What is this game about? A gritty, narrative-driven RPG where you lead a crew of daring scoundrels in a haunted industrial city, orchestrating high-stakes heists, accruing infamy, and dodging supernatural dangers.
Game lineage and inspiration: Influenced by Victorian gothic fiction and pulp crime tales, Blades in the Dark is built on John Harper’s Forged in the Dark engine.
What makes Blades in the Dark RPG unique?
Forged in the Dark mechanics: Roll a pool of d6s and keep the highest die, with 6s granting additional effects.
Crew progression & turf wars: Build your gang’s reputation, resources, and territory over linked scores.
Heat & Clocks system: Track law enforcement, rival factions, and mission progress with dynamic clocks.
Who will love it?
Fans of heist films and gothic noir settings
Players seeking collaborative narrative control and flashback mechanics
GMs who enjoy sandbox-style world building and faction play
Dice System
Core Mechanic: Roll a pool of d6s equal to your attribute + action rating, keep the highest die (1–3 = failure, 4–5 = standard success, 6+ = critical success).
Dice Needed: Multiple d6s for action rolls; extra d6s for stress and special circumstances.
