mechanics and tight narrativist gameplay, you'll cut to the action, plan in reverse, use teamwork, take Devil's Bargains, and get the goods with maybe a little Stress to spare.

Additional Details

How to prepare

Players will require a microphone to participate in voice chat, and an account with Roll20 so that they can access the character sheets and dice-roller. A passing familiarity with the rules of Blades in the Dark is helpful but not at all necessary. It's a game that's easiest to understand through play.

What I provide

I'll bring area and city maps of Doskvol, a bunch of funny accents, and a free one-page Score (adventure) so that you can go and run this game for your friends!

Gameplay details

Blades in the Dark assumes a fairly grim and spooky setting replete with drugs, violence, and the paranormal. That being said, all sessions begin with a discussion about line and veils and the X-card is always in play.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

(none)

How will character creation work

Character creation will be handled at the table. Blades in the Dark characters and crews come together in a few minutes, and so we can create them together without a strain on our time limit.

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.