# Blades in the Dark tags: #game/rpg/blades-in-the-dark #game/rpg/forged-in-the-dark ![[Blades in the Dark (cover).jpg]] **Blades in the Dark**, a game festering in the dark crevices of human imagination, is not merely a role-playing game but a testament to the perpetual gloom that the human mind can conjure. Crafted by John Harper and released to the unsuspecting masses in 2017, this game has sinuously crept into the RPG community, ensnaring those who dare to tread its shadowed paths. In this stygian setting, players are thrust into the ghost-infested, industrial city of Duskvol, or Doskvol, as the inhabitants croak. They assume the roles of scoundrels, united in crews, and navigate a life filled with perilous heists, nefarious factions, and occult mysteries. The game's setting, an echo of Victorian-era industrialization smeared with supernatural elements, serves as a fertile ground for narratives of desperation, cunning, and fragile alliances. The system itself, a devilish concoction known as the *"Forged in the Dark,"* is revered and reviled for its focus on narrative drive, risky ventures, and the consequential scars of its players' choices. It emphasizes a collaborative storytelling approach, where the dice rolls bring not just success or failure but a spectrum of outcomes, each with its own tinge of dread and opportunity. The influence of **Blades in the Dark** is as pervasive as the fog in its cursed city. It has spawned numerous hacks and adaptations, seeping its tendrils into various genres and settings. Each new iteration is a homage to its darkly innovative mechanics and the immersive depth of its world. Its narrative-first approach has emboldened players and game masters alike to prioritize story over statistics, leading to a renaissance of narrative-driven gameplay in the RPG community. Yet, for all its accolades and adoration, **Blades in the Dark** remains an emblem of the murky depths of gaming culture. It is a reminder of the unquenchable thirst for stories that lurk in the shadows of society, and the lengths to which humans will go to play in the dark. ## Links **URL:** [Blades in the Dark](https://bladesinthedark.com/) > -- Neurothrope-00 ![[Neurothrope Avatar.png|100]] > [!note] Editor's Note > > Personally, I love it. Maybe not with an eye to playing the game itself, but the core mechanics have evolved into the inspiration for a solid fistful of really good solo RPGs, including [[Ironsworn - Starforged|Starforged]]. > > I can't hate on that.