In the Dark

 What is this?

In the Dark is a streamlined, multi-setting roleplaying game, using the Forged in the Dark system.

The game allows you to play as a team of highly-skilled individuals operating on the fringes of law & society. You could be master thieves pulling casino heists, pirates raiding along the Spanish Main, or interplanetary bounty hunters roving the galaxy.

 Who is this for?

• Gaming groups who like Blades in the Dark but want to play in a different setting
• Roleplayers who prefer rules-light, improvisational play
• Players who want a simple intro to Forged in the Dark style RPGs

 What does the game include?

•  A 2-page rules quick-reference & setup guide
• 9 player character playbooks covering a range of roles (Ace, Burglar, Engineer, Face, Hunter, Mastermind, Medic, Muscle, & Mystic), and 1 bonus playbook (Enhanced)
•  A GM playbook for notes & reference
•  A blank playbook & playset to make your own roles & settings
• 6 themed playsets (Operators, Cyber Runners, Starfarers, Desperados, Buccaneers, & Wise Guys), with more to come

How does this differ from Blades in the Dark?

In the Dark simplifies the core rules of Blades in the Dark. Gameplay is snappier & more improvisational, like a Powered by the Apocalypse Game.

• Condensed Sheets: Individual & crew playbooks are a single sheet.
• Simplified Rolling: Add & subtract dice for difficulty, no position & effect.
• Simplified Rules: Simplified stats, group actions, gear, crew setup, & harm/healing.
• Generalized Playbooks: All-new roles cover a wider range of ensemble stories.
• Freeform Play: Gameplay flows freely in & out of missions, with streamlined downtime.
  
• Multiple Settings: Modular playsets allow for a variety of settings.

The rules are easier than BitD's, but play relies more on player collaboration & inventiveness. Think Monster of the Week or Lasers & Feelings.

 Are there more detailed rules?

See the in-progress Game Guide. This web-based guide has more detailed info on how to play than the quick-reference, but is still incomplete. It will continue to be updated over time.

 Where did this come from?

In the Dark originated as a hack of Scum & Villainy. The goal was to make that game more friendly & engaging for live-streamed actual-play. Versions of it have been played on ManaPot Studios' Flights of Fandom & Streets of Gotham streams, in settings ranging from Star Wars to Dishonored to Batman.

 What's the release status of the game?

In the Dark is in full release! It has been extensively playtested at conventions & on livestreams. The game will continue to recieve updates, such as new playsets & additions to the game guide. Feedback for future revisions is always welcome.

This game and all associated materials are distributed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 License.

This work is based on Blades in the Dark (found at http://www.bladesinthedark.com/), product of One Seven Design, developed and authored by John Harper, and licensed for our use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).