Professional Documents
Culture Documents
3
the situation
the situation
This page describes the situation for the Quick Start. Give the
players this overview before going on to character and crew
the lampblacks
The former lamp-lighter guild, turned to crime when their
ii the red sashes
Originally an Iruvian school of swordsmanship, expanded
ii
creation. See page 26 for more details. services were replaced by electric lights. into criminal endeavors.
the crows ii
An old gang with new leadership. Known for running
illegal games of chance.
Turf: Claims all of Crow's foot as their turf. Everyone
in the district pays up the chain to them. HQ in an
abandoned city watch tower. Operates many gambling reestablish
rooms across the district. control
of the
NPCs: Lyssa (leader, cold, calculating, killer) district
4
factions
factions, tier, & hold
Faction Ladder
The goal of the game is to advance your crew up the faction ladder,
Gaining Hold
Your crew generates hold primarily with development rolls
to tier 3 (or beyond!). Your crew begins at tier 0, with 0 hold. (see Heat & Development Rolls on page 29). You may also
Hold represents how strongly a faction can maintain their earn hold by striking a deal with a faction that involves them
position at their current tier. The more hold you have, the "paying" you 1 of their hold in exchange for some service or
harder it is for you to lose your position. asset. 1 hold is generally worth 1 coin.
NPC factions generate hold via downtime actions. They may
Advancement also gain hold by striking deals and trading with another
To advance up one tier, you must have at least 3 hold on faction.
your current tier, then do one of the following:
Achieve +3 faction status with a faction one or two tiers above Reducing a Faction's Hold
you, then successfully perform the next mission they request. You may perform an operation specifically to reduce the hold
Take advantage of a faction one or two tiers above you of another faction. A successful operation results in -2 hold.
when they're reduced to zero hold. Successfully perform a You may first have to gather information (see page 10) to
mission to take advantage of their weakness (you gain one discover what you can do to reduce their hold.
tier, they drop down one tier and reset to 1 hold). A faction at zero hold (or less) is vulnerable to lower-tier
Whenever you change tiers, your hold resets to 1. factions who want to move up a tier (See "advancement" at
left). A faction reduced to -3 hold instantly drops down 1 tier
Factions & Scale and resets to 1 hold.
Faction tier level determines the scale of that faction's gangs.
Tier 3 (top). Huge gangs. (40 people) Faction Status
Tier 2 (middle). Large gangs (20 people) +3: Allies. This faction will help you even if it's not in their
Tier 1 (bottom). Medium gangs (10 people). best interest to do so. They expect you to do the same for them.
Tier 0. Small gangs (5 people). +2: Friendly. This faction will help you if it doesn't create
serious problems for them. They expect you to do the same.
Status Changes +1: Helpful. This faction will help you if it causes no problems
When you execute a score, you gain -1 status with any factions or significant cost for them. They expect the same from you.
that are hurt by your operation. You may also gain +1 status 0: Neutral.
with a faction that your operation helps. If you keep your
operation completely quiet (no one knows it was you) then -1: Interfering. This faction will look for opportunities to
your status doesn't change. cause trouble for you (or profit from your misfortune) as long
as it causes no problems or significant cost for them. They
If you take on a mission given by a faction, you gain +1 status expect the same from you.
with them when you complete it, and -1 status with their
-2: Unfriendly. This faction will look for opportunities to hurt
enemies if the operation isn't quiet.
you as long as it doesn't create serious problems for them. They
NPC Faction Project Clocks expect you to do the same, and take precautions against you.
You may also add or remove a segment on a faction's project -3: Hostile. This faction will go out of its way to hurt you even
clock when you perform a mission or pull off a score. if it's not in their best interest to do so. They expect you to do
the same, and take precautions against you.
5
actions
dice, actions,&& effects
Rolling the Dice
effects
Blades in the Dark uses six-sided dice. You roll several at once
Action Roll
You make an action roll when your character tries to do
Effect Roll
You make an effect roll to find out the scope of your character's
and read the single highest result. something that's blocked by an obstacle or when they're action. Is this action enough to overcome the obstacle or
threatened by danger. defeat the threat? Or is there more left to do?
If the highest die is a 6, it's a full success. Things go well.
If you roll multiple 6s, it's a critical success. An Action Roll answers two questions: An Effect Roll answers this question:
If the highest is a 4 or 5 that's a partial success. It's a mixed Do you accomplish your action? -and- What's the scope of my action?
result some good, some bad.
How much trouble are you exposed to when you do this? In general, a full success on the effect roll means that your
If the highest is 1-3 it's a bad outcome. Things go badly.
The possible results of the roll depend on your character's action has overcome the problem. Lesser rolls mean that
If you ever need to roll but you have zero (or negative) dice,
position. There are three possible positions: Desperate, you make progress, but will have to attempt more actions to
roll 2d and take the lowest result.
Risky, and Controlled. If you're in a controlled position, finish the job.
Action Ratings most of the possible dice results are good. If you're in a
Resistance Roll
There are sixteen actions in the game desperate position, most of the results are bad. If you're
Attune
somewhere in between, it's risky, and there's a mix of good When you resist a bad outcome, your effect roll tells us how
system that the player characters use to Cipher and bad dice results. much stress it will cost you to avoid the consequences. The
overcome obstacles and face dangers. Each
Command better your roll, the less stress it costs (or you can choose to
action has a rating (from zero to four) which For the details on Action Rolls, see page 11.
Consort suffer the effect and save your stress).
tells you how many dice to roll when you
perform that action. Action ratings don't just Deceive Effect Ratings For the details on Effect Rolls, see page 12.
represent skill or training you're free to Discern There are four effects in the game system
describe how your character performs that Force
Slip which you use to determine how much
action based on the type of person they are. Finesse
Mayhem
impact an action has on the situation. Each
Maybe your character is good at Command effect has a rating (from zero to four) which Insight
because they have a scary stillness to them, Murder tells you how many dice to roll when you Will
while another character barks orders and Prowl apply that effect. For example, after youroll
intimidates people with their imposing size. to Stalk a target, you roll your Insight
Secure
You may use any action to overcome an Stalk effect rating to find out how much you learn
obstacle or danger. Actions that are very about them.
Stitch
poorly suited to the situation at will put the
Supply
character in a more challenging position, but Effects Are Also Resistances
they can still be attempted. If it's something Sway Your effect ratings also indicate how well your character can
you're really good at, maybe it's worth it. Tinker resist negative consequences. If you get stabbed, you resist
It's up to you which action your character with your Force rating. If someone tricks you with a clever
performs to overcome a problem. ploy, you resist with your Insight. When you encounter a
See How to Choose an Action, page 17. terrifying spirit, you resist with your Will. And so on. The
better your roll, the more easily you can avoid a bad outcome
by taking stress (page 7).
6
stress trauma
Stress
&
stress & trauma
Player characters in Blades in the Dark have a special reserve
Stash 40: Fine. You end up with a well-appointed home
or apartment, claiming a few luxuries. You might operate
of fortitude and luck called Stress. When they suffer a bad a medium business or several small ones.
outcome that they don't want to accept, they can take
stress instead, to reduce the consequences of that Stress & The Supernatural
danger. The result of the Effect Roll determines A close encounter with a spirit or demon is a harrowing
how much stress it costs to avoid. experience. By default, the standard effect is to first freeze a
person in place with fear, then panic them into fleeing from
Daniel's character, Cross, is losing a fight with its presence. A PC can choose to take stress as normal to
an assassin sent by The Unseen. The GM describes resist these effects. Exceptional NPCs, such as Rail Jacks and
how the assassin slips past Cross's defenses and stabs occult weirdos, are more resistant to the supernatural terror
Cross in the chest. Daniel rolls his Force effect to resist, of spirits but it still takes its toll eventually.
and gets a 1-3: a diminished result. He can take 4 stress
to reduce the consequences of the attack (he just gets a Being possessed by a spirit inflicts a level of Trauma at the
minor flesh wound) or Cross suffers the full consequences end of every week. Once the possessed body suffers its fourth
of a dagger to the chest. See Lasting Effects, page 12. level of trauma, it can no longer sustain its life. The possessing
spirit must either bond with the corpse (becoming a vampire)
Trauma or abandon it and seek out a new host.
When a PC marks their 8th and final stress box, they suffer a
level of Trauma. When you mark a level of trauma, clear all Ghost Qualities
of your stress, resetting to zero. You also improve your Vice Roll 1d. Add +1 to roll for each year of ghostly existence.
rating by 1 (this is the only way Vice rating advances). You may 1. Jealous, desperate, violent, hysterical, skittish, or fleeting.
choose to be "left for dead" or otherwise dropped out of the
2. Curious, deceptive, clever, probing, or knowledgeable.
current conflict, only to show back up later, shaken and drained.
3. Prophetic, insightful, true, revelatory, guiding, or
Trauma levels are permanent. Trauma represents how worn
instructive.
down your character is. When you mark your fourth trauma
box, your character cannot continue as a daring scoundrel. You 4. Reactive, territorial, dominant, insistent, bold, or
must retire them to a different life at your first opportunity. demanding.
5. Angry, unpredictable, aggressive, wild, savage, or vengeful.
Retirement
6. Mad, chaotic, vengeful, bizarre, destructive, or insane.
When you fill your last Trauma box and retire, the amount
of coin you've managed to stash away determines the fate
of your character.
Stash 0-10: Poor soul. You end up in a reeking flophouse,
awash in vice and misery.
Stash 11-20: Meager. You end up with a tiny (but warm)
hovel that you can call your own.
Stash 21-39: Modest. You end up with a simple home or
apartment, with some small comforts. You might operate
a tavern or other small business.
7
teamwork
teamwork
Teamwork
When the team of PCs engages in an operation
This is how you do the "everyone sneaks into
the manor" situation. Everyone rolls their
Moves as Backup
The only thing tougher than scrounging on
these haunted streets is trying to do it alone.
Arlyn Grel
9
info & planning
information & planning
Gather Information Scouting the Detail
"No plan extends with certainty beyond the
first encounter with the enemy."
Moltke the Elder
10
action
the action roll
roll
action roll
1d for each Action dot. Desperate Risky Controlled
You take a huge risk on a slim chance. You face a dangerous opponent on equal You take time to carefully execute a plan.
Youre stuck in a bad position. You face footing. You act under fire. You take a You hedge your bets and play it safe. You
+1d if the target matches your a threat thats out of your league. calculated risk. exploit a dominant position.
+
Background.
Crit: You do it and avoid the danger. Crit: You do it with increased effect (+1 Crit: You do it with increased effect (+1
effect result level). level) and you may create an additional
+ +1d for the Devils Bargain 6: You do it but the danger manifests.
opportunity that follows on from this
6: You do it and avoid the danger. or you
4/5: Things go badly. The danger manifests. action.
may choose to overreach and get +1 effect
+ +1d for Backup (they take stress). You must abandon this approach or try
level but also face effect from the danger. 6: You do it!
again by taking a bigger risk and rolling a
-1d if youre hindered by any desperate move. 4/5: You do it but the danger manifests. 4/5: You do it with reduced effect (-1
- level), or try for full effect by taking a
relevant lasting effects. 1-3: It gets worse! First, you face a more 1-3: Things go badly. First, the danger
bigger risk and rolling a risky move.
-1d if you face veteran, elite, or potent effect from the danger (-1 to your manifests. Then, choose: Abandon this
- resistance result level). Then, choose: approach (you'll have to try another way) 1-3: You reveal a flaw in this approach
well-prepared opposition.
Abandon this goal (you cant achieve it or try again by taking a bigger risk and that will expose you to danger. You may
for now) or try again by taking a bigger rolling a desperate move. back out now (abandon this method of
Each time you roll a desperate move, risk and rolling a desperate move. action) or go ahead with it by rolling a
mark a tick of desperate move xp on your risky move.
character sheet. See page 20.
When your PC pursues a goal that's blocked by an obstacle Also consider the desired effect of the PC and the possible some advantage which helps you now, but works against your
or exposes them to danger you make an action roll. effect of the threat they're facing. In general, the bigger the overall well being, security, or future plans. Common devil's
desired effect, the bigger the risk. bargains include:
Choose Your Action
Tell the group which action your character performs to deal By revising their approach and desired effect, a player can Revealing a valuable secret for a momentary edge.
with the obstacle or danger. It's usually obvious, but make modify their position. Discuss alternate goals, approaches and Sacrificing coin, an item or a crew asset.
it explicit anyway. There's some overlap among actions, effects and how the PC's position might change as a result. Suffering stress or a lasting effect.
meaning several of them might apply, depending on the Be explicit about what they'll accomplish and what they're
risking! (Even if the risk is "You don't know what will happen Betraying a teammate, friend or loved one.
specific approach you take. The choice is yours, as long as
your character actually does the action in question. You can't if you do that.") The players need information to make good Angering a powerful enemy.
roll Murder unless you proceed with serious violence. decisions about their actions. Once you're happy with the Making a dangerous promise.
assessment, assemble the dice pool for the roll. Adding heat to the crew with evidence or witnesses.
Position & Desired Effect
Assess the strength of the character's position to perform The Devil's Bargain There isn't a devil's bargain in every situation. If one doesn't
this action. There are three positions (from worst to best): PCs in Blades are reckless scoundrels addicted to destructive occur to anyone right away, that's fine.
Desperate, Risky, or Controlled. Look at the profiles for vicesthey don't always act in their own best interests. To
The devil's bargain occurs regardless of the outcome of the
each position. Which of the various phrases best matches the reflect this, the GM or any other player can offer you a bonus
roll. You make the deal, get the bonus die, and pay the price.
character's current situation? die if you accept a devil's bargain. Take some action or exploit
11
effect resistance
&
effect & resistance
When your PC successfully performs an action, you make an
effect roll to determine its scope.
that might be an 6-segment clock
(or more). Tell the players what
effect roll
1d for each Effect diamond .
13
"Okay... let's talk teamwork first. Who wants to back me up?" says. "That's part of the risky move. You should know what the
"I'll do it," Dylan says. "You know I never leave your side, danger is so you can decide if you're taking the risk or not."
Cylene. No matter how weird things get. That's 1 stress for "Eh, it's fine," Allison says. "It's not like we were gonna turn
me." Dylan passes the bonus die over. around and leave. We're here to do a job. But I'd like to know.
"Aw, you're the best, Frost," Allison says. What's the danger?"
"Nice," says Rachel. "What does Frost do to assist?" "Well, the Dimmer's don't mess around," Rachel says. "So
it's the obvious thing. The darkness in the doorway isn't just
Dylan thinks for a moment. "Frost walks up beside Cylene as barrier, it's a trap. It swirls out and wraps you in choking,
and silently places his hand on her shoulder. He closes his cold vapors. You feel your heart stop."
eyes and opens his mind, letting her take whatever strength
from him she needs." "Holy crap."
"Whoa," Sarah says. "That's cool." "Yeah. Uh, sorry. They do have a certain reputation about
how they deal with interlopers."
"Yeah, awesome!" Allison says. "Okay, Rachel... let's hear your
devil's bargain." "Yeah. No, I get it. It makes sense. We know they have a pile of
bodies in their basement, after all. But, yeesh. Maybe I don't
"Hey," Rachel says, "It's not just my job! Anyone can propose a want to show them who's boss."
devil's bargain. Think of a cost or complication or nasty little
twist and if Allison accepts it, she gets a bonus die." "No, you're good," Dylan says. "I'm your backup, right? I can
face danger in your place. I got this. Go ahead and smash
"Oh, I have one," James says. "It's the obvious thing. When you them. I'll deal with the death vapors."
meddle with the Dimmer's wards, you leave a trace of yourself
behind. They'll be able to figure out who did it. Eventually." "Ooookay," Allison says. "If you say so! I overreach."
"Oh, that's good. So mean, and so good," Allison says. "I love it. "Okay, you're gonna roll your effect to see if you can bypass
Yes. Devil's bargain for me. We're good? I have 5 dice. Let's roll." this whole ward problem with this one action, or if there's still
more stuff to do. More you know death vapor stuff to do."
"Okay," Rachel says, "Let's do it."
"Wonderful. And I choose which effect to roll, based on what
Allison rolls all her dice and keeps the highest. It's a 6! Cylene did, same as picking my action. So this is definitely
"Suck it," says Allison. "Full success." Will. I'm attuning and channeling my willpower, and Frost's,
too, to bypass the barrier ward."
"What's it say for a full success on a risky move?" Rachel asks.
"Yep. Take dice equal to your Will. Do you have a fine quality
Allison reads from the reference sheet:
item that applies to this?"
6: You do it and avoid the danger. or you may choose to
"Yep, I have my fine spirit mask. It helps me see arcane energy.
overreach and get +1 effect level but also face an effect
So, 2 Will + fine item, that's 3 dice. No devil's bargain, thanks.
from the danger.
Let's roll it." Allison rolls and gets a 6 again! A complete effect.
"Hmm," Allison says.
"Bam," Allison says. "That's a complete effect, so that's 4 ticks
"Oh jeez," James says. "You're going to overreach, aren't you?" on the Wards clock."
"I sure am," Allison says. "I'm gonna show these Dimmer's "Yep," Rachel says. "But... it's actually a critical result! Since
who's boss. Spoiler alert: it's me." you decided to overreach, you get to bump up your result by
"Here we go," Sarah says. a whole tier. From a success to a crit."
"Okay, wait. First, what's the danger?" Dylan asks. "Oh right! Bad ass. So that's 6 ticks on the clock, right? I beat
the whole thing."
"Oh, damn! I should have said that to begin with," Rachel
14
"You sure do," Rachel says. "We'll get to that, but "Nice," Rachel says. "So, Allison, you totally wrecked the
first we have to find out what happens with the wards. Want to tell us what happens? Remember, you leave
heart-stopping death vapors." some trace of yourself behind, from the devil's bargain."
"Oh yeah." wards "Right. So, from behind my spirit mask, my eyes glow even
"How are you resisting the vapors, Frost?" Rachel asks. brighter, and twin beams of pale blue light spill out, burning
through the death vapors and ripping the arcane energy of the
"Uh... Force is my best effect rating... but, no. I can't use ward apart. This causes a chain reaction through all the wards
force against death vapors, "Dylan says. "I guess Frost has to across the building, and they each fade out silently, one by
summon his Will against this stuff." one. In their place, a single scorched rune remains, a symbol
"Well, it depends," Sarah says. "Are the vapors actually that encodes my name in an ancient language."
attacking his lungs and heart, physically? Because resisting And that's the first part of the operation in the bag. Allison
physical attack is totally a Force thing." used her teamwork move on point to overcome the wards for
"Yeah, that's true," Rachel says. "I guess the vapors are both the whole team, so now she hands off the point position to
arcane and physical, really. It's up to you, Dylan." someone else. Maybe James steps up so Dor can be on point
and use his Lurk talents to lead the team past the Dimmer's
"Okay, yeah, that does make sense. Frost is really tough and
patrols and find where they keep their artifact collection.
can push through pain and damage, so sure. I'll roll Force."
"Okay," Rachel says. "So... Frost, you step between Cylene and Questions to Consider
the death vapors. You feel them envelop you, filling your What if the team had no Whisper? How would things have
lungs, withering your organs. You collapse on the gone differently? Can anyone deal with arcane stuff, or does
dock, face down in the muck. Not moving. it require a specialist? Would they need to hire an NPC
Not breathing." whisper for the operation?
"I struggle with every ounce of strength What if they didn't know about the wards ahead of time
within me!" Dylan says. He rolls and the and just blundered into them? How would you handle that?
dice betray him. He gets a 3. A weak
What if Allison had rolled lower for her effect, leaving more
effect.
to do with the wards? She's handing off point to someone
"Oh no," Allison says. else, so how might they deal with it? Maybe they just do
"Ouch! Okay then. So I'm gonna a setup action and hand point back to Allison again, or
die, huh? Yeah, no thanks," Dylan maybe they think of something else. Are the PCs daring
says. "I'll take stress to avoid that and proud, or ultra-cautious and pragmatic?
effect. Obviously. Thanks to my What if the Dimmer Sisters had been tipped off to this
awful roll, that's gonna cost me 4 infiltration? Maybe there was an opportunity for that,
stress! Which is almost all I have left, or maybe the PCs planned their operation secretly and
but hey, that's what stress is for, right?" attacked before the Dimmer's were wise to it. Could that
question be resolved by an action roll? How would you
"Right! Tell us how Frost resists the vapor
handle that?
and doesn't die."
Setting the danger of the ward to "you die" was pretty harsh!
"Oh, yeah, I think it's just like you said, but, Do you think that's a fair move, given the Dimmer's lethal
after a beat, he suddenly twitches and stands reputation? When would you threaten a lethal effect like
up, alive after all. He pulls his pipe from his that?
belt, lights it, and takes a long, thoughtful drag.
'Well, shit.' he says."
15
how to use the system part i
The game is a conversation between the people at the table. more or less daring, or everyone just nods and we've shifted gets to roll their resistance, look you in the eye and say, "No.
You're talking, narrating actions, speaking in character, into using the mechanic. It's not that bad. I take the stress instead." It's empowering.
making jokes, sketching maps, speculating about what They look danger in the face and laugh. That's the nature of
might happen, all that good stuff. But it's just talking, right? Why We Do This a scoundrel.
There's a thing that happens in a roleplaying game where the What's the point of this shift into a mechanic, anyway? Why
Describing the harmful outcomes with gusto is your job, not
conversation shifts. Where you go from just talking to using not just talk it out? The main reason is this: when we just
inflicting them. The purpose of the effect and stress mechanics
a mechanic. What's that like? talk things out, we tend to build consensus. This is usually a
is to add interesting fictional details to the game when it
good thing. It helps the group bond, get on the same page,
comes to harm and trouble. Instead of simply saying, "You
Triggering the Action Roll set expectations, all that stuff. But when it comes to action-
take 3 damage," you describe how the blade catches under
This shift in the conversation is the GM's responsibility (they adventure stories like Blades in the Dark, we don't want
their armor and digs a bloody furrow across their ribs. It
should always be on the lookout), but anyone can call for it. consensus when the characters go into danger. We want to
becomes real in the ongoing fiction of the game. Then the
So, when do you call for it? You call for an action roll when be surprised, or thwarted, or driven to bigger risks, or inspired
player can resist it with a simple statement of mechanics, "No,
any of these happen: to create a twist or complication. We want to raise our hands
I take the 2 stress instead. It's just a scratch." But the only way
over our heads and ride the roller coaster over the drop.
A player character faces an obstacle that blocks or they can know whether it's worth it to pay the cost is if you
complicates the achievement of their goal. When the mechanic is triggered, the group first dips into describe the potential harm. Each cycle of threat and stress
A player character faces danger from a threat an NPC; being authors for a moment as they suss out the position, requires this input of new fiction. And that, after all, is what
a dangerous situation or environment. the danger, and the details of the action. Then, author mode we're here to do.
switches off and everyone becomes the audience. What will
A player character leads or gives orders to an NPC or happen next? We hold our breath, lean forward in our seats, NPC Threat Levels
NPC group, which faces an obstacle or danger. and let the dice fall. The severity of the danger that you describe (and the
Someone grabs the dice and gets all excited about making position for the action roll) determines the threat level of the
a roll. The Purpose of Dangers & Stress opposition. If they're facing an NPC that you've described as
So, then, what do you actually say? I like to first ask the Some GMs get frustrated when they feel like the enemy NPCs a standard thug, then the dangers will be things like wrestling
player how they're accomplishing their action. Which of their or threats "aren't doing anything." They almost inflict harm them to the ground, or punching them in the face, or maybe
action ratings will they use? Then, I suggest the position on the PCs, but then the PCs take stress (or even trauma) and cracking a rib with her blackjack if she's got the upper hand.
the character is in, to start a brief conversation about that. avoid the harm. This is by design!
If they're facing an NPC that you've described as a master
To use the action mechanic we need to know the strength of The PCs in the game start out as huge underdogs. The stress assassin, then the danger might be a lightning-fast move that
the character's position Desperate, Risky, or Controlled. system gives them a special ability to survive when they puts a dagger in the PC's heart.
It's like: otherwise wouldn't, so they have some hope of achieving
Since NPCs don't have stats and action ratings, it's by the
Player: "So he has the amulet? Okay, no, I'm forcing him their long-term goals.
severity of their dangers and harm (and the position of
to hand it over, right now." The purpose of threatening harm is not always to inflict it, the PC's action roll) that their capabilities are manifest in
GM: "Okay then. How are you gonna do that?" it's to describe it. The threats become manifest in the minds the game.
of everyone playing, even if they're avoided.
Player: "I look him square in the eye and I Command This is something that will grow and evolve over time as
him to hand it over." "The ghost is entangled with your soul." you play the game. Talk to the group about it as you go. Do
"You hear the bone snap as you hit the cobblestones." you want a more deadly, high-stakes, kind of game? Then
GM: "Cool. Sounds pretty risky to me. He's no push-over PCs and NPCs should threaten lethal harm all the time.
and his goons are standing right there." "You can tell that she'll never trust you again."
Injuries are bloody and leave permanent scars. Do you want
And then the other players chime in and suggest an alternative The bad outcomes are spoken aloud. They hang there in the a more cinematic, adventurous kind of game? Then describe
position, or the player revises their statement to something room as horrible potential. They're scary. Then the player dangers with less dire consequences. People are "left for dead."
16
how to use the system part ii Failing Gracefully
The system of Blades in the Dark is designed to fail gracefully.
That is, if you just use the core action roll and forget extra details
or special cases, it will be okay. The game will sail along just fine.
Explosions make you look cool when you dive out of the way. A bad effect roll can't "undo" a successful action roll. If you The game is better when you use all the details, but the whole
try to sneak past a guard and roll a 6+, but then roll a 1-3 on thing doesn't come crashing down if you don't.
You don't have to decide on one approach and stick to it. Be
flexible and let it change over time according to what the effect, the guard doesn't spot you. You already did it without If you want to ease in to the system in play, just start with the action
group is most excited about. danger as a result of the action roll. The low effect roll just roll. Then, when something bad happens to a PC and they want
means that this problem isn't solved yet. You're not free and to resist it, add effect rolls. When the group starts asking about
clear of this problem yet; there's more left to do. But so far
No Whiffing you've done it without trouble.
teamwork and helping each other, bring in the teamwork moves.
When they wonder about how much loot they get and how their
Every time you roll the dice in Blades, the situation changes.
crew rises in the underworld, bring in the development and faction
There's no such thing as a "nothing happens" result from a
roll. How does this work? How to Choose an Action stuff. Don't feel like you have to explain everything up front.
When an action roll is called for, the character is usually The same goes for the fiction. Don't feel like you have to get
The "failure" results for action rolls (1-3) are not simply already in motion, doing something in the fiction. This thing everything perfectly right every time. If you say something
"misses." The character's action has a tangible outcome. they're doing will almost always determine which specific about an NPC and then realize later that it was wrong, just
Something happens which changes the character's action rating to roll. However, a player is free to revise their revise it. No big deal.
circumstances. On a controlled failure, the character spots character's action in order to use a different action rating, as
a flaw in their approach, and can decide to withdraw or push "I told you that Trayga was seen at the docks, but that was all
long as the character performs the new action in the fiction. wrong. I was thinking of someone else. It was supposed to be Arlo."
their luck with a risky move. On a risky failure, the character's
action fails, but the threat hits them. Things get worse. On For example, Nox wants to sneak in to the secret meeting "Oh! Well that changes things. Okay, got it."
a desperate failure, the threat dominates and makes the room of the Circle of Flame. The GM asks her how she does
And also:
situation much worse. that and Nox's player says she'll climb the outside of the
tower and slip in through a window. Climbing is a Prowl "Oh, dammit, I would have totally brought my wrecker tools on
In each case, the player gets a choice to push their luck and try action, so that's what she'll roll. this job. I forgot to mark it. Can I have them anyway?"
again. It's more dangerous, but if the player cares enough to
Nox's player can change her mind at this point, and say, "Oh, sure. But that means you would have been heavy loaded
keep trying (and facing dangers) they can overcome a string
"Hmmm... I'm not good at Prowl. I want to climb in when you bluffed the butler, right? Kinda hard to hide that."
of unlucky rolls and achieve success at a cost.
using Slip, instead. It's like I'm slipping my way in, right?" "Oh, yeah, right. Can I just take 1 stress and we call it good?"
Also, remember that an effect roll always makes progress. Even No. Nox can certainly use Slip to sneak in through
on a 1-3 result, you have some effect, and tick 1-segment if a "Works for me. It's not a big deal."
misdirection or subtle action but Nox cannot "use
clock is involved. There aren't any "zero segment" outcomes. Slip" to climb the tower. The action of climbing is... well, Fly casual. If you're not sure what to do, keep it simple. Go
When describing a character's effect, something concrete climbing. Athletic moves like that are the Prowl action. If with what's obvious to you. Add mechanics when you're
always happens. They don't just swing and miss, or try to Nox wants to Slip, instead, that's fine, but that means she
comfortable. Forgive each other's mistakes. Have fun.
persuade but get ignored, or any other kind of null result. is not climbing the tower.
The action has an effect. Setting Precedents
In other words, a player is free to choose the action they use What's true for the PCs is true for the NPCs, and vice versa. If
Your punch connects with a meaty thud. They stagger for to overcome an obstacle, but their character must perform you establish that the Whisper PC is the only one who can talk
a moment but don't go down. They snarl and grapple you! that action. You can't freely substitute the rating of one action to the ghost they summoned (due to a special "summoning
She looks at you sideways, "You want me to tell you that? I while doing another (unless you have the Slide's Adaptation language" that binds them together), then that fact becomes
don't know, love... you're asking quite a lot. What's in it for me?" special ability). true for NPC-summoned ghosts, as well.
You slip past the sentry near the stairs, but before you can If you establish that a skilled NPC can instantly kill an
get further into the house, another patrol rounds the corner unsuspecting victim, then the PCs can try it, too.
ahead, lanterns held high. You barely squeeze into a dark Each time you make a judgment call or establish new details
alcove before the light hits you. about the game world, they become available to everyone as
a new tool in play.
17
putting ittogether
putting it all all together
I like to think of the Blades system as a guitar. I've built this
thing with strings that make particular sounds, but you're
The GM sets the scene, describing the twisty little street
where the building with Tress's flat is. Laborers shuffle to
about what Arlyn does, and then see how effectively she
does it. Each successful roll accomplishes a concrete goal
the one who plays it. You decide which chords to strum and and from work, weak light from cheap lanterns flickers on determined by the player (and affirmed by the group), leading
what kind of music comes out. Is it fast and rocking? Slow the cobblestones, a few vendors call out their wares of eel up to the goal of murder.
and moody? Jangly and weird? Up to you. The system itself pies and boot-black. Tress's window, four stories up, is dark.
gives you an instrument to play the music on, and it's distinct "What do you do?" Version III
from other instruments. A guitar is not a piano. Let's say Tress is an important NPC and the whole group is
And they play it out as a series of actions. First Arlyn prowls invested in getting rid of her. When Arlyn's player says, "I'm
Let's look at some examples of playing chords on this guitar. around to a rear entrance and creeps stealthily up the stairs, sick of Tress's shit. I'm gonna sneak in there tonight and kill
avoiding any prying eyes. Then she secures entry to the flat, her," the other players say, "Yes. We're going with you." The
Murder in the Night past Tress's modest lock. Then she murders Tress there in her GM asks what the plan is, and who's on point, and the murder
Arlyn (a PC) has found out where her enemy, Tress, sleeps. sleep, quiet as death. becomes a team operation. This is just like Version II, but with
Maybe this discovery was a long-term project that Arlyn has Or maybe Arlyn just walks boldly up the stairs, kicks down the team at her back, Arlyn's chance of success rises and the
been doing during her downtime. Arlyn's player says, "I'm sick the door and kills Tress in the ensuing struggle. It's up to her stress from resisting effects and such gets spread around the
of Tress's shit. I'm gonna sneak in there tonight and kill her." player. But since this is an important moment, the GM puts team instead of concentrated on her alone.
it all in context in a little scene, with specific details, and it's
Version I played out action by action.
Version IV
Let's say this is a minor side issue. Tress isn't that important; Just for fun, let's flip it around. Let's say that Tress is the PC
just an annoying enemy NPC that needs killing. The GM says Here's an aspect of the game that may be interesting if you've in this scenario. An enemy NPC has discovered where Tress
"Yeah, well, you know where she sleeps now. It's not like she played other RPGs. In Blades, the GM doesn't decide the steps sleeps and decides to sneak in at night and murder her. You
has a fortress and guards or anything. You're using Murder, needed to kill Tress. The GM doesn't say, "Okay, first you need can totally do this! The GM says, "You know Arlyn? That killer
yeah? Okay, sounds risky to me. There might be a witness to roll Prowl to sneak in. Okay, now you need to roll Secure who hates your guts? I guess she figured out where you sleep
or you could leave some evidence behind or something like to pick the lock," etc. The player decides what the steps are, by because she shows up in the middle of the night to murder
that. Let's roll and see." And Arlyn's player makes an action saying what their character wants to accomplish and how they you. Let's see how that goes."
roll to accomplish the murder, just like that. do it, which determines the action and effect rolls. The player
This triggers an action roll for Tress, since she's facing danger
says, "I don't want any witnesses, so I'll Prowl around back
Maybe Arlyn makes an effect roll to resist if the danger of a and sneak in." They set the goals and go after them. from a threat. Maybe the GM says, "You're sleeping and Arlyn
witness or evidence manifests. But they probably skip Arlyn's is picking the modest lock on your door. What do you do?"
effect roll on the actual murder, because no one is really that Arlyn's effect rolls for her actions determine how involved The player says, "Uh... well, I'm sleeping. So... I don't know?"
curious about how thoroughly the murder is done. It's just it all is. Like, maybe the GM imagines that Tress's modest Another player says, "You could discern the attack. Discern
done. Simple and quick, doesn't derail the session, but gives security is only a 2-segment clock (this is just in her mind, covers 'anticipate and foresee' actions, right?" "Oh, right. Cool.
Arlyn's player some satisfaction. And if the roll goes badly, she doesn't even bother to write it down). But if Arlyn rolls It's like a little flashback, almost. Maybe I heard a rumor or
with desperate follow-ups, etc. then you've just spun out some diminished Finesse effect (1 segment) when she secures entry got a weird vibe when I went to bed. I'll start with that."
interesting problems to deal with, and maybe Tress is a more then maybe the GM steps in and says, "Heh, okay. The lock And you follow the actions and effects to see where it goes.
important enemy NPC now, too. on her door is modest, but not that modest. Let's say there's Maybe that Discern roll is desperate, and it doesn't go well,
1 segment left to go. Want to keep picking the lock or do and Arlyn is suddenly on Tress, stabbing away, and Tress rolls
Version II
something else?" And that complicates things slightly, since Murder or Mayhem to fight back, and rolls Force to resist the
Let's say this murder is a fairly important thing in the
Arlyn rolls again, with another chance for trouble to creep in. stabbing, etc.
campaign. Tress isn't a big, powerful NPC, but she's an
important character and everyone is like, "Oh shit, you're No one has to decide ahead of time how difficult or As GM, you can push as hard as necessary, because everything
gonna kill Tress? Dang." You want to spend a little time with complicated it is to kill Tress. You just play in the moment, comes down to action rolls, resistance, stress, flashbacks and all.
it, and the other players are interested. using the fictional details as imagined to prompt the questions You can't just dictate outcomes, so everyone is on equal footing.
18
action, effect, & resistance example
stress
This sequence of position, action, effect, and resistance continues Arlyn either takes 2 stress or suffers a lasting effect and
until the situation changes, or Arlyn overcomes the obstacle, or records it on her sheet, as seen below.
she's taken out of the fight (by a serious lasting effect).
lasting effects
19
advancement
advancement & coin & coin
It would be a terrible shame if Madame Tesslyn's
lotus supply went up in flames, wouldn't it? Such
Scores
One way you advance the level of your crew is by executing criminal
Crew Advancement
At the end of each session:
a waste of quality product. Of course, if such jobs that suit your crew type. These activities are called scores. A Review the crew advancement items, and mark 1 advancement tick
a tragedy were to happen, I would be only too score is one operation one smuggling run, one rogue spirit hunt, one for each item that you did during the previous session. If you've done
happy to accommodate her clientele while she got assassination, one jewel heist, etc. If the operation was profitable (you got the same item multiple times, you can take multiple ticks.
back on her feet. And the arsonist would warrant the reward you were going for), you count it as advancement for the crew.
some measure of my gratitude as well. When you mark 6 crew advancement ticks, clear the ticks and choose
two (a given item may be chosen twice):
Rolan Volaris Development
Your scoundrels and crew didn't just spring into existence tonight. You ffA new crew upgrade.
have a complex history of favors, commitments, debts, and promises that ffIncrease one of your crew effects by 1 (except Renown).
got you where you are today. To reflect this, after each score, you roll dice ffAdd a new special ability.
to find out how much hold they gain, how much of their hard-won riches
they manage to hold on to, and what past entanglements come calling. In addition, each PC gets 1 coin (+2 per crew tier) as their share
of the profits, which they may keep as spendable currency on hand or
See Heat & Development Rolls on page 29. permanently stash away for retirement. A character can hold up to 2
The game will naturally flow from executing a score, to downtime, to personal coin. Any excess must be stashed or spent immediately.
development, to dealing with old debts, and then moving on to a new score.
Coin
PC Advancement When the crew completes a profitable score, they're rewarded with coin.
At the end of each session, each player does all of the following: Coin is an abstract measure of significant wealth. The few silver pieces
the scoundrels use in their daily lives are not tracked. If a scoundrel wants
Ask the other players which action category your character best
to toss a few silver around to achieve something, roll the Supply action.
embodied during the previous session (Blade, Book, Cloak, or Mask).
Mark 1 advancement tick in that category. You can spend coin 1-for-1 to increase the result level of any Acquire
Choose one advancement type (one of your action categories or your Asset, Reduce Heat, Recovery, Project, or Gather Information roll. (So a
playbook) to which your character devotes their personal training 1-3 becomes a 4/5, a 4/5 becomes a 6, etc.). You can do this after the roll.
time. Mark 1 advancement tick in that category. If your crew has 1 coin: A coffer of silver pieces. A fine artwork. A handful of
the Training upgrade for that category, mark +1 advancement tick. common jewels. The monthly take of a small business.
Review your playbook advancement items, and mark 1 playbook 2 coin: A fine piece of art. An exquisite jewel.
advancement tick for each item that you did during the previous session. 3 coin: The monthly take of a thriving business.
If you've done the same item multiple times, you can take multiple ticks.
4 coin: Liquidating a significant asseta boat, a property deed.
When you mark 4 action category ticks, clear the ticks and add a
More than 4 coin is an impractical amount to keep lying around. If
dot to one of the actions in that category. (Level 3 and level 4 skills are
the crew has a vault, they can store up to 8 coin, otherwise any coin
locked until you get the Expertise and Mastery crew training upgrades.)
beyond 4 must be spent as soon as possible, or distributed among the
When you mark 6 playbook advancement ticks, clear the ticks and crew members.
choose a new playbook special ability, or add +1 to an effect rating,
1 parcel of silver coins or other bulk currency takes up 1 item slot
or add two items from another playbook to your list of item options.
when carried.
You may spend any ticks you have for desperate moves to supplement
other advancement ticks. For example, if you have 1 tick in Blade and 3
ticks in desperate moves, you can combine those ticks (4 total) to add a
new Blade action dot. You can't spend desperate move ticks on their own.
20
downtime
downtime
The bone must be reset, Im afraid. Here,
breathe this black lotus vapor while I consult
Crew Downtime
When you're not pursuing a score, your crew can spend some time
NPC Downtime
The NPC crews and factions also do things when you take downtime.
Edvards treatise on anatomy. recovering and dealing with other issues. During a downtime phase, The GM advances their project clocks and chooses a downtime
Melvir Kepp each crew member may do all of the following: action for each faction that they're interested in at the moment:
Recover from lasting effects. Plan an operation to: generate +1 hold, to make an enemy
summary vulnerable, or to inflict -1 hold on a vulnerable enemy.
Indulge your vice to clear stress.
When you have downtime between operations, Execute an operation (above).
the crew recovers from lasting effects (like Restore all of your armor.
injuries), restores their armor, and indulges in In addition, choose one extra downtime action, which may include Gather information on the PCs (may be opposed by a PC roll).
vice to clear stress. the actions above as well as: Achieve a short-term objective they're in position to accomplish.
Each PC also gets the option to take a special fWork
f on a long-term project. Acquire a new asset.
downtime action, like working on a long-term fReduce
f heat on the crew. GM: Take downtime actions and advance clocks for the factions
project, reducing heat on the crew, or acquiring you're interested in right now. Don't worry about the rest. Later,
fAcquire
f use of an asset (including hiring +1 scale worth of people
an asset for the next score. when you turn your attention to a faction you've ignored for a while,
for one of your gangs).
go ahead and give them several downtime actions and clock ticks
A PC can take several downtime phases in a row, but each additional to "catch up" to current events.
downtime costs 1 coin or 1 hold. When you complete a score,
you reset and get a "free" downtime phase again.
See page 28 for the rules for all the downtime rolls.
GM: If a player can't decide which special downtime move to pick,
offer them a project idea. You know what the player is interested
in and what they like. Suggest a project that will head in a fun
direction for them.
You got that weird vision when you were messing around with
the altar to the Forgotten Gods, remember? You want to get to
the bottom of that, probably. Okay, start a project8 segments
called... "Weird God Vibes." What do you do to work on that?
21
gm
gm: goals, principles, & actions
GM Goals
This is what you're trying to accomplish when you run the game.
hollows, weird sounds, arcane energies, and strange cults
everywhere. How does the haunted city manifest here?
they can react in time, they can make an action roll. If they're
hit with trouble, they can roll to resist it. Go ahead and say,
Surround them with industrial sprawl. Duskwall is crowded "The Unseen told you what would happen if you interfered.
Play to find out what happens. Don't steer the game toward
with factories and their choking soot clouds, buzzing electric They firebomb your lair while you're sleeping." The players
certain outcomes or events. Be curious!
lights, ironworks, clanking machines. will interrupt, flashback, scramble and deal with it! It'll be fun.
Bring Duskwall to life. Give each location a specific aspect
Consider the risk. Think about the risks and dangers inherent Tell them the consequences and ask. "Yeah, you can totally
(crowded, cold, wet, dim, etc.). Give each NPC a name,
in most things the scoundrels do. A risky move is the default smash him. But he'll remember this. And he's friends with
detail and a preferred method of problem solving (threats,
action almost all the time. When they've taken great care and Inspector Krop, remember? Still want to do it?"
bargaining, violence, etc.). Give each action context the
knife fight is on rickety wooden stairs; the informant huddles are building on successes, they might make controlled moves. Offer a devil's bargain. Think of a fun complication or reckless
among the wreckage of the statue of the Weeping Lady; the When they have to improvise off the cuff or when they're in decision. Offer them the bonus die in exchange. If you don't
Lampblacks' lair stinks of black lotus smoke. over their heads, they're probably making desperate moves. have a good idea, you can offer the devil's die in exchange for
Go with your gut. Call the positions as you see them, but be heat or stress.
Convey the fictional world honestly. Spirits are terrifying. open to revision.
Friends are really friends they'll help when they can but it Show the downside of their vice. Take a look at the purveyors
cuts both ways. If someone is reasonable, they'll listen to reason. GM Actions of vice (p. 35). How do their connections factor in to the
Don't keep pointless secrets so you can "reveal" them later. Let The player characters have sixteen actions they use. You have current situation in a problematic way?
it come out when it comes out. Find reasons to reveal the cool actions, too. When it's your turn to contribute to the game, and Make a progress clock or tick one down. Keep a stack of
things in your head. you're not sure what to do, look at your list of actions and pick one. index cards handy. Make clocks like crazy! Keep them out
where everyone can see.
GM Principles First and foremost, ask questions.
Ask the players. Ask them if this seems desperate. Ask
Be a fan of the PCs. Present the world honestly things really When things are getting started: them where their character eats their meals. Ask them who
are stacked against them but don't make yourself the enemy What plan did you make? their character slept with last. Ask them questions they can
of the PCs. They have enemies enough. Be interested in the answer from within their character's POV things they know,
Who scouted it out? (fill in the plan detail)
characters and excited about their victories. suspect, experienced, or hope for.
Who's on point? (cut to the action)
Let everything flow from the fiction. The game's starting Actions ripple through the network. Every event has
situations and your opening scene will put things in motion. And when things are underway:
consequences, good and bad. What one faction loves, another
Ask how the characters react and see what happens next. NPCs How do you do that? (which action do you use?) hates. How is a certain faction connected to this? How might
react according to their goals and methods. Events snowball. What's your goal? (which effect do you want?) they know about it?
You don't need to "manage" the game. Action, reaction, and
Think off-screen. What's happening elsewhere? Put it on
consequences will drive everything. Cut to the moment of crisis. When they say, "We should break screen. Show something only the audience sees.
Hold on lightly. Rewind, revise, and reconsider events as in to the Dimmer Sisters' house," say "Okay, sounds like a plan.
needed to accommodate the action of the game. Infiltration? Okay, what's the point of entry?" Then, when they After every GM move, ask "What do you do?"
Address the characters. "Silver, where do you go to look for answer, "All right, so you're on the rooftop of the fabric store
the Red Sashes?" not "Sara, where does Silver go?" This puts across the alley from their house. It's quiet and dark in there.
Silver front and centerhis preferences, desires, and style. Who's on point?"
Silver comes to life as a character. Telegraph trouble before it strikes. Show them a threat that's
Address the players. "Sara, how do you want to handle this?" about to hit, then ask them what they do. Then it's easy to know
not "How does Silver do that?" This puts Sara front and center what's at stake when they roll.
her preferences, desires, and style. Sara can consider what Follow through and hit them hard. You've telegraphed the
she wants, then filter it through Silver. threat, so go ahead and follow through when it hits. Players
Paint the world with a haunted brush. There are ghosts and have several tools at their disposal to deal with adversity. If
22
gm
gm: best practices
Convey the ongoing fictional space as accurately as is
desirable for this group. Be concise. Use small details
Keep the meta channel open. When you portray an
NPC, tell the players things that are going unsaid. Invite
when they help to convey a bigger picture. them to ask their Gather Information questions
Lead an interesting conversation. The game is nothing but to dig deeper. The characters have a broad spectrum of
a conversation between you and the players. The goal of the senses and intuitions to bring to bear in the fiction; the
conversation is to answer the question "What happens now?" players have only the narrow channel of your few words.
in the most engaging way possible. The most interesting Help them out by sharing what they might suspect, intuit,
conversations are those that are curiousasking questions feel, and predict.
and prompting ideasrather than dogmatic or one-sided. Be a curious explorer of the game in play. Ask the
Be curious about what the other players have to say. players questions to feed your own interest in the ongoing
Create an atmosphere of inquiry at the table. This fiction in which the PCs are the protagonists. Your game
means you play to find out what happens, not to make series is a cool TV show and you're its biggest fan. When
sure something specific happens. Will they go to war you're curious about something that a PC says or does,
with the Fog Hounds? Is Nyla badass enough to take out ask them about it! "I'm curious, though, when you tell
the thugs by herself? Can they avoid or predict Casta's him you'd do anything to help, do you really mean that?
betrayal? Play to find out. Don't contrive events ahead Anything? Are you that kind of person? Or are you just
of time or manipulate play to bring them about. manipulating him?" These questions will often lead to
goals, approaches, and rolls.
Ask questions to lead the assessment of the fictional
space when engaging the mechanics. "Which of the Advocate for the interests and capabilities of the NPCs.
position profiles matches your situation here? Taking a Your job is to convey the fictional world accurately,
calculated risk, or is it a reckless move?" remember? Believable NPCs with interests and capabilities
make for a more compelling fictional world. Don't be a
Help the players use the game system to pursue the
push over. When the PCs take action against an NPC,
goals of the characters. Don't let them flounder. When
remind the players of their interests and capabilities. "But
they have a goal, ask them about any opportunities they
Quellyn won't just go along with all this, right? They're a
have to pursue it. Present two possible approaches from
witch, wanted by the spirit wardens. How are you going to
that opportunity and ask if they want to choose one or
contend with that?" When the PCs act in alignment with
invent a third way.
the interests of NPCs, remind the players of their support
Don't block. It's not your job to say "you can't do that." and friendship.
You're not the sole authority on what the characters can
Bring the elements of the game system to life on screen
and cannot do. Instead, ask them: "You need to create an
(especially effects). When an NPC is influenced,
opportunity to attempt that, right?" Ask them how they
what does that look like? When a PC is hunted by the
might create an opportunity they need. Don't block. Show
guards, what fictional details convey that change in their
them that there's a path to their goal, even if it might be
situation? Ask the other players for ideas if you want to.
a long or dangerous one.
"Do they come rushing over with lantern lights trained
Earn the trust of the group by being a supportive and on you?" "Oh, no, maybe they have electric lights here,
fair advocate of the integrity of the fiction. It's your job and they all come on with a massive crackle of energy."
to portray a fictional world with integrity, not one that's
contrived and "set up" for particular outcomes. When
you advocate for something, the players know that you
do so on behalf of this integrity, not to get your way or
to arrange situations to your liking.
23
gm
gm: techniques & bad habits
Play Goal-Forward.
Poll the group about what goal they're pursuing, either in
Bad Habits. Avoid These! Don't Roll Twice for the Same Thing
Calling for a specific action roll. This bad habit usually When a PC faces danger, they make an Action roll. Also, you
the bigger picture of the game (best used at the beginning happens if you've GM'd other games where this is kinda can roll Resistance to avoid a bad outcome. However, don't
of a session) or in this microcosm of the present moment your job. You might say, "Give me a Murder roll," or "That's roll twice for the exact same thing.
(best used when things are underway and the situation is a Consort check" or whatever. Don't do that! Get used to
snowballing). Once you know the goal, have a conversation For example, Arlyn is dueling a Red Sash on the roof. The
saying this, instead: "How do you do that?" Ask them
about opportunities, actions, and effects. The pursuit of Red Sash drives her back with a flurry of feints and slashes,
which action they use.
opportunities and positions to enable certain approaches, and there's a danger that Arlyn will be forced over the edge
the acquisition of information and resources, and the nested Letting planning get out of hand. Some players will plan during the skirmish. Arlyn's player makes an Action roll to
conflicts and that result will drive the action of the game. an operation forever if no one stops themeven if they hate see how her counter-attack goes and if the danger manifests.
What are you trying to accomplish? Do you have an doing it! They think it's worth the trouble if they can cover She rolls badly and the danger manifests. This means that
opportunity to do that? How do you want to go about it? every potential issue or avoid some bad outcome. This is Arlyn is forced over the edge and falls off the roof.
Follow this chain of events as actions and consequences play not how Blades in the Dark works. Everything is resolved
by action and effect rolls, so get to them! If someone has But she can roll to resist, right? Yes. She can resist the harm
out. Let the players lead where the game goes next. that results from the fall. But she shouldn't roll to resist being
a cool maneuver or idea, that's great, but, at best, it's still
Cut to the Action a controlled action roll. They can't plan and discuss their forced over the edge. That's already been determined by her
Solicit a goal and plan, then cut to the action and use dice way out of making the rolls. An idea is not execution. Action roll. The resistance roll answers "how bad is the fall?"
rolls to move the situation forward. Don't be afraid to resolve Does she simply take some stress and catch herself on a railing
Not giving them what they earn. If they get into position, on the way down, or does she end up with a lasting effect as
something! They want to eliminate Ulf Ironborn and then make the roll, and have their effect, they get what they
they plan it and do it, despite the odds and dangers? It's done. she breaks her leg when she hits the street?
earned. Don't weasel out of it! Things are hard enough
Don't string things out. on them already. Don't be a skinflint about victories; Here's another example: Cross is sneaking into the Red Sash's
defeats will come without your thumb on the scales. The temple, trying to elude the notice of their guards. He rolls
Put it in Context Prowl and gets a result that the danger manifests. A guard
scoundrels are at the bottom of the faction ladder, but that
The game is a conversation between the real people at the notices him! But how much? How alerted is he? Cross's player
doesn't mean they're ineffective. It means they needs lots
table, but the action happens in the fictional space. Always can roll to resist the effect. If he pays the resulting stress cost,
and lots of victories to make it. They're good at the game,
place actions and effects in the fictional context. Where is it then the guard hasn't raised the alarm or seen Cross's face, but
they just started out with negative points on the board.
happening? Who's there? What's the vibe? What interesting the danger did manifest as a result of the Action roll. So what
details distinguish this context as the haunted industrial- Saying no. There's always a better answer than "no" or "you
happens? This is the classic case where the guard and his partner
fantasy world of Duskwall? can't do that." Offer a devil's bargain! "So... you want to
say, "Hey, did you see that?" "What?" "Something over there by
seduce the most experienced madame in the city. Uh huh.
Put it on Screen the pillar." "Probably nothing." "Yeah, I'm gonna check, though."
Okay then. That's desperate, with a -1d penalty. And here's
The game is a conversation, but roleplaying can still be a my bargain: regardless of how this goes, you fall in love with If Cross's own Effect roll is enough to overcome the obstacle,
visual medium in the imagination. Take every opportunity her." Or tell them to start the first phase of a long-term then he hears that conversation in the distance behind him as
you can to bring the game to life in the minds of the players. project clock. That's what they're there for. "You want to he slips inside the temple. If he hasn't overcome the obstacle
Describe the action as if it's on screen in a TV show. What trace every contraband route into Duskwall? Okay, start a yet, then he's hidden behind the pillar as the guard strolls
does that look like on screen? long-term clock. The first phase is... 'Assemble the list of over to investigate.
all the contraband dealers.'" Saying no is boring. In other words, the Action roll determines whether a danger
Put it on a card.
Use index cards for NPCs, locations, job offers, leads, etc. manifests or not. The Resistance roll determines how much of
It's easy to lose track of things if you don't have a record of that danger manifests or how bad it is. Don't roll both Action
it. By putting important things on index cards, everyone can and Resistance to determine the same thing. Each roll has a
see them spread out on the table and incorporate them into concrete result that affects the situation.
the game.
24
gm reference duskwall notables city wards (richest to poorest)
The Eye, anonymous leader of The Unseen. The Hand, Whitecrown Coalridge
chief lieutenant. Groll, a mid-level thug with ambitions. Brightstone The Docks
gm goals Names Adric, Aldo, Amison, Andrel, Arcy, Arden, Arilyn, Arquo,
Lyssa, a crime boss. Cold and calculating. Killed her Six Towers Crows Foot
Play to find out what happens. Arvus, Ashlyn, Birch, Bird, Branon, Brace, Brance, Brena, Bricks, Candra,
Canter, Carissa, Carro, Casslyn, Cavelle, Chime, Clave, Coil, Corille, former boss, Roric. Charterhall Dunslough
Bring Duskwall to Life.
Cross, Crowl, Cyrene, Daphnia, Drav, Edlun, Emeline, Flint, Frog, The Dimmer Sisters. People say theyre witches who Nightmarket Barrowcleft
Convey the world honestly.
Frost, Grine, Helles, Hix, Holtz, Hook, Kamelin, Keel, Kelyr, Kobb, drink blood. Never seen outside their home. Silkshore Charhollow
Kristov, Laudius, Lauria, Lenia, Lizete, Lorette, Lucella, Lynthia, Mara,
gm principles Milos, Mist, Moon, Morlan, Myre, Nail, Narcus, Naria, Needle, Noggs,
Ulf Ironborn, a brutal Skovlander, looking to seize a ward.
Be a fan of the PCs. Odrienne, Orlan, Phin, Polonia, Pool, Potch, Quess, Remira, Ring, Mylera Klev, leader of the Red Sash gang. Prizes fine art. locations
Let everything flow from the fiction. Roethe, Sesereth, Sethla, Silver, Skannon, Skeever, Skinner, Song, Stavrul, Baszo Baz, leader of the Lampblacks. A lover of whisky. Undercross
Hold on lightly. Stev, Syra, Talitha, Tesslyn, Thena, Thistle, Thorn, Timoth, Tocker, Una, Echo Gardens
Merrul Brime, a secrets broker, proprietor of the
Address the characters. Vauri, Veleris, Veretta, Vestine, Vey, Volette, Vond, Weaver, Wester. Hooded Fox.
The Night Market
Address the players. The Canals
Family Names: Brogan, Tyrconnell, Dunvil, Comber, Millar, Slane, Lady Devira, a city magistrate on the payroll of criminals.
Paint the world with a haunted brush. Strangford, Dalmore, Edrad, Lomond, Clelland, Arran, Scapa, Kinclaith, Chalk Street Bridge
Mordis, a merchant of the night market. A fence. Hides Candle Street Bridge
Surround them with industrial sprawl. Coleburn, Penalten, Strathmill, Haig, Morriston, Penderyn, Danfield,
his true appearance under a heavy robe and hood.
Consider the risk. Hellyers, Walund, Templeton, Michter, Bowman, Prichard, Keel, Wathen, Gaddoc Rail Station
Clermont, Rowan, Booker. Taffer, a merchant of the night market. A cultist. Heartbreak Square
gm actions Grel Oro, a merchant of the night market. A smuggler. The Anvilworks
Ask questions! Looks Man, Woman, Ambiguous, Concealed. Elstera Avrathi, resident diplomat of Iruvia. Black Circle
Kurt Skyhold, resident diplomat of Skovlan. Cathedral Hill
When things are getting started: Affable Worn Athletic Lovely Plump Stern
Brooding Lean Stout Handsome Squat Open Tyrsin Nol, resident diplomat of Severos. Bellweather Crematorium
What plan did you make? (and what's Ironhook Prison
Bright Wiry Scarred Slim Weathered Languid Andris, a spy and informant with flexible loyalties.
the detail?) Dark Huge Rough Delicate Cold Calm
Who's on point? Fair Chiseled Striking Bony Sad Fierce Krop, a constable of the watch. Refuses bribes. taverns
Lewit, Jol, Cinda, Reyf, bluecoats of the watch. The Hooded Fox
And when things are underway:
Rolan Wot, a judge-inspector. Rooting out corruption. The Hook & Line
How do you do that? (which action
The Leaky Bucket
do you use?)
What's your goal? (which effect do
vice Casslyn Mora, a judge with family ties to criminals.
The Four Roses
When they overindulge or spend coin, their purveyor may Belindra, a jailor of Ironhook Prison. The Devils Tooth
you want?) offer them a lead on a new score. Ereth Skane, an advocate with unseemly vices. The Black Tree
Cut to the moment of crisis. Denkirk Sol, an advocate with surprising scruples. The Cat & Candle
Telegraph trouble before it strikes. flashback stress costs Polix, attache to the Lord Governor of Duskwall. A secret The Broken Anchor
Tell them the consequences and ask. spiritualist and rune-binder. The Red Lamp
Offer a devil's bargain. 0 Stress for a normal action for which you had easy The Nail & Bottle
Nyryx and Hoxan, rogue spirits possessing the bodies of
Show the downside of their vice. opportunity. streetwalkers, looking for a whisper to serve. The Six Arms
Make a progress clock or tick one down. 1 Stress for a complex action or unlikely opportunity. Levyra, a spirit medium. The Silver Keel
Ask the players. 2 Stress for an elaborate action which involved The Old Rasp
Kember, a distiller of essences and potions, proprietor of
Actions ripple through the network. The Moons Daughter
several special opportunities or contingencies. the Devils Tooth.
Think off-screen. The Rabbits Foot
Raffello, a master painter obsessed with the unnatural.
What do you do? The Harping Monkey
Lannic, an expert art forger.
teamwork: on point teamwork: backup gather information planning downtime action roll bonus dice
What do they intend to do? Choose the plan the characters have Choose your carried Items.
Lead a group action. Face an effect for the made, establish a detail, cut to the action. Restore your Armor. + Assist (They take 1 stress)
What might I suspect based
character on point. on this? Assault plan: Point of attack. Recover & indulge your Vice.
Overcome a group problem. What's the danger here? Deception plan: Method. and choose 1: + Devil's Bargain.
Assist another character. Reduce heat on the crew.
Where could I go to find X? Infiltration plan: Entry point.
Ask about a detail for a Occult plan: Arcane power. Work on a project clock. Background (Action)
Set up another character. Follow through on a setup. + Fine Item (Effect)
plan. Social plan: Social connection. Acquire an asset.
starting the game
starting the game
Explain the Situation
Read or summarize the info on page 6.
The Next Scenes
Play the NPCs. Mylera, Bazso, and Lyssa all have thiefy things that Score I
need doing, so they'll offer the PCs jobs (until the PCs make an One of the gang leaders (Bazso Baz or
Make Characters and the Crew enemy of them, of course). Use the scores tables on page 40 for Mylera) offers you a score: Go rob the
Follow the procedures on page 31 and page 38. Ask some of these ideas. Also, each faction is vulnerable to thievery in some way. treasury of their rival.
questions while they do it: How can the players use their crew's strengths to profit from this
situation? Ask them how they want to gather information, which Where is it? Maybe it's a secret.
Have you ever been locked up? For what crime? What's the plan? Provide the detail.
leads to a plan (or vice versa).
Why did you become a scoundrel? Who's on point?
Don't waste time waffling around. Give them straightforward
How did you join this crew? Did another member vouch for you? avenues to pursue at first. "Do you want to rob the Crow's card
Were you a founding member? game on Bell street? It's probably not defended much right now."
What's your vice? What is it, specifically? (what kind of drug,
etc.) Why does that thing consume you?
There are three sample starting scores, at right. Offer those, ask them Score II
which they want to pursue. Ask them to pick a plan and provide
Who do you trust the most on the crew? Who do you trust the the detail, then ask who's on point, and get to it. One of the gang leaders (Bazso Baz or
least? What's that about? Or will we find out in play? Mylera) offers you a score: Plant this strange
artifact somewhere in their rival's HQ.
Has [faction] ever tried to recruit you ? What happened? You, The Campaign
uh, don't secretly work for them, do you? This quick start isn't really meant for a campaign, but, you can easily What does it do? It's covered in weird
play out the consequences of the starting situation over several runes and makes your head go swimmy
The First Scene sessions. Who ends up running the ward? Do the PCs use the when you hold it in your hand. Want to
situation to rise up in the faction ranks? Do they manage to play for bother to find out what it is, or not?
After they make characters and the crew, tell them this:
all three sides, or do they have to take a stand? Plenty of material What's the plan? Provide the detail.
You're in the office of the Lampblack's leader, Bazso Baz. He to work with there. Who's on point?
wants your answer. Are you with them, or against them? What
do you say? Will you side with the Lampblacks? Will you just
pretend to? (Good luck, Bazso is very sharp). Will you tell him
to fuck off?
Are you actually here to kill him for the Red Sashes? (If so, do a
Score III
flashback and pick a plan for the assassination.) Lyssa is vulnerable. She needs assistance if
she's gonna seize control of the ward.
Play Bazso. React to their answer how he'd react. If they're with
him, he has the perfect assignment for thiefy types like them: go Steal some loot and bring it to her to help
steal the Red Sashes treasury from their vault. If they're against her pay for bribes and thugs to seize the
him, he says he's very sorry to hear that. They better get off his turf ward. Profit and status both, for you.
and stay out of the war, or they're all dead. He threatens them with What's the plan? Provide the detail.
easy confidence. What are they gonna do? Who's on point?
26
action, effect & resistance rolls
action roll
1d for each Action dot. Desperate Risky Controlled
You take a huge risk on a slim chance. You face a dangerous opponent on equal You take time to carefully execute a plan.
Youre stuck in a bad position. You face footing. You act under fire. You take a You hedge your bets and play it safe. You
+1d if the target matches your a threat thats out of your league. calculated risk. exploit a dominant position.
+
Background.
Crit: You do it and avoid the danger. Crit: You do it with increased effect (+1 Crit: You do it with increased effect (+1
effect result level). level) and you may create an additional
+ +1d for the Devils Bargain 6: You do it but the danger manifests.
opportunity that follows on from this
6: You do it and avoid the danger. or you
4/5: Things go badly. The danger manifests. action.
may choose to overreach and get +1 effect
+ +1d for Backup (they take stress). You must abandon this approach or try
level but also face effect from the danger. 6: You do it!
again by taking a bigger risk and rolling a
-1d if youre hindered by any desperate move. 4/5: You do it but the danger manifests. 4/5: You do it with reduced effect (-1
- level), or try for full effect by taking a
relevant lasting effects. 1-3: It gets worse! First, you face a more 1-3: Things go badly. First, the danger
bigger risk and rolling a risky move.
-1d if you face veteran, elite, or potent effect from the danger (-1 to your manifests. Then, choose: Abandon this
- resistance result level). Then, choose: approach (you'll have to try another way) 1-3: You reveal a flaw in this approach
well-prepared opposition.
Abandon this goal (you cant achieve it or try again by taking a bigger risk and that will expose you to danger. You may
for now) or try again by taking a bigger rolling a desperate move. back out now (abandon this method of
Each time you roll a desperate move, risk and rolling a desperate move. action) or go ahead with it by rolling a
mark a tick of desperate move xp on your risky move.
character sheet. See page 20.
Increase the rolled result level by +1 6: Tick 4 segments of recovery. Increase the rolled result level by +1 6: You acquire a fine asset.
for each parcel of coin you spend. 4/5: Tick 2 segments of recovery. for each parcel of coin you spend. 4/5: You acquire a standard asset.
1-3: Tick 1 segment of recovery. 1-3: The asset isn't available right now.
Temporary Use
Heal Thyself When you recover, you treat one type of harm When you acquire an asset this way, its for one use only. This may be a single instance (like
You may attend to yourself but its far from physical, social, occult, etc. If you have pouring a vial of poison into a goblet, or luring a rogue ghost into a spirit bottle) or a single period
ideal. You suffer 1 stress. several different types of harm to recover, you of use (like hiring a boat for a couple hours).
must take additional downtime actions.
Increase the rolled result level by +1 Leads: If you spend coin or overindulge, the
if you choose an overindulgence. purveyor will be willing to discuss a lead on a
new criminal job, if youre interested.
work on a long-term project
Overindulgences 1d for each Action dot. Critical: Advance the project clock
Broke. You pawn off your assets to pay for a Bad Rep. You let word get around about your by 6 segments.
massive indulgence in your vice. Lose access vice problem. Lose one status level with your 6: Advance the clock by 4 segments.
to all but one of your personal items or gear least understanding faction connection until you Increase the rolled result level by +1
(its your choice which one to keep) until you assure them that youre reliable. Mark the status for each parcel of coin you spend. 4/5: Advance the clock by 2 segments.
next complete a profitable job. box with a slash to show the temporary reduction. 1-3: Advance the clock by 1 segment.
Tapped. You really overdo it. Your current Lost. You lose yourself in your vice. Play a different
purveyor cuts you off and you need to find a character (maybe "graduate" one of the NPCs from
new source for your vice. your crew's units to PC status) until this one returns.
When you have downtime, each PC restores all of their armor, rolls to recover from lasting effects, A character may perform additional downtime actions, for
and rolls to indulge their vice. They may choose one additional action from the rolls on this page. 1 coin or 1 hold each.
heat & development rolls When you complete a score, roll Heat. Then, if the
score was a success, roll Development.
heat roll When you complete a score development roll When you complete a successful score
Roll dice based on the events of last Critical: The crew takes 6 heat. 1d for each crew Resources effect Critical: Your crew gains +2 hold
session: 6: The crew takes 4 heat. diamond. and +2 coin. Roll an entanglement,
below.
1d Smooth & quiet. Low exposure. 4/5: The crew takes 2 heat.
Crime Pays 6: Your crew gains +1 hold and +1
2d Under control. Medium exposure.
1-3: The crew takes 1 heat. Set the default coin reward based on the coin. Roll an entanglement, below.
3d Loud & chaotic. High exposure. nature of the score:
4/5: Your crew gains the default
4d Wild. Devastating exposure. Wanted Level 1 coin: Small job, nothing fancy. rewards. Roll an entanglement, below.
If you need to take heat, but don't have any 2 coin: Standard crime work; decent loot.
1-3: Your crew gains hold -or-
boxes left, you must mark a box of wanted 3 coin: Something special; a fine haul.
+ +1d if killing was involved. coin. Roll an entanglement, below.
level instead. The bad news is: wanted level
4 coin: A major score; serious wealth.
marks are permanent. The good news is: when
+1 result level for a high profile you mark a wanted level, reset your heat to zero Set the default hold reward based on the importance of the target: 1 hold per Tier of
target. and advance your Renown by 1 (this is the only the target, +1 hold if the target is in the public eye or is high profile in some other way.
way to advance Renown).
-1 result level if the action happened Modify the default coin and hold rewards based on the outcome of the development roll.
on turf you or a friendly (+3 status) Your wanted level represents the threat level of
faction control. Bluecoats and Inspectors sent after you when you Entanglements (Heat level 1-4) Entanglements (Heat level 5-8)
attract the attention of the law.
1: Unquiet Dead. The rogue spirit of a past 1: Demonic Notice. A demon approaches
victim finds its way to you. Pay 1 coin to a the crew with a dark offer. Accept it or hide
Whisper or Rail Jack to exorcise it, or deal with until it loses interest in you and lose 2 hold.
it yourself. 2: Vengeful Dead. The rogue spirit of
2: Rivals. A faction with whom you have a a vindictive enemy finds its way to you. Pay
neutral status throws their weight around. Pay 2 coin to a Whisper or Rail Jack to exorcise it,
them 1 hold or 1 coin, or lose 1 status with or deal with it yourself.
them. 3: Show of Force. A faction with whom you
3: Old Debts. A friend calls in their marker. have a negative status makes a play on your
Pay them 1 coin or agree to perform the favor turf. Pay them 2 hold or 2 coin, or go to war.
they ask. 4: Opportunists. An equal- or lower-tier
4: The Little Guy. An equal- or lower-tier crew plans to betray you to facilitate their climb
crew asks you for a hand. You may give them up the ladder. Give them 2 hold or endure
1 coin or 1 hold in exchange for a favor of whatever comes of their betrayal.
your choosing. 5: Investigation. An Inspector of the watch
5: The Law. The Bluecoats aren't messing has started a file on your crew's crimes, to build
around right now. Pay them off with 1 coin a case for your arrests. Pay them off with 2 coin
or take +1 heat. or take +2 heat.
6: Cooperation. A +3 status faction asks you 6: Cooperation. A +3 status faction asks you
for a favor. Agree to do it or give them 1 hold. for a favor. Agree to do it or give them 2 hold.
If you don't have a +3 faction status, you avoid If you don't have a +3 faction status, you avoid
entanglements right now. entanglements right now.
character creation
1. Choose Playbook
Your playbook represents the nature of your character, their
Actions Effects
Actions are grouped into four categories: Blade (the bloody actions Force: How hard do you hit? How strong is your hold? How
special abilities, and how they advance. Playbooks arent unique of battle), Book (the actions of knowledge and reason), Cloak (the
multiple players can choose the same one. scary is your display of violence? How badly do you wreck it?
subtle actions of the shadows), and Mask (social actions).
Finesse: How quickly or smoothly do you do it? How much
2. Choose a Special Ability Attune to spiritual forces and electroplasmic energy; ground do you cover? How good is the position you take?
Choose 1 starting special ability. Note: the Veteran ability can understand spectrology, ancient lore, rituals, and occult How subtle is your action?
be taken twice, which is why it has two dots. Each time you practices.
Insight: How much do you find out? How detailed or broad
choose it, fill one dot. Cipher information with books and academic knowledge; do is the information? How accurately can you predict with this
research; employ codes and secret messages; forge documents. knowledge?
2. Choose a Heritage
...and detail it with a note about your family life. Ex. Skovlan: Command obedience with your force of personality; Will: How strong is your will? How thorough is your
Ore Miners. intimidate or threaten; execute an action with one of the influence over someone else? How brave are you? How much
crew's units. inner energy can you muster?
3. Choose a Background Consort with your friends and contacts to discover information
...and detail it with your specific history. Ex. Academic: Former or gain access to people or places; acquire new connections.
Legal Advocate. Names Adric, Aldo, Amison, Andrel, Arcy, Arden, Arilyn, Arquo,
Deceive with falsehoods, disguise, or bluff; detect lies; evade Arvus, Ashlyn, Birch, Bird, Branon, Brace, Brance, Brena, Bricks,
4. Assign Action Dots questions and scrutiny; conceal your true intentions. Candra, Canter, Carissa, Carro, Casslyn, Cavelle, Chime, Clave, Coil,
Assign 6 dots (in addition to those already marked for your Discern what's really going on; put the pieces together; gain a Corille, Cross, Crowl, Cyrene, Daphnia, Drav, Edlun, Emeline, Flint,
playbook). No action may be higher than 2 (until you unlock deeper understanding; focus and judge; anticipate and foresee. Frog, Frost, Grine, Helles, Hix, Holtz, Hook, Kamelin, Keel, Kelyr, Kobb,
Expert training for the crew). Kristov, Laudius, Lauria, Lenia, Lizete, Lorette, Lucella, Lynthia, Mara,
Mayhem wrecks with savage force; brawl and wrestle; fight Milos, Mist, Moon, Morlan, Myre, Nail, Narcus, Naria, Needle, Noggs,
5. Assign Effect Diamonds in a group skirmish. Odrienne, Orlan, Phin, Polonia, Pool, Potch, Quess, Remira, Ring,
Assign 3 diamonds to effects (Force, Finesse, Insight, Will) in Murder a target with precision violence; execute a killing Roethe, Sesereth, Sethla, Silver, Skannon, Skeever, Skinner, Song, Stavrul,
addition to those already marked. No effect may begin higher than Stev, Syra, Talitha, Tesslyn, Thena, Thistle, Thorn, Timoth, Tocker, Una,
and leave little evidence; engage in skillful combat.
Vauri, Veleris, Veretta, Vestine, Vey, Volette, Vond, Weaver, Wester.
2 (but may advance further after character creation). Prowl about unseen and overcome physical obstacles;
Family Names: Brogan, Tyrconnell, Dunvil, Comber, Millar, Slane,
6. Choose Items Carried general athletic ability. Strangford, Dalmore, Edrad, Lomond, Clelland, Arran, Scapa, Kinclaith,
You own all of your items. Check the boxes for the items you're Secure entry into a protected area by defeating locks and Coleburn, Penalten, Strathmill, Haig, Morriston, Penderyn, Danfield,
currently carrying. The number of items you check determines avoiding alarms or traps; secure an area against infiltration. Hellyers, Walund, Templeton, Michter, Bowman, Prichard, Keel, Wathen,
your movement speed and conspicuousness (items in italics Clermont, Rowan, Booker.
Slip away from scrutiny or suspicion, slip an item out of
don't count toward your load): 3: Light (youre faster and less someone's pocket; use misdirection or distraction; sleight of
conspicuous. you can blend in with citizens). 4 or 5: Normal
Looks Man, Woman, Ambiguous, Concealed.
hand; blend in a crowd; remain inconspicuous. Affable Worn Athletic Lovely Plump Stern
(you look like a scoundrel, ready for trouble). 6: Heavy (youre
Stalk a target to discover where it is, where it's going, where Brooding Lean Stout Handsome Squat Open
slower. you look like an operative on a mission). Some items count Bright Wiry Scarred Slim Weathered Languid
it's been, and who's connected to it.
as two items for load (they have two connected boxes). Note that Dark Huge Rough Delicate Cold Calm
the Cutter playbook can carry a heavier load. Stitch up wounds and provide long-term care; remove a Fair Chiseled Striking Bony Sad Fierce
lasting effect penalty for one sequence of action.
7. Choose A Favorite Friend Supply the temporary use of an asset by mustering finances; Tricorn Hat Tall Boots
You begin with all of your friends. Mark the one who is a close Long Coat Mask & Robes
bribe or coerce with money; trace supply routes for goods Hood & Veil Suit & Vest
friend, long-time ally, or lover.
and services. Short Cloak Thick Greatcoat
8. Choose Your Vice Sway attitudes and behavior with charm, manipulation, or Knit Cap Loose Silks
Pick your preferred vice from the list. You indulge your vice to bravado; seduce and lure; make a convincing case. Slim Jacket Waxed Coat
clear stress. Your vice rating begins at 1. Hooded Coat Long Scarf
Tinker with devices and chemistry to create, modify, or
9. Record Name, Alias, & Look repair.
cutter
blade
command
mayhem
special abilities
murder
stitch
name look Deadly: Any attack you make in combat does +1 effect or
ignores 1 armor, your choice, moment to moment.
Not As Bad As It Looked: After a battle, you instantly get
book
heritage:akorosdagger isles background:academicbluecoatlabor
iruviaseverosskovlantycheros merchantnobleunderworld two ticks toward recovering from lasting effects.
attune
vice affiliationdrinkdrugsfaithgamblingloversluxuriesweird Wolfpack: Take 1 stress to give your team +1 Force in battle.
cipher
supply
Not to be Trifled With: In combat, you ignore 1 level of
stress trauma armor +heavy scale (you fight a small gang on equal footing).
tinker
lasting effects battleborn Battleborn: You get special armor against physical attacks in
combat. When you roll a critical in combat, clear 1 stress.
cloak
Daring: When you roll 1-3 and choose to try again with more
prowl
coin
stash risk, you get +1d.
secure
notes
slip
Experienced: Choose an additional background with which
you get a bonus.
stalk
Veteran: Choose a special ability from another playbook.
mask
items (3,4)Light. (5)Normal. (6,7)Heavy. Items in italics don't count. dangerous friends
consort
A Blade or Two Fine hand weapon Marlane, a pugilist
Throwing Knives
deceive
Fine large weapon Thena, a veteran warrior
A Pistol & Shot
discern
Manacles & chain
A Large Weapon
Chael, a vicious thug
sway
Rage essence vial
An Unusual Weapon Mercy, a cold killer
Wrecker tools
desperate rolls
Armor +Heavy Concealed blade Grace, an extortionist
Burglary Tools
Climbing Gear
Spiritbane charm Stras, a clever blade
effects
playbook advancement
Books / Maps
force
Spectrology Gear Defeat a superior opponent.
finesse
Subterfuge Supplies Solve a problem with violence.
Tinkering Tools Destroy an enemys asset, influence, or resource.
insight
A small personal item Express your character's flaws, obsessions, secrets, or shortcomings.
will
teamwork: on point teamwork: backup gather information planning downtime action roll bonus dice
What do they intend to do? Choose the plan the characters have Choose your carried Items.
Lead a group action. Face an effect for the made, establish a detail, cut to the action. Restore your Armor. + Assist (They take 1 stress)
What might I suspect based
character on point. on this? Assault plan: Point of attack. Recover & indulge your Vice.
Overcome a group problem. What's the danger here? Deception plan: Method. and choose 1: + Devil's Bargain
Assist another character. Reduce heat on the crew.
Where could I go to find X? Infiltration plan: Entry point.
Ask about a detail for a Occult plan: Arcane power. Work on a project clock. Your Background matches
Set up another character. Follow through on a setup. + the target.
plan. Social plan: Social connection. Acquire an asset.
hound
blade
command
mayhem
special abilities
murder
stitch
name look Detached: Take -1d to an action roll to clear 1 stress.
Unorthodox: Take 1 stress to substitute one effect rating for
another.
book
heritage:akorosdagger isles background:academicbluecoatlabor
iruviaseverosskovlantycheros merchantnobleunderworld
attune
Predator: Take +1d to rolls against injured, weakened, or
vice affiliationdrinkdrugsfaithgamblingloversluxuriesweird vulnerable targets.
cipher
supply
Marked Target: When you gather information about a
stress trauma armor +heavy
tinker
person, you and your team get +1d effect against them.
lasting effects cold Cold: You get special armor vs. mental effects (fear, confusion,
etc.). When you roll a critical while hunting a target, clear 1 stress.
cloak
Daring: When you roll 1-3 and choose to try again with more
prowl
coin
stash risk, you get +1d.
secure
notes
slip
Experienced: Choose an additional background with which
you get a bonus.
stalk
Veteran: Choose a special ability from another playbook.
mask
items (3)Light. (4,5)Normal. (6)Heavy. Items in italics don't count. deadly friends
consort
A Blade or Two Fine pair of pistols Bell, a duelist
Throwing Knives
deceive
Fine long rifle Oman, an assassin
A Pistol & Shot
discern
Electroplasmic ammunition
A Large Weapon
Celene, a sentinel
sway
A fine trained hunting pet
An Unusual Weapon Melvir Kepp, a physicker
Far-sight spyglass
desperate rolls
Armor +Heavy Concealed blade Veleris, a spy
Burglary Tools
Climbing Gear
Spiritbane charm Casta, a bounty hunter
effects
playbook advancement
Books / Maps
force
Spectrology Gear Hunt or ambush a challenging target.
finesse
Subterfuge Supplies Establish your dominance over a person or situation.
Tinkering Tools Seize control of an enemy's asset, influence, or resource.
insight
A small personal item Express your character's flaws, obsessions, secrets, or shortcomings.
will
teamwork: on point teamwork: backup gather information planning downtime action roll bonus dice
What do they intend to do? Choose the plan the characters have Choose your carried Items.
Lead a group action. Face an effect for the made, establish a detail, cut to the action. Restore your Armor. + Assist (They take 1 stress)
What might I suspect based
character on point. on this? Assault plan: Point of attack. Recover & indulge your Vice.
Overcome a group problem. What's the danger here? Deception plan: Method. and choose 1: + Devil's Bargain
Assist another character. Reduce heat on the crew.
Where could I go to find X? Infiltration plan: Entry point.
Ask about a detail for a Occult plan: Arcane power. Work on a project clock. Your Background matches
Set up another character. Follow through on a setup. + the target.
plan. Social plan: Social connection. Acquire an asset.
lurk
blade
command
mayhem
special abilities
murder
stitch
name look Ambush: When you attack from hiding or spring a prepared
trap, add +1d to your roll.
Composure: Add an additional stress box.
book
heritage:akorosdagger isles background:academicbluecoatlabor
iruviaseverosskovlantycheros merchantnobleunderworld
attune
Intensity: You may spend 2 stress on any roll, for +1d.
vice affiliationdrinkdrugsfaithgamblingloversluxuriesweird
cipher
Scout: When you fill segments of a progress clock for any
supply
kind of reconnaissance or infiltration, fill +1 segment.
stress trauma armor +heavy
tinker
Shadow: You get special armor vs. detection and security.
lasting effects shadow When you roll a critical on an athletic feat or during an
infiltration, clear 1 stress.
cloak
Daring: When you roll 1-3 and choose to try again with more
prowl
coin
stash risk, you get +1d.
secure
notes
slip
Experienced: Choose an additional background with which
you get a bonus.
stalk
Veteran: Choose a special ability from another playbook.
mask
items (3)Light. (4,5)Normal. (6)Heavy. Items in italics don't count. keen friends
consort
A Blade or Two Fine lockpicks
Telda, a beggar
Throwing Knives
deceive
Fine, light climbing gear
Darmot, a bluecoat
A Pistol & Shot
discern
Shadow essence vial
A Large Weapon
Frake, a locksmith
sway
Silence potion vial
An Unusual Weapon Roslyn Kellis, a noble
Dark-sight goggles
desperate rolls
Armor +Heavy Concealed blade
Petra, a city clerk
Burglary Tools
Climbing Gear
Spiritbane charm
Loop, a bounty hunter
effects
playbook advancement
Books / Maps
force
Spectrology Gear Discover a powerful or compromising secret.
finesse
Subterfuge Supplies Infiltrate a new, challenging, or interesting location.
Tinkering Tools Execute an operation without being detected.
insight
A small personal item Express your character's flaws, obsessions, secrets, or shortcomings.
will
teamwork: on point teamwork: backup gather information planning downtime action roll bonus dice
What do they intend to do? Choose the plan the characters have Choose your carried Items.
Lead a group action. Face an effect for the made, establish a detail, cut to the action. Restore your Armor. + Assist (They take 1 stress)
What might I suspect based
character on point. on this? Assault plan: Point of attack. Recover & indulge your Vice.
Overcome a group problem. What's the danger here? Deception plan: Method. and choose 1: + Devil's Bargain
Assist another character. Reduce heat on the crew.
Where could I go to find X? Infiltration plan: Entry point.
Ask about a detail for a Occult plan: Arcane power. Work on a project clock. Your Background matches
Set up another character. Follow through on a setup. + the target.
plan. Social plan: Social connection. Acquire an asset.
slide
blade
command
mayhem
special abilities
murder
stitch
name look Ace: When you lead a group action using your highest-rated
action, you suffer 1 less total stress from the failed rolls.
Im Outta Here: When your cover is blown or you need to
book
heritage:akorosdagger isles background:academicbluecoatlabor
iruviaseverosskovlantycheros merchantnobleunderworld flee, take +1d to rolls to escape.
attune
vice affiliationdrinkdrugsfaithgamblingloversluxuriesweird Adaptation: Take 1 stress to substitute one action rating for
cipher
another.
supply
stress trauma armor +heavy Trust in Me: You get +1d when you roll vs. a target you have
tinker
a relationship with.
lasting effects suspicious
Suspicious: You get special armor vs. persuasion or deception.
cloak
When you roll a crit while manipulating someone, clear 1 stress.
prowl
Daring: When you roll 1-3 and choose to try again with more
coin
stash
secure
risk, you get +1d.
notes
slip
Experienced: Choose an additional background with which
stalk
you get a bonus.
Veteran: Choose a special ability from another playbook.
mask
items (3)Light. (4,5)Normal. (6)Heavy. Items in italics don't count. low friends
consort
A Blade or Two Fine clothes & jewelry
Bryl, a drug dealer
Throwing Knives
deceive
Fine disguise kit
Bazso Baz, a gang leader
A Pistol & Shot
discern
Fine loaded dice, trick cards
A Large Weapon
Harker, a jail-bird
sway
Trance powder
An Unusual Weapon Arlynne, a tavern owner
A cane-sword
desperate rolls
Armor +Heavy Concealed blade
Nyryx, a prostitute
Burglary Tools
Climbing Gear
Spiritbane charm
Lanette, an informant
effects
playbook advancement
Books / Maps
force
Spectrology Gear Gain someones trust or betray someone who trusts you.
finesse
Subterfuge Supplies Pass yourself off as someone or something youre not.
Tinkering Tools Make a new friend, ally, lover, rival, or enemy.
insight
A small personal item Express your character's flaws, obsessions, secrets, or shortcomings.
will
teamwork: on point teamwork: backup gather information planning downtime action roll bonus dice
What do they intend to do? Choose the plan the characters have Choose your carried Items.
Lead a group action. Face an effect for the made, establish a detail, cut to the action. Restore your Armor. + Assist (They take 1 stress)
What might I suspect based
character on point. on this? Assault plan: Point of attack. Recover & indulge your Vice.
Overcome a group problem. What's the danger here? Deception plan: Method. and choose 1: + Devil's Bargain
Assist another character. Reduce heat on the crew.
Where could I go to find X? Infiltration plan: Entry point.
Ask about a detail for a Occult plan: Arcane power. Work on a project clock. Your Background matches
Set up another character. Follow through on a setup. + the target.
plan. Social plan: Social connection. Acquire an asset.
whisper
blade
command
mayhem
special abilities
murder
stitch
name look Channel: Use electroplasmic energy to produce supernatural
effects. Costs stress equal to the magnitude of the energy (0-4).
Compel: You can attune to the ghost field to compel a spirit
book
heritage:akorosdagger isles background:academicbluecoatlabor
iruviaseverosskovlantycheros merchantnobleunderworld or demon to follow a direct instruction you give it.
attune
vice affiliationdrinkdrugsfaithgamblingloversluxuriesweird Strange Methods: When you tinker with a device, tool, or
cipher
weapon, you may include electroplasmic or arcane features.
supply
stress trauma armor +heavy Summon: Perform a ritual to force a supernatural being to appear
tinker
before you. Costs stress equal to the magnitude of the being (2-6).
lasting effects beyond
Beyond: You get special armor vs. supernatural effects. When
cloak
you roll a critical while dealing with arcane powers, clear 1 stress.
prowl
Daring: When you roll 1-3 and choose to try again with more
coin
stash
secure
risk, you get +1d.
notes
slip
Experienced: Choose an additional background with which
stalk
you get a bonus.
Veteran: Choose a special ability from another playbook.
mask
items (3)Light. (4,5)Normal. (6)Heavy. Items in italics don't count. strange friends
consort
A Blade or Two Fine spirit anchor Nyryx, a possessor ghost
Throwing Knives
deceive
Fine lightning-hook Hoxan, a rogue spirit
A Pistol & Shot
discern
Fine spirit mask
A Large Weapon
Scurlock, a vampire
sway
Demon blood vials
An Unusual Weapon Setarra, a demon
Ghost key
desperate rolls
Armor +Heavy Demonbane charm Quellyn, a witch
Burglary Tools
Climbing Gear
Spiritbane charm Flint, a spirit trafficker
effects
playbook advancement
Books / Maps
force
Spectrology Gear Solve a problem with arcane power or knowledge.
finesse
Subterfuge Supplies Learn something new about spectrology or demonic lore.
Tinkering Tools Dominate, control, or destroy a ghost, demon, or other occultist.
insight
A small personal item Express your character's flaws, obsessions, secrets, or shortcomings.
will
teamwork: on point teamwork: backup gather information planning downtime action roll bonus dice
What do they intend to do? Choose the plan the characters have Choose your carried Items.
Lead a group action. Face an effect for the made, establish a detail, cut to the action. Restore your Armor. + Assist (They take 1 stress)
What might I suspect based
character on point. on this? Assault plan: Point of attack. Recover & indulge your Vice.
Overcome a group problem. What's the danger here? Deception plan: Method. and choose 1: + Devil's Bargain
Assist another character. Reduce heat on the crew.
Where could I go to find X? Infiltration plan: Entry point.
Ask about a detail for a Occult plan: Arcane power. Work on a project clock. Your Background matches
Set up another character. Follow through on a setup. + the target.
plan. Social plan: Social connection. Acquire an asset.
standard items cutter items slide items
A Blade or Two: Perhaps you carry a pair of large fighting
Fine hand weapon: A finely crafted one-handed weapon
Fine clothes and jewelry: An outfit of such fine make as
knives. Or a sword and dagger. Or A heavy cleaver and long of your choice. to pass as a wealthy noble.
stiletto. Up to you. Fine large weapon: A finely crafted two-handed weapon
Fine disguise kit: A theatrical make-up kit equipped with
Throwing Knives: A brace of six light blades, suitable for
of your choice. an impressive array of expert appliances to fool the eye.
throwing. Manacles and chain: A set of heavy manacles and chain,
Fine loaded dice, trick cards: Gambling accoutrements
A Pistol & Shot: A flintlock pistol, devastating at 12 paces,
suitable for restraining a prisoner. subtly altered to favor particular outcomes.
slow to reload. A small pouch of powder and shot. Rage Essence Vial: A single dose of Rage Essence, which
Trance powder: A dose of the popular drug, which induces
A Large Weapon: A weapon meant for two-hands. A
greatly enhances the user's strength, resistance to pain, and a dreamlike state.
weapon of war, like a battle-axe, greatsword, warhammer, irrational aggression for the span of several minutes. A cane-sword: A slim sword and its sheath, disguised as
or pole-arm. Wrecker tools: A heavy sledgehammer and crowbar.
a noble's cane.
An Unusual Weapon: A curiosity of the blacksmith's art
Iron spikes. Heavy gloves.
or a tool turned into a weapon. A whip, a flail, a hatchet, a
shovel, a length of chain, a razor-edged fan, steel-toed boots.
Armor: A heavy leather tunic with a high collar, heavy hound items whisper items
Fine spirit anchor: An arcane item which can hold a ghost
gloves.
+Heavy: The addition of chain mail or metal plates, Fine pair of pistols: A pair of finely crafted pistols.
in place near it.
a metal helm.
Fine long rifle: A finely crafted hunting rifle, deadly
Fine lightning-hook: A long, two-handed pole with a
Burglary Tools: A set of lockpicks. A small pry-bar. Vials
at long range. loop of heavy wire at the end, connected to an electroplasmic
of oil to silence squeaky hinges. A coil of wire and fishing capacitor. Suitable for grappling a spirit and dragging it into
Electroplasmic ammunition: A bandolier of
hooks. A small pouch of sand. a spirit bottle.
electroplasmicly charged shot, suitable for harming spirits
Climbing Gear: A large coil of rope. A small coil of rope.
and demons. Fine spirit mask: An arcane item which allows the trained
Grappling hooks. A small pouch of chalk dust. A climbing user to see arcane energies in great detail. Also affords some
A fine trained hunting pet: An animal companion that
harness with loops and metal rings. A set of iron pitons and measure of protection against ghostly possession.
obeys your commands and anticipates your actions, of a
a small mallet.
species of your choice. Demon blood vials: A small set of tough crystalline vials,
Books / Maps: A small collection of slim volumes on a
containing blood from demons.
Far-sight spyglass: A device which allows you to see
variety of topics. Blank pages, a vial of ink, a pen. A number
clearly over extreme distances. Ghost key: An arcane device which can open ghost doors.
of interesting maps.
Demonbane charm: An arcane trinket which demons
Spectrology Gear: A vial of quicksilver. A pouch of black
hold
tier
factions
The Unseen
iii 7
The Silver Nails iii 6
tier special abilities
Lord Scurlock
iii 5
name lair Everyone Steals: Each PC chooses to take level 1 in Prowl,
The Hive
iii 4
Slip, Secure, or Finesse (choose one which is currently zero).
absentbolddrivencarelessfiendish hold
The Circle of Flame
ii 4
ward boss meticulouspatientruthlesssavvyweird Pack Rats: Your lair is a jumble of stolen items. When you
roll to acquire an asset, take +1 result level (as if you'd spent
The Crows
ii 3
coin
coin on the roll).
The Lampblacks ii 3
wanted
|
heat Slippery: When you roll entanglements during development,
The Red Sashes
ii 3
renown ambitiousbrutaldaringprofessionalsubtlestrange roll two dice and keep the one you want. Also, when you reduce
The Dimmer Sisters ii 5
heat on the crew, take +1d to the roll.
roster
Overwatch: When you're backup and you face an effect for the
Ulf Ironborn i 3
adepts killers thugs others character on point, you can share the stress cost between 2 PCs.
The Fog Hounds i 2
Vincen Crane Zana Alpha: When you lead a group action, you do +1d effect.
The Eels
i 3
Kyra Dro Chalk Experienced: Choose an additional reputation with which
The Lost
i 3
Tor Tevis Whistler you may employ your Renown.
Duskwall Council iv 8
Vetta Aslyn Grip Veteran: Choose a special ability from another crew.
Skovlander Refugees
iv 2
rooks shadows rovers crew advancement
Ironhook Prison iii 9
Lyzelle Avery Kam Execute a profitable heist, robbery, or shakedown.
Spirit Wardens iii 6
Corlane Merrick Ruby Gain access to a new avenue of thievery or type of victim.
Bluecoats
iii 7
Grevor Adra Hester Complete a profitable side job (of your own or for a client).
Inspectors
i 9
Quinn Sloane Drake Contend with challenges above your current station.
Leviathan Hunters iii 8
crew effects crew upgrades contacts
Sailors
ii 5
gangs Adepts
Hidden Lair
Blade Training
Fine Building Plans
Dowler, an explorer
Dockers
ii 4
Killers
Secure Lair
Book Training
Fine Rooftop Routes
Laroze, a bluecoat
Gondoliers
ii 4
lair
Thugs
Library
Cloak Training
Elite Shadows
Amancio, a fence
Cabbies
i 3
morale
Rail Jacks
i 3
Rooks
Quarters
Mask Training
Prison Escape Methods
Fitz, a collector
resources Shadows
Vault Expertise
Secondary Lair
Adelaide Phroaig, a noble
Church of the
iii
Ecstasy of the Flesh 5
transport Rovers
Workshop
Mastery
Thief Rigging (-1 load)
Rigney, a tavern owner
The Weeping Lady ii 5
notes
The Path of Echoes
ii 4
The Forgotten Gods i 3
Deathlands
Scavengers
i 3
scores To generate a score, roll or choose on the following tables. Still a work in progress.
1 Ghost of (roll again) 1 Curse or Sanctify 1 Whitecrown or Brightstone 1 3 Job requires sea travel
2 Occult Collector 2 Banish or Summon 2 Six Towers or Charterhall 2
4
3 Vampire or Other Undead 3 Extract Essence 3 Mightmarket or Silkshore 3
4 Demon (disguised) 4 Place or Remove Runes 4 Coalridge or The Docks 4 The job furthers a revolutionarys
5
secret agenda.
5 Possessed or Hollow 5 Perform / Stop Ritual 5 Crows Foot or Dunslough 5
The job furthers a city officials secret
6
6 6 6 Barrowcleft or Charhollow 6 agenda
purveyors of vice
affiliation lovers
The Silver Nails, a mercenary company. Jewel, Bird, and Shine, Catcrawl alley, the
The Unseen. Docks.
The Hive. Madame Tesslyn, The Red Lamp, Silkshore.
The Circle of Flame. Rolan Volaris, The Veil, Nightmarket.
Eldrin Prichard, The Silver Swan pleasure barge,
drink Brightstone canals.
Mardin Gull, The Leaky Bucket, Crow's Foot.
Pux Bolin, the Harping Monkey, Nightmarket.
luxuries
Singer, bath house, Crows Foot.
Helene, Silver Stag casino, Silkshore.
Harvale Brogan, The Centuralia, Six Towers.
Travens smoke shop, Coalridge.
Freyla, The Emperors Cask, Whitecrown.
Dunridge & Sons fine fabrics and tailoring,
Nightmarket.
drugs Chef Roselle, The Golden Plum, Six Towers.
Avrick, powder dealer, Barrowcleft. Maestro Helleren, Spiregarden theater,
Whitecrown.
Rolan Volaris, The Veil, Nightmarket.
Madame Tesslyn, The Red Lamp, Silkshore. weird
Travens smoke shop, Coalridge. The hooded proprietor of a half-flooded grotto
Eldrin Prichard, The Silver Swan pleasure barge, tavern near the docks. Strange passageways
Brightstone canals. lead to stranger chambers beyond.
faith
Sister Narya of the Weeping Lady.
The ruins of the Temple to Forgotten Gods, [... MORE TO COME HERE ...]
Coalridge.
Nelisanne, Church of the Ecstasy of the Flesh,
Silkshore.
Lord Penderyn, The Palace of Echoes, Brightstone.
gambling
Spoggs dice game, Dunslough.
Grist, boxing, the Docks.
Helene, Silver Stag casino, Silkshore.
Master Vreen, hound racing, Nightmarket.
Lady Devera, The Dusk Manor Club, Whitecrown.
40
the unquiet
the unquiet dead dead
They say anything can be sold on the streets
of Duskwall. But have you ever tried to unload
Spectrology
Its said that the cataclysm which shattered the earth, banished the
a cursed spirit bottle? Yeah, all of sudden the sun, and turned the seas to black ink was caused by a sorcerer who
market dries up. dabbled in forbidden magic and tore down the Gates of Death.
Flint But who believes such ancient tales? Whatever the truth of it, one
thing is certain: once a body dies, its spirit does not disperse as they
details once did long ago. It becomes a ghost: a spectral entity composed
A spirit rises from its corpse three days of electroplasmic vapors.
after death, unless the body is dissolved in It takes roughly three days for a ghost to become free of the corpse.
electroplasm before then. It is then free to wander the world, consumed by darker and darker
Bellweather Crematorium (operated by the urges until it goes entirely mad and monstrous. If the corpse is
bronze-masked Spirit Wardens) handles most dissolved in electroplasm before then, the spirit, too, is destroyed.
of the corpse disposal in Duskwall. But rogue
But there are other ways for body and spirit to relate...
spirits still haunt the city.
Soul. A living body with its own spirit. The normal state of affairs.
Ghosts are not the only undead. A variety of
strange beings stalk the darkest shadows. Possessed. A living body containing two (or more) spirits.
Hollow. A living body without a spirit. Usually dim-witted and
easily controlled.
Hull. A clockwork body animated by a bound spirit.
Undead. A dead body animated and sustained by a spirit.
Sometimes called a vampirethough only some crave hot
blood.
Ghost. A spirit without a body. Craves life essence and
vengeance on its earthly enemies. Can coalesce into semi-solid
electroplasmic vapor or diffuse into a fine haze.
Spirit-Well: A rift in reality where ghosts and other
supernatural beings congregate to draw energy. In ancient myth,
a spawning ground for demons.
Electroplasm: The energetic residue distilled from spirits
and leviathan blood.
Whisper: A person sensitive to spirits. May be able to summon
and communicate with ghosts.
41
duskwall
the wide world
blackvale
Tycheros
Akoros lockport
[Dark forests, rocky hills. Rich coastal cities and some mining colonies deep inland.]
Skovlan duskwall
Severos
[Windswept grass plains. Outside the Imperial cities, some native Serverosi still live
in tribes, scavenging the deathlands on their ghost-hunting horses.]
arvaedh
Iruvia whitehollow
[Golden deserts. People say that some positions of power are openly held by demons
in Iruvia.] wintercliff
Skovlan ilysia
[Cold, mountainous, wild. The last holdout from Imperial control. The war of Skovlan
Unity ended only a few years ago.] imperial
city
sevrin
Tycheros
[A far off land, disconnected from the Empire. People say the Tycherosi (rudely Severos
called "Strangers") have demon blood. If you play one, tell the group what your
telltale demonic feature is.] cullfield
south
point
Dagger u'duasha
mistport
Isles
alduara